Monitoring assembly and busbar connector

Abstract

The invention relates to a monitoring assembly and a busbar connector, and belongs to the field of connectors, the monitoring assembly comprises a monitoring assembly shell and terminals, and the terminals comprise at least one monitoring terminal and at least one loop terminal; the monitoring terminal and the loop terminal are integrated in the monitoring assembly shell, and contact parts on the monitoring terminal and the loop terminal extend out of the monitoring assembly shell and are used for being in contact with a metal bar on the side edge of a busbar; when the monitoring terminal is extruded by a metal bar at the side edge of the busbar, the monitoring terminal is contacted and conducted with the metal bar, and a signal closed loop is formed through the loop terminal which is always in conduction contact with the metal bar. According to the invention, through different hole combinations on the metal bar at the side edge of the busbar, the conduction of monitoring terminals and loop terminals in different numbers and at different positions can be realized, so that the conduction combination of different signals is realized, the identification of the insertion position of a server and the installation number of the server is realized, and the reliability of the server is improved. The system has the function of identifying the position of the equipment where the connector is located.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of connector technology, specifically relating to a monitoring component and a busbar connector. Background Technology

[0002] In scenarios where power is drawn between data center server nodes and busbars, busbar connectors are typically used for electrical connection and power transmission. A busbar connector includes a connector housing and power terminals housed within the housing. After the busbar connector is inserted into the busbar frame, the power terminals contact the busbar within the frame, achieving electrical connection and power transmission.

[0003] In multi-node server application scenarios, it is not easy to determine the insertion position and number of servers, and it is impossible to determine the location of the server failure when a failure occurs, thus affecting the operation and maintenance of the equipment. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, this invention provides a monitoring component and a busbar connector. The side frame of the busbar has regularly spaced openings corresponding to the monitoring terminals, thereby enabling different signal conduction combinations to identify the location of server nodes and the number of servers installed, thus giving the system the function of identifying the location of the connector.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution of the monitoring component of the present invention is as follows: a monitoring component includes a monitoring component housing and terminals, wherein the terminals include at least one monitoring terminal and at least one loop terminal; the monitoring terminal and the loop terminal are integrated within the monitoring component housing, and the contact portions on the monitoring terminal and the loop terminal extend out of the monitoring component housing for contacting the metal busbar on the side of the busbar; When the monitoring terminal is squeezed by the metal bar on the side of the busbar, it makes contact with the metal bar and conducts electricity, forming a closed signal loop through the loop terminal that is always in contact with the metal bar.

[0006] Its beneficial effects are as follows: After the monitoring component of the present invention is inserted into the busbar along with the busbar connector, the metal bar on the side of the busbar does not have holes at the positions corresponding to the circuit terminals, but has holes as needed at the positions corresponding to the monitoring terminals. Therefore, the circuit terminals of the monitoring component are always connected to the metal bar, while the corresponding monitoring terminals are pressed at the positions where the metal bar has no holes, and these monitoring terminals are connected to the metal bar. Therefore, by using different combinations of holes on the metal bar on the side of the busbar, different numbers and positions of monitoring terminals and circuit terminals can be connected, thereby achieving different signal connection combinations. This enables the identification of the server insertion position and the number of servers installed, and gives the system the function of identifying the location of the connector.

[0007] The monitoring terminals and circuit terminals of the present invention are structurally the same type of terminal. Therefore, the terminals on the monitoring component can be defined as monitoring terminals or circuit terminals according to different scenarios. It is only necessary to ensure that the defined circuit terminals are not made with holes at the corresponding positions on the metal busbar side and are always kept in contact and conductive state.

[0008] Furthermore, the terminal includes a loop terminal and multiple monitoring terminals.

[0009] Its beneficial effects are: one circuit terminal can meet the monitoring needs, and multiple monitoring terminals can identify more locations.

[0010] Furthermore, the contact portion of the monitoring terminal and the circuit terminal is a protruding structure with elastic deformation capability, and a fixing portion for stopping and preventing backlash is provided in the middle of the monitoring terminal and the circuit terminal.

[0011] Its beneficial effect is that the elastic deformation of the protruding structure can maintain reliable contact by means of the elastic force after deformation.

[0012] The present invention also proposes a busbar connector, including a connector housing on which the monitoring components described above are mounted.

[0013] Its beneficial effects are as follows: After the busbar connector of the present invention is inserted into the busbar, the metal bar on the side of the busbar does not have holes at the positions corresponding to the circuit terminals, but has holes as needed at the positions corresponding to the monitoring terminals. Therefore, the circuit terminals of the monitoring components are always connected to the metal bar, while the monitoring terminals at the un-holeed positions of the metal bar are pressed, and the monitoring terminals are connected to the metal bar. Therefore, by using different combinations of holes on the metal bar on the side of the busbar, different numbers and positions of monitoring terminals and circuit terminals can be connected, thereby realizing different signal connection combinations, and thus realizing the identification of the server insertion position and the number of servers installed, enabling the system to have the function of identifying the location of the connector in the device.

[0014] Furthermore, a mounting groove is provided on the side of the connector housing, and the monitoring component is installed in the mounting groove.

[0015] Its beneficial effect is that the installation slot can limit the movement of the monitoring component in multiple directions.

[0016] Furthermore, the connector housing is also provided with power terminals and signal terminals, which are arranged in pairs.

[0017] The connector housing has a first cavity for accommodating power terminals and a second cavity for accommodating signal terminals on the same side, and the first cavity and the second cavity are isolated from each other.

[0018] Its beneficial effect is that the power terminals and signal terminals are located in their respective cavities, which can avoid mutual interference.

[0019] Furthermore, a first side wall opening is provided on one side of the tail of the connector housing, the first side wall opening is connected to the first cavity, and a fixing plug is inserted into the first side wall opening; a side notch is provided at the rear end of the power terminal, and the fixing plug is inserted into the side notch to prevent the power terminal from retracting.

[0020] Its beneficial effects are: the fixed plug has a simple structure and is easy to install. By engaging with the side notch of the power terminal, it can effectively prevent the power terminal from retracting.

[0021] Furthermore, the rear end of the monitoring component housing is provided with a stop surface for pressing against the fixed plug.

[0022] Its beneficial effect is that while the fixing block prevents the power terminal from moving backward, it also acts on the stop surface at the rear end of the monitoring component housing, which can prevent the monitoring component housing from moving backward.

[0023] Furthermore, the side of the fixing block is provided with a protrusion to prevent the fixing block from falling out, and the side of the fixing block facing the power terminal is flat or has a protruding blocking part.

[0024] Its beneficial effect is that the convex hull can achieve an interference fit between the fixed plug and the first opening of the side wall, preventing the fixed plug from coming out.

[0025] Furthermore, a second sidewall opening is provided on one side of the tail of the connector housing, and the second sidewall opening communicates with the second cavity; an elastic wing is provided in the middle of the signal terminal, and the signal terminal is prevented from retracting by the end of the elastic wing being locked in the second sidewall opening.

[0026] Its advantages are: the signal terminal can achieve the anti-reverse function through its own elastic wing, the structure is simple and no new parts need to be added.

[0027] Furthermore, the busbar connector also includes a grounding plate, which is disposed on the outer side of the connector housing. The grounding plate has a first contact area that mates with the mounting panel of the connector housing and a second contact area that mates with the metal bar on the side of the busbar.

[0028] Its beneficial effects are: it can effectively achieve the grounding function, ensuring the safety and reliability of the connector during use.

[0029] The beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows: The present invention proposes a monitoring component and a busbar connector containing the monitoring component. Ultimately, the busbar connector and the busbar are plugged together to achieve power transmission, and the plugging position of the busbar connector on the busbar can be monitored through the monitoring terminal.

[0030] In existing technologies, the circuit terminals are designed separately and require separate assembly. In this invention, the circuit terminals and monitoring terminals are actually the same type of terminal, which can be integrally molded and then cut to obtain the final product, saving materials.

[0031] The monitoring state of this invention is not constrained by the travel of the monitoring terminal, and has a larger tolerance: the circuit terminal is always in contact with the metal busbar and conducting. When the monitoring terminal is in contact with the metal busbar, only a small amount of compression is needed to achieve circuit conduction. Existing technology requires the monitoring terminal to be compressed to a certain extent (such as by setting a second contact) to contact the circuit terminal in order to form a circuit. Therefore, when the busbar is inserted at an angle, this invention will not have the problem of insufficient compression of some monitoring terminals, resulting in poor contact with the circuit terminal. Attached Figure Description

[0032] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the monitoring component in Example 1; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the terminal layout of the monitoring component in Example 1, where the arrows indicate the direction of the monitoring signal flow; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the monitoring component installed on the busbar connector in Example 1; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the busbar connector and the busbar being plugged into each other when the monitoring component is installed in Example 1; Figure 5 This is an exploded view of the busbar connector structure in Example 2; Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the connector housing side of the busbar connector in Example 2; Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the other side of the connector housing of the busbar connector in Example 2; Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the power terminals of the busbar connector in Example 2; Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the signal terminals of the busbar connector in Example 2; Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the grounding plate of the busbar connector in Example 2; Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of the fixed plug structure in Example 2; Markings in the diagram: 1. Monitoring component housing; 101. Terminal hole; 102. Stop surface. 2. Terminal, 201. Monitoring terminal, 202. Circuit terminal, 2-1. Contact part, 2-2. Cable adapter part, 2-3. Fixing part; 3. Monitoring component; 4. Busbar connector; 5. Busbar; 6. Metal busbar; 601. Metal busbar opening; 7. Power terminal; 701. Side notch; 702. Tail soldering area; 8. Signal terminal; 801. Wire mating area; 802. Elastic wing; 9. Grounding piece; 901. First contact area; 902. Second contact area; 10. Connector housing; 1001. Mounting groove; 1002. First cavity; 1003. Second cavity; 1004. First opening on side wall; 1005. Second opening on side wall; 11. Fixing plug; 1101. Blocking part; 1102. Protrusion. Detailed Implementation

[0033] The present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the embodiments, but this should not be construed as limiting the invention in any way.

[0034] A monitoring component is provided for a busbar connector to identify the server insertion location and the number of servers installed. The monitoring component structure in this embodiment is as follows: Figure 1 , 2 As shown, the device includes a monitoring component housing 1 and terminals 2 disposed within the monitoring component housing 1. At least two terminals 2 are provided, with at least one being a monitoring terminal 201 and at least one being a loop terminal 202. The monitoring component housing 1 has terminal holes 101, and contact portions 2-1 on the monitoring terminals 201 and loop terminals 202 extend out of the monitoring component housing 1 from the terminal holes 101. The contact portions 2-1 are located at the front end of the terminal 2 and are bent into a specific shape, such as an arc or V-shape, so that they can undergo elastic deformation after being compressed by a matching contact element, thereby providing reliable contact force to ensure reliable contact. The rear end of the terminal 2 is provided as a cable adapter portion 2-2 for connecting a corresponding cable. The cable adapter portion 2-2 extends from a slot on the side of the monitoring component housing 1 for easy wiring. Near the cable adapter portion 2-2, the terminal 2 also has protrusions extending to both sides of the terminal 2's plane to form fixing portions 2-3. These fixing portions 2-3, in conjunction with corresponding stops on the monitoring component housing 1, prevent the terminal 2 from retracting.

[0035] like Figure 2 As shown, in this embodiment, there are 6 monitoring terminals 201 and 1 loop terminal 202, which are arranged in three rows along the insertion and removal direction of the busbar connector. The loop terminal 202 is in the middle, and the monitoring terminal 201 is located on both sides of the loop terminal 202.

[0036] Figure 2In the diagram, the shaded box indicates that no hole is made at the position corresponding to the contact portion 2-1 of terminal 2 on the side metal bar of the busbar, while the unshaded box indicates that a hole is made at the position corresponding to the contact portion 2-1 of terminal 2 on the side metal bar of the busbar.

[0037] like Figure 3 , 4 As shown, Figure 1 The monitoring component 3 shown is mounted on the side of the busbar connector 4 and inserted into the corresponding position of the busbar 5. Normally, the metal bar 6 on the side of the busbar 5 does not have a hole at the contact portion 2-1 of the circuit terminal 202, that is, it is designed to keep the contact portion 2-1 of the circuit terminal 202 always in a compressed state by the metal bar 6, so that the circuit terminal 202 always remains in contact with the metal bar 6 on the side of the busbar 5. For monitoring terminal 201, different combinations of openings are designed on the metal busbar 6 on the side of busbar 5 at positions corresponding to the contact portion 2-1 of monitoring terminal 201. That is, the number and position of the metal busbar openings 601 in different opening combinations are different. When no metal busbar opening 601 is provided at the position of the metal busbar corresponding to the contact portion 2-1 of monitoring terminal 201, the contact portion 2-1 is compressed. At this time, the monitoring terminal 201 is conductive with the metal busbar 6 and forms a closed signal loop through the loop terminal 202 which is also conductively contacting the metal busbar 6, so that the system can identify the compressed state of the monitoring terminal. When a metal busbar opening 601 is provided on the metal busbar 6 at the position corresponding to the contact portion 2-1 of monitoring terminal 201, the contact portion 2-1 of monitoring terminal 201 is not compressed by the metal busbar 6 when the busbar connector 4 and busbar 5 are plugged in, and is in a natural state, not conductive with the metal busbar 6. Thus, the system can identify that the corresponding monitoring terminal 201 is in an uncompressed state. By combining different openings on the metal busbar 6 on the side of the busbar 5, the monitoring terminals 201 and the circuit terminals 202 of different numbers and positions can be connected, thereby realizing different signal connection combinations, and thus realizing the identification of the server insertion position and the number of servers installed, enabling the system to identify the location of the connector. Figure 2 The middle arrow indicates the signal conduction path. After the busbar connector 4 is inserted into place, the monitoring signal flows along the compressed monitoring terminal 201 to the metal busbar 6, then along the area where the corresponding loop terminal 202 of the metal busbar 6 is located to the loop terminal 202, and finally along the loop terminal 202 to the monitoring circuit, thus realizing the closed loop of the monitoring signal.

[0038] The number of monitoring terminals 201 can be set as needed. The more monitoring terminals 201 there are, the more positions can be identified, which is a power of 2. Two monitoring terminals 201 can identify four positions through arrangement and combination, three monitoring terminals 201 can identify eight positions, and so on.

[0039] One circuit terminal 202 is sufficient, or multiple terminals can be set for backup redundancy.

[0040] Example 2 This embodiment is a busbar connector proposed based on Embodiment 1, and its structure is as follows: Figure 3 , 5 As shown, it includes a connector housing 10, a monitoring component 3, a power terminal 7, a signal terminal 8, a grounding plate 9, and a fixing plug 11. The monitoring component 3 adopts the structure described in Embodiment 1, that is, the monitoring terminal 201 and the loop terminal 202 are integrated within the same monitoring component housing 1.

[0041] like Figure 5-7 As shown, one side of the connector housing 10 is provided with a mounting groove 1001 for mounting the monitoring component 3. The inner surfaces of the connector housing 10 on opposite sides are designed with cavities to accommodate the power terminal 7 and the signal terminal 8. The power terminal 7 is located in the first cavity 1002, and the signal terminal 8 is located in the second cavity 1003. The first cavity 1002 and the second cavity 1003 are isolated from each other to separate the power terminal 7 and the signal terminal 8. A first sidewall opening 1004 is provided on one side of the rear end of the connector housing 10, and a second sidewall opening 1005 is provided on the opposite side. The first sidewall opening 1004 communicates with the first cavity 1002 and is used to position the power terminal 7, thus achieving an anti-retraction function for the power terminal 7. The second sidewall opening 1005 communicates with the second cavity 1003 and is used to position the signal terminal 8, thus achieving an anti-retraction function for the signal terminal 8.

[0042] The structure of the power terminal 7 is as follows: Figure 8 As shown, the front end of the power terminal 7 is a contact area with multiple contact springs, and the rear end is a tail soldering area 702 for electrical connection with the cable. A side notch 701 is provided on the side of the power terminal 7 in front of the tail soldering area 702. When the power terminal 7 is installed in the connector housing 10, the front contact area is located in the first cavity 1002, and the tail soldering area 702 is located at the tail of the connector housing 10. The side notch 701 is aligned with the first opening 1004 on the side wall of the connector housing 10. After the fixing block 11 is inserted into the first opening 1004 on the side wall, it is locked in the side notch 701, thereby realizing the anti-retraction function of the power terminal 7 during the mating process.

[0043] The structure of the fixed plug 11 is as follows: Figure 11As shown, the fixing block 11 is elongated, with several protrusions 1102 on its opposite sides for interference fit with the first opening 1004 on the side wall. A blocking portion 1101 protrudes from the side of the fixing block 11 facing the inside of the connector. The blocking portion 1101 increases the thickness of the fixing block 11 at the corresponding position. The fixing block 11 engages with the side notch 701 of the power terminal 7 at the blocking portion 1101, thus preventing it from slipping out. In other embodiments, the blocking portion 1101 may be omitted, ensuring that the thickness of the fixing block 11 reliably engages within the side notch 701 of the power terminal 7.

[0044] The first opening 1004 on the side wall is also connected to the mounting groove 1001. When the fixing block 11 stops and positions the power terminal 7, it can also press against the stop surface 102 at the rear end of the monitoring component housing 1 to stop the monitoring component 3 from moving backward.

[0045] The structure of the signal terminal 8 is as follows: Figure 9 As shown, the front end of the signal terminal 8 is a contact area with a contact spring, and the rear end is a wire mating area 801 for soldering or crimping with wires. A raised elastic flap 802 is located in front of the wire mating area 801. When the signal terminal 8 is installed in the connector housing 10, the front contact area is located in the second cavity 1003, the wire mating area 801 is located at the rear of the connector housing 10, and the elastic flap 802 is engaged within the second opening 1005 in the side wall, thus preventing the signal terminal 8 from retracting.

[0046] The structure of the grounding piece 9 is as follows: Figure 10 As shown, the grounding plate 9 has a first contact area 901 that mates with the mounting panel of the connector housing 10 and a second contact area 902 that mates with the metal bar on the side of the busbar. The grounding plate 9 is located on the other side of the connector housing 10 opposite to the monitoring component 3.

[0047] The above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention and are not intended to limit it. Those skilled in the art should understand that modifications or equivalent substitutions can be made to the specific implementation of the present invention with reference to the above embodiments. Any modifications or equivalent substitutions that do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention are within the protection scope of the pending claims.

Claims

1. A monitoring component, comprising a monitoring component housing (1) and terminals (2), characterized in that, The terminal (2) includes at least one monitoring terminal (201) and at least one loop terminal (202); the monitoring terminal (201) and the loop terminal (202) are integrated in the monitoring component housing (1), and the contact portion (2-1) on the monitoring terminal (201) and the loop terminal (202) extends out of the monitoring component housing (1) for contacting the metal busbar (6) on the side of the busbar (5); When the monitoring terminal (201) is squeezed by the metal bar (6) on the side of the busbar (5), it makes contact with the metal bar (6) and conducts a signal closed loop through the loop terminal (202) that is always in contact with the metal bar (6).

2. The monitoring component according to claim 1, characterized in that, The terminal (2) includes a loop terminal (202) and multiple monitoring terminals (201).

3. The monitoring component according to claim 1, characterized in that, The contact portion (2-1) of the monitoring terminal (201) and the circuit terminal (202) is a protruding structure with elastic deformation capability, and a fixing portion (2-3) for stopping and preventing backlash is provided in the middle of the monitoring terminal (201) and the circuit terminal (202).

4. A busbar connector, comprising a connector housing (10), characterized in that, The connector housing (10) is equipped with a monitoring component (3) as described in any one of claims 1-3.

5. The busbar connector according to claim 4, characterized in that, The connector housing (10) has a mounting groove (1001) on its side, and the monitoring component (3) is installed in the mounting groove (1001).

6. The busbar connector according to claim 4, characterized in that, The connector housing (10) is also provided with power terminals (7) and signal terminals (8), which are arranged in pairs.

7. The busbar connector according to claim 6, characterized in that, The connector housing (10) has a first cavity (1002) for accommodating a power terminal (7) and a second cavity (1003) for accommodating a signal terminal (8) on the same side, and the first cavity (1002) and the second cavity (1003) are isolated from each other.

8. The busbar connector according to claim 7, characterized in that, The connector housing (10) has a first side wall opening (1004) on one side of its tail. The first side wall opening (1004) is connected to the first cavity (1002). A fixing plug (11) is inserted into the first side wall opening (1004). The power terminal (7) has a side notch (701) at its rear end. The fixing plug (11) stops the power terminal (7) from retraction by engaging with the side notch (701).

9. The busbar connector according to claim 8, characterized in that, The monitoring component housing (1) has a stop surface (102) at its rear end, which is used to press against the fixed plug (11).

10. The busbar connector according to claim 8, characterized in that, The side of the fixed plug (11) is provided with a protrusion (1102) to prevent the fixed plug (11) from falling out. The side of the fixed plug (11) facing the power terminal (7) is flat or has a protruding blocking part (1101).

11. The busbar connector according to claim 7, characterized in that, The connector housing (10) has a second sidewall opening (1005) on one side of its tail, and the second sidewall opening (1005) is connected to the second cavity (1003); the signal terminal (8) has an elastic wing (802) in the middle, and the signal terminal (8) is stopped from moving by the end of the elastic wing (802) being stuck in the second sidewall opening (1005).

12. The busbar connector according to claim 4, characterized in that, It also includes a grounding plate (9), which is disposed on the outer side of the connector housing (10). The grounding plate (9) is provided with a first contact area (901) that cooperates with the mounting panel of the connector housing (10) and a second contact area (902) that cooperates with the metal bar (6) on the side of the busbar (5).

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