First connector and its mating second connector

Abstract

A first connector includes an insulating body having a mating surface and multiple terminal slots, and multiple power terminals. Each power terminal includes a first, second, and third terminal piece; the first terminal piece includes a first base and a first elastic arm extending from the first base toward the mating surface in a first direction; the second terminal piece includes a second base and two second elastic arms extending from the second base toward the mating surface; the third terminal piece includes a third base and two third elastic arms extending from the third base toward the mating surface. The three bases are stacked together along a second direction and fixed in the same terminal slot; in a third direction, the elastic arms are spaced apart from each other and arranged in the order of third, second, first, second, and third. The elastic arms of this invention are symmetrically distributed in the third direction, forming multi-point contact to increase current, and each terminal piece fully utilizes the cutting gap of another terminal piece to achieve a larger conductor cross-sectional area. This invention also discloses a second connector that mates with the first connector.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an electrical connector assembly comprising a first connector and a second connector therewith. Background Technology

[0002] CN212392405U discloses a connector terminal structure, which includes an upper terminal assembly and a lower terminal assembly. The upper terminal assembly includes a first terminal, a second terminal, and a third terminal. The lower terminal assembly includes a fourth terminal, a fifth terminal, and a sixth terminal. Each of the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth terminals includes a resilient arm and a body. The first, second, and third resilient arms are offset horizontally from left to right, as are the fourth, fifth, and sixth resilient arms. The first, second, and third bodies overlap vertically, as do the fourth, fifth, and sixth bodies. However, this terminal structure still cannot meet the requirements for extremely high currents in certain situations.

[0003] Therefore, we hope to design an improved electrical connector combination. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an electrical connector assembly that can improve the high current transmission characteristics of power supply terminals.

[0005] To solve the above problems, the present invention can adopt the following technical solution: a first connector, comprising an insulating body and a plurality of power terminals, wherein the insulating body includes a mating surface and a plurality of terminal slots, and each power terminal includes a first terminal piece, a second terminal piece, and a third terminal piece; the first terminal piece includes a first base and a first elastic arm extending from the first base toward the mating surface along a first direction, the second terminal piece includes a second base and two second elastic arms extending from the second base toward the mating surface along the first direction, and the third terminal piece includes a third base and two third elastic arms extending from the third base toward the mating surface along the first direction, wherein the first elastic arm, the second elastic arm, and the third elastic arm are all provided with contact portions; the first base, the second base, and the third base are stacked together along a second direction and fixed in the same terminal slot; in a third direction, the first elastic arm, the second elastic arm, and the third elastic arm are arranged at intervals and in the order of the third elastic arm, the second elastic arm, the first elastic arm, the second elastic arm, and the third elastic arm; the first direction, the second direction, and the third direction are orthogonal to each other.

[0006] To solve the above problems, the present invention can adopt the following technical solution: a second connector for mating with a first connector, the second connector including an insulating body and a plurality of power terminals, each power terminal including two terminal pieces attached to each other, each terminal piece including a base and a contact plate extending from the base.

[0007] Compared with the prior art, the bases of the three terminal pieces of the present invention are attached and stacked together, and the elastic arms are symmetrically distributed along the third direction as CBABC, forming multi-point contact to increase the current. Each terminal piece makes full use of the cutting gap of the other terminal piece, and has a larger conductor cross-sectional area at the same height to achieve a higher transmission current. Attached Figure Description

[0008] The following is a description of the accompanying drawings of an embodiment of the present invention: Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the electrical connector assembly according to the first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A cross-sectional view along the dashed line AA; Figure 3 yes Figure 1 A cross-sectional view along the dashed line BB; Figure 4 yes Figure 1 Exploded perspective view of the first connector in the middle; Figure 5 yes Figure 4 A three-dimensional view of the central insulating body and the reinforcing crossbar from another angle; Figure 6 yes Figure 4 A perspective view of two power terminals located in the same terminal slot; Figure 7 yes Figure 6 A 3D view from another angle; Figure 8 yes Figure 4 An exploded 3D view, in which one of the power terminals is disassembled; Figure 9 yes Figure 8 Another perspective of the exploded 3D view; Figure 10 yes Figure 1 A 3D view of the second connector; Figure 11 yes Figure 10 Exploded stereoscopic view; and Figure 12 yes Figure 1 A perspective view of the signal terminal modules of the first connector and the second connector in a separated state.

[0009] Component symbol explanation: Electrical connector assembly 1000, first connector 100, second connector 200, Insulating body 10, docking surface 11, terminal groove 12, docking cavity 13, slot 14, bump 15, Guiding hole 151, slot 152, Power terminal 20, First terminal piece 21, first base 211, first elastic arm 212, contact part 213, first pin 214, Second terminal piece 22, second base 221, second elastic arm 222, contact part 223, second pin 224, Third terminal piece 23, third base 231, third elastic arm 232, contact part 233, third pin 234, Notch 24, hook part 25, Reinforcing cross bar 40, cross bar part 41, convex part 42, buckling arm 43, Signal terminal module 30, insulator 31, signal terminal 32, barbed part 321, contact arm 322, Insulating body 50, Power terminal 60, Terminal piece 61, base 611, contact plate 612, pin 614, Additional piece 62, tab 621, Signal terminal module 70, insulator 71, Signal terminal 72, barbed part 721, contact arm 722, pin 724, Reinforcing cross bar 80. Detailed implementation manners

[0010] The following detailed implementation manners will further illustrate the present invention in conjunction with the above drawings.

[0011] Refer Figure 1-3 As shown, an embodiment of the present invention is an electrical connector assembly 1000, which includes two electrical connectors docked with each other, namely a first connector 100 and a second connector 200. In this embodiment, the two electrical connectors are respectively used to be mounted on a circuit board and mainly used to transmit power. Both electrical connectors include an insulating body, a plurality of power terminals and a plurality of signal terminals. The power terminals are used to transmit power and provide power for electronic components on the circuit board, and the signal terminals can transmit detection signals to control the power transmission, such as when to start the power transmission and when to stop, etc. The specific structure is introduced below.

[0012] Refer Figure 4-9 , the first connector 100 includes an insulating body 10 and a plurality of power terminals 20. The insulating body 10 includes a docking surface 11 and a plurality of terminal grooves 12.

[0013] Each power terminal 20 includes a first terminal piece 21, a second terminal piece 22, and a third terminal piece 23. The first terminal piece 21 includes a first base 211 and a first elastic arm 212 extending from the first base along a first direction XX toward the mating surface 11. The second terminal piece 22 includes a second base 221 and two second elastic arms 222 extending from the second base along a first direction XX toward the mating surface 11. The third terminal piece 23 includes a third base 231 and two third elastic arms 232 extending from the third base along a first direction XX toward the mating surface 11. The first elastic arm, the second elastic arm, and the third elastic arm are all provided with contact portions 213, 223, and 233, respectively. The first base 211, the second base 221, and the third base 231 are stacked together along a second direction YY and fixed together in the terminal slot 12. On the third direction ZZ, the first elastic arm 212, the second elastic arm 222, and the third elastic arm 232 are arranged at intervals, in the order of third elastic arm 232, second elastic arm 222, first elastic arm 212, second elastic arm 222, and third elastic arm 232. The first direction XX, the second direction YY, and the third direction ZZ are orthogonal to each other. The first, second, and third are not in any particular order; they are only used to distinguish similar components. It can be seen that the bases of the three terminal pieces are attached and stacked together, and the elastic arms are symmetrically distributed along the third direction in the pattern CBABC, forming multi-point contact to increase current. Simultaneously, each terminal piece fully utilizes the cutting gap of another terminal piece, resulting in a larger conductor cross-sectional area at the same height, thus achieving a higher transmission current.

[0014] In an optimized configuration, the contact portion 233 of the third elastic arm is further away from the mating surface 11 in the first direction XX than the contact portions 213 and 223 of the first elastic arm. This optimizes the contact force balance during mating. Furthermore, the contact portions 213 and 223 of the first and second elastic arms are approximately located at the same front-to-back position.

[0015] Optimized configuration: First terminal piece 21 includes a plurality of first pins 214 extending from a first base; second terminal piece 22 includes a plurality of second pins 224 extending from a second base; and third terminal piece includes a plurality of third pins 234 extending from a third base. In the second direction YY, the second pins 224 and third pins 234 are aligned one-to-one with each other, while the first pins 214 and second pins 224 are offset from each other. Each terminal piece has multiple pins, which increases current transmission, and the offset pin arrangement optimizes its routing on the circuit board.

[0016] In this embodiment, the two power terminals 20 are stacked along the second direction YY and the two first bases 211 are attached together. Figure 6-7It can be clearly seen that the contact portions of the two power terminals protrude in opposite directions in the second direction. In combination Figure 2 As shown, the two power terminals 20 are arranged in mirror symmetry, and their contact portions protrude in directions away from each other. In other embodiments, the two power terminals are arranged in mirror symmetry, and their contact portions may protrude towards each other. The power terminals on both sides of the same terminal slot 12 are arranged in mirror symmetry, increasing the transmission of current. In the second direction Y-Y, the first pins 214 of the two power terminals are aligned with each other, the second pins 224 and the third pins 234 of the two power terminals are aligned with each other one by one, and the first pin 214 and the second pin 224 are offset from each other, thus optimizing the pin arrangement.

[0017] Refer Figure 3-5 As shown, the first connector 100 includes a reinforcing crossbar 40. The power terminal 20 is provided with a notch 24 and a hook portion 25 protruding from the inner edge of the notch 24. The notch 24 penetrates through the first base portion 211, the second base portion 221, and the third base portion 231 along the second direction Y-Y. The insulating body 10 is provided with a slot 14. The reinforcing crossbar 40 includes a crossbar portion 41 and a plurality of protrusions 42 and a plurality of retaining arms 43 extending from the crossbar portion. The protrusions 42 and the retaining arms 43 pass through the slot 14 and are received in the notch 24, and the retaining arms 43 are latched to the corresponding hook portions 25. The terminal piece of the power terminal 20 and the insulating body 10 are further held by the reinforcing crossbar 40, increasing the holding force between the terminal piece and the insulating body. It can be seen that in this embodiment, all terminal pieces have the same notch 24. Optimally, each protrusion 42 and retaining arm 43 corresponds to two power terminals 20 within the same terminal hole, thereby ensuring the stability of the two power terminals within the same terminal hole.

[0018] In this embodiment, the first connector 100 includes a plurality of signal terminal modules 30, and the plurality of signal terminal modules 30 are stacked and arranged along the second direction Y-Y and are fixed within the insulating body. In combination Figure 12 As shown, each signal terminal module 30 includes an insulator 31 and a plurality of signal terminals 32, and the plurality of signal terminals 32 are arranged at intervals along the third direction Z-Z. Each signal terminal 32 is fixed within the insulator 31, and it includes a barb portion 321 extending out of the insulator and a contact arm 322 continuing to extend from the barb portion 321. When the signal terminal module is fixed to the insulating body, the barb portion 321 is fixed to the insulating body 10.

[0019] In this embodiment, refer Figure 4As shown, the insulating body 10 is provided with a docking cavity 13 recessed from the docking surface 11. The docking cavity 13 is located in front of the terminal groove 12. The elastic arms of the power terminal 20 and the contact arms 322 of the signal terminals are both exposed in the docking cavity 13. The insulating body 10 is provided with two bumps 15 on its upper side. Each bump is provided with a guiding hole 151 penetrating forward. Each guiding hole 151 is communicated with the docking cavity 13 through a slot 152. The guiding hole 151 penetrates along the first direction.

[0020] Refer Figure 10-12 As shown, the second connector 200 includes an insulating body 50, a power terminal 60 and a plurality of signal terminal modules 70. The power terminal 60 is in the shape of a flat plate. Two power terminals 60 are fixed in the same terminal groove. Thus, in combination Figure 2 As shown, the two power terminals 20 of the first connector can be abutted against the two power terminals 60.

[0021] Each power terminal 60 includes two terminal pieces 61. Each terminal piece 61 is in the shape of a flat plate, which includes a base portion 611, a contact plate 612 extending from the base portion and a plurality of pins 614. In this embodiment, each power terminal 60 is provided with an additional piece 62. The additional piece is attached to the base portion 611 and does not have a contact plate. The lug 621 punched out from the additional piece 62 abuts against the lug 621 of another power terminal, so as to abut the two power terminals 60 against each other, achieving multi-point contact and improving power transmission.

[0022] Each signal terminal module 70 includes an insulator 71 and a plurality of signal terminals 72. The signal terminals 72 are fixed to the insulator 71 and include a barb portion 721 extending out of the insulator, a contact arm 722 extending from the barb portion, and pins 724. A reinforcing cross bar 80 fixes the terminal pieces 61 of all the power terminals. Its structure is substantially the same as that of the first connector and will not be described in detail.

[0023] Refer Figure 2 And Figure 12 As shown, the signal terminal 32 of the first connector and the signal terminal 72 of the second connector can be docked with each other. The contact arm 322 is in the shape of a flat plate, and the contact arm 722 is in an inclined shape. The two are elastically abutted in the second direction Y-Y to form an electrical connection.

[0024] Those of ordinary skill in the art should understand that the technical solution of the present application can be modified or equivalently replaced without departing from the spirit and scope of the technical solution of the present application.

Claims

1. A first connector, comprising an insulating body and a plurality of power terminals, the insulating body including a mating surface and a plurality of terminal slots, each of the power terminals including a first terminal piece, a second terminal piece, and a third terminal piece; characterized in that: The first terminal piece includes a first base and a first elastic arm extending from the first base toward the mating surface in a first direction; the second terminal piece includes a second base and two second elastic arms extending from the second base toward the mating surface in the first direction; the third terminal piece includes a third base and two third elastic arms extending from the third base toward the mating surface in the first direction; and the first elastic arm, the second elastic arm, and the third elastic arm are all provided with contact portions. The first base, the second base, and the third base are stacked together along the second direction and fixed in the same terminal slot; In the third direction, the first elastic arm, the second elastic arm, and the third elastic arm are arranged at intervals and in the order of the third elastic arm, the second elastic arm, the first elastic arm, the second elastic arm, and the third elastic arm; the first direction, the second direction, and the third direction are orthogonal to each other.

2. The first connector of claim 1, wherein, The contact portion of the third elastic arm is further away from the mating surface in the first direction than the contact portions of the first elastic arm and the second elastic arm.

3. The first connector of claim 1, wherein, The two power terminals are arranged along the second direction and the two first bases are attached together and fixed in the same terminal slot. The contact portions of the two power terminals protrude in opposite directions in the second direction.

4. The first connector of claim 3, wherein, The first terminal piece includes a plurality of first pins extending from the first base, the second terminal piece includes a plurality of second pins extending from the second base, and the third terminal piece includes a plurality of third pins extending from the third base. In the second direction, the first pins of the two power terminals are aligned with each other, the second pins and the third pins of the two power terminals are aligned with each other, and the first pins and the second pins are offset from each other.

5. The first connector of claim 1, wherein, The first connector includes a reinforcing crossbar; The power terminal is provided with a notch and a hook protruding from the inner edge of the notch, and the notch penetrates the first base, the second base and the third base along the second direction; The insulating body is provided with slots; The reinforcing crossbar includes a crossbar portion and a plurality of protrusions and a plurality of buckling arms extending from the crossbar portion; The protrusion and the holding arm pass through the slot and are received in the recess, with the holding arm fastening to the corresponding hook.

6. The first connector of claim 1, wherein, The first terminal piece includes a plurality of first pins extending from the first base along the third direction; the second terminal piece includes a plurality of second pins extending from the second base along the third direction; and the third terminal piece includes a plurality of third pins extending from the third base along the third direction. In the second direction, the second pin and the third pin are aligned with each other, while the first pin and the second pin are offset from each other.

7. The first connector of claim 1, wherein, The first connector includes multiple signal terminal modules, each signal terminal module including an insulator and multiple signal terminals, the multiple signal terminals being arranged at intervals along the third direction; Each of the signal terminals is fixed within the insulator and includes barbs extending out of the insulator and a contact arm extending from the barbs. Multiple signal terminal modules are fixed within the insulating body, and the barbs of the signal terminals are fixed within the insulating body.

8. The first connector as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: The insulating body has a mating cavity recessed from the mating surface. The mating cavity is located in front of the terminal slot. The first elastic arm, the second elastic arm, and the third elastic arm of the power terminal are all exposed in the mating cavity. The insulating body has two protrusions on one of its outer surfaces, each of the protrusions having a guide hole extending forward along the first direction, and each guide hole communicating with the mating cavity via a slot.

9. A second connector for mating with the first connector of claim 1, wherein, The second connector includes an insulating body and a plurality of power terminals, each power terminal including two terminal pieces attached to each other, each terminal piece including a base and a contact plate extending from the base.

10. The second connector as claimed in claim 9, characterized in that: Each of the power terminals further includes an additional tab attached to the base of the terminal tab, but without a contact plate.

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