An electrical connector assembly

Abstract

The application provides an electric connector combination, which comprises a male connector and a female seat. The male connector comprises a male connector body and a plurality of first terminals, and the female seat comprises a female seat body and a plurality of second terminals, wherein the female seat body is provided with a plurality of plug-in cavities. The first terminal is a female terminal, and the front end of the female terminal is provided with a plug-in part surrounded by a bottom plate, a left side plate and a right side plate. The top of the right side plate extends leftward to form a first top plate, and the top of the left side plate extends rightward to form a second top plate below the first top plate. The second top plate extends backward to form a first contact spring arm, and the rear part of the left side plate extends rightward and is bent forward to form a second contact spring arm. The first contact spring arm and the second contact spring arm at least partially overlap in the up-down direction. When the first contact spring arm is compressed and deformed, the first contact spring arm is subjected to the reverse elastic support force of the second contact spring arm. The application can improve the fatigue resistance and contact reliability of the terminal, and simultaneously consider low plug-in force and small size design.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of connectors, and more particularly to an electrical connector assembly. Background Technology

[0002] Electrical connectors, as a fundamental component for enabling electrical interconnection between electronic devices, are widely used in various electronic products. A typical board-to-board electrical connector assembly usually consists of interlocking male connector heads and female connector heads, each with terminals inside, enabling the transmission of electrical signals through mating.

[0003] In existing electrical connector designs, contact spring structures are typically incorporated into the terminals to ensure stable and reliable electrical contact. During mating, the contact spring undergoes elastic deformation through physical contact with the mating terminals, providing a positive contact force. However, conventional terminals often employ only a single cantilever spring structure. After repeated mating or prolonged use, this structure is prone to metal fatigue, leading to weakened elasticity and reduced positive force. This, in turn, causes increased contact resistance, signal interruption, and other problems, affecting the connector's lifespan and signal transmission quality.

[0004] Furthermore, in order to provide sufficient contact force and improve fatigue resistance while maintaining miniaturization, some solutions attempt to increase the thickness of the spring arm or add an independent multi-contact structure. However, increasing the thickness of the spring arm directly leads to a significant increase in insertion and extraction force, which not only affects the user's operating feel but may also damage the terminal plating due to excessive stress; while adding an independent multi-contact structure often makes the terminal structure more complex, occupies more internal space, and is not conducive to the development of connectors towards thinner, lighter, and higher-density designs. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide a new electrical connector assembly and its terminal structure, which can effectively improve the fatigue resistance of the terminal contact spring arm and extend the reliable service life of the connector while maintaining miniaturization and without significantly increasing the insertion and extraction force.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, this application provides the following technical solution:

[0007] An electrical connector assembly, comprising:

[0008] A male connector includes a male connector body and a plurality of first terminals mounted on the male connector body;

[0009] A connector female includes a female body and a plurality of second terminals mounted on the female body. The female body has a plurality of insertion cavities, and the second terminals are disposed in the insertion cavities.

[0010] When the male connector is inserted into the female connector, the male connector body is inserted into the female connector body, and the first terminal and the second terminal are electrically connected in the insertion cavity;

[0011] The first terminal is a female terminal, and its front end has a mating portion surrounded by a bottom plate, a left side plate and a right side plate. The top of the right side plate extends to the left to form a first top plate, and the top of the left side plate extends to the right to form a second top plate located below the first top plate.

[0012] The second top plate extends rearward to form a first contact spring arm, and the rear part of the left side plate extends to the right and bends forward to form a second contact spring arm. The first contact spring arm and the second contact spring arm overlap at least partially in the vertical direction, so that when the first contact spring arm is deformed by pressure, it will be subjected to the reverse elastic support force of the second contact spring arm.

[0013] Furthermore, the front end of the first contact spring arm is provided with a first limiting protrusion, and the right side plate is provided with a first limiting groove that engages with the first limiting protrusion.

[0014] Furthermore, a second limiting protrusion is provided at the rear end of the second contact spring arm, and a second limiting groove is provided on the right side plate to engage with the second limiting protrusion.

[0015] Furthermore, the bottom of the first contact spring arm is provided with a second contact protrusion protruding downwards, and the base plate is provided with a first contact protrusion protruding upwards at the position corresponding to the second contact protrusion.

[0016] Furthermore, the rear end of the first top plate extends upward at an angle to form a first locking part, which is used to cooperate with the female body to achieve a locking action.

[0017] Furthermore, a terminal anti-misplacement portion extends rearward from the rear end of the first top plate to prevent the first terminal from being inserted incorrectly.

[0018] Furthermore, a first limiting mounting portion extends from the rear end of the first terminal's mating portion, and a first vertical limiting portion extends upward from both sides of the front section of the first limiting mounting portion, and a first limiting countertooth portion is provided on both sides of the rear section, and a welding portion extends downward from the rear end of the first limiting mounting portion.

[0019] Furthermore, the rear end of the male connector body extends backward and downward to form a plurality of first partitions, which are respectively located between the welding portions of adjacent first terminals to increase electrical clearance and creepage distance.

[0020] Furthermore, a push-button latch is provided on the top of the male connector body for locking or unlocking with the female connector socket; a secondary locking block is also inserted on the male connector body, the secondary locking block being located below the push-button latch for preventing the push-button latch from being accidentally pressed to unlock.

[0021] Furthermore, the upper surface and / or both sides of the male connector body are provided with a first anti-fooling part, and the insertion cavity of the female connector body is correspondingly provided with a first anti-fooling groove.

[0022] The beneficial effects of this application are as follows:

[0023] (1) This application constructs the mating portion of the first terminal into a stacked double-spring arm structure consisting of an upper first contact spring arm and a lower second contact spring arm, with the two overlapping at least partially in the vertical direction, forming a synergistic force-bearing mechanical mechanism. When the male and female terminals are mated, and the first contact spring arm is deformed downward by the pressure of the second terminal, it will simultaneously transmit the pressure to the lower second contact spring arm. At this time, the second contact spring arm uses its own elasticity to apply a reverse elastic support force to the first contact spring arm, which not only shares the contact stress but also effectively suppresses the unilateral excessive deformation and plastic yielding tendency of the first contact spring arm. This bidirectional force balance mechanism significantly delays the fatigue process of the metal material, and even after multiple mating and unmating cycles, it can still maintain a stable positive contact force, eliminate the risk of signal interruption due to spring arm fatigue, and significantly extend the reliable service life of the connector.

[0024] (2) This application abandons the traditional approach of simply increasing the thickness of the spring arm to improve fatigue resistance. Under the premise of providing the same or even higher contact force, the double-layer elastomer structure can effectively control the total stiffness required for elastic deformation while obtaining the required positive force through flexible design of its shape, thickness and overlapping area, thereby avoiding a sharp increase in insertion and extraction force. This enables the connector to ensure high-reliability electrical contact while providing a light and smooth insertion feel and reducing wear on the terminal plating, achieving an optimized balance between the traditional contradiction of low insertion and extraction force and high contact reliability.

[0025] (3) The double spring arm reinforcement structure of this application cleverly utilizes the space of the plate material of the insertion part to bend and form it. The second contact spring arm extends from the left side plate and is accommodated in the existing space below the first contact spring arm, with almost no additional increase in the external size of the terminal. Compared with the solution of setting a separate spring or thickening the plate material, this structure has a very high degree of integration and fully conforms to the industry trend of board-to-board connectors developing towards thinner and higher density. Attached Figure Description

[0026] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an electrical connector after mating, provided in one embodiment of this application;

[0027] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an electrical connector before mating, provided in one embodiment of this application;

[0028] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a male connector provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0029] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the connector male head from another perspective, provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0030] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the first terminal provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0031] Figure 6 A top view of a first terminal provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0032] Figure 7 for Figure 6 A partial sectional view at AA;

[0033] Figure 8 A top view of an electrical connector after mating, according to an embodiment of this application;

[0034] Figure 9 for Figure 8 Sectional view at BB

[0035] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a connector female socket provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0036] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of the connector female socket from another perspective, provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0037] Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the second terminal provided in an embodiment of this application; Detailed Implementation

[0038] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this application clearer, the specific embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of this application, not all of them. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this application without inventive effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0039] Overall structure

[0040] like Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, one embodiment of this application provides an electrical connector assembly 100, which mainly includes a male connector head 10 and a female connector socket 20 that are connected to each other. Both the male connector head 10 and the female connector socket 20 are soldered and fixed to an external PCB board 30 through their respective soldering parts, and the board-to-board electrical connection is achieved through mating.

[0041] male connector

[0042] like Figure 3 As shown, the male connector 10 includes a male connector body 11 and a plurality of first terminals 12 installed within the male connector body 11. The first terminals 12 are female terminals, and are integral metal parts formed by stamping and bending.

[0043] Please refer to this carefully. Figure 5 Each first terminal 12 has a mating portion 120 at its front end for interfacing with a female terminal. The mating portion 120 is formed by a base plate 121, a left side plate 122, and a right side plate 123, creating a receiving cavity with an opening at the top. Structurally, the top of the right side plate 123 bends to the left to form a first top plate 124, and the top of the left side plate 122 bends to the right to form a second top plate 125. The second top plate 125 is located below the first top plate 124 in the vertical direction, and the two are stacked but not in contact.

[0044] like Figure 7 As shown, to form the dual-arm cooperative force-bearing structure of this application, the rear portion of the second top plate 125 extends rearward to form a cantilevered first contact spring arm 126, which is located above the receiving cavity of the mating portion 120. Simultaneously, in the rear region of the left side plate 122, it bends and extends to the right (i.e., towards the interior of the cavity) and then bends forward to form a second contact spring arm 127. This second contact spring arm 127 is at least partially superimposed on the first contact spring arm 126, meaning they have at least a partial overlap in the vertical direction. This overlapping design constitutes a key functional relationship: when the connector male head 10 is mated with the connector female head 20, the second terminal 22 (male terminal) at the female head end presses upward against the first contact spring arm 126, causing it to elastically deform upward; the deformed first contact spring arm 126 then presses against the second contact spring arm 127 located above it, causing the second contact spring arm 127 to elastically deform and provide a reverse elastic support force to the first contact spring arm 126. This synergistic mechanism of the two elastic arms not only distributes the stress of the single elastic arm and effectively improves the resistance to metal fatigue, but also takes into account both positive contact force and insertion / extraction force through parameter adjustment.

[0045] like Figure 7As shown, to precisely limit the deformation trajectory of the first contact spring arm 126, a first limiting protrusion 1261 extends laterally from the front end of the first contact spring arm 126, while a first limiting groove 1231 is provided at the corresponding position on the right side plate 123. The first limiting protrusion 1261 is movably engaged in the first limiting groove 1231, providing a track for the spring arm's up-and-down movement and preventing lateral deviation. Similarly, a second limiting protrusion 1271 is also provided at the rear end of the second contact spring arm 127, and a second limiting groove 1232 is provided at the corresponding position on the right side plate 123. The second limiting protrusion 1271 is movably engaged in the second limiting groove 1232, thereby guiding and limiting the second contact spring arm 127.

[0046] like Figure 7 As shown, to optimize the electrical contact performance with the mating terminal (second terminal 22), the bottom of the first contact spring arm 126 has a downwardly protruding second contact protrusion 1262, while the base plate 121 has an upwardly protruding first contact protrusion 1211 corresponding to the second contact protrusion 1262. In the mating state, the male terminal (second terminal 22) is clamped between these two corresponding contact protrusions, forming a stable and reliable double-contact contact, effectively reducing contact resistance.

[0047] like Figure 5 and Figure 7 As shown, the rear end of the first top plate 124 extends obliquely upward to form a first locking part 128. This locking part is used to engage with a corresponding step or slot (not shown) inside the male connector body 11 after the terminal is inserted, thereby locking the terminal and preventing it from retracting. Furthermore, a terminal anti-misalignment part 129 extends rearward from the rear end of the first top plate 124. This anti-misalignment part can be a specific protrusion structure. If the terminal is inserted into the male connector body 11 in the wrong direction, the anti-misalignment part will physically interfere with its channel, preventing incorrect assembly.

[0048] like Figure 5 As shown, the mating portion 120 of the first terminal 12 extends rearward to form a first limiting mounting portion 130, used to securely fix the terminal within the male connector body 11. The front section of the first limiting mounting portion 130 has two sides bent upward to form first vertical limiting portions 131, used to limit the terminal in the vertical direction; the rear section has two sides stamped with barbed first limiting teeth 132, used to create interference with the plastic wall of the male connector body 11, tightly securing the terminal. The rear end of the first limiting mounting portion 130 is finally bent downward to form a welding portion 133, used for surface mounting to an external PCB board.

[0049] like Figure 4As shown, returning to the overall structure of the male connector body 11, the rear end of the male connector body 11 extends rearward and downward to form multiple first partitions 14. These first partitions 14 are respectively located between the solder portions 133 of each adjacent first terminal 12. Their function is to physically isolate adjacent solder pads, thereby significantly increasing the electrical clearance and creepage distance between adjacent terminal solder portions, greatly improving the withstand voltage performance and adapting to high-voltage application environments.

[0050] like Figure 4 As shown, the top of the male connector body 11 is provided with an integrally formed or assembled push-button latch 15. When the male connector 10 and the female connector 20 are inserted into place, the hook of the push-button latch 15 will hook onto the locking platform on the female connector body 21, thereby locking the male and female connectors and preventing accidental dislodgement. To enhance the reliability of the locking, this application also provides a secondary locking block 16. The secondary locking block 16 is inserted into the gap below the push-button latch 15. When it is inserted into place, it physically prevents the pressing end of the push-button latch 15 from being pressed down due to accidental contact or vibration, forming a secondary locking guarantee. The push-button latch 15 can only be pressed down to unlock when the secondary locking block 16 is pulled outward.

[0051] like Figure 4 and Figure 10 As shown, the upper surface of the male connector body 11 is provided with multiple ridge-shaped first anti-misalignment parts 17. Correspondingly, a first anti-misalignment groove 212 is provided on the top of the insertion cavity 211 of the female connector body 21. Second anti-misalignment parts 19 can also be provided on both sides of the male connector body 11, corresponding to the second anti-misalignment grooves 213 on both sides of the insertion cavity 211. The design of multiple anti-misalignment structures completely eliminates the possibility of reverse or misaligned insertion by the user.

[0052] like Figure 4 As shown, finally, the male connector body 11 is also fixed with a first grounding plate 18 on both sides, which is used to directly solder to the grounding circuit on the PCB board to provide good electromagnetic shielding and grounding function.

[0053] Connector female

[0054] like Figure 10 As shown, the connector female socket 20 includes a female socket body 21, on which a plurality of insertion cavities 211 corresponding one-to-one with the first terminal 12 are opened. A second terminal 22 is fixedly installed in each insertion cavity 211. The second terminal 22 is a male terminal, that is, this application adopts a reverse arrangement of "male head accepting female end, female socket accepting male end".

[0055] like Figure 12As shown, the second terminal 22 generally includes a flat, sheet-like male insertion portion 221 and a male welding portion 222 with a bent rear end. During insertion, the male insertion portion 221 is inserted into the insertion portion 120 of the first terminal 12 and is held by the first contact protrusion 1211 and the second contact protrusion 1262. Second limiting teeth 223 are punched on both sides of the male insertion portion 221 to interfere with the plastic wall inside the insertion cavity 211, firmly fixing the second terminal 22 to the female connector body 21.

[0056] like Figure 10 and Figure 11 As shown, inside the insertion cavity 211, multiple vertical second partitions 24 are also provided between each second terminal 22 to separate adjacent male terminals and increase the electrical clearance and creepage distance between them. A single third partition 25 is also provided on the rear side of the female body 21 to separate each male terminal solder joint 222.

[0057] like Figure 10 As shown, the female connector body 21 is also equipped with a second grounding piece 23 on both sides. The second grounding piece 23 and the first grounding piece 18 will make contact after the male and female are plugged in, thus constructing a complete grounding shielding path from the male connector to the female connector to the PCB board.

[0058] Brief description of the interpolation action and working principle

[0059] like Figure 8 and Figure 9 As shown, during use, align the male connector 10 with the female connector 20 (the foolproof structure ensures only one correct orientation), and press down the male connector body 11. The male connector body 11 is inserted into the insertion cavity 211 of the female connector body 21. At this time, the male end mating portion 221 of each second terminal 22 (male terminal) slowly wedges into the mating portion 120 of the first terminal 12. The insertion of the male end mating portion 221 will compress the first contact spring arm 126, causing it to deform upwards. The deformed first contact spring arm 126 then compresses the second contact spring arm 127. The reaction force from the second contact spring arm 127 is converted into a positive contact force on the male end mating portion 221 through the first contact spring arm 126, achieving a stable two-contact electrical connection. Finally, the press-type latch 15 automatically engages, and then the secondary locking block 16 is pushed in to complete the locking. The connector can then operate reliably for a long time in harsh vibration environments.

[0060] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of this application and is not intended to limit this application. Various modifications and variations can be made to this application by those skilled in the art. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of this application should be included within the protection scope of this application.

Claims

1. An electrical connector assembly, comprising: A male connector includes a male connector body and a plurality of first terminals mounted on the male connector body; A connector female includes a female body and a plurality of second terminals mounted on the female body. The female body has a plurality of insertion cavities, and the second terminals are disposed in the insertion cavities. When the male connector is inserted into the female connector, the male connector body is inserted into the female connector body, and the first terminal and the second terminal are electrically connected in the insertion cavity; The first terminal is a female terminal, and its front end has an insertion portion surrounded by a bottom plate, a left side plate and a right side plate. The top of the right side plate extends to the left to form a first top plate, and the top of the left side plate extends to the right to form a second top plate located below the first top plate. The second top plate extends rearward to form a first contact spring arm, and the rear part of the left side plate extends to the right and bends forward to form a second contact spring arm. The first contact spring arm and the second contact spring arm overlap at least partially in the vertical direction, so that when the first contact spring arm is deformed by pressure, it will be subjected to the reverse elastic support force of the second contact spring arm.

2. The electrical connector assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The front end of the first contact spring arm is provided with a first limiting protrusion, and the right side plate is provided with a first limiting groove that engages with the first limiting protrusion.

3. The electrical connector assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that, The rear end of the second contact spring arm is provided with a second limiting protrusion, and the right side plate is provided with a second limiting groove that engages with the second limiting protrusion.

4. The electrical connector assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The bottom of the first contact spring arm has a second contact protrusion protruding downwards, and the bottom plate has a first contact protrusion protruding upwards corresponding to the position of the second contact protrusion.

5. The electrical connector assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The rear end of the first top plate extends upward at an angle and has a first locking part, which is used to cooperate with the female body to achieve a locking action.

6. The electrical connector assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The rear end of the first top plate extends rearward to provide a terminal anti-misplacement part to prevent the first terminal from being inserted incorrectly.

7. The electrical connector assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first terminal has a first limiting mounting portion extending to the rear end of the mating portion. The front section of the first limiting mounting portion has first vertical limiting portions extending upward on both sides, and the rear section has first limiting teeth on both sides. The rear end of the first limiting mounting portion extends downward to form a welding portion.

8. The electrical connector assembly according to claim 7, characterized in that, The male connector body extends backward and downward to form a plurality of first partitions, which are respectively located between the welding portions of adjacent first terminals to increase electrical clearance and creepage distance.

9. The electrical connector assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The top of the male connector body is provided with a push-button latch for locking or unlocking with the female connector socket; a secondary locking block is also inserted on the male connector body, which is located below the push-button latch to prevent the push-button latch from being accidentally pressed to unlock.

10. The electrical connector assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The male connector body has a first anti-foolproof part on its upper surface and / or both sides, and the female connector body has a corresponding first anti-foolproof groove in its insertion cavity.

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