Power plug

Abstract

This invention discloses a power connector for electrically connecting a first plate and a second plate, the second plate having a mating hole. The power connector includes a mounting base, a mating post, and a contact element. The mating post has an outer peripheral surface and a radial direction, the radial direction being orthogonal to the outer peripheral surface. The contact element has multiple elastic arms arranged around the outer peripheral surface of the mating post, the elastic arms protruding outwards in the radial direction. The mounting base is mounted on the first plate, and the mating post can be inserted into and removed from the mating hole of the second plate. When the mating post is inserted into the mating hole, the elastic arms elastically abut against the inner wall surface of the mating hole. The power connector of this invention is directly inserted into the mating hole of the second plate to achieve a reliable electrical connection between the first and second plates. This eliminates the need for a power socket, thereby reducing the cumulative assembly tolerance between the power connector and the power socket, lowering the overall height of the power module, and facilitating the miniaturization design of electronic devices.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a power connector. Background Technology

[0002] In related technologies, power pins are typically mounted on one circuit board, and a matching power socket (i.e., female terminal) is installed on another circuit board. Electrical connection between the two circuit boards is achieved by inserting the power pins into the power socket. However, this electrical connection method suffers from problems such as large alignment tolerances, complex structures, and large size, which are not conducive to the miniaturization design of electronic devices. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The technical solution to be solved by the present invention is to provide a power connector that can reduce the overall height of the power module.

[0004] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the present invention provides a technical solution: a power plug for electrically connecting a first plate and a second plate, the second plate having a mating hole, the power plug including a mounting base, a mating post, and a contact member, the mating post having an outer peripheral surface and a radial direction, the radial direction being orthogonal to the outer peripheral surface; the contact member having a plurality of elastic arms arranged around the outer peripheral surface of the mating post, the elastic arms protruding outward along the radial direction; the mounting base is mounted on the first plate, the mating post being able to be inserted into and removed from the mating hole of the second plate; when the mating post is inserted into the mating hole, the elastic arms elastically abut against the inner wall surface of the mating hole.

[0005] Compared with the prior art, the power plug of the present invention is directly inserted into the mating hole of the circuit board to achieve a reliable electrical connection between the first and second boards. In this way, the power socket can be eliminated, thereby reducing the cumulative assembly tolerance between the power plug and the power socket, reducing the height of the entire power module, and facilitating the miniaturization design of electronic devices. Attached Figure Description

[0006] The following are descriptions of the various embodiments of the present invention: Figure 1 A perspective view of a power connector provided in the first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 for Figure 1 3D exploded view of the power connector; Figure 3 for Figure 2 A 3D view of the connecting post, flexible arm, and U-shaped component in the power connector, with one of the U-shaped components disassembled. Figure 4 for Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the power connector after it has been assembled with the first and second plates; Figure 5The power connector provided in the second embodiment of the present invention; Figure 6 for Figure 5 3D exploded view of the power connector; Figure 7 for Figure 5 A 3D view of the connecting post, flexible arm, and U-shaped component in the power connector, with one of the U-shaped components disassembled. Figure 8 for Figure 5 A cross-sectional view of the power connector after it has been assembled with the first and second plates; Figure 9 A perspective view of a power connector provided in the third embodiment of the present invention; Figure 10 for Figure 9 3D exploded view of the power connector; Figure 11 for Figure 9 A cross-sectional view of the power connector after it has been assembled between the first and second plates; Figure 12 for Figure 9 Another cross-sectional view of the power connector after it is assembled with the first and second plates.

[0007] Key component marking instructions 100, 100A, 100B, power terminals; 200, 200A, First plate; 210, Assembly hole; 300, Second plate; 310, Butt hole; 10, 10A, Mounting base; 11, 11A, Upper base; 111, Snap-fit ​​boss; 112, Protruding post; 113, Annular groove; 12, 12A, Lower base; 121, Base plate; 122, Side wall plate; 123, Ring; 13. Horizontal floating cavity; 14. Upper inner wall; 15. Lower inner wall; 20. Connecting post; 21. Outer peripheral surface; 22. Protruding ring; 23. Concave cavity; 24. Guide head; 25. Middle part; 251. Protrusion; 26. Groove; 30, 30A, Contact element; 31, 31A, Elastic arm; 311, Arc-shaped apex; 32, Annular portion; 40. Offset arm; 50, 50A, U-shaped parts; 51, upper plate; 52, lower plate; 23, vertical plate; XX, radial direction. Detailed Implementation

[0008] The technical solutions of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments.

[0009] Figures 1 to 3 The structure of the power connector 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figures 5 to 7 The structure of the power connector 100A according to the second embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figures 9 to 10 The structure of the power plug 100B according to the third embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 4 , Figure 8 , Figure 11 as well as Figure 12 The images illustrate application scenarios where power connectors 100, 100A, and 100B electrically connect the first board 200 and the second board 300. These power connectors 100, 100A, and 100B are used for electrical connection between the first board 200 and the second board 300. In this invention, both the first board 200 and the second board 300 are circuit boards. The power connectors 100, 100A, and 100B are mounted on the first board, and the second board 300 has mating holes 310. The power connectors 100, 100A, and 100B of this invention are directly inserted into the mating holes 310 of the second board 300 to achieve electrical connection between the first board 200 and the second board 300. This eliminates the need for a power socket, thereby reducing the cumulative assembly tolerance between the power connectors 100, 100A, and 100B and the power socket, lowering the overall height of the power module, and facilitating the miniaturization design of electronic devices. Of course, the first board 200 and the second board 300 can also be other structures such as copper busbars and power buses, and the present invention does not limit them.

[0010] See Figures 1 to 4In this first embodiment, the power connector 100 includes a mounting base 10 mounted on a first plate 200, a docking post 20 disposed on the mounting base 10 and capable of being inserted into and removed from a docking hole 310 of a second plate 300, and a contact member 30 connected to the docking post 20. The docking post 20 has an outer peripheral surface 21 and a radial direction XX, the radial direction XX being orthogonal to the outer peripheral surface 21. The contact member 30 has a plurality of elastic arms 31 disposed around the outer peripheral surface 21 of the docking post 20, the elastic arms 31 protruding outward along the radial direction XX, that is, in the natural state, the free end of the elastic arm 31 is in an open state relative to the outer peripheral surface 21 of the docking post 20. When the docking post 20 is inserted into the docking hole 310, the elastic arms 31 elastically abut against the inner wall surface of the docking hole 310 to achieve an electrical connection between the first plate 200 and the second plate 300. Understandably, when the mating post 20 is inserted into the mating hole 310 of the second plate 300, because the diameter of the mating hole 310 is smaller than the maximum outer diameter of the elastic arm 31 after it opens, the elastic arm 31 will be squeezed by the inner wall of the mating hole 310 and undergo elastic deformation, forcing it to contract towards the center of the mating post 20. At the same time, the elastic arm 31 generates an outward rebound force due to its own elastic restoring force, making it tightly abut against the inner wall of the mating hole 310. The power plug 100 and the mating hole 310 can not only form a reliable mechanical contact, but also establish a stable electrical path, thereby enabling electrical conduction between the first plate 200 and the second plate 300. Thus, the relative positional deviation between the power plug 100 and the mating hole 310 in the second plate 300 depends only on the installation accuracy of the power plug 100 itself and the machining accuracy of the mating hole 310 in the second plate 300, which can eliminate the cumulative assembly tolerance caused by the power socket; at the same time, after the mating post 20 is inserted into the mating hole 310, the distance between the first plate 200 and the second plate 300 is determined only by the thickness of the mounting base 10 and the length of the mating post 20, which can reduce the overall height of the power module and is conducive to the miniaturization design of electronic devices.

[0011] Continue reading Figures 2 to 4The mounting base 10 includes an upper base 11 and a lower base 12. A first plate 200 has a through-hole 210. A portion of the upper base 11 is inserted upwards into the through-hole 210, and the lower base 12 is located below the first plate 200. A snap-fit ​​boss 111 extends outwards from the outer side of the upper base 11. The lower base 12 includes a base plate 121 and a sidewall plate 122 extending upwards from the base plate 121. When the upper base 11 is assembled to the lower base 12, the snap-fit ​​boss 111 engages with the sidewall plate 122, forming a horizontal floating cavity 13 between the upper base 11 and the base plate 121. The side of the upper base 11 facing the base plate 121 constitutes the upper inner wall 14 of the mounting base 10, and the side of the base plate 121 facing the upper base 11 constitutes the lower inner wall 15 of the mounting base 10. The upper end of the docking post 20 is provided with a protruding ring 22 extending outward from its outer peripheral surface 21. The protruding ring 22 is housed within the horizontal floating cavity 13 and confined between the upper inner wall 14 and the lower inner wall 15. This allows for connection between the docking post 20 and the mounting base 10 while reducing the assembly difficulty of the docking post 20, thus improving the assembly efficiency of the power plug 100. For example, during assembly, the docking post 20 is first placed within the area enclosed by the side wall plate 122 of the lower base 12, with the base plate 121 supporting the lower side of the protruding ring 22 of the docking post 20. Then, the upper base 11 is assembled from top to bottom to connect with the lower base 12. At this time, the upper base 11 and the base plate 121 together define the horizontal floating cavity 13, and the protruding ring 22 is axially confined within the horizontal floating cavity 13.

[0012] Ideally, the lower surface of the upper base 11 is provided with a downwardly protruding post 112, and the upper surface of the mating post 20 is provided with a recessed cavity 23. The post 112 is accommodated within the cavity 23, and the post 112 is smaller than the cavity 23 in radial dimension, that is, there is a radial gap between the outer diameter of the post 112 and the inner diameter of the cavity 23. In this way, while ensuring that the mating post 20 has a certain floating space, it is convenient for the installation and positioning of the mating post 20, which is conducive to improving the assembly efficiency of the power plug 100.

[0013] Continue reading Figures 2 to 4 The lower end of the docking post 20 is provided with a guide head 24, and the middle part 25 is located between the guide head 24 and the convex ring 22. When the docking post 20 is inserted into the docking hole 310, the guide head 24 first contacts the edge of the opening of the docking hole 310 to guide the docking post 20 to move to the center of the docking hole 310. The radial dimension of the middle part 25 is smaller than that of the guide head 24 and the convex ring 22, that is, the docking post 20 has a "thick at both ends and thin in the middle" structure in the axial direction. In this way, a clearance space can be formed between the elastic arm 31 and the middle part 25, so that the elastic arm 31 has sufficient radial shrinkage margin when deformed under pressure, and will not interfere with the middle part 25 due to excessive compression, which is conducive to ensuring that the elastic arm 31 can smoothly deform elastically during the insertion stroke.

[0014] In an optimized configuration, the lower end of the elastic arm 31 abuts against the root of the guide head 24 and the intermediate portion 25. Specifically, a groove 26 is provided at the root of the guide head 24 and the intermediate portion 25, and the lower end of the elastic arm 31 abuts against the groove 26. This ensures that the mating post 20 can be smoothly inserted into the mating hole 310, and that the elastic arm 31 maintains a stable contact pressure with the inner wall of the mating hole 310 at all times.

[0015] The optimized elastic arm 31 has an arc-shaped apex 311 for abutment, and a protrusion 251 in the middle portion 25. The protrusion 251 corresponds to the back of the arc-shaped apex 311 and provides a rigid support point on the inner side of the elastic arm 31. It is understood that when the elastic arm 31 is compressed and contracts inward, the arc-shaped apex 311 is subjected to a radial compressive force pointing towards the center of the mating post 20. After the elastic arm 31 is compressed and deformed to a certain extent, the protrusion 251 will abut against the inner side of the elastic arm 31, allowing it to continue to excessively contract inward. This reduces the risk of permanent plastic deformation of the elastic arm 31 due to exceeding its elastic limit, thus protecting the elastic arm 31 and extending its service life.

[0016] Continue reading Figures 2 to 4 The power connector 100 also includes a plurality of bias arms 40 attached to the protruding ring 22. The bias arms 40 provide elasticity, allowing the mating post 20 to move relative to the mounting base 10 with an offset. Specifically, the power connector 100 includes a plurality of U-shaped members 50. Each U-shaped member 50 includes an upper plate 51, a lower plate 52, and a vertical plate 53. The upper plate 51 and the lower plate 52 are respectively attached to the upper and lower surfaces of the protruding ring 22. The bias arms 40 extend obliquely from the upper plate 51 and / or the lower plate 52. It is understood that the power connector 100 may have a certain deviation when inserted into the mating hole 310. Under the action of the bias arms 40, the mating post 20 can move relative to the mounting base 10. Even if the insertion of the power connector 100 causes the mating post 20 to shift, the mounting base 10 and the first plate 200 still maintain a good fixation. A gap exists between the mating post 20 and the mounting base 10 in the radial direction XX, allowing them to move horizontally. A certain gap also exists between the mating post 20 and the mounting base 10 in the direction of the central axis of the mating hole 310. The mating post 20 is supported by the offset arm 40. When the power plug 100 is inserted and pressed downwards, the mating post 20 will move upwards to a certain extent. The elasticity of the offset arm 40 automatically compensates for displacement deviation. This invention allows the power plug 100 to automatically compensate for offset during installation to a certain extent, which is beneficial for improving the fault tolerance and reliability of the power connection.

[0017] The optimized configuration includes multiple bias arms 40, comprising multiple upper bias arms 40 and multiple lower bias arms 40. The upper bias arms 40 press upward against the upper inner wall 14 to provide elasticity, while the lower bias arms 40 press downward against the lower inner wall 15 to provide elasticity. It is understood that the upper and lower bias arms 40 can deform independently according to the direction of force. For example, one bias arm 40 may be compressed while the other bias arm 40 extends accordingly. This allows the mating post 20 to receive elastic compensation from the bias arms 40 in both the vertical and horizontal directions, which is beneficial for improving the adaptability of the power plug 100 to deviations during assembly.

[0018] In a further optimized design, the upper end of the elastic arm 31 is integrally connected to the corresponding lower plate 52, meaning that the elastic arm 31 and the U-shaped part 50 are integrally formed components. This reduces the number of individual parts, simplifies the assembly process of the power connector 100, eliminates the need for separate installation and calibration of the elastic arm 31, and helps to better reduce the assembly tolerances of the power connector 100, thereby ensuring that multiple elastic arms 31 apply uniform contact force to the inner wall of the mating hole 310.

[0019] Figures 5 to 8 In the second embodiment shown, power connector 100A and Figures 1 to 4 The power plug 100 in the first embodiment shown has a similar structure. The improvement of the power plug 100A over the power plug 100 is that the "floating bias function" and the "conductive contact function" are structurally decoupled.

[0020] See Figures 5 to 8The lower ends of multiple elastic arms 31A are integrally connected by a ring portion 32. This distributes the load on a single elastic arm 31A throughout the entire elastic assembly, reducing the risk of premature failure due to excessive concentrated stress on a single elastic arm 31A and extending the service life of the power connector 100A. Simultaneously, during assembly, the ring portion 32 allows multiple elastic arms 31A to be simultaneously fitted into the predetermined positions of the mating post 20, eliminating the need for individual installation and calibration, thus improving assembly efficiency and reducing assembly errors. The multiple U-shaped parts 50A are independent of each other, and the U-shaped parts 50A and the elastic arms 31A are independent of each other. In this way, on the one hand, each U-shaped component 50A can be installed and adjusted independently, and the position of other U-shaped components 50A will not be affected by the installation deviation of one U-shaped component 50A. At the same time, it is also convenient to replace or repair individual U-shaped components 50A during the production process, reducing subsequent maintenance costs. On the other hand, it can ensure that the "floating bias function" and "conductive contact function" of the power plug 100A are structurally decoupled. For example, the elastic deformation of the bias arm 40A will only affect the bias posture of the docking post 20 relative to the mounting base 10, and will not affect the shape or position of the elastic arm 31A. The compression deformation of the elastic arm 31A when inserted into the docking hole 310 is also limited to the elastic arm 31A itself and the annular part 32, and will not interfere with the elastic response of the bias arm 40 and the floating state of the docking post 20.

[0021] Figures 9 to 12 In the third embodiment shown, the power connector 100B and Figures 1 to 4 The power connector 100 in the first embodiment shown has a similar structure. The improvement of the power connector 100B over the power connector 100 is that it achieves a more compact stacking design of the first and second boards 200 and 300.

[0022] See Figures 9 to 11The bottom surface of the upper base 11A is provided with an annular groove 113, and the side wall plate 122 has an outwardly protruding annular portion 123. When the upper base 11A and the lower base 12A are assembled, the annular portion 123 of the side wall plate 122 is embedded and fixed in the annular groove 113 of the upper base 11A, and the horizontal floating cavity 13 is formed between the upper base 11A and the bottom plate 121. The first plate 200 is provided with a vertically penetrating mounting hole 210. The upper base 11A is attached to the upper surface of the first plate 200, and the lower base 12A is received in the mounting hole 210, with the mating post 20 extending downward along the mounting hole 210. That is, most of the structure of the power plug 100 (such as the lower base 12A and part of the mating post 20) is hidden in the mounting hole 210. In this way, while ensuring the reliable fixation of the power plug 100 on the first plate 200, the space occupied by the mounting base 10A in the vertical direction can be minimized, thereby reducing the gap between the first and second plates 200 and 300, which is conducive to the compact layout of the overall structure and more conducive to the miniaturization design of electronic devices.

[0023] It should be noted that, in conjunction with the references Figure 12 , Figure 9 In the third embodiment shown, the upper base 11A of the power connector 100B can also be directly attached to the lower surface of the first board 200A. Both the upper base 11A and the lower base 12A are located below the first board 200A. In this way, the upper surface of the first board 200A can be completely freed up for the placement of other electronic components, heat dissipation structures, or surface mounting, thereby reducing the risk of wasted upper-layer space caused by the protrusion of the power connector 100B.

[0024] Furthermore, those skilled in the art should recognize that the above embodiments are merely illustrative of this application and are not intended to limit this application. Any appropriate changes and variations made to the above embodiments within the essential spirit and scope of this application fall within the scope of this application's disclosure.

Claims

1. A power connector for electrically connecting a first plate and a second plate, the second plate having a mating hole, the power connector comprising a mounting base, a mating post, and a contact element, the mating post having an outer peripheral surface and a radial direction, the radial direction being orthogonal to the outer peripheral surface, characterized in that: The contact element is provided with a plurality of elastic arms arranged around the outer peripheral surface of the docking post, and the elastic arms protrude outward along the radial direction; The mounting base is installed on the first plate, and the docking post can be inserted into and pulled out of the docking hole of the second plate; when the docking post is inserted into the docking hole, the elastic arm elastically abuts against the inner wall surface of the docking hole.

2. The power connector according to claim 1, characterized in that, The upper end of the docking post is provided with a protruding ring extending outward from its outer periphery, and the mounting base is provided with opposing upper inner walls and lower inner walls, and the protruding ring is restricted between the upper inner wall and the lower inner wall. The power connector includes a plurality of bias arms attached to the convex ring, the bias arms providing elasticity to allow the mating post to be biased and moved relative to the mounting base.

3. The power connector according to claim 2, characterized in that, The plurality of bias arms include a plurality of upper bias arms and a plurality of lower bias arms. The plurality of upper bias arms press upward against the upper inner wall to provide elastic force, and the plurality of lower bias arms press downward against the lower inner wall to provide elastic force.

4. The power connector according to claim 2, characterized in that, The mounting base includes an upper base and a lower base; The lower base includes a bottom plate and a side wall plate extending upward from the bottom plate. The upper base is connected to the side wall plate and a horizontal floating cavity is formed between the upper base and the bottom plate. The convex ring is received in the horizontal floating cavity. The lower surface of the upper base is provided with a downward protruding post, and the upper surface of the docking post is provided with a recessed cavity. The protruding post is accommodated in the cavity, and the protruding post is smaller than the cavity in the radial dimension.

5. The power connector according to claim 2, characterized in that, The lower end of the docking post is provided with a guide head, and the middle part is between the guide head and the convex ring. The radial dimension of the middle part is smaller than that of the guide head and the convex ring. The lower end of the elastic arm abuts against the root of the guide head and the middle part.

6. The power connector according to claim 5, characterized in that, The guide head and the root of the middle part are provided with a groove, and the lower end of the elastic arm abuts in the groove.

7. The power connector according to claim 5, characterized in that, The elastic arm has an arc-shaped apex for abutment; the middle part has a protrusion, which corresponds to the back side of the arc-shaped apex.

8. The power connector according to claim 2, characterized in that, The power plug includes multiple U-shaped components, each U-shaped component including an upper plate, a lower plate, and a vertical plate. The upper plate and the lower plate are respectively attached to the upper and lower surfaces of the convex ring, and the offset arm extends obliquely from the upper plate and / or the lower plate.

9. The power connector according to claim 8, characterized in that, The upper end of the elastic arm is integrally connected to the corresponding lower plate.

10. The power connector according to claim 8, characterized in that, The lower ends of the plurality of elastic arms are integrally connected by a ring portion, and the plurality of U-shaped members are independent of each other, and the U-shaped members and the elastic arms are independent of each other.

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