TPA preassembled multi-core connector

Abstract

The utility model discloses a multi-core connector for TPA preassembly. The multi-core connector comprises a shell, a plurality of terminals and a TPA, a vertical mounting cavity is formed in the front end of the shell, the upper end of the mounting cavity is open, the lower end of the mounting cavity is communicated with the axial through holes, and an upper clamping groove and a lower clamping groove are formed in the inner wall of the mounting cavity; the terminal is inserted into the axial through hole; the TPA is inserted into the mounting cavity, the buckle of the TPA is clamped with the upper clamping groove, the locking end column of the TPA is located outside the axial through hole, the terminal can move back and forth, and the TPA is in a preassembled state; the buckle is clamped with the lower clamping groove, and the locking end column enters the axial through hole and fixes the locking section of the terminal, and is in a TPA locking state. The utility model has the preassembled TPA, effectively locks and limits a plurality of terminals, has the advantages of simple structure and low manufacturing cost, can identify whether the terminals are installed in place or not, ensures the electrical clearance and creepage spacing between the terminals, and is suitable for low-current high-voltage-resistant scenes.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the field of vehicle-mounted connectors, in particular to a TPA pre-installed multi-core connector. Background Art

[0002] With the rapid development of the new energy industry, the demand and application of vehicle-mounted connectors are becoming more and more extensive, and at the same time, higher performance requirements are placed on vehicle-mounted connectors. For example, in scenarios where small currents and high voltages are required, the terminals of the vehicle-mounted connectors need to be locked and fixed, while the terminals of current connectors are not provided with protection and limit devices or the protection and limit devices have complex structures. The defects are: first, without protection and limit devices, the locking problem is difficult to solve, and the protection and limit devices have complex structures, which will result in high costs and difficulties in installation; second, when multiple terminals are fixed at the same time, the electrical clearance and creepage distance between the terminals are difficult to guarantee, and high-voltage scenarios cannot be met; third, it is impossible to determine whether the terminals are installed in place. Utility Model Content

[0003] In order to solve one or more of the above problems, the utility model provides a TPA pre-installed multi-core connector.

[0004] According to one aspect of the utility model, the TPA pre-installed multi-core connector comprises: a housing, a plurality of terminals and a TPA;

[0005] The housing is provided with a plurality of axial through holes penetrating the front and rear surfaces, and a vertical installation cavity is provided at the front end thereof, the upper end of the installation cavity is open and the lower end is connected to the axial through hole, and the inner wall of the installation cavity is provided with an upper clamping groove and a lower clamping groove;

[0006] The terminal is inserted into the axial through hole;

[0007] TPA includes a buckle and several locking end posts. TPA is inserted into the installation cavity, the buckle of TPA is engaged with the upper slot, the locking end post of TPA is located outside the axial through hole and the terminal can move forward and backward, which is the pre-installed state of TPA; the buckle is engaged with the lower slot, the locking end post enters the axial through hole and fixes the locking section of the terminal, which is the locked state of TPA.

[0008] In some embodiments, the TPA includes an upper main beam, and a plurality of locking end columns are vertically connected to the lower end of the upper main beam, and the vertical length of the locking end columns and the vertical distance between the axial through hole and the upper wall of the shell are matched.

[0009] In some embodiments, the middle of the rear end of the upper main beam extends backward to form an intermediate column, and the rear end of the intermediate column is vertically connected to the rear locking column. The rear locking column locks and fixes the middle terminal and forms a staggered structure with the locking end column at the front end.

[0010] In some embodiments, the installation cavity includes a plurality of connecting holes whose lower ends are connected to the axial through hole, and the connecting holes have a small gap and are inserted into a locking end column or a rear locking column.

[0011] In some embodiments, the four power terminals of the terminal are symmetrically mounted on the axial through holes at the four corners of the housing, and two symmetrical long end columns on both sides of the lower surface of the upper main beam lock the two power terminals at the lower end and the two short end columns in the middle lock the two power terminals at the upper end;

[0012] The two interlocking terminals of the or terminal are installed in the middle axial through hole of the shell, and the two ends of the rear locking column respectively lock one interlocking terminal.

[0013] In some embodiments, the buckles on the outer sides of the long end columns can be engaged with the upper or lower slots symmetrically disposed on the inner walls of both sides of the housing;

[0014] Or the inner buckles symmetrically arranged on the outer side of the rear locking column can be engaged with the inner upper clamping grooves or the inner lower clamping grooves on the inner walls at both sides of the middle hole.

[0015] In some embodiments, a first elastic hole extending from front to back is provided between the buckle and the long end column; or a second elastic hole extending from front to back is provided between the inner buckle and the rear locking column.

[0016] In some embodiments, the long end column, the short end column and the lower end of the rear locking column are all chamfered.

[0017] In some embodiments, a transverse positioning groove is further provided at the upper end of the installation cavity, and a positioning block at the front end of the upper main beam is placed in the positioning groove with a small gap and can move vertically downward to fit the lower groove wall of the positioning groove.

[0018] In some embodiments, the middle of the terminal is a locking section, and a small gap is inserted into the space surrounded by the locking section and the axial through hole at the lower end of the locking end column or the rear locking column.

[0019] The TPA of the multi-core connector has two states: pre-installed and locked. When pre-installed, the terminal can be inserted into the axial through hole for assembly. The locking end column can lock the terminal only when the terminal is installed in place. If it is not installed in place, the locking end column cannot lock the locking section. The beneficial effects are: first, the multi-core connector has a TPA with a pre-installed structure, which solves the locking and limiting problems of the terminal. At the same time, the structure is simple and the manufacturing cost is low; second, the TPA can identify whether the terminal is installed in place. If the terminal is not inserted in place, the TPA cannot be installed in place, and the installation position of the terminal can be accurately controlled to improve production. The yield rate and accuracy of the product are improved; thirdly, the upper and lower card slots are connected with the buckles of the TPA, and the TPA is easy to install. It does not require the use of tooling and jigs, and can be pressed manually without other auxiliary tools. The installation process cost is low; fourthly, the TPA only needs to open an installation cavity on the shell, and there is no need to change other components. It does not affect the layout of other components and the appearance of the product. The overall structure is small and compact; fifthly, the structure is suitable for multi-core and multi-terminal structures, which can limit and lock multiple terminals to ensure the electrical clearance and creepage distance between terminals, and is suitable for high-voltage scenarios. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Figure 1 A three-dimensional schematic diagram of a TPA pre-installed multi-core connector according to one embodiment of the utility model;

[0021] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A schematic top view of a TPA pre-installed multi-core connector is shown;

[0022] Figure 3 for Figure 2 AA cross-sectional view of the multi-core connector in the TPA locked state;

[0023] Figure 4 for Figure 3 A schematic cross-sectional view of the TPA pre-installed state of the multi-core connector shown;

[0024] Figure 5 for Figure 2 A BB cross-sectional view of the multi-core connector in the TPA locked state is shown;

[0025] Figure 6 for Figure 5 A schematic cross-sectional view of the TPA pre-installed state of the multi-core connector shown;

[0026] Figure 7 for Figure 1 A three-dimensional schematic diagram of the TPA and terminals shown;

[0027] Figure 8 for Figure 7 Three-dimensional schematic diagram of TPA shown;

[0028] Fig. 9 for Figure 1 A three-dimensional schematic diagram of the shell shown;

[0029] Housing 1, mounting cavity 100, axial through hole 101, upper clamping groove 102, lower clamping groove 103, middle axial through hole 104, connecting hole 105, inner upper clamping groove 106, inner lower clamping groove 107, positioning groove 108, middle hole 109;

[0030] Terminal 2, locking section 20, power terminal 21, interlocking terminal 22;

[0031] TPA3, upper main beam 30, middle column 301, buckle 31, locking end column 32, long end column 321, two short end columns 322, rear locking column 33, first elastic hole 34, second elastic hole 35, positioning block 36, inner buckle 37;

[0032] Bushing 4; shielding sleeve 5; sealing gasket 6. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] The present invention is further described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the words "front", "rear", "left", "right", "upper" and "lower" used in the following description refer to directions in the accompanying drawings, and the words "inner" and "outer" refer to directions toward or away from the geometric center of a specific component, respectively.

[0034] Figures 1 to 9 A TPA pre-installed multi-core connector according to an embodiment of the utility model is schematically shown. As shown in the figure, the TPA pre-installed multi-core connector includes: a housing 1, a plurality of terminals 2 and a TPA 3;

[0035] The housing 1 is provided with a plurality of axial through holes 101 penetrating the front and rear surfaces, and a vertical installation cavity 100 is provided at the front end thereof. The upper end of the installation cavity 100 is open and the lower end is connected to the axial through hole 101. The inner wall of the installation cavity 100 is provided with an upper card slot 102 and a lower card slot 103.

[0036] The terminal 2 is inserted into the axial through hole 101;

[0037] TPA3 includes a buckle 31 and a plurality of locking end posts 32. TPA3 is inserted into the installation cavity 100, the buckle 31 is engaged with the upper slot 102, and the locking end posts 32 are located outside the axial through hole 101, forming a TPA3 pre-installed state in which the terminal 2 moves forward and backward; the buckle 31 is engaged with the lower slot 103, the locking end posts 32 enter the axial through hole 101 and fix the locking section 20 of the terminal 2, forming a TPA3 locked state in which the terminal 2 is locked.

[0038] TPA is the abbreviation of Terminal Position Assurance, which is a connector terminal retention aid used to protect and limit the terminals to prevent them from coming out under external pulling force and causing line interruption. It can be used in harsh environments or when a greater pulling force is required.

[0039] The TPA of the multi-core connector has two states: pre-installed and locked. When pre-installed, the terminal 2 can be inserted into the axial through hole 101 for assembly. At the same time, the terminal 2 is installed in place, and the locking end column 32 can lock the terminal 2. If it is not installed in place, the locking end column 32 cannot lock the locking section 20. The beneficial effects are: first, the multi-core connector has a TPA with a pre-installed structure, which solves the locking and limiting problems of the terminal 2. At the same time, the structure is simple and the manufacturing cost is low; second, the TPA can identify whether the terminal 2 is installed in place. If the terminal 2 is not inserted in place, the TPA cannot be installed in place, and the installation position of the terminal 2 can be accurately controlled, which improves production efficiency. The yield rate and accuracy of the product are improved; thirdly, the upper card slot 102 and the lower card slot 103 are connected with the buckle 31 of TPA3, and the TPA is easy to install. It does not need to use tooling and jigs, and can be pressed manually without other auxiliary tools. The installation process cost is low; fourthly, the TPA only needs to open the installation cavity 100 on the shell 1, and there is no need to change other components, which does not affect the layout of other components and the appearance of the product. The overall structure is small and compact; fifthly, the structure is suitable for the structure of multi-core and multi-terminal 2, which can limit and lock multiple terminals 2, ensure the electrical clearance and creepage distance between the terminals 2, and is suitable for high-voltage scenarios.

[0040] Further, TPA3 comprises an upper main beam 30, the lower end of which is integrally connected to a plurality of locking end posts 32, the vertical length of which matches the vertical distance between the axial through hole 101 and the upper wall of the housing 1. The beneficial effect is that the structure is simple and easy to manufacture.

[0041] Preferably, the middle of the rear end of the upper main beam 30 integrally extends backward to form an intermediate column 301, and the rear end of the intermediate column 301 is integrally connected to the rear locking column 33 vertically, and the rear locking column 33 locks and fixes the middle terminal 2, and forms a staggered structure with the front locking end column 32. Its beneficial effects are: the staggered structure can form a drop, ensure the creepage distance and electrical clearance, and is particularly suitable for small current and high voltage resistance occasions. When the connector impulse voltage reaches 5200V, its creepage distance and electrical clearance are still met, and the electrical performance of the connector is not affected.

[0042] Furthermore, the installation cavity 100 includes a plurality of connection holes 105 whose lower ends are connected to the axial through hole 101, and the connection holes 105 are inserted with a small gap into the locking end column 32 or the rear locking column 33. The outline size of each connection hole 105 matches the outline size of the corresponding locking end column 32 or the rear locking column 33. The beneficial effect is that the structure can ensure the high-precision guided movement of the TPA3 without offset error and achieve accurate locking.

[0043] Preferably, the terminal 2 includes four power terminals 21, and four axial through holes 101 are symmetrically provided at four corners of the housing 1, and the four power terminals 21 are symmetrically installed in the axial through holes 101;

[0044] The locking end column 32 includes two long end columns 321 and two short end columns 322. The two long end columns 321 are symmetrically and vertically connected on both sides of the lower surface of the upper main beam 30, and the two short end columns 322 are symmetrically connected in the middle of the lower surface. The long end column 321 is inserted into the outer connection hole 105 to lock the power terminal 21 at the lower end, and the short end column 322 is inserted into the middle connection hole 105 to lock the power terminal 21 at the upper end.

[0045] The terminal 2 also includes two interlocking terminals 22. Two intermediate axial through holes 104 are symmetrically provided in the middle of the housing 1. The two interlocking terminals 22 are installed in the intermediate axial through holes 104. The two ends of the rear locking column 33 lock one interlocking terminal 22 respectively. The beneficial effect is that the structure can realize the locking and limiting work of 6 cores at the same time, ensure the creepage distance and electrical clearance, and is particularly suitable for small current and high voltage resistance occasions.

[0046] Furthermore, the inner walls on both sides of the housing 1 are symmetrically provided with an upper slot 102 and a lower slot 103 ; a buckle 31 is formed on the outer side of the long end column 321 , and the buckle 31 can be engaged with the upper slot 102 and the lower slot 103 .

[0047] The rear locking column 33 is inserted into the middle hole 109 of the installation cavity 100 to lock the middle terminal 2. The inner walls on both sides of the middle hole 109 of the installation cavity 100 are symmetrically provided with an inner upper clamping groove 106 and an inner lower clamping groove 107; the outer side of the rear locking column 33 is symmetrically formed with two inner buckles 37, and the inner buckles 37 can clamp the inner upper clamping groove 106 and the inner lower clamping groove 107. The beneficial effects are: the clamping structure is simple, the installation is convenient, the locking force is effectively guaranteed, and the function of preventing backing up is provided.

[0048] Preferably, a second elastic hole 35 is provided between the inner buckle 37 and the rear locking column 33, and a first elastic hole 34 is provided between the buckle 31 and the long end column 321. The beneficial effect is that the elastic hole can achieve slight elastic deformation of the buckle 31 and the inner buckle 37, which is convenient for clamping and installation.

[0049] Preferably, the long end column 321 is also provided with a C-shaped avoidance groove, which has the beneficial effect that the avoidance groove reduces the product size.

[0050] Preferably, the lower ends of the long end column 321, the short end column 322 and the rear locking column 33 are all chamfered. The beneficial effect is that the chamfered structure can ensure soft and buffered limit locking.

[0051] Preferably, a transverse positioning groove 108 is further provided at the upper end of the installation cavity 100, and the front end of the upper main beam 30 is integrally extended to form a positioning block 36, which is placed in the positioning groove 108 with a small gap and can move vertically downward to fit the lower groove wall of the positioning groove 108. The beneficial effect is that the positioning groove 108 can limit the lower end position of the downward movement to achieve precise installation.

[0052] In the pre-installed state, the upper surface of the positioning block 36 is flush with the upper end of the positioning groove 108, and the lower end of the positioning block 36 is not in contact with the lower groove wall of the positioning groove 108.

[0053] In the locked state, that is, when the TPA3 locks the terminal 2 , the lower wall of the positioning block 36 fits against the lower groove wall of the positioning groove 108 .

[0054] Preferably, the middle of the terminal 2 is a locking section 20, the width of the locking section 20 is smaller than the width of the terminal 2 connected to it in front and behind; the width of the locking end column 32 or the rear locking column 33 and the length of the locking section 20 are matched with a small gap, and the lower end of the locking end column 32 or the rear locking column 33 is inserted into the space surrounded by the locking section 20 and the axial through hole 101. The beneficial effect is that the locking section 20 can achieve the effect of locking and identifying whether it is installed in place.

[0055] Preferably, bushings 4 are installed in the mounting holes at the four corners of the shell 1; a shielding sleeve 5 is installed in the shell 1; and a sealing gasket 6 is provided in the shell 1 to close the gap between the shell 1 and the connected components.

[0056] The above are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, several modifications and improvements can be made without departing from the inventive concept of the present invention, which all belong to the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A TPA pre-installed multi-core connector, characterized in that: It comprises: a housing (1), a plurality of terminals (2) and a TPA (3); The housing (1) is provided with a plurality of axial through holes (101) penetrating the front and rear surfaces, and a vertical installation cavity (100) is provided at the front end thereof; the upper end of the installation cavity (100) is open and the lower end is connected to the axial through hole (101); the inner wall of the installation cavity (100) is provided with an upper clamping groove (102) and a lower clamping groove (103); The terminal (2) is inserted into the axial through hole (101); The TPA (3) is inserted into the installation cavity (100), the buckle (31) of the TPA (3) is engaged with the upper slot (102), the locking end column (32) of the TPA (3) is located outside the axial through hole (101) and the terminal (2) can move forward and backward, which is the pre-installed state of the TPA (3); the buckle (31) is engaged with the lower slot (103), the locking end column (32) enters the axial through hole (101) and fixes the locking section (20) of the terminal (2), which is the locked state of the TPA (3).

2. A TPA pre-installed multi-core connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The TPA (3) comprises an upper main beam (30), the lower end of which is integrally and vertically connected to a plurality of locking end columns (32), and the vertical length of the locking end columns (32) matches the vertical distance between the axial through hole (101) and the upper wall of the shell (1).

3. A TPA pre-installed multi-core connector according to claim 2, characterized in that: The middle of the rear end of the upper main beam (30) integrally extends backward to form an intermediate column (301), and the lower rear end of the intermediate column (301) is integrally connected vertically to a rear locking column (33), and the rear locking column (33) locks and fixes the terminal (2) in the middle, and forms a staggered structure with the locking end column (32) at the front end.

4. The TPA pre-installed multi-core connector according to claim 3, characterized in that: The installation cavity (100) comprises a plurality of connection holes (105) whose lower ends are connected to the axial through hole (101), and the connection holes (105) are inserted with a small gap into the locking end column (32) or the rear locking column (33).

5. A TPA pre-installed multi-core connector according to claim 4, characterized in that: The four power terminals (21) of the terminal (2) are symmetrically mounted on the axial through holes (101) at the four corners of the housing (1); two symmetrical long end columns (321) on both sides of the lower surface of the upper main beam (30) lock the two power terminals (21) at the lower ends, and two short end columns (322) in the middle lock the two power terminals (21) at the upper ends; Or the two interlocking terminals (22) of the terminal (2) are installed in the middle axial through hole (104) of the housing (1), and the two ends of the rear locking column (33) respectively lock one of the interlocking terminals (22).

6. A TPA pre-installed multi-core connector according to claim 5, characterized in that: The buckle (31) on the outside of the long end column (321) can be engaged with the upper clamping groove (102) or the lower clamping groove (103) symmetrically arranged on the inner walls of both sides of the housing (1); Or the inner buckles (37) symmetrically arranged on the outside of the rear locking column (33) can be engaged with the inner upper clamping grooves (106) or the inner lower clamping grooves (107) on the inner walls at both sides of the middle hole (109).

7. A TPA pre-installed multi-core connector according to claim 6, characterized in that: A first elastic hole (34) penetrating front and back is further provided between the buckle (31) and the long end column (321); or a second elastic hole (35) penetrating front and back is further provided between the inner buckle (37) and the rear locking column (33).

8. The TPA pre-installed multi-core connector according to claim 5, characterized in that: The lower ends of the long end column (321), the short end column (322) and the rear locking column (33) are all provided with chamfers.

9. The TPA pre-installed multi-core connector according to claim 2, characterized in that: A transverse positioning groove (108) is also provided at the upper end of the installation cavity (100); a positioning block (36) at the front end of the upper main beam (30) is placed in the positioning groove (108) with a small gap and can move vertically downward to fit the lower groove wall of the positioning groove (108).

10. The TPA pre-installed multi-core connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The middle of the terminal (2) is a locking section (20), and the lower end of the locking end column (32) or the rear locking column (33) is inserted into the space surrounded by the locking section (20) and the axial through hole (101) with a small gap.

Images