Electric connector

Abstract

The utility model provides an electric connector. The electric connector comprises a terminal, a terminal position assurance piece and a shell, one end of the terminal is used for being connected with a cable; the terminal position guaranteeing member comprises a terminal fixing part, and the terminal position guaranteeing member is fixedly connected with the terminal through the terminal fixing part; moreover, the terminal is installed in the housing along with the terminal position assurance member. The electric connector has a novel structure and an assembling mode, and the terminal fixing part is arranged on the terminal position guaranteeing piece, so that the terminal can be firstly fixed on the terminal position guaranteeing piece; the terminal can then be mounted into the housing along with the terminal position assurance member when the terminal position assurance member is mounted to the housing. The electric connector provided by the utility model has the advantages that the automatic assembly is convenient, and the cable is not easy to deform in the assembly process, and is especially suitable for a small-diameter cable.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of electronic connection accessories, and in particular to a novel electrical connector. Background Art

[0002] Electrical connectors are indispensable electronic components for various electrical and electronic systems, and are widely used in aerospace, aviation, nuclear industry, weapons, ships, electronics, transportation, computers, communications, medical treatment, oil exploration and other industries. Electrical connectors are mainly used for circuit connection between cables and cables, cables and equipment of electrical and electronic equipment, to achieve the transmission of low-frequency signals, high-frequency signals and electrical energy (power).

[0003] However, some existing electrical connectors have difficulties in inserting terminals and / or cables and complicated operations during their assembly process, which not only affects work efficiency but also may cause damage to cables or terminals. In particular, for electrical connectors with small-diameter cables, the cables are more likely to deform during the assembly process of inserting the terminals into the housing, the terminals are difficult to insert, the product manufacturing cost is high, and it is difficult to achieve automated assembly.

[0004] like Figure 1 As shown, it is a schematic diagram of the structure of an electrical connector 100 in the prior art, and the electrical connector 100 includes a connector body 110, a terminal 120 and a wire 130. Among them, a plurality of plug-in slots are arranged side by side on the connector body 110, and a terminal 120 is plugged into each plug-in slot. One end of the terminal 120 extends from the bottom of the plug-in slot, and the other end of the terminal 120 is connected to the wire 130, and the wire 130 is electrically conductive with the terminal 120. During the assembly process of the electrical connector 100, it is difficult to find a suitable operating position to realize automatic assembly when the terminal 120 and the cable 130 are inserted into the plug-in slot, and the wire 130 may be deformed during the insertion process. In particular, when the wire 130 is a small-diameter or soft cable, it is more difficult to insert, and the product production cost is high and the production efficiency is low. Utility Model Content

[0005] In order to solve at least part of the above problems and defects, the present disclosure provides a new type of electrical connector, which provides a terminal fixing portion on a terminal position guarantee member, so that the terminal can be installed in a housing together with the terminal position guarantee member after being fixedly connected with the terminal position guarantee member. The new type of electrical connector optimizes the structural design of the connector, effectively optimizes the assembly process of the electrical connector, improves the deformation of small-diameter cables during the assembly process, adapts to the needs of automated assembly equipment, facilitates automated assembly, reduces the production cost of the product, and improves the production efficiency of the product.

[0006] Based on this, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, an electrical connector is provided, which includes: a terminal, one end of which is used to connect to a cable; a terminal position ensuring member, which includes a terminal fixing portion for fixed connection with the terminal; and a shell, in which the terminal is installed together with the terminal position ensuring member.

[0007] In a preferred implementation manner of the present embodiment, the terminal fixing portion is a plug-in hole, and the terminal includes a plug-in portion extending outwardly, and the plug-in portion can be pressed and inserted into the plug-in hole to fix the terminal on the terminal position assurance member.

[0008] In a preferred implementation manner of this embodiment, the terminal position ensuring member further includes a cable fixing portion for fixing the cable.

[0009] In a preferred implementation manner of this embodiment, the cable fixing portion is an elastic opening portion, and the cable can be pressed to expand the opening of the elastic opening portion so as to enter the interior of the elastic opening portion and be fixed.

[0010] In a preferred implementation manner of the present embodiment, the terminal fixing portion is a plug-in hole, the cable fixing portion is an elastic opening portion, and the opening direction of the terminal fixing portion is consistent with the opening direction of the cable fixing portion.

[0011] In a preferred implementation manner of this embodiment, the opening direction of the terminal fixing portion and the opening direction of the cable fixing portion are both upward.

[0012] In a preferred implementation manner of this embodiment, the terminal position ensuring member further includes a terminal supporting portion for providing an upward supporting force for the terminal.

[0013] In a preferred implementation manner of this embodiment, the terminal position ensuring member is an integrally formed structure, which includes a plurality of the terminal fixing portions for respectively fixing the plurality of the terminals.

[0014] In a preferred implementation manner of this embodiment, there is no limiting structure of the terminal inside the shell.

[0015] In a preferred implementation manner of this embodiment, the cable is installed on the terminal position ensuring member together with the terminal.

[0016] The electrical connector proposed in the present disclosure has a novel structure and assembly method. By providing a terminal fixing portion on the terminal position guarantee member, the terminal can be first fixed on the terminal position guarantee member; then, the terminal can be installed into the housing together with the terminal position guarantee member when the terminal position guarantee member is installed into the housing. The electrical connector proposed in the present disclosure has the advantages of being easy to automatically assemble and the cable is not easily deformed during the assembly process. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] The features, advantages and other aspects of the embodiments of the present disclosure will become more apparent with reference to the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which several embodiments of the present disclosure are shown in an exemplary and non-limiting manner. In the accompanying drawings:

[0018] like Figure 1 A schematic structural diagram of an electrical connector 100 in the prior art is shown.

[0019] Figure 2a A schematic structural diagram of a novel electrical connector 200 proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0020] Figure 2b Shows Figure 2a FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the assembly process of the electrical connector 200 shown in FIG.

[0021] Figure 2c Shows Figure 2b Schematic diagram of the enlarged structure of area E in FIG.

[0022] Figure 2d Shows Figure 2b Schematic diagram of the enlarged structure of area F in FIG.

[0023] Figure 2e FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the electrical connector 200 after being assembled. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] In the following specific description of the preferred embodiments, reference will be made to the attached drawings that constitute a part of the present disclosure. The attached drawings show, by way of example, specific embodiments that can implement the present disclosure. The exemplary embodiments are not intended to be exhaustive of all embodiments according to the present disclosure. In the specification, the same or similar reference numerals indicate the same or similar parts. It will be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, the following specific description is not restrictive, and the scope of the present disclosure is defined by the attached claims.

[0025] The terms "include", "comprising" and similar terms used herein should be understood as open terms, i.e., "including but not limited to", indicating that other contents may also be included. The term "one embodiment" means "at least one embodiment"; the term "another embodiment" means "at least one other embodiment", etc.

[0026] As mentioned above, existing electrical connectors are difficult to automate and the cables are easily deformed during the assembly process. To solve or improve at least part of the technical problem, the present disclosure proposes an electrical connector with a new structure. The present disclosure is described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0027] like Figure 2a-2e As shown, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a schematic diagram of the assembly process and structure of a new type of electrical connector 200. Figure 2a is a schematic diagram of the structure of the electrical connector 200 before the terminal is installed in the housing. Figure 2b is a schematic diagram of the assembly process of the electrical connector 200, Figure 2c for Figure 2b A schematic diagram of the structure of region E in FIG. Figure 2d for Figure 2b A schematic diagram of the structure of region F in FIG. Figure 2e FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the electrical connector 200 after being assembled.

[0028] like Figure 2a-2e As shown, the electrical connector 200 includes a housing 210, a terminal 220, a cable 230, and a terminal position assurance member 240. One end of the terminal 220 is connected to the cable 230, and the other end is inserted into the housing 210, for being electrically connected to other external electrical components, thereby realizing the transmission of electrical signals at both ends of the electrical connection. In some examples, the terminal position assurance member 240 includes a terminal fixing portion 242, and the terminal fixing portion 242 is used to fix the terminal position assurance member 240 with the terminal 220. When the terminal 220 is fixedly connected to the terminal position assurance member 240, the terminal 220 can be installed in the housing 210 together with the terminal position assurance member 240. In some examples, the cable is a round cable, and one end of the terminal can be a ring structure. The cable is inserted into the ring structure and connected to the inner wall of the ring structure through its conductive part to realize electrical connection with the terminal.

[0029] In some examples, during the process of installing the terminal position assurance member 240 to the housing 210 by clamping the terminal position assurance member 240, since the terminal 220 is fixedly connected to the terminal position assurance member 240, the terminal position assurance member 240 will drive the terminal 220 to move together, so that the terminal 220 and the terminal position assurance member 240 synchronously reach their respective installation positions in the housing 210, and the terminal 220 can be fixed in the housing by fixing the terminal position assurance member 240 on the housing 210. The terminal fixing portion 242 can not only fix the terminal during assembly (for example, the fixed connection between the terminal and the terminal position assurance member and the fixing of the terminal position in the housing), but also provide a holding force for the terminal when the plug-in of the connector is inserted (for example, when the terminal is subjected to a force acting on the plug-in in a certain direction, the terminal position assurance member can apply an opposite force through the terminal fixing portion), so that the terminal is fixed in a preset position, thereby ensuring the electrical connection performance of the electrical connector.

[0030] In some examples, the cable 230 can be installed on the terminal position assurance member 240 together with the terminal 220, and then the cable 230 and the terminal 220 can be installed in the housing 210 together with the terminal position assurance member 240. Specifically, the cable is first electrically connected to one end of the terminal; then the terminal is installed on the terminal position assurance member, and during the installation process, the terminal drives the cable to be installed to the preset position of the terminal position assurance member; finally, the terminal position assurance member is installed on the housing, and during the installation process, the terminal position assurance member drives the terminal and the cable to be installed to the preset position of the housing. In some examples, there is a fixed connection structure between the cable and the terminal position assurance member that is independent of the terminal fixing portion, and the cable is actually driven by the terminal position assurance member to enter the preset position of the housing. In other examples, there is no fixed connection structure between the cable and the terminal position assurance member that is independent of the terminal fixing portion, and the cable is actually driven by the terminal position assurance member via the terminal to enter the preset position of the housing.

[0031] In some examples, the terminal fixing portion 242 is a plug hole. Correspondingly, the terminal 220 includes a plug portion 222 extending outward, and the plug portion 222 can be pressed and inserted into the plug hole 242, so as to fix the terminal 220 on the terminal position assurance member 240. In some examples, the plug portion 222 on the terminal 220 is a sheet structure. In some examples, the plug portion 222 on the terminal 220 is formed by bending both sides of the material inwardly and then bending downward. In other examples, the plug portion 222 on the terminal 220 can be formed by bending only one side of the material downward.

[0032] In other examples, the structure of the plug-in portion 2222 on the terminal 220 and the terminal fixing portion 242 on the terminal position assurance member 240 can be interchanged, that is, a plug-in hole is provided on the terminal 220, and a plug-in portion is extended outward on the terminal position assurance member 242. Among them, it is preferred to provide a plug-in hole on the terminal fixing portion 242, which is conducive to maximizing the conductive material of the terminal and improving the mechanical properties and current-carrying performance of the product. In addition, the terminal 220 of the improved electrical connector 200 does not need to be provided with a limiting groove to be fixedly connected to the shell. Therefore, the terminal 220 can have a complete plane, so that the conductive material of the terminal is increased, and the mechanical properties and current-carrying performance of the product are also improved. There is no limiting structure of the terminal 220 inside the shell 210, which simplifies the shell structure and the production process.

[0033] Optionally, the plug-in portion 222 can be disposed at the bottom of the terminal 220, or at the top or side of the terminal 220. Correspondingly, the position of the terminal fixing portion 242 on the terminal position assurance member 240 also needs to be adjusted accordingly. In some examples, a plurality of terminal fixing portions 242 can be disposed on the terminal position assurance member 240, and the plurality of terminal fixing portions 242 are used to fix a single terminal 220. In other examples, a plurality of terminal fixing portions 242 can be disposed on the terminal position assurance member 240, and the plurality of terminal fixing portions 242 are used to fix a plurality of terminals 220 respectively.

[0034] In some examples, the terminal position securing member 240 further includes a cable fixing portion 244, which is used to fix the cable 230. The cable fixed by the cable fixing portion 244 is not easily deformed and its position is not easily shifted during the assembly process. Optionally, the cable fixing portion 244 can be deployed at the front end, rear end, side wall, etc. of the terminal position securing member 240, and can be specifically adjusted according to the position of the cable. In some examples, a plurality of cable fixing portions 244 can be deployed on the terminal position securing member 240, and the plurality of cable fixing portions 244 are used to fix a single cable 230. In other examples, a plurality of cable fixing portions 244 can be deployed on the terminal position securing member 240, and the plurality of cable fixing portions 244 are used to fix a plurality of cables 230 respectively.

[0035] In some examples, the cable fixing portion 244 is an elastic opening portion. The cable is placed on the opening side of the elastic opening portion 244, and the opening of the elastic opening portion 244 can be expanded by pressing the cable 230, and the cable 230 enters the elastic opening portion 244, and then the opening of the elastic opening portion 244 elastically recovers to its original size, so that the cable 230 is fixed inside the elastic opening portion 244, that is, the cable 230 is fixed on the terminal position assurance member 240. In some examples, the cable 230 is a round cable, and the elastic opening portion 244 is a ring structure, and its opening size is smaller than the diameter of the cable. In some examples, the cable 230 is a rectangular cable, and the opening size of the elastic opening portion is smaller than the width of the cable.

[0036] In some examples, the terminal fixing portion 242 is a plug hole, and the cable fixing portion 244 is an elastic opening portion. The opening direction of the terminal fixing portion 242 is consistent with the opening direction of the cable fixing portion 244, so that the terminal 220 and the cable 230 can be fixed by a single pressing operation (for example, pressing to the left, pressing to the right, pressing downward, pressing upward or pressing obliquely, etc.), that is, the terminal 220 and the cable 230 are respectively fixedly connected to the terminal position fixing member 240. This example is conducive to simplifying the assembly process and improving production efficiency. In some examples, the opening direction of the terminal fixing portion 242 and the opening direction of the cable fixing portion 244 are both upward, so that the cable and the terminal can be fixed by pressing downward, and pressing downward facilitates the force operation, which is more convenient for assembly.

[0037] In some examples, the terminal position assurance member 240 further includes a terminal support portion 246, which provides an upward support force for the terminal 220. The terminal support portion can be set corresponding to the center of gravity of the terminal or the terminal and the cable. In some examples, the terminal support portion 246 can be designed to be half the length of the terminal. In some examples, the terminal support portion 246 is located at the front end of the terminal fixing portion 242. In some examples, the top surface of the terminal support portion 246 is connected to the ground of the terminal 220 and is set horizontally.

[0038] The electrical connector 200 of the present disclosure can implement the assembly process by clamping the terminal 220, and the terminal 220 and the cable 230 are driven into the housing 210 by the terminal position assurance member 240, so as to avoid deformation of the cable during the assembly process.

[0039] In some examples, the terminal position assurance member 240 is an integrally formed structure. The design of the integrally formed structure of the terminal position assurance member has significant advantages in improving product production efficiency, enhancing product structural strength, improving product appearance, and simplifying maintenance.

[0040] In some examples, the assembly process of the electrical connector 200 can be described as follows: first, the cable 230 and the terminal 220 (one end of which is electrically connected to the cable) are placed above the terminal position assurance member 240 by clamping the terminal 220; secondly, the cable 230 and the terminal 220 are pressed so that the cable 230 and the terminal 220 are fixed to the terminal position assurance member 240 by the cable fixing portion 244 and the terminal fixing portion 242 respectively; then, the terminal position assurance member 240 is operated to connect with the housing 210, and at the same time, the cable 230 and the terminal 200 are driven by the terminal position assurance member 240 and installed into the housing 210 together with the terminal position assurance member 240.

[0041] The above assembly process is easy to realize automation, which can greatly improve the production efficiency of the electrical connector 200 and reduce the production cost. In addition, the force application object of the assembly process does not include the cable, which can effectively improve the problem of easy deformation of the cable in the prior art. Therefore, the present disclosure is particularly suitable for electrical connectors of small-diameter cables.

[0042] It should be noted that the above examples are only specific embodiments of the present disclosure, and the present disclosure is obviously not limited to the above examples, and there are many similar variations. All variations that can be directly derived or associated with the contents of the present disclosure by those skilled in the art should fall within the protection scope of the present disclosure.

[0043] Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described with reference to several specific embodiments, it should be understood that the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed. The embodiments of the present disclosure are intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included in the spirit and scope of the attached claims. The scope of the attached claims is consistent with the broadest interpretation, thereby including all such modifications and equivalent structures and functions.

Claims

1. An electrical connector, comprising: A terminal, one end of which is used to connect to a cable; A terminal position ensuring member, comprising a terminal fixing portion, for fixedly connecting with the terminal; A housing, wherein the terminal is installed together with the terminal position assurance member.

2. The electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein: The terminal fixing portion is an inserting hole, and the terminal includes an inserting portion extending outward, and the inserting portion can be pressed and inserted into the inserting hole to fix the terminal on the terminal position ensuring member.

3. The electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein: The terminal position ensuring member further includes a cable fixing portion for fixing the cable.

4. The electrical connector according to claim 3, wherein: The cable fixing portion is an elastic opening portion, and the cable can be pressed to expand the opening of the elastic opening portion so as to enter the elastic opening portion and be fixed.

5. The electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein: The terminal fixing portion is a plug-in hole, the cable fixing portion is an elastic opening portion, and the opening direction of the terminal fixing portion is consistent with the opening direction of the cable fixing portion.

6. The electrical connector according to claim 5, wherein: The opening direction of the terminal fixing portion and the opening direction of the cable fixing portion are both upward.

7. The electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein: The terminal position ensuring member further comprises a terminal supporting portion for providing an upward supporting force for the terminal.

8. The electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein: The terminal position ensuring member is an integrally formed structure, which includes a plurality of terminal fixing parts for respectively fixing the plurality of terminals.

9. The electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein: There is no limiting structure of the terminal inside the shell.

10. The electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein: The cable is mounted on the terminal position assurance member together with the terminal.

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