Connector, connection assembly and relay

Abstract

The present application discloses a connector, a connection assembly and a relay. The connector includes a base and a signal terminal. The base is suitable for being fixed to the shell and is provided with a shielding portion. The shielding portion is not exposed to the outside when the connector is fixed to the shell to form a shell. The number of signal terminals is at least two. Each signal terminal is provided with a main body and a first connection portion. The main body is mounted on the shielding portion and is suitable for being electrically connected to the coil assembly and the suppression element so that the suppression element is suitable for being connected in parallel with the coil assembly. The first connection portion at least partially passes through the shielding portion to the outside to be suitable for being electrically connected to the signal circuit. The connection assembly and the relay include the above-mentioned connector. The adoption of the above-mentioned technical solution has higher development efficiency compared with the prior art.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of relays, and in particular to a connector, a connection component and a relay. Background Art

[0002] In the prior art, a relay includes a housing, a relay body, a signal terminal and a load terminal. The housing includes a shell and a connector fixed to the shell. The relay body includes a magnetic circuit part and a contact part, the magnetic circuit part includes a coil assembly and an armature assembly, the contact part includes a moving contact and a static contact, the signal terminal is electrically connected to the coil assembly and is used to connect an external signal circuit to introduce a control signal into the coil assembly, and the load terminal is electrically connected to the contact part and is used to connect an external load circuit to control the on and off of the load circuit. The relay body is accommodated in the housing, the signal terminal is generally fixed to the connector, the load terminal is generally fixed to the housing, and the signal terminal and the load terminal are both exposed to the outside relative to the housing. Generally, the relay also needs to be provided with a suppression element in parallel with the coil assembly to suppress the reverse electromotive force generated by the coil assembly when it is disconnected. The suppression element generally adopts a resistor or a diode. In actual applications, some customers hope to integrate the suppression element inside the relay, while some customers will purchase relays without integrated suppression elements and set the suppression element in the signal circuit by themselves. In order to make the product cope with these two possibilities, the prior art often provides two or more connectors, which are fixed to the coil frame fixed to the shell, one end of the connector is connected to the pin of the coil assembly, and the other end is connected to the lead of the suppression element, so that the coil assembly and the suppression element are connected in parallel.

[0003] The applicant has found that the solution of fixing two or more connecting members on a coil frame in the prior art often results in a problem of low development efficiency. Utility Model Content

[0004] The purpose of the present application is to overcome the above-mentioned defects or problems existing in the background technology and to provide a connector, a connection assembly and a relay, which have higher development efficiency than the prior art.

[0005] In order to achieve the above purpose, the following technical solutions are adopted:

[0006] The first technical solution relates to a connector, which is suitable for being fixedly connected to a shell to form a housing, and is used to electrically connect a coil assembly housed in the housing to a signal circuit, wherein the coil assembly is suitable for being connected in parallel with a suppression element; the connector comprises: a base, which is suitable for being fixedly connected to the shell and is provided with a shielding portion, wherein the shielding portion is not exposed to the outside when the connector is fixedly connected to the shell to form the housing; and signal terminals, which are at least two in number, each signal terminal being provided with a main body and a first connecting portion, wherein the main body is mounted on the shielding portion and is suitable for being electrically connected to the coil assembly and the suppression element, so that the suppression element is suitable for being connected in parallel with the coil assembly; and the first connecting portion at least partially passes through the shielding portion to the outside to be suitable for being electrically connected to the signal circuit.

[0007] The second technical solution is based on the first technical solution, wherein the main body is provided with a second connection portion adapted to be electrically connected to the coil assembly and a third connection portion adapted to be electrically connected to the suppression element.

[0008] The third technical solution is based on the second technical solution, wherein the third connecting portion is provided with a slot, the slot is provided with an insertion port, and the lead of the suppression element is suitable for being inserted into the slot through the insertion port.

[0009] The fourth technical solution is based on the third technical solution, wherein the insertion opening is gradually reduced along the insertion direction of the lead wire to guide the lead wire to be inserted into the slot.

[0010] The fifth technical solution is based on the fourth technical solution, wherein the slot is provided with a holding section for holding the lead therein, the holding section is provided with an entrance opening for the lead to enter the holding section, and the opening distance of the entrance opening is smaller than the inner diameter of the holding section.

[0011] The sixth technical solution is based on the second technical solution, wherein the shielding portion is provided with terminal slots for the signal terminals to be inserted along the first direction, and the number of the terminal slots is the same as and corresponds to the number of the signal terminals; and the first connecting portion passes out from the shielding portion along the first direction.

[0012] The seventh technical solution is based on the sixth technical solution, wherein the base is provided with a shielding wall, the inner surface of the shielding wall forms the shielding portion, the first direction is perpendicular to the shielding wall, the shielding wall is provided with a through hole, the through hole is connected to the terminal groove and passes through the shielding wall along the first direction for the first connecting portion to pass through; the first connecting portion is interference fit with the through hole.

[0013] The eighth technical solution is based on the sixth technical solution, wherein the main body is provided with a first arm and at least one second arm, the first arm extends along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, the first connecting portion extends from the first arm along the first direction, the second connecting portion extends from the first arm along a third direction perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction, the second arm extends from the first arm away from the third direction, and the third connecting portion is located at the second arm; the terminal slot is provided with a first slot section and a second slot section; the first slot section is plug-fitted with the first arm, and the second slot section is plug-fitted with the second arm.

[0014] The ninth technical solution is based on the eighth technical solution, wherein the connector is suitable for being plugged into the shell away from the third direction, and the coil terminal of the coil assembly extending along the first direction is suitable for being plugged into and mated with the second connecting portion away from the third direction.

[0015] The tenth technical solution is based on the ninth technical solution, wherein the terminal slot is also provided with a third slot section, the second connecting portion is provided with a first part close to the first arm and a second part away from the first arm, the first part is plugged into the third slot section, and the second part extends out of the third slot section along a third direction to be plugged into the coil terminal.

[0016] The eleventh technical solution is based on the eighth technical solution, wherein the number of the signal terminals is three, each of the signal terminals is arranged along the second direction, the number of the second arms of the two signal terminals located on both sides along the second direction is one and both are provided with a third connecting portion, the number of the second arms of the signal terminal located in the middle along the second direction is two and both are provided with a third connecting portion, and the third connecting portions adjacent to each other on two adjacent signal terminals are used to connect an inhibition element.

[0017] The twelfth technical solution is based on any one of the sixth to eleventh technical solutions, wherein the third connecting portion is provided with a slot, the slot is provided with an insertion port, the insertion port is opened away from the first direction, and the lead of the suppression element is suitable for being inserted into the slot through the insertion port.

[0018] The thirteenth technical solution is based on any one of the eighth to eleventh technical solutions, wherein the shielding portion is also provided with a component groove, the component groove is suitable for accommodating a suppression element, the component groove is provided with a main body groove and two lead grooves, the main body groove is used to accommodate the main body of the suppression element, the two lead grooves are used to accommodate two leads of the suppression element, the two lead grooves are located on both sides of the main body groove along the second direction and intersect with the corresponding terminal grooves; when the signal terminal is inserted into the terminal groove, the third connecting portion is suitable for abutting the lead supported by the bottom of the lead groove.

[0019] The fourteenth technical solution is based on the thirteenth technical solution, wherein the third connecting portion is provided with a slot, the slot is provided with an insertion port, the insertion port is opened along the first direction, and when the signal terminal is inserted into the terminal slot, the bottom of the lead slot supports the lead so that the lead enters the slot through the insertion port.

[0020] The fifteenth technical solution is based on the fourteenth technical solution, wherein the second slot section is provided with a recessed portion, and the recessed portion forces at least one side slot wall of the slot formed by the third connecting portion to deform so that the lead is clamped in the slot.

[0021] The sixteenth technical solution is based on the fifteenth technical solution, wherein the two side groove walls of the third connecting portion are provided with protrusions at the location of the insertion port, and the walls on both sides of the recessed portion along the third direction gradually approach each other along the first direction. When the two protrusions are inserted into the recessed portion, they are forced to approach each other so that the lead is clamped in the slot at a position away from the insertion port.

[0022] The seventeenth technical solution is based on the first technical solution, wherein the main body is provided with a second connecting portion, which is suitable for being electrically connected to the coil assembly and the suppression element; the shielding portion is provided with a terminal groove for the signal terminal to be inserted along a first direction, the number of the terminal grooves is the same as and corresponds to the number of the signal terminals, and the first connecting portion passes through the shielding portion along the first direction.

[0023] The eighteenth technical solution is based on the seventeenth technical solution, wherein the second connecting portion extends along a third direction perpendicular to the first direction; the connector is suitable for being plugged into the shell away from the third direction, and the coil terminals of the coil assembly extending along the first direction are suitable for being plugged into and mated with the second connecting portion away from the third direction; and the leads of the suppression element are suitable for being plugged into the second connecting portion.

[0024] The nineteenth technical solution is based on the eighteenth technical solution, wherein the terminal slot is provided with a third slot section, the second connecting portion is provided with a first portion close to the first connecting portion and a second portion away from the first connecting portion, the first portion is plugged into and matched with the third slot section, and the second portion extends out of the third slot section along a third direction to be plugged into and matched with the coil terminal; the lead of the suppression element is suitable for plugging into the second portion.

[0025] The twentieth technical solution relates to a connection assembly, which comprises a suppression element and a connector as described in any one of the first to eighteenth technical solutions, wherein the suppression element is fixedly connected to the main body and electrically connected so that the suppression element is suitable for being connected in parallel with the coil assembly.

[0026] The twenty-first technical solution relates to a relay, which includes a relay body and a shell, the relay body including a coil assembly, and the coil assembly is fixedly connected to the shell; it also includes a connector as described in any one of the first to eighteenth technical solutions, the coil assembly is provided with a coil terminal electrically connected to the corresponding signal terminal; the connector is fixedly connected to the shell to form a shell, and the coil assembly is accommodated in the shell.

[0027] The twenty-second technical solution relates to a relay, which includes a relay body and a shell, the relay body including a coil assembly, and the coil assembly is fixedly connected to the shell; it also includes a connector as described in any one of the sixth to eighteenth technical solutions, the coil assembly is provided with a coil terminal electrically connected to the corresponding signal terminal; the connector is fixedly connected to the shell to form an outer shell, the coil assembly is accommodated in the outer shell, and the shell is provided with a limit portion, and the limit portion limits the movement of the signal terminal away from the first direction.

[0028] The twenty-third technical solution is based on the twenty-first or twenty-second technical solution, and further includes a suppression element, which is fixed to the main body and connected in parallel with the coil assembly.

[0029] The twenty-fourth technical solution is based on the twenty-first or twenty-second technical solution, and it also includes a load terminal; the relay body also includes an armature assembly and a contact part, the coil assembly and the armature assembly together constitute a magnetic circuit part, the contact part includes a moving contact and a static contact, and the static contact is fixed to the shell; the load terminal is electrically connected to the contact part and fixed relative to the shell, and the load terminal is exposed to the outside and electrically connected to the load circuit; the armature assembly is driven by the coil assembly and drives the moving contact and the static contact to close or open to control the on and off of the load circuit.

[0030] Compared with the prior art, the above solution has the following beneficial effects:

[0031] The applicant has observed in the practice of long-term customer service that many customers hope to customize the structure of the connector to facilitate matching with their self-designed signal circuits, such as using their self-designed connection ports, or using fool-proof designs that are consistent with their internal standards. At the same time, in the background technology, the applicant also mentioned that some customers hope to integrate suppression elements inside the relay, while some customers will purchase relays without integrated suppression elements and set suppression elements in the signal circuit themselves. In the face of these two demands, the solution of connecting suppression elements in parallel to the coil frame fixed to the shell in the prior art will have the dual development tasks of redesigning the relay body fixed to the shell and redesigning the connector fixed to the shell at the same time, which will lengthen the development cycle and may also lead to increased mold costs, thereby causing cost increases.

[0032] It is based on the above observations and findings that the applicant proposed the first technical solution. In the first technical solution, the applicant not only realizes the basic function of electrically connecting the coil assembly to the signal circuit by setting the main body and the first connecting portion on the signal terminal. At the same time, the function of connecting the coil assembly in parallel with the suppression element can also be selectively realized, so that when dealing with the two possible needs of customers for the suppression element, it is only necessary to choose to connect the suppression element or not to connect the suppression element on the connector. When redesigning and developing in response to customer needs, since only the design and development need to be concentrated on the connector, there is no need to redesign and develop the housing and the relay body housed in the housing, the development cycle can be saved. Not only that, since the mold investment cost is only concentrated on the connector, the cost of re-molding is greatly reduced, and the design and production of the housing and the relay body can be standardized, production efficiency can be improved, and production costs can be reduced.

[0033] When there is no need to redesign and develop in response to customer needs, setting a main body suitable for connecting the suppression element on the connector can also reduce the complexity of production and save the size of the relay in the thickness direction compared to designing a connector suitable for fixing with the coil frame. This is because, firstly, the structure of the relay body in the housing is often much more complicated than that of the connector. Adding functions to a connector with a relatively simple structure can make manufacturing and assembly simpler than adding functions to a relatively complex relay body. Secondly, precisely because the structure of the relay body in the housing is often much more complicated than that of the connector, the connector suitable for connecting the suppression element often needs to consider not only the easy assembly of the suppression element, but also the concession of other devices, so it occupies more volume, especially the size in the thickness direction (third direction) is larger; while for the connector, the connector only has shielding function and connection function. Since the main body is installed in the shielding part of the substrate, it makes full use of the larger and ready-made assembly space on the back of the substrate, and allows the signal terminal to be connected in the first direction perpendicular to the third direction. At the same time, setting a signal terminal suitable for connecting the suppression element is only a further utilization of the electrical connection function of the signal terminal. Therefore, if the first technical solution is adopted, compared with the existing technology, the relay space utilization rate is higher, especially the size in the thickness direction can be effectively reduced.

[0034] In the first technical solution, the main body is installed in the shielding part, so it is not exposed to the outside relative to the shell. The main body is suitable for being electrically connected to the suppression element, so the shell can also protect the suppression element.

[0035] In the second technical solution, the main body is provided with a second connection portion suitable for electrically connecting to the coil assembly and a third connection portion suitable for electrically connecting to the suppression element, so the structure and shape of the main body can be set more flexibly and is also suitable for making full use of the space in all directions of the connector.

[0036] In the third technical solution, the third connection part is provided with a slot, the slot is provided with an insertion port, and the lead of the suppression element is suitable for being inserted into the slot through the insertion port, and the technical means adopted is to enable the suppression element to be plugged and matched with the signal terminal. Compared with the optional method of connecting the suppression element to the third connection part by welding, the assembly is simpler and the production efficiency is higher.

[0037] In the fourth technical solution, the insertion opening is gradually reduced along the insertion direction, and the technical means adopted is to guide the lead wire into the slot through the insertion opening opened away from the insertion direction, so that the suppression element is easier to be plugged into the signal terminal.

[0038] In the fifth technical solution, a retaining section is provided in the slot, and an entrance opening is provided in the retaining section, and the opening distance of the entrance opening is smaller than the inner diameter of the retaining section. The technical means adopted is to cause the lead of the suppression element to deform when passing through the entrance opening. Part of this deformation is plastic deformation, and part of it is elastic deformation. After the lead of the suppression element enters the retaining section, the elastically deformed part will recover, so that the suppression element cannot exit the retaining section from the entrance opening unless subjected to strong external force. Therefore, after the suppression element enters the retaining section, it can be reliably connected to the signal terminal under normal use.

[0039] In the sixth technical solution, the first connection part passes through the shielding part along the first direction and comes out from the outside. At the same time, the shielding part is provided with a terminal slot suitable for the signal terminal to be inserted along the first direction. The technical means adopted is to make the signal terminal plug-in direction the same as the first connection part insertion direction. It has two meanings. First, the main body is located in the shielding part of the base, making full use of the space on the back of the base. Second, when the main body is plugged in, the first connection part also passes through the base in the same direction and comes out. First, the solution of plugging the signal terminal into the terminal slot is easier to assemble and disassemble than the solution of fastening the signal terminal with a fastener and the solution of insert molding the signal terminal with the base. The assembly process is simpler and is conducive to improving assembly efficiency. Secondly, when the signal terminal is plugged in, the first connection part is also in place, so that only the movement of the signal terminal along the first direction is required to realize the function of establishing an electrical connection relationship between the signal terminal and the external signal circuit. Therefore, it is also easy to assemble and is conducive to improving assembly efficiency.

[0040] The seventh technical solution provides a specific implementation of the sixth technical solution, wherein the signal terminal is plugged into a shielding wall perpendicular to the first direction, the main body is located on the inner surface of the shielding wall, and the first connecting portion passes through the shielding wall through a through hole. Therefore, this solution fully utilizes the inner surface of the shielding wall and saves space.

[0041] In the seventh technical solution, the first connecting portion and the through hole are interference fit, so that when the signal terminal is inserted into place, it is fixed relative to the base. Therefore, during the process of fixing the base and the shell, the signal terminal is not easy to leave the proper position, thereby avoiding assembly failure or requiring other technical means to keep the signal terminal in the proper position.

[0042] In the eighth technical solution, the main body is provided with a first arm and a second arm, the first arm extends along the second direction, the second arm extends along the third direction, and the first direction, the second direction and the third direction are perpendicular to each other, therefore, the signal terminal forms a first L-shaped structure on a plane perpendicular to the first direction, the first connecting portion extends from the first arm along the first direction, so that the main body and the first connecting portion form a second L-shaped structure on a plane perpendicular to the second direction, and in addition, the terminal slot is provided with a first slot section plug-matched with the first arm and a second slot section plug-matched with the second arm, so that when the signal terminal is plugged into the terminal slot, it is reliably plugged and limited on a plane perpendicular to the first direction and will not shake in the second direction or in the third direction.

[0043] In the eighth technical solution, relative to the first arm, the second arm extends from the first arm away from the third direction, and the third connecting portion is located on the second arm, and the second connecting portion extends from the first arm along the third direction, so that the second connecting portion and the third connecting portion are arranged on both sides of the first arm, making full use of the space on the plane perpendicular to the first direction, making the spatial layout more reasonable, and also facilitating the connection between the main body and the suppression element and the connection between the main body and the coil assembly.

[0044] In the ninth technical solution, the second connecting portion is plugged into and matched with the coil terminal of the coil assembly, which facilitates the electrical connection between the signal terminal and the coil assembly, thereby making assembly simpler.

[0045] In the tenth technical solution, the first part of the second connecting portion is plugged into the third slot section, making it more difficult for the signal terminal to shake in the third direction. The second part of the second connecting portion extends out of the third slot section, thereby facilitating plugging and mating with the coil terminal.

[0046] In the eleventh technical solution, each signal terminal is arranged along the second direction, and the first arm extends along the second direction, the second connecting portion extends from the first arm along the third direction, the second arm extends away from the first arm in the third direction, and the third connecting portion is located in the second arm. Therefore, each second arm is parallel to each other and arranged at intervals along the second direction, so that the suppression element can be bridged between the third connecting portions of two adjacent signal terminals along the second direction, thereby making full use of the space of the shielding portion.

[0047] In the eleventh technical solution, three signal terminals are provided, and the signal terminals on both sides are provided with a third connection portion, and the middle signal terminal is provided with two third connection portions, so that two suppression elements can be bridged. The two suppression elements can be used for different coil windings respectively, so as to provide suppression function for the two loops in the coil assembly.

[0048] The twelfth technical solution is a specific implementation method. Since the insertion port is opened away from the first direction, the suppression element can be easily inserted into the slot or removed from the signal terminal along the first direction.

[0049] The thirteenth technical solution is another specific implementation method, by setting an element groove in the shielding part, and the third connecting part abuts against the lead supported by the bottom of the lead groove when the signal terminal is inserted into place, so that the third connecting part can establish an electrical connection with the suppression element.

[0050] In the fourteenth technical solution, the bottom of the lead groove supports the lead wire so that the lead wire can enter the slot through the insertion port, making the connection between the suppression element and the signal terminal more reliable.

[0051] In the fifteenth technical solution, the recessed portion forces the third connecting portion to form at least one side groove wall of the slot to deform so that the lead is clamped in the slot. Therefore, as long as the third connecting portion is inserted into the terminal slot, the side groove wall that is forced to deform will not recover the deformation, and the lead can always be reliably clamped in the slot, thereby achieving a more reliable electrical connection between the suppression element and the signal terminal.

[0052] The sixteenth technical solution is a specific implementation of the fifteenth technical solution. First, the walls on both sides of the recessed portion along the third direction gradually approach each other along the first direction, which can guide the two protrusions into the recessed portion; second, when the two protrusions are inserted into the recessed portion, they are pressed by the walls of the recessed portion to approach each other to clamp the lead wire, so the connection between the suppression element and the signal terminal is more reliable; third, the protrusion is located at the position of the insertion port, and the lead wire is clamped at a position in the slot away from the insertion port, so the deformation of the two protrusions is not easy to clamp off the lead wire.

[0053] In the seventeenth technical solution, the second connecting portion is not only suitable for being electrically connected to the coil assembly, but also suitable for being electrically connected to the suppression element, so the signal terminal structure is simpler.

[0054] In the eighteenth technical solution, the first connection part passes through the shielding part along the first direction and comes out from the outside. At the same time, the shielding part is provided with a terminal slot suitable for the signal terminal to be inserted along the first direction. The technical means adopted is to make the signal terminal plug-in direction the same as the first connection part insertion direction. It has two meanings. First, the main body is located in the shielding part of the base, making full use of the space on the back of the base. Second, when the main body is plugged in, the first connection part also passes through the base in the same direction and comes out. First, the solution of plugging the signal terminal into the terminal slot is easier to assemble and disassemble than the solution of fastening the signal terminal with a fastener and the solution of insert molding the signal terminal with the base. The assembly process is simpler and is conducive to improving assembly efficiency. Secondly, when the signal terminal is plugged in, the first connection part is also in place, so that only the movement of the signal terminal along the first direction is required to realize the function of establishing an electrical connection relationship between the signal terminal and the external signal circuit. Therefore, it is also easy to assemble and is conducive to improving assembly efficiency.

[0055] In the eighteenth technical solution, the second connecting portion is plugged into the coil terminal of the coil assembly, which facilitates the electrical connection between the signal terminal and the coil assembly, thereby making assembly easier. The lead of the suppression element is suitable for plugging into the second connecting portion, thereby making full use of the plugging space of the second connecting portion, making the structure of the signal terminal and the substrate simpler.

[0056] In the nineteenth technical solution, the first part of the second connecting portion is plugged into and matched with the third slot section, making it more difficult for the signal terminal to shake in the third direction. The second part of the second connecting portion extends out of the third slot section, making it easy to plug into and match with the coil terminal and suitable for plugging into the lead of the suppression element.

[0057] The connecting assembly in the twentieth technical solution includes a connector and a suppression element, which mainly protects the whole formed by connecting the suppression element to the connector, and has the corresponding technical effect of the connector defined by the technical solution it quotes.

[0058] The relay defined in the twenty-first technical solution has the corresponding technical effect of the connector defined in the technical solution it references.

[0059] The relay defined in the twenty-second technical solution has the corresponding technical effect of the connector defined in the technical solution cited by it. At the same time, the solution in which the signal terminal is plugged into the terminal slot along the first direction is provided with a limiting portion on the housing to limit the movement of the signal terminal away from the first direction, so that the signal terminal cannot loosen the plug-in fit with the terminal slot due to the force away from the first direction when the first connecting portion is connected to the signal circuit, thereby facilitating a reliable connection between the third connecting portion and the suppression element.

[0060] The twenty-third technical solution further defines a relay with a suppression element, so that it has the function of suppressing reverse electromotive force when the coil component is disconnected.

[0061] The twenty-fourth technical solution further includes a specific structure for the relay to realize its basic functions. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0062] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solution of the embodiment, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for use:

[0063] Figure 1 is a three-dimensional diagram of the relay in the first embodiment;

[0064] Figure 2 This is a three-dimensional diagram of the relay in Example 1 after removing the upper cover;

[0065] Figure 3 is a three-dimensional exploded view of the connector and the suppression element in the first embodiment;

[0066] Figure 4 is a three-dimensional diagram of the base of the connector in the first embodiment;

[0067] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the matching structure between the first connecting portion and the through hole in the first embodiment;

[0068] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the matching structure between the third connecting portion and the terminal slot in the first embodiment;

[0069] Figure 7 is a three-dimensional diagram of the third signal terminal in the first embodiment;

[0070] Figure 8 is a side view of the first signal terminal in the first embodiment;

[0071] Fig. 9 is a three-dimensional diagram of the bottom shell in the first embodiment;

[0072] Fig.10 It is a schematic diagram of the matching structure between the bottom shell and the connector in the first embodiment;

[0073] Fig.11 is a stereoscopic diagram of the connector and the suppression element in the first embodiment;

[0074] Fig.12 is a three-dimensional exploded view of the connector and the suppression element in the second embodiment;

[0075] Fig.13 is a stereoscopic diagram of the connector and the suppression element in the second embodiment;

[0076] Fig.14 This is a three-dimensional diagram of the relay in Example 3 after removing the upper cover.

[0077] Description of main reference numerals:

[0078] 1. Relay; 2. Housing; 3. Load terminal; 4. Connector; 5. Shell; 6. Bottom shell; 7. Upper cover; 8. Relay body; 9. Magnetic circuit part; 9', Contact part; 10. Armature assembly; 11. Coil assembly; 12. Coil terminal; 13. Suppression element; 14. Body; 15. Lead wire; 16. Base; 17. Signal terminal; 17a. First signal terminal; 17b. Second signal terminal; 17c. Third signal terminal; 18. Shielding wall; 19. Shielding part; 20. Terminal slot; 21. Component slot; 2 2. first slot section; 23. second slot section; 24. third slot section; 25. through hole; 26. recessed portion; 27. main body slot; 28. lead slot; 29. ​​main body; 30. first connecting portion; 31. protrusion; 32. first arm; 33. second arm; 34. second connecting portion; 35. first part; 36. second part; 37. third connecting portion; 38. slot; 39. insertion port; 40. holding section; 41. entry port; 42. protrusion; 43. limit portion; X, second direction; Y, first direction; Z, third direction. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0079] In the claims and the description, unless otherwise defined, the terms "first", "second" or "third", etc. are intended to distinguish different objects rather than to describe a specific order.

[0080] In the claims and the specification, unless otherwise defined, terms such as "center", "lateral", "longitudinal", "horizontal", "vertical", "top", "bottom", "inside", "outside", "up", "down", "front", "back", "left", "right", "clockwise", "counterclockwise" and the like indicating directions or positional relationships are based on the directions and positional relationships shown in the drawings and are only for the convenience of simplifying the description and do not imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific direction or be constructed and operated in a specific direction.

[0081] In the claims and the specification, unless otherwise defined, the term "fixed connection" or "fixed connection" should be understood in a broad sense, that is, any connection method in which there is no displacement relationship and relative rotation relationship between the two parties, that is to say, including non-detachable fixed connection, detachable fixed connection, integral connection and fixed connection through other devices or elements.

[0082] In the claims and the description, unless otherwise defined, the terms "includes", "has" and their variations mean "including but not limited to".

[0083] In the claims and the specification, unless otherwise defined, the term "provided with" means that the technical feature located thereafter is a part of the technical feature located therefor.

[0084] In the claims and the specification, unless otherwise defined, the term “exposed to the outside” means visible from the outside when the connector is fixedly connected to the shell to form a housing.

[0085] In the claims and the specification, unless otherwise defined, the term “penetrating outwardly” means penetrating through the base body and being visible from the outside when the connector is fixedly connected to the shell to form a housing.

[0086] In the claims and the specification, unless otherwise specified, the term "first direction" is a unidirectional direction, the term "second direction" is a bidirectional direction, and the term "third direction" is a unidirectional direction, and the three are orthogonal to each other. Specifically in the drawings, the first direction refers to the direction from back to front, the second direction refers to the left and right direction, and the third direction refers to the direction from bottom to top.

[0087] In the claims and the specification, unless otherwise specified, the term "inner diameter of the retaining segment" refers to the maximum distance between two opposite surfaces forming the retaining segment in a direction perpendicular to the extension direction of the element slot and perpendicular to the insertion direction of the auxiliary element. In Embodiments 1 and 2, this distance refers to the distance along the third direction.

[0088] In the claims and the specification, unless otherwise defined, the term "opening distance of the inlet" refers to the minimum distance between two opposite surfaces forming the inlet, and in the first and second embodiments, the distance refers to the distance along the third direction.

[0089] In the claims and description, unless otherwise specified, the term "suitable for" means that the following solutions or features are allowed and can be achieved, but not necessarily have been achieved.

[0090] The technical solutions in the embodiments will be described clearly and completely below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0091] Embodiment 1

[0092] See also Figure 1 and Figure 2 , Figure 1 and Figure 2 1 shows the relay 1 in the first embodiment. Figure 1 As shown,

[0093] From the appearance, the relay 1 includes a housing 2 and two load terminals 3. Among them, the housing 2 includes a connector 4 and a shell 5. The connector 4 is located on one side of the shell 5 along the first direction Y, and the connector 4 is fixedly connected to the shell 5 to form the housing 2. In this embodiment, the shell 5 includes a bottom shell 6 and an upper cover 7. The upper cover 7 is away from the third direction Z and is disposed on the bottom shell 6, and the bottom shell 6 and the upper cover 7 are fixedly connected to form the shell 5. The load terminal 3 is fixed relative to the shell 5 and exposed to the outside to be electrically connected to the external load circuit. Specifically, a part of the load terminal 3 is located in the housing 2, and the other part extends out of the housing 2. In this embodiment, the load terminal 3 is fixed to the shell 5. In other embodiments, the load terminal 3 can also be fixed to the connector 4, as long as it can be partially exposed outside the housing 2.

[0094] like Figure 2 As shown, the relay 1 also includes a relay body 8, which is accommodated in the housing 5. The relay body 8 includes a magnetic circuit portion 9 and a contact portion 9'. The magnetic circuit portion 9 includes an armature assembly 10 and a coil assembly 11. The contact portion 9' includes a static contact and a moving contact. The coil assembly 11 converts the magnetic field according to the control signal of the external signal circuit to drive the armature assembly 10 to move relative to the housing 5, and drives the moving contact and the static contact to close or open to control the on and off of the load circuit. The load terminal 3 is electrically connected to the contact portion 9', so that the contact portion 9' is electrically connected to the load circuit. In this embodiment, the housing 5 is fixedly connected to the coil frame, the coil assembly 11 is fixedly connected to the coil frame, and the coil assembly 11 is provided with a coil terminal 12, and the coil terminal 12 is fixedly connected to the coil frame and extends out of the coil frame along the first direction Y. Specifically, in this embodiment, the coil assembly 11 is provided with two coil windings and three coil terminals 12, the two coil windings are wound in opposite directions, and the three coil terminals 12 are arranged along the second direction X, and the second direction X is perpendicular to the first direction Y; the coil terminal 12 located in the middle of the three coil terminals 12 is a common terminal, the coil terminal 12 located on the left and the coil terminal 12 located in the middle are electrically connected to one of the coil windings, and the coil terminal 12 located on the right and the coil terminal 12 located in the middle are electrically connected to another coil winding.

[0095] See also Figure 3 , Figure 3 The connector 4 and the suppression element 13 in this embodiment are shown. Figure 3 As shown, in this embodiment, the relay 1 further includes a suppression element 13. The suppression element 13 may be a resistor or a diode. The suppression element 13 is mounted on the connector 4 and is electrically connected to the coil terminal 12 through the connector 4. In this embodiment, there are two suppression elements 13, and the two suppression elements 13 are respectively connected in parallel with the corresponding coil windings. The suppression element 13 includes a body 14 and two leads 15, and the two leads 15 are respectively located on both sides of the body 14 along the second direction X.

[0096] Since the main inventive concept of the present application is concentrated on the connector 4 and the housing 5 , the connector 4 and the housing 5 will be mainly introduced below.

[0097] like Figure 3 As shown, the connector 4 includes a base 16 and at least two signal terminals 17. In this embodiment, the number of the signal terminals 17 is three, namely a first terminal 17a, a second terminal 17b and a third terminal 17c. The three signal terminals 17 are arranged along the second direction X.

[0098] See also Figure 4 , Figure 4 The substrate 16 in this embodiment is shown. Figure 4 As shown, the base 16 is provided with a shielding wall 18 and a connecting shell. In this embodiment, the shielding wall 18 is perpendicular to the first direction Y. The shielding wall 18 has an outer surface and an inner surface, and its outer surface is exposed to the outside after the connector 4 and the shell 5 are fixedly connected to form the outer shell 2, and the connecting shell is fixedly connected to the outer surface of the shielding wall 18. The inner surface of the shielding wall 18 forms a shielding portion 19, and the shielding portion 19 is shielded after the connector 4 and the shell 5 are fixedly connected to form the outer shell 2.

[0099] like Figure 4 As shown, the shielding portion 19 is provided with three terminal slots 20 and two component slots 21. The three terminal slots 20 are arranged along the second direction X and are respectively used for plugging and matching with the three signal terminals 17. All the terminal slots 20 are provided with a first slot section 22, at least one second slot section 23 and a third slot section 24. Among them, the first slot section 22 extends along the second direction X and is provided with a through hole 25 (shown in FIG. 2 ) penetrating the shielding wall 18 along the first direction Y. Figure 5 , and its function will be introduced later). The second slot section 23 extends from the first slot section 22 away from the third direction Z, and the third direction Z is perpendicular to the first direction Y and also perpendicular to the second direction X. In this embodiment, the signal terminal slots 20 corresponding to the first signal terminal 17a and the third signal terminal 17c are respectively located on the left and right sides along the second direction X and are each provided with a second slot section 23, and the signal terminal slot 20 corresponding to the second signal terminal 17b is located in the middle and is provided with two second slot sections 23. In this embodiment, all the second slot sections 23 are provided with a recessed portion 26 (shown in FIG. Figure 6 , and its function will be introduced later). The third slot section 24 extends from the first slot section 22 along the third direction Z. The two element slots 21 are arranged along the second direction X. Each element slot 21 is provided with a body slot 27 and two lead slots 28. The body slot 27 is used to accommodate the body 14 of the suppression element 13. The lead slots 28 are located on both sides of the body slot 27 along the second direction X and are respectively used to accommodate the leads 15 of the suppression element 13. The lead slots 28 intersect with the corresponding terminal slots 20. In this embodiment, the two lead slots of the same element slot 21 intersect with the second slot sections 23 of the two adjacent terminal slots 20 respectively.

[0100] See also Figure 7 and Figure 8 , Figure 7 The third signal terminal 17c in the first embodiment is shown. Figure 8 FIG. 1 shows the first signal terminal 17a in the first embodiment. Figure 7 As shown, each signal terminal 17 includes a body 29 and a first connection portion 30. The body 29 is provided with a first arm 32, at least one second arm 33, and a second connection portion 34. The first arm 32 extends along the second direction X. The second arm 33 extends away from the first arm 32 in the third direction Z. Figure 3 As shown, in this embodiment, the first signal terminal 17a and the second signal terminal 17c each have only one second arm 33, and the second signal terminal 17b has two second arms 33, and the two second arms 33 are arranged along the second direction X and are parallel to each other. Figure 8 As shown, in this embodiment, each second arm 33 is provided with a third connecting portion 37, each third connecting portion 37 is provided with a slot 38, and the slot 38 is provided with an insertion port 39. In this embodiment, the insertion port 39 is opened along the first direction Y. The lead 15 of the suppression element 13 is suitable for being inserted into the slot 38 through the insertion port 39. In this embodiment, the insertion port 39 is gradually reduced along the insertion direction of the lead 15 (away from the first direction Y) to guide the lead 15 to be inserted into the slot 38. In this embodiment, a retaining section 40 is provided at the bottom of the slot 38, and the retaining section 40 is suitable for retaining the lead 15 therein after being inserted into the slot 38 and unable to move away from the first direction Y. The retaining section 40 is provided with an entry port 41 for the lead 15 to enter the retaining section 40. In this embodiment, the opening distance of the entry port 41 is less than the inner diameter of the retaining section 40. In this embodiment, the third connecting portion 37 is provided with two side groove walls forming the slot 38, and the two side groove walls are provided with protrusions 42 at the position where the insertion port 39 is located. As shown Figure 7 As shown, the second connection portion 34 extends from the first arm 32 along the third direction Z. In this embodiment, the second connection portion 34 is provided with a first portion 35 close to the first arm 32 and a second portion 36 away from the first arm 32, wherein the second portion 36 is U-shaped and has a terminal connection groove opened along the third direction Z. The first connection portion 30 extends from the first arm 32 along the first direction Y, and a protrusion 31 is provided at a position close to the first arm 32, and the protrusion 31 protrudes along the second direction X.

[0101] like Figure 3 As shown, if the connector 4 needs to be connected to the suppression element 13 to form a connection assembly, first place the two suppression elements 13 into the corresponding element slots 21, so that the bottom of the lead slot 28 abuts against the lead 15. Then insert the three signal terminals 17 into the corresponding terminal slots 20, as shown in FIG. Figure 5As shown, the first connection part 30 passes through the through hole 25 and extends out of the outer surface of the shielding wall 18, and the protrusion 31 is interference fit with the through hole 25, so that the signal terminal 17 is fixedly connected to the base 16; at the same time, the first arm 32 is plugged into the first slot section 22, the second arm 33 is plugged into the second slot section 23, the first part 35 of the second connection part 34 is plugged into the third slot section 24, and the second part 36 of the second connection part 34 extends out of the third slot section 24 along the third direction Z; at the same time, the bottom of the lead slot 28 supports the lead 15 so that the lead 15 enters the slot 38 through the insertion port 39 until it enters the retaining section 40 through deformation, so that the third connection part 37 can reliably abut the lead 15 supported by the bottom of the lead slot 28. Figure 6 As shown, the two protrusions 42 of the third connection part 37 are inserted into the recessed part 26 of the second slot section 23, and the walls of the recessed part 26 on both sides along the third direction Z force the third connection part 37 to form at least one side groove wall of the slot 38 to deform so that the lead 15 is clamped in the slot. In this embodiment, since the walls of the recessed part 26 on both sides along the third direction Z are also configured to be close to each other along the first direction Y, the two protrusions 42 can be guided to enter the recessed part 26, and the two protrusions 42 are forced to be close to each other when inserted into the recessed part 26 so that the lead 15 is clamped in the slot 15 at a position away from the insertion port 39.

[0102] If the connector 4 does not need to be connected to the suppression element 13 , the assembly of the connector 4 can be completed by simply inserting the three signal terminals 17 into the corresponding terminal slots 20 .

[0103] See also Fig. 9 , Fig. 9 The bottom shell 6 in this embodiment is shown. Fig. 9 As shown, in this embodiment, a limiting portion 43 is provided at a position of the bottom shell 6 facing the connector 4 , and the limiting portion 43 is used to limit the movement of all terminals 17 away from the first direction Y when the connector 4 is connected to the bottom shell 6 .

[0104] See also Fig.10 , Fig.10 FIG. 4 shows the state in which the connector 4 is fixed to the bottom shell 6. Fig.10 As shown, the connector 4 is plugged into the bottom shell 6 away from the third direction Z. After being plugged in place, the limiting portion 43 limits all signal terminals 17 so that the signal terminals 17 cannot move away from the first direction Y. After being plugged in place, the second connecting portion 34 extends out of the limiting wall along the third direction Y.

[0105] like Figure 2As shown, when the relay body 8 is accommodated in the bottom shell 6 and the load terminal 3 is fixed to the bottom shell 6, when the connector 4 is plugged into the bottom shell 6 away from the third direction Z, the coil terminal 12 is also inserted into the terminal connection groove of the second connection part 34 along the third direction Z, so that the coil terminal 12 and the corresponding second connection part 34 are plugged and matched and electrically connected, thereby establishing an electrical connection between the signal terminal 17 and the coil assembly 11, so that the coil assembly 11 can be electrically connected to the signal circuit through the signal terminal 17, and the signal circuit can control the coil assembly 11 to change the magnetic field to drive the armature assembly 10 to move. At the same time, the two suppression elements 13 are connected in parallel with the corresponding coil windings, so as to realize the function of suppressing the reverse electromotive force when the coil windings are disconnected.

[0106] like Figure 1 As shown, after the connector 4 is connected, the upper cover 7 is then covered on the bottom shell 6 and sealed and fixed with the bottom shell 6, thereby completing the assembly of the housing 2 and the relay 1.

[0107] In this embodiment, the signal terminal 17 is provided with a main body 29 and a first connecting portion 30, which not only realizes the basic function of electrically connecting the coil assembly 11 to the signal circuit. At the same time, the function of connecting the coil assembly 11 in parallel with the suppression element 13 can also be selectively realized, so that when responding to two possible needs of customers for the suppression element 13, it is only necessary to choose to connect the suppression element 13 or not to connect the suppression element 13 on the connector 4. When redesigning and developing in response to customer needs, since only the design and development need to be concentrated on the connector 4, there is no need to redesign and develop the housing 5 and the relay body 8 accommodated in the housing 5, so the development cycle can be saved. In addition, since the mold investment cost is only concentrated on the connector 4, the cost of re-opening the mold is greatly reduced, and the design and production of the housing 5 and the relay body 8 can be standardized, the production efficiency can be improved, and the production cost can be reduced.

[0108] In this embodiment, when there is no need to redesign and develop in response to customer needs, a main body 29 suitable for connecting the suppression element 13 is provided on the connector 4. Compared with designing a connector suitable for fixing with the housing 5 or the coil frame, it can also reduce the complexity of production and save the size of the relay in the thickness direction. Compared with the existing technology, the relay 1 has a higher space utilization rate, especially the size in the thickness direction can be effectively reduced.

[0109] In this embodiment, the main body 29 is installed in the shielding portion 19 and is not exposed to the outside of the housing 2 . The main body 29 is suitable for being electrically connected to the suppression element 13 , so the housing 2 can also protect the suppression element 13 .

[0110] In this embodiment, the main body 29 is provided with a second connection portion 34 suitable for electrically connecting to the coil assembly 11 and a third connection portion 37 suitable for electrically connecting to the suppression element 13. Therefore, the structure and shape of the main body 29 can be set more flexibly and is also suitable for making full use of the space in all directions of the connector 4.

[0111] In this embodiment, the third connection portion 37 is provided with a slot 38, and the slot 38 is provided with an insertion port 39. The lead 15 of the suppression element 13 is suitable for being inserted into the slot 38 through the insertion port 39. The technical means adopted is to enable the suppression element 13 to be plugged and matched with the signal terminal 17. Compared with the optional method of connecting the suppression element 13 to the third connection portion 37 by welding, the assembly is simpler and the production efficiency is higher.

[0112] In this embodiment, the insertion opening 39 is gradually reduced along the insertion direction. The technical means adopted is to guide the lead 15 to be inserted into the slot 38 through the insertion opening 39 that opens away from the insertion direction, so that the suppression element 13 is easier to be plugged into the signal terminal 17.

[0113] In this embodiment, the slot 38 is provided with a holding section 40, and the holding section 40 is provided with an entry port 41, and the opening distance of the entry port 41 is smaller than the inner diameter of the holding section 40. The technical means adopted is to cause the lead 15 of the suppression element 13 to deform when passing through the entry port 41. This deformation is partly plastic deformation and partly elastic deformation. After the lead 15 of the suppression element 13 enters the holding section 40, the elastically deformed part will recover, so that the suppression element 13 cannot exit the holding section 40 from the entry port 41 unless subjected to a strong external force. Therefore, after the suppression element 13 enters the holding section 40, it can be reliably connected to the signal terminal 17 under normal use.

[0114] In this embodiment, the first connection part 30 passes out from the shielding part 19 along the first direction Y, and the shielding part 19 is provided with a terminal slot 20 suitable for the signal terminal 17 to be inserted along the first direction Y. The technical means adopted is to make the plug-in direction of the signal terminal 17 the same as the insertion direction of the first connection part 30. The main body 29 is located in the shielding part 19 of the base 16, making full use of the space at the back of the base 16. Compared with the solution of fastening the signal terminal 17 with a fastener and the solution of insert injection molding of the signal terminal 17 and the base 16, the solution of plugging the signal terminal 17 with the terminal slot 20 is easier to assemble and disassemble, and the assembly process is simpler, which is conducive to improving the assembly efficiency; when the signal terminal 17 is plugged in, the first connection part 30 is also in place, so that only the movement of the signal terminal 17 along the first direction Y is required to realize the function of establishing an electrical connection relationship between the signal terminal 17 and the external signal circuit, so it is also easy to assemble, which is conducive to improving the assembly efficiency.

[0115] In this embodiment, the signal terminal 17 is plugged into the shielding wall 18 perpendicular to the first direction Y, the main body 29 is located on the inner surface of the shielding wall 18, and the first connecting portion 30 passes through the shielding wall 18 through the through hole 25. Therefore, this solution fully utilizes the inner surface of the shielding wall 18 and saves space.

[0116] In this embodiment, the first connecting portion 30 and the through hole 25 are interference fit, so that when the signal terminal 17 is inserted into place, it is fixed relative to the base 16. Therefore, during the process of fixing the base 16 and the housing 5, the signal terminal 17 is not easy to leave the proper position, thereby avoiding assembly failure or requiring other technical means to keep the signal terminal 17 in the proper position.

[0117] In this embodiment, the main body 29 is provided with a first arm 32 and a second arm 33, the first arm 32 extends along the second direction X, the second arm 33 extends away from the third direction Z, and the first direction Y, the second direction X and the third direction Z are perpendicular to each other. Therefore, the signal terminal 17 forms a first L-shaped structure on a plane perpendicular to the first direction Y, and the first connecting portion 30 extends from the first arm 32 along the first direction Y, so that the main body 29 and the first connecting portion 30 form a second L-shaped structure on a plane perpendicular to the second direction X. In addition, the terminal slot 20 is provided with a first slot section 22 plug-matched with the first arm 32 and a second slot section 23 plug-matched with the second arm 33, so that when the signal terminal 17 is plugged into the terminal slot 20, it is reliably plugged and limited on a plane perpendicular to the first direction Y, and will not shake in the second direction X or in the third direction Z.

[0118] In this embodiment, relative to the first arm 32, the second arm 33 extends from the first arm 32 away from the third direction Z, and the third connection portion 37 is located on the second arm 33, and the second connection portion 34 extends from the first arm 32 along the third direction Z, so that the second connection portion 34 and the third connection portion 37 are arranged on both sides of the first arm 32, making full use of the space on the plane perpendicular to the first direction Y, making the spatial layout more reasonable, and also facilitating the connection between the main body 29 and the suppression element 13 and the connection between the main body 29 and the coil assembly 11.

[0119] In this embodiment, the second connecting portion 34 is plugged into and matched with the coil terminal 12 of the coil assembly 11 , which facilitates the electrical connection between the signal terminal 17 and the coil assembly 11 , thereby making assembly easier.

[0120] In this embodiment, the first portion 35 of the second connecting portion 34 is plugged into the third slot section 24, making it more difficult for the signal terminal 17 to shake in the third direction Z. The second portion 36 of the second connecting portion 34 extends out of the third slot section 24, making it easier to plug into the coil terminal 12.

[0121] In this embodiment, each signal terminal 17 is arranged along the second direction X, and the first arm 32 extends along the second direction X, the second connection portion 34 extends from the first arm 32 along the third direction Z, the second arm 33 extends away from the first arm 32 in the third direction Z, and the third connection portion 37 is located on the second arm 33. Therefore, each second arm 33 is parallel to each other and arranged at intervals along the second direction X, so that the suppression element 13 can be bridged between the third connection portions 37 of two adjacent signal terminals 17 along the second direction X, and the space of the shielding portion 19 is fully utilized.

[0122] In this embodiment, three signal terminals 17 are provided, and the signal terminals 17 on both sides are each provided with a third connection portion 37, and the middle signal terminal 17 is provided with two third connection portions 37, so that two suppression elements 13 can be bridged. The two suppression elements 13 can be used for different coil windings respectively, so as to provide suppression function for the two loops in the coil assembly 11.

[0123] In this embodiment, the element slot 21 is provided in the shielding portion 19 , and the third connecting portion 37 abuts against the lead 15 supported by the bottom of the lead slot 28 when the signal terminal 17 is inserted into place, so that the third connecting portion 37 can establish an electrical connection with the suppression element 13 .

[0124] In this embodiment, the bottom of the lead groove 28 supports the lead 15 so that the lead 15 can enter the slot 38 through the insertion opening 39, making the connection between the suppression element 13 and the signal terminal 17 more reliable.

[0125] In this embodiment, the second groove section 23 is provided with a recessed portion 26, which forces the third connecting portion 37 to form at least one side groove wall of the slot 38 to deform so that the lead 15 is clamped in the slot 38. Therefore, as long as the third connecting portion 37 is inserted into the terminal slot 20, the side groove wall that is forced to deform will not recover the deformation, and the lead 15 can always be reliably clamped in the slot 38, thereby achieving a more reliable electrical connection between the suppression element 13 and the signal terminal 17.

[0126] In this embodiment, the two side groove walls of the third connection portion 37 are provided with protrusions 42 at the location of the insertion opening 39, and the walls of the recessed portion 26 on both sides along the third direction Z gradually approach each other along the first direction Y. When the two protrusions 42 are inserted into the recessed portion 26, they are forced to approach each other so that the lead 15 is clamped at a position away from the insertion opening 39 in the slot 38. Firstly, the walls of the recessed portion 26 on both sides along the third direction Z gradually approach each other along the first direction Y, which can guide the two protrusions 42 into the recessed portion 26; secondly, when the two protrusions 42 are inserted into the recessed portion 26, they are pressed by the walls of the recessed portion 26 to approach each other to clamp the lead 15, so that the connection between the suppression element 13 and the signal terminal 17 is more reliable; thirdly, the protrusions 42 are located at the location of the insertion opening 39, and the lead 15 is clamped at a position away from the insertion opening 39 in the slot 38, so that the deformation of the two protrusions 42 is not easy to clamp off the lead 15.

[0127] In this embodiment, a limiting portion 43 is provided on the shell 5 to limit the movement of the signal terminal 17 away from the first direction Y, so that the signal terminal 17 cannot be loosened from the plug-in fit with the terminal slot 20 due to the force away from the first direction Y when the first connecting portion 30 is connected to the signal circuit, thereby facilitating a reliable connection between the third connecting portion 37 and the suppression element 13.

[0128] Embodiment 2

[0129] See also Fig.12 and Fig.13 , Fig.12 and Fig.13 The connector 4 and the suppression element 13 in the second embodiment are shown. Fig.12 and Fig.13 As shown, the difference between the second embodiment and the first embodiment is that in the second embodiment, the insertion opening 39 is opened away from the first direction Y. Therefore, the signal terminal 17 can be inserted into the terminal slot 20 first, and then the suppression element 13 can be inserted into the element slot 21 and the slot 38. The other aspects of the second embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment.

[0130] In the second embodiment, since the insertion opening 39 is opened away from the first direction Y, the suppression element 13 can be easily inserted into the slot 38 along the first direction Y or removed from the terminal 17 .

[0131] Embodiment 3

[0132] See also Fig.14 , Fig.14 The relay 1 in the third embodiment is shown. Fig.14As shown, in this embodiment, the difference between the third embodiment and the first embodiment is that, in this embodiment, the main body 29 of the signal terminal 13 has only the second connection part 34, but does not have the first arm 32, the second arm 33 and the third connection part 37. The base 16 does not have the element slot 21, and the terminal slot 20 does not have the first slot section 22 and the second slot section 23, but is still connected to the through hole 25. In this embodiment, the terminal connection slot on the second part 36 of the second connection part 34 is not only used for the coil terminal 12 to be plugged in, but also for the lead 15 of the suppression element 13 to be plugged in. In some cases, if the lead 15 cannot be tightly plugged in with the terminal connection slot, it is also necessary to weld and fix it. Similarly, the two suppression elements 13 each have a lead 15 that needs to be plugged into the second terminal connection slot of the signal terminal 17 located in the middle along the X-axis direction. Other aspects of the third embodiment are the same as the first embodiment.

[0133] Compared with the first embodiment, the second connection portion 34 of this embodiment is not only used to connect to the coil terminal 12 but also used to connect to the lead 15 of the suppression element 13, so that the structure of the signal terminal 17 and the substrate 16 is simpler.

[0134] The above specification and description of the embodiments are used to explain the protection scope of the present application, but do not constitute a limitation on the protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A connector, which is suitable for being fixedly connected with a housing (5) to form a shell (2), and is used to electrically connect a coil assembly (11) accommodated in the shell (2) to a signal circuit, wherein the coil assembly (11) is suitable for being connected in parallel with a suppression element (13); wherein: The connector (4) comprises: A base (16) adapted to be fixedly connected to the housing (5) and provided with a shielding portion (19), wherein the shielding portion (19) is not exposed to the outside when the connector (4) and the housing (5) are fixedly connected to form the outer shell (2); and The signal terminals (17) are at least two in number, each signal terminal (17) is provided with a main body (29) and a first connecting portion (30), the main body (29) being mounted on the shielding portion (19) and being suitable for being electrically connected to the coil assembly (11) and the suppression element (13), so that the suppression element (13) is suitable for being connected in parallel with the coil assembly (11); the first connecting portion (30) at least partially passes through the shielding portion (19) to be suitable for being electrically connected to the signal circuit.

2. A connector as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: The main body (29) is provided with a second connection portion (34) adapted to be electrically connected to the coil assembly (11) and a third connection portion (37) adapted to be electrically connected to the suppression element (13).

3. A connector as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that: The third connecting portion (37) is provided with a slot (38), and the slot (38) is provided with an insertion port (39), and the lead wire (15) of the suppression element (13) is suitable for being inserted into the slot (38) through the insertion port (39).

4. A connector as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that: The insertion opening (39) is gradually reduced along the insertion direction of the lead wire (15) to guide the lead wire (15) to be inserted into the slot (38).

5. A connector as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that: The slot (38) is provided with a holding section (40) for holding the lead wire (15) therein, and the holding section (40) is provided with an entry opening (41) for the lead wire (15) to enter the holding section (40), and the opening distance of the entry opening (41) is smaller than the inner diameter of the holding section (40).

6. A connector as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that: The shielding portion (19) is provided with terminal slots (20) for the signal terminals (17) to be inserted along a first direction (Y), and the number of the terminal slots (20) is the same as and corresponds to the number of the signal terminals (17); the first connecting portion (30) passes out of the shielding portion (19) along the first direction (Y).

7. A connector as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that: The base (16) is provided with a shielding wall (18), the inner surface of the shielding wall (18) forms the shielding portion (19), the first direction (Y) is perpendicular to the shielding wall (18), the shielding wall (18) is provided with a through hole (25), the through hole (25) is connected to the terminal groove (20) and passes through the shielding wall (18) along the first direction (Y) to allow the first connecting portion (30) to pass through; the first connecting portion (30) is interference fit with the through hole (25).

8. A connector as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that: The main body (29) is provided with a first arm (32) and at least one second arm (33); the first arm (32) extends along a second direction (X) perpendicular to the first direction (Y); the first connecting portion (30) extends from the first arm (32) along the first direction (Y); the second connecting portion (34) extends from the first arm (32) along a third direction (Z) perpendicular to the first direction (Y) and the second direction (X); the second arm (33) extends from the first arm (32) away from the third direction (Z); the third connecting portion (37) is located on the second arm (33); the terminal slot (20) is provided with a first slot section (22) and a second slot section (23); the first slot section (22) is plug-fitted with the first arm (32); the second slot section (23) is plug-fitted with the second arm (33).

9. A connector as claimed in claim 8, characterized in that: The connector (4) is suitable for being plugged into the housing (5) away from the third direction (Z), and the coil terminal (12) of the coil assembly (11) extending along the first direction (Y) is suitable for being plugged into and mated with the second connecting portion (34) away from the third direction (Z).

10. A connector as claimed in claim 9, characterized in that: The terminal slot (20) is also provided with a third slot section (24); the second connecting portion (34) is provided with a first portion (35) close to the first arm (32) and a second portion (36) away from the first arm (32); the first portion (35) is plug-fitted with the third slot section (24); and the second portion (36) extends out of the third slot section (24) along a third direction (Z) to be plug-fitted with the coil terminal (12).

11. A connector as claimed in claim 8, characterized in that: The number of the signal terminals (17) is three, and each of the signal terminals (17) is arranged along the second direction (X). The number of the second arms (33) of the two signal terminals (17) located on both sides along the second direction (X) is one and both are provided with a third connecting portion (37). The number of the second arms (33) of the signal terminal (17) located in the middle along the second direction (X) is two and both are provided with a third connecting portion (37). The third connecting portions (37) adjacent to each other on two adjacent signal terminals (17) are used to connect to one suppression element (13).

12. A connector according to any one of claims 6 to 11, characterized in that: The third connecting portion (37) is provided with a slot (38), and the slot (38) is provided with an insertion port (39). The insertion port (39) is opened away from the first direction (Y), and the lead (15) of the suppression element (13) is suitable for being inserted into the slot (38) through the insertion port (39).

13. A connector according to any one of claims 8 to 11, characterized in that: The shielding portion (19) is further provided with an element slot (21), the element slot (21) being suitable for accommodating the suppression element (13), the element slot (21) being provided with a body slot (27) and two lead slots (28), the body slot (27) being used for accommodating the body (14) of the suppression element (13), the two lead slots (28) being used for accommodating two leads (15) of the suppression element (13), the two lead slots (28) being located on both sides of the body slot (27) along the second direction (X) and intersecting with the corresponding terminal slots (20); when the signal terminal (17) is inserted into the terminal slot (20), the third connecting portion (37) is suitable for abutting against the lead (15) supported by the bottom of the lead slot (28).

14. A connector as claimed in claim 13, characterized in that: The third connecting portion (37) is provided with a slot (38), and the slot (38) is provided with an insertion port (39). The insertion port (39) is opened along a first direction (Y). When the signal terminal (17) is inserted into the terminal slot (20), the bottom of the lead slot (28) supports the lead wire (15) so that the lead wire (15) enters the slot (38) through the insertion port (39).

15. A connector as claimed in claim 14, characterized in that: The second groove section (23) is provided with a recessed portion (26), and the recessed portion (26) forces at least one side groove wall of the third connecting portion (37) to deform to form a slot (38) so that the lead wire (15) is clamped in the slot (38).

16. A connector as claimed in claim 15, characterized in that: The two side groove walls of the third connecting portion (37) are both provided with protrusions (42) at the location of the insertion port (39), and the walls on both sides of the recessed portion (26) along the third direction (Z) gradually approach each other along the first direction (Y), and when the two protrusions (42) are inserted into the recessed portion (26), they are forced to approach each other so that the lead wire (15) is clamped in a position in the slot (38) away from the insertion port (39).

17. A connector as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: The main body (29) is provided with a second connecting portion (34), and the second connecting portion (34) is suitable for being electrically connected to the coil assembly (11) and the suppression element (13); the shielding portion (19) is provided with a terminal slot (20) for the signal terminal (17) to be inserted along a first direction (Y), and the number of the terminal slots (20) is the same as and corresponds to the number of the signal terminals (17); the first connecting portion (30) passes out of the shielding portion (19) along the first direction (Y).

18. A connector as claimed in claim 17, characterized in that: The second connecting portion (34) extends along a third direction (Z) perpendicular to the first direction (Y); the connector (4) is suitable for being plugged into the housing (5) away from the third direction (Z); the coil terminal (12) of the coil assembly (11) extending along the first direction (Y) is suitable for being plugged into and mated with the second connecting portion (34) away from the third direction (Z); and the lead wire (15) of the suppression element (13) is suitable for being plugged into the second connecting portion (34).

19. A connector as claimed in claim 18, characterized in that: The terminal slot (20) is further provided with a third slot section (24); the second connecting portion (34) is provided with a first portion (35) close to the first connecting portion (30) and a second portion (36) away from the first connecting portion (30); the first portion (35) is plug-fitted with the third slot section (24); and the second portion (36) extends out of the third slot section (24) along a third direction (Z) to be plug-fitted with the coil terminal (12); The lead wire (15) of the suppressing element (13) is also suitable for plugging with the second part (36).

20. A connection assembly, characterized in that: It comprises a suppressing element (13) and a connector (4) according to any one of claims 1 to 19, wherein the suppressing element (13) is fixedly connected to the main body (29) and electrically connected so that the suppressing element (13) is suitable for being connected in parallel with the coil assembly (11).

21. A relay, comprising a relay body (8) and a housing (5), wherein the relay body (8) comprises a coil assembly (11), and the coil assembly (11) is fixedly connected to the housing (5); wherein: It also includes a connector (4) as described in any one of claims 1 to 18, the coil assembly (11) is provided with a coil terminal (12) electrically connected to the corresponding signal terminal (17); the connector (4) is fixedly connected to the shell (5) to form a housing (2), and the coil assembly (11) is accommodated in the housing (2).

22. A relay, comprising a relay body (8) and a housing (5), wherein the relay body (8) comprises a coil assembly (11), and the coil assembly (11) is fixedly connected to the housing (5); wherein: It also includes a connector (4) as described in any one of claims 6 to 18, the coil assembly (11) is provided with a coil terminal (12) electrically connected to the corresponding signal terminal (17); the connector (4) is fixedly connected to the shell (5) to form a housing (2), the coil assembly (11) is accommodated in the housing (2), and the shell (5) is provided with a limiting portion (43), and the limiting portion (43) limits the movement of the signal terminal (17) away from the first direction (Y).

23. A relay as claimed in claim 21 or 22, characterized in that: It also includes a suppression element (13), which is fixed to the main body (29) and connected in parallel with the coil assembly (11).

24. A relay as claimed in claim 21 or 22, characterized in that: It also includes a load terminal (3); the relay body (8) also includes an armature assembly and a contact portion (10), the coil assembly (11) and the armature assembly together constitute a magnetic circuit portion (9), the contact portion (10) includes a moving contact and a stationary contact, and the stationary contact is fixed to the housing (5); The load terminal (3) is electrically connected to the contact portion (10) and fixed relative to the housing (5); the load terminal (3) is exposed to the outside to be electrically connected to the load circuit; the armature assembly is driven by the coil assembly (11) and drives the moving contact and the static contact to close or open to control the on / off of the load circuit.

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