Elastic terminal, electrical connector assembly and pressure sensor

Abstract

The utility model discloses an elastic terminal, an electrical connector assembly and a pressure sensor, and the elastic terminal comprises a conductive spiral spring which at least comprises a sparsely coiled elastic part; the thimbles are partially inserted into the conductive spiral springs from one ends respectively, and the outer walls of the thimbles protrude outwards from the two opposite sides in the circumferential direction to form stopping parts which abut against the corresponding ends of the conductive spiral springs. The electrical connector assembly comprises a plurality of elastic terminals, a first element and a second element, wherein the first element and the second element are fixed up and down, and the first element and the second element are provided with a plurality of holding holes for correspondingly holding the elastic terminals; and the first element and the second element are respectively pressed inwards from the outer sides of the upper end and the lower end to the stopping parts of the ejector pins on the upper and lower corresponding sides of the elastic terminal. When the elastic terminal is applied to equipment such as a pressure sensor, one end of the elastic terminal has better mechanical plugging performance, and the other end of the elastic terminal has better electric contact performance.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of sensor technology, and in particular to an elastic terminal, an electrical connector assembly, and a pressure sensor. Background Art

[0002] In a sensor, electrical signals need to be routed to an external device via an electrical connector, where both mechanical and electrical connections need to be made between the terminal and the external device. The electrical connector is usually assembled last, and in order to electrically connect it to the electronic module assembly inside the housing while avoiding dimensional deviation in the assembly direction, a flexible element can be used to electrically connect to the electronic module assembly in the assembly direction. Such flexible elements include flexible circuit boards, conductive coil springs, and leaf springs. Flexible circuit boards are difficult to mechanically connect directly to external devices, so the use of conductive coil springs or springs with similar structures has become a trend. Such conductive coil spring-type elastic terminals may include an upper section and a lower section with a relatively large outer diameter. The upper section is rigid due to its tight coiling, allowing for mechanical connection to an external device; the lower section is sparsely coiled, giving it elastic properties.

[0003] However, due to limitations in the manufacturing process, the bottom of the conductive coil spring of this type of component is usually in electrical contact with the electronic module assembly, and its contact portion is a linear edge on one side of the end face of the spring formed wire. That is, the area where the conductive coil spring and the electronic module assembly are in electrical contact is very small, resulting in a large electrical contact impedance between the two. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In view of the deficiencies of the prior art, the present application provides a resilient terminal, so that one end thereof has better mechanical plugging performance and the other end thereof has better electrical contact performance.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present application provides the following technical solution: an elastic terminal comprising:

[0006] A conductive coil spring comprising at least a sparsely coiled elastic portion;

[0007] and ejector pins partially inserted into the conductive coil spring from one end respectively, wherein the outer walls of the ejector pins protrude outward from two opposite circumferential sides to form a stopper that stops at the corresponding end of the conductive coil spring.

[0008] Preferably, the end of the ejector pin extending into the conductive coil spring is tightly fitted with the conductive coil spring.

[0009] Preferably, the conductive coil spring further includes a rigid portion connected to at least one end of the elastic terminal and tightly coiled.

[0010] Preferably, the outer diameter of the rigid portion is smaller than the outer diameter of the elastic portion.

[0011] The present application also claims protection for an electrical connector assembly, which includes a plurality of the above-mentioned elastic terminals, and a first element and a second element fixed above and below, the first element and the second element having a plurality of retaining holes corresponding to retaining the elastic terminals; the first element and the second element respectively press inward from the outside of the upper and lower ends to the stopping portion of the ejector pin on the corresponding upper and lower sides of the elastic terminal.

[0012] Preferably, the first element includes a plurality of upper retaining parts distributed in the circumferential direction and a connecting part integrally connected to the upper retaining part; the second element includes a plurality of lower retaining parts distributed in the circumferential direction and an upper connecting part integrally connected to the upper part of the lower retaining part; the upper retaining part and the lower retaining part respectively surround the upper and lower parts of the retaining hole; the upper end of the upper retaining part is connected to an upper pressing part, and the ejector pin on the upper side of the elastic terminal is pressed upward against the upper pressing part and its upper end passes through the upper pressing part upward; the lower end of the lower retaining part is connected to a lower pressing part, and the ejector pin on the lower side of the elastic terminal is pressed downward against the lower pressing part and its lower end passes through the lower pressing part downward.

[0013] Preferably, a relatively concave groove is formed between the outer walls of every two circumferentially adjacent lower retaining portions, and the edge of the connecting portion is downwardly formed to form a corresponding positioning portion that fits and is inserted into the groove.

[0014] Preferably, the electrical connector assembly further comprises a first shell, at least a portion of which is clamped and fixed by the first element and the second element.

[0015] Preferably, the first shell is a thin shell-shaped element, including a horizontally extending pressing edge, and the pressing edge is clamped and fixed by the first element and the second element.

[0016] The present application also claims protection for a pressure sensor comprising:

[0017] The electrical connector assembly described above;

[0018] A second housing is provided on the lower side of the electrical connector assembly, and the second housing and the electrical connector assembly form a mounting cavity, and a pressure introduction channel is provided on the second housing at one inner end thereof communicating with the mounting cavity;

[0019] And a pressure measuring assembly arranged in the installation cavity, including a pressure sensitive element and an electronic module assembly electrically connected to each other, the pressure sensitive element is sealed at one end of the inner side of the pressure introduction channel, and the ejector pin on the lower side of the elastic terminal of the electrical connector assembly is electrically contacted with the electronic module assembly. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a conductive coil spring according to a preferred embodiment;

[0021] Figure 2 is a three-dimensional diagram of a flexible terminal according to a preferred embodiment;

[0022] Figure 3 A perspective view of an ejector pin according to another preferred embodiment;

[0023] Figure 4 is a perspective view of a pressure sensor according to a preferred embodiment;

[0024] Figure 5 A top view of a pressure sensor according to a preferred embodiment;

[0025] Figure 6 A preferred embodiment of the pressure sensor is Figure 4 A cross-sectional view of AA shown in FIG;

[0026] Figure 7 is a perspective view of a first housing according to a preferred embodiment;

[0027] Explanation of reference numerals: 100, pressure sensor; 110, conductive coil spring; 111, elastic portion; 112, rigid portion; 116a, one end; 116b, one end; 116c, stopper; 116, ejector pin; 11, elastic terminal; 121, connecting portion; 122, positioning portion; 123, connecting hole; 124, concave cavity; 12, first element; 130, lower connecting portion; 131, upper connecting portion; 132, connecting column; 133, groove; 134, hot riveting portion; 13a , step surface; 13, second element; 140, yielding portion; 141, main shell; 142, pressing edge; 143, inner convex portion; 14, first shell; 19a, upper retaining portion; 19b, lower retaining portion; 19c, upper pressing portion; 19d, lower pressing portion; 19, retaining portion; 1, electrical connector assembly; 20, pressure sensitive element; 21, electronic module assembly; 22, flexible circuit board; 23, support member; 2, pressure measurement assembly; 30, pressure introduction channel; 3, second shell. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] The technical solution of the present application will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The following embodiments are exemplary and are only used to explain the present application and are not to be construed as limiting the present application. In the following description, the same reference numerals are used to represent the same or equivalent elements, and repeated descriptions are omitted.

[0029] In the description of this application, it should be understood that the terms "upper", "lower", "inside", "outside", "left", "right", etc. indicate orientations or positional relationships based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, or are the orientations or positional relationships in which the products of this application are conventionally placed when in use, or are the orientations or positional relationships conventionally understood by those skilled in the art. These are only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or component referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be understood as limitations on this application.

[0030] In addition, the terms "mounted," "connected," and "connected" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to fixed, detachable, or integral connections; mechanical or electrical connections; direct or indirect connections through an intermediary; and internal communication between two components. Those skilled in the art will understand the specific meanings of these terms in this application based on the specific circumstances.

[0031] It should be further understood that the term “and / or” used in this specification and the corresponding claims refers to any and all possible combinations of one or more of the listed items.

[0032] like Figure 1 、 Figure 2 As shown, a preferred embodiment of the elastic terminal 11 of the present invention includes a conductive coil spring 110 and two ejector pins 116. The conductive coil spring 110 includes a sparsely coiled elastic portion 111 and a tightly coiled rigid portion 112 connected to both ends of the elastic terminal 11. One end 116b of each ejector pin 116 can be partially inserted into the conductive coil spring 110. The outer walls of the ejector pins 116 extend outward from opposite circumferential sides to form a stopper 116c, which abuts against the corresponding end of the conductive coil spring 110. The ends 116b of the ejector pins 116 that extend into the conductive coil spring 110 are tightly fitted with the conductive coil spring 110. Specifically, the ends 116b of the ejector pins 116 can be tightly fitted with the corresponding rigid portion 112. In other embodiments, the ends 116b of the ejector pins 116 can be permanently fixed to the corresponding ends of the conductive coil spring 110 by spot welding or other methods.

[0033] The rigid portion 112 is not required and may alternatively be provided at either end of the conductive coil spring 110. One end 116b of the ejector pin 116 may also be tightly fitted or welded to the corresponding rigid portion 112 while also being tightly fitted or welded to the elastic portion 111. Preferably, the outer diameter of the rigid portion 112 is smaller than that of the elastic portion 111. The cross-section of one end 116b of the ejector pin 116 may gradually decrease toward one side of the conductive coil spring 110, thereby forming a certain taper at the end, thereby facilitating insertion into the conductive coil spring 110.

[0034] Please refer to Figure 3 In another preferred embodiment, a plurality of positioning grooves 1162 are provided on the outer wall of one end 116b of the ejector pin 116 inserted into the conductive coil spring 110, which are arranged side by side in an upper and lower direction and extend generally in the circumferential direction. The above-mentioned positioning grooves 1162 are used to cooperate with and accommodate the various coil portions of the rigid portion 112. For example, if the rigid portion 112 is formed by winding a wire four times, then the positioning grooves 1162 preferably include more than four positioning grooves 1162. After the one end 116b of the ejector pin 116 is inserted into the rigid portion 112, the various coil portions of the rigid portion 112 are accommodated in the corresponding positioning grooves 1162. The positioning groove 1162 is externally threaded, which facilitates molding and allows one end 116b of the ejector pin 116 to be easily screwed into the positioning groove 1162. The inner diameter of the rigid portion 112 can be slightly smaller than the pitch of the externally threaded positioning groove 1162, so that the rings of the rigid portion 112 are slightly stretched apart, thereby increasing the friction between the ejector pin 116 and the rigid portion 112 and preventing the ejector pin 116 from rotating out. The externally threaded positioning groove 1162 does not need to be complete in the circumferential direction. For example, the externally threaded positioning groove 1162 is cut into two parts in the circumferential direction by two opposing side surfaces of the ejector pin 116. These two parts can also be regarded as multiple side-by-side positioning grooves 1162 that form a certain inclination angle relative to the horizontal plane. The above-mentioned inclination angle is the same as the winding angle of the rigid portion 112.

[0035] Please refer to Figures 2 to 7 In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the pressure sensor 100 includes an electrical connector assembly 1 .

[0036] The electrical connector assembly 1 includes a first element 12 and a second element 13 fixed vertically. The first and second elements 12, 13 define a plurality of retaining holes (not labeled) for retaining corresponding spring terminals 11. The first and second elements 12, 13 press inward from their upper and lower ends against the stoppers 116c of the ejector pins 116 on the corresponding upper and lower sides of the spring terminals 11. Specifically, the stopper portion 116c of the upper ejector pin 116 can press upward against an upper pressing portion 19c formed on the first element 12. The upper pressing portion 19c is integrally connected to the upper end of the upper retaining portion 19a, and one end 116a of the upper ejector pin 116 extends upward through the upper pressing portion 19c. The stopper portion 116c of the lower ejector pin 116 can press downward against a lower pressing portion 19d formed on the second element 13. The upper pressing portion 19c is integrally connected to the lower end of the lower retaining portion 19b, and the lower end of the lower ejector pin 116 extends downward through the lower pressing portion 19d. Compared to the prior art, the ejector pin 116 can have a larger contact area with other components during electrical contact than the ends of the conductive coil spring itself, thereby reducing contact resistance. In particular, the upper and lower ends of the ejector pin 116 can have contact surfaces that match the shape of the contact surface of the contacting component (e.g., the electronic module assembly 21 described below).

[0037] The first element 12 may include a plurality of circumferentially distributed upper retaining portions 19a and a connecting portion 121 integrally connected to the upper retaining portions 19a. The second element 13 may include a plurality of circumferentially distributed lower retaining portions 19b and an upper connecting portion 131 integrally connected to the upper portion of the lower retaining portions 19b. The upper retaining portions 19a and the lower retaining portions 19b respectively define the upper and lower portions of the retaining hole. The upper pressing portion 19c is connected to the upper end of the upper retaining portion 19a. The lower pressing portion 19d is connected to the lower end of the lower retaining portion 19b. Preferably, a relatively concave groove 133 is formed between the outer walls of each two circumferentially adjacent lower retaining portions 19b. The edges of the connecting portion 121 are formed downwardly with corresponding positioning portions 122 that fit within the grooves 133. In other embodiments, preferably, a connecting hole 123 may be defined in the middle of the connecting portion 121, and a connecting post 132 may be formed in the middle of the upper connecting portion 131. The connecting post 132 is inserted upwardly into the connecting hole 123. The connecting post 132 can be tightly fitted with the connecting hole 123, and / or the positioning portion 122 and the insertion slot 133 can be tightly fitted, thereby fixing the first component 12 and the second component 13 together vertically. More preferably, the second component 13 can be made of a resin material, and the upper end of the connecting post 132 forms a heat-riveted portion 134, which presses the second component 13 downwardly against the first component 12. More specifically, the upper end of the first component 12 can be recessed downward to form a cavity 124, and the heat-riveted portion 134 is disposed in the cavity 124. The cavity 124 can also be used for positioning between external devices.

[0038] In some other embodiments, the electrical connector assembly 1 may further include a first shell 14. At least a portion of the first shell 14 is clamped and fixed by the first element 12 and the second element 13. For example, the first shell 14 may be a thin shell-shaped element, which includes a horizontally extending pressure edge 142. The pressure edge 142 is clamped and fixed by the first element 12 and the second element 13. More preferably, the pressure edge 142 protrudes radially inward to form a plurality of circumferentially spaced inner protrusions 143, and the inner protrusions 143 are clamped and fixed by the positioning portion 122 and an upward step surface 13a formed on the upper connecting portion 131. Accordingly, a plurality of clearance portions 140 are formed between the plurality of inner protrusions 143 to allow the plurality of lower retaining portions 19b to pass upward. Preferably, the first shell 14 may further include a main shell 141 formed by the outer edge of the pressure edge 142 extending downward.

[0039] The pressure sensor 100 may also include a second shell 3 and a pressure measuring assembly 2. The second shell 3 may be arranged on the lower side of the electrical connector assembly 1. The second shell 3 and the electrical connector assembly 1 form an installation cavity, and the second shell 3 is provided with a pressure introduction channel 30, one inner end of which is connected to the installation cavity. The pressure measuring assembly 2 is arranged in the installation cavity to measure the pressure of the pressure medium to be measured introduced into the pressure introduction channel 30, and the ejector pin 116 on the lower side of the elastic terminal 11 of the electrical connector assembly 1 is electrically contacted with the pressure measuring assembly 2 downward. Exemplarily, the pressure measuring assembly 2 may include a pressure sensitive element 20 and an electronic module assembly 21 that are electrically connected to each other, the pressure sensitive element 20 is sealed at the inner end of the pressure introduction channel 30, and the ejector pin 116 on the lower side of the elastic terminal 11 of the electrical connector assembly 1 is electrically contacted with the upper surface of the electronic module assembly 21. In this embodiment, the pressure-sensitive element 20 may be a metal diaphragm with a pressure measurement circuit. The metal diaphragm generates strain upon receiving the pressure of the pressure medium to be measured. The piezoresistors comprising the measurement circuit, located on one surface of the metal diaphragm, generate corresponding electrical signals based on the pressure. The measurement circuit is electrically connected to an electronic module assembly 21 via a flexible printed circuit board 22. The electronic module assembly 21 is disposed above the pressure-sensitive element 20. Specifically, it may be fixed to the upper end of a cylindrical support member 23, the lower end of which is supported on the second housing 3. In other embodiments, the pressure-sensitive element 20 may also be a semiconductor pressure-sensitive element, a ceramic pressure-sensitive element, or the like.

[0040] The lower end of the first housing 14 is fixed to the second housing 3. Thus, the first housing 14, the second element 13, and the second housing 3 define a mounting cavity (not labeled), within which the pressure measurement assembly 2 is disposed. In other embodiments, the first housing 14 may be omitted. Accordingly, the second element 13 further includes a lower connecting portion 130 integrally connected to the plurality of lower retaining portions 19b described above. Lower connecting portion 130 extends downward and connects to the second housing 3. Thus, the second element 13 and the second housing 3 define a mounting cavity, within which the pressure measurement assembly 2 is disposed.

[0041] It is easy to understand that the elastic terminal 11 and the electrical connector assembly 1 in the present application are not only applicable to pressure sensors, but also generally applicable to other sensors and other electronic devices besides sensors.

[0042] The scope of the disclosure is defined not by the detailed description, but by the claims and their equivalents, and all variations within the scope of the claims and their equivalents are construed as being included in the disclosure.

Claims

1. A spring terminal (11), characterized in that: include: A conductive coil spring (110) comprising at least a sparsely coiled elastic portion (111); and ejector pins (116) partially inserted into the conductive coil spring (110) from one end, respectively; outer walls of the ejector pins (116) protrude outward from opposite circumferential sides to form stoppers (116c) that stop against corresponding ends of the conductive coil spring (110).

2. The elastic terminal (11) according to claim 1, characterized in that: One end of the ejector pin (116) that extends into the conductive coil spring (110) is tightly fitted with the conductive coil spring (110).

3. The elastic terminal (11) according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that: The conductive coil spring (110) further includes a rigid portion (112) connected to at least one end of the elastic terminal (11) and tightly coiled.

4. The elastic terminal (11) according to claim 3, characterized in that: The outer diameter of the rigid portion (112) is smaller than the outer diameter of the elastic portion (111).

5. An electrical connector assembly (1), characterized in that: The invention comprises a plurality of elastic terminals (11) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, and a first element (12) and a second element (13) fixed up and down, wherein the first element (12) and the second element (13) have a plurality of retaining holes for correspondingly retaining the elastic terminals (11); the first element (12) and the second element (13) respectively press inward from the outside of the upper and lower ends to the stopper (116c) of the ejector pin (116) on the upper and lower corresponding sides of the elastic terminal (11).

6. The electrical connector assembly (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that The first element (12) includes a plurality of upper retaining portions (19a) distributed in the circumferential direction and a connecting portion (121) integrally connected to the upper retaining portion (19a); the second element (13) includes a plurality of lower retaining portions (19b) distributed in the circumferential direction and an upper connecting portion (131) integrally connected to the upper portion of the lower retaining portion (19b); the upper retaining portion (19a) and the lower retaining portion (19b) respectively enclose the upper portion and the lower portion of the retaining hole; the upper retaining portion (19a) and the lower retaining portion (19b) respectively enclose the upper portion and the lower portion of the retaining hole; the upper retaining portion (19a) and the lower retaining portion (19b) respectively enclose the upper portion and the lower portion of the retaining hole; the upper retaining portion (19b ...b) and the lower retaining portion (19b) respectively enclose the upper portion and the lower portion of the retaining hole; the upper retaining portion (19a) and the lower retaining portion (19b) respectively enclose the upper portion and the lower portion of the retaining hole; the upper retaining portion (19b) and the lower retaining portion (19b) respectively enclose the upper portion and the lower portion of 9a) is connected to an upper pressing portion (19c), the ejector pin (116) on the upper side of the elastic terminal (11) is pressed upward against the upper pressing portion (19c) and its upper end passes through the upper pressing portion (19c) upward; the lower end of the lower retaining portion (19b) is connected to a lower pressing portion (19d), the ejector pin (116) on the lower side of the elastic terminal (11) is pressed downward against the lower pressing portion (19d) and its lower end passes through the lower pressing portion (19d) downward.

7. The electrical connector assembly (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that A relatively concave groove (133) is formed between the outer walls of each two circumferentially adjacent lower retaining portions (19b), and the edge of the connecting portion (121) is downwardly formed to form a corresponding positioning portion (122) that fits and is inserted into the groove (133).

8. The electrical connector assembly (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that It also includes a first shell (14), at least a portion of which is clamped and fixed by the first element (12) and the second element (13) from top to bottom.

9. The electrical connector assembly (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that: The first shell (14) is a thin shell-shaped element, comprising a horizontally extending pressing edge (142), and the pressing edge (142) is clamped and fixed by the first element (12) and the second element (13) from top to bottom.

10. A pressure sensor, characterized in that: include: The electrical connector assembly (1) according to any one of claims 5 to 9; A second housing (3) is provided on the lower side of the electrical connector assembly (1), and forms a mounting cavity with the electrical connector assembly (1). A pressure introduction channel (30) is provided on the second housing, one inner end of the pressure introduction channel being connected to the mounting cavity. A pressure measuring assembly (2) is provided in the installation cavity, comprising a pressure sensitive element (20) and an electronic module assembly (21) electrically connected to each other, wherein the pressure sensitive element (20) is sealed at one end of the inner side of the pressure introduction channel (30), and the ejector pin (116) on the lower side of the elastic terminal (11) of the electrical connector assembly (1) is in electrical contact with the electronic module assembly (21).

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