Connector terminal, connector and connector assembly

Abstract

The utility model discloses a connector terminal, a connector and a connector assembly. The connector terminal comprises a U-shaped base part which comprises a pair of side plates and a bottom plate connected between the bottom edges of the pair of side plates; and two ends of the elastic arms are respectively connected with the top edges of the pair of side plates of the base part. The connector terminal is an integrated piece, the elastic arm comprises a pair of clamping arms, and the pair of clamping arms is used for clamping a bus bar inserted between the clamping arms. According to the utility model, the connector terminal is an integrated piece, is simple in structure, and can be reliably and electrically contacted with the bus bar. Besides, according to the utility model, the same connector terminal can electrically connect the bus bars of a plurality of electric appliance modules together, thereby reducing the number of connectors and reducing the cost.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to a connector terminal, a connector including the connector terminal, and a connector assembly including the connector. Background Technology

[0002] In existing technologies, the connector terminals that are electrically connected to the busbars of electrical modules have complex structures and cannot guarantee reliable electrical contact. Furthermore, in existing technologies, when electrical connection between the busbars of two electrical modules is required, two mating connectors are needed, which increases costs. Utility Model Content

[0003] The purpose of this utility model is to solve at least one aspect of the aforementioned problems and defects existing in the prior art.

[0004] According to one aspect of the present invention, a connector terminal is provided. The connector terminal includes: a base, U-shaped, including a pair of side plates and a base plate connected between the bottom edges of the pair of side plates; and a row of resilient arms, each end of which is connected to the top edge of the pair of side plates of the base. The connector terminal is a single piece, and the resilient arms include a pair of clamping arms for clamping a busbar inserted between them.

[0005] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, one end of the pair of clamping arms is respectively connected to the top edge of a pair of side plates of the base, and the elastic arm further includes a connecting arm connected between the other ends of the pair of clamping arms.

[0006] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the clamping arm includes: a first arm portion, the lower end of which is connected to the top edge of the side plate; and a second arm portion, the upper end of which is connected to the upper end of the first arm portion and bent downward relative to the upper end of the first arm portion, wherein the second arm portion of the pair of clamping arms is used to clamp the busbar inserted between them so as to make simultaneous electrical contact with both sides of the busbar.

[0007] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the connecting arm is bent into a U-shape, and the two ends of the connecting arm are respectively connected to the lower ends of the second arm portion of the pair of clamping arms.

[0008] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the side plate of the base extends along a vertical direction and a first horizontal direction perpendicular to the vertical direction, the bottom plate of the base extends along the first horizontal direction and a second horizontal direction perpendicular to the first horizontal direction, and the plurality of elastic arms are arranged in a row in the first horizontal direction.

[0009] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the connecting arm includes: a pair of vertical arm portions extending along the vertical direction and spaced apart from each other in the second horizontal direction; and a horizontal arm portion connected between the lower ends of the pair of vertical arm portions and extending along the second horizontal direction, wherein the horizontal arm portion of the connecting arm is suspended directly above the bottom plate of the base and spaced apart from the bottom plate of the base in the vertical direction by a predetermined distance.

[0010] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the first arm of the clamping arm extends upward along the vertical direction from the top edge of the side plate, and the second arm of the clamping arm is bent into a V shape, the second arm having a protruding contact portion for electrical contact with the busbar.

[0011] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the connector terminal is adapted to make simultaneous electrical contact with a plurality of busbars inserted side by side, so as to enable simultaneous electrical connection of the plurality of busbars.

[0012] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the connector terminal is an integrally stamped part.

[0013] According to another aspect of the present invention, a connector is provided. The connector includes: a housing; and the aforementioned connector terminals, which are mounted in the housing.

[0014] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of slots are formed in the housing, and the connector includes a plurality of connector terminals respectively inserted into the plurality of slots.

[0015] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the base of the connector terminal is interference-fitted with the inner wall surface of the slot of the housing to fix the connector terminal in the slot of the housing.

[0016] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the housing includes: a main housing in which the slot is formed; and a locking shell fitted onto the outside of the main housing, wherein a plurality of elastic buckles are formed on the locking shell, the plurality of elastic buckles being adapted to engage with a plurality of protrusions on the electrical module respectively to lock the connector to the electrical module.

[0017] According to another aspect of the present invention, a connector assembly is provided. The connector assembly includes: the aforementioned connector; and an electrical module including an insulator and a busbar disposed within the insulator, the busbar being inserted into the connector terminals for electrical connection with the connector terminals.

[0018] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the connector assembly includes a plurality of electrical modules, the busbars of the plurality of electrical modules being inserted side by side into the connector terminals, the connector terminals electrically connecting the plurality of side-by-side inserted busbars together.

[0019] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a protrusion is formed on the insulator of the electrical module, and the protrusion engages with an elastic snap on the housing of the connector to lock the housing of the connector onto the insulator of the electrical module.

[0020] In the foregoing exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the connector terminal is an integral piece, which has a simple structure and can reliably make electrical contact with the busbar.

[0021] Furthermore, in some of the exemplary embodiments described above according to the present invention, the same connector terminal can electrically connect the busbars of multiple electrical modules together, reducing the number of connectors and lowering costs.

[0022] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, and will help to provide a comprehensive understanding of the invention. Attached Figure Description

[0023] Figure 1 A perspective view of a connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0024] Figure 2 An exploded view of a connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0025] Figure 3 This diagram shows an exploded view of the housing of a connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 4 This diagram shows an exploded view of the connector terminals and the busbars of two electrical modules according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 5 This diagram shows the mating of connector terminals and busbars of two electrical modules according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 6 This diagram shows a perspective view of a connector terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0029] The technical solution of this utility model will be further described in detail below through embodiments and in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In this specification, the same or similar reference numerals indicate the same or similar components. The following description of the embodiments of this utility model with reference to the accompanying drawings is intended to explain the overall inventive concept of this utility model and should not be construed as a limitation thereof.

[0030] Furthermore, in the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth for ease of explanation to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments disclosed herein. However, it will be apparent that one or more embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and apparatuses are illustrated to simplify the figures.

[0031] According to a general technical concept of this utility model, a connector terminal is provided. The connector terminal includes: a base, which is U-shaped and includes a pair of side plates and a base plate connected between the bottom edges of the pair of side plates; and a row of elastic arms, the two ends of which are respectively connected to the top edges of the pair of side plates of the base. The connector terminal is a single piece, and the elastic arms include a pair of clamping arms for clamping a busbar inserted between them.

[0032] According to another general technical concept of the present invention, a connector is provided. The connector includes: a housing; and the aforementioned connector terminals, which are mounted in the housing.

[0033] According to another general technical concept of this utility model, a connector assembly is provided. The connector assembly includes: the aforementioned connector; and an electrical module including an insulator and a busbar disposed in the insulator, the busbar being inserted into the connector terminals for electrical connection with the connector terminals.

[0034] Figure 1 A perspective view of a connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown; Figure 2 An exploded view of a connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown; Figure 3 An exploded view of the housing 2 of a connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown; Figure 4 The diagram shows an exploded view of a connector terminal 2 and a busbar 3 for two electrical modules according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] Figure 5 This diagram shows the mating of connector terminal 2 and busbar 3 of two electrical modules according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Figure 6 This diagram shows a perspective view of connector terminal 2 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] like Figures 1 to 6 As shown, in an exemplary embodiment of this utility model, a connector terminal 2 is disclosed. The connector terminal 2 includes a base 20 and a row of elastic arms 21. The base 20 is U-shaped and includes a pair of side plates 201 and a base plate 202 connected between the bottom edges of the pair of side plates 201. The two ends of the row of elastic arms 21 are respectively connected to the top edges of the pair of side plates 201 of the base 20. The connector terminal 2 is a single piece, and the elastic arms 21 include a pair of clamping arms 210. The pair of clamping arms 210 are used to clamp the busbar 3 inserted between them to make electrical contact with the busbar 3.

[0037] like Figures 1 to 6 As shown in the illustrated embodiment, one end of a pair of clamping arms 210 is respectively connected to the top edge of a pair of side plates 201 of the base 20, and the elastic arm 21 also includes a connecting arm 22 connected between the other ends of the pair of clamping arms 210.

[0038] like Figures 1 to 6 As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the clamping arm 210 includes a first arm portion 211 and a second arm portion 212. The lower end of the first arm portion 211 is connected to the top edge of the side plate 201. The upper end of the second arm portion 212 is connected to the upper end of the first arm portion 211 and bends downward relative to the upper end of the first arm portion 211. The second arm portion 212 of the pair of clamping arms 210 is used to clamp the busbar 3 inserted between them, so as to make simultaneous electrical contact with both sides of the busbar 3.

[0039] like Figures 1 to 6 As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the connecting arm 22 is bent into a U-shape, and the two ends of the connecting arm 22 are respectively connected to the lower ends of the second arm portion 212 of a pair of clamping arms 210.

[0040] like Figures 1 to 6 As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the side plate 201 of the base 20 extends along the vertical direction Z and the first horizontal direction X perpendicular to the vertical direction Z, the bottom plate 202 of the base 20 extends along the first horizontal direction X and the second horizontal direction Y perpendicular to the first horizontal direction X, and a plurality of elastic arms 21 are arranged in a row in the first horizontal direction X.

[0041] like Figures 1 to 6 As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the connecting arm 22 includes a pair of vertical arms 221 and a horizontal arm 222. The pair of vertical arms 221 extend along the vertical direction Z and are spaced apart from each other in the second horizontal direction Y. A horizontal arm 222 is connected between the lower ends of the pair of vertical arms 221 and extends along the second horizontal direction Y. The horizontal arm 222 of the connecting arm 22 is suspended directly above the base plate 202 of the base 20 and is spaced apart from the base plate 202 of the base 20 by a predetermined distance in the vertical direction Z.

[0042] like Figures 1 to 6 As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the first arm portion 211 of the clamping arm 210 extends upward in the vertical direction Z from the top edge of the side plate 201, and the second arm portion 212 of the clamping arm 210 is bent into a V shape. The second arm portion 212 has a protruding contact portion 2a for electrical contact with the busbar 3.

[0043] like Figures 1 to 6 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, the connector terminal 2 is adapted to make simultaneous electrical contact with a plurality of busbars 3 inserted side by side, so as to enable simultaneous electrical connection of the plurality of busbars 3.

[0044] like Figures 1 to 6 As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the connector terminal 2 is a one-piece stamped part. This improves production efficiency and reduces costs.

[0045] like Figures 1 to 6 As shown, in another exemplary embodiment of this utility model, a connector is also disclosed. The connector includes a housing 1 and connector terminals 2. The connector terminals 2 are mounted in the housing 1.

[0046] like Figures 1 to 6 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, a plurality of slots 101 are formed in the housing 1, and the connector includes a plurality of connector terminals 2 respectively inserted into the plurality of slots 101.

[0047] like Figures 1 to 6 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, the base 20 of the connector terminal 2 is interference-fitted with the inner wall surface of the slot 101 of the housing 1 to fix the connector terminal 2 in the slot 101 of the housing 1.

[0048] like Figures 1 to 6 As shown in the illustrated embodiment, housing 1 includes a main housing 10 and a locking housing 11. A slot 101 is formed in the main housing 10. The locking housing 11 is fitted onto the outside of the main housing 10. A plurality of resilient buckles 111 are formed on the locking housing 11, which are adapted to engage with a plurality of protrusions (not shown) on an electrical module (not shown) to lock the connector to the electrical module.

[0049] like Figures 1 to 6 As shown, in another exemplary embodiment of this utility model, a connector assembly is also disclosed. The connector assembly includes a connector and an electrical module (not shown). The electrical module includes an insulator (not shown) and a busbar 3 disposed within the insulator. The busbar 3 is inserted into a connector terminal 2 for electrical connection with the connector terminal 2.

[0050] like Figures 1 to 6As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the connector assembly includes multiple electrical modules, with the busbars 3 of the multiple electrical modules inserted side-by-side into the same connector terminal 2, which electrically connects the multiple side-by-side busbars 3 together.

[0051] like Figures 1 to 6 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, a protrusion (not shown) is formed on the insulator of the electrical module, which engages with an elastic buckle 111 on the housing 1 of the connector to lock the housing 1 of the connector onto the insulator of the electrical module.

[0052] Those skilled in the art will understand that the embodiments described above are exemplary and can be improved upon. The structures described in the various embodiments can be freely combined without causing structural or principle conflicts, and these changes should fall within the protection scope of this utility model.

[0053] Although the present invention has been described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, the embodiments disclosed in the drawings are intended to illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention and should not be construed as a limitation thereof.

[0054] While some embodiments of the general concept of this utility model have been shown and described, those skilled in the art will understand that changes may be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the general concept of this utility model, the scope of which is defined by the claims and their equivalents.

[0055] It should be noted that the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the words "a" or "an" do not exclude multiple elements. Furthermore, any reference numerals in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope of this invention.

Claims

1. A connector terminal characterized by comprising: Comprising: a base (20) in a U shape including a pair of side plates (201) and a bottom plate (202) connected between bottom edges of the pair of side plates (201); and a row of elastic arms (21) each having both ends connected to top edges of the pair of side plates (201) of the base (20), the connector terminal (2) being a single piece, the elastic arms (21) including a pair of clamping arms (210) for clamping a bus bar (3) inserted therebetween.

2. The connector terminal according to claim 1, characterized in that: one end of the pair of clamping arms (210) is connected to the top edge of the pair of side plates (201) of the base (20), the elastic arms (21) further including a connecting arm (22) connected between the other end of the pair of clamping arms (210).

3. The connector terminal according to claim 2, characterized in that: the clamping arm (210) includes: a first arm portion (211) having a lower end connected to the top edge of the side plate (201); and a second arm portion (212) having an upper end connected to an upper end of the first arm portion (211) and being bent downward with respect to the upper end of the first arm portion (211), the second arm portions (212) of the pair of clamping arms (210) are for clamping the bus bar (3) inserted therebetween to make electrical contact with both sides of the bus bar (3) at the same time.

4. The connector terminal according to claim 3, characterized in that: the connecting arm (22) is bent in a U shape, both ends of the connecting arm (22) being connected to lower ends of the second arm portions (212) of the pair of clamping arms (210), respectively.

5. The connector terminal according to claim 4, characterized in that: the side plate (201) of the base (20) extends in a vertical direction (Z) and a first horizontal direction (X) perpendicular to the vertical direction (Z), the bottom plate (202) of the base (20) extends in the first horizontal direction (X) and a second horizontal direction (Y) perpendicular to the first horizontal direction (X), and the plurality of elastic arms (21) are arranged in a row in the first horizontal direction (X).

6. The connector terminal according to claim 5, characterized in that: the connecting arm (22) includes: a pair of vertical arm portions (221) extending in the vertical direction (Z) and spaced apart from each other in the second horizontal direction (Y); and a horizontal arm portion (222) connected between lower ends of the pair of vertical arm portions (221) and extending in the second horizontal direction (Y), the horizontal arm portion (222) of the connecting arm (22) is suspended directly above the bottom plate (202) of the base (20) and spaced apart from the bottom plate (202) of the base (20) by a predetermined distance in the vertical direction (Z).

7. The connector terminal according to claim 5, characterized in that: The first arm portion (211) of the clamping arm (210) extends upward from the top edge of the side plate (201) in the vertical direction (Z), and the second arm portion (212) of the clamping arm (210) is bent into a V shape, and has a protruding contact portion (2a) for electrically contacting the bus bar (3).

8. The connector terminal according to claim 1, characterized in that: The connector terminal (2) is adapted to simultaneously electrically contact a plurality of bus bars (3) inserted side by side to enable simultaneous electrical connection of the plurality of bus bars (3).

9. The connector terminal according to any one of claims 1-8, characterized by: The connector terminal (2) is an integral stamping.

10. A connector characterized by comprising: Comprising: a housing (1); and The connector terminal (2) of any one of claims 1-9 is installed in the housing (1).

11. The connector according to claim 10, characterized in that: A plurality of insertion slots (101) are formed in the housing (1), and the connector comprises a plurality of connector terminals (2) respectively inserted into the plurality of insertion slots (101).

12. The connector according to claim 11, characterized in that: The base portion (20) of the connector terminal (2) is in interference fit with the inner wall surface of the insertion slot (101) of the housing (1) to fix the connector terminal (2) in the insertion slot (101) of the housing (1).

13. The connector according to claim 11, characterized in that: The housing (1) comprises: a main housing (10) in which the insertion slot (101) is formed; and a lock housing (11) sleeved on the outside of the main housing (10), A plurality of elastic buckles (111) are formed on the lock housing (11), and the plurality of elastic buckles (111) are adapted to respectively engage with a plurality of protruding portions on an electrical module to lock the connector to the electrical module.

14. A connector assembly, characterized in that: The connector of any one of claims 10-13; and An electrical module comprising an insulator and a bus bar (3) disposed in the insulator, The bus bar (3) is inserted into the connector terminal (2) to be electrically connected with the connector terminal (2).

15. The connector assembly according to claim 14, characterized in that: The connector assembly comprises a plurality of electrical modules, and the bus bars (3) of the plurality of electrical modules are inserted side by side into the connector terminal (2), and the connector terminal (2) electrically connects the plurality of bus bars (3) inserted side by side together.

16. The connector assembly according to claim 14, characterized in that: Protruding portions are formed on the insulator of the electrical module, and the protruding portions engage with the elastic buckles (111) on the housing (1) of the connector to lock the insulator to the housing (1) of the connector.

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