Terminal module and connector

Abstract

The utility model relates to a terminal module and a connector, the terminal module comprises a connecting terminal and an insulating block, the connecting terminal is provided with a connecting arm, the insulating block comprises a body and elastic arms arranged on two opposite sides of the body, the connecting arm is fixed on the body, the elastic arms comprise assembling parts connected to the body, and the assembling parts are fixed on the body. Elastic hooks are arranged on the sides, deviating from each other, of the two assembling parts, and the elastic hooks are used for being matched with clamping parts in the connector shell in a clamping mode. The terminal module is detachably matched with the connector shell and can be disassembled from the interior of the connector shell, so that cyclic utilization of parts is realized.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of connector technology, and in particular to a terminal module and connector. Background Technology

[0002] Connectors generally refer to electrical connectors, which are devices that connect two active devices to transmit current or signals. Their function is to build a bridge between circuits that are blocked or isolated, thereby allowing current to flow and enabling the circuit to perform its intended function.

[0003] The existing connector housing and terminal module insulation block are integrally molded, which makes it impossible to disassemble. The terminal module or housing of the connector cannot be recycled and reused, which does not conform to the concept of green and environmentally friendly design. Utility Model Content

[0004] The purpose of this application is to provide a terminal module and connector, wherein the terminal module is detachably coupled with the connector housing and can be disassembled from the connector housing to achieve the recycling of parts.

[0005] Therefore, in a first aspect, embodiments of this application provide a terminal module, including:

[0006] A connecting terminal, the connecting terminal having a connecting arm; and

[0007] An insulating block includes a body and spring arms disposed on opposite sides of the body. The connecting arms are fixed to the body. Each spring arm includes an assembly part connected to the body. A spring hook is provided on one side of each assembly part that is opposite to each other. The spring hook is used to engage with a snap-fit ​​part inside the connector housing.

[0008] In one possible implementation, the connecting arm has a first arm portion and a second arm portion connected at an angle, and two insulating blocks are provided, namely a first insulating block and a second insulating block, with the first arm portion disposed on the first insulating block and the second arm portion disposed on the second insulating block.

[0009] In one possible implementation, the connecting end of the assembly part is connected to the body, a gap is provided between the free end of the assembly part and the body, and the spring hook is provided at the free end of the assembly part.

[0010] In one possible implementation, the body and the spring arm are integrally formed.

[0011] In one possible implementation, the side of the spring hook away from the assembly part is a first mating surface. The first mating surface is used to mate with the snap-fit ​​part. The first mating surface includes a first guide surface, a transition surface, and a first bending surface connected at an angle in sequence. The end of the first bending surface away from the transition surface is connected at an angle to the outer surface of the assembly part and forms a first assembly recess.

[0012] In one possible implementation, a rounded corner surface connects the first guide surface and the transition surface.

[0013] In one possible implementation, the connecting arm is embedded in the insulating block.

[0014] Secondly, embodiments of this application provide a connector, which includes a housing and the terminal module described in the first aspect. The housing is provided with two snap-fit ​​parts, which respectively engage with two spring hooks of the terminal module.

[0015] In one possible implementation, the snap-fit ​​portion has a second mating surface, which includes a second guide surface and a second bending surface that are connected at an angle. The second bending surface is connected at an angle to the inner surface of the housing and forms a second mounting recess, which engages with the spring hook.

[0016] In one possible implementation, four terminal modules are provided, and the four terminal modules are arranged in a matrix.

[0017] According to the terminal module and connector provided in the embodiments of this application, the terminal module elastically engages the spring hooks on its main body with the connector housing. The spring hooks on both sides of the main body respectively engage with two engaging portions on the housing, thereby securing the main body to the housing. When disassembly is required, the engagement between the spring hooks and the engaging portions is canceled. In this way, a detachable connection between the terminal module and the connector housing is achieved, enabling the reusability of connector components. Attached Figure Description

[0018] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort. In addition, in the drawings, the same parts use the same reference numerals, and the drawings are not drawn to scale.

[0019] Figure 1This illustration shows a structural schematic diagram of a terminal module provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0020] Figure 2 This paper shows a perspective view of a terminal module provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0021] Figure 3 This illustration shows a structural schematic diagram of an insulating block provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0022] Figure 4 Show Figure 3 The main view;

[0023] Figure 5 This diagram illustrates the structure of a connector according to an embodiment of this application.

[0024] Figure 6 Show Figure 5 The main view;

[0025] Figure 7 Show Figure 6 A cross-sectional view along the AA direction;

[0026] Figure 8 Show Figure 7 A magnified view of part A in the image;

[0027] Figure 9 This illustration shows a structural diagram of a connector housing according to an embodiment of this application;

[0028] Figure 10 Show Figure 9 A magnified view of part B in the image.

[0029] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0030] 1. Connecting terminals;

[0031] 2. Connecting arm; 21. First arm section; 22. Second arm section;

[0032] 3. Insulating block; 4. Body; 5. Spring arm; 51. Assembly part;

[0033] 52. Spring hook; 521. First guide surface; 522. Transition surface; 523. First bending surface; 524. First assembly recess; 525. Rounded corner surface;

[0034] 53. Spacing;

[0035] 6. Shell;

[0036] 7. Snap-fit ​​part; 71. Second guide surface; 72. Second bending surface; 73. Second assembly recess; 74. Buffer surface. Detailed Implementation

[0037] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this application clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0038] like Figures 1-5 As shown, this application embodiment provides a terminal module, including a connecting terminal 1 and an insulating block 3. The connecting terminal 1 has a connecting arm 2. The insulating block 3 includes a body 4 and spring arms 5 disposed on opposite sides of the body 4. The connecting arm 2 is fixed to the body 4. Each spring arm 5 includes an assembly portion 51 connected to the body 4. A spring hook 52 is provided on one side of the two assembly portions 51 that are opposite to each other. The spring hook 52 is used to engage with a snap-fit ​​portion 7 inside the connector housing 6.

[0039] By elastically engaging the spring hooks 52 on the main body 4 with the connector housing 6, and with the spring hooks 52 on both sides of the main body 4 corresponding to the two engaging parts 7 on the housing 6, the main body 4 is secured to the housing. When disassembly is required, the engagement between the spring hooks 52 and the engaging parts 7 is released. In this way, a detachable connection between the terminal module in the connector and the connector housing 6 is achieved, enabling the reusability of connector components.

[0040] Specifically, during the connection process, after engaging with the latching part 7, the two spring hooks 52 are pressed together towards each other under pressure. After being pressed, the spring hooks 52 have an elastic restoring force under their own elastic force, thus causing the two spring hooks 52 to tend to move away from each other. Of course, the spring hooks 52 can also be subjected to other forces besides the latching part 7, such as by pressing with a tool. When the force on the spring hooks 52 is released, the two spring hooks 52 move away from each other and engage with the latching part 7 of the housing 6 after moving or during moving, thereby achieving a fixed connection between the terminal module and the housing 6 of the connector.

[0041] Of course, when it is necessary to remove the terminal module from the connector housing 6, simply apply force to the two spring hooks 52, and the direction of the force is to drive the two spring hooks 52 toward each other, and the disassembly can be completed in reverse order of the installation process.

[0042] The connecting arm 2 of the connecting terminal 1 is embedded in the insulating block 3. The embedded design eliminates the need for other insulating blocks 3, thus ensuring the stability of the connection between the connecting terminal 1 and the insulating block 3.

[0043] Reference Figure 2 and Figure 7 In some embodiments, the connecting arm 2 has a first arm portion 21 and a second arm portion 22 connected at an angle. Two insulating blocks 3 are provided, namely a first insulating block 3 and a second insulating block 3. The first arm portion 21 is disposed on the first insulating block 3, and the second arm portion 22 is disposed on the second insulating block 3. The first arm portion 21 of the connecting terminal 1 is fixedly connected by engaging the spring hook 52 on the first insulating block 3 with the snap-fit ​​portion 7 at the alignment point of the housing 6. The second arm portion 22 of the connecting terminal 1 is fixedly connected by engaging the spring hook 52 on the second insulating block 3 with the snap-fit ​​portion 7 at the alignment point of the housing 6. This ensures that the entire connecting terminal 1 is stably connected to the housing 6. Furthermore, this connection method restricts the connecting terminal 1 in both the X and Y axes, effectively preventing the connecting terminal 1 from shaking within the housing 6 and affecting the connection effect.

[0044] The angle between the first arm 21 and the second arm 22 can be a right angle.

[0045] Reference Figures 1 to 4 The connecting end of the assembly part 51 is connected to the body 4, and a gap 53 is provided between the free end of the assembly part 51 and the body 4. The spring hook 52 is provided at the free end of the assembly part 51.

[0046] Specifically, for ease of description, this application uses a rectangular plate-shaped structure for the insulating block 3 as an example, and defines the length direction and width direction of the rectangular plate-shaped structure as the first direction and the second direction, respectively. Of course, it is known that when the insulating block 3 is a square structure, the distance between the insulating block 3 in the length direction and the width direction is the same; therefore, either the length direction or the width direction is the first direction, and the other is the second direction. Now, as an example, the connecting arm 2 of the connecting terminal 1 extends along the second direction and is disposed on the insulating block 3, and two spring arms 5 are disposed on both sides of the body 4 in the first direction for detailed description.

[0047] The assembly part 51 has a connecting end and a free end on both sides in the second direction. The gap 53 is the gap between the body 4 and the spring arm 5 in the first direction. The spring hook 52 will be subjected to force in the first direction during installation. Therefore, the setting of the gap 53 can provide movement space for the spring arm 5 after it is subjected to force. In addition, it can also relieve the structural stress of the spring arm 5 and avoid damage to the spring arm 5 due to the small space for movement after it is subjected to force.

[0048] Optionally, the two spring arms 5 are disposed on both sides of the body 4 in the first direction and near the end of the body 4 in the second direction. In this case, the gap can be a groove opened in the body 4 along the second direction. This can provide moving space for the spring arms 5. Since the spring arms 5 are opened at the end, the groove depth can be adapted to the length of the spring arm 5 in the second direction. Compared with the spring arms 5 being disposed in other positions, the spring arms 5 located at the end can ensure the minimum groove depth and also ensure the reliability of the connection between the spring arms 5 and the body 4.

[0049] The body 4 and the spring arm 5 are integrally formed. The integrally formed body 4 and spring arm 5 ensure the reliability of the connection between the spring arm 5 and the body 4, thereby ensuring the stability of the spring arm 5 connected to the housing 6 and effectively reducing the possibility of damage to the spring arm 5 during assembly and disassembly.

[0050] Reference Figures 3 to 10 In some embodiments, the side of the spring hook 52 away from the assembly part 51 is a first mating surface. This first mating surface is used to engage with the snap-fit ​​part 7. The first mating surface includes a first guide surface 521, a transition surface 522, and a first bending surface 523 connected at an angle in sequence. One end of the first bending surface 523 away from the transition surface 522 is connected at an angle to the outer surface of the assembly part 51, forming a first assembly recess 524. The first guide surface 521 serves as a guide when the spring hook 52 engages with the snap-fit ​​part 7, and under the action of the guiding force, drives the spring hook 52 to move towards the body 4, compressing the spring hook 52 and giving it an elastic restoring force. Therefore, when the guiding force is released, the spring hook 52 moves away from the body 4 under the elastic action of the elastic restoring force, thereby snapping onto the snap-fit ​​part 7, that is, snapping the first assembly recess 524 onto the portion of the snap-fit ​​part 7 that is used for guiding and engaging with the first guide surface 521.

[0051] Specifically, the side of the latching portion 7 facing the spring hook 52 is the second mounting surface. The second mounting surface includes a second bent surface 72 and a second guide surface 71 connected at an angle in sequence. The guiding direction of the second guide surface 71 is the same as the guiding direction of the first guide surface 521. The second bent surface 72 is bent away from the connecting terminal 1, and a second mounting recess 73 is formed between the second bent surface 72 and the inner wall surface of the housing 6. The sequential connection direction described above for the first mating surface is the same as the sequential connection direction described for the second mating surface. (Refer to the attached drawings) Figure 4 It can be seen that the sequential connection direction of the first mating surface is one of the directions of the second direction. For the sake of description, the sequential connection direction of the first mating surface is defined as the positive direction of the second direction. Conversely, the other direction of the second direction is the negative direction of the second direction.

[0052] It can be seen that the sequential connection direction of the first mating surfaces is parallel to and opposite to the assembly direction of the spring hook 52. Therefore, the assembly direction of the spring hook 52 is the opposite of the second direction. Specifically, firstly, the connecting terminal 1 is moved into the housing 6 along the positive direction of the second direction. Then, the continued movement of the connecting terminal 1 will cause the first guide surface 521 and the second guide surface 71 to come into contact. Under the guidance of the guide surfaces, the spring hook 52 moves towards the side closer to the body 4 until the spring hook 52 moves to the second bending surface 72. Under the action of the elastic restoring force, the spring hook 52 moves towards the direction closer to the inner wall of the housing 6 until the first bending surface 523 of the spring hook 52 mates with the second bending surface 72 of the locking part 7, thus completing the locking of the spring hook 52 and the locking part 7. At this time, the spring hook 52 is located in the second mounting recess 73 of the locking part 7, and the locking part 7 is located in the first mounting recess 524 of the spring hook 52. Furthermore, the interaction between the first bending surface 523 and the second bending surface 72 restricts the movement of the spring hook 52 relative to the housing 6 in the opposite direction.

[0053] Preferably, the angle between the first bending surface 523 and the transition surface 522 is a right angle, and the angle between the second bending surface 72 and the second guide surface 71 is a right angle.

[0054] Of course, in order to avoid damage to the snap-fit ​​part 7 during the assembly process, a buffer surface 74 is connected between the second guide surface 71 and the second bending surface 72, and the buffer surface 74 and the second guide surface 71 and the second bending surface 72 are connected at an angle. The buffer surface 74 is arranged parallel to the transition surface 522 so as to cooperate with the transition surface 522.

[0055] Reference Figure 3 In addition, a rounded corner surface 525 is connected between the first guide surface 521 and the transition surface 522, and the rounded corner surface 525 is used to achieve transition buffering.

[0056] Reference Figure 3 and Figure 10 The first assembly recess 524 can be a recess with an included angle formed by the first bending surface 523 and the straight edge of the outer wall of the body 4. Alternatively, the first assembly recess 524 can be a recess with two included angles formed by the first bending surface 523 and the bent edge of the outer wall of the body 4, which would be a groove-shaped structure. Similarly, the second assembly recess 73 can be a recess with an included angle formed by the second bending surface 72 and the straight edge of the inner wall of the housing 6. Alternatively, the second assembly recess 73 can be a recess with two included angles formed by the second bending surface 72 and the bent edge of the inner wall of the housing 6, which would also be a groove-shaped structure.

[0057] The recessed structure restricts the installation position of the terminal module in the second direction during connection, ensuring that the terminal module can be moved to the assembly position while limiting further movement. Of course, for ease of disassembly, only one of the two recessed structures may be used in this design.

[0058] Reference Figures 1 to 10 In summary, the terminal module provided in this application embodiment elastically engages the spring hooks 52 on the body 4 with the connector housing 6. The spring hooks 52 on both sides of the body 4 respectively engage with the two engaging portions 7 on the housing 6, thereby securing the body 4 to the housing. When disassembly is required, the engagement between the spring hooks 52 and the engaging portions 7 is canceled. In this way, a detachable connection between the terminal module and the connector housing 6 is achieved, enabling the reusability of connector components.

[0059] Reference Figures 1 to 10 This application embodiment also provides a connector, which includes a housing 6 and the aforementioned terminal module. The housing 6 is provided with two snap-fit ​​parts 7, which respectively engage with the two spring hooks 52 of the terminal module.

[0060] The snap-fit ​​part 7 has a second mating surface, which includes a second guide surface 71 and a second bending surface 72 connected at an angle. The second bending surface 72 is connected at an angle to the inner surface of the housing 6 and forms a second mounting recess 73, which engages with the spring hook 52.

[0061] During installation, the terminal module moves forward along the second direction until the first guide surface 521 of the spring hook 52 is in contact with the second guide surface 71 of the locking part 7. Under the action of the guiding force, the continued movement of the spring hook 52 will cause the spring hook 52 to move synchronously toward the body 4 to compress the spring hook 52. After the spring hook 52 moves to the second mounting recess 73, the spring hook 52 moves away from the body 4 under the action of the elastic restoring force, thereby locking into the second mounting recess 73.

[0062] In some embodiments, the terminal module is provided with multiple terminals, and different connectors of terminal modules with different numbers and different arrangements are all within the protection scope of this application.

[0063] The terminal module can be configured with four modules, which are arranged in a matrix. In this case, the connector is a network connector. The matrix arrangement makes it easy to install, reduces cable costs, and improves design flexibility.

[0064] It should be noted that the terms "one embodiment," "embodiment," "exemplary embodiment," "some embodiments," etc., mentioned in the specification indicate that the described embodiment may include a specific feature, structure, or characteristic, but not every embodiment necessarily includes that specific feature, structure, or characteristic. Furthermore, such phrases do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Moreover, when a specific feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, implementing such a feature, structure, or characteristic in conjunction with other embodiments, whether explicitly described or not, is within the knowledge scope of those skilled in the art.

[0065] It should be readily understood that the terms “on,” “above,” and “on top of” in this disclosure should be interpreted in the broadest possible sense, such that “on” means not only “directly on something” but also “on something” with an intermediate feature or layer therebetween, and that “above” or “on top of” means not only “on top of something” but also “on top of something” without an intermediate feature or layer therebetween (i.e., directly on something).

[0066] Furthermore, for ease of explanation, spatially relative terms such as "below," "below," "under," "above," and "above" may be used to describe the relationship of one element or feature relative to other elements or features as shown in the figures. Spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation other than those shown in the figures. The device may have other orientations (rotated 90 degrees or in other orientations), and the spatially relative descriptive terms used herein may be interpreted accordingly.

[0067] It should be noted that, in this document, relational terms such as "first" and "second" are used merely to distinguish one entity or operation from another, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Furthermore, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, article, or apparatus. Without further limitations, an element defined by the phrase "comprising one..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes said element.

[0068] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this application, and are not intended to limit them. Although this application has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some or all of the technical features therein. Such modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application.

Claims

1. A terminal module, characterized in that, include: A connecting terminal (1) having a connecting arm (2); as well as The insulating block (3) includes a body (4) and spring arms (5) disposed on opposite sides of the body (4). The connecting arm (2) is fixed to the body (4). The spring arm (5) includes an assembly part (51) connected to the body (4). A spring hook (52) is provided on the side of the two assembly parts (51) that are opposite to each other. The spring hook (52) is used to engage with the snap-fit ​​part (7) in the connector housing (6).

2. The terminal module according to claim 1, characterized in that, The connecting arm (2) has a first arm portion (21) and a second arm portion (22) connected at an angle. There are two insulating blocks (3), namely a first insulating block (3) and a second insulating block (3). The first arm portion (21) is disposed on the first insulating block (3), and the second arm portion (22) is disposed on the second insulating block (3).

3. The terminal module according to claim 2, characterized in that, The connecting end of the assembly part (51) is connected to the body (4), and a gap (53) is provided between the free end of the assembly part (51) and the body (4). The spring hook (52) is provided at the free end of the assembly part (51).

4. The terminal module according to claim 3, characterized in that, The main body (4) and the spring arm (5) are integrally formed.

5. The terminal module according to claim 3, characterized in that, The side of the spring hook (52) away from the assembly part (51) is the first mating surface. The first mating surface is used to mate with the snap-fit ​​part (7). The first mating surface includes a first guide surface (521), a transition surface (522) and a first bending surface (523) connected at an angle in sequence. The end of the first bending surface (523) away from the transition surface (522) is connected at an angle to the outer surface of the assembly part (51) and forms a first assembly recess (524).

6. The terminal module according to claim 5, characterized in that, A rounded corner surface (525) connects the first guide surface (521) and the transition surface (522).

7. The terminal module according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that, The connecting arm (2) is embedded in the insulating block (3).

8. A connector, characterized in that, The device includes a housing (6) and a terminal module as described in any one of claims 1-5. The housing (6) is provided with two snap-fit ​​parts (7), which are respectively snap-fitted into the two spring hooks (52) of the terminal module.

9. The connector according to claim 8, characterized in that, The snap-fit ​​part (7) has a second mating surface, which includes a second guide surface (71) and a second bending surface (72) connected at an angle. The second bending surface (72) is connected at an angle to the inner surface of the housing (6) and forms a second mounting recess (73). The second mounting recess (73) engages with the spring hook (52).

10. The connector according to claim 8, characterized in that, The terminal module is provided in four parts, and the four terminal modules are arranged in a matrix.

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