Electric connector

Abstract

The utility model discloses an electric connector. Relates to the connector field. Comprising an insulating shell; a terminal housed inside the housing and connected to an end portion of a conductive wiring substrate; an alignment plate which is mounted on the housing and has a terminal accommodating hole into which the front end portion of the terminal is inserted; the terminal includes: a terminal body extending toward a conductor portion along a surface of the wiring substrate; an extension portion extending from the terminal body in a direction intersecting and separating from the surface of the wiring substrate; the extension portion is inserted into a terminal receiving hole of the alignment plate. According to the electric connector provided by the utility model, the terminal body is provided with the extension part which extends along the cross direction of the surface of the wiring substrate, and the extension part is inserted into the terminal accommodating hole of the alignment plate, so that the extension part of the terminal can be corrected through the alignment plate, thereby being positioned to a preset position and contacted with the wiring substrate. Thus, stable connection between the terminal and the wiring substrate can be realized, and the reliability of the connector can be improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of connectors, specifically an electrical connector. Background Technology

[0002] Connectors typically consist of a housing and terminals. The terminals are housed inside the housing and connect to the cable. In recent years, flat-shaped cables such as FFC (Flexible Flat Cable) have been widely used as cables.

[0003] As this type of connector, its housing bottom surface contacts the circuit board, the contacts extend toward the circuit board, and the position is fixed and held by the alignment plate to achieve the desired effect;

[0004] Existing connectors can correct for misalignment of contacts (terminals) in the width direction using alignment plates. However, due to manufacturing limitations, the front end of the contacts (terminals) is often fractured, resulting in a rough, burr-like surface on the front end, making it impossible to correct for misalignment of contacts (terminals) in the height direction using alignment plates. Therefore, when the circuit board is mounted onto the housing, the front end of the contacts (terminals) may not align correctly with the connection portion of the circuit board, posing a risk of improper installation. Utility Model Content

[0005] The purpose of this application is to provide a technical solution to address the problems mentioned in the background section.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, this application provides the following technical solution:

[0007] An electrical connector includes an insulating housing;

[0008] Terminals housed inside the housing and connected to the ends of a conductive wiring substrate;

[0009] An alignment plate, which is mounted on the housing, has a terminal receiving hole for inserting the front end of the terminal;

[0010] The terminal includes: a terminal body that extends along the surface of the wiring substrate toward the conductor portion;

[0011] An extension portion extends from the terminal body in a direction that intersects with and separates from the surface of the wiring substrate; the extension portion is inserted into the terminal receiving hole of the alignment plate.

[0012] Preferably, the terminal has a bent portion between the terminal body and the extension portion, and the bent portion contacts the conductor portion of the wiring substrate.

[0013] Preferably, the terminal receiving hole has an enlarged diameter portion at the inlet where the terminal is inserted at the front end.

[0014] Preferably, the alignment plate has an elongated structure extending along the width direction of the housing, and the housing has a pair of mounting grooves on each side in the width direction extending in a direction intersecting the surface of the wiring substrate, and each end of the alignment plate in the long axis direction is fitted into the pair of mounting grooves of the alignment plate.

[0015] Preferably, the pair of mounting slots are provided with retaining protrusions for positioning each end of the alignment plate along its long axis.

[0016] In summary, the technical effects and advantages of this utility model are as follows:

[0017] The electrical connector of this invention features an extension portion on the terminal body that extends in a direction intersecting the surface of the wiring substrate. This extension portion is inserted into the terminal receiving hole of an alignment plate, allowing the extension portion of the terminal to be aligned and positioned in a predetermined position, thus making contact with the wiring substrate. This achieves a stable connection between the terminal and the wiring substrate, improving the reliability of the connector. 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 only some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0019] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the present utility model.

[0020] Figure 2 This is an exploded view of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 3 This is a structural diagram of the alignment plate of this utility model.

[0022] Figure 4 This is a partial plan view of the alignment plate of this utility model mounted on the outer casing.

[0023] Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional view showing the connection state between the wire connection portion and the wiring substrate conductor portion of the terminal of this utility model.

[0024] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the assembly process of the terminal and alignment plate of this utility model.

[0025] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of another assembly process for the terminal and alignment plate of this utility model.

[0026] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of another assembly process for the terminal and alignment plate of this utility model.

[0027] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of another assembly process for the terminal and alignment plate of this utility model. Detailed Implementation

[0028] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of the present utility model.

[0029] Please see Figures 1-9 :

[0030] Figure 1 This is a structural diagram of the wire harness (WH) applicable to this embodiment. Figure 2 This is an exploded structural view of the wiring harness, showing its various components. As shown, the wiring harness WH of this embodiment consists of the following parts: a wiring base W, a first connector 11, and a second connector 12; the wiring harness WH is used to connect to vehicle-mounted equipment to achieve power supply and signal transmission. The wiring base W is connected to different devices through the first connector 11 and the second connector 12. The focus of this application is on the first connector 11, while the second connector 12 serves as its detachable mating connector.

[0031] For ease of description, the following coordinate directions are defined:

[0032] X direction: The direction in which the first connector 11 and the second connector 12 are connected (front and back direction), and the X direction has a certain length;

[0033] Y direction: The width direction, perpendicular to the X direction. The Y direction has a certain width;

[0034] Z-direction: The height direction, perpendicular to both the X and Y directions; the Z-direction has a certain thickness.

[0035] The wiring substrate W is specifically a conductive component that extends linearly along the X direction and maintains the same diameter in the X direction. In this embodiment, the wiring substrate W is a flat cable, for example:

[0036] FPC (Flexible Printed Circuit)

[0037] Other flexible printed circuit boards (Flexible Printed Wiring Board)

[0038] FPC consists of two main materials: (1) an insulating flexible base film (polyimide); and (2) a conductive metal (copper foil, etc.) used to form the circuit.

[0039] Its end has a fixing hole Wa that runs through the Z direction, located on both sides of the wiring substrate W; W1 (upper surface) exposes the conductor part Wb for electrical connection; W2 (lower surface) has no conductor part and does not participate in electrical connection.

[0040] The first connector 11 comprises the following parts: a first housing 21 made of insulating synthetic resin material, which houses and fixes the first terminal 22; a rectangular structure extending in the X direction; multiple terminal cavities 21a for fixing the terminals; a terminal connection portion 22a connecting the first terminal 22 to the second terminal 24; a wiring connection portion 22b connecting to the conductor portion Wb of the wiring substrate W; the terminal 22 is a female terminal, i.e., a recessed terminal, adapted to the male terminal of the second connector 12.

[0041] The first housing 21 also includes: fixing parts 21b on both sides in the Y direction; a pin Peg 21c in the Z direction for assembly; and a locking buckle 21d at one end in the Z direction for fixing the connection with the second connector 12.

[0042] Connection method between the first terminal 22 and the wiring substrate W:

[0043] (1) The first terminal 22 is connected to the wiring substrate W through the wiring connection part 22b;

[0044] (2) The first terminal 22 is inserted into the terminal cavity 21a of the first housing 21 and is fixed;

[0045] (3) The wiring substrate W is inserted into the first connector 11 from the X direction and mats with the first terminal 22;

[0046] (4) The Z-direction pin Peg21c is inserted into the fixing hole Wa of the wiring substrate W to achieve mechanical fixation;

[0047] (5) The wiring connection portion 22b of the first terminal 22 contacts the conductor portion Wb of the wiring substrate W to achieve electrical connection.

[0048] The second connector 12 consists of the following main parts: a second housing 23 made of insulating synthetic resin material, and a second terminal 24. The second housing 23 is made of a square cylindrical structure extending along the X direction. The Z-direction end (e.g.) Figure 2 The upper surface is provided with a locking part 23a;

[0049] When the first connector 11 and the second connector 12 are connected, the locking part 23a of the second housing 23 engages with the locking latch 21d of the first housing 21. The second terminal 24 is a male terminal for mating with the terminal connection part 22a of the first terminal 22; the terminal connection part 24a is for electrical connection with the first terminal 22; the wiring connection part 24b is used for electrical connection to a wire or PCB; the second terminal 24 is inserted into the second housing 23 and held in place, with its terminal connection part 24a protruding from the second housing 23 for connection to the first terminal 22. Connection method:

[0050] (1) The first connector 11 can be accessed from the other side in the X direction ( Figure 2 Insert the second connector 12 on the left side;

[0051] (2) The end of the first connector 11 (including the locking buckle 21d) is embedded in the second housing 23 and fixed by the locking part 23a of the second housing 23;

[0052] (3) The terminal connection portion 22a of the first terminal 22 makes electrical contact with the terminal connection portion 24a of the second terminal 24 to achieve electrical connection.

[0053] The alignment plate 13 is made of insulating synthetic resin and other materials, and is used to ensure the correct alignment of the terminals and prevent poor contact. It is mounted and fixed to the first housing 21; it is provided with terminal storage holes 31 and wiring connection parts 22b for inserting the first terminals 22; the number of terminal storage holes 31 corresponds to the number of first terminals 22; it is elongated (extending along the Y direction) to ensure that multiple terminals can be correctly arranged; there is a uniform spacing between the terminal storage holes 31 to ensure that the terminals are neatly arranged.

[0054] The wiring connection portion 22b of the first terminal 22 consists of the following parts: terminal body 41: extending along the surface (W1) of the wiring substrate W to the conductor portion Wb; extension portion 42: extending from the terminal body 41 in a nearly vertical direction and maintaining a certain distance from the wiring substrate W; bending portion 43: located between the terminal body 41 and the extension portion 42, and bent at approximately a 90° angle, with its outer peripheral surface in contact with the conductor portion Wb of the wiring substrate W.

[0055] Inserting the terminal storage hole 31 ensures that the terminals 22 are arranged at standard spacing to avoid misalignment; it precisely positions the wiring connection part 22b of the first terminal 22 so that it correctly contacts the conductor part Wb of the wiring substrate W; it corrects the shape of the terminal to prevent misalignment caused by production tolerances; and it ensures reliable contact between the terminal and the conductor part Wb to improve connection stability.

[0056] The alignment plate 13 is installed as follows:

[0057] (1) First, the alignment plate 13 is fixed to the first housing 21 through the mounting groove and mates with the terminal receiving hole 31 to ensure that the terminal 22 is precisely aligned.

[0058] (2) The alignment plate 13 is inserted into the mounting slots 51 and 52 of the first outer shell 21 through the snap-fit ​​wings 32 and 33;

[0059] (3) Slowly press down on the alignment plate 13 along the direction of the mounting groove until it is fully fitted into place;

[0060] (4) Ensure that the terminal wiring connection part 22b enters the terminal storage hole 31 and perform alignment correction.

[0061] The alignment plate 13 has a long and thin plate-like structure along the Y direction (width direction), and the terminal receiving hole 31 extends through the Z direction (thickness direction); the wiring connection part 22b is distributed at intervals along the Y direction and is adapted to have multiple first terminals 22; the latching wings 32 and 33 are located at both ends in the Y direction and are formed by shortening in length in the X direction; specifically, the latching wing 32 is located on one side in the X direction and the latching wing 33 is located on the other side.

[0062] The first outer casing 21 provides mounting slots for the alignment plate 13: mounting slots 51 and 52 are located on both sides in the Y direction; the upper side (top) in the Z direction is open, and the lower side (bottom) in the Z direction is closed by bottoms 51a and 52a; specifically, mounting slot 51 is located on one side in the X direction, and mounting slot 52 is located on the other side; the alignment plate 13 is fixed by inserting the snap-fit ​​wings 32 and 33 into the mounting slots 51 and 52, which are formed by groove structures; the inner wall is provided with multiple (three in this embodiment) retaining protrusions 53, 54, and 55; the retaining protrusions 53, 54, and 55 are located at the lower ends of the mounting slots 51 and 52; the protrusions are hemispherical and located at different positions; the snap-fit ​​wings 32 and 33 contact the protrusions 53, 54, and 55 to achieve XYZ three-way positioning:

[0063] Z direction: The buckle wings 32 and 33 contact the bottom 51a and 52a to secure them;

[0064] Y direction: The buckle wings 32 and 33 contact and hold the protrusion 53 for positioning;

[0065] X direction: The latching wings 32 and 33 contact and hold the protrusions 54 and 55 for positioning.

[0066] The alignment plate 13 serves the following functions for the terminals: the wiring connection portion 22b of the first terminal 22 is inserted into the terminal receiving hole 31; the extension portion 42 of the first terminal 22 is tapered (narrower at the beginning and wider at the end) for easy insertion; the inlet of the terminal receiving hole 31 has an enlarged diameter portion 34, which is conical, to facilitate smooth entry of the terminal. The installation process of the alignment plate 13 is as follows:

[0067] (1) The first terminal 22 is first fixed inside the first housing 21;

[0068] (2) The wiring substrate W is connected to the first housing 21;

[0069] (3) The alignment plate 13 is inserted into the mounting slots 51 and 52 through the snap-fit ​​wings 32 and 33;

[0070] (4) Slowly press down the alignment plate 13 along the direction of the mounting groove:

[0071] (5) The wiring connection part 22b of the first terminal 22 enters the terminal receiving hole 31;

[0072] (6) The extension 42 extends out of the terminal body 41 and is positioned along the terminal receiving hole 31;

[0073] (7) The bend 43 ensures stable contact of the conductor Wb.

[0074] In summary, this invention provides a high-precision, high-reliability electrical connector structure. Through the precise alignment of the alignment plate 13 and the terminal receiving hole 31, it achieves accurate guidance, shape correction, and stable fixation of the terminal during assembly, effectively improving the insertion force control and long-term stability of the terminal. First, the terminal adopts a combined design of a terminal body 41, an extension 42, and a bending portion 43. The extension 42 forms a near 90° angle with the terminal body 41 and is inserted into the terminal receiving hole 31, ensuring standard terminal positioning and avoiding poor electrical contact caused by assembly misalignment. Second, to overcome variations in terminal insertion force due to manufacturing tolerances, this invention provides an enlarged diameter portion 34 at the entrance of the terminal receiving hole 31. This allows the terminal extension 42 to smoothly enter even with angular errors during insertion, guided by the enlarged diameter portion 34. Furthermore, during insertion, constrained by the physical shape of the terminal receiving hole 31, it automatically completes shape correction and precise alignment of the terminal extension 42, ensuring stable contact between the final terminal cable connection portion and the conductor portion on the wiring, thus ensuring an efficient and stable electrical connection. Furthermore, to further enhance the reliability of physical contact between the terminals and wiring, this invention employs an alignment plate mounting groove and retaining protrusion fit design. A pair of mounting grooves 51 and 52, symmetrically distributed along the Y direction, are provided inside the first housing. After the snap-fit ​​wings 32 and 33 of the alignment plate are inserted into the mounting grooves, they are precisely positioned in the XYZ directions by the retaining protrusions 53, 54, and 5, ensuring that there will be no loosening, misalignment, or terminal deformation due to external forces after assembly. Simultaneously, at the end of the terminal receiving hole, the terminal applies elastic pressure to the wiring conductor Wb through the bending portion 43, forming a mechanically stable and long-term reliable electrical contact, preventing poor contact between the terminal and wiring due to external vibration, thermal expansion, or mechanical stress during long-term use. In summary, this invention significantly improves the assembly accuracy, electrical connection stability, long-term reliability, and batch production consistency of the terminals through terminal shape optimization, diameter expansion guide design, precise positioning of the alignment plate, and mechanically stable support. It is suitable for the design of high-density, miniaturized, and high-reliability connectors, especially for fields requiring high-precision electrical connections such as automotive electronics, industrial control, medical equipment, and consumer electronics.

[0075] Finally, it should be noted that the above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present utility model and is not intended to limit the present utility model. Although the present utility model has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art can still modify the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments or make equivalent substitutions for some of the technical features. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present utility model should be included within the protection scope of the present utility model.

Claims

1. An electrical connector, characterized in that: Includes an insulating outer casing; Terminals housed inside the housing and connected to the ends of a conductive wiring substrate; An alignment plate, which is mounted on the housing, has a terminal receiving hole for inserting the front end of the terminal; The terminal includes: a terminal body that extends along the surface of the wiring substrate toward the conductor portion; An extension portion extends from the terminal body in a direction that intersects with and separates from the surface of the wiring substrate; the extension portion is inserted into the terminal receiving hole of the alignment plate.

2. An electrical connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The terminal has a bent portion between the terminal body and the extension portion, and the bent portion contacts the conductor portion of the wiring substrate.

3. An electrical connector according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The terminal receiving hole has an enlarged diameter portion at the inlet where the terminal is inserted at the front end.

4. An electrical connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The alignment plate has an elongated structure extending along the width direction of the housing. The housing has a pair of mounting grooves on each side in the width direction that extend in a direction intersecting the surface of the wiring substrate. Each end of the alignment plate in the long axis direction is fitted into the pair of mounting grooves of the alignment plate.

5. An electrical connector according to claim 4, characterized in that: The pair of mounting slots are provided with retaining protrusions for positioning each end of the alignment plate along its long axis.

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