A connector female, a connector male, and a connector

Abstract

This application provides a connector female socket, a connector male head, and a connector. The connector female socket includes a housing and a spring contact. The spring contact adopts an inverted U-shaped main body design, with a flexible contact structure housed within a symmetrically arranged clearance groove in the middle: including a first flexible contact extending obliquely from the top and second flexible contact parts symmetrically distributed on both sides. After the male head is inserted, three stable contact points are formed in a triangular distribution: firstly, the three-point contact design makes the current distribution more uniform, which can reduce contact resistance; secondly, the progressive contact method ensures both low insertion and extraction force and maintains sufficient contact pressure; thirdly, the triangular contact layout significantly improves vibration resistance and effectively suppresses fretting wear; finally, the interference fit fixing method of the spring contact results in a long product insertion and extraction life. This design is suitable for high-current applications in new energy vehicles, ensuring high reliability while also taking into account ease of assembly.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of connectors, and in particular to a connector female, connector male, and connector. Background Technology

[0002] With the increasing electrification of automobiles, the reliability and stability of high-current connectors have become critical requirements. Traditional high-current connector females typically employ a simple spring-loaded structure, mating with the male through a single contact point or linear contact method. However, this structure is prone to increased contact resistance, excessive temperature rise, and even poor contact under high-current load conditions, affecting the reliability and safety of the electrical connection.

[0003] In existing technologies, some connector sockets attempt to improve conductivity by increasing the elasticity of the springs or the contact area, but the following shortcomings still exist:

[0004] (1) Single-point or linear contact methods are prone to fretting wear in vibration environments, which leads to fluctuations in contact resistance and may cause connection failure after long-term use.

[0005] (2) Traditional spring design makes it difficult to achieve uniform contact at multiple points. Local current concentration may cause overheating and reduce connector life.

[0006] (3) To ensure contact reliability, the contact pressure of the spring needs to be increased, but excessive insertion and extraction force will increase the difficulty of user operation and may even damage the connector. Utility Model Content

[0007] This application provides a novel connector socket structure that, while ensuring low insertion and extraction force, achieves stable multi-point contact by optimizing the distribution and mating method of the spring contact points, thereby improving the reliability and durability of high current transmission.

[0008] To achieve the above objectives, this application provides the following technical solution:

[0009] A connector female socket for high-current automotive connections includes a housing and a spring contact. The spring contact is fixed within the housing by an interference fit. The spring contact includes a main body portion, which is inverted U-shaped. A first insertion port is provided on the upper part of the main body portion. A clearance groove is symmetrically arranged in the middle of the main body portion, and an elastic contact portion is provided in each clearance groove. The elastic contact portion includes a first elastic contact portion and a second elastic contact portion. The second elastic contact portions are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the first elastic contact portion, and the upper end of the second elastic contact portion is connected to the upper sidewall of the clearance groove. The lower ends of the two elastic contact portions are connected to the lower sidewall of the clearance groove. The middle part of the second elastic contact portion is an inwardly curved second contact protrusion. The first elastic contact portion extends obliquely downward from the upper sidewall of the clearance groove. The lower end of the first elastic contact portion is a curved inward first contact protrusion. The second contact protrusion is offset upward relative to the first contact protrusion by 0.2 to 0.4 mm in the male insertion direction. After the male connector is inserted, the first contact protrusion and the two second contact protrusions form three contact points at the front and back, respectively. The three contact points are distributed in a triangular pattern.

[0010] Furthermore, the thickness of the elastic contact portion is 0.75 to 1.5 mm.

[0011] Furthermore, guide plates are provided on both sides of the first socket.

[0012] Furthermore, the housing is provided with a mounting groove for mounting the spring piece, and a first limiting groove and a second limiting groove are respectively provided on the side wall of the mounting groove. The first limiting groove and the second limiting groove are symmetrically arranged front and back, and the first limiting groove and the second limiting groove are used to fix the two sides of the main body of the spring piece.

[0013] Furthermore, a second socket is provided at the upper end of the housing corresponding to the first socket, and a first guide surface inclined inward is provided around the second socket.

[0014] Furthermore, heat dissipation grooves are provided on both sides of the housing.

[0015] This application also proposes a male connector, including a blade, a core, and a second PCB board, wherein one end of the blade is mounted on the second PCB board via the core.

[0016] Furthermore, the insert blade is provided with a limiting protrusion at the connection point with the glue core.

[0017] Furthermore, the plug end of the insert blade is provided with a first inclined guide surface and a second inclined guide surface.

[0018] This application also proposes a connector, including a connector female and a connector male, wherein the connector male can be electrically connected to the resilient contact portion of the connector female via a blade.

[0019] The beneficial effects of this application are as follows:

[0020] (1) This application forms three contact points at the front and three at the back after the male connector is inserted, arranged in a triangular pattern, through the cooperation of the first contact protrusion and two second contact protrusions. This multi-point contact design effectively increases the conductive area, makes the current distribution more uniform, significantly reduces the contact resistance, reduces the heat generation problem, and improves the stability of high current transmission.

[0021] (2) The first elastic contact portion of this application adopts a downwardly extending structure and a first contact protrusion is provided at the end to provide the main contact pressure; the second elastic contact portion is symmetrically distributed on both sides, and its second contact protrusion is offset upward by 0.2 to 0.4 mm relative to the first contact protrusion in the direction of male insertion to form a progressive contact, making the insertion and removal process smoother, while avoiding single-point stress concentration and extending the life of the spring.

[0022] (3) The three contact points of this application are arranged in a triangular pattern, which can support each other in a vibration environment, reduce the relative displacement of the contact surface, effectively suppress fretting wear, and ensure electrical stability for long-term use. It is especially suitable for high-frequency vibration applications such as automobiles.

[0023] (4) This application optimizes the deformation of the spring piece by means of the synergistic effect of the first elastic contact part and the second elastic contact part, so as to ensure sufficient contact pressure and make the insertion and extraction force moderate. This avoids poor contact due to insufficient pressure and prevents operation difficulties or connector damage due to excessive insertion and extraction force. Attached Figure Description

[0024] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the connector structure provided in one embodiment of this application;

[0025] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the connector female socket after the housing and spring are separated, according to an embodiment of this application;

[0026] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a spring sheet provided in one embodiment of this application;

[0027] Figure 4 for Figure 3 Sectional view at AA;

[0028] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the structure of the housing provided in one embodiment of this application;

[0029] Figure 6 for Figure 5Sectional view at CC;

[0030] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a connector female socket provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0031] Figure 8 for Figure 7 Sectional view at BB;

[0032] Figure 9 for Figure 3 Sectional view at AA;

[0033] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a male connector provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0034] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0035] 100. Female connector; 200. Male connector.

[0036] 110. Housing; 120. Spring; 130. First PCB board;

[0037] 121. Main body; 122. First insertion port; 123. Clearance groove; 124. Elastic contact part; 125. Insertion pin part; 126. Guide plate;

[0038] 1241, First elastic contact portion; 1242, Second elastic contact portion; 1243, Second contact protrusion; 1244, First contact protrusion; 1245, First silver coating;

[0039] 111. Mounting slot; 112. First limiting slot; 113. Second limiting slot; 114. First flare; 115. Second flare; 116. Second guide surface; 117. Second socket; 118. First guide surface; 119. Heat dissipation slot; 1101. First foolproof positioning post;

[0040] 131. First foolproof positioning hole;

[0041] 210. Blade insert; 220. Glue core; 230. Second PCB board;

[0042] 211. Limiting protrusion; 212. First inclined guide surface; 213. Second inclined guide surface; 214. Second silver plating layer; 221. Second foolproof positioning post; Detailed Implementation

[0043] The features and exemplary embodiments of various aspects of this application will now be described in detail. To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this application clearer, the application will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only configured to explain this application and are not configured to limit this application. For those skilled in the art, this application can be implemented without some of these specific details. The following description of the embodiments is merely to provide a better understanding of this application by illustrating examples of this application.

[0044] 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..." does not exclude the presence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes the element.

[0045] It should be understood that when describing the structure of a component, when referring to a layer or region as being "above" or "on top of" another layer or region, it can mean that it is directly above the other layer or region, or that it contains other layers or regions between it and the other layer or region. Furthermore, if the component is flipped over, that layer or region will be located "below" or "under" the other layer or region.

[0046] It should be noted that, unless otherwise specified, the embodiments and features described in this application can be combined with each other.

[0047] like Figure 1 As shown in this embodiment, a connector includes a female connector 100 and a male connector 200. The female connector 100 is mounted on a first PCB board 130, and the male connector 200 is mounted on a second PCB board 230. The male connector 200 can be electrically connected to the elastic contact portion 124 of the female connector 100 through a blade 210.

[0048] like Figure 2 As shown, a connector female 100 is used for high-current connection in automobiles, including a housing 110 and a spring 120, wherein the spring 120 is fixed in the housing 110 by an interference fit.

[0049] like Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the spring 120 includes a main body 121, which is inverted U-shaped. A first insertion port 122 is provided at the upper part of the main body 121, and symmetrical clearance grooves 123 are provided in the middle of the main body 121. Each clearance groove 123 contains an elastic contact portion 124. The elastic contact portion includes a first elastic contact portion 1241 and a second elastic contact portion 1242. The second elastic contact portions 1242 are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the first elastic contact portion 1241. The upper end of the second elastic contact portion 1242 is connected to the upper sidewall S1 of the clearance groove 123, and the lower end of the second elastic contact portion 1242 is connected to the lower sidewall S1 of the clearance groove 123. The sidewall S2 is connected, and the middle part of the second elastic contact portion 1242 is a second contact protrusion 1243 that bends inward. The first elastic contact portion 1241 extends downward at an incline from the upper sidewall of the clearance groove 123. The lower end of the first elastic contact portion 1241 is a first contact protrusion 1244 that bends inward. The second contact protrusion 1243 is offset upward relative to the first contact protrusion 1244 by 0.2 to 0.4 mm in the male insertion direction Q. After the first contact protrusion 1244 and the two second contact protrusions 1243 are inserted into the connector male head 200, three contact points are formed at the front and three at the back. The three contact points are distributed in a triangular pattern.

[0050] In this embodiment, the first elastic contact portion 1241 serves as the main contact point. Its downwardly extending structure initiates contact and generates initial contact pressure during male insertion. The second elastic contact portion 1242 serves as the auxiliary contact point; due to its contact protrusion's offset D in the insertion direction of 0.2-0.4 mm, it contacts the main contact point before it. This staged contact design achieves a progressive contact pressure distribution, ensuring both smooth initial insertion and a stable connection after full insertion.

[0051] In this embodiment, the three contact points are arranged in a stable triangle to form a geometrically stable contact surface; the first contact protrusion 1244 serves as the vertex, and the two second contact protrusions 1243 serve as the bottom support points, forming a mechanically balanced structure; this layout makes the contact force evenly distributed, avoids single-point overload, and improves the ability to resist vibration and fretting wear.

[0052] In this embodiment, the inverted U-shaped main body 121 provides a low-impedance main current path, and the three contact points form a parallel conductive path, which effectively reduces the overall contact resistance. The symmetrically distributed contact points ensure uniform current distribution and avoid local overheating.

[0053] The recessed groove 123 provides the necessary deformation space for the elastic contact portion. The coordinated deformation of the first and second elastic contact portions 1242 can effectively absorb the mechanical stress during the insertion and extraction process. The bending structure of the contact protrusion enhances the elastic recovery force, ensuring that stable contact pressure can still be maintained after long-term use.

[0054] The spatial arrangement of triangular contact points can mutually restrain displacement under vibration; the elastic deformation directions of each contact point are complementary, forming a self-stabilizing system; the multi-point contact design ensures that even if one contact point is momentarily detached, the other contact points can still maintain conductive continuity.

[0055] In one embodiment, the spring 120 is a copper alloy. Copper alloys (such as phosphor bronze, beryllium copper, etc.) have high electrical conductivity, which can significantly reduce contact resistance, reduce energy loss and heat generation during high current transmission, and are suitable for high current scenarios in automobiles.

[0056] like Figure 3 As shown, in one embodiment, the thickness H1 of the elastic contact is 0.75 to 1.5 mm. Thin springs (e.g., 0.5 mm) are prone to plastic deformation after repeated insertion and removal, resulting in a contact pressure attenuation rate >30%, and the lifespan may drastically decrease from 1500 cycles to below 300 cycles. When the thickness increases to 2.0 mm, the insertion and removal force may exceed 60 N (exceeding the ergonomic limit of 50 N), leading to assembly difficulties or mechanical damage to the connector.

[0057] like Figure 3 As shown, in one embodiment, the lower part of the spring 120 is provided with a pin portion 125, which is used for mounting on a first PCB board.

[0058] like Figure 3 As shown, in one embodiment, guide plates 126 are respectively provided on both sides of the first insertion port 122. The guide plates 126 form a funnel-shaped guiding structure, which provides physical restraint at the initial stage of male insertion, avoids oblique insertion or offset, and ensures accurate alignment of the contact point.

[0059] like Figure 6 and Figure 8 As shown, in one embodiment, the housing 110 is provided with a mounting groove 111 for mounting the spring piece 120. A first limiting groove 112 and a second limiting groove 113 are respectively provided on the sidewalls of the mounting groove 111. The first limiting groove 112 and the second limiting groove 113 are symmetrically arranged front and back. The first limiting groove 112 and the second limiting groove 113 are used to fix the two sides of the main body 121 of the spring piece 120. A first flare 114 is provided at the lower end of the first limiting groove 112, and a second flare 115 is provided at the lower end of the second limiting groove 113. A second guide surface 116 is provided on the left and right sidewalls of the mounting groove 111. The symmetrical first limiting groove 112 and the second limiting groove 113 forcibly constrain the two sides of the main body 121 of the spring piece 120, preventing the spring piece 120 from shifting back and forth.

[0060] The first flare 114 and the second flare 115 form a trumpet-shaped inlet, which automatically corrects the position when the spring piece 120 is pressed in, reducing the difficulty of assembly.

[0061] like Figure 6 As shown, in one embodiment, the upper end of the housing 110 is provided with a second socket 117 corresponding to the first socket 122. The second socket 117 communicates with the mounting groove 111, and the second socket 117 is provided with an inwardly inclined first guide surface 118 around its perimeter. The first guide surface 118 forms a funnel-shaped inlet, providing coarse positioning at the initial stage of male insertion. Even if there is a positional deviation of ±1mm, it can be automatically corrected by sliding on the inclined surface.

[0062] like Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown, in one embodiment, heat dissipation grooves 119 are provided on both sides of the housing 110, and the heat dissipation grooves 119 correspond to the first elastic contact portion 1241 and the second elastic contact portion 1242 of the spring sheet 120.

[0063] like Figure 5 As shown, the bottom of the housing 110 is provided with a first anti-foolproof positioning post 1101, which corresponds to the first anti-foolproof positioning hole 131 of the first PCB board 130.

[0064] like Figure 9 As shown, in one embodiment, the main body 121 of the spring 120 has a first contact area plated with a first silver coating 1245. The first silver coating has the lowest resistance of all metals, reducing the contact resistance to below 0.18 mΩ (a 64% reduction compared to no coating). Temperature rise during high current transmission is significantly reduced, avoiding the risk of overheating. The first silver coating isolates the copper alloy substrate from air, and under harsh conditions, the contact resistance change rate is <5% after 1000 hours. Localized selective electroplating (covering only the first contact area 1245) reduces costs by 30%.

[0065] like Figure 10 As shown, this application also proposes a male connector 200, including a blade 210, a core 220, and a second PCB board 230, wherein one end of the blade 210 is mounted on the second PCB board 230 via the core 220.

[0066] like Figure 10 As shown, a limiting protrusion 211 is provided at the connection between the insert blade 210 and the core 220. The width H2 of the insert blade 210 is 3 to 5 mm and the thickness H3 is 0.7 to 0.9 mm. The width of the insert blade 210 is 4 mm and the thickness is 0.8 mm.

[0067] In one embodiment, the plug end of the insert blade 210 is provided with a first inclined guide surface 212 and a second inclined guide surface 213, which automatically corrects the position when inserted.

[0068] In one embodiment, a second silver plating layer 214 is plated on the second contact area between the insert blade 210 and the spring 120 to reduce the contact resistance.

[0069] In one embodiment, the bottom of the glue core 220 is provided with a second foolproof positioning post 221, and the first PCB board 130 is provided with a corresponding second foolproof positioning hole to ensure that the male connector is assembled with the PCB board in only one direction (to prevent incorrect insertion).

[0070] In the description of the embodiments of this application, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "linking" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, an indirect connection through an intermediate medium, or the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in the embodiments of this application according to the specific circumstances.

[0071] The devices or elements referred to in the embodiments of this application or implied herein must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as limiting the embodiments of this application. In the description of the embodiments of this application, "a plurality of" means two or more, unless otherwise precisely specified.

[0072] The terms “first,” “second,” “third,” “fourth,” etc. (if present) in the specification, claims, and accompanying drawings of this application are used to distinguish similar objects and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that such data can be interchanged where appropriate so that the embodiments of this application described herein can be implemented, for example, in orders other than those illustrated or described herein. Furthermore, the terms “may include” and “have,” and any variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion; for example, a process, method, system, product, or apparatus that includes a series of steps or units is not necessarily limited to those steps or units explicitly listed, but may include other steps or units not explicitly listed or inherent to such processes, methods, products, or apparatus.

[0073] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, and are not intended to limit them. Although the embodiments of this application have 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. These 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 connector female socket for high-current connection in automobiles, characterized in that: It includes a housing and a spring, the spring being fixed inside the housing by an interference fit. The spring includes a main body, which is inverted U-shaped. A first insertion port is provided on the upper part of the main body, and anti-cavity grooves are symmetrically provided in the middle part of the main body. Each anti-cavity groove is provided with an elastic contact part. The elastic contact portion includes a first elastic contact portion and a second elastic contact portion. The second elastic contact portion is symmetrically arranged on both sides of the first elastic contact portion. The upper end of the second elastic contact portion is connected to the upper side wall of the clearance groove, and the lower end of the second elastic contact portion is connected to the lower side wall of the clearance groove. The middle part of the second elastic contact portion is an inwardly curved second contact protrusion. The first elastic contact portion extends obliquely downward from the upper side wall of the clearance groove, and the lower end of the first elastic contact portion is a curved inward first contact protrusion. The second contact protrusion is offset upwards by 0.2 to 0.4 mm relative to the first contact protrusion in the male insertion direction; After the male connector is inserted, the first contact protrusion and the two second contact protrusions form three contact points at the front and three at the back, and the three contact points are distributed in a triangle.

2. A connector female socket according to claim 1, characterized in that: The thickness of the elastic contact portion is 0.75 to 1.5 mm.

3. A connector female according to claim 1, characterized in that: Guide plates are provided on both sides of the first socket.

4. A connector female socket according to claim 1, characterized in that: The housing is provided with a mounting groove for mounting a spring clip. The side wall of the mounting groove is provided with a first limiting groove and a second limiting groove respectively. The first limiting groove and the second limiting groove are symmetrically arranged front and back. The first limiting groove and the second limiting groove are used to fix the two sides of the main body of the spring clip.

5. A connector female socket according to claim 1, characterized in that: The upper end of the housing is provided with a second socket corresponding to the first socket, and the second socket is provided with an inwardly inclined first guide surface around it.

6. A connector female socket according to claim 1, characterized in that: The casing has heat dissipation grooves on both sides.

7. A male connector, characterized in that: It includes a blade, a glue core, and a second PCB board, with one end of the blade mounted on the second PCB board via the glue core.

8. A male connector according to claim 7, characterized in that: The insert blade has a limiting protrusion at the connection point with the rubber core.

9. A male connector according to claim 7, characterized in that: The insert blade has a first inclined guide surface and a second inclined guide surface at its plug end.

10. A connector, characterized in that: It includes a female connector as described in any one of claims 1 to 6 and a male connector as described in any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the male connector can be electrically connected to the resilient contact portion of the female connector via a blade.

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