Spring terminal plug-in connection seat for sensors

Abstract

This utility model relates to the field of sensor technology, specifically a spring terminal plug-in connector for sensors. It includes a terminal base for connecting to a sensor housing, with three bracket slots on its outer side wall; a terminal bracket with a bracket body, having three bracket pins along its outer side wall, which plug into the three bracket slots to achieve connection between the terminal bracket and the terminal base; each bracket pin has a terminal insertion hole into which a spring terminal is inserted; the outer and inner connecting ends of the spring terminal extend out of the terminal insertion hole, with the outer connecting end contacting a spring in the component to be connected for electrical connection. This solution effectively solves the problems of "mismatched connection surfaces and unstable assembly" in traditional spring terminals, adapts to three-wire sensors, improves connection reliability and assembly efficiency, and is suitable for sensors in industrial, automotive, and other fields.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of sensor technology, and in particular to a spring terminal plug-in connector for sensors. Background Technology

[0002] A sensor is a detection device that senses a measurand and converts it into an electrical signal or other form of output according to a certain rule. It is used to acquire information and meet the needs of information processing and transmission, and is widely used in industries such as industry and automobiles. Its working principle is to sense changes in external physical quantities (such as pressure, temperature, etc.) through a sensitive element, convert them into electrical signals or other measurable signals, and then output them after processing by a conversion circuit, so as to realize the detection, transmission and control of the measurand.

[0003] Common sensor electrical connection terminals typically use spring terminals due to their elasticity, enabling flexible insertion. Furthermore, traditional sensors generally have three spring terminals. The polarity of these three spring terminals is usually determined by the sensor type and wiring standard. Generally, in a three-wire sensor, the spring terminals represent the positive (VCC), negative (GND), and signal output (OUT) terminals. Commonly used spring terminals are in a straight line shape, with one end serving as the external electrical connection terminal and the other as the internal electrical connection terminal. The external electrical connection terminals of the three spring terminals form the external electrical connection surface that makes electrical contact with the component to be inserted, while the internal electrical connection terminals form the internal electrical connection surface that makes electrical contact with the sensor's internal circuit board. The external electrical connection surface is used to contact the three spring contacts within the hole of the component to achieve electrical connection, while the internal electrical connection surface is used to contact the solder pads on the sensor's internal circuit board to achieve electrical connection. However, when the hole of the component to be inserted, or the end face of the spring contacts within the hole, is larger than the external electrical connection surface, electrical connection between the external electrical connection surface and the spring contact end face cannot be achieved.

[0004] To address this, Chinese utility model patent CN105333990A discloses a small pressure sensor, specifically a small micro-fused silicon strain gauge (MSG) sensor, which combines a bias spring and a feed section. The pressure sensor includes a spring having a first winding section and a second winding section biased apart by a centrally located coiled section. The spring is used to achieve biased contact between two electrical contact pads. However, this spring can only address the issue where the end face of the insert hole of the component to be inserted, or the three spring pieces within the insert hole, is smaller than the external electrical connection surface of the sensor. It cannot solve the problem when the end face of the insert hole of the component to be inserted, or the three spring pieces within the insert hole, is larger than the external electrical connection surface.

[0005] Another option is to redesign a larger sensor, or replace the original sensor's spring terminal socket, and adjust the position of the electrical contact pads on the sensor's internal circuit board. If the outer diameter of the external electrical connection surface is greater than or equal to the outer diameter of the spring terminal socket, the spring terminal socket cannot stably fix the three spring terminals.

[0006] Therefore, a new technical solution is urgently needed to solve the above-mentioned technical problems. Utility Model Content

[0007] The purpose of this utility model is to overcome the problems of the prior art and provide a spring terminal plug-in connector for sensors to solve the connection problem in the prior art where the external electrical connection surface is smaller than the end face of the spring of the component to be plugged in, and the technical problem that the spring terminal cannot be stably fixed when the spring terminal socket is replaced.

[0008] The above objectives are achieved through the following technical solutions: A spring-loaded terminal plug-in connector for a sensor, comprising: Terminal block: used for connection with sensor housing, the outer side wall of the terminal block is provided with 3 bracket slots; Terminal bracket: includes a bracket body, and three bracket pins are provided along the outer side wall of the bracket body. The three bracket pins are inserted into three bracket slots to realize the insertion of the terminal bracket and the terminal base. Each bracket pin has a terminal insertion hole, and a spring terminal is inserted into the terminal insertion hole. The outer and inner connecting ends of the spring terminal extend out of the terminal socket, respectively. The outer connecting end is used to contact the spring in the component to be inserted to achieve electrical connection, and the inner connecting end is used to contact the terminal pad on the circuit board located below the terminal base to achieve electrical connection.

[0009] Furthermore, a riveting groove is provided at the axial center of the bracket body, and a riveting hole penetrating the bracket body is provided on the bottom wall of the riveting groove; a riveting post matching the riveting hole is provided at the axial center of the terminal block; after the terminal bracket is inserted into the terminal block, the riveting post penetrates the riveting hole, and the riveting post extending out of the riveting hole is hot-riveted to achieve the fixed connection between the terminal bracket and the terminal block.

[0010] Furthermore, the depth of the riveting groove is not less than the height of the protrusion of the riveting post after hot riveting, ensuring that the riveting point is completely hidden in the riveting groove.

[0011] Furthermore, the bottom of the bracket body is provided with three bracket guide posts, and the top of the terminal block is provided with three bracket guide holes that match the bracket guide posts one by one; the cooperation between the bracket guide posts and the bracket guide holes assists in the assembly of the terminal bracket and the terminal block.

[0012] Furthermore, the three bracket slots are symmetrically distributed circumferentially along the outer side wall of the terminal block, and the three bracket pins are symmetrically distributed circumferentially along the outer side wall of the bracket body.

[0013] Furthermore, the terminal socket includes a terminal limiting portion and a terminal receiving portion; the terminal receiving portion is used to accommodate the spring terminal, and the terminal limiting portion is used to axially limit the spring terminal to prevent it from penetrating the top of the terminal socket.

[0014] Furthermore, the inner diameter of the terminal limiting portion is smaller than the inner diameter of the terminal receiving portion, and the outer diameter of the middle part of the spring terminal is larger than the inner diameter of the terminal limiting portion and smaller than the inner diameter of the terminal receiving portion, thereby achieving axial limiting of the spring terminal.

[0015] Furthermore, the circuit board is horizontally positioned below the terminal block, and the terminal pads are symmetrically distributed circumferentially along the circuit board, each corresponding to and abutting against the inner connection terminal.

[0016] Furthermore, the terminal block is fixedly connected to the sensor housing via injection-molded inserts or threaded connections.

[0017] Furthermore, both the terminal block and the terminal bracket are made of plastic.

[0018] This utility model provides a spring terminal plug-in connector for sensors. In terms of adaptability, it expands the spacing of the spring terminals through a terminal bracket, thereby forming large-diameter outer and inner connection ends. With three spring terminals symmetrically distributed circumferentially, the outer connection end, through elastic deformation, can adapt to scenarios where the end face of the spring plate of the component to be plugged in is larger than the external electrical connection surface, overcoming the size adaptation blind spots of traditional connection structures and ensuring reliable electrical contact. In terms of assembly efficiency, "blind insertion positioning" is achieved through the precise matching of the bracket guide post and guide hole, and rapid assembly is achieved through a hot riveting process after plugging. The fixed terminal bracket and terminal block combine assembly efficiency and connection strength, significantly reducing human and equipment errors. In terms of structural stability, the limiting part of the terminal socket uses a stepped structure to constrain the axial displacement of the spring terminal, preventing loosening. The concealed riveting groove isolates external impacts, improving vibration resistance in vibrating environments. Regarding universal compatibility, it is compatible with the power, ground, and signal terminal wiring of three-wire sensors, covering applications in multiple fields such as industry and automotive. In terms of spatial integration, riveting, limiting, and guiding functions are integrated into a compact structure, reducing the internal space occupied by the sensor and facilitating product miniaturization. This solution systematically addresses the technical pain points of traditional spring terminals from the dimensions of connection adaptation, assembly, stability, compatibility, and integration, significantly improving the electrical connection performance and engineering practicality of sensors. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 This is a first-view schematic diagram of a spring terminal plug-in connector for a sensor according to the present invention. Figure 2 This is a second-view schematic diagram of a spring terminal plug-in connector for a sensor according to the present invention; Figure 3 This is a third-view schematic diagram of a spring terminal plug-in connector for a sensor according to the present invention. Figure 4 This is a first-view exploded view of a spring terminal plug-in connector for a sensor according to the present invention. Figure 5 This is a second-view exploded view of a spring terminal plug-in connector for a sensor according to the present invention; Figure 6 This is a cross-sectional view of the terminal bracket in the spring terminal plug-in connector for a sensor described in this utility model; Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the spring terminal plug-in connector for a sensor after riveting, as described in this utility model; Figure 8 This is an assembly diagram of a spring terminal plug-in connector for a sensor, a sensor housing, and a circuit board, as described in this utility model.

[0020] Illustration markings: 1-Terminal base, 101-Bracket slot, 102-Riveting post, 103-Bracket guide hole; 2-Terminal bracket, 201-Bracket body, 202-Bracket pin, 203-Terminal socket, 204-Riveting groove, 205-Riveting hole, 206-Bracket guide post, 207-Terminal limiting part, 208-Terminal receiving part; 3-Spring terminal, 301-External connection terminal, 302-Internal connection terminal; 4-Sensor housing; 5 - Circuit board, 501 - Terminal pad. Detailed Implementation

[0021] The present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. The described embodiments are merely some, not all, of the embodiments of the present invention. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without inventive effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0022] like Figures 1-5 As shown, a spring-terminal plug-in connector for a sensor includes: Terminal block 1: used to connect to sensor housing 4, and the outer side wall of the terminal block 1 is provided with 3 bracket slots 101; Terminal bracket 2: includes a bracket body 201, with three bracket pins 202 arranged along the outer side wall of the bracket body 201. The three bracket pins 202 are inserted into three bracket slots 101 to achieve the insertion of the terminal bracket 2 into the terminal base 1. Each bracket pin 202 has a terminal insertion hole 203, and a spring terminal 3 is inserted into the terminal insertion hole 203. The three bracket slots 101 are symmetrically distributed circumferentially along the outer side wall of the terminal base 1, and the three bracket pins 202 are symmetrically distributed circumferentially along the outer side wall of the bracket body 201. The terminal insertion hole 203 includes a terminal limiting part 207 and a terminal receiving part 208. The terminal receiving part 208 is used to receive the spring terminal 3, and the terminal limiting part 207 is used to axially limit the spring terminal 3 to prevent it from penetrating the top of the terminal insertion hole 203. The inner diameter of the terminal limiting part 207 is smaller than the inner diameter of the terminal receiving part 208, and the outer diameter of the middle part of the spring terminal 3 is larger than the inner diameter of the terminal limiting part 207 and smaller than the inner diameter of the terminal receiving part 208, thereby achieving axial limiting of the spring terminal 3.

[0023] The outer connecting end 301 and the inner connecting end 302 of the spring terminal 3 extend out of the terminal insertion hole 203, respectively. The outer connecting end 301 is used to abut against the spring in the component to be inserted to achieve electrical connection, and the inner connecting end 302 is used to abut against the terminal pads 501 on the circuit board 5 located below the terminal base 1 to achieve electrical connection. Specifically, the circuit board 5 is horizontally located below the terminal base 1, and the terminal pads 501 are symmetrically distributed circumferentially along the circuit board 5 and abut against the inner connecting ends 302 one by one. Figure 8 As shown.

[0024] like Figure 3 , 6 As shown in Figure 7, in this embodiment, as a method of fixing the bracket body 201 and the terminal block 1, a riveting groove 204 is provided at the axial position of the bracket body 201, and a riveting hole 205 penetrating the bracket body 201 is provided on the bottom wall of the riveting groove 204; a riveting post 102 matching the riveting hole 205 is provided at the axial position of the terminal block 1. After the terminal bracket 2 is inserted into the terminal base 1, the riveting post 102 passes through the riveting hole 205, and the riveting post 102 extending out of the riveting hole 205 is hot-riveted to achieve the fixed connection between the terminal bracket 2 and the terminal base 1.

[0025] like Figure 7 As shown, specifically, the depth of the riveting groove 204 is not less than the protrusion height of the riveting post 102 after hot riveting, ensuring that the riveting point is completely hidden within the riveting groove 204.

[0026] As an optimization of this embodiment, three bracket guide posts 206 are provided at the bottom of the bracket body 201, and three bracket guide holes 103 are provided at the top of the terminal block 1 to match the bracket guide posts 206 one by one; the cooperation between the bracket guide posts 206 and the bracket guide holes 103 assists in the assembly of the terminal bracket 2 and the terminal block 1.

[0027] In this embodiment, the terminal block 1 can be fixedly connected to the sensor housing 4 via injection molding inserts or threaded connections. Both the terminal block 1 and the terminal bracket 2 are made of plastic.

[0028] like Figures 4-8 As shown, in a specific embodiment of this solution, the core structure includes: Terminal block 1: Three bracket slots 101 are symmetrically arranged on the outer side wall for connecting with the bracket pins 202 of the terminal bracket 2; A riveting post 102 is provided at the axis, and three bracket guide holes 103 are provided at the top to assist in assembly positioning; The bottom is connected to the circuit board 5, and the terminal pad 501 corresponds to the inner connection end 302 of the spring terminal 3.

[0029] Terminal bracket 2: The bracket body 201 has three bracket pins 202 on the outside (compatible with bracket slot 101) and three bracket guide posts 206 on the bottom (compatible with bracket guide holes 103). A riveting groove 204 and a through riveting hole 205 are provided at the shaft center, which cooperate with the riveting post 102 of the terminal block 1, and the riveting point is hidden after hot riveting. The bracket pin 202 has a terminal socket 203 (including a terminal limiting part 207 and a terminal receiving part 208); the terminal limiting part 207 restricts the axial disengagement of the spring terminal 3, and the terminal receiving part 208 accommodates the main body of the spring terminal 3.

[0030] Spring terminals: There are 3 in total, which are symmetrically inserted into the terminal socket 203. The two ends extend out as the outer connection end 301 (contacting the spring of the plug-in) and the inner connection end 302 (contacting the terminal pad 501 on the circuit board 5), respectively, and the elasticity adapts to different spring end face sizes.

[0031] The working principle is as follows: Electrical connection: The spacing of the spring terminals 3 is expanded by the terminal bracket 2, thereby forming a large-diameter outer connection end 301 and inner connection end 302. The outer connection end 301 of the spring terminal 3 adapts to the end face of the spring of different sizes of plug-in components through elastic deformation, ensuring reliable contact; the inner connection end 302 continuously abuts against the terminal pad 501 to ensure stable signal transmission.

[0032] Structural reinforcement: The plug-in + hot riveting connection method, combined with the positioning of the guide post, can maintain connection stability even in vibration environments (such as automotive conditions), solving the problem of poor contact in traditional solutions.

[0033] The above description is only for illustrating the embodiments of this utility model and is not intended to limit this utility model. For those skilled in the art, any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of this utility model should be included within the protection scope of this utility model.

Claims

1. A spring-terminal plug-in connector for a sensor, characterized in that... ,include: Terminal block (1): for connecting to sensor housing (4), the outer side wall of the terminal block (1) is provided with 3 bracket slots (101). Terminal bracket (2): includes bracket body (201), and three bracket pins (202) are provided along the outer side wall of the bracket body (201). The three bracket pins (202) are inserted into the three bracket slots (101) to realize the insertion of the terminal bracket (2) into the terminal base (1). Each bracket pin (202) is provided with a terminal insertion hole (203), and a spring terminal (3) is inserted into the terminal insertion hole (203). The outer connection end (301) and the inner connection end (302) of the spring terminal (3) extend out of the terminal socket (203) respectively. The outer connection end (301) is used to contact the spring in the component to be inserted to achieve electrical connection, and the inner connection end (302) is used to contact the terminal pad (501) on the circuit board (5) below the terminal base (1) to achieve electrical connection.

2. The spring terminal plug-in connector for a sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that... The bracket body (201) has a rivet groove (204) at its axial position, and the bottom wall of the rivet groove (204) has a rivet hole (205) that penetrates the bracket body (201); the terminal block (1) has a rivet post (102) that matches the rivet hole (205) at its axial position. After the terminal bracket (2) is inserted into the terminal seat (1), the rivet post (102) passes through the rivet hole (205) and the rivet post (102) extending out of the rivet hole (205) is hot-riveted to realize the fixed connection between the terminal bracket (2) and the terminal seat (1).

3. A spring terminal plug-in connector for a sensor according to claim 2, characterized in that... The depth of the riveting groove (204) is not less than the height of the protrusion of the riveting post (102) after hot riveting.

4. A spring terminal plug-in connector for a sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that... The bottom of the bracket body (201) is provided with three bracket guide posts (206), and the top of the terminal block (1) is provided with three bracket guide holes (103) that match the bracket guide posts (206) one by one; through the cooperation of the bracket guide posts (206) and the bracket guide holes (103).

5. A spring terminal plug-in connector for a sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that, The three bracket slots (101) are symmetrically distributed circumferentially along the outer side wall of the terminal block (1), and the three bracket pins (202) are symmetrically distributed circumferentially along the outer side wall of the bracket body (201).

6. A spring terminal plug-in connector for a sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that, The terminal socket (203) includes a terminal limiting part (207) and a terminal receiving part (208); the terminal receiving part (208) is used to receive the spring terminal (3), and the terminal limiting part (207) is used to axially limit the spring terminal (3) to prevent it from penetrating the top of the terminal socket (203).

7. A spring terminal plug-in connector for a sensor according to claim 6, characterized in that... The inner diameter of the terminal limiting part (207) is smaller than the inner diameter of the terminal receiving part (208), and the outer diameter of the middle part of the spring terminal (3) is larger than the inner diameter of the terminal limiting part (207) and smaller than the inner diameter of the terminal receiving part (208), thereby achieving axial limiting of the spring terminal (3).

8. A spring terminal plug-in connector for a sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that... The circuit board (5) is horizontally positioned below the terminal block (1), and the terminal pads (501) are symmetrically distributed along the circumference of the circuit board (5) and correspond one-to-one with the inner connection terminal (302).

9. A spring terminal plug-in connector for a sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that... The terminal block (1) is fixedly connected to the sensor housing (4) by injection molding inserts or threaded connection.

10. A spring terminal plug-in connector for a sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that... Both the terminal block (1) and the terminal bracket (2) are made of plastic.

Images