Elastic terminal and power connector

Abstract

An elastic terminal comprises a substrate, an elastic structure, a fixing plate and a welding part; a first end of the substrate is upwardly bent to form the elastic structure; a second end opposite to the first end is reversely bent upward to form the fixing plate, which is located between the substrate and the elastic structure; a third end adjacent to the first end is downwardly bent and horizontally extended to form the welding part. A power connector comprises the elastic terminal and a rubber core; the elastic terminal installed at the front end of the rubber core is a first elastic terminal, and the elastic terminal installed at the rear end of the rubber core is a second elastic terminal; the elastic arms of the first and second elastic terminals are consistent in direction. The elastic terminal embeds the fixing plate between the substrate and the elastic structure, without occupying extra height, and the overall height is 0.88 mm at the lowest, improving the space utilization efficiency and adapting to ultra-thin devices; the elastic arms of the power connector are consistent in direction, supporting the horizontal side insertion of the mating element and eliminating the traditional plug-in restriction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of electronics, specifically a flexible terminal and a power connector. Background Technology

[0002] Flexible terminals, with their reliable contact capability and resistance to mating and removal, have become core components in the field of electronic communications. Terminal devices are evolving towards extreme miniaturization and high-density integration, placing more stringent demands on the space occupied by their internal components. Reducing the size of flexible terminals and freeing up motherboard layout space is an inevitable trend to meet future design requirements. Flexible terminals bear core functions such as elastic deformation, stable connection, and stress dispersion. The realization of these functions depends on specific structural features, and the structural dimensions are directly related to functional performance. Compressing the size of flexible terminals falls into the dilemma of "size reduction equals performance degradation." At the connector level, existing power connectors rely on a vertical, upright insertion assembly method. If components are installed horizontally, terminal jamming can easily occur, causing assembly difficulties.

[0003] Therefore, it is necessary to design a structure to improve the above problems. Utility Model Content

[0004] This utility model provides a flexible terminal and a power connector. Through structural optimization, the thickness of the flexible terminal is reduced, saving space. While ensuring normal power transmission, the power connector can meet the assembly requirements of horizontal side insertion of mating components, achieving multi-directional connection. The purpose of this utility model is achieved through the following solutions:

[0005] A resilient terminal includes a substrate, a resilient structure, a fixing plate, and a welding portion. The fixing plate and the resilient structure are located above the substrate, and the welding portion is located below the substrate. A first end of the substrate is bent upward to form the resilient structure, which sequentially includes a connecting portion, a resilient arm, and a contact portion. A second end opposite to the first end is bent upward in the opposite direction to form the fixing plate, which is located between the substrate and the resilient structure. A third end adjacent to the first end is bent downward and extends horizontally to form the welding portion. In this resilient terminal, the resilient structure and the fixing plate have clearly defined functions: the resilient structure contacts and connects to the component to establish a stable electrical connection, while the fixing plate firmly fixes the resilient terminal body to the core, providing reliable mechanical fixation. Unlike existing resilient terminals that "use the substrate as a fixing plate," the resilient structure and the fixing plate in this design are formed by bending upward from opposite ends of the same substrate. This design ensures that the resilient structure and the fixing plate do not interfere with each other during operation, guaranteeing their independence. After the elastic structure is bent into shape on the substrate, a deformation space is reserved between it and the substrate. The key to this solution is to place the fixing plate in the inherent area between the elastic structure and the substrate. In this way, the fixing plate will not occupy additional height space of the elastic terminal, fundamentally avoiding the problem of increased overall terminal thickness caused by adding an independent fixing structure. The nested layout also improves the overall structural density of the elastic terminal. The third end adjacent to the first end is bent downward and extended to form a welding part parallel to the substrate below the substrate. Through precise planning and bending process design, the three ends of the substrate perform different functions and are integrally formed, which not only ensures the integrity of the structure, but also makes the layout of each component more orderly. In products with strict internal space requirements, such as ultra-thin smartphones and wearable devices, the elastic terminal using this solution can provide key technical support for reducing the overall thickness of the device while maintaining electrical connection stability and mechanical fixation reliability, and also reserve more space for the layout of other core components.

[0006] Preferably, the fixing plate is connected to the substrate through a bending portion, and the fixing plate is provided with interference teeth on both sides adjacent to the bending portion. The interference teeth are used to fix the elastic terminal on the rubber core.

[0007] A power connector includes the aforementioned elastic terminals and a core. The core has a first terminal hole and a second terminal hole at its front and rear ends, respectively. The elastic terminal inserted into the first terminal hole from the front end of the core is the first elastic terminal, and the elastic terminal inserted into the second terminal hole from the rear end of the core is the second elastic terminal. The elastic arms of the first and second elastic terminals face the same direction. Designing the elastic arms of the two elastic terminals of the power connector to face the same direction prevents terminal jamming when the mating components are installed horizontally, effectively eliminating the limitations of traditional connectors in the insertion and removal direction and improving installation flexibility.

[0008] Preferably, the first elastic terminal includes a first substrate, a first elastic structure, a first fixing plate, and a first welding part; the second elastic terminal includes a second substrate, a second elastic structure, a second fixing plate, and a second welding part; the first fixing plate is connected to the first substrate through a first bending part, and the second fixing plate is connected to the second substrate through a second bending part; the first fixing plate has first interference teeth on its two side edges adjacent to the first bending part, and the second fixing plate has second interference teeth on its two side edges adjacent to the second bending part.

[0009] Preferably, the first and second fixing plates are respectively provided with first and second riveting points. The first riveting point is located on the same side of the first bent portion, and the second riveting point is located on the opposite side of the second bent portion. The first and second elastic terminals are inserted from the front and rear ends of the rubber core, respectively. For smooth installation, the riveting points of the elastic terminals must be close to the outside of the terminal holes. The first bent portion is located outside the first terminal hole; therefore, the first riveting point on the first fixing plate is located on the same side as the first bent portion. Similarly, the second bent portion is located inside the second terminal hole, and the second riveting point on the second fixing plate is in a relative position to the second bent portion.

[0010] Preferably, first and second limiting grooves are respectively provided on both sides of the first and second terminal holes. The first and second fixing plates are respectively installed in the first and second limiting grooves and fixed to the rubber core by the first and second interference teeth. The limiting grooves are designed according to the outer dimensions of the fixing plates and play a basic role in displacement control. When the fixing plates are installed in the limiting grooves, the limiting grooves can restrict the vertical displacement of the fixing plates and counteract lateral movement by the fit between the groove walls and the outer peripheral surface of the fixing plates. The interference teeth on both sides of the fixing plates generate continuous extrusion force on the inner wall of the limiting grooves through their own elastic deformation, so as to further reduce the degree of freedom of movement of the elastic terminals in the rubber core.

[0011] Preferably, the first terminal hole and the second terminal hole are vertically connected, and the first and second solder joints are located at the bottom of the core. The height of the first and second elastic terminals is the height of the power connector. With the first and second elastic terminals installed in the core, and the first and second solder joints located at the bottom of the core, the power connector is fixed to the circuit board via the solder joints of the elastic terminals. The distance from the contact portion to the solder joint constitutes the overall height of the power connector.

[0012] Preferably, the overall height of the first and second elastic terminals is not less than 0.88mm. The fixing plate of the elastic terminal is embedded between the substrate and the elastic structure. The height of the entire elastic terminal consists of two parts: the longitudinal distance from the welding part to the substrate and the longitudinal distance from the substrate to the elastic structure. Since the fixing plate does not result in height superposition, the overall height of the elastic terminal can be compressed to a minimum of 0.88mm, becoming a highly integrated ultra-thin elastic terminal. In the assembly with the core, the elastic terminal is "partially recessed and partially extended," that is, the connecting part of the substrate, welding part, and elastic structure is embedded inside the core to achieve basic positioning and protection; the elastic arm and contact part of the elastic structure extend outside the core to perform the electrical connection function. The height from the welding part to the connecting part of the elastic structure is equivalent to the thickness required for the core. Because the fixing plate is embedded inside the terminal, the core does not need to increase its thickness to accommodate the fixing structure, and the overall height is reduced accordingly. The "terminal + core" overall assembly system achieves ultra-thinness.

[0013] The beneficial effects of this utility model are as follows: It provides a flexible terminal and a power connector. The flexible terminal embeds the fixing plate between the base plate and the flexible structure without taking up additional height. The overall minimum height is 0.88mm, which is suitable for ultra-thin devices. The flexible arms of the two terminals of the power connector face the same direction, which supports horizontal side insertion of mating components and eliminates the limitations of traditional plugging and unplugging. Attached Figure Description

[0014] Figure 1 This is an overall schematic diagram of a power connector according to an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0015] Figure 2 This is an overall schematic diagram of a power connector from another perspective in an embodiment of this utility model;

[0016] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view of a power connector according to an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0017] Figure 4 This is a front view of an elastic terminal (first elastic terminal and second elastic terminal) in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0018] Figure 5 This is a top view of an elastic terminal (first elastic terminal and second elastic terminal) in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 6 This is an overall schematic diagram of an elastic terminal (first elastic terminal) in an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0020] Figure 7 This is a cross-sectional view of an elastic terminal (first elastic terminal) in an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0021] Figure 8This is an overall schematic diagram of an elastic terminal (second elastic terminal) in an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0022] Figure 9 This is a cross-sectional view of an elastic terminal (second elastic terminal) in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] The reference numerals in the accompanying drawings include:

[0024] Power connector-1, flexible terminal-20, substrate-201, first end-2011, second end-2012, third end-2013, elastic structure-202, connecting part-2021, elastic arm-2022, contact part-2023, fixing plate-203, bending part-2031, interference tooth-2032, welding part-204;

[0025] First elastic terminal-21, first substrate-211, first elastic structure-212, first fixing plate-213, first bending part-2131, first interference tooth-2132, first riveting point-2133, first welding part-214;

[0026] Second elastic terminal-22, second substrate-221, second elastic structure-222, second fixing plate-223, second bending part-2231, second interference tooth-2232, second rivet point-2233, second welding part-224;

[0027] Glue core-30, first terminal hole-301, first limiting groove-3011, second terminal hole-302, second limiting groove-3021. Detailed Implementation

[0028] This application provides a flexible terminal and a power connector. The overall height of the flexible terminal is reduced, which can meet the needs of terminal devices for ultra-thin flexible terminals. The power connector can be compatible with both positive and side-insertion assembly scenarios while transmitting electrical energy normally, and has a wide range of applications.

[0029] The technical solution in this application is to solve the above-mentioned technical problems, and the overall approach is as follows:

[0030] The two opposite ends of the elastic terminal substrate are bent upwards to form an elastic structure and a fixing plate. The fixing plate is located above the substrate and below the elastic structure. The existing area is fully utilized through space reuse design, effectively compressing the height space required by the fixing plate. The elastic arms of the two elastic terminals of the power connector are designed to face the same direction to meet the installation requirements of horizontal side insertion of the mating components and avoid terminal jamming.

[0031] To make the above-mentioned objects, features, and advantages of this utility model more apparent and understandable, the specific embodiments of this utility model will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Many specific details are set forth in the following description to provide a full understanding of this utility model. However, this utility model can be implemented in many other ways different from those described herein, and those skilled in the art can make similar modifications without departing from the spirit of this utility model. Therefore, this utility model is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed below.

[0032] like Figures 1 to 9 The image shown is an embodiment of a resilient terminal according to this application:

[0033] A flexible terminal 20 includes a substrate 201, an elastic structure 202, a fixing plate 203, and a welding part 204. The components achieve functional synergy through precise bending design, as detailed below:

[0034] The elastic structure 202 is formed by bending upward from the first end 2011 of the substrate 201, and the whole is in the shape of a cantilever with a preset arc. Its structure includes a connecting part 2021, an elastic arm 2022, and a contact part 2023 connected in sequence. The connecting part 2021 serves as a transition section and is stably connected to the substrate 201 to distribute stress. The elastic arm 2022 provides uniform elastic deformation capability. The contact part 2023 directly contacts the mating element and achieves a reliable electrical connection through tight fit.

[0035] The fixing plate 203 is located above the substrate 201 and is formed by bending the second end 2012 of the substrate 201 upwards and backwards. It is connected to the substrate 201 through the bending portion 2031. The second end 2012 and the first end 2011 are in opposite positions on the substrate 201. The fixing plate 203 is responsible for fixing the elastic terminal 20 inside the core 30. Specifically, interference teeth 2032 are provided on its two side edges adjacent to the bending portion 2031. When the elastic terminal 20 is inserted into the core 30, the protruding interference teeth 2032 undergo slight elastic deformation, pressing against the inner wall of the core 30 with a continuous and uniform positive pressure, generating structural interference to prevent the elastic terminal 20 from loosening.

[0036] The soldering part 204 is located below the substrate 201 and is formed by bending the third end 2013 of the substrate 201 downwards and extending horizontally. The third end 2013 is adjacent to the first end 2011 and the second end 2012. In actual installation, the body of the soldering part 204 is almost flush with the bottom surface of the core 30, and its free end is attached to the bottom of the core 30. The soldering part 204 is fixed to the circuit board by processes such as soldering to form a firm electrical connection, thus completing the installation and fixation of the entire power connector 1.

[0037] The key design of the elastic terminal 20 is that the fixing plate 203 and the elastic structure 202 are formed by bending upwards from opposite ends of the same substrate 201. The elastic structure 202 originates from the first end 2011 of the substrate 201, and the fixing plate 203 originates from the second end 2012 of the substrate 201. The first end 2011 and the second end 2012 are opposite to each other. This "same origin, different ends" molding design ensures that the elastic structure 202 and the fixing plate 203 do not interfere with each other when performing their respective functions. Specifically, the force generated by the elastic structure 202 under pressure only acts on the first end 2011 of the substrate 201 where it is located, and will not be transmitted to the fixing plate 203 located at the second end 2012. The fixing plate 203, as an independently bent structure, does not restrict the deformation of the elastic structure 202 when installed in the core 30. The fixing plate 203 is located in the space reserved between the substrate 201 and the elastic structure 202 to prevent excessive deformation of the elastic structure 202. By making full use of the existing space and improving the internal compactness, the fixing structure is accommodated, which provides a guarantee for the ultra-thin development of the elastic terminal 20.

[0038] This application also provides a power connector 1, including the aforementioned elastic terminal 20, and also including a core 30. The front and rear ends of the core 30 are respectively provided with a first terminal hole 301 and a second terminal hole 302. The elastic terminal 20 inserted from the front end of the core 30 into the first terminal hole 301 is defined as the first elastic terminal 21, and the elastic terminal 20 inserted from the rear end of the core 30 into the second terminal hole 302 is defined as the second elastic terminal 22. The elastic arms 2022 of the first elastic terminal 21 and the second elastic terminal 22 face the same direction.

[0039] The elastic arms 2022 of the two elastic terminals 20 inside the core 30 face the same direction. When installing mating components horizontally, the insertion path will not be blocked by the opposite elastic arms, effectively avoiding insertion jamming or component damage. Therefore, the power connector 1 in this solution eliminates the restriction on insertion and removal direction, supporting not only vertical insertion of mating components but also horizontal side insertion, adapting to various installation scenarios.

[0040] The first elastic terminal 21 includes a first substrate 211, a first elastic structure 212, a first fixing plate 213, and a first welding part 214. The first fixing plate 213 and the first substrate 211 are connected by a first bending part 2131, and first interference teeth 2132 are provided on the two side edges adjacent to the first bending part 2131. The second elastic terminal 22 includes a second substrate 221, a second elastic structure 222, a second fixing plate 223, and a second welding part 224. The second fixing plate 223 and the second substrate 221 are connected by a second bending part 2231, and second interference teeth 2232 are provided on the two side edges adjacent to the second bending part 2231.

[0041] The first fixing plate 213 and the second fixing plate 223 are respectively provided with a first rivet point 2133 and a second rivet point 2233, which facilitates the installation of the first elastic terminal 21 and the second elastic terminal 22 into the core 30. Since the installation directions of the two elastic terminals (21, 22) are different, and the rivet points (2133, 2233) must be close to the outside of the terminal holes (301, 302) of the core 30, the positions of the rivet points (2133, 2233) of the first elastic terminal 21 and the second elastic terminal 22 are different. Specifically: the first rivet point 2133 and the first bend 2131 are located at the same end of the first fixed plate 213, and the first bend 2131 is located between the two first rivet points 2133; the second rivet point 2233 and the second bend 2231 are located at the two opposite ends of the second fixed plate 223, the second rivet point 2233 is located at the free end of the second fixed plate 223, and the second elastic structure 222 is located between the two second rivet points 2233.

[0042] A first limiting groove 3011 and a second limiting groove 3021 are respectively provided on both sides of the first terminal hole 301 and the second terminal hole 302. A first fixing plate 213 and a second fixing plate 223 are respectively installed in the first limiting groove 3011 and the second limiting groove 3021, and are fixed to the glue core 30 by the first interference teeth 2132 and the second interference teeth 2232. The limiting grooves (3011, 3021) cooperate with the fixing plate 203 to provide reliable coarse positioning for the installation of the elastic terminal 20. By applying a certain pressure to the elastic terminal 20 through the riveting process, the interference teeth 2032 on the fixing plate 203 are smoothly inserted into and clamped into the inner wall of the limiting grooves (3011, 3021), reducing the degree of freedom of movement of the elastic terminal 20 in the glue core 30, and achieving a stable and reliable fixing effect.

[0043] The first terminal hole 301 and the second terminal hole 302 are vertically connected, and the first solder part 214 and the second solder part 224 are located at the bottom of the core 30. The power connector 1 is fixed to the circuit board by the solder part 204 of the elastic terminal 20. The distance from the contact part 2023 to the solder part 204 is the height of the entire power connector 1. The overall height of the elastic terminal 20 is formed by the superposition of the longitudinal distance from the solder part 204 to the substrate 201 and the longitudinal distance from the substrate 201 to the elastic structure 202. During the assembly with the core 30, the solder part 204 of the elastic terminal 20, the substrate 201, and the connecting part 2021 of the elastic structure 202 are all completely recessed into the core 30. The longitudinal height from the solder part 204 to the connecting part 2021 of the elastic structure 202 is exactly equal to the required thickness of the core 30. This thickness ensures that the core 30 fully covers the key structure of the elastic terminal 20 and achieves stable assembly. In this solution, the fixing plate 203 is disposed between the substrate 201 and the elastic structure 202, without occupying additional vertical height space of the elastic terminal 20. This not only compresses the overall height H of the elastic terminal 20 to a minimum of 0.88mm, but also eliminates the need for the core 30 to increase its thickness to accommodate the fixing plate 203. Ultimately, this achieves dual ultra-thinning of the elastic terminal 20 and the core 30, laying the foundation for the miniaturization of the power connector 1.

[0044] In summary, this utility model relates to a flexible terminal and a power connector. While ensuring the functionality of the flexible terminal remains unaffected, it fully utilizes the inherent space beneath the flexible structure to place a fixing plate, thereby reducing the vertical space occupied by the flexible terminal and facilitating its ultra-thin development. Simultaneously, by ensuring that the two flexible arms of the power connector maintain the same orientation, the insertion and removal direction restrictions of the mating components are eliminated, adapting to horizontal side-insertion installation scenarios.

[0045] The technical features of the above embodiments can be combined in any way. For the sake of brevity, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above embodiments are described. However, as long as there is no contradiction in the combination of these technical features, they should be considered to be within the scope of this specification.

[0046] The embodiments described above merely illustrate the implementation of this utility model, and while the descriptions are relatively specific and detailed, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of the patent. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and improvements without departing from the concept of this utility model, and these all fall within the protection scope of this utility model. Therefore, the protection scope of this utility model patent should be determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A resilient terminal, characterized in that, The system includes a substrate, an elastic structure, a fixing plate, and a welding part. The fixing plate and the elastic structure are located above the substrate, and the welding part is located below the substrate. The first end of the substrate is bent upward to form the elastic structure, which includes a connecting part, an elastic arm, and a contact part in sequence. The second end, opposite to the first end, is bent upwards in the opposite direction to form the fixing plate, which is located between the substrate and the elastic structure. The third end, adjacent to the first end, bends downward and extends horizontally to form the welded portion.

2. The elastic terminal according to claim 1, characterized in that, The fixing plate is connected to the substrate through a bending portion, and interference teeth are provided on the two side edges of the fixing plate adjacent to the bending portion.

3. A power connector, characterized in that, The device includes a resilient terminal as described in claim 2, and further includes a core. The core has a first terminal hole and a second terminal hole at its front and rear ends, respectively. The resilient terminal inserted into the first terminal hole from the front end of the core is the first resilient terminal, and the resilient terminal inserted into the second terminal hole from the rear end of the core is the second resilient terminal. The resilient arms of the first and second resilient terminals face the same direction.

4. A power connector according to claim 3, characterized in that, The first elastic terminal includes a first substrate, a first elastic structure, a first fixing plate, and a first welding part; the second elastic terminal includes a second substrate, a second elastic structure, a second fixing plate, and a second welding part; the first fixing plate is connected to the first substrate through a first bending part, and the second fixing plate is connected to the second substrate through a second bending part; the first fixing plate has first interference teeth on its two side edges adjacent to the first bending part, and the second fixing plate has second interference teeth on its two side edges adjacent to the second bending part.

5. A power connector according to claim 4, characterized in that, The first and second fixing plates are respectively provided with first and second rivet points. The first rivet point is located on the same side of the first bend, and the second rivet point is located on the opposite side of the second bend.

6. A power connector according to claim 4, characterized in that, First and second limiting grooves are respectively provided on both sides of the first and second terminal holes. The first and second fixing plates are respectively installed in the first and second limiting grooves and fixed to the glue core by the first and second interference teeth.

7. A power connector according to any one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that, The first terminal hole and the second terminal hole are vertically connected, the first and second welding parts are located at the bottom of the rubber core, and the height of the first and second elastic terminals is the height of the power connector.

8. A power connector according to claim 7, characterized in that, The overall height of the first and second elastic terminals is not less than 0.88 mm.

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