Plug connector with laterally isomorphic terminal slots and connector body thereof

Abstract

The application provides a plug connector with transversely heterogeneous terminal slots and a connector body thereof. The plug connector includes a connector body and a plurality of metal terminals. The connector body is provided with a row slot group. The row slot group includes a plurality of terminal slots arranged along a transverse axis direction. Each terminal slot includes a narrow slot region and a wide slot region for accommodating each metal terminal. The shapes or orientations of the longitudinal sections of two adjacent terminal slots in the same row slot group are different from each other. In this way, the arrangement density and mechanical installation stability of the metal terminals can be effectively improved by the transversely heterogeneous arrangement mode.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to a plug connector, and more particularly to a plug connector in which multiple terminal slots are arranged in a lateral heterogeneous manner to improve the arrangement density of metal terminals and mechanical installation stability. Background Technology

[0002] A connector is a general term for all connecting components and accessories used in the transmission of electronic signals and power. Its main function is to establish and maintain connections between circuits. It is responsible not only for transmitting power but also for transmitting data. It is an important component in any modern electronic system. From mobile phones and computers to large industrial machinery, everything relies on connectors to complete its basic functions.

[0003] As electronic devices become increasingly smaller, connectors are also being designed to be thinner and lighter. However, when the number of terminals that need to be installed in the connector increases, or when the installation space is limited, the slot structure is easily crowded, resulting in insufficient wall thickness between adjacent slots. This increases the risk of mold processing, forming deformation, and damage to the slot wall when installing terminals.

[0004] In view of this, the industry urgently needs a connector structure that can take into account terminal arrangement density, installation stability and process efficiency, so as to provide a more flexible slot configuration. This is also a major issue discussed in this application. Utility Model Content

[0005] In order to stand out in the highly competitive market, the creator, with years of professional experience in the design, processing and manufacturing of various power or signal connectors, and adhering to the spirit of continuous improvement, has finally developed a plug connector with lateral heterogeneous terminal slots and its connector body after long-term research and experimentation. It is hoped that the advent of this application will gain market favor.

[0006] The purpose of this application is to provide a connector body with lateral heterogeneous terminal slots, applied to a plug connector. The connector body includes a base and at least one insertion portion. The base has at least one row of slots, and the same row of slots includes multiple terminal slots. Each terminal slot is arranged along the horizontal axis and forms a corresponding rear opening on the rear side of the base. Each terminal slot includes at least a narrow slot region and a wide slot region, wherein the maximum horizontal width of the narrow slot region is smaller than the maximum horizontal width of the wide slot region. The insertion portion is integrally formed on the front side of the base. Each insertion portion has at least one front opening on its front side and at least one insertion space within each insertion portion. Each insertion space communicates with each corresponding front opening and each terminal slot. In the same row of slots, at least one of the longitudinal cross-sectional shape and orientation of two adjacent terminal slots is different from each other. Thus, the lateral heterogeneous arrangement effectively improves the density of metal terminals and the stability of mechanical installation.

[0007] Optionally, the terminal slot further includes a transition region that connects the narrow slot region and the wide slot region, and its width in the horizontal direction gradually increases from the narrow slot region toward the wide slot region.

[0008] Optionally, in two adjacent terminal slots within the same slot group, the narrow slot region of one terminal slot is opposite to the wide slot region of the other terminal slot; the wide slot region of the terminal slot is opposite to the narrow slot region of the other terminal slot.

[0009] Optionally, two adjacent terminal slots in the same row of slots have the same longitudinal cross-section shape, and the orientation of one of the longitudinal cross-sections is 180 degrees rotated from the orientation of the other longitudinal cross-section.

[0010] Optionally, the top or bottom of two adjacent terminal slots in the same slot group may be at different horizontal heights.

[0011] Optionally, the base is provided with multiple rows of slots, and the two terminal slots that are opposite each other in two adjacent rows of slots have substantially the same shape and orientation in their longitudinal sections.

[0012] Another object of this application is to provide a plug connector with lateral heterogeneous terminal slots, comprising a connector body as described above and a plurality of metal terminals. The plurality of metal terminals are respectively mounted into each of the corresponding terminal slots and each of the mating spaces.

[0013] Optionally, the metal terminal includes at least one wing, which is elastic and can be installed into the terminal slot. The end of the wing is forced to abut against the inner wall of the narrow slot region of the terminal slot and applies an unfolding force to the inner wall of the narrow slot region.

[0014] Optionally, the metal terminal is provided with two wings, the ends of the multiple wings are separated from each other in opposite directions, and the maximum separation distance is greater than the transverse width of the narrow groove area corresponding to the terminal slot.

[0015] Optionally, the metal terminal includes at least one insert card, and at least one groove wall of the terminal slot is provided with an insert card recess, wherein when the metal terminal is installed into the corresponding terminal slot, each insert card can extend into the corresponding insert card recess.

[0016] Optionally, the recessed slot is located on the groove wall of the terminal slot corresponding to the narrow groove region.

[0017] To further illustrate the purpose, technical features, and effects of this application, specific embodiments are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the drawings provided are for reference and illustration only and are not intended to limit this application. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 This is a rear-view perspective view of the connector of this application;

[0019] Figure 2 This is a front perspective stereoscopic view of the connector of this application;

[0020] Figure 3 This is an exploded view of the connector of this application;

[0021] Figure 4 This is a rear view of the connector of this application; and

[0022] Figure 5 This is a partial cross-sectional view of the connector body of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0023] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this application clearer, the following detailed description of the embodiments of the "plug connector with lateral heterogeneous terminal slots and its connector body" disclosed in this application is provided in conjunction with specific embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings. Those skilled in the art can understand the advantages and effects of this application from the content disclosed in this specification. This application can be implemented or applied through other different specific embodiments, and various details in this specification can also be modified and changed based on different viewpoints and applications without departing from the concept of this application. Furthermore, it should be stated in advance that the accompanying drawings of this application are only simple schematic illustrations and are not depictions based on actual dimensions. Although this document provides examples of parameters containing specific values, it should be understood that the parameters do not need to be exactly equal to the corresponding values, but can approximate the corresponding values ​​within acceptable error tolerances or design constraints. In addition, unless the context clearly indicates or defines otherwise, the meanings of "a," "the," and "the" in this application include the plural.

[0024] It should be understood that although terms such as "first," "second," etc., may be used herein to describe various components or signals, each described component or signal should not be limited by the foregoing terms, which are primarily used to distinguish one component from another or one signal from another. Furthermore, directional terms mentioned in subsequent embodiments, such as "up," "down," "front," "back," "left," and "right," are only for reference to the accompanying drawings. Therefore, the directional terms used are for illustrative purposes and not for limiting the scope of protection of this application. Additionally, the term "or" as used herein may, depending on the specific circumstances, include any combination of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0025] Furthermore, the terms "substantially" or "approximately" as used herein can refer to the average of a numerical or complex numerical value within a range of deviations from a particular value, which can be recognized or determined by those skilled in the art. This includes taking into account certain specific errors that may occur when measuring the particular value due to limitations of the measurement system or equipment. For example, a numerical value referred to "substantially" can include ±5%, ±3%, ±1%, ±0.5%, ±0.1%, or one or more standard deviations of the particular value.

[0026] This application relates to a plug connector with a lateral heterogeneous terminal slot and its connector body. For ease of explanation of component features and relative positional relationships, the spatial configuration of the component is defined in the following description based on three mutually orthogonal axes: the horizontal axis (X-axis), the vertical axis (Z-axis), and the depth axis (Y-axis). Specifically, the horizontal axis (X-axis) refers to the left-right extension direction, where... Figure 1 The upper left corner is used as the left side direction of the component. Figure 1The lower right of the axis is defined as the right side of the component; the vertical axis (Z-axis) refers to the vertical extension direction. Figure 1 The area above is considered the top (top) side of the component. Figure 1 The area below is used as the bottom side direction of the component; the depth axis (Y-axis) refers to the front-to-back extension direction, where, Figure 1 The lower left corner serves as the rear side of the component. Figure 1 The upper right corner serves as the front direction of the component.

[0027] Please see Figures 1 to 4 As shown, in one embodiment, the connector C includes a connector body 1 and multiple metal terminals 2, and each metal terminal 2 can be assembled into the connector body 1. Furthermore, depending on product requirements, the metal terminals 2 can be one of the following types: power terminals, signal terminals, and ground terminals. The multiple metal terminals 2 can be of the same type or a mixture of different types to improve the flexibility of product applications. In addition, to avoid overly complex diagrams, some diagrams only show a small number of metal terminals 2, as explained above.

[0028] In this embodiment, please refer to Figures 1 to 4 As shown, the connector body 1 includes a base 11 and at least one insertion portion 13. The base 11 has multiple rows of slots 12, each slot group 12 arranged vertically along the longitudinal axis (Z-axis), and each slot group 12 includes multiple terminal slots 121, each terminal slot 121 arranged horizontally along the transverse axis (X-axis). Furthermore, each terminal slot 121 forms a corresponding rear opening 123 on the rear side of the base 11. In other words, when viewed from the rear side of the connector body 1 along the depth direction (Y-axis), the shape of the rear opening 123 substantially corresponds to the shape of the terminal slot 121 in the longitudinal section (XZ plane). However, depending on the actual needs of the product, in other embodiments, the connector body 1 may have only a single row of slots 12.

[0029] As mentioned above, in this embodiment, please refer to... Figure 4 As shown, the terminal slot 121 is divided into a narrow slot region 121A, a transition region 121B, and a wide slot region 121C. The maximum horizontal width of the narrow slot region 121A is smaller than the maximum horizontal width of the wide slot region 121C. The transition region 121B connects the narrow slot region 121A and the wide slot region 121C, and its horizontal width gradually increases from the narrow slot region 121A towards the wide slot region 121C. The aforementioned increase in width can be linear or non-linear. However, depending on actual needs, in some embodiments, the transition region 121B of the terminal slot 121 can be omitted; or, the number of narrow slot regions 121A, transition regions 121B, and wide slot regions 121C of the terminal slot 121 can be one or more.

[0030] Additionally, please refer to Figures 1 to 4 As shown, each of the plug-in portions 13 is integrally formed on the front side of the base 11. In this embodiment, the connector body 1 has only one plug-in portion 13. The front side of the plug-in portion 13 has multiple front openings 130, and the plug-in portion 13 has multiple plug-in spaces 132. Each plug-in space 132 communicates with the corresponding front opening 130 and terminal slot 121 (e.g., Figure 5 (as shown), but not limited thereto. In other embodiments of this application, the connector body 1 may be provided with a plurality of independently spaced plug-in portions 13, and each plug-in portion 13 is provided with a front opening 130 and a plug-in space 132, the aforementioned front opening 130 and plug-in space 132 being connected to the corresponding terminal slot 121; in other words, when the connector body 1 of this application requires a structure of multiple front openings 130 and plug-in spaces 132, the plug-in portion 13 may be a single block or a plurality of independent cylindrical bodies.

[0031] Furthermore, please refer to [the relevant documents / references]. Figures 1 to 4 As shown, the metal terminal 2 can connect to an electronic wire. When it is installed into the connector body 1, a portion of it is located in the insertion space 132, and the remainder is located in the corresponding terminal slot 121. The metal terminal 2 includes at least one wing 21. In this embodiment, it has two relatively separated elastic wings 21, with their ends opening in opposite directions. The maximum separation distance G is greater than the width of the narrow slot region 121A of the terminal slot 121 in the horizontal direction. Furthermore, when the metal terminal 2 is assembled into the terminal slot 121, the multiple wings 21 are pressed into the narrow slot region 121A and abut against its inner wall. At the same time, the outward unfolding force generated by its elastic restoring force can improve the installation stability of the metal terminal 2 in the terminal slot 121. However, in other embodiments of this application, the metal terminal 2 may not have wings 21.

[0032] In addition, to further improve the installation stability of metal terminal 2, please refer to [further details]. Figures 1 to 5As shown, the metal terminal 2 is also provided with at least one insert 23, which can be bent outward from its body. Furthermore, at least one groove wall of the terminal slot 121 is provided with an insert recess 1210. In this embodiment, the insert recess 1210 is located on the groove wall corresponding to the narrow groove region 121A (but not limited thereto). When the metal terminal 2 is inserted into the terminal slot 121, the insert 23 can engage with the corresponding insert recess 1210 to prevent displacement due to external forces (such as vibration) during use. Additionally, depending on the production requirements of the product, the insert recess 1210 can span the shared groove wall of two adjacent terminal slots 121, but is not limited thereto. Thus, through the variation in width of the terminal slot 121, the narrow slot area 121A can fit tightly with the wing or other structure of the metal terminal 2 to provide additional mechanical fixing force, prevent the terminal from shaking, and maintain stable contact during connection and insertion to avoid poor contact; the wide slot area 121C provides sufficient space to make the installation of the metal terminal 2 smoother, which helps to improve assembly efficiency and consistency.

[0033] Furthermore, please refer to [the relevant documents / references]. Figures 1 to 5 As shown, to improve the arrangement density and mechanical installation stability of the metal terminals 2 and meet the design requirements of thinness and lightness, this application adopts a "laterally heterogeneous and longitudinally isomorphic" arrangement for the multiple terminal slots 121. In this embodiment, two adjacent terminal slots 121 in the same row of slots 12 have substantially the same longitudinal cross-sectional shape (or geometric profile), but the longitudinal cross-sectional orientation of one of them is obtained by rotating the longitudinal cross-sectional orientation of the other by 180 degrees clockwise. Specifically, the narrow slot region 121A of one terminal slot 121 is opposite to the wide slot region 121C of another terminal slot 121; the wide slot region 121C of the terminal slot 121 is opposite to the narrow slot region 121A of another terminal slot 121, forming a complementary left-right arrangement. In addition, in this embodiment, the top horizontal heights of two adjacent terminal slots 121 in the same row of slots 12 are inconsistent, such as... Figure 4 As shown, the two rightmost adjacent terminal slots 121 in the lower row of slots 12 are located in the narrow slot area 121A of the left terminal slot 121, and their top horizontal height H1 is lower than the top horizontal height H2 of the wide slot area 121C of the right terminal slot 121. In this case, the bottom horizontal heights of the two rightmost adjacent terminal slots 121 in the upper row of slots 12 are also inconsistent, but this is not a limitation. In other embodiments, the top and bottom horizontal heights of two adjacent terminal slots 121 may have subsequent changes. First, the top and bottom horizontal heights of both are kept at the same level. Second, the top and bottom horizontal heights of both are inconsistent. Third, the top horizontal heights of both are inconsistent, but the bottom horizontal heights are kept at the same level. Fourth, the top horizontal heights of both are kept at the same level, but the bottom horizontal heights are inconsistent.

[0034] Please refer to the above. Figures 1 to 5 As shown, the lateral heterogeneous arrangement design allows adjacent terminal slots 121 to share or align part of the slot wall structure, effectively shortening the spacing between multiple terminal slots 121 without reducing the slot wall thickness and strength, achieving a high-density compact arrangement, and helping to reduce the lateral dimensions of the connector C body. However, in other embodiments of this application, adjacent terminal slots 121 with different shapes can also be provided in the same slot group 12 to correspond to metal terminals 2 of different sizes or types, further enhancing the design flexibility and functional integration capabilities of the connector C and meeting diverse application needs. In other words, as long as one of the shapes and orientations of two adjacent terminal slots 121 is different from each other, for example, their shapes are different, or their orientations are different, or both their shapes and orientations are different, it is considered "lateral heterogeneous" as referred to in this application.

[0035] Also, please refer to [the relevant document / reference]. Figures 1 to 5 As shown, in this embodiment, the two terminal slots 121 facing each other in two adjacent rows of slot groups 12 have substantially the same shape and orientation in their longitudinal sections, forming an identical vertical arrangement. This vertically isomorphic arrangement allows the upper and lower terminal slots 121 to share an assembly fixture, facilitating mold cavity standardization, reducing mold processing and maintenance costs, and simplifying the automated assembly process of the metal terminals 2, thereby improving production efficiency and consistency. Furthermore, the vertically isomorphic arrangement also helps the connector C maintain overall structural stress balance during insertion and removal, preventing fatigue or deformation of local structures due to stress concentration, thus extending product lifespan and improving connection stability. This is particularly suitable for applications requiring frequent insertion and removal or long-term vibration.

[0036] The above description is merely a preferred and feasible embodiment of this application and does not limit the scope of protection of the claims of this application. Therefore, any equivalent changes that can be conceived by those skilled in the art based on the technical content disclosed in this application without creative effort should be included within the scope of protection of the claims of this application.

Claims

1. A connector body having lateral heterogeneous terminal slots, said connector body being applied to a plug connector, characterized in that, The connector body includes: A base having at least one row of slots, each row containing multiple terminal slots, each terminal slot arranged along a horizontal axis and forming a corresponding rear opening on the rear side of the base; each terminal slot includes at least a narrow slot region and a wide slot region, wherein the maximum horizontal width of the narrow slot region is less than the maximum horizontal width of the wide slot region; and At least one plug-in portion is integrally formed on the front side of the base. Each plug-in portion has at least one front opening on its front side. Each plug-in portion has at least one plug-in space inside, and each plug-in space is connected to each corresponding front opening and each terminal slot. Among them, the longitudinal cross-sectional shapes of two adjacent terminal slots in the same row of slots are different from each other, and / or the orientations of the longitudinal cross-sections of two adjacent terminal slots in the same row of slots are different from each other.

2. The connector body according to claim 1, characterized in that, The terminal slot also includes a transition region, which connects the narrow slot region and the wide slot region respectively, and the width of the transition region in the horizontal direction gradually increases from the narrow slot region to the wide slot region.

3. The connector body according to claim 1, characterized in that, In the same slot group, two adjacent terminal slots, the narrow slot area of ​​one terminal slot is opposite to the wide slot area of ​​the other terminal slot; the wide slot area of ​​the terminal slot is opposite to the narrow slot area of ​​the other terminal slot.

4. The connector body according to claim 3, characterized in that, Two adjacent terminal slots in the same row of slots have the same longitudinal cross-section shape, and the orientation of one of the longitudinal cross-sections is 180 degrees rotated from the orientation of the other.

5. The connector body according to claim 3, characterized in that, Two adjacent terminal slots in the same slot group have different top or bottom horizontal heights.

6. The connector body according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The base has multiple rows of slots, and the two terminal slots that are opposite each other in two adjacent rows have the same shape and orientation in their longitudinal sections.

7. A plug connector with a lateral heterogeneous terminal slot, characterized in that, The plug connector includes: The connector body according to any one of claims 1 to 6; and Multiple metal terminals are respectively installed into each of the corresponding terminal slots and each of the plug-in spaces.

8. The plug connector according to claim 7, characterized in that, The metal terminal includes at least one wing, which is elastic and can be installed into the terminal slot. The end of the wing is forced to abut against the inner wall of the narrow slot region of the terminal slot and applies an unfolding force to the inner wall of the narrow slot region.

9. The plug connector according to claim 8, characterized in that, The metal terminal has two wings, and the ends of the multiple wings are separated from each other in opposite directions, with the maximum separation distance being greater than the width of the narrow slot area corresponding to the terminal slot in the horizontal direction.

10. The plug connector according to claim 7, characterized in that, The metal terminal includes at least one insert card, and at least one groove wall of the terminal slot is provided with an insert card recess. When the metal terminal is installed into the corresponding terminal slot, each insert card can extend into each corresponding insert card recess.

11. The plug connector according to claim 10, wherein the retaining recess is located on the groove wall of the terminal slot corresponding to the narrow groove region.

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