quick-connect terminal blocks

Abstract

This utility model relates to the field of terminal blocks and discloses a quick-connect terminal block comprising an insulating housing and at least one set of conductive components installed within the insulating housing. Each set of conductive components consists of a female pin and a corresponding male pin. Both the female and male pins include a pin body with an anti-retraction step. The insulating housing is composed of a first outer shell base and a second outer shell base fixedly connected to each other, with a first fixing component base and a second fixing component base inserted inside. The insulating housing forms an anti-retraction fixing structure with the first fixing component base and the second fixing component base, respectively, to engage the anti-retraction step on a single female or male pin. A socket for inserting the conductive components is provided on the insulating housing. This utility model facilitates rapid assembly and wiring as needed, saves redundant design costs, can be designed with a disconnectable function, provides reliable connection, and is essentially maintenance-free.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to a terminal block, and more particularly to a housing structure for a terminal block. Background Technology

[0002] Terminal blocks are common electrical connection devices. A typical terminal block structure includes a housing and conductive components installed inside the housing for conductive connection.

[0003] To achieve the disconnection of conductive components, conventional terminal blocks use a disconnect plug arrangement, which does not change the existing conductive component structure of conventional terminal blocks. For example, a disconnect terminal block CN220042381U achieves connection or disconnection by plugging and unplugging a disconnect plug, and its structure requires an increase in terminal size.

[0004] Another type of existing terminal block is the plug-in type, such as the plug-in type terminal block with publication number CN221176820U. The plug-in type terminal block includes a male terminal and a female terminal. When the male terminal is inserted into the female terminal, the conductive parts at both ends are electrically connected. When the male terminal is separated from the female terminal, the conductive parts at both ends are disconnected. This type of terminal block only requires plugging and unplugging one side of the terminal block during connection or disconnection, without needing to break the connection between the wire and the terminal block. However, due to the relatively complex structure of its conductive parts, the tight contact between the conductive parts of the male and female terminals relies on a limiting component and a clamping component in the plug-in section to ensure the mating structure abuts, making the plug-in section relatively complex. Therefore, the structure of this type of plug-in terminal block requires further improvement. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The technical problem to be solved by this utility model is to provide a terminal block that can be quickly assembled.

[0006] The technical solution adopted by this utility model to solve its technical problem is: a quick-connect terminal block, including an insulating shell and at least one set of conductive elements installed in the insulating shell. Each set of conductive elements consists of a female pin and a corresponding male pin. The female pin and the male pin both include a pin body with an anti-retraction step. The insulating shell is composed of a first outer shell base and a second outer shell base fixedly connected to each other. The first fixing component base and the second fixing component base are respectively connected to form an anti-retraction fixing structure that snaps onto the anti-retraction step on a single female pin or male pin. The insulating shell is provided with a socket for the conductive element to be inserted. The first and second outer shell bases are fixedly connected to form an integral insulating shell. When not connected, the first and second fixing bases can be arranged in part of the shell or inserted into the shell as needed, making assembly convenient. After the fixing bases are installed, the outer shell bases are connected to each other. The fixing bases and the outer shell bases together play the role of forming a pin anti-retraction and installation support structure. Furthermore, due to the anti-retraction fixing structure, it can prevent the contact between the male and female pins from becoming loose, avoiding the tedious inspection and maintenance work of tightening screws periodically according to safety regulations when using conventional screw-fixed terminals.

[0007] This type of terminal block differs significantly from conventional terminal blocks because its compatible conductive components are single male or female pins that are plugged in. It should be understood that the first or second fixing base can be made to be one-to-one with the pin to be installed, or two or more pins to be installed can be plugged into the same first or second fixing base one by one. However, the pin cavity formed after the fixing base is inserted into the housing and is compatible with the single female or male pin is one-to-one with the pin.

[0008] The first outer shell base and at least one first fixing base inserted into the first outer shell base constitute a female terminal housing for fixing a female pin. The first fixing base is at least partially housed within the first outer shell base and mates with the first outer shell base to form a locking structure adapted for single female pin insertion. The second outer shell base and at least one second fixing base inserted into the second outer shell base constitute a male terminal housing for fixing a male pin. The second fixing base is at least partially housed within the second outer shell base and mates with the second outer shell base to form a locking structure adapted for single male pin insertion. The first and second outer shell bases are detachably fixedly connected. When fixedly connected, the first and second fixing bases are fixed within the insulating housing. Thus, all components of the terminal housing use plug-in mating, and the female or male pin, as conductive elements, are also plugged into the corresponding housing, allowing for rapid assembly.

[0009] The first and second outer shell bases are connected by a plug-in joint, with the plug-in direction consistent with that of the second or first fixing base. They are self-locking via a snap-fit ​​structure. When the first and second outer shell bases are locked, the plug-in direction of the first fixing base is opposite to that of the second fixing base. Thus, each side (female or male) of the terminal housing can lock the position of the female or male pin. When the outer shell bases are self-locked, the plug-in connection between the male and female pins is also locked. When the self-locking snap-fit ​​between the outer shell bases is released, the housing assembly at one end can be pulled out entirely from the housing assembly at the other end, allowing for quick separation of the female and male pins and achieving the disconnection function of the terminal block.

[0010] Furthermore, the first outer shell base is provided with an unlocking button hole, and the second outer shell base is provided with a shell buckle. The side wall of the unlocking button hole serves as a shell stop that engages with the shell buckle, forming the self-locking buckle structure. An unlocking button slides in the unlocking button hole, and one end of the unlocking button has a free travel to push out the shell buckle for unlocking. Conversely, it is also possible to provide the unlocking button hole on the second outer shell base and the shell buckle on the first outer shell base. The above structure allows the self-locking between the female terminal shell and the male terminal shell to be quickly released, facilitating disconnection operations and meeting the needs of some application scenarios. In addition, after the female terminal shell and the male terminal shell are separated, the first fixing base can be easily removed from the first outer shell base, or the second fixing base can be easily removed from the second outer shell base, thereby facilitating the removal of the female or male pin for maintenance or replacement of the conductive components.

[0011] Furthermore, the first outer shell base has an integrally formed outer shell anti-retraction step and a female pin elastic stop inside. The outer shell anti-retraction step cooperates with a base protrusion integrally formed on the outer side of one end of the first fixing member base. The second outer shell base has an integrally formed outer shell anti-retraction step and a male pin elastic stop inside. The outer shell anti-retraction step cooperates with a base protrusion integrally formed on the outer side of one end of the second fixing member base. When the outer shell anti-retraction step cooperates with the corresponding base protrusion to form an anti-retraction structure, the first fixing member base and the female pin elastic stop form a female pin anti-retraction fixing structure, and the second fixing member base and the male pin elastic stop form a male pin anti-retraction fixing structure. During assembly, the above structure locks the female / second fixing component base and the female / second outer shell base together through the engagement of the anti-retraction step on the outer shell and the corresponding protrusion on the base, forming front and rear limits. This allows the needle with the corresponding anti-retraction step to be inserted into and fixed in the terminal block. At the same time, the elastic stop connected to the female / second outer shell base and acting on the needle is elastic, allowing only one insertion and preventing reverse withdrawal, ensuring that the needle is reliably fixed in the terminal housing and ensuring a reliable conductive connection between the female and male needles after the first and second outer shell bases are connected.

[0012] To facilitate insertion and connection, guide grooves and guide members are respectively provided on the first and second outer shell bases. The extension direction of the guide grooves and guide members is parallel to the insertion direction between the first and second outer shell bases, ensuring that after the guide groove is engaged with the guide member, the female and male pins, as well as the first and second outer shell bases, can be smoothly inserted into each other.

[0013] Furthermore, the guide groove is an irregularly shaped groove with a bottom dimension larger than the opening dimension, such as a T-shaped groove or a dovetail groove. The cross-sectional shape and dimensions of the guide component are matched with the guide groove to achieve accurate guidance. Based on the properties of the housing material, a suitable tolerance fit between the guide groove and the guide component can be determined, thereby ensuring the coaxiality between the female and male needles.

[0014] Furthermore, the second or first housing base is equipped with elastic legs for connecting to a terminal block rail, facilitating the fixing of several identical terminals onto the same terminal block rail to form a terminal block. Alternatively, the terminals can be fixed by providing mounting holes on the second or first housing base that do not obstruct the arrangement of conductive internal components.

[0015] Furthermore, the first and second housing bases are respectively provided with marking strip snap-fit ​​areas, which can be conveniently snapped onto the terminal housing as needed.

[0016] Furthermore, there are at least two of the first fixing base and the second fixing base, and ribs are provided on the inner walls of the first outer shell base and the second outer shell base, located between the first fixing base or the second fixing base. The rib structure can guide the insertion of the first fixing base and the second fixing base, and can also increase the strength of the first outer shell base and the second outer shell base.

[0017] Furthermore, the front end of the female needle body is a hollow contact area that mates with the front end of the male needle body, and a crown spring is installed within this contact area. Alternatively, the contact area can be a tapered spring shape with uniformly grooved openings, both of which effectively ensure the contact and mating of the female and male needles.

[0018] The advantages of this utility model are: it facilitates rapid assembly as needed, saves redundant design costs, can be designed to have a disassembly function, has reliable connection, and is basically maintenance-free. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 This is a general schematic diagram (in the separated state) of the quick-connect terminal block of this utility model.

[0020] Figure 2This is a general schematic diagram (connection state) of the quick-connect terminal block of this utility model.

[0021] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 A three-dimensional view of the female terminal housing.

[0022] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 Exploded view and corresponding enlarged partial schematic diagram of the mother terminal housing.

[0023] Figure 5 Is towards Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the female terminal housing being fitted with the female pin.

[0024] Figure 6 This is a cross-sectional view of the female terminal housing after the female pin has been installed.

[0025] Figure 7 yes Figure 1 A three-dimensional view of the second outer shell substrate.

[0026] Figure 8 yes Figure 1 A three-dimensional view of the second outer shell substrate from another perspective.

[0027] Figure 9 yes Figure 1 Exploded view of the Zhonggong terminal housing and corresponding enlarged partial schematic diagram.

[0028] Figure 10 Is towards Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the male pin being installed in the male terminal housing.

[0029] Figure 11 This is a cross-sectional view of the male terminal housing after the male pin has been inserted.

[0030] Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram of one type of mother needle structure (crown spring).

[0031] Figure 13 This is a schematic diagram of another type of mother needle structure (closing spring).

[0032] Figure 14 This is a schematic diagram showing how the female or male needle can be pulled out separately from the insulating housing.

[0033] The markings in the diagram are as follows: 1-Female pin, 2-Male pin, 3-First fixing component base, 4-Second fixing component base, 5-First outer shell base, 6-Second outer shell base, 7-Unlock button, 8-Elastic leg, 9-Identification strip snap-fit ​​area, 10-Rib wall, 11-Anti-retraction step, 12-Cable crimping hole, 13-Contact area, 14-Crown spring, 15-Closing spring, 32-Female end base protrusion, 33-Female end pin body front stop step 41-Base fixing hook, 42-Male end base protrusion, 43-Male end needle body front stop step, 50-Female needle insertion hole, 51-Female needle elastic stop, 52-Female end shell anti-reverse step, 53-Guide groove, 57-Unlock button hole, 60-Male needle insertion hole, 61-Male needle elastic stop, 62-Male end shell anti-reverse step, 63-Guide component, 65-Shell buckle, 81-Guide rail slot, K-Pressure position. Detailed Implementation

[0034] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0035] like Figures 1-2 As shown, the quick-connect terminal block of this utility model includes an insulating housing and at least one set of conductive elements installed inside the insulating housing. Each set of conductive elements consists of a female pin 1 and a corresponding male pin 2. Both the female pin 1 and the male pin 2 include a pin body with an anti-retraction step 11. The insulating housing includes a female terminal housing for fixing the female pin 1 and a male terminal housing for fixing the male pin 2. The female terminal housing includes a first outer shell base 5 and at least one first fixing base 3 that is inserted and fixed to the first outer shell base 5. The first fixing base 3 is at least partially accommodated inside the first outer shell base 5 and cooperates with the first outer shell base 5 to form an anti-retraction fixing structure adapted for single female pin insertion installation. The male terminal housing includes a second outer shell base 6 and at least one second fixing base 4 that is inserted and fixed to the second outer shell base 6. The second fixing base 4 is at least partially housed inside the second outer shell base 6 and cooperates with the second outer shell base 6 to form a locking structure adapted for the insertion and installation of a single male pin. The first outer shell base 5 and the second outer shell base 6 are also connected by insertion. The insertion direction is consistent with the insertion direction of the second fixing base 4 or the first fixing base 3 and is self-locked by a snap-fit ​​structure, thereby locking the axial position between the female pin 1 and the male pin 2. When the two are fixedly connected, the insertion direction of the first fixing base 3 is opposite to the insertion direction of the second fixing base 4.

[0036] If the above-described insulating shell structure is referred to as a left-right joint, then the first shell base 5 and the second shell base 6 can also be formed by the butt-fitting of the front and rear halves of the shell, similar to a conventional terminal block. The male / female ends of the front and rear halves can still be designed with corresponding limiting structures to define the position of the male / first fixing base. Before engagement, the first fixing base 3 and the second fixing base 4 are arranged into the cavity of one of the shell bases, and then the other shell base is fastened. However, because the front-to-back dimension, i.e., the thickness dimension of the terminal block, is very small, it is not convenient to make the engagement snap-fit ​​a flexible and detachable structure. (Reference) Figure 2 , Figure 4 The first housing base 5 is provided with an unlock button hole 57, and the second housing base 6 is provided with a housing buckle 65. The side wall of the unlock button hole 57 serves as a housing stop that cooperates with the housing buckle 65, forming the self-locking buckle structure. An unlock button 7 is slidably fitted in the unlock button hole 57. One end of the unlock button 7 has a free stroke to push out the housing buckle 65 to unlock. With this setting, when the unlock button 7 is pressed, the second housing base 6 can be separated from the first housing base 5, realizing the disconnectable terminal function.

[0037] like Figure 1 , Figure 3 , Figure 8 As shown, guide grooves 53 and guide members 63 that interlock are respectively provided on the first outer shell base 5 and the second outer shell base 6. It is recommended that the guide groove 53 be an irregularly shaped groove with a bottom size larger than the opening size. In this way, when the appropriate tolerance fit between the guide groove and the guide component is determined according to the properties of the housing material, the coaxiality between the female and male pins can be guaranteed. The guide groove 53 shown in the figure is a T-shaped groove.

[0038] like Figures 3-6 As shown, the female end of the terminal block has an integrally formed housing snap-fit ​​hole 54, guide groove 53, female end housing anti-retraction step 52, and female pin elastic stop 51 inside the first housing base 5. The female end housing anti-retraction step 52 cooperates with the female end base protrusion 32 integrally formed on the outer side of one end of the first fixing base 3 to form an anti-retraction structure, preventing the first fixing base 3 from detaching. At the same time, the first fixing base 3 is provided with a female end pin front stop step 33, which, together with the female pin elastic stop 51, forms an anti-retraction fixing structure adapted to the female pin 1. There are two first fixing bases 3, and a rib wall 10 is provided on the inner wall of the first housing base 5 between the two first fixing bases 3. The assembly of this part of the housing assembly is completed by inserting each of the first fixing bases 3 into the first housing base 5.

[0039] like Figures 7-11As shown, the male end of the terminal block has an integrally formed male end housing anti-retraction step 62 and male pin elastic stop 61 inside the second housing base 6. A guide member 63 is formed on the outside of the second housing base 6. The male end housing anti-retraction step 62 cooperates with the male end base protrusion 42 integrally formed on the outer side of one end of the second fixing base 4 to form an anti-retraction structure, preventing the second fixing base 4 from detaching. Simultaneously, the second fixing base 4 is provided with a male end pin front stop step 43, which, together with the male pin elastic stop 61, forms an anti-retraction fixing structure adapted to the male pin 2. There are two second fixing bases 4, and a rib wall 10 is provided on the inner wall of the second housing base 6 between the two second fixing bases 4. The assembly of this part of the housing assembly is completed by inserting each of the second fixing bases 4 into the second housing base 6 accordingly.

[0040] In this way, the corresponding female / male terminal housing assemblies can be assembled and installed in advance during off-peak hours for connection. Especially when a certain redundancy is required in the junction box, existing technologies directly install more finished terminals than needed. With this invention, only the number of terminal housing assemblies exceeding the current requirement can be installed as needed, saving costs because the cost of metal conductive parts is higher than that of plastic housings. After the female pin 1 and male pin 2 are connected to the cable respectively, the corresponding housing assemblies are then inserted to complete the wiring.

[0041] To facilitate the close arrangement of wiring terminals in the form of terminal blocks, such as Figure 7-11 As shown, a resilient leg 8 for connection to a terminal block rail can be connected to the second housing base 6. Alternatively, the resilient leg 8 can be disposed on the first housing base 5.

[0042] like Figures 3 to 11 As shown, to facilitate the differentiation of the conductive components of each group of terminals, the first housing base 5 and the second housing base 6 are respectively provided with marking strip snap-fit ​​areas 9. The shape of the marking strip snap-fit ​​areas 9 may be the same as or different from that of the prior art, and generally adopts a dovetail groove form, used for marking on the terminal block. Since there are two groups of conductive components, it is recommended to use two different marks on a single marking strip to distinguish the two groups of conductive components.

[0043] Example 1: like Figures 1-12 As shown, a quick-connect terminal block includes the terminal body structure described above. The front end of the female pin 1 forms a hollow contact area 13 that mates with the front end of the male pin 2. A crown spring 14 is installed within the contact area 13 to ensure the electrical conductivity between the female pin 1 and the male pin 2. The crown spring 14 is made of beryllium copper alloy, while the female pin 1 and male pin 2 are made of copper. Example

[0044] like Figures 1 to 11 and Figure 13As shown, a quick-connect terminal block includes the terminal body structure described above, but unlike Embodiment 1, the front end of the female pin 1 is a hollow contact area 13 that mates with the front end of the male pin. The contact area 13 is a closed spring sheet 15 with uniformly slotted edges. The thickness of the spring sheet remains basically unchanged, and the surface of the spring sheet is a curved surface that is approximately cylindrical. There are slots between adjacent spring sheets that extend approximately along the axial direction of the pin body. From the base end of the spring sheet connected to the pin body to its free end, the radial dimension of the surface of the spring sheet to the axis of the pin body is uniformly reduced. The spring sheet is used to ensure the contact conductivity between the female pin 1 and the male pin 2. There are usually 2 to 4 spring sheets. Example

[0045] refer to Figures 1 to 11 and Figure 14 As shown, a quick-connect terminal block includes the terminal body structure described above. However, unlike Embodiment 1, its main body structure does not have an unlocking button hole 57 and a corresponding unlocking structure on the insulating housing. Instead, an unlocking tool is used to press against an elastic stop on the pin body. For example, pressing against the stop... Figure 14 The position of point K on the elastic stop of the female or male needle shown in the figure allows the elastic stop to disengage from the anti-reverse step of the female or male needle. By using the weight of the needle or pulling the wire connected to the needle body, the female or male needle can be disassembled, thereby completing the maintenance and replacement of the conductive parts.

Claims

1. A quick-connect terminal block, comprising an insulating housing and at least one set of conductive elements installed within the insulating housing, each set of conductive elements consisting of a female pin (1) and a corresponding male pin (2), wherein both the female pin (1) and the male pin (2) include a pin body provided with an anti-retraction step (11), characterized in that: The insulating shell is composed of a first outer shell base (5) and a second outer shell base (6) that are fixedly connected to each other. The first fixing base (3) and the second fixing base (4) are inserted inside the insulating shell. The insulating shell forms a locking structure with the first fixing base (3) and the second fixing base (4) to lock a single female pin (1) or male pin (2). The insulating shell is provided with a socket for the conductive component to be inserted.

2. The quick-connect terminal block as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The first outer shell base (5) and at least one first fixing base (3) inserted into the first outer shell base (5) form a female terminal housing for fixing the female pin (1). The second outer shell base (6) and at least one second fixing base (4) inserted into the second outer shell base (6) form a male terminal housing for fixing the male pin (2). The second fixing base (4) is at least partially housed within the second outer shell base (6) and cooperates with the second outer shell base (6) to form a locking and fixing structure adapted to the insertion and installation of a single male pin. The first outer shell base (5) and the second outer shell base (6) are detachably fixedly connected. When the two are fixedly connected, the first fixing base (3) and the second fixing base (4) are fixed inside the insulating shell.

3. The quick-connect terminal block as described in claim 2, characterized in that: The first outer shell base (5) and the second outer shell base (6) are connected by a plug-in connection. The plug-in direction is consistent with the plug-in direction of the second fixing base (4) or the first fixing base (3). The plug-in connection is self-locked by a snap-fit ​​structure. When the first outer shell base (5) and the second outer shell base (6) are locked together, the plug-in direction of the first fixing base (3) is opposite to the plug-in direction of the second fixing base (4).

4. The quick-connect terminal block as described in claim 3, characterized in that: The first outer shell base (5) is provided with an unlock button hole (57), and the second outer shell base (6) is provided with an outer shell buckle (65). The side wall of the unlock button hole (57) serves as an outer shell stop that cooperates with the outer shell buckle (65), forming the self-locking buckle structure. An unlock button (7) is slidably fitted in the unlock button hole (57), and one end of the unlock button (7) has a free stroke to push out the outer shell buckle (65) to unlock.

5. The quick-connect terminal block as described in claim 1, 2, 3 or 4, characterized in that: The first outer shell base (5) has an integrally formed female end outer shell anti-retraction step (52) and female needle elastic stop (51). The female end outer shell anti-retraction step (52) cooperates with the female end base protrusion (32) integrally formed on the outer side of one end of the first fixing base (3) to form an anti-retraction structure. The second outer shell base (6) has an integrally formed male end outer shell anti-retraction step (62) and male needle elastic stop (61). The male end outer shell anti-retraction step (62) cooperates with the male end base protrusion (42) integrally formed on the outer side of one end of the second fixing base (4) to form an anti-retraction structure. At the same time, the first fixing base (3) and the female needle elastic stop (51) form an anti-retraction fixing structure adapted to the female needle (1), and the second fixing base (4) and the male needle elastic stop (61) form an anti-retraction fixing structure adapted to the male needle (2).

6. The quick-connect terminal block as described in claim 1, 2, 3 or 4, characterized in that: [The text abruptly ends here, likely due to an incomplete sentence or missing information.] The first outer shell base (5) and the second outer shell base (6) are respectively provided with guide grooves (53) and guide members (63) that are interlocked.

7. The quick-connect terminal block as described in claim 6, characterized in that: The guide groove (53) is an irregularly shaped groove with a bottom dimension larger than the opening dimension.

8. The quick-connect terminal block as described in claim 1, 2, 3 or 4, characterized in that: The second housing base (6) or the first housing base (5) is connected to an elastic leg (8) for connection with a terminal rail.

9. The quick-connect terminal block as described in claim 1, 2, 3 or 4, characterized in that: The first outer shell base (5) and the second outer shell base (6) are respectively provided with identification strip snap-fit ​​areas (9).

10. The quick-connect terminal block as described in claim 1, 2, 3 or 4, characterized in that: There are at least two of the first fastener base (3) and the second fastener base (4), and ribs (10) located between the first fastener base (3) or the second fastener base (4) are provided on the inner walls of the first outer shell base (5) and the second outer shell base (6).

11. The quick-connect terminal block as described in claim 1, 2, 3 or 4, characterized in that: The front end of the female needle (1) is a hollow contact area (13) that matches the front end of the male needle, and a crown spring (14) is installed in the contact area (13).

12. The quick-connect terminal block as described in claim 1, 2, 3 or 4, characterized in that: The front end of the female needle (1) is a hollow contact area (13) that matches the front end of the male needle. The contact area (13) is a closing spring piece (15) with uniformly grooved openings.

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