Electrical connector

Abstract

The present application discloses an electrical connector, which relates to the contact connection technology. The electrical connector comprises an insulating body, an electrical conductor, a clamping member and a movable member. The clamping member is disposed in a mounting groove and being switchable between an open position and a clamping position; when in the open position, a wiring channel allowing a wire core of a wire to pass through is formed between the clamping member and the electrical conductor; when in the clamping position, the clamping member is configured to clamp the wire core of the wire onto the electrical conductor. The movable member is configured to engage with the clamping member to maintain the clamping member in the open position when the wire core of the wire is not inserted in place, and the movable member is configured to disengage from the clamping member to switch the clamping member to the clamping position when the wire core of the wire is inserted in place. The present application improves the structure of the electrical connector, eliminating the need for specific tools to assist in wiring and therefore improving wiring efficiency; during wiring, the sudden springback of the elastic piece generates an impact force, providing a sound prompt when the wiring is in place; the electrical connector has a simpler structure and lower cost.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present application claims priority to the Chinese patent application No. 202310688634.X filed on June 9, 2023 to the CNIPA, and entitled "ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR", the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present application relates to the technical field of electrical connectors, and in particular, relates to an electrical connector.BACKGROUND

[0003] Electrical connectors are used to bridge two conductors in a circuit, allowing current or signals to flow from one conductor to another. Electrical connectors are widely used in many industries.

[0004] When existing electrical connectors are used to connect multi-core flexible wires, it is required to use a tool or a hand to open the clamping structure in the connector housing before wiring can be performed. Especially for a wire with a relatively small diameter, even if a cold-pressed terminal is added to the wire end, it still cannot be directly connected into the corresponding position in the electrical connector. The clamping structure must first be opened by using a tool or a hand in order to complete the wiring operation, resulting in low wiring efficiency.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] A main purpose of the present application is to provide an electrical connector, aiming to improve wiring efficiency.

[0006] To achieve the above purpose, the present application provides an electrical connector, comprising: an insulating body provided with a wire insertion hole and a mounting groove communicating with the wire insertion hole; an electrical conductor mounted in the mounting groove; a clamping member disposed in the mounting groove and being switchable between an open position and a clamping position; when in the open position, a wiring channel allowing a wire core of a wire to pass through is formed between the clamping member and the electrical conductor, and the wiring channel is in communication with the wire insertion hole; when in the clamping position, the clamping member is configured to clamp the wire core of the wire onto the electrical conductor; and a movable member provided on the insulating body and cooperating with the clamping member; wherein the movable member is configured to engage with the clamping member to maintain the clamping member in the open position when the wire core of the wire is not inserted in place, and the movable member is configured to disengage from the clamping member to switch the clamping member to the clamping position when the wire core of the wire is inserted in place.

[0007] Optionally, the clamping member is an elastic piece.

[0008] Optionally, the elastic piece comprises a main body section, a clamping section, a pushing section and a locking pin section; wherein one end of the main body section is connected to the clamping section via an arc-shaped part; the arc-shaped part surrounds a limiting column in the mounting groove; when in the open position, the wiring channel is formed between the clamping section and the electrical conductor; when in the clamping position, the clamping section clamps the wire core of the wire onto the electrical conductor; the other end of the main body section is connected to the pushing section, and the locking pin section is connected to the pushing section; the locking pin section is configured to engage with the movable member when the wire core of the wire is not inserted in place, and the pushing section is configured to deform under the pushing of the wire core of the wire and cause the locking pin section to disengage from the movable member.

[0009] Optionally, the locking pin section is arranged perpendicularly to the pushing section, and the clamping section is bent in a direction toward the pushing section.

[0010] Optionally, the movable member is a button, and the button is further configured to switch the clamping member from the clamping position to the open position when pressed.

[0011] Optionally, the button is slidably disposed on the insulating body and provided with a first pin groove and a first pressing part; when the wire core of the wire is not inserted in place, the first pin groove is snap-fitted with the locking pin section, and the first pressing part abuts against the clamping section and is configured to press the clamping section to maintain it in the open position.

[0012] Optionally, after the wire core of the wire is inserted in place, the wire pushes away the locking pin section, so that the first pin groove is disengaged from the locking pin section, and the clamping section is switched to the clamping position to clamp the wire.

[0013] Optionally, the button is arc-shaped, the insulating body is provided with an arc-shaped groove connected to the mounting groove, and the button is slidably disposed in the arc-shaped groove.

[0014] Optionally, the button is rotatably disposed on the insulating body and provided with a second pin groove and a second pressing part; the second pin groove is snap-fitted with the locking pin section, and the second pressing part abuts against the clamping section and is configured to press the clamping section to maintain it in the open position.

[0015] Optionally, the button is provided with an avoidance space for avoiding the wire at a position corresponding to the wiring channel.

[0016] In the technical solution of the present application, the electrical connector comprises an insulating body, an electrical conductor, a clamping member and a movable member; wherein the insulating body is provided with a wire insertion hole and a mounting groove communicating with the wire insertion hole; the electrical conductor is mounted in the mounting groove; the clamping member is disposed in the mounting groove and being switchable between an open position and a clamping position; when in the open position, a wiring channel allowing the wire core of the wire to pass through is formed between the clamping member and the electrical conductor, and the wiring channel is in communication with the wire insertion hole; when in the clamping position, the clamping member is configured to clamp the wire core of the wire onto the electrical conductor; the movable member is provided on the insulating body and cooperates with the clamping member; and the movable member is configured to engage with the clamping member to maintain the clamping member in the open position when the wire core of the wire is not inserted in place, and the movable member is configured to disengage from the clamping member to switch the clamping member to the clamping position when the wire core of the wire is inserted in place.

[0017] It can be understood that during wiring, it is only necessary to gently insert the wire with the stripped end into the electrical connector, and the wiring function can be realized without the need for specific tools to assist in wiring. Moreover, there are no high requirements on the wire diameter and wire type of the wire, and the wiring efficiency is greatly improved. When removing the wire, the button or the movable member can be pressed to re-engage the locking pin section with the pin groove, then the wire can be pulled out, and the wiring channel remains open again, waiting for the next wiring. In this way, the efficiency of connecting and removing wires is also greatly improved.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application or in the prior art, the drawings that are needed for describing the embodiments or the prior art are briefly introduced below. Apparently, the drawings described below only represent some embodiments of the present application, and those skilled in the art can obtain other drawings from the structures shown in these drawings without creative efforts. FIG. 1 is a schematic structural diagram of the movable member in a first position in a first embodiment of the electrical connector of the present application; FIG. 2 is a schematic structural diagram of the movable member in a second position (i.e., the movable member is about to push away the locking pin) in the first embodiment of the electrical connector of the present application; FIG. 3 is a schematic structural diagram of the movable member in a third position (i.e., the clamping member is in the open position) in the first embodiment of the electrical connector of the present application; FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the state when the wire core of the wire is just inserted into the wiring channel in the first embodiment of the electrical connector of the present application; FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of the state when the wire core of the wire pushes the clamping member to generate deformation in the first embodiment of the electrical connector of the present application; FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of the state after the wire core of the wire is inserted in place (i.e., the clamping member is in the clamping position) in the first embodiment of the electrical connector of the present application; FIG. 7 is a schematic structural diagram of the insulating body in the first embodiment of the electrical connector of the present application; FIG. 8 is a schematic structural diagram of the movable member in the first embodiment of the electrical connector of the present application; FIG. 9 is a schematic structural diagram of the clamping member in the first embodiment of the electrical connector of the present application; FIG. 10 is a schematic structural diagram of the electrical conductor in the first embodiment of the electrical connector of the present application; FIG. 11 is a schematic structural diagram of the movable member in a first position in a second embodiment of the electrical connector of the present application; FIG. 12 is a schematic structural diagram of the movable member in a second position (i.e., the movable member is about to push away the locking pin) in the second embodiment of the electrical connector of the present application; FIG. 13 is a schematic structural diagram of the movable member in a third position (i.e., the clamping member is in the open position) in the second embodiment of the electrical connector of the present application; FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram of the state when the wire core of the wire is just inserted into the wiring channel in the second embodiment of the electrical connector of the present application; FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram of the state when the wire core of the wire pushes the clamping member to generate deformation in the second embodiment of the electrical connector of the present application; FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram of the state after the wire core of the wire is inserted in place (i.e., the clamping member is in the clamping position) in the second embodiment of the electrical connector of the present application; FIG. 17 is a schematic structural diagram of the insulating body in the second embodiment of the electrical connector of the present application; FIG. 18 is a schematic structural diagram of the movable member in the second embodiment of the electrical connector of the present application; FIG. 19 is a schematic structural diagram of the clamping member in the second embodiment of the electrical connector of the present application; FIG. 20 is a schematic structural diagram of the electrical conductor in the second embodiment of the electrical connector of the present application. Reference numerals:

[0019] 10, insulating body; 20, electrical conductor; 30, clamping member; 40, movable member; 101, wire; 10a, wire insertion hole; 10b, mounting groove; 10c, wiring channel; 21, abutment arm; 31, main body section; 32, clamping section; 33, pushing section; 34, locking pin section; 311, arc-shaped part; 11, limiting column; 12, pin shaft; 411, first pin groove; 412, first pressing part; 413, avoidance space; 421, second pin groove; 422, second pressing part; 423, mounting hole.

[0020] The realization, functional characteristics and advantages of the purposes of the present application will be further explained in conjunction with the embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present application, and apparently, the described embodiments only represent part of the embodiments of the present application, not all of them. Based on the embodiments described in the present application, all other embodiments obtainable by those skilled in the art without creative work fall within the scope of protection of the present application.

[0022] It should be noted that if there are directional indications (such as up, down, left, right, front, back, ...) in the embodiments of the present application, the directional indications are only used to explain the relative positional relationship and movement state between the components in a specific posture (as shown in the drawings). If the specific posture changes, the directional indications will also change accordingly.

[0023] In addition, if there are descriptions involving "first", "second", etc. in the embodiments of the present application, the descriptions of "first", "second", etc. are only for descriptive purposes, and cannot be understood as indicating or implying their relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of indicated technical features. Therefore, the features defined with "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one such feature. In addition, the meaning of "and / or" appearing throughout the text is to include three parallel schemes, taking "A and / or B" as an example, it includes scheme A, scheme B, or a scheme where A and B are satisfied simultaneously. In addition, the technical solutions of the various embodiments can be combined with each other, but such combination must be based on the realization by those of ordinary skill in the art. When a combination of technical solutions is contradictory or cannot be realized, it should be considered that such a combination of technical solutions does not exist and is not within the scope of protection claimed by the present application.

[0024] The present application provides an electrical connector, which can be applied to various devices or equipment that need wiring, and is not limited here.

[0025] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 10, in some embodiments of the present application, the electrical connector comprises an insulating body 10, an electrical conductor 20, a clamping member 30 and a movable member 40; wherein the insulating body 10 is provided with a wire insertion hole 10a and a mounting groove 10b communicating with the wire insertion hole 10a; the electrical conductor 20 is mounted in the mounting groove 10b; the clamping member 30 is disposed in the mounting groove 10b and being switchable between an open position and a clamping position; when in the open position, a wiring channel 10c allowing the wire core of the wire 101 to pass through is formed between the clamping member 30 and the electrical conductor 20, and the wiring channel 10c is in communication with the wire insertion hole 10a; when in the clamping position, the clamping member 30 is configured to clamp the wire core of the wire 101 onto the electrical conductor 20; the movable member 40 is provided on the insulating body 10 and cooperates with the clamping member 30; and the movable member 40 is configured to engage with the clamping member 30 to maintain the clamping member 30 in the open position when the wire core of the wire 101 is not inserted in place, and the movable member is configured to disengage from the clamping member 30 to switch the clamping member 30 to the clamping position after the wire core of the wire 101 is inserted into the wiring channel 10c and in place. Wherein, the movable member 40 has an avoidance space 413 for inserting the wire core of the wire 101 therethrough.

[0026] It should be noted that the wire core of the wire 101 not being inserted in place means that the wire core of the wire 101 is not clamped onto the electrical conductor 20 by the clamping member 30. The wire core of the wire 101 being inserted in place means that the wire core of the wire 101 is clamped onto the electrical conductor 20 by the clamping member 30.

[0027] Referring to FIGS. 7 and 17, in the present embodiment, the insulating body 10 can be made of insulating materials such as plastic, which can be an integrally formed structure or assembled from multiple shells, and is not limited here. In addition, an insulating cover plate can be covered on the mounting groove 10b of the insulating body 10 to prevent each component in the insulating body 10 from detaching from the mounting position in the mounting groove 10b.

[0028] The electrical conductor 20 can be made of a material with certain electrical conductivity, which is not limited here. To achieve electrical connection, referring to FIGS. 10 and 20, in the present embodiment, an abutment arm 21 for abutting against the wire core of the wire 101 can be provided on the electrical conductor 20, and the space between the abutment arm 21 and the clamping member 30 can form the above-mentioned wiring channel 10c.

[0029] Referring to FIGS. 9 and 19, in the present embodiment, the clamping member 30 can be an elastic piece or other elastic members with certain self-recovery ability, which is not limited here.

[0030] It can be understood that, as shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, during wiring, it is only necessary to gently insert the wire 101 with the stripped end into the electrical connector, and the wiring function can be realized without the need for specific tools to assist in wiring. Moreover, there are no high requirements on the wire diameter and wire type of the wire 101, and the wiring efficiency is greatly improved. When removing the wire, the movable member 40 can be pressed to re-engage the movable member 40 with the clamping member 30, then the wire 101 can be pulled out, and the wiring channel 10c remains open again, waiting for the next wiring. In this way, the action of opening the wiring channel 10c is completed during the wire removal process, and the efficiency of connecting and removing wires is also greatly improved.

[0031] To improve the assembly efficiency of the electrical connector and save manufacturing costs, referring to FIGS. 9 and 19, in some embodiments, the clamping member 30 can be an integrally formed elastic piece. In this way, during wiring, the sudden springback of the elastic piece can form an impact force, so that there is a sound prompt when the wiring is in place, which further improves the convenience of wiring and avoids incomplete wiring.

[0032] Please refer to FIGS. 3, 7 and 9. In this embodiment, the elastic piece may comprise a main body section 31, a clamping section 32, a pushing section 33 and a locking pin section 34; wherein one end of the main body section 31 is connected to the clamping section 32 via an arc-shaped part 311; the arc-shaped part 311 surrounds a limiting column 11 in the mounting groove 10b; when in the open position, the wiring channel 10c is formed between the clamping section 32 and the electrical conductor 20; when in the clamping position, the clamping section 32 clamps the wire core of the wire 101 onto the electrical conductor 20; the other end of the main body section 31 is connected to the pushing section 33, and the locking pin section 34 is connected to the pushing section 33; the locking pin section 34 is configured to engage with the movable member 40 when the wire core of the wire 101 is not inserted in place, thereby forming a normally open state of the wiring channel 10c; and the pushing section 33 is configured to deform under the pushing of the wire core of the wire 101 and cause the locking pin section 34 to disengage from the movable member 40, thereby forming an electrical connection state with the wire 101 clamped in place at this time.

[0033] By adopting the above-mentioned elastic piece structure and cooperating with the movable member 40, the present application can realize the wiring function without the need for specific tools to assist in wiring. At the same time, the sudden springback of the elastic piece when the engagement relationship with the movable member 40 is released generates an impact prompt sound, which can remind the operator that the wiring is in place, improve the accuracy of wiring, and effectively prevent unconnected circuits or poor contact.

[0034] To improve the reliability of wiring, in this embodiment, the locking pin section 34 can be arranged perpendicularly to the pushing section 33, referring to FIG. 9, and the clamping section 32 can be bent in a direction toward the pushing section 33. In this way, the engagement state between the movable member 40 and the clamping member 30 is more stable, which is conducive to forming a larger clamping force and an impact prompt sound with an appropriate sound level.

[0035] Mainly referring to FIGS. 8 and 18, in some embodiments, the movable member 40 can be a button, and the button is further configured to switch the clamping member 30 from the clamping position to the open position when pressed manually. In this way, the position of the clamping member 30 can be easily adjusted manually, thereby further improving the convenience of wiring.

[0036] It should be noted that the specific structures of two types of buttons will be mainly introduced below, which does not mean that the movable member 40 of the electrical connector of the present application can only adopt the following button structures. Any structure that controls the movable member 40 or the button by setting a pin, which allows the clamping member 30 to be kept in the open position, and allows the pin to be pushed away by the wire 101 after the wire core of the wire 101 is inserted in place to release the engagement state, so that the clamping member 30 clamps the wire 101, belongs to the technical solution claimed by the present application.

[0037] Please refer to FIGS. 1 to 10. In one embodiment, the button is a slidable member, which is slidably disposed on the insulating body 10 and provided with a first pin groove 411 and a first pressing part 412; when the wire core of the wire 101 is not inserted in place, the first pin groove 411 is snap-fitted with the locking pin section 34, so that the slidable member cannot restore its position, and the first pressing part 412 abuts against the clamping section 32 and is configured to press the clamping section 32 to maintain it in the open position.

[0038] After the wire core of the wire 101 is inserted in place, the wire 101 pushes away the locking pin section 34, so that the first pin groove 411 is disengaged from the locking pin section 34, and the clamping section 32 is switched to the clamping position to clamp the wire 101, thereby switching to the electrical connection state.

[0039] In this embodiment, the button can be arc-shaped and an integrally formed structure. The insulating body 10 is provided with an arc-shaped groove connected to the mounting groove 10b, and the button is slidably disposed in the arc-shaped groove. At this time, an avoidance space 413 is formed between the two first pressing parts 412 of the button. In this way, the assembling of the electrical connector can be facilitated, and the button structure is relatively simple, with low production and manufacturing costs.

[0040] When removing the wire, the button can be pressed to re-engage the locking pin section 34 with the first pin groove 411, then the wire can be pulled out, and the wiring channel 10c remains open again, waiting for the next wiring. In this way, the efficiency of connecting and removing wires is greatly improved.

[0041] Please refer to FIGS. 11 to 20. In another embodiment, the button is rotatably disposed on the insulating body 10 and provided with a second pin groove 421 and a second pressing part 422; the second pin groove 421 is snap-fitted with the locking pin section 34; and the second pressing part 422 abuts against the clamping section 32 and is configured to press the clamping section 32 to maintain it in the open position. At this time, an avoidance space 413 is formed between the two second pressing parts 422.

[0042] In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, a mounting hole 423 can be provided in the button, and a pin shaft 12 rotatably connected and adapted to the mounting hole 423 can be provided on the insulating body 10; alternatively, a rotating shaft can be provided on the button, and a rotating shaft hole rotatably connected and adapted to the rotating shaft can be provided on the insulating body 10. Here, the specific rotating structure between the button and the insulating body 10 is not limited.

[0043] It can be understood that since the button is rotatably disposed on the insulating body 10, the button can be prevented from being bounced off by the elastic piece and detaching from the insulating body 10 when the elastic piece generates a large impact force in some application scenarios, which improves the quality of the electrical connector and further improves the reliability of the wiring by using the electrical connector.

[0044] It is worth mentioning that the electrical conductor 20 and the clamping member 30 in this embodiment can adopt the same structure as the electrical conductor 20 and the clamping member 30 in the above embodiment, or be slightly adjusted adaptively, which is not limited here.

[0045] In addition, to prevent the button from interfering with the insertion of the wire 101, mainly referring to FIG. 8, in some embodiments, the button can be provided with an avoidance space 413 for avoiding the wire 101 at a position corresponding to the wiring channel 10c.

[0046] The electrical connector of the present application is based on the pin fastening principle. By providing a pin groove on the button and a locking pin section 34 on the elastic piece, the clamping structure is kept in a normally open state. When wiring is needed, it is only necessary to gently insert the stripped wire into the electrical connector, and the wiring function can be realized without the need to use any tool or hand to open the clamping structure. Moreover, during the wire removal process, the clamping structure becomes normally open again, facilitating the next wiring, and this cycle repeats. In addition, the electrical connector has no high requirements on the wire diameter and wire type of the wire, and the wiring efficiency is high; in addition, it can pause in the open position when removing the wire, thereby facilitating the connecting of jumper terminals and flat cables.

[0047] The above are only optional embodiments of the present application, and are not intended to limit the patent protection scope of the present application. Any equivalent structural variation made by using the content of the description and drawings of the present application under the inventive concept of the present application, or direct / indirect application thereof in other related technical fields, is included in the patent protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. An electrical connector, <b>characterized by comprising: an insulating body provided with a wire insertion hole and a mounting groove communicating with the wire insertion hole; an electrical conductor mounted in the mounting groove; a clamping member disposed in the mounting groove and being switchable between an open position and a clamping position; when in the open position, a wiring channel allowing a wire core of a wire to pass through is formed between the clamping member and the electrical conductor, and the wiring channel is in communication with the wire insertion hole; when in the clamping position, the clamping member is configured to clamp the wire core of the wire onto the electrical conductor; and a movable member provided on the insulating body and cooperating with the clamping member; wherein the movable member is configured to engage with the clamping member to maintain the clamping member in the open position when the wire core of the wire is not inserted in place, and the movable member is configured to disengage from the clamping member to switch the clamping member to the clamping position when the wire core of the wire is inserted in place.

2. The electrical connector according to claim 1, characterized in that the clamping member is an elastic piece.

3. The electrical connector according to claim 2, characterized in that the elastic piece comprises a main body section, a clamping section, a pushing section and a locking pin section; wherein one end of the main body section is connected to the clamping section via an arc-shaped part; the arc-shaped part surrounds a limiting column in the mounting groove; when in the open position, the wiring channel is formed between the clamping section and the electrical conductor; when in the clamping position, the clamping section clamps the wire core of the wire onto the electrical conductor; the other end of the main body section is connected to the pushing section, and the locking pin section is connected to the pushing section; the locking pin section is configured to engage with the movable member when the wire core of the wire is not inserted in place, and the pushing section is configured to deform under the pushing of the wire core of the wire and cause the locking pin section to disengage from the movable member.

4. The electrical connector according to claim 3, characterized in that the locking pin section is arranged perpendicularly to the pushing section, and the clamping section is bent in a direction toward the pushing section.

5. The electrical connector according to claim 3, characterized in that the movable member is a button, and the button is further configured to switch the clamping member from the clamping position to the open position when pressed.

6. The electrical connector according to claim 5, characterized in that the button is slidably disposed on the insulating body and provided with a first pin groove and a first pressing part; when the wire core of the wire is not inserted in place, the first pin groove is snap-fitted with the locking pin section, and the first pressing part abuts against the clamping section and is configured to press the clamping section to maintain it in the open position.

7. The electrical connector according to claim 6, characterized in that after the wire core of the wire is inserted in place, the wire pushes away the locking pin section, so that the first pin groove is disengaged from the locking pin section, and the clamping section is switched to the clamping position to clamp the wire.

8. The electrical connector according to claim 6, characterized in that the button is arc-shaped, the insulating body is provided with an arc-shaped groove connected to the mounting groove, and the button is slidably disposed in the arc-shaped groove.

9. The electrical connector according to claim 5, characterized in that the button is rotatably disposed on the insulating body and provided with a second pin groove and a second pressing part; the second pin groove is snap-fitted with the locking pin section, and the second pressing part abuts against the clamping section and is configured to press the clamping section to maintain it in the open position.

10. The electrical connector according to claim 9, characterized in that the button is provided with an avoidance space for avoiding the wire at a position corresponding to the wiring channel.

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