Terminal contact member, terminal and electrical connection device

Abstract

A female terminal contact (crown spring) member 3 with end rings 31, 32 and an arc-shaped support segment 34a between the end rings 31, 32, the end rings 31, 32, and support segment 34a being connected by multiple elastic arms 34 distributed at intervals in a circumferential direction, each elastic arm 34 having multiple elastic contact segments 340, the end rings 31, 32, support segment 45a, and elastic contact segments 340 used to contact the outer peripheral surface of a male mating terminal (2, Figure 4) and an inner peripheral surface of a terminal body (1, Figure 3). This allows for an increased contact area. The end rings 31, 32 may have a notch such that they are C-shaped. The elastic contact segments 340 may be arched towards the interior of the terminal contact member 3. The terminal contact member 3 may be part of a terminal having a terminal body (1, Figure 3) in which there may be annular positioning steps (11, 12, Figure 3).

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This application claims the benefit of Chinese Patent Application No. CN202323354315.X filed on December 8, 2023 in the State Intellectual Property Office of China, the whole disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a terminal contact member, a terminal comprising the terminal contact member and an electrical connection device comprising the terminal. Description of the Related Art In the prior art, a female terminal in an electrical connector sometimes includes a terminal body and a terminal contact member assembled into the terminal body. The terminal contact member is usually cage shaped (or referred to as crown spring) and inserted into the inner cavity of the terminal body for electrical contact with an inserted male terminal. The terminal contact member, as the bridge and hub connecting male and female terminals in electrical connectors, are the most important component in the entire electrical connector. Under the current technological background, especially in the process of high current transmission, the terminal contact member is an essential and important component. Most of the elastic arms of existing terminal contact member are single arch shaped, with the highest point of the arch electrically contacting the outer surface of the male terminal, and the annular portions at both ends of the existing terminal contact member electrically contacting the inner surface of terminal body. At the same size, the existing terminal contact member has relatively fewer electrical contact points and a smaller electrical contact area, which results in higher contact resistance and higher temperature rise of the electrical connector when passing through rated current. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to overcome or alleviate at least one aspect of the above mentioned disadvantages. According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a terminal contact member. The terminal contact member comprises of: a pair of end rings located at the axial ends of the terminal contact member respectively; and multiple elastic arms connected between the pair of end rings and distributed at intervals in the circumferential direction of the terminal contact member. Each elastic arm comprises multiple, meaning more than one, elastic contact segment. The elastic contact segments are connected in series in the axial direction of the terminal contact member and an arc-shaped support segment is connected between two adjacent ones of the elastic contact segments; the pair of end rings and all arc-shaped support segments are used for electrical contact with the inner peripheral surface of a terminal body to increase the electrical contact area between the terminal contact member and the inner peripheral surface of the terminal body; the multiple elastic contact segments of each elastic arm are used to make electrical contact with the outer peripheral surface of an inserted mating terminal, so that there are multiple electrical contact points between each elastic arm and the mating terminal. According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the arc-shaped support segment extends along the circumference of the terminal contact member, and arc-shaped support segments located at the same axial position on the multiple elastic arms at the same axial location are spaced apart and aligned with each other in the circumference of the terminal contact member According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, each elastic arm comprises two elastic contact segments connected in series in the axial direction of the terminal contact member, the arc-shaped support segment extends along the circumferential direction of the terminal contact member, and the arc-shaped support segments of the multiple elastic arms are spaced apart and aligned with each other in the circumferential direction of the terminal contact member According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the end rings have a notch that makes them C-shaped, allowing them to undergo elastic deformation in their radial direction. According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the elastic contact segment is arched towards the interior of the terminal contact member, and the vertex of the elastic contact segment serves as an electrical contact point for making electrical contact with the outer peripheral surface of the inserted mating terminal, so that each elastic arm has multiple electrical contact points. According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the end rings and the arc-shaped support segments have smooth outer surfaces, and the outer surfaces of the end rings and the arc-shaped support segments are used for electrical contact with the inner peripheral surface of the terminal body. According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the terminal contact member is an integral stamped part. According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a terminal. The terminal comprises of: a terminal body having a hollow inner cavity; and the above terminal contact member inserted into the inner cavity of the terminal body. The pair of end rings and all arc-shaped support segments of the terminal contact member are in electrical contact with the inner peripheral surface of the terminal body to increase the electrical contact area between the terminal contact member and the inner peripheral surface of the terminal body. According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, two annular positioning steps are formed in the terminal body, which are opposite to one another in the axial direction of the terminal body; the two annular positioning steps are adapted to axially rest against the end faces of the pair of end rings of the terminal contact member, respectively, to axially position the terminal contact member. According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the terminal body has an insertion port that allows a mating terminal to be inserted into the terminal contact member, and the insertion port is in a trumpet shape that flares outward to guide the mating terminal to be inserted into the terminal contact member. According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the two annular positioning steps include a first annular positioning step located near the insertion port and a second annular positioning step axially opposite to the first annular positioning step; the pair of end rings comprises a first end ring and a second end ring, and the first and second annular positioning steps are axially pressed against the end faces of the first end ring and the second end ring, respectively. According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the terminal body is an integral piece. According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electrical connection device. The electrical connection device comprises of: a housing; and the above terminal installed in the housing. According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the terminal body of the terminal has a welding end, which is adapted to be welded to a conductor of a cable to electrically connect the terminal to the cable. According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the electrical connection device further comprises a cable comprising a conductor and an outer insulation layer wrapped around the conductor, the welding end of the terminal body is tubular and is fitted and welded to one end of the conductor of the cable. According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the electrical connection device is a charging seat, a charging gun, or an electrical connector. In the aforementioned exemplary embodiments according to the present invention, each elastic arm of the terminal contact member has multiple electrical contact points with the inserted mating terminal, thereby increasing the electrical contact area between the terminal contact member and the mating terminal, reducing the contact resistance between the two, and resulting in a lower temperature rise of the terminal and the mating terminal when passing the rated current. In addition, in the aforementioned exemplary embodiments according to the present invention, the pair of end rings of the terminal contact member and all arc-shaped support segments are in electrical contact with the inner peripheral surface of the terminal body, thereby increasing the electrical contact area between the terminal contact member and the terminal body, reducing the contact resistance between the two, and resulting in a lower temperature rise of the terminal when passing through the rated current. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The above and other features of the present invention will become more apparent by describing in detail exemplary embodiments thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows an illustrative perspective view of a terminal contact member according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 shows a cross-segmental view of a terminal contact member according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 shows an illustrative perspective view of a terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 shows an illustrative view of a terminal contact member and a mating terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; Figure 5 shows an illustrative view of a terminal and a mating terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 6 shows an illustrative view of a terminal body according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE IVENTION Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described hereinafter in detail with reference to the attached drawings, wherein the like reference numerals refer to the like elements. The present disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiment set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that the present disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the concept of the disclosure to those skilled in the art. In the following detailed description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the disclosed embodiments. It will be apparent, however, that one or more embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are schematically shown in order to simplify the drawing. According to a general concept of the present invention, there is provided a terminal contact member. The terminal contact member comprises of: a pair of end rings located at the axial ends of the terminal contact member respectively; and multiple elastic arms connected between the pair of end rings and distributed at intervals in the circumferential direction of the terminal contact member. Each elastic arm comprises multiple elastic contact segments connected in series in the axial direction of the terminal contact member and an arc-shaped support segment connected between adjacent two elastic contact segments; the pair of end rings and all arc-shaped support segments are used for electrical contact with the inner peripheral surface of a terminal body to increase the electrical contact area between the terminal contact member and the inner peripheral surface of the terminal body; multiple elastic contact segments of each elastic arm are used to make electrical contact with the outer peripheral surface of an inserted mating terminal, so that there are multiple electrical contact points between each elastic arm and the mating terminal. According to another general concept of the present invention, there is provided a terminal. The terminal comprises of: a terminal body having a hollow inner cavity; and the above terminal contact member inserted into the inner cavity of the terminal body. The pair of end rings and all arc-shaped support segments of the terminal contact member are in electrical contact with the inner peripheral surface of the terminal body to increase the electrical contact area between the terminal contact member and the inner peripheral surface of the terminal body. According to another general concept of the present invention, there is provided an electrical connection device. The electrical connection device comprises of: a housing; and the above terminal installed in the housing. Figure 1 shows an illustrative perspective view of a terminal contact member 3 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 shows a cross-segmental view of terminal contact member 3 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 shows an illustrative perspective view of a terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 shows an illustrative view of a terminal contact member 3 and a mating terminal 2 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; Figure 5 shows an illustrative view of a terminal and a mating terminal 2 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figures 1 to 5, in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a terminal contact member 3 is disclosed. The terminal contact member 3 includes a pair of end rings 31,32 and multiple elastic arms 34. The pair of end rings 31 and 32 are located at the axial ends of terminal contact member 3, respectively. Multiple elastic arms 34 are connected between the pair of end rings 31, 32 and distributed at intervals in the circumferential direction of the terminal contact member 3. Each elastic arm 34 includes multiple elastic contact segments 340 connected in series in the axial direction of the terminal contact member 3, and an arc-shaped support segment 34a connected between adjacent two elastic contact segments 340. As shown in Figures 1 to 5, in the illustrated embodiment, the pair of end rings 31, 32 and all arc-shaped support segments 34a are used to make electrical contact with the inner peripheral surface of the terminal body 1, in order to increase the electrical contact area between the terminal contact member 3 and the inner peripheral surface of the terminal body 1. Therefore, the present invention reduces the contact resistance between the terminal contact member 3 and the terminal body 1, resulting in a lower temperature rise of the terminal when passing through the rated current. As shown in Figures 1 to 5, in the illustrated embodiment, multiple elastic contact segments 340 of each elastic arm 34 are used to make electrical contact with the outer peripheral surface of an inserted mating terminal 2, so that there are multiple electrical contact points between each elastic arm 34 and the mating terminal 2. Therefore, the electrical contact area between the terminal contact member 3 and the mating terminal 2 has been increased, and the contact resistance between the two has been reduced, resulting in a lower temperature rise of the terminal and the mating terminal 2 when passing through the rated current. As shown in Figures 1 to 5, in the illustrated embodiment, the arc-shaped support segment 34a extends along the circumference of the terminal contact member 3, and the arc-shaped support segments 34a at the same axial position on the multiple elastic arms 34 are spaced apart and aligned with each other in the circumference of the terminal contact member 3. As shown in Figures 1 to 5, in the illustrated embodiment, each elastic arm 34 includes two elastic contact segments 340 connected in series in the axial direction of the terminal contact member 3. The arc-shaped support segment 34a extends along the circumferential direction of the terminal contact member 3, and the arc-shaped support segments 34a of multiple elastic arms 34 are spaced apart and aligned with each other in the circumferential direction of the terminal contact member 3. However, the present invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiments, for example, each elastic arm 34 may include three or more elastic contact segments 340. As shown in Figure 1 to Figure 5, in the illustrated embodiment, the end rings 31, 32 have a notch, so that the end rings 31, 32 are C-shaped to allow elastic deformation of the end rings 31, 32 in their radial direction. As shown in Figures 1 to 5, in the illustrated embodiment, the elastic contact segment 340 is arched towards the interior of the terminal contact member 3, and the vertex of the elastic contact segment 340 serves as an electrical contact point 34b for electrical contact with the outer peripheral surface of the inserted mating terminal 2, so that each elastic arm 34 has multiple electrical contact points 34b. The vertex of the elastic contact segment is typically the most radially inward part of the elastic contact segment. As shown in Figures 1 to 5, in the illustrated embodiment, the end rings 31, 32 and the arc-shaped support segments 34a have smooth outer surfaces, and the outer surfaces of the end rings 31, 32 and the arc-shaped support segments 34a are used for electrical contact with the inner peripheral surface of the terminal body 1. As shown in Figures 1 to 5, in the illustrated embodiment, the terminal contact member 3 is an integral stamped part. This can reduce manufacturing costs and improve manufacturing efficiency. As shown in Figures 1 to 5, in another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a terminal is also disclosed. The terminal mainly includes: a terminal body 1 and a terminal contact member 3. The terminal body 1 has a hollow inner cavity 101. The terminal contact member 3 is inserted into the inner cavity 101 of the terminal body 1. The pair of end rings 31, 32 and all arc-shaped support segments 34a of the terminal contact member 3 are in electrical contact with the inner peripheral surface of the terminal body 1 to increase the electrical contact area between the terminal contact member 3 and the inner peripheral surface of the terminal body 1. As shown in Figures 1 to 5, in the illustrated embodiment, two annular positioning steps 11 and 12 are formed in the terminal body 1, and the two annular positioning steps 11 and 12 are opposite in the axial direction of the terminal body 1. Two annular positioning steps 11 and 12 are suitable for axially pressing against the end faces of the pair of end rings 31 and 32 of the terminal contact member 3, respectively, to axially position the terminal contact member 3. As shown in Figures 1 to 5, in the illustrated embodiment, the terminal body 1 has an insertion port 13a that allows the mating terminal 2 to be inserted into the terminal contact member 3, and the insertion port 13a is in a trumpet shape that flares outward to guide the mating terminal 2 to be inserted into the terminal contact member 3. As shown in Figures 1 to 5, in the illustrated embodiment, the two annular positioning steps 11 and 12 include a first annular positioning step 11 near the insertion port 101a and a second annular positioning step 12 axially opposite to the first annular positioning step 11. The pair of end rings 31,32 include a first end ring 31 and a second end ring 32. The first and second annular positioning steps 11, 12 are axially pressed against the end faces of the first end ring 31 and the second end ring 32, respectively. As shown in Figures 1 to 5, in the illustrated embodiment, the terminal body 1 is an integral piece. For example, it can be an integral machined part or an integral stamped part. As shown in Figures 1 to 5, in another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an electrical connection device is also disclosed. The electrical connection device mainly includes a housing (not shown) and the aforementioned terminal, which is installed in the housing. Figure 6 shows an illustrative view of a terminal body 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figures 1 to 6, in the illustrated embodiment, the two ends of the terminal body 1 are perpendicular to each other, and the terminal contact member 3 is inserted into the inner cavity 101 of one end of the terminal body 1. The other end of the terminal body 1 is a welding end la, which is used to weld a conductor (not shown) of a cable (not shown) to electrically connect the terminal to the cable. As shown in Figures 1 to 6, in the illustrated embodiment, the electrical connection device further comprises a cable, which includes a conductor and an outer insulation layer wrapped around the conductor. The welding end la of the terminal body 1 is tubular and is fitted and welded to one end of the conductor of the cable. As shown in Figures 1 to 6, in the illustrated embodiment, the electrical connection device can be a charging seat, a charging gun, or an electrical connector. It should be appreciated for those skilled in this art that the above embodiments are intended to be illustrated, and not restrictive. For example, many modifications may be made to the above embodiments by those skilled in this art, and various features described in different embodiments may be freely combined with each other without conflicting in configuration or principle. Although several exemplary embodiments have been shown and described, it would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes or modifications may be made in these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the disclosure, the scope of which is defined in the claims and their equivalents. As used herein, an element recited in the singular and proceeded with the word "a" or "an" should be understood as not excluding plural of said elements or steps, unless such exclusion is explicitly stated. Furthermore, references to "one embodiment" of the present invention are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features. Moreover, unless explicitly stated to the contrary, embodiments "comprising" or "having" an element or a plurality of elements having a particular property may include additional such elements not having that property.

Claims

1. A terminal contact member, comprising:a pair of end rings (31, 32) located at the axial ends of the terminal contact member (3) respectively; andmultiple elastic arms (34) connected between the pair of end rings (31, 32) and distributed at intervals in the circumferential direction of the terminal contact member (3),wherein each elastic arm (34) comprises multiple elastic contact segments (340) connected in series in the axial direction of the terminal contact member (3) and an arc-shaped support segment (34a) connected between adjacent two elastic contact segments (340),wherein the pair of end rings (31, 32) and all arc-shaped support segments (34a) are used for electrical contact with the inner peripheral surface of a terminal body (1) to increase the electrical contact area between the terminal contact member (3) and the inner peripheral surface of the terminal body (1),wherein the multiple elastic contact segments (340) of each elastic arm (34) are used to make electrical contact with the outer peripheral surface of an inserted mating terminal (2), so that there are multiple electrical contact points (34b) between each elastic arm (34) and the mating terminal (2).

2. The terminal contact member according to claim 1,wherein the arc-shaped support segment (34a) extends along the circumference of the terminal contact member (3), and the arc-shaped support segments (34a) that are located at the same axial position on the multiple elastic arms (34) are aligned with each other in the circumference of the terminal contact member (3).

3. The terminal contact member according to claim 1 or 2,wherein each elastic arm (34) comprises two of the elastic contact segments (340) connected in series in the axial direction of the terminal contact member (3),wherein the arc-shaped support segment (34a) extends along the circumferential direction of the terminal contact member (3), and the arc-shaped support segments (34a) of the multiple elastic arms (34) are spaced apart and aligned with each other in the circumferential direction of the terminal contact member (3).

4. The terminal contact member according to claim 1, 2 or 3,wherein the end rings (31, 32) have a notch that makes them C-shaped, allowing them to undergo elastic deformation in their radial direction.

5. The terminal contact member according to any preceding claim,wherein the elastic contact segment (340) is arched towards the interior of the terminal contact member (3), and the vertex of the elastic contact segment (340) serves as an electrical contact point (34b) for making electrical contact with the outer peripheral surface of the inserted mating terminal (2), so that each elastic arm (34) has multiple electrical contact points (34b).

6. The terminal contact member according to any preceding claim,wherein the end rings (31, 32) and the arc-shaped support segments (34a) have smooth outer surfaces, and the outer surfaces of the end rings (31, 32) and the arc-shaped support segments (34a) are used for electrical contact with the inner peripheral surface of the terminal body (1).

7. The terminal contact member according to any one of claims 1-6, wherein the terminal contact member (3) is an integral stamped part.

8. A terminal, comprising:a terminal body (1) having a hollow inner cavity (101); andthe terminal contact member (3) according to any one of claims 1-7, inserted into the inner cavity (101) of the terminal body (1),wherein the pair of end rings (31, 32) and all arc-shaped support segments (34a) of the terminal contact member (3) are in electrical contact with the inner peripheral surface of the terminal body (1) to increase the electrical contact area between the terminal contact member (3) and the inner peripheral surface of the terminal body (1).

9. The terminal according to claim 8,wherein two annular positioning steps (11, 12) are formed in the terminal body (1), which are opposite in the axial direction of the terminal body (1);wherein the two annular positioning steps (11, 12) are adapted to axially rest against the end faces of the pair of end rings (31, 32) of the terminal contact member (3), respectively, to axially position the terminal contact member (3).

10. The terminal according to claim 8 or 9,wherein the terminal body (1) has an insertion port (101a) that allows a mating terminal (2) to be inserted into the terminal contact member (3), and the insertion port (101a) is in a trumpet shape that flares outward to guide the mating terminal (2) to be inserted into the terminal contact member (3).

11. The terminal according to claim 10 when appended to claim 9,wherein the two annular positioning steps (11, 12) include a first annular positioning step(11) located near the insertion port (101a) and a second annular positioning step (12) axially opposite to the first annular positioning step (11);wherein the pair of end rings (31, 32) comprises a first end ring (31) and a second end ring (32), and the first and second annular positioning steps (11, 12) are axially pressed against the end faces of the first end ring (31) and the second end ring (32), respectively.

12. The terminal according to any one of claims 8-11, wherein the terminal body (1) is an integral piece.

13. An electrical connection device, comprising:a housing; andthe terminal according to any one of claims 8-12 which is installed in the housing.

14. The electrical connection device according to claim 13,wherein the terminal body (1) of the terminal has a welding end (la), which is adapted to be welded to a conductor of a cable to electrically connect the terminal to the cable.

15. The electrical connection device according to claim 14, further comprising:a cable comprising a conductor and an outer insulation layer wrapped around the conductor,wherein the welding end (la) of the terminal body (1) is tubular and is fitted and welded to one end of the conductor of the cable.

16. The electrical connection device according to any one of claims 13-15,wherein the electrical connection device is a charging seat, a charging gun, or an electrical connector.

Images