Connector terminal and connector

Abstract

A connector terminal comprising: a cylindrical body 10 with front and rear ends opposite in its axial direction; an annular portion 13 which is located in front of cylindrical body and axially opposite cylindrical body; multiple first spring arms 11 connected between cylindrical body and annular portion and distributed at intervals in the circumferential direction of cylindrical body and extending forward from the front end of cylindrical body; multiple second spring arms 12 also connected to the cylindrical body 10 but preferably not attached to the annual portion ; First spring arm is a simply supported beam, second spring arm is a cantilever beam. Annular portion may comprise window (fig 2, 100). Diameter of annular portion may be smaller than that of cylindrical body. Annular portion may have conical guide surface 13a inside. Front end of first spring arm may form a contact (fig 3, 11a). First spring arm may comprise first axial extension arm 111 and first inclined extension arm 112. Second spring arm may comprise second axial extension arm 121 and second inclined extension arm 122. Circular positioning step (fig 2, 10d) may be formed on outer rear end of cylindrical body resting against locking spring (fig 4, 30) to lock connector terminal in connector housing. Connector terminal may comprise crimping part 14.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This application claims the benefit of Chinese Patent Application No. CN202420095545.4 filed on January 15, 2024 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 connector terminal and a connector comprising the connector terminal. Description of the Related Art In the prior art, there are usually two structures for terminals in heavy-duty connectors, one is a fully cantilevered beam structure, and the other is a fully simply supported beam structure. The terminal of the full cantilever beam structure is prone to deformation, which can lead to poor electrical contact and instability. The terminal of the fully supported beam structure has too much or too little insertion and extraction force when mated with the mating terminal, which is difficult to control, and the size of the terminal product is relatively large. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to overcome or alleviate at least one of the above mentioned disadvantages. According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a connector terminal as defined in claim 1. The connector terminal may comprise: a cylindrical body with front and rear ends opposite to one another in the axial direction; an annular portion which is located in front of the cylindrical body and axially opposite to the cylindrical body; multiple first spring arms connected between the cylindrical body and the annular portion and distributed at intervals in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical body; and multiple second spring arms which extend forward from the front end of the cylindrical body and are distributed at intervals in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical body. Each first spring arm may have rear and front ends that are opposite from one another and that are respectively connected to the cylindrical body and the annular portion, so that the first spring arm is a simply supported beam. Each second spring arm may have front and rear ends that are opposite from one another, where the 2 rear end of each second spring arm is connected to the cylindrical body, and the front end is suspended and may be spaced apart from the annular portion, so that the second spring arm is a cantilever beam; the first spring arm and the second spring arm are alternately arranged in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical body for simultaneous electrical contact with the outer circumferential surface of an inserted mating terminal. The annular portion may be formed as a continuous ring. According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a window is formed among or defined between the annular portion and two adjacent first spring arms, and each second spring arm is suspended in a corresponding window. According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the annular portion and the cylindrical body are coaxial, and the diameter of the annular portion is smaller than that of the cylindrical body. According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the annular portion has a front opening that allows for the insertion of a mating terminal, and a conical guide surface is formed on the inner side of the front opening of the annular portion to guide the insertion of the mating terminal. According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the front and rear ends of the first spring arm are respectively connected to the annular portion and the cylindrical body, and a first contact portion protruding radially inward is formed on the front end of the first spring arm; the rear end of the second spring arm is connected to the cylindrical body and a second contact portion protruding radially inward is formed on the inner side of the front end of the second spring arm; when the mating terminal is inserted into the connector terminal, the first contact portions of the multiple first spring arms and the second contact portions of the multiple second spring arms surround the mating terminal and make electrical contact with the outer peripheral surface of the mating terminal simultaneously. According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the first spring arm comprises: a first axial extension arm having a rear end connected to the front end of the cylindrical body and extending forward along the axial direction of the cylindrical body; and a first inclined extension arm having a rear end connected to the front end of the first axial extension arm and extending obliquely forward relative to the axial direction of the cylindrical body. The front end of the first inclined extension arm is connected to the annular portion, and the first contact portion is formed on the inner side of the front end of the first inclined extension arm. According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the second spring arm comprises: a second axial extension arm having a rear end connected to the front end of the cylindrical body and extending forward along the axial direction of the cylindrical body; and a second inclined extension arm having a rear end connected to the front end of the second axial extension arm and extending obliquely forward relative to the axial direction of the cylindrical body. The front end of the second inclined extension arm is suspended, and spaced apart from the axial portion and the second contact portion is formed on the inner side of the front end of the second inclined extension arm. According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a circular positioning step is formed on the outer side of the rear end of the cylindrical body, which is used to rest against the locking spring of the locking component inside the connector housing to lock the connector terminal in the connector housing. According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the connector terminal further comprises a crimping part which is connected to the rear end of the cylindrical body and is used to crimp onto a cable for electrical connection with the cable. According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the crimping part comprises: a first crimping part which is U-shaped and suitable for crimping onto a conductor core of the cable; and a second crimping part which is U-shaped and suitable for crimping onto an outer layer of the cable. The first crimping part is connected between the rear end of the cylindrical body and the second crimping part. According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the connector terminal is an integral stamped piece. According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the cylindrical body has two longitudinally extending side edges that are spliced together, an engagement protrusion is formed on one side edge of the cylindrical body, and an engagement slot is formed on the other side edge of the cylindrical body, the engagement protrusion is engaged with the engagement slot. According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the engagement protrusion and the engagement slot are in a dovetail shape, an inverted triangle shape, an Q shape, or any other shape so that the engagement protrusion and the engagement slot cannot be separated in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical body. According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a connector. The connector comprises: a connector housing formed with a terminal hole; and the above connector terminal inserted into the terminal hole. According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the connector further comprises a locking component installed in the connector housing and formed with a locking spring, the locking spring extends into the terminal hole and rests against the positioning step of the cylindrical body of the connector terminal to lock the connector terminal in the connector housing. In the aforementioned exemplary embodiments according to the present invention, the terminal has alternately arranged first and second spring arms, with the first spring arm being a simply supported beam and the second spring arm being a cantilever beam. This hybrid structure of simply supported beam and cantilever beam can improve the electrical contact reliability and stability of the terminals, reduce the size of the terminals, lower the manufacturing cost of the terminals, and reduce the insertion and extraction force during terminal mating. 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 connector terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention when viewed from one angle; Figure 2 shows an illustrative perspective view of a connector terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention when viewed from another angle; Figure 3 shows an axial sectional view of a connector terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 4 shows an axial sectional view of a connector 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 connector terminal. The connector terminal comprises: a cylindrical body with front and rear ends opposite in its axial direction; an annular portion which is located in front of the cylindrical body and axially opposite to the cylindrical body; multiple first spring arms connected between the cylindrical body and the annular portion and distributed at intervals in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical body; and multiple second spring arms which extend forward from the front end of the cylindrical body and are distributed at intervals in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical body. The two ends of the first spring arm are respectively connected to the cylindrical body and the annular portion, so that the first spring arm is a simply supported beam; one end of the second spring arm is connected to the cylindrical body, and the other end is suspended, so that the second spring arm is a cantilever beam; the first spring arm and the second spring arm are alternately arranged in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical 5 body for simultaneous electrical contact with the outer circumferential surface of an inserted mating terminal. According to another general concept of the present invention, there is provided a connector. The connector comprises: a connector housing formed with a terminal hole; and the above connector terminal inserted into the terminal hole. Figure 1 shows an illustrative perspective view of connector terminal 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention when viewed from one angle; Figure 2 shows an illustrative perspective view of connector terminal 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention when viewed from another angle; Figure 3 shows an axial sectional view of connector terminal 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figures 1 to 3, in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a connector terminal 1 is disclosed. The connector terminal 1 includes a cylindrical body 10, an annular portion 13, multiple first spring arms 11, and multiple second spring arms 12. The cylindrical body 10 has front and rear ends that are opposite in its axial direction. The annular portion 13 is located in front of the cylindrical body 10 and axially opposite to the cylindrical body 10. Multiple first spring arms 11 are connected between the cylindrical body 10 and the annular portion 13 and distributed at intervals in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical body 10. The annular portion 13 may be continuous in the circumferential direction of the annular portion 13 to fix the relative positions of the front ends of the multiple first spring arms 11, and so may be formed as a continuous ring. The cylindrical body 10 may be continuous in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical body 10 to fix the relative positions of the rear ends of the multiple first spring arms 11 and the rear ends of the multiple second spring arms. Multiple second arms 12 extend forward from the front end of the cylindrical body 10 and are distributed at intervals in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical body 10. The two ends of the first spring arm 11 are respectively connected to the cylindrical body 10 and the annular portion 13, making the first spring arm 11 a simply supported beam. One end of the second spring arm 12 is connected to the cylindrical body 10, and the other end is suspended, or free to move separately from the annular portion 13, making the second spring arm 12 a cantilever beam. The first spring arm 11 and the second spring arm 12 are alternately arranged in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical body 10, for simultaneous electrical contact with the outer circumferential surface of a mating terminal (not shown) of an inserted mating connector. As shown in Figures 1 to 3, in the illustrated embodiment, a window 100 is formed among the annular portion 13 and adjacent two first spring arms 11, and each second spring arm 12 is suspended in a corresponding window 100. The annular portion 13 and the adjacent two first spring arms 11 may define the extent of the window, and the second spring arm may be suspended in that window from the rear end of the second spring arm that is connected to the front end of the cylindrical body 10. As shown in Figures 1 to 3, in the illustrated embodiment, the annular portion 13 is coaxial with the cylindrical body 10, and the diameter of the annular portion 13 is smaller than that of the cylindrical body 10. As shown in Figures 1 to 3, in the illustrated embodiment, the annular portion 13 has a front opening 130 that allows for the insertion of the mating terminal, and a conical guide surface 13a is formed on the inner side of the front opening 130 of the annular portion 13 to guide the insertion of the mating terminal. As shown in Figures 1 to 3, in the illustrated embodiment, the front and rear ends of the first spring arm 11 are respectively connected to the annular portion 13 and the cylindrical body 10, and a first contact portion Ila protruding inward is formed on the front end of the first spring arm 11. The first contact portion 1 la may be formed on the inner side of the front end of the first spring arm 11. The rear end of the second arm 12 is connected to the cylindrical body 10 and a second contact portion 12a protruding inward is formed on the inner side of the front end of the second arm 12. When the mating terminal is inserted into connector terminal 1, the first contact portions Ila of multiple first spring arms 11 and the second contact portions 12a of multiple second spring arms 12 surround the mating terminal and make electrical contact with the outer peripheral surface of the mating terminal simultaneously. As shown in Figures 1 to 3, in the illustrated embodiment, the first spring arm 11 includes a first axial extension arm 111 and a first inclined extension arm 112. The rear end of the first axial extension arm 111 is connected to the front end of the cylindrical body 10, the first axial extension arm 111 extends forward along the axial direction of the cylindrical body 10. The rear end of the first inclined extension arm 112 is connected to the front end of the first axial extension arm 111, the first inclined extension arm 112 extends obliquely forward relative to the axial direction of the cylindrical body 10 and may incline radially inwardly. The front end of the first inclined extension arm 112 is connected to the annular portion 13, and the first contact portion 1 la is formed on the inner side of the front end of the first inclined extension arm 112. As shown in Figures 1 to 3, in the illustrated embodiment, the second spring arm 12 includes a second axial extension arm 121 and a second inclined extension arm 122. The rear end of the second axial extension arm 121 is connected to the front end of the cylindrical body 10 and the second axial extension arm 121 extends forward along the axial direction of the cylindrical body 10. The rear end of the second inclined extension arm 122 is connected to the front end of the second axial extension arm 121 and the second inclined extension arm 122 extends obliquely forward relative to the axial direction of the cylindrical body 10 and may incline radially inwardly. The front end of the second inclined extension arm 122 is suspended, and the second contact portion 12a is formed on the inner side of the front end of the second inclined extension arm 122. Figure 4 shows an axial sectional view of a connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figures 1 to 4, in the illustrated embodiment, a circular positioning step lOd is formed on the outer side of the rear end of the cylindrical body 10. The positioning step lOd is used to press against the locking spring 30 of the locking component 3 inside the connector housing 2, in order to lock the connector terminal 1 in the connector housing 2. As shown in Figures 1 to 3, in the illustrated embodiment, the connector terminal 1 further includes a crimping part 14, which is connected to the rear end of the cylindrical body 10 for crimping onto and electrical connection with a cable (not shown). As shown in Figures 1 to 3, in the illustrated embodiment, the crimping part 14 includes a first crimping part 141 and a second crimping part 142. The first crimping part 141 is U-shaped and suitable for crimping onto the conductor core of the cable. The second crimping part 142 is U-shaped and suitable for crimping onto the outer layer of the cable. The first crimping part 141 is connected between the rear end of the cylindrical body 10 and the second crimping part 142. As shown in Figures 1 to 3, in the illustrated embodiment, the connector terminal 1 is an integral stamped piece. This can reduce manufacturing costs and improve production efficiency. As shown in Figures 1 to 3, in the illustrated embodiment, the cylindrical body 10 has two longitudinally extending side edges 10c spliced together. An engagement protrusion 10a is formed on one side edge 10c of the cylindrical body 10, and an engagement slot 10b is formed on the other side edge 10c of the cylindrical body 10. The engagement protrusion 10a is engaged with the engagement slot 10b. As shown in Figures 1 to 3, in the illustrated embodiment, the engagement protrusion 10a and the engagement slot 10b are for example in a dovetail shape, an inverted triangle shape, or an Q shape, so that the engagement protrusion 10a and the engagement slot 10b cannot be separated in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical body 10. As shown in Figures 1 to 4, in another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a connector is also disclosed. The connector includes: a connector housing 2 and the above connector terminal 1. A terminal hole 20 is formed in the connector housing 2. The connector terminal 1 is inserted into the terminal hole 20. As shown in Figures 1 to 4, in the illustrated embodiment, the connector further comprises a locking component 3, which is installed in the connector housing 2 and formed with a locking spring 30. The locking spring 30 extends into the terminal hole 20 and rests against the positioning step lOd of the cylindrical body 10 of the connector terminal 1 to lock the connector terminal 1 in the connector housing 2. 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 5 "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 connector terminal, comprising:a cylindrical body (10) with front and rear ends opposite in its axial direction;an annular portion (13) which is located in front of the cylindrical body (10) and axially opposite to the cylindrical body (10);multiple first spring arms (11) connected between the cylindrical body (10) and the annular portion (13) and distributed at intervals in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical body (10); andmultiple second spring arms (12) which extend forward from the front end of the cylindrical body (10) and are distributed at intervals in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical body (10),wherein the two ends of each first spring arm (11) are respectively connected to the cylindrical body (10) and the annular portion (13), so that the first spring arm (11) is a simply supported beam,wherein one end of the second spring arm (12) is connected to the cylindrical body (10), and the other end is suspended, so that the second spring arm (12) is a cantilever beam,wherein the first spring arm (11) and the second spring arm (12) are alternately arranged in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical body (10) for simultaneous electrical contact with the outer circumferential surface of an inserted mating terminal.

2. The connector terminal according to claim 1,wherein a window (100) is formed among the annular portion (13) and two adjacent first spring arms (11), and each second spring arm (12) is suspended in a corresponding window (100).

3. The connector terminal according to claim 1 or 2,wherein the annular portion (13) and the cylindrical body (10) are coaxial, and the diameter of the annular portion (13) is smaller than that of the cylindrical body (10).

4. The connector terminal according to claim 1, 2 or 3,wherein the annular portion (13) has a front opening (130) that allows for the insertion of a mating terminal, and a conical guide surface (13a) is formed on the inner side of the front opening (130) of the annular portion (13) to guide the insertion of the mating terminal.

5. The connector terminal according to any preceding claim,wherein the front and rear ends of the first spring arm (11) are respectively connected to the annular portion (13) and the cylindrical body (10), and a first contact portion (Ila) protrudinginward is formed on the front end of the first spring arm (11);wherein the rear end of the second spring arm (12) is connected to the cylindrical body (10) and a second contact portion (12a) protruding inward is formed on the inner side of the front end of the second spring arm (12);wherein when the mating terminal is inserted into the connector terminal (1), the first contact portions (Ila) of the multiple first spring arms (11) and the second contact portions (12a) of the multiple second spring arms (12) surround the mating terminal and make electrical contact with the outer peripheral surface of the mating terminal simultaneously.

6. The connector terminal according to claim 5,wherein the first spring arm (11) comprises:a first axial extension arm (111) having a rear end connected to the front end of the cylindrical body (10) and extending forward along the axial direction of the cylindrical body (10); anda first inclined extension arm (112) having a rear end connected to the front end of the first axial extension arm (111) and extending obliquely forward relative to the axial direction of the cylindrical body (10),wherein the front end of the first inclined extension arm (112) is connected to the annular portion (13), and the first contact portion (Ila) is formed on the inner side of the front end of the first inclined extension arm (112).

7. The connector terminal according to claim 5 or 6,wherein the second spring arm (12) comprises:a second axial extension arm (121) having a rear end connected to the front end of the cylindrical body (10) and extending forward along the axial direction of the cylindrical body (10); anda second inclined extension arm (122) having a rear end connected to the front end of the second axial extension arm (121) and extending obliquely forward relative to the axial direction of the cylindrical body (10),wherein the front end of the second inclined extension arm (122) is suspended, and the second contact portion (12a) is formed on the inner side of the front end of the second inclined extension arm (122).

8. The connector terminal according to any preceding claim,wherein a circular positioning step (lOd) is formed on the outer side of the rear end of the cylindrical body (10), which is used to rest against the locking spring (30) of the locking component (3) inside the connector housing (2) to lock the connector terminal (1) in the connector housing (2).

9. The connector terminal according to any preceding claim, further comprising:a crimping part (14) which is connected to the rear end of the cylindrical body (10) and is used to crimp onto a cable for electrical connection with the cable.

10. The connector terminal according to claim 9,wherein the crimping part (14) comprises:a first crimping part (141) which is U-shaped and suitable for crimping onto a conductor core of the cable; anda second crimping part (142) which is U-shaped and suitable for crimping onto an outer layer of the cable,wherein the first crimping part (141) is connected between the rear end of the cylindrical body (10) and the second crimping part (142).

11. The connector terminal according to any preceding claim, wherein the connector terminal (1) is an integral stamped piece.

12. The connector terminal according to claim 11,wherein the cylindrical body (10) has two longitudinally extending side edges (10c) that are spliced together, an engagement protrusion (10a) is formed on one side edge (10c) of the cylindrical body (10), and an engagement slot (10b) is formed on the other side edge (10c) of the cylindrical body (10), the engagement protrusion (10a) is engaged with the engagement slot (10b).

13. The connector terminal according to claim 12,wherein the engagement protrusion (10a) and the engagement slot (10b) are in a dovetail shape, an inverted triangle shape, or an Q shape, so that the engagement protrusion (10a) and the engagement slot (10b) cannot be separated in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical body (10).

14. A connector, comprising:a connector housing (2) formed with a terminal hole (20); andthe connector terminal (1) according to any preceding claim which is inserted into the terminal hole (20).

15. The connector according to claim 14, further comprising:a locking component (3) installed in the connector housing (2) and formed with a locking spring (30),wherein the locking spring (30) extends into the terminal hole (20) and rests against the positioning step (lOd) of the cylindrical body (10) of the connector terminal (1) to lock the connector terminal (1) in the connector housing (2).

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