Conductive terminal and electrical connection assembly

Abstract

To provide an electrical connection assembly in which a floating portion can adjust a clamping portion into a state aligned with a mating terminal to ensure reliable electrical contact between the mating terminal and a conductive terminal.SOLUTION: A conductive terminal includes: a fixing portion (11) mechanically fixed and electrically connected to a circuit board (3); a floating portion (12) elastically connected to the fixing portion (11) and capable of floating with respect to the fixing portion (11); and an elastic clip (13) connected to the floating portion (12). If a mating terminal (2) to be inserted is offset from a clamping portion (13a), the floating portion (12) is movable by pushing in of the inserted mating terminal (2) so as to adjust the clamping portion (13a) into a state aligned with the mating terminal (2).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Cross - reference to Related Applications This application claims the benefit of Chinese Patent Application No. CN202221498931.5, filed on June 15, 2022, with the State Intellectual Property Office of China, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to a conductive terminal and an electrical connection assembly including the conductive terminal.

Background Art

[0003] In the prior art, in order to ensure a reliable electrical contact between a conductive terminal and an inserted mating terminal, it is necessary to align the mating terminal with the clamp portion of the conductive terminal. If the mating terminal is offset from the clamp portion of the conductive terminal, the electrical contact may lack reliability. In a vibrating environment, this may cause a problem of temporary disconnection between the mating terminal and the conductive terminal.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The present invention is made to overcome or mitigate at least one aspect of the above - mentioned disadvantages.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] According to one aspect of the present invention, a conductive terminal is provided. The conductive terminal comprises a fixed portion for mechanically fixing to a circuit board and for electrical connection, a floating portion elastically connected to the fixed portion and capable of floating relative to the fixed portion, and an elastic clip connected to the floating portion. The elastic clip has a clamping portion, which is for tightening a mating terminal inserted into the clamping portion and making electrical contact with the mating terminal. If the mating terminal to be inserted is offset from the clamping portion, the floating portion is movable by pushing in the inserted mating terminal so as to adjust the clamping portion to be aligned with the mating terminal.

[0006] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the floating portion is capable of floating in a first direction relative to the fixed portion, the mating terminal is inserted into the clamp portion in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and if the inserted mating terminal is offset from the clamp portion by a predetermined distance in the first direction, the floating portion is capable of moving in the first direction by pushing in the inserted mating terminal so as to eliminate the offset in the first direction between the mating terminal and the clamp portion.

[0007] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the floating portion comprises a base plate and an elastic connector connected between the base plate and the fixed portion. The elastic connector is elastically deformable in a first direction so that the base plate can float in a first direction relative to the fixed portion, and an elastic clip is connected to the base plate so that it can float together with the base plate.

[0008] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the fixed portion comprises a side plate and pins connected to the side plate. The pins are configured to be inserted into and fixed to conductive holes in a circuit board, and the elastic connection portion is connected to the side plate such that the floating portion is suspended from the side plate.

[0009] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the surface of the side plate is perpendicular to the first direction, and the surface of the base plate is perpendicular to the second direction.

[0010] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the fixing portion comprises a pair of side plates arranged parallel to each other, and a pin is connected to one of two side edges of the side plates which are opposite to each other in a second direction and extends along the second direction, and two sides of the base plate which are opposite to each other in a first direction are respectively connected via elastic connectors to the other of the two side edges of the side plates which are opposite to each other in a second direction.

[0011] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the floating portion comprises two pairs of elastic connectors, each connected to two sides of a base plate that are opposite to each other in a first direction.

[0012] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the elastic clip comprises a pair of elastic cantilevers connected to two sides of a base plate that are opposite to each other in a first direction, the elastic cantilevers having arc-shaped bends located at their free ends, and the arc-shaped bends of the pair of elastic cantilevers are adjacent to each other to form a clamping portion.

[0013] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an opening is formed in an intermediate region of the base plate to allow the mating terminal to pass through, and the clamp portion faces the opening in a second direction.

[0014] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the fixed end of the elastic cantilever is connected to an intermediate position on the side edge of the base plate and positioned between a corresponding pair of elastic connectors.

[0015] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the elastic connection comprises a first connecting arm extending linearly along a second direction and a second connecting arm bent in an arc shape. One end of the second connecting arm is connected to a side plate, the other end is connected to one end of the first connecting arm, and the other end of the first connecting arm is connected to a base plate.

[0016] According to another aspect of the present invention, an electrical connection assembly is provided. The electrical connection assembly comprises a circuit board and the conductive terminals described above. A fixed portion of the conductive terminal is mechanically fixed to and electrically connected to the circuit board, and a floating portion of the conductive terminal is suspended to the circuit board via the fixed portion without contacting the circuit board.

[0017] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, conductive holes are formed in the circuit board, pins are formed in the fixing portion, and the pins are inserted into the conductive holes to mechanically fix the conductive terminals to the circuit board and to electrically connect them.

[0018] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a conductive soldering pad is formed on a circuit board, and a soldering portion is formed on the fixing portion, which is welded to the soldering pad for mechanically fixing and electrically connecting conductive terminals to the circuit board.

[0019] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the electrical connection assembly further comprises a mating terminal inserted into a clamp portion of the conductive terminal for electrical connection with the conductive terminal.

[0020] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the circuit board has a first surface and a second surface opposite in the thickness direction thereof, and the conductive terminal is mounted on the first surface of the circuit board, and a through hole is formed in the circuit board to allow the mating terminal to pass through, and the mating terminal passes from the second surface of the circuit board through the through hole in the circuit board and is inserted into the clamp portion.

[0021] In the above exemplary embodiment according to the present invention, even when the mating terminal to be inserted is not aligned with the clamping portion of the conductive terminal, the floating portion can adjust the clamping portion to a state aligned with the mating terminal, thereby ensuring reliable electrical contact between the mating terminal and the conductive terminal.

[0022] The above and other features of the present invention will become more apparent by describing its exemplary embodiments in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0023] [Figure 1] It is a perspective view for explaining an electrical connection assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] It is an exploded view for explaining an electrical connection assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] It is a perspective view for explaining a conductive terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] It is a side view for explaining an electrical connection assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, in which the mating terminal to be inserted is in the correct insertion position aligned with the clamping portion of the conductive terminal. [Figure 5] It is a side view for explaining an electrical connection assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, in which the mating terminal to be inserted is in an offset position not aligned with the clamping portion of the conductive terminal. [Figure 6] It is a side view for explaining the electrical connection assembly shown in FIG. 5, in which the mating terminal is inserted into the clamping portion of the conductive terminal.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0024] Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, similar reference numerals refer to similar elements. However, the present disclosure may be implemented in numerous different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments described herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided to make the present disclosure thorough and complete and will adequately convey the concepts of the present disclosure to those skilled in the art.

[0025] In the following detailed description, for illustrative purposes, numerous specific details are included to provide a complete understanding of the embodiments disclosed. However, it will be apparent that one or more embodiments may be carried out without these specific details. In other examples, for the sake of simplicity in the drawings, well-known structures and devices are shown schematically.

[0026] According to the general concept of the present invention, a conductive terminal is provided. The conductive terminal comprises a fixed portion for mechanically fixing to a circuit board and for electrical connection, a floating portion elastically connected to the fixed portion and capable of floating relative to the fixed portion, and an elastic clip connected to the floating portion. The elastic clip has a clamping portion, which is for tightening a mating terminal inserted into the clamping portion and making electrical contact with the mating terminal. If the mating terminal to be inserted is offset from the clamping portion, the floating portion is movable by pushing in the inserted mating terminal so as to adjust the clamping portion to be aligned with the mating terminal.

[0027] According to another general concept of the present invention, an electrical connection assembly is provided. The electrical connection assembly comprises a circuit board and the conductive terminals described above. A fixed portion of the conductive terminal is mechanically fixed to and electrically connected to the circuit board, and a floating portion of the conductive terminal is suspended to the circuit board via the fixed portion without contacting the circuit board.

[0028] Figure 1 shows an explanatory perspective view of an electrical connection assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 shows an explanatory exploded view of an electrical connection assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 shows an explanatory perspective view of a conductive terminal 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 shows an explanatory side view of an electrical connection assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, in which the mating terminal 2 to be inserted is in the correct insertion position, aligned with the clamp portion 13a of the conductive terminal 1.

[0029] As shown in Figures 1 to 4, in the exemplary embodiment, the electrical connection assembly mainly includes a conductive terminal 1, a mating terminal 2, and a circuit board 3. The conductive terminal 1 is fixedly mounted on the circuit board 3, and the mating terminal 2 is inserted into the clamp portion 13a of the conductive terminal 1 and makes electrical contact with the clamp portion 13a of the conductive terminal 1.

[0030] As shown in Figures 1 to 4, in the exemplary embodiment, the conductive terminal 1 includes a fixed portion 11, a floating portion 12, and an elastic clip 13. The fixed portion 11 is used to be mechanically fixed to the circuit board 3 and electrically connected. The floating portion 12 is elastically connected to the fixed portion 11 and can float relative to the fixed portion 11. The elastic clip 13 is connected to the floating portion 12 and has a clamping portion 13a. The clamping portion 13a is used to tighten the inserted mating terminal 2 and to make electrical contact with the mating terminal 2.

[0031] Figure 5 shows an explanatory side view of an electrical connection assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, in which the mating terminal 2 to be inserted is in an offset position that is not aligned with the clamp portion 13a of the conductive terminal 1. Figure 6 shows an explanatory side view of the electrical connection assembly shown in Figure 5, in which the mating terminal 2 is inserted into the clamp portion 13a of the conductive terminal 1.

[0032] As shown in Figures 1 to 6, in the exemplary embodiment, for example in the embodiment shown in Figure 5, when the mating terminal 2 to be inserted is offset from the clamp portion 13a, the amount of offset in the first direction X between the mating terminal 2 to be inserted and the clamp portion 13a of the conductive terminal 1 is d. At this time, as shown in Figures 5 and 6, the floating portion 12 can be moved by the pushing of the inserted mating terminal 2 so as to adjust the clamp portion 13a to be aligned with the mating terminal 2, thereby ensuring a highly reliable electrical contact between the mating terminal 2 and the clamp portion 13a.

[0033] As shown in Figures 1 to 6, in the exemplary embodiment, the floating portion 12 can float relative to the fixed portion 11 in a first direction X, and the mating terminal 2 is inserted into the clamp portion 13a in a second direction Z perpendicular to the first direction X. If the mating terminal 2 to be inserted is offset from the clamp portion 13a by a predetermined distance in the first direction, the floating portion 12 can be moved in the first direction by pushing in the inserted mating terminal 2 so as to eliminate the offset amount d in the first direction between the mating terminal 2 and the clamp portion 13a.

[0034] As shown in Figures 1 to 6, in the exemplary embodiment, the floating portion 12 includes a base plate 120 and an elastic connecting portion 121. The elastic connecting portion 121 is connected between the base plate 120 and the fixed portion 11. The elastic connecting portion 121 can be elastically deformed in a first direction X, thereby allowing the base plate 120 to float relative to the fixed portion 11 in the first direction X. An elastic clip 13 is connected to the base plate 120 so as to be able to float together with the base plate 120.

[0035] As shown in Figures 1 to 6, in the exemplary embodiment, the fixing portion 11 includes a side plate 110 and a pin 111. The pin 111 is connected to the side plate 110. The pin 111 is used to be inserted into and fixed to a conductive hole 311 in the circuit board 3, and the elastic connection portion 121 is connected to the side plate 110 so that the floating portion 12 is suspended from the side plate 110.

[0036] As shown in Figures 1 to 6, in the exemplary embodiment, the surface of the side plate 110 is perpendicular to the first direction X, and the surface of the base plate 120 is perpendicular to the second direction Z.

[0037] As shown in Figures 1 to 6, in the exemplary embodiment, the fixing portion 11 includes a pair of side plates 110 arranged parallel to each other, and a pin 111 is connected to one of the two side edges of the side plates 110 which are opposite to each other in the second direction Z and extends along the second direction Z. Two sides of the base plate 120 which are opposite to each other in the first direction X are connected via elastic connectors 121 to the other of the two side edges of the side plates 110 which are opposite to each other in the second direction Z.

[0038] As shown in Figures 1 to 6, in the exemplary embodiment, the floating portion 12 includes two pairs of elastic connectors 121 that are respectively connected to both sides of the base plate 120 in a first direction X.

[0039] As shown in Figures 1 to 6, in the exemplary embodiment, the elastic clip 13 includes a pair of elastic cantilevers 130. The pair of elastic cantilevers 130 are connected to both sides of the base plate 120 in a first direction X. The elastic cantilevers 130 have arc-shaped bends 131 located at their free ends, and the arc-shaped bends 131 of the pair of elastic cantilevers 130 are adjacent to each other to form a clamp portion 13a.

[0040] As shown in Figures 1 to 6, in the exemplary embodiment, an opening 120a is formed in the intermediate region of the base plate 120, allowing the mating terminal 2 to pass through, and the clamp portion 13a faces the opening 120a in the second direction Z.

[0041] As shown in Figures 1 to 6, in the exemplary embodiment, the fixed end of the elastic cantilever 130 is connected to the middle portion of the side edge of the base plate 120 and positioned between a corresponding pair of elastic connectors 121.

[0042] As shown in Figures 1 to 6, in the exemplary embodiment, the elastic connection portion 121 includes a first connecting arm 121a and a second connecting arm 121b. The first connecting arm 121a extends linearly in a second direction Z. The second connecting arm 121b is bent in an arc shape. One end of the second connecting arm 121b is connected to the side plate 110, the other end of the second connecting arm 121b is connected to one end of the first connecting arm 121a, and the other end of the first connecting arm 121a is connected to the base plate 120.

[0043] As shown in Figures 1 to 6, an exemplary embodiment of the present invention also discloses an electrical connection assembly including a circuit board 3 and the conductive terminal 1 described above. The fixed portion 11 of the conductive terminal 1 is mechanically fixed to the circuit board 3 and electrically connected, while the floating portion 12 of the conductive terminal 1 is suspended from the circuit board 3 via the fixed portion 11 and does not come into contact with the circuit board 3.

[0044] As shown in Figures 1 to 6, in the exemplary embodiment, a conductive hole 311 is formed in the circuit board 3 and a pin 111 is formed in the fixing part 11. The pin 111 is inserted into the conductive hole 311 in order to mechanically fix the conductive terminal 1 to the circuit board 3 and to electrically connect it.

[0045] As shown in Figures 1 to 6, in an optional embodiment of the present invention, a conductive soldering pad (not shown) is formed on the circuit board 3, a soldering portion (not shown) is formed on the fixing portion 11, and the soldering portion is welded to the soldering pad in order to mechanically fix the conductive terminal 1 to the circuit board 3 and electrically connect it.

[0046] As shown in Figures 1 to 6, in the exemplary embodiment, the electrical connection assembly further includes a mating terminal 2 which is inserted into the clamp portion 13a of the conductive terminal 1 for electrical connection with the conductive terminal 1.

[0047] As shown in Figures 1 to 6, in the exemplary embodiment, the circuit board 3 has a first surface and a second surface that are opposite to each other in the thickness direction, and the conductive terminal 1 is installed on the first surface of the circuit board 3. A through hole 32 is formed in the circuit board 3 to allow the mating terminal 2 to pass through. The mating terminal 2 passes through the through hole 32 in the circuit board 3 from the second surface of the circuit board 3 and is inserted into the clamp portion 13a.

[0048] Those skilled in the art should understand that the embodiments described above are illustrative and not limiting. For example, those skilled in the art can make many modifications to the embodiments without structural or principle contradictions, and can freely combine the various features described in different embodiments.

[0049] While several exemplary embodiments have been illustrated and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications or alterations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the disclosure. The scope of the disclosure is defined by the claims and their equivalents.

[0050] When used herein, elements described in the singular form and preceded by the word "a" or "an" should be understood not to exclude the plural forms of such elements or steps unless it is explicitly stated that such exclusion is to be excluded. Furthermore, references to “one embodiment” of the present invention are not intended to be construed as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that likewise incorporate the described features. Moreover, unless it is expressly stated otherwise, embodiments that “compile” or “have” one or more elements having a particular characteristic may include additional such elements that do not possess that characteristic.

Claims

1. A conductive terminal, The aforementioned conductive terminal is - A fixing part (11) that is mechanically fixed to the circuit board (3) and electrically connected, - A floating portion (12) is elastically connected to the fixed portion (11) and is capable of floating relative to the fixed portion (11), - comprising an elastic clip (13) connected to the floating portion (12), The elastic clip (13) has a clamp portion (13a), and the clamp portion (13a) is for tightening the mating terminal (2) inserted into the clamp portion (13a) and making electrical contact with the mating terminal (2). If the mating terminal (2) to be inserted is offset from the clamp portion (13a), the floating portion (12) is movable by the pushing of the inserted mating terminal (2) so as to adjust the clamp portion (13a) to be aligned with the mating terminal (2). Conductive terminal.

2. The floating portion (12) is capable of floating in a first direction (X) relative to the fixed portion (11), and the mating terminal (2) is inserted into the clamp portion (13a) in a second direction (Z) perpendicular to the first direction (X). If the mating terminal (2) to be inserted is offset from the clamp portion (13a) by a predetermined distance in the first direction (X), the floating portion (12) is movable in the first direction (X) by the pushing of the inserted mating terminal (2) so as to eliminate the offset in the first direction between the mating terminal (2) and the clamp portion (13a). The conductive terminal according to claim 1.

3. The floating portion (12) is - Base plate (120), - An elastic connecting portion (121) connected between the base plate (120) and the fixing portion (11), Equipped with, The elastic connecting portion (121) is capable of elastic deformation in the first direction (X) such that the base plate (120) can float in the first direction (X) relative to the fixing portion (11), The elastic clip (13) is connected to the base plate (120) so that it can float together with the base plate (120). The conductive terminal according to claim 2.

4. The aforementioned fixing part (11) is - Side plate (110), - The pin (111) connected to the side plate, Equipped with, The pin (111) is configured to be inserted into and fixed in a conductive hole (311) in the circuit board (3), and the elastic connecting portion (121) is connected to the side plate (110) such that the floating portion (12) is suspended from the side plate (110). The conductive terminal according to claim 3.

5. The surface of the side plate (110) is perpendicular to the first direction (X), and the surface of the base plate (120) is perpendicular to the second direction (Z). The conductive terminal according to claim 4.

6. The fixing portion (11) comprises a pair of side plates (110) arranged parallel to each other, and the pin (111) is connected to one of the two side edges of the side plates (110) that are opposite to each other in the second direction (Z), and extends along the second direction (Z), Two sides of the base plate (120) that are opposite to each other in the first direction (X) are connected via the elastic connecting portion (121) to the other of the two side edges of the side plate (110) that are opposite to each other in the second direction (Z). The conductive terminal according to claim 5.

7. The floating portion (12) comprises two pairs of elastic connecting portions (121) that are connected to the two sides of the base plate (120) which are opposite to each other in the first direction (X). The conductive terminal according to claim 6.

8. The elastic clip (13) comprises a pair of elastic cantilevers (130) connected to the two sides of the base plate (120) that are opposite to each other in the first direction (X), The elastic cantilever (130) has an arc-shaped bent portion (131) located at its free end, and the arc-shaped bent portions (131) of the pair of elastic cantilevers (130) are adjacent to each other so as to form the clamp portion (13a). The conductive terminal according to claim 7.

9. In order to allow the mating terminal (2) to pass through, an opening (120a) is formed in the intermediate region of the base plate (120), and the clamp portion (13a) faces the opening (120a) in the second direction (Z), The conductive terminal according to claim 8.

10. The fixed end of the elastic cantilever (130) is connected to the intermediate position of the side edge of the base plate (120) and is positioned between a corresponding pair of elastic connectors (121). The conductive terminal according to claim 8.

11. The elastic connecting portion (121) is A first connecting arm (121a) extending linearly along the second direction (Z), A second connecting arm (121b) that bends in an arc shape and Equipped with, One end of the second connecting arm (121b) is connected to the side plate (110), and the other end is connected to one end of the first connecting arm (121a), and the other end of the first connecting arm (121a) is connected to the base plate (120). A conductive terminal according to any one of claims 4 to 10.

12. Circuit board (3) and The conductive terminal (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10 and Equipped with, The fixed portion (11) of the conductive terminal (1) is mechanically fixed to the circuit board (3) and electrically connected, and the floating portion (12) of the conductive terminal (1) is suspended from the circuit board (3) via the fixed portion (11) without contacting the circuit board (3). Electrical connection assembly.

13. A conductive hole (311) is formed in the circuit board (3), and a pin (111) is formed in the fixing part (11). The pin (111) is inserted into the conductive hole to mechanically fix the conductive terminal (1) to the circuit board (3) and to electrically connect it. The electrical connection assembly according to claim 12.

14. A conductive soldering pad is formed on the circuit board (3), and a soldering portion is formed on the fixing portion (11) which is welded to the conductive soldering pad to mechanically fix the conductive terminal (1) to the circuit board (3) and to electrically connect it. The electrical connection assembly according to claim 12.

15. A mating terminal (2) is inserted into the clamp portion (13a) of the conductive terminal (1) in order to electrically connect with the conductive terminal (1). Furthermore, The electrical connection assembly according to claim 12.

16. The circuit board (3) has a first surface and a second surface on the opposite side in the thickness direction, and the conductive terminal (1) is installed on the first surface of the circuit board (3). To allow the mating terminal (2) to pass through, a through hole (32) is formed in the circuit board (3), and the mating terminal (2) passes through the through hole (32) in the circuit board (3) from the second surface of the circuit board (3) and is inserted into the clamp portion (13a). The electrical connection assembly according to claim 15.

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