Connector terminal and connector

Abstract

To provide a connector terminal capable of improving reliability and stability of electrical contact, decreasing a size, reducing cost of manufacture and reducing an insertion / removal force during terminal fitting, and a connector.SOLUTION: A connector terminal 1 comprises a cylindrical main body 10, an annular part 13, a plurality of first spring arms 11, and a plurality of second spring arms 12. Two ends of the first spring arm 11 are simple support beams which are connected to the cylindrical main body 10 and the annular part 13, and the second spring arm 12 is a cantilever beam. The first spring arm 11 and the second spring arm 12 are alternately disposed in a circumferential direction for simultaneous electrical contact with an outer peripheral surface of a mating terminal to be inserted. The connector terminal 1 is capable of improving reliability of electrical contact and stability of the terminal by having a hybrid structure consisting of the simple support beams and the cantilever beams, decreasing a size, reducing cost of manufacture, and reducing an insertion / removal power during fitting.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Cross - reference to Related Applications This application claims the benefit of Chinese Patent Application No. CN202420095545.4, filed on January 15, 2024, 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 connector terminal and a connector including the connector terminal.

Background Art

[0003] In the prior art, generally, there are two structures for terminals in heavy - duty connectors. One is a complete cantilever beam structure, and the other is a complete simple supported beam structure. The terminals with a complete cantilever beam structure are prone to deformation, which may cause poor and unstable electrical contact. The terminals with a complete supported beam structure are difficult to control because the insertion and extraction force during fitting with the mating terminal is either too large or too small, and the size of the terminal product is relatively large.

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 connector terminal is provided. The connector terminal includes a cylindrical body having a front end portion and a rear end portion on opposite sides in the axial direction, an annular portion disposed in front of the cylindrical body and on the opposite side in the axial direction with respect to the cylindrical body, a plurality of first spring arms connected between the cylindrical body and the annular portion and arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical body, and a plurality of second spring arms extending forward from the front end portion of the cylindrical body and arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical body. Two ends of the first spring arm are respectively connected to the cylindrical body and the annular portion. Therefore, 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. Therefore, 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 peripheral surface of the mating terminal to be inserted.

[0006] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a window is formed between the annular portion and two adjacent first spring arms, and each second spring arm is suspended within the corresponding window.

[0007] 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 the diameter of the cylindrical body.

[0008] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the annular portion has a front opening for enabling the insertion of the mating terminal, and a conical guide surface is formed on the inner surface of the front opening of the annular portion for guiding the insertion of the mating terminal.

[0009] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the front end and the rear end of the first spring arm are connected to an annular portion and a cylindrical body respectively, and a first contact portion protruding inward is formed at 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 inward is formed on the inner surface 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 plurality of first spring arms and the second contact portions of the plurality of second spring arms surround the mating terminal and are in electrical contact with the outer peripheral surface of the mating terminal simultaneously.

[0010] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the first spring arm has a rear end connected to the front end of the cylindrical body, and includes a first axially extending arm extending forward along the axial direction of the cylindrical body, and a first axially extending arm having a rear end connected to the front end of the first axially extending arm and obliquely extending forward with respect 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 surface of the front end of the first inclined extension arm.

[0011] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the second spring arm has a rear end connected to the front end of the cylindrical body, and includes a second axially extending arm extending forward along the axial direction of the cylindrical body, and a second axially extending arm having a rear end connected to the front end of the second axially extending arm and obliquely extending forward with respect to the axial direction of the cylindrical body. The front end of the second inclined extension arm is suspended, and the second contact portion is formed on the inner surface of the front end of the second inclined extension arm.

[0012] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a circular positioning step is formed outside the rear end of the cylindrical body and is used to abut against the locking spring of the locking element in the connector housing to lock the connector terminal in the connector housing.

[0013] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the connector terminal is connected to the rear end portion of the cylindrical body and further includes a crimping portion that is used for crimping to a cable for electrical connection with the cable.

[0014] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the crimping portion includes a first crimping portion that is U-shaped and suitable for crimping to the conductor core wire of the cable, and a second crimping portion that is U-shaped and suitable for crimping to the outer layer of the cable. The first crimping portion is connected between the rear end portion of the cylindrical body and the second crimping portion.

[0015] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the connector terminal is a stamped piece.

[0016] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the cylindrical body has two longitudinally extending side edges that are joined together, an engaging protrusion is formed on one side edge of the cylindrical body, an engaging slot is formed on the other side edge of the cylindrical body, and the engaging protrusion engages with the engaging slot.

[0017] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the engaging protrusion and the engaging slot are in a dovetail shape, an inverted triangle shape, or an Ω shape so that the engaging protrusion and the engaging slot cannot be separated in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical body.

[0018] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a connector is provided. The connector includes a connector housing in which a terminal hole is formed, and the above-described connector terminal inserted into the terminal hole.

[0019] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the connector further includes a locking element that is attached to the connector housing and formed with a locking spring. The locking spring extends into the terminal hole and abuts against the positioning step of the cylindrical body of the connector terminal so as to lock the connector terminal to the connector housing.

[0020] In the above exemplary embodiment according to the present invention, the terminal has first spring arms and second spring arms arranged alternately, the first spring arms are simple support beams, and the second spring arms are cantilever beams. The hybrid structure composed of this simple support beam and cantilever beam improves the reliability of electrical contact and the stability of the terminal, reduces the size of the terminal, lowers the manufacturing cost of the terminal, and reduces the insertion and extraction force during terminal fitting.

[0021] Other features of the present invention will become more apparent by describing the exemplary embodiments of the present invention in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0022]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0023] With reference to the accompanying drawings, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail below in this specification. In the drawings, like reference numerals refer to like elements. However, the present disclosure may be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments described herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that the present disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the concept of the present disclosure to those skilled in the art.

[0024] 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 shown schematically in order to simplify the drawing.

[0025] According to a general concept of the present invention, a connector terminal is provided. The connector terminal includes a cylindrical body having a front end portion and a rear end portion that are axially opposite to each other, an annular portion disposed axially opposite to the cylindrical body in front of the cylindrical body, a plurality of first spring arms connected between the cylindrical body and the annular portion and arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical body, and a plurality of second spring arms extending forward from the front end portion of the cylindrical body and arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical body. Two ends of the first spring arm are respectively connected to the cylindrical body and the annular portion, so 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 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 peripheral surface of the mating terminal to be inserted.

[0026] According to another general concept of the present invention, a connector is provided. The connector includes a connector housing in which a terminal hole is formed, and the above-described connector terminal inserted into the connector hole.

[0027] FIG. 1 is a perspective view for explaining a connector terminal 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention as viewed from a certain angle, FIG. 2 is a perspective view for explaining the connector terminal 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention as viewed from another angle, and FIG. 3 is an axial cross-sectional view of the connector terminal 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] As shown in FIGS. 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, a plurality of first spring arms 11, and a plurality of second spring arms 12. The cylindrical body 10 has a front end portion and a rear end portion that are opposite to each other in the axial direction. The annular portion 13 is disposed in front of the cylindrical body 10 and axially opposite to the cylindrical body 10. The plurality of first spring arms 11 are connected between the cylindrical body 10 and the annular portion 13 and are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical body 10. The plurality of second arms 12 extend forward from the front end portion of the cylindrical body 10 and are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical body 10. Two ends of the first spring arm 11 are respectively connected to the cylindrical body 10 and the annular portion 13, so the first arm 11 becomes 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, so the second spring arm 12 becomes 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 peripheral surface of a mating terminal (not shown) of a mating connector to be inserted.

[0029] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, in the exemplary embodiment, a window 100 is formed between the annular portion 13 and two adjacent first spring arms 11, and each second spring arm 12 is suspended within the corresponding window 100.

[0030] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, in the exemplary embodiment, the annular portion 13 is coaxial with the cylindrical body 10, and the diameter of the annular portion 13 is smaller than the diameter of the cylindrical body 10.

[0031] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, in the exemplary embodiment, the annular portion 13 has a front opening 130 that allows insertion of a mating terminal, and a conical guide surface 13a is formed on the inner surface of the front opening 130 of the annular portion 13 to guide the insertion of the mating terminal.

[0032] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, in the exemplary embodiment, the front end portion and the rear end portion of the first spring arm 11 are connected to the annular portion 13 and the cylindrical body 10 respectively, and a first contact portion 11a protruding inward is formed at the front end portion of the first spring arm 11. The rear end portion 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 surface of the front end portion of the second arm 12. When the mating terminal is inserted into the connector terminal 1, the first contact portions 11a of the plurality of first spring arms 11 and the second contact portions 12a of the plurality of second spring arms 12 surround the mating terminal and are in electrical contact with the outer peripheral surface of the mating terminal simultaneously.

[0033] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, in the exemplary embodiment, the first spring arm 11 includes a first axially extending arm 111 and a first inclined extending arm 112. The rear end portion of the first axially extending arm 111 is connected to the front end portion of the cylindrical body 10, and the first axially extending arm 111 extends forward along the axial direction of the cylindrical body 10. The rear end portion of the first inclined extending arm 112 is connected to the front end portion of the first axially extending arm 111, and the first inclined extending arm 112 extends obliquely forward with respect to the axial direction of the cylindrical body 10. The front end portion of the first inclined extending arm 112 is connected to the annular portion 13, and the first contact portion 11a is formed on the inner surface of the front end portion of the first inclined extending arm 112.

[0034] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, in the exemplary embodiment, the second spring arm 12 includes a second axially extending arm 121 and a second inclined extending arm 122. The rear end portion of the second axially extending arm 121 is connected to the front end portion of the cylindrical body 10, and the second axially extending arm 121 extends forward along the axial direction of the cylindrical body 10. The rear end portion of the second inclined extending arm 122 is connected to the front end portion of the second axially extending arm 121, and the second inclined extending arm 122 extends obliquely forward with respect to the axial direction of the cylindrical body 10. The front end portion of the second inclined extending arm 122 is suspended, and the second contact portion 12a is formed on the inner surface of the front end portion of the second inclined extending arm 122.

[0035] FIG. 4 is an axial cross-sectional view of the connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, in the exemplary embodiment, a circular positioning step 10d is formed outside the rear end portion of the cylindrical body 10. The positioning step 10d is used to press the locking spring 30 of the locking element 3 within the connector housing 2 in order to lock the connector terminal 1 to the connector housing 2.

[0037] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, in the exemplary embodiment, the connector terminal 1 further includes a crimping portion 14 for crimping to a cable (not shown) and electrical connection with the cable, which connects to the rear end portion of the cylindrical body 10.

[0038] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, in the exemplary embodiment, the crimping portion 14 includes a first crimping portion 141 and a second crimping portion 142. The first crimping portion 141 is U-shaped and suitable for crimping to the conductor core wire of the cable. The second crimping portion 142 is U-shaped and suitable for crimping to the outer layer of the cable. The first crimping portion 141 is connected between the rear end portion of the cylindrical body 10 and the second crimping portion 142.

[0039] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, in the exemplary embodiment, the connector terminal 1 is an integrally punched part. This can reduce the manufacturing cost and improve the production efficiency.

[0040] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, in the exemplary embodiment, the cylindrical body 10 has two longitudinally extending side edges 10c that are joined together. The engaging protrusion 10a is formed on one side edge 10c of the cylindrical body 10, and the engaging slot 10b is formed on the other side edge 10c of the cylindrical body 10. The engaging protrusion 10a engages with the engaging slot 10b.

[0041] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, in the exemplary embodiment, the engaging protrusion 10a and the engaging slot 10b are in a dovetail shape, an inverted triangle shape, or an Ω shape so that the engaging protrusion 10a and the engaging slot 10b cannot be separated in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical body 10.

[0042] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, in yet another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a connector is further disclosed. The connector includes a connector housing 2 and the above-described 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.

[0043] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, in the exemplary embodiment, the connector further includes a locking element 3 which is attached to the connector housing 2 and formed with a locking spring 30. The locking spring 30 extends into the terminal hole 20 and abuts against the positioning step 10d of the cylindrical body 10 of the connector terminal 1 so as to lock the connector terminal 1 to the connector housing 2.

[0044] It should be understood by those skilled in the art that the above embodiments are exemplary and not restrictive. For example, those skilled in the art can make many modifications to the above embodiments without conflicting in structure or principle, and can freely combine various features described in different embodiments with each other.

[0045] Although some exemplary embodiments have been illustrated and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes or modifications can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the present disclosure. The scope of the present disclosure is defined by the claims and their equivalents.

[0046] As used herein, elements described in the singular and preceded by the word "a" or "an" should be understood not to exclude the plural of such elements or steps, unless explicitly stated to the contrary. Further, reference to "one embodiment" of the present invention is not intended to be construed as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features. Further, unless explicitly stated otherwise, an embodiment "comprising" or "having" one element or a plurality of elements with a particular characteristic may include additional such elements that do not have that characteristic.

Claims

1. A connector terminal, comprising: a cylindrical body (10) having a front end portion and a rear end portion located on opposite sides in the axial direction; an annular portion (13) disposed in front of the cylindrical body (10) and on opposite sides in the axial direction with respect to the cylindrical body (10); a plurality of first spring arms (11) connected between the cylindrical body (10) and the annular portion (13) and spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical body (10); a plurality of second spring arms (12) extending forward from the front end portion of the cylindrical body (10) and spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical body (10); wherein: two end portions of the first spring arm (11) are respectively connected to the cylindrical body (10) and the annular portion (13), and thus the first spring arm (11) is a simply supported beam; one end portion of the second spring arm (12) is connected to the cylindrical body (10), and the other end portion is suspended, and thus the second spring arm (12) is a cantilever beam; the first spring arms (11) and the second spring arms (12) are alternately arranged in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical body (10) for simultaneous electrical contact with the outer peripheral surface of a mating terminal to be inserted; a connector terminal.

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

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

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

5. The front end portion and the rear end portion of the first spring arm (11) are respectively connected to the annular portion (13) and the cylindrical body (10), and a first contact portion (11a) protruding inward is formed at the front end portion of the first spring arm (11); The rear end portion 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 surface of the front end portion of the second spring arm (12). When the mating terminal is inserted into the connector terminal (1), the first contact portions (11a) of the plurality of first spring arms (11) and the second contact portions (12a) of the plurality of second spring arms (12) surround the mating terminal and are in electrical contact with the outer peripheral surface of the mating terminal simultaneously. The connector terminal according to claim 1.

6. The first spring arm (11) has a rear end portion connected to the front end portion of the cylindrical body (10), and a first axially extending arm (111) extending forward along the axial direction of the cylindrical body (10). has a rear end portion connected to the front end portion of the first axially extending arm (111), and a first inclined extending arm (112) extending obliquely forward with respect to the axial direction of the cylindrical body (10). is provided with The front end portion of the first inclined extending arm (112) is connected to the annular portion (13), and the first contact portion (11a) is formed on the inner surface of the front end portion of the first inclined extending arm (112). The connector terminal according to claim 5.

7. The second spring arm (12) has a rear end portion connected to the front end portion of the cylindrical body (10), and a second axially extending arm (121) extending forward along the axial direction of the cylindrical body (10). has a rear end portion connected to the front end portion of the second axially extending arm (121), and a second inclined extending arm (122) extending obliquely forward with respect to the axial direction of the cylindrical body (10). is provided with The front end portion of the second inclined extending arm (122) is suspended, and the second contact portion (12a) is formed on the inner surface of the front end portion of the second inclined extending arm (122). The connector terminal according to claim 5.

8. The circular positioning step (10d) is formed outside the rear end portion of the cylindrical body (10) and is used to abut against the locking spring (30) of the locking element (3) in the connector housing (2) in order to lock the connector terminal (1) in the connector housing (2). The connector terminal according to claim 1.

9. A crimping portion (14) that is connected to the rear end portion of the cylindrical body (10) and is used for crimping to the cable for electrical connection with the cable The connector terminal according to claim 1, further comprising

10. The crimping portion (14) is A first crimping portion (141) that is U-shaped and suitable for crimping to the conductor core wire of the cable, and A second crimping portion (142) that is U-shaped and suitable for crimping to the outer layer of the cable Comprising The first crimping portion (141) is connected between the rear end portion of the cylindrical body (10) and the second crimping portion (142). The connector terminal according to claim 9.

11. The connector terminal (1) is an integrally punched part, and the connector terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

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

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

14. A connector, comprising A connector housing (2) in which a terminal hole (20) is formed, and The connector terminal (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 13 inserted into the terminal hole (20). A connector comprising

15. A locking element (3) attached to the connector housing (2) and formed with a locking spring (30). Further comprising The locking spring (30) extends into the terminal hole (20) and abuts against the positioning step (10d) of the cylindrical body (10) of the connector terminal (1) so as to lock the connector terminal (1) in the connector housing (2). The connector according to claim 14.

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