Terminal, terminal assembly, and electrical connection device

Abstract

To provide a terminal, a terminal assembly, and an electrical connection device capable of improving waterproof sealing performance of the terminal and reducing cost of the terminal.SOLUTION: The terminal includes a tubular body including a front pipe portion and a rear pipe portion, and a welding portion configured to be welded to the conductor of the power transmission member. The terminal is an integrally stamped copper terminal, a nickel plating layer is formed on the entire terminal, and the nickel plating layer is a base plating layer of the terminal. The terminal has a mating region located in the front tube portion, an injection-molded region located in the rear tube portion, and a welded region located in the welded portion. A silver plating layer is formed on the nickel plating layer in the fitting region of the terminal, and a tin plating layer is formed on the nickel plating layer in the injection molding region of the terminal. A good bond between the tinned layer of the injection-molded region and the injection-molded seal is possible.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims the benefit of Chinese Patent Application No. CN202410933579.0, filed with the State Intellectual Property Office of China on July 11, 2024, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to a terminal, a terminal assembly including the terminal, and an electrical connection device including the terminal assembly. [Background technology]

[0003] In the prior art, as competition in the automotive market intensifies, terminal cost control has become increasingly strict, and stamped terminals offer many cost advantages. Although stamped terminals offer many advantages, their innovative technology poses numerous technical challenges, such as how to form the plating layer on the terminal. To ensure electrical contact, a silver plating layer is typically formed over the entire terminal. However, the bonding performance between the silver plating layer and the silicone seal injection-molded onto the terminal is insufficient, and gaps are likely to form between the two, resulting in a deterioration of the waterproof sealing performance of the terminal. Furthermore, forming a silver plating layer over the entire terminal increases costs. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The present invention has been made to overcome or mitigate at least one aspect of the above disadvantages. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] According to an aspect of the present invention, a terminal is provided. The terminal includes a tubular body including a front tube portion configured to mate with a mating terminal and a rear tube portion configured to be joined to an injection-molded seal, and a weld portion connected to the rear end of the tubular body and configured to be welded to a conductor of a power transmission member. The terminal is a one-piece stamped copper terminal, and a nickel plating layer is formed over the entire terminal, the nickel plating layer being an underplating layer of the terminal. The terminal has a mating region located in the front tube portion, an injection-molded region located in the rear tube portion, and a weld region located in the weld portion. In the mating region of the terminal, a silver plating layer is formed on the nickel plating layer, and in the injection-molded region of the terminal, a tin plating layer is formed on the nickel plating layer.

[0006] In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the tin plating layer in the injection molded area of ​​the terminal is configured to engage with an injection molded seal that is injection molded into the rear tube portion of the terminal to increase the bond strength between the terminal and the injection molded seal.

[0007] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the silver plating layer in the mating area of ​​the terminal is configured to electrically contact the elastic contact member inserted into the front tube portion of the terminal, thereby improving the electrical contact performance between the terminal and the elastic contact member.

[0008] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, in the welding area of ​​the terminal, no other plating layer is formed on the nickel plating layer, the conductor of the power transmission member is a copper conductor, and the copper conductor is configured to be welded to the nickel plating layer in the welding area of ​​the terminal.

[0009] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a silver plating layer is formed on the nickel plating layer in the welding area of ​​the terminal, and the conductor of the current transmission member is an aluminum conductor, which is configured to be welded to the silver plating layer in the welding area of ​​the terminal.

[0010] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, to seal the internal cavity of the rear tube portion of the terminal, an opening is formed in the rear tube portion to allow injection molding material to enter the internal cavity of the rear tube portion of the terminal through the opening to form the injection molded seal.

[0011] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the openings are arc-shaped and extend circumferentially around the rear tube, a pair of openings are formed in the rear tube, the pair of openings are spaced apart in the axial direction of the rear tube, and the rear tube has an arc-shaped bridge between the pair of openings, the arc-shaped bridge configured to be embedded in the injection-molded seal so as to be joined to each other.

[0012] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a knurling pattern is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the rear tube portion of the terminal, and the knurling pattern is configured to bond to the injection molded material entering the rear tube portion of the terminal to increase the bond strength between the rear tube portion of the terminal and the injection molded seal.

[0013] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of first positioning protrusions and a plurality of second positioning protrusions are formed on the inner surface of the forward tube portion of the terminal, the plurality of first positioning protrusions are distributed at intervals circumferentially of the forward tube portion, and the plurality of second positioning protrusions are distributed at intervals circumferentially of the forward tube portion, the first positioning protrusions and the second positioning protrusions are spaced apart opposite each other in the axial direction of the forward tube portion and are configured to abut against the front end and rear end, respectively, of an elastic contact member inserted into the forward tube portion to position the elastic contact member in the axial direction.

[0014] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, drainage holes are formed in the peripheral wall of the front tube portion of the terminal so that water entering the front tube portion of the terminal can be drained through the drainage holes.

[0015] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the tubular body of the terminal has a pair of side portions to be assembled together, a plurality of engagement grooves formed in one of the pair of side portions, and a plurality of engagement protrusions formed in the other of the pair of side portions, and to assemble the pair of side portions of the tubular body together, the plurality of engagement grooves are distributed at intervals in the axial direction of the tubular body, and the plurality of engagement protrusions are distributed at intervals in the axial direction of the tubular body and engage with the plurality of engagement grooves, respectively.

[0016] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the engagement groove and the engagement protrusion are Ω-shaped or dovetail-shaped.

[0017] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the nickel plating layer, the silver plating layer, and the tin plating layer of the terminal each have a uniform thickness, and the thickness of the silver plating layer is equal to the thickness of the tin plating layer.

[0018] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a terminal assembly comprising the above-described terminal configured to be inserted into a terminal insertion hole of a housing of an electrical connection device, and an injection-molded seal injection-molded into a rear tube portion of the terminal and configured to seal an internal cavity of the rear tube portion and the terminal insertion hole.

[0019] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the injection-molded seal includes an inner seal portion located inside the rear tube portion of the terminal and configured to seal the internal cavity of the rear tube portion, and an outer seal portion located outside the rear tube portion of the terminal and configured to be pressed between the rear tube portion and the inner wall of the terminal insertion hole and configured to seal the terminal insertion hole. The inner seal portion is bonded to the tin-plated layer on the inner peripheral surface of the rear tube portion, and the outer seal portion is bonded to the tin-plated layer on the outer peripheral surface of the rear tube portion.

[0020] In accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the injection molded seal is formed from a silicone material that is injection molded into the rear tube portion of the terminal.

[0021] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the terminal assembly further includes a resilient contact member inserted into the front tube portion of the terminal and electrically contacting the silver-plated layer on the inner peripheral surface of the front tube portion, the resilient contact member configured to electrically contact a mating terminal inserted into the front tube portion of the terminal such that the mating terminal can be electrically connected to the terminal via the resilient contact member.

[0022] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the resilient contact member includes a pair of annular ends and a plurality of resilient arms connected between the pair of annular ends, the resilient arms being spaced apart circumferentially around the annular ends and configured to electrically contact an outer circumferential surface of an inserted mating terminal.

[0023] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the resilient contact member is a one-piece stamped copper component.

[0024] In accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the terminal assembly further includes a power carrying member having a conductor configured to be welded to a weld of the terminal to establish an electrical connection with the terminal.

[0025] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, in the welding area of ​​the terminal, no other plating layer is formed on the nickel plating layer, the conductor of the power transmission member is a copper conductor, and the copper conductor is configured to be welded to the nickel plating layer in the welding area of ​​the terminal.

[0026] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a silver plating layer is formed on the nickel plating layer in the welding area of ​​the terminal, and the conductor of the current transmission member is an aluminum conductor, which is configured to be welded to the silver plating layer in the welding area of ​​the terminal.

[0027] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the weld portion of the terminal is flat, and the conductor of the current carrying member has a flat weld end, and the flat weld end of the current carrying member is configured to be welded to the flat weld portion of the terminal.

[0028] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electrical connection device comprising: a housing provided with a terminal insertion hole; and the above-described terminal assembly inserted into the terminal insertion hole. The terminal assembly is configured to electrically contact a mating terminal of a mating electrical connection device inserted into the terminal insertion hole, thereby electrically connecting the electrical connection device to the mating electrical connection device.

[0029] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the electrical connection device is a charging dock and the mating electrical connection device is a charging gun configured to mate with the charging dock, or alternatively, the electrical connection device is a charging gun and the mating electrical connection device is a charging dock configured to mate with the charging gun.

[0030] In the above exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a silver plating layer is formed on the mating area of ​​the terminal that mates with the mating terminal, and a tin plating layer is formed on the injection-molded area of ​​the terminal that is bonded to the injection-molded seal. Good bonding between the tin plating layer on the injection-molded area of ​​the terminal and the injection-molded seal can improve the waterproof sealing performance of the terminal. Furthermore, since it is not necessary to form a silver plating layer on the entire terminal, the cost of the terminal can be reduced.

[0031] These and other features of the present invention will become more apparent from the detailed description of illustrative embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0032] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] 1 is an axial cross-sectional view of a terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 3]1 is an illustrative plan view of a terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 4] 1 is an illustrative cross-sectional view of a terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 5] 5 is an explanatory view showing that a nickel plating layer is formed on the terminal shown in FIG. 4. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing that a silver plating layer and a tin plating layer are formed on the nickel plating layer in the mating area and injection molding area of ​​the terminal shown in FIG. 5, respectively, and that no other plating layer is formed on the nickel plating layer in the welding area of ​​the terminal. [Figure 7] 7 is an explanatory view of an injection-molded seal formed on a rear tubular portion of the terminal shown in FIG. 6. FIG. [Figure 8] 8 is an explanatory diagram of a conductor of a power transmission member welded to a welded portion of the terminal shown in FIG. 7. [Figure 9] 6 is an explanatory view showing that a silver plating layer, a tin plating layer, and a silver plating layer are formed on a nickel plating layer in the mating region, the injection molding region, and the welding region of the terminal shown in FIG. 5, respectively. [Figure 10] 10 is an explanatory view of an injection-molded seal formed on the rear tube portion of the terminal shown in FIG. 9. [Figure 11] 11 is an explanatory diagram of a conductor of a power transmission member welded to a welded portion of the terminal shown in FIG. 10. [Figure 12] 1 is an axial cross-sectional view of a terminal assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0033] Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout the drawings. However, the present disclosure may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the concept of the disclosure to those skilled in the art.

[0034] 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 diagrammatically shown to simplify the drawings.

[0035] According to a general aspect of the present invention, a terminal is provided. The terminal includes a tubular body including a front tube portion configured to mate with a mating terminal and a rear tube portion configured to be joined to an injection-molded seal, and a weld portion connected to the rear end of the tubular body and configured to be welded to a conductor of a power transmitting member. The terminal is a one-piece stamped copper terminal, and a nickel plating layer is formed over the entire terminal, the nickel plating layer being an underplating layer of the terminal. The terminal has a mating region located in the front tube portion, an injection-molded region located in the rear tube portion, and a weld region located in the weld portion. In the mating region of the terminal, a silver plating layer is formed on the nickel plating layer, and in the injection-molded region of the terminal, a tin plating layer is formed on the nickel plating layer.

[0036] According to another general aspect of the present invention, a terminal is provided. The terminal includes a tubular body including a front tube portion configured to mate with a mating terminal and a rear tube portion configured to be joined to an injection-molded seal, and a weld portion connected to the rear end of the tubular body and configured to be welded to a conductor of a power transmitting member. The terminal is a one-piece stamped copper terminal, and a nickel plating layer is formed over the entire terminal, the nickel plating layer being an underplating layer of the terminal. The terminal has a mating region located in the front tube portion, an injection-molded region located in the rear tube portion, and a weld region located in the weld portion. In the mating region of the terminal, a silver plating layer is formed over the nickel plating layer, and in the injection-molded region of the terminal, a tin plating layer is formed over the nickel plating layer. In the weld region of the terminal, no other plating layer is formed over the nickel plating layer, or in the weld region of the terminal, the silver plating layer is formed over the nickel plating layer.

[0037] In accordance with another general aspect of the present invention, there is provided a terminal assembly comprising the above-described terminal configured to be inserted into a terminal insertion hole in a housing of an electrical connection device, and an injection-molded seal injection-molded into a rear tube portion of the terminal and configured to seal an interior cavity of the rear tube portion and the terminal insertion hole.

[0038] According to another general aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electrical connection device comprising a housing having a terminal insertion hole and the above-described terminal assembly inserted into the terminal insertion hole, the terminal assembly being configured to electrically contact a mating terminal of a mating electrical connection device inserted into the terminal insertion hole, thereby electrically connecting the electrical connection device to the mating electrical connection device.

[0039] FIG. 1 is an explanatory perspective view of a terminal 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an axial cross-sectional view of a terminal 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is an explanatory plan view of a terminal 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is an explanatory cross-sectional view of a terminal 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing that a nickel plating layer 1a is formed on the terminal 1 shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing that a silver plating layer 1b and a tin plating layer 1c are formed on the nickel plating layer 1a in the mating region Z1 and the injection molding region Z2 of the terminal 1 shown in FIG. 5, respectively, and that no other plating layers are formed on the nickel plating layer in the welding region of the terminal, and here, no other plating layers are formed on the nickel plating layer 1a in the welding region Z3 of the terminal. Fig. 7 is an explanatory diagram of the injection-molded seal 2 formed on the rear pipe portion 12 of the terminal 1 shown in Fig. 6. Fig. 8 is an explanatory diagram of the conductor 30 of the power transmission member 3 welded to the weld portion 13 of the terminal 1 shown in Fig. 7.

[0040] 1 to 8 , a terminal 1 is disclosed in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The terminal 1 includes a tubular body 10 and a weld portion 13. The tubular body 10 includes a front tubular portion 11 configured to fit into a mating terminal (not shown) and a rear tubular portion 12 configured to be joined to an injection-molded seal 2. The weld portion 13 is connected to the rear end of the tubular body 10 and configured to be welded to a conductor 30 of a power transmission member 3.

[0041] 1 to 8, in the illustrated embodiment, the terminal 1 is a one-piece punched copper terminal, and a nickel plating layer 1a is formed over the entire terminal 1, with the nickel plating layer 1a being the base plating layer of the terminal 1. The terminal 1 has a fitting region Z1 located in the front tubular portion 11, an injection molding region Z2 located in the rear tubular portion 12, and a welding region Z3 located in the welding portion 13. In the fitting region Z1 of the terminal 1, a silver plating layer 1b is formed on the nickel plating layer 1a, and in the injection molding region Z2 of the terminal 1, a tin plating layer 1c is formed on the nickel plating layer 1a.

[0042] As shown in Figures 1 to 8, in the illustrated embodiment, the tin plating layer 1c in the injection-molded region Z2 of the terminal 1 is configured to engage with the injection-molded seal 2 that is injection-molded into the rear tube portion 12 of the terminal 1, thereby increasing the bonding strength between the terminal 1 and the injection-molded seal 2.

[0043] FIG. 12 is an axial cross-sectional view of a terminal assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0044] As shown in Figures 1 to 8 and 12, in the illustrated embodiment, the silver plating layer 1b in the mating region Z1 of the terminal 1 is configured to be in electrical contact with the elastic contact member 4 inserted into the front tube portion 11 of the terminal 1, thereby improving the electrical contact performance between the terminal 1 and the elastic contact member 4.

[0045] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 8 and 12, in the illustrated embodiment, in the welding region Z3 of the terminal 1, no other plating layer is formed on the nickel plating layer 1a.

[0046] The conductor 30 of the power transmission member 3 is a copper conductor, and the copper conductor is configured to be welded to the nickel plating layer 1a in the welding region Z3 of the terminal 1.

[0047] Fig. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a silver plating layer, a tin plating layer, and a silver plating layer formed on a nickel plating layer in the mating region, injection molding region, and welding region of the terminal shown in Fig. 5. Fig. 10 is an explanatory diagram of an injection-molded seal formed on the rear tube portion of the terminal shown in Fig. 9. Fig. 11 is an explanatory diagram of a conductor of a power transmission member welded to the welding portion of the terminal shown in Fig. 10.

[0048] 9 to 11, in the illustrated embodiment, a silver plating layer 1b is formed on a nickel plating layer 1a in a welding region Z3 of the terminal 1. The conductor 30 of the power transmission member 3 is an aluminum conductor, and the aluminum conductor is configured to be welded to the silver plating layer 1b in the welding region Z3 of the terminal 1.

[0049] As shown in Figures 1 to 12, in the illustrated embodiment, to seal the internal cavity of the rear tube portion 12 of the terminal 1, an opening 101 is formed in the rear tube portion 12 to allow injection molding material for forming the injection molded seal 2 to enter the internal cavity of the rear tube portion 12 of the terminal 1 through the opening 101.

[0050] 1 to 12, in the illustrated embodiment, the opening 101 is arc-shaped and extends in the circumferential direction of the rear pipe portion 12. A pair of openings 101 is formed in the rear pipe portion 12, and the pair of openings 101 is spaced apart in the axial direction of the rear pipe portion 12. The rear pipe portion 12 has an arc-shaped bridge 102 between the pair of openings 101, and the arc-shaped bridge 102 is configured to be embedded in the injection-molded seal 2 so as to be joined to the injection-molded seal 2.

[0051] As shown in Figures 1 to 12, in the illustrated embodiment, a knurling pattern 12a is formed on the inner surface of the rear tube portion 12 of the terminal 1, and the knurling pattern 12a is configured to be bonded to the injection molding material that enters the rear tube portion 12 of the terminal 1, thereby increasing the bonding strength between the rear tube portion 12 of the terminal 1 and the injection molded seal 2.

[0052] 1 to 12, in the illustrated embodiment, a plurality of first positioning protrusions 11a and a plurality of second positioning protrusions 11b are formed on the inner circumferential surface of the front tubular portion 11 of the terminal 1. The multiple first positioning protrusions 11a are distributed at intervals in the circumferential direction of the front tubular portion 11, and the multiple second positioning protrusions 11b are distributed at intervals in the circumferential direction of the front tubular portion 11. The first positioning protrusions 11a and the second positioning protrusions 11b are opposed to and spaced apart from each other in the axial direction of the front tubular portion 11, and are configured to abut against the front end and rear end, respectively, of the elastic contact member 4 inserted into the front tubular portion 11, thereby positioning the elastic contact member 4 in the axial direction.

[0053] As shown in Figures 1 to 12, in the illustrated embodiment, a drain hole 11c is formed in the peripheral wall of the front pipe portion 11 of the terminal 1 so that water that enters the front pipe portion 11 of the terminal 1 can be discharged through the drain hole 11c.

[0054] 1 to 12, in the illustrated embodiment, the tubular body 10 of the terminal 1 has a pair of side portions that can be assembled together, with a plurality of engagement grooves 10b formed in one of the pair of side portions and a plurality of engagement protrusions 10a formed in the other of the pair of side portions. To assemble the pair of side portions of the tubular body 10 together, the plurality of engagement grooves 10b are distributed at intervals in the axial direction of the tubular body 10, and the plurality of engagement protrusions 10a are distributed at intervals in the axial direction of the tubular body 10 and engage with the plurality of engagement grooves 10b, respectively.

[0055] As shown in FIGS. 1-12, in the illustrated embodiment, the engagement groove 10b and engagement protrusion 10a are Ω-shaped, dovetail-shaped, or other suitable shape.

[0056] As shown in Figures 1 to 12, in the illustrated embodiment, the nickel plating layer 1a, silver plating layer 1b, and tin plating layer 1c of the terminal 1 each have a uniform thickness, and the thickness of the silver plating layer 1b is equal to the thickness of the tin plating layer 1c.

[0057] 1 to 12, a terminal assembly is also disclosed in another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The terminal assembly includes a terminal 1 and an injection-molded seal 2. The terminal 1 is configured to be inserted into a terminal insertion hole of a housing (not shown) of an electrical connection device. The injection-molded seal 2 is injection-molded into a rear tube portion 12 of the terminal 1 and configured to seal the internal cavity of the rear tube portion 12 and the terminal insertion hole of the housing.

[0058] 1 to 12, in the illustrated embodiment, the injection-molded seal 2 includes an inner seal portion 21 and an outer seal portion 22. The inner seal portion 21 is located inside the rear tubular portion 12 of the terminal 1 and is configured to seal the internal cavity of the rear tubular portion 12. The outer seal portion 22 is located outside the rear tubular portion 12 of the terminal 1 and is configured to be pressed between the rear tubular portion 12 and the inner wall of the terminal insertion hole to seal the terminal insertion hole of the housing. The inner seal portion 21 is bonded to the tin-plated layer 1c on the inner peripheral surface of the rear tubular portion 12, and the outer seal portion 22 is bonded to the tin-plated layer 1c on the outer peripheral surface of the rear tubular portion 12.

[0059] As shown in FIGS. 1-12, in the illustrated embodiment, injection molded seal 2 may be formed from a silicone material or other suitable injection molded material that is injection molded into rear tube portion 12 of terminal 1.

[0060] 1 to 12, in the illustrated embodiment, the terminal assembly further includes an elastic contact member 4 that is inserted into the front tube portion 11 of the terminal 1 and that is in electrical contact with the silver plating layer 1b on the inner peripheral surface of the front tube portion 11. The elastic contact member 4 is configured to be in electrical contact with a mating terminal inserted into the front tube portion 11 of the terminal 1 so that the mating terminal can be electrically connected to the terminal 1 via the elastic contact member 4.

[0061] 1 to 12, in the illustrated embodiment, the elastic contact member 4 includes a pair of annular end portions 41, 42 and a plurality of elastic arm portions 40. The plurality of elastic arm portions 40 are connected between the pair of annular end portions 41, 42. The plurality of elastic arm portions 40 are distributed at intervals in the circumferential direction of the annular end portions 41, 42 and are configured to come into electrical contact with the outer circumferential surface of an inserted mating terminal.

[0062] As shown in Figures 1-12, in the illustrated embodiment, the resilient contact member 4 may be a one-piece stamped copper part.

[0063] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 12 , in the illustrated embodiment, the terminal assembly further includes a power transmission member 3 having a conductor 30 configured to be welded to the weld portion 13 of the terminal 1 to establish an electrical connection with the terminal 1.

[0064] 1 to 8, in the illustrated embodiment, no other plating layer is formed on the nickel plating layer 1a in the welding region Z3 of the terminal 1. The conductor 30 of the power transmission member 3 is a copper conductor 30, and the copper conductor 30 is configured to be welded to the nickel plating layer 1a in the welding region Z3 of the terminal 1.

[0065] 9 to 11, in the illustrated embodiment, a silver plating layer 1b is formed on a nickel plating layer 1a in a welding region Z3 of the terminal 1. The conductor 30 of the power transmission member 3 is an aluminum conductor 30, and the aluminum conductor 30 is configured to be welded to the silver plating layer 1b in the welding region Z3 of the terminal 1.

[0066] As shown in Figures 1 to 12, in the illustrated embodiment, the weld portion 13 of the terminal 1 is flat, the conductor 30 of the power transmission member 3 has a flat weld end 30a, and the flat weld end 30a of the power transmission member 3 is configured to be welded to the flat weld portion 13 of the terminal 1.

[0067] As shown in Figures 1 to 12, another exemplary embodiment of the present invention also discloses an electrical connection device. The electrical connection device includes a housing and a terminal assembly. The housing is provided with a terminal insertion hole. The terminal assembly is inserted into the terminal insertion hole of the housing. The terminal assembly is configured to electrically contact a mating terminal of a mating electrical connection device inserted into the terminal insertion hole, thereby electrically connecting the electrical connection device and the mating electrical connection device.

[0068] 1-12, in the illustrated embodiment, the electrical connection device is a charging dock (not shown) and the mating electrical connection device is a charging gun (not shown) configured to mate with the charging dock. However, the present invention should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments described herein. For example, the electrical connection device may be a charging gun and the mating electrical connection device may be a charging dock configured to mate with the charging gun.

[0069] It should be understood by those skilled in the art that the above embodiments are illustrative and not restrictive. For example, those skilled in the art can make many modifications to the above embodiments without any contradiction in structure or principle, and can freely combine various features described in different embodiments with each other.

[0070] While several exemplary embodiments have been shown and described, it will be apparent to 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 which is defined by the following claims and their equivalents.

[0071] As used herein, elements described in the singular and preceded by the word "a" or "an" should be understood as not excluding a plurality of said elements or steps, unless such exclusion is expressly stated. Furthermore, references to "one embodiment" of the invention are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features. Furthermore, unless expressly stated otherwise, embodiments "comprising" or "having" an element or elements having a particular characteristic may include additional such elements that do not have that characteristic.

Claims

1. A terminal, a tubular body (10) including a front tubular portion (11) configured to fit into a mating terminal and a rear tubular portion (12) configured to be joined with an injection-molded seal (2); a welding portion (13) connected to the rear end of the tubular body (10) and configured to be welded to the conductor (30) of the power transmission member (3); Equipped with The terminal (1) is an integrally punched copper terminal, and a nickel plating layer (1a) is formed on the entire terminal (1), and the nickel plating layer (1a) is an underplating layer of the terminal (1); The terminal (1) has a fitting region (Z1) located in the front tubular portion (11), an injection molding region (Z2) located in the rear tubular portion (12), and a welding region (Z3) located in the welding portion (13), In the fitting region (Z1) of the terminal (1), a silver plating layer (1b) is formed on the nickel plating layer (1a), A terminal, wherein a tin plating layer (1c) is formed on the nickel plating layer (1a) in the injection molding region (Z2) of the terminal (1).

2. 2. The terminal according to claim 1, wherein the tin plating layer (1c) in the injection-molded region (Z2) of the terminal (1) is configured to engage with the injection-molded seal (2) that is injection-molded into the rear tube portion (12) of the terminal (1) to increase the bonding strength between the terminal (1) and the injection-molded seal (2).

3. 2. The terminal according to claim 1, wherein the silver plating layer (1b) in the mating region (Z1) of the terminal (1) is configured to electrically contact an elastic contact member (4) inserted into the front tube portion (11) of the terminal (1) to improve electrical contact performance between the terminal (1) and the elastic contact member (4).

4. In the welding region (Z3) of the terminal (1), no other plating layer is formed on the nickel plating layer (1a), 2. The terminal according to claim 1, wherein the conductor (30) of the current-carrying member (3) is a copper conductor, and the copper conductor is configured to be welded to the nickel plating layer (1 a) in the welding region (Z3) of the terminal (1).

5. In the welding region (Z3) of the terminal (1), a silver plating layer (1b) is formed on the nickel plating layer (1a), 2. The terminal according to claim 1, wherein the conductor (30) of the current-carrying member (3) is an aluminum conductor, and the aluminum conductor is configured to be welded to the silver-plated layer (1b) in the welding region (Z3) of the terminal (1).

6. 2. The terminal according to claim 1, wherein an opening (101) is formed in the rear tube portion (12) of the terminal (1) to seal the internal cavity of the rear tube portion (12), allowing injection molding material for forming the injection molded seal (2) to enter the internal cavity of the rear tube portion (12) of the terminal (1) through the opening (101).

7. The opening (101) is arc-shaped and extends in the circumferential direction of the rear pipe portion (12), a pair of openings (101) is formed in the rear pipe portion (12), and the pair of openings (101) are spaced apart in the axial direction of the rear pipe portion (12); 7. The terminal body according to claim 6, wherein the rear tube portion (12) has an arcuate bridge (102) between the pair of openings (101), and the arcuate bridge (102) is configured to be embedded in the injection-molded seal (2) so as to be joined to the injection-molded seal (2).

8. 7. The terminal according to claim 6, wherein a knurling pattern (12a) is formed on an inner peripheral surface of the rear tube portion (12) of the terminal (1), and the knurling pattern (12a) is configured to be bonded to the injection molding material entering the rear tube portion (12) of the terminal (1) to increase the bonding strength between the rear tube portion (12) of the terminal (1) and the injection molded seal (2).

9. a plurality of first positioning protrusions (11a) and a plurality of second positioning protrusions (11b) are formed on an inner peripheral surface of the front tubular portion (11) of the terminal (1), the plurality of first positioning protrusions (11a) are distributed at intervals in the circumferential direction of the front tubular portion (11), and the plurality of second positioning protrusions (11b) are distributed at intervals in the circumferential direction of the front tubular portion (11); 4. The terminal according to claim 3, wherein the first positioning protrusion (11a) and the second positioning protrusion (11b) are spaced apart from each other in the axial direction of the front tube portion (11) and are configured to abut against the front end and rear end, respectively, of the elastic contact member (4) inserted into the front tube portion (11) to position the elastic contact member (4) in the axial direction.

10. 2. The terminal according to claim 1, wherein a drain hole (11c) is formed in the peripheral wall of the front tube portion (11) of the terminal (1) so that water entering the front tube portion (11) of the terminal (1) can be discharged through the drain hole (11c).

11. The tubular body (10) of the terminal (1) has a pair of side portions that can be assembled together, a plurality of engagement grooves (10b) are formed in one of the pair of side portions, and a plurality of engagement protrusions (10a) are formed in the other of the pair of side portions, 2. The terminal according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of engagement grooves (10b) are distributed at intervals in the axial direction of the tubular body (10) to assemble the pair of side portions of the tubular body (10) together, and the plurality of engagement protrusions (10a) are distributed at intervals in the axial direction of the tubular body (10) and engage with the plurality of engagement grooves (10b), respectively.

12. The terminal according to claim 11, wherein the engaging groove (10b) and the engaging protrusion (10a) are Ω-shaped or dovetail-shaped.

13. 13. The terminal according to claim 1, wherein the nickel plating layer (1a), the silver plating layer (1b), and the tin plating layer (1c) of the terminal (1) each have a uniform thickness, and the thickness of the silver plating layer (1b) is equal to the thickness of the tin plating layer (1c).

14. 1. A terminal assembly comprising: A terminal (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3 and 6 to 13, configured to be inserted into a terminal insertion hole of a housing of an electrical connecting device; an injection-molded seal (2) that is injection-molded into the rear tube portion (12) of the terminal (1) and configured to seal the internal cavity of the rear tube portion (12) and the terminal insertion hole; A terminal assembly comprising:

15. The injection molded seal (2) an inner seal portion (21) located inside the rear tube portion (12) of the terminal (1) and configured to seal the internal cavity of the rear tube portion (12); an outer seal portion (22) positioned outside the rear tubular portion (12) of the terminal (1), configured to be pressed between the rear tubular portion (12) and the inner wall of the terminal insertion hole, and configured to seal the terminal insertion hole; Including, 15. The terminal assembly according to claim 14, wherein the inner seal portion (21) is bonded to the tin-plated layer (1c) on the inner peripheral surface of the rear tubular portion (12), and the outer seal portion (22) is bonded to the tin-plated layer (1c) on the outer peripheral surface of the rear tubular portion (12).

16. 15. The terminal assembly of claim 14, wherein the injection-molded seal (2) is formed from a silicone material that is injection-molded onto the rear tube portion (12) of the terminal (1).

17. The terminal further includes an elastic contact member (4) that is inserted into the front tubular portion (11) of the terminal (1) and electrically contacts the silver plating layer (1b) on the inner circumferential surface of the front tubular portion (11), 15. The terminal assembly according to claim 14, wherein the elastic contact member (4) is configured to electrically contact the mating terminal inserted into the front tube portion (11) of the terminal (1) so that the mating terminal can be electrically connected to the terminal (1) via the elastic contact member (4).

18. The elastic contact member (4) A pair of annular ends (41, 42); a plurality of elastic arm portions (40) connected between the pair of annular end portions (41, 42); Including, 18. The terminal assembly according to claim 17, wherein the plurality of resilient arm portions (40) are distributed at intervals around the circumferential direction of the annular end portion (41, 42) and are configured to electrically contact the outer peripheral surface of the inserted mating terminal.

19. 19. A terminal assembly according to claim 18, wherein said resilient contact member (4) is a one-piece stamped copper part.

20. 15. The terminal assembly of claim 14, further comprising a current carrying member (3) having a conductor (30) configured to be welded to the weld portion (13) of the terminal (1) to establish an electrical connection with the terminal (1).

21. In the welding region (Z3) of the terminal (1), no other plating layer is formed on the nickel plating layer (1a), 21. The terminal assembly according to claim 20, wherein the conductor (30) of the current-carrying member (3) is a copper conductor (30), and the copper conductor (30) is configured to be welded to the nickel plating layer (1 a) in the welding region (Z3) of the terminal (1).

22. In the welding region (Z3) of the terminal (1), a silver plating layer (1b) is formed on the nickel plating layer (1a), 21. The terminal assembly according to claim 20, wherein the conductor (30) of the current-carrying member (3) is an aluminum conductor (30), and the aluminum conductor (30) is configured to be welded to the silver plating layer (1b) in the welding region (Z3) of the terminal (1).

23. 21. The terminal assembly of claim 20, wherein the weld portion (13) of the terminal (1) is flat, the conductor (30) of the power transmission member (3) has a flat weld end (30a), and the flat weld end (30a) of the power transmission member (3) is configured to be welded to the flat weld portion (13) of the terminal (1).

24. 1. An electrical connection device comprising: a housing provided with a terminal insertion hole; The terminal assembly according to any one of claims 14 to 23, inserted into the terminal insertion hole; Equipped with An electrical connection device, wherein the terminal assembly is configured to electrically contact a mating terminal of a mating electrical connection device inserted into the terminal insertion hole, thereby electrically connecting the electrical connection device and the mating electrical connection device.

25. The electrical connection device is a charging dock and the mating electrical connection device is a charging gun configured to mate with the charging dock; or 25. The electrical connection device of claim 24, wherein the electrical connection device is a charging gun and the mating electrical connection device is a charging dock configured to mate with the charging gun.

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