Female terminal, female connector, and connector assembly

Abstract

The female terminal of the present invention is capable of mating with a male terminal having a size smaller than the size of the front port of the female terminal. Also, the elastic cantilever of the female terminal improves the electrical contact force between the elastic cantilever and the inserted male terminal.SOLUTION: The female terminal comprises a mating portion 1 comprising a front annular portion 11 defining a front port 101 allowing a male terminal to be inserted into the mating portion 1, and a resilient cantilever 13 configured to make electrical contact with an inserted male terminal. The front annular portion 11 has two side walls opposite to each other on both sides of the fitting portion 1 in the lateral direction X, a first protrusion is formed on an inner side of one of the side walls of the front annular portion 11, and a second protrusion 11b is formed on an inner side of the other of the side walls. The first projection and the second projection side 11b position the male terminals in the lateral direction of the fitting part 1 by abutting on both sides of the inserted male terminals.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims the benefit of Chinese Patent Application No. CN202410964533.5, filed with the State Intellectual Property Office of China on July 17, 2024, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to a female terminal, a female connector including the female terminal, and a connector assembly including the female connector. [Background technology]

[0003] The stamped female terminal has a front port for insertion of the male terminal. In the prior art, there is no protrusion formed on the inside of the female terminal. Therefore, the size of the male terminal that mates with the female terminal must match the size of the front port of the female terminal, resulting in a larger size of the male terminal. If it is necessary to mate with a smaller-sized male terminal, the female terminal must be redesigned and manufactured, which can result in high costs.

[0004] Furthermore, in the prior art, the electrical contact force between the elastic cantilever of the female terminal and the inserted male terminal is small, resulting in large contact resistance and poor electrical contact performance between the female terminal and the male terminal. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The present invention has been made to overcome or mitigate at least one aspect of the above-mentioned disadvantages. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, a female terminal is provided. The female terminal includes a mating portion. The mating portion includes a front annular portion defining a front port through which a male terminal can be inserted into the mating portion, and a resilient cantilever configured to make electrical contact with the inserted male terminal. The front annular portion has two opposing side walls on either side of the mating portion in the lateral direction, and a first protrusion is formed on the inside of one side wall of the front annular portion and a second protrusion is formed on the inside of the other side wall. The first and second protrusions are adapted to abut either side of an inserted male terminal to position the male terminal in the lateral direction of the mating portion.

[0007] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the shape of the first protrusion is different from the shape of the second protrusion.

[0008] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the first protrusion is a circular protrusion having a circular cross-section, and the second protrusion is a rectangular protrusion having a rectangular cross-section.

[0009] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the shape of the first protrusion is the same as the shape of the second protrusion.

[0010] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, each of the first protrusion and the second protrusion is a circular protrusion having a circular cross-section or a rectangular protrusion having a rectangular cross-section.

[0011] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the fitting portion further comprises a rear annular portion located opposite the front annular portion in the longitudinal direction of the fitting portion, and a bottom connecting wall connected between the bottom walls of the front annular portion and the rear annular portion, and the elastic cantilever is connected to the rear annular portion and extends toward the front annular portion.

[0012] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the elastic cantilever has an upper elastic arm connected to the upper wall of the rear annular portion and extending diagonally downward toward the front annular portion, the upper elastic arm being opposite the bottom connecting wall in the height direction of the mating portion, allowing the inserted male terminal to be clamped between the upper elastic arm and the bottom connecting wall.

[0013] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a first contact protrusion protruding toward the bottom connecting wall is formed at the tail end of the upper resilient arm, and the first contact protrusion is used for electrical contact with the upper surface of the inserted male terminal.

[0014] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a second contact protrusion protruding toward the first contact protrusion is formed on the bottom connection wall, the second contact protrusion being opposite the first contact protrusion in the height direction and being used for electrical contact with the bottom surface of the inserted male terminal.

[0015] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the elastic cantilever further includes a guide front end connected to the tail end of the upper elastic arm and extending obliquely upward toward the upper wall of the front annular portion, wherein a guide bevel is formed on the guide front end, and the guide bevel is configured to guide the male terminal to be inserted between the upper elastic arm and the bottom connecting wall.

[0016] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the elastic cantilever further comprises a side elastic arm connected to the side wall of the rear annular portion and extending in the longitudinal direction of the mating portion toward the front annular portion, and an arc-shaped connection portion connected between the tail end of the side elastic arm and the tail end of the upper elastic arm, and the side elastic arm is configured to increase the rigidity of the upper elastic arm, thereby improving the electrical contact force between the upper elastic arm and the inserted male terminal.

[0017] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the fitting portion further comprises a side connecting wall connected between a side wall of the front annular portion and a side wall of the rear annular portion opposite the side elastic arm, the side elastic arm and the side connecting wall being respectively located on both lateral sides of the fitting portion, and the side connecting wall being connected to the bottom connecting wall.

[0018] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the mating portion further includes a resilient locking arm connected to the front annular portion and extending diagonally upward toward the rear annular portion, the resilient locking arm configured to engage with the housing of the female connector to lock the female terminal to the housing of the female connector.

[0019] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the resilient locking arm is disposed above the upper resilient arm, and the root of the resilient locking arm is connected to the side wall of the front annular portion and abuts against the upper surface of the front annular portion.

[0020] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the female terminal further comprises a crimping portion connected to the rear end of the mating portion and configured to crimp onto a cable for electrical connection therewith.

[0021] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the crimping portion comprises a first crimping portion connected to the rear end of the mating portion and configured to crimp onto the conductor of the cable, and a second crimping portion located rearward of the first crimping portion, the second crimping portion connected to the first crimping portion and configured to crimp onto the sheath layer of the cable.

[0022] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the female terminal is a one-piece stamped terminal.

[0023] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a female connector comprising a housing and the aforementioned female terminal, the female terminal being inserted into the housing.

[0024] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a connector assembly comprising the female connector described above and a male connector mated with the female connector, the male terminals of the male connector being inserted into the mating portions of the female terminals for electrical connection with the female terminals of the female connector.

[0025] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the male terminal includes a post-shaped plug configured for insertion into a mating portion of the female terminal, the post-shaped plug having a rectangular cross section, a horizontal dimension of the mating portion of the post-shaped plug being 0.4 mm, and a height dimension of the mating portion being 0.3 mm.

[0026] In each of the above-described exemplary embodiments according to the present invention, a protrusion is formed inside the front port of the mating portion of the female terminal, allowing the female terminal to mate with a male terminal having a size smaller than the size of the front port of the female terminal. Thus, the present disclosure eliminates the need to redesign and manufacture the female terminal, thereby reducing manufacturing costs.

[0027] Also, in some of the above-described exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the resilient cantilever of the female terminal includes an upper resilient arm and a side resilient arm whose tail ends are connected to each other, thereby improving the electrical contact force between the resilient cantilever and the inserted male terminal.

[0028] These and other features of the present invention will become more apparent from the detailed description of illustrative embodiments thereof, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0029] [Figure 1] 1 is an exemplary perspective view of a female terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, viewed from one side; [Figure 2] 10 is an exemplary perspective view of a female terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, viewed from the other side. FIG. [Figure 3] 1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a female terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 4] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a female terminal with a front annulus removed in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0030] Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Like reference numerals refer to like elements. 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.

[0031] In the following detailed description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the disclosed embodiments. It will be apparent, however, that one or more embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are schematically shown to simplify the drawings.

[0032] In accordance with a general aspect of the present invention, a female terminal is provided. The female terminal includes a mating portion. The mating portion includes a front annular portion defining a front port through which a male terminal can be inserted into the mating portion, and a resilient cantilever configured to make electrical contact with the inserted male terminal. The front annular portion has two opposing side walls on either side of the mating portion in the lateral direction, with a first protrusion formed on the inside of one side wall of the front annular portion and a second protrusion formed on the inside of the other side wall. The first and second protrusions are adapted to abut either side of an inserted male terminal to laterally position the male terminal in the mating portion.

[0033] According to another general aspect of the present invention, there is provided a female connector comprising a housing and a female terminal as described above, the female terminal being inserted into the housing.

[0034] According to another general aspect of the present invention, there is provided a connector assembly comprising the female connector as described above and a male connector mated with the female connector, the male terminals of the male connector being inserted into the mating portions of the female terminals for electrical connection with the female terminals of the female connector.

[0035] Figure 1 shows an exemplary perspective view of a female terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, viewed from one side. Figure 2 shows an exemplary perspective view of a female terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, viewed from the other side. Figure 3 shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a female terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional view of a female terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention with the front annular portion removed.

[0036] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 , an exemplary embodiment of the present invention discloses a female terminal. The female terminal includes a mating portion 1 configured to mate with a male terminal (not shown). The mating portion 1 includes a front annular portion 11 and a resilient cantilever 13. The front annular portion 11 defines a front port 101 that allows a male terminal to be inserted into the mating portion 1. The resilient cantilever 13 is configured to make electrical contact with the inserted male terminal. The front annular portion 11 has two opposing side walls on either side of the lateral direction X of the mating portion 1. A first protrusion 11a is formed on the inside of one side wall of the front annular portion 11, and a second protrusion 11b is formed on the inside of the other side wall. The first protrusion 11a and the second protrusion 11b are adapted to abut on either side of the inserted male terminal to position the male terminal in the lateral direction X of the mating portion 1.

[0037] 1 to 4, in the illustrated embodiment, the shape of the first protrusion 11a is different from the shape of the second protrusion 11b. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the first protrusion 11a is a circular protrusion having a circular cross section, and the second protrusion 11b is a rectangular protrusion having a rectangular cross section.

[0038] However, the present invention should not be construed as being limited to the illustrated embodiment. For example, in another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the shape of the first protrusion 11a is the same as the shape of the second protrusion 11b. For example, each of the first protrusion 11a and the second protrusion 11b may be a circular protrusion having a circular cross-section or a rectangular protrusion having a rectangular cross-section.

[0039] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 , in the illustrated embodiment, the fitting portion 1 further includes a rear annular portion 12 and a bottom connecting wall 10. The rear annular portion 12 is located opposite the front annular portion 11 in the longitudinal direction Y of the fitting portion 1. The bottom connecting wall 10 is connected between the bottom wall of the front annular portion 11 and the bottom wall of the rear annular portion 12. An elastic cantilever 13 is connected to the rear annular portion 12 and extends toward the front annular portion 11.

[0040] 1 to 4, in the illustrated embodiment, the elastic cantilever 13 is connected to the upper wall of the rear annular portion 12 and includes an upper elastic arm 131 that extends obliquely downward toward the front annular portion 11. The upper elastic arm 131 is located on the opposite side of the bottom connecting wall 10 in the height direction Z of the fitting portion 1, and enables the inserted male terminal to be clamped between the upper elastic arm 131 and the bottom connecting wall 10.

[0041] As shown in Figures 1 to 4, in the illustrated embodiment, a first contact protrusion 13a protruding toward the bottom connection wall 10 is formed at the tail end of the upper elastic arm 131, and the first contact protrusion 13a is used for electrical contact with the upper surface of the inserted male terminal.

[0042] As shown in Figures 1 to 4, in the illustrated embodiment, a second contact protrusion 10a protruding toward the first contact protrusion 13a is formed on the bottom connection wall 10, and the second contact protrusion 10a is located opposite the first contact protrusion 13a in the height direction Z and is used for electrical contact with the bottom surface of the inserted male terminal.

[0043] 1 to 4, in the illustrated embodiment, the elastic cantilever 13 is connected to the tail end of the upper elastic arm 131 and further includes a guide front end 134 that extends obliquely upward toward the upper wall of the front annular portion 11. A guide bevel 134a is formed on the guide front end 134, and the guide bevel 134a is configured to guide the male terminal so that it is inserted between the upper elastic arm 131 and the bottom connecting wall 10.

[0044] 1 to 4, in the illustrated embodiment, the elastic cantilever 13 further includes a side elastic arm 132 and an arc-shaped connecting portion 133. The side elastic arm 132 is connected to a side wall of the rear annular portion 12 and extends in the longitudinal direction of the fitting portion 1 toward the front annular portion 11. The arc-shaped connecting portion 133 is connected between the tail end of the side elastic arm 132 and the tail end of the upper elastic arm 131. The side elastic arm 132 is configured to increase the rigidity of the upper elastic arm 131, thereby improving the electrical contact force between the upper elastic arm 131 and the inserted male terminal.

[0045] 1 to 4, in the illustrated embodiment, the fitting portion 1 further includes a side connecting wall 15 connected between the side wall of the front annular portion 11 and the side wall of the rear annular portion 12 on the opposite side of the side elastic arm 132. The side elastic arm 132 and the side connecting wall 15 are located on both sides of the fitting portion 1 in the lateral direction X, and the side connecting wall 15 is connected to the bottom connecting wall 10.

[0046] 1 to 4, in the illustrated embodiment, fitting portion 1 further includes a resilient locking arm 14 connected to front annular portion 11 and extending obliquely upward toward rear annular portion 12. Resilient locking arm 14 is configured to engage with the housing of the female connector to lock the female terminal to the housing of the female connector.

[0047] As shown in Figures 1 to 4, in the illustrated embodiment, the elastic locking arm 14 is disposed above the upper elastic arm 131, and the root portion 14a of the elastic locking arm 14 is connected to the side wall of the front annular portion 11 and abuts against the upper surface of the front annular portion 11.

[0048] As shown in Figures 1 to 4, in the illustrated embodiment, the female terminal further includes a crimping portion 2 connected to the rear end of the fitting portion 1 and configured to be crimped to a cable for electrical connection therewith.

[0049] 1 to 4, in the illustrated embodiment, the crimping portion 2 includes a first crimping portion 21 and a second crimping portion 22. The first crimping portion 21 is connected to the rear end of the fitting portion 1 and is configured to be crimped to the conductor of the cable. The second crimping portion 22 is located behind the first crimping portion 21 and is connected to the first crimping portion 21 and is configured to be crimped to the sheath layer of the cable.

[0050] 1 to 4, in the illustrated embodiment, the female terminal is an integrally pressed terminal, which can reduce manufacturing costs and improve manufacturing efficiency.

[0051] 1 to 4, another exemplary embodiment of the present invention also discloses a female connector. The female connector includes a housing and the above-mentioned female terminal. The female terminal is inserted into the housing.

[0052] 1 to 4, another exemplary embodiment of the present invention also discloses a connector assembly. The connector assembly includes the female connector and male connector described above. The male connector is mated with the female connector. The male terminal of the male connector is inserted into the mating portion of the female terminal for electrical connection with the female terminal of the female connector.

[0053] 1 to 4, in the illustrated embodiment, the male terminal includes a columnar plug (not shown) configured to be inserted into a mating portion 1 of the female terminal, and the columnar plug has a rectangular cross section. The columnar plug has a dimension of 0.4 mm in the horizontal direction X of the mating portion 1 and a dimension of 0.3 mm in the height direction Z of the mating portion 1.

[0054] Those skilled in the art should appreciate that the above embodiments are intended to be illustrative and not limiting. For example, many modifications to the above embodiments may be made by those skilled in the art, and various features described in different embodiments may be freely combined with each other without causing any inconsistency in structure or principle.

[0055] While several exemplary embodiments have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications or variations may be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the present disclosure, the scope of which is defined by the claims and their equivalents.

[0056] As used herein, elements described in the singular and preceded by the words "a" or "an" should be understood as not excluding a plurality of such elements or steps, unless expressly stated otherwise. 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. Also, unless expressly stated to the contrary, embodiments "comprising" or "having" one or more elements having a particular characteristic may include additional such elements that do not have that characteristic.

Claims

1. A fitting portion (1), a front annular portion (11) defining a front port (101) through which a male terminal can be inserted into said mating portion (1); a resilient cantilever (13) configured to make electrical contact with the inserted male terminal; A fitting portion (1) comprising: The front annular portion (11) has two side walls facing each other on both sides of the fitting portion (1) in the lateral direction (X), a first protrusion (11a) is formed on the inside of one of the side walls of the front annular portion (11), and a second protrusion (11b) is formed on the inside of the other side wall, The first protrusion (11a) and the second protrusion (11b) are adapted to abut on both sides of the inserted male terminal, thereby positioning the male terminal in the lateral direction (X) of the fitting portion (1). Female terminal.

2. 2. The female terminal according to claim 1, wherein the shape of the first protrusion (11a) is different from the shape of the second protrusion (11b).

3. 3. The female terminal according to claim 2, wherein the first protrusion (11a) is a circular protrusion having a circular cross section, and the second protrusion (11b) is a rectangular protrusion having a rectangular cross section.

4. 2. The female terminal according to claim 1, wherein the shape of the first protrusion (11a) is the same as the shape of the second protrusion (11b).

5. 5. The female terminal according to claim 4, wherein each of the first protrusion (11a) and the second protrusion (11b) is a circular protrusion having a circular cross section or a rectangular protrusion having a rectangular cross section.

6. The fitting portion (1) is a rear annular portion (12) located on the opposite side of the front annular portion (11) in the longitudinal direction (Y) of the fitting portion (1); a bottom connecting wall (10) connected between the bottom wall of the front annular portion (11) and the bottom wall of the rear annular portion (12); Furthermore, 2. The female terminal according to claim 1, wherein the elastic cantilever (13) is connected to the rear annular portion (12) and extends towards the front annular portion (11).

7. The elastic cantilever (13) an upper elastic arm (131) connected to an upper wall of the rear annular portion (12) and extending obliquely downward toward the front annular portion (11); 7. The female terminal of claim 6, wherein the upper resilient arm (131) is located on the opposite side of the bottom connecting wall (10) in the height direction (Z) of the fitting portion (1), and enables the inserted male terminal to be clamped between the upper resilient arm (131) and the bottom connecting wall (10).

8. 8. The female terminal according to claim 7, wherein a first contact protrusion (13a) protruding toward the bottom connecting wall (10) is formed at the tail end of the upper elastic arm (131), and the first contact protrusion (13a) is used for electrical contact with the upper surface of the inserted male terminal.

9. 9. The female terminal according to claim 8, wherein a second contact protrusion (10a) protruding toward the first contact protrusion (13a) is formed on the bottom connecting wall (10), the second contact protrusion (10a) being on the opposite side of the first contact protrusion (13a) in the height direction (Z) and being used for electrical contact with the bottom surface of the inserted male terminal.

10. The elastic cantilever (13) a guide front end (134) connected to the rear end of the upper elastic arm (131) and extending obliquely upward toward the upper wall of the front annular portion (11); 8. The female terminal according to claim 7, wherein a guide bevel (134a) is formed on the guide front end (134), and the guide bevel (134a) is configured to guide the male terminal so that it is inserted between the upper elastic arm (131) and the bottom connecting wall (10).

11. The elastic cantilever (13) a side elastic arm (132) connected to a side wall of the rear annular portion (12) and extending in the longitudinal direction of the fitting portion (1) toward the front annular portion (11); an arc-shaped connecting portion (133) connected between the tail end of the side elastic arm (132) and the tail end of the upper elastic arm (131); Furthermore, 9. The female terminal according to claim 8, wherein the side resilient arms (132) are configured to increase the rigidity of the upper resilient arm (131) and thereby improve the electrical contact force between the upper resilient arm (131) and the inserted male terminal.

12. The fitting portion (1) is a side connecting wall (15) connected between the side wall of the front annular portion (11) and the side wall of the rear annular portion (12) opposite the side elastic arm (132); 12. The female terminal according to claim 11, wherein the side elastic arms (132) and the side connecting walls (15) are located on both sides of the mating portion (1) in the lateral direction (X), and the side connecting walls (15) are connected to the bottom connecting wall (10).

13. The fitting portion (1) is The vehicle further comprises a resilient locking arm (14) connected to the front annular portion (11) and extending obliquely upward toward the rear annular portion (12), The female terminal of claim 7, wherein the resilient locking arm (14) is configured to engage with a housing of a female connector to lock the female terminal to the housing of the female connector.

14. 14. The female terminal according to claim 13, wherein the elastic locking arm (14) is disposed above the upper elastic arm (131), and a root portion (14a) of the elastic locking arm (14) is connected to a side wall of the front annular portion (11) and abuts against an upper surface of the front annular portion (11).

15. a crimping portion (2) connected to the rear end of the fitting portion (1) and configured to crimp onto the cable for electrical connection therewith; The female terminal of claim 1 further comprising:

16. The crimping portion (2) is a first crimping portion (21) connected to the rear end of the fitting portion (1) and configured to crimp onto a conductor of the cable; a second crimping portion (22) located behind the first crimping portion (21), the second crimping portion (22) being connected to the first crimping portion (21) and configured to crimp onto a sheath layer of the cable; The female terminal of claim 15, comprising:

17. The female terminal according to claim 1 , wherein the female terminal is an integrally pressed terminal.

18. Housing and 18. The female terminal according to claim 1, wherein the female terminal is inserted into the housing. A female connector comprising:

19. The female connector of claim 18; a male connector mated with the female connector; Equipped with The male terminal of the male connector is inserted into the mating portion (1) of the female terminal for electrical connection with the female terminal of the female connector. Connector assembly.

20. The male terminal includes a columnar plug configured to be inserted into the mating portion (1) of the female terminal, the columnar plug having a rectangular cross section; The columnar plug has a dimension of 0.4 mm in the horizontal direction (X) of the fitting portion (1) and a dimension of 0.3 mm in the height direction (Z) of the fitting portion (1).

20. The connector assembly of claim 19.

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