Terminal sockets, terminal pins, terminal systems, and terminal assemblies

Abstract

To provide a terminal socket capable of realizing a miniaturization and preventing an error insertion into a housing.SOLUTION: The present invention relates to a terminal socket specifically for an electrical terminal system for a printed circuit board connector system, the terminal socket configured to be mated with a terminal pin along a mating direction x, and comprising a wiring part 3, and an electrical contact part 5, in which the electrical contact part 5 comprises a main body 19 having a hollow space 33 for receiving a mating side terminal pin. In this terminal socket, the main body 19 has an outer shape that does not show a twofold rotational symmetry in a plane perpendicular to the mating direction x, the hollow space 33 does not show a twofold rotational symmetry in the plane, or the main body 19 has a triangularly shaped portion triangularly shaped in a plane perpendicular to the mating direction x. The present invention further relates to the terminal pin that comprises an electrical contact part for the mating side terminal socket; a terminal system, an assembly thereof, and a connector that comprises the terminal socket.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2A

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a terminal socket for an electrical terminal system, particularly an electrical terminal socket for a printed circuit board connector system. The present invention further relates to a terminal pin, a terminal system, and an assembly thereof. [Background technology]

[0002] Electrical terminal systems including a terminal socket and a mating terminal pin are known in the art. The terminal socket has a hollow space with electrical contacts. When a mating terminal pin is received in the hollow space and contacts the electrical contacts, the terminal system is assembled and an electrical connection is established. As an example, such terminal sockets are used in female or receptacle connectors of printed circuit board (PCB) connector systems. The female connectors are configured to mate with PCB headers, also known as pin headers, tab headers, or header connectors, to form multiple electrical signal transmission access points to the electronic circuitry of the PCB. As another example, such terminal sockets may be used in in-line connector systems.

[0003] Such an electrical terminal system known in the art is described with reference to Figures 1A-1D. Figure 1A shows a schematic perspective view of a prior art terminal socket P1 capable of mating with a mating terminal pin P101 as shown in Figure 1C along a mating direction x. Figure 1D shows a schematic rear view of a female connector housing P201 known in the art having two rows RA, RB of slots P3 for the terminal socket P1 as shown in Figure 1A. The terminal sockets P1 in row RA are rotated 180° relative to the terminal sockets P1 in row RB.

[0004] The terminal socket P1 includes a wiring portion P3 having a wire crimp portion P3a and an insulator crimp portion P3b for attaching a conductive wire. The terminal socket P1 further includes an electrical contact portion P5 for establishing electrical contact with the terminal pin P101. The electrical contact portion P5 includes a body P7 extending from the wiring portion P3 along the mating direction x.

[0005] The terminal pin P101 has a rear portion P103 that is connected to a wire and an electrical contact portion P105 that enters the terminal socket P1 to achieve an electrical connection. The rear portion P103 is used to connect to a wire or to establish a connection to a PCB. The electrical contact portion P105 has a pointed tip portion P107 and a body P109 that is formed to have a rectangular cross section in a plane perpendicular to the mating direction x. In particular, the body P109 has an overall rectangular shape.

[0006] 1B shows a front view of the body P7, as viewed in the direction opposite the mating direction x, defining a hollow space P9 for receiving a mating terminal pin P101 through an opening P11. The body P7 further includes a polarizing space P13 adjacent to the hollow space P9. A partition wall P15 separates the two spaces. The polarizing space P13 has a right-angled trapezoidal cross section in the plane yz. Because the terminal socket is stamped from stock material, the outer shape of the terminal socket generally has a combination of a rectangle and a trapezoid as its outer shape.

[0007] Two contact bulges P17a, P17b facilitate mechanical and electrical contact with the terminal pin P101. The body P7 further includes a locking lance P21 that resiliently protrudes outward from the body P7 and is used to lock the terminal socket into the connector housing.

[0008] The cross section of the opening P11 and the hollow space P9 in yz is substantially rectangular to receive the pin P101 having a rectangular cross section.

[0009] Due to its asymmetrical geometry, the terminal socket P1 can only be inserted into the connector housing P201 in one orientation. The polarization space P13 thus provides the terminal socket P1 with a so-called polarization mechanism, which makes installation of the terminal socket P1 in the connector housing P201 foolproof. Correct orientation, for example, allows the locking lance P21 to properly lock the terminal socket P1 into a corresponding locking recess in the connector housing P201. It also ensures proper guidance of the terminal pin P101 during mating, preventing damage to the locking lance P21 if the terminal socket P1 is incorrectly inserted into the connector housing P201. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0010] In the pursuit of ever-decreasing sizes of electronic components, the present invention aims to provide a terminal socket of reduced size compared to the prior art, without compromising its foolproof design against unwanted upside-down mis-insertion of the terminal socket into a corresponding connector housing. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] This object is achieved by a terminal socket for an electrical terminal system, in particular an electrical terminal system for a printed circuit board connector system, configured to mate with a terminal pin along a mating direction and comprising a wiring portion and an electrical contact portion, the electrical contact portion comprising a body having a hollow space for receiving a mating terminal pin, characterized in that the body has an outer shape that does not exhibit twofold rotational symmetry in a plane perpendicular to the mating direction and the hollow space does not exhibit twofold rotational symmetry in said plane.

[0012] By selecting a shape that does not have two-fold rotational symmetry for both the outer shape of the body and the hollow space for receiving the mating terminal pin, the additional polarization space required in the prior art can be eliminated without losing the foolproof design for mounting the terminal socket to the header. This allows the entire terminal socket, and consequently the terminal system using such a terminal socket, to be made more compact. In particular, by making the terminal socket slot in the female connector housing smaller, the overall size of the female connector can also be reduced, resulting in a more compact female connector that requires less space. This also allows the mating PCB header to be more compact.

[0013] The object of the present invention is also achieved by a terminal socket for an electrical terminal system, in particular an electrical terminal system for a printed circuit board connector system, configured to mate with a terminal pin along a mating direction, the terminal socket comprising a wiring portion and an electrical contact portion, the electrical contact portion comprising a body, the body having a hollow space for receiving a mating terminal pin, characterized in that the body has an outer shape comprising a triangular portion that is triangular in a plane perpendicular to the mating direction, in particular.

[0014] By having a contour with triangular portions, two-fold rotational symmetry is avoided. This eliminates the need for protruding polarization features, allowing polarization features to be omitted from the terminal socket design while still providing foolproof insertion into the female connector. This reduces the perimeter and cross-sectional dimensions of the terminal socket, allowing the size of the female connector with the terminal socket slot to be reduced, thereby requiring less space. Correspondingly, the PCB header can also have reduced space requirements.

[0015] In one aspect of the invention, the hollow space may have a triangular section, in particular a triangular section in the plane. Having the same shape on the inside and outside makes it possible to obtain the terminal socket using sheet metal, for example made from copper or aluminum. The sheet metal can be bent to the desired shape, which simplifies the manufacturing process.

[0016] In one embodiment of the present invention, the hollow space may have three electrical contact portions configured to contact the mating terminal pin. While the prior art, as shown in FIG. 1b, uses only two contact portions, using three contact portions can reduce contact resistance. This can further increase the dynamic load stability of the assembled electrical terminal system while improving electrical signal transmission performance.

[0017] In one aspect of the present invention, the body may include at least one bulge formed on an inner surface of the body, the at least one bulge configured to provide one of three contacts, and the use of the at least one bulge increases the contact force on the mating contact pin when inserted into the socket.

[0018] In a further embodiment, the main body may include three bulges, one on each side of the triangle. In this configuration, the bulges formed on the inner surface of the triangle ensure three contact points with the contact pin, improving the dynamic load stability of the terminal socket.

[0019] In one aspect of the present invention, the electrical contact portion may include a spring element disposed in the hollow space, the spring element including at least one bulge, and in particular, the at least one bulge configured to frictionally engage with a mating terminal pin when the mating terminal pin is received in the hollow space, thereby improving contact between the terminal socket and the terminal pin, thereby reducing contact resistance and improving overall electrical connectivity.

[0020] In one embodiment of the present invention, the triangular portion of the main body may have acute angles. If the triangular portion is formed with all angles less than 90 degrees, the corners of the triangle can be held closer to the center of the triangle. Therefore, the robustness and stability of the terminal socket are increased.

[0021] In one aspect of the invention, the triangular portion of the body may be isosceles or scalene, in which geometry the threefold rotational symmetry is lost, further improving the foolproof capabilities of the shape, especially compared to an equilateral triangle.

[0022] In one embodiment of the invention, each side of the triangular portion of the second part may have a side length of less than 2 mm, preferably less than 1.5 mm, and particularly less than 1 mm. This allows the socket to be sized to fit into a miniaturized electrical terminal system, such as an electrical terminal system for a PCB connector system or other miniaturized connector system. For example, the terminal socket may be compatible with a PCB connector system used in an advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) for an automobile.

[0023] In one aspect of the invention, the terminal sockets may be stamped and bent from sheet metal, particularly from sheet metal having a thickness of less than 0.2 mm, thereby allowing for a cost-effective manufacturing method to be used to obtain terminal sockets, particularly for miniaturized female connectors in PCB header connector systems.

[0024] In one aspect of the invention, the triangular portion of the body may include areas where the bent sheet metal overlaps, thereby adding an additional asymmetric element to the cross section of the triangular portion and thereby improving the polarization function of the terminal socket.

[0025] In one aspect of the invention, the triangular portion of the body may include areas where the bent sheet metal is welded closed, particularly by laser welding. This can reduce the total amount of socket body material required while maintaining or improving the structural robustness and / or integrity of the socket. For example, bent areas intended to increase socket integrity can be eliminated by instead welding the ends of the socket body material together.

[0026] The object of the present invention can also be realized by a terminal pin for mating with a terminal socket of an electrical terminal system, in particular for a printed circuit board connector system, where the terminal socket is a terminal socket according to any one of the above-mentioned aspects. The terminal pin has an electrical contact portion with a triangular portion configured to be received in a mating terminal socket, in particular the triangular portion is a tip. By matching the cross section of the terminal pin with the cross section of the mating hollow space of the terminal socket, improved self-centering and installation of the pin is achieved. That is, the amount of body material, e.g., thin sheet metal such as copper or aluminum, required to manufacture the pin can be reduced while improving contact quality.

[0027] In one embodiment of the terminal pin, the entire electrical contact portion of the terminal pin is triangular. In this configuration, the entire electrical contact portion of the pin that is configured to be received in a mating terminal socket is triangular and can therefore be advantageously produced in one step, such as one stamping step or one wire drawing step, which is cost-effective.

[0028] The object of the present invention can also be realized by a terminal system comprising a terminal socket according to any one of the above-described aspects and a mating terminal pin configured to mate with the terminal socket, in particular, the mating terminal pin having an electrical contact portion in the shape of a pointed cylinder. Such a terminal pin can be formed from a metal sheet after a stamping step or by a machining process. This terminal system can benefit from the advantages of the terminal socket of the present invention described above without the compatibility problems that arise when using conventional, e.g., standardized, rectangular cross-section terminal pins.

[0029] In one embodiment of the terminal system, the mating terminal pin is a terminal pin according to one of the terminal pin embodiments described above. Thus, the advantages of the terminal socket of the present invention can be combined with the advantages of at least a partially triangular pin, i.e., no additional polarization volume is required, making the system more cost-effective while at the same time providing improved contact characteristics and smaller space requirements.

[0030] The objects of the present invention can further be realized by a terminal system assembly of the above-described terminal system, in which each of the three bulges of the terminal socket contacts an electrical contact of a mating terminal pin, thereby realizing the advantages of the self-centered terminal pin in the socket of the present invention, also described above.

[0031] The object of the present invention is also realized by a header connector comprising a plurality of terminal sockets, at least one of which, and preferably all of which, is a terminal socket according to one of the above-described embodiments of the terminal socket. Due to the more compact terminal sockets, the overall size of the female connector can be reduced. Thus, the female connector occupies less space compared to prior art connectors, for example in a PCB connector system or an in-line connector system.

[0032] In one aspect of the connector, the connector may include at least two rows of terminal sockets according to one of the aspects of the terminal socket described above, where the terminal sockets in one row are rotated 180° relative to the terminal sockets in an adjacent row of terminal sockets, and the rows of terminal sockets are staggered relative to the adjacent rows of terminal sockets. The staggered arrangement of the terminal sockets in the connector can further reduce the volume of the connector.

[0033] These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be more fully understood and appreciated from a careful consideration of the following more detailed description of presently preferred exemplary aspects and embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0034] [Figure 1A] 1 is a perspective view of a terminal socket known from the prior art; [Figure 1B] 1B is a front view of the electrical contact portion of the terminal socket of FIG. 1A. [Figure 1C] 1 is a perspective view of a terminal pin known from the prior art; [Figure 1D] 1 is a schematic rear view of a portion of a female header connector known from the prior art; [Figure 2A] 1 is a perspective view of a terminal socket according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2B] 2B is a front view of the electrical contacts of the terminal socket of FIG. 2A. [Figure 2C] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a terminal pin of an electrical terminal system according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a terminal system assembly according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a terminal system assembly according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5A]FIG. 11 is a rear view of a female connector housing according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5B] FIG. 13 is a rear view of a female connector housing according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0035] A terminal socket according to a first embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to Figure 2A of the drawings. Figure 2A shows a perspective view of terminal socket 1 extending along a mating direction x, which is the direction in which the terminal socket and a mating terminal pin are connected, for example, by moving together with the mating terminal pin in the negative x direction. Terminal socket 1 and a mating terminal pin, for example, terminal pin 101 of Figure 2C, constitute an electrical terminal assembly according to the present invention, which may be used, for example, in a printed circuit board connector system or an in-line connector system.

[0036] The terminal socket 1 comprises a wiring portion 3 and an electrical contact portion 5. The wiring portion 3 is located on the side of the terminal socket 1 opposite to the mating direction x and comprises an insulator crimp portion 7 and a wire crimp portion 9.

[0037] The insulator crimp 7 includes lateral wings 11a, 11b configured to be crimped onto the insulation of an insulated electrical wire. The wire crimp 9 includes crimp arms 13a, 13b configured to be crimped onto the uninsulated end of an insulated wire. The lateral wings 11a, 11b may include cutout openings 15a, 15b to facilitate bending of the lateral wings 11a, 11b. The crimp arms 13a, 13b may include a relief structure, e.g., three parallel notches 17 perpendicular to the mating direction x, to improve the crimping effect in terms of electrical contact conductance. The wire crimp 9 is preferably plated with a noble metal, preferably silver or selenium, to improve the electrical contact of the socket 1 with the uninsulated end of the wire.

[0038] The electrical contact portion 5 is disposed on the side of the terminal socket 1 facing in the mating direction x and comprises a body 19 having a first portion 21 and a second portion 23. The first portion 21 comprises a bridge portion 25 adjacent to the wiring portion 3. The bridge portion 25 is narrowed relative to the body 19, thereby forming a gap 27 between the body 19 and the wiring portion 3. The gap 27 may accommodate a locking mechanism in a connector housing in which the socket 1 is received. This provides resistance to removal of the socket 1 from the connector housing and helps lock the socket 1 to the connector housing. The gap 27 thus corresponds to a secondary locking area complementary to the primary locking mechanism, i.e., the locking lance 29.

[0039] The second portion 23 includes a locking lance 29. The locking lance 29 is a portion of the body 19 that is bent away from the body 19 extending substantially along a mating axis Ax that is parallel to the mating direction x, and in particular, is bent away from the mating direction x partially toward a direction z that is perpendicular to the mating direction x, such that the locking lance 29 extends obliquely relative to the mating direction x. The locking lance 29 includes a free distal end 31 that provides leverage to resiliently bend the locking lance 29 in a direction opposite to the direction z from its oblique rest position back toward the body 5. The locking lance 29 facilitates locking of the socket 1 into a slot in a corresponding connector housing, such as the connector housing described with reference to FIGS. 5A and 5B. For example, when the socket 1 is inserted into the connector housing along the mating direction x, the locking lance 29 can resiliently bend downward, i.e., in the opposite direction to the mating direction x, into an opening and then relax into a corresponding recess to establish a form-fit connection.

[0040] In this embodiment, the terminal socket 1 may have a length along the mating direction x of less than 20 mm, particularly less than 15 mm, and preferably less than 10 mm. For example, the terminal socket 1 may be dimensioned to conduct a maximum peak current of up to 3 A. Furthermore, the entire terminal socket 1 may be a monolithic object stamped from sheet metal or stock material, particularly from a metal such as aluminum or copper or an alloy, particularly a copper-based alloy such as a copper-nickel-silicon-manganese alloy, for improved conductance and corrosion resistance. In this embodiment, the terminal socket 1 is stamped from stock material having a thickness of 0.12 mm.

[0041] The first portion 21 of the body 19 also includes a rear bend portion 30. The rear bend portion 30 is a portion of the first end of the sheet metal from which the terminal socket 1 is stamped that is bent to cover and thus overlap a portion of the second end of the sheet metal. The rear bend portion 30 contributes to the structural integrity of the terminal socket 1 by adding a form-fitting function to the bending of the sheet metal ends together. Thus, the rear bend portion 30 resists forces that could otherwise plastically deform the socket 1.

[0042] In a variant, in order to further improve the structural robustness of the socket 1, the rear bend 30 may additionally be welded, in particular laser beam welded, to the part of the sheet metal that it overlaps. For example, the area 30a may be welded closed by welding the rear bend 30 together with the part of the sheet metal that it overlaps.

[0043] In a different variation, first portion 21 of body 19 does not include back bend 30, or some equivalent back bend, and instead is welded closed in the area where the leading ends of the bent sheet metal meet. For example, back bend 30 shown in FIG. 2A is omitted, and instead, body 19 is welded closed in area 30b. This provides the desired structural integrity of body 19 while reducing the overall amount of sheet metal required.

[0044] The body 19 comprises a hollow space 33, which will be further described with reference to Figure 2B. The second portion 23 of the body 19 comprises a spring element 35 extending in the hollow space 33 along the mating direction x from a fixed portion 36 fixed to the body 19 towards a tip portion 37. The spring element 35 is a portion of the body 19 that is bent away from the mating axis Ax, in particular bent away from the mating direction x partially in the direction opposite to the direction z.

[0045] At the tip of the body 19 facing the mating direction x, an opening 39 to the hollow space 33 is positioned so as to allow a mating terminal pin to be received in the hollow space 33 formed in the body 19. FIG. 2A particularly shows that the opening 39, the hollow space 33, and at least a portion P of the second portion 23 of the body 19 are triangular. Here, the portion P of the second portion 23 and the hollow space 33 are triangular in a cross section A perpendicular to the mating direction x, as shown in FIG. 2A. The cross section A is perpendicular to the mating direction x, and is positioned at the portion P at a distance D from the opening 39 in the direction opposite to the mating direction x. The distance D has a value of less than 10% of the length of the hollow body 33 along the mating direction x.

[0046] In region OL of the triangular outline of body 19, the bent metal sheets overlap. In particular, the metal sheets that make up body 19 and define hollow space 33 are bent so that a portion of a first end of the metal sheet overlaps a portion of a second end of the metal sheet. This will be further explained with reference to region OL' in FIG. 3 and region OL'' in FIG. 4, respectively. The overlap of the metal sheets creates a step shape 43 in the outline of body 19. Step shape 43 further contributes to the asymmetry of the outline of body 19.

[0047] Figure 2B shows a front view of the electrical contact portion 5 of the terminal socket 1 when viewed in the direction opposite to the mating direction x. The cross-sectional view of Figure 2B shows the locking lance 29 and its distal end 31, as well as the spring element 35 and its tip 37. For ease of understanding, Figure 2B includes a schematic cross-section of a terminal pin 101, described below with reference to Figure 2C, when inserted into the hollow space 33 of the terminal socket 1.

[0048] The tip 37 of the spring element 35 is rounded inwardly towards the center of the hollow space 33 to provide a defined contact area for the terminal pin while reducing degradation due to, for example, chafing.

[0049] The tip 37 of the spring element 35 resiliently moves upward from its rest position, i.e., in a direction z perpendicular to the mating direction x, when the pin 101 is inserted. As will be explained further below, the spring element 35 is preloaded to provide an enhanced mechanical load when the mating terminal pin 101 is received in the hollow space 33. This mechanical load, together with the walls of the body 19, provides a friction-fit connection with the mating terminal pin 101.

[0050] 2A, at least a portion P of the second portion 23 of the body 19 has a triangular profile. In addition, at least a portion of the hollow space 33 is triangular.

[0051] 2B also shows that hollow space 33 extends from opening 39 throughout body 19. More specifically, FIG. 2B shows that in this embodiment, hollow space 33 as a whole is triangular along mating direction x, forming a triangle T1 with rounded corners α1, α2, and α3 and sides l1, l2, and l3. Sides l1 and l2 correspond to the inward-facing, or inner, surface of body 19, and l3 corresponds to the inward-facing surface of tip 37 of spring element 35 of body 19. Sides l1, l2, and l3 also correspond to the outer periphery of hollow space 33.

[0052] Each of the sides l1, l2, l3 has a side length of less than 2 mm, preferably less than 1.5 mm, in particular less than 1 mm. Side l3 corresponds to the tip 37 of the spring element 35 and is adjacent to the angles α1 and α2. Sides l1 and l2 are adjacent to the angle α3.

[0053] The hollow space 33 is triangular, forming an isosceles triangle, with l1 and l2 being equal in length and l3 being shorter than l1 and l2. In addition, angles α1 and α2 are equal and greater than α3. However, each of angles α1, α2, and α3 is acute, i.e., less than 90°, and therefore the triangle formed by the hollow space 33 is also acute. According to a variant not shown in the drawings, all three sides of the triangle may be of different lengths, resulting in a scalene-type triangle.

[0054] Since the body 19 is stamped from stock material and thus consists of a single, monolithic metallic body, the geometry of the hollow space 33, i.e., the inner periphery geometry of the body 19, corresponds to the outer geometry of the corresponding portion of the body 19. That is, the triangle T2 of the triangular portion of the second portion 23 has the same angles α1, α2, α3, which are also isosceles and acute.

[0055] Each of sides l1, l2, and l3 is formed with a respective protruding bulge 41a, 41b, and 41c. Bulges 41a, 41b, and 41c in FIG. 2A are preferably plated with a precious metal, such as silver or selenium, to reduce contact resistance and improve corrosion resistance. In an alternative embodiment, the entire terminal socket 1 is plated with a precious metal or multiple layers of different metals, such as tin plated over a nickel undercoat.

[0056] The bulges enable the establishment of electrical contact with a mating terminal pin received in the hollow space 33 through the openings 39 on three sides, and also establish a self-centering function for the terminal socket. That is, in contrast to a terminal pin received in a prior art socket, such as that shown in Figures 1A and 1B, a terminal pin received in the socket 1 is centered between the bulges 41a and 41b as the pin is pressed against the bulges 41a and 41b by the spring element 35 and its bulge 41c. This improves the dynamic load stability of the electrical contact connection.

[0057] The outer shape of the body 19 of the terminal socket 1 is not two-fold rotationally symmetric. Therefore, it does not require a specific polarizing feature protrusion, such as the polarization space P13 described in the background section. In fact, if only the portion P of the outer shape of the second portion 23 of the body 19 is triangular, there is no possibility of unintentionally rotating it 180° around a central axis and still retaining the same shape. This reduces the risk of inserting the terminal socket 1 into a female connector housing incorrectly or upside down.

[0058] This effect can be further enhanced because the entire second portion 23 of the body 19 is triangular, and the triangle of the body 19 corresponds to an isosceles or scalene triangle, so that it can be inserted into the corresponding slot of the female header connector in only one orientation, as further shown in Figures 5A and 5B.

[0059] The terminal socket 1 according to the present invention is more compact, i.e., smaller in size and lighter in weight, and requires fewer manufacturing materials and steps in serial production, particularly when compared to prior art sockets such as terminal socket P1 as shown in FIG. 1A.

[0060] In the three-bulge variant, the self-centering of the inserted terminal pin by the spring element 35 allows for improved dynamic load stability. For example, the three-point contact of the inserted mating terminal pin provides a more robust fixation against vibration along the y direction, which is perpendicular to both the x and z directions of mating. This reduces the risk of material wear caused by negative vibrations such as metal plating degradation and fretting corrosion, thereby also reducing the overall contact resistance and improving electrical signal transmission.

[0061] FIG. 2C shows a perspective view of a terminal pin of an electrical terminal system according to one embodiment of the present invention. The terminal pin 101, as shown in FIG. 2B, includes a rear portion 103 to be connected to a wire and an electrical contact portion 105 adapted to be inserted into the terminal socket 1 to establish an electrical connection. The rear portion 103 is used to connect to a wire or to establish a connection to a PCB. The electrical contact portion 105 has a pointed cylindrical shape. That is, the body portion 109 of the electrical contact portion 105 is cylindrical with a circular cross section in a plane perpendicular to the mating direction x and includes a pointed tip portion 107. As described with reference to FIG. 2B, the pin 101 is adapted to be self-centering when inserted into the socket 1 and to benefit from three contact points.

[0062] The terminal socket 1 and the terminal pin 101 of Fig. 2C form a terminal system according to a second embodiment of the present invention. When the electrical contact portion 105 is inserted into the hollow space 33 through the opening 39 by the tip portion 107, the electrical contact portion 105 is friction-fit into the socket 1 by the spring element 35. This establishes electrical contact at least at the contact points between the bulges 41a, 41b, and 41c and the respective outer surface points of the cylindrical body of the electrical contact portion 105 of the terminal pin 101. Thus, a terminal system assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention is realized.

[0063] A third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a terminal socket 301 according to the present invention. The cross-section of Fig. 3 is taken along a plane perpendicular to the mating direction x, similar to Fig. 2B.

[0064] 2C is received through an opening in terminal socket 301 to form a terminal system assembly 300 in accordance with the present invention. The only difference between terminal socket 301 of the third embodiment and terminal socket 1 of the first embodiment is the cross-sectional shape.

[0065] In fact, terminal socket 301 differs from terminal socket 1 in that the outer shape of the body 319 in cross section is not triangular. Instead, the outer shape corresponds to the shape of a "truncated" triangle, i.e., corner C of the triangle is replaced by an additional side 14. Thus, the outer shape of the body 319 of terminal socket 301 is no longer triangular but trapezoidal, and the corresponding shape of the hollow space 333 is also trapezoidal rather than triangular. Terminal socket 301, like the first embodiment, is stamped from sheet metal or stock material.

[0066] However, as in the first embodiment, the advantages of the present invention regarding foolproof insertion of socket 301 into a female header connector are realized here as well, due to the outer shape of body 319 not having two-fold rotational symmetry. Indeed, also in this embodiment, polarization space P13, as known in the prior art, is not required.

[0067] Body 319, which defines and surrounds hollow barrel 333, is bent so that the stamped stock of body 319 overlaps itself in a region OL', similar to overlap region OL in the embodiment described in FIGS. 2A and 2B. Region OL' is a portion of the contour of body 319 where the stamped stock body 301 has a two-layer structure rather than a single layer. In the embodiment of FIG. 3, overlap region OL' extends along side 11' of the four sides of the trapezoidal contour of the body. In particular, overlap region OL' extends only partially along side 11', i.e., between 10 and 40 percent of the length of side 11'. Thus, a step feature 343 is formed in the contour of body 319. Similar to step feature 43, step 343 formed by overlap region OL' advantageously increases the asymmetry of the contour, thereby adding an additional poling element.

[0068] In addition to the difference in shape, all other features and characteristics realized in the first embodiment are also present in the terminal socket 301 according to the third embodiment. For example, in this embodiment, the pin also contacts three bulges 341a, 341b, and 341c. Additionally, in different embodiments, a fourth bulge may be formed on the inner surface of the fourth side of the trapezoidal shape, for example, on the additional side 14.

[0069] FIG. 4 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a terminal system assembly 400 according to a fourth embodiment. FIG. 4 shows a terminal socket 401 having a body 419 and a hollow space 433 in which a pin 101′ is received through an opening. The body 419 further includes an overlapping region OL″ corresponding to the overlapping regions OL, OL′. The cross-section of FIG. 4 is taken along a plane perpendicular to the mating direction x, similar to FIG. 2B or 3.

[0070] Terminal socket 401 differs from terminal socket 1 of the first embodiment in that the outer shape of body 419 in cross section is scalene. In addition, terminal pin 101' has an electrical contact portion that is triangular, specifically triangular to fit the cross section of hollow portion 433 of body 419, rather than cylindrical like terminal pin 101. Terminal pin 101' is stamped from sheet metal or stock, specifically 0.4 mm stock, and electrical contact portion 105' is formed to the desired shape. However, in an alternative embodiment, terminal pin 101' may be wire drawn.

[0071] In the terminal system assembly 400, each side of the triangular electrical contact portion 105 has a bulge portion 441a, 441b, and 441c, respectively. Thus, similar to the first embodiment, electrical connection is established via the three electrical contact portions formed by the bulge portions 441a, 441b, and 441c.

[0072] In an alternative embodiment, the terminal system comprises the socket 1 of the first embodiment of the present invention and a terminal pin having an electrical contact shape that matches the shape of the hollow space 33 of the socket 1, i.e., isosceles and acute-angled.

[0073] In a further alternative embodiment, a terminal system comprises the socket 301 of the third embodiment and a terminal pin having a trapezoidal electrical contact portion that matches the shape of the hollow space 333 of the socket 301 .

[0074] In addition to the difference in shape, all other features and characteristics realized in the first to third embodiments are also realized by the terminal assembly 400 and / or the terminal socket 401 according to the fourth embodiment.

[0075] In a variant of the invention, the overlapping areas of the bent metal sheets are welded closed, i.e., the overlapping leading ends of the bent metal sheets are welded together by laser beam welding. For example, in the fourth embodiment, the overlapping leading ends of the bent metal sheets in the area OL" are welded together. Similarly, for the first and / or third embodiments, the areas OL and OL' may each be welded closed. As already shown with respect to the rear bend 30 of FIG. 2A, welding the overlapping areas OL, OL', OL" can improve the structural integrity of the socket 1, 301, 401.

[0076] In a related variation of the invention described with respect to the fourth embodiment shown in FIG. 4 , the overlapping portion 432 of the socket body 419 may be completely omitted from the socket body design. In this variation, the side of the body 419 that includes the overlapping region OL″, which corresponds to side 11″ in FIG. 4 , is extended, i.e., made longer. This results in an area 432a where the socket body 419 is welded closed, i.e., where the two end portions of the bent sheet metal of the socket body 419 are welded together. For precision and reliability, the welding is preferably achieved by laser beam welding. This improves the structural integrity of the socket body 419 while simultaneously reducing the total amount of socket body material required for manufacture.

[0077] 2A to 4 each have a shape that does not have two-fold rotational symmetry for both the outer shape of the body and the hollow space for receiving the mating terminal pin. Therefore, in each case, the terminal socket is foolproof with respect to attachment of the terminal socket to the connector housing without requiring the use of mechanisms that result in additional enlargement, such as polarization spaces, guide members, key mechanisms, etc., as known in the prior art. This allows for further miniaturization of the entire terminal socket, and consequently, the terminal system using such a terminal socket.

[0078] Additionally, having the same shape on the inside and outside makes it possible to obtain the terminal socket using sheet metal, made for example from copper or aluminum, which can be bent to the desired shape, so that the socket can be stamped from stock, which can be particularly cost-effective.

[0079] 5A and 5B show rear views of female connector housings 201, 251 according to fifth and sixth embodiments of the present invention, respectively. For example, the female connector housings 201, 251 may be the housings of a moving connector for connecting a flexible flat cable having multiple electrical conductors to a PCB. The female connector housings 201, 251 may be configured to be connected to a male header connector or pin header connector mounted on a PCB and having multiple terminal pins. The male header connector mates with the front side of the connector housings 201, 251, i.e., the side opposite the rear side shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B.

[0080] The female connector housing 201 shown in FIG. 5A is provided with a slot 203 for the terminal socket 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention described above. The terminal socket 1 is accommodated inside the slot 203. The slot 203 has a rear opening 205 on the side shown in the rear view of FIG. 5A. The rear opening 205 has a shape configured to accommodate the outer shape of the main body 19 of the terminal socket 1, including the triangular portion P of the outer shape of the main body 19. In particular, the stepped shape 243 may match the stepped shape 43 of the terminal socket 1, thereby providing further rotational asymmetry.

[0081] Additionally, the slot 203 has a triangular front opening 209 for the mating side of the terminal socket 1, i.e., the side facing the mating direction x in the opening 39 according to the first or fourth embodiment. The triangular front opening 209 is configured to receive a mating male terminal pin. In particular, the triangular front opening 209 is configured to receive a mating male terminal pin having a shape that matches the shape of the front opening 209. The front opening is also configured as shown in FIG. 2B to receive the terminal pin 101 described with reference to FIG. 2C. According to a variant, the shapes of the front and rear openings may be adapted to the shapes of the terminal socket 301 described with reference to FIG. 3 and the terminal socket 401 described with reference to FIG. 4, respectively, and may be adapted depending on the terminal pin used, for example, the terminal pin 101′. This is also shown in FIG. 5B, which will be described below.

[0082] Thus, without the use of additional polarizing shapes, by simply using a body having an outer shape that does not exhibit two-fold rotational symmetry in a plane perpendicular to the mating direction, together with a hollow space that does not exhibit two-fold rotational symmetry in said plane, or when using a body with a triangular shape, it is possible to foolproof the insertion of socket 1 into slot 203 while at the same time achieving a simpler and more cost-effective design.

[0083] The slots 203 for the sockets 1 are arranged in two rows in the connector housing 201, with the orientation of the triangular portions of the slots 203 in one row rotated 180° relative to the triangles in the other row, i.e., the sockets 1 received in the slots 203 are rotated 180° relative to the terminal sockets in the adjacent row of terminal sockets.

[0084] Additionally, the sockets 1 or slots 203 in one row are staggered relative to the adjacent row. In this embodiment, the two rows are arranged in alternating tooth-like fashion, with the corners of the triangular portions of the slots interlocking or meshing with each other. Thus, in one embodiment of the present invention, a connector according to the present invention may include a connector housing 201 and a plurality of sockets 1 inserted into respective slots 203.

[0085] Thus, the shape and / or staggered arrangement of slots 203 allows for a reduction in the overall size of female connector housing 201 compared to the arrangement of FIG. 1D.

[0086] The sixth embodiment shown in Figure 5B corresponds to a further embodiment of a connector housing for a connector according to the present invention. Similar to Figure 5A, Figure 5B shows a connector housing 251 having a terminal socket slot 253 on the visible rear side of the housing 251. Similar to connector housing 201, housing 251 is configured to receive terminal sockets 1 into slot 253 through a rear opening 255.

[0087] 5A, FIG. 5B includes further structural details of the interior space of slot 253. For example, FIG. 5B shows that socket slot 253 comprises, along mating direction x, a first portion 254a with a partially rounded profile and a second portion 254b with a fully triangular profile. This allows for a simpler first insertion step of socket 1 into housing 251 before settling in triangular second portion 254b of slot 253.

[0088] In addition, Figure 5B shows an inner rim 256, under which the locking lance 29 of the socket 1 can be resiliently bent and behind which, along the mating direction x, the tip 31 of the locking lance 29 can be accommodated when the locking lance 29 returns to its rest position. Thus, form-fit locking of the socket 1 into the connector housing 251 is achieved. Furthermore, Figure 5B shows, similar to Figure 5A, that the contour of the slot 253 comprises a stepped shape 293 to accommodate the locking lance 29 and to achieve further asymmetry.

[0089] The connector 251 has the same staggered arrangement of two rows of slots 253 as described with reference to Figure 5A, which provides the same advantage of reduced overall space requirements. However, the connector housing 251 of the sixth embodiment differs from the connector housing 201 of the fifth embodiment with respect to the shape of the front opening 259. The front opening 209 of the connector housing 201 is triangular to accommodate triangular male pins, while the front opening 259 is circular to accommodate the cylindrical terminal pins 101 described with reference to Figures 2B and 2C.

[0090] Although the embodiments have been described with reference to specific examples, the invention is not limited thereto, and numerous modifications to the disclosed embodiments may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. The various embodiments and examples include individual features that can be freely combined with one another to yield further embodiments or examples according to the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0091] 1 terminal socket 3 Wiring section 5 Electrical contacts 7 Insulator crimping part 9 Wire Crimp 11a, 11b Side wings of the insulator crimping part 13a, 13b Crimping arms of wire crimping section 15a, 15b Cutout openings in the side wings of the insulation crimp 17 Wire crimp notch in crimp arm 19 Main Unit 21 First portion of electrical contact 23 Second part of electrical contact 25 Bridge part 27 Secondary locking area gap 29 Rock Lance 30 Rear bend 30a Weld area in one embodiment with back bend 30b Weld area in an embodiment without a back bend 31 Distal end of locking lance 33 Hollow space 35 Spring elements 36 Fixed part 37 Tip of spring element 39 Opening to hollow space 41a, 41b, 41c bulge 43 Step shape of the body 101 Terminal pin with circular cross section at electrical contact 103 Terminal pin rear 105 Terminal pin electrical contact 107 Terminal pin electrical contact tip 109 Terminal pin body 101' Terminal pin having a triangular cross section at the electrical contact portion 105' Electrical contact portion of terminal pin having triangular cross section 201 Connector housing (fifth embodiment) 203 Terminal socket slot in connector housing 205 Slot rear opening 209 Slot front opening 243 Slot step shape 251 Connector housing (sixth embodiment) Terminal socket slot in 253 connector housing 254a, 254b First and second portions of the slot 255 slot rear opening 256 slots in the inner rim 259 Slot front opening 293 Slot step shape 300 Terminal System Assembly (Third Embodiment) 301 Terminal Socket 319 Terminal socket body 333 Terminal socket hollow space 341a, 341b, 341c Terminal socket bulge 343 Step shape of the main body 400 Terminal System Assembly (Fourth Embodiment) 401 Terminal Socket 419 Terminal socket body 432 Body overlap 432a Weld area in an embodiment without overlap 433 Terminal socket hollow space 441a, 441b, 441c Terminal socket bulge P1 Prior art terminal socket P3 Prior art terminal socket wiring part P3a Wire Crimp P3b Insulator Crimp P5 Prior art terminal socket electrical contact P7 Prior art terminal socket body P9 Prior art terminal socket hollow space P11 Prior art terminal socket hollow space opening P13 Prior art terminal socket polarisation space P15 Prior Art Terminal Socket Bulkhead P17a, P17b Prior art terminal socket contacts P21 Prior art terminal socket locking lance P101 Prior art terminal pin P103 Prior art terminal pin rear P105 Prior art terminal pin electrical contact P107 Prior art terminal pin electrical contact tip P109 Prior art terminal pin body P201 Prior Art Female Connector Housing A plane Ax Axis parallel to the mating direction C Cut corner P part of the second part 23 of the body OL, OL', OL'' overlapping area RA Slot row A RB Slot row B x Mating direction y, z perpendicular directions l1, l2, l3 are the sides of the triangle formed by the hollow space l1', l1'' Side l1 in alternative embodiment l4 Side of the cut triangle α1, α2, α3 are the corners of the triangle formed by the hollow space and the second part

Claims

1. A terminal socket (1, 301, 401) for an electrical terminal system, configured to mate with a terminal pin (101, 101') along a mating direction (x), A terminal socket comprising a wiring portion (3) and an electrical contact portion (5), the electrical contact portion (5) having a body (19, 319, 419) having a hollow space (33, 333, 433) for receiving the terminal pin (101, 101'), The main body (19, 319, 419) has an outer shape that does not exhibit two-fold rotational symmetry in a plane (A) perpendicular to the fitting direction (x), and the hollow space (33, 333, 433) does not exhibit two-fold rotational symmetry in the plane (A), The terminal socket (1, 301, 401) is formed by bending a thin metal plate, The main body (19, 319, 419) has an area (OL, OL', OL'') where the first end and the second end of the metal sheet overlap in a non-contact state, and the hollow space (33, 333, 433) of the body (19, 319, 419) has at least one bulge (41a, 41b, 41c; 341a, 341b, 341c; 441a, 441b; 441c) formed on an inner surface (l1; l1'; l1'', l2, l3) of the body (19, 319, 419), Terminal socket.

2. 2. A terminal socket according to claim 1, configured to mate with the terminal pin (101, 101') along a mating direction (x), A terminal socket comprising a wiring portion (3) and an electrical contact portion (5), the electrical contact portion (5) having a body (19, 419) having a hollow space (33, 433) for receiving the terminal pin (101, 101'), The body (19, 419) has an outer shape with a triangular portion (P) that is triangular in a plane (A) perpendicular to the mating direction (x), Terminal socket.

3. The hollow space (33, 433) comprises a triangular portion in the plane (A), The terminal socket of claim 1 .

4. said hollow space (33, 333, 433) comprises three electrical contacts adapted to come into contact with said terminal pins (101, 101'); The terminal socket of claim 1 .

5. said at least one bulge (41a, 41b, 41c; 341a, 341b, 341c; 441a, 441b; 441c) being configured to provide one of said three electrical contacts; 5. The terminal socket of claim 4.

6. The main body (19, 419) has three bulges (41a, 41b, 41c; 441a, 441b; 441c), one on each side (l1 / l1'', l2, l3) of the triangle. A terminal socket according to claim 5 in combination with claim 2.

7. The electrical contact (5) further comprises a spring element (35) arranged in the hollow space (33), The spring element (35) comprises at least one bulge (41c, 341c, 441c), the at least one bulge (41c, 341c, 441c) of the spring element (35) is configured to frictionally fit the terminal pin (101, 101′) when it is received in the hollow space (33, 333, 433); 5. The terminal socket of claim 4.

8. The triangular portion (P) of the body (19, 319, 419) has an acute angle. A terminal socket according to claim 3 in combination with claim 2.

9. The triangular portion (P) of the body (19) is isosceles or scalene. A terminal socket according to claim 3 in combination with claim 2.

10. The terminal socket (1, 301, 401) is stamped and bent from sheet metal.

3. The terminal socket according to claim 1 or 2.

11. The terminal socket (1, 301, 401) is stamped and bent from sheet metal; the triangular portion (P) of the body (19, 319, 419) comprises overlapping areas (OL, OL', OL'') of the bent metal sheets; 3. The terminal socket of claim 2.

12. The terminal socket (1, 301, 401) is stamped and bent from sheet metal; the triangular portion (P) of the body (19, 319) comprises an area (432a) where the bent sheet metal is closed by welding; 3. The terminal socket of claim 2.

13. A terminal socket (1) according to claim 1 and a terminal pin (101) configured to mate with the terminal socket (1), The terminal pin (101) has an electrical contact portion (105) having a pointed cylindrical shape. Electrical terminal system.

14. A terminal socket (401) according to claim 1, and a terminal pin (101') configured to mate with the terminal socket (401), The terminal pin (101') comprises an electrical contact portion (105') having a triangular portion (P) configured to be received in the terminal socket (401).

15. The entire electrical contact portion (105') of the terminal pin (101') is triangular.

15. The electrical terminal system of claim 14.

16. A plurality of terminal sockets (1, 301, 401), At least one or all of the terminal sockets (1, 301, 401) are terminal sockets (1, 301, 401) according to claim 1. connector.

17. At least two rows of terminal sockets (1, 301, 401) according to claim 1 or 2, the plurality of terminal sockets (1, 301, 401) in one row are rotated 180° relative to the plurality of terminal sockets (1, 301, 401) in an adjacent row of terminal sockets (1, 301, 401); A row of terminal sockets (1, 301, 401) is staggered relative to the adjacent row of terminal sockets (1, 301, 401).

17. The connector of claim 16.

18. The electrical terminal system is an electrical terminal system for a printed circuit board connector system (201).

3. The terminal socket according to claim 1 or 2.

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