Terminals and connectors

Abstract

To provide a stamping terminal which has a top wall and a side wall and prevents cracks from being generated in a curved part between the top wall and the side wall.SOLUTION: A terminal includes a top wall 10, a side wall 11, and a curved part 111 connected between the top wall 10 and the side wall 11. At least one notch 101 is formed on the curved part 111. The notch reduces a bending force for forming the curved part 111 and prevents cracks from being generated in the curved part 111 during the formation of the curved part 111. Therefore, the present invention can reduce the manufacturing difficulty of the terminal and improve the manufacturing quality of the terminal.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0007] ,

[0001] Cross - reference to related applications This application claims priority to Chinese Utility Model Application No. CN202121127578.5, filed with the China National Intellectual Property Administration on May 25, 2021, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to a terminal and a connector including the terminal.

Background Art

[0003] In the case of a stamping terminal having an upper wall and side walls, the side walls need to be bent at a predetermined angle with respect to the upper wall. In the prior art, since no notch is formed in the curved portion between the upper wall and the side walls, the bending force (the force for bending, bending force) required for forming the curved portion becomes large, and it is very difficult to bend the curved portion. In addition, cracks are likely to occur in the curved portion during the formation of the curved portion, so the quality of the terminal and the reliability of the electrical connection are reduced.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

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

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] According to an aspect of the present invention, a terminal is provided, which includes an upper wall, side walls, and a curved portion connected between the upper wall and the side walls. At least one notch is formed in the curved portion to reduce the bending force for forming the curved portion and prevent cracks from occurring in the curved portion during the formation of the curved portion.

[0006] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of notches are formed in the curved portion, and the plurality of notches are spaced apart from each other and extend along the length direction of the terminal.

[0007] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the sum of the extension lengths of the multiple notches along the longitudinal direction is one-quarter or more of the extension length of the curved portion along the longitudinal direction, and three-quarters or less of the extension length of the curved portion along the longitudinal direction.

[0008] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the extended lengths of the multiple notches are the same or different from one another.

[0009] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a single notch is formed in the curved portion, and the single notch extends for a predetermined length along the longitudinal direction of the terminal.

[0010] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the extended length of a single notch along the longitudinal direction is one-quarter or more of the extended length of the curved portion along the longitudinal direction, and three-quarters or less of the extended length of the curved portion along the longitudinal direction.

[0011] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the side wall includes a first side wall and a second side wall located on either side of the width direction of the upper wall, and the curved portion includes a first curved portion connected between the upper wall and the first side wall and a second curved portion connected between the upper wall and the second side wall.

[0012] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of notches are formed in the first curved portion and the second curved portion, respectively, or a single notch is formed in the first curved portion and the second curved portion, respectively, or a plurality of notches are formed in one of the first curved portion and the second curved portion, and a single notch is formed in the other of the first curved portion and the second curved portion.

[0013] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the terminal further comprises an elastic latch connected to a first side wall, the elastic latch being configured to lock into the housing of the connector to lock the terminal in the housing of the connector.

[0014] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the terminal further comprises an elastic arm connected to a second side wall and facing the upper wall, wherein the elastic arm is configured to electrically contact a mating terminal inserted between the elastic arm and the upper wall.

[0015] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a first electrical contact projecting toward an elastic arm is formed on the upper wall, and a second electrical contact projecting toward the first electrical contact is formed on the elastic arm, and the first and second electrical contacts are configured to simultaneously make electrical contact with the upper and lower sides of a mating terminal inserted between the elastic arm and the upper wall.

[0016] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the terminal further comprises wire connections connected to the upper wall and the side wall.

[0017] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the wire connector includes a pair of first wings configured to be crimped onto the conductor core of the wire, and a pair of second wings configured to be crimped onto the outer layer of the wire.

[0018] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the terminal is a one-piece terminal formed by stamping a single terminal material plate.

[0019] According to another aspect of the present invention, a connector is provided comprising a housing and the above-mentioned terminals installed in the housing.

[0020] In the above exemplary embodiment of the present invention, since the notch is formed in the curved portion of the terminal, the bending force required to form the curved portion can be reduced, and cracks in the curved portion during formation can be prevented.

[0021] The other features of the present invention will become clearer by describing exemplary embodiments in detail with reference to the attached drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0022] [Figure 1] FIG. 4 is an exemplary perspective view of a terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention as viewed from one side. [Figure 2] FIG. 5 is an exemplary perspective view of the terminal shown in FIG. 1 as viewed from the other side. [Figure 3] FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of the terminal shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 4] FIG. 7 is an exemplary perspective view of a terminal according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals refer to the same elements. However, the present disclosure may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments described 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.

[0024] In the following detailed description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the disclosed embodiments. It will be apparent, however, that one or more embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown schematically in order to simplify the drawings.

[0025] According to a general concept of the present invention, a terminal is provided that includes an upper wall, side walls, and a curved portion connected between the upper wall and the side walls. At least one notch is formed in the curved portion to reduce the bending force for forming the curved portion and to prevent cracks from occurring in the curved portion during the formation of the curved portion.

[0026] FIG. 1 is an exemplary perspective view of a terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention as viewed from one side, and FIG. 2 is an exemplary perspective view of the terminal shown in FIG. 1 as viewed from the other side.

[0027] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, in the illustrated embodiment, the terminal mainly comprises an upper wall 10, side walls 11 and 12, and curved portions 111 and 121. The curved portions 111 and 121 are connected between the upper wall 10 and the side walls 11 and 12. At least one notch 101 is formed in the curved portions 111 and 121 to reduce the bending force required to form the curved portions 111 and 121 and to prevent cracks from occurring in the curved portions 111 and 121 during their formation. Therefore, the present invention can reduce the difficulty of manufacturing the terminal and improve the manufacturing quality of the terminal.

[0028] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, in the illustrated embodiment, a plurality of notches 101 are formed in the curved portions 111 and 121, and the notches 101 are spaced apart from each other and extend along the length direction of the terminal.

[0029] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the sum of the extended lengths of the multiple notches 101 along the longitudinal direction is one-quarter or more of the extended lengths of the curved portions 111 and 121 along the longitudinal direction, and three-quarters or less of the extended lengths of the curved portions 111 and 121 along the longitudinal direction. The present invention is not limited thereto, and it should be noted that the sum of the extended lengths of the multiple notches 101 can be adjusted as appropriate according to actual requirements.

[0030] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, in the illustrated embodiment, the extended lengths of the multiple notches 101 in the curved portions 111 and 121 may be the same or different from each other.

[0031] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, in the illustrated embodiments, the terminal side walls 11 and 12 include a first side wall 11 and a second side wall 12, respectively, located on both sides of the upper wall 10 in the width direction. The curved portions 111 and 121 include a first curved portion 111 connected between the upper wall 10 and the first side wall 11, and a second curved portion 121 connected between the upper wall 10 and the second side wall 12. However, the present invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiments. For example, in another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the terminal may include a single side wall.

[0032] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, in the illustrated embodiment, a plurality of notches 101 are formed in the first curved portion 111 and the second curved portion 121, respectively.

[0033] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, in exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the sum of the extended lengths of the multiple notches 101 of the first curved portion 111 along the longitudinal direction of the terminal is one-quarter or more of the extended length of the first curved portion 111 along the longitudinal direction of the terminal, and three-quarters or less of the extended length of the first curved portion 111 along the longitudinal direction of the terminal.

[0034] Figure 3 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the terminal shown in Figure 1.

[0035] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, in the illustrated embodiment, the terminal also includes an elastic latch 112 connected to the first side wall 11. The elastic latch 112 is configured to lock into the connector housing (not shown) to lock the terminal in the connector housing.

[0036] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, in the illustrated embodiment, the terminal is connected to the second side wall 12 and also includes an elastic arm 122 facing the upper wall 10. The elastic arm 122 is configured to make electrical contact with a mating terminal (not shown) inserted between the elastic arm 122 and the upper wall 10.

[0037] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, in the illustrated embodiment, a first electrical contact 10a protruding toward the elastic arm 122 is formed on the upper wall 10, and a second electrical contact 122a protruding toward the first electrical contact 10a is formed on the elastic arm 122. The first electrical contact 10a and the second electrical contact 122a are suitable for simultaneously making electrical contact with the upper and lower sides of a mating terminal inserted between the elastic arm 122 and the upper wall 10.

[0038] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, in the illustrated embodiment, the terminal also includes a wire connector 130 connected to one end of the upper wall 10 and the first side wall 11 and the second side wall 12. In the illustrated embodiment, the wire connector 130 includes a pair of first wings 131 and a pair of second wings 132. The pair of first wings 131 are configured to be crimped onto the conductor core of a wire (not shown). The pair of second wings 132 are configured to be crimped onto the outer layer of the conductor.

[0039] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, in the illustrated embodiment, the terminal is a one-piece terminal formed by stamping (punching) a single terminal material plate. In this way, the manufacturing cost of the terminal can be reduced.

[0040] Figure 4 is an exemplary perspective view of a terminal according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0041] The main difference between the terminal embodiment shown in Figure 4 and the terminal embodiments shown in Figures 1 to 3 is the difference in the number and extension length of the notches formed in the curved portion.

[0042] As shown in Figure 4, in the illustrated embodiment, a single notch 101 is formed in either the first curved portion 111 or the second curved portion 121. The single notch 101 extends for a predetermined length along the longitudinal direction of the terminal. In the illustrated embodiment, the extended length of the single notch 101 along the longitudinal direction of the terminal is at least one-quarter of the extended length of the curved portions 111 and 121 along the longitudinal direction of the terminal, and at least three-quarters of the extended length of the curved portion 111 along the longitudinal direction of the terminal.

[0043] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown in Figures 1 to 4. For example, in another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of notches 101 may be formed in one of the first curved portion 111 and the second curved portion 121, or a single notch 101 may be formed in the other of the first curved portion 111 and the second curved portion 121.

[0044] Although not shown, another exemplary embodiment of the present invention also discloses a connector comprising a housing and the aforementioned terminals, the terminals being mounted in the housing to mate with mating terminals of a mating connector.

[0045] In this invention, the notch 101 is formed in the curved portions 111 and 121 before they are bent, and the notch 101 is located only in the curved portions 111 and 121 and does not extend to the upper wall 10 and the side walls 11 and 12, which should be noted as being different from an opening formed in the side wall or upper wall of the terminal.

[0046] Those skilled in the art should understand that the embodiments described above are illustrative and not intended to be limiting. For example, those skilled in the art can make many modifications to the embodiments described above without structural or principle contradictions, and can freely combine the various features described in different embodiments.

[0047] While several exemplary embodiments have been illustrated and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications or alterations may be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the disclosure. The scope of the disclosure is defined by the claims and their equivalents.

[0048] Where used herein, elements listed in the singular and followed by the word "a" or "an" should be understood not to exclude multiple such elements or steps unless explicitly stated otherwise. Furthermore, references to “one embodiment” of the present invention are not intended to be construed as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the listed features. Moreover, embodiments that “include” or “have” an element or a number of elements having a particular characteristic may include additional such elements that do not have that characteristic, unless explicitly stated to the contrary.

Claims

1. The first wall (10) and Side walls (11, 12) and A terminal comprising a curved portion (111, 121) connected between the first wall (10) and the side walls (11, 12), The side walls (11, 12) include a first side wall (11) and a second side wall (12) located on both sides of the first wall (10) in the width direction, At least one notch (101) is formed in the curved portion (111, 121), The curved portions (111, 121) include a first curved portion (111) connected between the first wall (10) and the first side wall (11), and a second curved portion (121) connected between the first wall (10) and the second side wall (12). An elastic latch (112) is cantilevered to the first side wall (11), faces the first wall (10), and elastically deforms toward the first wall (10) when locked to the connector housing, The device further comprises an elastic arm (122) cantilevered to the second side wall (12), facing the first wall (10), and elastically deforming away from the first wall (10) when a mating terminal is inserted between the first wall (10) and the elastic arm (122), A terminal that reduces the bending force required to form the curved portion (111, 121) and prevents cracks from occurring in the curved portion (111, 121) during its formation.

2. The terminal according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of notches (101) are formed in the curved portion (111, 121), and the plurality of notches (101) are spaced apart from each other and extend along the length direction of the terminal.

3. The terminal according to claim 2, wherein the sum of the extended lengths of the plurality of notches (101) along the longitudinal direction is one-quarter or more of the extended length of the curved portions (111, 121) along the longitudinal direction, and three-quarters or less of the extended length of the curved portions (111, 121) along the longitudinal direction.

4. The terminal according to claim 3, wherein the extended lengths of the plurality of notches (101) are the same or different from one another.

5. The terminal according to claim 1, wherein a single notch (101) is formed in the curved portion (111, 121), and the single notch extends for a predetermined length along the longitudinal direction of the terminal.

6. The terminal according to claim 5, wherein the extended length of the single notch (101) along the longitudinal direction is one-quarter or more of the extended length of the curved portion (111, 121) along the longitudinal direction, and three-quarters or less of the extended length of the curved portion (111) along the longitudinal direction.

7. Multiple notches (101) are formed in the first curved portion (111) and the second curved portion (121), respectively, or A single notch (101) is formed in the first curved portion (111) and the second curved portion (121), respectively, or The terminal according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of notches (101) are formed in one of the first curved portion (111) and the second curved portion (121), and a single notch (101) is formed in the other of the first curved portion (111) and the second curved portion (121).

8. The terminal according to claim 1, wherein the elastic latch (112) is configured to lock into the housing of the connector to lock the terminal in the housing of the connector.

9. The terminal according to claim 1, wherein the elastic arm (122) is configured to electrically contact a mating terminal inserted between the elastic arm (122) and the first wall (10).

10. A first electrical contact (10a) is formed on the first wall (10) that protrudes toward the elastic arm (122), and a second electrical contact (122a) is formed on the elastic arm (122) that protrudes toward the first electrical contact (10a). The terminal according to claim 9, wherein the first electrical contact (10a) and the second electrical contact (122a) are configured to simultaneously make electrical contact with the upper and lower sides of the mating terminal inserted between the elastic arm (122) and the first wall (10).

11. The terminal according to claim 1, further comprising a wire connection portion (130) connected to the first wall (10) and the side walls (11, 12).

12. The wire connection portion (130) is A pair of first wings (131) configured to be crimped onto the conductor core of the wire, The terminal according to claim 11, further comprising a pair of second wings (132) configured to be crimped onto the outer layer of the wire.

13. The terminal according to claim 1, wherein the terminal is an integrated terminal formed by stamping a single terminal material plate.

14. Housing and The terminal described in claim 1 is installed in the housing and A connector equipped with the following features.

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