CN218242427U - Connector and connector assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

The application discloses a connector and a connector assembly. The connector is adapted to electrically connect the first bus bar and the second bus bar. The connector includes an insulative housing, conductive terminals, and conductive pins. The insulative housing includes a first hole and a slot at one end of the insulative housing, the slot extending in the insulative housing in the first direction and the third direction and configured to receive a second bus bar inserted into the slot, the first hole extending at least partially through the insulative housing in the second direction. The conductive terminal is disposed within the insulative housing and is adapted to make electrical contact with the second bus bar inserted into the slot. The conductive pin is adapted to be inserted into the first hole to electrically connect with the conductive terminal and to electrically connect with the first bus bar. The conductive pin is slidable in the first bore in a second direction relative to the conductive terminal.

Description

Connector and connector assembly

Technical Field

The present application relates to connectors and connector assemblies.

Background

At present, the connection of the second bus bar and the first bus bar perpendicular to each other is generally performed in a rigid fit manner by fastening screws. The connection mode enables the second bus bar and the first bus bar to be matched in a dislocation and inclination mode, and the dislocation and inclination can cause poor conditions such as fracture of the fastening screw under the conditions of long-term torsional stress, mechanical vibration and the like, so that the disconnection of the whole system is caused.

SUMMERY OF THE UTILITY MODEL

The present application is directed to overcoming at least one of the above and other problems and disadvantages of the prior art.

Some embodiments of the present application provide a connector adapted to electrically connect a first bus bar and a second bus bar, the connector comprising: a conductive terminal having a hole at one end and a contact portion at the other end, the contact portions being oppositely disposed to configure a slot extending in a first direction and a third direction and configured to receive a second bus bar inserted into the slot; and a conductive pin adapted to be inserted into the hole to be electrically connected with the conductive terminal, and adapted to be electrically connected with the first bus bar. The conductive pin is slidable in the bore relative to the conductive terminal in a second direction, the second direction being perpendicular to the first direction, the third direction being perpendicular to the first and second directions.

In one embodiment, the connector further comprises a conductive block, the conductive terminal being partially supported on both side surfaces of the conductive block; wherein the conductive block is provided with a second hole aligned with the hole of the conductive terminal in the second direction such that the conductive pin is adapted to be slidably inserted into the hole of the conductive terminal and the second hole.

In other embodiments of the present application, the connector is adapted to electrically connect a first bus bar and a second bus bar, and the connector may include: insulating casing, conductive terminal and conductive pin. The insulative housing includes a first hole and a slot at one end of the insulative housing, the slot extending in a first direction and a third direction in the insulative housing and configured to receive a second bus bar inserted into the slot, the first hole extending at least partially through the insulative housing in a second direction, wherein the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction, and the third direction is perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction. The conductive terminal is disposed within the insulative housing and adapted to make electrical contact with the second bus bar inserted into the slot. The conductive pin is adapted to be inserted into the first hole to electrically connect with the conductive terminal, and the conductive pin is adapted to electrically connect with the first bus bar. The conductive pin is slidable in the first bore in the second direction relative to the conductive terminal.

In some embodiments, the conductive terminal is adapted to electrically contact the second bus bar inserted into the slot in a manner that allows the second bus bar inserted into the slot to be slidable relative to the conductive terminal in the first and third directions.

In one embodiment, the connector further comprises a conductive block disposed within the insulative housing, the conductive terminal being partially supported on a surface of the conductive block; the conductive block is provided with a second hole aligned with the first hole in the second direction such that the conductive pin is adapted to be slidably inserted into the first hole and the second hole.

In one embodiment, the conductive terminal is provided with a third bore that aligns the first and second bores in the second direction such that the conductive pin is adapted to be slidably inserted into the first, second and third bores.

In one embodiment, the conductive terminal includes a plurality of resilient arms adapted to be slidably pressed against the second bus bar inserted into the slot.

In one embodiment, the connector includes a pair of conductive terminals arranged to grip opposite sides of a second bus bar inserted into the slot; wherein the plurality of resilient arms of one of the pair of conductive terminals are staggered with respect to the plurality of resilient arms of the other conductive terminal in the third direction.

In one embodiment, the conductive pin has a first head portion and a shaft portion, wherein the conductive pin is adapted to be connected to the connecting portion of the first bus bar at the first head portion, and the shaft portion is adapted to be slidably inserted into the first hole.

In one embodiment, the first head has a first threaded hole therein to allow the conductive pin to be removably secured to the connecting portion by screwing a first threaded fastener into the connecting portion and the first threaded hole such that the conductive pin is mechanically and electrically connected to the connecting portion.

In one embodiment, the first head is adapted to be fixed to the connection portion by welding.

In one embodiment, a length of the stem in the second direction is greater than or equal to a thickness of the connector in the second direction.

In one embodiment, a second threaded bore is provided at the other end of the conductive pin opposite the first head to allow a second threaded fastener to be screwed into the second threaded bore, a second head of the second threaded fastener having a diameter greater than a diameter of the first bore through the insulative housing such that the insulative housing is slidable along the shank in the second direction between the second head of the second threaded fastener and the first head of the conductive pin.

In one embodiment, the connector further comprises a resilient terminal disposed on a wall of the second bore of the conductive block and electrically connected to the conductive terminal and adapted to slidingly and electrically contact the conductive pin in the second direction and apply a clamping force thereto.

In one embodiment, the length of the conductive block in the third direction is greater than the length of the insulative housing and the conductive terminals in the third direction to allow at least two of the conductive terminals to be disposed on a surface of the conductive block in the third direction.

The present application further provides a connector assembly comprising: a connector; a first bus bar adapted to electrically connect with a conductive pin of the connector; and a second bus bar adapted to be inserted into the slot of the insulative housing of the connector to electrically connect with the conductive terminal of the connector. The conductive pin is slidable in a first hole of the insulating housing in a second direction relative to the insulating housing to allow the connector to move in the second direction relative to the first bus bar; and/or the connector electrically connects the second bus bar in a manner that allows the second bus bar to slide in the slot in the first direction and the third direction.

In one embodiment, the first bus bar includes a first main body portion provided with a plurality of connection terminals and a connection portion extending from the first main body portion, the connection portion being adapted to be electrically connected with the conductive pin.

In one embodiment, the connector assembly includes two first bus bars whose first main body portions are disposed in the third direction in a stacked manner, and an insulator is disposed between the stacked two first main body portions; and the connector assembly comprises two of the connectors positioned between the connecting portions of the two first bus bars, and each connector is electrically connected with a corresponding one of the first bus bars; the connector assembly further includes two second bus bars electrically connected with the two first bus bars via the two connectors, respectively.

In one embodiment, an insulator is provided between the two connectors to prevent the conductive pins of the two connectors from making electrical contact with each other.

In one embodiment, the connecting portion is removably secured to the first head of the conductive pin by a first threaded fastener.

In one embodiment, the second bus bar includes a contact portion adapted to be inserted into the slot of the connector to slidably make electrical contact with the conductive terminal; the length of the contact portion in the third direction is greater than the length of the connector in the third direction.

In one embodiment, the second bus bar further includes a second main body portion having a thickness in the second direction greater than a thickness of the contact portion in the second direction and a width of the slot in the second direction.

In one embodiment, a width of the contact portion in the first direction is greater than a depth of the slot in the first direction.

In one embodiment, a width of the contact portion in the first direction is less than or equal to a depth of the slot in the first direction, and a recessed portion communicating with the contact portion is provided in the second body portion, a thickness of the recessed portion in the second direction is equal to a thickness of the contact portion, and a length in the third direction is greater than a length of the connector in the third direction.

In various embodiments of the present application, the connector is not only capable of establishing a stable electrical connection with the first and second bus bars, but the connector is also capable of sliding in a second direction relative to the first bus bar such that the connector establishes through-penetrating, floating electrical contact with the first bus bar; and the connector can slide along the first direction and the third direction relative to the second bus bar, so that the connector and the second bus bar establish separable plug-in floating electrical contact, and the problem of broken circuit caused by torsional stress generated by offset mutual matching and inclined mutual matching and screw breakage caused by the stress is solved.

Drawings

Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a connector assembly of a connector according to the present application with a first bus bar and a second bus bar.

Fig. 2 shows a top view of a connector assembly of the connector of the present application with a first bus bar and a second bus bar.

Fig. 3 showsbase:Sub>A top cross-sectional view of the connector assembly of the present application with the first and second bus bars taken along linebase:Sub>A-base:Sub>A in fig. 1.

Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of a connector according to the present application.

Fig. 5 shows a perspective view of a connector according to the present application from the rear.

Fig. 6 shows a cross-sectional perspective view of a connector according to the present application, taken along the line B-B in fig. 5.

Fig. 7 shows a cross-sectional perspective view of the connector shown in fig. 6 with the conductive pins removed.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the connector of fig. 4 with the insulative housing removed.

Fig. 9 shows a perspective view of a connector according to another embodiment of the present application with the insulative housing removed.

Fig. 10 shows another perspective view of a connector according to another embodiment of the present application with the insulative housing removed.

Fig. 11 shows a perspective view of an insulative housing of a connector according to the present application.

Detailed Description

Embodiments of the present application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numerals and symbols shown in the drawings of the present application refer to elements or components that perform substantially the same functions.

Furthermore, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing embodiments and is not intended to be limiting and/or restrictive of the present application. The singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In this application, "comprising," "including," "having," and similar terms are used to recite features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, components, or combinations thereof, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more of the features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, components, or combinations thereof.

Although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first element could be termed a second element, and a second element could be termed a first element, without departing from the scope of the present application. The term "and/or" includes any combination of multiple associated items or any of multiple associated items.

In the following detailed description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments of the disclosure. It may be evident, however, that one or more embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in schematic form in order to simplify the drawing.

A connector is adapted to electrically connect a first bus bar and a second bus bar. In the illustrated embodiment, the first bus bar extends in a first direction X and a second direction Y, and the second bus bar extends in the first direction X and a third direction Z, wherein the second direction Y is perpendicular to the first direction X and the third direction Z is perpendicular to the first direction X and the second direction Y.

Some embodiments of the present application provide a connector 10 adapted to electrically connect a first bus bar 20 and a second bus bar 30. The connector includes: an electrically conductive terminal 200 having a hole at one end thereof and a contact portion at the other end thereof, the contact portions being oppositely disposed to configure a slot extending in a first direction X and a third direction Z and configured to receive the second bus bar 30 inserted into the slot; and a conductive pin 400 adapted to be inserted into the hole to be electrically connected with the conductive terminal 200, and adapted to be electrically connected with the first bus bar 20. The conductive pin 400 is slidable in the hole in a second direction Y relative to the conductive terminal 200.

In other embodiments of the present application, the connector 10 may include: an insulative housing 100, conductive terminals 200, and conductive pins 400. The insulating housing 100 includes a first hole 102 and a slot 101 at one end of the insulating housing, the slot 101 extending in the insulating housing in the first direction X and the third direction Z and configured to receive the second bus bar 30 inserted therein, the first hole 102 extending at least partially through the insulating housing 100 in the second direction Y. The conductive terminal 200 is disposed in the insulative housing 100 and adapted to electrically contact the second bus bar 30 inserted into the slot 101. The conductive pin 400 is adapted to be inserted into the first hole 102 to be electrically connected with the conductive terminal 200, and the conductive pin is adapted to be electrically connected with the first bus bar 20.

In some embodiments, the conductive pin 400 is slidable in the first hole 102 in the second direction Y relative to the conductive terminal 200.

In some embodiments, the conductive terminal 200 is adapted to electrically contact the second bus bar 30 inserted into the slot 101 in a manner that allows the second bus bar 30 inserted into the slot 101 to be slidable in the first direction X and the third direction Z relative to the conductive terminal 200.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a connector assembly of a connector according to the present application with a first bus bar and a second bus bar; fig. 2 shows a top view of the connector assembly of the present application with the first and second bus bars; and fig. 3 showsbase:Sub>A top cross-sectional view of the connector assembly of the present application with the first and second bus bars taken along linebase:Sub>A-base:Sub>A in fig. 1.

The connector assembly according to the present application includes a connector 10, a first bus bar 20, and a second bus bar 30. The first bus bar 20 is adapted to be electrically connected with the conductive pin 400 of the connector. The second bus bar 30 is adapted to be inserted into the slot 101 of the insulative housing 100 of the connector to be electrically connected with the conductive terminal 200. The conductive pin 400 is slidable in the first hole 102 in a second direction Y with respect to the insulative housing to allow the connector 10 to move in the second direction Y with respect to the first bus bar 20; and/or the connector 10 electrically connects the second bus bar 30 in a manner that allows the second bus bar to slide in the slot 101 in the first direction X and the third direction Z.

As best shown in fig. 1 to 3, the connector 10 is electrically connected in a movable manner in the second direction Y with first bus bars 20a, 20b, which may also be referred to as horizontal bus bars. The connector is electrically connected in a movable manner in the first direction X and the third direction Z with the second bus bars 30a, 30b, which may also be referred to as vertical bus bars. It should be noted that directional terms such as "horizontal" and "vertical" in the present application are described with reference to the orientation shown in fig. 1, which does not limit the orientation of the actual installation of the connectors and connector assemblies of the present application.

The first bus bar 20 includes a first body portion 2001 provided with a plurality of connection terminals 2003, and a connection portion 2002 extending from the first body portion 2001, wherein the connection portion 2002 is adapted to be electrically connected with the conductive pin 400.

As shown in fig. 1, the first main body portion 2001 of the first bus bar has a shape extending mainly in the second direction Y. The first main body portion of one first bus bar 20a for connection to a positive pole of a power source and the first main body portion of the other first bus bar 20b for connection to a negative pole of the power source may be stacked together. Preferably, the first main body portions of the two first bus bars 20a, 20b are separated by an insulator.

In addition, the first bus bars 20a and 20b have a plurality of connection terminals 2003 adapted to be connected to a power supply terminal of a power supply or an output terminal of the power supply, and the connection terminals 2003 are provided on the first main body 2001. The connection terminal 2003 may be electrically connected to a power supply terminal of a power supply or an output terminal of the power supply in a fixed manner by a screw.

The first bus bar further includes a connection portion 2002 extending from the first main body portion 2001. In the illustrated embodiment, the connection portion 2002 extends in a first direction X and a third direction Z. In the conventional art, the connection portion of the first bus bar is electrically connected to the second bus bar extending in the first direction X and the third direction Z in a fixed manner by a screw, and therefore, there are cases in which misalignment, inclination, and the like easily occur, and the screw may be broken or the like in the case of a long-term torsional stress, mechanical shock, and the like.

In an embodiment of the present application, the connection portion 2002 of the first bus bar is adapted to be electrically connected with the conductive pin 400 of the connector 10. The conductive pin 400 is adapted to be inserted into the first hole 102 of the insulative housing to be electrically connected with the conductive terminal 200, and is slidable in the first hole 102 along the second direction Y with respect to the conductive terminal 200. In the illustrated preferred embodiment, the conductive pin 400 is in sliding electrical contact with the elastic terminal 300 of the connector 10 in the second direction Y, and the elastic terminal 300 applies a clamping force to the conductive pin 400, thereby establishing a stable electrical connection between the elastic terminal 300 and the conductive pin 400.

As shown in fig. 3, the connection portion 2002 of the first bus bar is detachably fixed to the first head of the conductive pin 400 by the first fastener 500. The first fastener 500 is a threaded fastener, preferably a screw. In this case, the first head 401 of the conductive pin 400 (shown in fig. 6) has a first threaded hole having a female thread adapted to mate with the male thread of the first threaded fastener 500. The conductive pin 400 is detachably fixed to the connection portion 2002 by screwing a first threaded fastener 500 into the connection portion 2002 and the first threaded hole, so that the conductive pin 400 is mechanically and electrically connected to the connection portion 2002.

In another embodiment, not shown, the connection portion 2002 of the first bus bar is fixed to the first head portion 401 of the conductive pin 400 by welding.

In the illustrated embodiment, the connector assembly includes two primary bus bars 20a, 20b, the first main body portions 2001 of which are disposed one on another in the third direction Z, and an insulator is disposed between the stacked two primary main body portions 2001. The connector assembly includes two connectors 10 positioned between the connecting portions of the two first bus bars, and each connector is electrically connected to a corresponding one of the first bus bars. The connector assembly further comprises two second busbars 30 which are electrically connected with the two first busbars 20 via the two connectors 10, respectively. The connecting portion 2002 of one of the first bus bars 20a and the connecting portion of the other first bus bar 20b sandwich the two connectors 10a, 10b so that the conductive pin 400 of the connector does not disengage from the connectors even though the conductive pin 400 is movably inserted therein.

In another not-shown embodiment, the first bus bar 20a and the other first bus bar 20b are separately provided, and the two connectors are also separately provided. In this case, a second threaded hole is provided at the other end of the conductive pin 400 opposite to the first head 401 to allow a second threaded fastener to be screwed therein, the second head of the second threaded fastener having a diameter larger than that of the first hole 102 passing through the insulating housing, so that the insulating housing can slide in the second direction Y along the shaft 402 between the second head of the second threaded fastener and the first head 401 of the conductive pin 400, and the conductive pin 400 does not disengage from the connector 10.

As best shown in fig. 1 to 3, the connector 10 is electrically connected to the second bus bars 30a, 30b in a movable manner in the first direction X and the third direction Z through the slot 101 at one end. The second bus bar has a contact portion 3001 adapted to be electrically connected with the conductive terminal 200 of the connector 10, the length of the contact portion 3001 in the third direction Z being greater than the length of the connector 10 in the third direction.

In one embodiment, the width W1 of the contact portion 3001 in the first direction X (as shown in fig. 1) is greater than the depth D1 of the slot 101 of the connector 10 in the first direction X (as shown in fig. 4). So that the connector 10 can move in the first direction X and/or the third direction Z with respect to the second bus bar 30 in a state where the connector 10 is electrically connected to the second bus bar 30.

In the illustrated embodiment, the second bus bar further has a second body part 3002, and the thickness of the second body part 3002 is greater than that of the contact part 3001, so that the second bus bar has sufficient rigidity not to be easily bent.

In other embodiments, the width W1 of the contact portion 3001 in the first direction X is less than or equal to the depth D1 of the slot 101 in the first direction X, or the second bus bar does not have the contact portion 3001. In this case, a concave portion 3003 communicating with the contact portion 3001 is provided in the second body portion 3002, a thickness of the concave portion 3003 in the second direction Y is equal to a thickness of the contact portion 3001, and a length in the third direction Z is larger than a length of the connector 10 in the third direction Z. The recess 3003 has a width W2 in the first direction X so that the connector 10 moves in the first direction X and/or the third direction Z with respect to the second bus bar 30.

The structure of the connector 10 according to the present application is specifically described below with reference to fig. 4 to 11. FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a connector according to the present application; FIG. 5 shows a perspective view from the rear of a connector according to the present application; FIG. 6 illustrates a cross-sectional perspective view taken along line B-B of FIG. 5 of a connector according to the present application; FIG. 7 shows a cross-sectional perspective view of the connector of FIG. 6 with the conductive pin removed;

FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of a connector according to the present application with the insulative housing removed; FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of a connector according to another embodiment of the present application with the insulative housing removed; FIG. 10 shows another perspective view of a connector according to another embodiment of the present application with the insulative housing removed; and figure 11 shows a perspective view of an insulating housing of a connector according to the present application.

As shown in fig. 1 to 11, a connector according to the present application may include an insulative housing 100, a conductive terminal 200, a conductive pin 400, and an optional elastic terminal 300 and an optional conductive block 600.

The insulating housing 100 is made of an insulating material such as plastic. As shown in fig. 11, the insulating housing includes a first hole 102 and a slot 101 at one end of the insulating housing.

The slot 101 extends in the insulating housing in the first direction X and the third direction Z and is configured to receive the second bus bar 30 inserted therein. In the illustrated embodiment, the slot 101 penetrates the insulating housing 100 in the third direction Z, so that a second bus bar 30, which is longer than the connector, can be inserted into the connector. In another embodiment, the slot 101 does not penetrate the insulating housing 100 in the third direction Z, in which case a second bus bar 30 shorter than the connector may be inserted into the connector, i.e. the length of the second bus bar 30 in the third direction Z is smaller than the length of the slot 101 of the connector in the third direction Z. In these cases, the second bus bar 30 inserted into the slot is movable in the slot 101 in the first direction X and the third direction Z.

The first aperture 102 of the insulating housing extends at least partially through the insulating housing 100 in the second direction Y. The shaft portion 402 of the conductive pin 400 of the connector (shown in fig. 6) can be inserted into the first hole 102. In the illustrated embodiment, the number of the first holes is four, but the number of the first holes may be one, two, or more, which is not limited in the present application.

In the embodiment shown, the first hole 102 of the insulating housing extends through the insulating housing so that the conductive pin 400 can be inserted from either side. In a state where the connector is assembled with the second bus bar as shown in fig. 1, two adjacent side walls of the insulating housings of two adjacent connectors are isolated by an insulator to prevent electrical contact between two opposite conductive pins 400.

Alternatively, the first hole 102 of the insulating housing penetrates one of the two sidewalls of the insulating housing without penetrating the other sidewall to prevent electrical contact between the opposite conductive pins 400.

The connector comprises a conductive terminal 200, which is arranged within the insulating housing 100 and is adapted to be movably electrically connected with the second bus bar 30, i.e. to electrically contact the second bus bar 30 inserted in the slot 101 in a manner allowing the second bus bar to be slidably inserted in the first direction X and the third direction Z relative to the conductive terminal 200.

The conductive terminal 200 is provided with a third hole 202 which is aligned with the first hole 102 of the insulative housing and the second hole 601 of the conductive block in the second direction Y, such that the conductive pin 400 is adapted to be slidably inserted into the first hole 102, the second hole 601 and the third hole 202. The number, size and position of the third holes 202 correspond to the first holes 102 of the insulation case 100.

The conductive terminal 200 further comprises a plurality of resilient arms 201, the plurality of resilient arms 201 being adapted to be slidably pressed against the second bus bar 30 inserted into the slot.

In the illustrated embodiment, the connector includes a pair of conductive terminals 200 arranged to grip opposite sides of a second bus bar inserted into the slot 101; or, opposite conductive terminals 200 are respectively disposed on inner sides of both side walls of the slot 101 of the insulative housing 100 of the connector, the opposite conductive terminals 200 slidably holding the second bus bar 30 and being electrically connectable with the second bus bar 30.

As best shown in fig. 8-10, the plurality of resilient arms of one of the pair of conductive terminals 200 are staggered with respect to the plurality of resilient arms of the other conductive terminal in the third direction Z. Further, as shown, two conductive terminals are disposed in a stacked manner along the second direction Y on each side of the conductive block 600, and the plurality of elastic arms of one of the two conductive terminals on either side of the conductive block are also staggered with respect to the plurality of elastic arms of the other conductive terminal in the third direction Z.

In another embodiment, not shown, the conductive terminal 200 is disposed on one of the two sidewalls of the slot 101 of the insulative housing 100, and the conductive terminal is not disposed on the other sidewall. In this case, the elastic arm 201 of the conductive terminal 200 slidingly clamps the second bus bar 30 together with the sidewall such that the elastic arm 201 of the conductive terminal 200 establishes electrical connection with the clamped second bus bar 30.

In a preferred embodiment, the resilient arm 201 of the conductive terminal 200 is covered with a reinforcing plate 203, so that the clamping force of the resilient arm 201 of the conductive terminal with the opposite other resilient arm or side wall to clamp the second bus bar 30 can be further reinforced.

As best shown in fig. 7 and 9, the connector further includes a resilient terminal 300 capable of conducting electricity, the resilient terminal 300 being electrically connected to the conductive terminal 200. In the illustrated embodiment, the elastic terminal 300 is disposed on a hole wall of the second hole 601 of the conductive block 600, and thus is electrically connected to the conductive block 600 and the conductive terminal 200. The conductive terminal 200 is adapted to be in sliding electrical contact with the conductive pin 400 along the second direction Y. The elastic terminal 300 has elasticity, thereby applying a clamping force to the conductive pin 400 so that the elastic terminal 300 can be brought into close contact with the rod portion 402 of the conductive pin 400 in the circumferential direction, thereby establishing a stable electrical connection.

In the illustrated preferred embodiment, the connector includes a conductive block 600, the conductive block 600 being capable of supporting the conductive terminal 200 and the resilient terminal 300. The conductive block 600 is held between the conductive terminals 200 disposed opposite to each other, and establishes a stable electrical connection with the conductive terminals 200.

The conductive block 600 may be made of a single metal plate or alloy plate, or may be made of a plurality of metal sheets laminated together. The plurality of metal sheets may be made of the same metal, for example, copper. In another embodiment, the plurality of metal sheets may be formed of different metal sheets, for example, copper sheets and aluminum sheets, which are alternately arranged, thereby reducing costs.

Second holes 601 are provided in the conductive block 600, and the number, size and position of the second holes 601 correspond to the third holes 202 of the conductive terminals 200 and the first holes 102 of the insulative housing 100, so that the shaft portions 402 of the conductive pins 400 of the connector can be inserted into the second holes 601. The sprung terminal 300 can be attached to the hole wall of the second hole of the conductive block 600, thereby stably supporting the sprung terminal 300 and establishing a stable electrical connection with the sprung terminal 300.

The length of the conductive block 600 in the third direction Z is greater than the lengths of the insulative housing 100 and the conductive terminals 200 in the third direction Z, such that at least two conductive terminals 200 are arranged on the surface of the conductive block 600 in the third direction Z.

As best shown in fig. 6, the conductive pin 400 of the connector has a first head portion 401 and a shaft portion 402. The conductive pin 400 is adapted to be connected to the connection portion 2002 of the first bus bar 20 at the first head portion 401, the first head portion 401 having a diameter larger than that of the first hole 101 of the insulating housing 100. The stem 402 is adapted to be slidably inserted into the first bore 102. The shaft portion 402 has a smooth surface so as to be able to slidingly contact with the elastic terminal 300 and establish stable electrical connection.

In the illustrated embodiment, the first head 401 of the conductive pin 400 has a threaded bore having a female thread adapted to mate with the male thread of the first threaded fastener 500. Thereby, the connection portion 2002 of the first bus bar is fixed to the first head portion 401 of the conductive pin 400 by the first threaded fastener 500, thereby establishing a stable electrical connection between the first bus bar 20 and the conductive pin 400 and between the conductive terminal 200 of the connector. In another embodiment, not shown, the connection portion 2002 of the first bus bar is fixed to the first head portion 401 of the conductive pin 400 by welding.

The length L1 of the shaft portion 402 of the conductive pin 400 in the second direction Y is greater than or equal to the thickness L2 of the connector 10 in the second direction Y. When the conductive pin 400 is inserted into the body of the connector, the shaft portion 402 of the conductive pin 400 can be brought into sufficient contact with the elastic terminal 300 to establish stable electrical connection.

In another embodiment, not shown, a second threaded hole is provided at the other end of the conductive pin 400 opposite to the first head 401 to allow a second threaded fastener to be screwed therein, the second head of the second threaded fastener having a diameter greater than the diameter of the first hole 102 through the insulating housing, so that the insulating housing can slide along the shank 402 in the second direction Y between the second head of the second threaded fastener and the first head 401 of the conductive pin 400, thereby preventing the conductive pin 400 from disengaging from the connector 10.

Connectors provided according to various embodiments of the present application are adapted to electrically connect a first bus bar 20 and a second bus bar 30. The connector comprises an insulating housing 100, the insulating housing 100 comprising a slot 101 at one end of the insulating housing and a first hole 102, the slot 101 extending in the insulating housing in a first direction X and a third direction Z and being configured to receive a second busbar 30 inserted in the slot, the first hole 102 extending at least partially through the insulating housing 100 in a second direction Y, wherein the second direction Y is perpendicular to the first direction X and the third direction Z is perpendicular to the first direction X and the second direction Y. The connector includes a conductive terminal 200, the conductive terminal 200 being disposed within the insulative housing 100 and adapted to make electrical contact with the second bus bar 30 inserted into the slot 101. The connector further includes a conductive pin 400 adapted to be inserted into the first hole 102 to be electrically connected with the conductive terminal 200, and adapted to be electrically connected with the first bus bar 20. The conductive pin 400 is slidable in the first hole 102 in the second direction Y with respect to the conductive terminal 200; and/or the conductive terminal 200 is adapted to electrically contact the second bus bar 30 inserted in the slot 101 in a manner allowing the second bus bar 30 inserted in the slot 101 to be slidable in the first direction X and the third direction Z with respect to the conductive terminal 200.

Thus, the connector 10 according to the present application is not only capable of establishing a stable electrical connection with the first bus bar 20 and the second bus bar 30, but also the connector 10 is capable of sliding relative to the first bus bar 20 in the second direction Y, so that the connector establishes a through-type floating electrical contact with the first bus bar; and the connector 10 is slidable in the first direction X and the third direction Z relative to the second busbar 30 so that the connector establishes separable, pluggable, floating electrical contact with the second busbar. Thereby eliminating the torsional stress caused by the offset mating and the oblique mating, and the problem of disconnection caused by the breakage of the screw caused by the stress.

Although a number of embodiments of the present application have been shown and described, it would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes may be made in these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the application, the scope of which is defined in the claims and their equivalents.

Claims (21)

1. A connector (10) adapted to electrically connect a first bus bar (20) and a second bus bar (30), characterized in that the connector comprises:

an insulating housing (100), said insulating housing (100) comprising a slot (101) at one end of said insulating housing and a first hole (102), said slot (101) extending in said insulating housing in a first direction (X) and a third direction (Z) and being configured to receive a second bus bar (30) inserted therein, said first hole (102) extending at least partially through said insulating housing (100) in a second direction (Y), wherein said second direction (Y) is perpendicular to said first direction (X) and said third direction (Z) is perpendicular to said first direction (X) and said second direction (Y);

an electrically conductive terminal (200), said electrically conductive terminal (200) being disposed within said insulating housing (100) and being adapted to be in electrical contact with said second bus bar (30) inserted into said slot (101); and

a conductive pin (400) adapted to be inserted into the first hole (102) to electrically connect with the conductive terminal (200) and adapted to electrically connect with the first bus bar (20);

wherein the conductive pin (400) is slidable in the first hole (102) in the second direction (Y) relative to the conductive terminal (200).

2. The connector (10) of claim 1 further comprising a conductive block (600) disposed within the insulative housing (100), the conductive terminal (200) being partially supported on a surface of the conductive block (600);

wherein the conductive block (600) is provided with a second hole (601) aligned with the first hole (102) in the second direction (Y) such that the conductive pin (400) is adapted to be slidably inserted into the first hole (102) and the second hole (601).

3. Connector (10) according to claim 2, characterized in that the conductive terminal (200) is provided with a third hole (202) which aligns the first hole (102) and the second hole (601) in the second direction (Y), such that the conductive pin (400) is adapted to be slidably inserted in the first hole (102), the second hole (601) and the third hole (202).

4. The connector (10) of claim 1, wherein the conductive terminal (200) comprises a plurality of resilient arms (201), the plurality of resilient arms (201) being adapted to be slidably pressed against the second bus bar (30) inserted into the slot.

5. The connector (10) of claim 4, including a pair of conductive terminals (200) arranged to grip opposite sides of a second bus bar (30) inserted into the slot;

wherein the plurality of resilient arms of one of the pair of conductive terminals (200) are staggered with respect to the plurality of resilient arms of the other conductive terminal in the third direction (Z).

6. The connector (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the conductive pin (400) has a first head (401) and a shank (402), wherein the conductive pin is adapted to be connected to the connection portion (2002) of the first busbar (20) at the first head (401), and the shank (402) is adapted to be slidably inserted into the first hole (102).

7. The connector (10) of claim 6, wherein the first head portion (401) has a first threaded hole therein to allow the conductive pin (400) to be removably secured to the connecting portion (2002) by screwing a first threaded fastener (500) into the connecting portion (2002) and the first threaded hole, such that the conductive pin (400) is mechanically and electrically connected to the connecting portion (2002); or

The first head (401) is adapted to be fixed to the connecting portion (2002) by welding.

8. Connector (10) according to claim 6, characterized in that the length (L1) of the lever (402) in the second direction (Y) is greater than or equal to the thickness (L2) of the connector (10) in the second direction (Y).

9. Connector (10) according to claim 7, characterized in that a second threaded hole is provided at the other end of the conductive pin (400) opposite to the first head (401) to allow screwing a second threaded fastener in the second threaded hole, the second head of the second threaded fastener having a diameter greater than the diameter of the first hole (102) passing through the insulating housing, so that the insulating housing is slidable along the shank (402) in the second direction (Y) between the second head of the second threaded fastener and the first head (401) of the conductive pin (400).

10. Connector (10) according to claim 2, characterized in that it further comprises an elastic terminal (300) provided on the wall of said second hole (601) of said conductive block (600) and electrically connected with said conductive terminal (200) and adapted to be in sliding electrical contact with said conductive pin (400) along said second direction (Y) and to exert a clamping force on the conductive pin (400).

11. The connector (10) of claim 2, wherein the length of the conductive block (600) in the third direction (Z) is greater than the length of the insulative housing (100) and the conductive terminals (200) in the third direction (Z) to allow at least two of the conductive terminals (200) to be arranged on the surface of the conductive block (600) in the third direction (Z).

12. A connector assembly, characterized in that the connector assembly comprises:

the connector (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 11;

a primary bus bar (20), the primary bus bar (20) being adapted to be electrically connected with a conductive pin (400) of the connector; and

a second busbar (30), said second busbar (30) being adapted to be inserted into a slot (101) of an insulating housing (100) of said connector to electrically connect with a conductive terminal (200) of said connector;

wherein:

the conductive pin (400) being slidable in a second direction (Y) in a first hole (102) of the insulating housing with respect to the insulating housing to allow the connector (10) to move in the second direction (Y) with respect to the first busbar (20); and/or

The connector (10) electrically connects the second bus bar (30) in a manner that allows the second bus bar to slide in the slot (101) in a first direction (X) and a third direction (Z).

13. The connector assembly according to claim 12, wherein the first bus bar (20) includes a first body portion (2001) provided with a plurality of connection terminals (2003) and a connection portion (2002) extending from the first body portion (2001), the connection portion (2002) being adapted to be electrically connected with the conductive pin (400).

14. Connector assembly according to claim 13, characterized in that it comprises two first busbars (20) whose first main body portions (2001) are arranged one above the other in the third direction (Z), and in that an insulator is arranged between the two first main body portions (2001) which are arranged one above the other; and

the connector assembly comprises two of the connectors (10) positioned between the connection portions (2002) of the two first bus bars (20), and each connector is electrically connected with a corresponding one of the first bus bars;

the connector assembly further comprises two second busbars (30) which are electrically connected with the two first busbars (20) via the two connectors (10), respectively.

15. Connector assembly according to claim 14, characterized in that an insulator is provided between the two connectors (10) to prevent the conductive pins (400) of the two connectors (10) from making electrical contact with each other.

16. The connector assembly according to claim 13, wherein the connecting portion (2002) is removably secured to the first head (401) of the conductive pin (400) by a first threaded fastener (500).

17. The connector assembly according to any one of claims 12 to 16, wherein the second busbar (30) comprises a contact portion (3001) adapted to be inserted into the slot (101) of the connector (10) to slidably electrically contact the conductive terminal (200);

the length of the contact portion (3001) in the third direction (Z) is greater than the length of the connector (10) in the third direction (Z).

18. The connector assembly according to claim 17, wherein the second bus bar (30) further comprises a second body portion (3002), a thickness of the second body portion (3002) in the second direction (Y) being greater than a thickness of the contact portion (3001) in the second direction (Y) and a width of the slot (101) in the second direction (Y).

19. The connector assembly according to claim 18, wherein a width (W1) of the contact portion (3001) in the first direction (X) is greater than a depth (D1) of the slot (101) in the first direction (X); or

A width (W1) of the contact portion (3001) in the first direction (X) is smaller than or equal to a depth (D1) of the slot (101) in the first direction (X), and a recessed portion (3003) communicating with the contact portion (3001) is provided in the second body portion (3002), a thickness of the recessed portion (3003) in the second direction (Y) is equal to a thickness of the contact portion (3001), and a length in the third direction (Z) is greater than a length of the connector (10) in the third direction (Z).

20. A connector (10) adapted to electrically connect a first bus bar (20) and a second bus bar (30), the connector comprising:

an electrically conductive terminal (200) having a hole at one end and a contact portion at the other end, the contact portions being oppositely disposed to configure a slot extending in a first direction (X) and a third direction (Z) and configured to receive a second bus bar (30) inserted into the slot, and

a conductive pin (400) adapted to be inserted into the hole to be electrically connected with the conductive terminal (200), and adapted to be electrically connected with the first bus bar (20);

wherein the conductive pin (400) is slidable in the bore relative to the conductive terminal (200) along a second direction (Y) perpendicular to the first direction (X), the third direction (Z) being perpendicular to the first and second directions (X, Y).

21. The connector (10) of claim 20 further comprising a conductive block (600), the conductive terminal (200) being partially supported on both side surfaces of the conductive block (600);

wherein the conductive block (600) is provided with a second hole (601) aligned with the conductive terminal hole in the second direction (Y) such that the conductive pin (400) is adapted to be slidably inserted into the conductive terminal hole and the second hole (601).

Images