CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
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This application claims the benefit of Chinese Patent Application No.
CN202411386894.2 filed on September 29, 2024 in the State Intellectual Property Office of China, the whole disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
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The present invention relates to an electrical connection member, an electrical connection module comprising the electrical connection member, and a connector comprising the electrical connection module.
Description of the Related Art
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In the prior art, in order to achieve fast electrical connections between cables, it is usually necessary to provide multiple cable connectors and an adapter connector. The cable connector includes a housing and a terminal set in the housing, which is crimped onto the cable. The adapter connector includes a housing and multiple adapter terminals arranged in the housing. Multiple cable connectors are inserted into the adapter connector, and the terminals of the multiple cable connectors are electrically connected together through multiple adapter terminals. However, the existing technology solution requires the provision of two different connectors, which increases costs and can lead to excessive product volume.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
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The present invention has been made to overcome or alleviate at least one aspect of the above mentioned disadvantages.
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According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electrical connection member. The electrical connection member comprises: multiple terminals which are arranged in a row along a transverse direction; and a connecting strip extending along the transverse direction and connected to one ends of the multiple terminals. The electrical connection member is an integral stamped part, and the connecting strip is a material strip used for conveying and positioning the terminals during the manufacturing of the terminals.
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According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the terminal has front and rear ends that are opposite in a longitudinal direction, and the connecting strip is connected to the rear ends of the multiple terminals.
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According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the terminal comprises front and rear crimping portions located at its front and rear ends, respectively, and a middle crimping portion located between the front and rear crimping portions; the middle crimping portion of the terminal is used to crimp onto a conductor core of a cable, and the front crimping portion and rear crimping portion of the terminal are used to crimp onto an outer layer of the cable.
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According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, multiple positioning holes are formed in the connecting strip, and the positioning holes are positioning pin holes used to engage with positioning pins of a conveying mechanism for conveying the terminals during the manufacturing of the terminals.
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According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electrical connection module. The electrical connection module comprises: the above electrical connection member; multiple first cables which are respectively electrically connected to multiple terminals of the electrical connection member; and multiple second cables which are respectively electrically connected to multiple terminals of the electrical connection member. The multiple first cables and the multiple second cables are electrically interconnected through the electrical connection member.
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According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the terminal is crimped onto the first cable and the second cable to electrically connect with them.
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According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the terminal has a front end and a rear end that are opposite in the longitudinal direction, the terminal includes a middle crimping portion located between its front and rear ends, the middle crimping portion is simultaneously crimped to the conductor cores of the first cable and the second cable.
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According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the terminal further comprises front and rear crimping portions located at its front and rear ends, respectively; the front crimping portion is used for crimping onto the outer layer of the first cable and/or the second cable inserted from the front end of the terminal, and the rear crimping portion is used for crimping onto the outer layer of the first cable and/or the second cable inserted from the rear end of the terminal.
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According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the multiple first cables are respectively inserted into the multiple terminals from the front end, and the multiple second cables are respectively inserted into the multiple terminals from the rear end; or the multiple first cables are respectively inserted into the multiple terminals from the rear end, and the multiple second cables are respectively inserted into the multiple terminals from the front end.
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According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, some of the multiple first cables are respectively inserted into some of the multiple terminals from the front end, while others of the multiple first cables are respectively inserted into other terminals from the rear end; or some of the multiple second cables are respectively inserted into some of the multiple terminals from the front end, and others of the multiple second cables are respectively inserted into other terminals from the rear end.
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According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a connector. The connector comprises: a housing; and the above electrical connection member or the above electrical connection module which is arranged in the housing. Multiple terminal mounting slots are formed in the housing, and the multiple terminal mounting slots are arranged in a row in a transverse direction, the multiple terminals are respectively installed in the multiple terminal mounting slots.
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According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the housing has a front wall and a rear wall that are opposite in the longitudinal direction, multiple front lead out holes are formed in the front wall that are respectively connected to the multiple terminal mounting slots, and multiple rear lead out holes are formed in the rear wall that are respectively connected to the multiple terminal mounting slots; the front lead out hole is used to guide the cable electrically connected to the terminal to lead out from the front end of the housing, and the rear lead out hole is used to guide the cable electrically connected to the terminal to lead out from the rear end of the housing.
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According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the housing comprises an upper housing and a lower housing assembled together, and the connecting strip of the electrical connection member is clamped between the upper housing and the lower housing.
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According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, multiple positioning posts are formed on the lower housing or upper housing, and the multiple positioning posts are respectively mated with multiple positioning holes in the connecting strip to position the connecting strip.
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According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the upper housing and the lower housing respectively have two opposite side walls in the transverse direction, and protrusions and buckles are formed on each side wall of the upper housing and the lower housing, the protrusions and buckles on the upper housing are respectively engaged with the buckles and protrusions on the lower housing to lock the upper housing and the lower housing in a closed position.
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According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the upper housing and the lower housing each have two opposite side walls in the transverse direction, a protrusion is formed on the side wall of one of the upper housing and the lower housing, and a buckle is formed on the side wall of the other of the upper housing and the lower housing, the buckle is engaged with the protrusion to lock the upper housing and the lower housing in a closed position.
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According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the housing has two opposite sides in the transverse direction, and the housing further comprises a flexible connection part connected between one side of the upper housing and one side of the lower housing.
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According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, multiple grooves are respectively formed on the upper housing and the lower housing, the multiple grooves extend in the longitudinal direction and arranged in a row in the transverse direction to increase the flexibility of the housing, allowing it to be bent and coiled around the outer circumference of the cable.
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According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the groove is located between adjacent terminal mounting slots and is not connected to the adjacent terminal mounting slots.
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According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the bottom wall of the groove is hollowed out to further increase the flexibility of the housing.
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In the aforementioned exemplary embodiments according to the present invention, multiple terminals of the electrical connection member are electrically interconnected through a material strip used for conveying and positioning the terminals during the manufacturing of the terminals. Therefore, the present invention does not require a separate connector for electrically interconnecting multiple terminals together, simplifies the structure of the connector, reduces manufacturing costs, and reduces the volume of the connector.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
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The above and other features of the present invention will become more apparent by describing in detail exemplary embodiments thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
- Figure 1 shows an illustrative perspective view of a connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention when viewed from the top;
- Figure 2 shows an illustrative perspective view of a connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention when viewed from the bottom;
- Figure 3 shows an illustrative exploded view of a connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
- Figure 4 shows an illustrative exploded view of a connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention when viewed from the top;
- Figure 5 shows an illustrative exploded view of a connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention when viewed from the bottom;
- Figure 6 shows an illustrative perspective view of an electrical connection member of a connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
- Figure 7 shows an illustrative plan view of the electrical connection module of a connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
- Figure 8 shows an illustrative perspective view of a connector according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention when viewed from the top; and
- Figure 9 shows an illustrative perspective view of a connector according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention when viewed from the bottom.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE IVENTION
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Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described hereinafter in detail with reference to the attached drawings, wherein the like reference numerals refer to the like elements. The present disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiment set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that the present disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the concept of the disclosure to those skilled in the art.
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In the following detailed description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the disclosed embodiments. It will be apparent, however, that one or more embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are schematically shown in order to simplify the drawing.
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According to a general concept of the present invention, there is provided an electrical connection member. The electrical connection member comprises: multiple terminals which are arranged in a row along a transverse direction; and a connecting strip extending along the transverse direction and connected to one ends of the multiple terminals. The electrical connection member is an integral stamped part, and the connecting strip is a material strip used for conveying and positioning the terminals during the manufacturing of the terminals.
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According to another general concept of the present invention, there is provided an electrical connection module. The electrical connection module comprises: the above electrical connection member; multiple first cables which are respectively electrically connected to multiple terminals of the electrical connection member; and multiple second cables which are respectively electrically connected to multiple terminals of the electrical connection member. The multiple first cables and the multiple second cables are electrically interconnected through the electrical connection member.
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According to another general concept of the present invention, there is provided a connector. The connector comprises: a housing; and the above electrical connection member or the above electrical connection module which is arranged in the housing. Multiple terminal mounting slots are formed in the housing, and the multiple terminal mounting slots are arranged in a row in a transverse direction, the multiple terminals are respectively installed in the multiple terminal mounting slots.
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Figure 1 shows an illustrative perspective view of a connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention when viewed from the top; Figure 2 shows an illustrative perspective view of a connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention when viewed from the bottom; Figure 3 shows an illustrative exploded view of a connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 shows an illustrative exploded view of a connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention when viewed from the top; Figure 5 shows an illustrative exploded view of a connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention when viewed from the bottom; Figure 6 shows an illustrative perspective view of the electrical connection member 2 of a connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; Figure 7 shows an illustrative plan view of the electrical connection module of a connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
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As shown in Figures 1 to 7, in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an electrical connection member 2 is disclosed. The electrical connection member 2 includes multiple terminals 21 and a connecting strip 22. Multiple terminals 21 are arranged in a row along the transverse direction X. The connecting strip 22 extends along the transverse direction X and is connected to one ends of multiple terminals 21. The electrical connection member 2 is an integral stamped part, and the connecting strip 22 is a material strip used for conveying and positioning the terminals 21 during the manufacturing of the terminals 21.
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As shown in Figures 1 to 7, in the illustrated embodiment, the terminal 21 has front and rear ends that are opposite in the longitudinal direction Y, and the connecting strip 22 is connected to the rear ends of multiple terminals 21.
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As shown in Figures 1 to 7, in the illustrated embodiment, the terminal 21 includes front and rear crimping portions 21a and 21b, respectively, located at its front and rear ends, as well as a middle crimping portion 21c between the front and rear crimping portions 21a and 21b. The middle crimping portion 21c is used to crimp onto the conductor core 30 of the cable 3, and the front and rear crimping portions 21a and 21b are used to crimp onto the outer layer of the cable 3.
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As shown in Figures 1 to 7, in the illustrated embodiment, multiple positioning holes 2d are formed in the connecting strip 22. The positioning holes 2d are positioning pin holes used to engage with positioning pins (not shown) on the pin wheels (not shown) of the conveying mechanism (not shown) for transporting the terminals 21 during the manufacturing of the terminals 21.
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As shown in Figures 1 to 7, in another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an electrical connection module is also disclosed. The electrical connection module includes: the above electrical connection member 2, multiple first cables 31, and multiple second cables 32. Multiple first cables 31 are respectively electrically connected to multiple terminals 21 of electrical connection member 2. Multiple second cables 32 are respectively electrically connected to multiple terminals 21 of electrical connection member 2. Multiple first cables 31 and multiple second cables 32 are electrically interconnected through the electrical connection member 2.
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As shown in Figures 1 to 7, in the illustrated embodiment, the terminal 21 is crimped onto the first cable 31 and the second cable 32 to electrically connect with them.
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As shown in Figures 1 to 7, in the illustrated embodiment, the terminal 21 has a front end and a rear end that are opposite in the longitudinal direction Y. The terminal 21 includes a middle crimping portion 21c located between its front and rear ends, which is simultaneously crimped to the conductor cores 30 of the first cable 31 and the second cable 32.
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As shown in Figures 1 to 7, in the illustrated embodiment, the terminal 21 further includes front and rear crimping portions 21a and 21b, respectively, located at its front and rear ends. The front crimping portion 21a is used to crimp to the outer layer of the first cable 31 and/or the second cable 32 inserted from the front end of the terminal 21, and the rear crimping portion 21b is used to crimp to the outer layer of the first cable 31 and/or the second cable 32 inserted from the rear end of the terminal 21.
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As shown in Figures 1 to 7, in the illustrated embodiment, some of the multiple first cables 31 are respectively inserted into some of the multiple terminals 21 from the front end, and others of the multiple first cables 31 are respectively inserted into other terminals 21 from the rear end.
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As shown in Figures 1 to 7, in the illustrated embodiment, some of the multiple second cables 32 are respectively inserted into some of the multiple terminals 21 from the front end, and others of the multiple second cables 32 are respectively inserted into other terminals 21 from the rear end.
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However, the present invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiments. For example, in another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, multiple first cables 31 are respectively inserted into multiple terminals 21 from the front end, and multiple second cables 32 are respectively inserted into multiple terminals 21 from the rear end.
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However, the present invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiments. For example, in another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, multiple first cables 31 are inserted into multiple terminals 21 from the rear end, and multiple second cables 32 are inserted into multiple terminals 21 from the front end.
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As shown in Figures 1 to 7, in another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a connector is also disclosed. The connector comprises: a housing 1 and the aforementioned electrical connection member 2 or the aforementioned electrical connection module. The electrical connection member 2 or electrical connection module is set in the housing 1. Multiple terminal mounting slots 100 are formed in the housing 1, and the multiple terminal mounting slots 100 are arranged in a row in the transverse direction X. Multiple terminals 21 are respectively installed in the multiple terminal mounting slots 100.
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As shown in Figures 1 to 7, in the illustrated embodiment, the housing 1 has a front wall and a rear wall that are opposite in the longitudinal direction Y. Multiple front lead out holes 101 are formed in the front wall that are connected to multiple terminal mounting slots 100, and multiple rear lead out holes 102 are formed in the rear wall that are connected to multiple terminal mounting slots 100. The front lead out hole 101 is used to guide the cable 3 electrically connected to the terminal 21 to lead out from the front end of the housing 1, and the rear lead out hole 102 is used to guide the cable 3 electrically connected to the terminal 21 to lead out from the rear end of the housing 1.
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As shown in Figures 1 to 7, in the illustrated embodiment, the housing 1 includes an upper housing 11 and a lower housing 12 assembled together, and the connecting strip 22 of the electrical connection member 2 is clamped between the upper housing 11 and the lower housing 12.
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As shown in Figures 1 to 7, in the illustrated embodiment, multiple positioning posts 1d are formed on the lower housing 12 or the upper housing 11, and the multiple positioning posts 1d are respectively mated with multiple positioning holes 2d in the connecting strip 22 to position the connecting strip 22.
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As shown in Figures 1 to 7, in the illustrated embodiment, the upper housing 11 and the lower housing 12 have two opposite side walls in the transverse direction X. A protrusion 1b and a buckle 1a are formed on each side wall of the upper housing 11 and the lower housing 12. The protrusion 1b and the buckle 1a on the upper housing 11 are respectively engaged with the buckle 1a and the protrusion 1b on the lower housing 12 to lock the upper housing 11 and the lower housing 12 in the closed position.
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As shown in Figures 1 to 7, in the illustrated embodiment, the upper housing 11 and the lower housing 12 each have two opposite side walls in the transverse direction X. A protrusion 1b is formed on the side wall of one of the upper housing 11 and the lower housing 12, and a buckle 1a is formed on the side wall of the other of the upper housing 11 and the lower housing 12. The buckle 1a engages with the protrusion 1b to lock the upper housing 11 and the lower housing 12 in the closed position.
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As shown in Figures 1 to 7, in the illustrated embodiment, the housing 1 has two opposite sides in the transverse direction X. The housing 1 also includes a flexible connection part 1c, which is connected between one side of the upper housing 11 and one side of the lower housing 12.
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Figure 8 shows an illustrative perspective view of a connector according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention when viewed from the top; Figure 9 shows an illustrative perspective view of a connector according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention when viewed from the bottom.
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The main difference between the connectors shown in Figures 8 and 9 and the connectors shown in Figures 1 to 7 is the structure of the housing 1.
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As shown in Figures 8 and 9, in the illustrated embodiment, multiple grooves 103 are formed on the upper housing 11 and the lower housing 12, respectively. The multiple grooves 103 extend along the longitudinal direction Y and are arranged in a row in the transverse direction X to increase the flexibility of the housing 1, so that the housing 1 can be bent and coiled around the outer circumference of the cable (not shown).
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As shown in Figures 8 and 9, in the illustrated embodiment, the groove 103 is located between adjacent two terminal mounting slots 100 and is not connected to the adjacent two terminal mounting slots 100.
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As shown in Figures 8 and 9, in the illustrated embodiment, the bottom walls of the grooves 103 on the upper housing 11 and lower housing 12 are hollowed out to further increase the flexibility of the housing 1.
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Except for the aforementioned differences, the other technical features of the connectors shown in Figures 8 and 9 are basically the same as those of the connectors shown in Figures 1 to 7, which can be referred to as the connectors shown in Figures 1 to 7.
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It should be appreciated for those skilled in this art that the above embodiments are intended to be illustrated, and not restrictive. For example, many modifications may be made to the above embodiments by those skilled in this art, and various features described in different embodiments may be freely combined with each other without conflicting in configuration or principle.
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Although several exemplary embodiments have been shown and described, it would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes or modifications may be made in these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the disclosure, the scope of which is defined in the claims and their equivalents.
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As used herein, an element recited in the singular and proceeded with the word "a" or "an" should be understood as not excluding plural of said elements or steps, unless such exclusion is explicitly stated. Furthermore, references to "one embodiment" of the present invention are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features. Moreover, unless explicitly stated to the contrary, embodiments "comprising" or "having" an element or a plurality of elements having a particular property may include additional such elements not having that property.