CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
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This application claims the benefit of Chinese Patent Application No.
CN202422486835.4 filed on October 14, 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 a connector terminal, an electrical connection assembly comprising the connector terminal, and a connector comprising the connector terminal or electrical connection assembly.
Description of the Related Art
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In the prior art, large-sized connector terminals are mostly manufactured using a combination stamping process. The existing large-sized connector terminals have disadvantages such as complex structure, low processing efficiency, and high cost, and do not have many advantages in the increasingly fierce market competition. In addition, the electrical contact of existing large-sized connector terminals is unreliable, the anti-vibration performance is poor, and the insertion and extraction force when mated with mating terminals is too high.
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 a connector terminal. The connector terminal comprises: a base which has two opposite sides in its transverse direction and a spring arm extending along its longitudinal direction formed on it; and the pair of cantilever parts located above the base and connected to both sides of the base. The cantilever part comprises: multiple bent cantilevers which are distributed at intervals in the longitudinal direction of the base and their roots are connected to the side edge of the base; and a pressing part connected to the ends of the multiple bent cantilevers and suspended above the base. The pressing part and the spring arm are opposite in the height direction, used to clamp a mating terminal inserted between them for electrical contact with the mating terminal.
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According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the pressing part has a first contact part protruding towards the spring arm for electrical contact with the upper side of the inserted mating terminal, and the first contact part extends a predetermined length along the longitudinal direction of the base.
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According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the extension length of the first contact part in the longitudinal direction of the base is not less than one-third and not greater than two-thirds of the longitudinal length of the base.
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According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the base has front and rear ends opposite in its longitudinal direction, and the cantilever part comprises three bent cantilevers located at the front, rear, and middle of the base, respectively.
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According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, multiple spring arms are formed on the base, arranged side by side in the transverse direction of the base, for simultaneous electrical contact with the lower side of the inserted mating terminal.
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According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an opening is formed on the base, and the spring arm is suspended in the opening, with both ends of the spring arm connected to the front and rear sides of the opening, respectively.
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According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the spring arm has a second contact part protruding towards the pressing part for electrical contact with the lower side of the inserted mating terminal, the second contact part extends a predetermined length along the longitudinal direction of the base.
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According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the extension length of the second contact part in the longitudinal direction of the base is not less than one-third and not greater than two-thirds of the longitudinal length of the base.
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According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a pair of spring arms are formed on the base, and the second contact parts on the pair of spring arms are respectively opposite to the first contact parts of the pair of cantilever parts in the height direction.
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According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the base has front and rear ends that are opposite in its longitudinal direction, and the mating terminal is inserted between the base and the cantilever part along the longitudinal direction of the base from the front end of the base; a limit part bent towards the base is formed on the rear end of the pressing part, the limit part is used to rest against the end face of the inserted mating terminal to limit the insertion depth of the mating terminal in the longitudinal direction.
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According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a guide part is formed on the front end of the pressing part, which extends outward and is inclined, and is used to guide the mating terminal to be inserted between the pressing part and the spring arm.
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According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the connector terminal is an integral stamped part.
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According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the connector terminal further comprises a crimping part which is connected to the rear end of the base for crimping onto one end of a cable; when the crimping part is crimped onto one end of the cable, the axial direction of one end of the cable is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the base.
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According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the crimping part comprises: a first crimping part which is used for crimping onto a conductor core of the cable; and a second crimping part which is used for crimping onto an outer insulation layer of the cable. The first crimping part is located between the rear end of the base and the second crimping part.
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According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the connector terminal further comprises: a crimping part which is used to crimp onto one end of a cable; and a connecting part connected between the rear end of the base and the crimping part. When the crimping part is crimped onto one end of the cable, the axial direction of one end of the cable is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the base.
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According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the connecting part is a flexible bending part that can undergo elastic deformation, allowing the crimping part to float relative to the base in at least one of the transverse direction, longitudinal direction, and height direction.
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According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the crimping part comprises: a first crimping part which is used for crimping onto a conductor core of the cable; and a second crimping part which is used for crimping onto an outer insulation layer of the cable. The first crimping part and the second crimping part are arranged side by side in the transverse direction of the base.
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According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the connector terminal further comprises a welding part which is flat and connected to the rear end of the base, used for welding to one end of a cable; when one end of the cable is welded to the welding part, the axial direction of one end of the cable is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the base.
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According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electrical connection assembly. The electrical connection assembly comprises: the above connector terminal; and a cable, one end of which is electrically connected to the connector terminal.
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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 connector terminal or the above electrical connection assembly. The connector terminal is installed in the housing.
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In the aforementioned exemplary embodiments according to the present invention, the connector terminal has advantages such as simple structure, high processing efficiency, low cost, strong anti-vibration performance, and reliable electrical contact.
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 terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
- Figure 2 shows a vertical sectional view of a connector terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
- Figure 3 shows a horizontal sectional view of a connector terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
- Figure 4 shows an illustrative perspective view of a connector terminal according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and
- Figure 5 shows an illustrative perspective view of a connector terminal according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
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 a connector terminal. The connector terminal comprises: a base which has two opposite sides in its transverse direction and a spring arm extending along its longitudinal direction formed on it; and the pair of cantilever parts located above the base and connected to both sides of the base. The cantilever part comprises: multiple bent cantilevers which are distributed at intervals in the longitudinal direction of the base and their roots are connected to the side edge of the base; and a pressing part connected to the ends of the multiple bent cantilevers and suspended above the base. The pressing part and the spring arm are opposite in the height direction, used to clamp a mating terminal inserted between them for electrical contact with the mating terminal.
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According to another general concept of the present invention, there is provided an electrical connection assembly. The electrical connection assembly comprises: the above connector terminal; and a cable, one end of which is electrically connected to the connector terminal.
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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 connector terminal or the above electrical connection assembly. The connector terminal is installed in the housing.
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Figure 1 shows an illustrative perspective view of a connector terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 shows a vertical sectional view of a connector terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 shows a horizontal cross-sectional view of a connector terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
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As shown in Figures 1 to 3, in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a connector terminal is disclosed. The connector terminal includes a base 1 and a pair of cantilever parts 2. The base 1 has two opposite sides in its transverse direction X and is formed with spring arms 11 extending along its longitudinal direction Y. The pair of cantilever parts 2 are located above the base 1 and connected to both sides of the base 1. The cantilever part 2 includes multiple bent cantilevers 20 and a pressing part 21. Multiple bent cantilevers 20 are spaced apart in the longitudinal direction Y of the base 1 and their roots are connected to the side edge of the base 1. The pressing part 21 is connected to the ends of multiple bent cantilevers 20 and suspended above the base 1. The pressing part 21 and the spring arm 11 are opposite in the height direction Z, used to clamp a mating terminal (not shown) inserted between them to make electrical contact with the mating terminal.
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As shown in Figures 1 to 3, in the illustrated embodiment, the pressing part 21 has a first contact part 210 protruding towards the spring arm 11 for electrical contact with the upper side of the inserted mating terminal, and the first contact part 210 extends a predetermined length along the longitudinal direction Y of the base 1.
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As shown in Figures 1 to 3, in the illustrated embodiment, the extension length of the first contact part 210 in the longitudinal direction Y of the base 1 is not less than one-third of the longitudinal length of the base 1 and not greater than two-thirds of the longitudinal length of the base 1.
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As shown in Figures 1 to 3, in the illustrated embodiment, the base 1 has front and rear ends that are opposite in its longitudinal direction Y. The cantilever part 2 includes three bent cantilevers 20, which are located at the front, rear, and middle ends of the base 1, respectively.
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As shown in Figures 1 to 3, in the illustrated embodiment, multiple spring arms 11 are formed on the base 1, arranged side by side in the transverse direction X of the base 1, for simultaneous electrical contact with the lower side of the inserted mating terminal.
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As shown in Figures 1 to 3, in the illustrated embodiment, an opening 101 is formed on the base 1, and the spring arm 11 is suspended in the opening 101, with both ends of the spring arm 11 connected to the front and rear sides of the opening 101, respectively.
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As shown in Figures 1 to 3, in the illustrated embodiment, the spring arm 11 has a second contact part 110 protruding towards the pressing part 21 for electrical contact with the lower side of the inserted mating terminal. The second contact part 110 extends a predetermined length along the longitudinal direction Y of the base 1.
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As shown in Figures 1 to 3, in the illustrated embodiment, the extension length of the second contact part 110 in the longitudinal direction Y of the base 1 is not less than one-third of the longitudinal length of the base 1 and not greater than two-thirds of the longitudinal length of the base 1.
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As shown in Figures 1 to 3, in the illustrated embodiment, a pair of spring arms 11 are formed on the base 1, and the second contact parts 110 on the pair of spring arms 11 are respectively opposite to the first contact parts 210 on the pair of cantilever parts 2 in the height direction Z.
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As shown in Figures 1 to 3, in the illustrated embodiment, the base 1 has front and rear ends that are opposite in its longitudinal direction Y, and the mating terminal is inserted between the base 1 and the cantilever part 2 along the longitudinal direction Y of the base 1 from the front end of the base 1. On the rear end of the pressing part 21, there is a limit part 11a bent towards the base 1, which is used to rest against the end face of the inserted mating terminal to limit the insertion depth of the mating terminal in the longitudinal direction Y.
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As shown in Figures 1 to 3, in the illustrated embodiment, a guide part 21b is formed on the front end of the pressing part 21, which extends obliquely outward. The guide part 21b is used to guide the mating terminal to be inserted between the pressing part 21 and the spring arm 11.
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As shown in Figures 1 to 3, in the illustrated embodiment, the connector terminal is an integral stamped part.
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As shown in Figures 1 to 3, in the illustrated embodiment, the connector terminal further comprises a crimping part 3, which is connected to the rear end of the base 1 for crimping onto one end of a cable (not shown). When the crimping part 3 is crimped onto one end of the cable, the axial direction of one end of the cable is parallel to the longitudinal direction Y of the base 1.
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As shown in Figures 1 to 3, in the illustrated embodiment, the crimping part 3 includes a first crimping part 31 and a second crimping part 32. The first crimping part 31 is used to crimp onto a conductor core (not shown) of the cable. The second crimping part 32 is used to crimp onto an outer insulation layer (not shown) of the cable. The first crimping part 31 is located between the rear end of the base 1 and the second crimping part 32.
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Figure 4 shows an illustrative perspective view of a connector terminal according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
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The difference between the connector terminal shown in Figure 4 and the connector terminals shown in Figures 1 to 3 mainly lies in the connection structure with the cable.
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As shown in Figure 4, in the illustrated embodiment, the connector terminal further comprises a crimping part 3 and a connecting part 4. The crimping part 3 is used to crimp onto one end of the cable. The connection part 4 is connected between the rear end of the base 1 and the crimping part 3. When the crimping part 3 is crimped onto one end of the cable, the axial direction of one end of the cable is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction Y of the base 1.
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As shown in Figure 4, in the illustrated embodiment, the connecting part 4 is a flexible bending part that can be elastically deformed, so that the crimping part 3 can float relative to the base 1 in at least one of the transverse direction X, longitudinal direction Y, and height direction Z. For example, the crimping part 3 can float relative to the base 1 in the longitudinal direction Y and height direction Z.
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As shown in Figure 4, in the illustrated embodiment, the crimping part 3 includes a first crimping part 31 and a second crimping part 32. The first crimping part 31 is used to crimp onto the conductor core of the cable. The second crimping part 32 is used to crimp onto the outer insulation layer of the cable. The first crimping part 31 and the second crimping part 32 are arranged side by side in the transverse direction X of the base 1.
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Except for the aforementioned differences, the other technical features of the connector terminal shown in Figure 4 are basically the same as those of the connector terminals shown in Figures 1 to 3, which can be referred to as the connector terminals shown in Figures 1 to 3.
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Figure 5 shows an illustrative perspective view of a connector terminal according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
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The difference between the connector terminal shown in Figure 5 and the connector terminals shown in Figures 1 to 3 mainly lies in the connection structure with the cable.
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As shown in Figure 5, in the illustrated embodiment, the connector terminal further includes a welding part 5, which is flat and connected to the rear end of the base 1 for soldering to one end of the cable. When one end of the cable is welded to the welding part 5, the axial direction of one end of the cable is parallel to the longitudinal direction Y of the base 1.
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Except for the aforementioned differences, the other technical features of the connector terminal shown in Figure 5 are basically the same as those of the connector terminals shown in Figures 1 to 3, which can be referred to as the connector terminals shown in Figures 1 to 3.
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As shown in Figures 1 to 5, in another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an electrical connection assembly is also disclosed. The electrical connection assembly includes the aforementioned connector terminal and a cable (not shown), with one end of the cable electrically connected to the connector terminal.
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As shown in Figures 1 to 5, in another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a connector is also disclosed. The connector comprises a housing (not shown) and the aforementioned connector terminal or electrical connection assembly. The connector terminal is installed in the housing.
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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.