TWI628871B - Power connector - Google Patents

Abstract

A connector is disclosed that includes a base and a pair of terminals. Each of the terminals includes a U-shaped body portion and a mounting portion formed at the first end of the body portion, and a curved contact portion is located between the body portion and the mounting portion. A wire fixing portion is formed at the second end of the body portion and has a pair of clamping portions that connect a wire to the terminal. The body portion and the mounting portion are received in a slot formed in the base, and the contact portion extends through a window formed on the base and the mounting portion of the terminal is translatable within the slot. A terminal positioning device is fixed to the base to prevent the terminal from being removed from the base.

Description

Power connector

The present invention relates to the field of connectors, and more particularly to the field of connectors suitable for providing power.

There is currently a need for a wire-to-wire connector system, particularly a system that transmits power. A particular problem is that connector systems typically require unique plug and socket connectors. This requires that the corresponding components in these connectors be assembled properly and correctly. Typically, each connector includes an insulative base and a conductive terminal secured to the end of a cable or wire lead. Connector systems typically include plugs and sockets with corresponding male and female conductive terminals.

Each connector requires a plurality of terminated leads that are inserted into corresponding cavities of the pedestal. In some cases, the conductive terminals may not be inserted in the correct manner, or the wrong terminals may be used, which results in damage to the corresponding terminals and electrical failure. Therefore, there is a need for a power terminal and a connector that eliminates these potential problems associated with wire-to-wire connector systems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention generally relates to a power connector that can be integrated into a connector system and that performs the required operation at high current density conditions. In general, the connector is suitable for use as a mode A module component in a grouped component. For example, the modular components can take the form of wire-to-board or wire-to-wire connectors and provide a low-height connector system when needed.

A connector assembly can be provided to include a male and female plug connector and a receptacle connector, both of which include one or more male and female blade type power supplies disposed in the base of each connector. Terminal. Both the plug connector and the receptacle connector are constructed of an insulative material to form a base and slidably abut one another and include respective molded cavities to receive the electrically conductive terminals within the base.

In one embodiment, the terminal is configured to have a flat body portion and a flat fixing portion, and a curved beam contact portion is disposed between the body portion and the fixed portion. The cavity includes a terminal retention slot for securing the two flat body portions and the securing portion of the terminal within the cavity of the base. In addition, the two flat body portions and the fixing portion of the terminal are configured such that there is interference between the planar portion of the terminal and the opening of some of the cavity, and the direction of the terminal prohibits the terminal from being incorrectly assembled to the cavity of the base body. In addition, a terminal positioning (TPA) device is used to ensure the position and orientation of the terminal relative to the base of the connector.

The connector of the present invention includes a base having a cavity formed along an insertion direction, the cavity having a pair of spaced apart slots and a shoulder formed in the pair of slots; a terminal configured to be inserted into the cavity, the terminal having a body portion having a contact portion extending along the insertion direction and a wire fixing portion extending along the insertion direction, The body portion has a pair of spaced apart rails, the pair of rails extending from the body portion at an angle and configured to be respectively located at the cavity when the terminal is inserted into the cavity a pair of slots; a terminal positioning device configured to be securely attached to the base The terminal positioning device has a lock arm having a pair of spaced apart protrusions, the pair of protrusions being configured to be respectively inserted into the one formed in the cavity of the base And a guide rail formed in the slot of the base and a protrusion formed in the terminal of the terminal positioning device.

In some embodiments, a first distance is defined between the pair of slots formed in the base and a second distance is defined between the pair of protrusions on the terminal positioning device, and Wherein the second distance is smaller than the first distance.

In some implementations, the spaced apart pair of protrusions respectively engage sides of the pair of slots formed in the base.

In some embodiments, a protrusion is defined between the pair of slots of the base.

In some embodiments, a recess has a shoulder formed in the recess.

In some embodiments, a tab is formed on the body portion of the terminal and extends between the pair of rails and engages the shoulder formed in the recess when the terminal is inserted into the base unit.

In some embodiments, a bevel is formed on the protrusion.

In some embodiments, the connector is a male and female connector.

In some embodiments, the locking arm of the terminal positioning device includes a slot formed between the pair of spaced apart projections.

In some embodiments, the locking arm of the terminal positioning device is U-shaped.

The terminal positioning device of the present invention includes a base configured to be attached to a connector base; a pair of latching arms extending from the base and defining an interior space; and a locking arm extending from the base And between the pair of latching arms, the latch arm has a pair of spaced apart projections configured to be inserted into a slot formed in the connector base.

In some embodiments, a slot is formed in the lock arm between the pair of spaced apart projections.

In some implementations, the pair of latch arms are fixedly secured to the connector base.

In some implementations, the lock arm is U-shaped.

The connector of the present invention includes a base having a cavity configured to fix a terminal, the base having a slot in communication with the cavity, the slot having a shoulder, a terminal, the The terminal has a body portion having a guide rail extending from the body portion at an angle, the guide rail is located in the slot when the terminal is inserted into the cavity; a terminal positioning device, The terminal positioning device is coupled to the base, the terminal positioning device has a locking arm, a protrusion is formed on the locking arm, the protrusion is disposed in the slot; and wherein the guide rail is located Between the shoulder and the protrusion.

In some embodiments, the protrusion engages a sidewall of the slot.

In some embodiments, the cavity has a pair of the grooves.

In some embodiments, the body portion of the terminal has a pair of spaced apart rails and the rails are disposed in a respective slot.

In some implementations, the lock arm is U-shaped.

In some embodiments, a slot is formed in the lock arm and between the two protrusions.

10‧‧‧Connector System

20‧‧‧First connector

20'‧‧‧Second connector

30, 30' ‧ ‧ pedestal

34‧‧‧Installation end

36, 36'‧‧‧ terminal receiving end

38‧‧‧ openings

40, 40'‧‧‧Locks

42‧‧‧Lock ramp

44‧‧‧Ramp Department

47‧‧‧Guide

50‧‧‧ cavity

52‧‧‧ vertical slot

53‧‧‧stop shoulder

54‧‧‧ horizontal trough

56‧‧‧ window

57‧‧‧Lock ramp

57'‧‧‧ stop surface

58‧‧‧Protruding

59‧‧‧ recess

60‧‧‧Terminal lead assembly

70‧‧‧ lead

80, 80'‧‧‧ terminals

82‧‧‧ Body Department

84‧‧‧rails

85‧‧‧ shoulder

86‧‧‧Lock tabs

87‧‧‧Piece

88‧‧‧ stop surface

90‧‧‧Installation side

92‧‧‧ first pair of wings

94‧‧‧second pair of wings

100‧‧‧ docking end

102‧‧‧Contacts

102, 102'‧‧‧Contacts

104‧‧‧terminal fixing section

120‧‧‧Terminal positioning device

122‧‧‧ base

124‧‧‧Bucking arm

126‧‧‧ openings

127‧‧‧ Guide surface

128‧‧‧stop shoulder

130‧‧‧Lock arm

132‧‧‧Connecting wall

133‧‧‧ stop surface

134‧‧‧ slot

138‧‧‧

A‧‧‧ axis

The invention is exemplified by the following figures, and the invention is not limited to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals indicate like parts, and in the drawings: Figure 1 is a one of the connector system of the present invention Figure 2 is a perspective view of the connector system of Figure 1, wherein two connectors are not docked; Figure 3 is an exploded view of a connector of the connector system of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a connector of Figure 3 A perspective view of a terminal lead assembly; and Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a terminal of an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 6 is another perspective view of the terminal of Fig. 5.

Figure 7 is a perspective view of the base of the connector of the present invention.

Figure 8 is another perspective view of the base of Figure 7.

Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view of the base of Figure 7.

Fig. 10 is another perspective view of the cutaway view of Fig. 9.

Figure 11 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a stage of terminal insertion of the connector of the present invention.

Figure 12 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the next stage of terminal insertion of the connector of the present invention.

Figure 13 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the next stage of terminal insertion of the connector of the present invention.

Fig. 14 is another perspective view of Fig. 13;

Figure 15 is a perspective view of the terminal positioning device of the connector of the present invention.

Figure 16 is a cross-sectional view of the base of the connector of the present invention.

Figure 17 is a cross-sectional view showing a stage of insertion of a terminal positioning device of the connector of the present invention.

Figure 18 is a cross-sectional view showing the next stage of insertion of a terminal positioning device of the connector of the present invention.

Figure 19 is a cross-sectional view showing the next stage of insertion of the terminal positioning device of the connector of the present invention.

Figure 20 is another perspective view of the connector of Figure 19.

Figure 21 is a cutaway view of the connector assembly of the present invention.

Figure 22 is another cross-sectional view of the connector assembly of the present invention.

23 is a cutaway view of the docked connector assembly system of the present invention.

The detailed description below describes a plurality of exemplary embodiments and is not intended to be limited to the specifically disclosed combinations. Accordingly, the various features disclosed herein can be combined together to form a plurality of additional combinations that are not shown for the sake of clarity.

The drawings illustrate an embodiment of the invention, and it is to be understood that the invention Therefore, the specific details disclosed herein are not to be construed as limiting, but merely as a basis for The basis of the present invention is implemented in various ways by those skilled in the art.

As shown in Figures 1 through 3, a connector system 10 for a pair of wires is shown with a first connector 20 and a second connector 20' that are removably locked together. The connector system 10 is of the type of hermaphroditic, i.e., the connectors 20, 20' are duplicated and can be connected together by themselves. As can be appreciated, the plurality of conductive terminals are also of the male and female type and can be connected to each other. Since the first connector 20 and the second connector 20' are identical, only the connector 20 will be explained.

As shown in FIG. 2, the male and female connector type power supply connector system 10 includes a first connector 20 and a second connector 20' that are butted together in the direction of the axis A. Axis A also defines the insertion or docking direction of connector system 10. 3 shows connector 20 including an insulated base 30, a pair of terminal lead assemblies 60, and a terminal position assurance (commonly referred to as TPA) device 120. In the illustrated embodiment, a two circuit connector system is illustrated, but it is also recognized that there are more than two connector systems. In operation, the connector system 10 includes the same connector 20 for correspondingly mating with one another. As further shown in FIGS. 2 and 7, the connector 20 includes a base 30 having a terminal receiving end 36 and an opening 38, whereby the opening 38 is configured to receive the terminal receiving end of the docking or second connector 20'. 36.

Referring to Figures 2 and 8, the base 30 includes a cavity 50 that is configured to receive the terminal 80 in the terminal lead 60 assembly. The cavity 50 is formed along the mating axis A of the connector 20 and extends through the base 30, having a first end corresponding to the terminal receiving end 36 of the connector 20 and a second end corresponding to the mounting end 34. The mounting end 34 includes an opening for receiving the terminal 80 when the terminal lead assembly 60 is inserted mouth. The terminal receiving end 36 of the base 30 includes a window 56 that defines a passage 55 between the cavity 50 and the opening 38.

As shown in FIG. 4, the terminal lead assembly 60 includes a terminal 80 and a lead 70 attached to the terminal 80. In the illustrated embodiment, as best seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, terminal 80 includes a pair of terminals 100 extending from a body portion 82 and a wire securing portion 90 that also extends from a body portion 82. The wire securing portion 90 includes a portion for clamping the lead 70 to the terminal 80. A first pair of wings 92 directly sandwiches the conductors of the leads 70 and a second pair of wings 94 sandwiches the insulated portions of the leads 70. A terminal fixing portion 104 is formed at the mating end 100 of the terminal 80, and a contact portion 102 is defined between the body portion 82 and the terminal fixing portion 104. The contact portion 102 is bent between the body portion 82 and the terminal fixing portion 104 and forms an elastic beam.

The body portion 82 of the terminal 80 is formed in the shape of a "U" shaped channel and includes a pair of rails 84 formed along each side of the body 82. Each rail 84 includes a shoulder 85 formed adjacent the butted end 100 and a tab 87 formed with a stop face 88 formed adjacent the wire retaining portion 90. A locking ridge 86 is formed on the body 82 and bent in a direction positioned between the pair of rails 84.

As best seen in Figures 7-10, the base 30 is formed from an insulative material and includes a terminal receiving end 36 and a mounting end 34. As previously mentioned, the connector 20 is of the same male and female type, so that the first connector 20 and the second connector 20' are identical and docked to each other. In the illustrated embodiment, the connector system 10 is shown in one or two ways. As shown, the connector 20 includes a pair of cavities 50 formed through the base 30 and extending between the mounting end 34 and the terminal receiving end 36 along the mating axis A. As best seen in Figure 7, the base 30 includes an opening 38 that is configured to receive the terminal receiving end 36 of a mating connector 20'. A lock 40 is formed on the outer surface of the base 30 and joined to the pair of connectors 20' A ramp 44 is formed in the opening 38 to secure the two connectors 20, 20' in abutting manner.

As best seen in Figure 8, the mounting end 34 of the base 30 includes an outer contour having a generally rectangular shape. In the illustrated embodiment, a pair of cavities 50 are shown for one or two way connector systems 10. On the outer side surface of the base 30, a pair of latch ramp portions 42 are formed adjacent to the pair of cavities 50, respectively. The contour of the mounting end 34 of the base 30 includes a guiding surface 47.

As best seen in Figures 9-10, the base 30 is shown in cross section and the cavity 50 is shown in cutaway. The cavity 50 is formed in the base 30 along the mating axis A and includes an opening extending from the mounting end 34 to the terminal receiving end 36. A projection 58 is defined by a pair of vertical slots 52 formed in the cavity 50 adjacent the receiving end 34 of the base 30. A protrusion 58 is interposed between the pair of vertical grooves 52. A recess 59 is formed in the projection 58 along the butting axis A. As best seen in FIG. 21, a latch ramp portion 57 is disposed in the recess 59, and the latch ramp portion 57 further includes a stop surface 57'. As best seen in FIG. 10, a window 56 is formed in the base 30 and adjacent the mounting end 36. Window 56 defines a passage 55 between opening 38 and cavity 50. Horizontal slots 54 are formed on each side of the cavity 50 and extend along the window 56 within the channel 55.

The insertion of the terminal lead assembly 60 into the base 30 is best illustrated in Figures 11-14. 11 to 14 show the stage in which the terminal lead assembly 60 is inserted into the base 30. The terminal lead assembly 60 is mounted to the connector 20 in an insertion direction corresponding to the butting axis A. As shown in FIG. 11, the mating end 100 of the terminal 80 of the terminal lead 70 is first inserted into the cavity 50, wherein the terminal fixing portion 104 of the terminal 80 is aligned with the horizontal groove 54 and the guide rail 84 is aligned with the vertical groove 52.

When the terminal 80 further travels within the cavity 50, the terminal fixing portion 104 and the guide rail 84 are divided. Do not slide along the slot 54 and the slot 52 until the shoulder 85 formed on the rail 84 abuts the inner end or shoulder stop 53 of each channel 52. As shown in FIG. 21, when the terminal 80 is inserted into its final position, the locking tab 86 is guided by the recess 59 and deflected over the latch ramp portion 57 formed in the projection 58. In this position, the locking tab 86 rebounds behind the latch ramp portion 57 and engages the stop surface 57' to prevent extraction after the terminal 80 is fully inserted.

Once the terminal lead 60 is inserted and held in the cavity 50 formed in the base 30, a terminal positioning device (TPA) 120 is mounted on the base 30 of the connector. As shown in Figure 15, the terminal locating device 120 is generally "U" shaped and is generally formed of an insulating material and includes: a base portion 122; a latching arm 124 extending from opposite sides of the base portion 122 to define two latching arms A space between 124; and a guiding surface 127 defined along each of the latching arms 124. Each of the latching arms 124 further includes a port formed thereon and defining an opening 126, each opening 126 having a stop shoulder 128.

A lock arm 130 extends from the base 122 and corresponds to each cavity 50 formed in the base 30. Each of the fixed arms 130 includes a pair of protrusions 138 and a connecting wall 132 that connects the pair of protrusions 138 to define a "U" shaped beam. A slot 134 is formed in the connecting wall 132 between the pair of projections 138 of each lock arm 130 to allow the lock arm 130 to deform or expand in a lateral direction orthogonal to the docking axis A. With the slot 134, two separate "L" shaped beams that are independently deformable or curved from each other are formed essentially on each of the lock arms 130. A first distance is defined between the slots 134 and a second distance is defined between the pair of protrusions 138 on the terminal positioning device 120, the second distance being less than the first distance.

As shown in FIGS. 16 to 20, the mounting of the terminal positioning device 120 will be explained. Figure 16 to Figure 20 shows the stage in which the terminal positioning device 120 is mounted to the base 30 of the connector. As best shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, first, the terminal positioning device 120 is aligned with the mounting end 34 of the base 30 by mating the guiding surface 127 of the terminal positioning device 120 with the guiding surface 47 formed on the base 30. Each lock arm 130 is positioned to enter each of the cavities 50 formed in the base 30. When further inserted, as best shown in FIG. 18, the projections 138 formed in the lock arm 130 are guided into the respective slots 52. At this time, each pair of protrusions 138 engages both sides of each protrusion 58 such that the lock arm 130 is in close engagement with the protrusion 58. The locking arm 130 substantially "squeezes" the protrusion 58.

Once aligned, the terminal positioning device 120 proceeds further to a mounting position as shown in Figures 19 and 20. The arm 124 is now deformed past the latch ramp portion 42 and the stop shoulder 128 formed by the corresponding opening 126 is located behind the latch ramp portion 42 to lock the terminal positioning device 120 in the fully installed position. A stop surface 133 formed on one end surface of the lock arm 130 abuts against the stop surface 88 formed at the end of the sheet body 87 of the guide rail 84 of the terminal 80. As best seen in Fig. 22, the stop face 133 provides an additional lock that further secures the terminal 80 within the cavity 50 and prevents the terminal 80 from being pulled out. Further, in the case where the terminal 80 is not completely seated in the cavity 50, when the terminal positioning device 120 is inserted, the terminal 80 is pushed to a fully seated position when the terminal is mounted. In the event that the terminal 80 is not properly installed, the terminal locating device 120 cannot travel to the mounting position, which provides an indication that the terminal 80 is not properly inserted and that a corrective action needs to be taken.

As previously mentioned, a close fitting between the locking arm 130 and the projection 58 formed in the cavity 50 provides an improvement in positioning the terminal locating device 120; the locking arm 130 of the terminal locating device 120 is mounted The ability to flex during the period allows for greater tolerance changes. In other words, the terminal The ability of the locking arm 130 of the positioning device 120 to flex can compensate for the greater variance between the protrusion 58 and the fixed arm 130. In addition, by being biased into a tight fit, the lock arm 130 will tend to be in the correct locked position even after deformation. By allowing the front portion of the lock arm 130 to flex during loading, the lock arm 130 can be expanded and adjusted to the surface of the protrusion 58. If the lock arm 130 is not deformed, the lock arm 130 can hit and damage the terminal positioning device 120 or be difficult to assemble due to misalignment.

As best seen in Figure 23, the two connectors 20, 20' are shown in a docked state. The contact portions 102, 102' extending into the respective terminal receiving ends 36, 36' are joined to each other in a direction orthogonal to the butting axis A. The contacts 102, 102' deform as they engage one another, which creates a normal contact force between the two. Through the corresponding engagement of the terminals 80, 80', the contacts 102, 102' deform when they are joined to each other and tend to flatten. This causes each respective terminal securing portion 104 of each of the electrically conductive terminals 80 to translate within the horizontal slot 54 to allow for proper electrical engagement between the terminals 80. When the two connectors 20, 20' are fully engaged, the respective latches 40, 40' of the base 30, 30' are located behind the respective ramp portions 44, 44' to dock the connectors 20, 20' Fixed together.

The application presented herein illustrates various features in its preferred embodiments and exemplary embodiments. Numerous other embodiments, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in the scope of the invention.

Claims (20)

A connector comprising: a base having a cavity formed along an insertion direction, the cavity having a pair of spaced apart slots and a stop shoulder formed in the pair of slots a terminal configured to be inserted into the cavity, the terminal having a body portion having a contact portion extending along the insertion direction and a wire extending along the insertion direction The body portion has a pair of spaced apart rails, the pair of rails extending from the body portion at an angle and configured to be respectively formed in the cavity when the terminal is inserted into the cavity a pair of slots; a terminal positioning device configured to be securely attached to the base, the terminal positioning device having a locking arm, the locking arm having a pair of spaced apart a protrusion, the pair of protrusions being configured to be inserted into the pair of slots formed in the cavity of the base, respectively; and wherein the guide rail formed on the terminal is located at the base Stop shoulder and shape in the groove of the seat Between the projecting portion of the terminal positioning means. The connector of claim 1, wherein a first distance is defined between the pair of slots formed in the base and a defined one of the pair of protrusions on the terminal positioning device is defined a second distance, and wherein the second distance is less than the first distance. The connector of claim 2, wherein the spaced apart pair of protrusions respectively engage sides of the pair of slots formed in the base. The connector of claim 1, wherein a protrusion is defined between the pair of slots of the base. The connector of claim 4, wherein a recess has a shoulder formed in the recess. The connector of claim 5, wherein a tab is formed on the body of the terminal And extending between the pair of rails and engaging the shoulder formed in the recess when the terminal is inserted into the base. The connector of claim 4, wherein a slope is formed in the protrusion. The connector of claim 1, wherein the connector is a male-female connector. The connector of claim 1, wherein the lock arm of the terminal positioning device includes a slot formed between the pair of spaced apart projections. The connector of claim 1, wherein the locking arm of the terminal positioning device is U-shaped. A terminal positioning device comprising: a base configured to be attached to a connector base; a pair of latching arms extending from the base and defining an interior space; and a locking arm extending from the base And between the pair of latching arms, the latch arm has a pair of spaced apart projections configured to be inserted into a slot formed in the connector base. The terminal positioning device of claim 11, wherein a slot is formed in the lock arm between the pair of spaced apart projections. The terminal positioning device of claim 11, wherein the pair of latching arms are fixedly secured to the connector base. The terminal positioning device of claim 11, wherein the lock arm is U-shaped. A connector comprising: a base having a cavity configured to fix a terminal, the base having a slot in communication with the cavity, the slot having a shoulder; a terminal, The terminal has a body portion having a guide rail extending from the body portion at an angle, when the terminal is inserted into the cavity, the guide a rail is located in the slot; a terminal positioning device, the terminal positioning device is coupled to the base, the terminal positioning device has a lock arm, a protrusion is formed on the lock arm, and the protrusion is placed Inside the slot; and wherein the rail is located between the shoulder and the protrusion. The connector of claim 15 wherein the projection engages a side wall of the slot. The connector of claim 15 wherein the cavity has a pair of the slots. The connector of claim 17 wherein the body portion of the terminal has a pair of spaced apart rails and each rail is disposed in a respective slot. The connector of claim 18, wherein the lock arm is U-shaped. The connector of claim 19, wherein a slot is formed in the lock arm and is located between the two protrusions.