WO2018076538A1

WO2018076538A1 - Electric socket connector

Info

Publication number: WO2018076538A1
Application number: PCT/CN2016/113545
Authority: WO
Inventors: 于增亮; 江伟国
Original assignee: 德尔福中央电气（上海）有限公司
Priority date: 2016-10-26
Filing date: 2016-12-30
Publication date: 2018-05-03
Also published as: CN107994375A

Abstract

Disclosed is an electric socket connector (100), comprising a cylindrical socket terminal (102) configured to receive a cylindrical plug terminal (200), and a cylindrical terminal contact spring (106) arranged within the cylindrical socket terminal (102). The terminal contact spring (106) comprises a cylindrical frame (112) having a first strip and a second strip in contact with the socket terminal (102); a plurality of first contact arms (122) longitudinally arranged within the frame (112), each of the first contact arms (122) having a fixed end (126) engaged with the first strip (116) and a free end (128) not engaged with the second strip (118); and a plurality of second contact arms (124) longitudinally arranged within the frame (112), each of the second contact arms (124) having a fixed end engaged with the first strip (116) and a second fixed end engaged with the second strip (118). One end of each first contact arm (122) is attached to the cylindrical frame (112), and both ends of each second contact arm (124) are attached to the cylindrical frame (112).

Description

Electric socket connector

Cross-reference to related applications

This patent application claims the benefit of priority to the benefit of the benefit of the benefit of the benefit of the benefit of the benefit of the benefit of the benefit of the benefit of the benefit of the benefit.

Technical field

The present invention generally relates to an electrical receptacle connector, and more particularly to a receptacle connector having a contact spring disposed within a cylindrical electrical receptacle terminal, the cylindrical electrical receptacle terminal receiving a cylindrical electrical plug terminal and Configured to improve electrical contact therebetween.

Background technique

Contact springs have been used in high current electrical connectors, such as connectors in electric vehicles or hybrid electric vehicles, in order to increase the contact force between the terminals in the connector. While these contact springs beneficially increase the contact force, they also increase the terminal insertion force, which can cause ergonomic problems during mating connector assembly when the mating connector exceeds the specified criteria. Tools or coordination features may be required to address these insertion force issues. Therefore, it is still desirable to provide a contact spring that has an increased contact force without exceeding the insertion force limit.

The subject matter discussed in the Background section is not to be considered as prior art merely by its reference in the background section. Similarly, problems mentioned in the background section or associated with the subject matter of the background section should not be considered as having been previously identified in the prior art. The subject matter in the background section merely represents a different method, which may itself be an invention.

Summary of the invention

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, an electrical receptacle connector is provided. The electrical receptacle connector includes a cylindrical receptacle terminal configured to receive a cylindrical plug terminal and a contact spring disposed within the receptacle terminal. The contact spring includes a cylindrical frame that contacts the inner sidewall of the receptacle terminal, a plurality of first contact arms that form a cantilever beam longitudinally disposed within the frame, and a plurality of second contact arms that form a fixed beam longitudinally disposed within the frame. Only one end of each of the first contact arms is attached to the cylindrical frame. Two ends of each of the second contact arms Attached to the cylindrical frame.

The contact springs can be configured such that each first contact arm is adjacent to the two second contact arms. The frame may define a plurality of first contact bumps adjacent the attachment ends of each of the first contact arms. The first contact bump protrudes from the frame toward the socket terminal. The frame may also define a plurality of second contact bumps adjacent the ends of each of the second contact arms. The second contact bump also protrudes from the frame toward the socket terminal.

The unattached end of each of the first contact arms can define a contact pad that is configured to forcibly contact the inner sidewall of the receptacle terminal when the cylindrical plug terminal is disposed within the contact spring. Each first contact arm can be characterized as having an arcuate shape with a first apex. The first apex of the first contact arm projects toward the inner side wall of the receptacle terminal. Each of the first vertices of the first contact arm can define an embossed ridge that projects away from the inner sidewall of the receptacle terminal. When the cylindrical plug terminal is disposed within the contact spring, the embossed ridge is in compressive contact with the inner sidewall of the receptacle terminal.

Each second contact arm is characterized as having a three-arc shape with a first vertex, a second vertex, and a third vertex. A first apex of the second contact arm projects toward the inner sidewall of the receptacle terminal, wherein the second apex and the third apex of the second contact arm protrude away from the inner sidewall of the receptacle terminal. The first vertex of the second contact arm is intermediate the second vertex and the third vertex of the second contact arm. The first apex of the second contact arm is in compressive contact with the inner sidewall of the receptacle terminal when the cylindrical plug terminal is disposed within the contact spring.

Further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention.

DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

1 is an exploded perspective view of an electrical connector assembly including a plug connector and a receptacle connector in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

2 is a cross-sectional side view of the receptacle connector of FIG. 1 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

3 is an enlarged cross-sectional side view of a contact spring in the receptacle connector of FIG. 2, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

4 is a perspective view of the contact spring of FIG. 3 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

5 is an isolated perspective view of the first spring arm and the second spring arm of the contact spring of FIG. 4, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

detailed description

Described herein is an electrical receptacle connector having a cylindrical receptacle that is configured to receive a corresponding cylindrical plug connector. The receptacle connector is configured to provide a high current electrical connection, i.e., greater than 50 amps, such as may be used in an electric vehicle or a hybrid electric vehicle. The receptacle connector includes a cylindrical contact spring that is configured to increase the contact force between the plug and the receptacle to provide a more reliable electrical connection.

1 shows a non-limiting example of an electrical receptacle connector 100 that includes a cylindrical receptacle terminal 102 configured to receive a cylindrical plug terminal 200 and an attachment configured to attach to a cable Part 104. The receptacle connector 100 includes a cylindrical terminal contact spring, hereinafter referred to as a terminal contact spring 106, disposed within a circumferential recess 108 in the cylindrical bore 110 of the receptacle terminal 102, as best shown in FIG.

The terminal contact spring 106 is formed from a sheet of electrically conductive material, such as stainless steel, phosphor bronze or beryllium copper, which is stamped and formed using conventional sheet metal processing techniques. As shown in FIG. 2, the terminal contact spring 106 includes a cylindrical frame that is in contact with the inner sidewall 114 of the receptacle terminal 102, hereinafter referred to as a frame 112.

As best shown in FIG. 3, the frame 112 has a first strap 116 and a second strap 118 that is generally parallel to the first strap 116. The frame 112 defines a longitudinal gap 120 that allows the terminal contact spring 106 to be compressed such that when the terminal contact spring 106 is inserted into the bore 110 of the receptacle terminal 102, the diameter of the terminal contact spring 106 can be reduced. The terminal contact spring 106 is configured to return to its original diameter once in the circumferential groove 108. A plurality of first contact arms 122 extend longitudinally from the first belt 116 to form a cantilever beam longitudinally disposed within the frame 112. Additionally, a plurality of second contact arms 124 extend longitudinally from the first belt 116 to the second belt 118 to form a fixed beam longitudinally disposed within the frame 112.

As best shown in FIG. 4, each first contact arm 122 has a fixed end 126 that is joined to the first strap 116 and a free end 128 that is not coupled to the second strap 118. Only one end of the first contact arm 122 has a fixed end 126 that is joined to the first strap 116 of the frame 112. Each first contact arm 122 can be characterized as having an arcuate shape with a first apex 130. The first apex 130 of the first contact arm 122 protrudes away from the inner sidewall 114 of the receptacle terminal 102. Each first apex 130 of the first contact arm 122 defines an embossed ridge 132 that projects toward the inner sidewall 114 of the receptacle terminal 102. When the cylindrical plug terminal 200 is set at the end When the sub-contact spring 106 is inside, the embossed ridge 132 is in compressive contact with the inner sidewall 114 of the receptacle terminal 102. The unattached free end 128 of each of the first contact arms 122 further defines a contact pad 134 that is configured to forceally contact the inner sidewall 114 when the cylindrical plug terminal 200 is disposed within the terminal contact spring 106 .

Both ends of each of the second contact arms 124 are attached to the first belt 116 and the second belt 118 of the frame 112. Each of the second contact arms 124 can be characterized as having a three arcuate shape or a serpentine shape with a first apex 136, a second apex 138, and a third apex 140. The first apex 136 and the third apex 140 of the second contact arm 124 protrude toward the center of the inner sidewall 114 of the receptacle terminal 102. The second apex 138 of the second contact arm 124 projects away from the inner sidewall 114 of the receptacle terminal 102. The second apex 138 of the second contact arm 124 is intermediate the first apex 136 and the third apex 140 of the second contact arm 124. When the cylindrical plug terminal 200 is disposed within the terminal contact spring 106, the second apex 138 of the second contact arm 124 is in compressive contact with the inner sidewall 114 of the receptacle terminal 102. The gap 120 is defined between two adjacent second contact arms 124. The terminal contact springs 106 are configured such that each first contact arm 122 is adjacent to the two second contact arms 124.

Returning to FIG. 3, the first strip 116 of the frame 112 defines a plurality of first contact bumps 142 adjacent the fixed ends 126 of each of the first contact arms 122, the first contact bumps at the fixed ends 126 142 is attached to the first belt 116. The first contact bump 142 is away from the first strip 116 of the frame 112 and protrudes toward the inner sidewall 114 of the receptacle terminal 102. The first strap 116 and the second strap 118 of the frame 112 further define a plurality of second contact lugs 144 located on the first strap 116 and the second strap 118 adjacent to such a position, i.e., the second contact at the location The ends of each of the arms 124 are joined to the first strap 116 and the second strap 118. The second contact bump 144 also protrudes from the first strap 116 and the second strap 118 of the frame 112 and toward the inner sidewall 114 of the receptacle terminal 102.

Other embodiments of the invention are envisioned in which the first contact arm and the second contact arm can be arranged differently. For example, the first contact arm and the second contact arm may be arranged such that there are two second contact arms between each two first contact arms or two first contact arms between each two second contact arms . These variations in the arrangement of the first contact arm and the second contact arm may increase the contact force of the contact spring or reduce the insertion force of the contact spring.

Accordingly, an electrical receptacle connector 100 is provided having a cylindrical receptacle terminal 102 configured to receive a cylindrical plug terminal 200 and a terminal disposed within the receptacle terminal 102 Contact spring 106. The electrical receptacle connector 100 has at least the following advantages over the prior art:

1) When the plug terminal is inserted into the receptacle terminal 102, the combination of the two contact arm designs can provide a lower insertion force while providing a higher contact force between the terminal contact spring 106 and the receptacle terminal and the plug terminal. It has been found that a particular embodiment has an insertion force of 66 Newtons (N) while having a contact force of 83 N;

2) the first strap 116 and the second strap 118 and the first spring arm and the second spring arm provide features for forming additional contact points between the plug terminal and the receptacle terminal;

3) The contact points of the first spring arm and the second spring arm are at different insertion depths of the insertion contacts, thereby reducing the insertion force of the insertion contacts and ensuring better contact between the plug terminals and the socket terminals.

While the present invention has been described in terms of the preferred embodiments thereof, the invention is not intended to Moreover, the use of the terms first, second, etc. does not denote any order of importance, but the terms first, second, etc. are used to distinguish one element from another. Moreover, the use of the term first-order does not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather means that there is at least one item mentioned.

Claims

An electrical socket connector (100) comprising:

a cylindrical receptacle terminal (102) configured to receive a cylindrical plug terminal (200);

a terminal contact spring (106) disposed within the receptacle terminal (102), wherein the terminal contact spring (106) includes:

a cylindrical frame (112) that is in contact with an inner sidewall (114) of the receptacle terminal (102),

a plurality of first contact arms (122) forming a cantilever beam longitudinally disposed within the frame (112), wherein only one end of each of the first contact arms (122) is attached to the frame ( 112), and

a plurality of second contact arms (124) forming a fixed beam longitudinally disposed within the frame (112), wherein two ends of each of the second contact arms (124) are attached to the frame ( 112).
The terminal contact spring (106) of claim 1 wherein each first contact arm (122) is adjacent to two second contact arms (124).
The terminal contact spring (106) of claim 2, wherein each of the plurality of first contact arms (122) and the plurality of second contact arms ( One of the first contact arms (122) of 124) is adjacent.
The terminal contact spring (106) of claim 2, wherein each of the plurality of second contact arms (124) and the plurality of first contact arms ( One of the first contact arms (122) 122 is adjacent to one of the plurality of second contact arms (124).
The terminal contact spring (106) of claim 1 wherein the frame (112) defines a plurality of first contact bumps adjacent an attachment end of each of the first contact arms (122) (142), the plurality of first contact bumps (142) protrude toward the socket terminal (102).
The terminal contact spring (106) of claim 1 wherein said frame (112) defines a plurality of second contact projections adjacent said ends of each of said second contact arms (124) Block (144), the plurality of second contact bumps (144) projecting toward the socket terminal (102).
The terminal contact spring (106) according to claim 6, wherein the plurality of first contact bumps (142) and the plurality of second contact bumps (144) are configured as the circle Tubular The plug terminal (200) is forcibly contacted with the inner sidewall (114) of the receptacle terminal (102) when the terminal contact spring (106) is disposed.
The terminal contact spring (106) of claim 1 wherein each first contact arm (122) is characterized as having an arcuate shape with a first apex (130), and wherein said first apex (130) protruding toward the inner side wall (114) of the socket terminal (102).
The terminal contact spring (106) of claim 8 wherein said first apex (130) defines a pressure that projects away from said center of said inner sidewall (114) of said receptacle terminal (102) Flower ridge (132).
The terminal contact spring (106) according to claim 9, wherein the embossed ridge (132) is provided when the cylindrical plug terminal (200) is disposed in the terminal contact spring (106) ) in compressive contact with the contact surface (202) of the cylindrical plug terminal (200).
The terminal contact spring (106) of claim 1 wherein each second contact arm (124) is characterized as having a three-arc shape with a first vertex (136) and a second vertex (138) And a third vertex (140), and wherein the first vertex (136) and the third vertex (140) protrude toward a center of an inner sidewall (114) of the receptacle terminal (102), wherein the Two vertices (138) project away from the center of the inner sidewall (114) of the receptacle terminal (102), and wherein the second apex (138) is at the first vertex (136) and the first The middle of the three vertices (140).
The terminal contact spring (106) of claim 11 wherein said first apex (136) is provided when said cylindrical plug terminal (200) is disposed within said terminal contact spring (106) And the third apex (140) is in compressive contact with the contact surface (202) of the cylindrical plug terminal (200).