Abstract:
The Present Disclosure relates to a poke-in connector configured so that a wire can be contacted at the same time it is locked to a terminal, solely by the action of pushing the wire into the terminal. More specifically, it relates to a poke-in connector that facilitates locking and unlocking of a wire. The poke-in connector of the Present Disclosure comprises a terminal where a wire is inserted and locked while making contact, and a housing that covers the terminal and is formed as one piece with a locking release lever that releases the wire from the locked state. The locking release lever comprises a flexible extension part that has elasticity and extends from the housing, and a pressing part that is formed on the terminus of the flexible extension part and enables the removal of the wire by spreading the locking part of the terminal to either side when pressed.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The Present Disclosure claims priority to prior-filed Korean Patent Application No. 10-2013-0034602, entitled “Poke-in Connector,” filed on 29 Mar. 2013 with the Korean Intellectual Property Office. The content of the aforementioned Patent Application is fully incorporated in its entirety herein. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE 
     The Present Disclosure relates, generally, to a poke-in connector configured so that a wire can be contacted at the same time it is locked to a terminal, solely by the action of poking the wire into the terminal, and, more particularly, it relates to a poke-in connector that facilitates locking and unlocking of a wire. 
     Generally, conventional electrical devices contain connectors having a form such that the terminal that is connected to a wire is soldered to the surface of a printed circuit board (PCB), and is surrounded by an insulative housing. These connectors include “poke-in connectors,” wherein the wire is locked to the terminal and contacted solely by the action of pushing the wire into the terminal. Examples of conventional poke-in connectors are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,513,793, entitled “Low Profile Surface Mount Poke-in Connector,” and U.S. Pat. No. 8,328,586, entitled “Actuating Device for an Electrical Connection Terminal.” The content of each of these Applications are hereby incorporated herein in their entireties. 
     With the connector disclosed in the &#39;793 Patent, it is straightforward to push the wire into the terminal, but separating the wire from the terminal is somewhat difficult. Specifically, in order to detach the wire, a sharp tool must first be placed in the hole formed on the top of the housing, and then the terminal holding the wire must be pressed to release the clamping force, which is inconvenient. In addition, it is structurally difficult to press the terminal with the tool. 
     The connector disclosed in the &#39;586 Patent has the advantage that the process of pushing the wire into the terminal and separating it from the terminal is more straightforward than in the &#39;793 Patent. Specifically, the wire can easily be separated from the terminal by simply pressing the pusher arm formed on the insulator housing using a fingertip, screwdriver, etc. Despite this advantage, because the pusher arm is bent upward after extending to the side, the connector disclosed in the &#39;586 Patent has considerable risk that the bent portion will suffer increased fatigue during repeated use. In addition, when the pusher arm is pressed, the degree to which the terminus of the arm is moved down is not consistent. Accordingly, if the pushing force is great, the wire can readily be separated from the terminal, while if the pushing force is slight, it is difficult for the wire to be separated from the terminal. 
     SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE 
     The object of the Present Disclosure, which has been devised in order to resolve the above-described problems, is to provide a poke-in connector that minimizes the fatigue of the lever that is pressed in order to release the lock, and that can keep the degree of separation of the wire consistent by maintaining a consistent lowered height when the lever is pressed. 
     The poke-in connector of the Present Disclosure comprises a terminal into which a wire is pushed and locked while making contact, and a housing that covers the terminal and formed as one piece with a locking release lever that releases the wire from the lock. The locking release lever comprises a flexible extension part that has elasticity and extends from the housing, and a pressing part formed on the terminus of the flexible extension part that enables the detachment of the wire by opening the locking parts of the terminal to either side when pressed. The housing consists of side surfaces and top surface. 
     The flexible extension part extends from the top surface. The flexible extension part is formed as a bending structure with elasticity. The flexible extension part comprises a first extension section that extends horizontally from the top surface of the housing. A bending section is bent downward from the terminus of the first extension section and then is bent upward. A second extension section extends horizontally from the terminus of the bending section. 
     On the top surface of the housing are respectively formed a terminal exposure hole that exposes the terminal from above and wherein the locking release lever is located. Lever stopper parts formed on the top of either side wall of the terminal exposure hole, having the shape of a groove, for restricting the degree to which the lever moves when pressed using a finger or tool. 
     On the upper inside of the housing, a guide part is formed that guides the wire inserted into the housing so that the wire can be inserted sloping diagonally downward. The guide surface of the guide part slants downward in the direction of insertion of the wire. 
     The terminal comprises a soldering part, in the form of a plate, soldered to the PCB. A pair of covering parts are respectively bent upward from either side of one terminus of the soldering part. A pair of locking parts extend from the respective covering part toward the other end of the soldering part, narrowing in width as they approach the terminus, so that the wire is locked when pushed in between the termini. Locking release parts face one another and extend from the top end of the respective locking parts. When releasing the lock, by inserting the bottom of the pressing part between them, the gap between the locking parts is widened so that the wire is released from the lock. 
     The locking release parts comprise vertical sections that extend vertically upward from the top of the locking part; horizontal sections that extend horizontally inward from the top of the vertical section, facing one another; and a tilting section that extends downward from the terminus of the horizontal section and tilts outward as it moves downward. Both sides of the pressing part of the locking release lever catch on the bent part between the horizontal section and the tilting section, thus limiting insertion. At the terminus of each locking part, the clamping force on the pushed-in wire is increased by the wire being surrounded on either side, and grooves of rounded form are extended that expand the contact area. 
     The locking parts comprise first extension sections that are respectively extended from the covering part toward the opposite end of the soldering part, opposite one another; second extension sections that respectively extend from the first extension sections toward the opposite end of the soldering part, and extend parallel to one another; and third extension sections that respectively extend from the second extension sections toward the opposite end of the soldering part, and bend toward one another, the wire being pushed in between their termini. To reinforce the strength of the bent section formed between the covering part and first extension section, respective beads are formed on the bent section, protruding inward. On either side of the soldering part, wedge-shaped wedge coupling parts are each extended upward to strengthen the coupling between terminal and housing, and catch lips are formed on the exterior of each covering part, protruding outward, to catch on the inside of the side surface of the housing. When the wire is completely pushed in, the soldering part and the terminus of the wire are spaced apart from one another, and the soldering part is formed in the shape of a panel. 
     The poke in connector of the Present Disclosure has, at least, the following effects. First, the locking release lever, designed to be pressed to release the locking, is extended from the top surface of the housing, and the extension part that forms the locking release lever is formed as a bending structure, thus increasing elasticity and thereby enabling the fatigue of the locking release lever to be minimized, and a more straightforward operation of the locking release lever. 
     Second, by forming the lever stopper part in the form of a groove on the top of the wall of either side of the terminal exposure hole formed in the housing, in order to limit the distance that the locking release lever is pressed, the locking release status of the wire can be held constant due to the locking release lever always being pressed by a specified distance when releasing the wire from the locked state by pressing the locking release lever using a finger or tool. Specifically, in conventional connectors, because the press distance of the element that is pressed to release the lock varies depending on the force applied, there is the problem that the wire may be well-fastened at one time and not well-fastened at another. In the Present Disclosure, in contrast, the wire is always well-fastened because the press distance is always fixed. 
     Third, a guide part is formed that guides the insertion of the wire into the upper inside of the housing. By forming the guide surface of the guide part tilting downward in the direction of wire insertion, the wire can be inserted automatically at an angle by simply inserting the wire into the housing and pushing it. Thus, the insertion of the wire is straightforward. 
     Fourth, a wedge-shaped wedge coupling part is formed on the soldering part that couples to the housing. By forming the catch lip on the covering part that catches on the inside of the housing, the housing is coupled firmly to the terminal. Therefore, even when the wire is moved, there is no risk that the housing will be separated from the terminal. 
     Fifth, by forming a rounded insertion groove at the terminus of the locking parts to which the wire is locked, to surround the wire, the clamping force on the wire is increased so that the lock is kept firm, and the contact area between wire and terminal is expanded. And finally, by forming beads that protrude into the interior in the bending section formed between the covering part and locking part, the strength of the bending section is reinforced. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
       The organization and manner of the structure and operation of the Present Disclosure, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following Detailed Description, taken in connection with the accompanying Figures, wherein like reference numerals identify like elements, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an oblique view showing the poke-in connector according to an embodiment of the Present Disclosure in its installed state; 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded view of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  shows  FIG. 1  from above; 
         FIG. 4  shows  FIG. 1  from the side; 
         FIG. 5  is an oblique view of the housing used in the poke-in connector of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a head-on view of the housing of  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a cross-section of the housing of  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a cross-section of the poke-in connector of  FIG. 1 , showing the wire pushed in, with the housing and terminal coupled; 
         FIG. 9  is an oblique view of the wire pushed into the terminal; 
         FIG. 10  is a head-on view of the terminal; 
         FIGS. 11A-11C  show the lock of the wire being released by pressing down on the pressing part of the locking release lever; 
         FIG. 12  is an oblique view showing the poke-in connector according to another embodiment of the Present Disclosure in its installed state; 
         FIG. 13  is an oblique view showing the wire pushed into the terminal of the poke-in connector according to another embodiment of the Present Disclosure; and 
         FIG. 14  is a head-on view showing the terminal of the poke-in connector according to another embodiment of the Present Disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     While the Present Disclosure may be susceptible to embodiment in different forms, there is shown in the Figures, and will be described herein in detail, specific embodiments, with the understanding that the Present Disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the principles of the Present Disclosure, and is not intended to limit the Present Disclosure to that as illustrated. 
     As such, references to a feature or aspect are intended to describe a feature or aspect of an example of the Present Disclosure, not to imply that every embodiment thereof must have the described feature or aspect. Furthermore, it should be noted that the description illustrates a number of features. While certain features have been combined together to illustrate potential system designs, those features may also be used in other combinations not expressly disclosed. Thus, the depicted combinations are not intended to be limiting, unless otherwise noted. 
     In the embodiments illustrated in the Figures, representations of directions such as up, down, left, right, front and rear, used for explaining the structure and movement of the various elements of the Present Disclosure, are not absolute, but relative. These representations are appropriate when the elements are in the position shown in the Figures. If the description of the position of the elements changes, however, these representations are to be changed accordingly. 
     Referring to the Figures, and, in particular,  FIGS. 1-3 , the poke-in connector  1  according to this embodiment comprises a terminal  100  mounted on a PCB  2 , wherein a wire is pushed in to be locked and connected, and a housing  200  that protects the terminal  100  by covering it. The housing  200  comprises side surfaces  210  and a top surface  220 . On the top surface  220  of the housing  200 , a locking release lever  230  is formed as a single unit, an that the wire can be released from the locked state, and on one of the side surfaces  210  of the housing  200  is formed a wire insertion hole  211  into which the wire is inserted. According to the poke-in connector  1  of the Present Disclosure having this structure, if the wire is simply inserted via the wire insertion hole  211 , upon being pushed into the terminal  100  the wire is locked in and connected to the terminal  100 . Simply by pressing the locking release lever  230 , the lock is released, so that the wire  3  can readily be separated from the terminal  100 . 
     Referring generally to  FIGS. 5-6 , on the terminus of the locking release lever  230  is formed a pressing groove to enable pressing by a finger or tool. The pressing groove comprises a first pressing groove  231  formed on the top center part of the locking release lever  230  terminus, that can be pressed using a tool such as a gimlet or screwdriver; and a second pressing groove  232  formed along the width direction of the locking release lever  230  terminus, intersecting the first pressing groove  231 , that can be pressed using a finger, screwdriver, etc. 
     On the top surface of the housing  200  is formed a terminal exposure hole  221  to expose the terminal from above, A locking release lever  230  is formed within the terminal exposure hole  221 . On the top part of either side wall of the terminal exposure hole  221  are formed respective lever stopper parts  222  in the form of grooves that prevent the insertion of the terminus of the locking release lever  230  into the terminal exposure hole  221  more than necessary, by causing the finger or toot to catch when the terminus of the locking release lever  230  is pressed using a finger or tool. Consequently, because the height hi by which the terminus of the locking release lever  230  is lowered when releasing the wire from the lock is constant, the manner of release of the lock can be uniform whenever the wire is released from the locked state. Thus, there is no problem of the wire sometimes coming out easily and sometimes not coming out easily when removing the wire upon unlocking; it will always come out easily. 
     Referring, generally, to  FIG. 7 , the locking lever  230  comprises: a flexible extension part  233  that extends from the housing  200  and has a bending structure to enhance elasticity. A pressing part  234  is formed at the terminus of the flexible extension part  233  and causes the wire to be released from the locked state by spreading the locking sections of the terminal  100  to either side when it is pressed. 
     The flexible extension part  233  extends from the top surface  220  of the housing  200  and is located within the terminal exposure hole  221 . This flexible extension part  233  comprises a first extension section  233   a  that extends horizontally from the top surface  220  of the housing  200 , a bending section  233   b  that first bends vertically downward from the terminus of the first extension section  233   a  and then extends horizontally and ultimately is bent to tilt upward, and a second extension section  233   c  that extends horizontally from the terminus of the bending section  233   b . The locking release lever  230  has greater elasticity than the pusher shown in the &#39;586 Patent due to this flexible extension part  233 . 
     Table 1, below, presents, for reference, a comparison of the force exerted to press the locking release lever  230  of the Present Disclosure and the pusher 21 disclosed in the &#39;586 Patents, made from the same material, by the same height (0.7 mm). 
     
       
         
               
               
             
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Force Acting on the Lever/Pusher 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 Present Disclosure 
                 3.66N 
               
               
                 Disclosure of the ′586 Patent 
                 4.75N 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     In the case of the locking release lever  230  of the Present Disclosure, 3.66 N is needed to move it by 0.7 mm. In the case of the pusher 21 disclosed in the &#39;586 Patent, 4.75 N is needed to move it by 0.7 mm. This is because of the difference in elasticity between the locking release lever  230  and the pusher 21. Specifically, it is because the elasticity of the locking release lever  230  of the Present Disclosure is superior to the elasticity of the pusher 21 disclosed in the &#39;586 Patent. 
     This difference in elasticity has a substantial influence not only when the locking release lever  230  and pusher 21 are pressed to release the wire from the lock, but also on their recovery to their initial state when the lock is released. Specifically, the recovery of the locking release lever  230 , having high elasticity, occurs faster than the pusher 21 disclosed in the &#39;586 Patent. 
     The difference in elasticities thus leads to a difference in fatigue. In the case of the Present Disclosure, the elasticity is increased by forming the flexible extension part  233  that makes up the locking release lever  230  as a bending structure, so that the fatigue on the locking release lever  230  can be minimized. 
     Referring, generally, to  FIGS. 8-9 , on the inner top of the housing  200  is formed a guide part  240  that guides the wire  3  inserted into the housing  200  so that it can be inserted tilting downward and diagonally. The guide surface  241  of the guide part  240  is formed sloping downward in the direction of insertion of the wire  3 . Therefore, the wire  3  is automatically inserted at a slant simply by inserting the wire  3  through the wire insertion hole  211 . 
     The terminal  100  comprises a soldering part  110 , a pair of covering parts  120 , a pair of locking parts  130  and a pair of locking release parts  140 . The soldering part  110  is the part that is soldered to the PCB, and is formed in an overall flat panel shape. When the wire  3  is inserted, the soldering part  110  and the terminus of the wire  3  are spaced apart from one another. Therefore, because when the wire  3  is removed by pulling it upward, the terminus of the wire  3  does not contact the soldering part  110 , the wire  3  can be straightforwardly removed. At either side of the other terminus of the soldering part  110 , respective wedge coupling parts  150  in wedge shape are extended so as to firmly couple with the sides of the housing  200 . 
     The covering parts  120  are respectively bent upward from either side of one terminus of the soldering part  110  to surround the wire  3 . These covering parts  120  comprise a vertical extension section  121  that extends vertically upward from the soldering part  110 , and a horizontal extension section  122  that extends horizontally inward from the vertical extension section  121 , each facing the other. On the outside of the vertical extension part  121  of each covering part  120 , catch lips  123  are formed protruding outward, so that the inside of the side surface of the housing  200  will catch on them, thus ensuring a firm coupling with the side surface of the housing  200 . 
     The locking parts  130  respectively extend from each covering part  120  toward the opposite end of the soldering part  110 . They narrow toward the terminus, and lock when the wire  3  is pushed in between the termini. These locking parts  130  comprise first extension sections  131  that extend from the respective covering part  120  toward the far end of the soldering part  110  and are tilted toward one another, second extension sections  132  that are extended from the first extension sections  131  to the far end of the soldering part  110  and extend in parallel to one another, and third extension sections  133  that are respectively extended from the second extension sections  132  toward the far end of the soldering part  110  and are extended while tilting toward one another, locking the wire  3  between the termini when it is pushed in. 
     The locking release parts  140  are extended opposite to one another from the top of the respective locking part  130 . Upon locking release, they ensure that the wire  3  is released from the locked state by causing the locking parts  130  to spread apart when the wire  3  is inserted between the lower ends of the pressing part  234 . On the bent sections formed across the covering part  120  and first extension section  131  are formed respective beads  160  protruding inward to reinforce the strength of the bent sections. 
     Referring, generally to  FIGS. 10-11C , the locking release lever  140  comprises vertical sections  141  that extend vertically upward from the top of the respective locking part  130 , horizontal sections  142  that extend horizontally inward toward one another from the top of the vertical section  141 , and tilted sections  143  that extend downward from the terminus of the horizontal sections  142  and tilt outward. ON the bottom of the pressing part  234  of the locking release lever  230  is formed a push-in section  234   a  that causes the locking parts  130  to spread open as the pressing part  234  is pressed downward and pushed between the pair of locking parts  130 . On either side of the push-in section  234   a  is formed a respective catch lip  234   b  that restricts the push-in section  234   a  from being inserted any further by catching on the bent part between the horizontal section  142  and the tilted section  143  when the pressing part  234  is pressed. 
     Reviewing the process of releasing the lock on the wire  3 , if as shown in  FIG. 11A , the pressing part  234  of the locking release lever  230  is pressed, then as shown in  FIG. 11B , the push-in section  234   a  of the pressing part  234  is pushed in between the locking parts  130  while the two locking parts  130  are spread apart so as to release the lock on the wire  3 . If the wire  3  is removed upon the release of the lock on the wire  3 , and the force that had been pressing the pressing part  234  is also released, the pressing part  234  will return to its original state due to the elasticity of the flexible extension part  233 . 
     In this process, because the area of contact between the push-in section  234   a  and the tilted section  143  (i.e., the area of the rounded section between the horizontal section  142  and the tilted section  143 ) is small, the pressing part  234  can readily be returned to its original state. In particular, because the terminus of the tilted section  143  does not contact the push-in section  234   a  due to the lower part of the tilted section  143  tilting outward, the push-in section  234   a  has no effect at all on the terminus of the tilted section  143  during operation. 
       FIG. 12  generally discloses another embodiment of the Present Disclosure. According to the poke-in connector  1  of this embodiment, two terminals (not shown) are soldered to a PCB and are covered by a single housing  200 , thus enabling two wires to be connected to a single connector  1 . Two locking release levers  230  are furnished on the single housing  200  to enable the respective lock of one of the two wires to be released. 
     The configuration of the terminals, and of the locking release levers, are identical to the first embodiment, and the description thereof is accordingly omitted. 
       FIG. 13  generally discloses another embodiment of the Present Disclosure. According to this embodiment, on the terminus of the third extension section  133  in the locking part  130  is formed a rounded push-in groove  133   a  that entirely surrounds either side of the wire  3 . Therefore, the contact area between the wire  3  and the third extension section  133  is expanded, and the wire  3  is reliably clamped and locked in place. 
       FIG. 14  generally discloses another embodiment of the Present Disclosure. Although the pair of tilted sections  143  can be formed tilting outward as in the first embodiment, the configuration is not limited thereto. As in this embodiment, the pair of tilted sections  143  can be formed tilting inward toward one another. In this case, the bottom corner of the tilted section  143  is subjected to rounding treatment, thus enabling the push-in section  234   a  formed in the pressing part  234  of the locking release lever  230  to readily be detached from between the tilted sections  143  after the wire has been released from the locked state. 
     While a preferred embodiment of the Present Disclosure is shown and described, it is envisioned that those skilled in the art may devise various modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the foregoing Description and the appended Claims.