Electrical power connector and a terminal assembly

An electrical power connector and a terminal assembly are disclosed. The electrical power connector includes a base and a terminal assembly. The terminal assembly includes two conductive terminals, two reinforcing terminals and at least one detection terminal. L-shaped pressing portions of the two reinforcing terminals together clamp arc protruding parts of the two conductive terminals. Meanwhile, the detection terminal can detect an insertion state of a butt connector to timely determine forming a power loop circuit. The terminal assembly of the present invention has characteristics of high electrical conductivity, high elasticity and high security.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a connector technology, and more particularly to an electrical power connector with characteristics of high electrical conductivity, high elasticity and high security and to a terminal assembly used in the electrical power connector.

2. Description of the Prior Art

The characteristics of a new electrical power connector on the current market are high rated current and low energy loss. The design of an elastic arm is used in a terminal of the electrical power connector for providing an adequate and reliable contact to fit the deviation of the size or the position. Usually, in order to improve the electrical conductivity of the elastic arm, the elasticity of the elastic arm is reduced. But this is not good for the reliable connection and frequent insertion between the electrical power connector a butt connector. On the contrary, if the elasticity of the elastic arm is greater, the contact force and the electrical conductivity between the electrical power connector and the butt connector become worse, so that the prior electrical power connector can not meet the application of high current.

The prior electrical power connector generally includes only one terminal having an integral structure. This terminal can only act as a positive electrode or a negative electrode of a power supply, so the prior electrical power connector can only be used to transfer an unidirectional current. The application of the prior electrical power connector is limited.

Moreover, because the prior electrical power connector does not have a power detection function, the security thereof is lower and it is not suitable for a large current applications.

Hence, it is needed to provide a new electrical power connector, which has a high security, a wide range of application, a better electrical performance and a reliable connection, and also provide a terminal assembly with high electrical conductivity, high security and high elasticity.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A primary object of the present invention is to provide an electrical power connector, which has a terminal assembly with characteristics of high electrical conductivity, high elasticity and high security for providing a better electrical performance and a long term reliable connection, and the terminal assembly is capable of detecting whether a butt connector is normally inserted and determining to form a power loop circuit.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a terminal assembly, which has characteristics of high electrical conductivity, high elasticity and high security for providing a better electrical performance and a long term reliable connection, and is capable of detecting whether a butt connector is normally inserted and determining to form a power loop circuit.

The other object and the advantage of the present invention may be further understood from the technical features disclosed by the present invention.

To achieve the above object of the present invention, the present invention adopts the following technical solution.

The present invention provides an electrical power connector, which comprises a base and a terminal assembly. The base includes an engaging portion located at the front thereof, a mounting portion located at the rear thereof, an insertion opening formed on the engaging portion, a first and second terminal-receiving passages respectively located on two sides of the insertion opening, communicated with the insertion opening and extending to a rear surface of the mounting portion, and at least one third terminal-receiving passage located under the first or second terminal-receiving passage and communicated with the insertion opening. The terminal assembly includes a first conductive terminal, a second conductive terminal opposite to the first conductive terminal and at least one detection terminal. The first conductive terminal is mounted in the first terminal-receiving passage and includes a first main portion fixed in the mounting portion, a first flexible engaging portion formed by being bent toward the second conductive terminal from a front edge of the first main portion and extending into the insertion opening, and a first mounting end located at a lower edge of the first main portion and extending out of the base. The second conductive terminal is mounted in the second terminal-receiving passage and includes a second main portion fixed in the mounting portion, a second flexible engaging portion formed by being bent toward the first conductive terminal from a front edge of the second main portion and extending into the insertion opening, and a second mounting end located at a lower edge of the second main portion and extending out of the base. The detection terminal is mounted in the third terminal-receiving passage and includes a retaining body fixed in the mounting portion, a detection spring located in front of the retaining body and bent toward the first conductive terminal, and a foot located under the retaining body and extending out of the base.

In one embodiment, the first flexible engaging portion includes two pairs of first elastic pieces, which are spaced upper and lower and extend forward; and each of the first elastic pieces has a first arc contact part protruding into the insertion opening and a first head part extending far away from the second conductive terminal. The second flexible engaging portion includes two pairs of second elastic pieces, which are spaced upper and lower and extend forward; and each of the second elastic pieces has a second arc contact part protruding into the insertion opening and a second head part extending far away from the first conductive terminal. The first and second main portions are arranged in parallel, the first and second head parts constitute a trumpet shape, and the first and second arc contact parts constitute a converged shape and are disposed in a front-rear staggered arrangement; the second arc contact part is located in front of the first arc contact part.

In one embodiment, the terminal assembly further includes a first reinforcing terminal and a second reinforcing terminal. The first reinforcing terminal is attached to an outer side of the first conductive terminal and is mounted in the first terminal-receiving passage together with the first conductive terminal; the first reinforcing terminal has a first pressing portion being bent toward the first conductive terminal and pressing an outer side of the first flexible engaging portion. The second reinforcing terminal is attached to an outer side of the second conductive terminal and is mounted in the second terminal-receiving passage together with the second conductive terminal; the second reinforcing terminal has a second pressing portion being bent toward the second conductive terminal and pressing an outer side of the second flexible engaging portion.

In one embodiment, the second reinforcing terminal further has two flexible fingers protruding toward the first conductive terminal; the two flexible fingers separately pass through two pairs of the second elastic pieces, protrude to an inner side of the second conductive terminal and enter into the insertion opening; and the two flexible fingers are located behind the first and second arc contact parts.

In one embodiment, the first pressing portion of the first reinforcing terminal is an L shape, which includes two L type sheets spaced upper and lower; ends of the two L type sheets separately press the outer side of the corresponding first arc contact parts. The second pressing portion of the second reinforcing terminal is also an L shape, which includes two pairs of L type pressing fingers spaced upper and lower; ends of the two pairs of the L type pressing fingers separately press the outer side of the corresponding second arc contact parts; one of the two flexible fingers is located between one pair of the L type pressing fingers, and the other of the two flexible fingers is located between the other pair of the L type pressing fingers.

In one embodiment, the base disposes an upright separator plate on the mounting portion to space the first terminal-receiving passage and the second terminal-receiving passage; the separator plate forms a recess thereon; the base further disposes two cross beams on the mounting portion; the two cross beams are symmetrically located in the first and second terminal-receiving passages to respectively divide the corresponding first and second terminal-receiving passages into upper and lower parts; each cross beam has a front section, a rear section and two shoulders formed on left and right sides of the rear section; the front section is located in the engaging portion and extends to the front surface of the engaging portion; and the rear section is located in the mounting portion. The first and second conductive terminals straddle the cross beam. The first reinforcing terminal further includes a first upright portion and a U-shaped first latching portion formed by being bent from a rear edge of the first upright portion; the first latching portion surrounds the rear section of the corresponding cross beam; the first pressing portion is formed to be L-shaped by being bent toward the first conductive terminal from a front edge of the first upright portion. The second reinforcing terminal further includes a second upright portion and a U-shaped second latching portion formed by being bent from a rear edge of the second upright portion; the second latching portion surrounds the rear section of the corresponding cross beam; the second pressing portion is formed to be L-shaped by being bent toward the second conductive terminal from a front edge of the second upright portion.

In one embodiment, the terminal assembly includes two detection terminals; and the base disposes two third terminal-receiving passages, which are vertically arranged and used to respectively accept the two detection terminals.

In one embodiment, the terminal assembly includes two detection terminals; the base further disposes at least one fourth terminal-receiving passage, which is opposite to the third terminal-receiving passage and is communicated with the insertion opening; one of the two detection terminals is received in the third terminal-receiving passage; and the other of the two detection terminals is received in the fourth terminal-receiving passage.

In one embodiment, the base disposes a lower plate on the mounting portion; the third terminal-receiving passage is located under the lower plate; the base further disposes a first holding groove and a second holding groove between the lower plate and two side walls of the base; the first holding groove is communicated with the first terminal-receiving passage; the second holding groove is communicated with the second terminal-receiving passage; the base disposes a latching groove on an inner top wall of the third terminal-receiving passage; the base also disposes a first retaining groove and a second retaining groove, which are symmetrically formed on the mounting portion and respectively located on inner side walls of the first and second terminal-receiving passages. The first conductive terminal further includes a first retaining plate, which is perpendicularly bent from an upper edge of the first main portion and is held in the first retaining groove; the first mounting end extends out of the base along the first holding groove. The detection terminal disposes a latching plate, which is located above the retaining body and is inserted into the latching groove of the base.

The present invention also provides a terminal assembly, which is applied to an electrical power connector. The terminal assembly comprises a first conductive terminal, a second conductive terminal being opposite to the first conductive terminal, a first reinforcing terminal being attached to an outer side of the first conductive terminal, a second reinforcing terminal being attached to an outer side of the second conductive terminal, and at least one detection terminal located under the first conductive terminal or the second conductive terminal. The first conductive terminal includes a first main portion, a first flexible engaging portion formed by being bent toward the second conductive terminal from a front edge of the first main portion, and a first mounting end located at a lower edge of the first main portion. The first reinforcing terminal includes a first upright portion attached to the first main portion, an L-shaped first pressing portion being bent from a front edge of the first upright portion and pressing an outer side of the first flexible engaging portion, and a U-shaped first latching portion formed by being bent from a rear edge of the first upright portion. The second conductive terminal includes a second main portion, a second flexible engaging portion formed by being bent toward the first conductive terminal from a front edge of the second main portion, and a second mounting end located at a lower edge of the second main portion. The second reinforcing terminal includes a second upright portion attached to the second main portion, an L-shaped second pressing portion being bent from a front edge of the second upright portion and pressing an outer side of the second flexible engaging portion, and a U-shaped second latching portion formed by being bent from a rear edge of the second upright portion. The detection terminal includes a retaining body, a detection spring located in front of the retaining body and bent toward the first or second conductive terminal, and a foot located under the retaining body.

In comparison with the prior art, the electrical power connector of the present invention employs a terminal assembly, which has characteristics of high electrical conductivity, high elasticity and high security to provide a better electrical performance and a long term reliable connection and be capable of detecting whether a butt connector is normally inserted and determining to form a power loop circuit. Moreover, the terminal assembly can use two kinds of different polarity currents to expand the use range of the electrical power connector.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following description of every embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings is used to exemplify a specific embodiment, which may be carried out in the present invention. Directional terms mentioned in the present invention, such as “top”, “bottom”, “front”, “back”, “left”, “right”, “top”, “bottom” etc., are only used with reference to the orientation of the accompanying drawings. Therefore, the used directional terms are intended to illustrate, but not to limit, the present invention.

Please refer toFIGS. 1 to 6,FIG. 1is a perspective schematic view of an electrical power connector1of the present invention;FIG. 2is a perspective schematic view of the electrical power connector1of the present invention in another direction;FIG. 3is a top plan view of the electrical power connector1of the present invention, wherein the dotted part indicates a butt connector9electrically mated with the electrical power connector1; FIG,4is a perspective schematic view of the electrical power connector1of the present invention in the other one direction;FIG. 5is an exploded view of the electrical power connector1of the present invention; andFIG. 6is an exploded view of the electrical power connector1in the other one direction.

Please refer toFIGS. 1 to 6, the electrical power connector1of the present invention includes a base10, a terminal assembly mounted on the base10, and a rear cover mounted on the base10.

As shown inFIGS. 5 and 6, the base10is generally rectangular. The base10includes an engaging portion101located at the front thereof, a mounting portion102located at the rear thereof, an upright insertion opening103formed on the engaging portion101, a first and second terminal-receiving passages104,105respectively located on two sides of the insertion opening103, communicated with the insertion opening103and extending to a rear surface of the mounting portion102, and at least one third terminal-receiving passage106located under the first or second terminal-receiving passage104or105and communicated with the insertion opening103. In this embodiment, the first terminal-receiving passage104and the second terminal-receiving passage105are symmetrically located on the two sides of the insertion opening103. In this embodiment, the base10disposes two third terminal-receiving passages106, which are vertically arranged and located under the second terminal-receiving passage105. The base10also disposes two fourth terminal-receiving passages107, which are symmetrical with two third terminal-receiving passages106and located under the first terminal-receiving passage104. All of the terminal-receiving passages104,105,106and107pass through a front surface of the engaging portion101and the rear surface of the mounting portion102. The insertion opening103extends rearward from the front surface of the engaging portion101and pass through a top surface and a bottom surface of the engaging portion101.

Please refer toFIG. 7, the base10disposes an upright separator plate108on the mounting portion102to space the first terminal-receiving passage104and the second terminal-receiving passage105. The separator plate108forms a recess109thereon. The base10also disposes two cross beams110on the mounting portion102. The two cross beams110are symmetrically located in the first and second terminal-receiving passages104,105to respectively divide the corresponding terminal-receiving passages104,105into upper and lower parts. In this embodiment, each cross beam110has a front section1101(seen inFIG. 5), a rear section1102and two shoulders1103formed on left and right sides of the rear section1102. The front section1101is located in the engaging portion101and extends to the front surface of the engaging portion101, and the rear section1102is located in the mounting portion102.

Further, as shown inFIG. 7, the base10disposes a lower plate111on the mounting portion102. The lower plate111can be used as a bottom of the first and second terminal-receiving passages104,105, and the third and fourth terminal-receiving passages106,107are located under the lower plate111. The base10also forms a first holding groove112and a second holding groove113between the lower plate111and two side walls of the base10. The first holding groove112is communicated with the first terminal-receiving passage104, and the second holding groove113is communicated with the second terminal-receiving passage105. The base10further disposes a separator block114on the mounting portion102to separate the third terminal-receiving passage106and the fourth terminal-receiving passage107. The base10disposes latching grooves on inner top walls of the third and fourth terminal-receiving passages106,107.FIG. 7clearly shows one latching groove115formed on the inner top wall of the fourth terminal-receiving passage107, but does not completely show the other latching groove formed on the inner top wall of the third terminal-receiving passage106because of a view angle of the drawing.

As shown inFIG. 7, the base10also disposes a first retaining groove116and a second retaining groove117, which are symmetrically formed on the mounting portion102and respectively located on inner side walls of the first and second terminal-receiving passages104,105and near inner top walls thereof.

Please refer to FIGS,5and6, the terminal assembly includes a first conductive terminal30, a second conductive terminal40opposite to the first conductive terminal30, a first reinforcing terminal50attached to the first conductive terminal30, a second reinforcing terminal60attached to the second conductive terminal40, and at least one detection terminal70.

Please refer toFIGS. 8 and 9, the first conductive terminal30includes a first main portion31being plate-shaped, a first flexible engaging portion32formed by being bent toward the second conductive terminal40from a front edge of the first main portion31and extending forward, and a first mounting end33located at a lower edge of the first main portion31. In this embodiment, the first flexible engaging portion32includes two pairs of first elastic pieces34, which are spaced upper and lower and extend forward. Each of the first elastic pieces34has a first arc contact part340protruding toward the second conductive terminal40and a first head part341extending far away from the second conductive terminal40. Moreover, the first conductive terminal30further includes a first retaining plate35, which is perpendicularly bent from an upper edge of the first main portion31.

Please refer toFIGS. 8 and 9, the first reinforcing terminal50includes a first upright portion51, a first pressing portion52formed by being bent toward the first conductive terminal30from a front edge of the first upright portion51, and a first latching portion53formed by being bent from a rear edge of the first upright portion51. In this embodiment, the first latching portion53is a U shape, and the first pressing portion52is an L shape, which includes two L type sheets54spaced upper and lower. Further, the first latching portion53forms a first protrusion530thereon.

As shown inFIG. 10, when the first reinforcing terminal50and the first conductive terminal30are combined together, the first upright portion51is attached to an outer side of the first main portion31, and the first pressing portion52presses an outer side of the first flexible engaging portion32. Specifically, ends of the two L type sheets54separately press outer side of the first arc contact parts340of the two pairs of the first flexible engaging portions32, and the first latching portion53goes around to an inner side of the first main portion31. Wherein the mentioned outer sides mean the side of the first conductive terminal30, which is far away from the second conductive terminal40, and the mentioned inner side means the side of the first conductive terminal30, which is close to the second conductive terminal40.

Please refer toFIGS. 8 and 9, the structure of the second conductive terminal40is similar to that of the first conductive terminal30. For example, the second conductive terminal40includes a second main portion41being plate-shaped, a second flexible engaging portion42formed by being bent toward the first conductive terminal30from a front edge of the second main portion41and extending forward, and a second mounting end43located at a lower edge of the second main portion41. In this embodiment, the second flexible engaging portion42includes two pairs of second elastic pieces44, which are spaced upper and lower and extend forward. Each of the second elastic pieces44has a second arc contact part440protruding toward the first conductive terminal30and a second head part441extending far away from the first conductive terminal30. As shown inFIG. 10, the difference between the first and second conductive terminals30,40is that: the second arc contact part440and the first arc contact part340are disposed in a front-rear staggered arrangement, and the position of the second arc contact part440is slightly closer to the front.

Please refer toFIGS. 8 and 9, the second reinforcing terminal60includes a second upright portion61, a second pressing portion62formed by being bent toward the second conductive terminal40from a front edge of the second upright portion61, and a second latching portion63formed by being bent from a rear edge of the second upright portion61. In this embodiment, the second latching portion63is U-shaped, and the second pressing portion62is L-shape. The second pressing portion62includes two pairs of L type pressing fingers64spaced upper and lower. Further, the second latching portion63forms a second protrusion630thereon. In this embodiment, the second reinforcing terminal60further includes a flexible finger65formed between two L type pressing fingers64of each one pair and protruding toward the first conductive terminal30. Namely, the second reinforcing terminal60includes two flexible fingers65, one of which is located between two L type pressing fingers64of one pair, and the other of which is located between two L type pressing fingers64of the other pair. A bending direction of the flexible finger65is opposite to that of the L type pressing finger64, so the both have different functions.

As shown inFIG. 10, when the second reinforcing terminal60and the second conductive terminal40are combined together, the second upright portion61is attached to an outer side of the second main portion41, and the second pressing portion62presses the outer side of the second flexible engaging portion42. Specifically, ends of the two pairs of the L type pressing fingers64separately press the outer side of the second arc contact parts440of the two pairs of the second elastic pieces44. The two flexible fingers65separately pass through two pairs of the corresponding second elastic pieces44, protrude to an inner side of the second conductive terminal40and are located behind the first and second arc contact parts340,440, therefore the two flexible fingers65and the second arc contact part440are arranged in a front-rear direction. The second latching portion63goes around to an inner side of the second main portion41. Wherein the outer side means the side of the second conductive terminal40, which is far away from the first conductive terminal30, and the inner side means the side of the second conductive terminal40, which is close to the first conductive terminal30.

As shown inFIG. 10, the first and second main portions31,41are arranged in parallel. The first and second head parts341,441together constitute a trumpet shape to be convenient for a smooth insertion of a butt connector9. The first and second arc contact parts340,440together constitute a converged shape for being electrically connected with the butt connector9. The first conductive terminal30can be used as a positive or a negative, and the second conductive terminal40can be correspondingly used as a negative or a positive. The first and second reinforcing terminals50,60can together clamp the first and second conductive terminal30,40to provide a reinforcing function. Moreover, when the butt connector9is inserted between the first and second arc contact parts340,440, although the first and second arc contact parts340,440are disposed in the front-rear staggered arrangement, the butt connector9will not be subjected to a torsion force because the flexible fingers65located behind the second arc contact part440can eliminate the torsion force to achieve a force balance. Accordingly, the electrical connection between the butt connector9and the electrical power connector1is more stable.

Please refer toFIGS. 8 and 9, in the embodiment, the terminal assembly includes two detection terminals70located under the second conductive terminal40. Each detection terminal70has a retaining body71, a detection spring72located in front of the retaining body71and bent toward the first conductive terminal30, and a foot73located under the retaining body71. The detection terminal70also has a latching plate74located above the retaining body71. In other embodiments, the two detection terminals70may be arranged under the first conductive terminal30. As shown inFIG. 10, the detection spring72of the detection terminal70and the second arc contact part440of the second conductive terminal40are located on a same side of the first conductive terminal30and protrude toward the first conductive terminal30.

The following text will describe the assembly relationship of the terminal assembly and the base10.

Please refer toFIGS. 1 and 11, the first conductive terminal30and the first reinforcing terminal50are together mounted in the first terminal-receiving passage104of the base10. The first main portion31is mounted in the mounting portion102. The first retaining plate35(seen inFIG. 9) is held in the first retaining groove116. The first flexible engaging portion32is inserted into the engaging portion101and enters into the insertion opening103to be ready for being electrically mated with the butt connector9shown inFIG. 3. Specifically, the two pairs of the first elastic pieces34of the first conductive terminal30separately enter from upper and lower sides of the cross beam110(seen inFIG. 7) into the engaging portion101, and straddle the cross beam110. The shoulder1103(seen inFIG. 7) of the cross beam110can ensure the first conductive terminal30to be normally inserted into the first terminal-receiving passage104and prevent the excessive forward insertion of the first conductive terminal30. The first arc protruding parts340protrude into the insertion opening103. The first mounting end33extends out of the base10along the first holding groove112. Moreover, the first latching portion53of the first reinforcing terminal50surrounds the rear section1102(seen inFIG. 7) of the cross beam110to ensure the first reinforcing terminal50being closely attached on the first conductive terminal30.

Similarly, as shown inFIGS. 2 and 11, the second conductive terminal40and the second reinforcing terminal60are also together mounted into the second terminal-receiving passage105of the base10, according to the above way. The second arc protruding parts440of the second conductive terminal40and the flexible fingers65of the second reinforcing terminal60protrude into the insertion opening103to be ready for being electrically mated with the butt connector9shown inFIG. 3.

Please refer toFIGS. 2 and 11, the two detection terminals70are separately mounted in the corresponding third terminal-receiving passages106. The detection spring72protrudes into the insertion opening103to be ready for being electrically mated with the butt connector9shown inFIG. 3. The latching plate74(seen inFIG. 9) is inserted into the latching groove115(seen inFIG. 7) of the base10. The foot73extends out of the base10.

Moreover, the protection scope of the present invention can not be limited by the above assembly location of the two detection terminals70. For example, in other embodiments, the two detection terminals70may be located under the first conductive terminal30and be mounted in the two fourth terminal-receiving passages107, which are upper and lower stacked. Of course, it is possible to mount one detection terminal70into one of the third terminal-receiving passages106, and mount the other detection terminal70into one of the fourth terminal-receiving passages107. Furthermore, the two detection terminals70may be separately mounted into the third and fourth terminal-receiving passages106,107in a symmetrical manner or in an asymmetrical manner. Namely, the two detection terminals70may be arranged in an upper and lower stacked way, or in a left and right symmetrical way, or in an upper-lower and left-right asymmetrical way according to the actual need.

Please refer toFIG. 13, the rear cover20includes a rear plate21, four insertion columns22symmetrically formed on the rear plate21, and a locking block23located on the middle of the rear plate21. As shown inFIGS. 4 and 12, the rear cover20is mounted on the mounting portion102of the base10, the four insertion columns22are inserted into the terminal assembly, and the locking block23(seen inFIG. 13) is inserted into the recess109(seen inFIG. 7) of the base10and fixed therein. In detail, as shown inFIG. 12, the two insertion columns22are inserted into a space defined by the first conductive terminal30and the first reinforcing terminal50, and the other two insertion columns22are inserted into a space defined by the second conductive terminal40and the second reinforcing terminal60.

Please refer toFIG. 3, when the butt connector9needs to be electrically connected to the electrical power connector1, first the butt connector9is gradually inserted into the insertion opening103along the first head part341and the second head part441, then one electrode located on one side of the butt connector9is the first to electrically contact with the second arc contact part440of the second conductive terminal40, and next the other electrode located on the other side of the butt connector9electrically contacts with the first arc contact part340of the first conductive terminal30. With the continue insertion of the butt connector9, the butt connector9will be electrically mated with the detection spring72of the detection terminal70and the flexible fingers65of the second reinforcing terminal60.

As described above, the electrical power connector1of the present invention employs at least one detection terminal70, which can detect an insertion state of the butt connector9and timely form a power loop circuit. Meanwhile, the terminal assembly of the present invention has characteristics of high electrical conductivity, high elasticity and high security for providing a better electrical performance and a long term reliable connection, and being capable of detecting whether the butt connector9is normally inserted. Moreover, the terminal assembly of the present invention can use two kinds of different polarity currents to expand the use range of the electrical power connector1.