Patent Publication Number: US-11664618-B2

Title: Connector terminal

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) 
     This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202110600707.6 filed May 31, 2021, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to the technical field of conductive terminals and electrical connectors and, in particular, to an elastic arm structure and a connector terminal. 
     BACKGROUND 
     With the increasingly obvious demand of electronic products, functions of the products are constantly expanding, and the internal structure and transmission speed of the products also need to be continuously improved to improve the performance of products. For the terminal structure used for data transmission and signal detection of the connector, the elastic arm on the terminal structure is easy to rub with other electronic components during the insertion and extraction process of the products. However, in the related art, the structure shape and size setting of the elastic arm on the terminal structures are different according to different adapted products, but the phenomenon that the elastic arm is damaged due to abrasion during the insertion and extraction process always occurs, affecting the normal use of the products. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present disclosure provides an elastic arm structure and a connector terminal, so that the elastic arm structure cannot be easily damaged during the insertion and extraction process, and the normal use of the connector terminal in the connector is ensured. 
     The technical solution described below is provided. 
     An elastic arm structure, is configured to be arranged at one end of a terminal body, and includes a support part and a contact part. 
     The support part is a bending structure formed by sequentially connecting multiple extension sections, a first end of the support part is an operation end, a second end of the support part is a connection end, and from the connection end to the operation end, an included angle between a first direction and each of extension directions of the multiple extension sections is gradually reduced, and the first direction is parallel to a length direction of the terminal body. 
     The contact part is arranged at the operation end and is bent towards an inner side of the bending structure. 
     A connector terminal includes an insulation body and multiple terminal bodies, where each of the multiple terminal bodies includes any elastic arm structure described above, the elastic arm structure protrudes out of a first end of the insulation body, and the terminal body further includes: a base part and a fixing part. 
     The base part is arranged on the insulation body and extends along the first direction. 
     The fixing part is arranged on the insulation body, the fixing part includes a first fixing part and a second fixing part which are arranged at an included angle, the first fixing part extends in the first direction, a first end of the first fixing part extends out of the insulation body and is connected to the connection end, a second end of the first fixing part is connected to a first end of the second fixing part, a bending direction of the first fixing part with respect to the support part is opposite to a bending direction of the contact part with respect to the support part, a second end of the second fixing part is connected to a first end of the base part, and a bending direction of the second fixing part with respect to the first fixing part is opposite to a bending direction of the support part with respect to the first fixing part. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings used in description of the embodiments will be described below. Apparently, the accompanying drawings described below illustrate part of embodiments of the present disclosure, and those skilled in the art may obtain other drawings on the basis of the contents and the accompanying drawings described below on the premise that no creative work is done. 
         FIG.  1    is a structural diagram of an elastic arm structure provided by embodiment one of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  2    is a structural diagram of a connector terminal provided by embodiment one of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  3    is a structural diagram of a first terminal body provided by embodiment two of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  4    is a structural diagram of a second terminal body provided by embodiment two of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  5    is a structural diagram of a third terminal body provided by embodiment two of the present disclosure; and 
         FIG.  6    is a structural diagram of a connector terminal provided by embodiment two of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     REFERENCE LIST 
     
         
           100 —insulation body; 
           201 —first terminal body;  202 —second terminal body;  203 —third terminal body; 
           1 —support part;  11 —extension section;  111 —through hole;  112 —first side;  113 —second side;  114 —third side;  115 —fourth side;  12 —second arc-shaped section; 
           2 —contact part;  21 —first arc-shaped section; 
           3 —base part;  31 —first reinforcing part;  32 —second reinforcing part; 
           4 —fixing part;  41 —first fixing part;  42 —second fixing part;  421 —fixing hole; 
           5 —welding part;  51 —connection part. 
       
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The solution of the present disclosure will be described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the embodiment. 
     In the description of the present disclosure, it is to be noted that the orientational or positional relationships indicated by terms “above”, “below”, “left”, “right”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, “inside”, “outside” and the like are based on the orientational or positional relationships illustrated in the drawings or the orientational or positional relationship in which products of the present disclosure are usually placed during use. These orientational or positional relationships are for the mere purpose of facilitating and simplifying the description of the present disclosure and do not indicate or imply that the apparatus or element referred to has a specific orientation and is constructed and operated in a specific orientation. In addition, terms such as “first” and “second” are used merely for the purpose of description, or are used for distinguish different structures or components, and are not to be construed as indicating or implying relative importance. 
     In the description of the present disclosure, it should be noted that unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the term “mounting”, “connected to each other” or “connected” is to be construed in a broad sense, for example, as securely connected or detachably connected; mechanically connected or electrically connected; directly connected to each other or indirectly connected to each other via an intermediary; or internally connected between two elements. For those of ordinary skill in the art, meanings of the preceding terms in the present disclosure may be construed based on situations. 
     The solutions of the present disclosure will be further described below through embodiments in conjunction with the drawings. 
     Embodiment One 
     Referring to  FIGS.  1  and  2   , the present embodiment provides an elastic arm structure. The elastic arm structure is arranged at one end of a terminal body, includes a support part  1  and a contact part  2 . The support part  1  is a bending structure formed by sequentially connecting two extension sections  11 . A first end of the support part  1  is an operation end, and a second end of the first fixing part  1  is a connection end. From the connection end to the operation end, an included angle between a first direction and each of extension directions of the extension sections is gradually reduced, and the first direction is parallel to a length direction of the terminal body. The length direction of the terminal body is a direction shown by the arrow ab in  FIG.  1   . The contact part  2  is arranged at the operation end and is bent towards an inner side of the bending structure. 
     The elastic arm structure in this embodiment is arranged in the contact part  2  of the operation end of the support part  1  by the supporting of the support part  1 . Optionally, the bending structure is formed by sequentially connecting two extension sections  11  and an included angle of each of the extension directions of the two extension sections  11  and the length direction of the terminal body is configured differently, that is, an included angle between one extension section  11  of the two extension sections  11  connected to the contact part  2  and the first direction is smaller than an included angle between the other extension section  11  of the two extension sections and the first direction, thereby reducing a drop between the operation end and the connection end on the support part  1 , enhancing a support force to the contact part  2 , so that the elastic arm structure cannot be easily damaged during the insertion and extraction process, and the normal use of the connector terminal in the connector is ensured. 
     Referring to  FIG.  1   , one end of the contact part  2  is bent to form a first arc-shaped section  21 , the contact part  2  is connected to the operation end by the first arc-shaped section  21 , and an inner side of the first arc-shaped section  21  is arranged towards the inner side of the bending structure. The support part  1  and the contact part  2  are transitionally connected by the first arc-shaped section  21 , so that the stress concentration at the connection between the support part  1  and the contact part  2  can be avoided, the overall strength of the elastic arm structure can be improved, and the electrical contact between the contact part  2  and a chip module can be ensured. 
     Referring to  FIG.  1   , the two extension sections  11  are connected by a second arc-shaped section  12 , the inner side of the second arc-shaped section  12  is arranged towards the inner side of the bending structure. The two extension sections  11  are transitionally connected by the second arc-shaped section  12 , so that the occurrence of the stress concentration is avoided when the support part  1  is pressed by the chip module, and the strength of the support part  1  is improved. 
     Referring to  FIG.  2   , this embodiment also provides a connector terminal. The connector terminal includes an insulation body  100  and multiple terminal bodies. Multiple terminal bodies are arranged in parallel with each other on the insulation body  100 . Referring to  FIG.  1   , each terminal body includes an elastic arm structure in the above embodiment, and the elastic arm structure extends out of a first end of the insulation body  100 , and the terminal body further includes a base part  3  and a fixing part  4 . The base part  3  is arranged on the insulation body  100  and extends in a first direction; and the first direction is parallel to a length direction of the terminal body. The length direction of the terminal body is a direction shown by the arrow ab in  FIG.  1   . The fixing part  4  is arranged on the insulation body  100 , the fixing part  4  includes a first fixing part  41  and a second fixing part  42  which are arranged at an included angle, the first fixing part  41  extends in the first direction, a first end of the first fixing part  41  protrudes out of the insulation body  100  and is connected to the connection end, a second end of the first fixing part  41  is connected to a first end of the second fixing part  42 , a bending direction of the first fixing part  41  with respect to the support part  1  is opposite to a bending direction of the contact part  2  with respect to the support part  1 , a second end of the second fixing part  42  is connected to a first end of the base part  3 , and a bending direction of the second fixing part  42  with respect to the first fixing part  41  is opposite to a bending direction of the support part  1  with respect to the first fixing part  41 . 
     In the connector terminal in this embodiment, the terminal body is fixed to the insulation body  100  by the base part  3  and the fixing part  4 . The fixing part  4  includes the first fixing part  41  and the second fixing part  42  arranged at an included angle. The first fixing part  41  is used for being fixing on the insulation body  100 , a first end of the first fixing part  41  protrudes out of the insulation body  100  and is capable of carrying the support part  1 . The first fixing part  41  and the base part  3  are transitionally connected by the second fixing part  42 . The bending configuration among the base part  3 , the first fixing part  41  and the second fixing part  42  enable the connector terminal structure to have good stress-strain characteristics, so as to achieve stable electrical connection when they are used in the connector. 
     Referring to  FIG.  1   , the first end of the base part  3  connected to the second fixing part  42  is provided with a first reinforcing part  31 , and the second end of the second fixing part  42  connected to the base part  3  is provided with a third arc-shaped section. The first reinforcing part  31  is connected to the third arc-shaped section, and an inner side of the third arc-shaped section is arranged to be opposite to an inner side of a bending structure. The first reinforcing part  31  passes through a mounting hole in the insulation body  100  so that the first end of the base part  3  is fixed to the insulation body  100 . The bending between the second fixing part  42  and the base part  3  is transited by the third arc-shaped section, so that the stress concentration at the connection of the second fixing part  42  and the first reinforcing part  31  can be avoided, and the overall strength of the terminal structure can be improved. 
     Referring to  FIG.  1   , the terminal body further includes a welding part  5  connected to the second end of the base part  3 . The welding part  5  protrudes out of a second end of the insulation body  100  and is used for externally connecting to a circuit board of the connector. 
     Referring to  FIG.  1   , one end of the welding part  5  connected to the base part  3  is provided with a connection part  51 , a bending direction of the connection part  51  with respect to the base part  3  is opposite to the bending direction of the second fixing part  42  with respect to the base part  3 , and the bending direction of the connection part  51  with respect to the welding part  5  is opposite to a bending direction of the base part  3  with respect to the connection part  51 . In the above configuration, the connection part  51  is located outside the insulation body  100 , and the welding part  5  cooperates with the connection part  51  to form a shape which is convenient for the circuit board welding, thereby ensuring the signal stability of the electrical connection between the welding part  5  and the circuit board of the connector. 
     Referring to  FIG.  1   , the second end of the base part  3  connected to the connection part  51  is provided with a second reinforcing part  32  so that the first end of the base part  3  is fixed to the insulation body  100 . 
     Optionally, the first fixing part  41  and the second fixing part  42  are connected by a fourth arc-shaped section. An inner side of the fourth arc-shaped section is arranged towards the inner side of the bending structure, and the arrangement of the fourth arc-shaped section can improve the stability and strength of the fixing part  4 . 
     Embodiment Two 
     Referring to  FIGS.  3  to  6   , this embodiment provides a connector terminal. The difference between the connector terminal provided in the present embodiment and the connector terminal provided in embodiment one is that: multiple terminal bodies include a first terminal body  201 , a second terminal body  202 , and a third terminal body  203 . The first terminal body  201 , the second terminal body  202 , and the third terminal body  203  are sequentially arranged at intervals and in parallel with each other on the insulation body  100 . 
     Optionally, an extension section  11  facing away from the contact part  2  on the support part  1  has a first side  112  and a second side  113  which are arranged in parallel with each other, and an extension section  11  connected to the contact part  2  has a third side  114  and a fourth side  115  which are arranged opposite to each other. 
     Optionally, referring to  FIG.  3   , the second fixing part  42  of the first terminal body  201  is provided with a fixing hole  421  through the second fixing part  42 , and the insulation body  100  is provided with a fixing part, and the second fixing part  42  is fixed to the insulation body  100  in a manner that the fixing part passes through the fixing hole  421 . The first terminal body  201  is provided with a through hole  111  in the extension section  11  facing away from the contact part  2 . In a direction towards the contact part  2 , the third side  114  and the fourth side  115  on the first terminal body  201  are arranged obliquely towards an axial direction of the extension section  11  separately. 
     Optionally, referring to  FIG.  4   , a third side  114  on the second terminal body  202  is arranged on an extension surface of the first side  112 , and the fourth side  115  is arranged obliquely towards the third side  114  in a direction towards the contact part  2 . 
     Optionally, referring to  FIG.  5   , the fourth side  115  on the third terminal body  203  is arranged on an extension surface of the second side  113 , and the third side  114  is arranged obliquely towards the fourth side  115  in the direction towards the contact part  2 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  6   , multiple first terminal bodies  201 , multiple second terminal bodies  202  and multiple third terminal bodies  203  are provided in this embodiment. Optionally, the multiple first terminal bodies  201  are arranged at intervals and in parallel with each other on the insulation body  100 . One second terminal body  202  and one third terminal body  203  are arranged between each two adjacent ones of the multiple first terminal bodies  201 , and the fourth side  115  of the second terminal body  202  is arranged opposite to the third side  114  of the third terminal body  203 . 
     In the elastic arm structure and the connector terminal including the elastic arm structure of the present disclosure, the elastic arm structure is arranged in the contact part of the operation end of the support part by the supporting of the support part. Optionally, the bending structure is formed by sequentially connecting multiple extension sections, and an included angle of each of the extension directions of each of the multiple extension sections and the length direction of the terminal body is configured differently. That is, from the connection end to the operation end, the included angle is gradually reduced, thereby reducing a drop between the operation end and the connection end on the support part, enhancing a support force to the contact part, so that the elastic arm structure cannot be easily damaged during the insertion and extraction process, and the normal use of the connector terminal in the connector is ensured.