CN108075279B - Electric connector - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an electric connector, which comprises an insulating body, a plurality of terminals, a first protection seat and a second protection seat. The terminal is arranged in the terminal fixing groove of the insulating body. The terminal comprises a first elastic contact part, a second elastic contact part and a fixing part arranged between the first elastic contact part and the second elastic contact part. The first protection seat and the second protection seat are respectively arranged on the first concave part and the second concave part. The first protection seat and the second protection seat both comprise a plurality of parting strips, and a groove is defined by adjacent parting strips. The parting strips of the first protection seat and the second protection seat are abutted against the shoulder parts of the fixing parts of the terminals. The protection seat can be abutted against the shoulder of the fixing part of the terminal so as to strengthen the fixing strength of the terminal and prevent the terminal from withdrawing. The protection seat is assembled to the insulation seat body after the terminal is installed, and the terminal fixing groove is laterally opened, so that the terminal and the terminal fixing groove are easier to assemble.

Description

Electric connector

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an electrical connector, and more particularly, to an electrical connector with a protection base.

Background

Electrical connectors are widely used in electronic products, and the electrical connectors transmit electrical signals through terminals thereof. Fig. 1 is a schematic structure diagram of a conventional card edge connector 1, which is disclosed in chinese patent application No. CN201520283960.3 (taiwan counterpart application No. TW 104206426). Referring to fig. 1, the conductive terminal 102 of the card edge connector 1 has a positioning protrusion 106, and a first contact portion 108 and a second contact portion 110 respectively located at two sides of the positioning protrusion 106. The positioning boss 106 is rotatably disposed in the positioning groove 122. The first contact portion 108 protrudes from a lower surface of the first insulator 104 through the first terminal hole 150, and the second contact portion 110 protrudes from a lower surface of the first insulator 104 through the second terminal hole 152. The upper case 130 covers the first insulator 104. A second insulator 112 is positioned between the upper shell 130 and the first insulator 104. However, since the assembly direction of the conductive terminal 102 is perpendicular to the extending direction of the contact portions 108 and 110 on both sides, it is necessary to cover the upper case 130 and the second insulating body 112 to fix the conductive terminal 102. More specifically, the direction of the deformation of the conductive terminal 102 is parallel to the holding direction of the conductive terminal 102, and the deformation force of the conductive terminal 102 acts on the second insulating body 112 and the upper shell 130 along the assembling direction of the conductive terminal 102, so that the conductive terminal 102 is more easily loosened or separated from the correct position. In addition, the positioning protrusion 106 is rotatably disposed in the positioning groove 122, and the overall assembly structure of the conductive terminal 102 is loose and unstable.

Fig. 2 is a schematic structural diagram of a conventional power connector 2, which is disclosed in taiwan patent application No. TW 98217837. Referring to fig. 2, the power connector 2 includes an insulating base 25 and a rear cover 27. The rear cover 27 is fixedly connected to the insulating base 25 and presses the power terminal 20. The insulating seat 25 is provided with buckling holes 26 at the left and right sides, and the rear cover 27 is provided with convex buckles 28 at the left and right sides, and the convex buckles 28 are buckled with the buckling holes 26. Although the rear cover 27 presses the power supply terminal 20, the rear cover 27 does not have the function of protecting the power supply terminal 20 and isolating the power supply terminal 20.

Disclosure of Invention

In one embodiment of the present invention, an electrical connector includes: an insulating body including a middle part having a plurality of terminal fixing grooves, a first recess part located at one side of the middle part, and a second recess part located at the other side of the middle part; the middle part is provided with a first side surface facing the first concave part and a second side surface facing the second concave part; the bottom surface of the first concave part and the bottom surface of the second concave part are lower than the terminal fixing groove; a plurality of terminals arranged in the terminal fixing grooves; wherein each terminal comprises a first elastic contact part, a second elastic contact part and a fixing part positioned between the first elastic contact part and the second elastic contact part; the fixing part of the terminal is fixed in the terminal fixing groove; the first elastic contact part protrudes above the bottom surface of the first concave part, and the second elastic contact part protrudes above the bottom surface of the second concave part; each of the holding portions of the terminal has a shoulder; the first protection seat and the second protection seat are respectively arranged on the first concave part and the second concave part of the insulating body; the first protection seat and the second protection seat both comprise a plurality of parting strips, and adjacent parting strips in the parting strips define a groove; wherein the parting bead of the first protection seat and the second protection seat abuts against the shoulder of the holding part of the terminal; wherein each first elastic contact part of the terminal protrudes out of an upper surface of the first protection seat, and the tail end of each first elastic contact part extends into the groove of the first protection seat, and each second elastic contact part protrudes out of an upper surface of the second protection seat, and the tail end of each second elastic contact part extends into the groove of the second protection seat.

In one embodiment, the terminals are divided into a first terminal set and a second terminal set; the fixing part of the terminal of the first terminal group is laterally inserted into the terminal fixing groove towards the first side surface of the middle part, and the fixing part of the terminal of the second terminal group is laterally inserted into the terminal fixing groove towards the second side surface of the middle part; the spacer of the first protection seat abuts against the shoulder of the terminal of the first terminal group and the spacer of the second protection seat abuts against the shoulder of the terminal of the second terminal group.

In an embodiment, the holding portions of the terminals of the first terminal group and the holding portions of the terminals of the second terminal group are arranged to cross each other along a direction in which the long sides of the intermediate portion extend and are staggered in a direction toward the first side and the second side of the intermediate portion.

In an embodiment, the terminal fixing grooves each include a holding groove and a channel, wherein each holding groove of the terminals of the first terminal group is close to the first side surface of the middle part and a socket of each holding groove faces the first concave part, and the channel passes through the second elastic contact part of each terminal of the first terminal group to extend to the second concave part; the holding grooves of the terminals of the second terminal set are close to the second side surface of the middle part, a socket of each holding groove faces the second concave part, and the channel passes through the first elastic contact part of each terminal of the second terminal set to extend to the first concave part.

In an embodiment, the terminals are respectively arranged in two rows on the first elastic contact portion at one side of the first concave portion and the second elastic contact portion at one side of the second concave portion.

In an embodiment, the first protection seat and the second protection seat further comprise a bottom wall, and an outer groove and an inner groove are formed on the bottom wall; when the first elastic contact part of the terminal of the first terminal group is stressed, the first elastic contact part of the terminal of the first terminal group is positioned in the outer groove of the first protection seat; and when the second elastic contact part of the terminal of the first terminal group is stressed, the second elastic contact part of the terminal of the first terminal group is positioned in the inner side groove of the second protection seat; when the first elastic contact part of the terminal of the second terminal group is stressed, the first elastic contact part of the terminal of the second terminal group is positioned in the inner side groove of the first protection seat; and when the second elastic contact part of the terminal of the second terminal group is stressed, the second elastic contact part of the terminal of the second terminal group is positioned in the outer groove of the second protection seat.

In an embodiment, each of the first protection seat and the second protection seat has a mounting piece on two sides, and the insulating body has a receiving groove on two sides of each of the first recess and the second recess, and the mounting piece is assembled into the receiving groove, wherein a retaining structure is provided between the receiving groove and the mounting piece.

In one embodiment, the mounting member has an opening and the receiving slot has a fixing member therein, the fixing member passing through the opening, the fixing member and the opening forming the holding structure.

In one embodiment, the end of the fixing member is heat-melted to form an enlarged head portion for holding the mounting member of the first protection seat.

In one embodiment, the insulating body is provided with an I-shaped opening, and the opening penetrates through the receiving groove in the up-down direction; the mounting piece is provided with an opening, and the opening penetrates through the mounting piece in the up-down direction; wherein the electric connector further comprises a latch member passing through the opening of the insulating body and the opening of the mounting member in a bottom-up direction; the opening of the mounting piece, the opening of the receiving groove and the bolt piece form the holding structure.

In one embodiment, the pin member is heat-melted, the upper end of the heat-melted pin member forms an enlarged head, and the enlarged head of the upper end of the heat-melted pin member cooperates with an enlarged head of the lower end of the heat-melted pin member to be snapped into the I-shaped opening of the insulating body.

In one embodiment, a bottom portion of the mounting member has an inverted T-shaped opening penetrating the mounting member in an up-down direction; a top surface part of the insulating body comprises a T-shaped opening; the electric connector further comprises a bolt piece, wherein the bolt piece penetrates through the T-shaped opening of the insulating body and the opening of the mounting piece from top to bottom and can be blocked by a bottom surface of the receiving groove; the T-shaped opening of the top surface part of the insulating body, the opening of the bottom surface part of the mounting piece and the bolt piece form the holding structure.

In one embodiment, the upper and lower ends of the latch member are heat-fused, the upper end of the heat-fused latch member forms an enlarged head, the enlarged head of the upper end of the heat-fused latch member clasps the T-shaped opening of the top surface portion of the insulating body, the lower end of the heat-fused latch member forms an enlarged head, and the enlarged head of the lower end of the heat-fused latch member clasps the inverted T-shaped opening of the mounting member of the first protection seat.

In one embodiment, a packing groove is formed on the mounting piece, and the insulating body is provided with a sealing lug at a position corresponding to the packing groove at a top surface part of the receiving groove, wherein the sealing lug is positioned above the packing groove; the sealing bump and the packing groove form the holding structure.

In one embodiment, the sealing bump is melted, and the melted sealing bump fills the filling groove of the first protection seat.

In one embodiment, the mounting member has a fixture block, the fixture block bulges from the surface of the mounting member; a top surface part of the receiving groove is provided with a buckling hole, wherein the clamping block is buckled in the buckling hole; the clamping block and the buckling hole form the fixing structure.

The protection seat can be abutted against the shoulder of the fixing part of the terminal so as to strengthen the fixing strength of the terminal and prevent the terminal from withdrawing. The protection seat is assembled to the insulation seat body after the terminal is installed, and the terminal fixing groove is laterally opened, so that the terminal and the terminal fixing groove are easier to assemble. The plurality of grooves of the protection seat are used for protecting the tail end of the terminal, and the spacing bars between the grooves can separate the terminal and keep the correct position of the terminal. The terminal fixing groove is integrally formed at the middle part of the insulating base body, and the terminal is inserted into the terminal fixing groove in a lateral mode, so that the fixing effect of the terminal and the bearing strength of the terminal under the action of force can be enhanced. The fixing means of the protection seat and the insulation seat body can firmly combine the protection seat on the insulation seat body. Further, the assembling direction of the terminal and the extending direction of the elastic contact portion of the terminal may not be perpendicular, and thus an upper cover is not necessarily required to fix the terminal. In addition, in the present invention, the terminals can be also disposed in the terminal fixing grooves in a non-rotating manner, and thus are relatively stable. Also, the direction of the forced deformation of the resilient contact portion of the terminal may not be parallel to the holding direction of the terminal, in some embodiments perpendicular to the holding direction of the terminal, and the terminal is less prone to loosening and to coming out of position.

The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and advantages of the present invention in order that the detailed description of the invention that follows may be better understood. Other technical features and advantages that form the subject of the claims of the present invention are described below. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures or processes for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

Drawings

The aspects of the disclosure will be best understood from the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings. Note that the various features are not drawn to scale according to standard implementations of the industry. Indeed, the dimensions of the various features may be arbitrarily increased or reduced for clarity of discussion.

Fig. 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a conventional card edge connector.

Fig. 2 is a schematic structural diagram of a conventional power connector.

Fig. 3 is an exploded view of an electrical connector according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 4 is a schematic view showing the arrangement of the terminal of fig. 3 assembled to the terminal fixing groove.

Fig. 5 is an exploded view of an electrical connector according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 6 is an underside view of the electrical connector of fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a schematic perspective view of an electrical connector according to an embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged partial perspective view of the electrical connector of fig. 7 taken along section line 1-1.

Fig. 9 is a schematic view of the terminal-separated terminal-fixing groove of fig. 8.

Fig. 10 shows a side view of the cross-sectional position of the electrical connector of fig. 8.

Fig. 11 is an enlarged partial perspective view of the electrical connector of fig. 7 taken along section line 2-2.

Fig. 12 is a schematic view of the terminal-separated terminal-fixing groove of fig. 11.

Fig. 13 shows a side view of a cross-sectional position of the electrical connector of fig. 11.

Fig. 14 shows an enlarged partial plan view of the electrical connector of fig. 7 along section line 3-3.

Fig. 15 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the electrical connector of fig. 7 along section line 4-4.

Fig. 16 is a schematic illustration of the electrical connector of fig. 7 after heat staking.

Fig. 17 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the electrical connector of fig. 16 along section line 4-4.

Fig. 18 is a partial perspective view of an electrical connector according to an embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 19 is a schematic underside view of the electrical connector of fig. 18.

Fig. 20 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view of the electrical connector of fig. 18.

Fig. 21 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the electrical connector of fig. 20 along section line 5-5.

Fig. 22 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the electrical connector of fig. 21 after being heat-fused.

Fig. 23 is a partial perspective view of an electrical connector according to an embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 24 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view of the electrical connector of fig. 23.

Fig. 25 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the electrical connector of fig. 24 along section line 6-6.

Fig. 26 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the electrical connector of fig. 25 after heat staking.

Fig. 27 is a schematic view of an electrical connector according to an embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 28 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the electrical connector of fig. 27.

Fig. 29 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the electrical connector of fig. 28 along section line 7-7.

Fig. 30 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the electrical connector of fig. 29 after being heat-fused.

Fig. 31 is a schematic view of an electrical connector according to an embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 32 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view of the electrical connector of fig. 31.

Fig. 33 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the electrical connector of fig. 32 along section line 8-8.

[ description of the symbols ]

102. Conductive terminal

104. First insulator

106. Positioning convex part

108. A first contact part

110. A second contact part

130. Upper shell

150. First terminal hole

152. Second terminal hole

25. Insulating base

26. Fastening hole

27. Rear cover

28. Convex buckle

3. Electric connector

34. Second terminal group

302. Terminal fixing groove

306. Second concave part

310. Bottom surface

300B second side

308. Bottom surface

33. Fixing piece

35. Receiving groove

300. Intermediate portion

300A first side

304. First concave part

362. Holding part

364. First elastic contact part

366. Second elastic contact part

32. First terminal group

31. Protective seat

374. End wall

321. First terminal

341. Second terminal

391. Perforating the hole

39. Mounting member

373. Groove

31A first protective seat

97. Outside groove

370. Division bar

31AS upper surface

98. Inner side groove

92. Terminal end

30. Insulation body

93. Bottom wall

111. Shoulder part

31B second protection seat

31BS upper surface

307. Socket

303. Holding groove

305. Channel

4. Electric connector

42. Bump block

44. Perforating the hole

425. Bump block

46. Latch component

47. Receiving groove

48. Rib

461. Enlarged head

41. Protective seat

43. Mounting member

45. Perforating the hole

415. Clamping hole

462. Enlarged head

5. Electric connector

56. Latch component

57. Insulation body

59. Perforating the hole

590. Top surface part

58. Receiving groove

581. Bottom surface

51. Protective seat

53. Mounting member

55. Perforating the hole

530. Bottom surface portion

6. Electric connector

62. Insulation body

64. Sealing bump

68. Receiving groove

680. Top surface part

69. Mounting member

61. Protective seat

691. Packing groove

7. Electric connector

72. Insulation body

74. Top surface part

76. Fastening hole

78. Receiving groove

71. Protective seat

73. Mounting member

75. And (5) clamping blocks.

Detailed Description

The following disclosure provides many different embodiments, or examples, for implementing different features of the application. Specific examples of components and arrangements are described below to simplify the present disclosure. These are, of course, merely examples and are not intended to limit the present application. For example, the following description of forming a first feature over or on a second feature may include embodiments in which first and second features are formed in direct contact, and may also include embodiments in which other features are formed between the first and second features, such that the first and second features are not in direct contact. Furthermore, the present application may repeat reference numerals and/or letters in the various examples. This repetition is for the purpose of simplicity and clarity and does not in itself dictate a relationship between the various embodiments and/or architectures discussed.

Furthermore, spatially relative terms, such as "under," "below," "lower," "above," "higher," and the like, may be used herein to describe a relationship of one element or feature to another element or feature in the figures. Spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. The device may be positioned (rotated 90 degrees or other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly. It will be appreciated that when one feature is formed over another feature or substrate, other features may be present therebetween.

Fig. 3 is an exploded view of an electrical connector 3 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to fig. 3, the electrical connector 3 includes an insulative housing 30 and a plurality of terminals 36. The insulating body 30 has a middle portion 300, a first recess 304 located at one side of the middle portion 300, and a second recess 306 located at the other side of the middle portion 300. Fig. 3 shows a combination of two electrical connectors 3, and the following description only uses one electrical connector 3 as an illustration, and the combination of the electrical connectors 3 can be extended as needed.

The intermediate portion 300 extends along a direction in which the long side of the intermediate portion 300 extends, and a plurality of terminal fixing grooves 302 are provided on the intermediate portion 300. In addition, the middle portion 300 has a first side 300A facing the first recess 304 and a second side 300B facing the second recess 306. Each of the terminal fixing grooves 302 is open at the first recess 304 on the first side 300A and open at the second recess 306 on the second side 300B. The bottom surface 308 of the first recess 304 and the bottom surface 310 of the second recess 306 are lower than the terminal fixing groove 302.

The terminals 36 are arranged side by side along the direction in which the long sides of the intermediate portion 300 extend. Each of the terminals 36 includes a holding portion 362, a first resilient contact portion 364 and a second resilient contact portion 366. The holding portion 362 is located between the first elastic contact portion 364 and the second elastic contact portion 366, and is inserted, interfered and held in the terminal fixing groove 302.

The terminals 36 are divided into a first terminal set 32 and a second terminal set 34. When installed, the terminals 36 of the first terminal set 32 are laterally inserted, interfered with and held into the terminal holding grooves 302 of the intermediate portion 300 toward the first side 300A of the intermediate portion 300, and the terminals 36 of the second terminal set 34 are laterally inserted, interfered with and held into the terminal holding grooves 302 of the intermediate portion 300 toward the second side 300B of the intermediate portion 300.

Fig. 4 is a schematic view of the terminal 36 of fig. 3 assembled to the terminal fixing groove 302. For simplicity of the drawing, fig. 4 only shows the terminals 36 of the first terminal set 32 and the second terminal set 34, and the insulating body 30 is not shown. The holding portions 362 of the terminals 36 of the first terminal group 32 and the holding portions 362 of the terminals 36 of the second terminal group 34 are arranged to intersect each other along the direction in which the long sides of the intermediate portion 300 extend and adjacent ones of the terminals 36 are offset in the direction toward the first side 300A and the second side 300B of the intermediate portion 300. That is, the holding portions 362 of the terminals 36 are arranged in a zigzag manner (Zigzag arrangement), whereby the holding portions 362 of the first terminal set 32 and the holding portions 362 of the second terminal set 34 are arranged in two rows. The first elastic contact portions 364 of adjacent ones of the terminals 36 are arranged in a zigzag pattern with respect to each other along the direction in which the long sides of the intermediate portions 300 extend. The second elastic contact portions 366 of adjacent terminals 36 of the terminals 36 are arranged in a zigzag manner along the direction in which the long sides of the intermediate portions 300 extend, and the first elastic contact portions 364 of the terminals 36 on the side of the first concave portions 304 are arranged in two rows and the second elastic contact portions 366 of the terminals 36 on the side of the second concave portions 306 are also arranged in two rows.

Fig. 5 is an exploded view of the electrical connector 3 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to fig. 5, the first resilient contact portions 364 of the terminals 36 protrude above the bottom surface 308 of the first recess 304 of the insulative body 30. Although the second recess 306 is not shown in the view of fig. 5, referring to fig. 3, the spatial arrangement of the second recess 306 and the second elastic contact 366 is substantially the same as that of the first recess 304 and the first elastic contact 364. Accordingly, the second elastic contact portions 366 of the terminals 36 protrude above the bottom surface 310 of the second recess 306 of the insulating body 30.

In addition, the electrical connector 3 further includes a protection seat 31 mounted to the first recess 304 and the second recess 306, respectively. For convenience of illustration, the two protection seats 31 mounted to the first recess 304 and the second recess 306 are respectively denoted and designated as a first protection seat 31A and a second protection seat 31B, and basically, the first protection seat 31A and the second protection seat 31B have the same structure. Each protective seat 31 includes a plurality of parting strips 370 and an end wall 374. The adjacent division bars 370 define a groove 373, each groove 373 of the first protection seat 31A is configured to receive the first elastic contact portion 364, and each groove 373 of the second protection seat 31B is configured to receive the second elastic contact portion 366, which will be described in detail with reference to fig. 10 and 13.

Each of the first protection seat 31A and the second protection seat 31B has a mounting member 39 on two sides, each of the first recess 304 and the second recess 306 has a receiving groove 35 on two sides of the insulating body 30, the mounting member 39 is assembled into the receiving groove 35, and a retaining structure is provided between the receiving groove 35 and the mounting member 39. Specifically, the mounting member 39 has an opening 391, and the opening 391 extends through the mounting member 39 in a direction toward the first side 300A or the second side 300B of the intermediate portion 300. The receiving groove 35 has a cylindrical fixing member 33 extending forward, the fixing member 33 passes through the opening 391, and the fixing member 33 and the opening 391 form the above-mentioned holding structure. When mounted, the first protection seat 31A is mounted to the first recess 304 in a direction toward the first side 300A of the intermediate portion 300, the second protection seat 31B is mounted to the second recess 306 in a direction toward the second side 300B of the intermediate portion 300, the respective mounting pieces 39 on both sides of each of the two protection seats 31 are inserted into the receiving grooves 35 and the openings 391 of the mounting pieces 39 receive the columnar fixing pieces 33 of the insulating body 30.

Fig. 6 is an underside view of the electrical connector 3 of fig. 5. Referring to fig. 6, fig. 6 further illustrates the structure of the protection seat 31 at the lower side. In the present embodiment, the division bar of the portion of the lower side surface of the protection seat 31 is not rectangular, but takes on a trapezoid-like shape. However, the present invention is not limited thereto.

Fig. 7 is a schematic perspective view of an electrical connector 3 according to an embodiment of the invention. Referring to fig. 7, two protection seats 31 have been mounted in the first recess 304 and the second recess 306 of the insulating body 30, respectively. After installation, the end portion of the columnar fixing member 33, which is to be subjected to heat fusion, protrudes out of the opening 391. The first elastic contact portion 364 and the second elastic contact portion 366 of each of the terminals 36 protrude from an upper surface of the two protection holders 31, respectively, which will be described in detail and illustrated in fig. 10 and 13.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged partial perspective view of the electrical connector 3 of fig. 7 taken along section line 1-1. Fig. 10 shows a side view of the cross-sectional position of the electrical connector 3 of fig. 8. The first resilient contact portion 364 of each terminal 36 of the first terminal set 32 protrudes out of an upper surface 31AS of the first protection seat 31A and the end 92 extends into the recess 373 of the first protection seat 31A. Similarly, the second resilient contact portion 366 of each terminal 36 of the first terminal set 32 protrudes out of an upper surface 31BS of the second protection block 31B and the end 92 extends into the recess 373 of the second protection block 31B. Accordingly, damage to the end 92 due to contact with other objects can be avoided.

The first protection seat 31A and the second protection seat 31B each include a bottom wall 93. The bottom wall 93 is disposed in the recess 373, and an outer recess 97 and an inner recess 98 are formed in the bottom wall 93 and disposed in the recess 373. In the present embodiment, since the holding portion 362 of each terminal 36 of the first terminal group 32 is close to the first side 300A of the middle portion 300, when the first elastic contact portion 364 of each terminal 36 of the first terminal group 32 receives a downward force, the end 92 of the first elastic contact portion 364 is located in the outer groove 97 of the first protection seat 31A. When the second resilient contact portion 366 of each terminal 36 of the first terminal set 32 is subjected to a downward force, the tip 92 of the second resilient contact portion 366 is located within the inner recess 98 of the second protective housing 31B. Fig. 9 is a schematic view of the terminals 36 of the first terminal set 32 of fig. 8 separated from the terminal-securing slots 302. The holding portion 362 of the terminal 36 is inserted, interfered and held in the terminal fixing groove 302 by the barbs on both sides. More specifically, the terminal fixing groove 302 includes a holding groove 303, and the holding groove 303 is engaged with the holding portion 362 of the terminal 36. The holding groove 303 of each terminal 36 of the first terminal group 32 is mounted close to the first side 300A of the intermediate portion 300 and the insertion opening 307 is directed toward the first recess 304. Accordingly, each terminal 36 of the first terminal group 32 can be assembled to the holding groove 303 toward the first side 300A of the intermediate portion 300. Since the direction of assembling the terminal 36 is not parallel to the direction in which the first elastic contact portion 364 and the second elastic contact portion 366 of the terminal 36 are deformed by force, the assembling structure of the terminal 36 of the present invention is less prone to loosening and to be separated from the correct position. In addition, the terminal-securing slot 302 further includes a passageway 305, the passageway 305 passing the second resilient contact portion 366 of each terminal 36 of the first terminal set 32 to extend to the second recess 306.

Referring to fig. 8, one end of the holding portion 362 of each terminal 36 of the first terminal group 32 faces the first side 300A of the intermediate portion 300. Accordingly, when the first protection seat 31A is mounted to the first recess 304 toward the first side 300A, the spacer 370 of the first protection seat 31A abuts against the shoulder 111 of the holding portion 362 of each terminal 36 of the first terminal set 32, which will be described in detail in fig. 14.

Fig. 11 is an enlarged partial perspective view of the electrical connector 3 of fig. 7 taken along section line 2-2. Fig. 13 shows a side view of the cross-sectional position of the electrical connector 3 of fig. 11. The first resilient contact portion 364 of each terminal 36 of the second terminal set 34 protrudes out of an upper surface 31AS of the first protection seat 31A and the end 92 extends into the recess 373 of the first protection seat 31A. Accordingly, damage to the end 92 due to contact with other objects can be avoided. Similarly, the second resilient contact portion 366 of each terminal 36 of the second terminal set 34 protrudes out of an upper surface 31BS of the second protection block 31B and the end 92 extends into the recess 373 of the second protection block 31B. Accordingly, damage to the end 92 due to contact with other objects can be avoided.

Since the holding portion 362 of each terminal 36 of the second terminal set 34 is close to the second side 300B of the middle portion 300, when the first elastic contact portion 364 of each terminal 36 of the second terminal set 34 is subjected to a downward force, the distal end 92 of the first elastic contact portion 364 is located in the inner recess 98 of the first protection seat 31A. When the second resilient contact portion 366 of each terminal 36 of the second terminal set 34 is subjected to a downward force, the tip 92 of the second resilient contact portion 366 is located in the outer recess 97 of the second protective housing 31B.

Fig. 12 is a schematic view of the terminals 36 of the second terminal set 34 of fig. 11 separated from the terminal-securing slots 302. The holding portion 362 of the terminal 36 is inserted, interfered and held in the terminal fixing groove 302 by the barbs on both sides. In contrast to the embodiment of fig. 9, the holding groove 303 of each terminal 36 of the second terminal group 34 is mounted close to the second side 300B of the intermediate portion 300 and the insertion opening 307 is directed toward the second concave portion 306. Accordingly, each terminal 36 of the second terminal group 34 is assembled to the holding groove 303 toward the second side 300B of the intermediate portion 300. Since the direction of assembling the terminal 36 is not parallel to the direction in which the first elastic contact portion 364 and the second elastic contact portion 366 of the terminal 36 are deformed by force, the assembling structure of the terminal 36 of the present invention is less prone to loosening and to be separated from the correct position.

Referring to fig. 11, one end of the holding portion 362 of each terminal 36 of the second terminal group 34 faces the second side surface 300B of the intermediate portion 300. Accordingly, when the second protection seat 31B is mounted to the second recess 306, the parting bead 370 of the second protection seat 31B abuts against the shoulder of the holding portion 362 of each terminal 36 of the second terminal set 34, which will be described in detail in fig. 14.

In the present embodiment, the terminals 36 are arranged in a zigzag manner along the extending direction of the long side of the middle portion 300, so that the protection seat 31 includes the outer groove 97 and the inner groove 98. Specifically, the first elastic contact portion 364 of each terminal 36 of the first terminal set 32 only enters the outer groove 97 of the first protection seat 31A, and the first elastic contact portion 364 of each terminal 36 of the adjacent second terminal set 34 only enters the inner groove 98 of the first protection seat 31A. The second elastic contact portion 366 of each terminal 36 of the first terminal group 32 only enters the inner groove 98 of the second protection holder 31B, and the second elastic contact portion 366 of each terminal 36 of the adjacent second terminal group 34 only enters the outer groove 97 of the second protection holder 31B. For convenience of manufacture, the protection seat 31 is provided with an outer groove 97 and an inner groove 98.

Fig. 14 shows an enlarged plan view of a portion of the electrical connector 3 of fig. 7 along section line 3-3. Referring to fig. 14, the parting bead 370 of the first protection seat 31A abuts against the shoulder 111 on both sides of the holding portion 362 of each terminal 36 of the first terminal group 32. The parting bead 370 of the second protection seat 31B abuts against the shoulder 111 on both sides of the holding portion 362 of each terminal 36 of the second terminal set 34. The first protection seat 31A and the second protection seat 31B of the present embodiment can strengthen the fixing strength of the terminal 36 to prevent the terminal 36 from being withdrawn. Further, as can be seen from fig. 14, the holding grooves 303 are arranged in a zigzag along the middle portion 300. More specifically, the holding groove 303 of each terminal 36 of the first terminal group 32 is mounted relatively close to the first side 300A of the intermediate portion 300. The holding groove 303 of each terminal 36 of the second terminal group 34 is mounted relatively close to the second side 300B of the intermediate portion 300. The shoulder 111 of the retention portion 362 of a first portion of the terminals 36 (i.e., the terminals 36 of the first terminal set 32) faces the first recess 304, and the shoulder 111 of the retention portion 362 of a second portion of the terminals 36 (i.e., the terminals 36 of the second terminal set 34) faces the second recess 306.

Fig. 15 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the electrical connector 3 of fig. 7 along section line 4-4. Referring to fig. 15, the fixing member 33 of the insulating body 30 passes through the opening 391 on the mounting member 39 of the protection base 31, and the fixing member 33 of the insulating body 30 has not been subjected to heat fusion.

Fig. 16 is a schematic view of the electrical connector 3 of fig. 7 after being heat-fused. Fig. 17 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the electrical connector 3 of fig. 16 along section line 4-4. The protruding ends of the fixing members 33 passing through the openings 391 are heat-melted to form an enlarged head 330 for clamping the mounting members 39 of the two protecting holders 31, thereby fixing the two protecting holders 31 in the insulating body 30. The hot object is pressed against the end of the fixing member 33 by hot melting, for example. In addition, the heat fusion also includes ultrasonic heat fusion.

Fig. 18 is a schematic view of an electrical connector 4 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 19 is a schematic underside view of the electrical connector 4 of fig. 18. Referring to fig. 18, the electrical connector 4 is similar to the electrical connector 3 of fig. 5, except that the electrical connector 4 includes an insulative housing 42, two protective seats 41, and a latch member 46.

The insulating body 42 is provided with a receiving groove 47 on both sides of each of the first recess 304 and the second recess 306. Specifically, the insulating body 42 is provided with an i-shaped opening 44, and the opening 44 penetrates the receiving groove 47 in the up-down direction. In addition, the insulating body 42 further includes a plurality of bumps 425 disposed at the bottom surface 308 of the first recess 304. Each of the protruding blocks 425 is engaged with a locking hole 415 (see fig. 19) on the bottom surface of the protection seat 41 to strengthen the fixation of the insulating body 42 and the protection seat 41.

The protection seat 41 is similar to the protection seat 31 of fig. 5, except that each of the two protection seats 41 has a mounting member 43 on both sides thereof, and an opening 45 of the mounting member 43 penetrates the mounting member 43 in the up-down direction. The mounting member 43 is assembled into the receiving groove 47.

The lower end of latch member 46 has an enlarged head 461. Referring to fig. 20 and 21, when installed, the plug member 46 passes through the opening 44 of the insulating body 42 and the opening 45 of the mounting member 43 in a bottom-up direction. The latch member 46 has a rib 48 extending in the up-down direction, and the rib 48 can be assembled with the opening 44 of the insulating body 42 and the opening 45 of the protection seat 41 by interference. The hole 45 of the mounting member 43, the hole 44 of the receiving slot 47 and the latch member 46 constitute the above-mentioned holding structure.

Fig. 22 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the electrical connector 4 of fig. 21 after being heat-fused. Referring to fig. 22, the thermally fused fixing member 46 fixes the protection seat 41 in the insulating body 42. More specifically, the upper end of the heat-fused latch member 46 defines an enlarged head 462. The enlarged head 462 at the upper end mates with the enlarged head 461 at the lower end to snap into the i-shaped opening 44 of the insulator body 42.

Fig. 23 is a partial perspective view of an electrical connector 5 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to fig. 23, the electrical connector 5 is similar to the electrical connector 4 of fig. 18, except that the electrical connector 5 includes a protective socket 51, a latch member 56, and an insulating body 57.

The protective seat 51 is similar to the protective seat 41 of fig. 18, except that the bottom surface portion 530 of the mounting member 53 of the protective seat 51 has an opening 55 in the shape of an inverted T, the opening 55 penetrating the mounting member 53 in the up-down direction.

The insulator 57 is similar to the insulator 42 of fig. 18, except that the insulator 57 is provided with receiving grooves 58 on both sides of the first recess 304, respectively, and the receiving grooves 58 are used for receiving the mounting members 53 of the protection seat 51. The insulator 57 includes a T-shaped opening 59 in a top portion 590 of the receiving slot 58.

Latch member 56 is similar to latch member 46 of fig. 18, except that latch member 56 is in the shape of a straight bar, and latch member 56 also has ribs 48. Referring to fig. 24 and 25, the latch member 56 passes through the opening 59 of the insulating body 57 and the opening 55 of the mounting member 53 from top to bottom and can be stopped by a bottom 581 of the receiving groove 58, and the rib 48 of the latch member 56 interferes with the insulating body 57 and the protection seat 51.

Fig. 26 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the electrical connector 5 of fig. 25 after heat staking. In operation, the upper and lower ends of latch member 56 are heat fused, for example, by ultrasonic heat fusion. An enlarged head 561 is formed at the upper end of the heat-fused latch member 56 to engage the T-shaped opening 59 of the top portion 590 of the insulator 57, and an enlarged head 562 is formed at the lower end of the heat-fused latch member 56 to engage the inverted T-shaped opening 55 of the mounting member 53 of the protector 51, thereby securing the protector 51 to the insulator 57. The T-shaped opening 59 of the top portion 590 of the insulator 57, the inverted T-shaped opening 55 of the insulator 57 and the heat-fused latch member 56 constitute the holding structure described above.

Fig. 27 is a schematic view of an electrical connector 6 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to fig. 27, the electrical connector 6 is similar to the electrical connector 3 of fig. 5, except that the electrical connector 6 includes two protective seats 61 and an insulating body 62.

The protective seat 61 is similar to the protective seat 31 of fig. 5, except that the protective seat 61 includes mounting members 69 on both sides. In the present embodiment, two packing grooves 691 are formed on each mount 69, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

The insulator 62 is similar to the insulator 30 of fig. 5, except that the insulator 62 has a receiving slot 68 on each side of the first recess 304, and the receiving slot 68 is configured to receive a mounting member 69 of the protection seat 61. The insulating body 62 has sealing projections 64 at a top surface portion 680 of the receiving groove 68 corresponding to the positions of the respective packing grooves 691 of the mounting piece 69 of the protection seat 61. Referring to fig. 28 and 29, the protection seat 61 is mounted to the insulating body 62, and the sealing projections 64 are located above the packing grooves 691, respectively. The sealing bump 64 and the filler groove 691 constitute the above-described holding structure.

Fig. 30 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the electrical connector 6 of fig. 29 after heat staking. In operation, each sealing bump 64 is melted, and the melted sealing bumps 64 are filled into the filling grooves 691 of the protection base 61, thereby fixing the protection base 61 to the insulating body 62 for assembly into the first recess 304.

Fig. 31 is a schematic view of an electrical connector 7 according to an embodiment of the invention. The protection seat 71 includes a mounting member 73 having a latch 75, and the latch 75 protrudes from a surface of the mounting member 73. The insulating body 72 is provided with a receiving groove 78 on each side of the first recess 304, and the receiving groove 78 is used for receiving the mounting member 73 of the protection seat 71. The top surface portion 74 of the receiving slot 78 has a button hole 76.

Referring to fig. 32 and 33, the receiving groove 78 of the insulator 72 receives the mounting piece 73 of the protection seat 71 when mounted. The clamping block 75 of the protection seat 71 is clamped in the buckling hole 76, thereby fixing the protection seat 71 to the insulation body 72. The clamping block 75 and the buckling hole 76 form the holding structure.

The protection seat can be abutted against the shoulder of the fixing part of the terminal so as to strengthen the fixing strength of the terminal and prevent the terminal from withdrawing. The protection seat is assembled to the insulation seat body after the terminal is installed, and the terminal fixing groove is laterally opened, so that the terminal and the terminal fixing groove are easier to assemble. The plurality of grooves of the protection seat are used for protecting the tail end of the terminal, and the spacing bars between the grooves can separate the terminal and keep the correct position of the terminal. The terminal fixing groove is integrally formed at the middle part of the insulating base body, and the terminal is inserted into the terminal fixing groove in a lateral mode, so that the fixing effect of the terminal and the bearing strength of the terminal under the action of force can be enhanced. The fixing means of the protection seat and the insulation seat body can firmly combine the protection seat on the insulation seat body. Further, the assembling direction of the terminal and the extending direction of the elastic contact portion of the terminal may not be perpendicular, and thus an upper cover is not necessarily required to fix the terminal. In addition, in the present invention, the terminals can be also disposed in the terminal fixing grooves in a non-rotating manner, and thus are relatively stable. Also, the direction of the forced deformation of the resilient contact portion of the terminal may not be parallel to the holding direction of the terminal, in some embodiments perpendicular to the holding direction of the terminal, and the terminal is less prone to loosening and to coming out of position.

The foregoing outlines features of some embodiments so that those skilled in the art may better understand the aspects of the disclosure herein. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that they may readily use the present disclosure as a basis for designing or modifying other processes and structures for carrying out the same purposes and/or achieving the same advantages of the embodiments described herein. Those skilled in the art should also realize that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, and that they may make various changes, substitutions, and alterations herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

Claims (16)

1. An electrical connector, comprising:

an insulating body including a middle part having a plurality of terminal fixing grooves, a first recess part located at one side of the middle part, and a second recess part located at the other side of the middle part; the middle part is provided with a first side surface facing the first concave part and a second side surface facing the second concave part; the bottom surface of the first concave part and the bottom surface of the second concave part are lower than the terminal fixing groove;

a plurality of terminals arranged in the terminal fixing grooves; wherein each terminal comprises a first elastic contact part, a second elastic contact part and a fixing part positioned between the first elastic contact part and the second elastic contact part; the fixing part of the terminal is fixed in the terminal fixing groove; the first elastic contact part protrudes above the bottom surface of the first concave part, and the second elastic contact part protrudes above the bottom surface of the second concave part; each of the holding portions of the terminal has a shoulder; and

A first protection seat and a second protection seat respectively installed on the first concave part and the second concave part of the insulation body; the first protection seat and the second protection seat both comprise a plurality of parting strips, and adjacent parting strips in the parting strips define a groove;

wherein the parting bead of the first protection seat and the second protection seat abuts against the shoulder of the holding part of the terminal;

wherein each first elastic contact part of the terminal protrudes out of an upper surface of the first protection seat, and the tail end of each first elastic contact part extends into the groove of the first protection seat, and each second elastic contact part protrudes out of an upper surface of the second protection seat, and the tail end of each second elastic contact part extends into the groove of the second protection seat.

2. The electrical connector of claim 1, wherein the terminals are divided into a first terminal set and a second terminal set; the fixing part of the terminal of the first terminal group is laterally inserted into the terminal fixing groove towards the first side surface of the middle part, and the fixing part of the terminal of the second terminal group is laterally inserted into the terminal fixing groove towards the second side surface of the middle part; the spacer of the first protection seat abuts against the shoulder of the terminal of the first terminal group and the spacer of the second protection seat abuts against the shoulder of the terminal of the second terminal group.

3. The electrical connector of claim 2, wherein the holding portions of the terminals of the first terminal group and the holding portions of the terminals of the second terminal group are arranged to intersect each other along a direction in which a long side of the intermediate portion extends and are staggered in a direction toward the first side and the second side of the intermediate portion.

4. The electrical connector of claim 3, wherein the terminal-securing slots each include a retention slot and a passage, wherein each retention slot of the terminals of the first terminal set is adjacent the first side of the intermediate portion and a socket of each retention slot is oriented toward the first recess, the passage passing the second resilient contact portion of each of the terminals of the first terminal set to extend to the second recess; the holding grooves of the terminals of the second terminal set are close to the second side surface of the middle part, a socket of each holding groove faces the second concave part, and the channel passes through the first elastic contact part of each terminal of the second terminal set to extend to the first concave part.

5. The electrical connector as recited in any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the terminals are each arranged in two rows of the first resilient contact portions on one side of the first recess portion and in two rows of the second resilient contact portions on one side of the second recess portion.

6. The electrical connector of claim 5, wherein the first and second protective holders further comprise a bottom wall with an outer groove and an inner groove formed thereon; when the first elastic contact part of the terminal of the first terminal group is stressed, the first elastic contact part of the terminal of the first terminal group is positioned in the outer groove of the first protection seat; and when the second elastic contact part of the terminal of the first terminal group is stressed, the second elastic contact part of the terminal of the first terminal group is positioned in the inner side groove of the second protection seat; when the first elastic contact part of the terminal of the second terminal group is stressed, the first elastic contact part of the terminal of the second terminal group is positioned in the inner side groove of the first protection seat; and when the second elastic contact part of the terminal of the second terminal group is stressed, the second elastic contact part of the terminal of the second terminal group is positioned in the outer groove of the second protection seat.

7. The electrical connector of claim 1, wherein each of the first and second protective seats has a mounting member on both sides thereof, and the insulative housing has a receiving slot on both sides of each of the first and second recesses, the mounting member being assembled into the receiving slot, wherein a retaining structure is provided between the receiving slot and the mounting member.

8. The electrical connector of claim 7, wherein the mounting member has an opening and the receiving slot has a securing member therein, the securing member passing through the opening, the securing member and the opening forming the retaining structure.

9. The electrical connector of claim 8, wherein the distal end of the securing member is heat-fused to form an enlarged head portion to retain the mounting member of the first protective seat.

10. The electrical connector of claim 7, wherein the insulative housing has an i-shaped opening extending through the receiving slot in an up-down direction; the mounting piece is provided with an opening, and the opening penetrates through the mounting piece in the up-down direction; the electric connector further comprises a bolt piece which passes through the opening of the insulating body and the opening of the mounting piece along the direction from bottom to top; the opening of the mounting piece, the opening of the receiving groove and the bolt piece form the holding structure.

11. The electrical connector of claim 10, wherein the latch member is heat staked, the upper end of the heat staked latch member forming an enlarged head portion, the enlarged head portion of the upper end of the heat staked latch member engaging an enlarged head portion of the lower end of the heat staked latch member to snap into the i-shaped opening of the insulator.

12. The electrical connector of claim 7, wherein a bottom portion of the mounting member has an inverted T-shaped opening therethrough in an up-down direction; a top surface part of the insulating body comprises a T-shaped opening; the electric connector further comprises a bolt piece, wherein the bolt piece penetrates through the T-shaped opening of the insulating body and the opening of the mounting piece from top to bottom and can be blocked by a bottom surface of the receiving groove; the T-shaped opening of the top surface part of the insulating body, the opening of the bottom surface part of the mounting piece and the bolt piece form the holding structure.

13. The electrical connector of claim 12, wherein the upper and lower ends of the latch member are heat-fused, the upper end of the heat-fused latch member forming an enlarged head, the enlarged head of the upper end of the heat-fused latch member being snapped over the T-shaped opening of the top surface portion of the insulative body, the lower end of the heat-fused latch member forming an enlarged head, the enlarged head of the lower end of the heat-fused latch member being snapped over the inverted T-shaped opening of the mounting member of the first protective socket.

14. The electrical connector of claim 7, wherein the mounting member has a filler slot formed therein, the insulative housing having a sealing projection at a top portion of the receiving slot corresponding to the location of the filler slot, the sealing projection being located above the filler slot; the sealing bump and the packing groove form the holding structure.

15. The electrical connector of claim 14, wherein the sealing bump is hot-melted, the hot-melted sealing bump filling the filler groove of the first protection seat.

16. The electrical connector of claim 7, wherein the mounting member has a latch protruding from a surface of the mounting member, a top portion of the receiving slot having a latch hole, wherein the latch is latched in the latch hole; the clamping block and the buckling hole form the fixing structure.