CN216698968U

CN216698968U - Modular connector

Info

Publication number: CN216698968U
Application number: CN202122881055.6U
Authority: CN
Inventors: 张淼; 德特勒夫·内姆; 斯特凡·蒙德亨克
Original assignee: Phoenix Contact Asia Pacific Nanjing Co Ltd; Phoenix Contact GmbH and Co KG
Current assignee: Phoenix Contact Asia Pacific Nanjing Co Ltd; Phoenix Contact GmbH and Co KG
Priority date: 2021-04-16
Filing date: 2021-11-23
Publication date: 2022-06-07
Anticipated expiration: 2031-11-23
Also published as: WO2022218123A1; DE112022002170T5

Abstract

A modular connector comprises a first plug core module and a second plug core module which are matched with each other, wherein the first plug core module comprises a first insulating core body, a plurality of first plug terminals arranged in corresponding terminal hole sites of the first insulating core body are arranged in the first plug core module, each first plug terminal comprises a wiring base part and a plug part, the plug parts are connected with the wiring base parts and extend outwards from the wiring base parts, the first plug terminals also comprise side leg structures which extend out from the wiring base parts, the plug parts of the first plug terminals are positioned in the terminal hole sites, the side leg structures are positioned outside the terminal hole sites, the second plug core module comprises a second insulating core body, a plurality of second plug terminals are arranged in the second insulating core body, an insulating barrier is also arranged on the second insulating core body, a matched receiving hole is also arranged on the first insulating core body, when the first plug core module and the second plug core module are installed in a matched mode, the insulating barrier of the second insulating core body passes through the receiving hole of the first insulating core body, and interposed between the leg structures of adjacently positioned first jack terminals.

Description

Modular connector

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an electrical connection apparatus, and more particularly, to a modular self-shorting connector having a novel construction.

Background

The modular connector is a new type of connector construction that includes a ferrule module, wherein pin terminals are mounted in a male end ferrule module and jack terminals are mounted in a female end ferrule module, and wherein a plastic housing of the male end ferrule module and a plastic housing of the female end ferrule module have mating features for mounting together. Depending on the type of ferrule module, individual ferrule modules can be fabricated to accommodate a particular number and size of terminals. When the connector is constructed, the required types and the required number of the inserting core modules are installed in the clamping frame according to actual requirements, and therefore the connector which accords with specific application scenes is obtained.

In some electrical connection applications, the connector is also required to have a self-shorting function to ensure the safety of the system. Connectors with an automatic short circuit function are generally referred to as "self-short connectors". The self-short-circuit connector can respectively and automatically realize the functions of short-circuit and short-circuit relief according to the use requirement, for example, after the paired connectors are separated from each other, the short-circuit mechanism works to short-circuit the contact and the shell in the connectors, namely, the self-short-circuit state is realized; after the connectors are plugged, the short-circuit state caused by the short-circuit mechanism is automatically released, and the normal connection state is recovered. A need also exists for a multiconnector including a plurality of electrical contacts that are self-shorting configured to achieve an automatic short circuit between adjacent terminals.

In the prior art, a separate shorting structure (e.g., an elastic shorting tab) is often used to connect adjacent plug terminals to realize self-shorting. In modular connectors, design features to achieve self-shorting functionality are lacking.

SUMMERY OF THE UTILITY MODEL

The utility model provides a modular connector with a novel structure and a self-short circuit function, which utilizes a special terminal structure to realize self-short circuit in a non-plugging state and utilizes a special plug module shell characteristic to realize self-short circuit release in a plugging state.

According to one aspect of the present invention, a modular connector is provided, which includes a first ferrule module and a second ferrule module that are mated with each other, and is characterized in that the first ferrule module includes a first insulating core, a plurality of first plug terminals are disposed in the first insulating core, the plurality of first plug terminals are disposed in corresponding terminal holes of the first insulating core, each first plug terminal includes a connection base and a plug portion, the plug portion and the connection base are connected and extend outward from the connection base, the first plug terminal further includes a leg structure, the leg structure extends from the connection base, the plug portion of the first plug terminal is disposed in the terminal hole of the first insulating core, the leg structure is disposed outside the terminals of the hole of the first insulating core, the second ferrule module includes a second insulating core, the second insulating core body is internally provided with a plurality of second plug terminals which are used for realizing butt-joint plug-in connection with the first plug terminals, the second insulating core body is further provided with an insulating partition, the first insulating core body is further provided with a butt-joint receiving hole, when the first ferrule module and the second ferrule module are installed together in a butt-joint mode, the insulating partition of the second insulating core body penetrates through the receiving hole of the first insulating core body and is inserted between the side leg structures of the first plug terminals which are adjacent in position, and therefore the electric connection between the adjacent side leg structures is removed.

In the above modular connector, the plurality of first plug terminals include one or more plug terminal pairs, each plug terminal pair includes two plug terminals disposed symmetrically in space, the leg structures of the two plug terminals are opposite to each other and can be contacted to form an electrical connection, and the number of the insulating barriers corresponds to the number of the plug terminal pairs.

In the above modular connector, the insulating barrier includes a pair of side support walls and a lateral spacer extending between the pair of side support walls, the lateral spacer is higher than the side support walls, and an insertion guide is formed at a top of the lateral spacer.

In the above modular connector, the insertion guide portion includes a pair of inclined surfaces whose mutual distances gradually decrease and which eventually intersect.

In the above modular connector, the receiving hole of the first insulating core has an i-shaped cross section.

In the above modular connector, the insertion guide portion has an arc-shaped constricted section at a middle portion thereof.

In the modular connector, the insulating barrier is positioned on the terminal plugging surface of the second ferrule module, and the extending direction of the insulating barrier is consistent with the extending direction of the second plugging terminal.

In the above-mentioned modular connector, the end of limit leg structure includes the short circuit arc portion, the short circuit arc portion is constructed to be kept away from grafting portion along a section pitch arc gradually, then returns, forms a tail and colludes.

In the above-described modular connector, the wiring base is configured as a frame body formed by a substrate and walls at both ends of the substrate, and the leg structure is connected to and extends from the first wall at one end of the substrate.

In the above modular connector, the frame of the wiring base is a wiring frame.

In the above modular connector, the leg structure is configured as a resilient arm structure.

In the above modular connector, the maximum distance between the end of the side leg structure and the axis of the insertion part is greater than the distance between the first wall and the axis of the insertion part.

In the above modular connector, the first ferrule module is a female-end ferrule module, and the second ferrule module is a male-end ferrule module.

In the above modular connector, the first mating terminal is a receptacle terminal, and the second mating terminal is a pin terminal.

In the above modular connector, the first ferrule module is a male-end ferrule module, the second ferrule module is a female-end ferrule module, the first plug terminal is a pin terminal, and the second plug terminal is a jack terminal.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a female-end ferrule module of a modular self-shorting connector according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of a male ferrule module of a modular self-shorting connector according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 3 is an assembled schematic view of the female-end ferrule module shown in fig. 1 and the male-end ferrule module shown in fig. 2.

Fig. 4A is an exploded view of the female-end ferrule module shown in fig. 1.

Figure 4B is an exploded view of the male-end ferrule module shown in figure 2.

Fig. 5A is a schematic diagram of a receptacle terminal in the female-end ferrule module shown in fig. 1.

Fig. 5B is a schematic diagram of the relationship between the receptacle terminal, the wire pressing spring and the push block in the female-end ferrule module shown in fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is a schematic view of the pin terminals in the male-end ferrule module shown in fig. 2.

Fig. 7 is a schematic view of the insulating barrier in the male-end ferrule module shown in fig. 2.

Fig. 8A is a cross-sectional view of a male and female end ferrule module mated, but not plugged in place, according to an embodiment of the utility model.

Figure 8B is a cross-sectional view of a male end ferrule module and a female end ferrule module mated and mated in place according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Some of the reference numbers:

10 a cover; 20 jack terminals; 30 female end core insert module; 40 male end insert core module; 50 pin terminals; 100 a connector kit; 210 a wiring base; 211 a substrate; 212 a first wall; 213 a second wall; 220 a plug-in part; 230, 230A, 230B leg structures; 235 short-circuit the arc part; 236 tail hook; 240 wire pressing springs; 250, pushing blocks; 301 female end ferrule housing; 310 receiving holes; 401 male end ferrule housing; 410 insulating barrier; 411, 412 side support walls; 413 transverse spacers; 414 into the guide portion; 415 arc-shaped contraction section

Detailed Description

In the following description, the utility model is described with reference to various embodiments. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that the embodiments may be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other alternative and/or additional methods, materials, or components. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of embodiments of the utility model. Similarly, for purposes of explanation, specific numbers, materials and configurations are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments of the utility model. However, the utility model may be practiced without specific details. Further, it should be understood that the embodiments shown in the figures are illustrative representations and are not necessarily drawn to scale.

The utility model will be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a female-end ferrule module 30 of a modular self-shorting connector according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of a male ferrule module 40 of a modular self-shorting connector according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 3 is an assembled schematic view of the female-end ferrule module shown in fig. 1 and the male-end ferrule module shown in fig. 2. The female and

male ferrule modules

30, 40 are in a structural mating relationship and can be plugged together as shown in fig. 3. Although not all of the details are shown in fig. 3, it is understood that a mated connector set 100 can be obtained by mounting the female ferrule module 30 within the clamping frame of the female connector and the male ferrule module 40 within the clamping frame of the male connector.

Figure 4A is an exploded view of the female end ferrule module 30 shown in figure 1. The female-end ferrule module 30 may include a female-end ferrule housing 301 and a cover 10, and a plurality of receptacle terminals 20 may be mounted in corresponding terminal positions of the female-end ferrule housing 301, and further include a wire pressing spring 240 for clamping wires and a push block 250 for withdrawing wires. With reference to fig. 1-3 and 4A, it will be appreciated that the lower portion of the female ferrule housing 301 can be inserted into the housing of the male ferrule module 40.

Figure 4B is an exploded view of the male end ferrule module 40 shown in figure 2. Fig. 6 is a schematic structural view of the pin terminal 50 in the male-end ferrule module 40 shown in fig. 2. The pin terminal 50 can be inserted into the mating part 220 of the socket terminal 20 to form a mating connection. It will be appreciated that the exploded view of the male-end ferrule module 40 of fig. 4B is similar in many respects to the exploded view of the female-end ferrule module 30 of fig. 4A, but with the receptacle terminal 20 replaced with the pin terminal 50 and the female-end ferrule housing 301 replaced with the male-end ferrule housing 401.

Based on the female-end ferrule module 30 shown in fig. 1, a connector having a self-shorting function may be implemented, which is at least partially accomplished by the particular configuration of the receptacle terminals 20. Fig. 5A is a schematic structural view of the receptacle terminal in the female-end ferrule module shown in fig. 1, illustratively showing details of this particular configuration. Specifically, the receptacle terminal 20 shown in fig. 5A may be a structure in which a metal sheet is bent several times, and includes a base portion 210 and a plug portion 220, and the base portion 210 and the plug portion 220 are connected to each other. In fig. 5A, the plugging portion 220 is configured to extend along a plugging direction (a wire feeding direction) of the receptacle terminal. The wiring base 210 is configured as a frame body formed of a base sheet 211 and first and

second walls

212 and 213 at both ends thereof. A leg structure 230 is connected to the first wall 212 at one end of the base 211 and extends from the first wall 212. The extension direction of the leg structure 230 and the extension direction of the mating part 220 are substantially parallel, i.e. extend along the mating direction of the mating terminal. Fig. 5B is a schematic diagram of the relationship between the hole terminal 20, the wire pressing spring 240 and the pushing block 250 in the female-end ferrule module 30 shown in fig. 1. As will be understood from fig. 4A and 5B, the restoring force of the wire pressing spring 240 may clamp the wires located in the space of the wiring base 210. When the wire needs to be withdrawn, the pushing block 250 is pushed downwards by a tool, so that the wire pressing spring 240 is deformed, and the wire clamping arm of the wire pressing spring 24 is unlocked.

As shown in fig. 5A, leg structure 230 is preferably configured as a resilient arm structure. The elasticity of such resilient arms facilitates the formation of a reliable electrical contact. Leg structure 230 may be a generally elongated piece of metal with a surface that is substantially perpendicular to the surface of substrate 211. A short arcuate segment 235 is formed at the end of leg structure 230. short arcuate segment 235 is structurally configured to move progressively along an arcuate path away from mating portion 220 and back to form a tail 236. That is, the distance between the short-circuit arc portion 235 and the axis of the plug portion 220 along the extending direction of the leg structure 230 (the plugging direction of the plug terminal) is gradually increased and then gradually decreased.

In order to make the side leg structure 230 fully perform the self-short function, the maximum distance between the end of the side leg structure 230 and the axis of the insertion part 220 is larger than the distance between the first wall 212 and the axis of the insertion part 220. This causes the distal end of the leg structure 230 to be spaced further from the axis of the mating part 220 than the frame of the wiring base 210, which facilitates electrical contact between the distal end of the leg structure 230 of one receptacle terminal 20 and the leg structure 230 of another receptacle terminal 20 that is spaced symmetrically.

Fig. 8A is a cross-sectional view of a male end ferrule module 40 and a female end ferrule module 30 mated, but not yet plugged, in place according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 8B is a cross-sectional view of the male and

female ferrule modules

40, 30 mated and mated in place according to an embodiment of the utility model. Referring to fig. 8A and 8B, it can be appreciated that the mating parts 220 of the receptacle terminals 20 are inserted into the terminal holes of the female-end ferrule housing 301, while the leg structures 230 are located outside the terminal holes of the female-end ferrule housing 301.

Comparing fig. 8A and 8B, it can be seen that when the male-end ferrule module 40 and the female-end ferrule module 30 are not inserted in place, the

side leg structures

230A and 230B of two adjacent jack terminals are electrically contacted, so as to realize self-short circuit. When the male-end ferrule module 40 and the female-end ferrule module 30 are mated and inserted in place, the insulating barrier 410 in the male-end ferrule module 40 enters between the

side leg structures

230A and 230B of two adjacent jack terminals, so that the electrical connection between the two jack terminals is released, i.e., the self-short circuit state is released.

The insulating barrier 410 in the male end ferrule module 40 is shown in greater detail in fig. 2 and 7, and the mating structure on the female end ferrule module 30 is shown in greater detail in fig. 1. As shown in fig. 2, the insulating barrier 410 is located on the terminal mating face of the female ferrule module 40 and extends in the same direction as the pin terminals 50. As shown in fig. 1, receiving holes 310 are formed in the terminal mating surface of the male ferrule module 30 to mate with the insulating spacers 410. The receiving hole 310 may have a cross-section that matches the shape of the insulating barrier 410, such as the "I" shaped cross-section shown in the embodiment. It will be appreciated that the insulative barrier 410 will pass through the receiving bore 310 when the female and

male ferrule modules

30 and 40 are mated together based on the mating relationship in terms of the location and shape of the insulative barrier 410 and the receiving bore 310.

As shown in fig. 1 and 2, in the embodiment having three pairs of pin terminals 50 and three pairs of receptacle terminals 20, the number of insulating barriers 410 is three, i.e., the number of insulating barriers 410 corresponds to the number of pairs of jack terminals. However, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited thereto, and one insulating barrier 410 may be provided for a plurality of pairs of plug terminals as needed.

As shown in fig. 7, the insulating barrier 410 includes a pair of

side support walls

411 and 412 and a cross-piece 413 extending between the pair of side support walls. The lateral spacers 413 are made higher than the

side support walls

411 and 412, and an insertion guide 414 is formed at the top of the lateral spacers 413. The shape of the insertion guide 414 facilitates its insertion into the

side legs

230A and 230B of two receptacle terminals 20 located adjacently. For example, the insertion guide 414 may be shaped as a pair of inclined surfaces whose mutual distances gradually decrease and finally intersect. In addition, as shown in fig. 7, the insertion guide 414 has an arcuate constriction 415 in the middle, which is shaped to better fit the short circuit arcs 235 on the leg structure 230 of the mating part 220, reducing insertion resistance.

In the embodiment described with reference to fig. 1-7, the leg structure 230 is part of the receptacle terminal 20 and the insulating barrier 410 is formed in the male ferrule module 40. It is understood that the leg structure may also be formed as part of the pin terminals 50 and form an insulating barrier in the female ferrule module 30.

Having thus described the basic concept, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the foregoing disclosure is by way of example only, and is not intended to limit the present application. Various modifications, improvements and adaptations to the present application may occur to those skilled in the art, although not explicitly described herein. Such modifications, improvements and adaptations are proposed in the present application and thus fall within the spirit and scope of the embodiments of the present application.

Claims

1. A modular connector comprising a first ferrule module and a second ferrule module mated with each other,

the first ferrule module comprises a first insulating core body, a plurality of first plug terminals are arranged in the first insulating core body, the plurality of first plug terminals are arranged in corresponding terminal hole positions of the first insulating core body, each first plug terminal comprises a wiring base part and a plug part, the plug parts are connected with the wiring base parts and extend outwards from the wiring base parts, each first plug terminal further comprises a side leg structure, the side leg structures extend out of the wiring base parts, the plug parts of the first plug terminals are positioned in the terminal hole positions of the first insulating core body, and the side leg structures are positioned outside the terminal hole positions of the first insulating core body,

the second ferrule module comprises a second insulating core body, a plurality of second plug terminals are arranged in the second insulating core body and are used for realizing matching plug with the first plug terminals,

when the first ferrule module and the second ferrule module are installed together in a matching manner, the insulating barrier of the second insulating core penetrates through the receiving hole of the first insulating core and is inserted between the side leg structures of the first plug-in terminals adjacent to each other, and therefore the electrical connection between the adjacent side leg structures is released.

2. The modular connector of claim 1, wherein the first plurality of jack terminals includes one or more jack terminal pairs, each jack terminal pair including two jack terminals positioned in spatial symmetry with the leg structures of the two jack terminals facing each other and capable of contacting to form an electrical connection,

the number of the insulation barriers corresponds to the number of the plug terminal pairs.

3. The modular connector according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the insulating barrier comprises a pair of side support walls and a crosspiece extending between the pair of side support walls, the crosspiece being higher than the side support walls, an insertion guide being formed at a top of the crosspiece.

4. The modular connector of claim 3, wherein the insertion guide includes a pair of inclined surfaces that gradually decrease in distance from each other and eventually meet.

5. The modular connector of claim 3, wherein said receiving bore of said first insulative core has an "i" shaped cross-section.

6. The modular connector of claim 3, wherein the insertion guide has an arcuate constriction in a middle portion thereof.

7. The modular connector of claim 1, wherein the insulative barrier is positioned on the terminal mating face of the second ferrule module and extends in a direction generally aligned with the direction of extension of the second mating terminal.

8. The modular connector of claim 1, wherein the distal end of the leg structure includes a shorting arc configured to move progressively along an arc away from the mating portion and back to form a tail.

9. The modular connector of claim 1, wherein the wiring base is configured as a frame formed by a substrate and walls at both ends of the substrate, the leg structure being connected to and extending from a first wall at one end of the substrate.

10. The modular connector of claim 9, wherein the frame of the wire base is a wire frame.

11. The modular connector of claim 10, wherein the leg structure is configured as a resilient arm structure.

12. The modular connector of claim 10, wherein the maximum distance between the distal end of the leg structure and the axis of the mating part is greater than the distance between the first wall and the axis of the mating part.

13. The modular connector of claim 1, wherein the first ferrule module is a female-end ferrule module and the second ferrule module is a male-end ferrule module.

14. The modular connector of claim 13, wherein the first jack terminal is a receptacle terminal and the second jack terminal is a pin terminal.

15. The modular connector of claim 1, wherein the first ferrule module is a male-end ferrule module, the second ferrule module is a female-end ferrule module, the first mating terminal is a pin terminal, and the second mating terminal is a receptacle terminal.