Two-points-and-one-line push-in terminal capable of secure positioning and connector using the same

Abstract

A two-points-and-one-line push-in terminal capable of secure positioning includes a terminal body and a busbar, and can be mounted in a housing to form a connector. The terminal body is formed by stamping and bending an elastic metal plate, has a U-shaped longitudinal cross section, and includes a front upstanding insertion leg, a horizontal joining foot, and a rear upstanding insertion leg. The elastic metal plate can be divided by at least two slits into at least four independent sections, each having a U-shaped slit defining a pressing spring finger and a pressing frame. The busbar can be mounted on the horizontal joining foot. An electric wire can be passed through a corresponding pair of the U-shaped slits so as to abut against the free ends of the corresponding pressing spring fingers and the busbar and be restrained in the corresponding pressing frames, which serves as the two-points-and-one-line positioning mechanism.

Claims

1. A push-in terminal, comprising: a terminal body formed by stamping and bending an elastic metal plate, having: a U-shaped longitudinal cross section, and comprising: a horizontal joining foot having a front end and a rear end; at least one front upstanding insertion leg jointed to the front end of the horizontal joining foot, and formed with: a first bending line at the joint between the front upstanding insertion leg and the horizontal joining foot; and at least one slit that divides the front upstanding insertion leg into at least two independent sections, each having a first U-shaped slit defining a front pressing frame and a front pressing spring finger having a free end and an opposite end integrally connected to the independent section, extends downward from a top edge of the front upstanding insertion leg, and terminates at a position adjacent to the first bending line; and at least one rear upstanding insertion leg jointed to the rear end of the horizontal joining foot, and formed with: a second bending line at the joint between the rear upstanding insertion leg and the horizontal joining foot; and at least one slit that divides the rear upstanding insertion leg into at least two independent sections, each having a second U-shaped slit defining a rear pressing frame and a rear pressing spring linger having a free end and an opposite end integrally connected to the independent section, extends downward from a top edge of the rear upstanding insertion leg, and terminates at a position adjacent to the second bending line, wherein the first U-shaped slit and the corresponding second U-shaped slit lie on the same insertion axis, the front pressing frame and the rear pressing frame that lie on the same insertion axis correspond to each other, and the free ends of the front pressing spring finger and the rear pressing spring finger extend slantingly toward an rear end of the insertion axis and are configured to abut against a conductor at a stripped end of an electric wire; and an electrically conductive busbar configured to be mounted on a top surface of the horizontal joining foot and to conduct the horizontal joining foot and the terminal body with a power source, and having an abutting surface formed on a top surface of the busbar that faces the insertion axes and configured to abut against the conductor, grip, along with the free ends of the front pressing spring finger and the rear pressing spring finger, the conductor in the push-in terminal, and restrain, along with the free ends of the front pressing spring finger and the rear pressing spring finger, the conductor in the corresponding front pressing frame and rear pressing frame.

2. The push-in terminal according to claim 1, wherein a configuration collectively formed by the first U-shaped slit, the second U-shaped slit, the front pressing spring finger, the rear pressing spring finger, the front pressing frame and the rear pressing frame corresponds to a cross-sectional configuration of the conductor so that the free ends of the front pressing spring finger and the rear pressing spring finger and the abutting surface respectively abut against the conductor to grip the conductor in the push-in terminal and conduct the conductor with the busbar once the conductor has been sequentially passed the first U-shaped slit and the second U-shaped slit.

3. A push-in connector, comprising: a terminal body formed by stamping and bending an elastic metal plate, having a U-shaped longitudinal cross section, and comprising: a horizontal joining foot having a front end and a rear end; at least one front upstanding insertion leg jointed to the front end of the horizontal joining foot, and formed with: a first bending line at the joint between the front upstanding insertion leg and the horizontal joining foot; and at least one slit that divides the front upstanding insertion leg into at least two independent sections, each having a first U-shaped slit defining a front pressing frame and a front pressing spring finger having a free end and an opposite end integrally connected to the independent section, extends downward from a top edge of the front upstanding insertion leg, and terminates at a position adjacent to the first bending line; and at least one rear upstanding insertion leg jointed to the rear end of the horizontal joining foot, and formed with: a second bending line at the joint between the rear upstanding insertion leg and the horizontal joining foot; and at least one slit that divides the rear upstanding insertion leg, into at least two independent sections, each having a second U-shaped slit defining a rear pressing frame and a rear pressing spring finger having a free end and an opposite end integrally connected to the independent section, extends downward from a top edge of the rear upstanding insertion leg, and terminates at a position adjacent to the second bending line, wherein the first U-shaped slit and the corresponding second U-shaped slit lie on the same insertion axis, the front pressing frame and the rear pressing frame that lie on the same insertion axis correspond to each other, and the free ends of the front pressing spring finger and the rear pressing spring finger extend slantingly toward an rear end of the insertion axis and are configured to abut against conductor at a stripped end of an electric wire; an electrically conductive busbar configured to be mounted on a top surface of the horizontal joining foot and to conduct the horizontal joining foot and the terminal body with a power source, and having an abutting surface formed on a top surface of the busbar that faces the insertion axes and configured to abut against the conductor, and grip, along with the free ends of the front pressing spring finger and the rear pressing spring finger, the conductor in the push-in terminal; and an insulative housing, having: a hollow interior for mounting the terminal body therein, having a configuration matching a configuration of the terminal body; and at least two connection ports, each formed at a front side of the housing, in communication with the hollow interior, and configured to be inserted with the conductor.

4. The push-in connector according to claim 3, wherein a configuration collectively formed by the first U-shaped slit, the second U-shaped slit, the front pressing spring finger, the rear pressing spring finger, the front pressing frame and the rear pressing frame corresponds to a cross-sectional configuration of the conductor so that the free ends of the front pressing spring finger and the rear pressing spring finger and the abutting surface respectively abut against the conductor to grip the conductor in the push-in connector and conduct the conductor with the busbar once the conductor has been sequentially passed the first U-shaped slit and the second U-shaped slit.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The present disclosure will become more fully understood from the following detailed description and accompanying drawings.

(2) FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a conventional push-in connector.

(3) FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the conventional push-in connector.

(4) FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the spring assembly of the conventional push-in connector.

(5) FIG. 4 is a rear view of the spring assembly of the conventional push-in connector.

(6) FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional of the spring assembly of the conventional push-in connector.

(7) FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of the busbar of the conventional push-in connector.

(8) FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view of the conventional push-in connector being connected with an electric wire.

(9) FIG. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view of the spring assembly of the conventional push-in connector being connected with an electric wire.

(10) FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a plurality of electric wires shifted in place in the conventional push-in connector.

(11) FIG. 10 is a front perspective vie of a push-in connector according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure.

(12) FIG. 11 is a longitudinal sectional view of the push-in connector according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure.

(13) FIG. 12 is a rear perspective view of the terminal body of the push-in connector according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure.

(14) FIG. 13 is a longitudinal sectional view of the push-in connector according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure being connected with an electric wire.

(15) FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing the push-in connector according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure being connected with a plurality of electric wires.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(16) To facilitate understanding of the difference between the “one-point-and-one-line” positioning mechanism adopted by the conventional spring members and the embodiments of Improved Busbar Patents and the “two-points-and-one-line” positioning mechanism according to the present disclosure, the “one-point-and-one-line” positioning mechanism is first described as follows, with the embodiments of Improved Busbar Patents being taken as examples, so that the novelty/distinctness and the utility of the “two-points-and-one-line” positioning mechanism according to the present disclosure can be more clearly presented.

(17) Referring to FIG. 7, the reason that the conductor C at a stripped end of an electric wire W inserted into the push-in connector 10 can be damaged in a drastically changing (e.g., violently shaking, swinging, or vibrating) environment after being passed through one of the connection ports 34 and connected to and held in place by the spring assembly 38 would be further elaborated infra. As stated above, the damage may result in a substantial increase of the impedance of the conductor C at the stripped end of the electric wire W, and the increased impedance may in turn lead to a high temperature that causes the conductor C at the stripped end of the electric wire W, the spring assembly 38, and the live-sided case 14 to soften, undergo metal fatigue, and deform. Even worse, the spring assembly 38 may lose its intended gripping and pressing functions as a result, and in that case, the loosely gripped conductor C at the stripped end of the electric wire W either may experience an improper temperature rise, if not causing an electrical fire, or can be easily detached from the push-in connector 10 by an external force (e.g., a pulling, tugging, swinging, or other moving force) such that the electrical system involved malfunctions, gets damaged, or becomes unserviceable.

(18) Specifically, the spring assembly 38 used in the embodiment of Improved Busbar Patents, as well as the conventional spring members described supra, has the basic configuration shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 and is composed of the spring member 42 and the busbar 40 fixed on the spring member 42. The spring member 42 is formed by stamping and bending an elastic metal plate and includes the upstanding leg 48 and the horizontal foot 44. The joint between the upstanding leg 48 and the horizontal foot 44 forms the bending line 46. The horizontal foot 44 is electrically connected to the busbar 40 in order to receive electricity from the busbar 40. Referring again to FIG. 4, FIG. 5, and FIG. 6, the two slits 50 are formed in the elastic metal plate while the elastic metal plate is stamped to form the upstanding leg 48. The slits 50 divide the elastic metal plate into the three independent sections 52. Each slit 50 extends downward from the top edge of the upstanding leg 48 and terminates at a position adjacent to the bending line 46. Each independent section 52 further includes the U-shaped slit 54 formed by stamping, and each U-shaped slit 54 defines the restraining spring finger 56 of the corresponding independent section 52. Each restraining spring finger 56 is integrally connected to the corresponding independent section 52 at one end 57 and has the opposite free end 58 extending slantingly into the hollow interior 28 of the five-sided case 14.

(19) Referring again to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the end 58 (i.e., free end 58) of each restraining spring finger 56 is curved toward the rear side of the hollow interior 28 and extends toward the horizontal foot 44 such that the free end 58 and the remainder of the independent section 52 form the included angle θ, at which the restraining spring finger 56 can produce the optimal gripping and pressing force to thereby grip and secure at the correct position, the conductor C at a stripped end of an electric wire W inserted into the push-in connector 10, with the conductor C at the stripped end of the electric wire W pressed securely against the busbar 40 to establish a stable electrically conductive relationship between the conductor C at the stripped end of the electric wire W and the busbar 40.

(20) Referring again to FIG. 7, when an operator inserts the conductor C at a stripped end of an electric wire W into one of the connection ports 34 of the push-in connector 10, the conductor C at the stripped end of the electric wire W extends into the hollow interior 28 of the push-in connector 10 until the terminal end E of the conductor C at the stripped end of the electric wire W is pressed against the outer side of the corresponding restraining spring finger 56. After that, the operator only has to apply a pushing force I toward the rear side of the push-in connector 10, thereby pushing the conductor C at the stripped end of the electric wire W rearward, and the corresponding restraining spring finger 56 will be bent in a direction away from the conductor C at the stripped end of the electric wire W (as indicated by the arrow B), allowing the terminal end E of the conductor C at the stripped end of the electric wire W to move past the corresponding U-shaped slit 54. Once the conductor C at the stripped end of the electric wire W touches the busbar 40, and the terminal end E of the conductor C stops applying the pushing force I to the outer side of the corresponding restraining spring finger 56, the corresponding restraining spring finger 56 is driven by its elastic restoring force and turned toward the conductor C at the stripped end of the electric wire W (as indicated by the arrow P). In consequence, the free end 58 of the corresponding restraining spring finger 56 is pressed firmly against the conductor C at the stripped end of the electric wire W, and the conductor C at the stripped end of the electric wire W is pressed tightly on the busbar 40.

(21) Thus, with the free end 58 of the corresponding restraining spring finger 56 pressed at a positioning point F1, that is, at “one point”, on the conductor C at the stripped end of the electric wire W, the conductor C at the stripped end of the electric wire W is precisely positioned on the corresponding wire-crossing axis 68, that is, on the “one line”, forming, a “one-point-and-one-line” positioning mechanism, which aims to not only allow the conductor C at the stripped end of the electric wire W to be tightly pressed on and form a secure electrical connection with the busbar 40, but also to effectively prevent the conductor at the stripped end of the electric wire W from separating from the free end 58 of the corresponding restraining spring finger 56 easily, and hence from being pulled out of the five-sided case 14 readily by someone else or due to an incident (e.g., when violent shaking, swinging, or vibration takes place in the environment), so as to increase the convenience of making an electrical connection for an electrical system and the safety and stability of the electrical connection made.

(22) However, whether the conventional spring members have the same configurational details as the spring assembly 38 in the embodiment of Improved Busbar Patents, a drastic change violent shaking, swinging, or vibration) in the environment where the push-in connector 10 and the electric wire W inserted therein are located may generate an environmental force that subjects the conductor C at the stripped end of the electric wire W and the push-in connector 10 to a torsional force (as indicated by the arrow R) that inevitably drives the conductor C at the stripped end of the electric wire W to rotate in the push-in connector 10. As the “one-point-and-one-line” positioning mechanism is too weak to stop the conductor C at the stripped end of the electric wire W from rotating in the push-in connector 10 along the corresponding wire-crossing axis 68, the conductor C at the stripped end of the electric wire W will keep rotating axially in the push-in connector 10. Consequently, the conductor C, e.g., stranded conductor, at the stripped end of the electric wire W is radially cut by an edge A of the free end 58 of the restraining spring finger 56 that presses on the conductor C at the stripped end of the electric wire W. As the axial rotation of the conductor C at the stripped end of the electric wire W continues in the push-in connector 10, the cross-sectional area of the conductor C at the stripped end of the electric wire W is bound to be reduced substantially in the end, e.g., from the originally designed initial cross-sectional area A1 to the damaged final cross-sectional area A2 (i.e., A2<A1), resulting in a substantial increase of the impedance of the conductor C at the stripped end of the electric wire W. Should this happen, the conductor C at the stripped end of the electric wire W, the spring, assembly 38, and the five-sided case 14 are very likely to soften, undergo metal fatigue, and deform under high heat, or even worse, the spring assembly 38 may lose its intended gripping and pressing functions such that the loosely gripped conductor C at the stripped end of the electric wire W either experiences an improper temperature rise, if not causing an electrical fire, or can be easily detached from the push-in connector 10 by an external force (e.g., a pulling, tugging, swinging, or other moving force), leading to malfunction, damage, or unserviceability of the electrical system involved.

(23) In light of the aforesaid issues that have long been associated with the “one-point-and-one-line” positioning mechanism used by the conventional spring members and the embodiment of Improved Busbar Patents, based on more than forty years of practical experience in the development, design, and manufacture of various electrical or electronic connectors, and repeated designing, manufacturing, testing and process improving, the present disclosure provides a two-points-and-one-line push-in terminal capable of secure positioning and a connector using the same. The push-in terminal and the connector using the same enable easier and more rapid assembly, and prevent the conductor at a stripped end of an electric wire inserted into a push-in connector from axial rotation in the push-in connector when in a drastically changing (e.g., violently shaking, swinging, or vibrating) environment, thereby ensuring that the push-in connector and the conductor at the stripped end of the electric wire will stay intact, that an electrical connection can always be conveniently made for an electrical system through the push-in connector, and that the electrical connection made will remain safe and stable.

(24) Referring to FIG. 11 and FIG. 12, in certain embodiments, a two-points-and-one-line push-in terminal capable of secure positioning, includes a terminal body 71 and a busbar 80. As shown in FIG. 12, the terminal body 71, which is formed by stamping and bending an elastic metal plate, has a U-shaped longitudinal cross section and includes, sequentially in a front-to-rear direction, at least one front upstanding insertion leg 711, a horizontal joining foot 712, and at least one rear upstanding insertion leg 713. The upstanding insertion legs 711 and 713 are joined to the front end and the rear end of the horizontal joining foot 712 respectively, and each of the joints between the upstanding insertion leg 711 and the horizontal joining foot 712 and between the rear upstanding insertion leg 713 and the horizontal joining foot 712 forms a bending line 716. With continued reference to FIG. 12, at least two slits 710 are formed in the elastic metal plate while the elastic metal plate is stamped to form the front upstanding insertion leg 711 and the rear upstanding insertion leg 713, which can divide the elastic metal plate into at least four independent sections 71A. Referring to FIG. 11 to FIG. 13, the elastic metal plate is formed with four slits 710 that divide the elastic metal plate into six independent sections 71A. The number of the slits 710 and the number of the independent sections 71A, however, are not limited to those disclosed herein and may be increased or decreased according to practical needs.

(25) Each slit 710 extends downward from the top edge of the corresponding upstanding insertion leg 711 or 713 and terminates at a position adjacent to the corresponding bending line 716. Each independent section 71A further includes a U-shaped slit 71C formed by stamping. The U-shaped slits 71C are respectively formed in each of the front upstanding insertion leg 711 and the rear upstanding insertion leg 713. The U-shaped slits 71C formed respectively in the front upstanding insertion leg 711 and the rear upstanding insertion leg 713 correspond in pairs. The U-shaped slits 71C corresponding to each other lie on the same insertion axis 718, and define a front pressing spring finger 711A and a front pressing frame 711B of the corresponding independent section 71A of the front upstanding insertion leg 711 and a rear pressing spring finger 713A and a rear pressing frame 713B. Each of the front pressing spring finger 711A and the rear pressing spring finger 713A has one end integrally connected to the corresponding independent section 71A and an opposite free end 71B extending slantingly toward the rear end of the corresponding insertion axis 718. Moreover, the front and rear pressing frames 711B and 713B lying respectively on the same insertion axes 718 correspond to each other.

(26) With continued reference to FIG. 11 and FIG. 12, the busbar 80 can be a strip like element including a highly electrically conductive material such as copper or tin-coated copper, and serves mainly to connect with a power source. The bottom surface of the busbar 80 can be mounted on, or connected to, the top surface of the horizontal joining foot 712 in order to conduct the horizontal joining foot 712 and the terminal body 71 with the power source. The top surface of the busbar 80 is formed with an abutting surface 81 facing the insertion axes 718. Referring to FIG. 13, the configurations of, and therefore an configuration formed collectively by, the U-shaped slits 71C, the front and rear pressing spring fingers 711A and 713A, the front and rear pressing frames 711B and 713B, and the abutting surface 81 correspond to or match the cross-sectional configuration of the conductor C at a stripped end of an electric wire W so that when the conductor C at the stripped end of the electric wire W is passed sequentially through a corresponding pair of the U-shaped slits 71C, the conductor C at the stripped end of the electric wire W abuts securely against the free ends 71B of the corresponding pressing spring fingers 711A and 713A and a top portion of the abutting surface 81. The free end 71B of the corresponding front pressing spring finger 711A and the free end 71B of the corresponding rear pressing spring finger 713A are pressed respectively at different positioning points F3 and F2, that is, the “two points” according to the present disclosure, that are arranged along the corresponding insertion axis 718, on the top edge of the conductor C at the stripped end of the electric wire W and thereby force the bottom edge of the conductor C at the stripped end of the electric wire W, that is, the “one line” according to the present disclosure, to abut securely against the abutting surface 81 on the top side of the busbar 80. The conductor C at the stripped end of the electric wire W, therefore, can be mounted rapidly, conveniently, precisely, safely, and securely to the terminal body 71 by the “two-points-and-one-line” mechanism and be restrained in the corresponding front and rear pressing frames 711B and 713B (as shown in FIG. 14). Accordingly, the electric wire W can be confined to the aforesaid position and cannot be shifted horizontally to a great extent. Thus, each two adjacent electric wires W inserted into the push-in terminal will be kept from touching or pushing each other, and hence from being in electrical conduction with each other through the terminal body 71 and the busbar 80 as may otherwise occur if either wire is shifted horizontally to a great extent. In addition, the conductor C at the stripped end of each electric wire W and the push-in terminal will be kept from such abnormalities as being shifted horizontally to a great extent, twisting, or getting loose with respect to each other or separating from each other, thereby preventing tire accidents and malfunctions attributable to the aforesaid abnormalities.

(27) Referring again to FIG. 10 to FIG. 13, a two-points-and-one-line push-in connector 70 capable of secure positioning, includes a terminal body 71, a busbar 80, and a housing 90. The terminal body 71 is formed by stamping and bending an elastic metal plate, has a U-shaped longitudinal cross section, and includes, sequentially in a front-to-rear direction, at least one front upstanding insertion leg 711, a horizontal joining foot 712, and at least cane rear upstanding insertion leg 13, The front and rear upstanding insertion legs 711 and 713 are joined to the front end and the rear end of the horizontal joining foot 712 respectively, and each of the joints between the upstanding insertion leg 711 and the horizontal joining loot 712 and between the rear upstanding insertion leg 713 and the horizontal joining foot 712 forms a bending line 716. With continued reference to FIG. 12, at east two slits 710 are formed in the elastic metal plate while the elastic metal plate is stamped to form the front upstanding insertion leg 711 and the rear upstanding insertion leg 713, which can divide the elastic metal plate into at least four independent sections 71A. Referring to FIG. 11 to FIG. 13, the elastic metal plate is formed with four slits 710 that divide the elastic metal plate into six independent sections 71A. The number of the slits 710 and the number of the independent sections 71A, however, are not limited to those disclosed herein and may be increased or decreased according to practical needs.

(28) Each slit 710 extends downward from the top edge of the corresponding upstanding insertion leg 711 or 713 and terminates at a position adjacent to the corresponding bending line 716. Each independent section 71A further includes a U-shaped slit 71C formed by stamping. The U-shaped slits 71C are respectively formed in each of the front upstanding insertion leg 711 and the rear upstanding insertion leg 713. The U-shaped slits 71C formed respectively in the front upstanding insertion leg 711 and the rear upstanding insertion leg 713 correspond in pairs. The U-shaped slits 71C corresponding to each other be on the same insertion axis 718, and define a front pressing spring finger 711A and a front pressing frame 711B of the corresponding independent section 71A of the front upstanding insertion leg 711 and a rear pressing spring finger 713A and a rear pressing frame 713B of the corresponding independent section 71A of the rear upstanding insertion leg 713. Each of the front pressing spring finger 711A and the rear pressing spring linger 713A has one end integrally connected to the corresponding independent section 71A and an opposite free end 71B extending slantingly toward the rear end of the corresponding insertion axis 718. Moreover, the front and rear pressing frames 711B and 713B lying respectively on the same insertion axes 718 correspond to each other.

(29) With continued reference to FIG. 11 and FIG. 12, the busbar 80 can be a strip-like element including a highly electrically conductive material such as copper or tin-coated copper, and serves mainly to connect with a power source. The bottom surface of the busbar 80 can be mounted on, or connected to, the top surface of the horizontal joining foot 712 in order to conduct the horizontal joining foot 712 and the terminal body 71 with the power source. The top surface of the busbar 80 is formed with an abutting surface 81 facing the insertion axes 718. Referring to FIG. 13, the configurations of, and therefore an configuration formed collectively by, the U-shaped slits 71C, the front and rear pressing spring fingers 711A and 713A, the front and rear pressing frames 711B and 713B, and the abutting surface 81 correspond to or match the cross-sectional configuration of the conductor C at a stripped end of an electric wire W so that when the conductor C at the stripped end of the electric wire W is passed sequentially through a corresponding pair of the U-shaped slits 71C, the conductor C at the stripped end of the electric wire W abuts securely against the free ends 71B of the corresponding pressing spring fingers 711A and 713A and a top portion of the abutting surface 81. The free end 71B of the corresponding front pressing spring finger 711A and the free end 71B of the corresponding rear pressing spring finger 713A are pressed respectively at different positioning points F3 and F2 arranged along the corresponding insertion axis 718 on the top edge of the conductor C at the stripped end of the electric wire W as the “two points” according to the present disclosure, and thereby force the bottom edge of the conductor C at the stripped end of the electric wire W to abut securely against the abutting surface 81 on the top side of the busbar 80 as the “one line” according to the present disclosure. The conductor Cat the stripped end of the electric wire W, therefore, can be mounted rapidly, conveniently, precisely, safely, and securely to the terminal body 71 by the “two-points-and-one-line” mechanism and be restrained in the corresponding front and rear pressing frames 711B and 713B. Accordingly, the electric wire W can form an electrically conductive relationship with the busbar 80 through the terminal body 71. In addition, the conductor C at the stripped end of the electric wire W and the push-in terminal will be kept from such abnormalities as being shifted horizontally, twisting, or getting loose with respect to each other or separating from each other, thereby preventing fire accidents and malfunctions attributable to the aforesaid abnormalities.

(30) Referring to FIG. 10 to FIG. 13, the housing 90 can made of an insulating material and include a hollow interior 91 and at least two connection ports 92. The configuration of the hollow interior 91 matches that of the push-in terminal (i.e., the terminal body 71 and the busbar 80 so that the push-in terminal can be mounted securely in the hollow interior 91. The connection ports 92 are formed at the front side of the housing 90 and are in communication with the hollow interior 91 so that the conductor C at a stripped end of an electric wire W can be inserted into the hollow interior 91 through any of the connection ports 92, passed through the corresponding U-shaped slits 71C along the corresponding insertion axis 718, held at a predetermined correct insertion position by the free ends 71B of the corresponding pressing spring fingers 711A and 713A, and pressed firmly against the abutting surface 81 of the busbar 80. It is thus ensured that thanks to the “two-points-and-one-line” positioning mechanism, the conductor C at a stripped end of an electric wire W inserted into the hollow interior 91 will not be twisted or damaged in the hollow interior 91 due to an abruptly changing environment, and that the conductor C at a stripped end of an electric wire W can always be rapidly and precisely inserted to a correct insertion position to transmit electrical signals stably and safely.

(31) The foregoing description of the exemplary embodiments of the disclosure has been presented only for the purposes of illustration and description and is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the precise forms disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching.

(32) The embodiments were chosen and described in order to explain the principles of the disclosure and their practical application so as to enable others skilled in the art to utilize the disclosure and various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. Alternative embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure pertains without departing from its spirit and scope.