CN107342487A - Connector assembly, plug connector and socket connector - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention discloses a connector assembly (100), comprising: a first shell (1) and a second shell (2), the first shell and the second shell can be plugged together, and the first The housing and the second housing are fixed by a locking structure, wherein the locking structure includes: an elastic latch (10) arranged on the first housing, and the elastic latch is configured to be able to surround A seat portion (13) connected to the first housing is elastically pivoted, and one end of the elastic latch is provided with a hook portion (12); an opening portion (12) formed on the second housing 20), the hook portion (12) of the elastic latch is adapted to be engaged in the opening (20); the elastic latch also includes ribs (11) protruding from both sides of the elastic latch ); and the second housing also includes blocking parts (21) provided on both sides of the opening, so that when the hook of the elastic latch is engaged in the opening, the blocking The portion can be moved to the outside of the rib to prevent the elastic latch (10) from pivoting outward. According to the locking structure of the above connector assembly, the male housing and the female housing of the connector assembly can be stably and reliably connected together.

Description

Connector Assemblies, Plug Connectors and Receptacle Connectors

technical field

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a connector assembly, a plug connector and a receptacle connector included in the connector assembly, and in particular to a connector assembly with a locking structure.

Background technique

In the existing connector assembly, a known connector assembly structure includes a male end housing and a female end housing, the male end housing is inserted into the female end housing, and the male end housing and the female end housing Locked by a lock structure. Usually, the locking structure includes a latch part arranged on the male end housing and a hook part arranged on the female end housing, by combining the latch part on the male end housing with the hook part on the female end Engagement of the clasp parts achieves locking of the male end housing and the female end housing. Usually, the male end housing is connected with electric wires, the end of the electric wire is crimped with a first conductive contact, and the female end housing is connected with a second conductive contact, by correctly installing the male end housing and the female end housing and Locking together can realize the electrical connection between the first conductive contact and the second conductive contact, so as to achieve the purpose of connecting the two electrical components through the connector assembly.

In the connector assembly with the above structure, the stable and reliable locking of the male end housing and the female end housing is a necessary condition for realizing the normal operation of the connector assembly. However, during the actual use of the connector assembly, when the male end housing or the female end housing is subjected to vibration or the electric wire connected to the connector assembly is subjected to a large pulling force, the locking structure of the connector assembly is easy to loosen. This causes the male and female housings to separate, causing the connector assembly to fail.

Contents of the invention

The present invention aims to provide a connector assembly, which can solve the above-mentioned problems in the prior art, so that the male end shell and the female end shell of the connector assembly can be connected together stably and reliably, ensuring the connector assembly Use performance.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a connector assembly is provided, including: a first shell and a second shell, the first shell and the second shell can be plugged together, and the first shell and the second shell The second housing is fixed by a locking structure, wherein the locking structure includes:

an elastic latch provided on the first housing, the elastic latch configured to be elastically pivotable around a seat portion connected to the first housing, and one end of the elastic latch The part is provided with a hook part;

an opening formed on the second housing into which the hook of the elastic latch is adapted to be engaged;

The resilient latch further includes ribs protruding from both sides of the resilient latch; and

The second housing further includes stoppers provided on both sides of the opening so that the stoppers can move to the opening when the hook of the elastic latch is engaged in the opening. the outer side of the rib to prevent the resilient latch from pivoting outward.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the elastic latch has a lever structure with the support portion as a fulcrum.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the opening portion is formed in a concave portion that is recessed from the surface of the second housing to the inside of the housing, and the blocking portion is located in a plane where the surface is located.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the opening portion is formed in a concave portion that is recessed from the surface of the second housing to the inside of the housing, and the blocking portion is located in a plane where the surface is located.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the first housing includes a plurality of wire insertion holes for inserting a plurality of wires, and the end of each wire is crimped with a first conductive contact piece; the second housing includes a plurality of The second conductive contact, wherein the first conductive contact and the second conductive contact are respectively electrically connected when the first shell and the second shell are assembled together.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the first housing includes a first guide structure, the second housing includes a second guide structure matched with the first guide structure, and the first guide structure and the second guide structure It is configured to guide the first shell and the second shell to be plugged together.

A second aspect of the present invention provides a plug connector for plugging into a receptacle connector, the plug connector comprising:

The first housing can be fixed with the second housing of the socket connector through a locking structure, wherein the locking structure includes:

an elastic latch provided on the first housing, the elastic latch configured to be elastically pivotable around a seat portion connected to the first housing, and one end of the elastic latch The part is provided with a hook part, and the hook part of the elastic latch is adapted to be engaged in the opening part on the second housing;

The elastic latch further includes ribs protruding from both sides of the elastic latch so that when the hook portion of the elastic latch is engaged in the opening, a hook provided on the second housing The blocking parts on both sides of the opening can move to the outside of the rib to prevent the elastic latch from pivoting outward.

A third aspect of the present invention provides a socket connector for connecting a plug connector, the socket connector comprising:

A second housing, the second housing can be fixed with the first housing of the plug connector through a locking structure, wherein the locking structure includes:

an elastic latch provided on the first housing, the elastic latch configured to be elastically pivotable around a seat portion connected to the first housing, and one end of the elastic latch The part is provided with a hook part;

an opening formed on the second housing into which the hook of the elastic latch is adapted to be engaged;

The resilient latch further includes ribs protruding from both sides of the resilient latch; and

The second housing further includes stoppers provided on both sides of the opening so that the stoppers can move to the opening when the hook of the elastic latch is engaged in the opening. the outer side of the rib to prevent the resilient latch from pivoting outward.

According to the locking structure of the above-mentioned connector assembly, the male end housing and the female end housing of the connector assembly can be connected together stably and reliably, even if the connector assembly is subjected to a large vibration or is disconnected from the connector during use. The wire harness connected to the components is subjected to a large pulling force, and the locking structure will not be separated, thereby ensuring the normal use of the connector components and preventing connection failure.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description of the embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, and may help to have a comprehensive understanding of the present invention.

Description of drawings

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an exemplary connector assembly according to the present invention;

2 is an enlarged perspective view showing a locking member of a receptacle housing of the connector assembly shown in FIG. 1;

3 is a partial enlarged perspective view showing a locking member of a male end housing of the connector assembly of FIG. 1;

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the locking structure of the connector assembly in schematic diagram 1;

Figure 5 is a front view showing a state in which the locking structure of the connector assembly shown in Figure 1 is initially locked; and

FIG. 6 is a front view of a fully locked state of the locking structure of the connector assembly shown in FIG. 1 .

detailed description

The technical solution of the present invention will be further specifically described below through the embodiments and in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In the specification, the same or similar reference numerals designate the same or similar components. The following description of the embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings is intended to explain the general inventive concept of the present invention, but should not be construed as a limitation of the present invention.

In addition, in the following detailed description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a comprehensive understanding of the embodiments of the present disclosure. It may be evident, however, that one or more embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. On the other hand, well-known structures and components are omitted in the drawings to simplify the drawings.

A connector assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1-6 . Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of an exemplary connector assembly according to the present invention; Fig. 2 is an enlarged perspective view showing the locking part of the female end housing of the connector assembly shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing Fig. 1 An enlarged partial perspective view of the locking component of the male end housing of the connector assembly. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the latching structure of the connector assembly shown in FIG. 1 .

FIG. 1 shows the overall structure of a connector assembly 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1 , the connector assembly 100 includes: a male end housing (first housing) 1 and a female end housing (second housing) 2, and the male end housing 1 and the female end housing 2 are inserted into each other. together, and the male end housing 1 and the female end housing 2 are fixed by a locking structure. The locking structure includes a first locking part arranged on the male end housing and a second locking part arranged on the female end housing, the first locking part and the second locking part can be engaged with each other to realize the locking of the male end housing. 1 and the locking of the female housing 2.

Specifically, referring to FIG. 2 , the first locking component is a sheet-shaped elastic latch 10 integrally provided on the outer wall of the male housing 1 , and the elastic latch 10 is connected to the on the outer wall of the male housing 1. And, the elastic latch 10 is configured to be elastically pivotable around the seat part 13 , and one end of the elastic latch 10 is provided with a hook 12 .

In addition, referring to FIG. 3 , the second locking component is an opening 20 formed on the female housing 2 . When the male end housing 1 is inserted into the female end housing 2, the hook portion 12 of the elastic latch 10 is adapted to engage in the opening portion 20 of the female end housing 2, so that the assembled male end The end housing 1 and the female end housing 2 are locked together, preventing the male end housing 1 from being disengaged from the female end housing.

Advantageously, as shown in FIG. 4 , the elastic latch 10 has a lever structure with the support portion 13 as a fulcrum. In this way, the end 14 of the elastic latch 10 opposite to the hook 12 can also be turned around the seat part 13 . Therefore, in the process of inserting the male end housing 1 into the female end housing 2, the hook portion 12 can be lifted by pressing the end portion 14, preventing the hook portion of the elastic latch 10 from being inserted into the male end housing 1. 12 interferes with the wall of the female end housing 2 so that the male end housing 1 can be smoothly inserted into the female end housing 2 . After the assembly of the male end housing 1 and the female end housing 2 is completed, the end 14 of the elastic latch 10 is released, and the hook 12 at the other end of the elastic latch 10 can be elastically reset and enter into the female end housing 2. In the opening portion 20, locking is realized.

In particular, according to an embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. slightly above the position. In addition, as shown in FIG. 3 , the female housing 2 includes blocking portions 21 provided on the left and right sides of the opening 20 in front of the opening 20 . When the male end housing 1 and the female end housing 2 are assembled, and the hook portion 12 of the elastic latch 10 is engaged in the opening portion 20 of the female end housing 2, the blocking portion 21 can move to the The outer side of the rib 11 is used to prevent the elastic latch 10 from pivoting outward.

According to one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3 , the opening 20 of the female end housing 2 is formed in a recessed portion 23 that is recessed from the outer wall surface 22 of the female end housing 2 to the inside of the housing, and the blocking portion 21 is lies in the plane of the outer wall surface 22 of the receptacle housing 2 . In this way, the design of the connector assembly can be made compact.

In addition, in the connector assembly 100 shown in FIG. 1 , the male housing 1 may include a plurality of wire insertion holes 15 for connecting electrical wires 3 , each wire end is crimped with a first conductive contact (not shown); the female housing 2 may include a plurality of second conductive contacts 4 . When the male end housing 1 and the female end housing 2 are assembled together, the second conductive contacts 4 are electrically connected to the electrical wires 3 respectively through the first conductive contacts. However, those skilled in the art should understand that the structure of the connector assembly is not limited thereto, and connector assemblies of other structures may also adopt the locking structure of the foregoing embodiments.

In addition, in order to facilitate the assembly of the male end housing 1 and the female end housing 2, the male end housing 1 may include a first guiding structure, and the female end housing 2 may include a second guiding structure matched with the first guiding structure. The guide structure, the first guide structure and the second guide structure are configured to guide the male end housing 1 and the female end housing 2 to be plugged together smoothly. For example, one of the male end housing 1 and the female end housing 2 may include a guide rib or a guide groove, and the other of the male end housing 1 and the female end housing 2 may include a guide rib or a guide groove that cooperates with the guide rib or guide groove. Guide slots or guide ribs. Alternatively, the connector assembly may include other guide structures to facilitate the assembly process.

The assembly process of the connector assembly 100 is described below. When fitting the male housing 1 into the female housing 2 , first, the male housing 1 is inserted into the receiving portion of the female housing 2 toward the female housing 2 . During the insertion process, the end 14 of the elastic latch 10 of the male end housing 1 opposite to the hook 12 can be pressed, so that the hook 14 is tilted up, and the ribs 11 on both sides of the elastic latch 10 can be positioned at the same time. Slide on the outer surface of the blocking portion 21 of the female end housing 2; when the rib 11 slides to a position beyond the blocking portion 21 of the female end housing 2, the hook portion 12 can be elastically reset and enter into the female end housing 2 In the opening portion 20, preliminary locking is realized.

FIG. 5 is a front view showing a state in which the locking structure of the connector assembly shown in FIG. 1 is initially locked. As shown in FIG. 5 , when the male end housing 1 and the female end housing 2 are preliminarily locked, the rib 11 of the elastic latch 10 of the male end housing 1 is located at the stop portion 21 of the female end housing 2 slightly lower position.

Generally, a tolerance of about 0.5mm-0.9mm is allowed between the male end housing 1 and the female end housing 2. Therefore, in the state where the male end housing 1 and the female end housing 2 are initially locked, the tolerance can be adjusted within this tolerance. When the male housing 1 is slightly pulled upward within the allowable range, the rib 11 of the elastic latch 10 of the male housing 1 will be inserted upward into the inner side of the blocking portion 21 of the female housing 2 . At this time, the blocking portion 21 of the female housing 2 is at least partially overlapped with the rib 11 of the elastic latch 10 . At this time, since the rib 11 of the elastic latch 10 is blocked by the blocking portion 21 of the female housing 2, the hook 12 of the elastic latch 10 will not pivot to the outside of the connector assembly 100 and disengage from the female housing 2. The opening portion 20 of the end housing 2 is disengaged, thereby preventing the male end housing 1 from being disengaged from the female end housing 2 accidentally. FIG. 6 is a front view showing a state where the latch structure of the connector assembly 100 is completely locked.

Alternatively, only the male end housing and the female end housing are assembled to a preliminary locked state during assembly. At this time, the elastic latch 10 keeps the hook portion 12 engaged with the opening portion 20 due to its own elastic force. In this state, when the male end housing and the female end housing tend to be disengaged from each other when encountering a large pulling force, under the action of the pulling force, the rib of the elastic latch 10 of the male end housing 1 The portion 11 will be inserted upwards inside the blocking portion 21 of the female end housing 2 such that the blocking portion 21 of the female end housing 2 at least partially overlaps the rib portion 11 of the resilient latch 10 . At this time, the hook portion 12 of the elastic latch 10 will not pivot to the outside of the connector assembly 100 and escape from the opening 20 of the female end housing 2, thereby preventing the male end housing 1 from connecting with the female end housing 2. Accidentally disengaged.

Therefore, according to the locking structure of the above-mentioned connector assembly 100, the male end housing and the female end housing of the connector assembly can be connected together stably and reliably, even if the connector assembly is subjected to relatively large vibration or vibration during use. The wire harness connected with the connector assembly is subjected to a large pulling force, and the locking structure will not be accidentally separated, thereby ensuring the normal use of the connector assembly.

On the contrary, when the male end housing 1 and the female end housing 2 need to be separated, the male end housing 1 can be pushed down toward the female end housing 2, so that the elastic latch 10 moves to the position shown in FIG. 5 , At this time, the rib 11 of the elastic latch 10 of the male housing 1 is located slightly below the blocking portion 21 of the female housing 2 , and the rib 11 will not be blocked by the blocking portion 21 . At this moment, the hook portion 12 of the elastic latch 10 can pivot to the outside of the connector assembly 100 and come out from the opening 20 of the female end housing 2 . In this state, when the male end housing 1 is further pulled upward, the rib 11 of the elastic latch 10 can move upward over the stopper 21 of the female end housing 2, thereby connecting the male end housing 1 to the female end. Housing 2 is separated.

As shown in Figures 1-6, the embodiment of the second aspect of the present invention provides a plug connector for plugging a socket connector, the plug connector includes a first housing 1, which can be connected to the socket The second housing 2 of the device is fixed by a locking structure, wherein the locking structure includes: an elastic latch 10 arranged on the first housing, and the elastic latch 10 is configured to be able to surround the connection The seat part 13 to the first housing 1 is elastically pivoted, and one end of the elastic latch 10 is provided with a hook 12, the hook 12 of the elastic latch 10 is adapted to engage into the opening 20 on the second casing 2.

Specifically, the elastic latch 10 also includes ribs 11 protruding from both sides of the elastic latch 10, so that when the hook 12 of the elastic latch 10 is engaged in the opening 20, The blocking parts 21 disposed on both sides of the opening 20 of the second housing 2 can move to the outside of the rib 11 to prevent the elastic latch 10 from pivoting outward.

The third aspect of the present invention provides a socket connector for connecting a plug connector, the socket connector includes: a second shell 2, the second shell 2 can be connected with the first plug connector The housings 1 are fixed by a locking structure, wherein the locking structure includes: an elastic latch 10 arranged on the first housing, and the elastic latch 10 is configured to be able to surround the The seat part 13 on the body 1 pivots elastically, and one end of the elastic latch 10 is provided with a hook 12; the opening 20 formed on the second housing, the elastic latch The hook portion 12 of 10 is adapted to engage into said opening portion 20 .

Further, the elastic latch 10 also includes ribs 11 protruding from both sides of the elastic latch; and the second housing 2 also includes blocking portions 21 provided on both sides of the opening 20 , so that when the hook portion 12 of the elastic latch 10 is engaged in the opening 20, the blocking portion 21 can move to the outside of the rib 11 to prevent the elastic latch from going outward. pivot.

According to the locking structure of the plug connector and the receptacle connector, the first housing of the plug connector and the second housing of the receptacle connector can be connected together stably and reliably, even if the connector assembly is damaged during use. The locking structure will not be separated even if there is a large vibration or the wire harness connected to the connector is subjected to a large pulling force, so as to ensure the normal use of the connector assembly and prevent connection failure.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the connector assembly is a RAST connector assembly. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. The locking structure of the present invention can also be used in other types of connector assemblies.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, those skilled in the art can understand that the embodiments described above are exemplary, and those skilled in the art can make changes and improvements to them without departing from Scope of protection in the appended claims. Moreover, the structures described in various embodiments can be combined freely without conflicts in structure or principle. The scope of the invention is defined by the claims and their equivalents. In addition, it should be noted that the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the word "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality.

Claims (8)

1. a kind of connector assembly, including：

First housing and the second housing, tied between first housing and the second housing by latching Structure is fixed, wherein, the buckle structure includes：

The resilient latch being arranged on the first housing, the resilient latch are constructed to be permeable to enclose Flexibly pivoted around the abutment portion being connected on the first housing, also, the resilient latch An end set have hook portion；

Opening portion on the second housing is formed, the hook portion of the resilient latch is adapted for engagement into In the opening portion；

The resilient latch also includes the flank protruded from the both sides of resilient latch；And

Second housing is additionally included in the stop part that the both sides of the opening portion are set so that when When the hook portion of the resilient latch is joined in the opening portion, the stop part can move To the outside of the flank, to prevent the resilient latch from being pivoted out.

2. connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein, the resilient latch tool There is the lever construction using the abutment portion as fulcrum.

3. connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein,

The opening portion is formed from the surface of the second housing to the recessed recess of enclosure interior In, and

The stop part is located in the plane where the surface.

4. connector assembly according to claim 2, wherein,

The opening portion is formed from the surface of the second housing to the recessed recess of enclosure interior In, and

The stop part is located in the plane where the surface.

5. connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein,

First housing includes multiple wire insertion holes, and for inserting a plurality of wire, every is led Line end is crimped with the first conductive contact piece；

Second housing includes multiple second conductive contact pieces,

Wherein, in the state of the first housing and the second housing are assembled together, described first leads Electric contact piece and the second conductive contact piece are electrically connected.

6. connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein, the first housing bag The first guide frame is included, second housing includes the second guiding coordinated with the first guide frame Structure, first guide frame and the second guide frame are configured to guide the first housing and the Two housings are mutually inserted together.

A kind of 7. plug connector, for one socket connector of grafting, the plug connector Including：

First housing, it can pass through buckle structure between the second housing of the socket connector It is fixed, wherein, the buckle structure includes：

The resilient latch being arranged on the first housing, the resilient latch are constructed to be permeable to enclose Flexibly pivoted around the abutment portion being connected on the first housing, also, the resilient latch An end set have hook portion, the hook portion of the resilient latch is adapted for engagement into described second In opening portion on housing；

The resilient latch also includes the flank protruded from the both sides of resilient latch so that when When the hook portion of the resilient latch is joined in the opening portion, second housing is arranged on The stop parts of the opening portion both sides can be moved to the outside of the flank, it is described to prevent Resilient latch is pivoted out.

A kind of 8. socket connector, for connecting a plug connector, the socket connector Including：

One the second housing, second housing can with the first housing of the plug connector it Between fixed by buckle structure, wherein, the buckle structure includes：

The resilient latch being arranged on the first housing, the resilient latch are constructed to be permeable to enclose Flexibly pivoted around the abutment portion being connected on the first housing, also, the resilient latch An end set have hook portion；

Opening portion on the second housing is formed, the hook portion of the resilient latch is adapted for engagement into In the opening portion；

The resilient latch also includes the flank protruded from the both sides of resilient latch；And

Second housing is additionally included in the stop part that the both sides of the opening portion are set so that when When the hook portion of the resilient latch is joined in the opening portion, the stop part can move To the outside of the flank, to prevent the resilient latch from being pivoted out.