Abstract:
A multi-function electrical connector, which has integrated functionality for connecting the signal terminals of an audio/video multimedia player with an external device. The electrical connector includes a plug connector and a receptacle connector containing appropriate signal terminals such as audio-right, audio-left, video-in, control, ground, etc. As a result, the connecting signals of the audio/video player with various external devices is simplified by gathering the signal lines together and simplifying the arrangement of the lines.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to an electrical connector, in particular, to a multi-function electrical connector for use with a portable digital audio/video multimedia player, which is convenient and versatile to use. 
   2. Description of the Prior Art 
   In a conventional audio/video player, such as a portable DVD player with display, the audio/video player not only can play CD, VCD, and DVD formats, but also can receive and display a signal from an external device, for example a TV or game machine. The signal lines are correspondingly connected one by one between the conventional audio/video player and the external device since the two devices do not have an integrated signal jack to collect terminals such as Video, Audio-L, Audio-R, IR, Gnd, and Control. In stead, separately corresponding signal jacks are disposed on the audio/video player for connecting the external device. Each signal jack takes up a relatively large area on the player. This limits the miniaturization of possible designs. 
   In addition, since there are multiple connecting cables, it is easy for users to make a mistake while connecting, thereby causing possible damage to the device. Also, the disorderly cables are unsightly and thereby negatively affecting the appearance of the product. This situation also makes it inconvenient for carrying. In view of the above, a multi-function electrical connector that overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages is desired. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   Accordingly, the present invention provides a multi-function electrical connector, which has integrated functionality for connecting the signal terminals of an audio/video multimedia player. 
   The present invention simplifies connecting signals of the audio/video player with various external devices, by gathering the signal lines together and simplifying the arrangement of the lines. 
   In order to achieve the aforementioned objects, the multi-function electrical connector of the present invention comprises a receptacle connector and a plug connector. The receptacle connector is mounted to the housing body of a portable audio/video multimedia player. The receptacle connector comprises an insulative housing and a plurality of terminals. At least one engagement portion is disposed on the sides of the insulative housing. The plug connector connects with the receptacle connector. The plug connector comprises a plug housing, a connection portion, at least one latch portion, and at least one press portion. The plug housing comprises a socket opening on a front portion of the plug housing and a chamber on at least one side of the plug housing. A groove is formed in the inner side of the plug housing. The plug connector is mounted in the socket opening on the front portion of the plug housing. The plug connector has a plurality of terminals corresponding to a plurality of terminals on the receptacle connector. The latch portion is embedded in the groove of the plug housing. The latch portion comprises a conducting portion on the front portion. The conducting portion is projected from the socket opening and positioned on the two sides of the plug connector. A crooked hook portion is mounted on a front end of the conducting portion and engages with the engagement portion of the receptacle connector. A press portion is positioned in the chamber of the housing and is involved with moving the latch portion. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The foregoing aspects and many of the accompanying advantages of this invention will become more readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an electrical connector according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a receptacle connector according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a plug connector according to an embodiment of the present invention; and 
       FIG. 4  is a disassembled perspective view showing an electrical connector according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Referring to  FIG. 1 , a portable audio/video player  1  comprises a housing body  11 . A receptacle connector  20  is disposed on the sidewall  12  of the housing body  11 . A plurality of terminals  13  received in the receptacle connector  20  are electrically connected to a printed circuit board (PCB)  14  in the housing body  11 . A plug connector  21  mates and connects to the receptacle connector  20 . One end of a cable  3  is connected to the plug connector  21  and the other end is connected to an external device  4 . The external device  4  can be a TV, game machine, or other electronic device. The external device  4  transmits audio/video signals to the portable audio/video player  1  after connecting the plug connector  21  and the receptacle connector  20 . 
   Referring  FIG. 2 , which shows a receptacle connector  20  according to an embodiment of the present invention. The receptacle connector  20  comprises an insulative housing  201  and a plurality of terminals  13  received in the insulative housing  201 . An inert portion  202  is disposed at the front section of the receptacle connector  20 . Two engagement portions  203  are respectively disposed at two ends of the inert portion  202 . The number of the terminals  13  can vary but in this embodiment there are 18-pins. Each terminal is defined as follows: 
   
     
       
             
             
           
         
             
                 
             
             
               Terminal 
               Definition 
             
             
                 
             
           
           
             
               1~5 
               Vcc (+12 volt of power supply) 
             
             
               6~8 
               Vidi0 (input of audio/video) 
             
             
                9 
               Audio-L 
             
             
               10~11 
               Audio-R 
             
             
               12~13 
               IR 
             
             
               14~17 
               Gnd (ground signal) 
             
             
               18 
               Control 
             
             
                 
               (control signal) 
             
             
                 
             
           
        
       
     
   
   Refer to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , which show a plug connector  21  according to an embodiment of the present invention. The plug connector  21  comprises two housings, a lower housing  211  and an upper housing  211 A, a connection portion  212 , two latch portions  213 , two press portions  214 , and a printed circuit board  215 . The housings  211  and  211 A are attached together to become a body of the electrical plug connector  21 . The housing  211  ( 211 A) comprises a front portion  221 , a back portion  222 , and two side portions  223 . A socket opening  224  is at the front portion  221 . A line socket  225  is at the back portion  222 . A chamber  226  is at the side portion  223 . An inner-ring wall  227  is disposed in the inside of the housing  221 . A groove  228  is formed between the inner-ring wall  227  and the side portion  223 . The connection portion  212  is in the socket opening  224  on the front portion of the housing  211  ( 221 A). A plurality of terminals  231  (for example, 18 pins) are disposed on the connection portion  212 . The leads  232  on the ends of terminals  231  are mounted to a printed circuit board  215  by Surface mount technology (SMT). Each terminal is defined as follows: 
   
     
       
             
             
           
         
             
                 
             
             
               Terminal 
               Definition 
             
             
                 
             
           
           
             
               1~5 
               Vcc (+12 volt of power supply) 
             
             
               6~8 
               Vidi0 (input of visual/audio) 
             
             
                9 
               Audio-L 
             
             
               10~11 
               Audio-R 
             
             
               12~13 
               IR 
             
             
               14~17 
               Gnd (ground signal) 
             
             
               18 
               Control (control signal) 
             
             
                 
             
           
        
       
     
   
   The latch portions  213  are embedded in the grooves of the housings  221  ( 211 A). The latch portion  213  comprises a power supply connection  233 , a fixing portion  234  and a conducting portion  235 . The power supply connection  233  is electrically connected with the printed circuit board  215  and the cable  3  (shown in  FIG. 3 ). The cable  3  is led through the line socket  225  of the back portion  222  out of the housing  211  ( 211 A). The projection  236  is on the fixing portion  234 . The conducting portion  235  is projected from the opening socket  224 , and is positioned on the side of connection portion  212 . The crooked hook portion  237  is mounted on the front end of conducting portion  235 . 
   When the plug connector  21  is connected with the receptacle connector  20 , the crooked hook portion  237  engages with the engagement portion  203  of receptacle connector  20  in order to increase the stability of the connection. The press portion  214  is positioned in the chamber  226  of housing  211 ( 211 A) and is exposed out of the housing  211  ( 211 A). A fixing groove  238  is mounted in the inner side of the latch portion  213 . The fixing portion  234  is embedded in the fixing groove  238 , so that the projection  236  stabs the fixing groove  238  to fix the position. 
   When the plug connector  21  is connected with the receptacle connector  20 , the signal from the external device  4  is input to the portable audio/video player  1  through the cable  3 , the plug connector  21  and the receptacle connector  20 . If the plug connector  21  is to be readily disconnected with the receptacle connector  20 , the press portion  214  of the plug connector  21  is pressed and involves moving the conducting portion  235  of the latch portion  231 , so as to detach the crooked hook portion  237  from the engagement portion  203  to disassemble the plug connector  21 . The operation of electrical connector is very convenient. 
   According to one aspect of the present invention, an electrical connector with multi-functions is provided. The signal terminal of an audio/video multimedia player is simplified for connecting various external devices, in order to prevent connecting and disconnecting a plurality of the lines. 
   While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to the preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.