ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR WITH HIGH UNLOCKING RELIABILITY

An electrical connector includes an insulating body, a locking member, a pivot rod and an unlocking device. The insulating body defines an installation space. The locking member is at least partially installed in the installation space. The locking member includes a locking arm and a force-receiving portion. The locking arm includes a hook portion configured to be locked with a mating connector. The pivot rod is installed and fixed on the insulating body, and connected with the locking member. The unlocking device is configured to apply a force directly or indirectly to the force-receiving portion, so that the locking arm rotates around the pivot rod to realize unlocking with the mating connector.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This patent application claims priority of a Chinese Patent Application No. 202311157325.6, filed on Sep. 7, 2023 and titled “ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR”, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to an electrical connector, which belongs to the technical field of connectors.

BACKGROUND

The electrical connector in the related art includes an insulating body, a locking elastic piece installed on the insulating body, and a drawstring connected with the locking elastic piece. The locking elastic piece includes a locking arm configured to be locked with a mating connector and a connecting portion connected with the drawstring.

When it needs to be unlocked, the drawstring pulls the connecting portion, so that a position of the locking elastic piece moves downwardly to disengage from the mating connector.

However, in the related art, the method of realizing unlocking through deformation of the locking elastic piece has low reliability and is prone to adverse phenomena such as jamming.

SUMMARY

An object of the present disclosure is to provide an electrical connector with high unlocking reliability.

In order to achieve the above object, the present disclosure adopts the following technical solution: an electrical connector, including: an insulating body including a wall portion which defines an installation space; a locking member at least partially installed in the installation space; the locking member including a locking arm and a force-receiving portion; the locking arm including a hook portion configured to be locked with a mating connector; a pivot rod installed and fixed to the wall portion and connected with the locking member; and an unlocking device configured to apply a force directly or indirectly to the force-receiving portion, so that the locking arm rotates around the pivot rod to realize unlocking with the mating connector.

In order to achieve the above object, the present disclosure adopts the following technical solution: an electrical connector, including: an insulating body defining a first slot, a second slot and an installation groove communicating with the first slot and the second slot; a locking member including a first base portion, a second base portion opposite to the first base portion, a first locking arm extending forwardly from the first base portion and received in the first slot, a second locking arm extending forwardly from the second base portion and received in the second slot, and a connecting portion connecting the first base portion and the second base portion; the locking member including a force-receiving portion; the first locking arm and the second locking arm including a first hook portion and a second hook portion, respectively, for being locked with a mating connector; a pivot rod connecting the first base portion and the second base portion, the pivot rod being received in the installation groove; and an unlocking device configured to apply a force directly or indirectly to the force-receiving portion, so that the first locking arm and the second locking arm rotate around the pivot rod to realize unlocking with the mating connector.

Compared with the prior art, the electrical connector of the present disclosure includes the pivot rod, and the locking arm can rotate around the pivot rod, so as to realize unlocking with the mating connector. This rotary unlocking method greatly reduces the risk of jamming and improves the reliability of unlocking.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Exemplary embodiments will be described in detail here, examples of which are shown in drawings. When referring to the drawings below, unless otherwise indicated, same numerals in different drawings represent the same or similar elements. The examples described in the following exemplary embodiments do not represent all embodiments consistent with this application. Rather, they are merely examples of devices and methods consistent with some aspects of the application as detailed in the appended claims.

The terminology used in this application is only for the purpose of describing particular embodiments, and is not intended to limit this application. The singular forms “a”, “said”, and “the” used in this application and the appended claims are also intended to include plural forms unless the context clearly indicates other meanings.

It should be understood that the terms “first”, “second” and similar words used in the specification and claims of this application do not represent any order, quantity or importance, but are only used to distinguish different components. Similarly, “an” or “a” and other similar words do not mean a quantity limit, but mean that there is at least one; “multiple” or “a plurality of” means two or more than two. Unless otherwise noted, “front”, “rear”, “lower” and/or “upper” and similar words are for ease of description only and are not limited to one location or one spatial orientation. Similar words such as “include” or “comprise” mean that elements or objects appear before “include” or “comprise” cover elements or objects listed after “include” or “comprise” and their equivalents, and do not exclude other elements or objects. The term “a plurality of” mentioned in the present disclosure includes two or more.

Hereinafter, some embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the case of no conflict, the following embodiments and features in the embodiments can be combined with each other.

Referring toFIG.1toFIG.3, the present disclosure discloses a connector assembly which includes an electrical connector100and a mating connector200for mating with the electrical connector100. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the electrical connector100is a plug connector, and the mating connector200is a receptacle connector.

The mating connector200includes a mating insulating body201and a mating shell202. The mating insulating body201includes a first insertion slot2011and a second insertion slot2012which are disposed side by side with the first insertion slot2011along a left-right direction. The mating shell202is located above the first insertion slot2011and the second insertion slot2012. The mating shell202includes a first locking hole2021communicating with the first insertion slot2011and a second locking hole2022communicating with the second insertion slot2012.

Referring toFIG.4toFIG.13, the electrical connector100includes an insulating body1, a locking member2installed on the insulating body1, a pivot rod3mated with the locking member2, an unlocking device4mating with the locking member2, and a cover plate5installed on the insulating body1. The unlocking device4is configured to directly or indirectly exert force on the locking member2, so as to make the locking member2rotate around the pivot rod3, thereby realizing unlocking with the mating connector200.

Referring toFIG.8, the insulating body1includes a plurality of wall portions which include a top wall11, a bottom wall12, a first side wall13and a second side wall14. In the illustrated embodiment of the present disclosure, the insulating body1further includes a receiving groove10. The electrical connector100includes a first tongue plate101and a second tongue plate102protruding into the receiving groove10. The receiving groove10is located between the top wall11and the bottom wall12in a vertical direction. The receiving groove10is located between the first side wall13and the second side wall14in the left-right direction. The first tongue plate101and the second tongue plate102are arranged side by side along the left-right direction. At least one surface of the first tongue plate101and at least one surface of the second tongue plate102are provided with a plurality of conductive pads (not shown). When the mating connector200is mated with the electrical connector100, the first tongue plate101and the second tongue plate102are inserted in the first insertion slot2011and the second insertion slot2012, respectively. The conductive pads are in contact with conductive terminals of the mating connector200.

In the illustrated embodiment of the present disclosure, the top wall11of the insulating body1defines a first slot111and a second slot112. The first slot111and the second slot112are parallel to each other and both extend along a front-rear direction. The insulating body1is further includes a raised portion15protruding upwardly from the top wall11. The raised portion15defines a downwardly recessed installation space151for at least partially receiving the locking member2. The raised portion15is further includes a plurality of positioning posts152protruding upwardly. The plurality of positioning posts152are used to fix the cover plate5.

As shown inFIG.9, a plurality of locking blocks153protruding backwardly are provided on a rear end surface of the raised portion15. Each locking block153has a guiding inclined surface1531and a locking surface1532at a bottom of the guiding inclined surface1531. As shown inFIG.8, the raised portion15is further provided with a first installation block154and a second installation block155. The first installation block154defines a first installation groove1541extending along the left-right direction. The second installation block155defines a second installation groove1551extending along the left-right direction. In the illustrated embodiment of the present disclosure, the first installation groove1541and the second installation groove1551are aligned along the left-right direction.

As shown inFIG.8, the cover plate5includes a top end wall51, a first bent wall52bent downwardly from one end (for example, a left end) of the top end wall51, a second bent wall53bent downwardly from another end (for example, a right end) of the top end wall51, a front end wall54bent downwardly from a front end of the top end wall51, and a rear end wall55bent downwardly from a rear end of the top end wall51. The top end wall51defines a plurality of positioning holes511for mating with the plurality of positioning posts152. It is understandable to those skilled in the art that, after the positioning posts152pass through corresponding positioning holes511, the bonding tightness between the positioning posts152and the positioning holes511can be improved by heat melting or the like. In the illustrated embodiment of the present disclosure, the top end wall51is further provided with a downwardly protruding abutting elastic arm512. In the illustrated embodiment of the present disclosure, the cover plate5is made of sheet metal. The abutting elastic arm512is punched downwardly from the top end wall51. The abutting elastic arm512is in of a cantilever-shaped configuration with a free end, so as to improve the elastic deformation capability of the abutting elastic arm512.

The first bent wall52, the second bent wall53, the front end wall54and the rear end wall55abut against a left end surface, a right end surface, a front end surface and a rear face of the raised portion15, respectively. Besides, the rear end wall55defines a plurality of locking holes551mating with the locking blocks153. The guiding inclined surface1531is used to guide the installation of the cover plate5. After the cover plate5is installed in place, the locking blocks153are located in corresponding locking holes551. A bottom of each locking hole551cooperates with the locking surface1532to prevent the cover plate5from detaching from the insulating body1.

Referring toFIG.11toFIG.13, in a first embodiment illustrated in the present disclosure, the locking member2includes a first base portion21, a second base portion22opposite to the first base portion21, a first locking arm23extending forwardly from the first base portion21, a second locking arm24extending forwardly from the second base portion22, and a connecting portion25connecting the first base portion21and the second base portion22. In the illustrated embodiment of the present disclosure, the locking member2is made of sheet metal by blanking.

The first base portion21is located in the vertical plane. The first base portion21defines a first installation hole211extending therethrough along the left-right direction.

The second base portion22is located in the vertical plane. The second base portion22defines a second installation hole221extending therethrough along the left-right direction.

The first locking arm23is located in the vertical plane and is formed by blanking, so as to improve the structural strength of the first locking arm23. The first locking arm23is received in the first slot111. The first locking arm23includes a first hook portion231located at a front end thereof. The first hook portion231is used to cooperate with the first locking hole2021to achieve locking between the electrical connector100and the mating connector200.

Similarly, the second locking arm24is located in the vertical plane and is formed by blanking to improve the structural strength of the second locking arm24. The second locking arm24is received in the second slot112. The second locking arm24includes a second hook portion241located at a front end thereof. The second hook portion241is used to cooperate with the second locking hole2022to achieve locking between the electrical connector100and the mating connector200.

The pivot rod3is cylindrical. One end of the pivot rod3passes through the first installation hole211, and the other end of the pivot rod3passes through the second installation hole221, so that the pivot rod3is installed to the first base portion21and the second base portion22. One side of the pivot rod3is fixed in the first installation groove1541, and the other side of the pivot rod3is fixed in the second installation groove1551.

In the first embodiment shown in the present disclosure, the connecting portion25connects a bottom of the first base portion21and a bottom of the second base portion22. The pivot rod3is located above the connecting portion25. The connecting portion25includes a force-receiving portion251, a raised portion252located at a rear end of the force-receiving portion251, and an abutment protrusion253extending upwardly from the raised portion252.

In the first embodiment shown in the present disclosure, the unlocking device4includes a drawstring41connected to the force-receiving portion251. The drawstring41passes through the insulating body1backwardly from a bottom of the raised portion252.

In the illustrated embodiment of the present disclosure, the abutment protrusion253is bent upwardly from a rear end edge of the raised portion252. The abutment protrusion253includes an arc-shaped surface2531mated with the drawstring41in order to prevent the drawstring41from being scratched when it is pulled. The abutting elastic arm512is configured to press against the abutment protrusion253of the locking member2when in an unlocked position, so as to apply force to the locking member2. Of course, it is understandable to those skilled in the art that, even in the locking position, the abutting elastic arm512is pressed against the abutment protrusion253of the locking member2to apply a certain force to the locking member2. As a result, it prevents the electrical connector100and the mating connector200from being in an improper unlocked state due to the pulling of the drawstring41not due to the unlocking force.

In addition, the connecting portion25defines a relief groove254between the force-receiving portion251and the raised portion252. A width of the relief groove254is greater than a width of the raised portion252, so as to fasten the drawstring41to the force-receiving portion251, and it is beneficial to provide enough space for the drawstring41to pass through the raised portion252.

It is understandable to those skilled in the art that when the mating connector200and the electrical connector100are plugged in place, the first hook portion231of the first locking arm23is locked with the first locking hole2021; and the second hook portion241of the second locking arm24is locked with the second locking hole2022.

When unlocking is required, a backward pulling force is applied to the drawstring41. At this moment, the force-receiving portion251is pulled backwardly, thereby driving the locking member2to rotate around the pivot rod3. Specifically, the first locking arm23and the second locking arm24rotate downwardly around the pivot rod3as a rotation axis. At this time, the positions of the first hook portion231of the first locking arm23and the second hook portion241of the second locking arm24are lowered, so that they are separated from the first locking hole2021and the second locking hole2022. At this time, the mating connector200and the electrical connector100are in an unlocked state capable of being separated from each other. It is understandable to those skilled in the art that, according to the principle of leverage, when the first locking arm23and the second locking arm24rotate downwardly around the pivot rod3as the rotation axis, the abutment protrusion253rotates upwardly and abuts against the abutting elastic arm512.

FIG.14toFIG.19disclose a specific structure of the electrical connector100in accordance with a second embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein a corresponding structure of the electrical connector100in the second embodiment of the present disclosure can refer to the description of the electrical connector100in the first embodiment of the present disclosure. Only the main differences between the two are described below.

Referring toFIG.14toFIG.19, in the second embodiment of the electrical connector100of the present disclosure, the locking member2includes a first base portion21, a second base portion22opposite to the first base portion21, a first locking arm23extending forwardly from the first base portion21, a second locking arm24extending forwardly from the second base portion22, and a connecting portion25connecting the first base portion21and the second base portion22.

The first base portion21is located in the vertical plane. The first base portion21defines a first installation hole211extending therethrough along the left-right direction. The first base portion21defines a first notch212located behind the first locking arm23and a first force-receiving portion251alocated at a rear end of the first notch212. The first force-receiving portion251aincludes a first abutment inclined surface213exposed in the first notch212. The first abutment inclined surface213slopes backwardly and downwardly.

The second base portion22is located in the vertical plane. The second base portion22defines a second installation hole221extending therethrough along the left-right direction. The second base portion22defines a second notch222located behind the second locking arm24and a second force-receiving portion251blocated at a rear end of the second notch222. The second force-receiving portion251bincludes a second abutment inclined surface223exposed in the second notch222. The second abutment inclined surface223slopes backwardly and downwardly.

The first locking arm23is located in the vertical plane and is formed by blanking, in order to improve the structural strength of the first locking arm23. The first locking arm23is received in the first slot111. The first locking arm23includes a first hook portion231located at a front end thereof. The first hook portion231is used to mate with the first locking hole2021, in order to achieve locking between the electrical connector100and the mating connector200.

Similarly, the second locking arm24is located in the vertical plane and is formed by blanking, in order to improve the structural strength of the second locking arm24. The second locking arm24is received in the second slot112. The second locking arm24includes a second hook portion241located at a front end thereof. The second hook portion241is used to mate with the second locking hole2022, in order to achieve locking between the electrical connector100and the mating connector200.

The pivot rod3is cylindrical. One end of the pivot rod3passes through the first installation hole211, and the other end of the pivot rod3passes through the second installation hole221, so that the pivot rod3is installed to the first base portion21and the second base portion22. One side of the pivot rod3is fixed in the first installation groove1541, and the other side of the pivot rod3is fixed in the second installation groove1551.

In the second embodiment shown in the present disclosure, the unlocking device4includes a slider42received in the first notch212and the second notch222, and a drawstring41connected to the slider42. The drawstring41is tied to a rear end of the slider42. The drawstring41passes through the insulating body1backwardly. The slider42includes a first arc-shaped surface421configured to abut against the first abutment inclined surface213and a second arc-shaped surface422abutting against the second abutment inclined surface223. The slider42is movable relative to the first abutment inclined surface213and the second abutment inclined surface223driven by the drawstring41, so as to make the first locking arm23and the second locking arm24rotate around the pivot rod3, thereby realizing unlocking with the mating connector200.

The abutting elastic arm512is configured to press against the connecting portion25of the locking member2in the unlocked position, so as to apply force to the locking member2. Of course, it is understandable to those skilled in the art that, even in the locked position, the abutting elastic arm512also presses against the connecting portion25of the locking member2to apply a certain force to the locking member2. As a result, it prevents the electrical connector100and the mating connector200from being in an improper unlocked state due to the pulling of the drawstring41not due to the unlocking force.

It is understandable to those skilled in the art that when the mating connector200and the electrical connector100are plugged in place, the first hook portion231of the first locking arm23is locked with the first locking hole2021; and the second hook portion241of the second locking arm24is locked with the second locking hole2022.

When unlocking is required, a backward pulling force is applied to the drawstring41; the slider42moves backwardly under the action of the drawstring41. The first arc-shaped surface421and the second arc-shaped surface422of the slider42abut against the first abutment inclined surface213and the second abutment inclined surface223, and generate relative motion with respect to the first abutment inclined surface213and the second abutment inclined surface223. Since the slider42can only translate backwardly, under the action of the first abutment inclined surface213and the second abutment inclined surface223, the rear end of the first base portion21and the rear end of the second base portion22are lifted up, thereby driving the locking member2to rotate around the pivot rod3. Specifically, the first locking arm23and the second locking arm24rotate downwardly around the pivot rod3as a rotation axis. At this time, the positions of the first hook portion231of the first locking arm23and the second hook portion241of the second locking arm24are lowered, so as to disengage from the first locking hole2021and the second locking hole2022. At this time, the mating connector200and the electrical connector100are in an unlocked state capable of being separated from each other. It is understandable to those skilled in the art that, according to the principle of leverage, when the first locking arm23and the second locking arm24rotate downwardly around the pivot rod3as the rotation axis, the connecting portion25rotates upwardly and abuts against the abutting elastic arm512.

It should be noted that, in the illustrated embodiment of the present disclosure, a superordinate concept of the first locking arm23and the second locking arm24is a locking arm26; a superordinate concept of the first hook portion231and the second hook portion241is a hook portion261; and a superordinate concept of the first force-receiving portion251aand the second force-receiving portion251bis a force-receiving portion251.

Compared with the prior art, the electrical connector100of the present disclosure is provided with the pivot rod3, and the locking arm26can rotate around the pivot rod3, thereby realizing unlocking with the mating connector200. This rotary unlocking method greatly reduces the risk of jamming and improves the reliability of unlocking.

The above embodiments are only used to illustrate the present disclosure and not to limit the technical solutions described in the present disclosure. The understanding of this specification should be based on those skilled in the art. Descriptions of directions, although they have been described in detail in the above-mentioned embodiments of the present disclosure, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications or equivalent substitutions can still be made to the application, and all technical solutions and improvements that do not depart from the spirit and scope of the application should be covered by the claims of the application.