Patent Publication Number: US-9899764-B1

Title: Cable connector

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a connector. More precisely, the present invention is related to a connector structure that could improve the holding and the electrical properties between the female and the male terminal. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Via connecting male terminal with a connector, the television signal could be transmitted. Previous connector includes an electrical insulating housing, a female terminal and guiding needle. 
     The male terminal would penetrate through the electrical insulating housing and contact with the female terminal directly. The electric signal would be transmit from the male terminal to the female terminal. 
     There are some problems in nowadays connectors, such as the fatigue resistance and the clamping force of the female terminal is relatively low; the female terminal are loosely connect with the male terminal; and the waterproof of the connector. 
     Therefore how to overcome the above problem in the field is a need. 
     SUMMARY 
     It is one object of the present invention to provide a connector that could improve the holding and the electrical properties between the female and the male connector. 
     Another objection of the present invention is to provide a connector that can improve compatibility better than those of a known connector. 
     Yet another objection of the present invention is to provide a connector which can increase the fatigue resistance. 
     Other objection of the present invention is to provide a connector which can increase the clamping force. 
     Present invention discloses a connector, which comprises an electrical insulating housing, a female terminal, a guide needle and a waterproof structure. 
     The insulating housing comprises a housing, a first insulating sleeve and a second insulating sleeve, and the first and the second insulating sleeves disposing in the housing. The first insulating sleeve buckles with the second insulating sleeve and form a compartment space. The first insulating sleeve has at least three fixing portions. The female terminal is disposed in the compartment space; the female terminal is a hollow cylinder. The female terminal comprises a clamping portion, a securing portion and a guiding needle clamping portion. 
     The clamping portion comprises at least three tighten portion and at least three slits. The at least three slits form at least three blades, and the surface of these blade are forming into a continuous curve. The securing portion comprises at least three convex portions, the convex portions is disposed corresponding to at least three fixing portions of the first insulating sleeve. 
     The guide needle buckles with the guiding needle clamping portion of the female terminal. The waterproof structure disposes at the housing and disposing against the second insulating sleeve. 
     According to one embodiment of the present invention, wherein the housing is a hollow cylinder, and the housing comprises multiple ribs, disposing near the first insulating sleeve. 
     According to one embodiment of the present invention, wherein the ribs are equally disposed at one end of the housing. 
     According to one embodiment of the present invention, wherein the first insulating sleeve is made of flexible material and mounts with the ribs. 
     According to one embodiment of the present invention, wherein the external diameter of the first insulating sleeve is smaller or equal to the interior diameter of the second insulating sleeve. Furthermore, the first insulating sleeve is partially mounted inside the second insulating sleeve. 
     According to one embodiment of the present invention, wherein the at least three convex portions is made by impact molding. 
     According to one embodiment of the present invention, the waterproof structure has a waterproof washer and an insulating material. The waterproof washer is disposed between the insulating material and the second insulating sleeve. 
     According to one embodiment of the present invention, the waterproof washer is circular column and the waterproof washer is made of flexible material. 
     According to one embodiment of the present invention, the waterproof washer further comprises at least one needle-guiding groove. 
     According to one embodiment of the present invention, the waterproof washer further comprises two needle-guiding grooves and the two needle-guiding grooves disposed on the each side of the waterproof washer, and the needle-guiding grooves are aligned to each other. 
     To conclude, in the present invention, the connector has blade that formed into a continuous curve (curve shape) and the female terminal with clamping portion could achieve the objection of improving the compatibility and the fatigue resistance. The multiple blades could increase the contacting area and the number of contact area between the male terminal and the female terminal. The clamping force and the electric performance would be increased. Via the convex portions and the fixing portions the female terminal could be fixed with the first insulating sleeve and prevent the female terminal drop off while using. Furthermore, the other advantages of the present invention is via buckling the first insulating sleeve directly with the female terminal could also aligned the through hole of the first insulating sleeve with the through hole of the female terminal therefore maintained and improve the concentricity of the two and decrease the tolerance of the connector. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The structure as well as preferred modes of use, further objects, and advantages of this invention will be best understood by referring to the following detailed description of some illustrative embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of the connector of an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of the connector utilized in the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , showing in section view; 
         FIG. 3  is the side view of the first sleeve of the connector; 
         FIG. 4  is the cross-section view of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a side view of the female terminal and the guide needle utilized in the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , showing in section view; 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-section view of  FIG. 5  along AA secant line; 
         FIG. 7  is a top view of the waterproof structure of the connector of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a cross-section view of  FIG. 7  along BB secant line; 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of housing of the present invention; 
         FIG. 10  is an enlarge view of  FIG. 9  of region D; 
         FIG. 11  is the cross-section view of the connector of present invention; and 
         FIG. 12  is a cross-section view of  FIG. 11  along CC secant line. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The foregoing description of the embodiments of the invention has been presented for the purpose of illustration; it is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Persons skilled in the relevant art can appreciate that many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above disclosure. 
     First, please refer to  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 .  FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of the connector of an embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 2  is a side view of the connector utilized in the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , showing in section view; 
     Present embodiment discloses a connector  1 , for connecting with a male terminal for transmitting signal. More precisely for transmitting television signal. In the present embodiment, the connector  1  comprises an electrical insulating housing  10 , a female terminal  11 , a guide needle  12  and a waterproof structure  13 . In the present embodiment, the size or the type of the male terminal is not limited. 
     The insulating housing  10  comprises a housing  100 , a first insulating sleeve  101  and a second insulating sleeve  102 . The housing  100  in the present embodiment is a hollow cylinder. The first insulating sleeve  101  and the second insulating sleeve  102  are made of insulating material such as silicon. Furthermore, the first insulating sleeve  101  could be made of flexible material. 
     The first and the second insulating sleeves  101 ,  102  are disposed in the housing  100 . The first insulating sleeve  101  would buckle with the second insulating sleeve  102  in order to form a compartment space. 
     The external diameter of the first insulating sleeve  101  is smaller or equal to the interior diameter of the second insulating sleeve  102 . Furthermore, the first insulating sleeve  101  is partially mounted inside the second insulating sleeve  102 . 
     Then, please refer to  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4 .  FIG. 3  is the side view of the first sleeve of the connector,  FIG. 4  is the cross-section view of  FIG. 3 ; 
     The first insulating sleeve  101  could be made of flexible material such as silicon but not limited to. In this embodiment, the first insulating sleeve  101  has at least three fixing portions  101   a . It should be noted that, the number of the fixing portions are not limited to three, in some embodiments; the fixing portions could be four or five if needed. In previous embodiment, the fixing portions  101   a  is a U shape groove, and the fixing portions  101   a  could buckle with the female terminal  11 . 
     Please refer to  FIG. 5  and  FIG. 6  together.  FIG. 5  is a side view of the female terminal and the guide needle utilized in the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , showing in section view.  FIG. 6  is a cross-section view of  FIG. 5  along AA secant line; 
     In this embodiment, the female terminal  11  is disposed in the compartment space, which formed by the first insulating sleeve  101  and the second insulating sleeve  102 . The female terminal  11  of the present invention is a hollow cylinder. 
     The female terminal  11  comprises a clamping portion  111 , a securing portion  112  and a guiding needle clamping portion  113 . Clamping portion  111  could clamp the male terminal (not shown in  FIG. 5  and  FIG. 6 ), and via the clamping portion  111 , the female terminal  11  is electrically connect with the male terminal. The securing portion  112  is used for buckling with the guide needle  12 . In other way, the guide needle  12  could be buckled with the female terminal  11  via the securing portion  112 . 
     The securing portion  112  comprises at least three convex portions  1120 . Each of the convex portions  1120  is disposed corresponding to at least three fixing portions  101   a  of the first insulating sleeve  101 . These convex portions  1120  are made by impact molding. 
     The clamping portion  111  comprises three tighten portions  1110  and three slits  1112 . In this embodiments, the number of the tighten portions and the slits are not limited. The clamping portion  111  extends along the first insulating sleeve  101  and formed into a gradually enlarged guiding entrance. The three slits  1112  of the clamping portion  111  divide the clamping portion  111  into at least three blades. The surfaces of these blades are forming into a continuous curve. As shown in the figures, these blades are curve double-sided surface, which is curved in horizontal and vertical direction. While assembling the female terminal  11  with the first insulating sleeve  101 , the male terminal could be guided through the clamping portion  111 , and the blades would ensure the male terminal connecting with the female terminal  11 . 
     In addition, these blades are designed in curve shape, and the outer diameter of the blades decrease along the axial direction in order to narrow down the width of the slits. That is the width of the slit is gradually decreased along the axial direction, too. The objection and the advantages of the present invention is: the female terminal is enable to compatible with male terminal with different sizes; improve the fatigue resistance of the blade, increase the contact area between the blade and the male terminal in order to improve the clamping force of the female terminal. The embodiment of the present invention are compatible with smallest the male terminal in the market, and are capable to provide enough clamping force between the female terminal and the male terminal. 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 .  FIG. 6  is a cross-section view of  FIG. 5  along AA secant line. It would be obvious for one in art realize that the contact area is larger than other connector in the market. For those in the market, the female terminal and the male terminal only connect via two points or comprising type to contact. The connector in the market withstand a force of 75 grams in testing, but the female terminal  11  in present invention could withstand a force of 100 grams during the test. The cross-section of these blades are formed into a non-circle opening (may be a polygon-liked shape.) When the female terminal plugin, the blades would contact with the male terminal and formed multiple contact area or contact surface. Thus, the male terminal would be clamped by the blades. It should be noted that, since the blades is adjustable, different from the connector in the market, the connector of present invention is capable for fitting different size male terminal. With this arrangement the usage of the connector would be more flexible. 
     Please refer to  FIG. 7  and  FIG. 8  together.  FIG. 7  is a top view of the waterproof structure of the connector of the present invention.  FIG. 8  is a cross-section view of  FIG. 7  along BB secant line. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the connector  1  comprises a waterproof structure  13 , and the waterproof structure  13  is disposed inside the housing  100  of the electrical insulating housing  10 . The waterproof structure  13  is attached to the second insulating sleeve  102 . The waterproof structure  13  disposes at the housing  100  and disposing against the second insulating sleeve  102 . The waterproof structure  13  further includes a waterproof washer  131  and an insulating material  132 . The waterproof washer  131  is disposed between the insulating material  132  and the second insulating sleeve  102 . 
     In the present embodiment, the waterproof washer  131  is circular column and the waterproof washer is made of flexible material. Said waterproof washer  131  is disposed corresponding to the electrical insulating housing  10  in order to block the water or vapor entering the connector  1 . The waterproof washer  131  will be disposed at the distance side (refer to the guide needle  12 ) of the electrical insulating housing  10 . The electrical insulating housing  10  could ensure the guide needle  12  in a dry condition. 
     In addition, the waterproof washer  131  chamfered at the edge of the circular column ( FIG. 8 ). The chamfered edge could let the waterproof washer  131  mounts into the second insulating sleeve  102  more easily, and decrease the leakage of the connector. While assembling the waterproof washer  131 , the flexible and expanding property would let waterproof washer  131  squeezes and fit into the second insulating sleeve  102 . The waterproof washer  131  could prevent any gap or space between the waterproof washer  131  and the second insulating sleeve  102  preventing water or vapor leak into the second insulating sleeve  102 . 
     Please refer to  FIG. 8  again; the waterproof washer  131  further comprises at least one needle-guiding groove  131   a . In the present embodiment, waterproof washer  131  has two the needle-guiding grooves  131   a , that disposed in the either side of the waterproof washer  131 . The two needle-guiding grooves  131   a  disposed on the each side of the waterproof washer  131 , and the needle-guiding grooves  131   a  are aligned to each other. 
     It should be noted that, each of the needle-guiding grooves  131   a  disposed corresponding to each other, but none of the needle-guiding grooves  131   a  is a through hole. The guide needle  12  would be guide through one of the needle-guiding grooves  131   a  and penetrate the waterproof washer  131 . The advantage of penetrating the waterproof washer  131  with the guide needle  12  is that the gap or space the guide needle  12  and the waterproof washer  131  would be eliminated. The waterproof could be improved. Via this arrangement, while manufacturing the waterproof washer  131 , the needle-guiding grooves  131   a  would not need to be very precisely as the through hole of the washer in the art. In the present field, the through hole of the washer should be aligned accurately to avoid mechanical tolerances adding up. Furthermore, by penetrating the waterproof washer  131  via the guide needle  12  would also increase the tightness between the two and improve the waterproof of the connector. 
     Please refer to  FIG. 9  and  FIG. 10 .  FIG. 9  is a perspective view of housing of the present invention.  FIG. 10  is an enlarge view of  FIG. 9  of region D. 
     As mentioned in previous paragraphs, the insulating housing  10  comprises a housing  100 , and the housing  100  comprises multiple ribs  100   a  that disposing near the first insulating sleeve  101 . In the preferred embodiment, the housing  100  has ten ribs  100   a , but the numbers of the ribs are not limited to ten. The ribs  100   a  are triangular pyramid, in some embodiments the ribs could also be formed as square based pyramid or jagged column. The first insulating sleeve  101  is made of flexible material and mounts with the ribs  100   a , therefore when assembling the rib  100   a  could buckle or bit into the first insulating sleeve  101 . This may ensure the first insulating sleeve  101  would not slide or move after assemble. When the first insulating sleeve  101  is mounted with the housing  100 , the hole of the housing  100  could aligned with the hole of the first insulating sleeve  101 , ensure the concentricity between the housing  100  and the first insulating sleeve  101 , and the overall mechanic tolerance will decrease. The connector  1  could provide a better accurateness and stability. 
     In the present embodiment, the ribs  100   a  are equally disposed at one end of the housing  100 , but the disposing method is not limited to. 
     Last but not least, please refer to  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 12 .  FIG. 11  is the cross-section view of the connector of present invention.  FIG. 12  is a cross-section view of  FIG. 11  along CC secant line. 
     While assembling the connector  1 , first the guide needle  12  would penetrate through the second insulating sleeve  102 . Then, buckle the fixing portions  101   a  of the first insulating sleeve  101  with three the convex portions  1120  of the female terminal  11 . Therefore, the female terminal  11  would be mounted with the first insulating sleeve  101 . The first insulating sleeve  101  will be fixed with the second insulating sleeve  102 . The guide needle  12  would be guided through the needle-guiding grooves  131   a  and penetrate through the waterproof washer  131 . Then the waterproof washer  131  would be disposed on the guide needle  12 . Last the end of the housing  100  near the waterproof washer  131  snap into a riveting shape, and the assembling of the connector  1  would be done. 
     Via the design and the combination of the convex portions  1120 , the fixing portions  101   a , the tighten portions  1110  and the slits  1112 , the female terminal  11  would be ensure inside the insulating housing  10 . The female terminal  11  would not spin or rotate relative to the insulating housing  10 . 
     Moreover, when the male terminal penetrates the first insulating sleeve  101  and the female terminal  11 , the multiple blades of the female terminal  11  would clamp the male terminal and directly connect with the male terminal. The electrical signal would be transmitted to the guide needle  12  via female terminal  11 . The transmission would cut off if the male terminal pulls out. 
     To conclude, in the present invention, the connector has blade that formed into a continuous curve (curve shape) and female terminal with clamping portion could achieve the objection of improving the compatibility and the fatigue resistance. The multiple blades could increase the contacting area and the number of contact area between the male terminal and the female terminal. The clamping force and the electric performance would be increased. Via the convex portions and the fixing portions the female terminal could be fixed with the first insulating sleeve and prevent the female terminal drop off while using. 
     The above disclosure is only the preferred embodiment of the present invention, and not used for limiting the scope of the present invention. All equivalent variations and modifications on the basis of shapes, structures, features and spirits described in claims of the present invention should be included in the claims of the present invention. 
     While the invention has been described with referencing to the preferred embodiment thereof, it is to be understood that modifications or variations may be easily made without departing from the spirit of this invention, which is defined by the appended claims.