The present application is based on, and claims priority from, China Patent Application No. 202221421629.X, filed Jun. 8, 2022, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
The present invention generally relates to an electrical connector assembly, and more particularly to an electrical connector assembly having a double locking structure.
Generally, when a conventional electrical connector is docked with a docking connector, the conventional electrical connector is mostly combined with the docking connector by adopting a quick docking way, a push-pull way, a rotary lock way and a screw thread tightening way. However, in a docking process of the conventional electrical connector and the docking connector, the rotary lock way and the screw thread tightening way take up more space in use, and the rotary lock way and the screw thread tightening way are unable to be used in places with limited spaces. In addition, though the quick docking way and the push-pull way are convenient, when the conventional electrical connector is pulled or vibrated by an external force, the conventional electrical connector is easily loosened from the docking connector or separated from the docking connector, consequently, after the conventional electrical connector is docked with the docking connector, a connection effect between the conventional electrical connector and the docking connector is unable to be guaranteed. Furthermore, in some specific usage states, the docked conventional electrical connector and the docking connector need allow a relative rotation between the conventional electrical connector and the docking connector, in this case, if a vibration is too frequent and intense, the conventional electrical connector may cause a gradual rotation and a loosened phenomenon.
A conventional electrical connector assembly includes a first connector and a second connector. The first connector includes a first insulating core, a plurality of first terminals, a protective tube, a compression spring and a locking structure. The plurality of the first terminals are fastened in the first insulating core. An inner surface of the protective tube has a blocking block. The protective tube is mounted around an outside of the first insulating core. The compression spring is arranged between the first insulating core and the protective tube. The first insulating core and the protective tube are combined by the locking structure. The locking structure includes an avoiding groove, a convex block, a sliding groove and a stopping block. The stopping block passes through the avoiding groove. After the protective tube is rotated, the stopping block passes across the convex block and then enters the sliding groove. The stopping block is blocked by the convex block and the stopping block is unable to move out of the sliding groove. The second connector includes a second insulating core and a plurality of second terminals. The second insulating core has an insertion slot and a blocking rib. The first connector is inserted into the insertion slot, after the first connector is rotated, the blocking block is blocked by the blocking rib. The second connector is combined with the first connector, thereby the first connector is docked with the second connector by the quick docking way, and a connection effect between the first connector and the second connector is ensured.
However, the first connector and the second connector of the conventional electrical connector assembly are docked by use of the quick docking way to ensure the connection effect between the first connector and the second connector, the first connector and the second connector are docked by a single locking structure, when the conventional electrical connector assembly vibrates too frequently and intensely, the conventional electrical connector assembly gradually rotates to make the first connector and the second connector loosened from each other.
Thus, it is essential to provide an innovative electrical connector assembly having a double locking structure, so that the electrical connector assembly is ensured to uneasily get loose under a vibration.
An object of the present invention is to provide an electrical connector assembly. The electrical connector assembly includes an electrical connector, a locking structure and a docking connector. The electrical connector includes a first main module, a plurality of first terminals fastened in the first main module, a first shell mounted around an outer surface of the first main module, and a protective tube. The protective tube is mounted around an outer surface of the first shell. An outer surface of the protective tube protrudes outward to form a mounting portion. One end of the mounting portion is defined as a first position, and the other end of the mounting portion is defined as a second position. An inner surface of the protective tube has a guiding groove. The mounting portion defines a sliding groove penetrating through a rear surface of the mounting portion. An inner wall of the sliding groove defines a perforation penetrating through the inner wall of the sliding groove in a radial direction of the protective tube. The sliding groove and the guiding groove are communicated through the perforation. The locking structure is disposed to the mounting portion. An inner surface of the locking structure protrudes towards the first shell to form a location foot. The docking connector is docked with the electrical connector. The docking connector includes a second main module, a plurality of second terminals fastened in the second main module, and a second shell mounted around an outer surface of the second main module. The second shell has a protrusion. The protrusion is inserted in the guiding groove. When the protective tube is rotated, the protrusion slides along the guiding groove, the protrusion slides from a front end of the guiding groove to a rear end of the guiding groove. When the protrusion is located at the front end of the guiding groove, the locking structure is located at the first position, the location foot of the locking structure is disposed in the sliding groove of the protective tube. When the protrusion is located at the rear end of the guiding groove, the locking structure moves to the second position, the protrusion penetrates through the perforation, and the protrusion moves into the guiding groove, and the protrusion is blocked between the front end of the guiding groove and the rear end of the guiding groove.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an electrical connector assembly. The electrical connector assembly includes an electrical connector, a locking structure and a docking connector. The electrical connector includes a first main module, a plurality of first terminals fastened in the first main module, a first shell mounted around an outer surface of the first main module, and a protective tube mounted around an outer surface of the first shell. An outer surface of the protective tube protrudes outward to form a mounting portion. One end of the mounting portion is defined as a first position, and the other end of the mounting portion is defined as a second position. An inner surface of the protective tube has a guiding groove. The mounting portion defines a sliding groove penetrating through a rear surface of the mounting portion. A front of an inner wall of the sliding groove defines a perforation penetrating through the inner wall of the sliding groove in a radial direction of the protective tube. A rear of the inner wall of the sliding groove has a step. The sliding groove and the guiding groove are communicated through the perforation. The locking structure is disposed to the mounting portion. A front of an inner surface of the locking structure protrudes towards the first shell to form a location foot. A rear of the inner surface of the locking structure protrudes downward, then slantwise extends rearward and downward, and further extends rearward to form an abutting portion. The docking connector is docked with the electrical connector. The docking connector includes a second main module, a plurality of second terminals fastened in the second main module, and a second shell mounted around an outer surface of the second main module. The second shell has a protrusion. The protrusion is inserted in the guiding groove. When the protective tube of the electrical connector is rotated, the protrusion slides along the guiding groove, the protrusion slides from a front end of the guiding groove to a rear end of the guiding groove, so the electrical connector is locked with the docking connector for a first time, the electrical connector assembly is in a first locking status, the locking structure is located at the first position, the abutting portion abuts against the step, the location foot faces the inner wall of the sliding groove. When the locking structure moves from the first position to the second position, the abutting portion is separated from the step, the location foot moves to the perforation, and the location foot abuts against the protrusion of the docking connector, so the electrical connector is locked with the docking connector for a second time.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an electrical connector assembly. The electrical connector assembly includes an electrical connector, a locking structure and a docking connector. The electrical connector includes a first main module, a plurality of first terminals fastened in the first main module, a first shell mounted around an outer surface of the first main module, and a protective tube mounted around an outer surface of the first shell. An outer surface of the protective tube protrudes outward to form a mounting portion. One end of the mounting portion is defined as a first position, and the other end of the mounting portion is defined as a second position. An inner surface of the protective tube has a guiding groove. The mounting portion defines a sliding groove penetrating through a rear surface of the mounting portion. A rear end of an inner wall of the sliding groove is recessed inward and towards a center of the protective tube to form a first fastening groove. The first fastening groove has a first platform, a second platform and a perforation along a rear-to-front direction. An inner surface of the first fastening groove is defined as the first platform. A front of the first platform is recessed inward to form the second platform. A front of the second platform defines the perforation penetrating through the inner wall of the sliding groove in a radial direction of the protective tube. The sliding groove and the guiding groove are communicated through the perforation. The locking structure is disposed to the mounting portion. The locking structure has a main body. The main body extends downward and expands outward to form a lower portion. The lower portion is disposed in the sliding groove. A front end of an inner surface of the lower portion extends towards the first shell to form a location foot. A rear end of a bottom surface of the main body protrudes downward, then slantwise extends rearward and downward, and further extends rearward to form an abutting portion. The docking connector is docked with the electrical connector. The docking connector includes a second main module, a plurality of second terminals fastened in the second main module, and a second shell mounted around an outer surface of the second main module. The second shell has a protrusion. The protrusion is inserted in the guiding groove. When the protective tube of the electrical connector is rotated, the protrusion slides along the guiding groove, the protrusion slides from a front end of the guiding groove to a rear end of the guiding groove, so the electrical connector is locked with the docking connector for a first time. The electrical connector assembly is in a first locking status. The locking structure is located at the first position. When the locking structure is located at the first position, the abutting portion abuts against a rear end of the first platform of the mounting portion, the location foot abuts against the second platform of the mounting portion, when the locking structure moves from the first position to the second position, the abutting portion abuts against a front end of the first platform of the mounting portion, the location foot moves away from the second platform, the location foot moves to the perforation, and the location foot abuts against the protrusion of the docking connector, so the electrical connector is locked with the docking connector for a second time, the electrical connector assembly is in a second locking status.
As described above, the protective tube of the electrical connector is rotated, so that the electrical connector is locked with the docking connector for the first time, and the electrical connector assembly is in the first locking status. The locking structure is pushed from the first position to the second position so as to make that the electrical connector is locked with the docking connector for the second time, and the electrical connector assembly is in the second locking status, the protective tube is prevented from making that the electrical connector and the docking connector get loose due to a vibration, on the contrary, the locking structure is pushed from the second position back to the first position, the protective tube is reversely rotated to make the electrical connector separated from the docking connector. Thus, the electrical connector assembly has a double locking structure and a double locking function, the electrical connector assembly is uneasy to get loose due to the vibration, the guiding groove is changed into any shape which is cooperated with the location foot to act as a guiding function. An actuating stroke of the locking structure is without being limited to a longitudinal reciprocating movement along the docking direction of the electrical connector assembly, the locking structure is cooperated with a shape design of the guiding groove to reciprocally move along a transverse direction which is orthogonal to the docking direction of the electrical connector assembly, or the locking structure moves along an inclining direction with respect to the docking direction of the electrical connector assembly. When the locking structure moves to the first position, the docking connector is receded, when the locking structure moves to the second position, the protrusion of the docking connector is blocked in a moving path of the guiding groove, and the moving path of the guiding groove is replaceable. As a result, the electrical connector assembly is ensured to uneasily get loose under the vibration.
The present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art by reading the following description, with reference to the attached drawings, in which:
With reference to
The docking connector 20 is docked with the electrical connector 10. The docking connector 20 is fastened to the electrical connector 10. The locking structure 30 is disposed to an outer surface of the electrical connector 10. In the preferred embodiment, a docking end of the electrical connector 10 is defined as a front end of the electrical connector 10, and a docking end of the docking connector 20 is defined as a rear end of the docking connector 20. A front surface of the electrical connector 10 and a rear surface of the docking connector 20 are defined as docking surfaces 101.
Referring to
An outer surface of the protective tube 11 protrudes outward to form a mounting portion 112. The mounting portion 112 is a U shape. An opening 117 of the mounting portion 112 faces rearward. An inner surface of the protective tube 11 of the electrical connector 10 has a guiding groove 113. The inner surface of the protective tube 11 of the electrical connector 10 has a plurality of the guiding grooves 113. In the preferred embodiment, the guiding groove 113 is an inclined groove slantwise extending rearward and sideward. In the preferred embodiment, the protective tube 11 of the electrical connector 10 has three guiding grooves 113. The three guiding grooves 113 are evenly distributed around the inner surface of the protective tube 11 of the electrical connector 10. The plurality of the guiding grooves 113 are used for buckling a corresponding mechanism of the docking connector 20. A position of the mounting portion 112 is corresponding to one guiding groove 113. In a concrete implementation, a position of the mounting portion 112 is able to be disposed to an outer side of any guiding groove 113, or positions of a plurality of the mounting portions 112 are able to be designed at the outer sides of the plurality of the guiding grooves 113.
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In the preferred embodiment, the first main portion 411 of the electrical connector 10 need fully surround the plurality of the first terminals 13, so a length of the first main portion 411 of the electrical connector 10 is longer than a length of the second main portion 421 of the docking connector 20.
In the preferred embodiment, the first stopping portion 412, the first buckling portion 413, the first silicone portion 414 and the first cover 415 of the first main module 41 of the electrical connector 10 and the second stopping portion 422, the second buckling portion 423, the second silicone portion 424 and the second cover 425 of the second main module 42 of the docking connector 20 have the same structure design to reduce design time and mold costs.
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In the preferred embodiment, each blocking wall 116 has a first block 1161, a second block 1162 and a convex portion 1163. Two opposite sides of the front wall 114 extend rearward to form two first blocks 1161. Two outer sides of two rear ends of the two first blocks 1161 extend rearward to form two second blocks 1162. Two inner sides of two rear edges of the two first blocks 1161 slantwise extend rearward and outward. A width of each first block 1161 is wider than a width of each second block 1162. Two middles of two inner sides of the two second blocks 1162 protrude inward to form two convex portions 1163. Positions of two convex portions 1163 of the two blocking walls 116 are opposite to each other. When the locking structure 30 is moved to the second position 91, a corresponding mechanism of the locking structure 30 is buckled to the mounting portion 112 by the convex portion 1163 for ensuring that the locking structure 30 keeps being located at the second position 91. A middle of each second block 1162 has a hollow structure 1164. The convex portion 1163 is corresponding to a middle of the hollow structure 1164. When the locking structure 30 slides, the hollow structure 1164 provides an elastic compression space for the corresponding convex portion 1163. The hollow structure 1164 provides a pressure feedback for the locking structure 30.
Referring to
When the electrical connector 10 and the docking connector 20 are in the first locking status, the corresponding portion of the locking structure 30 abuts against the first platform 1191, a corresponding section of the locking structure 30 abuts against the second platform 1192. When the locking structure 30 is moved to proceed with the second locking status of the electrical connector 10 and the docking connector 20, the corresponding portion of the locking structure 30 abuts against the first platform 1191. The corresponding section of the locking structure 30 moves to the perforation 1193. The corresponding section of the locking structure 30 moves to the one guiding groove 113 and abuts against a corresponding area of docking connector 20 in the guiding groove 113 for ensuring that the electrical connector 10 and the docking connector 20 without being loosened by the vibration.
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In the preferred embodiment, the sleeve 132 has two locking hooks 1321. Each locking hook 1321 is bent inward from the one side of the sleeve 132. The locking hook 1321 of the sleeve 132 is buckled to the location hole 1314 of the first contact portion 1312, so that the base body 131 is located to the sleeve 132, and the base body 131 is fixed to the sleeve 132. The two locking hooks 1321 are buckled to the two location holes 1314. A rear end of the first fastening portion 1311 extends rearward to form the first connecting portion 1313. The first connecting portion 1313 is a V shape. The first connecting portion 1313 of each first terminal 13 is used for fastening one cable 60. The stopping plate 44 of the first stopping portion 412 of the electrical connector 10 is buckled with the rear end of the first fastening portion 1311 to prevent each first terminal 13 breaking away from the first main module 41.
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Two opposite sides of the main body 31 of the locking structure 30 protrude oppositely to form two convex surfaces 311. The two convex surfaces 311 are used for interfering with the two convex portions 1163 of the two blocking walls 116, so that the locking structure 30 is fastened in the mounting portion 112.
Referring to
Rear ends of two opposite sides of the lower portion 33 of the locking structure 30 extend towards the two side walls 115 of the mounting portion 112 to form two extending portions 332. The two extending portions 332 guide the locking structure 30 in the sliding groove 118 of the mounting portion 112 of the electrical connector 10 to prevent the locking structure 30 moving upward to break away from the mounting portion 112 of the electrical connector 10. In the preferred embodiment, a width of each extending portion 332 is wider than a width of each convex surface 311. Two positions of the two extending portions 332 are close to the opening 117 of the mounting portion 112.
The lower portion 33 is the U shape. A mouth of the lower portion 33 faces rearward. A rear end of a bottom surface of the main body 31 protrudes downward, then slantwise extends rearward and downward, and further extends rearward to form the abutting portion 333. The abutting portion 333 is formed among a rear end of the lower portion 33. The locking structure 30 is inserted to the mounting portion 112 from the opening 117. When the locking structure 30 is inserted to the mounting portion 112 from the opening 117, a tail end of the abutting portion 333 abuts against a rear end of the first platform 1191 to prevent the locking structure 30 moving rearward to break away from the mounting portion 112 of the electrical connector 10. When the locking structure 30 is located at the first position 90, the abutting portion 333 abuts against the rear end of the first platform 1191 of the mounting portion 112, the location foot 331 abuts against the second platform 1192 of the mounting portion 112. When the locking structure 30 is located at the first position 90, the abutting portion 333 abuts against the second step 104 of the mounting portion 112. When the locking structure 30 moves from the first position to the second position 91, the abutting portion 333 abuts against a front end of the first platform 1191 of the mounting portion 112, the location foot 331 moves away from the second platform 1192, the abutting portion 333 is separated from the step 102, the location foot 331 moves to the perforation 1193, and the location foot 331 abuts against the protrusion 211 of the docking connector 20, so the electrical connector 10 is locked with the docking connector 20 for a second time, the electrical connector assembly 100 is in the second locking status, and the electrical connector 10 and the docking connector 20 are without getting loose by the vibration.
In the concrete implementation, each guiding groove 113 is defined as the inclined groove. The guiding groove 113 is any shape. The one guiding groove 113 is changed into any shape which is cooperated with the location foot 331 to act as a guiding function.
As described above, the protective tube 11 of the electrical connector 10 is rotated, so that the electrical connector 10 is locked with the docking connector 20 for the first time, and the electrical connector assembly 100 is in the first locking status. The locking structure 30 is pushed from the first position 90 to the second position 91 so as to make that the electrical connector 10 is locked with the docking connector 20 for the second time, and the electrical connector assembly 100 is in the second locking status, the protective tube 11 is prevented from making that the electrical connector 10 and the docking connector 20 get loose due to the vibration, on the contrary, the locking structure 30 is pushed from the second position 91 back to the first position 90, the protective tube 11 is reversely rotated to make the electrical connector 10 separated from the docking connector 20. Thus, the electrical connector assembly 100 has a double locking structure and a double locking function, the electrical connector assembly 100 is uneasy to get loose due to the vibration, the guiding groove 113 is changed into any shape which is cooperated with the location foot 331 to act as the guiding function. An actuating stroke of the locking structure 30 is without being limited to a longitudinal reciprocating movement along the docking direction of the electrical connector assembly 100, the locking structure 30 is cooperated with a shape design of the guiding groove 113 to reciprocally move along a transverse direction which is orthogonal to the docking direction of the electrical connector assembly 100, or the locking structure 30 moves along an inclining direction with respect to the docking direction of the electrical connector assembly 100. When the locking structure 30 moves to the first position 90, the docking connector 20 is receded, when the locking structure 30 moves to the second position 91, the protrusion 211 of the docking connector 20 is blocked in a moving path of the guiding groove 113, and the moving path of the guiding groove 113 is replaceable. As a result, the electrical connector assembly 100 is ensured to uneasily get loose under the vibration.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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202221421629.X | Jun 2022 | CN | national |