Connector

Abstract

The invention relates to a connector which is provided with a shell and a plurality of identification units. Wherein the shell is provided with a plurality of shell units, and each shell unit is provided with a hollow body, a key position structure and an opening end. The key position structure is formed on one inner edge of the hollow body, and the opening end is formed on one side face of the hollow body. The hollow body and the open end jointly define an accommodating space for connecting a paired connector. The shell units are integrally formed with one another, and the key position structures of the shell units are different from one another. The identification units are respectively arranged on the shell units and are used for correspondingly identifying and distinguishing the shell units.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a connector, and more particularly to a connector comprising an integral housing and easily identifiable key positions. Background Technology

[0002] To meet the diverse functional requirements of different electronic products, traditional connectors have begun to adopt a combination of multiple modular connectors. For example, Taiwan Utility Model Patent Publication M599037 discloses a modular connector that allows two or more modular connectors to be combined together.

[0003] However, such a multi-component design inevitably increases the width and size of the connector, negatively impacting product miniaturization. Furthermore, the multi-component design also presents assembly tolerance issues during housing assembly, leading to increased assembly time and production costs.

[0004] In view of this, the present invention proposes an integrated connector to solve the problems faced by the multi-piece assembly design in the prior art, such as the increase in product width and volume, assembly tolerance, and simultaneous increase in labor time and cost. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide an innovative integrated connector that solves the problems of difficulty in controlling assembly tolerances and increased width and volume caused by the separate assembly of traditional multi-piece connectors, thereby saving subsequent production time and reducing production costs. Furthermore, the integrated connector of this invention can be equipped with different identification units on a one-piece molded housing, allowing users to easily and correctly distinguish between connectors of different specifications on the same housing when connecting mating connectors, thus achieving the purpose of correctly connecting mating connectors.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention discloses a connector having a housing and a plurality of identification units. The housing comprises a plurality of housing units, each housing unit having a hollow body, a key structure, and an open end. The key structure is formed on an inner edge of the hollow body, and the open end is formed on a side surface of the hollow body. The hollow body and the open end together define an accommodating space for connecting a mating connector. The housing units are integrally formed with each other, and the key structures of each housing unit are different from each other. Each identification unit is respectively disposed on each housing unit for correspondingly identifying and distinguishing each housing unit.

[0007] In one embodiment, each identification unit is a color plate with different colors, used to identify and distinguish each housing unit accordingly.

[0008] In one embodiment, each color plate can be separately embedded in each housing unit.

[0009] In one embodiment, each color plate has an embedding portion, and each hollow body of each housing unit has an embedding groove disposed on a top surface of each hollow body. Each embedding portion can be separately embedded into each embedding groove to individually fix each color plate in each housing unit.

[0010] In one embodiment, each identification unit is a colored portion formed on one end face of the open end of each hollow body, and each colored portion has a different color to identify and distinguish each shell unit accordingly.

[0011] In one embodiment, it further includes a plurality of contacts, one end of each contact being embedded in a receiving space from a opposite side of each open end of each hollow body, for electrically connecting the contacts of the mating connector.

[0012] In one embodiment, the contact can be divided into an upper contact group and a lower contact group. When the contact is embedded in each accommodating space, the lower contact group is disposed below the upper contact group.

[0013] In one embodiment, the device further includes a plurality of gaskets that can be detachably embedded in each housing unit, wherein each gasket has a plurality of openings through which the other opposite end of each contact element passes.

[0014] In one embodiment, the housing is positioned on an external circuit board, wherein the other opposite end of each contact extends through an opening and is electrically connected to the external circuit board.

[0015] In one embodiment, the housing further includes at least one positioning pin disposed on a bottom side of the hollow body, through which an external circuit board can pass to position the housing on the external circuit board.

[0016] Other objects of the invention, as well as the means and methods of implementation, will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon referring to the accompanying drawings and the embodiments described below. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a connector according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0018] Figure 2 This is an exploded front view diagram of a connector according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 3 This is a rear exploded view of the connector in one embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the housing in one embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of a housing having three housing units in one embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of a connector with three color plates according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of a display color plate being detachably embedded in the housing unit of a connector in one embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of a connector with different identification units in one embodiment of the present invention; and

[0025] Figure 9 This is a rear exploded view of the connector in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0027] 100 connector

[0028] 1. Shell

[0029] 10. Shell Unit

[0030] 10A First Shell Unit

[0031] 10B Second Shell Unit

[0032] 10C Third Housing Unit

[0033] 11 Hollow body

[0034] 111 Embedded slot

[0035] 12-bond structure

[0036] 13 Open end

[0037] 14 Positioning pins

[0038] 200 External Circuit Board

[0039] 2. Identification Unit

[0040] 2A Gray Swatch

[0041] 2A' Gray coloring section

[0042] 2B Green Color Palette

[0043] 2B' Green coloring section

[0044] 2C Blue Color Palette

[0045] 2C' Blue coloring section

[0046] 21 embedded part

[0047] 3 Contacts

[0048] 31 Upper contact assembly

[0049] 32 Lower contact assembly

[0050] 4 gaskets

[0051] 41. Opening. Detailed Implementation

[0052] The following embodiments will explain the content of this invention. These embodiments are not intended to limit the implementation of this invention to any specific environment, application, or special method described in the embodiments. Therefore, the descriptions of the embodiments are merely illustrative of the invention and not intended to limit it. It should be noted that in the following embodiments and accompanying drawings, some elements not directly related to this invention have been omitted and are not shown, and the dimensional relationships between the elements in the drawings are for ease of understanding only and are not intended to limit the actual scale.

[0053] Please see Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3 . Figure 1 This diagram shows a connector 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 and Figure 3 The diagrams show an exploded front view and an exploded rear view of a connector 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The connector 100 of the present invention includes a housing 1, a plurality of identification units 2, a plurality of contacts 3, and a plurality of gaskets 4. In this embodiment, the connector 100 is mainly a board-side connector of a wire-to-board connector, with one end disposed on an external circuit board 200 and the other end used for insertion into a mating connector (not shown).

[0054] First, let's explain shell 1; please refer to it as well. Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 4 .in, Figure 4 The diagram shown is a schematic representation of the housing in one embodiment of the present invention. The housing 1 of the connector 100 of the present invention comprises a plurality of housing units 10, to... Figure 4 In the embodiment shown, the housing 1 of the connector 100 is composed of three housing units 10. Figure 4 The three housing units 10 shown are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the invention. The number of housing units 10 in the housing 1 of the connector 100 can be increased or decreased depending on the actual use. However, it should be noted that, in order to achieve the goal of miniaturization, all housing units 10 in the housing 1 of the connector 100 of the present invention are integrally formed with each other. The integrally formed housing of the present invention can avoid the problems caused by the increase in width and volume, difficulty in controlling assembly tolerance, and simultaneous increase in assembly time and manufacturing cost caused by the assembly of traditional multi-piece connectors.

[0055] like Figure 4 As shown, each housing unit 10 of the housing 1 of the present invention has a hollow body 11, a key structure 12, and an open end 13. The hollow body 11 can be manufactured by injection molding, for example, using insulating resin or polymer material, but is not limited thereto. The open end 13 is formed on one side of the hollow body 11, and the hollow body 11 and the open end 13 together define an accommodating space for mating connectors (not shown) to fit along the opening direction. Furthermore, the key structure 12 is formed on an inner edge of the hollow body 11, and the positions of the key structures 12 on the inner edge of the sidewalls of each housing unit 10 are different, providing identification and mating for different mating connectors. Figure 5 As shown, it clearly illustrates the three housing units 10 constituting the housing 1 in one embodiment of the present invention. The key structure 12 of each housing unit 10 has different high and low key positions for pairing different mating connectors. In a preferred embodiment, the housing 1 further has at least one positioning pin 14, which is disposed on a bottom side of the hollow body 11 of the integrally formed plurality of housing units 10, and extends through an external circuit board 200 to position the housing 1 on the external circuit board 200.

[0056] Next, let's explain identification unit 2. Please refer to the following: Figures 1 to 3 , Figure 6 and Figure 7 In the embodiment shown, the connector 100 has three identification units 2, each disposed on one of the three housing units 10, for correspondingly identifying and distinguishing the three housing units 10. In this embodiment, the identification unit is a color plate; different colors are applied to the color plate to correspondingly identify and distinguish each housing unit. Figure 6 As shown, for example, the connector 100 of the present invention has three color plates of different colors: gray color plate 2A, green color plate 2B, and blue color plate 2C. These color plates can be separately embedded in three housing units: the first housing unit 10A, the second housing unit 10B, and the third housing unit 10C. This allows for easy identification and differentiation of each connector by using the different colors on the identification units during subsequent connection and mating of the connectors. Combined with different key structures, this ensures the correct connection and mating of the connectors. Please refer to [link to relevant documentation]. Figure 7 The connector of the present invention has each color plate as an arc-shaped thin plate, and each side of the arc-shaped thin plate has an insert portion 21. On the other hand, each hollow body 11 of each housing unit 10 has an insert groove 111 disposed on the top surface of the hollow body 11, and each insert portion 21 of the color plate of different colors can be separately and correspondingly inserted into the insert groove 111, so as to individually and separately fix each color plate in each housing unit 10.

[0057] Please see Figure 8This illustrates a connector with different identification units in another embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the identification unit 2 is a colored portion formed on one end face of the opening end 13 of each hollow body 11. Each colored portion is printed with a different color on the end face of the opening end 13 using inkjet printing technology to correspondingly identify and distinguish each housing unit 10. Figure 8 As shown, the connector 100 of the present invention has three colored portions at the open end 13: a gray colored portion 2A', a green colored portion 2B', and a blue colored portion 2C'. Figure 8 Different shaded lines represent different colors on each end face, and are correspondingly set on the open end faces of the three housing units, the first housing unit 10A, the second housing unit 10B and the third housing unit 10C. This allows different connectors to be easily identified and distinguished by the different colored parts when connecting mating connectors, and, in conjunction with the differences in the key structure, to achieve the function of correctly connecting mating connectors.

[0058] Please refer to both together. Figure 9 The invention illustrates that, in one embodiment, the connector 100 further includes a plurality of contacts 3. In this embodiment, the contacts 3 can be divided into an upper contact group 31 and a lower contact group 32. When the contacts 3 are embedded in the respective accommodating spaces of each hollow body 11, the lower contact group 32 is positioned below the upper contact group 31. One end of each contact 3 in the upper contact group 31 and the lower contact group 32 is embedded from a side opposite to the opening end 13 (i.e., the back side of the hollow body) of each hollow body 11 into the accommodating space of each hollow body 11 for electrically connecting the mating connector. The connector 100 also includes a plurality of gaskets 4 that are detachably embedded in the tail end of the hollow body 11 of each housing unit. Each gasket 4 has multiple openings 41, through which the opposite ends of each contact of the upper contact group 31 and the lower contact group 32 pass through the openings 41, and are electrically connected to the external circuit board 200 after passing through the openings 41.

[0059] In summary, the connector of the present invention comprises a combination of a housing, identification units, contacts, and gaskets. To achieve a reduced width and size, the housing of the connector of the present invention adopts a one-piece structural design, with several housing units on a single housing. Given this one-piece housing design, to effectively identify connectors of different specifications on a single housing, the present invention provides multiple identification units on the housing, each located on a separate housing unit, to correspondingly identify and distinguish each housing unit. Combined with different key structures on the housing units, this easily achieves the goal of correctly connecting and mating the connectors. Furthermore, the one-piece structural design of the connector of the present invention also solves the assembly tolerance problem that exists when assembling traditional multi-piece connectors, thereby saving subsequent production time and reducing production costs.

[0060] The above embodiments are merely illustrative of the implementation methods of the present invention and to explain the technical features of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention. Any changes or equivalent arrangements that can be easily made by those skilled in the art are within the scope of the present invention, and the scope of protection of the present invention should be determined by the claims.

Claims

1. A connector, comprising: a housing having a plurality of housing units, each of the housing units having a hollow body, a key structure and an open end, wherein the key structure is formed on an inner edge of the hollow body, the open end is formed on a side surface of the hollow body, the hollow body and the open end jointly define a receiving space for connecting a mating connector, the housing units are integrally formed with each other, and the key structures of the housing units are different from each other; and a plurality of identification units respectively arranged on each of the housing units for correspondingly identifying and distinguishing each of the housing units.

2. The connector of claim 1, wherein each of the identification units is a color plate, each of the color plates has different colors for correspondingly identifying and distinguishing each of the housing units.

3. The connector of claim 2, wherein each of the color plates is detachably embedded in each of the housing units.

4. The connector of claim 3, wherein each of the color plates has an embedding portion, each of the hollow bodies of the housing units has an embedding slot arranged on a top surface of the hollow body, and the embedding portion is detachably embedded into the embedding slot to individually fix each of the color plates in each of the housing units.

5. The connector of claim 1, wherein each of the identification units is a colored portion formed on an end surface of the open end of each of the hollow bodies, each of the colored portions has different colors for correspondingly identifying and distinguishing each of the housing units.

6. The connector of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of contacts, one end of each of the contacts is embedded into the receiving space from an opposite side surface of the open end of each of the hollow bodies for electrically connecting contacts of the mating connector.

7. The connector of claim 6, wherein the contacts are distinguishable into an upper contact group and a lower contact group, the lower contact group is oppositely arranged below the upper contact group when the contacts are embedded into the receiving space.

8. The connector of claim 6, further comprising a plurality of spacers detachably embedded in each of the housing units, wherein each of the spacers has a plurality of openings for correspondingly passing another opposite end of each of the contacts out of the openings.

9. The connector of claim 8, wherein the housing is positioned on an external circuit board, wherein another opposite end of each of the contacts is electrically connected to the external circuit board after passing out of each of the openings.

10. The connector of claim 9, wherein the housing further comprises at least one positioning pin arranged on a bottom side surface of the hollow body and passable out of the external circuit board for positioning the housing on the external circuit board.

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