connector

Abstract

The present invention relates to a connector. The connector comprises: a board end connection portion which is to be mated with a wire end connection portion; the wire end connection portion which is provided with a plurality of mating cavities for mating a plurality of wire harness terminals and a retreat-stop member coupling structure; the plurality of wire harness terminals; and a retreat-stop member which is configured to allow the wire harness terminals to be fixed in the mating cavities of the wire end connection portion when the retreat-stop member coupling structure is in a first coupling state, and to allow the wire harness terminals and the wire end connection portion to be detachable when the retreat-stop member coupling structure is in a second coupling state.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates generally to the field of electrical connections, and more specifically to a connector. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, to adapt to the trend of equipment miniaturization and integration, existing technologies use integrated wire harness connectors with a one-piece structure. By integrating multiple interfaces, wiring can be standardized, thus improving the problems of messy wire harnesses and large space occupation to some extent. However, traditional interface connectors are inseparable and integrated. When an interface is damaged or needs to be replaced, the entire connector assembly must be replaced. This results in high connector maintenance costs and is not conducive to modular management, seriously restricting the efficiency of equipment operation and maintenance and the economy of use.

[0003] To overcome the inherent drawback of integrated wire harness connectors being non-separable, existing technologies have further proposed connectors with detachable integrated wire harnesses. However, existing detachable integrated wire harnesses still have structural design shortcomings in practical applications: for example, the wire harness disassembly method is inconvenient, and the locking and unlocking operations are time-consuming, thus restricting the maintenance efficiency of integrated wire harness products.

[0004] In summary, the shortcomings of existing connectors are at least as follows: they make it difficult to achieve convenient wire harness disassembly and locking, thus restricting the operation and maintenance efficiency and user experience of integrated wire harness products. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In view of the shortcomings of the prior art, the present invention provides a connector that can significantly improve the convenience of wire harness locking and disassembly, as well as effectively improve equipment operation and maintenance efficiency and user experience.

[0006] Furthermore, the present invention can effectively reduce the risk of misinsertion; improve the positional accuracy of wire harness insertion into connectors; enhance the snap-back force of connectors, improving user experience and product lifespan; prevent wire harness inner membrane exposure; improve the accuracy of wire harness insertion into connectors; and meet the requirements for lightweight design, thereby at least partially solving other potential problems existing in the prior art.

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, a connector is provided, comprising: a board-end connection portion for interlocking with a wire-end connection portion; the wire-end connection portion having a plurality of insertion cavities and a locking member coupling structure, the plurality of insertion cavities being used for inserting a plurality of wire harness terminals; a plurality of wire harness terminals; and a locking member configured to fix the wire harness terminals in the insertion cavities of the wire-end connection portion when in a first coupling state with the locking member coupling structure, and to make the wire harness terminals and the wire-end connection portion detachable when in a second coupling state with the locking member coupling structure.

[0008] In some embodiments, the anti-reverse component coupling structure includes a first slot and a second slot disposed on the housing of the line end connection portion. When the anti-reverse component is coupled in the first slot, it is in a first coupling state, and when the anti-reverse component is coupled in the second slot, it is in a second coupling state.

[0009] In some embodiments, the anti-reverse component coupling structure includes a hinge and a locking member. The anti-reverse component is hinged to the line end connection via the hinge. When the anti-reverse component is fixed to the line end connection via the locking member, it is in a first coupling state. When the anti-reverse component is not fixed to the line end connection via the locking member, it is in a second coupling state.

[0010] In some embodiments, at least a portion of the wire harness terminals have a first coupling structure on their outer mold.

[0011] In some embodiments, the anti-retraction component includes at least: a first engaging portion for coupling with a first slot or a second slot; a second engaging portion for coupling with a first coupling structure of the at least portion of the wire harness terminals; and a connecting body, wherein the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion extend from the connecting body.

[0012] In some embodiments, the first coupling structure includes a plurality of first convex and concave structures, and the second engaging portion includes a plurality of second convex and concave structures that cooperate with the first convex and concave structures.

[0013] In some embodiments, the anti-reverse component further includes: a first elastic arm and a second elastic arm, respectively disposed at both ends of the connecting body and perpendicular to the extension direction of the connecting body, and a first engaging portion disposed at the free ends of the first elastic arm and the second elastic arm away from the connecting body.

[0014] In some embodiments, the second engaging portion includes a single-sided engaging portion and a double-sided engaging portion, and the anti-retraction component further includes: a first single-sided coupling arm, disposed at one end of the two ends of the connecting body and perpendicular to the extension direction of the connecting body, with a single-sided engaging portion provided on the side of the free end of the first single-sided coupling arm facing the second single-sided coupling arm; a second single-sided coupling arm, disposed at the other end of the two ends of the connecting body and perpendicular to the extension direction of the connecting body, with a single-sided engaging portion provided on the side of the free end of the second single-sided coupling arm facing the first single-sided coupling arm; and a double-sided coupling arm, disposed in the middle of the two ends of the connecting body and perpendicular to the extension direction of the connecting body, with a double-sided engaging portion provided on the free end of the double-sided coupling arm.

[0015] In some embodiments, the housing of the wire end connector and the outer mold of the wire harness terminal are respectively provided with mutually cooperating anti-misinsertion structures.

[0016] In some embodiments, the housing of the wire end connector is provided with an anti-misinsertion mark on the side away from the plate end connector; and / or the color of the outer mold of at least one of the plurality of wire harness terminals is different from the color of the outer mold of the other wire harness terminals.

[0017] In some embodiments, the plate end connection portion and the wire end connection portion are detachably connected by a snap-fit ​​structure, the snap-fit ​​structure including: a snap-fit ​​groove disposed in one of the plate end connection portion and the wire end connection portion; and an elastic arm disposed in the other of the plate end connection portion and the wire end connection portion, the cross-sectional area of ​​the elastic arm along its length direction being set to a preset size, and the material of the elastic arm including polybutylene terephthalate (PBT).

[0018] In some embodiments, the ratio between the inner mold and the outer mold of the wire harness terminal is set within a preset range, and the material of the wire harness terminal includes polybutylene terephthalate (PBT).

[0019] In some embodiments, the outer mold of the wire harness terminal is provided with a plurality of ejector pin holes for positioning the wire harness terminal during the manufacturing process.

[0020] In some embodiments, the connector is an integrated wire harness connector, and the housing of the board end connection portion is provided with a plurality of recessed structures, the depth of which is set within a preset range.

[0021] This invention improves the ease of wire harness locking and disassembly by incorporating a locking component coupling structure on the connector's wire end connection portion; and by fixing the wire harness terminal in the insertion cavity of the wire end connection portion when the locking component is in a first coupling state with the locking component coupling structure, and making the wire harness terminal and wire end connection portion detachable when in a second coupling state. This effectively improves equipment maintenance efficiency and user experience. Furthermore, this invention effectively reduces the risk of mis-insertion by employing an anti-mis-insertion mechanism; increases the snap-back force by increasing the cross-sectional area of ​​the elastic arm in the connector's snap-fit ​​structure, improving user experience and product lifespan; prevents the inner mold of the wire harness terminal from being exposed by adjusting the ratio of the inner and outer molds of the wire harness terminal; improves the positional accuracy of the wire harness insertion into the connector by providing ejector pin holes on the outer mold of the wire harness; and meets the requirements for lightweight design by providing a recessed structure on the connector housing.

[0022] It should be understood that the description in this section is not intended to identify key or essential features of the embodiments of the present invention, nor is it intended to limit the scope of the invention. Other features of the invention will become readily apparent from the following description. Attached Figure Description

[0023] The above and other features, advantages, and aspects of the various embodiments of the present invention will become more apparent from the accompanying drawings and the following detailed description. In the drawings, the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements.

[0024] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a connector according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0025] Figures 2A to 2C It shows that according to Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the wire end connection portion of the connector in the illustrated embodiment.

[0026] Figure 3 It shows that according to Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the wire harness terminals of the connector in the illustrated embodiment.

[0027] Figure 4 It shows that according to Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the anti-reverse component of the connector in the illustrated embodiment.

[0028] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of a connector's wire end connection and anti-reverse component according to another embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0029] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of a mis-mating prevention mechanism for a connector according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0030] Figure 7 A schematic diagram of the snap-fit ​​structure of the board end connection portion and the wire end connection portion of the connector according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0031] Figure 8 A schematic diagram of a wire harness terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0032] Figure 9 A schematic diagram of a wire harness terminal in the prior art and a schematic diagram of a wire harness terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention are shown.

[0033] Figure 10 A schematic diagram of the housing of the board end connection portion of a connector according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0034] In the various figures, the same or corresponding reference numerals indicate the same or corresponding parts. Detailed Implementation

[0035] Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. While preferred embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings, it should be understood that the invention can be implemented in various forms and should not be limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that the invention will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.

[0036] The term "comprising" and its variations as used herein signify open inclusion, i.e., "including but not limited to". Unless otherwise stated, the term "or" means "and / or". The term "based on" means "at least partially based on". The terms "one example embodiment" and "one embodiment" mean "at least one example embodiment". The term "another embodiment" means "at least one additional embodiment". The terms "first", "second", etc., may refer to different or the same objects.

[0037] As described above, the shortcomings of existing connectors are at least as follows: it is difficult to achieve convenient wire harness disassembly and locking, which restricts the operation and maintenance efficiency and user experience of integrated wire harness products.

[0038] To at least partially address one or more of the aforementioned problems and other potential issues, an exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a connector. The connector includes a board-end connection portion, a wire-end connection portion, multiple wire harness terminals, and a locking component. The board-end connection portion and the wire-end connection portion are interlocked. The wire-end connection portion is provided with multiple insertion cavities and a locking component coupling structure, the multiple insertion cavities being used to insert multiple wire harness terminals. The locking component is configured such that, in a first coupling state with the locking component coupling structure, the wire harness terminals are fixed in the insertion cavities of the wire-end connection portion, and in a second coupling state with the locking component coupling structure, the wire harness terminals and the wire-end connection portion are detachable. Therefore, the present invention improves the ease of wire harness locking and disassembly, effectively improving equipment maintenance efficiency and user experience.

[0039] The following is combined with Figures 1 to 4 A connector 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention is described.

[0040] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a connector 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. It should be understood that the connector 100 can be applied to a variety of different application scenarios. As an example and not a limitation, it can be specifically applied to robotic devices or systems, and the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited to any particular application field in this respect.

[0041] like Figure 1 As shown, the connector 100 includes a board end connection portion 120, a wire end connection portion 140, a plurality of wire harness terminals 160, and a backstop component 180.

[0042] The board-end connector 120 and the wire-end connector 140 are interlocked, forming the basic architecture for the connector 100 to achieve electrical signal connection and conduction. To balance ease of assembly and flexibility in later maintenance, in some embodiments, the board-end connector 120 and the wire-end connector 140 are securely and detachably connected via a snap-fit ​​structure, allowing for quick disassembly and assembly when the connector malfunctions or requires repair, improving maintenance efficiency. Specifically, the snap-fit ​​structure includes a cooperating engagement groove and an elastic arm. In the actual structural layout, the engagement groove and the elastic arm are respectively located in one of the board-end connector 120 and the wire-end connector 140. Locking and releasing are achieved by engaging or disengaging the elastic arm with the engagement groove. For example, in... Figure 1 In the illustrated embodiment, the engaging groove is disposed on the plate end connecting portion 120, and the elastic arm is disposed on the line end connecting portion 140. It should be understood that in other embodiments, the engaging groove may also be disposed on the line end connecting portion 140, and the elastic arm may be disposed on the plate end connecting portion 120.

[0043] The wire end connector 140 is provided with multiple insertion cavities and a locking component coupling structure. The insertion cavities are used to insert multiple wire harness terminals 160, and the locking component coupling structure cooperates with a locking component 180, allowing the wire harness terminals 160 to be fixed in the insertion cavities of the wire end connector 140 or allowing the wire harness terminals and the wire end connector to be detachable. Details of the wire end connector 140 will be further described below with reference to FIG2.

[0044] The anti-retraction component 180 is a core component in the connector 100 that enables locking and pluggable functions. The anti-retraction component 180 is configured to fix the wire harness terminal 160 in the insertion cavity of the wire end connection portion 140 when the coupling structure with the anti-retraction component is in a first coupling state (i.e., locked state), and to make the wire harness terminal 160 and the wire end connection portion 140 detachable when the coupling structure with the anti-retraction component is in a second coupling state (pluggable state).

[0045] Figures 2A to 2C It shows that according to Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the wire end connection portion 140 of the connector 100 in the illustrated embodiment. Figure 3 It shows that according to Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the wire harness terminal 160 of the connector 100 in the illustrated embodiment. Figure 4 It shows that according to Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the anti-retraction component 180 of the connector 100 in the illustrated embodiment. It should be noted that, unless otherwise specified, features in the embodiments of the present invention can be combined with each other.

[0046] refer to Figures 2A to 2CThe wire end connection portion 140 constitutes the main supporting part of the connector 100, and its interior forms multiple mutually isolated insertion cavities 142. These insertion cavities 142 are arranged in a matrix or linear manner along the length, width, or height direction of the wire end connection portion 140. The multiple insertion cavities 142 are used to accommodate and insert multiple wire harness terminals 160 to achieve electrical and physical connection. The inner wall of the insertion cavity 142 may be provided with, for example, guide ribs or anti-misinsertion bosses to provide accurate initial positioning when the wire harness terminal 160 is inserted, prevent misinsertion, and reduce insertion resistance. A backstop coupling structure 144 is also provided on the outer side of the housing of the wire end connection portion 140. The backstop coupling structure 144 serves as a support base for the state switching of the backstop component 180 and is used to cooperate with the backstop component 180 to lock and release the wire harness terminal 160.

[0047] exist Figure 1 In the illustrated embodiment, the anti-retraction coupling structure 144 specifically includes a first slot 1441 and a second slot 1442 disposed on the outer side of the housing of the wire terminal connection portion 140. When the anti-retraction component 180 is coupled to different slots, it corresponds to different operating modes: when the anti-retraction component 180 is coupled to the first slot 1441, it is in a first coupling state (i.e., a locked state). At this time, the anti-retraction component 180 interferes with the exit space of the wire harness terminal 160, so that the wire harness terminal 160 is firmly locked in the insertion cavity 142, effectively resisting detachment caused by external pulling or vibration; when the anti-retraction component 180 is coupled to the second slot 1442, it is in a second coupling state (i.e., a plug-in / plug-out state). At this time, the anti-retraction component 180 releases its interference with the wire harness terminal 160, and the wire harness terminal 160 obtains sufficient exit space. Operators can smoothly pull out or insert the wire harness terminal 160 from the insertion cavity 142 according to actual assembly or maintenance needs.

[0048] The first slot 1441 and the second slot 1442 on the outer side of the housing of the wire terminal connection portion 140 can be implemented in various ways in terms of spatial layout to adapt to the connector design requirements with different shape constraints. In some embodiments, such as Figure 2B and Figure 2CAs shown, the first slot 1441 and the second slot 1442 are arranged side by side on the outer shell of the line end connection portion 140 along the height direction (i.e., the vertical direction). Specifically, the first slot 1441 is located above the second slot 1442, and its opening size (or accommodating space) in the vertical direction is slightly larger than the size of the second slot 1442 in the vertical direction. When the operator applies a pushing force to push the anti-reverse component 180 upward until its first engaging part engages with the first slot 1441, the anti-reverse component 180 enters the first coupling state (i.e., the locked state), and the wire harness terminal 160 is fixed in the plug-in cavity 142 and cannot be inserted or removed; conversely, when the operator applies a pulling force to pull the anti-reverse component 180 downward until its first engaging part slides into the lower second slot 1442, the anti-reverse component 180 switches to the second coupling state (i.e., the plug-in state), at which time the wire harness terminal 160 is released and can be freely inserted or removed from the plug-in cavity 142, meeting the needs of flexible assembly and maintenance.

[0049] Furthermore, to improve the smoothness of operation of the anti-reverse component 180 during state switching, the opening edges of the first slot 1441 and the second slot 1442 are preferably provided with guide ramps or chamfer structures. During the operation of the anti-reverse component 180 (pushing upwards or pulling downwards), the guide ramps or chamfer structures act as wedge guides. Specifically, when the first engaging portion of the anti-reverse component 180 approaches the slot, the guide ramps can convert part of the vertical operating force into a component force that drives the engaging portion to produce lateral elastic deformation, guiding it smoothly over the opening edge and smoothly and accurately sliding into the corresponding slot. This structural design not only effectively reduces assembly difficulty and the tactile resistance required for state switching, avoiding jamming, hard interference, or even component wear caused by minor positional deviations, but also improves the tactile feedback and certainty during operation, ensuring the structural durability and operational reliability of the connector during long-term, repeated insertion / removal and state switching cycles.

[0050] refer to Figure 3 In some embodiments, the wire harness terminal 160 typically includes a conductive terminal portion and an insulating outer mold surrounding the conductive terminal. The outer mold of the wire harness terminal 160 includes a first coupling structure 162. This first coupling structure 162 is used for coupling with the anti-reverse component 180. In some embodiments, the first coupling structure 162 includes a plurality of first protrusion-recession structures. The plurality of first protrusion-recession structures may be grooves recessed inward from the outer mold surface, ribs protruding outward from the outer mold surface, or a combination of grooves and ribs. The shape, size, and distribution of the first protrusion-recession structures strictly match the corresponding structures on the anti-reverse component 180 for coupling with… Figure 4 The second convex and concave structure of the second engaging part 182 of the anti-reverse component 180 cooperates to achieve precise physical engagement and limiting.

[0051] refer to Figure 4 The anti-reverse component 180 is, for example, an anti-reverse latch, which includes at least a first engaging portion 1810, a second engaging portion 1820, and a connecting body 1800. The first engaging portion 1810 and the second engaging portion 1820 extend from the connecting body 1800. The connecting body 1800 serves as a force-bearing base, connecting the first engaging portion 1810 and the second engaging portion 1820 into a whole, ensuring the structural stability and synchronization of the anti-reverse component 180 during insertion and removal.

[0052] The first engaging portion 1810 is used to couple with the first slot 1441 or the second slot 1442 of the wire end connecting portion 140 as shown in FIG. 2. The first engaging portion 1810 is, for example, a hook, a protrusion, or the end structure of an elastic cantilever, the size and shape of which are adapted to the inner contour of the first slot 1441 and the second slot 1442 to ensure that a stable mechanical positioning can be formed after being engaged in the slot, and it will not easily come out unless subjected to a sufficiently large external force.

[0053] The second locking part 1820 is used for, as... Figure 3 The wire harness terminal 160 shown is coupled to the first coupling structure 162. Specifically, the second engaging portion 1820 includes a plurality of second protrusion-contact structures, which correspond to the plurality of first protrusion-contact structures 162 on the wire harness terminal 160 in number, shape, and spacing, forming a complementary engagement relationship. When the second protrusion-contact structures and the first protrusion-contact structures 162 engage with each other, a strong barrier is formed to prevent the wire harness terminal from coming out of the insertion cavity.

[0054] More specifically, the second engaging portion 1820 includes a single-sided engaging portion 1821 and a double-sided engaging portion 1822, depending on its location and range of action. The single-sided engaging portion 1821 provides engaging force to one side of the wire harness terminal between the wire end connection portion and the wire harness terminal, while the double-sided engaging portion 1822 provides engaging force to adjacent wire harness terminals on both sides simultaneously between at least two wire harness terminals.

[0055] In some embodiments, the anti-retraction component 180 further includes a first single-sided coupling arm, a second single-sided coupling arm, and a double-sided coupling arm. The first single-sided coupling arm is disposed at one end of the connecting body 1800 and is perpendicular to the extending direction of the connecting body 1800. A single-sided engaging portion is provided on the free end of the first single-sided coupling arm facing the second single-sided coupling arm (i.e., the side facing the wire harness terminal). Correspondingly, the second single-sided coupling arm is disposed at the other end of the connecting body 1800 and is perpendicular to the extending direction of the connecting body 1800. A single-sided engaging portion is also provided on the free end of the second single-sided coupling arm facing the first single-sided coupling arm (i.e., the side facing the wire harness terminal). The first and second single-sided coupling arms clamp and limit the wire harness terminal from both sides in the width direction, forming a lateral constraint through the two single-sided engaging portions engaging with the first convex and concave structures on both sides of the wire harness terminal.

[0056] The dual-sided coupling arms are positioned at the midpoint between the two ends of the connecting body 1800 and are perpendicular to the extension direction of the connecting body 1800. Dual-sided engaging portions are provided at the free ends of the dual-sided coupling arms. The dual-sided coupling arms are located between two adjacent left and right wire harness terminals, and the dual-sided engaging portions have two opposing engaging surfaces, capable of simultaneously engaging with the first convex-concave structures of the two adjacent left and right wire harness terminals. Through the spatial distribution of the first single-sided coupling arm, the second single-sided coupling arm, and the dual-sided coupling arms, the anti-retraction component 180 forms a multi-point, multi-directional three-dimensional engaging result, improving the pull-out resistance and torsional resistance after the wire harness terminals are fixed.

[0057] When the connector is in normal operating condition, the anti-reverse component 180 is coupled in the first slot 1441. At this time, the anti-reverse component 180 and the anti-reverse component coupling structure 144 are in a first coupling state, i.e., a locked state. In this locked state, due to the spatial design of the first slot 1441 (e.g., a relatively deep radial depth), the second engaging portion 182 of the anti-reverse component 180 (including a single-sided engaging portion 1821 and a double-sided engaging portion 1822) can fully extend into the insertion cavity 142 of the wire end connection portion 140. At this time, the second protrusion-contact structure fully engages with the first protrusion-contact structure on the wire harness terminal 160, thereby forming a robust limiting barrier for the wire harness terminal 160 located in the insertion cavity 142; at the same time, each coupling arm wraps around and clamps the wire harness terminal 160 in the radial and circumferential directions. This makes the wire harness terminal 160 firmly fixed in the insertion cavity 142 of the wire end connection portion 140.

[0058] During long-term operation of the equipment, or when subjected to external mechanical impact, continuous vibration, or thermal expansion and contraction of materials due to alternating temperature changes, the three-dimensional locking structure of the anti-retraction component and the wire harness terminal can effectively absorb and buffer external forces, prevent the wire harness terminal from experiencing fretting wear, pin retraction, or loosening, ensure the stability and reliability of the electrical connection, and extend the service life of the connector.

[0059] When maintenance, inspection, or replacement of the wiring harness is required, a plugging and unplugging operation is necessary. The operator applies external force to the retaining component, causing it to disengage from the first slot and move along a predetermined trajectory to couple it into the second slot. At this point, the retaining component and its coupling structure are in a second coupling state, i.e., a pluggable / unpluggable state.

[0060] In this pluggable state, due to the difference in slot depth or extension direction between the second slot and the first slot (e.g., the radial depth of the second slot is shallower, or its position is further away from the center of the insertion cavity), the anti-retraction component shifts or deforms with the change of slot position. Specifically, the first engaging portion engages into the second slot, causing the connecting body and each coupling arm to retract outwards. This retraction causes the second engaging portion (including the single-sided engaging portion and the double-sided engaging portion) to move as a whole away from the center of the insertion cavity. At this time, the second convex-concave structure disengages from the first convex-concave structure of the wire harness terminal, releasing the limiting obstruction and radial clamping force on the wire harness terminal. The wire harness terminal can then be smoothly pulled out of the insertion cavity, thereby realizing the pluggability of the wire harness terminal and the wire end connection. While realizing the pluggability of the wire harness terminal, since the anti-retraction component is coupled in the second slot, it will not detach from the connector, improving the convenience of wire harness disassembly.

[0061] This dual-slot switching coupling design offers significant technical advantages. Existing detachable connectors typically use fastening components such as bolts and nuts to achieve a detachable connection between the wire end connector and the wire harness terminal. Such fastening components suffer from inconvenient disassembly and time-consuming processes. The connector of this invention, while ensuring reliable locking during operation, allows for independent and convenient assembly and disassembly of a single wire harness simply by shifting or pressing the locking component to change its coupling slot position. Throughout the unlocking and removal process, tools that could potentially damage the connector housing, such as pry bars, are eliminated, avoiding the risk of housing breakage or terminal damage, and significantly improving equipment maintenance efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

[0062] Figure 5A schematic diagram of a connector wire end connection portion 540 and a locking member 580 according to another embodiment of the present invention is shown. The wire end connection portion 540 has many of the same or similar structural features and working principles as the wire end connection portion 140 of the connector in the above embodiment. For the sake of brevity, the similarities will not be repeated here. The following will focus on describing the differences between the wire end connection portion 540 and the wire end connection portion 140, namely the implementation of the locking member coupling structure and the corresponding implementation of the locking member 580.

[0063] like Figure 5 As shown, the anti-reverse coupling structure of the wire end connector 540 adopts a flip-type opening and closing structure, specifically including a hinge 542 and a locking member 544. Correspondingly, the anti-reverse component 580 adopts a flip-type anti-reverse washer. The anti-reverse component 580 is hinged to the housing of the wire end connector 540 via the hinge 542, thereby allowing the anti-reverse component 580 to flip relative to the wire end connector around the axis of the hinge 542, realizing opening and closing. The locking member 544 is used to mechanically fix the anti-reverse component 580 to the wire end connector when it is flipped to the closed position.

[0064] In some embodiments, the hinge 542 may be formed by the engagement of a hinge shaft provided on the line end connection portion and a hinge hole provided on the anti-reverse member 580, or a pin-type hinge structure in which the positions of the two are interchanged, to ensure the stability and certainty of the flipping trajectory of the anti-reverse member 580. The locking member 544 may adopt a variety of suitable quick-release locking mechanisms. For example, it may be a combination of an elastic buckle and a slot provided between the anti-reverse member 580 and the line end connection portion. When the anti-reverse member 580 is pressed into place, the buckle springs into the slot to lock. The locking member 544 may also be a threaded fastener (such as a screw) engaging with a threaded hole, providing reliable fastening force by tightening. Alternatively, it may be an eccentric wheel locking mechanism that is easy to operate by hand.

[0065] When the anti-retracting component 580 rotates around the hinge 542 to a closed position partially covering the insertion cavity and is fixed to the wire end connection via the locking member 544, the coupling structure between the wire harness terminal and the anti-retracting component 580 and the anti-retracting component of the wire end connection is in a first coupling state, i.e., a locked state. In this state, the anti-retracting component forms an external block against the wire harness terminal. Because the locking member 544 provides a rigid fixing constraint, the anti-retracting component can still maintain a stable position when subjected to equipment operating vibration or accidental pulling of the wire harness, thereby ensuring that the wire harness terminal is firmly locked in the insertion cavity, preventing it from coming out or loosening, and ensuring the reliability of the electrical connection.

[0066] When maintenance, inspection, or replacement of the wiring harness is required, the locking member 544 is operated to release its fixing constraint on the wiring harness terminals. At this time, the anti-retraction member 580 is not fixed to the wire end connection by the locking member 544, and the coupling structure between the wiring harness terminals, the anti-retraction member 580, and the anti-retraction member of the wire end connection is in a second coupling state, which is a pluggable / pluggable state. In this pluggable / pluggable state, the operator can easily flip the anti-retraction member 580 outward around the hinge 542 to release its obstruction to the wiring harness terminals, allowing the wiring harness terminals to be smoothly pulled out of the insertion cavity.

[0067] This hinge-locking, flip-type anti-reverse design also offers beneficial technical advantages. Firstly, it allows for easy and independent assembly / disassembly of the wiring harness through simple unlocking, flipping, and pulling actions, eliminating the need for complex tools and improving maintenance efficiency. Secondly, because the anti-reverse component is always physically connected to the wire end connector via the hinge, it will not detach from the connector during unlocking and wire harness removal, effectively preventing the loss and difficulty in finding parts in narrow or complex equipment interiors, thus enhancing the convenience and safety of on-site operations.

[0068] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of the anti-mismating mechanism of a connector 600 according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. It should be understood that the connector 600 may include the same or similar structures and functions as those in the foregoing embodiments. For the sake of brevity, the similarities will not be repeated here. The following will focus on describing the features of the connector 600 in terms of the anti-mismating mechanism. In multi-core or multi-terminal connector applications, since the outlines of each wire harness terminal may be similar, operators are very likely to mis-insert the connector when blindly inserting it or when their line of sight is obstructed. This may lead to signal crosstalk or equipment damage. Therefore, anti-mismating design is crucial.

[0069] like Figure 6 As shown, connector 600 employs multiple anti-mismating mechanisms, including structural anti-mismating, marking guidance, and color differentiation.

[0070] Firstly, regarding the structural anti-mis-mating mechanism, the housing of the wire end connection portion of the connector 600 and the outer mold of the wire harness terminal are respectively provided with mutually cooperating anti-mis-mating structures 620. Specifically, the housing of the wire end connection portion is provided with a first anti-mis-mating portion, and the outer mold of the wire harness terminal is provided with a second anti-mis-mating portion. The first and second anti-mis-mating portions are adapted in shape and position. In some embodiments, the mutually cooperating anti-mis-mating structures can be a protrusion and groove fit together, or an asymmetrical key and keyway fit together. Only when the wire harness terminal is inserted in the correct posture and angle can the protrusion or key slide smoothly into the corresponding groove or keyway, allowing the insertion action to continue; if the insertion posture or hole position is incorrect, the first and second anti-mis-mating portions will physically interfere, rigidly preventing the wire harness terminal from being inserted into the insertion cavity, thereby fundamentally eliminating the possibility of mis-mating.

[0071] Secondly, regarding labeling guidance, an anti-misinsertion label 640 is provided on the side of the housing of the wire end connector away from the board end connector (i.e., the entry side facing the operator for insertion). This anti-misinsertion label can be printed, laser-engraved, or integrally injection molded arrows, numbers, letters, or specific symbols. By placing this label in the most intuitive field of vision during insertion, the operator can quickly identify the correct insertion orientation and correspondence before aligning the wire harness terminals with the wire end connector. This allows the operator to proactively correct the insertion posture through visual guidance before the physical anti-misinsertion structure takes effect, effectively reducing the trial-and-error rate and improving assembly efficiency.

[0072] Furthermore, regarding color differentiation, among the multiple wire harness terminals of connector 600, at least one wire harness terminal has an outer mold color that is clearly different from the outer mold colors of the remaining wire harness terminals. For example, as Figure 6 As shown, in cases involving both network cables and USB harnesses, the outer mold of the network cable harness terminal 651 can be set to blue or white, while the outer mold of the USB harness terminal 652 can be set to black or gray. This color-coding mechanism allows operators to quickly distinguish the functional attributes and corresponding plug positions of different harness terminals visually during cable bundling, pre-assembly, or parallel insertion, effectively avoiding mis-insertion caused by terminals appearing identical.

[0073] Figure 7 A schematic diagram of the snap-fit ​​structure of the board end connection portion and the wire end connection portion of the connector 700 according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. It should be understood that the connector 700 may include the same or similar structures and functions as those in the foregoing embodiments. For the sake of brevity, the similarities will not be repeated here. The following will focus on describing the features of the connector 700 in terms of the snap-fit ​​structure.

[0074] like Figure 7As shown, the board-end connection and the wire-end connection of connector 700 are detachably connected via a snap-fit ​​structure 720. This snap-fit ​​structure provides a tool-free, quick-connect solution, significantly improving the efficiency of on-site assembly and subsequent maintenance while ensuring the mechanical strength of the connection. Specifically, the snap-fit ​​structure includes a snap-fit ​​groove and a flexible arm. The snap-fit ​​groove is located on one of the board-end connection and the wire-end connection, while the flexible arm is correspondingly located on the other. During the insertion of the board-end connection and the wire-end connection, the flexible arm is compressed and undergoes elastic deformation to slide into the snap-fit ​​groove; when fully inserted, the flexible arm returns to its original shape and snaps into the snap-fit ​​groove, forming a stable engagement that securely locks the board-end connection and the wire-end connection together; when separation is required, the operator simply presses the flexible arm inward to disengage it from the snap-fit ​​groove, allowing for smooth removal of both components.

[0075] Furthermore, to increase the snap-fit's pressing and rebound force, the cross-sectional area of ​​the elastic arm along its length is set to a preset size. This preset size is designed to give the elastic arm appropriate stiffness and flexibility. If the cross-sectional area is too large, the elastic arm will be too stiff, resulting in a sharp increase in insertion and extraction force, which will not only make operation difficult but also easily lead to snap-fit ​​breakage or damage to mating parts due to excessive local stress. If the cross-sectional area is too small, the elastic arm will be too flexible, with insufficient holding force, making it difficult to resist vibrations during equipment operation or accidental pulling of cables, and it will easily loosen. Therefore, by optimizing the cross-sectional area of ​​the elastic arm to a preset size, the snap-fit ​​structure can provide sufficient locking and holding force while maintaining smooth and moderate insertion and extraction force, ensuring that the elastic arm will not undergo plastic deformation or fatigue failure after multiple disassembly and assembly cycles.

[0076] Furthermore, the flexible arm is made of polybutylene terephthalate (PBT). As a high-performance engineering plastic, PBT possesses excellent mechanical strength, extremely high fatigue resistance, and good elastic recovery. In the frequent locking and unlocking operations of the snap-fit ​​structure, the PBT material ensures that the flexible arm continues to provide reliable locking force after long-term use, thereby improving the overall lifespan and connection reliability of the connector.

[0077] Figure 8 A schematic diagram of a wire harness terminal 800 according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. It should be understood that the wire harness terminal 800 can be applied to the connector of any of the foregoing embodiments, and has the same or similar structure and function as the foregoing embodiments. For the sake of brevity, the similarities will not be repeated here. The following will focus on describing the features of the wire harness terminal 800 in terms of inner and outer mold design and material.

[0078] like Figure 8As shown, the wire harness terminal 800 includes an inner mold and an outer mold. The inner mold is mainly used to cover the crimping area between the terminal and the wire, providing basic electrical insulation and initial mechanical fixation; the outer mold covers the outside of the inner mold, providing additional mechanical protection, stress buffering, and a gripping surface for easy handling by the operator. In actual processing and insertion / removal, if the ratio of the inner mold to the outer mold is not properly designed, it is very easy for the inner mold to be partially exposed. Exposed inner mold not only disrupts the uniformity of the wire harness terminal's appearance, but more seriously, the mechanical strength and surface scratch resistance of the inner mold are usually lower than those of the outer mold. The exposed part is very prone to damage under pressure or frequent insertion / removal, leading to exposure of the internal core wires and causing serious safety hazards such as short circuits or leakage.

[0079] To prevent the inner mold of the wire harness terminal from being exposed, this invention sets the ratio of the inner mold to the outer mold within a preset range. Specifically, this ratio can be the ratio of the inner mold volume to the outer mold volume, or the ratio of the inner mold's length or width dimension to the corresponding outer mold dimension. By limiting the above ratio within the preset range, on the one hand, it ensures that the outer mold fully covers the inner mold from all directions, and leaves sufficient safety wall thickness margin between the inner mold edge and the outer mold edge, thereby effectively avoiding inner mold exposure due to material shrinkage or eccentricity during the injection molding process; on the other hand, this preset range also avoids the problem of the terminal's overall size being bulky and unable to be inserted into the connector's insertion cavity due to an excessively thick outer mold, ensuring that the outer mold has an appropriate thickness to provide sufficient tensile strength and stress release capability, making the wire harness terminal structurally stable during long-term use and effectively reducing the risk of inner mold exposure.

[0080] Furthermore, the wire harness terminal 800 is made of PBT. PBT, as a high-quality engineering plastic, is particularly suitable for constructing the outer and inner mold structures of wire harness terminals. Firstly, PBT has excellent electrical insulation properties, reliably isolating internal conductive terminals and meeting insulation withstand voltage requirements under high voltage and high current environments. Secondly, PBT possesses high strength, high rigidity, and excellent creep resistance; when terminals are repeatedly inserted and removed or subjected to cable dragging, the outer mold is not prone to permanent deformation or cracking, thus maintaining a long-term tight seal over the inner mold. Thirdly, PBT has outstanding heat resistance and a high heat distortion temperature, capable of withstanding the temperature rise generated by the wire harness under high current conditions without softening, ensuring the long-term reliability of the connection system.

[0081] Figure 9 A schematic diagram of a wire harness terminal 910 in the prior art and a schematic diagram of a wire harness terminal 920 according to an embodiment of the present invention are shown.

[0082] like Figure 9As shown, compared to the wire harness terminal 910 in the prior art, the outer mold of the wire harness terminal 920 is provided with multiple ejector pin holes 921. Specifically, the multiple ejector pin holes 921 are preferably symmetrically distributed or spaced apart along the circumference of the outer mold to provide balanced support force during manufacturing. The ejector pin holes 921 are, for example, blind holes, and their openings are provided with chamfers or guide arcs to facilitate smooth insertion and engagement with the positioning ejector pins on the mold during injection molding, avoiding wear caused by interference between the ejector pins and the openings.

[0083] During the manufacturing process of the wire harness terminal 920 (especially in the outer mold injection molding), the positioning ejector pins of the injection mold are inserted into the ejector pin holes 921, thereby achieving precise physical limitation and positioning of the wire harness terminal. The mating structure between the ejector pins and the ejector pin holes 921 provides stable support and limitation, preventing the inner mold from shifting, tilting, or deforming within the mold cavity. This ensures the positional accuracy of the wire harness terminal during injection molding, that is, ensures the precision and consistency of the relative positions between the internal terminal, the inner mold, and the outer mold.

[0084] Figure 10 A schematic diagram of a housing 1000 for a board-end connection portion of a connector according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. It should be understood that this connector may be, for example, a reference... Figure 1 The connector 100 described, or may be a reference Figure 5 The scope of protection of the present invention is not limited in respect of the connector 500 described herein.

[0085] like Figure 10 As shown, the housing 1000 of the board end connection portion is provided with a plurality of recessed structures 1020. Specifically, the plurality of recessed structures 1020 are preferably arranged in an array on the outer surface of the housing 1000, and their distribution position avoids the critical stress areas and shielding seam areas where the housing 1000 mates with other components, so as to avoid weakening the insertion and extraction strength and shielding continuity of the connector. The cross-sectional shape of the recessed structure 1020 may be rectangular or other shapes.

[0086] Furthermore, the depth of the recessed structure 1020 is set within a preset range. The definition of this preset range needs to satisfy a dual balance between shielding integrity and structural strength: on the one hand, the remaining wall thickness of the shell after the recess must be greater than or equal to the minimum thickness required to maintain electromagnetic shielding effectiveness, so as to ensure that the shell can still provide complete shielding coverage after thinning; on the other hand, the recess depth should not be too large to weaken the overall rigidity of the shell, so as to ensure that the shell does not undergo plastic deformation when the connector is subjected to insertion and removal forces.

[0087] By setting the recessed structure 1020 with a depth within the preset range, the local wall thickness of the shell is effectively reduced. This structural design achieves "increased material escape" in manufacturing processes (such as injection molding or die casting), that is, it reduces the material accumulation volume in local areas of the shell. The reduction in wall thickness and the increase in material escape directly reduce the material consumption of the shell, lower production costs, and fully meet the design requirements for lightweight connectors while ensuring shielding integrity and structural reliability.

[0088] In summary, this invention improves the ease of locking and disassembling wire harnesses by employing anti-retraction components, effectively enhancing equipment maintenance efficiency and cost-effectiveness. By adopting an anti-misinsertion mechanism, it effectively reduces the risk of misinsertion. Increasing the cross-sectional area of ​​the elastic arm in the connector snap-fit ​​structure increases the snap-fit ​​rebound force, improving user experience and product lifespan. Adjusting the ratio of the inner and outer molds of the wire harness terminals prevents the inner mold from being exposed. Providing ejector pin holes on the outer mold of the wire harness improves the positional accuracy of the wire harness insertion into the connector. Finally, a recessed structure on the connector housing meets the requirements for lightweight design.

[0089] It should be noted that although various configurations and arrangements are shown in the accompanying drawings and described in this specification, other configurations, arrangements and combinations are possible and within the scope of this disclosure.

[0090] It should also be noted that at some points throughout this disclosure, a single input, output, element, etc., may be referred to, while at other points, a plural or multiple inputs, outputs, elements, etc., may be referred to. Therefore, at any particular point in this disclosure, it should not be important whether the use of (one or more) inputs, (one or more) outputs, (one or more) elements, etc., is in the singular or plural form, as the singular and plural use of such terms should be considered interchangeable unless the specific context otherwise requires.

[0091] The above description is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. While the dimensions and types of materials described herein are intended to be illustrative, they are by no means restrictive and are exemplary embodiments. The use of terms such as “first,” “second,” “top,” “bottom,” etc., is merely for labeling purposes and is not intended to impose numerical or positional requirements on their objects. As used herein, an element or step described in the singular and preceded by the word “a” or “an” should be understood to not exclude a plurality of such elements or steps unless such exclusion is explicitly stated. Furthermore, each of the phrases “at least one of A and B” and “A and / or B” should be understood to mean “only A, only B, or both A and B.” Additionally, unless explicitly stated to the contrary, embodiments that “comprise” or “have” elements or multiple elements having a particular property may include additional such elements that do not have that property. Furthermore, when this text uses broad descriptive adverbs such as “basically” and “usually” to modify adjectives, these adverbs mean “mostly,” “mainly,” “for most,” “significantly,” “to a large extent,” and / or “at least 51% to 99% of the 100% likely range,” and do not necessarily mean “perfectly,” “completely,” “strictly,” “entirely,” or “100%.” Additionally, the word “near” can be used here to describe the position of an object or part thereof relative to another object or part thereof, and / or to describe the positional relationship between two objects or their respective parts relative to each other, and can mean “nearby,” “adjacent,” “close,” “near,” “in,” or similar terms.

[0092] This written description uses examples, including best practices, to enable those skilled in the art to manufacture and use compositions of devices, systems, and substances according to this disclosure, and to perform methods. The following claims, including equivalents, define the scope of this disclosure.

[0093] The specific embodiments described above do not constitute a limitation on the scope of protection of this application. Those skilled in the art should understand that various modifications, combinations, sub-combinations, and substitutions can be made according to design requirements and other factors.

Claims

1. A connector, characterized in that, include: The board end connection part and the wire end connection part are interlocked and fitted together; The wire end connection part is provided with multiple insertion cavities and anti-retraction component coupling structure, wherein the multiple insertion cavities are used to insert multiple wire harness terminals; Multiple wire harness terminals; as well as The anti-reverse component is configured such that, when the coupling structure of the anti-reverse component is in a first coupling state, the wire harness terminal is fixed in the insertion cavity of the wire end connection portion, and when the coupling structure of the anti-reverse component is in a second coupling state, the wire harness terminal and the wire end connection portion are detachable.

2. The connector according to claim 1, characterized in that, The anti-reverse component coupling structure includes a first slot and a second slot disposed on the housing of the wire end connection portion. When the anti-reverse component is coupled in the first slot, it is in the first coupling state, and when the anti-reverse component is coupled in the second slot, it is in the second coupling state.

3. The connector according to claim 1, characterized in that, The anti-reverse component coupling structure includes a hinge and a locking member. The anti-reverse component is hinged to the line end connection portion via the hinge. When the anti-reverse component is fixed to the line end connection portion via the locking member, it is in the first coupling state. When the anti-reverse component is not fixed to the line end connection portion by the locking member, it is in the second coupling state.

4. The connector according to claim 2, characterized in that, At least a portion of the wire harness terminals have a first coupling structure on their outer mold.

5. The connector according to claim 4, characterized in that, The anti-reverse component includes at least: The first engaging part is used to couple with the first slot or the second slot; The second engaging portion is used for coupling with the first coupling structure of the at least part of the wire harness terminals; and The connecting body, wherein the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion are extended from the connecting body.

6. The connector according to claim 4, characterized in that, The first coupling structure includes a plurality of first convex and concave structures, and the second engaging portion includes a plurality of second convex and concave structures that cooperate with the first convex and concave structures.

7. The connector according to claim 6, characterized in that, The anti-reverse component also includes: The first elastic arm and the second elastic arm are respectively disposed at both ends of the connecting body and perpendicular to the extension direction of the connecting body. The first engaging part is respectively disposed at the free ends of the first elastic arm and the second elastic arm away from the connecting body.

8. The connector according to claim 6, characterized in that, The second engaging portion includes a single-sided engaging portion and a double-sided engaging portion, and the anti-reverse component further includes: The first single-sided coupling arm is disposed at one end of the two ends of the connecting body and is perpendicular to the extension direction of the connecting body. A single-sided engaging part is provided on the free end of the first single-sided coupling arm facing the second single-sided coupling arm. A second single-sided coupling arm is disposed at the other end of the connecting body and perpendicular to the extending direction of the connecting body. A single-sided engaging portion is provided on the free end of the second single-sided coupling arm facing the first single-sided coupling arm. The double-sided coupling arm is positioned in the middle of both ends of the connecting body and is perpendicular to the extension direction of the connecting body. A double-sided engaging part is provided at the free end of the double-sided coupling arm.

9. The connector according to any one of claims 1-8, characterized in that, The housing of the wire end connector and the outer mold of the wire harness terminal are respectively provided with mutually cooperating anti-misinsertion structures.

10. The connector according to any one of claims 1-8, characterized in that, The housing of the wire end connector is provided with an anti-misinsertion mark on the side away from the plate end connector; and / or The color of the outer mold of at least one of the plurality of wire harness terminals is different from the color of the outer mold of the other wire harness terminals.

11. The connector according to any one of claims 1-8, characterized in that, The plate end connecting part and the wire end connecting part are detachably connected by a snap-fit ​​structure, the snap-fit ​​structure including: A locking groove is provided in one of the plate end connecting portion and the wire end connecting portion; and An elastic arm is disposed on the other of the plate end connection portion and the line end connection portion. The cross-sectional area of ​​the elastic arm along its length direction is set to a preset size. The material of the elastic arm includes polybutylene terephthalate (PBT).

12. The connector according to any one of claims 1-8, characterized in that, The ratio between the inner mold and the outer mold of the wire harness terminal is set within a preset range, and the material of the wire harness terminal includes polybutylene terephthalate (PBT).

13. The connector according to any one of claims 1-8, characterized in that, The outer mold of the wire harness terminal is provided with multiple ejector pin holes for positioning the wire harness terminal during the manufacturing process.

14. The connector according to any one of claims 1-8, characterized in that, The connector is an integrated wire harness connector, and the housing of the board end connection part is provided with multiple recessed structures, the depth of which is set within a preset range.

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