Connector plug having quick locking structure, and connector

Abstract

A connector plug having a quick locking structure, and a connector. The connector plug comprises a plug housing (1) and a coupling cap (2), wherein the coupling cap (2) has a cavity (27) formed in the axial direction; the coupling cap (2) is sleeved on an insertion end (11) of the plug housing (1); the coupling cap (2) can rotate relative to the plug housing (1); and an elastic member (3) is provided in a gap between the plug housing (1) and the coupling cap (2), and two ends of the elastic member (3) are respectively in contact with the plug housing (1) and the coupling cap (2). The structural improvement of the device can effectively solve the problem of existing threaded connection locking technology being inconvenient to operate, and can facilitate insertion connection and effectively reduce the time spent carrying out insertion and separation, enabling quick locking and unlocking at a connection point.

Description

Connector plugs and connectors with quick-locking mechanism Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of connector technology, specifically relating to a connector plug and connector with a quick-locking structure. Background Technology

[0002] In existing technologies, industrial robotic arms are mainly used in automated assembly lines for electronics, logistics, and automotive industries to perform multi-joint manipulators and multi-degree-of-freedom mechanical devices. The motion trajectories and application scenarios of existing robotic arms are quite complex, and with the continuous development of the industry, higher demands are being placed on space and operation. Because threaded connectors generally use threaded connections, the connector nut needs to be manually rotated to achieve a reliable connection or separation during insertion and removal; however, this method of threaded connection requires a large operating space. Furthermore, current technologies suffer from the following drawbacks: existing threaded connection locking techniques are inconvenient to operate, require significant operating space, and the threaded connection structure leads to lengthy insertion and removal processes, while also being inherently inconvenient to operate. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to at least solve one of the problems existing in the prior art, and to provide a connector plug and connector with a quick-locking structure. Through structural improvements, this device can effectively solve the problem of inconvenient operation of existing threaded connection locking technology, facilitate head and seat insertion and effectively reduce the time spent on insertion and separation, and realize quick locking and unlocking separation at the head and seat connection.

[0004] One objective of this invention is to provide a connector plug with a quick-locking structure, comprising a plug housing and a connector cap, wherein the connector cap has a cavity formed along the axial direction, the connector cap is fitted onto the insertion end of the plug housing, and the connector cap is rotatable relative to the plug housing, and an elastic element is provided in the gap between the plug housing and the connector cap, with both ends of the elastic element contacting the plug housing and the connector cap respectively.

[0005] As a preferred embodiment, a key is provided on the inner wall of the cavity of the connector, and a slot-shaped space for accommodating the key is provided on the outer wall of the plug end of the plug housing, and the slot-shaped space is arranged along the rotation direction of the connector relative to the plug housing.

[0006] As a preferred embodiment, the slotted space has an arc-shaped protrusion on the side near the plug end of the plug housing along its circumferential direction. The arc-shaped protrusion cooperates with the key to form a stop for the connector in the first axial direction.

[0007] As a preferred embodiment, a locking block is provided on the inner wall of the cavity of the cap near the front end, and the locking block is used to adapt and connect with the outer wall slot of the adapter socket.

[0008] As a preferred embodiment, the elastic element is arranged along the rotation direction of the connector relative to the plug housing, and one end of the elastic element is in contact with the key on the connector.

[0009] As a preferred embodiment, the connecting cap is provided with an annular groove along the circumference of the inner wall of the cavity, and a retaining ring is installed in the annular groove. The retaining ring is located between the locking block and the key, and the retaining ring cooperates with the arc-shaped protrusion to form a stop for the connecting cap in the second axial direction.

[0010] As a preferred embodiment, a gasket is also provided between the retaining ring and the arc-shaped protrusion.

[0011] As a preferred embodiment, the plug housing has at least two slotted spaces distributed circumferentially at the insertion end, and the connector is provided with a key for fitting the slotted space. One end of the elastic element contacts the key, and the other end contacts the tail end of the adjacent slotted space.

[0012] A second objective of the present invention is to provide a connector, including a connector socket and a connector plug as described in any of the above claims.

[0013] As a preferred embodiment, the connector socket has an outer wall groove on the outer wall of the insertion end, and the outer wall groove is arranged along the insertion direction.

[0014] As a preferred embodiment, the outer wall groove includes a sliding groove and a locking groove disposed at the tail end of the sliding groove.

[0015] As a preferred embodiment, the outer wall slot is provided with a sloping protrusion on at least one side, the sloping protrusion having an insertion sloping surface located in the sliding groove and a stop surface located in the locking groove.

[0016] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has at least the following beneficial effects: First, the connector plug of the present invention improves the structure of the mounting plug and the connecting cap of the plug housing, and provides an elastic element in the gap between the mounting plug and the connecting cap. When the head seat is locked, the connecting cap can compress the elastic element and accumulate a restoring force. At the same time, after being inserted into place, the connecting cap is pushed by the elastic element to achieve the locking connection of the head seat. When the head seat is unlocked, after the connecting cap is rotated to compress the elastic element and the connector plug is pulled out axially, the elastic element will further push the connecting cap to achieve rotational reset.

[0017] Secondly, the present invention has a locking block on the inner wall of the plug end of the connector. The locking block and the slot on the outer wall form a slot structure, and the automatic spring-back mechanism formed by the inner key and the elastic element of the connector cooperate with each other. When the head is inserted, the automatic spring-back structure realizes the rotation of the connector and simultaneously realizes the automatic locking of the connector and the outer wall slot of the connector socket. When the head is unlocked, by rotating the connector, the connector socket can be quickly separated from the connector to pull out the plug and quickly complete the head unlocking process.

[0018] Thirdly, this solution, considering the assembly effect of the connector, achieves the stop and limit of the connector in the first axial direction through the cooperation of the key and the arc-shaped protrusion, and achieves the stop and limit of the connector in the second axial direction through the cooperation of the arc-shaped protrusion and the inner retaining ring of the connector. This design, by utilizing the automatic spring-back structure and the slotted space inside the connector, achieves the axial limit after the connector is assembled. After the connector is assembled, the key is located inside the slotted space under the elastic force of the elastic element, thereby preventing the connector from detaching from the plug housing. Attached Figure Description

[0019] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0020] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the connector plug and connector socket before insertion in this invention; Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the connector plug and connector socket before insertion in this invention; Figure 3 is a structural schematic diagram of the connector socket in this invention; Figure 4 is an exploded schematic diagram of the connector cap in this invention; Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the fit between the key and the slot space in this invention; Figure 6 is an exploded schematic diagram of the connector plug in this invention; Figure 7 is a perspective view of the connector cap in this invention; Figure 8 is a perspective view of the connector cap in this invention; Figure 9 is a longitudinal sectional view of the connector cap in this invention; Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of the installation of the elastic element in this invention; Figure 11 is a radial sectional view of the connector cap in this invention; Figure 12 is an internal structural diagram of the connector cap in this invention; Markings in the figures: 1. Plug housing; 11. Insertion end; 12. Arc-shaped protrusion; 13. Slot space; 131. Opening; 132. Stop plate; 133. Slot space I; 134. Slot space II; 14. Receiving cavity; 15. Inner cavity; 16. Circumferential step; 2. Connecting cap; 21. Key; 211. Key I; 212. Key II; 213. Key III; 22. Locking block; 23. Annular groove; 24. Anti-slip ridge; 25. Insertion direction indicator arrow; 26. Rotation direction indicator arrow; 27. Cavity; 28. Anti-slip stripes; 3. Elastic element; 31. Spring I; 32. Spring II; 4. Retaining ring; 5. Flat washer; 6. Plug tailstock; 7. Plug inner core; 8. Insulator; 100. Connector plug; 200. Connector socket; 201. Outer wall slot; 202. Slide groove; 203. Locking groove; 204. Raised bevel; 205. Insertion bevel; 206. Stop surface; 207. Socket interface. Detailed Implementation

[0021] The present invention will now be described in detail through exemplary embodiments. However, it should be understood that, without further description, elements, structures, and features in one embodiment may be advantageously incorporated into other embodiments.

[0022] It should be noted that, unless otherwise defined, the technical or scientific terms used herein should have the ordinary meaning understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains. The terms "a," "an," or "the," and similar words used in the specification and claims of this patent application do not express a limitation of quantity, but rather indicate the presence of at least one. Terms such as "comprising" or "including" indicate that the elements or objects preceding "comprising" encompass the elements or objects listed following "comprising" or "including" and their equivalents, but do not exclude other elements or objects having the same function.

[0023] As shown in the figure, this embodiment provides a connector plug, including a plug housing 1 and a connecting cap 2 disposed at the insertion end 11 of the plug housing 1. The connecting cap 2 is rotatable relative to the plug housing 1. A receiving cavity for installing an elastic element 3 is provided in the gap between the connecting cap 2 and the plug housing 1. One end of the elastic element 3 contacts the plug housing 1, and the other end contacts the connecting cap 2. The connecting cap 2 can compress the elastic element 3, causing the connecting cap 2 to rotate relative to the plug housing 1 in a first rotation direction. At the same time, after being compressed, the elastic element 3 generates a rebound force to realize the resetting of the connecting cap 2 in a second rotation direction (opposite to the first rotation direction). Therefore, the connecting cap 2 can achieve rapid resetting under the rebound force of the elastic element 3. This solution, through the cooperation of the plug housing 1, the connecting cap 2, and the elastic element 3, realizes the rapid insertion and locking or rapid unlocking of the connector plug 100 and the adapter connector socket 200, improving the convenience of insertion and locking and unlocking, saving operation time, and reducing the difficulty of locking and unlocking separation during the insertion process.

[0024] In this embodiment, the plug housing 1 has an inner cavity 15 for accommodating the plug inner core 7 and the insulator 8, and the insulator 8 has a cavity along the axial direction for accommodating the pins of the plug inner core 7. The plug housing 1 has a plug tail seat 6 at its tail end, which can be connected to the tail end of the socket housing 1 by means of thread, snap-fit ​​or adhesive. The plug housing 1 has a groove-shaped space 13 arranged around the outer wall near the plug end 11. The head end of the groove-shaped space 13 forms an opening 131 for the key 21 to be assembled into, and the opening 131 corresponds to one end of the elastic member 3. The tail end of the groove-shaped space 13 is provided with a stop plate 132 (with the opening of the groove-shaped space 13 as the front end and the stop plate 132 of the groove-shaped space 13 as the tail end). The tail end of the elastic member 3 can contact one side of the key 21, and the head end of the elastic member 3 can abut against the tail end of the adjacent groove-shaped space 13. The elastic member 3 can be a common compression spring. In other embodiments of this solution, other types of elastic members can also be used. The elastic member 3 can provide circumferential force for the rotation of the connector 2.

[0025] In this embodiment, the function of the slotted space 13 is to accommodate the key 21 inside the cap 2. The key 21 can enter the slotted space 13 through the opening 131 and can move in the slotted space 13 along the rotation direction of the cap 2. One end of the key 21 contacts one end of the elastic member 3. Preferably, in the extended state, the end of the elastic member 3 can enter the slotted space 13 through the opening 131 and abut against one end of the key 21. The slotted space 13 is surrounded by the arc-shaped protrusions 12 located on opposite sides, the circumferential steps 16 on the outer wall of the plug housing 1, and the stop plate 132 located at the tail. The width of the slotted space 13 gradually narrows from the opening 131 towards the tail. The purpose of this design is to ensure that the opening 131 has a large opening angle to facilitate the assembly of the key 21, while avoiding obstruction to the extension and retraction of the elastic member 3, and facilitating the smooth entry of the end of the elastic member 3 into the slotted space to contact and fit with one end of the key 21.

[0026] In this invention, the connector cap 2 adopts the following structure: the connector cap 2 is an annular sleeve with a cavity 27 arranged along its axial direction. The function of the cavity 27 is to allow the connector plug 100 and the adapter connector socket 200 to be inserted and locked inside it. A key 21 is arranged circumferentially around the inner wall of the cavity near the tail end of the connector cap 2. The function of the key 21 is to contact one end of the elastic element 3, and the connector cap 2 achieves engagement with the elastic element 3 through the key 21. Locking blocks 22 are evenly distributed on the inner wall of the cavity near the front end of the connector cap 2.

[0027] In this design, to ensure the axial assembly effect between the connector 2 and the plug housing 1, an annular groove 23 is provided circumferentially on the inner wall of the cavity of the connector 2. The annular groove 23 is used to install the retaining ring 4. The retaining ring 4 is fixedly snapped into the annular groove 23 by its own elasticity. Preferably, the retaining ring 4 can adopt the following structure: the retaining ring 4 is a ring with a break at one end. The two ends of the retaining ring 4 are pressed inward so that the retaining ring 4 can be easily snapped into the annular groove 23. Then, it is reset and fixed in the annular groove 23 by its own elasticity. In other embodiments, the retaining ring 4 can also be snapped into the annular groove 23 by other types of assembly methods. The function of the retaining ring 4 is to effectively ensure the axial position of the connector 2 after installation. When the connector 2 is installed, its key 21 is inserted into the slotted space 13 through the opening 131. At the same time, due to the elastic force of the elastic element 3, the key 21 will be prevented from coming out of the slotted space 13 through the opening 131. In addition, since the key 21 is assembled in the slotted space 13, the key 21 will form an axial engagement with one side of the arc-shaped protrusion 12, thereby limiting the connector 2 relative to the plug housing 1 in the first axial direction (towards the insertion direction). The retaining ring 4 engages with the other side of the arc-shaped protrusion 12, thereby limiting the connector 2 relative to the plug housing 1 in the second axial direction (towards the tail end of the plug housing 1). Preferably, a shim 5 is also provided between the retaining ring 4 and the arc-shaped protrusion 12. The shim 5 is used to compensate for the assembly clearance between the retaining ring 4 and the arc-shaped protrusion 12, and at the same time reduce the wear of the contact surfaces of the retaining ring 4 and the arc-shaped protrusion 12.

[0028] In a typical embodiment of the present invention, the plug end of the connector 100 is provided with two or more slotted spaces 13. Taking the example of two slotted spaces 13 shown in the figure, the structure is described as follows: the two slotted spaces 13 are slotted space I 133 and slotted space II 134, which are evenly distributed on the plug end 11 of the plug housing 1. The openings 131 of the two slotted spaces 13 are both arranged in the same direction of rotation of the cap 2. A key 2 is provided at the tail end of the inner wall of the cavity 27 of the cap 2. 1. In order to cooperate with the slotted space I133 and slotted space II134, key 21 includes two sets of key blocks. One set of key blocks is key I211, which is set in the circumferential direction on the inner wall of cavity 27 as shown in the figure. One end of key I211 can contact the tail end of spring I31, and the head end of spring I31 contacts the stop plate 132 at the tail end of the adjacent slotted space 13. The other set of key blocks includes key II212 and key III213 as shown in the figure. The combined function of key II212 and key III213 is the same as that of key I211. The difference lies in the gap between key II 212 and key III 213. The purpose of this gap is to facilitate the demolding of the cap 2 due to its inner wall protrusion design. Key I 211 is inserted into the slotted space I 133 through the opening 131 and can be movably disposed within the slotted space I 133. Key II 212 and key III 213 are inserted into the slotted space II 134 through the opening 131 and can be movably disposed within the slotted space II 134. After assembly, key II 212 is located within the slotted space 13 and can contact the stop plate 132. Key III 213 contacts the tail end of spring II 32. The head end of spring II 32 engages with the stop plate 132 (tail end of the slotted space 13) of the adjacent slotted space 13.

[0029] In this invention, vertical anti-slip stripes 28 are provided on the outer cylindrical surface of the cap 2 along the axial direction to increase the friction between the cap 2 and its outer surface when the operator twists it. Simultaneously, insertion direction indicator arrows 25 and torsion direction indicator arrows 26 are provided on the outer cylindrical surface of the cap 2.

[0030] As shown in the figure, in this scheme, an installation gap for the key 21 of the cap 2 is formed between the two slotted spaces 13. When the cap 2 is assembled with the plug housing 1, the key 21 of the cap 2 will be inserted axially through the installation gap. Then, the cap 2 is rotated so that the key 21 further enters the slotted space 13 through the opening 131 and the elastic member 3 is installed. One end of the elastic member 3 contacts the key 21, and the other end contacts the tail end of the adjacent slotted space 13. At this time, the key 21, the stop plate 132 of the slotted space 13 and the circumferential step 16 surround the installation gap to form a receiving cavity 14 for installing the elastic member 3. The elastic member 3 can shrink or expand within the receiving cavity 14 due to the squeezing action of the key 21.

[0031] This solution also provides a connector, including the aforementioned connector plug 100 and a connector socket 200 adapted to the connector plug 100. The connector socket 200 has a socket interface 207 at its insertion end. The socket interface 207 is a frustum-shaped sleeve. An outer wall groove 201 is provided on the outer cylindrical surface of the socket interface 207 along the insertion direction. The outer wall groove 201 includes a sliding groove 202 and a locking groove 203 provided at the tail of the sliding groove 202. Between the sliding groove 202 and the locking groove 203... A sloping protrusion 204 is provided on one side. The sloping protrusion 204 has an insertion sloping surface 205 located in the slide groove 202 and a stop surface 206 located in the locking groove 203. The insertion sloping surface 205 forms a certain angle with the insertion direction. The insertion sloping surface 205 is mainly used to guide the locking block 22 when the head seat is inserted. The stop surface 206 is mainly used to stop the locking block 22 when the head seat is locked. Preferably, the stop surface 206 faces the locking groove 203 and is set along the rotation direction of the connecting cap 22. In order to achieve the cooperation between the outer wall slot 201 and the locking block 22 in the inner cavity of the cap 2, when the head seat is inserted, after the locking block 22 contacts the insertion inclined surface 205, the insertion inclined surface 205 will guide to one side along the torsion direction and push the locking block 22, thereby driving the cap 2 to rotate. At this time, the key 21 at the tail end of the cap 2 also gradually squeezes the elastic element 3. When the locking block 22 reaches the most protruding position of the inclined surface protrusion 204, the elastic element 3 accumulates a certain amount of restoring force. As the locking block 22 passes the inclined surface protrusion 204, the elastic element 3 uses the accumulated restoring force to push the cap 2 to rotate in the locking direction, so that the locking block 22 can smoothly enter and lock in the locking groove 203. At the same time, the locking block 22 and the stop surface 206 form a stop. When the head unit is unlocked, the operator twists the connecting cap 2 in the unlocking direction. At the same time, the locking block 22 disengages from the locking groove 203, and the key 21 squeezes the elastic element 3. After the locking block 22 passes the inclined protrusion 204, the connector plug 100 can be pulled out in the separation direction along the axial direction.

[0032] In this solution, the connector socket 200 has a convex-concave mating structure formed by the inclined protrusion 204 and the locking block 22 on the connector plug 100, and the connector cap 2 has an automatic spring-back structure formed by the key 21 and the elastic element 3. By utilizing the convex-concave mating structure, the connector cap 2 rotates and achieves automatic locking through the aforementioned automatic spring-back structure. The specific locking and unlocking process is as follows: When the head seat is inserted, the tail of the connector plug 100 is pushed in the axial direction. The locking block 22 of the connector cap 2 will enter the outer wall slot 201 along the slide groove 202. During the sliding process, the elastic element 3 is compressed, and the elastic force of the elastic element 3 increases. After passing the inclined protrusion 204, the locking block 22 will automatically slide into the locking groove 203. At this time, the elastic element 3 automatically extends back to its original position, and the head seat locking process is completed. When the head seat is unlocked, the locking block 22 is dislodged from the locking groove 203 by manually rotating the connecting cap 2 in the reverse direction. After passing over the inclined protrusion 204, the connector plug 100 is pulled out axially, realizing the rapid separation of the head seat and completing the head seat unlocking process.

[0033] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention in any way. Although the present invention has been disclosed above with reference to preferred embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Any person skilled in the art can make some modifications or alterations to the above-disclosed technical content to create equivalent embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention. Any simple modifications, equivalent changes, and alterations made to the above embodiments based on the technical essence of the present invention without departing from the scope of the present invention shall still fall within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A connector plug with a quick-locking structure, characterized in that: The device includes a plug housing and a connector. The connector has a cavity formed along the axial direction. The connector is fitted onto the plug end of the plug housing and can rotate relative to the plug housing. An elastic element is provided in the gap between the plug housing and the connector, and the two ends of the elastic element are in contact with the plug housing and the connector, respectively.

2. A connector plug with a quick-locking structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: A key is provided on the inner wall of the cavity of the connector, and a slot-shaped space for accommodating the key is provided on the outer wall of the plug end of the plug housing. The slot-shaped space is arranged along the rotation direction of the connector relative to the plug housing.

3. A connector plug with a quick-locking structure according to claim 2, characterized in that: The slot-shaped space has an arc-shaped protrusion on the side near the plug housing on the plug end, which is provided along its circumferential direction. The arc-shaped protrusion cooperates with the key to form a stop for the connector in the first axial direction.

4. A connector plug with a quick-locking structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The inner wall of the cap cavity near the front end is provided with a locking block, which is used to adapt and connect with the outer wall slot of the adapter socket.

5. A connector plug with a quick-locking structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The elastic element is arranged along the rotation direction of the connector relative to the plug housing, and one end of the elastic element is in contact with the key on the connector.

6. A connector plug with a quick-locking structure according to claim 4, characterized in that: The connecting cap has an annular groove along the circumference of the inner wall of the cavity. A retaining ring is installed in the annular groove. The retaining ring is located between the locking block and the key. The retaining ring cooperates with the arc-shaped protrusion to form a stop for the connecting cap in the second axial direction.

7. A connector plug with a quick-locking structure according to claim 6, characterized in that: A gasket is also provided between the retaining ring and the arc-shaped protrusion.

8. A connector plug with a quick-locking structure according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that: The plug housing has at least two slotted spaces distributed circumferentially at the insertion end. The connector is provided with a key for fitting the slotted space. One end of the elastic element contacts the key, and the other end contacts the tail end of the adjacent slotted space.

9. A connector, characterized in that: Includes a connector socket and a connector plug as described in any one of claims 1-8.

10. A connector according to claim 9, characterized in that: The connector socket has an outer wall groove on the outer wall of the insertion end, and the outer wall groove is arranged along the insertion direction.

11. A connector according to claim 10, characterized in that: The outer wall slot includes a sliding groove and a locking groove located at the tail end of the sliding groove.

12. A connector according to claim 11, characterized in that: The outer wall slot has a sloping protrusion on at least one side, the sloping protrusion having an insertion sloping surface located in the sliding groove and a stop surface located in the locking groove.

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