Connector and plug therefor

Abstract

This invention relates to a connector and its plug. The plug includes: a plug housing with a plug-in end at the front end; the plug includes a spring claw disposed on the plug housing, the spring claw having a hook portion for engaging with a hook-fitting portion on a socket housing to lock and fix the plug and socket assembled together; the spring claw is provided with a passive unlocking portion; the plug also includes an unlocking component; the unlocking component is movably mounted on the plug housing in a front-rear direction, the unlocking component having an active unlocking portion, which, when the unlocking component moves in the front-rear direction, pushes against the passive unlocking portion to drive the hook portion to move circumferentially along the connector housing, causing the hook portion to disengage from the corresponding hook-fitting portion, thereby unlocking the plug and socket; at least one of the active and passive unlocking portions has a beveled structure. No auxiliary devices are needed during the unlocking process, making the unlocking method relatively simple.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a connector and its plug. Background Technology

[0002] Existing connectors typically lock together using threads or bayonet locking mechanisms, but these methods require rotating the connector, making the process cumbersome. To address this issue, connector assemblies that use spring-loaded claws for locking and unlocking have emerged on the market.

[0003] Chinese invention patent application CN108463926A discloses a pluggable connector. This connector has a housing with a plug-in end and a cable outlet end. The housing is equipped with a locking element that can move between a first locked position and a second unlocked position. The locking element has an opening and an inlet ramp. By inserting an auxiliary device into the opening, the locking element can be manually switched from the first locked position to the second unlocked position. This pluggable connector requires an auxiliary device to separate the pluggable connector from the adapter connector, making the operation relatively cumbersome. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a plug that solves the problem that existing plug-in connectors require auxiliary devices to separate the plug-in connector from the adapter connector, which is a relatively cumbersome operation. Another purpose of this invention is to provide a connector that solves the problem that existing plug-in connectors require auxiliary devices to separate the plug-in connector from the adapter connector, which is a relatively cumbersome operation.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution of the plug of the present invention is as follows:

[0006] A plug, comprising: a plug housing, the front end of which is a plug-in end; the plug includes a locking structure, the locking structure being one of the following: (1) the locking structure includes a spring claw, the spring claw being disposed on the plug housing, the spring claw having a hook portion, the hook portion moving circumferentially along the plug housing under its own elastic force to hook and engage with a hook engagement portion on the socket housing, thereby locking and fixing the plug and socket assembled together, the spring claw being provided with a passive unlocking portion; (2) the locking structure includes a locking arm and an elastic element, one end of the locking arm being hinged to the plug housing, the other end being provided with a hook portion, the hook portion being engaged with the elastic element under its own elastic force. The lower edge of the plug housing moves circumferentially to engage with a hook-fitting part on the socket housing, thereby locking and fixing the plug and socket in the plug-in assembly. The locking arm is provided with a passive unlocking part. The plug also includes an unlocking component. The unlocking component is movably mounted on the plug housing in the front-back direction. The unlocking component is provided with an active unlocking part. When the unlocking component moves backward, the active unlocking part and the passive unlocking part push against each other to drive the hook-fitting part to move circumferentially along the plug housing, causing the hook-fitting part to disengage from the corresponding hook-fitting part, thereby unlocking the plug and socket. At least one of the active unlocking part and the passive unlocking part is a beveled structure.

[0007] The beneficial effects are as follows: By setting a passive unlocking part on the spring claw or locking arm, after the hook part on the spring claw or locking arm hooks and engages with the corresponding hook engagement part, it is only necessary to move the unlocking member backward to make the active unlocking part of the unlocking member push and engage with the passive unlocking part of the corresponding hook part, driving the hook part to move circumferentially along the plug housing, so that the hook part disengages from the corresponding hook engagement part, thereby unlocking the plug housing and the socket housing. No auxiliary devices are needed during the unlocking process, and the unlocking method is relatively simple. At the same time, since the hook part disengages from the corresponding hook engagement part circumferentially along the plug housing, the radial dimension of the plug is avoided to be large, which is conducive to the miniaturization of the plug.

[0008] Furthermore, the plug housing includes an inner housing and a locking member, which is positioned and assembled with the inner housing in the front-rear direction, and the spring claw is disposed on the locking member. Separating the plug housing facilitates the machining of the spring claw on the plug housing.

[0009] Furthermore, the hook portion protrudes from the spring claw along the circumference of the plug housing, or the hook portion protrudes from the locking arm along the circumference of the plug housing. This facilitates the hook engagement between the hook portion and the hook-fitting portion.

[0010] Furthermore, the unlocking component has an unlocking groove on its inner wall surface corresponding to the pawl, and the unlocking groove has an unlocking ramp, which constitutes the active unlocking part. By providing an unlocking groove on the unlocking component, it is easier for the unlocking component to unlock the pawl.

[0011] Furthermore, the spring claws form at least one pair of spring claws, with the hook portions of the two spring claws in the pair arranged back to back. The unlocking groove corresponding to the pair of spring claws is a conical unlocking groove that is smaller at the front and larger at the back. The two side walls of the conical unlocking groove respectively form the unlocking ramps. The two side walls of the conical unlocking groove are ramps, and the groove walls of the conical unlocking groove are designed as active unlocking parts. The structure is relatively simple and can unlock both spring claws simultaneously.

[0012] Furthermore, the spring pawls form at least one pair of spring pawls, with the hook portions of the two spring pawls in the pair arranged opposite to each other. A thrust elastic element is provided between the two spring pawls in the pair to provide thrust to the two spring pawls. By providing a thrust elastic element between the two spring pawls, the stability of the hook portion of the spring pawl and the hook engagement portion is ensured.

[0013] Furthermore, the hook portion has a hook-locking bevel for engaging with the hook-fitting portion. The hook-locking bevel extends obliquely from back to front along the hook-disengagement direction on the hook portion, so that the hook portion forms a barbed structure. By engaging with the hook-fitting portion through the barbed structure, the spring pawl is less likely to disengage from the hook-fitting portion, thereby making the locking more secure.

[0014] Furthermore, the unlocking component is an unlocking sleeve. It is sufficient to simply sleeve the unlocking component over the plug housing; there is no need to provide a limiting structure between the plug housing and the unlocking component to confine the unlocking component to the plug housing.

[0015] Furthermore, the locking arms form at least one pair of locking arms, in which the hook portions of the two locking arms are arranged opposite to each other, and the locking elastic element is disposed between the two locking arms. The locking arm pair further increases the stability of the plug-socket mating connection.

[0016] Furthermore, the locking elastic element is a U-shaped spring or a compression spring. The structure is simple and easy to install between the two locking arms.

[0017] Furthermore, the plug also includes a locking component, which is reciprocally guided and mounted on the unlocking component via a guide structure. During its reciprocating movement, the locking component has a locked position and an unlocked position. In the locked position, the locking component engages with the spring pawl to lock it in place where the hook portion and the corresponding hook engagement portion are engaged. In the unlocked position, the locking component avoids the spring pawl, allowing it to unlock under the action of the unlocking component. By providing the locking component, a secondary locking mechanism is achieved between the plug and the socket, ensuring the stability of the plug-socket connection.

[0018] Furthermore, the spring claws form at least one pair of spring claws, with the hook portions of the two spring claws arranged opposite each other. The locking member, in the locked position, is positioned between the two spring claws to lock them in place. The spring claw pair further increases the stability of the plug-socket connection.

[0019] Furthermore, the unlocking member has guide holes on the sidewalls corresponding to the pawls, and the locking member is guided and assembled within the guide holes. The locking member includes a latch for locking the two pawls between them and an operating part for driving the latch. The guide holes constitute the guiding structure. By providing the operating part, it is easy to drive the latch to lock the two pawls.

[0020] Furthermore, the plug also includes a locking member, which is reciprocally guided and mounted on the unlocking member via a guide structure. During its reciprocating movement, the locking member has a locked position and an unlocked position. In the locked position, the locking member engages with the locking arm to lock the arm in the position where the hook part and the corresponding hook engagement part are engaged. In the unlocked position, the locking member avoids the locking arm, allowing the locking arm to unlock under the action of the unlocking member. By providing the locking member, a secondary locking of the plug and socket is achieved, ensuring the stability of the plug-socket connection.

[0021] Furthermore, the locking arms form at least one pair of locking arms, in which the hook portions of the two locking arms are arranged opposite to each other, and the locking member is positioned between the two locking arms in the locked position to lock the two locking arms. The locking arm pair further increases the stability of the plug and socket mating.

[0022] Furthermore, the unlocking member has guide holes on the sidewalls corresponding to the locking arms, and the locking member is guided and assembled within the guide holes. The locking member includes a bolt for locking the two locking arms between them and an operating part for driving the bolt. The guide holes constitute the guiding structure. By providing the operating part, it is easy to drive the bolt to move so that the bolt locks the two pawls.

[0023] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution of the connector of the present invention is as follows:

[0024] The connector includes a plug and a socket for mating, with the plug and socket's insertion end positioned as the front end; the socket includes a socket housing with a hook engagement part on the socket housing; the plug includes a plug housing with the insertion end at the front end; the plug includes a locking structure, which is one of the following structures: (1) The locking structure includes a spring claw, which is disposed on the plug housing. The spring claw has a hook engagement part, which moves circumferentially along the plug housing under its own elastic force to engage with the hook engagement part on the socket housing, thereby locking and fixing the plug and socket assembled together. The spring claw is provided with a passive unlocking part; (2) The locking structure includes a locking arm and an elastic element, with one end of the locking arm hinged to the plug housing. The plug housing has a hook portion at one end, which moves circumferentially under the elastic force of the elastic element to engage with a hook-fitting part on the socket housing, thereby locking and fixing the plug and socket in place. The locking arm has a passive unlocking part. The plug also includes an unlocking component. The unlocking component is movably mounted on the plug housing in the front-back direction. The unlocking component has an active unlocking part. When the unlocking component moves backward, the active unlocking part and the passive unlocking part push against each other to drive the hook portion to move circumferentially along the plug housing, causing the hook portion to disengage from the corresponding hook-fitting part, thereby unlocking the plug and socket. At least one of the active unlocking part and the passive unlocking part is an inclined structure.

[0025] The beneficial effects are as follows: By setting a passive unlocking part on the spring claw or locking arm, after the hook part on the spring claw or locking arm hooks and engages with the corresponding hook engagement part, it is only necessary to move the unlocking member backward to make the active unlocking part of the unlocking member push and engage with the passive unlocking part of the corresponding hook part, driving the hook part to move circumferentially along the plug housing, so that the hook part disengages from the corresponding hook engagement part, thereby unlocking the plug housing and the socket housing. No auxiliary devices are needed during the unlocking process, and the unlocking method is relatively simple. At the same time, since the hook part disengages from the corresponding hook engagement part circumferentially along the plug housing, the radial dimension of the plug is avoided to be large, which is conducive to the miniaturization of the plug.

[0026] Furthermore, the plug housing includes an inner housing and a locking member, which is positioned and assembled with the inner housing in the front-rear direction, and the spring claw is disposed on the locking member. Separating the plug housing facilitates the machining of the spring claw on the plug housing.

[0027] Furthermore, the hook portion protrudes from the spring claw along the circumference of the plug housing, or the hook portion protrudes from the locking arm along the circumference of the plug housing. This facilitates the hook engagement between the hook portion and the hook-fitting portion.

[0028] Furthermore, the unlocking component has an unlocking groove on its inner wall surface corresponding to the pawl, and the unlocking groove has an unlocking ramp, which constitutes the active unlocking part. By providing an unlocking groove on the unlocking component, it is easier for the unlocking component to unlock the pawl.

[0029] Furthermore, the spring claws form at least one pair of spring claws, with the hook portions of the two spring claws in the pair arranged back to back. The unlocking groove corresponding to the pair of spring claws is a conical unlocking groove that is smaller at the front and larger at the back. The two side walls of the conical unlocking groove respectively form the unlocking ramps. The two side walls of the conical unlocking groove are ramps, and the groove walls of the conical unlocking groove are designed as active unlocking parts. The structure is relatively simple and can unlock both spring claws simultaneously.

[0030] Furthermore, the spring pawls form at least one pair of spring pawls, with the hook portions of the two spring pawls in the pair arranged opposite to each other. A thrust elastic element is provided between the two spring pawls in the pair to provide thrust to the two spring pawls. By providing a thrust elastic element between the two spring pawls, the stability of the hook portion of the spring pawl and the hook engagement portion is ensured.

[0031] Furthermore, the hook portion has a hook-locking bevel for engaging with the hook-fitting portion. The hook-locking bevel extends obliquely from back to front along the hook-disengagement direction on the hook portion, so that the hook portion forms a barbed structure. By engaging with the hook-fitting portion through the barbed structure, the spring pawl is less likely to disengage from the hook-fitting portion, thereby making the locking more secure.

[0032] Furthermore, the unlocking component is an unlocking sleeve. It is sufficient to simply sleeve the unlocking component over the plug housing; there is no need to provide a limiting structure between the plug housing and the unlocking component to confine the unlocking component to the plug housing.

[0033] Furthermore, the locking arms form at least one pair of locking arms, in which the hook portions of the two locking arms are arranged opposite to each other, and the locking elastic element is disposed between the two locking arms. The locking arm pair further increases the stability of the plug-socket mating connection.

[0034] Furthermore, the locking elastic element is a U-shaped spring or a compression spring. It has a simple structure and is easy to install between the two locking arms.

[0035] Furthermore, the plug also includes a locking component, which is reciprocally guided and mounted on the unlocking component via a guide structure. During its reciprocating movement, the locking component has a locked position and an unlocked position. In the locked position, the locking component engages with the spring pawl to lock it in place where the hook portion and the corresponding hook engagement portion are engaged. In the unlocked position, the locking component avoids the spring pawl, allowing it to unlock under the action of the unlocking component. By providing the locking component, a secondary locking mechanism is achieved between the plug and the socket, ensuring the stability of the plug-socket connection.

[0036] Furthermore, the spring claws form at least one pair of spring claws, with the hook portions of the two spring claws arranged opposite each other. The locking member, in the locked position, is positioned between the two spring claws to lock them in place. The spring claw pair further increases the stability of the plug-socket connection.

[0037] Furthermore, the unlocking member has guide holes on the sidewalls corresponding to the pawls, and the locking member is guided and assembled within the guide holes. The locking member includes a latch for locking the two pawls between them and an operating part for driving the latch. The guide holes constitute the guiding structure. By providing the operating part, it is easy to drive the latch to lock the two pawls.

[0038] Furthermore, the plug also includes a locking member, which is reciprocally guided and mounted on the unlocking member via a guide structure. During its reciprocating movement, the locking member has a locked position and an unlocked position. In the locked position, the locking member engages with the locking arm to lock the arm in the position where the hook part and the corresponding hook engagement part are engaged. In the unlocked position, the locking member avoids the locking arm, allowing the locking arm to unlock under the action of the unlocking member. By providing the locking member, a secondary locking of the plug and socket is achieved, ensuring the stability of the plug-socket connection.

[0039] Furthermore, the locking arms form at least one pair of locking arms, in which the hook portions of the two locking arms are arranged opposite to each other, and the locking member is positioned between the two locking arms in the locked position to lock the two locking arms. The locking arm pair further increases the stability of the plug and socket mating.

[0040] Furthermore, the unlocking member has guide holes on the sidewalls corresponding to the locking arms, and the locking member is guided and assembled within the guide holes. The locking member includes a bolt for locking the two locking arms between them and an operating part for driving the bolt. The guide holes constitute the guiding structure. By providing the operating part, it is easy to drive the bolt to move so that the bolt locks the two pawls. Attached Figure Description

[0041] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a specific embodiment 1 of the connector of the present invention;

[0042] Figure 2 This is a structural schematic diagram of the connector of the present invention from another perspective;

[0043] Figure 3 for Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the structure after the connector is plugged in;

[0044] Figure 4 for Figure 1 A structural diagram of the socket housing before it is assembled with the locking sleeve and unlocking sleeve;

[0045] Figure 5 for Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the structure of the middle unlocking sleeve and the locking sleeve;

[0046] Figure 6 for Figure 5 Exploded view of the unlocking sleeve and locking sleeve;

[0047] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a specific embodiment 2 of the connector of the present invention;

[0048] Figure 8 for Figure 7 A schematic diagram of the connection and mating of the plug and socket;

[0049] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a specific embodiment 3 of the connector of the present invention;

[0050] Figure 10 for Figure 9 A schematic diagram of the structure of the locking tongue locking the spring pawl;

[0051] Figure 11 for Figure 9 A schematic diagram of the structure of the locking pawl of the middle locking tongue;

[0052] Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a specific embodiment 4 of the connector of the present invention;

[0053] Figure 13 for Figure 12 A schematic diagram of the connector structure for removing the unlocking sleeve;

[0054] Figure 14 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a specific embodiment 5 of the connector of the present invention;

[0055] Figures 1 to 11 In the middle: 101-Socket; 102-Plug; 1-Hook mating part; 11-Guiding slope; 12-First locking slope; 2-Pipe groove; 3-Fixing flange; 4-Socket housing; 5-Limiting conical groove section; 51-Limiting slope; 21-Unlocking sleeve; 211-Active unlocking part; 212-Conical unlocking groove; 213-Inner wall protrusion; 22-Inner housing; 23-Plug inner core; 24-Locking sleeve; 25-Step structure; 26-Limiting block; 27-Spring claw; 271-Second locking slope; 272-Hook part; 273-Passive unlocking part; 28-Thrust elastic element; 29-Operating part; 30-Guide hole; 31-Lock tongue;

[0056] Figure 12 and Figure 13In the middle: 201-Socket housing; 202-Unlocking sleeve; 203-Plug housing; 204-Locking arm; 205-U-shaped spring; 206-Hook mating part; 207-Hook part; 208-Hinge shaft;

[0057] Figure 14 In the middle: 301-socket housing; 302-unlocking component; 303-plug housing; 304-guide groove. Detailed Implementation

[0058] The embodiments of the present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0059] Specific embodiment 1 of the connector of the present invention:

[0060] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the connector includes a socket 101 and a plug 102 for mating. In this embodiment, both the socket 101 and the plug 102 are rectangular connectors, and the insertion end of the socket 101 and the plug 102 is defined as the front end. The socket 101 includes a socket housing 4, and a socket inner core (not shown) is fixed inside the socket housing 4. The plug 102 includes an inner housing 22, and a plug inner core 23 is fixed inside the inner housing 22. When the socket 101 and the plug 102 are plugged in, the socket housing 4 and the inner housing 22 mate, and the plug inner core 23 also mates with the socket inner core. In other embodiments, the socket and the plug can be polygonal connectors or oval connectors.

[0061] Specifically, a locking sleeve 24 is fitted onto the inner housing 22, constituting a locking element. A limiting block 26 is provided at the rear end of the inner housing 22 to limit the locking sleeve 24 in the front-rear direction, preventing it from moving backward. Two limiting blocks 26 are symmetrically arranged, respectively located on opposite sidewalls of the locking sleeve 24. In other embodiments, a ring platform can be provided on the inner housing to limit the locking sleeve in the front-rear direction. In other embodiments, the locking element can be a U-shaped structure, in which case a spring claw is only provided at the front end of the middle plate of the U-shaped structure. It should be noted that the locking sleeve and the inner housing are separate components that together constitute the plug housing; however, in other embodiments, the locking sleeve and the inner housing are integrally formed to create the plug housing.

[0062] like Figure 3 and Figure 4As shown, the inner shell 22 is rectangular, and the corresponding locking sleeve 24 is rectangular. The locking sleeve 24 is used to fit and mate with the socket shell 4. The locking sleeve 24 has two oppositely arranged locking sleeve positioning planes, which constitute the locking member positioning planes. Each locking sleeve positioning plane has two forward-extending and spaced-apart spring claws 27 at its front end. Each spring claw 27 has a hook portion 272 protruding along the extension direction of its corresponding locking sleeve positioning plane to ensure the stability of the socket shell 4 after hooking and engaging with the locking sleeve 24. The hook portion can be arranged perpendicular to the spring claw or at an acute angle to it. In other embodiments, to ensure the stability of the socket shell and locking sleeve when locked, all four sidewalls of the locking sleeve can be set as locking sleeve positioning planes, and each locking sleeve positioning plane can have two spring claws. In other embodiments, two adjacent sidewalls of the locking sleeve can be used as locking sleeve positioning planes. It should be noted that the sidewalls of the locking sleeve with spring claws are the locking sleeve positioning planes. In other embodiments, a spring claw can be provided on a locking sleeve positioning plane; or only a locking sleeve positioning plane can be provided on the locking sleeve, and only a spring claw can be provided on the locking sleeve positioning plane. In this case, the stability of the locking sleeve and the socket housing hooking and engaging is poor.

[0063] The two opposite outer surfaces of the socket housing 4 are socket housing positioning planes. These two positioning planes correspond to the two locking sleeve positioning planes on the locking sleeve 24. Each socket housing positioning plane is provided with a hook engagement part 1 for hooking and engaging with the corresponding hook part 272. In other embodiments, the socket housing is circular, and in this case, the positioning plane is replaced by a positioning arc surface.

[0064] In this embodiment, a passive unlocking part 273 is provided on the front side of the hook part 272, and an unlocking sleeve 21 is slidably fitted on the outer side of the locking sleeve 24. The unlocking sleeve 21 constitutes an unlocking component, and the unlocking sleeve 21 has a sleeve structure, such as... Figure 5 and Figure 6As shown, the unlocking sleeve 21 is provided with an active unlocking part 211. When the unlocking sleeve 21 moves backward to unlock, the active unlocking part 211 and the passive unlocking part 273 push and cooperate to disengage the hook part 272 from the corresponding hook cooperation part 1 along the circumference of the plug housing, thereby unlocking the locking sleeve 24 from the socket housing 4, and thus unlocking the plug and socket. The inner housing 22 is provided with a stepped structure 25 behind the limiting block 26 for limiting the unlocking sleeve in the front-back direction. When the unlocking sleeve 21 moves backward to unlock, it is prevented from moving the unlocking sleeve too far backward, causing the two spring claws 27 to come too close and fail. In other embodiments, the outer surface of the spring claw is provided with a protruding structure protruding from the spring claw. This protruding structure has a passive unlocking part. In other embodiments, the unlocking sleeve is a U-shaped structure. The two sides of the locking sleeve are provided with guide grooves extending in the front-back direction. The two parallel folded edges of the unlocking sleeve are folded inward to form flanges. The two flanges are guided and slidably assembled in the guide grooves to realize that the unlocking sleeve is slidably fitted outside the locking sleeve.

[0065] In this embodiment, both the active unlocking part 211 and the passive unlocking part 273 are inclined structures, which facilitates their pushing and engaging. It should be noted that the inclined structure can be a straight inclined surface or an arc-shaped inclined surface. In other embodiments, one of the active unlocking part and the passive unlocking part is an inclined structure, and the other is a right-angled structure. The inclined structure and the right-angled structure make line contact to achieve their pushing and engaging.

[0066] like Figures 2 to 4 As shown, the rear side of the hook portion 272 is the hook mating surface, and the hook mating surface of the hook portion 272 is the second locking slope 271. The second locking slope 271 constitutes the hook portion locking slope, which extends from back to front along the disengagement direction of the hook portion 272 to form a barbed structure. The rear side of the corresponding hook mating portion 1 is the hook mating surface, and the hook mating surface of the hook mating portion 1 is the first locking slope 12. The first locking slope 12 is adapted to the second locking slope. Through the hook mating of the second locking slope 271 and the first locking slope 12, the hook portion 272 of the spring claw 27 is not easy to disengage from the hook mating portion 1, thereby making the locking more secure. In other embodiments, the hook engagement surface of the hook portion is a second locking straight surface, and the corresponding hook engagement surface of the hook engagement part is a first locking straight surface. This makes it easy for the hook portion to detach from the hook engagement part when the spring pawl lacks sufficient elasticity, especially during shaking. It should be noted that the second locking slope and the first locking slope can be straight slopes or curved slopes.

[0067] like Figure 6As shown, the hook portions 272 of the two spring claws 27 on the same locking sleeve positioning plane are arranged opposite to each other, forming a spring claw pair. After the socket housing 4 and the locking sleeve 24 are hooked together, the hook portions 272 face opposite directions under the elastic force of the spring claws 27, making it difficult for the socket housing 4 and the locking sleeve 24 to move relative to each other in the circumferential direction. Furthermore, the hook portions 272 are arranged towards the outside of the two spring claws 27, allowing the two spring claws 27 to be as close to each other as possible to reduce the space occupied by the spring claws 27. In other embodiments, to prevent the socket housing and the locking sleeve from moving relative to each other in the circumferential direction, the hook portions of the two spring claws can be arranged opposite to each other. In other embodiments, the hook portions of the two spring claws can also be arranged in the same direction, in which case the socket housing and the locking sleeve may move relative to each other in the circumferential direction.

[0068] like Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the socket housing 4 has a slot 2 on its positioning plane. The slot 2 extends in the front-to-back direction and has an open front end for the spring claw 27 to be inserted from the front. On opposite sides of the slot wall, there are protrusions extending from the corresponding slot wall. The front side of each protrusion is a guide slope 11, which makes the front opening of the slot 2 larger, facilitating the insertion of the spring claw 27 into the slot 2. The protrusions constitute the hook engagement part 1, and the guide slope 11 of the slot 2 facilitates the insertion of the spring claw 27 into the slot 2 to hook and engage with the hook engagement part 1. In other embodiments, the slot has opposing stepped structures that constitute the hook engagement part. The slot lacks a guide slope, making it difficult for the spring claw to be inserted into the slot. It should be noted that the side wall of the socket housing with the slot is the socket housing positioning plane.

[0069] The fitting groove 2 includes a limiting conical groove section 5 located behind the hook engagement part 1. The groove wall of the limiting conical groove section 5 is a limiting inclined surface 51, and the passive unlocking part of the hook part 272 is an inclined surface. The groove wall of the limiting conical groove section 5 and the passive unlocking part of the hook part 272 are in a limiting engagement in the front-back direction to prevent the hook part 272 from moving backward in the fitting groove 2, and to ensure the stability of the hook part 272 after it is hooked and locked with the hook engagement part 1.

[0070] In this embodiment, the hook portion 272 has a protruding end in a direction perpendicular to the positioning plane of the corresponding locking sleeve. This protruding end protrudes from the insertion groove 2 when the hook portion 272 is engaged with the corresponding hook engagement portion 1. A passive unlocking portion 273 is disposed on the protruding end, facilitating a push engagement between the passive unlocking portion 273 and the active unlocking portion 211 on the unlocking sleeve 21, thereby unlocking the locking sleeve 24 from the unlocking sleeve 21. In other embodiments, the hook portion may not have a protruding end protruding from the insertion groove. In this case, the unlocking sleeve is disposed on the socket housing, and a gap is provided between the passive unlocking portion and the groove wall of the limiting conical groove section. A push rod inserted into this gap is provided on the inner wall surface of the unlocking sleeve, and this push rod constitutes the active unlocking portion.

[0071] The mounting groove 2 has a protruding part on its positioning plane that protrudes from the positioning plane of the socket housing. The protruding part forms the mounting groove 2. By forming the mounting groove with the protruding part on the positioning plane of the socket housing, the strength of the side wall where the positioning plane of the socket housing is located is ensured. In other embodiments, the mounting groove can be directly formed on the side wall of the socket housing, in which case the side wall is required to have a certain thickness.

[0072] like Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the outer surface of the spring claw 27 is an inclined surface from front to back and from outside to inside, so that the thickness of the spring claw 27 gradually increases from back to front, which improves the strength of the spring claw 27 while also ensuring its elasticity. In other embodiments, if the spring claw itself is strong enough, only the hook part can be made thicker; or if the spring claw is elastic enough, the entire spring claw can be made thicker.

[0073] In this embodiment, the inner wall surface corresponding to the unlocking sleeve 21 and the spring claw 27 is provided with a conical unlocking groove 212 that is smaller at the front and larger at the back. The groove wall of the conical unlocking groove 212 constitutes the active unlocking part 211, and the two groove walls of the conical unlocking groove 212 are unlocking slopes. Designing the groove wall of the conical unlocking groove 212 as the active unlocking part 211 facilitates the active unlocking part 211 to push the hook part 272 out of the hook engagement part 1. In other embodiments, the passive unlocking part can be designed as a slope structure, and the active unlocking part can be a protrusion provided at the front end of the inner wall surface of the unlocking sleeve, such as a circular protrusion or a square protrusion, which engages with the push of the passive unlocking part.

[0074] In this embodiment, an inner wall protrusion 213 protruding from the inner wall surface is provided on the inner wall surface of the unlocking sleeve 21. The inner wall protrusion forms a conical unlocking groove 212. By forming the conical unlocking groove 212 with the inner wall protrusion 213, the strength of the side wall where the inner wall surface is located is ensured. In other embodiments, the conical unlocking groove can be directly opened on the inner wall surface of the unlocking sleeve. In this case, the side wall of the unlocking sleeve needs to have a certain thickness to ensure that it still has high strength after the conical unlocking groove is opened.

[0075] In use, the socket 101 is fixed to the device panel via the fixing flange 3. When the plug 102 and socket 101 need to be locked, the spring claw 27 at the front end of the locking sleeve 24 is inserted into the insertion groove 2 of the socket housing 4. After the plug 102 and socket 101 are connected, the hook portion 272 of the spring claw 27 engages with the hook mating portion 1 in the insertion groove 2 to lock the plug 102 and socket 101. When the plug 102 and socket 101 need to be unlocked, no auxiliary device is required. Pushing the unlocking sleeve 21 backward causes the active unlocking portion 211 of the unlocking sleeve 21 to push the passive unlocking portion 273 to move the two hook portions 272 relative to each other, thereby disengaging the hook portions 272 from the corresponding hook mating portions 1 along the circumference of the plug housing, separating the socket housing 4 from the locking sleeve 24, and thus unlocking the plug 102 and socket 101. It should be noted that the auxiliary device is a device that is not a connector.

[0076] It should be noted that the plug and socket in this embodiment are only for illustrating the plugging relationship. In other embodiments, the structures of the plug and socket can be interchanged.

[0077] Specific embodiment 2 of the connector of the present invention, as follows: Figure 7 and Figure 8 As shown, the difference from the specific embodiment 1 of the connector is that a thrust elastic element 28 is provided between the two spring claws 27. The thrust elastic element 28 pushes the spring claws 27 to ensure the stability of the hook engagement between the hook part 272 and the hook engagement part 1. Preferably, the thrust elastic element 28 is a U-shaped spring sheet. In other embodiments, the thrust elastic element is a compression spring, with its two ends connected to the two spring claws respectively. In this embodiment, the thrust elastic element 28 is integrally formed with the two spring claws 27.

[0078] In other embodiments, the thrust elastic element and the two spring claws can be set separately. In this case, a limiting groove needs to be set on the opposite side of the two spring claws so that the two ends of the thrust elastic element are limited and assembled in the limiting groove.

[0079] Specific embodiment 3 of the connector of the present invention, such as Figures 9 to 11As shown, the difference from the specific embodiment 1 of the connector is that the unlocking sleeve 21 is provided with a guide hole 30, which constitutes a guide structure. A locking member is reciprocally slidably assembled within the guide hole 30. The locking member has a locked position and an unlocked position during its reciprocating movement. When in the locked position, the locking member engages with the hook portion 272 of the spring claw 27 to lock the spring claw 27 at the position where the hook portion 272 engages with the corresponding hook engagement portion 1. When in the unlocked position, the locking member avoids the hook portion 272 of the spring claw 27, so that the spring claw 27 can be unlocked by the action of the unlocking sleeve 21. In other embodiments, the guide structure is a guide groove provided on the inner wall surface of the unlocking sleeve. The locking member is slidably assembled within the guide groove, and the operating part of the locking member extends from the rear end of the unlocking sleeve. In other embodiments, the unlocking cap and the adjacent sidewalls of the corresponding sidewalls of the spring claw are provided with guide holes. The locking member is guided and assembled within the guide holes through the operating part. In this case, the length of the operating part is required to be relatively long to expose the guide hole, which is not conducive to unlocking.

[0080] In this embodiment, the locking member includes a locking tongue 31 and an operating part 29. The locking tongue 31 can move in the front-back direction under the drive of the operating part 29. When the locking member is in the locked position, the locking tongue 31 is located between the hooks 272 of the two spring claws 27 to lock the two spring claws 27. Only one locking member is needed to stop and limit the two spring claws 27, making the arrangement structure of the locking member simpler. In other embodiments, the two hooks can be arranged opposite to each other. The locking member includes a U-shaped arm and an operating part. The U-shaped arm moves to the outside of the two spring claws under the drive of the operating part to limit the two spring claws. In this case, the U-shaped arm is a cantilever structure, which is prone to deformation and cannot effectively lock the spring claws.

[0081] Specific embodiment 4 of the connector of the present invention, as follows: Figure 12 and Figure 13 As shown, the difference from the specific embodiment 1 of the connector is that the plug housing 203 is an integral structure, that is, the locking arm 204 is directly set on the plug housing 203. Specifically, the plug housing 203 is provided with two plug housing positioning planes, which are arranged in parallel. Each plug housing positioning plane is provided with two locking arms 204. One end of the locking arm 204 is provided with a hinge shaft 208, and the plug housing 203 is provided with a hinge hole. The locking arm 204 is hinged to the plug housing 203 through the hinge shaft and the hinge hole. The other end of the locking arm 204 is provided with a hook portion 207 extending circumferentially along the plug housing 203.

[0082] In this embodiment, the hook portions 206 of the two locking arms 204 are arranged opposite to each other, and a U-shaped spring piece 205 is provided between the two locking arms 204. The U-shaped spring piece 205 constitutes a locking elastic element to apply an elastic force to the locking arms 204, thereby realizing the hook engagement between the hook portion 206 and the hook mating portion 207. In other embodiments, the elastic element is a compression spring. In this case, grooves can be opened on the opposite surfaces of the two locking arms, and the two ends of the compression spring are respectively placed in the grooves of the corresponding locking arms. The grooves should be as close as possible to the hook portion of the locking arm to ensure the stability of the hook engagement between the hook portion and the hook mating portion.

[0083] When the plug and socket are connected, locking the plug housing 203 and socket housing 201 is achieved by engaging the hook portion 207 of the locking arm 204 on the plug housing 203 with the hook engagement portion 206 on the corresponding socket housing 201. Alternatively, the unlocking sleeve 202 can be directly and movably mounted on the outside of the plug housing 203, as long as it ensures proper pushing of the hook portion 207 of the locking arm 204, thereby ensuring proper unlocking of the plug housing 203 and socket housing 201.

[0084] In other embodiments, a locking element can also be provided on the unlocking sleeve. In this case, the U-shaped spring between the two locking arms needs to be able to avoid the locking tongue of the locking element. For example, the U-shaped spring is located below the locking tongue when the locking element locks the two locking arms, so as to avoid the locking element.

[0085] Specific embodiment 5 of the connector of the present invention, as follows: Figure 14 As shown, the difference from the specific embodiment 4 of the connector is that the unlocking member 302 has a U-shaped structure, and the plug housing 303 has guide grooves 304 extending in the front-back direction on both sides. The two parallel folded edges of the unlocking member 302 are folded inward to form flanges, and the two flanges are guided and slidably assembled in the guide grooves 304 to realize that the unlocking member 302 is slidably fitted on the outside of the plug housing 303, thereby realizing the normal pushing of the spring claw and ensuring the normal unlocking of the plug housing 303 and the socket housing 301. It should be noted that the flanges and the guide grooves constitute a limiting structure.

[0086] The difference between the sixth embodiment of the connector of the present invention and the first embodiment of the connector is that the hook part is provided with a spring claw protruding radially along the plug housing and located inside the spring claw. When the unlocking sleeve moves backward, the hook part moves circumferentially along the plug housing to unlock the hook mating part, thereby realizing the separation of the plug and the socket.

[0087] The plug of the present invention is described in a specific embodiment. The plug in this embodiment has the same structure as any of the plugs in the specific embodiments 1-6 of the connector described above, and will not be described again here.

Claims

1. A plug, including: The plug housing has a plug-in end at the front. Its features are, The plug includes a locking structure, which is one of the following structures: (1) The locking structure includes a spring claw, which is disposed on the plug housing. The spring claw has a hook part, which moves along the circumference of the plug housing under its own elastic force to hook and engage with the hook engagement part on the socket housing, thereby locking and fixing the plug and socket of the plug assembly. The spring claw is provided with a passive unlocking part. (2) The locking structure includes a locking arm and a locking elastic element. One end of the locking arm is hinged to the plug housing, and the other end is provided with a hook. The hook moves along the circumference of the plug housing under the elastic force of the locking elastic element to hook and engage with the hook engagement part on the socket housing, thereby locking and fixing the plug and socket of the plug assembly. The locking arm is provided with a passive unlocking part. The plug also includes a unlocking mechanism; The unlocking component is movably mounted on the plug housing in the front-to-back direction. The unlocking component is provided with an active unlocking part. When the unlocking component moves backward, the active unlocking part and the passive unlocking part push and cooperate to drive the hook part to move in the circumferential direction of the plug housing, so that the hook part disengages from the corresponding hook cooperation part, thereby realizing the unlocking of the plug and socket. The plug housing is provided with a stepped structure for limiting the backward movement of the unlocking member. When the unlocking member moves backward to push the locking arm to unlock, the backward movement distance of the unlocking member is limited. At least one of the active unlocking part and the passive unlocking part is a sloping structure.

2. The plug according to claim 1, characterized in that, The plug housing includes an inner housing and a locking member, which is positioned and assembled with the inner housing in the front-rear direction, and the spring claw is disposed on the locking member.

3. The plug according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The hook portion protrudes from the spring claw along the circumference of the plug housing, or the hook portion protrudes from the locking arm along the circumference of the plug housing.

4. The plug according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The unlocking component has an unlocking groove on the inner wall surface corresponding to the spring claw. The unlocking groove has an unlocking slope, and the unlocking slope constitutes the active unlocking part.

5. The plug according to claim 4, characterized in that, The spring claws form at least one pair of spring claws, with the hook portions of the two spring claws in the pair arranged back to back. The unlocking groove corresponding to the pair of spring claws is a conical unlocking groove that is smaller in the front and larger in the back, and the two side walls of the conical unlocking groove respectively form the unlocking slope.

6. The plug according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The spring claws form at least one spring claw pair, with the hook portions of the two spring claws in the spring claw pair arranged opposite to each other, and a thrust elastic element is provided between the two spring claws in the spring claw pair to provide thrust to the two spring claws.

7. The plug according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The hook portion has a hook portion locking slope for hooking and engaging with the hook engagement portion. The hook portion locking slope extends obliquely from back to front on the hook portion along the hook portion disengagement direction, so that the hook portion forms a barb structure.

8. The plug according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The unlocking component is an unlocking sleeve.

9. The plug according to claim 1, characterized in that, The locking arms form at least one pair of locking arms, in which the hook portions of the two locking arms are arranged opposite to each other, and the locking elastic element is disposed between the two locking arms.

10. The plug according to claim 9, characterized in that, The locking elastic element is a U-shaped spring or a compression spring.

11. The plug according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The plug also includes a locking member, which is reciprocally guided and mounted on the unlocking member via a guide structure. During its reciprocating movement, the locking member has a locked position and an unlocked position. When in the locked position, the locking member is used to cooperate with the spring claw to lock the spring claw at the position where the hook part and the corresponding hook engagement part are engaged. When in the unlocked position, the locking member is used to avoid the spring claw so that the spring claw can be unlocked by the action of the unlocking member.

12. The plug according to claim 11, characterized in that, The spring claws form at least one pair of spring claws, with the hook portions of the two spring claws in the pair arranged opposite to each other, and the locking member being positioned between the two spring claws in the locked position to lock the two spring claws.

13. The plug according to claim 12, characterized in that, The unlocking component and the corresponding side wall of the pawl are provided with guide holes. The locking component is guided and assembled in the guide holes. The locking component includes a locking tongue for locking the two pawls between them and an operating part for driving the locking tongue. The guide holes constitute the guiding structure.

14. The plug according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The plug also includes a locking member, which is reciprocally guided and mounted on the unlocking member via a guide structure. During its reciprocating movement, the locking member has a locked position and an unlocked position. When the locking member is in the locked position, it is used to cooperate with the locking arm to lock the locking arm in the position where the hook part is engaged with the corresponding hook engagement part. When the locking member is in the unlocked position, it is used to avoid the locking arm so that the locking arm can be unlocked by the action of the unlocking member.

15. The plug according to claim 14, characterized in that, The locking arms form at least one pair of locking arms, with the hook portions of the two locking arms in the pair arranged opposite to each other, and the locking member being positioned between the two locking arms in the locked position to lock the two locking arms.

16. The plug according to claim 15, characterized in that, The unlocking member and the locking arm have guide holes on their corresponding side walls. The locking member is guided and assembled in the guide holes. The locking member includes a latch for locking the two locking arms between them and an operating part for driving the latch. The guide holes constitute the guiding structure.

17. A connector, comprising a plug and a socket adapted for mating, the socket comprising a socket housing having a hook-and-loop engagement portion, characterized in that, The plug is the plug according to any one of claims 1-16.

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