Locking electrical connector, locking method and device

Abstract

The present invention provides a locking electrical connector for electrically connecting to a mating connector. The mating connector comprises a first housing, a second housing, an actuating assembly, and a locking member. The second housing houses at least one electrical connection point for electrically connecting to the mating connector. The locking member is rotatably fixed to the second housing and can be driven by the actuating assembly to rotate relative to the second housing, allowing the locking member to frictionally lock with the side of the first housing, thereby achieving a locked electrical connection between the locking electrical connector and the mating connector. The present invention can effectively prevent electrical connection failure and loosening.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of connectors, and in particular to a locking electrical connection, a locking method and a device. Background Art

[0002] Connectors have a wide range of applications and generally include plugs and sockets. The plug, as a male connector, has a pin, while the socket, as a female connector, has contact pins. The pins insert into the socket and make electrical contact with the pins, establishing electrical continuity between the power source and the device. However, external factors can easily cause the plug and socket to separate, leading to electrical connection failure, potentially resulting in serious consequences. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In order to ensure the effectiveness of the electrical connection, the present invention provides a locking electrical connector, which can lock the connectors in a relatively reliable and simple manner, and better prevent the electrical connection from failing.

[0004] A first aspect of the present invention provides a locking electrical connector for electrically connecting to an adapter connector, wherein the adapter connector has a first shell, and the locking electrical connector includes a second shell, an actuating assembly, and a locking member. The second shell accommodates at least one electrical connection point that can be electrically connected to the adapter connector, and the locking member is rotatably fixed on the second shell and can be driven by the actuating assembly to rotate relative to the second shell, so that the locking member can be frictionally locked with the side of the first shell, thereby realizing a locked electrical connection between the locking electrical connector and the adapter connector.

[0005] A second aspect of the present invention provides a locking method for a locking electrical connector, for locking and electrically connecting the locking electrical connector to a mating connector, wherein the mating connector has a first housing, and the method comprises:

[0006] Providing a second housing and an actuating assembly, wherein the second housing houses at least one electrical connection point electrically connectable to the adapter connector; and

[0007] A locking member is provided, which is rotatably fixed to the second housing and can be driven by the actuating assembly to rotate relative to the second housing, so that the locking member can be frictionally locked with the side surface of the first housing, thereby achieving a locked electrical connection between the locking electrical connector and the adapter connector;

[0008] operating the actuating assembly to rotate the locking member until the locking electrical connector and the mating connector can engage with each other and achieve electrical connection;

[0009] The actuating assembly is operated to rotate the locking member until the locking member is frictionally locked with the side of the first housing.

[0010] The present invention has the following beneficial effects: the present invention drives the locking member to rotate through an actuating assembly. During the rotation process, the pressure between the locking member and the housing of the adapter connector gradually increases, so that the friction force gradually increases, thereby locking the locking electrical connector and the adapter connector together, reducing electrical connection failure caused by accidental disconnection. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a locking electrical connector according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0012] Figure 2 This is a schematic structural diagram of a locking electrical connector after a portion of the housing is removed according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0013] Figure 3 Schematic diagram of the structure of a locking assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0014] Figure 4 This is a schematic structural diagram of an embodiment of the present invention when the middle section and the first shell are not locked.

[0015] Figure 5 This is a schematic structural diagram of the middle section and the first shell when locked in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] Figure 6 This is a schematic structural diagram of an embodiment of the present invention when the edge and the first housing are not locked.

[0017] Figure 7 This is a structural diagram of an embodiment of the present invention when the edge is locked with the first housing. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] The following will clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative work are within the scope of protection of the present invention. It will be understood that the drawings are only provided for reference and illustration purposes and are not intended to limit the present invention. The connection relationship shown in the drawings is only for the convenience of clear description and does not limit the connection method.

[0019] Figure 1 FIG. 1 shows a schematic structural diagram of a locking electrical connector 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 As shown, Figure 1The locking electrical connector 100 is a male plug that can be connected to a corresponding adapter connector 200 to achieve electrical conduction. The adapter connector 200 is a female socket and includes a first housing 210 and pins fixed in the first housing 210. The locking electrical connector 100 includes a second housing 110 and a locking assembly 140. It is understood that the locking electrical connector 100 can also be a female socket, and the adapter connector 200 can be connected as a male plug.

[0020] Combine Figure 2 As shown, the second housing 110 has a receiving cavity 111, and the cross-sectional profile of the receiving cavity 111 is substantially the same as the cross-sectional outer profile of the first housing 210. A plug 120 is fixed in the receiving cavity 111, and an insertion port 112 is formed at the insertion end for inserting the first housing 210 into the receiving cavity 111. The tail end of the second housing 110 opposite the insertion end is connected to a cable 130, which extends into the second housing 110 and is electrically connected to the plug. The number, position, and / or angle of the plug 120 can be set according to different standards. When the first housing 210 is inserted into the second housing 110, the cable 130 is in electrical contact with the plug pin.

[0021] like Figure 3 As shown, the locking assembly 140 includes an actuating assembly 141 and a locking member 142. The locking member 142 may include an anti-slip strip provided on the surface in contact with the first housing 210. The locking member 142 may be rotatably connected to the second housing 110 via a rotating shaft, and the actuating assembly 141 may drive the locking member 142 to rotate. During the rotation process, the pressure between the locking member 142 and the first housing 210 gradually increases (see also FIG. Figure 4 and Figure 5 ), the friction force increases accordingly. When the friction force reaches the desired value and it is difficult to separate the electrical connector 100 and / or the adapter connector 200 by pulling the locking pin 100 and / or the adapter connector 200, the operation of the actuating assembly 141 can be stopped. When the lock needs to be released, the actuating assembly 141 is operated in reverse to rotate the locking member 142 in the opposite direction, and the friction force is reduced until the two can be separated.

[0022] In one embodiment, the actuating assembly 141 includes an actuating member 1411 and a transmission member 1412. The actuating member 1411 is partially located within the second housing 110. The transmission member 1412 is configured to move only axially of the second housing 110. The portion of the actuating member 1411 located outside the second housing 110 can be operated to cause the transmission member 1412 to move axially. In this embodiment, the portion of the actuating member 1411 located outside the second housing 110 is configured as a locking screw, and the outer periphery of the portion located within the second housing 110 is provided with threads. One end of the transmission member 1412 is connected to the threads. Operating the locking screw to rotate the actuating member 1411 causes the transmission member 1412 to move axially toward or away from the insertion opening 112.

[0023] In order to enable the first shell 210 to be stably locked with the second shell 110, there can be two locking members 142, and the two locking members 142 are symmetrically arranged on the left and right. At the same time, the two locking members 142 can be driven by the actuating assembly 141 at the same time to rotate relative to each other, thereby achieving simultaneous friction locking with the first shell 210 or simultaneous unlocking with the first shell 210.

[0024] The locking member 142 may be made of a material having a deformable property and may include a locking portion 1421 , a connecting portion 1422 and a transmission portion 1423 .

[0025] The locking portion 1421 comprises a middle section 401 and a first edge 402 and a second edge 403 connected at either end of the middle section 401. The first edge 402 and the second edge 403 can be positioned opposite each other, resulting in a generally C-shaped locking portion 1421. The first edge 402 and the second edge 403 can be connected to the connecting portion 1422, which includes a rotating shaft or a rotating hole. If the locking portion 1421 is generally C-shaped, the transmission portion 1423 can be connected approximately to the middle section 401 of the locking portion 1421.

[0026] The transmission part 1423 is connected to the locking part 1421 and the actuating assembly 141, and the connecting part 1422 is connected to the second housing 110. A slot 1401 is provided on the transmission member 1412, and the transmission part 1423 is confined in the slot 1401. Specifically, the slot 1401 forms a notch 1403 in the direction close to the insertion port 112, and the transmission part 1423 includes a limit block 1402 at the end, and the limit block 1402 is accommodated in the slot 1401. The transmission part 1423 can slide in the notch 1403. When the transmission member 1412 moves axially, the limit block 1402 moves in the slot 1401 and cannot be separated from the slot 1401, while the transmission part 1423 can slide in the notch 1403 and appropriately disengage from the displacement.

[0027] Among them, such as Figure 4As shown, the inner surface 411 of the middle section 401 is an inclined surface in the unlocked state, that is, it is not parallel to the corresponding surface 211 of the first housing 210. Figure 5 As shown, when the locking member 142 is rotated to frictionally lock with the first shell 210, the inner surface 411 of the middle section 401 becomes a surface parallel to the corresponding surface 211 of the first shell 210, so that the inner surface 411 of the middle section 401 is basically frictionally locked with the first shell 210 as a whole when locked, and the contact area is larger, thereby making the locking force greater.

[0028] like Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the inner sidewall portion of the second housing 110 gradually protrudes toward the center of the inner cavity of the second housing 110 toward the insertion port 112 to form a first slope 113. The surface of the first slope 113 can be a flat surface or an arc surface. According to the amount of locking members 142, the same number of first slopes 113 are provided. The first slopes 113 can be parallel to the rotation axis of the locking members 142. Therefore, the surface of the first slope 113 can serve as a motion track for the locking members 142 and / or the actuating assembly 141, so that the locking members 142 can easily rotate. In addition, the first slope 113 can cause the end of the transmission member 1412 of the actuating assembly 141 to apply a pressure F1 obliquely toward the first housing 210 to the transmission portion 1423, thereby causing the intermediate section 401 to press the first housing 210 and reliably frictionally lock with the first housing 210. Preferably, when the locking member 142 is frictionally locked with the first shell 210, the first slope 113 can give pressure F2 to the transmission member 1412 or directly give pressure F2 to the transmission part 1423, so that the transmission part 1423 is frictionally locked with the first shell 210 at least at one end away from the insertion port 112. Therefore, not only can the locking part 1421 be frictionally locked with the first shell 210, but the transmission member 1412 can also be frictionally locked with the first shell 210 at one end away from the insertion port 112. The locking points are increased, thereby increasing the locking force, and the locked electrical connector 100 and the adapter connector 200 are more difficult to separate.

[0029] The inner surface 412 of the transmission part 1423 is an inclined surface. When the locking member 142 is rotated to the angle of friction locking with the first shell 210, the inner surface 412 of the transmission part 1423 gradually tends to be squeezed parallel to the corresponding surface of the first shell 210. At this time, the inner surface 412 of the transmission part 1423 is basically completely friction locked with the first shell 210, which can further increase the locking area.

[0030] like Figure 6 and Figure 7As shown, second slopes 1103 are formed on the top wall 1101 and / or bottom wall 1102 of the second housing 110, corresponding to the first edge 402 and / or the second edge 403. The second slopes 1103 may be recessed from the middle portion of the top wall 1101 and / or the bottom wall 1102 toward the sides. When the locking member 142 rotates in the locking direction, the first edge 402 and / or the second edge 403 gradually approach the center of the receiving cavity. The surface of the second slope 1103 provides a running track for the first edge 402 and / or the second edge 403. The first edge 402 and / or the second edge 403 are gradually squeezed and deformed by the second slope 1103, causing the pressure between the first edge 402 and / or the second edge 403 and the first housing 210 to gradually increase, thereby gradually increasing the friction. Therefore, the locking area and locking pressure are both increased, further enhancing the locking effect.

[0031] The electrical connector 100 can be used for electrical connection of devices, and the devices can be electrical appliances (such as household appliances) and converters (such as data converters).

[0032] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included in the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A locking electrical connector for electrically connecting to a mating connector, the mating connector having a first housing, the locking electrical connector comprising: a second housing containing at least one electrical connection point electrically connectable to the adapter connector; an actuating assembly; Characterized in that, the locking electrical connector further comprises: a locking member rotatably fixed to the second housing and capable of being driven by the actuating assembly to rotate relative to the second housing, so that the locking member can be frictionally locked with the side surface of the first housing, thereby achieving a locked electrical connection between the locking electrical connector and the adapter connector; the first housing is inserted through the insertion port of the second housing and received in the second housing, and when locked, the locking member hugs the outer surface of the first housing; At least a portion of the inner sidewall of the second housing gradually protrudes toward the center of the inner cavity of the second housing in the direction of the insertion opening to form a first slope. During the locking process, at least a portion of the locking member and / or the actuating assembly can interact with the first slope to enable the locking member to rotate more smoothly. The actuating assembly includes an actuating member and a transmission member, the locking member includes a transmission portion, the transmission member is provided with a slot, and the transmission portion is confined in the slot; The locking member includes an anti-slip strip provided on a surface in contact with the first housing.

2. The locking electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein: When locked, the first slope directly or indirectly acts on the transmission part so that at least one end of the transmission part away from the insertion port is frictionally locked with the first housing.

3. The locking electrical connector according to claim 2, wherein: The inner surface of the transmission part is an inclined surface. When locked, the inner surface of the transmission part is basically entirely frictionally locked with the outer surface of the first shell.

4. The locking electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein: The actuating member is threadedly connected to the transmission member, and the rotary motion of the actuating member is converted into the linear motion of the transmission member.

5. The locking electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein: At least a portion of the inner side wall of the second housing is protruded to form a second slope. When the locking member is rotated and locked, the edge portion of the locking member is squeezed by the second slope and frictionally locked with the first housing.

6. The locking electrical connector according to claim 5, wherein: The locking member includes a substantially C-shaped locking portion.

7. A locking method for a locking electrical connector, for locking and electrically connecting the locking electrical connector to a mating connector, wherein: The adapter connector has a first housing, and the method includes providing a second housing and an actuation assembly, wherein the second housing houses at least one electrical connection point electrically connectable to the adapter connector; Characterized in that the method further comprises: A locking member is provided, which is rotatably fixed to the second housing and can be driven by the actuating assembly to rotate relative to the second housing, so that the locking member can be frictionally locked with the side surface of the first housing, thereby achieving a locked electrical connection between the locking electrical connector and the adapter connector; operating the actuating assembly to rotate the locking member until the locking electrical connector and the mating connector can engage with each other and achieve electrical connection; operating the actuating assembly to rotate the locking member until the locking member is frictionally locked with the side surface of the first housing; The first housing is inserted into the second housing through an insertion port and received in the second housing. When locked, the locking member holds the outer surface of the first housing tightly. wherein at least a portion of the inner sidewall of the second housing gradually protrudes toward the center of the inner cavity of the second housing in the direction of the insertion opening to form a first slope, and during the locking process, at least a portion of the locking member and / or the actuating assembly can interact with the first slope to enable the locking member to rotate more smoothly; The actuating assembly includes an actuating member and a transmission member, the locking member includes a transmission portion, the transmission member is provided with a slot, and the transmission portion is confined in the slot; Wherein, the locking member includes an anti-slip strip provided on a surface in contact with the first shell.

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