Flip-top connector with rubber coating at the tail and metal stop spring

Abstract

The present invention relates to a flip-top connector with rubber-coated tail and a metal stop spring, wherein the flip-top connector includes a socket housing, an end cover hinged to the rear end of the socket housing through a pivot, a power terminal interference-fitted from the center hole of the socket housing, an inner rubber core buckled at the bottom of the power terminal, a tail cover fixed to the bottom of the socket housing, a stop convex block convexly provided on the rear side of the end cover, a first groove concavely provided on the top surface of the rear end of the socket housing, a slide groove provided on the inner wall of the first groove, a metal stop spring embedded from top to bottom in the slide groove, when the end cover is opened, the stop convex block and the metal stop spring cooperate with each other to realize that the end cover is always open in the plug-in state. The metal stop spring is an integrally formed mounting portion, a deformation portion, a positioning convex point portion, and a positioning claw portion. The flip-top connector provided by the present invention realizes a multi-directional waterproof function and the end cover can always be in the same state in the absence of external force, and the designed metal stop spring can maintain a relatively high service life.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to the field of connectors, and in particular to a flip-top connector with a rubber-coated tail, and a metal stop spring for the flip-top connector. Background Art

[0002] In order to meet the humanized use requirements of connectors during plugging and unplugging, a stop structure is usually used on connectors with end covers to ensure that the end covers can always remain open during the plugging and unplugging process of the connector, which can be operated with one hand and is convenient and quick.

[0003] This kind of stop structure in the market usually uses interference fit between plastic components or metal components to achieve the stop effect. The structure at the stop point is mainly convex points and inclined surfaces. However, since the stop process is forced extrusion interference, it is difficult to improve the stop life. In order to improve the stop life, the common practice in the market is to reduce the performance requirements of other components, such as the hardness of the end cover or the torque of the spring, etc. This practice of downgrading the performance of components will not only not greatly improve the stop life, but also have a great impact on the performance of the product.

[0004] In addition, most charging sockets used on electric motorcycles and electric bicycles on the market are usually coated with rubber to ensure good sealing of the connector tail. The structure is simple, and the rubber coating can also ensure that the wire core is not damaged. However, after multiple aging, the rubber coating is easy to separate from the outer back of the wire, resulting in a gap, which affects the sealing effect. Summary of the invention

[0005] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a flip-top connector with a rubber-coated tail portion to solve the problem of reduced waterproof sealing effect after the rubber coating of the connector is damaged due to aging. Another purpose of the present invention is to provide a metal stop spring to solve the problem of reduced life of the stop spring due to strong extrusion interference.

[0006] The technical solution of the present invention is: a flip-top connector with rubber wrapped at the tail, which is special in that it includes a socket shell, an end cover hinged to the rear end of the socket shell through a pivot, and a power terminal that is interference fit from the center hole of the socket shell, the bottom of the power terminal is buckled with an inner rubber core, and the bottom of the socket shell is also fixed with a tail cover, the rear side surface of the end cover is convexly provided with a stop protrusion, the top surface of the rear end of the socket shell is concavely provided with a first groove, the inner wall of the first groove is provided with a slide groove, and metal stop spring pieces are embedded in the slide groove from top to bottom. When the end cover is opened, the stop protrusion and the metal stop spring piece cooperate with each other to realize that the end cover is normally open in the plugged state.

[0007] Preferably, a second groove is formed on the top surface of the socket housing, a center hole is formed in the center of the second groove, and an end face sealing rubber pad is installed on the bottom surface of the second groove to achieve plug-in sealing when the plug and socket are plugged in.

[0008] A third groove is recessed on the bottom surface of the socket shell, and a first annular groove is recessed on the bottom surface of the third groove near the groove wall. The inner rubber core is buckled on the rear side wall of the tail end of the power terminal and placed in the first annular groove. A tail rubber pad is also mounted in the first annular groove and outside the inner rubber core. The inner rubber core and the tail rubber pad cooperate to fix the power terminal and waterproof the tail of the power terminal.

[0009] Preferably, the connector further comprises a tail cover which is built into the third groove and whose top abuts against the inner rubber core, and a second annular groove is concavely formed on the outer wall of the tail cover, and an elastic sealing member is mounted on the second annular groove.

[0010] Preferably, a welding convex line is provided on the bottom surface of the socket shell, and a welding groove is provided at the corresponding position of the tail cover. After the tail cover is placed in the third groove, the welding convex line is welded to the tail cover groove by an ultrasonic welding process to complete the fixation of the tail cover. The bottom end of the socket shell and the outside of the tail cover are rubber-wrapped to waterproof the tail of the connector and further fix the tail cover.

[0011] Preferably: the metal stop spring includes an integrally formed mounting portion, a deformation portion extending forward from the mounting portion and extending upward after being bent in an S shape, a stop convex portion extending forward from the deformation portion and being bent to form a convex point, and a positioning claw portion extending forward from the stop convex portion and being bent in reverse for multiple times to form a hook-shaped positioning claw portion, the mounting portion is placed in the slide groove, the deformation portion, the stop convex portion, and the positioning claw portion extend forward and are placed in the first groove, the deformation portion maintains a set distance from the bottom of the first groove, and the terminal end of the positioning claw portion abuts against the inner wall of the first groove.

[0012] Preferably, two groups of barbs are symmetrically provided on the side walls on both sides of the mounting portion, namely a guide barb group located at the bottom and a locking barb group located at the top.

[0013] Preferably, a torsion spring is mounted on the pivot, one pin of the torsion spring is fixed at the bottom of the second groove, and the other pin is fixed on the socket housing, so that the end cover is normally closed in the non-mated state, which is used for waterproof sealing of the top of the socket housing.

[0014] Preferably, the bottom surface of the end cover is provided with a plurality of annular sealing flanges, and the top surface of the socket housing is provided with a plurality of annular sealing grooves at corresponding positions. When the end cover and the socket housing are in a closed state, the sealing flanges correspond exactly to the sealing grooves one by one, so as to seal and waterproof the top of the socket housing in a non-mated state.

[0015] Another technical solution of the present invention is: a metal stop spring, which is special in that it includes an integrally formed mounting portion, a deformation portion extending forward from the mounting portion and extending upward after being bent in an S shape, a stop convex point portion that continues to extend forward from the deformation portion and is bent to form a convex point, and a positioning claw portion that extends forward from the stop convex point portion and is bent in reverse multiple times to form a hook-shaped positioning claw portion.

[0016] Preferably, two groups of barbs are symmetrically provided on the side walls of both sides of the mounting portion, wherein the lower group is a guide barb group, and the upper group is a locking barb group.

[0017] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0018] ⑴ End face sealing rubber pads, inner rubber core and tail rubber pads are arranged at the top and bottom of the socket housing, and elastic sealing members are installed before the tail cover is placed into the bottom of the socket housing. The arrangement of multiple sealing members realizes the waterproof sealing of the top and bottom of the connector socket;

[0019] (2) After the power terminal is installed into the socket housing, the tail cover is welded to the bottom of the socket housing by ultrasonic welding technology, and the outside of the tail cover is rubber-wrapped for waterproof sealing. After the socket is aged and the rubber is separated, the waterproof sealing performance of the tail end of the socket can still be guaranteed;

[0020] ⑶ The metal stop spring is embedded in the slide groove of the connector through the installation part, which is convenient for the installation and replacement of the staff. At the same time, it ensures that the metal stop spring is reliably fixed after being assembled into the socket housing. When it is damaged, only the metal stop spring needs to be replaced, saving the cost of maintenance and replacement;

[0021] ⑷ The deformation portion of the metal stop spring extending upward after the S-shaped bending maintains a certain distance from the bottom of the first groove. During the opening and closing process of the end cover, when the stop block and the stop convex point are against each other, the deformation portion has space to deform downward, avoiding the occurrence of strong interference. After the end cover is opened and closed many times, it can still maintain the required elasticity, thereby improving the service life of the metal stop spring. At the same time, the positioning claw portion is always against the wall of the first groove, and the metal stop spring will not be separated from the shell even if the end cover is opened and closed many times. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a clamshell connector;

[0023] Figure 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a clamshell connector;

[0024] Figure 3 is a schematic longitudinal section view of a clamshell connector;

[0025] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 An enlarged schematic diagram of point A;

[0026] Figure 5 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of the metal stop spring. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] The present invention will be further described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings:

[0028] The preferred embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings so that the advantages and features of the present invention can be more easily understood by those skilled in the art, thereby making a clearer and more explicit definition of the protection scope of the present invention. The directional terms mentioned in the present invention, such as "up", "down", "front", "back", "left", "right", "top", "bottom", etc., are only referenced to the directions of the attached drawings. Therefore, the directional terms used are used to illustrate and understand the present invention, rather than to limit the present invention.

[0029] See also Figure 1-Figure 3 As shown, a clamshell connector with rubber-coated tail portion comprises a socket housing 1, an end cover 2 hinged to the rear end of the socket housing 1 through a pivot 4, and a power terminal 3 interference fit from the center hole of the socket housing 1, wherein an inner rubber core 5 is buckled at the bottom of the power terminal 3, and a tail cover 6 is fixedly arranged at the bottom of the socket housing 1, and a rubber-coated outer mold 7 is arranged at the bottom end of the socket housing 1 and the outside of the tail cover 6, a stop protrusion 21 is convexly arranged on the side surface of the rear end of the end cover, a first groove 11 is concavely arranged on the top surface of the rear end of the socket housing 1, and a slide groove 12 is arranged on the inner wall of the first groove 11, and a metal stop spring piece 8 is embedded in the slide groove 12 from top to bottom, and when the end cover 2 is opened, the stop protrusion 21 cooperates with the metal stop spring piece 8 to realize that the end cover 2 is normally open in the plugged state.

[0030] The pivot 4 is provided with a torsion spring 41 , one pin of which is fixed at the bottom of the second groove 13 , and the other pin is fixed on the socket housing 1 , so as to realize the normally closed end cover 2 in the non-mated state, and to waterproof the top of the socket housing 1 .

[0031] The bottom surface of the end cover 2 is convexly provided with a plurality of annular sealing flanges 22, and the top surface of the socket housing 1 is concavely provided with a plurality of annular sealing grooves 18 at corresponding positions. When the end cover 2 and the socket housing 1 are in a closed state, the sealing flanges 22 correspond exactly to the sealing grooves 18, and are used for sealing and waterproofing the top of the socket housing 1 in a non-mated state.

[0032] A second groove 13 is concavely formed in the center of the top surface of the socket housing 1, a center hole is penetrated in the center of the bottom surface of the second groove 13, the power terminal 2 passes through the center hole and is interference fit with the center hole, and an end face sealing rubber pad 14 with the same shape as the bottom surface is installed on the bottom surface of the second groove 13, which is used to achieve plug-in sealing when the plug and socket are in a plug-in state;

[0033] The bottom surface of the socket housing 1 is recessed with a third groove 15, and the bottom surface of the third groove 15 is recessed with a first ring groove near the groove wall. The inner rubber core 5 is buckled on the rear side wall of the tail end of the power terminal 3 and placed in the first ring groove. A tail rubber pad 16 is also set in the first ring groove and outside the inner rubber core 5. The inner rubber core 5 and the tail rubber pad 16 cooperate to fix the power terminal 3 and waterproof the tail of the power terminal 3.

[0034] The connector also includes a tail cover 6 which is built into the third groove 15 and the top of which is against the inner rubber core 5 and the tail rubber pad 16. The outer wall of the tail cover 6 is recessed with a second annular groove, and the second annular groove is fitted with an O-ring 61. The elastic seal is located in the third groove.

[0035] A welding convex line 17 is convexly provided on the bottom surface of the socket housing 1, and a welding groove 62 is concavely provided at a corresponding position of the tail cover 6. After the tail cover 6 is placed in the third groove 15, the welding convex line 17 is welded to the tail cover groove 62 by an ultrasonic welding process to complete the fixation of the tail cover 6. A rubber-coated outer mold 7 is provided at the bottom end of the socket housing 1 and the outside of the tail cover 6 for waterproof sealing of the rear of the connector and further fixation of the tail cover 6.

[0036] See also Figure 4 As shown, the metal stop spring piece 8 includes an integrally formed mounting portion 81, a deformation portion 82 extending forward from the mounting portion 81 and extending upward after being bent in an S shape, a stop convex portion 83 extending forward from the deformation portion 82 and being bent to form a convex point, and a positioning claw portion 84 extending forward from the stop convex portion 83 and being bent in reverse for multiple times to form a hook-shaped positioning claw portion 84. The mounting portion 81 is inserted into the slide groove 12, and the deformation portion 82, the stop convex portion 83, and the positioning claw portion 84 extend forward and are inserted into the first groove 11. The deformation portion 82 maintains a certain metal deformation distance with the bottom of the first groove 11, and the terminal end of the positioning claw portion 84 abuts against the inner wall of the first groove 11.

[0037] See also Figure 5 Described, two groups of barbs are symmetrically provided on the side walls on both sides of the installation part 81, namely a guide barb group 811 located at the bottom, and a locking barb group 812 located at the top. Among them, the guide barb group 811 located at the bottom can ensure that the installer can feel a strong puncture feeling during the installation process, which is convenient for assembly, and the locking barb group 812 further locks the metal spring piece to ensure that the metal stop spring piece is assembled and fixed reliably.

[0038] Working principle of metal stop spring:

[0039] When the end cover needs to be opened, the stop convex block contacts the stop convex point part, and the external force gives the metal stop spring piece a downward and inward force as a whole. As the end cover is further opened, because a certain deformation space is left between the deformation part and the bottom of the first groove, the deformation part deforms downward, and the stop convex point part moves downward. The stop convex block is stuck in the locking point. Without the action of external force, the stop convex block contacts and abuts against the stop convex point part, preventing the stop convex block from falling out of the locking point, ensuring that the flip cover is always in an open state when the socket and the plug are plugged together.

[0040] When the end cover needs to be closed, the stop protrusion contacts the stop convex point, and the external force gives the stop part as a whole a downward and outward force. As the end cover is further closed, because a certain deformation space is left between the deformation part and the bottom of the first groove, the deformation part deforms downward, the stop convex point moves downward, and the stop protrusion disengages from the locking point. Since the positioning claw abuts against the groove wall of the first groove, the metal stop spring will not disengage from the shell outward. After the stop protrusion disengages from the locking point, the end cover is closed, and under the action of the torsion spring, the end cover is always kept in a closed state, thereby realizing the waterproof sealing effect of the socket shell in the non-mated state.

[0041] See also Figure 5 As shown, a metal stop spring piece 8 comprises an integrally formed mounting portion 81, a deformation portion 82 extending forward from the mounting portion 81 and extending upward after being bent in an S-shape, a stop convex point portion 83 extending forward from the deformation portion 82 and being bent to form a convex point, and a positioning claw portion 84 extending forward from the stop convex point portion 83 and being bent in the reverse direction for multiple times to form a hook-shaped;

[0042] Two groups of barbs are symmetrically protruded on the side walls of the mounting portion 81 , namely a guide barb group 811 located at the bottom and a locking barb group 812 located at the top.

[0043] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention. All equivalent changes and modifications made within the scope of the claims of the present invention should fall within the scope of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A clamshell connector with a rubber-coated tail, characterized in that: It comprises a socket housing, an end cover hinged to the rear end of the socket housing through a pivot, and a power terminal interference-fitted from the center hole of the socket housing, the bottom of the power terminal is buckled with an inner rubber core, the bottom of the socket housing is also fixedly provided with a tail cover, the bottom of the socket housing and the outside of the tail cover are provided with a rubber-coated outer mold, a stopper protrusion is convexly provided on the rear side surface of the end cover, a first groove is concavely provided on the top surface of the rear end of the socket housing, a slide groove is provided on the inner wall of the first groove, and a metal stopper spring is embedded in the slide groove from top to bottom; a second groove is concavely provided on the top surface of the socket, a center hole is passed through the center of the second groove, and the An end face sealing rubber pad is installed on the bottom surface of the second groove, which is used to achieve the plug-in seal when the plug and socket are in the plug-in state; a third groove is recessed on the bottom surface of the socket, and a first ring groove is recessed on the bottom surface of the third groove close to the groove wall. The inner rubber core is buckled on the rear side wall of the tail end of the power terminal and placed in the first ring groove. A tail rubber pad is also set in the first ring groove and outside the inner rubber core. The inner rubber core and the tail rubber pad cooperate to fix the power terminal and waterproof the tail of the power terminal; when the end cover is opened, the stop protrusion and the metal stop spring cooperate with each other to achieve the end cover is normally open in the plug-in state.

2. The flip-top connector with rubber-coated tail according to claim 1, characterized in that: The connector also includes a tail cover which is built into the third groove and whose top abuts against the inner rubber core. The outer wall of the tail cover is concavely provided with a second annular groove, and the second annular groove is sleeved with an elastic sealing member, and the elastic sealing member is located in the third groove.

3. The flip-top connector with rubber-coated tail according to claim 2, characterized in that: A welding convex line is convexly provided on the bottom surface of the socket shell, and a welding groove is concavely provided at the corresponding position of the tail cover. After the tail cover is placed in the third groove, the welding convex line is welded to the tail cover groove by an ultrasonic welding process to complete the fixation of the tail cover. The bottom end of the socket shell and the outside of the tail cover are rubber-wrapped for waterproof sealing of the tail of the connector and further fixation of the tail cover.

4. The clamshell connector with rubber-coated tail according to claim 1, characterized in that: The metal stop spring includes an integrally formed mounting portion, a deformation portion extending forward from the mounting portion and extending upward after being bent in an S shape, a stop convex portion extending forward from the deformation portion and being bent to form a convex point, and a positioning claw portion extending forward from the stop convex portion and being bent in the reverse direction for multiple times to form a hook-shaped positioning claw portion. The mounting portion is inserted into the slide groove, and the deformation portion, the stop convex portion, and the positioning claw portion extend forward and are inserted into the first groove. The deformation portion maintains a set distance from the bottom of the first groove, and the terminal end of the positioning claw portion abuts against the inner wall of the first groove.

5. The flip-top connector with rubber-coated tail according to claim 4, characterized in that: Two groups of barbs are symmetrically protruded on the side walls of both sides of the mounting portion, namely a guide barb group located at the bottom and a locking barb group located at the top.

6. The flip-top connector with rubber-coated tail according to claim 1, characterized in that: A torsion spring is mounted on the pivot, one pin of the torsion spring is fixed at the bottom of the second groove, and the other pin is fixed on the socket housing, so that the end cover is normally closed in the non-mated state, which is used for waterproof sealing of the top of the socket housing.

7. The flip-top connector with rubber-coated tail according to claim 1, characterized in that: The bottom surface of the end cover is convexly provided with a plurality of annular sealing flanges, and the top surface of the socket housing is concavely provided with a plurality of annular sealing grooves at corresponding positions. When the end cover and the socket housing are in a closed state, the sealing flanges correspond exactly to the sealing grooves one by one, and are used for sealing and waterproofing the top of the socket housing in a non-mated state.

8. A metal stop spring, used for the clamshell connector with rubber-coated tail as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: The metal stop spring includes an integrally formed mounting portion, a deformation portion extending forward from the mounting portion and extending upward after being bent in an S shape, a stop convex portion extending forward from the deformation portion and being bent to form a convex point, and a positioning claw portion extending forward from the stop convex portion and being bent in the reverse direction for multiple times to form a hook-shaped positioning claw portion; the deformation portion, the stop convex portion, and the positioning claw portion extend forward to be placed in a first groove on the top surface of the rear end of the socket shell.

9. The metal stop spring according to claim 8, characterized in that: Two groups of barbs are symmetrically protruded on the side walls of both sides of the mounting portion, wherein the lower group is a guide barb group, and the upper group is a locking barb group.

Images