Electrical connectors and locking methods

Abstract

This invention provides an electrical connector for electrical connection with a mating connector (receptacle). The electrical connector includes: a first housing housing at least one electrical connection point for electrical connection with the other connector; a locking plate fixed relative to the first housing; a second housing at least partially located outside the locking plate and movable between a first position and a second position, wherein when the second housing is in the first position, the portion of the second housing located outside the locking plate deforms the locking plate inward, causing the locking plate to be tightly pressed and frictionally locked against the outer surface of the housing of the other connector; and an actuation component for sliding the second housing relative to the first housing to be in the first or second position relative to the first housing. This invention improves the locking and clamping friction force between electrical connectors.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of connector technology, and more particularly to an electrical connector and a locking method. Background Technology

[0002] Connectors have a wide range of applications, generally including plugs and sockets. A plug, as the male connector, has a pin, while a socket, as the female connector, has contact pins. The pin inserts into the socket and makes electrical contact with the contact pins to establish electrical continuity between the power source and the device. When plugs and sockets are connected, external factors can easily cause them to separate, leading to connection failure and potentially serious consequences. To prevent connection failure, a locking mechanism is used. This mechanism involves a locking tongue that moves between the housings of two interlocking connectors, creating a frictional lock. However, this locking mechanism may not provide sufficient locking force, and the two connectors can still easily loosen, posing a risk. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In view of this, in order to solve one of the technical problems in the related technology to a certain extent, it is necessary to provide an electrical connector and a locking method to improve the locking friction between the electrical connectors, enhance the locking effect, and make it less likely for the two electrical connectors to loosen when locked.

[0004] This invention provides an electrical connector for electrical connection with another compatible connector, the electrical connector comprising:

[0005] A first housing, which houses at least one electrical connection point that can be electrically connected to the other connector;

[0006] The locking plate is fixed relative to the first housing.

[0007] The second housing is at least partially located outside the locking plate and is slidable relative to the first housing to be in a first position or a second position relative to the first housing. When the second housing is in the first position, the portion of the second housing located outside the locking plate causes the locking plate to deform inward, thereby causing the locking plate to be tightly pressed and frictionally locked against the outer surface of the housing of the other connector. When the second housing is in the second position, the locking plate is not frictionally locked against the outer surface of the housing of the other connector, thereby allowing the electrical connector to be separated from the other connector.

[0008] An actuation component is used to slide the second housing relative to the first housing to be in a first position or a second position relative to the first housing.

[0009] The present invention also provides a locking method for an electrical connector used for electrical connection with another compatible connector, the locking method comprising:

[0010] A first housing is provided, which houses at least one electrical connection point that can be electrically connected to the other connector.

[0011] A locking plate is provided to fix it relative to the first housing;

[0012] A second housing is provided, which is at least partially located outside the locking plate and is slidable relative to the first housing;

[0013] An actuation component is provided for sliding the second housing relative to the first housing to place the second housing in a first position or a second position relative to the first housing; wherein, when the second housing is in the first position, the portion of the second housing located outside the locking plate causes the locking plate to deform inward, thereby causing the locking plate to frictionally lock against the outer surface of the housing of the other connector; and when the second housing is in the second position, the locking plate is not frictionally locked against the outer surface of the housing of the other connector, thereby allowing the electrical connector to be separated from the other connector.

[0014] As can be seen from the above scheme, the second housing set outside the locking plate in this invention is the active component, while the locking plate is stationary relative to the first housing. During operation, there is only resistance between the inner side of the second housing and the locking plate. Therefore, the second housing can move more smoothly to the second position during operation, causing the locking plate to deform. The locking plate directly presses against the outer shell surface of the other connector and achieves frictional locking. Therefore, in the structural design, the locking plate can be pressed against the outer shell surface of the other connector with greater pressure by the second housing, which enhances the locking effect and makes it less likely for the two electrical connectors to loosen when locked. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a specific embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] Figure 2 for Figure 1 Exploded view.

[0017] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view of the second housing in the first position according to a specific embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional view of the second housing in the second position according to a specific embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the interior of the first housing according to a specific embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the actuation component and the second housing in a specific embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] The following detailed description, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, will further illustrate the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0022] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of the present invention. It is understood that the accompanying drawings are provided for reference and illustration only, and are not intended to limit the present invention. The connection relationships shown in the accompanying drawings are only for clear description and do not limit the connection method.

[0023] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of an electrical connector 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 1 As shown, Figure 1 The electrical connector 100 is a male plug, which can be connected to another connector (female plug) 200 to achieve electrical conduction. The other connector 200 has a housing 210 (…). Figure 3 As shown in Figure 210, a pin (not shown) is provided inside the housing 210. The pin 101 on the electrical connector 100 is inserted into the housing 210 and electrically connected to the pin. The electrical connector 100 can also be a female socket, while the adapter connector 200 is connected as a male plug.

[0024] The electrical connector 100 has a front end S1 and a rear end S2. A pin 101 is provided at the front end S1, which serves as an insertion end, while the rear end S2 has a power line 102 that is electrically connected to the pin 101.

[0025] See also Figure 2 The electrical connector 100 includes a first housing 10, a locking plate 20, a second housing 30, and an actuation assembly 40. The locking plate 20 is disposed at the front end S1 of the first housing 10, and a pin 101 extends from the front end S1 surface of the first housing 10 and is disposed inside the locking plate 20. The locking plate 20 is fixed relative to the first housing 10, and a hook 21 may be formed on the rear end S2 of the locking plate 20, which is then fixed to the first housing 10. It is understood that the locking plate 20 can also be integrally formed with the first housing 10. The locking plate 20 can be relatively thin and can be made of a material that is easily deformable.

[0026] See also Figure 3 and Figure 4 The second housing 30 is slidably connected to the first housing 10, and the second housing 30 can be in a first position relative to the first housing 10. Figure 3 (as shown in the image) and second position ( Figure 4 The second housing 30 may include a front end portion 31, a connecting portion 32, and a rear end portion 33, with the front end portion 31 connected to the rear end portion 33 via the connecting portion 32. The front end portion 31 is located outside the locking plate 20 and is used to cooperate with the locking plate 20, while the connecting portion 32 and the rear end portion 33 are disposed inside the first housing 10 and hidden.

[0027] The actuation assembly 40 is mounted through the first housing 10, and the rear end portion 33 of the second housing 30 cooperates with the actuation assembly 40. By operating the actuation assembly 40, the second housing 30 slides relative to the first housing 10 so that the second housing 30 moves between a first position and a second position, the first position being behind the second position.

[0028] See Figure 3 When the second housing 30 is in the first position, the front end portion 31 deforms the locking plate 20 inward, increasing the pressure between the locking plate 20 and the surface of the housing 210 of the other connector 200, thus achieving a tight frictional locking between the locking plate 20 and the other connector 200. (See also...) Figure 4 When the second housing 30 is in the second position, the pressure exerted by the front end portion 31 on the locking plate 20 is reduced, and the pressure between the locking plate 20 and the surface of the housing 210 of the other connector 200 is reduced or removed. At this time, the electrical connector can be pulled out from the other connector 200, and the two can be separated.

[0029] The second housing 30 outside the locking plate 20 acts as the active component, while the locking plate 20 is stationary relative to the first housing 10. During operation, only the inner side of the second housing 30 has resistance with the locking plate 20. Therefore, the second housing 30 can move more smoothly towards the first position during operation, causing the locking plate 20 to deform. The locking plate 20 directly presses against the surface of the outer shell 210 of the other connector 200 for friction locking. Therefore, in the structural design, the locking plate 20 can be pressed against the surface of the outer shell 210 of the other connector 200 with greater pressure by the second housing 30, which enhances the locking effect. When locked, the two electrical connectors 100 and 200 are not easy to loosen.

[0030] In this embodiment, both the front end portion 31 and the locking plate 20 are configured as annular, and their formation can match the shape of the housing 210 of another connector 200. The housing 210 of the other connector 200 can be accommodated in a receiving cavity formed inside the locking plate 20. The front end portion 31 is configured as an annular shell portion, which makes it less likely to deform outward when the front end portion 31 is pressed against the locking plate 20, which helps to strengthen its compression of the locking plate 20 and improve the locking force of the locking plate 20. The inner side of the annular shell portion 31 is provided with a first slope 311, and the locking plate 20 is provided with a second slope 22. The first slope 311 and the second slope 22 have the same inclination direction. The movement of the first slope 311 relative to the second slope 22 causes the locking plate 20 to deform inward. The locking plate 20 has multiple positions (slope 22) that mate with the front end portion 31. These multiple positions can be simultaneously squeezed by the front end portion 31 and deformed inward. The locking plate 20 and another connector 200 achieve multi-position tight pressure friction locking, which further enhances the locking force of the locking plate 20.

[0031] See Figure 2 And see also Figure 3-4 The rear section 33 includes two side plates 331 and a top plate 332 connecting the two side plates 331. See also... Figure 5 Two spaced vertical plates 11 are formed on the inner bottom surface of the first housing 10. The vertical plates 11 extend in the front-rear direction and form a groove 12 with the first housing 10. The two side plates 331 of the rear end portion 33 are respectively disposed in the two grooves 12. When the second housing 30 slides relative to the first housing 10, the side plates 331 slide within the grooves 12. The space between the two vertical plates 11 forms a groove 13 for receiving the wire of the connecting pin 101.

[0032] In one specific embodiment, the actuation assembly 40 includes a rotating shaft 41 and a handle 42, the handle 42 being integrally formed with the rotating shaft 41. The rotating shaft 41 is rotatably connected to the first housing 10 and is arranged laterally in the left-right direction. Two side plates 331 are provided with waist holes 3311 through which the rotating shaft 41 passes. The waist holes 3311 extend in the front-back direction. When the second housing 30 slides back and forth relative to the first housing 10, the rotating shaft 41 slides within the waist holes 3311 and the waist holes 3311 slide relative to the rotating shaft 41. The handle 42 is connected to both outer ends of the rotating shaft 41; rotating the handle 42 can drive the rotating shaft 41 to rotate.

[0033] An actuation structure 411 is formed on the rotating shaft 41. When the rotating shaft 41 rotates to a first angle, the actuation structure 411 causes the second housing 30 to be in a first position. When the rotating shaft 41 rotates to a second angle, the second housing 30 can move to a second position. In one specific embodiment, the actuation structure 411 can be a protrusion provided on the rotating shaft 41. Of course, the actuation structure 411 can also be a sloped structure that cooperates with the protrusion provided on the second housing 30.

[0034] It should be noted that, since the radial distance between the protrusion 411 and the axis of the rotating shaft 41 is less than the radial distance between the handle 42 and the axis of the rotating shaft 41, the handle 42, the rotating shaft 41 and the protrusion 411 form a lever structure. The user can make the protrusion 411 slide between the first and second positions with a little force. Whether the user is locking or unlocking the two connectors 100 and 200, it is relatively easy and convenient.

[0035] A locking groove 412 is provided on the rotating shaft 41, and a locking piece 334 is provided on the first housing 10 or the rear end portion 33 (in the figure, the locking piece 334 is provided on the rear end portion 33). When the rotating shaft 41 rotates to the first angle, the locking piece 334 is locked in the locking groove 412, so that the rotating shaft 41 is locked. When a small external force is applied to the handle 42, the locking piece 334 cannot be disengaged from the locking groove 412, that is, the rotating shaft 41 will not rotate, and the second housing 30 is stably held in the first position. In one specific embodiment, the locking groove 412 is radially formed on the protrusion 411.

[0036] The protrusion 411 has a first surface 4111, a second surface 4112, and a third surface 4113. The first surface 4111 is generally arc-shaped, and as the protrusion 411 moves towards the first angle direction ( Figure 3 As shown in the counterclockwise direction, the first surface 4111 rotates at different positions, acting on the rear plate 333 of the second housing 30, causing the second housing 30 to slide towards the first position direction. A baffle 335 is formed on the top plate 332 of the rear end portion 33, and as the protrusion 411 moves towards the second angle direction (as shown in the counterclockwise direction), Figure 3 When rotated clockwise (as shown), the second surface 4112 will contact the baffle 335, and the protrusion 411 will thus drive the second housing 30 to slide toward the second position.

[0037] The third surface 4113 is located between the first surface 4111 and the second surface 4112. The third surface 4113 is preferably a plane. As the protrusion 411 rotates in the first angle direction, when the second housing reaches the first position, the third surface 4113 contacts the second housing 30 to keep the second housing 30 in the first position. The second housing 30 is stably kept in the first position.

[0038] The top surface 111 of the vertical plate 11 is used to cooperate with the protrusion 411. When the rotating shaft 41 rotates from the second angle to the first angle, the vertical plate 11 prevents the rotating shaft 41 from passing the first angle.

[0039] This invention also provides a locking method for an electrical connector, the locking method comprising:

[0040] S110: Provide a first housing 10 and house it having at least one electrical connection point 101 that can be electrically connected to the other connector 200;

[0041] S120: Provide a locking plate 20 to fix it relative to the first housing 10;

[0042] S130: Provide a second housing 30, which is at least partially located outside the locking plate 20 and is slidable relative to the first housing 10;

[0043] S140: An actuation assembly 40 is provided for sliding the second housing 30 relative to the first housing 10 to place the second housing 30 in a first position or a second position relative to the first housing 10; wherein, when the second housing 30 is in the first position, the portion of the second housing 30 located outside the locking plate 20 causes the locking plate 20 to deform inward, thereby causing the locking plate 20 to be tightly pressed and rubbed against the outer surface of the housing 210 of the other connector 200 for locking; when the second housing 30 is in the second position, the locking plate 20 is not tightly pressed and rubbed against the outer surface of the housing 210 of the other connector 200 for locking, thereby allowing the electrical connector to be separated from the other connector 200.

[0044] The above description is merely 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 within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An electrical connector for electrical connection with a mating connector, characterized in that, The electrical connector includes: A first housing, which houses at least one electrical connection point that can be electrically connected to the other connector; The locking plate is fixed relative to the first housing. The second housing is at least partially located outside the locking plate and is slidable relative to the first housing to be in a first position or a second position relative to the first housing. When the second housing is in the first position, the portion of the second housing located outside the locking plate causes the locking plate to deform inward, thereby causing the locking plate to be tightly pressed and frictionally locked against the outer surface of the housing of the other connector. When the second housing is in the second position, the locking plate is not tightly pressed and frictionally locked against the outer surface of the housing of the other connector, thereby allowing the electrical connector to be separated from the other connector. An actuation assembly is used to slide the second housing relative to the first housing to be in a first position or a second position relative to the first housing. The actuation assembly includes a rotating shaft and a handle. The handle is connected to the rotating shaft to drive the rotating shaft to rotate. An actuation structure is formed on the rotating shaft. When the rotating shaft rotates to a first angle, the actuation structure causes the second housing to be in the first position.

2. The rotating shaft is provided with a locking groove, and the first housing or the second housing is provided with a locking piece. When the rotating shaft rotates to a first angle, the locking piece is locked in the locking groove.

3. The electrical connector according to claim 2, characterized in that, The actuation structure is a protrusion provided on the rotating shaft.

4. The electrical connector according to claim 3, characterized in that, The locking groove is radially formed on the protrusion.

5. The electrical connector according to claim 3, characterized in that, The bump has a first surface, which acts on the second housing to cause the second housing to slide toward a first position. The bump also has a second surface, which acts on the second housing to cause the second housing to slide toward a second position.

6. The electrical connector according to claim 5, characterized in that, The bump has a third surface for contacting the second housing to hold the second housing in a first position.

7. The electrical connector according to claim 5, characterized in that, The housing is provided with a sliding groove, and the second housing is at least partially disposed within the sliding groove. The wire connecting the electrical connection point is disposed between the side walls of the sliding groove. The top surface of the side wall of the sliding groove is used to cooperate with the protrusion to prevent the rotating shaft from exceeding the first angle.

8. The electrical connector according to claim 1, characterized in that, The rotating shaft is provided with a locking plate, and the second housing is provided with a locking groove. When the rotating shaft rotates to the first angle, the locking plate is locked in the locking groove.

9. A locking method for an electrical connector, said electrical connector being used for electrical connection with another compatible connector, characterized in that, The locking method includes: A first housing is provided, which houses at least one electrical connection point that can be electrically connected to the other connector. A locking plate is provided to fix it relative to the first housing; A second housing is provided, which is at least partially located outside the locking plate and is slidable relative to the first housing; An actuation assembly is provided for sliding a second housing relative to a first housing to position the second housing in a first position or a second position relative to the first housing. The actuation assembly includes a rotating shaft and a handle connected to the rotating shaft to drive the rotating shaft to rotate. An actuation structure is formed on the rotating shaft. When the rotating shaft rotates to a first angle, the actuation structure positions the second housing in the first position. In the first position, the portion of the second housing located outside the locking plate causes the locking plate to deform inward, resulting in frictional locking between the locking plate and the outer surface of the housing of the other connector. In the second position, the locking plate is not frictionally locked with the outer surface of the housing of the other connector, allowing the electrical connector to be separated from the other connector.

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