Connector housing

Abstract

A connector housing comprises: a containing space surrounded by four walls and forming an insertion port; the four walls comprise a first wall and a second wall extending in a first plane and a second plane perpendicular to each other, respectively, and engaging with each other at a corner. The first wall is provided with at least one first positioning groove at an edge close to the insertion port, the edge of the second wall is provided with at least one first positioning tooth extending in the first plane by vertical bending and respectively engaging with the first positioning groove, the first positioning tooth and the first positioning groove having a first locking feature for preventing the first positioning tooth from disengaging from the first positioning groove in a direction perpendicular to the second plane. The adjacent edges of two adjacent walls of the connector housing are tightly connected to each other, thereby effectively preventing a gap from appearing at a corner of the connector housing near the insertion port.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a connector housing, in particular to a connector housing for an electric connector. Background Art

[0002] In the prior art, the transmission rate of connectors used in communication systems, such as optical module connectors, is getting higher and higher. For these high-speed connectors, in order to ensure that the transmission signal is not subject to external electromagnetic interference, these high-speed connectors need to be equipped with connector housings. Usually, these connector housings are assembled from thin metal plates.

[0003] Generally, the connector housing has a roughly cubic shape, and at least two adjacent side walls (bottom wall and side wall) are combined with each other at the corners, forming a port suitable for inserting electronic equipment such as an optical module at one end of the connector housing. A circle of electromagnetic shielding sheets is installed on the outer side of the connector housing near the port. Due to the influence of the electromagnetic shielding sheets, the bottom wall and side walls within the range of the electromagnetic shielding sheets are just overlapped, and there is no sufficient holding force to resist the action of external forces. In this way, when the optical module is inserted into the connector housing through the port, the bottom wall and / or side wall within the entire range will be stretched outward and warped, resulting in a gap at the corner near the port. Such a gap will cause serious electromagnetic leakage and have an adverse effect on the electromagnetic shielding performance of the connector housing. Summary of the invention

[0004] The purpose of the present invention is to solve at least one aspect of the above-mentioned problems and defects in the prior art.

[0005] The present invention provides a connector housing, two adjacent walls of which can be tightly connected to each other, thereby effectively preventing a gap from appearing at a corner near an insertion port of the connector housing.

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, a connector housing is provided, comprising: a receiving space surrounded by four walls and forming an insertion port; the four walls include a first wall and a second wall extending in a first plane and a second plane perpendicular to each other, respectively, and engaging with each other at a corner. The first wall is provided with at least one first positioning groove at an edge close to the insertion port, and the edge of the second wall is provided with at least one first positioning tooth extending in the first plane by vertical bending and respectively engaged in the first positioning groove, and the first positioning tooth and the first positioning groove have a first locking feature suitable for preventing the first positioning tooth from being disengaged from the first positioning groove in a direction perpendicular to the second plane.

[0007] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the first locking feature includes: at least a first protrusion formed on one of the first positioning tooth and the first positioning groove and protruding in the length direction of the connector housing; and at least one first recessed portion formed on the other of the first positioning tooth and the first positioning groove and configured to accommodate the first protrusion.

[0008] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the first positioning groove is formed as a wedge-shaped groove, and the first positioning tooth is formed as a wedge-shaped tooth.

[0009] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the first positioning groove is formed as a dovetail groove, and the first positioning tooth is formed as a dovetail tooth.

[0010] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the second wall is provided with at least one second positioning groove at the edge close to the insertion port, and the edge of the first wall is provided with a second positioning tooth extending in the second plane by vertical bending and combined into the second positioning groove, and the second positioning tooth and the second positioning groove have a second locking feature suitable for preventing the second positioning tooth from disengaging from the second positioning groove in a direction perpendicular to the first plane.

[0011] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the second locking feature includes: a second protrusion formed on one of the second positioning tooth and the second positioning groove and protruding in the length direction of the connector housing; and a second recessed portion formed on the other of the second positioning tooth and the second positioning groove and configured to accommodate the second protrusion.

[0012] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the second positioning groove is formed as a wedge-shaped groove, and the second positioning tooth is formed as a wedge-shaped tooth.

[0013] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the second positioning groove is formed as a dovetail groove, and the second positioning tooth is formed as a dovetail tooth.

[0014] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the connector housing includes two first positioning grooves, and the second positioning tooth extends from the first wall between the two first positioning grooves and is fitted into the second positioning groove after being bent vertically.

[0015] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the minimum distance between any one of the first positioning groove, the first positioning tooth, the second positioning groove and the second positioning tooth and the edge of the insertion port is no more than 2 mm.

[0016] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the connector housing further comprises an electromagnetic shielding spring sheet, and the electromagnetic shielding spring sheet is installed on the four walls close to the insertion port.

[0017] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the electromagnetic shielding spring sheet is riveted to four walls close to the insertion port by riveting components.

[0018] In the aforementioned exemplary embodiments of the present invention, adjacent edges of two adjacent walls of the connector housing are tightly connected to each other, thereby effectively preventing gaps from appearing at the corners of the connector housing near the insertion port, thereby improving the electromagnetic shielding effect and signal transmission quality of the connector housing.

[0019] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, which will help to provide a comprehensive understanding of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Figure 1 A perspective schematic diagram showing a connector housing according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 2 show Figure 1 A partial enlarged schematic diagram of a connector housing at a corner is shown;

[0022] Figure 3 show Figure 1 A partial enlarged schematic diagram of the vicinity of the insertion port of the connector housing shown;

[0023] Figure 4 show Figure 3 A top view of the electromagnetic shielding shrapnel not installed;

[0024] Figure 5 show Figure 4 A magnified schematic diagram of part A;

[0025] Figure 6 Display based on Figure 4 An improved enlarged schematic diagram of ;

[0026] Figure 7 show Figure 3 A side view of the electromagnetic shielding shrapnel not installed;

[0027] Figure 8 show Figure 7 A magnified schematic diagram of part B;

[0028] Fig. 9 Display based on Figure 8 An improved enlarged schematic diagram of ;

[0029] Fig.10 A schematic plan view showing four walls of a connector housing in the vicinity of an insertion port when unfolded according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

[0030] Fig.11 Display based on Figure 8 Another improved enlarged schematic diagram of . DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] The technical solution of the present invention is further specifically described below by examples and in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In the specification, the same or similar reference numerals indicate the same or similar components. The following description of the embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings is intended to explain the overall inventive concept of the present invention and should not be construed as a limitation of the present invention.

[0032] In addition, in the detailed description below, for ease of explanation, many specific details are set forth to provide a comprehensive understanding of the disclosed embodiments. However, it is apparent that one or more embodiments may be implemented without these specific details. In other cases, known structures and devices are embodied in a schematic manner to simplify the accompanying drawings.

[0033] According to an overall technical concept of the present invention, a connector housing is provided, comprising a housing space surrounded by four walls and forming an insertion port. The four walls include a first wall and a second wall extending in a first plane and a second plane perpendicular to each other, respectively, and engaging with each other at a corner. The first wall is provided with at least one first positioning groove at an edge close to the insertion port, and the edge of the second wall is provided with at least one first positioning tooth extending in the first plane by vertical bending and respectively engaged in the first positioning groove, and the first positioning tooth and the first positioning groove have a first locking feature suitable for preventing the first positioning tooth from disengaging from the first positioning groove in a direction perpendicular to the second plane.

[0034] Figure 1 A perspective schematic diagram showing a connector housing according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 show Figure 1 A partial enlarged schematic diagram of a corner of a connector housing is shown.

[0035] like Figure 1 and 2As shown, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the connector housing 100 includes a accommodating space, which is surrounded by four walls 1, 2, 3, and 4, and forms an insertion port 5. The insertion port 5 is suitable for inserting an optical module connector and an electrical connector. The four walls include a first wall 1 (e.g., a bottom wall) and a second wall 2 (e.g., a side wall) that extend in a first plane (e.g., a horizontal plane) and a second plane (e.g., a vertical plane) that are perpendicular to each other, respectively, and that engage with each other at a corner. It can be understood that the first wall and the second wall can be any two adjacent walls that are combined with each other at a corner. At the position of the first wall 1 located at the insertion port 5, a retaining spring 13 for elastically abutting against the inserted optical module connector and electrical connector is provided. Pins 6 for fixing the connector housing to a circuit board are provided on the two side walls 2 and 4, respectively.

[0036] Figure 3 show Figure 1 A partial enlarged schematic diagram of the vicinity of the insertion port of the connector housing shown; Figure 4 show Figure 3 A top view of the electromagnetic shielding shrapnel not installed; Figure 5 show Figure 4 Enlarged schematic diagram of part A.

[0037] like Figure 1-5 As shown, the first wall 1 (for example, the bottom wall) is provided with at least one first positioning groove 11 at the edge close to the insertion port 5, and the edge of the second wall 2 is provided with at least one first positioning tooth 21 extending in the first plane by vertical bending and respectively combined into the first positioning groove 11, and the first positioning tooth 21 and the first positioning groove 11 have a first locking feature suitable for preventing the first positioning tooth 21 from being separated from the first positioning groove 11 in a direction perpendicular to the second plane. In this way, through the combination of the first positioning tooth 21 and the first positioning groove 11, the second wall 2 can be prevented from being separated from the first positioning groove 11 in a direction perpendicular to the second plane, that is, the second wall 2 can be prevented from moving in the lateral direction, and in particular, the second wall 2 can be prevented from moving outward in the lateral direction.

[0038] Figure 7 show Figure 3 A side view of the electromagnetic shielding shrapnel not installed; Figure 8 show Figure 7 Schematic diagram of the enlarged portion B.

[0039] In an exemplary embodiment, Figure 1-3As shown in , 6 and 7, the second wall (e.g., side wall) 2 is provided with at least one second positioning groove 22 at the edge close to the insertion port 5, and the edge of the first wall 1 is provided with a second positioning tooth 12 extending in the second plane by vertical bending and combined into the second positioning groove 22, and the second positioning tooth 12 and the second positioning groove 22 have a second locking feature suitable for preventing the second positioning tooth 12 from being separated from the second positioning groove 22 in a direction perpendicular to the first plane. In this way, by combining the second positioning tooth 12 and the second positioning groove 22, the first wall 1 can be prevented from being separated from the first positioning groove 11 in a direction perpendicular to the second plane, that is, the first wall 1 can be prevented from moving in the height direction, and in particular, the first wall 1 can be prevented from moving outward in the height direction.

[0040] Since a first locking feature that prevents the first wall 1 from moving outward in the height direction and a second locking feature that prevents the second wall 2 from moving outward in the lateral direction are provided, the first wall 1 and the second wall 2 are tightly connected to each other at the corners, thereby preventing the connector housing from being squeezed at the corners due to external forces, such as when an electronic module or an optical module is inserted into the insertion port.

[0041] In an exemplary embodiment, Figure 1-5 As shown, the first locking feature includes: a first protrusion 211 and a first recess 111, the first protrusion 211 is formed on the first positioning tooth 21 and is in the length direction ( Figure 5 The first recessed portion 111 is formed on the first positioning groove 11 and is configured to accommodate the first protrusion 211. Since the length direction is perpendicular to the lateral direction, the second wall 2 can be prevented from moving outward in the lateral direction.

[0042] In an exemplary embodiment, Figure 2 , 4 As shown in FIG. 5 , the first positioning groove 11 is formed as a wedge-shaped groove (or a trapezoidal slot), and the first positioning tooth 21 is formed as a wedge-shaped tooth (or a trapezoidal tooth). In this way, the adjacent first wall 1 and the second wall 2 can be tightly connected to each other through the wedge-shaped tooth and the wedge-shaped slot.

[0043] Figure 6 Display based on Figure 4 An improved enlarged schematic diagram of .

[0044] See also Figure 6 In an alternative embodiment, the first locking feature includes: a first protrusion 112 and a first recess 212, the first protrusion 112 is formed on the first positioning groove 11 and is in the length direction ( Figure 8The first recessed portion 212 is formed on the first positioning tooth 21 and is configured to accommodate the first protrusion 112. Since the length direction is perpendicular to the lateral direction, the second wall 2 can be prevented from moving outward in the lateral direction.

[0045] In an exemplary embodiment, Figure 2 , 7 As shown in FIG. 8 , the second locking feature includes: a second protrusion 121 and a second recess 221, wherein the second protrusion 121 is formed on the second positioning tooth 12 and protrudes in the length direction of the connector housing 100; and the second recess 221 is formed on the second positioning groove 22 and is configured to accommodate the second protrusion 121. Since the length direction is perpendicular to the height direction, the second wall 2 can be prevented from moving outward (downward) in the height direction.

[0046] In an exemplary embodiment, Figure 2 , 7 As shown in FIG. 8 , the second positioning groove 22 is formed as a wedge-shaped groove (or a trapezoidal slot), and the second positioning teeth 12 are formed as wedge-shaped teeth (or trapezoidal teeth). In this way, the adjacent first wall 1 and the second wall 2 can be tightly connected to each other through the wedge-shaped teeth and the wedge-shaped slot.

[0047] The minimum distance between any one of the first positioning groove 11, the first positioning tooth 21, the second positioning groove 22 and the second positioning tooth 12 and the edge of the insertion port 5 is not greater than 2 mm. In this way, the bonding force between the first wall and the second wall near the insertion port can be increased.

[0048] Fig.10 A schematic plan view showing four walls of a connector housing in the vicinity of an insertion port when unfolded according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0049] In an exemplary embodiment, see Figure 2 and 10In the process of manufacturing the connector housing 100, a single metal sheet made of stainless steel, copper or alloy is used to form the connector housing 100 through stamping, bending and shearing processes. First, the models of the first wall 1, the second wall 2, the third wall 3 and the fourth wall 4, and the retaining spring 13 are stamped or sheared on the metal sheet; the first positioning teeth 21 of the second wall 2 are vertically bent, and the metal sheet is bent to form a roughly rectangular outline; then, the bent first positioning teeth 21 are pressed from the inner side of the first wall 1 into the corresponding first positioning groove 11; then, the second positioning teeth 12 are vertically bent and made to enter the corresponding second positioning groove 22 of the second wall 2 from the outside of the second wall 2, thereby achieving docking between the first wall 1 and the second wall 2. In this way, the docking between the first wall 1 and the second wall 2 can be achieved, and a small gap can be prevented from appearing at the corner where the first wall and the second wall are docked.

[0050] In another manufacturing process, firstly, the molds of the first wall 1, the second wall 2, the third wall 3 and the fourth wall 4, and the retaining spring 13 are stamped or cut on the metal sheet; the second positioning teeth 12 of the first wall 1 are vertically bent, and the metal sheet is bent to form a substantially rectangular parallelepiped outline; then, the bent second positioning teeth 12 are pressed into the corresponding second positioning grooves 22 from the inner side of the second wall 2; then, the first positioning teeth 21 are vertically bent and made to enter the corresponding first positioning grooves 11 of the first arm 1 from the outside of the first wall 1. In this way, the first wall 1 and the second wall 2 can be butted together, and a small gap can be prevented from appearing at the corner where the first wall and the second wall are butted together.

[0051] Fig. 9 Display based on Figure 8 An improved enlarged schematic diagram of .

[0052] See also Fig. 9 In an alternative embodiment, the second locking feature includes: a second protrusion 222 and a second recess 122, the second protrusion 222 is formed on the second positioning groove 22 and is in the length direction of the connector housing 100 ( Fig. 9 The second recessed portion 122 is formed on the second positioning tooth 12 and is configured to accommodate the second protrusion 222. Since the length direction is perpendicular to the lateral direction, the first wall 1 can be prevented from moving outward (downward) in the height direction.

[0053] Fig.11 Display based on Figure 8 Another improved enlarged schematic diagram of .

[0054] In an exemplary embodiment, Fig.11As shown, the second positioning groove 22' is formed as a dovetail groove, and the second positioning tooth 12' is formed as a dovetail tooth. Similarly, the first positioning groove 11 is formed as a dovetail groove, and the first positioning tooth 21 is formed as a dovetail tooth. In this way, the adjacent edges of the first wall 1 and the second wall 2 can be tightly connected to each other through the dovetail tooth and the dovetail groove.

[0055] In an exemplary embodiment, Figure 2 , 5 As shown in Figures 10 and 11, the connector housing 100 includes two first positioning grooves 11, the second positioning teeth 12 extend from the first wall 1 between the two first positioning grooves 11 and are fitted into the second positioning groove 22 after being bent vertically, and at the same time, the two first positioning teeth 21 extend from the second wall 2 and are fitted into the first positioning groove 11 after being bent vertically. In this way, the first positioning grooves 11 and the second positioning teeth 12 arranged on the first wall 1 are alternately arranged, and the second positioning grooves 22 and the first positioning teeth 21 arranged on the second wall 2 are alternately arranged.

[0056] In an exemplary embodiment, Figure 1-3 As shown, the connector housing 100 further comprises an electromagnetic shielding spring sheet 7, which is mounted on the four walls close to the insertion port 5. Furthermore, the electromagnetic shielding spring sheet is riveted on the four walls close to the insertion port 5 by a riveting component 71.

[0057] In the aforementioned embodiment, the bottom wall and the side wall are used as an example to illustrate an embodiment for tightly connecting the first wall and the second wall of the connector housing, but the present invention is not limited to the aforementioned embodiment, for example, the first wall and the second wall can be the bottom wall and the side wall respectively. The aforementioned locking feature can have other shapes and / or sizes, as long as it can tightly connect two adjacent walls of the connector housing.

[0058] According to the connector housing of an embodiment of the present invention, by arranging bidirectionally curved second positioning teeth and first positioning teeth on the first wall used as the bottom wall and the second wall used as the side wall, for example, self-locking bidirectional dovetail teeth or bidirectional wedge-shaped teeth can be realized, so that the first positioning teeth arranged on the bottom wall can prevent the side wall from moving horizontally to the left and right, and the second positioning teeth arranged on the side wall can prevent the bottom wall from moving up and down. Because the distance between this positioning tooth and the positioning groove and the insertion port is less than 2 mm, sufficient holding force can be provided. For example, the holding force of a single insertion port is measured to be greater than 10 kg, which is better than the 8 kg standard required for the design of the connector housing. When the optical module male head is inserted into the connector housing, no obvious gap will appear in the area near the insertion port, ensuring that the connector housing has excellent electromagnetic shielding performance, and the appearance of the connector housing can meet customer needs.

[0059] Furthermore, the connector shell according to the embodiment of the present invention has a compact structure and can provide a greater holding force than the solder joint near the insertion port, and the product structure is more stable; the connector shell can be applied to a full range of connectors from a single-layer single insertion port to a double-layer multiple insertion ports; the bidirectionally bent second positioning teeth and first positioning teeth, and the matching second positioning grooves and first positioning grooves can be realized by stamping and bending forming processes, and can be automatically assembled in the mold together with the electromagnetic shielding spring sheet, realizing the integrated design of the connector shell and the fully automated manufacturing process; in addition, the combination of the positioning teeth and the positioning grooves can omit the welding process, thereby improving production efficiency and reducing manufacturing costs.

[0060] Those skilled in the art can understand that the embodiments described above are exemplary and can be improved by those skilled in the art. The structures described in various embodiments can be freely combined without causing conflicts in structure or principle.

[0061] Although the present invention has been described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, the embodiments disclosed in the accompanying drawings are intended to exemplify the preferred implementations of the present invention and should not be construed as limiting the present invention.

[0062] Although some embodiments of the inventive concept have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes may be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the general inventive concept, the scope of which is defined in the claims and their equivalents.

[0063] It should be noted that the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the word "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. In addition, any element reference signs in the claims shall not be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A connector housing, comprising: a receiving space surrounded by four walls and forming an insertion port; The four walls include a first wall and a second wall extending in a first plane and a second plane respectively perpendicular to each other and joined to each other at a corner, wherein the first wall is provided with at least one first positioning groove at an edge close to the insertion port, and the edge of the second wall is provided with at least one first positioning tooth extending in the first plane by vertical bending and respectively coupled to the first positioning groove, the first positioning tooth and the first positioning groove having a first locking feature for preventing the first positioning tooth from being separated from the first positioning groove in a direction perpendicular to the second plane, and In which, the second wall is provided with at least one second positioning groove at the edge close to the insertion port, and the edge of the first wall is provided with a second positioning tooth extending in the second plane by vertical bending and combined into the second positioning groove, and the second positioning tooth and the second positioning groove have a second locking feature suitable for preventing the second positioning tooth from disengaging from the second positioning groove in a direction perpendicular to the first plane.

2. The connector housing according to claim 1, wherein: The first locking feature comprises: at least a first protrusion formed on one of the first positioning tooth and the first positioning groove and protruding in the length direction of the connector housing; and At least one first recessed portion is formed on the other of the first positioning tooth and the first positioning groove and is configured to receive the first protrusion.

3. The connector housing according to claim 2, wherein: The first positioning groove is formed as a wedge-shaped groove, and the first positioning tooth is formed as a wedge-shaped tooth.

4. The connector housing according to claim 2, wherein: The first positioning groove is formed as a dovetail groove, and the first positioning tooth is formed as a dovetail tooth.

5. The connector housing according to claim 1, wherein: The second locking feature includes: a second protrusion formed on one of the second positioning tooth and the second positioning groove and protruding in the length direction of the connector housing; and A second recessed portion is formed on the other of the second positioning tooth and the second positioning groove and is configured to receive the second protrusion.

6. The connector housing according to claim 5, wherein: The second positioning groove is formed as a wedge-shaped groove, and the second positioning tooth is formed as a wedge-shaped tooth.

7. The connector housing according to claim 5, wherein: The second positioning groove is formed as a dovetail groove, and the second positioning tooth is formed as a dovetail tooth.

8. The connector housing according to claim 1, wherein: The invention comprises two first positioning grooves, wherein the second positioning tooth extends from the first wall between the two first positioning grooves and is matched into the second positioning groove after being vertically bent.

9. The connector housing according to claim 1, wherein: The minimum distance between any one of the first positioning groove, the first positioning tooth, the second positioning groove, and the second positioning tooth and the edge of the insertion port is no more than 2 mm.

10. The connector housing according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that: The connector housing further includes electromagnetic shielding springs mounted on four walls close to the insertion port.

11. The connector housing according to claim 10, characterized in that: The electromagnetic shielding spring sheet is riveted to four walls close to the insertion port by riveting components.

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