Electrical connector assembly

Abstract

An electrical connector assembly includes a housing, a connector rotating unit, and a second magnetic attractor. The connector rotating unit is rotatable relative to the housing under the action of an external force. The connector rotating unit includes a rotating body, a first magnetic attractor fixed in the rotating body, and an electrical connector fixedly connected to the rotating body. The electrical connector at least partially extends out of the housing. The second magnetic attractor is disposed in the housing and configured to attract the first magnetic attractor to rotate the connector rotating unit back to its original position after rotation.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an electrical connector assembly, belonging to the field of connector-related technical technology. Background Technology

[0002] Electrical connector assemblies in related technologies include cables, electrical connectors connected to the cables, and housings located outside the electrical connectors. In some applications, the electrical connectors need to be able to rotate at a certain angle to better mate with mating connectors. However, how to straighten the electrical connectors is a technical problem that needs to be solved by those skilled in the art. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to provide an electrical connector assembly with a self-aligning function.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution: an electrical connector assembly, comprising:

[0005] case;

[0006] A connector rotating unit is capable of rotating relative to the housing under the action of an external force. The connector rotating unit includes a rotating body, a first magnetic element fixed in the rotating body, and an electrical connector fixedly connected to the rotating body. The electrical connector at least partially extends out of the housing.

[0007] A second magnetic attractor is disposed in the housing and is configured to attract the first magnetic attractor to rotate the connector rotating unit back to the center position after the connector rotating unit has rotated.

[0008] As a further improvement of the present invention, the first magnetic attractor is a first magnet or iron, and the second magnetic attractor is a second magnet.

[0009] As a further improvement of the present invention, the rotating body is provided with a groove, and the first magnetic suction member is detachably installed in the groove.

[0010] As a further improvement of the present invention, the first magnet has an arc-shaped surface that faces the second magnet and attracts the second magnet, and the second magnet has a vertical surface that attracts the arc-shaped surface.

[0011] As a further improved technical solution of the present invention, the connector rotating unit includes a built-in circuit board, the electrical connector includes a plurality of conductive terminals, the plurality of conductive terminals includes a first row of conductive terminals and a second row of conductive terminals, the built-in circuit board is sandwiched between the first row of conductive terminals and the second row of conductive terminals, and the first row of conductive terminals and the second row of conductive terminals are electrically connected to the built-in circuit board.

[0012] As a further improvement of the present invention, the electrical connector assembly further includes a cable, a built-in circuit board, and a plurality of flexible flat wires. The cable includes a plurality of conductor portions, one end of the flexible flat wire is electrically connected to the corresponding conductor portion, and the other end of the flexible flat wire is electrically connected to the built-in circuit board.

[0013] As a further improvement of the present invention, the plurality of flexible flat lines include a first flexible flat line and a second flexible flat line, and the plurality of conductor portions include a first conductor portion and a second conductor portion, wherein:

[0014] The first flexible flat line includes a first connecting portion connected to the first conductor portion and a second connecting portion connected to the built-in circuit board, wherein the second connecting portion is connected to the first connecting portion in a folded manner, and the second connecting portion and the first connecting portion are located in different planes.

[0015] The second flexible flat line includes a third connecting portion connected to the second conductor portion and a fourth connecting portion connected to the built-in circuit board, wherein the fourth connecting portion is connected to the third connecting portion in a folded manner, and the fourth connecting portion and the third connecting portion are located in different planes.

[0016] As a further improved technical solution of the present invention, the first magnetic suction member and the second magnetic suction member are located between the second connecting part and the fourth connecting part.

[0017] As a further improvement of the present invention, the housing is provided with a slot extending along a first direction, and the electrical connector passes through the slot along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The slot includes a first clearance slot located on one side of the electrical connector and a second clearance slot located on the other opposite side of the electrical connector. The first clearance slot and the second clearance slot are configured to provide clearance space for the electrical connector when it rotates.

[0018] As a further improvement of the present invention, the electrical connector assembly further includes a dust cover sleeved on the electrical connector and located inside the slot along the second direction, the dust cover being housed within the housing.

[0019] As a further improvement of the present invention, the electrical connector assembly further includes a third magnet and a fourth magnet located inside the housing and respectively on both sides of the rotating body, wherein the third magnet and the fourth magnet repel the second magnetic attractant and the third magnet and the fourth magnet are configured to attract the magnetic attractant of the docking device.

[0020] As a further improved technical solution of the present invention, the third magnet and the fourth magnet are arranged at intervals, the first magnetic attractor and the second magnetic attractor are both located on the same side of the third magnet and the fourth magnet, and the first magnetic attractor and the second magnetic attractor are located on the center vertical line of the connecting line of the third magnet and the fourth magnet.

[0021] Compared with the prior art, the present invention provides a first magnetic suction member and a second magnetic suction member, wherein the second magnetic suction member is configured to attract the first magnetic suction member so as to automatically rotate the connector rotating unit back to the center after the connector rotating unit rotates. Attached Figure Description

[0022] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the electrical connector assembly of the present invention in one embodiment.

[0023] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 The main view.

[0024] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 Partial exploded 3D diagram.

[0025] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 Further partial exploded view.

[0026] Figure 5 It is to remove Figure 4 A further exploded three-dimensional view of part of the shell.

[0027] Figure 6 It is to remove Figure 4 A top view of the part of the shell after the rotating body has been separated.

[0028] Figure 7 It is to remove Figure 4 A top view of the partial shell after the second shell has been separated.

[0029] Figure 8 yes Figure 7 A magnified view of part A circled in the middle.

[0030] Figure 9 It is to remove Figure 4A top view after the partial housing is separated from the rotating body and the second housing.

[0031] Figure 10 This is an exploded perspective view of the electrical connector assembly of the present invention.

[0032] Figure 11 yes Figure 10 Another perspective of the exploded 3D view.

[0033] Figure 12 This is a perspective view of the electrical connector assembly of the present invention in another embodiment.

[0034] Figure 13 yes Figure 12 The main view. Detailed Implementation

[0035] The exemplary embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. If several embodiments exist, features in these embodiments may be combined with each other without conflict. When the description refers to the drawings, unless otherwise stated, the same numbers in different drawings represent the same or similar elements. The descriptions in the following exemplary embodiments do not represent all embodiments consistent with the present invention; rather, they are merely examples of apparatuses, products, and / or methods consistent with some aspects of the present invention as set forth in the claims.

[0036] The terminology used in this invention is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the scope of protection of this invention. The singular forms “a,” “the,” or “the” as used in the specification and claims of this invention are also intended to include the plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0037] It should be understood that the terms "first," "second," and similar words used in the specification and claims of this invention do not indicate any order, quantity, or importance, but are merely used to distinguish features. Similarly, the terms "an" or "a" do not indicate a quantity limitation, but rather indicate the presence of at least one. Unless otherwise stated, the terms "before," "after," "upper," "lower," and similar words appearing in this invention are for ease of explanation only and are not limited to a specific location or spatial orientation. The terms "comprising" or "including" are an open-ended expression, meaning that the element preceding "comprising" or "including" encompasses the element following "comprising" or "including" and its equivalents, but this does not preclude the element preceding "comprising" or "including" from also including other elements. In this invention, the term "several" means two or more.

[0038] Please refer to Figures 1 to 11 As shown, a first embodiment of the present invention discloses an electrical connector assembly, which includes a housing 1, a connector rotating unit 2, a plurality of magnets, and a cable 4. In the illustrated embodiment of the present invention, the housing 1 includes an outer shell 10, a first shell 11, a second shell 12, and an end shell 13. The first shell 11 cooperates with the second shell 12, and both the first shell 11 and the second shell 12 are located within the outer shell 10. The end shell 13 is at least partially inserted into the outer shell 10 from one side and locks into the outer shell 10.

[0039] The housing 1 is provided with a slot 100 extending along a first direction A1-A1. In the embodiment illustrated in the present invention, a portion of the slot 100 is provided in the outer housing 10, and another portion of the slot 100 is provided in the end housing 13. In other words, the slot 100 is formed jointly by the outer housing 10 and the end housing 13.

[0040] The connector rotating unit 2 is capable of rotating relative to the housing 1 under the action of an external force. In a first embodiment of the present invention, the connector rotating unit 2 includes a rotating body 21, a first magnetic attractor fixed in the rotating body 21, an electrical connector 23 fixedly connected to the rotating body 21, and a built-in circuit board 24 connected to the electrical connector 23. The electrical connector 23 passes through the slot 100 along a second direction A2-A2 perpendicular to the first direction A-A1, so as to at least partially extend out of the housing 1. It should be noted that the technical term "magnetic attractor" used in the present invention is intended to indicate that the element can attract or repel a corresponding element using the principle of magnetic field. In one embodiment of the present invention, the first magnetic attractor is a first magnet 22.

[0041] Those skilled in the art will understand that, in one embodiment of the present invention, a pivot (not shown) is provided between the rotating body 21 and the housing 1, and the rotating body 21 is capable of rotating relative to the housing 1 about the pivot. Of course, in other embodiments, the rotating body 21 can also rotate relative to the housing 1 using other structural designs, which will not be elaborated upon here.

[0042] Please combine Figure 10 as well as Figure 11 As shown, the rotating body 21 is generally D-shaped, including an arc surface 211, a flat surface 212, a receiving groove 213 penetrating the arc surface 211, and a slot 214 penetrating the flat surface 212. The slot 214 is connected to the receiving groove 213. The rotating body 21 also includes a groove 215 formed by recessing from the top of the arc surface 211 toward the flat surface 212.

[0043] The first magnet 22 is detachably installed in the groove 215. The first magnet 22 has an arc-shaped surface 221, which is adapted to the arc-shaped surface 211.

[0044] Please combine Figure 10 as well as Figure 11 As shown in the illustrated embodiment of the present invention, the electrical connector 23 is a connector plug (e.g., a USB Type-C plug), which includes a plurality of conductive terminals 231 that cantileverly protrude toward the built-in circuit board 24. The plurality of conductive terminals 231 includes a first row of conductive terminals 2311 and a second row of conductive terminals 2312. In the illustrated embodiment of the present invention, the first row of conductive terminals 2311 and the second row of conductive terminals 2312 are arranged alternately along the first direction A1-A1.

[0045] The built-in circuit board 24 is sandwiched between the first row of conductive terminals 2311 and the second row of conductive terminals 2322, and the first row of conductive terminals 2311 and the second row of conductive terminals 2322 are electrically connected to the built-in circuit board 24 (e.g., soldered or abutted). The built-in circuit board 24 is housed in the receiving groove 213 of the rotating body 21, and the plurality of conductive terminals 231 pass through the slot 214 of the rotating body 21 to be electrically connected to the built-in circuit board 24.

[0046] Please combine Figures 6 to 9 As shown, the cable 4 includes a plurality of conductor portions 41. The electrical connector assembly also includes a plurality of flexible flat wires 5. One end of each flexible flat wire 5 is electrically connected (e.g., soldered) to a corresponding conductor portion 41, and the other end of each flexible flat wire 5 is electrically connected (e.g., soldered) to the built-in circuit board 24. In other words, the cable 4 uses the flexible flat wires 5 as an adapter to electrically connect to the built-in circuit board 24.

[0047] Specifically, in the embodiment illustrated in the present invention, the plurality of flexible flat lines 5 include a first flexible flat line 51 and a second flexible flat line 52. The plurality of conductor portions 41 include a first conductor portion 411 and a second conductor portion 412. The first flexible flat line 51 includes a first connecting portion 511 connected to the first conductor portion 411 and a second connecting portion 512 connected to the built-in circuit board 24, wherein the second connecting portion 512 is connected to the first connecting portion 511 in a folded manner, and the second connecting portion 512 and the first connecting portion 511 are located in different planes. Similarly, the second flexible flat line 52 includes a third connecting portion 521 connected to the second conductor portion 412 and a fourth connecting portion 522 connected to the built-in circuit board 24, wherein the fourth connecting portion 522 is connected to the third connecting portion 521 in a folded manner, and the fourth connecting portion 522 and the third connecting portion 521 are located in different planes.

[0048] By providing the aforementioned flexible flat wires 5, the present invention enables the flexible flat wires 5 to be stably connected to the built-in circuit board 24 when the connector rotating unit 2 rotates, thereby ensuring the electrical connection between the cable 4 and the built-in circuit board 24.

[0049] Please combine Figure 1 as well as Figure 2 As shown, the slot 100 includes a first clearance slot 101 located on one side of the electrical connector 23 and a second clearance slot 102 located on the other opposite side of the electrical connector 23. The first clearance slot 101 and the second clearance slot 102 are configured to provide clearance space for the electrical connector 23 when it rotates left and right.

[0050] Please combine Figure 6 As shown, the electrical connector assembly further includes a dust cover 6 sleeved on the electrical connector 23 and located inside the slot 100 along the second direction A2-A2, the dust cover 6 being housed within the housing 1. In one embodiment of the invention, the dust cover 6 is made of foam and abuts against the flat surface 212 of the rotating body 21 to prevent external dust from entering the interior of the electrical connector assembly, thus providing a dustproof function.

[0051] The electrical connector assembly further includes a second magnetic member disposed within the housing 1 and attracted to the first magnetic member. In one embodiment of the invention, the second magnetic member is a second magnet 32. Those skilled in the art will understand that when the first magnet 22 and the second magnet 32 ​​attract each other, the two polarities of the first magnet 22 and the second magnet 32 ​​that are close to each other are opposite. Of course, those skilled in the art will understand that, in order to achieve attraction, the first magnetic member and the second magnetic member can also be configured such that one is a magnet and the other is iron. In this case, the polarity of the magnet does not need to be considered.

[0052] The plurality of magnets includes a third magnet 33 and a fourth magnet 34 disposed in the housing 1. The second magnet 32 ​​is configured to attract the first magnet 22 to automatically rotate the connector rotating unit 2 back to its original position (i.e., reset) after the connector rotating unit 2 has rotated. The arcuate surface 221 of the first magnet 22 faces the second magnet 32, and the second magnet 32 ​​has a vertical surface 321 that attracts the arcuate surface 221. The first magnet 22 and the second magnet 32 ​​are located between the second connecting portion 512 of the first flexible flat wire 51 and the fourth connecting portion 522 of the second flexible flat wire 52 to save space.

[0053] The third magnet 33 and the fourth magnet 34 are located on both sides (e.g., the left and right sides) of the rotating body 21, respectively. Both the third magnet 33 and the fourth magnet 34 repel the second magnet 32 ​​to ensure that the magnets are parallel. The third magnet 33 and the fourth magnet 34 are configured to attract the magnetic attraction element (e.g., a magnet or iron) of the docking device to improve the reliability of the docking.

[0054] Please combine Figure 8 As shown in the illustrated embodiment of the present invention, the third magnet 33 and the fourth magnet 34 are spaced apart along the first direction A1-A1. The first magnet 22 and the second magnet 32 ​​are both located on the same side (e.g., the upper side) of the third magnet 33 and the fourth magnet 34 along the second direction A2-A2. The first magnet 22 and the second magnet 32 ​​are located on the center perpendicular line T1-T1 of the connecting line L1-L1 between the third magnet 33 and the fourth magnet 34. This arrangement optimizes the magnetic attraction between the first magnet 22 and the second magnet 32 ​​and reduces external interference.

[0055] In the embodiment illustrated in the present invention, the first housing 11 is provided with a plurality of first retaining slots 110, and the second housing 12 is provided with a plurality of second retaining slots 120. The plurality of first retaining slots 110 and the plurality of second retaining slots 120 cooperate to retain the first magnetic suction member, the third magnet 33 and the fourth magnet 34.

[0056] Figure 12 as well as Figure 13 A second embodiment of the electrical connector assembly of the present invention is disclosed. The electrical connector assembly in the second embodiment is structurally similar to that in the first embodiment, but the main difference is that the electrical connector assembly in the second embodiment further includes another electrical connector 7 connected to the other end of the cable 4. This other electrical connector 7 is electrically connected to the electrical connector 23 via the cable 4, the flexible flat cable 5, and the built-in circuit board 24. In this embodiment, the other electrical connector 7 can be a USB Type-C plug, a USB Type-A plug, a Micro USB plug, an HDMI plug, a DisplayPort plug, a Thunderbolt plug, etc.

[0057] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has a first magnetic suction member and a second magnetic suction member. The second magnetic suction member is configured to attract the first magnetic suction member so as to automatically rotate the connector rotating unit 2 back to the center after the connector rotating unit 2 rotates, which simplifies the structure and improves the user experience.

[0058] The above embodiments are only used to illustrate the present invention and are not intended to limit the technical solutions described in the present invention. The understanding of the present invention should be based on those skilled in the art. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the above embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that they can still make modifications or equivalent substitutions to the present invention. All technical solutions and improvements that do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention should be covered within the scope of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. An electrical connector assembly, characterized in that, include: Shell (1); The connector rotating unit (2) includes a rotating body (21), a first magnetic suction member fixed in the rotating body (21), and an electrical connector (23) fixedly connected to the rotating body (21). The electrical connector (23) extends at least partially out of the housing (1) to be configured to be inserted into a mating connector. The electrical connector (23) is rotatable relative to the housing (1) under the action of an external force before being inserted into the mating connector. The second magnetic attractor is disposed in the housing (1) and is configured to attract the first magnetic attractor to rotate the connector rotating unit (2) back to the center after the connector rotating unit (2) has rotated. The electrical connector assembly also includes a cable (4), an internal circuit board (24), and several flexible flat wires (5), the cable (4) including several conductor portions (41); The plurality of flexible flat lines (5) include a first flexible flat line (51) and a second flexible flat line (52), and the plurality of conductor portions (41) include a first conductor portion (411) and a second conductor portion (412), wherein: The first flexible flat line (51) includes a first connecting portion (511) connected to the first conductor portion (411) and a second connecting portion (512) connected to the built-in circuit board (24), wherein the second connecting portion (512) is connected to the first connecting portion (511) in a folded manner, and the second connecting portion (512) and the first connecting portion (511) are located in different planes; The second flexible flat line (52) includes a third connecting portion (521) connected to the second conductor portion (412) and a fourth connecting portion (522) connected to the built-in circuit board (24), wherein the fourth connecting portion (522) is connected to the third connecting portion (521) in a folded manner, and the fourth connecting portion (522) and the third connecting portion (521) are located in different planes.

2. The electrical connector assembly as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: The first magnetic attractor is a first magnet (22) or iron, and the second magnetic attractor is a second magnet (32).

3. The electrical connector assembly as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: The rotating body (21) is provided with a groove (215), and the first magnetic member is detachably installed in the groove (215).

4. The electrical connector assembly as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that: The first magnet (22) has an arc-shaped surface (221) facing the second magnet (32) and attracting the second magnet (32), and the second magnet (32) has a vertical surface (321) attracting the arc-shaped surface (221).

5. The electrical connector assembly as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: The connector rotation unit (2) includes a built-in circuit board (24), and the electrical connector (23) includes a plurality of conductive terminals (231). The plurality of conductive terminals (231) includes a first row of conductive terminals (2311) and a second row of conductive terminals (2312). The built-in circuit board (24) is sandwiched between the first row of conductive terminals (2311) and the second row of conductive terminals (2312). The first row of conductive terminals (2311) and the second row of conductive terminals (2312) are electrically connected to the built-in circuit board (24).

6. The electrical connector assembly as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: One end of the flexible flat line (5) is electrically connected to the corresponding conductor portion (41), and the other end of the flexible flat line (5) is electrically connected to the built-in circuit board (24).

7. The electrical connector assembly as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: The first magnetic attractor and the second magnetic attractor are located between the second connecting part (512) and the fourth connecting part (522).

8. The electrical connector assembly as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: The housing (1) is provided with a slot (100) extending along a first direction (A1-A1), and the electrical connector (23) passes through the slot (100) along a second direction (A2-A2) perpendicular to the first direction (A1-A1). The slot (100) includes a first clearance slot (101) on one side of the electrical connector (23) and a second clearance slot (102) on the other opposite side of the electrical connector (23). The first clearance slot (101) and the second clearance slot (102) are configured to provide clearance space for the electrical connector (23) when it rotates.

9. The electrical connector assembly as claimed in claim 8, characterized in that: The electrical connector assembly further includes a dust cover (6) sleeved on the electrical connector (23) and located inside the slot (100) along the second direction (A2-A2), the dust cover (6) being housed within the housing (1).

10. The electrical connector assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that: The electrical connector assembly further includes a third magnet (33) and a fourth magnet (34) located inside the housing (1) and on both sides of the rotating body (21), wherein the third magnet (33) and the fourth magnet (34) are both repelled by the second magnetic attractor and the third magnet (33) and the fourth magnet (34) are configured to attract the magnetic attractor of the docking device.

11. The electrical connector assembly as claimed in claim 10, characterized in that: The third magnet (33) and the fourth magnet (34) are spaced apart. The first magnetic attractor and the second magnetic attractor are both located on the same side of the third magnet (33) and the fourth magnet (34). The first magnetic attractor and the second magnetic attractor are located on the center vertical line (T1-T1) of the connecting line (L1-L1) between the third magnet (33) and the fourth magnet (34).

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