Electrical connector components

Abstract

An electrical connector assembly includes a shell and a connector rotation unit. The connector rotation unit can rotate relative to the shell under the action of an external force. The connector rotation unit includes a rotating body, a movable column, and an electrical connector fixedly connected to the rotating body, and the electrical connector at least partially extends out of the shell. The electrical connector assembly is also provided with an arc-shaped limit groove matched with the movable column and an elastic member matched with the movable column, one end of the elastic member is fixed relative to the shell, and the other end of the elastic member is connected to the movable column; the movable column can move in the arc-shaped limit groove; the elastic member is configured to drive the movable column by the restoring force of the elastic member after the connector rotation unit rotates, thereby rotating the connector rotation unit back to normal.

Description

Background Art

[0002] The electrical connector assembly in the related art includes a cable, an electrical connector connected to the cable, and a housing located outside the electrical connector. In some applications, the electrical connector needs to be able to rotate a certain angle to better match with a docking connector. However, how to rotate the electrical connector is a technical problem that needs to be solved by technicians in the relevant technical field. Summary of the invention

[0003] The object of the present invention is to provide an electrical connector assembly with a return function.

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

[0005] a housing; and

[0006] A connector rotating unit, the connector rotating unit being capable of rotating relative to the housing under the action of an external force, the connector rotating unit comprising a rotating body, a moving column, and an electrical connector fixedly connected to the rotating body, the electrical connector at least partially extending out of the housing;

[0007] In which, the electrical connector assembly is also provided with an arc-shaped limit groove cooperating with the movable column and an elastic member cooperating with the movable column, one end of the elastic member is fixed relative to the shell, and the other end of the elastic member is connected to the movable column; the movable column can move in the arc-shaped limit groove; the elastic member is configured to drive the movable column by the restoring force of the elastic member after the connector rotating unit rotates, thereby rotating the connector rotating unit back to normal.

[0008] As a further improved technical solution of the present invention, the elastic member is a tension spring, and the electrical connector assembly is provided with a fixed column, wherein one end of the tension spring is fixed to the fixed column, and the other end of the tension spring is connected to the movable column.

[0009] As a further improved technical solution of the present invention, the tension spring includes a first ring located at one end of the tension spring and a second ring located at the other end of the tension spring, wherein the first ring is sleeved on the fixed column and the second ring is sleeved on the movable column.

[0010] As a further improved technical solution of the present invention, the electrical connector assembly includes a built-in circuit board, and the arc-shaped limiting groove is arranged on the built-in circuit board.

[0011] As a further improved technical solution of the present invention, the built-in circuit board includes a first surface, a second surface opposite to the first surface, and a countersunk area formed by being recessed from the first surface to the second surface, the countersunk area is provided with a mounting hole that passes through the second surface and is used to install the fixing column, and the arc-shaped limit groove borders the countersunk area.

[0012] As a further improved technical solution of the present invention, the built-in circuit board also includes a number of arc-shaped conductive sheets arranged at intervals, and the electrical connector includes a number of conductive terminals corresponding to the number of arc-shaped conductive sheets, and the number of conductive terminals are always in contact with the number of arc-shaped conductive sheets when the connector rotating unit rotates.

[0013] As a further improved technical solution of the present invention, the arc lengths of the plurality of arc-shaped conductive sheets decrease successively in the direction away from the arc-shaped limiting grooves, and the plurality of conductive terminals include a plurality of cantilever portions protruding toward the built-in circuit board, and each cantilever portion is provided with a convex bump in contact with the corresponding arc-shaped conductive sheet.

[0014] As a further improved technical solution of the present invention, the electrical connector assembly also includes a first magnet and a second magnet located in the shell and respectively located on both sides of the rotating body, and the first magnet and the second magnet are configured to attract the magnetic attraction part of the docking device.

[0015] As a further improved technical solution of the present invention, the electrical connector assembly further includes a cable, the cable includes a plurality of conductor parts, and the plurality of conductor parts are electrically connected to the built-in circuit board.

[0016] As a further improved technical solution of the present invention, the arc-shaped limiting groove includes a stop groove located at the top thereof, and when the connector rotating unit rotates back to the normal position, the movable column is at least partially positioned in the stop groove.

[0017] Compared with the prior art, the present invention is provided with a movable column capable of moving in the arc-shaped limiting groove; the elastic member is configured to drive the movable column by the restoring force of the elastic member after the connector rotating unit rotates, thereby automatically rotating the connector rotating unit back to the normal position. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Figure 1 It is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of an electrical connector assembly of the present invention in one embodiment.

[0019] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 main view.

[0020] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 Partial exploded view of the .

[0021] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 Partial exploded perspective view from another angle.

[0022] Figure 5 Yes Figure 3 A three-dimensional schematic diagram of the middle shell and the magnet.

[0023] Figure 6 yes Figure 5 3D exploded view of .

[0024] Figure 7 yes Figure 6 Exploded three-dimensional image from another angle.

[0025] Figure 8 yes Figure 3 A top view of some components of the Chinese electrical connector assembly when assembled together, with the connector rotation unit in the return position.

[0026] Fig. 9 yes Figure 8 A top view from another angle, wherein the connector rotating unit is in a rotated position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] The exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. If there are several embodiments, the features of these embodiments can be combined with each other without conflict. When the description refers to the drawings, unless otherwise specified, the same numbers in different drawings represent the same or similar elements. The contents described in the following exemplary embodiments do not represent all embodiments consistent with the present invention; on the contrary, they are only examples of devices, products and / or methods consistent with some aspects of the present invention as recorded in the claims of the present invention.

[0028] The terms used in the present invention are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments, and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention. The singular forms "a", "said" or "the" used in the specification and claims of the present invention are also intended to include plural forms, unless the context clearly indicates other meanings.

[0029] It should be understood that the words used in the specification and claims of the present invention, such as "first", "second" and similar words, do not indicate any order, quantity or importance, but are only used to distinguish the names of features. Similarly, words such as "one" or "an" do not indicate a quantitative limitation, but indicate the existence of at least one. Unless otherwise specified, words such as "front", "rear", "upper", "lower" and similar words appearing in the present invention are only for the convenience of explanation and are not limited to a specific position or a spatial orientation. Words such as "include" or "comprise" are an open-ended expression, meaning that the elements appearing before "include" or "comprise" include the elements appearing after "include" or "comprise" and their equivalents, which does not exclude that the elements appearing before "include" or "comprise" may also include other elements. If "several" appears in the present invention, it means two or more.

[0030] Please refer to Figures 1 to 9 As shown, an 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 housing 10, a first housing 11, a second housing 12, and an end housing 13. The first housing 11 is matched with the second housing 12, and the first housing 11 and the second housing 12 are both located in the outer housing 10. The end housing 13 is at least partially inserted into the outer housing 10 from one side and locked with the outer housing 10.

[0031] The housing 1 is provided with a slot 100 extending along a first direction A1-A1. In the illustrated embodiment of 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 by the outer housing 10 and the end housing 13.

[0032] Please combine Figure 3 as well as Figure 4 As shown, the first shell 11 includes a first accommodating space 111 and two first arc-shaped supporting portions 112 respectively located at two sides of the first accommodating space 111 , and the two first arc-shaped supporting portions 112 are exposed in the first accommodating space 111 .

[0033] Similarly, the second housing 12 includes a second accommodating space 121 and two second arc-shaped supporting portions 122 respectively located at two sides of the second accommodating space 121 , and the two second arc-shaped supporting portions 122 are exposed in the second accommodating space 121 .

[0034] The connector rotating unit 2 can rotate relative to the housing 1 under the action of an external force. In the illustrated embodiment of the present invention, the connector rotating unit 2 includes a rotating body 21, a moving column 25, and an electrical connector 23 fixedly connected to the rotating body 21. The electrical connector 23 passes through the slot 100 along a second direction A2-A2 perpendicular to the first direction A-A1 to at least partially extend out of the housing 1. Figure 1 as well as Figure 2 As shown, the narrow slot 100 includes a first make way slot 101 located on one side of the electrical connector 23 and a second make way slot 102 located on the other opposite side of the electrical connector 23, and the first make way slot 101 and the second make way slot 102 are configured to provide make way space for the electrical connector 23 when it rotates left or right.

[0035] Those skilled in the art will appreciate 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 can rotate relative to the housing 1 with the pivot as the rotation center. Of course, in other embodiments, the rotating body 21 can also rotate relative to the housing 1 by means of other structural designs, which will not be described in detail in the present invention.

[0036] The electrical connector assembly is further provided with an arc-shaped limiting groove 240 matched with the moving column 25 and an elastic member matched with the moving column 25. One end of the elastic member is fixed relative to the housing 1, and the other end of the elastic member is connected to the moving column 25. The moving column 25 can move in the arc-shaped limiting groove 240. The elastic member is configured to drive the moving column 25 by the restoring force of the elastic member after the connector rotating unit 2 rotates, thereby rotating the connector rotating unit 2 back to the normal position.

[0037] Please combine Figures 5 to 7As shown, the rotating body 21 is generally in a "D" shape, which includes an arc surface 211, a flat surface 212, a receiving groove 213 penetrating the arc surface 211, and an insertion hole 214 penetrating the rotating body 21. In the illustrated embodiment of the present invention, the moving column 25 is fixed in the insertion hole 214, so that the moving column 25 can rotate together with the rotating body 21. The rotating body 21 includes a first arc groove 215 matched with the first arc support portion 112, a first abutting surface 216 exposed in the first arc groove 215, a second arc groove 217 matched with the second arc support portion 122, and a second abutting surface 218 exposed in the second arc groove 217. After assembly, the rotating body 21 is clamped between the first shell 11 and the second shell 12, and the rotating body 21 is accommodated in the first accommodation space 111 and the second accommodation space 121. In the illustrated embodiment of the present invention, the first arc-shaped support portion 112 cooperates with the first abutment surface 216 to prevent the rotating body 21 from moving upward, and the second arc-shaped support portion 122 cooperates with the second abutment surface 218 to prevent the rotating body 21 from moving downward. However, the rotating body 21 can still rotate in a horizontal plane.

[0038] In the illustrated embodiment of the present invention, the electrical connector assembly includes a built-in circuit board 24 and a cable 4. The arc-shaped limit groove 240 is provided on the built-in circuit board 24. The cable 4 includes a plurality of conductor parts 41, and the plurality of conductor parts 41 are electrically connected to the built-in circuit board 24. Specifically, in the illustrated embodiment of the present invention, the built-in circuit board 24 includes a first surface 241, a second surface 242 opposite to the first surface 241, and a countersunk area 243 formed by being recessed from the first surface 241 to the second surface 242. The countersunk area 243 is provided with a mounting hole 2431 penetrating the second surface 242, and the arc-shaped limit groove 240 borders the countersunk area 243. The built-in circuit board 24 also includes a plurality of arc-shaped conductive sheets 244 arranged at intervals. In the illustrated embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of arc-shaped conductive sheets 244 are located on the first surface 241 and the second surface 242 of the built-in circuit board 24. As for the plurality of arc-shaped conductive sheets 244 located on the same side, the arc lengths of the plurality of arc-shaped conductive sheets 244 decrease in sequence along the direction away from the arc-shaped limiting groove 240. In the illustrated embodiment of the present invention, the countersunk area 243 includes a first limiting side surface 2432 located on one side and a second limiting side surface 2433 located on the other opposite side, the first limiting side surface 2432 and the second limiting side surface 2433 form an angle, and the mounting hole 2431 is approximately located at the vertex of the angle. The arc-shaped limiting groove 240 is bent toward the mounting hole 2431.

[0039] 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 corresponding to the plurality of arc-shaped conductive sheets 244. The plurality of conductive terminals 231 are always in contact with the plurality of arc-shaped conductive sheets 244 when the connector rotating unit 2 rotates. The plurality of conductive terminals 231 protrude toward the built-in circuit board 24 in a cantilevered shape. Specifically, the plurality of conductive terminals 231 include a plurality of cantilever portions 2313 protruding toward the built-in circuit board 24, each of the cantilever portions 2313 being provided with a convex bump 2313a (see FIG. 2 ) that contacts the corresponding arc-shaped conductive sheet 244. Figure 7 In the illustrated embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of conductive terminals 231 include a first row of conductive terminals 2311 and a second row of conductive terminals 2312 .

[0040] The built-in circuit board 24 is clamped between the first row of conductive terminals 2311 and the second row of conductive terminals 2322. Regardless of the position of the connector rotating unit 2, the first row of conductive terminals 2311 and the second row of conductive terminals 2322 are always in contact with the built-in circuit board 24. The built-in circuit board 24 is received in the receiving groove 213 of the rotating body 21. The built-in circuit board 24 is fixed relative to the housing 1, that is, the built-in circuit board 24 will not rotate with the rotation of the connector rotating unit 2.

[0041] In the illustrated embodiment of the present invention, the elastic member is a tension spring 6. The electrical connector assembly is provided with a fixing column 26, and the fixing column 26 is fixed in the mounting hole 2431 of the built-in circuit board 24, wherein one end of the tension spring 6 is fixed to the fixing column 26, and the other end of the tension spring 6 is connected to the moving column 25.

[0042] Specifically, please combine Figures 5 to 9 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment of the present invention, the tension spring 6 includes a first collar 61 located at one end of the tension spring 6 and a second collar 62 located at the other end of the tension spring 6, wherein the first collar 61 is sleeved on the fixed column 26, and the second collar 62 is sleeved on the movable column 25. The tension spring 6 is at least partially located in the counterbore area 243, and the tension spring 6 is restricted between the first limiting side surface 2432 and the second limiting side surface 2433.

[0043] The arc-shaped limit groove 240 includes a stop groove 2401 located at the top thereof. When the connector rotation unit 2 rotates back to the normal position, the moving column 25 is at least partially positioned in the stop groove 2401. A person skilled in the art can understand that in the illustrated embodiment of the present invention, the stop groove 2401 deviates outward from other parts of the arc-shaped limit groove 240, that is, the stop groove 2401 and other parts of the arc-shaped limit groove 240 have a non-smooth transition. The design advantage of the stop groove 2401 is that it has a certain anti-fool effect when the connector rotation unit 2 rotates back to the normal position, that is, the moving column 25 needs to be under the action of a larger force to achieve a second rotation.

[0044] The plurality of magnets include a first magnet 33 and a second magnet 34 disposed in the housing 1. The first magnet 33 and the second magnet 34 are respectively located on both sides (e.g., left and right sides) of the rotating body 21, and the first magnet 33 and the second magnet 34 are configured to attract the magnetic attraction member (e.g., a magnet or iron) of the docking device to improve the reliability of docking. It should be noted that the technical term "magnetic attraction member" used in the present invention is intended to indicate that the component can attract or repel the corresponding component using the principle of magnetic field.

[0045] The electrical connector assembly further includes another electrical connector 7 connected to the cable 4, and the another electrical connector 7 is electrically connected to the electrical connector 23 through the cable 4 and the built-in circuit board 24. In an embodiment of the present invention, the another 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.

[0046] Please combine Figure 8 as well as Fig. 9 As shown, when in use, after the external force acting on the connector rotating unit 2 overcomes the bite force between the moving column 25 and the stop groove 2401, the connector rotating unit 2 is driven by the external force to rotate; the moving column 25 moves in the arc-shaped stop groove 240; the tension spring 6 is stretched to generate a certain restoring force. When the external force disappears, the restoring force of the tension spring 6 drives the moving column 25 back to the stop groove 2401, thereby rotating the connector rotating unit 2 back to normal, improving the user experience.

[0047] The above implementation modes 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 the technical personnel in the relevant technical field. Although the present invention has been described in detail in this specification with reference to the above implementation modes, the ordinary technical personnel in the field should understand that the technical personnel in the relevant technical field can still modify or replace the present invention with equivalents, and all technical solutions and improvements thereof 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: Housing (1); as well as A connector rotating unit (2), the connector rotating unit (2) being capable of rotating relative to the housing (1) under the action of an external force, the connector rotating unit (2) comprising a rotating body (21), a movable column (25), and an electrical connector (23) fixedly connected to the rotating body (21), the electrical connector (23) at least partially extending out of the housing (1); The electrical connector assembly is further provided with an arc-shaped limiting groove (240) matched with the movable column (25) and an elastic member matched with the movable column (25); one end of the elastic member is fixed relative to the housing (1), and the other end of the elastic member is connected to the movable column (25); the movable column (25) can move in the arc-shaped limiting groove (240); the elastic member is configured to drive the movable column (25) by the restoring force of the elastic member after the connector rotating unit (2) rotates, thereby rotating the connector rotating unit (2) back to the normal position; The elastic member is a tension spring (6), and the electrical connector assembly is provided with a fixed column (26), wherein one end of the tension spring (6) is fixed to the fixed column (26), and the other end of the tension spring (6) is connected to the movable column (25); The electrical connector assembly comprises a built-in circuit board (24), and the arc-shaped limiting groove (240) is arranged on the built-in circuit board (24); The built-in circuit board (24) further comprises a plurality of arc-shaped conductive sheets (244) arranged at intervals, and the electrical connector (23) comprises a plurality of conductive terminals (231) corresponding to the plurality of arc-shaped conductive sheets (244), and the plurality of conductive terminals (231) are always in contact with the plurality of arc-shaped conductive sheets (244) when the connector rotating unit (2) rotates.

2. The electrical connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein: The tension spring (6) comprises a first ring (61) located at one end of the tension spring (6) and a second ring (62) located at the other end of the tension spring (6), wherein the first ring (61) is sleeved on the fixed column (26) and the second ring (62) is sleeved on the movable column (25).

3. The electrical connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein: The built-in circuit board (24) comprises a first surface (241), a second surface (242) opposite to the first surface (241), and a countersunk area (243) formed by being recessed from the first surface (241) to the second surface (242); the countersunk area (243) is provided with a mounting hole (2431) penetrating the second surface (242) and used for mounting the fixing column (26); and the arc-shaped limiting groove (240) is adjacent to the countersunk area (243).

4. The electrical connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein: The arc lengths of the plurality of arc-shaped conductive sheets (244) decrease in sequence in a direction away from the arc-shaped limiting groove (240); the plurality of conductive terminals (231) include a plurality of cantilever portions (2313) protruding toward the built-in circuit board (24); each cantilever portion (2313) is provided with a convex bump (2313a) in contact with a corresponding arc-shaped conductive sheet (244).

5. The electrical connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein: The electrical connector assembly further comprises a first magnet (33) and a second magnet (34) located in the housing (1) and respectively located on both sides of the rotating body (21); the first magnet (33) and the second magnet (34) are configured to attract the magnetic attraction member of the docking device.

6. The electrical connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein: The electrical connector assembly also includes a cable (4), the cable (4) includes a plurality of conductor parts (41), and the plurality of conductor parts (41) are electrically connected to the built-in circuit board (24).

7. The electrical connector assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: The arc-shaped limiting groove (240) comprises a stop groove (2401) located at the top thereof, and when the connector rotating unit (2) rotates back to the normal position, the movable column (25) is at least partially positioned in the stop groove (2401).

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