Connector with locking and unlocking mechanism

Abstract

This invention relates to a connector with a locking and unlocking structure, comprising a male connector and a female connector. The male connector includes a first housing, a second housing, and a first insulator. The first insulator forms a first positioning element, a third positioning element, a fifth positioning element, and a first actuating element. The female connector includes a second insulator, a pressing element, a fixing element, and a terminal. The second insulator includes a second positioning element, a fourth positioning element, and a sixth positioning element. The fourth positioning element is disposed corresponding to the fifth positioning element. The sixth positioning element is disposed corresponding to the third positioning element. When the first insulator moves toward the second insulator, the pressing element rotates in a first rotational direction, causing the first insulator to engage with the second insulator. Then, when the pressing element rotates in a second rotational direction, the first insulator is pushed away from the second insulator by the pressing element.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This invention relates to the technical field of connectors, and more particularly to a connector having a locking and unlocking structure. [Background Technology]

[0002] Traditional connectors, such as LVDS connectors, unlock via an unlocking device located at the cable end. This requires considerable space to operate, and because it's located at the cable end, it's difficult to clearly determine whether the connection is unlocked or locked. Forcibly pulling the cable before unlocking can damage the locking mechanism. To address this, a pull rod structure with levers on both sides has been developed. While this structure achieves automatic locking and unlocking and easily identifies the locked / unlocked state, it can be inconvenient for users to operate the levers in small or even micro-sized applications.

[0003] In view of this, the present invention proposes a connector with a locking and unlocking structure to solve the problems caused by or unable to solve problems of traditional connectors. [Summary of the Invention]

[0004] The first objective of this invention is to provide a connector with a locking and unlocking structure that can connect a printed circuit board and a flexible flat cable to achieve the purpose of securing the flexible flat cable.

[0005] The second objective of this invention is to enable the male connector to easily assemble with or detach from the female connector by means of a first insulator forming an alignment member and a second insulator forming an alignment member, based on the aforementioned connector having a locking and unlocking structure.

[0006] A third objective of the present invention is that, according to the connector with the above-described locking and unlocking structure, when the first insulator moves toward the second insulator, the pressing member rotates in a first rotational direction, causing the first insulator to engage with the second insulator, and then rotates in a second rotational direction, causing the first insulator to disengage from the second insulator by being pushed by the pressing member.

[0007] A fourth objective of this invention is to provide a grounding terminal for a printed circuit board with multiple contacts and a flexible flat cable based on the connector with the above-described locking and unlocking structure, thereby increasing the grounding area of ​​the connector and avoiding electromagnetic interference.

[0008] The fifth objective of this invention is to provide a positioning element and a positioning notch according to the connector with the above-mentioned locking and unlocking structure, wherein the positioning element is provided corresponding to the positioning notch, and the housing is snapped onto the insulator by the positioning element being provided in the positioning notch.

[0009] To achieve the above and other objectives, the present invention provides a connector with a locking and unlocking structure capable of connecting a printed circuit board to a flexible flat cable having a first ground copper foil surface and a second ground copper foil surface. The connector with the locking and unlocking structure includes a male connector and a female connector. The male connector includes a first housing, a second housing, and a first insulator. The first housing, combined with the second housing, covers the first insulator. The first insulator forms a receiving space on one side of the first housing to accommodate the flexible flat cable. The first insulator forms a first positioning member, a third positioning member, a fifth positioning member, and a first actuating member. The first positioning member extends through the receiving space. The third and fifth positioning members extend in a first direction. The first direction is approximately 90 degrees to or equal to the insertion direction of the flexible flat cable. The first actuating member is formed on the corresponding side of the first housing where the flexible flat cable is inserted. The female connector includes a second insulator, a pressing member, a fixing member, and a terminal. The second insulator combines the pressing member, the fixing member, and the terminal. The second insulator includes a second positioning member, a fourth positioning member, and a sixth positioning member. The second positioning member corresponds to the first positioning member. The fourth positioning member corresponds to the fifth positioning member. The sixth positioning member corresponds to the third positioning member. The fixing member can fix the second insulator on the printed circuit board. When the first insulator moves toward the second insulator, the pressing member rotates in a first rotational direction, so that the first insulator is engaged with the second insulator. Then, the pressing member rotates in a second rotational direction, and the first insulator is pushed away from the second insulator by the pressing member.

[0010] Compared to traditional connectors, the connector with locking and unlocking structure proposed in this invention can easily connect to a printed circuit board with a second component by providing a flexible flat cable pre-connected to the first component. It can easily lock the flexible flat cable onto the printed circuit board. Furthermore, by having a large-area pressing component, the flexible flat cable can be easily electrically connected to the printed circuit board or easily detached from the printed circuit board.

[0011] The specific techniques employed in this invention will be further explained through the following embodiments and accompanying drawings. [Attached Image Description]

[0012] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of a connector with a locking and unlocking structure connecting a printed circuit board and a flexible flat cable according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0013] Figure 2 This is an explanation of the present invention. Figure 1 A three-dimensional schematic diagram of a connector with a locking and unlocking structure.

[0014] Figure 3a This is an explanation of the present invention. Figure 1 The first-person perspective of the male protagonist.

[0015] Figure 3b This is an explanation of the present invention. Figure 1 Front view of the male head.

[0016] Figure 3c This is an explanation of the present invention. Figure 1 Side view of the male head.

[0017] Figure 4a This is an explanation of the present invention. Figure 3a Front view of the first housing.

[0018] Figure 4b This is an explanation of the present invention. Figure 3a Side view of the first housing.

[0019] Figure 5 This is an explanation of the present invention. Figure 3a A detailed schematic diagram of the second housing.

[0020] Figure 6a This is an explanation of the present invention. Figure 2 The first-person perspective of the Mother.

[0021] Figure 6b This is an explanation of the present invention. Figure 2 Rear view of the mother seat.

[0022] Figure 6c This is an explanation of the present invention. Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of the female part.

[0023] Figure 7a This is an explanation of the present invention. Figure 2 A first-view diagram of a connector with a locking and unlocking mechanism.

[0024] Figure 7b This is an explanation of the present invention. Figure 7a AA cross-sectional view of the connector.

[0025] Explanation of key component symbols:

[0026] 2. Flexible flat cable

[0027] 22 First grounding copper foil surface

[0028] 24 Second grounding copper foil surface

[0029] 4 Printed Circuit Board

[0030] 10 Connectors with locking and unlocking mechanisms

[0031] 12 male heads

[0032] 122 First Shell

[0033] 1222 First Fastener

[0034] 1224 First Shrapnel

[0035] 12242 Third contact point

[0036] 124 Second shell

[0037] 1242, 1242' Third fastener

[0038] 1244 First Contact Point

[0039] 1246 Fifth Contact Point

[0040] 1248 Third fragment

[0041] 126 First Insulator

[0042] 1262 First positioning component

[0043] 1264 Third positioning component

[0044] 1266 Fifth Positioning Component

[0045] 1268 Fifth Fastener

[0046] 12610 First Action Component

[0047] 12612 Seventh Fastener

[0048] 14 Mother

[0049] 142 Second Insulator

[0050] 1422 Second positioning component

[0051] 1424 Fourth positioning component

[0052] 1426 Terminal slot

[0053] 1428 Second Fastener

[0054] 14210 Fourth fastener

[0055] 14212 Sixth Positioning Component

[0056] 144 Pressing parts

[0057] 1442 Sixth Fastener

[0058] 1444, 1444' Tenth Fastener

[0059] 1446 Twelfth Fastener

[0060] 1448 Functional Part

[0061] 146 Fastener

[0062] 1462 Eighth Fastener

[0063] 1464 Second Contact

[0064] 148 terminals

Detailed Implementation Methods

[0065] To fully understand the purpose, features and effects of the present invention, the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the following specific embodiments and accompanying drawings.

[0066] In this invention, the terms "a" or "an" are used to describe the units, elements, and components described herein. This is used merely for ease of explanation and to provide a general meaning regarding the scope of the invention. Therefore, unless it is clearly intended otherwise, this description should be understood to include one, at least one, and the singular also includes multiples.

[0067] In this invention, the terms "comprising," "including," "having," "containing," or any other similar terms are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions. For example, an element, structure, article of manufacture, or device that contains multiple elements is not limited to those listed herein, but may include other elements not expressly listed but which are typically inherent to the element, structure, article of manufacture, or device. Furthermore, unless expressly stated to the contrary, the term "or" is inclusive, not exclusive.

[0068] Please refer to Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of a connector with a locking and unlocking structure connecting a printed circuit board and a flexible flat cable according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 In this context, a connector 10 with a locking and unlocking structure can connect a printed circuit board 4 to a flexible flat cable 2 having a first grounded copper foil surface 22 and a second grounded copper foil surface 24.

[0069] Please refer to the above. Figure 2 This is to illustrate the present invention. Figure 1 A three-dimensional schematic diagram of a connector with a locking and unlocking structure. Figure 2 In the connector 10, which has a locking and unlocking structure, there is a male head 12 and a female head 14.

[0070] Please refer to the above. Figures 3a to 3c This is to illustrate the present invention. Figure 1 Detailed diagram of the male connector. Figure 3a This is an explanation of the present invention. Figure 1 The first-person perspective of the male head; Figure 3b This is an explanation of the present invention. Figure 1Front view of the male head; and, Figure 3c This is an explanation of the present invention. Figure 1 Side view of the male connector. The male connector 12 includes a first housing 122, a second housing 124 and a first insulator 126.

[0071] The first housing 122, combined with the second housing 124, covers the first insulator 126. The first housing 122 and the second housing 124 are made of metal or conductive material.

[0072] The first insulator 126 forms an accommodating space on one side of the first housing 122 to accommodate the flexible flat cable 2. The first insulator 126 forms a first positioning member 1262, a third positioning member 1264, a fifth positioning member 1266, a first actuating member 12610, and a fifth locking member 1268. Here, the first positioning member 1262, the third positioning member 1264, the fifth positioning member 1266, the first actuating member 12610, and the fifth locking member 1268 are protrusions of different shapes extending from the first insulator 126 to accommodate different subsequent structures, such as locking members, positioning members, etc. The number of the first positioning member 1262, the third positioning member 1264, the fifth positioning member 1266, the first actuating member 12610, and the fifth locking member 1268 can be one or more.

[0073] The first positioning component 1262 penetrates the accommodating space. The third positioning component 1264 and the fifth positioning component 1266 are aligned in a first direction (with...). Figure 3b For example, the first direction (referring to the direction downwards in the diagram) extends. The first direction is approximately 90 degrees to or equal to the insertion direction of the flexible flat cable 2.

[0074] The first actuating element 12610 is formed on the corresponding side of the first housing 122 where the flexible flat cable is inserted.

[0075] Please refer to the above. Figures 4a to 4b This is to illustrate the present invention. Figure 3a A detailed schematic diagram of the first housing. Figure 4a This is an explanation of the present invention. Figure 3a Front view of the first housing and Figure 4b This is an explanation of the present invention. Figure 3a Side view of the first housing.

[0076] The first housing 122 also includes a first latching member 1222 and a first spring tab 1224. There can be one or more first latching members 1222. In this embodiment, the number of first latching members 1222 is illustrated by seven, and the shape of the first latching member 1222 is open. Furthermore, the first spring tab 1224 extends inward from the surface of the first housing 122, and its free end has a third contact 12242, which can electrically contact the first grounded copper foil surface 22.

[0077] Please refer to the above. Figure 5 This is to illustrate the present invention. Figure 3a A detailed schematic diagram of the second housing. Figure 5 In the second housing 124, there are also third latching members 1242 and 1242' and a third spring piece 1248. There can be one or more third latching members 1242 and 1242'. In this embodiment, the number of third latching members 1242 and 1242' corresponds to the number of first latching members 1222. For example, there are seven. The shape of the third latching members 1242 and 1242' can be open or protruding. In addition, the free end of the third spring piece 1248 has a fifth contact point 1246 for contacting the second grounded copper foil surface 24.

[0078] The first insulator also includes a fifth fastener, and a third fastener is provided corresponding to the first and fifth fasteners. By fastening the first, third, and fifth fasteners, the first housing, the second housing, and the first insulator are combined with each other. The number of the first, third, and fifth fasteners is one or more.

[0079] In another embodiment, the third latching member 1242' is a protrusion with a first contact 1244, which is electrically connected to the protrusion through the opening of the first latching member 1222, and the protrusion is latched into the opening through the first contact 1244.

[0080] In this embodiment, since the third fastener 1242 is set to correspond to the first fastener 1222 and the fifth fastener 1268, the first housing 122, the second housing 124 and the first insulator 126 are combined with each other by fastening the first fastener 1222, the third fastener 1242, 1242' and the fifth fastener 1268.

[0081] Please refer to the above. Figures 6a to 6c This is to illustrate the present invention. Figure 2 A detailed diagram of the female seat. Figure 6a This is an explanation of the present invention. Figure 2 The first-person perspective of the Mother Constellation; Figure 6b This is an explanation of the present invention. Figure 2 The rear view of the mother seat; and, Figure 6c This is an explanation of the present invention. Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of the female connector. The female connector 14 includes a second insulator 142, a pressing member 144, a fixing member 146, and a terminal 148. The second insulator 142 is coupled to the pressing member 144, the fixing member 146, and the terminal 148.

[0082] The second insulator 142 includes a second positioning member 1422, a fourth positioning member 1424, and a sixth positioning member 14212. The second positioning member 1422 is disposed corresponding to the first positioning member 1262. In this embodiment, the second positioning member 1422 is a long rectangular protrusion, and the first positioning member 1262 is an opening penetrating the accommodating space. The fourth positioning member 1424 is disposed corresponding to the fifth positioning member 1266. In this embodiment, the fourth positioning member 1424 is a groove, and the fifth positioning member 1266 is a protrusion. The sixth positioning member 14212 is disposed corresponding to the third positioning member 1264. In this embodiment, the sixth positioning member 14212 is a groove, and the third positioning member 1264 is a protrusion. The length of the fifth positioning member 1266 is longer than the length of the third positioning member 1264. The second positioning member 1422, the fourth positioning member 1424, and the sixth positioning member 14212 can prevent accidental insertion and removal. That is, the length of the third positioning member 1264 is less than or equal to the length of the fifth positioning member 1266, and the length of the second positioning member 1422 is greater than or equal to the length of the fifth positioning member 1266.

[0083] The pressing member 144 provides a sixth locking member 1442, a tenth locking member 1444, 1444', a twelfth locking member 1446, and an actuating part 1448. The pressing member 144 is an elongated pull rod body, which is fastened to one side of the second insulator 142 by the tenth locking member 1444, 1444'. The actuating part 1448 provides a point for the operator to apply force.

[0084] The fastener 146 can secure the second insulator 142 to the printed circuit board 4. In another embodiment, the fastener 146 further includes a second contact 1464, one end of which connects to the printed circuit board 4 and the other end of which contacts the second housing 124.

[0085] Here, the second insulator 142 further includes a second latching member 1428, and the fixing member 146 further includes an eighth latching member 1462. The second latching member 1428 is provided corresponding to the eighth latching member 1462. Here, the second latching member 1428 is described as a protrusion, and the eighth latching member 1462 is described as an opening. By latching the eighth latching member 1462 with the second latching member 1428, the second insulator 142 is fixed to the printed circuit board 4 by the fixing member 146. The number of the second latching member 1428 and the eighth latching member 1462 can be one or more.

[0086] Furthermore, the second insulator 142 also includes a fourth fastening member 14210, which is a groove and a tenth fastening member 1444', where 1444' has a bearing structure. The combination method can be referred to Figure 6cAs shown. The fourth fastener 1420 is set to correspond to the tenth fasteners 1444 and 1444'. By fastening the tenth fasteners 1444 and 1444' with the fourth fastener 1420, the pressing member 144 performs the action as shown by the second insulator 142. Figure 7a The rotation is in the first rotation direction D1 or the second rotation direction D2. The number of the fourth fastener 1420 and the tenth fastener 1444, 1444' can be one or more.

[0087] Furthermore, when the first insulator 126 includes the first actuating member 12610 (described here as a protrusion) and the pressing member 144, and also includes the sixth latching member 1442 (described here as a groove), the first actuating member 12610 combines with the sixth latching member 1442, causing the pressing member 144 to rotate in the first rotation direction D1 to latch the first insulator 126 onto the second insulator 142, or the first actuating member 12610 disengages from the sixth latching member 1442, causing the pressing member 144 to rotate in the second rotation direction D2 to disengage the first insulator 126 from the second insulator 142.

[0088] In another embodiment, the first insulator 126 further includes a seventh latching member 12612 and the pressing member 144 further includes a twelfth latching member 1446. The seventh latching member 12612 is formed on the first actuating member 12610. When the first actuating member 12610 is combined with the sixth latching member 1442, the seventh latching member 12612 latches the twelfth latching member 1446 to fasten the first actuating member 12610 to the sixth latching member 1442, thereby further strengthening the combination and preventing the pressing member 144 from unlocking the male head 12 due to vibration or other reasons.

[0089] You can refer to this as well. Figures 7a to 7b This is to illustrate the present invention. Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a connector assembly with locking and unlocking mechanisms. Figure 7a This is an explanation of the present invention. Figure 2 First-view diagram of a connector with a locking and unlocking structure and Figure 7b This is an explanation of the present invention. Figure 7a AA cross-sectional view of the connector.

[0090] When the first insulator 126 moves toward the second insulator 142, the pressing member 144 rotates in a first rotation direction D1, so that the first insulator 126 is engaged with the second insulator 142. Then, the pressing member 144 rotates in a second rotation direction D2, and the first insulator 126 is pushed away from the second insulator 142 by the pressing member 144.

[0091] While the embodiments of the present invention are disclosed as described above, they are not intended to limit the present invention. Any person skilled in the art may make some changes to the shape, structure, features, methods and quantities described in the claims of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of patent protection of the present invention shall be determined by the scope of the claims appended to this specification.

Claims

1. A connector having a locking and unlocking structure for connecting a printed circuit board and a flexible flat cable having a first ground copper foil surface and a second ground copper foil surface, characterized by, The connector with the locking and unlocking structure comprises: a male head having a first housing, a second housing and a first insulator, the first housing combines the second housing to cover the first insulator, the first insulator forms a containing space on one side of the first housing for containing the flexible flat cable, wherein the first insulator forms a first positioning member, a third positioning member, a fifth positioning member and a first acting member, the first positioning member penetrates the containing space, the third positioning member and the fifth positioning member extend in a first direction, the first direction is close to or equal to 90 degrees with the insertion direction of the flexible flat cable, and the first acting member is formed on the corresponding side of the side of the first housing inserted into the flexible flat cable; and a female seat having a second insulator, a pressing member, a fixing member and a terminal, the second insulator combines the pressing member, the fixing member and the terminal, the second insulator has a second positioning member, a fourth positioning member and a sixth positioning member, the second positioning member is provided corresponding to the first positioning member, the fourth positioning member is provided corresponding to the fifth positioning member, and the sixth positioning member is provided corresponding to the third positioning member, and the fixing member is used for fixing the second insulator on the printed circuit board; wherein when the first insulator moves towards the second insulator, the pressing member rotates in a first rotation direction, so that the first insulator is locked in the second insulator, and the pressing member is rotated in a second rotation direction, so that the first insulator is pushed by the pressing member and separated from the second insulator, wherein the second insulator further comprises a fourth clamping member and the pressing member further comprises a tenth clamping member, the fourth clamping member is provided corresponding to the tenth clamping member, the fourth clamping member is a groove and the tenth clamping member is a structure with a bearing, the tenth clamping member is clamped by the fourth clamping member, so that the pressing member rotates in the first rotation direction or the second rotation direction through the second insulator.

2. The connector with a locking and unlocking structure according to claim 1, wherein wherein the first housing further comprises a first clamping member, the second housing further comprises a third clamping member, and the first insulator further comprises a fifth clamping member, the third clamping member is provided corresponding to the first clamping member and the fifth clamping member, the first clamping member, the third clamping member and the fifth clamping member are clamped, so that the first housing, the second housing and the first insulator are combined with each other, and the number of the first clamping member, the third clamping member and the fifth clamping member is one or more.

3. The connector with a locking and unlocking structure according to claim 2, wherein wherein the first clamping member is an opening and the third clamping member is a protrusion with a first contact point, the protrusion is electrically connected through the opening, and the first contact point clamps the protrusion in the opening.

4. The connector with a locking and unlocking structure according to claim 1, wherein wherein the first housing further comprises a first elastic sheet, a free end of the first elastic sheet has a third contact point for contacting the first ground copper foil surface.

5. The connector with a locking and unlocking structure according to claim 1, wherein wherein the second housing further comprises a third elastic sheet, a free end of the third elastic sheet has a fifth contact point for contacting the second ground copper foil surface.

6. The connector with a locking and unlocking structure according to claim 1, wherein wherein the fixing member further comprises a second contact point, one end of the second contact point is connected to the printed circuit board and the other end contacts the second housing.

7. The connector with a locking and unlocking structure according to claim 1, wherein The length of the third positioning member is not greater than the length of the fifth positioning member, and the length of the second positioning member is not less than the length of the fifth positioning member.

8. The connector with a locking and unlocking structure according to claim 1, wherein The second insulator further comprises a second buckle member, and the fixing member further comprises an eighth buckle member. The second buckle member is arranged correspondingly to the eighth buckle member. The second insulator is fixed to the printed circuit board by the fixing member through buckling of the second buckle member to the eighth buckle member. The number of the second buckle member and the eighth buckle member is one or more.

9. The connector with a locking and unlocking structure according to claim 1, wherein The number of the fourth buckle member and the tenth buckle member is one or more.

10. The connector with a locking and unlocking structure according to claim 1, wherein The first insulator further comprises a first acting member, and the pressing member further comprises a sixth buckle member. The first acting member is combined with the sixth buckle member, so that the pressing member rotates in the first rotating direction to buckle the first insulator to the second insulator, or the first acting member is separated from the sixth buckle member, so that the pressing member rotates in the second rotating direction to separate the first insulator from the second insulator.

11. The connector with a locking and unlocking structure according to claim 10, wherein The first insulator further comprises a seventh buckle member, and the pressing member further comprises a twelfth buckle member. When the first acting member is combined with the sixth buckle member, the seventh buckle member buckles the twelfth buckle member to buckle the first acting member to the sixth buckle member.

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