Connector with automatic locking structure

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of connectors, and provides a connector with an automatic lock catch structure, which comprises a fixed elastic sheet and an actuator, and is characterized in that the fixed elastic sheet is composed of a connecting plate, a first supporting arm and an elastic arm, the first supporting arm is arranged on one side of the connecting plate, and the elastic arm is arranged at one end, far away from the connecting plate, of the first supporting arm; an elastic part, a back bending part and a contact part are sequentially arranged on the elastic arm from the end close to the first supporting arm to the end far away from the first supporting arm, the positioning arm is arranged at the end, close to the connecting plate, of the pressing plate, a hook capable of being meshed with a flat cable plug is arranged at the end, far away from the pressing plate, of the positioning arm, and the surface of the contact part and the inner wall of the pressing plate are pressed tightly. A pressing part and a positioning part are arranged on the surface of the actuator, the positioning part can be connected with the connector shell in a matched mode, the actuator is made of plastic, and the technical problem that in the prior art, metal fatigue is prone to occurring to cause damage due to the fact that metal is made is solved through the technical scheme.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to the field of connectors, in particular to a connector with an automatic locking structure. Background Art

[0002] FPC connector (Flexible Printed Circuit Connector), also known as flexible printed circuit board connector, is an electronic component specially used to connect two or more flexible printed circuit boards (FPC) or to connect a flexible printed circuit board to a rigid circuit board. FPC connectors are widely used in modern electronic devices. The structure of an FPC connector usually includes a socket, a pin, a fixing, and a possible locking mechanism. The socket part is designed with contacts corresponding to the FPC, and the pin is fixed on the FPC. When the FPC is inserted into the socket, the pin is in close contact with the contact, thereby achieving an electrical connection. The fixing and locking mechanism are used to ensure that the FPC can remain stable after insertion to prevent accidental detachment.

[0003] The locking mechanism in the FPC connector usually includes a fixed spring and an actuator, both of which are installed in the connector housing. The fixed spring is provided with a limit hook for engaging the cable ear. Pressing the actuator can squeeze the fixed spring to deform it, so that the limit hook is separated from the cable ear.

[0004] In the existing locking mechanism for connectors, since the actuator is made of metal, when used in automobiles, the working environment is relatively harsh. When the automobile is running, the connector will be in a high-intensity vibration environment, which is prone to metal fatigue and damage, and has a short life. In addition, the limit hook that engages with the ear of the cable is usually set on the fixed spring piece. After the actuator presses the fixed spring piece multiple times, the part that squeezes the fixed spring piece is prone to deformation, making it difficult for the limit hook to be separated from the cable. Summary of the invention

[0005] The present invention provides a connector with an automatic locking structure, which solves the technical problem in the prior art that the connector made of metal is prone to damage due to metal fatigue.

[0006] The technical solution of the present invention is as follows:

[0007] A connector with an automatic locking structure comprises a fixed spring sheet and an actuator, wherein the fixed spring sheet is composed of a connecting plate, a first support arm and an elastic arm, the connecting plate can be installed in a connector housing, the first support arm is arranged on one side of the connecting plate, the elastic arm is arranged at an end of the first support arm away from the connecting plate, the elastic arm has an elastic portion, a bending portion and a contact portion in sequence from an end close to the first support arm to an end away from the first support arm, the elastic portion is bent toward the connecting plate, and the bending portion is bent toward a direction away from the connecting plate, the actuator is composed of a pressing plate and a positioning arm, the positioning arm is arranged at an end of the pressing plate close to the connecting plate, and an end of the positioning arm away from the pressing plate is provided with a hook that can engage with a cable plug, the surface of the contact portion is pressed against the inner wall of the pressing plate, the surface of the pressing plate is provided with a pressing portion and a positioning portion, the positioning portion can be connected with the connector housing, the actuator is composed of plastic, and the actuator can squeeze the contact portion to cause the elastic portion to produce elastic deformation.

[0008] Furthermore, a second support arm is provided on the connecting plate, the second support arm is aligned with the first support arm, and a limiting portion for limiting the position of the actuator is provided at one end of the second support arm away from the first support arm, and the limiting portion is bent toward the side of the second support arm close to the connecting plate.

[0009] Furthermore, an insert plate matched with the connector housing is provided at one end of the second support arm away from the first support arm, and the insert plate is bent toward a side of the second support arm close to the first support arm.

[0010] Furthermore, a fixing slot is provided on the inner wall of the pressing plate, and an end of the contact portion away from the bending portion can be inserted into the fixing slot.

[0011] Furthermore, a welding portion is provided on the connecting plate, and a groove is provided on the welding portion.

[0012] Furthermore, a positioning plate is also provided on the connecting plate.

[0013] Furthermore, an air-avoiding opening is arranged at the edge of the pressing plate, and the elastic part is arranged in the air-avoiding opening.

[0014] The working principle and beneficial effects of the present invention are:

[0015] 1. In the present invention, the actuator is made of plastic and realizes the automatic locking function by fixing the spring sheet. Compared with the traditional metal actuator, it has higher vibration resistance and longer service life.

[0016] 2. In the present invention, the hook is arranged on the actuator, and the hook engaged with the cable plug is connected to the pressing plate through the positioning arm. The cable is unlocked and locked directly by the actuator, which is more convenient to use and has a more reliable structure, avoiding the situation where it is difficult to press the fixed spring sheet to unlock after the actuator is deformed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] The present invention will be further described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0018] Figure 1 It is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 2 It is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the fixing spring piece in the present invention;

[0020] Figure 3 is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the actuator in the present invention;

[0021] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 5 For the present invention Figure 4 A partial enlarged view of the middle A;

[0023] Figure 6 It is a schematic diagram of the fixing spring sheet and the actuator in the present invention being installed on the connector housing;

[0024] Figure 7 It is a cross-sectional structural schematic diagram of the position limiting assembly of the second embodiment of the present invention installed inside the connector housing;

[0025] Figure 8 It is a schematic cross-sectional structural diagram of the limiting component of the second embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] Fig. 9 It is a schematic cross-sectional structure diagram of the non-return portion of the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Numbers in the figure: 1, fixed spring piece; 11, connecting plate; 12, first supporting arm; 13, elastic arm; 131, elastic part; 132, bending part; 133, contact part; 14, welding part; 141, groove; 15, second supporting arm; 151, limiting part; 152, plug plate; 16, positioning plate; 2, actuator; 21, pressing plate; 211, pressing part; 212, positioning part; 213, fixed slot; 214, air-avoiding opening; 22, positioning arm; 221, hook; 3, limiting assembly; 301, housing; 302, connecting rod; 303, coil spring; 304, swing plate; 305, contact block; 306, transmission shaft; 307, roller; 308, ratchet; 309, elastic pawl; 310, rubber ring. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] The following will be combined with the embodiments of the present invention to clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0029] like Figures 1 to 9 As shown, a connector with an automatic locking structure includes a fixed spring piece 1 and an actuator 2, the fixed spring piece 1 is composed of a connecting plate 11, a first support arm 12 and an elastic arm 13, the connecting plate 11 can be installed in a connector housing, the first support arm 12 is arranged on one side of the connecting plate 11, the elastic arm 13 is arranged at an end of the first support arm 12 away from the connecting plate 11, and the elastic arm 13 is sequentially provided with an elastic portion 131, a return bend portion 132 and a contact portion 133 from an end close to the first support arm 12 to an end away from the first support arm 12, the elastic portion 131 is bent toward the connecting plate 11, and the return bend portion 132 is bent in a direction away from the connecting plate 11, and the actuator 2 is composed of a pressing plate 21 and a fixed spring piece 133. The positioning arm 22 is arranged at one end of the pressing plate 21 close to the connecting plate 11, and the end of the positioning arm 22 away from the pressing plate 21 is provided with a hook 221 which can engage with the cable plug. The surface of the contact portion 133 is pressed tightly against the inner wall of the pressing plate 21. The connecting plate 11 is also provided with a welding portion 14, and the welding portion 14 is provided with a groove 141. The surface of the pressing plate 21 is provided with a pressing portion 211 and a positioning portion 212, and the positioning portion 212 can be matched and connected with the connector housing. The inner wall of the pressing plate 21 is provided with a fixing slot 213, and the end of the contact portion 133 away from the bend portion 132 can be inserted into the fixing slot 213 to prevent the contact portion 133 from being separated from the pressing plate 21.

[0030] A second support arm 15 is also provided on the connecting plate 11, and the second support arm 15 is aligned with the first support arm 12. A limiting portion 151 for limiting the position of the actuator 2 is provided at one end of the second support arm 15 away from the first support arm 12, and the limiting portion 151 is bent toward the side of the second support arm 15 close to the connecting plate 11. The limiting portion 151 can press the side wall of the actuator 2 to prevent the actuator 2 from escaping from the connector housing, and an insert plate 152 cooperating with the connector housing is provided at one end of the second support arm 15 away from the first support arm 12, and the insert plate 152 is bent toward the side of the second support arm 15 close to the first support arm 12, and the insert plate 152 can be inserted into the fixing groove in the connector housing to prevent the fixing spring sheet 1 from escaping from the connector housing.

[0031] A positioning plate 16 is also provided on the connecting plate 11, and a spring fixing groove is provided in the connector housing. The connecting plate 11, the first support arm 12, the second support arm 15 and the positioning plate 16 can all be arranged in the spring fixing groove, so that the fixing spring 1 is fixedly installed on the connector housing.

[0032] An air-avoiding opening 214 is provided at the edge of the pressing plate 21. The pressing plate 21 presses the contact portion 133 to deform the elastic portion 131. At the same time, the pressing plate 21 moves downward to disengage the hook 221 from the cable or facilitate the insertion of the cable into the connector housing. When the pressing plate 21 approaches the connector housing, the elastic portion 131 passes through the air-avoiding opening 214 to prevent the elastic portion 131 from pressing against the pressing plate 21 and failing to press.

[0033] In the connector with an automatic locking structure of the present embodiment, the actuator 2 is made of plastic, and the automatic locking function is realized by the fixed spring piece 1. Compared with the traditional metal actuator 2, it has higher vibration resistance and longer service life; the hook 221 is arranged on the actuator 2, and the hook 221 that engages with the cable plug is connected to the pressing plate 21 through the positioning arm 22. The cable is directly unlocked and locked by the actuator 2, and the fixed spring piece 1 is used for resetting and positioning the actuator 2. It is more convenient to use and has a more reliable structure, which avoids the situation where the actuator 2 cannot be unlocked by pressing the fixed spring piece 1 after deformation.

[0034] Embodiment 2, based on embodiment 1, is further provided with a limit assembly with an anti-vibration function in order to prevent the influence of vibration on the connection condition. Two limit assemblies 3 are symmetrically installed on both sides of the connector housing for automatic locking in conjunction with the hook.

[0035] The limiting assembly includes a shell 301, a connecting rod 302, a coil spring 303, a limiting portion and a non-return portion. The shell 301 is fixedly installed on both sides of the rubber core. The connecting rods 302 are rotatably installed inside the two shells 301. The coil springs 303 are fixedly installed inside the two shells 301. The coil springs 303 are fixedly connected to the connecting rods 302. The limiting portion is installed on the connecting rod 302 for cooperating with the connecting rod 302 to rotate. The non-return portion is installed on the limiting portion for fixing the cable.

[0036] Specifically, when the position of the cable is fixed in the rubber core, as the cable is inserted into the rubber core, the cable contacts the limiting portion, and the limiting portion swings at a certain angle through the connecting rod 302. At this time, the connecting rod 302 rotates in the shell 301. By setting the coil spring 303, the connecting rod 302 ensures that the limiting portion is always in contact with the cable until the cable moves to a fixed position. By setting the check portion, the cable can be limited from being pulled out, and the cable can be further fixed. When unlocking is required, the actuator 2 only needs to be pressed down to make the limiting portion disengage from the contact position with the cable, and the cable can be unlocked.

[0037] As mentioned above, the limiting part includes a swing plate 304, a contact block 305, a transmission shaft 306 and a roller 307. The protruding ends of the two connecting rods 302 are fixedly installed with the swing plates 304, the ends of the two swing plates 304 are fixedly installed with the contact blocks 305, the other ends of the two swing plates 304 are fixedly installed with the transmission shaft 306, and the rollers 307 are rotatably installed on the two transmission shafts 306, and the interior of the rollers 307 is a hollow structure.

[0038] Specifically, as the cable moves, the roller 307 is pressed onto the cable by the arrangement of the coil spring 303 in cooperation with the swing plate 304 and the connecting rod 302 , thereby achieving the function of fixing the cable.

[0039] As mentioned above, the non-return part includes a ratchet 308, an elastic pawl 309 and a rubber ring 310. The ratchet 308 is fixedly installed on the two transmission shafts 306. The ratchet 308 is located inside the roller 307. The elastic pawl 309 is fixedly installed inside the two ratchet wheels 308. The elastic pawl 309 is meshed with the ratchet 308. The rubber ring 310 is fixedly installed on the periphery of the two rollers 307.

[0040] Specifically, as the cable moves, the roller 307 contacts the cable and rotates, and the roller 307 drives the elastic pawl 309 to rotate. Since the position of the transmission shaft 306 is fixed, the elastic pawl 309 continuously surpasses the ratchet 308, thereby realizing the rolling of the roller 307. When the cable is pulled out, the elastic pawl 309 presses against the ratchet 308, thereby fixing the relative position between the roller 307 and the swing plate 304. By setting the rubber ring 310, the friction force can be increased, and part of the vibration can be eliminated during the vibration process, thereby improving the strength of the connection.

[0041] The above are only preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included in the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A connector with an automatic locking structure, comprising a fixing spring (1) and an actuator (2), wherein both the fixing spring (1) and the actuator (2) can be detachably installed in a connector housing, characterized in that: include: The fixed spring sheet (1) is composed of a connecting plate (11), a first supporting arm (12) and an elastic arm (13); The connecting plate (11) is detachably mounted in the connector housing, the first supporting arm (12) is arranged on one side of the connecting plate (11), and the elastic arm (13) is arranged on an end of the first supporting arm (12) away from the connecting plate (11).

2. A connector with an automatic locking structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The elastic arm (13) comprises, from an end close to the first support arm (12) to an end far from the first support arm (12), an elastic portion (131), a return bend portion (132) and a contact portion (133); The elastic portion (131) is bent toward the connecting plate (11); The return bend (132) bends in a direction away from the connecting plate (11).

3. A connector with an automatic locking structure according to claim 2, characterized in that: The actuator (2) is composed of a pressing plate (21) and a positioning arm (22); the positioning arm (22) is arranged at one end of the pressing plate (21) close to the connecting plate (11); and the end of the positioning arm (22) away from the pressing plate (21) is provided with a hook (221) that can engage with the cable plug; The surface of the contact portion (133) is pressed against the inner wall of the pressing plate (21); the surface of the actuator (2) is provided with a pressing portion (211) and a positioning portion (212); the positioning portion (212) can be matched and connected with the connector housing; and the actuator (2) is made of plastic.

4. A connector with an automatic locking structure according to claim 3, characterized in that The actuator (2) can press the contact portion (133) to cause the elastic portion (131) to undergo elastic deformation.

5. The connector with an automatic locking structure according to claim 4, characterized in that: The connecting plate (11) is also provided with a second supporting arm (15), and the second supporting arm (15) is aligned with the first supporting arm (12); A limiting portion (151) for limiting the position of the actuator (2) is provided at one end of the second supporting arm (15) away from the first supporting arm (12), and the limiting portion (151) is bent toward a side of the second supporting arm (15) close to the connecting plate (11).

6. The connector with an automatic locking structure according to claim 5, characterized in that: An insert plate (152) that cooperates with the connector housing is provided at one end of the second support arm (15) away from the first support arm (12), and the insert plate (152) is bent toward a side of the second support arm (15) close to the first support arm (12).

7. The connector with an automatic locking structure according to claim 6, characterized in that: The inner wall of the pressing plate (21) is provided with a fixing slot (213), and the end of the contact portion (133) away from the return bend portion (132) can be inserted into the fixing slot (213).

8. The connector with an automatic locking structure according to claim 7, characterized in that: The connecting plate (11) is also provided with a welding portion (14), and the welding portion (14) is provided with a groove (141).

9. The connector with an automatic locking structure according to claim 8, characterized in that: A positioning plate (16) is also provided on the connecting plate (11).

10. The connector with an automatic locking structure according to claim 9, characterized in that: An air-avoiding opening (214) is provided at the edge of the pressing plate (21), and the elastic portion (131) is arranged in the air-avoiding opening (214).

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