Floating connector and first connector thereof

Abstract

The invention discloses a floating type connector and a first connector thereof. The first connector comprises an inner main body, an outer main body, a floating piece and an outer cover, wherein the inner main body is sleeved with the outer main body, the inner main body and the outer main body are connected together through the floating piece, and the outer cover is connected with the outer main body in an assembled mode. The inner main body can float relative to the outer main body through the floating piece, and the inner main body is further located in the outer cover. The outer cover is provided with a limiting structure, and the limiting structure limits the inner body to float between a first preset position and a second preset position relative to the outer body in the Z-axis direction. The first connector provided by the invention can prevent the inner main body from excessively floating along the Z-axis direction to cause the damage of the floating piece, so that the service life of the first connector is prolonged; in addition, the situation that the use of the first connector is affected due to the fact that the inner body and the second connector are not inserted in place is avoided, and therefore the use reliability of the first connector is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of electrical connection, and in particular to a floating connector and a first connector thereof. Background Art

[0002] As is known to all, electrical connectors are used to electrically connect active devices to each other to meet the needs of charging and discharging and / or data transmission between the active devices.

[0003] Among them, for the electrical connector with floating function, it includes a plug and a socket that are plugged into each other. The socket includes an outer body, an inner body and a rubber sleeve that connects the outer body and the inner body together. The inner body can float relative to the outer body along the three directions of the X-axis direction, the Y-axis direction and the Z-axis direction with the help of the rubber sleeve, so as to ensure the correct insertion of the plug and the socket through floating.

[0004] However, when the plug is inserted into or removed from the socket, the floating range of the inner body in the Z-axis direction is constrained by the rubber sleeve, resulting in excessive floating of the inner body in the Z-axis direction, which makes the rubber sleeve easy to break, thus affecting the service life of the electrical connector. At the same time, it is easy to cause the inner body and the plug to not be properly inserted, thus affecting the use of the electronic connector.

[0005] Therefore, there is an urgent need for a floating connector and a first connector thereof to overcome one or more of the above-mentioned defects. Summary of the invention

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a first connector of a floating connector, which can prevent the problem of improper insertion and solve the problem of rubber sleeve damage.

[0007] Another object of the present invention is to provide a floating connector, which can prevent the problem of improper insertion and solve the problem of rubber sleeve damage.

[0008] To achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the first connector of the floating connector of the present invention comprises an inner body, an outer body covered with the inner body, a floating member connecting the inner body and the outer body together, and an outer cover assembled and connected with the outer body. The inner body can float relative to the outer body by means of the floating member, and the inner body is also located in the outer cover. A limiting structure is provided on the outer cover, and the limiting structure limits the inner body to float relative to the outer body between a first preset position and a second preset position along the Z-axis direction.

[0009] Compared with the prior art, with the aid of an outer cover assembled and connected with the outer body, and a limiting structure provided on the outer cover for limiting the floating of the inner body relative to the outer body between a first preset position and a second preset position in the Z-axis direction, the floating of the inner body relative to the outer body is controlled by the limiting structure, thereby preventing the inner body from floating excessively along the Z-axis direction and causing damage to the floating parts (such as but not limited to the rubber sleeve), thereby improving the service life of the first connector of the present invention; in addition, it can avoid affecting the use of the first connector of the present invention due to the inner body not being able to be properly inserted into the second connector, thereby improving the reliability of the use of the first connector of the present invention.

[0010] Preferably, the limiting structure includes a first limiting structure and a second limiting structure which are arranged apart in the Z-axis direction.

[0011] Preferably, the outer cover includes a connected end wall and a side wall, the side wall is mounted on the outer body from the second end of the outer body, the end wall covers the end surface of the second end of the outer body and the inner body, the end wall is provided with a through hole penetrating the end wall along the Z-axis direction, the inner body is provided with a penetration structure passing through the end wall from the through hole, a limiting structure is provided at the position where the penetration structure penetrates the end wall, the first limiting structure is provided on the side of the end wall facing the inner body, the second limiting structure is provided on the side of the end wall facing away from the inner body, the second limiting structure is arranged opposite to the limiting structure along the Z-axis direction, and the second limiting structure is also located between the first limiting structure and the limiting structure.

[0012] Preferably, in the first preset position, the first limiting structure abuts against the end surface of the inner body; in the second preset position, the limiting structure abuts against the second limiting structure.

[0013] Preferably, the second limiting structure is a plurality of clamping protrusions arranged around the penetration structure, and all the clamping protrusions are arranged in a circle and spaced apart from each other.

[0014] Preferably, the clamping protrusion is in an arc shape with the middle protruding toward the penetration structure; the end of the penetration structure is a conical head, and the conical head is adjacent to the matching structure.

[0015] Preferably, the outer cover also includes a snap-fit ​​groove and a partition groove unit, the partition groove unit includes a first partition groove and a second partition groove separated from each other, the first partition groove and the second partition groove each extend along the Z-axis direction, the first partition groove and the second partition groove also penetrate through one end of the side wall away from the end wall to form a suspension arm, the snap-fit ​​groove is provided on the suspension arm; the snap-fit ​​groove also extends toward the direction close to the end wall and penetrates through the end wall; the outer body is provided with a snap-fit ​​protrusion that snaps with the snap-fit ​​groove; the snap-fit ​​protrusion is provided with an inclined structure that tilts inward toward the direction close to the end wall.

[0016] Preferably, the first connector of the present invention further comprises a first electrical terminal assembled on the inner body, the first end of the first electrical terminal is exposed from the first end of the outer body, and the end wall is provided with an exposure hole for exposing the second end opposite to the first electrical terminal.

[0017] Preferably, the floating member is an annular structure; the inner side of the floating member is provided with a plurality of inner embedded blocks which are convex inwardly and arranged at intervals along the circumference of the floating member, the outer side of the floating member is provided with a plurality of outer embedded blocks which are convex outwardly and arranged at intervals along the circumference of the floating member, the inner body is provided with an inner embedded cavity for embedding and installing the inner embedded blocks, and the outer body is provided with an outer embedded cavity for embedding and installing the outer embedded blocks.

[0018] To achieve the above object, the floating connector of the present invention comprises a second connector and the above-mentioned first connector, and the first connector is plugged and matched with the second connector. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] Figure 1 It is a stereoscopic view of the floating connector of the present invention when the first connector and the second connector are inserted into each other until the first limiting structure abuts against the end surface of the inner body.

[0020] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 The floating connector is shown in a plan view as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrow next to it.

[0021] Figure 3 is along Figure 2 Internal view cut along line AA.

[0022] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 A state diagram when the second limiting structure and the matching limiting structure are in contact with each other during the process of pulling the second connector downward.

[0023] Figure 5 yes Figure 4 State diagram after the second connector is unplugged from the first connector.

[0024] Figure 6It is a perspective view of a first connector in the floating connector of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 7 yes Figure 6 The illustrated is a three-dimensional exploded view of the first connector when it is removed from the connecting rubber sleeve.

[0026] Figure 8 yes Figure 6 The first connector is shown in a perspective view at another angle.

[0027] Fig. 9 yes Figure 8 3D exploded view of .

[0028] Fig.10 yes Figure 8 Further decomposed three-dimensional diagram.

[0029] Fig.11 It is a perspective view of an outer cover of a first connector in a floating connector of the present invention.

[0030] Fig.12 It is a perspective view of the second connector in the floating connector of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] In order to explain the technical content and structural features of the present invention in detail, further description will be given below in combination with the implementation modes and the accompanying drawings.

[0032] See also Figure 1 and Figure 2 The floating connector 100 of the present invention comprises a first connector 10 and a second connector 20, wherein the second connector 20 is mated with the first connector 10 so that the second connector 20 and the first connector 10 are pluggable. Fig.12 As an example, the second connector 20 includes a connector body 21 and a second electrical terminal 22 mounted on the connector body 21, and the second electrical terminal 22 is arranged along the Z-axis direction so that the second electrical terminal 22 is in electrical contact with the first electrical terminal 15 described below. Since the specific structures of the connector body 21 and the second electrical terminal 22 are well known in the art, they will not be described here.

[0033] Recombination Figures 3 to 5As an example, the first connector 10 includes an inner body 11, an outer body 12 which is sleeved on the inner body 11, a connecting rubber sleeve 13 which connects the inner body 11 and the outer body 12 together, and an outer cover 14 which is assembled and connected to the outer body 12. The inner body 11 can float relative to the outer body 11 by means of the connecting rubber sleeve 13 to meet the need for the inner body 11 to float in three directions: the X-axis direction, the Y-axis direction and the Z-axis direction. The inner body 11 is also located in the outer cover 14, and the outer cover 14 covers the inner body 11 from the outside; a limiting structure 141 is provided on the outer cover 14, and the limiting structure 141 limits the inner body 11 relative to the outer body 12 in the Z-axis direction. Figure 3 The first preset position shown and Figure 4 Specifically, Figures 3 to 5 As an example, the limiting structure 141 includes a first limiting structure 1411 and a second limiting structure 1412 which are arranged separately in the Z-axis direction, so that the corresponding positions of the inner body 11 are respectively blocked by the first limiting structure 1411 and the second limiting structure 1412, thereby limiting the inner body 11 from floating between the first preset position and the second preset position. More specifically, as follows:

[0034] like Figures 3 to 5 ,as well as Figures 8 to 11 As shown, as an example, the outer cover 14 includes a connected end wall 14a and a side wall 14b. Optionally, as an example, the end wall 14a and the side wall 14b form an integral structure together, so that the outer cover 14 can be manufactured by an integral molding method, thereby simplifying the manufacturing process of the outer cover 14; obviously, according to actual needs, the end wall 14a and the side wall 14b can also be made into two parts separated from each other, and then fixed together by assembly. The side wall 14b is mounted on the outer body 12 from the second end 121 of the outer body 12, so that the outer body 12 is partially located in the outer cover 14. The end wall 14a covers the end surface 1211 of the second end 121 of the outer body 12 and the inner body 11, and a through hole 142 is opened on the end wall 14a and passes through the end wall 14a along the Z-axis direction. The inner body 11 is provided with a penetration structure 111 passing through the end wall 14a from the through hole 142, and a limiting structure 112 is provided at the position where the penetration structure 111 passes through the end wall 14a. Figures 3 to 5 shown.

[0035] At this time, the first limiting structure 1411 is arranged on the side of the end wall 14a facing the inner body 11, and the second limiting structure 1412 is arranged on the side of the end wall 14a facing away from the inner body 11. The second limiting structure 1412 is arranged opposite to the matching limiting structure 112 along the Z-axis direction, and the second limiting structure 112 is also located between the first limiting structure 1411 and the matching limiting structure 112. Figures 3 to 5 shown.

[0036] Therefore, when in the first preset position, the first limiting structure 1411 abuts against the end surface 11a of the inner body 11, and the state is shown in FIG. Figure 3 As shown; in the second preset position, the limiting structure 112 and the second limiting structure 1412 resist each other, the state is shown Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown; this design ensures that the outer cover 14 can limit the inner body 11 to float between the first preset position and the second preset position, and the introduction of the outer cover 14 will not change the original gap between the inner body 11 and the outer body 12. Therefore, under the condition that the inner body 11 and the outer body 12 maintain the original gap, the floating connector 100 of the present invention can prevent the connection rubber sleeve 14 from breaking. A more detailed description is as follows:

[0037] like Fig.11 As shown in FIG. 1 , as an example, the first limiting structure 1411 is formed by the end surface of the end wall 14a facing the inner body 11, so as to increase the resistance area of ​​the first limiting structure 1411, thereby improving the reliability of the first limiting structure 1411 and the end surface 11a of the inner body 11. Obviously, according to actual needs, the first limiting structure 1411 can also be other structures with a limiting function, so it is not necessary to use the first limiting structure 1411 as an example. Fig.11 The following are the limits. Figures 8 to 11 As an example, the second limiting structure 1412 is a plurality of clamping protrusions arranged around the penetration structure 111, that is, the clamping protrusions are also numbered 1412; all the clamping protrusions 1412 are arranged in a circle and are separated from each other. This design facilitates the operation of the penetration structure 111 on the inner body 11 passing through the end wall 14a through the through hole 142 of the outer cover 14 and passing over the clamping protrusions 1412, and increases the blocking area of ​​the second limiting structure 1412 and the matching limiting structure 112, thereby improving the reliability of the second limiting structure 1412 limiting the inner body 11; optionally, in Figures 3 to 5 As an example, the clamping protrusion 1412 is an arc-shaped protrusion in the middle toward the penetration structure 111, and the end of the penetration structure 111 is a conical head 1111, which is adjacent to the limiting structure 112. This design can further improve the smoothness of the penetration structure 111 on the inner body 11 passing through the end wall 14a from the through hole 142 of the outer cover 14 and passing over the clamping protrusion 1412.

[0038] like Figures 8 to 11 As shown, as an example, the outer cover 14 further includes a snap-fit ​​groove 14c and a separation groove unit 14d. Optionally, Fig.11 As an example, there are four partitioning slot units 14d on the side wall 14b, and they are arranged opposite to each other in pairs; obviously, according to actual needs, there may be one, two or three partitioning slot units 14d, so it is not necessary to use Fig.11Limits shown. At the same time, the partition groove unit 14d includes a first partition groove 14d1 and a second partition groove 14d2 separated from each other, the first partition groove 14d1 and the second partition groove 14d2 respectively extending along the Z-axis direction, and the first partition groove 14d1 and the second partition groove 14d2 also penetrate the end of the side wall 14b away from the end wall 14a to form a suspension arm 144, that is, the number of suspension arms 144 is consistent with the number of partition groove units 14d; at this time, the engaging groove 14c is provided on the suspension arm 144, and correspondingly, the outer body 12 is provided with an engaging protrusion 122 that engages with the engaging groove 14c; therefore, with the help of the arrangement of the engaging groove 14c, the suspension arm 14 and the engaging protrusion 122, the assembly and disassembly operation between the outer cover 14 and the outer body 12 is facilitated. For example, when disassembling the outer cover 14, the engaging protrusion 122 and the engaging groove 14 are disengaged by bending the suspension arm 144 outward, so that the outer cover 14 can be removed from the outer body 12. Specifically, Figures 8 to 10 As an example, the engaging groove 14c also extends toward the direction close to the end wall 14a and penetrates the end wall 14a. This design improves the elastic deformation ability of the suspension arm 144, so that the suspension arm 144 can more easily pass over the engaging protrusion 122 and reach the position where the engaging protrusion 122 and the engaging groove 14c are engaged during the assembly process of the outer cover 14 and the outer body 12; similarly, it is more convenient for the operator to bend the suspension arm 144 outward during disassembly; in addition, the engaging protrusion 122 is provided with an inclined structure 1221 inclined inwardly toward the direction close to the end wall 14a, so as to further improve the ability of the suspension arm 144 to pass over the engaging protrusion 122 during the assembly process of the outer cover 14 and the outer body 12 with the help of the inclined structure 1221. It should be noted that since the engaging protrusion 122 is used to engage with the engaging groove 14c, the number of the engaging protrusion 122 can be the same as the number of the engaging grooves 14c, or it can be less than the number of the engaging grooves 14c.

[0039] Another example Figures 8 to 11 As shown, as an example, the first connector 10 further includes a first electrical terminal 15 assembled on the inner body 11, and the first end 151 of the first electrical terminal 15 is exposed to the outside from the first end 123 of the outer body 12. Figure 6 As shown, the first end 151 of the first electrical terminal 15 and the second electrical terminal 22 are electrically connected to each other; the end wall 14a is provided with an exposure hole 145 for exposing the second end 152 of the first electrical terminal 15 to the outside, so as to meet the electrical connection operation between the second end 152 of the first electrical terminal 15 and the outside. Since the specific structure of the first electrical terminal 15 and its assembly method at the inner body 11 are well known in the art, they will not be described here.

[0040] like Figure 7 and Fig.10As shown, as an example, the inner side of the connecting rubber sleeve 13 is provided with a plurality of inner embedded blocks 131 which are convex and arranged in a circumferential direction of the connecting rubber sleeve 13, and the outer side of the connecting rubber sleeve 13 is provided with a plurality of outer embedded blocks 132 which are convex and arranged in a circumferential direction of the connecting rubber sleeve 13; the inner body 11 is provided with an inner embedded cavity 113 for the inner embedded blocks 131 to be embedded and installed, and the outer body 12 is provided with an outer embedded cavity 124 for the outer embedded blocks 132 to be embedded and installed; optionally, Figure 7 and Fig.10 As an example, the inner block 131 and the outer block 132 are separated into two layers in the Z-axis direction, and correspondingly, the inner cavity 113 and the outer cavity 124 are also two layers. This design makes the connecting rubber sleeve 13 more reliably installed and fixed on both the inner body 11 and the outer body 12, and also makes the connecting rubber sleeve 13 detachable relative to the inner body 11 and the outer body 12. Figure 7 and Fig.10 As an example, the inner block 131 and the outer block 132 are both T-shaped blocks, and correspondingly, the inner cavity 113 and the outer cavity 124 are T-shaped cavities; obviously, according to actual needs, the inner block 131, the outer block 132, the inner cavity 113 and the outer cavity 124 can also be other shapes well known in the art, so it is not used herein. Figure 7 and Fig.10 Limits shown.

[0041] Compared with the prior art, the outer cover 14 is assembled and connected with the outer body 12, and the outer cover 14 is provided with a limiting structure 141 for limiting the floating of the inner body 11 relative to the outer body 14 between the first preset position and the second preset position in the Z-axis direction. The limiting structure 141 controls the floating of the inner body 11 relative to the outer body 12, thereby preventing the inner body 11 from floating excessively along the Z-axis direction and causing the connection rubber sleeve 13 to be damaged, thereby improving the service life of the first connector 10; in addition, it can prevent the inner body 11 from affecting the use of the first connector 10 due to the inability to be properly plugged into the second connector 20, thereby improving the reliability of the use of the first connector 10. Since the floating connector 100 of the present invention includes the first connector 10, correspondingly, the floating connector 100 of the present invention also has the advantages of the first connector 10. Among them, the first connector 10 can be called a plug, and correspondingly, the second connector 20 is a socket, but it is not limited to this.

[0042] It is to be supplemented that, although the attached drawings show that the outer cover 14 is fixedly connected to the outer body 12 and is relatively stationary, it is obvious that, according to actual needs, the outer cover 14 can also be fixedly connected to the inner body 11 and is relatively stationary. When the outer cover 14 is fixedly connected to the inner body 11, the limiting structure on the outer cover 14 can be a limiting slot extending along the Z-axis direction, or a limiting protrusion protruding toward the second end 121 of the outer body 12 (for example, but not limited to a limiting pin); correspondingly, the second end 121 of the outer body 12 is provided with a limiting protrusion that cooperates with the limiting slot or a limiting slot that cooperates with the limiting protrusion. In addition, the Z-axis direction shall be based on the attached drawings.

[0043] It is worth noting that the above-mentioned connecting rubber sleeve 13 is only one embodiment of the floating member; obviously, according to actual needs, the floating member can also be a metal spring or other structure, so it is not limited to the figure shown. When the floating member is the connecting rubber sleeve 13, the floating member at this time corresponds to a ring structure.

[0044] The above disclosure is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention, which certainly cannot be used to limit the scope of the present invention. Therefore, equivalent changes made according to the claims of the present invention still fall within the scope covered by the present invention.

Claims

1. A first connector of a floating connector, comprising an inner body, an outer body outermostly disposed on the inner body, and a floating member connecting the inner body and the outer body together, wherein the inner body can float relative to the outer body by means of the floating member, and characterized in that: The first connector also includes an outer cover assembled with the outer body, the inner body is also located inside the outer cover, and a limiting structure is provided on the outer cover, which limits the inner body from floating between a first preset position and a second preset position relative to the outer body along the Z-axis direction.

2. The first connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The limiting structure includes a first limiting structure and a second limiting structure which are spaced apart in the Z-axis direction.

3. The first connector according to claim 2, characterized in that: The outer cover includes a connected end wall and a side wall, wherein the side wall is mounted on the outer body from the second end of the outer body, and the end wall covers the end surface of the second end of the outer body and the inner body, and the end wall is provided with a through hole penetrating the end wall along the Z-axis direction, and the inner body is provided with a penetration structure passing through the end wall from the through hole, and a limiting structure is provided at the position where the penetration structure penetrates the end wall, the first limiting structure is provided on a side of the end wall facing the inner body, and the second limiting structure is provided on a side of the end wall facing away from the inner body, and the second limiting structure is arranged opposite to the limiting structure along the Z-axis direction, and the second limiting structure is also located between the first limiting structure and the limiting structure.

4. The first connector according to claim 3, characterized in that: When in the first preset position, the first limiting structure abuts against the end surface of the inner body; when in the second preset position, the limiting structure abuts against the second limiting structure.

5. The first connector according to claim 3, characterized in that: The second limiting structure is a plurality of clamping protrusions arranged around the penetration structure, and all the clamping protrusions are arranged in a circle and spaced apart from each other.

6. The first connector according to claim 5, characterized in that: The clamping protrusion is in an arc shape with the middle protruding toward the penetration structure; the end of the penetration structure is a conical head, and the conical head is adjacent to the matching limit structure.

7. The first connector according to claim 3, characterized in that: The outer cover also includes a snap-fit ​​groove and a partition groove unit, the partition groove unit includes a first partition groove and a second partition groove separated from each other, the first partition groove and the second partition groove each extend along the Z-axis direction, the first partition groove and the second partition groove also penetrate the end of the side wall away from the end wall to form a suspension arm, the snap-fit ​​groove is opened on the suspension arm; the snap-fit ​​groove also extends toward the direction close to the end wall and penetrates the end wall; the outer body is provided with a snap-fit ​​protrusion that snaps with the snap-fit ​​groove; the snap-fit ​​protrusion is provided with an inclined structure that tilts inward toward the direction close to the end wall.

8. The first connector according to claim 3, characterized in that: It also includes a first electrical terminal assembled on the inner body, wherein the first end of the first electrical terminal is exposed to the outside from the first end of the outer body, and the end wall is provided with an exposure hole for the second end opposite to the first electrical terminal to be exposed to the outside.

9. The first connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The floating member is an annular structure; the inner side of the floating member is provided with a plurality of inner embedded blocks which are convex inwardly and arranged at intervals along the circumference of the floating member, the outer side of the floating member is provided with a plurality of outer embedded blocks which are convex outwardly and arranged at intervals along the circumference of the floating member, the inner body is provided with an inner embedded cavity for embedding and installing the inner embedded blocks, and the outer body is provided with an outer embedded cavity for embedding and installing the outer embedded blocks.

10. A floating connector, comprising a second connector, characterized in that: The floating connector further comprises a first connector according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the first connector is pluggable with the second connector.

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