A fakra connector

Abstract

The application belongs to the technical field of electric connectors, and particularly provides a FAKRA connector. The FAKRA connector comprises an outer conductor, the outer conductor has a socket for inserting an adapter connector, the socket is provided with a contact spring sheet, the contact spring sheet is provided with a plurality of elastic claws which are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction, the outer conductor is provided with a stop portion which is matched with one end of the contact spring sheet away from the plug-in end, a positioning structure is arranged between the contact spring sheet and the stop portion, the positioning structure comprises a positioning groove arranged in one of the stop portion and the contact spring sheet and a positioning protrusion arranged in the other one, the positioning protrusion is inserted into the positioning groove, so that the contact spring sheet and the stop portion are positioned and rotationally matched, and the positioning position of the contact spring sheet and the stop portion satisfies the position correspondence of the elastic claw and the avoiding structure. The positioning structure is arranged between the contact spring sheet and the outer conductor, the contact spring sheet is kept in a certain position, and the adapter connector is conveniently and normally plugged in.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of electrical connector technology, and in particular relates to a FAKRA connector. Background Technology

[0002] FAKRA connectors are well-known radio frequency connectors in the automotive electronics field, commonly used in modules such as car radios, positioning systems, vehicle networking, cameras, remote controls, and in-vehicle Bluetooth. A typical FAKRA connector includes a housing, an outer conductor, a center conductor, and a locking structure. The center conductor is mounted on an insulator and then installed inside the outer conductor. One end of the outer conductor has a socket for inserting a mating adapter. The socket usually contains a cylindrical contact spring with multiple circumferentially spaced claws. The mating adapter can be inserted into the contact spring to achieve elastic contact, as shown in the bent FAKRA connector disclosed in patent publication number CN215645295U.

[0003] The contact spring and outer conductor are typically tightly fitted together. The outer conductor has a stop portion that engages with the end of the contact spring opposite to the outer conductor's insertion end in the insertion direction for mating with the adapter connector, thus limiting the outer conductor's extreme positions within the socket. The inner wall of the outer conductor's socket has a clearance structure (e.g., a clearance groove). After the adapter connector is inserted, this clearance structure provides space for the contact spring's pawl to expand elastically. This requires the pawl and clearance structure to correspond circumferentially. Significant assembly deviations can easily cause the pawl to become jammed, potentially preventing the adapter connector from being inserted correctly. In existing technology, there is no positioning structure between the contact spring and the outer conductor, making precise positioning of the contact spring difficult. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a FAKRA connector to solve the technical problem that the contact spring and outer conductor of the existing FAKRA connector are difficult to position and assemble accurately.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution for the FAKRA connector provided by this invention is as follows: A FAKRA connector includes an outer conductor, the outer conductor having a socket for inserting a mating connector, a contact spring plate being installed in the socket, the contact spring plate having a plurality of circumferentially spaced claws, the socket having a clearance structure for preventing the claws from expanding outward, the outer conductor having a stop portion that engages with the contact spring plate in the mating direction at one end opposite to the plugging end, a positioning structure between the contact spring plate and the stop portion, the positioning structure including a positioning groove in one of the stop portion and the contact spring plate and a positioning protrusion in the other, the positioning protrusion being inserted into the positioning groove to position the contact spring plate and the stop portion and prevent rotation, and the positioning positions of the contact spring plate and the stop portion satisfy the requirement that the positions of the claws and the clearance structure correspond.

[0006] As a further improvement, the contact spring sheet is provided with a connecting body located between two adjacent spring claws and connecting the two ends of the contact spring sheet. The contact spring sheet is provided with the positioning groove, which is located at the end of the contact spring sheet and corresponds to the position of the connecting body; or, the contact spring sheet is provided with the positioning protrusion, which is located at the end of the contact spring sheet and corresponds to the position of the connecting body.

[0007] As a further improvement, both the positioning protrusions and the positioning grooves are provided with two or more arranged at intervals along the circumference.

[0008] As a further improvement, the positioning protrusions and positioning grooves are evenly distributed circumferentially.

[0009] As a further improvement, the contact spring sheet is provided with a backstop groove or a backstop hole, and the outer conductor is provided with a riveting part, which is pressed into the backstop groove or the backstop hole.

[0010] As a further improvement, the outer periphery of the outer conductor has a position with reduced wall thickness, which constitutes the aforementioned riveting portion.

[0011] As a further improvement, the anti-reverse groove is a groove that extends radially upwards, or the anti-reverse hole is a hole that extends radially upwards.

[0012] As a further improvement, the contact spring sheet is provided with the aforementioned anti-reverse groove, and the anti-reverse groove is located at the end of the contact spring sheet near the insertion end.

[0013] As a further improvement, the number of anti-reverse grooves or anti-reverse holes is the same as the number of positioning grooves, and they are arranged facing each other along the insertion direction of the outer conductor.

[0014] As a further improvement, both the concave surface of the positioning groove and the raised surface of the positioning protrusion are arc-shaped surfaces.

[0015] This invention is an improved invention, and its beneficial effects are as follows: The FAKRA connector provided by this invention adds a positioning structure between the outer conductor and the contact spring sheet. This positioning structure includes positioning protrusions and positioning grooves respectively located on the stop portions of the contact spring sheet and the outer conductor. The positioning protrusions are inserted into the positioning grooves to achieve positioning and prevent the contact spring sheet from rotating relative to the outer conductor. Due to the presence of the positioning protrusions, if the positioning protrusions are not adjusted to the corresponding positioning grooves during assembly, the contact spring sheet cannot be properly assembled. After the positioning protrusions are adjusted to the positions corresponding to the positioning grooves, the spring claws are positioned corresponding to the clearance structure. In other words, this invention ensures precise positioning and installation of the contact spring sheet and the outer conductor by setting a positioning structure. Moreover, after installation, the contact spring sheet will not easily rotate under the action of the positioning structure, thus ensuring that each spring claw of the contact spring sheet remains in the position corresponding to the clearance structure of the outer conductor, guaranteeing normal elastic deformation of the spring claws during connector mating. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is an exploded view of an embodiment of the FAKRA connector in this invention; Figure 2 This is a front view of the FAKRA connector embodiment of the present invention after the outer conductor and contact spring sheet are installed in place; Figure 3 This is a side view of the FAKRA connector embodiment of the present invention after the outer conductor and contact spring sheet are installed in place; Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional view of the outer conductor and contact spring sheet of the FAKRA connector embodiment of the present invention after they are installed in place; Figure 5 This is a side view of the outer conductor of an embodiment of the FAKRA connector in this invention; Figure 6 This is a front view of the contact spring sheet in an embodiment of the FAKRA connector of the present invention; Figure 7 This is a top view of the contact spring sheet in an embodiment of the FAKRA connector of the present invention; Figure 8 This is a side view of the contact spring sheet in an embodiment of the FAKRA connector of the present invention.

[0017] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures: 1. Outer shell; 2. CPA structure; 3. Contact spring sheet; 4. Outer conductor; 5. Sealing ring; 6. Insulator; 7. Center socket; 8. Baffle; 9. Plastic encapsulation shell; 10. Center pin; 11. Crimping shield ring; 301. Spring claw; 302. Positioning groove; 303. Anti-reverse groove; 304. Connector; 401. Stop step; 402. Positioning protrusion; 403. Riveting groove; 404. Clearance groove. Detailed Implementation

[0018] To ensure reliable positioning and installation of the contact spring and outer conductor of the FAKRA connector, the basic technical concept of this invention is to add a positioning structure between the contact spring and the outer conductor. Specifically, the positioning structure is set between one end of the contact spring and the stop portion inside the socket of the outer conductor. More specifically, the positioning structure includes a protrusion and a groove structure that interlock (fits in). When the protrusion and groove can interlock normally, it indicates that the contact spring and the outer conductor are accurately positioned, and it also prevents rotation between the contact spring and the outer conductor, thus keeping the contact spring in a fixed position and facilitating normal insertion of the mating connector. The invention will be further described in detail below with reference to embodiments.

[0019] Specific embodiments of the FAKRA connector provided by this invention: The FAKRA connector provided in this embodiment is a bent structure, such as... Figure 1 As shown, it includes a housing 1, a CPA structure 2, a contact spring 3, an outer conductor 4, a sealing ring 5, an insulator 6, a center pin 10, a center socket 7, a plastic encapsulation shell 9, and a crimp shielding ring 11. The center pin 10 and the center socket 7 are inserted to form the center conductor of the FAKRA connector. Both the center pin 10 and the center socket 7 are housed in the insulator 6, forming a single unit, which is then inserted into the outer conductor 4. The back side of the outer conductor 4 (the side opposite to the side that mates with the adapter connector) is open, allowing the insulator 6 to be inserted through this opening. After insertion, a baffle 8 can be used to seal the opening of the outer conductor 4. Wires and cables can be crimped to the center pin 10, with the crimped portion entering the outer conductor 4 and secured by the crimp shielding ring 11, forming a wire harness assembly. After the wire harness assembly is assembled, a plastic encapsulation process can be used to form a protective plastic encapsulation shell 9 for the wire harness assembly.

[0020] The outer conductor 4, which is used to mate with the adapter connector (i.e., the plug end), passes through the inner hole of the outer shell 1 (insulating material). In order to provide a certain degree of dust and water protection, a sealing ring 5 is also provided on the outer conductor 4. At the same time, a CPA structure 2 is provided between the outer conductor 4 and the outer shell 1 to achieve stable locking between the outer conductor 4 and the outer shell 1.

[0021] like Figures 1-5 As shown, the outer conductor 4 has a socket for inserting a matching connector, and a contact spring 3 is fitted into the socket. The contact spring 3 has a cylindrical structure, as shown in the figure. Figures 6-8As shown, it includes multiple circumferentially spaced spring claws 301. After the adapter connector is inserted, the spring claws 301 can be forced open outwards and undergo elastic deformation. The contact spring plate 3 and the socket are tightly fitted together. To prevent the contact spring plate 3 from being pushed away when the adapter connector is inserted, the outer conductor 4 is naturally provided with a stop portion that blocks the insertion of the outer conductor 4 in the insertion direction, with one end of the contact spring plate 3 opposite to the insertion end. Specifically, the stop portion can be an annular (circumferentially continuous and closed) stop step 401 as shown in the figure. Of course, in other embodiments, the stop portion can also be composed of a stop boss that is circumferentially discontinuous or not completely closed. The outer conductor 4 can be manufactured using a die-casting process, and any form of stop portion can be manufactured.

[0022] Considering that the spring claw 301 needs to expand and deform outward after being subjected to force, the inner wall of the socket of the outer conductor 4 is provided with a clearance structure. The clearance structure can be the clearance groove 404 shown in the figure, or it can be a circumferentially closed hole formed by thinning the wall thickness of the outer conductor 4, i.e., a clearance hole. Here, the clearance structure is taken as the clearance groove 404 as an example. The position of the clearance groove 404 should correspond to the position of the spring claw 301. Otherwise, the spring claw 301 will be blocked, making it difficult for the adapter connector to be inserted normally with normal force. For this reason, in this embodiment, a positioning structure is also provided between the contact spring plate 3 and the stop part (stop step 401). The positioning structure includes a positioning groove 302 and a positioning protrusion 402. Taking the figure as an example, the positioning groove 302 is provided on the contact spring plate 3, and the positioning protrusion 402 is provided on the stop part (stop step 401). After the contact spring plate 3 is properly installed, the positioning protrusion 402 is inserted into the positioning groove 302. After the positioning protrusion 402 and the positioning groove 302 are engaged and positioned, their positions are such that the positions of the spring claw 301 and the clearance groove 404 correspond. The protruding direction of the positioning protrusion 402 and the concave direction of the positioning groove 302 are both parallel to the axial direction of the contact spring plate 3 (i.e., the insertion direction). After the positioning protrusion 402 and the positioning groove 302 are engaged, the contact spring plate 3 will not rotate.

[0023] Analysis of the above structure shows that, due to the presence of the positioning protrusion 402, if the positioning protrusion 402 is not adjusted to the position of the corresponding positioning groove 302 during the assembly process, the contact spring sheet 3 cannot be properly assembled. That is, this embodiment ensures that the contact spring sheet 3 and the outer conductor 4 can be accurately positioned and installed by setting a positioning structure. Moreover, after installation, the contact spring sheet 3 will not easily rotate under the action of the positioning structure, thereby ensuring that each spring claw 301 of the contact spring sheet 3 corresponds to the avoidance groove 404 of the outer conductor 4, ensuring that the spring claw 301 can deform normally elastically when mating the connector.

[0024] It is easy to understand that in other embodiments, the positions of the positioning protrusion 402 and the positioning groove 302 can also be interchanged. That is, the positioning protrusion is set on the contact spring sheet 3, and the positioning groove is set at the position of the stop part. In this case, the same positioning and anti-rotation functions can be achieved. However, the contact spring sheet 3 is generally made by stamping. If the positioning protrusion is set on the contact spring sheet 3, more material needs to be removed when manufacturing the contact spring sheet 3, which will increase the cost to some extent.

[0025] Analysis of the positioning structure reveals that, fundamentally, there is only one positioning groove 302 and one positioning protrusion 402. However, in the preferred embodiment, such as... Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, there are two positioning grooves 302 and two positioning protrusions 402, which are arranged circumferentially at intervals. This allows for two positioning and anti-rotation positions between the contact spring sheet 3 and the outer conductor 4, resulting in better anti-rotation and positioning effects. Of course, in other embodiments, provided that space is sufficient and the strength of the contact spring sheet 3 is guaranteed, three, four, or even more positioning grooves 302 and positioning protrusions 402 can be provided.

[0026] In a further preferred embodiment, where there are two or more positioning grooves 302 and positioning protrusions 402, the positioning grooves 302 and positioning protrusions 402 are preferably evenly distributed circumferentially. Similarly... Figure 4 and Figure 5 For example, when there are only two positioning grooves 302 and two positioning protrusions 402, the lines connecting the two positioning grooves 302 and the two positioning protrusions 402 both pass through the center of the circle. This allows the contact spring sheet 3 to be subjected to uniform force in the circumference, further improving the anti-rotation stability of the contact spring sheet 3.

[0027] Furthermore, to avoid sharp edges or corners at the mating points of the positioning groove 302 and the positioning protrusion 402, preferably, as follows: Figure 4 As shown, the concave surface of the positioning groove 302 and the protruding surface of the positioning protrusion 402 are both arc-shaped surfaces.

[0028] In some preferred embodiments, such as Figure 4 , Figure 7 and Figure 8As shown, the contact spring plate 3 has a connecting body 304 located between two adjacent spring claws 301. The connecting body 304 connects the two ends of the contact spring plate 3 and can be regarded as the skeleton of the contact spring plate 3. In the case where the positioning groove 302 shown in the figure is provided on the contact spring plate 3, the positioning groove 302 can be located at the end of the contact spring plate 3 and correspond to the position of the connecting body 304 in the interlocking direction. Similarly, in the case where the positioning protrusion is provided on the contact spring plate 3, the positioning protrusion can be located at the end of the contact spring plate 3 and correspond to the position of the connecting body 304 in the interlocking direction. Compared with other embodiments where the positioning groove 302 is located at a position corresponding to the spring claw 301, this arrangement ensures sufficient strength after the positioning groove 302 and the positioning protrusion 402 are positioned and interlocked. It also does not affect the normal deformation of the spring claw 301.

[0029] Furthermore, considering that when using the FAKRA connector, removing the adapter connector may pull the contact spring 3 out of the outer conductor 4, the contact spring 3 and the outer conductor 4 are not only tightly fitted together, but also riveted for fixation. In some other preferred embodiments, refer to... Figures 1-6 The contact spring 3 is provided with a backstop groove 303, and the outer conductor 4 is provided with a riveting part. After the contact spring 3 is normally inserted into the socket of the outer conductor 4, the riveting part on the outer conductor 4 is pressed into the backstop groove 303, which can prevent the contact spring 3 from being pulled out of the outer conductor 4 when the adapter connector is pulled out.

[0030] Due to the positioning structure, the circumferential position of the contact spring 3 relative to the outer conductor 4 is fixed. To facilitate riveting, the outer periphery of the outer conductor 4 has a thinned section, such as... Figure 2 As shown, in some embodiments, a spot riveting groove 403 is formed at this location, and the aforementioned riveting part is actually composed of the spot riveting groove 403 at the wall thickness reduction location. Compared with other embodiments that do not provide a spot riveting groove 403 but directly spot rivet the insertion hole wall of the outer conductor 4, this allows the spot riveting groove 403 to be accurately positioned and pressed into the anti-reverse groove 303, and also facilitates riveting.

[0031] It should be noted that the aforementioned anti-reverse groove 303 refers to a groove-shaped structure with an opening on one side. In other embodiments, to achieve the anti-reverse function, an equivalent alternative is to provide an anti-reverse hole on the outer periphery of the contact spring sheet 3, i.e., a circumferentially closed structure. The riveting part can be pressed into the anti-reverse hole to achieve the same anti-reverse function.

[0032] Regardless of whether the anti-reverse groove 303 or the anti-reverse hole mates with the riveting part, the anti-reverse groove 303 or the anti-reverse hole can be configured as a radially through structure, that is, the anti-reverse groove 303 is a groove that penetrates radially upwards, and the anti-reverse hole is a hole that penetrates radially upwards. This can make full use of the wall thickness of the contact spring sheet 3, so that the riveting part has a sufficiently large pressing depth and improves the anti-reverse effect.

[0033] In other preferred embodiments, such as Figure 1 As shown, the anti-reverse groove 303 is located at the end of the contact spring sheet 3 near the insertion end. Compared with other embodiments where the anti-reverse groove 303 is located in the middle of the contact spring sheet 3, this ensures that the contact spring sheet 3 has sufficient strength to ensure stable contact after mating with the adapter connector.

[0034] In other preferred embodiments, to facilitate the normal positioning and insertion of the positioning slot 302, the number of anti-return slots 303 or anti-return holes is configured to be the same as the number of positioning slots 302, and they are arranged directly opposite each other along the insertion direction of the outer conductor 4. See [link to specific details] for details. Figure 4 and Figure 8 When assembling the contact spring plate 3, the orientation of the anti-reverse groove 303 (or anti-reverse hole) can be easily observed to accurately adjust the positioning groove 302 and the positioning protrusion 402 for proper positioning and engagement. Furthermore, when the positioning groove 302 is positioned corresponding to the connecting body 304, the anti-reverse groove 303 (or anti-reverse hole) is also positioned corresponding to the connecting body 304, thus ensuring a high level of strength in the fit between the riveting part and the anti-reverse groove 302.

[0035] The above description, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, illustrates a bent-type FAKRA connector. It should be noted that the aforementioned matching method between the outer conductor and the contact spring sheet is equally applicable to the straight-type FAKRA connector.

[0036] Finally, it should be noted that the above descriptions are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art can still make modifications to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments without creative effort, or make equivalent substitutions for some of the technical features. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A FAKRA connector, characterized in that, The outer conductor (4) has a socket for inserting a mating connector. A contact spring (3) for mating with the mating connector is installed in the socket. The contact spring (3) has multiple circumferentially spaced claws (301) for electrical contact with the mating connector's mating conductor, and a connecting body (304) located between adjacent claws and connecting the two ends of the contact spring. The socket has a clearance structure to prevent outward deformation of the claws (301). The outer conductor (4) has a stop portion that engages with the end of the contact spring (3) opposite to the socket in the mating direction. A positioning structure is provided between the stop and the stop. The positioning structure includes an axial positioning groove (302) located at one end of the stop and the contact spring sheet (3) away from the insertion end and a positioning protrusion (402) located in the other axial direction. The positioning protrusion (402) is inserted into the positioning groove (302) so that the contact spring sheet (3) and the stop are positioned and anti-rotationally engaged. The positioning positions of the contact spring sheet (3) and the stop satisfy the requirement that the positions of the spring claw (301) and the avoidance structure correspond. In the case where the positioning protrusion or positioning groove is located on the contact spring sheet, the positioning protrusion or positioning groove is located at the end of the contact spring sheet and at a position corresponding to the connecting body.

2. The FAKRA connector according to claim 1, characterized in that, Both the positioning protrusion (402) and the positioning groove (302) are provided with two or more arranged at intervals along the circumference.

3. The FAKRA connector according to claim 2, characterized in that, The positioning protrusions (402) and positioning grooves (302) are evenly distributed circumferentially.

4. The FAKRA connector according to claim 1, characterized in that, The contact spring sheet (3) is provided with a backstop groove (303) or a backstop hole, and the outer conductor (4) is provided with a riveting part, which is pressed into the backstop groove (303) or the backstop hole.

5. The FAKRA connector according to claim 4, characterized in that, The outer conductor (4) has a thinned wall position on its outer periphery, which constitutes the aforementioned riveting part.

6. The FAKRA connector according to claim 4, characterized in that, The anti-reverse groove (303) is a groove that extends radially upwards, or the anti-reverse hole is a hole that extends radially upwards.

7. The FAKRA connector according to claim 4, characterized in that, The contact spring sheet (3) is provided with the aforementioned anti-reverse groove (303), and the anti-reverse groove (303) is located at the end of the contact spring sheet (3) near the insertion end.

8. The FAKRA connector according to claim 4, characterized in that, The number of anti-reverse grooves (303) or anti-reverse holes is the same as that of the positioning grooves (302), and they are arranged facing each other along the insertion direction of the outer conductor (4).

9. The FAKRA connector according to claim 1, characterized in that, The concave surface of the positioning groove (302) and the protruding surface of the positioning protrusion (402) are both arc-shaped surfaces.

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