Power connector with lock catch assembly

Abstract

The invention provides a power connector with a lock catch assembly, which comprises an insulating body, a terminal assembly fixed on the insulating body, and the lock catch assembly movably assembled in the insulating body, the lock catch assembly can lock the power supply connector and the butt joint connector after the power supply connector and the butt joint connector are connected in an inserted mode. The lock catch assembly comprises a pressing piece which is slidably connected with the insulating body, a lock catch piece which is used for being locked with a butting connector, and a connecting rod which enables the lock catch piece to be rotatably connected to the insulating body. The power connector with the lock catch assembly is simple in structure, convenient to assemble and operate and high in reliability.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a power connector with a locking assembly. Background Art

[0002] In various electronic devices, the power connector is a basic element for realizing current transmission between different systems. It is widely used in various electrical circuits. The power connector combination includes a power connector (also called a plug) and a docking connector (also called a socket). In recent years, the energy storage industry has developed rapidly. The power connector and the docking connector are automatically locked after being plugged in. The power connector and the docking connector are unlocked by pressing during the separation process. However, the existing power connector has a complex structure for realizing automatic locking, the installation process is cumbersome, and improper force applied by the user during operation will also cause the unlocking to fail.

[0003] In view of this, it is necessary to improve the existing power connector to solve the above problems. Summary of the invention

[0004] The object of the present invention is to provide a power connector with a locking assembly, which has a simple structure, is easy to assemble, easy to operate and has high reliability.

[0005] To achieve the above-mentioned purpose of the invention, the present invention provides a power connector with a locking assembly, which includes an insulating body, a terminal assembly fixed to the insulating body, and a locking assembly movably assembled in the insulating body, wherein the locking assembly can lock the power connector and the docking connector after the power connector and the docking connector are plugged in, and the locking assembly includes a pressing piece slidably connected to the insulating body, a locking piece for locking with the docking connector, and a connecting rod that rotatably connects the locking piece to the insulating body.

[0006] As a further improvement of the present invention, the pressing piece includes a pressing portion for a user to operate and a pair of extension arms extending forward from the pressing portion, the pair of extension arms being relatively arranged on both sides of the pressing portion in a lateral direction, each of the extension arms having a slider protruding from its outer side for slidingly cooperating with the insulating body and an abutting portion abutting against the locking piece, the locking piece rotates under the action of the abutting portion and realizes unlocking with the docking connector.

[0007] As a further improvement of the present invention, the insulating body comprises a main body, a pair of side walls erected above the main body and arranged opposite to each other in the transverse direction, and a top wall connecting the top ends of the pair of side walls. The main body, the pair of side walls and the top wall are arranged to form an installation space for accommodating the locking assembly. The main body is provided with a docking cavity for inserting a docking connector. The installation space is connected to the docking cavity via a through groove provided on the insulating body. The locking tongue of the locking member can enter the docking cavity from the through groove and lock the docking connector.

[0008] As a further improvement of the present invention, the locking member includes a base, a locking tongue protruding downward from the front end of the base, a pair of rotating arms arranged on both sides of the base in the transverse direction, and a pressure block protruding from the outer side of the rotating arm to cooperate with the abutment portion.

[0009] As a further improvement of the present invention, each of the extension arms includes a first arm portion located on the outside and a second arm portion located on the inside of the first arm portion, the slider protrudes from the outside of the first arm portion in the transverse direction, and the upper surface of the second arm portion is lower than the upper surface of the first arm portion to form a clearance space on the upper side of the second arm portion for the pressure block to move.

[0010] As a further improvement of the present invention, each of the side walls is provided with a pivot hole formed therethrough and a slide groove for accommodating the slider, the slider can slide back and forth in the slide groove to slidably connect the pressing member and the insulating body, and the oppositely arranged two ends of the connecting rod are inserted into the corresponding rotating arms and the pivot hole to rotatably connect the locking member and the insulating body.

[0011] As a further improvement of the present invention, the locking assembly further includes a torsion spring sleeved on the connecting rod, and the first and second free ends of the torsion spring are oppositely arranged and respectively abut against the inner sides of the base and the top wall.

[0012] As a further improvement of the present invention, the locking assembly also includes an elastic reset member whose two ends are respectively abutted against the pressing member and the insulating body. When the pressing member moves forward under the action of an external force, the reset member is squeezed to cause elastic deformation. When the external force disappears, the reset member rebounds under the action of its own elastic restoring force and pushes the pressing member back to its initial position.

[0013] As a further improvement of the present invention, the installation space includes a first installation space located on the front side and a second installation space located on the rear side, a stop surface is formed at the intersection of the first installation space and the second installation space, the extension arm is accommodated in the first installation space, the pressing portion and the reset member are accommodated in the second installation space, the front end of the reset member abuts against the stop surface, and the rear end abuts against the front surface of the pressing portion.

[0014] As a further improvement of the present invention, the insulating body further has a perspective window opened on at least one side in the transverse direction thereof, and in the locked state, the locking tongue is visible outward from the perspective window.

[0015] Beneficial effects of the present invention: The power connector with a locking assembly of the present invention is configured to include a pressing piece slidably connected to the insulating body, a locking piece for locking with a docking connector, and a connecting rod rotatably connecting the locking piece to the insulating body. The locking piece is rotated and the locking and unlocking between the locking piece and the docking connector are achieved by sliding the pressing piece back and forth. The power connector has a simple structure, is easy to assemble, and is easy to unlock, thereby improving the user experience. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] Figure 1 It is a three-dimensional assembly diagram of a power connector with a locking assembly and a docking connector according to the present invention.

[0017] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Another perspective view of the power connector and the docking connector with the locking assembly is shown.

[0018] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 A partially exploded view of a power connector with a latch assembly shown with its tail pipe removed.

[0019] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 A three-dimensional view of an insulating body in a power connector with a locking assembly is shown.

[0020] Figure 5 yes Figure 3 A three-dimensional assembly diagram of a locking assembly in a power connector having a locking assembly is shown.

[0021] Figure 6 yes Figure 5 A cross-sectional view of the latch assembly is shown.

[0022] Figure 7 yes Figure 5 An exploded perspective view of the latch assembly is shown.

[0023] Figure 8 yes Figure 7 Another view of the latch assembly is shown.

[0024] Fig. 9 yes Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of a power connector having a latch assembly is shown.

[0025] Fig.10 yes Figure 1A partial cross-sectional view of a power connector with a locking assembly is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] The present invention will be described in detail below in conjunction with the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings. However, the embodiments do not limit the present invention, and any structural, methodological, or functional changes made by a person skilled in the art based on the embodiments are all within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0027] Please refer to Figures 1 to 10 The figure shows a preferred embodiment of a power connector 100 with a locking assembly of the present invention, wherein the power connector 100 with a locking assembly comprises an insulating body 1, a terminal assembly 2 fixed to the insulating body 1, and a locking assembly 3 movably assembled in the insulating body 1.

[0028] In the present invention, the locking assembly 3 can lock the power connector 100 and the docking connector 900 after the power connector 100 and the docking connector 900 are plugged in. The locking assembly 3 includes a pressing member 4 slidably connected to the insulating body 1, a locking member 5 for locking with the docking connector 900, and a connecting rod 6 that rotatably connects the locking member 5 to the insulating body 1.

[0029] Please refer to Figures 1 to 4 As shown, the insulating body 1 has a main body 11, a pair of side walls 12 erected above the main body 11 and arranged opposite to each other in the lateral direction, and a top wall 13 connecting the top ends of the pair of side walls 12. The main body 11, the pair of side walls 12 and the top wall 13 surround an installation space 101 for accommodating the locking assembly 3. The main body 11 is provided with a docking cavity 110 for inserting the docking connector 900. The installation space 101 is connected to the docking cavity 110 through a through groove 102 provided on the insulating body 1. The locking tongue 52 of the locking member 5 can enter the docking cavity 101 from the through groove 102 and lock the docking connector 900.

[0030] Specifically, Figure 1 , 2 and Fig.10 As shown, the docking connector 900 is provided with a flange 901 protruding from its docking end. In the present embodiment, the flange 901 is in a circular ring shape. When the docking connector 900 is plugged into the power connector 100, the flange 901 enters the docking cavity 110 until it passes over the through groove 102 in the front-to-back direction. The locking tongue 52 moves downward and enters the through groove 102 and the docking cavity 110, and then is locked at the front side of the flange 901.

[0031] The installation space 101 includes a first installation space 1011 located at the front side and a second installation space 1012 located at the rear side. A stop surface 1013 is formed at the intersection of the first installation space 1011 and the second installation space 1012 .

[0032] Each of the side walls 12 is provided with a pivot hole 121 and a slide slot 122 formed therethrough. In the front-to-back direction, the pivot hole 12 is located at the rear side of the slide slot 122 . Furthermore, the pivot hole 121 is located obliquely above the slide slot 122 .

[0033] In addition, the insulating body 1 further has a perspective window 123 opened on at least one side in the transverse direction thereof. The perspective window 123 is disposed at the lower side of the slide slot 122 and is partially offset from the slide slot 122 in the front-to-back direction.

[0034] Furthermore, if Figure 3 and Figures 5 to 10 As shown, the pressing member 4 includes a pressing portion 41 for user operation and a pair of extension arms 42 extending forward from the pressing portion 41, and the pair of extension arms 42 are relatively arranged on both sides of the pressing portion 41 in the lateral direction. Each of the extension arms 42 has a slider 421 protruding from its outer side to slide with the insulating body 1 and an abutment portion 4230 abutting against the locking member 5. The locking member 5 rotates under the action of the abutment portion 4230 and realizes unlocking with the docking connector 900.

[0035] The slider 421 is received in the slide groove 122 , and the slider 421 can slide forward and backward in the slide groove 122 to slidably connect the pressing member 4 and the insulating body 1 .

[0036] Each of the extension arms 42 includes a first arm portion 422 located on the outside and a second arm portion 423 located on the inside of the first arm portion 422. The slider 421 protrudes from the outside of the first arm portion 422 in the lateral direction. The upper surface of the second arm portion 423 is lower than the upper surface of the first arm portion 422. The abutment portion 4230 is the front portion of the second arm portion 423.

[0037] In addition, the second arm portion 423 has a second contact surface 4231 located on its upper side, and the second contact surface 4231 is used to abut against the locking member 5, which is the upper surface of the abutting portion 4230. In this embodiment, the second contact surface 4231 is located at the front of the second arm portion 422 and is arranged in an inclined shape so that the front end of the second arm portion 422 is sharpened.

[0038] Please refer to Figure 3 and Figures 5 to 10As shown, the locking member 5 includes a base 51, a locking tongue 52 protruding downward from the front end of the base 51, a pair of rotating arms 53 arranged on both sides of the base 51 in the transverse direction, and a pressing block 54 protruding from the outer side of the rotating arm 53 to cooperate with the abutment portion 4230, wherein, as Figure 7 and Fig.10 As shown, the base 51 is provided with a blocking surface 511 extending backward and downward in an inclined manner. The base 51 also has a receiving portion 512 located at the rear side of the blocking surface 511, and the receiving portion 512 is in an arc shape.

[0039] In the locked state, the locking tongue 52 is visible from the perspective window 123. In this embodiment, the perspective window 123 penetrates one of the side walls 12 in the transverse direction, so that the locking tongue 52 is visible to the outside; in other embodiments, the perspective window 123 can be provided on each of the side walls 12, so that the locking state of the locking tongue 52 can be observed from both sides.

[0040] Since the upper surface of the second arm portion 423 is lower than the upper surface of the first arm portion 422 , a clearance space for the pressing block 54 to move is formed on the upper side of the second arm portion 422 .

[0041] The pressing block 54 is provided with a first contact surface 541 located on its lower side, and the first contact surface 541 extends obliquely in a direction set at an angle to the horizontal plane so as to press and contact with the second contact surface 4231. In the present embodiment, the first contact surface 541 is in a state with a high rear end and a low front end so that it can more smoothly contact with the second contact surface 4231.

[0042] The rotating arm 53 is provided with a receiving hole 531 formed through the rotating arm 53 in a transverse direction. The two opposite ends of the connecting rod 6 are inserted into the corresponding receiving hole 531 and the pivot hole 121 to rotatably connect the locking member 5 to the insulating body 1 .

[0043] At the same time, the locking assembly 3 also includes a torsion spring 7 mounted on the connecting rod 6, and the torsion spring 7 is adapted to the arc surface of the storage portion 512. Specifically, a gap is left between the torsion spring 7 and the arc surface of the storage portion 512 to avoid interference between the locking member 5 and the storage portion 512 when the locking member 5 rotates.

[0044] The first and second free ends 71 ​​and 72 of the torsion spring 7 are oppositely disposed and abut against the inner sides of the base 51 and the top wall 13 respectively.

[0045] The rotating arm 53 is located on the inner side of the corresponding extending arm 42 , and both ends of the connecting rod 6 are respectively connected to the corresponding rotating arm 53 , the first free end 71 always abuts against the abutting surface 511 , and the second free end 72 always abuts against the inner side of the top wall 13 of the insulating body 1 .

[0046] In addition, please refer to Figures 5 to 10 As shown, the lock assembly 3 also includes an elastic reset member 8, which is respectively in contact with the pressing member 4 and the insulating body 1 at both ends. When the pressing member 4 moves forward under the action of an external force, the reset member 8 is squeezed to elastically deform. When the external force disappears, the reset member 8 rebounds under its own elastic restoring force and pushes the pressing member 4 back to the initial position. Specifically, the reset member 8 is compressed under the action of the forward external force, and returns to the initial state when the external force is removed, and drives the pressing member 4 to move backward.

[0047] In this embodiment, the reset member 8 is a tension spring, and the spacing width of the extension arms 42 of the pressing member 4 in the transverse direction is matched with the outer diameter of the reset member 8 to play a certain limiting role.

[0048] The extension arm 42 is accommodated in the first installation space 1011, the pressing portion 41 and the reset member 8 are accommodated in the second installation space 1012, the connecting rod 6 is located in front of the stop surface 1013, and further, the rear end surface of the locking member 5 is always located in front of the stop surface 1013, the front end of the reset member 8 abuts against the stop surface 1013, and the rear end abuts against the front surface 410 of the pressing portion 41.

[0049] When the pressing portion 41 is subjected to a forward force, the slider 421 slides forward in the slide groove 122, the reset member 8 is compressed under the pushing action of the pressing portion 41, and the second contact surface 4231 of the abutting portion 4230 pushes the first contact surface 541 of the abutting block 54 forward, so that the front part of the locking member 5 rotates with the connecting rod 6 as the rotating axis, and at the same time squeezes the torsion spring 7, so that the locking tongue portion 52 moves upward to release the lock with the docking connector 900; when the forward force When the force disappears, the reset member 8 returns to its initial state under the action of its own elastic restoring force, and then pushes the pressing member 4 to move backward until the slider 421 is stopped by the rear wall of the slide groove 122. At the same time, the torsion spring 7 returns to its initial state under the action of the elastic restoring force, and its first free end 71 pushes the abutment surface 511 of the locking member 5 downward, so that the front part of the locking member 5 rotates downward with the connecting rod 6 as the rotating axis. At this time, the locking tongue 52 moves downward into the through groove 102 and the docking cavity 102.

[0050] The power connector 100 with a locking assembly of the present invention is configured to have a locking assembly 3 including a pressing member 4 slidably connected to the insulating body 1, a locking member 5 for locking with a docking connector, and a connecting rod 6 that rotatably connects the locking member 5 to the insulating body 1. The locking member 5 is rotated and the locking and unlocking between the locking member 5 and the docking connector are achieved by sliding the pressing member 4 back and forth. The structure is simple, the assembly is convenient, and the unlocking operation is convenient, thereby improving the reliability of the product and the user experience.

[0051] It should be understood that although the present specification is described according to embodiments, not every embodiment contains only one independent technical solution. This narrative method of the specification is only for the sake of clarity. Those skilled in the art should regard the specification as a whole. The technical solutions in each embodiment may also be appropriately combined to form other embodiments that can be understood by those skilled in the art.

[0052] The above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solution of the present application and are not intended to limit it. Although the present application has been described in detail with reference to the preferred embodiments, a person skilled in the art should understand that the technical solution of the present application may be modified or replaced by equivalents without departing from the spirit and scope of the technical solution of the present application.

Claims

1. A power connector with a locking assembly, comprising an insulating body, a terminal assembly fixed to the insulating body, and a locking assembly movably assembled in the insulating body, wherein the locking assembly can lock the power connector with the docking connector after the power connector and the docking connector are plugged together, characterized in that: The locking assembly comprises a pressing member slidably connected to the insulating body, a locking member for locking with a docking connector, and a connecting rod rotatably connecting the locking member to the insulating body.

2. The power connector with a locking assembly as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: The pressing member includes a pressing portion for user operation and a pair of extension arms extending forward from the pressing portion, wherein the pair of extension arms are relatively arranged on both sides of the pressing portion in the lateral direction, and each of the extension arms has a slider protruding from its outer side to slide with the insulating body and an abutting portion abutting against the locking member, and the locking member rotates under the action of the abutting portion to achieve unlocking with the docking connector.

3. The power connector with a locking assembly as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that: The insulating body comprises a main body, a pair of side walls erected above the main body and arranged opposite to each other in the transverse direction, and a top wall connecting the top ends of the pair of side walls. The main body, the pair of side walls and the top wall are arranged to form an installation space for accommodating the locking assembly. The main body is provided with a docking cavity for inserting a docking connector. The installation space is connected to the docking cavity via a through groove provided on the insulating body. The locking tongue of the locking member can enter the docking cavity from the through groove and lock the docking connector.

4. The power connector with a locking assembly as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that: The locking member includes a base, a locking tongue protruding downward from the front end of the base, a pair of rotating arms arranged on both sides of the base in the transverse direction, and a pressing block protruding from the outer side of the rotating arm to cooperate with the abutting portion.

5. The power connector with a locking assembly as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that: Each of the extension arms includes a first arm portion located on the outside and a second arm portion located on the inside of the first arm portion. The slider is protruded from the outside of the first arm portion in the lateral direction. The upper surface of the second arm portion is lower than the upper surface of the first arm portion to form a clearance space on the upper side of the second arm portion for the movement of the pressure block.

6. The power connector with a locking assembly as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that: Each of the side walls is provided with a pivot hole formed therethrough and a slide groove for accommodating the slider, the slider can slide back and forth in the slide groove to slidably connect the pressing member and the insulating body, and the two oppositely arranged ends of the connecting rod are inserted into the corresponding rotating arms and the pivot hole to rotatably connect the locking member and the insulating body.

7. The power connector with a locking assembly as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that: The locking assembly also includes a torsion spring sleeved on the connecting rod, and the first and second free ends of the torsion spring are oppositely arranged and respectively abut against the inner sides of the base and the top wall.

8. The power connector with a locking assembly as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that: The locking assembly also includes an elastic reset member whose two ends are respectively in contact with the pressing member and the insulating body. When the pressing member moves forward under the action of an external force, the reset member is squeezed to cause elastic deformation. When the external force disappears, the reset member rebounds under the action of its own elastic restoring force and pushes the pressing member back to its initial position.

9. The power connector with a locking assembly as claimed in claim 8, characterized in that: The installation space includes a first installation space located on the front side and a second installation space located on the rear side. A stop surface is formed at the intersection of the first installation space and the second installation space. The extension arm is accommodated in the first installation space, and the pressing portion and the reset member are accommodated in the second installation space. The front end of the reset member abuts against the stop surface, and the rear end abuts against the front surface of the pressing portion.

10. The power connector with a locking assembly according to any one of claims 3 to 9, characterized in that: The insulating body also has a perspective window opened on at least one side in the transverse direction thereof. In a locked state, the locking tongue is visible outward from the perspective window.

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