Modularized male and female common piece automatic locking connector

Abstract

The invention provides a modular male and female common piece automatic locking connector which comprises a modular shell and an integrated sheath, the modular shell comprises a mounting groove and a limiting part, and the integrated sheath comprises a swing piece, an inner cavity and a communication port. The mounting groove is provided with two plug-in mounting ports at two ends of the modular shell in the length direction, the limiting part is provided with the mounting groove close to the plug-in mounting ports, the integrated sheath can be mounted in the mounting groove through any plug-in mounting port, and the inner cavity can be used for accommodating the male end terminal or the female end terminal. A conductive column of the male end terminal can penetrate out of or extend into the communication port, and the swing piece is arranged in an elastic swing mode and can swing / reset to release / form clamping limiting with the limiting part. In order to overcome the defects in the prior art, the invention provides the modularized male and female common piece automatic locking connector which is simpler in component structure, convenient to process and produce, wider in application scene and higher in use flexibility.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of miniaturized connectors, and particularly to a modular male-female common component automatic locking connector. Background Art

[0002] A connector, also called a plug-in, is a device that connects two active devices to form a current or signal transmission. It is commonly used in fields such as consumer electronics, communications, and automotive electronics. A connector usually includes a male end and a female end. The male end includes a male housing and male terminals disposed in the male housing. The female end includes a female housing and female terminals disposed in the female housing. Electrical connection is formed through the connection between the male terminals and the female terminals, and positioning cooperation between the male housing and the female housing is formed through plug-in cooperation. However, for the connectors in the prior art, the male end and the female end each have an independent and complex structure. The male end usually requires a conductive post with a specific shape and a matching housing structure to be designed, and the female end requires a corresponding slot for accommodating the conductive post and a matching fixing structure. Such a complex structural design not only increases the design difficulty, but also has extremely high precision requirements for the mold during the production and processing process. The processing procedures for each component are also relatively cumbersome, resulting in a high processing cost. Moreover, since the male end and the female end are independent and fixed structures, in actual use scenarios, the flexibility is poor, and it is difficult to adapt to diverse connection requirements. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In view of the deficiencies of the prior art, the present invention provides a modular male-female common component automatic locking connector with a simpler component structure, convenient processing and production, a wider application scenario, and stronger use flexibility.

[0004] To achieve the above object, the present invention provides a modular male-female common component automatic locking connector, including a modular housing and an integral sheath. The modular housing includes a mounting groove and a limiting portion. The integral sheath includes a swinging member, an inner cavity, and a communication port. Two insertion ports are formed at both ends of the modular housing in the length direction of the mounting groove. The limiting portion is disposed near the insertion port of the mounting groove. The integral sheath can be inserted into the mounting groove through any one of the insertion ports. The inner cavity can accommodate male terminals or female terminals. The communication port allows the conductive posts of the male terminals to pass through or extend into. The swinging member is elastically swingably disposed, and the swinging member can swing / reset to release / form a snap limit with the limiting portion.

[0005] The advantages of adopting the above technical solution are as follows: By setting a modular outer shell and an integral sheath, and enabling the inner cavity in the integral sheath to install male terminals or female terminals, and allowing the communication port to allow the conductive posts of the male terminals to pass through or extend into, the integral sheath can install male terminals or female terminals. On this basis, the installation slots of the modular outer shell are connected at both ends to form an insertion port for the integral sheath to be inserted into the installation slots from both ends to form a connection, and then the integral sheath is limited by the limiting part. The overall structure is simple and clear, reducing the structural complexity, which reduces the difficulty of the mold and simplifies the processing procedures, effectively reducing the processing cost. Moreover, the integral sheath can be inserted into the installation slot through any insertion port, and its inner cavity can accommodate both male terminals and female terminals, enabling the connector to flexibly adapt to male or female connections in different usage scenarios without the need to prepare male and female ends with different structures for different connection requirements like traditional connectors, greatly improving the versatility and convenience of use of the connector and expanding the application scenarios of the product.

[0006] The present invention can be further configured as follows: An operating member and a guide groove are provided on the swinging member. A pressing portion for pressing to form elastic swinging of the swinging member is provided at one end of the operating member. The modular outer shell includes a positioning groove above the insertion port of the installation slot, and the guide groove allows the operating member to slide guidedly until its pressing portion enters the positioning groove.

[0007] Through further setting, the operating member provided on the swinging member has a pressing portion for pressing, which provides a clear operating position and method for the user. When it is necessary to unlock the integral sheath and the modular outer shell, only by pressing the pressing portion can the swinging member generate elastic swinging to achieve the unlocking purpose. On this basis, a positioning groove is provided on the modular outer shell, and the operating member can slide along the guide groove into the positioning groove. When the integral sheath and the modular outer shell do not need to be unlocked, the operating member can be slid, and the pressing portion on the operating member is slid into the positioning groove. At this time, pressing the pressing portion can only apply pressure to the modular outer shell and will not affect the swinging member, effectively preventing misoperation.

[0008] The present invention can be further configured as follows: The modular outer shell includes a retaining edge and a first sliding groove at the positioning groove. The swinging member includes a second sliding groove at the end. The first sliding groove forms the communication between the positioning groove and the installation slot, and the first sliding groove and the second sliding groove are connected. The operating member includes a connecting portion connected to the pressing portion, and the connecting portion can be guided to slide along the first sliding groove and the second sliding groove.

[0009] Through further configuration, the first slide groove on the modular housing and the second slide groove on the swinging member are connected to each other, and the connecting part of the operating member can be guided and slid in the two slide grooves, which can avoid shaking and slipping, and provide a stable motion trajectory. The setting of the retaining edge can play a role of blocking and limiting, preventing the operating member from accidentally falling out of the positioning groove after locking, thereby enhancing the reliability of locking.

[0010] The present invention can be further configured as follows: the modular housing includes a guide block, the swinging member includes a first card block located on the inner walls of both sides of the guide groove and extending toward each other, the operating member is provided with a second card block, the second card block is slidably arranged with the operating member, the first card block and the guide block are both arranged corresponding to the movement path of the second card block, the first card block can form an abutment limit with the second card block, and the guide block is used to guide the first card block to exit the guide groove.

[0011] Through further configuration, through the configuration of the first card block and the second card block, the limiting effect of the two can be utilized so that when the integrated cover is not inserted into the modular housing, the cooperation between the first card block and the second card block can be used to place the operating member in a position where the swing member can be operated. When the integrated cover is inserted into the modular housing, the cooperation between the guide block and the first card block can be utilized to allow the first card block to withdraw from the guide groove, and the clamping cooperation between the second card block and the first card block can be released, so that the user can adjust the position of the operating member to allow the pressing portion to enter or withdraw from the positioning groove.

[0012] The present invention can be further configured as follows: an inclined surface is provided at the modular housing corresponding to the insertion port, and a gradually smaller cone block is provided at the front end of the operating member corresponding to the second card block, and the cone block can extend between the first card blocks when the front end of the second card block abuts against the first card block.

[0013] Through further settings, an inclined surface is provided at the corresponding insertion port of the modular shell, and a gradually smaller cone block is provided at the front end of the second clamping block on the operating member. When the integrated cover is inserted, the cone block can cooperate with the inclined surface to convert the opposite force into a part of the downward pressure, and exert downward pressure on the operating member and the second clamping block on the operating member, so as to facilitate the insertion of the integrated cover into the modular shell. Subsequently, the cone block can cooperate with the guide block first to play an auxiliary guiding effect, making the installation more convenient and smooth.

[0014] The present invention can be further configured as follows: the modular shell includes an anti-error rib, the anti-error rib is arranged near the middle of the installation groove, the one-piece cover is provided with an anti-error groove, the one-piece cover can extend through the insertion port to the anti-error rib, be placed in the anti-error groove and form an abutment fit.

[0015] Through further settings, anti-misalignment ribs are provided on the modular housing, and anti-misalignment grooves are provided on the integral sheath. Finally, after the integral sheath is inserted into the installation groove, the anti-misalignment ribs can be inserted into the anti-misalignment grooves and form an abutting fit. The advantages of such a setting are, on the one hand, that through the position and length of the anti-misalignment ribs, the correct integral sheath can extend in and then form an abutment after reaching the corresponding position, so as to achieve the anti-misalignment effect. On the other hand, it can also play a limiting effect through the abutting fit between the anti-misalignment ribs and the integral sheath.

[0016] The present invention can be further set as follows: a partition plate is provided at the middle part of the modular housing corresponding to the installation groove. The partition plate can form an abutting limit with the integral sheath. Hooks are provided on the partition plate. A limiting cross bar is provided at the front end of the integral sheath corresponding to the guide groove. The hooks are elastically swingably arranged, and the hooks can swing under the pushing of the operating member to form a clamping fit with the limiting cross bar.

[0017] Through further settings, due to the setting of the partition plate, the modular housing and the integral sheath can, under the action of anti-misalignment and limiting through the anti-misalignment ribs, further strengthen the limiting effect through the partition plate. The setting of the elastically swingable hooks can, on the basis of the limiting part playing a limiting role, and then swing under the pushing of the operating member to form a clamping fit with the limiting cross bar at the front end of the integral sheath, and can form multiple limitings on different positions of the integral sheath with the limiting part, further strengthening the positioning effect and stability after locking. And, because the hooks are swung by the pushing of the operating member, when unlocking is required, the operating member originally needs to be withdrawn first. Therefore, the locking of the hooks on the limiting cross bar can be released without additional operations, which is convenient to use.

[0018] The present invention can be further set as follows: the integral sheath includes a transverse groove and a locking member. The transverse groove communicates with the inner cavity. The locking member extends obliquely away from the outer wall of the integral sheath. A lock head is provided at the end of the locking member. The lock head can swing through the transverse groove and enter the inner cavity along with the locking member.

[0019] Through further settings, a transverse groove and a locking member are provided on the integral sheath. The locking member is set to extend obliquely away from the outer wall of the integral sheath. A lock head is also provided at the end of the locking member. When the integral sheath is not installed, the locking member will make the lock head outside the integral sheath. When the integral sheath is installed on the modular housing, the inner wall of the installation groove will abut against the locking member and cause it to swing towards the direction close to the outer wall of the integral sheath, and then the lock head passes through the transverse groove and enters the inner cavity, and the terminals are tightly positioned through the lock head without additional operations during the installation process.

[0020] The present invention can be further configured as follows: the lock head is hook-shaped, and after the lock head enters the transverse groove, it can form a snap fit and positioning with the inner wall of the transverse groove.

[0021] Through further setting, the lock head is set to be hook-shaped, and after the lock enters the transverse groove, it can form a snap fit and positioning with the inner wall of the transverse groove. In addition to promoting the lock to enter through the modular housing during installation to form positioning, according to actual needs, the locking member can be pressed in advance to make it enter the installation groove to form a snap fit and position the terminals therein.

[0022] The present invention can be further configured as follows: a card slot is provided at a position of the integral sheath close to the communication port.

[0023] Through further setting, a card slot is provided at a position of the integral sheath close to the communication port. After the terminal is installed at the corresponding position, a part of the terminal can extend into the card slot through the card slot, thereby forming a snap fit. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] Figure 1 is a schematic structural view of an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a top view of an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 is an embodiment of the present invention Figure 2 a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B in; Figure 4 is an embodiment of the present invention Figure 2 a cross-sectional view taken along line C-C in; Figure 5 is a schematic structural view of the modular housing in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 6 is a schematic structural view of the cooperation between the integral sheath and the operation key in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 7 is a schematic structural view of the integral sheath in an embodiment of the present invention Figure 1 ; Figure 8 is a schematic structural view of the integral sheath in an embodiment of the present invention Figure 2 ; Figure 9 is a schematic structural view of the operation key in an embodiment of the present invention; Wherein: modular housing 1; mounting groove 11; limiting portion 12; positioning groove 13; retaining edge 131; first chute 132; guiding block 14; inclined surface 15; anti-misalignment rib 16; partition plate 17; integral sheath 2; swinging member 21; guide groove 211; second chute 212; first latch 213; inner cavity 22; locking member 23; lock head 231; operating member 24; pressing portion 241; connecting portion 242; second latch 243; tapered block 244; limiting cross bar 25; card slot 26; anti-misalignment slot 27; transverse slot 28; male terminal 3; female terminal 4. Detailed implementation manner

[0025] An embodiment of a modular male-female common-piece automatic locking connector of the present invention is as Figure 1-9 shown: It includes a modular housing 1 and an integral sheath 2. The modular housing 1 includes two mounting grooves 11 and a limiting portion 12. The integral sheath 2 includes a swinging member 21, an inner cavity 22 and a communication port. At both ends of the modular housing 1 in the length direction, the mounting groove 11 forms two insertion ports. The limiting portion 12 is arranged near the insertion port of the mounting groove 11. The integral sheath 2 can be inserted into the mounting groove 11 through any one of the insertion ports. The inner cavity 22 can accommodate the male terminal 3 or the female terminal 4. In the two integral sheaths 2 in the drawings of this embodiment, the male terminal 3 and the female terminal 4 are respectively installed. One of the communication ports corresponding to the male terminal is for the conductive column of the male terminal 3 to pass through, and the other communication port is for the conductive column to extend into the female terminal 4 in the corresponding inner cavity to form a fit. The swinging member 21 is elastically swingably arranged, and the swinging member 21 can swing / reset to release / form a snap-fit limit with the limiting portion 12.

[0026] An operating member 24 and a guide groove 211 are provided on the swinging member 21. The modular housing 1 includes a guiding block 14. At one end of the operating member 24, a pressing portion 241 is provided for pressing to form elastic swinging of the swinging member 21. The modular housing 1 includes a positioning groove 13 located above the insertion opening of the installation groove 11. The guide groove 211 allows the operating member 24 to slide in a guiding manner until its pressing portion 241 enters the positioning groove 13. Through the arrangement of the operating member 24 and the pressing portion 241, the operation is facilitated. The arrangement of the positioning groove 13 on the modular housing 1 enables the pressing portion 241 on the operating member 24 to be slid to the positioning groove 13 by sliding the operating member 24. The positioning groove 13 limits the pressing portion 241, which can prevent the swinging member 21 from swinging accidentally due to misoperation after installation, resulting in loosening between the modular housing 1 and the integrated sheath 2. The swinging member 21 includes first clamping blocks 213 extending towards each other on the inner walls of both sides of the guide groove 211. The operating member 24 is provided with second clamping blocks 243. The second clamping blocks 243 are slidably arranged along with the operating member 24. The first clamping blocks 213 and the guiding block 14 are both arranged corresponding to the movement path of the second clamping blocks 243. The first clamping blocks 213 are arranged on the sliding path of the second clamping blocks 243. The second clamping blocks 243 can abut against the first clamping blocks 213 to form a limit during the sliding process. The guiding block 14 is arranged with both ends gradually becoming smaller. The second clamping blocks 243 will abut against the guiding block 14 during the sliding process and will be disengaged from the guide groove under the guidance of the shape of the guiding block 14. At this time, the second clamping blocks 243 will not abut against and limit the first clamping blocks 213, enabling the operating member 24 to slide smoothly without additional operations, as long as the modular housing 1 and the integrated sheath 2 are in corresponding positions, which facilitates the disassembly and assembly operations.

[0027] On the basis of providing the positioning groove 13 to form a limit, the specific structure of the positioning groove 13 is further optimized. The modular housing 1 includes a retaining edge 131 and a first sliding groove 132 located at the positioning groove 13. The swinging member 21 includes a second sliding groove 212 at its end. The first sliding groove 132 forms the communication between the positioning groove 13 and the installation groove 11, and the first sliding groove 132 and the second sliding groove 212 are communicated. The operating member 24 includes a connecting portion 242 connected to the pressing portion 241. The connecting portion 242 can be slidably arranged along the first sliding groove 132 and the second sliding groove 212. Through the first sliding groove 132 and the second sliding groove 212, the swinging member is guided to slide. The arrangement of the retaining edge 131 provides an auxiliary limiting effect on the one hand and can also prevent misoperation and the application of a lateral force, resulting in the pressing portion 241 being disengaged.

[0028] The modular housing 1 is provided with an inclined surface 15 at the corresponding insertion port. At the front end of the second clamping block 243 of the operating member 24, a tapered block 244 with a gradually decreasing size is provided. When the front end of the second clamping block 243 abuts against the first clamping block 213, the tapered block 244 can extend between the first clamping blocks 213, enabling the tapered block 244 to first abut against the inclined surface 15 to achieve a guiding effect. Moreover, during installation, the tapered block 244 can also cooperate with the guiding block 14 first. On this basis, when the operating member 24 slides in, the cooperation between the second clamping block 243 and the guiding block 14 can be made smoother.

[0029] The modular housing 1 is provided with anti-misalignment ribs 16. The anti-misalignment ribs 16 are arranged near the middle of the installation groove 11. The integrated sheath 2 is provided with anti-misalignment grooves 27. The integrated sheath 2 can extend into the anti-misalignment ribs 16 through the insertion port and be inserted into the anti-misalignment grooves 27 to form an abutting fit. In this embodiment, the anti-misalignment ribs 16 in the modular housing are one long and one short. Matching the length setting of the anti-misalignment grooves 27 on the integrated sheath 2 can assist in distinguishing the types of male terminals 3 / female terminals 4 installed in the integrated sheath 2. In addition to anti-misalignment, it can also limit the position of the integrated sheath 2.

[0030] The modular housing 1 is provided with a partition plate 17 at the middle part corresponding to the installation groove. The partition plate 17 can form an abutting limit with the integrated sheath 2. The partition plate 17 is provided with a hook 171. The integrated sheath 2 is provided with a limiting cross bar 25 at the front end corresponding to the guide groove. The hook 171 is elastically swingable, and the hook 171 can swing under the pushing of the operating member 24 to form a clamping fit with the limiting cross bar 25. In this embodiment, the partition plate is provided with a number of communication ports corresponding to the number of pin needles. Of course, the pin needles can also pass through in the form of a long groove. In addition to the limit by the partition plate 17, an elastically swingable hook 171 is provided, so that the hook 171 can form a clamping fit with the limiting cross bar 25 under the pushing of the operating member 24. A limiting structure can be formed through the clamping fit between the hook 171 and the limiting cross bar 25, and in cooperation with the limiting structure between the limiting part 12 and the swinging member 21, a two-fold limiting structure is formed. In this embodiment, the two-fold limiting structures are respectively arranged at the front and rear ends after the integrated sheath 2 is inserted. By arranging limiting structures at different positions of the integrated sheath 2, the situation of the integrated sheath 2 shaking when inserted into the modular housing 1 can be avoided, and the stability can be better guaranteed. In addition, the two-fold sealing structure does not require additional operations and is automatically formed after the insertion of the integrated sheath 2 and the modular housing 1, which is convenient for assembly.

[0031] The described integrated sheath 2 includes a transverse groove 28 and a locking member 23. The transverse groove 28 communicates with the inner cavity 22. The locking member 23 extends obliquely away from the outer wall of the integrated sheath. A lock head 231 is provided at the end of the locking member 23. The lock head 231 can swing through the transverse groove 28 with the locking member 23 and enter the inner cavity 22. The integrated sheath 2 is provided with a card slot 26 near the communication port, allowing the lock head 231 to enter the transverse groove 28 to form a first limit on the terminal, and then setting the card slot 26 so that a part of the terminal can extend out of the card slot 26 to form a second limit, to ensure the stability of the connection between the integrated sheath 2 and the terminal.

[0032] The lock head 231 is arranged in a hook shape, and after the lock head 231 enters the transverse groove 28, it can form a clamping and positioning with the inner wall of the transverse groove 28. The lock head is additionally arranged in a hook shape, which can, during installation, in addition to being limited by the inner wall of the installation groove 11 of the modular housing 1, also be pressed in advance to make the lock head snap into the transverse groove 28, forming a limit on the terminal in the integrated sheath 2 by the lock head in advance, with stronger flexibility, and the installation method can be adjusted according to actual needs.

[0033] The above examples are only one of the preferred specific examples of the present invention. The ordinary changes and substitutions made by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technical solution of the present invention are included in the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A modular male-female common-piece automatic locking connector, characterized in that: It includes a modular shell and an integrated sleeve, the modular shell includes a mounting groove and a limiting portion, the integrated sleeve includes a swinging piece, an inner cavity and a connecting port, the mounting groove is formed with two insertion ports at both ends of the length direction of the modular shell, the limiting portion is provided with the mounting groove near the insertion port, the integrated sleeve can be inserted into the mounting groove through any insertion port, the inner cavity can accommodate a male terminal or a female terminal, the connecting port can allow a conductive column of the male terminal to pass through or extend into, the swinging piece is elastically swingingly arranged, and the swinging piece can swing / reset to release / form a limit engaged with the limiting portion.

2. The modular male-female common-piece automatic locking connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The swinging member is provided with an operating member and a guide groove, and a pressing portion which can be pressed to form elastic swing of the swinging member is provided at one end of the operating member, and the modular housing includes a positioning groove located above the insertion port of the installation groove, and the guide groove can guide the operating member to slide until its pressing portion enters the positioning groove.

3. The modular male-female common-piece automatic locking connector according to claim 2, characterized in that: The modular shell includes a retaining edge and a first slide groove located at the positioning groove, the swinging member includes a second slide groove located at the end, the first slide groove constitutes a connection between the positioning groove and the mounting groove, and the first slide groove and the second slide groove are connected, and the operating member includes a connecting portion connected to the pressing portion, and the connecting portion can be guided and slid along the first slide groove and the second slide groove.

4. The modular male-female common-piece automatic locking connector according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that: The modular housing includes a guide block, the swinging member includes a first card block located on the inner walls of both sides of the guide groove and extending toward each other, the operating member is provided with a second card block, the second card block is slidably arranged with the operating member, the first card block and the guide block are both arranged corresponding to the movement path of the second card block, the first card block can form an abutment limit with the second card block, and the guide block is used to guide the first card block to exit the guide groove.

5. The modular male-female common-piece automatic locking connector according to claim 4, characterized in that: The modular housing is provided with an inclined surface at the insertion port, and the operating member is provided with a gradually smaller cone block at the front end of the second block, and the cone block can extend to the space between the first blocks when the front end of the second block abuts against the first block.

6. The modular male-female common-piece automatic locking connector according to claim 2, 3 or 5, characterized in that: The modular shell includes an anti-error rib, which is arranged near the middle of the installation groove. The one-piece sleeve is provided with an anti-error groove. The one-piece sleeve can extend through the insertion port to the anti-error rib, be placed in the anti-error groove and form an abutment fit.

7. The modular male-female common-piece automatic locking connector according to claim 6, characterized in that: The modular shell is provided with a partition plate at the middle of the corresponding installation groove, and the partition plate can form an abutment limit with the integrated sleeve. The partition plate is provided with a hook, and the integrated sleeve is provided with a limiting cross bar at the front end of the corresponding guide groove. The hook is elastically swingable, and the hook can swing under the push of the operating part to form a snap fit with the limiting cross bar.

8. The modular male-female common-piece automatic locking connector according to claim 1 or 2 or 3 or 5 or 7, characterized in that: The integrated sheath comprises a transverse groove and a locking piece, wherein the transverse groove is connected to the inner cavity, the locking piece extends obliquely in a direction away from the outer wall of the integrated sheath, and a locking head is provided at the end of the locking piece, and the locking head can swing with the locking piece through the transverse groove into the inner cavity.

9. The modular male-female common-piece automatic locking connector according to claim 8, characterized in that: The lock head is arranged in a hook shape, and after the lock head enters the transverse groove, it can be locked and positioned with the inner wall of the transverse groove.

10. The modular male-female common-piece automatic locking connector according to claim 8, characterized in that: The integrated sheath is provided with a card slot at a position close to the communication port.

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