Type-C plug connector and preparation method thereof

Abstract

The invention discloses a Type-C plug connector and a preparation method thereof. The Type-C plug connector comprises an insulating body, a shielding shell, a plurality of terminals and a clamping hook piece, an insertion cavity with a forward opening is formed in the insulating body; an outer surface of the insulation body is concavely provided with a positioning groove, left and right side surfaces of the insulation body are respectively provided with a slot, the two slots are communicated between the outside and the insertion cavity and are respectively communicated with two ends of the positioning groove, and the insulation body comprises a plastic main body and a supporting framework; the supporting framework is made of a titanium-aluminum alloy material and is formed through 3D printing, and then the supporting framework is embedded, formed and fixed in the plastic main body, so that the high-strength insulating body is formed, the structural strength of the insulating body is effectively enhanced, the product is not easy to damage, the service life is longer, and the service life of the product is prolonged. The clamping hook piece is designed to be formed by integrally forming and bending the metal wire, a stamping die does not need to be used for stamping forming, the die is saved, manufacturing is easier, and the manufacturing cost is effectively reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of electrical connectors, and in particular to a Type-C plug connector and a method for preparing the same. Background Art

[0002] The Type-C plug connector, often referred to as the Type-C interface, is a new type of USB interface that can be inserted from both sides. This design greatly improves user convenience because it no longer requires distinguishing between the front and back sides of the connector as with traditional USB interfaces. The Type-C interface is not only suitable for data transmission, but also supports high-power power transmission, video transmission, and other functions. With its reversible pluggability, fast transmission speed, strong power transmission capacity, video transmission function, strong interface versatility, and support for multiple protocols, the Type-C plug connector is gradually replacing the traditional USB interface and becoming the mainstream trend of future electronic device interfaces.

[0003] The current Type-C plug connector mainly consists of an insulating body, a shielding shell, multiple terminals, and a hook member. The insulating body has an insertion cavity with a forward opening. The shielding shell covers the insulating body. The multiple terminals are arranged in the insulating body, and each terminal has a contact portion and a soldering portion. The contact portion is suspended in the insertion cavity, and the soldering portion is exposed at the rear end of the insulating body. The hook member is arranged in the insulating body.

[0004] In the existing technology, the insulating body is entirely made of plastic and is injection molded, resulting in a relatively weak structural strength, making the Type-C plug connector easily damaged and having a relatively short service life. Furthermore, the hook components are all sheet metal structures, which are stamped using a stamping die. This is difficult and costly to manufacture. Furthermore, during assembly, a through-slot is required in the insulating body, which runs through the front and back ends of the insulating body. The hook components are then inserted into the through-slot from back to front. This assembly structure creates a large gap, which easily harbors dirt and dust, allowing external dust and moisture to enter the rear end of the product through the gap. This poor waterproof and dustproof effect is unsatisfactory, and the provision of the through-slot further weakens the structural strength of the insulating body. Therefore, it is necessary to improve the current Type-C plug connector. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In view of this, the present invention addresses the deficiencies in the prior art, and its main purpose is to provide a Type-C plug connector and a method for preparing the same, which can effectively solve the problems of the existing Type-C plug connector, such as being easily damaged, difficult to manufacture, high cost, and poor waterproof and dustproof performance.

[0006] To achieve the above object, the present invention adopts the following technical solutions:

[0007] A Type-C plug connector includes an insulating body, a shielding shell, a plurality of terminals and a hook member; the insulating body has an insertion cavity with an opening facing forward; the shielding shell is covered on the insulating body; the plurality of terminals are arranged in the insulating body, each terminal has a contact portion and a welding portion, the contact portion is suspended in the insertion cavity, and the welding portion is exposed from the rear end of the insulating body; the hook member is arranged in the insulating body; a positioning groove is recessed on an outer surface of the insulating body, and slots are opened on both left and right side surfaces of the insulating body, the two slots communicate between the outside and the insertion cavity, and the two slots are respectively connected to the two ends of the positioning groove, the insulating body includes a plastic body and a support The support frame is made of titanium-aluminum alloy, is formed by 3D printing, and is inlaid and fixed in the plastic body. The support frame is partially exposed in the positioning groove, and the terminal is isolated from the support frame by the plastic body; the hook piece is formed by bending a metal wire as a whole, and includes a positioning part and two hooking parts; the positioning part is embedded in the positioning groove for positioning, and the positioning part is in close contact and conduction with the inner wall of the shielding shell and the support frame, the two hooking parts are respectively bent and extended from the left and right ends of the positioning part, the two hooking parts are respectively suspended in the two slots, the two hooking parts are respectively partially extended into the two sides of the insertion cavity, and the two hooking parts can be arranged to move laterally elastically inward and outward.

[0008] As a preferred solution, the positioning groove is U-shaped, and correspondingly, the positioning portion is U-shaped, which includes a transverse section and two longitudinal sections. The two longitudinal sections are bent and extended at the left and right ends of the transverse section respectively, and both longitudinal sections extend backward. The structure is simple and the positioning is more stable.

[0009] As a preferred solution, the hooking portion includes a vertical section and an inclined section. The vertical section is bent vertically downward at the tail end of the longitudinal section and extends, and a portion of the vertical section is exposed in the insertion cavity. The inclined section is bent upward toward the outside at the lower end of the vertical section and extends, and the inclined section faces the inner wall of the shielding shell. It has a simple structure and good elasticity.

[0010] As a preferred solution, the metal wire is steel wire.

[0011] As a preferred solution, the rear end face of the insulating body is provided with a plurality of terminal slots, which are all connected to the insertion cavity. The plurality of terminals are respectively inserted into the corresponding terminal slots from back to front and tightly fixed to facilitate quick assembly of the terminals.

[0012] As a preferred solution, the rear end edges of both surfaces of the insulating body are provided with limiting ridges, and the rear end surface of the shielding shell abuts against the front side of the limiting ridges to prevent the shielding shell from shifting backward relative to the insulating body.

[0013] As a preferred solution, at least one surface of the rear end of the insulating body is provided with a convex buckle, and correspondingly, a buckle hole is opened on the shielding shell, and the convex buckle and the buckle hole are fixed by buckling, which has a simple structure and is easy to assemble.

[0014] As a preferred solution, the terminal is a harpoon-shaped structure, which is simple in structure and easy to manufacture.

[0015] A method for preparing a Type-C plug connector includes the following steps:

[0016] (1) First, a support frame is formed by 3D printing according to the force distribution when the Type-C plug connector is plugged in and connected, and then the support frame is placed in an injection mold to injection mold a plastic body, so that the support frame is embedded and fixed in the plastic body to form an insulating body;

[0017] (2) Assemble the multiple terminals from back to front into the insulation body and fix them;

[0018] (3) Assemble the hook member from top to bottom onto the insulating body, so that the positioning portion is embedded in the positioning groove and the two hook holding portions are suspended in the two groove gaps respectively;

[0019] (4) The shielding shell is fitted onto the insulating body from front to back and fixed so that the positioning portion is clamped between the shielding shell and the supporting frame and is conductively connected.

[0020] As a preferred embodiment, the method further comprises the following steps:

[0021] (5) Assemble the PCB board at the rear end of the insulating body, and make the welding parts of the multiple terminals welded and fixed to the corresponding pads on the PCB board and conduction connected. At the same time, make the fixing feet of each shielding shell welded and fixed to the PCB board and conduction connected.

[0022] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has obvious advantages and beneficial effects. Specifically, it can be seen from the above technical solution that:

[0023] By using titanium-aluminum alloy as the support frame and forming it through 3D printing, and then inlaying and fixing the support frame in the plastic body, a high-strength insulating body is formed, and its structural strength is effectively enhanced, making this product not easy to be damaged and having a longer service life. In addition, by designing the hook part to be formed by bending a metal wire in one piece, it replaces the traditional metal sheet structure, and there is no need to use a stamping mold for stamping, which saves molds, makes production easier, and effectively reduces production costs. At the same time, the installation of the hook part does not require the opening of a front and rear through-groove on the insulating body, which is not easy to hide dirt and grime, and the structural strength is further enhanced. External dust and water vapor are not easy to enter the tail end of the product, and the waterproof and dustproof effect is better, meeting the needs of use. In addition, the positioning part is in close contact with the inner wall of the shielding shell and the support frame to achieve a good electromagnetic shielding effect, effectively avoiding external interference, making the signal transmission of each terminal more stable and reliable, and the high-frequency characteristics better.

[0024] In order to more clearly illustrate the structural features and effects of the present invention, the present invention is described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of an assembly perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 2 It is a schematic three-dimensional assembly diagram of another angle of a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 3 It is an exploded view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 4 It is an exploded view from another angle of a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 6 is another cross-sectional view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 7 It is another cross-sectional view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0032] Figure 8 It is an enlarged schematic diagram of the hook member in the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] Description of the accompanying drawings:

[0034] 10. Insulation body 11. Plastic body

[0035] 12. Support frame 101, insertion cavity

[0036] 102, positioning groove 103, slot

[0037] 104, terminal slot 105, limiting ridge

[0038] 106, convex buckle 107, fixing groove

[0039] 20. Shielding shell 21. Button hole

[0040] 22. Fixed foot 201, clamping groove

[0041] 30, terminal 31, contact part

[0042] 32. Welding part 40. Hook piece

[0043] 41. Positioning portion 411. Horizontal section

[0044] 412, longitudinal section 42, hook holding portion

[0045] 421, vertical section 422, inclined section

[0046] 50. PCB board 51. Solder pad. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0047] Please refer to Figures 1 to 8 , which shows the specific structure of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, including an insulating body 10 , a shielding shell 20 , a plurality of terminals 30 and a hook member 40 .

[0048] The insulating body 10 has an insertion cavity 101 with an opening facing forward, and a positioning groove 102 is recessed on an outer surface of the insulating body 10. Slots 103 are provided on the left and right side surfaces of the insulating body 10. The two slots 103 connect the outside and the insertion cavity 101, and the two slots 103 are respectively connected to the two ends of the positioning groove 102. Specifically, the insulating body 10 includes a plastic body 11 and a support frame 12. The support frame 12 is made of titanium-aluminum alloy, is light in weight and has good strength. The support frame 12 is formed by 3D printing so that the thickness, density and other parameters at various positions of the support frame 12 can be reasonably designed according to the force distribution of the Type-C plug connector during insertion and connection, and the support frame 12 is inlaid and fixed in the plastic body 11, and the support frame 12 is partially exposed in the positioning groove 102. In this embodiment, the positioning groove 102 is U-shaped; and the rear end face of the insulating body 10 is provided with a plurality of terminal grooves 104, and the plurality of terminal grooves 104 are all connected to the insertion cavity 101; in addition, the rear end edges of both surfaces of the insulating body 10 are convexly provided with limiting ridges 105; at least one surface of the rear end of the insulating body 10 is convexly provided with a convex buckle 106; in addition, the rear end face of the insulating body 10 is concavely provided with a fixing groove 107.

[0049] The shielding shell 20 is covered on the outside of the insulating body 10. In this embodiment, the shielding shell 20 is made of metal and is formed by stamping or stretching. The rear end face of the shielding shell 20 abuts against the front side of the limiting ridge 105 to prevent the shielding shell 20 from moving backward relative to the insulating body 10. In addition, a buckle hole 21 is provided on the shielding shell 20. The buckle 106 is fixed with the buckle hole 21 to prevent the shielding shell 20 from slipping forward from the insulating body 10, thereby ensuring a stable connection between the shielding shell 20 and the insulating body 10. In addition, two fixing legs 22 extend backward on both sides of the rear end of the shielding shell 20. The two fixing legs 22 are arranged at intervals up and down and form a clamping groove 201.

[0050] The plurality of terminals 30 are disposed within the insulating body 10. Each terminal 30 has a contact portion 31 and a soldering portion 32. The contact portion 31 is suspended within the insertion cavity 101, and the soldering portion 32 is exposed at the rear end of the insulating body 10. The terminals 30 are isolated from the support frame 12 by the plastic body 11 to prevent contact and electrical conduction between the terminals 30 and the support frame 12. In this embodiment, the terminals 30 have a harpoon-like structure. Furthermore, the plurality of terminals 30 are inserted from the back to the front into the corresponding terminal slots 104, tightly fitting and securing them. This results in a simple structure and easy assembly.

[0051] The hook member 40 is disposed within the insulating body 10; the hook member 40 is formed by integrally bending a metal wire and includes a positioning portion 41 and two hooking portions 42. The positioning portion 41 is positioned within the positioning slot 102 and is in close contact and electrical communication with the inner wall of the shielding shell 20 and the support frame 12. The two hooking portions 42 are bent and extend from the left and right ends of the positioning portion 41, respectively. The two hooking portions 42 are suspended in the two slots 103, and the two hooking portions 42 partially extend into the two sides of the insertion cavity 101. The two hooking portions 42 are arranged to be laterally elastically movable inward and outward. In this embodiment, the metal wire is steel wire, but it can also be other metal wires with appropriate rigidity and elasticity, without limitation. Specifically, the positioning portion 41 is U-shaped and includes a transverse section 411 and two longitudinal sections 412. The two longitudinal sections 412 are bent and extend from the left and right ends of the transverse section 411, respectively, and both longitudinal sections 412 extend rearward. The hooking portion 42 includes a vertical section 421 and an inclined section 422. The vertical section 421 is bent vertically downward at the tail end of the longitudinal section 412 and extends outward. A portion of the vertical section 421 is exposed in the insertion cavity 101. The inclined section 422 is bent upward toward the outside at the lower end of the vertical section 421 and extends outward. The inclined section 422 faces the inner wall of the shielding shell 20.

[0052] In addition, it further includes a PCB board 50, the front end of which is inserted and fixed in the fixing groove 107, and the PCB board 50 extends backward. The PCB board 50 has multiple soldering pads 51, and the soldering portions 32 of the multiple terminals 30 are respectively soldered and fixed to the corresponding soldering pads 51 and conductively connected, and the two ends of the PCB board 50 are respectively clamped in the clamping grooves 201 on both sides of the rear end of the shielding shell 20, and each fixing foot 22 is soldered and fixed to the PCB board 50 and conductively connected.

[0053] The present invention also discloses a method for preparing a Type-C plug connector, comprising the following steps:

[0054] (1) First, according to the force distribution of the Type-C plug connector during plug-in connection, a support frame 12 is formed by 3D printing, and then the support frame 12 is placed in an injection mold to injection mold a plastic body 11, so that the support frame 12 is embedded and fixed in the plastic body 11 to form an insulating body 10. The insulating body 10 has high strength and is difficult to be damaged by any plugging and unplugging, and has a very long service life.

[0055] (2) Assemble the plurality of terminals 20 from the back to the front in the corresponding terminal slots 104 of the insulating body 10 and fix them.

[0056] (3) Assemble the hook member 40 onto the insulating body 10 from top to bottom, so that the positioning portion 41 is embedded in the positioning groove 102 for positioning, and the two hooking portions 42 are suspended in the two slots 103 respectively.

[0057] (4) The shielding shell 20 is fitted onto the insulating body 10 from front to back and fixed so that the positioning portion 41 is clamped between the shielding shell 20 and the supporting frame 12 and is conductively connected.

[0058] (5) Assemble the PCB board 50 at the rear end of the insulating body 10, and make the welding parts 32 of the multiple terminals 30 be welded and fixed to the corresponding welding pads 51 on the PCB board 50 and conductively connected. At the same time, the fixing feet 22 of the shielding shell 20 are also welded and fixed to the PCB board 50 and conductively connected.

[0059] During use, when the product is properly plugged into an external Type-C receptacle, the vertical sections 421 of the two hooks 42 resiliently engage the slots on either side of the tongue of the Type-C receptacle, enhancing insertion and removal force while preventing the product from easily separating from the Type-C receptacle. To detach the product from the Type-C receptacle, simply pull the product outward with force, and the two hooks 42 will elastically move outward and disengage from the corresponding slots, allowing the product to be removed.

[0060] The design focus of the present invention is: by using titanium-aluminum alloy material for the support frame and forming it through 3D printing, and then inlaying and fixing the support frame in the plastic main body, a high-strength insulating body is formed, and its structural strength is effectively enhanced, making the product not easy to be damaged and having a longer service life; and by designing the hook part to be formed by integrally forming and bending a metal wire, it replaces the traditional metal sheet structure, and does not require the use of a stamping mold for stamping, saving molds, making it easier to produce, and effectively reducing the production cost. At the same time, the installation of the hook part does not require the opening of a front-to-back through-groove on the insulating body, which is not easy to hide dirt and grime, and the structural strength is further enhanced. External dust and water vapor are not easy to enter the tail end of the product, and the waterproof and dustproof effect is better, meeting the needs of use. In addition, the positioning part is in close contact with the inner wall of the shielding shell and the support frame to achieve a good electromagnetic shielding effect, effectively avoiding external interference, making the signal transmission of each terminal more stable and reliable, and the high-frequency characteristics better.

[0061] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and does not limit the technical scope of the present invention. Therefore, any minor modifications, equivalent changes and modifications made to the above embodiments based on the technical essence of the present invention are still within the scope of the technical solution of the present invention.

Claims

1. A Type-C plug connector, comprising an insulating body, a shielding shell, a plurality of terminals, and a hook member; the insulating body having an insertion cavity with a forward opening; the shielding shell covering the insulating body; the plurality of terminals disposed within the insulating body, each terminal having a contact portion and a soldering portion, the contact portion suspended within the insertion cavity and the soldering portion exposed at the rear end of the insulating body; the hook member disposed within the insulating body; and characterized in that: A positioning groove is recessed on an outer surface of the insulating body, and slots are provided on the left and right side surfaces of the insulating body. The two slots connect the outside world and the insertion cavity, and the two slots are respectively connected to the two ends of the positioning groove. The insulating body includes a plastic body and a support frame. The support frame is made of titanium-aluminum alloy, and the support frame is formed by 3D printing, and the support frame is inlaid and fixed in the plastic body. The support frame is partially exposed in the positioning groove, and the terminal is isolated from the support frame by the plastic body; the hook piece is formed by integrally forming and bending a metal wire, and includes a positioning part and two hooking parts; the positioning part is embedded in the positioning groove for positioning, and the positioning part is in close contact and conduction with the inner wall of the shielding shell and the support frame, and the two hooking parts are respectively bent and extended from the left and right ends of the positioning part, and the two hooking parts are respectively suspended in the two slots, and the two hooking parts are respectively partially extended into the two sides of the insertion cavity, and the two hooking parts can be arranged to move laterally elastically inward and outward.

2. The Type-C plug connector according to claim 1, wherein: The positioning groove is U-shaped. Correspondingly, the positioning portion is U-shaped, comprising a transverse section and two longitudinal sections. The two longitudinal sections are respectively bent and extended at the left and right ends of the transverse section, and both longitudinal sections extend backward.

3. The Type-C plug connector according to claim 2, wherein: The hooking portion includes a vertical section and an inclined section. The vertical section is bent vertically downward at the tail end of the longitudinal section and extends outward. A portion of the vertical section is exposed in the insertion cavity. The inclined section is bent upward toward the outside at the lower end of the vertical section and extends outward. The inclined section faces the inner wall of the shielding shell.

4. The Type-C plug connector according to claim 1, wherein: The metal wire is steel wire.

5. The Type-C plug connector according to claim 1, wherein: The rear end surface of the insulating body is provided with a plurality of terminal slots, which are all communicated with the insertion cavity. The plurality of terminals are respectively inserted into the corresponding terminal slots from back to front and tightly fixed.

6. The Type-C plug connector according to claim 1, wherein: The rear end edges of both surfaces of the insulating body are both protruded with limiting convex strips, and the rear end surface of the shielding shell abuts against the front side of the limiting convex strips.

7. The Type-C plug connector according to claim 6, wherein: At least one surface of the rear end of the insulating body is provided with a convex buckle, and correspondingly, a buckle hole is provided on the shielding shell, and the convex buckle is fastened in conjunction with the buckle hole.

8. The Type-C plug connector according to claim 1, wherein: The terminal is a harpoon-shaped structure.

9. A method for preparing the Type-C plug connector according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that: The following steps are included: (1) First, a support frame is formed by 3D printing according to the force distribution when the Type-C plug connector is plugged in and connected, and then the support frame is placed in an injection mold to injection mold a plastic body, so that the support frame is embedded and fixed in the plastic body to form an insulating body; (2) Assemble the multiple terminals from back to front into the insulation body and fix them; (3) Assemble the hook member from top to bottom onto the insulating body, so that the positioning portion is embedded in the positioning groove and the two hook holding portions are suspended in the two groove gaps respectively; (4) The shielding shell is fitted onto the insulating body from front to back and fixed so that the positioning portion is clamped between the shielding shell and the supporting frame and is conductively connected.

10. The method for preparing a Type-C plug connector according to claim 9, wherein: The method further comprises the following steps: (5) Assemble the PCB board at the rear end of the insulating body, and make the welding parts of the multiple terminals welded and fixed to the corresponding pads on the PCB board and conduction connected. At the same time, make the fixing feet of each shielding shell welded and fixed to the PCB board and conduction connected.

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