Mistaken locking prevention connector

Abstract

When a locking piece is pre-installed, the locking end of a sheath is installed in a locking groove of the locking piece, a limiting protrusion is located in a limiting opening, and a protruding block of an elastic arm is clamped in an unlocking groove; during primary locking, the terminal is inserted into the sheath from back to front, the locking block of the primary locking elastic arm is clamped in the primary locking opening, the auxiliary bulge is inserted into the unlocking groove, and the convex block of the elastic arm is ejected out of the unlocking groove; and during secondary locking, the locking piece is pushed, so that the convex block of the elastic arm crosses the limiting convex hull, and the secondary locking convex part is clamped into the secondary locking opening. The method has the beneficial effects that the problem that the locking piece is wrongly locked in advance before the terminal is completely mounted into the connector due to non-standard operation, misoperation or collision in the transportation process of an operator is effectively avoided, and the rework frequency and the rejection rate of the connector in the wire harness production period are reduced; and good contact of the terminal pairs in the subsequent use process of the connector is ensured.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to a connector, in particular to a mistaken lock prevention connector. BACKGROUND

[0002] Electrical connectors are commonly used to achieve electrical connection between devices and cables, and are usually designed as two parts of plug and socket. In order to ensure that the connector achieves reliable electrical connection, the terminal must be properly locked in the connector.

[0003] For some connectors with large size, in addition to using the terminal primary locking mechanism to lock the terminal, the terminal locking mechanism (abbreviated as TPA) is usually used to further strengthen the locking of the terminal and improve the terminal locking reliability. In addition, for the connector lacking of visual, auditory and tactile feedback after the primary locking of the terminal is completed, the TPA is also commonly used to assist the operator to confirm the completion of the primary locking. The conventional technology uses a concave-convex nesting mechanism to provide a larger terminal holding force. The mechanism usually sets an opening on the terminal and a protrusion on the TPA. The protrusion of the TPA can be embedded in the opening of the terminal to prevent the terminal from moving. The TPA is arranged on the sheath of the terminal and can move relative to the sheath, having two position states of locking and unlocking. When the terminal is installed in the sheath and the primary locking is completed, the TPA is moved from the unlocking position to the locking position to make the protrusion of the TPA embedded in the opening of the terminal, thereby completing the secondary locking of the terminal.

[0004] The connector using the mechanism may be incorrectly moved from the unlocking position to the locking position due to the non-standard operation of the operator, accidental collision or impact during the transportation of the connector before the terminal is installed and the primary locking is completed. This requires the operator to move the TPA from the locking position to the unlocking position when installing the terminal, which increases the process link and reduces the production efficiency. In addition, some TPA is designed to be irreversible, which cannot be unlocked after being locked or is difficult to be unlocked. Once the mistaken locking occurs, the entire connector will be directly scrapped, which increases the material loss of the manufacturer. If the primary locking of the terminal in the connector is not actually completed, the operator will move the TPA to the locking position and mistakenly think that the primary locking and the secondary locking of the terminal have been completed, and the product will flow into the next process, which will cause serious terminal contact failure and safety hazards due to the improper installation of the terminal. SUMMARY

[0005] The present application aims to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art and provide a mistaken lock prevention connector.

[0006] The application discloses a mistaken-locking-preventing connector. The locking end of the sheath is provided with a split groove which extends backward, and a primary locking elastic arm which extends forward is arranged in the split groove; a locking block is arranged on the inner side wall of the primary locking elastic arm; the outer side wall of the locking end of the sheath is provided with a limiting protrusion; the bottom of the front end face of the sheath is provided with two spaced-apart sinking grooves; a limiting convex block which extends forward is arranged on the groove bottom of the sinking grooves; and an unlocking groove is arranged on the groove bottom of the sinking grooves and extends backward and communicates with the inner cavity of the sheath. A locking groove is arranged on the locking member, and one side wall of the locking groove is open; a secondary locking protrusion which extends inward is arranged on the side wall of the locking groove which is far away from the opening; the groove bottom of the locking groove is provided with two spaced-apart elastic arms which extend toward the opening direction of the locking groove; and a protruding block which extends backward is arranged on the end portion of the elastic arm. When the locking member is pre-installed, the locking end of the sheath is arranged in the locking groove of the locking member, the limiting protrusion is arranged in the limiting opening, the protruding block of the elastic arm is arranged in the unlocking groove, the limiting protrusion and the limiting opening have a movable gap in the up-down direction, and the distance of the movable gap is greater than or equal to the distance between the unlocking groove and the bottom of the locking end of the sheath. When primary locking is performed, the terminal is inserted into the sheath from back to front, and the locking block of the primary locking elastic arm is arranged in the primary locking opening; at this time, the auxiliary protrusion is inserted into the unlocking groove, and the protruding block of the elastic arm is pushed out of the unlocking groove. When secondary locking is performed, the locking member is pushed so that the protruding block of the elastic arm is arranged in the secondary locking opening, and at this time, the elastic arm is reset.

[0007] Optionally, the bottom of the locking groove is provided with an avoiding groove which corresponds to the elastic arm, and the avoiding groove and the corresponding elastic arm have an avoiding gap.

[0008] Optionally, the left and right side walls of the locking groove are provided with a forward-extending notch, and the bottom of the notch is flush with the groove bottom of the locking groove.

[0009] Optionally, the outer side of the primary locking elastic arm is provided with a reinforcing rib.

[0010] Optionally, when the locking member is in the primary locking state, the limiting protrusion contacts the side wall of the limiting opening which is close to the unlocking groove; and when the locking member is in the secondary locking state, the limiting protrusion contacts the side wall of the limiting opening which is far away from the unlocking groove.

[0011] Optionally, the rear side wall of the locking block is a wedge surface.

[0012] Optionally, the side wall of the limiting convex close to the unlocking groove is a limiting end surface, and the side wall of the limiting convex away from the unlocking groove is an inclined side wall.

[0013] The application has the following advantages: the anti-mislocking connector of the application effectively avoids the problem of the connector TPA being prematurely and incorrectly locked before the terminal is completely installed into the connector caused by non-standard operation, incorrect operation or collision during transportation, fundamentally eliminates the problems of connector rework, connector scrap and terminal installation out of position caused by TPA mislocking, reduces and lowers the number of connector rework and the scrap rate during wire harness production, and ensures good contact of the terminal pair during subsequent connector use. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0014] Figure 1 is a structural schematic diagram of the application Figure 2 is an explosion schematic diagram of the application Figure 3 is a structural schematic diagram of the locking member Figure 4 is a structural schematic diagram of the sheath Figure 5 is a partial sectional view of the locking member pre-locking; Figure 6 is an enlarged schematic diagram of A in the figure; Figure 7 is an enlarged schematic diagram of B in the figure; Figure 8 is a partial sectional view after one-time locking of the terminal; Figure 9 is an enlarged schematic diagram of C in the figure; Figure 10 is an enlarged schematic diagram of D in the figure; Figure 11 is a partial sectional view after two-time locking of the terminal; Figure 12 is an enlarged schematic diagram of E in the figure; Figure 13 is an enlarged schematic diagram of F in the figure; In the figure, 1-terminal, 2-locking member, 3-sheath, 11-one-time locking opening, 12-assistant protrusion, 13-two-time locking opening, 21-limiting opening, 22-elastic arm, 23-two-time locking protrusion, 31-limiting protrusion, 32-one-time locking elastic arm, 33-unlocking groove, 34-locking groove. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0015] In order to make the objects, technical solutions and advantages of the embodiments of the present application clearer, the following will clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application with reference to the drawings in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some but not all of the embodiments of the present application. Generally, the components of the embodiments of the present application described and shown in the accompanying drawings can be arranged and designed in various different configurations.

[0016] Therefore, the following detailed description of the embodiments of the present application provided in the accompanying drawings is not intended to limit the scope of the claimed present application, but only represents selected embodiments of the present application. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative work fall within the scope of protection of the present application.

[0017] It should be noted that the embodiments in the present application and the features in the embodiments can be combined with each other without conflict.

[0018] It should be noted that: similar reference numerals and letters in the following drawings represent similar items, therefore, once an item is defined in one drawing, it does not need to be further defined and explained in the subsequent drawings.

[0019] In the description of the present application, it should be noted that the terms "center", "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "inner", "outer" and the like indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings, or the orientation or positional relationship commonly placed when the product of the present application is used, or the orientation or positional relationship commonly understood by those skilled in the art, and are only for the convenience of describing the present application and simplifying the description, and are not intended to indicate or imply that the indicated device or element must have a particular orientation, be constructed and operated in a particular orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as a limitation on the present application. In addition, the terms "first", "second" and the like are only used to distinguish description, and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0020] In the description of the present application, it should also be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "arrange", "mount", "connect", "connect" should be understood broadly, for example, it can be fixedly connected, or it can be detachably connected, or integrally connected; it can be mechanically connected, or it can be electrically connected; it can be directly connected, or it can be indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, or it can be the communication inside two elements. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meaning of the above terms in the present application can be understood according to the specific circumstances.

[0021] As Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown in the figure, a mistaken lockproof connector includes a terminal 1, a locking piece 2 and a sheath 3. In this embodiment, the terminal 1 is a rigid piece, and the locking end of the terminal 1 is provided with two spaced apart rigid plate surfaces. In use, the distance between the two rigid plate surfaces does not change substantially. A primary locking opening 11 is formed on the plate surface of the locking end of the terminal 1. Further, the primary locking opening 11 is a rectangular hole, and a secondary locking opening 13 is formed on the side wall of the plate surface of the locking end of the terminal 1. The secondary locking opening 13 is a rectangular notch. A protruding auxiliary protrusion 12 is further provided on the end surface of the locking end of the terminal 1. On the front projection surface, the primary locking opening 11 is located between the auxiliary protrusion 12 and the secondary locking opening 13. Further, the front end of the auxiliary protrusion 12 is a rounded or chamfered structure, which facilitates easy insertion of the auxiliary protrusion 12 into the unlocking groove 33. Figure 4 As shown in the figure, a split groove is formed on the locking end of the sheath 3, and the split groove extends rearward. In this embodiment, the split groove is also a rectangular notch. A primary locking spring arm 32 extending forward is arranged in the split groove. A locking block is arranged on the inner side wall of the primary locking spring arm 32. The rear side wall of the locking block is a wedge surface. Further, a reinforcing rib is arranged on the outer side of the primary locking spring arm 32. The reinforcing rib can increase the structural strength of the primary locking spring arm 32. Although the structural strength of the primary locking spring arm 32 is increased, it is still far inferior to that of the rigid terminal 1. That is, when the locking block interferes with the terminal 1, the primary locking spring arm 32 will be turned outward and elastically deformed. When the primary locking spring arm 32 loses the extrusion force, it can be reset under the action of the elastic restoring force. The reinforcing rib can increase the number of times of turning outward of the primary locking spring arm 32, thereby ensuring the reliability of use of the primary locking spring arm 32. Limiting protrusions 31 are arranged on the outer side wall of the locking end of the sheath 3. Two spaced apart sunken grooves are formed on the front end surface of the sheath 3. A limiting convex bump protruding forward is arranged on the groove bottom of the sunken groove. An unlocking groove 33 is formed on the groove bottom of the sunken groove. The unlocking groove 33 extends rearward and communicates with the inner cavity of the sheath 3. The sunken groove on the outer side of the limiting convex bump forms a locking groove. Figure 3As shown, the locking member 2 is provided with a locking groove, and one side wall of the locking groove is open, and an inward secondary locking protrusion 23 is arranged on the side wall away from the opening of the locking groove, in this embodiment, the side wall of the locking groove close to the unlocking groove 33 is open, and then the locking groove is facilitated to be pushed on the sheath 3, that is, the transformation from the primary locking state to the secondary locking state; the groove bottom of the locking groove is provided with two spaced elastic arms 22 extending to the opening direction of the locking groove, and the end of the elastic arm 22 is provided with a protrusion extending backward, further, the bottom of the locking groove is provided with an avoiding groove corresponding to the elastic arm 22, and the avoiding gap is between the avoiding groove and the corresponding elastic arm 22, so that the activity space of the elastic arm 22 is increased, when the auxiliary protrusion 12 pushes the protrusion out of the unlocking groove 33, the elastic arm 22 is deformed in the avoiding groove, and is not interfered by other components, so as to ensure the reliability of the deformation of the elastic arm 22.

[0022] In this embodiment, the sheath 3 and the locking member 2 are plastic parts, which are made by injection molding. Figure 1 As shown, the front and rear side walls of the locking member 2 are also provided with a limiting opening 21, when the locking member 2 is installed, the limiting protrusion 31 enters the limiting opening 21, and the locking member 2 is prevented from retreating in the buckling direction, in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 4 The front end face of the limiting protrusion 31 is an inclined face, and the rear end face of the limiting protrusion 31 is a retreating end face, when the locking member 2 is close to the sheath 3 during installation, the limiting protrusion 31 will lift the side wall of the locking member 2 after contacting the corresponding side wall of the locking member 2, further, the left and right side walls of the locking groove are provided with a forward extending notch, and the bottom of the notch is flush with the groove bottom of the locking groove, through the notch, the front and rear side walls of the locking member 2 are divided into two sections, so that when the limiting protrusion 31 interferes with the side wall of the locking member 2, the left and right side walls of the locking member 2 can be lifted outward, and since the left and right side walls away from the notch are connected with the corner of the locking member 2, the structural strength of the locking member 2 is ensured, so that the limiting protrusion 31 does not damage the side wall of the locking member 2, and the lifted side wall can be reset after the limiting protrusion 31 enters the limiting opening.

[0023] In this embodiment, during the assembly process of the locking member 2, the sheath 3 and the terminal 1, the locking member 2 has three states, that is, the pre-installation of the locking member 2, the primary locking and the secondary locking, the assembly process of the locking member 2, the sheath 3 and the terminal 1 will be described in detail according to the three states of the locking member 2.

[0024] As shown in Figure 5 , Figure 6 and Figure 7As shown, when the locking member 2 is pre-installed, the locking end of the sheath 3 is installed in the locking groove of the locking member 2, and the limiting protrusion 31 is located in the limiting opening 21, and the protrusion of the elastic arm 22 is clamped in the unlocking groove 33. The limiting protrusion 31 and the limiting opening 21 have a movable gap in the up-down direction, and the distance of the movable gap is greater than or equal to the distance between the unlocking groove 33 and the bottom of the locking end of the sheath 3. That is, when the limiting opening 21 of the locking member 2 buckles the limiting protrusion 31 of the sheath 3, the locking member 2 can move on the sheath 3 without separation within a certain range. The operator needs to move the locking member 2 so that the protrusion of the elastic arm 22 is clamped in the unlocking groove 33. At this time, the cooperation between the protrusion of the elastic arm 22 and the unlocking groove 33 prevents the locking member 2 from moving in the extension direction of the elastic arm 22, thereby realizing the pre-installation of the locking member 2. In this embodiment, when the locking member 2 is pre-installed, the protrusion of the elastic arm 22 is clamped in the unlocking groove 33, and at this time the limiting protrusion 31 contacts the side wall of the limiting opening 21 close to the unlocking groove 33. That is, when the limiting protrusion buckles the limiting protrusion 31 during the installation of the locking member 2, pushing the limiting protrusion to contact the side wall of the limiting opening 21 close to the unlocking groove 33 can ensure that the protrusion of the elastic arm 22 is clamped in the unlocking groove 33, thereby facilitating the pre-installation of the locking member 2. As shown in Figure 8 , Figure 9 and Figure 10 , when the primary locking is performed, the terminal 1 is inserted into the sheath 3 from back to front, and the locking block of the primary locking elastic arm 32 is clamped in the primary locking opening 11. At this time, the auxiliary protrusion 12 is inserted into the unlocking groove 33, and the protrusion of the elastic arm 22 is pushed out of the unlocking groove 33. During installation, the terminal 1 is pushed or pulled to the final position along the axial direction of the sheath 3. At this time, the secondary locking opening 13 of the terminal 1 is aligned with the secondary locking protrusion of the locking member 2, and the primary locking elastic arm 32 of the sheath 3 enters the primary locking opening 11 of the terminal 1, thereby completing the primary locking. The auxiliary protrusion 12 of the terminal 1 enters the unlocking groove 33, and the protrusion on the elastic arm 22 is lifted. The elastic arm 22 is elastically deformed, and the protrusion of the elastic arm 22 is separated from the unlocking groove 33. At this time, the unlocking groove 33 and the limiting protrusion do not prevent the locking member 2 from moving in the extension direction of the elastic arm 22, so that the connector can only move the locking member 2 after the primary locking of the terminal 1 is completed, thereby performing the secondary locking of the terminal 1. Moreover, during operation, if it is observed that the locking member 2 is in the unlocked position and attempts to push or pull the locking member 2 to the locked position, when the locking member 2 is difficult to push or pull, the operator can perceive that the primary locking of the terminal 1 is not completed, and then continue to push or pull the terminal 1, so that the terminal 1 completes the primary locking. As shown in Figure 11 , Figure 12 and Figure 13As shown, when the secondary locking, the operator pushes the locking member 2, so that the elastic arm 22 protruding block over the limit convex, into the locking groove 34, and make the secondary locking protruding part 23 into the secondary locking opening 13, at this time, the elastic arm 22 reset, in actual operation, the operator pushes the locking member 2, due to the limiting convex 31 and the limiting opening 21, in the push locking member 2, locking member 2 will only move back and forth in the direction of the extension of the elastic arm 22, and push the locking member 2, the elastic arm 22 protruding block will be over the limit convex, at this time, the elastic arm 22 deformation, elastic arm 22 reset, the limit convex is located inside the elastic arm 22 protruding block, and the secondary locking protruding part 23 into the secondary locking opening 13, thereby avoiding the locking member 2 continue to move, also make the terminal 1 can't move axially, the realization of the terminal 1 secondary locking, further, the limit convex on the side wall close to the unlocking groove 33 is the limit end face, the limit convex on the side wall away from the unlocking groove 33 is the inclined side wall, when the elastic arm 22 protruding block is located in the unlocking groove 33, the limit end face of the limit convex can resist the block, and then limit the movement of the locking member 2, and when the elastic arm 22 protruding block over the limit convex, the limit convex on the side wall away from the unlocking groove 33 is the inclined side wall, therefore, in the unlocking, then need the elastic arm 22 protruding block over the limit convex, and not under the action of external force, the elastic arm 22 protruding block almost can't over the limit convex, thereby ensuring the stability of the terminal 1 secondary lock, in Figure 5 、 Figure 8 and Figure 11 , the arrow direction is the direction of the locking member in the locking process.

[0025] In this embodiment, the activity gap is equal to the distance between the unlocking groove 33 and the bottom of the locking end of the sheath 3, that is, when the locking member 2 is located in the primary locking, the limiting convex 31 contacts with the side wall of the limiting opening 21 close to the unlocking groove 33, when the locking member 2 is located in the secondary locking, the limiting convex 31 contacts with the side wall of the limiting opening 21 away from the unlocking groove 33, and in the initial installation, the protruding block of the elastic arm 22 directly enters into the unlocking groove 33.

[0026] When unlocking, push the locking member 2, so that the elastic arm 22 protruding block reversely over the limit convex, and make the secondary locking protruding part 23 exit the secondary locking opening 13, at this time, contact the terminal 1 secondary locking, then use the tool (such as: pry piece) to make the locking block of the primary locking elastic arm 32 exit the primary locking opening 11, thereby contacting the terminal 1 primary locking, then drag the terminal 1, realize the disassembly of the terminal 1 and the sheath 3, then use the tool to pry the left and right side walls of the locking member 2, make the limiting convex 31 exit the limiting opening 21, then separate the locking member 2 and the sheath 3, and then complete the disassembly of the locking member 2 and the sheath 3.

[0027] Although the present application has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, the technical solutions recorded in the foregoing embodiments can be modified, or some of the technical features can be replaced by equivalent features, by those skilled in the art, any modification, equivalent replacement, improvement, etc. made within the spirit and principle of the present application shall be included in the protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A connector for preventing accidental locking, comprising terminals, a locking element, and a sheath, characterized in that: A primary locking opening is provided on the plate surface of the terminal locking end, and a secondary locking opening is provided on the side wall of the plate surface of the terminal locking end. A raised auxiliary protrusion is also provided on the end face of the terminal locking end. On the front projection surface, the primary locking opening is located between the auxiliary protrusion and the secondary locking opening. The locking end of the sheath has a slot that extends rearward. A primary locking spring arm that extends forward is provided in the slot. A locking block is provided on the inner side wall of the primary locking spring arm. Limiting protrusions are provided on the outer side wall of the locking end of the sheath. Two spaced-apart recesses are also provided at the bottom of the front end face of the sheath. A limiting protrusion is provided at the bottom of the recesses. An unlocking groove is also provided at the bottom of the recesses. The unlocking groove extends rearward and communicates with the inner cavity of the sheath. The locking member has a locking groove, and one side wall of the locking groove is open. The side wall of the locking groove away from the opening is provided with an inward secondary locking protrusion. The bottom of the locking groove is provided with two spaced elastic arms. The elastic arms extend toward the opening of the locking groove, and the ends of the elastic arms are provided with rearward protrusions. Limit openings are also provided on the front and rear side walls of the locking member. When the locking component is pre-installed, the locking end of the sheath is installed in the locking groove of the locking component, and the limiting protrusion is located in the limiting opening. The protrusion of the elastic arm is stuck in the unlocking groove. The limiting protrusion and the limiting opening have a movable gap in the vertical direction. The distance of the movable gap is greater than or equal to the distance between the unlocking groove and the bottom of the locking end of the sheath. During the first locking, the terminal is inserted into the sheath from back to front, and the locking block of the first locking spring arm is locked in the first locking opening. At this time, the auxiliary protrusion is inserted into the unlocking groove and pushes the protrusion of the spring arm out of the unlocking groove. During secondary locking, the locking member is pushed so that the protrusion of the elastic arm passes over the limiting protrusion and the secondary locking protrusion is engaged in the secondary locking opening. At this time, the elastic arm is reset.

2. The anti-mislocking connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The bottom of the locking groove is provided with a clearance groove corresponding to the elastic arm, and there is a clearance gap between the clearance groove and the corresponding elastic arm.

3. The anti-mislocking connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The locking groove has forward-extending notches on its left and right side walls, and the bottom of the notches is flush with the bottom of the locking groove.

4. The anti-mislocking connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The outer side of the primary locking spring arm is provided with reinforcing ribs.

5. The anti-mislocking connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: When the locking member is in the first locking position, the limiting protrusion contacts the side wall of the limiting opening near the unlocking groove. When the locking member is in the second locking position, the limiting protrusion contacts the side wall of the limiting opening away from the unlocking groove.

6. The anti-mislocking connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The rear sidewall of the locking block is wedge-shaped.

7. The anti-mislocking connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The sidewall of the limiting protrusion near the unlocking groove is the limiting end face, and the sidewall of the limiting protrusion away from the unlocking groove is the inclined sidewall.

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