Vehicle-mounted connector

Abstract

The invention discloses a vehicle-mounted connector, which comprises a female seat connector and a male seat connector, the female seat connector comprises a female seat terminal module and a female seat shell for accommodating the female seat terminal module, and the female seat shell is provided with a plugging hole which is recessed inwards from the front end surface. The male seat connector comprises a male seat terminal module and a male seat shell supporting the male seat terminal module, the male seat shell is provided with a main body part protruding outwards from the rear end of the male seat terminal module in the radial direction, and the male seat terminal module is inserted into the insertion hole and connected with the female seat terminal module. The female seat connector comprises a lock catch piece fixedly held in the female seat shell, the lock catch piece comprises a lock catch block located at an opening of the inner wall of the insertion hole and a pin column protruding forwards from the lock catch block, and the male seat shell is provided with a guide groove which is located on the front end face of the main body part and obliquely extends in the circumferential direction. When the male seat connector rotates relative to the female seat connector, the pin column slides in the guide groove to drive the lock catch block to move in the radial direction so as to be locked with or separated from the male seat shell.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of electrical connector technology, and more particularly to an on-board connector for use in vehicles. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, to achieve mechanical fixation and electrical connection of external devices, multiple accessories, including a fixing bracket and an electrical connector, are typically used. For example, to fix and connect a mobile phone in a car, a mobile phone holder and charger are usually installed on the car's center console. Referring to Chinese Utility Model Patent No. CN223414325U, a connector with both mechanical and electrical connection functions is disclosed. It achieves mechanical connection between the socket and plug by providing an internal thread and a conductive part in the socket hole. The internal thread engages with the plug thread, while the conductive part of the socket connects electrically with the plug. Thus, the socket can simultaneously achieve both mechanical and electrical connection with the plug. However, if the electrical connector does not use the aforementioned threaded connection, the mechanical connection between the socket and plug relies solely on the friction between the conductive part of the socket and the plug. In this case, the mobile phone holder with the plug is prone to being thrown off the center console due to impacts or other external forces.

[0003] Therefore, it is hoped that a new vehicle connector can be proposed to overcome the above-mentioned defects. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide an in-vehicle connector that enables the stable holding of portable devices in a vehicle.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution: a vehicle connector, comprising a female connector and a male connector inserted into the female connector. The female connector includes a female terminal module and a female housing housing that accommodates the female terminal module. The female housing housing has a recessed insertion hole extending inward from its front end. The male connector includes a rod-shaped male terminal module and a male housing supporting the male terminal module. The male housing housing has a main body portion located at the rear end of the male terminal module and extending radially outward. When the male connector is inserted into the female connector, the male terminal module is inserted into the insertion hole and connected to the female terminal module. The female connector includes a locking member fixed within the female housing housing. The locking member includes a locking block located on the inner wall of the insertion hole and adjacent to the opening of the insertion hole, and a pin protruding forward from the locking block. The male housing housing has a guide groove located on the front end face of the main body portion and extending obliquely in the circumferential direction. The pin is inserted into the guide groove, and when the male connector rotates relative to the female connector, the pin slides in the guide groove, causing the locking block to move radially to lock or disengage from the male connector housing.

[0006] In a preferred embodiment, the guide groove has a starting end that is radially close to the edge of the main body and a terminal end that is radially away from the edge of the main body, that is, the distance from the starting end to the center of the main body is greater than the distance from the terminal end to the center of the main body.

[0007] In a preferred embodiment, the female housing has a groove recessed inward from the inner wall, the groove is connected to the insertion hole, the locking block is received in the groove, and the pin extends out of the groove and protrudes into the insertion hole.

[0008] In a preferred embodiment, when the male connector is inserted into the female connector, the pin is inserted into the starting end of the guide groove, and at this time the locking block does not protrude into the insertion hole.

[0009] In a preferred embodiment, the vehicle connector has a locked state and an unlocked state. When the vehicle connector switches from the unlocked state to the locked state, the pin moves from the starting end to the ending end, and the pin drives the locking block to move radially inward and lock the male connector housing. When the vehicle connector switches from the locked state to the unlocked state, the pin moves from the ending end to the starting end, and the pin drives the locking block to move radially outward and disengage from the male connector housing.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment, the locking element includes paddles located on both sides of the locking block, the paddles being fixed to the inner wall of the groove, and the locking block having at least two stop grooves located on both sides, the paddles being engaged in the stop grooves; when the vehicle connector is in the locked state, the paddles are engaged in the outermost stop groove of the locking block, and when the vehicle connector is in the unlocked state, the paddles are engaged in the innermost stop groove of the locking block.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment, the male connector housing has a connecting portion extending forward from the main body, the connecting portion covering the rear end of the male connector terminal module and having an annular groove recessed inward from the outer peripheral wall, and the locking block locking into the annular groove.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment, the female housing has a front portion and a rear portion extending axially from the front portion. The insertion hole has a receiving cavity extending rearward from the top of the front portion and a mounting cavity extending rearward from the receiving cavity into the rear portion. The female terminal module is housed in the mounting cavity, and the locking member is located inside the front portion of the housing.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment, the receiving cavity has a front cavity and a rear cavity extending rearward from the front cavity. The inner diameter of the front cavity is larger than the inner diameter of the rear cavity. The groove is disposed on the inner wall of the rear cavity and communicates forward with the front cavity. The pin extends forward into the front cavity. When the male connector is inserted into the female connector, the main body of the male connector housing is received in the front cavity.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment, the locking member includes a cover plate housed at the bottom of the front cavity, the cover plate covering the top surface of the locking block and fixed to the bottom wall of the front cavity at the front of the housing by screws.

[0015] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following advantages: The female connector includes a locking member fixed within the female housing. The locking member includes a locking block located on the inner wall of the insertion hole and adjacent to the opening of the insertion hole, and a pin protruding forward from the locking block. The male housing has a guide groove located on the front end face of the main body and extending obliquely in the circumferential direction. The pin is inserted into the guide groove, and when the male connector rotates relative to the female connector, the pin slides within the guide groove, driving the locking block to move radially to lock or disengage with the male housing of the male connector. The locking member enables the vehicle to charge portable devices while allowing the portable devices to be stably fixed inside the vehicle. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the vehicle connector in a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 The diagram shows a three-dimensional representation of the female connector in the vehicle-mounted connector.

[0018] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 The diagram shows a partially exploded view of the female connector.

[0019] Figure 4 yes Figure 2 The top view of the female connector shown.

[0020] Figure 5 yes Figure 4 A top view of another state of the female connector shown.

[0021] Figure 6 yes Figure 1 The diagram shows a three-dimensional representation of the male connector in the vehicle-mounted connector system.

[0022] Figure 7 yes Figure 6 A three-dimensional schematic diagram of the male connector from another angle.

[0023] Figure 8 yes Figure 1 The image shows a cross-sectional view of the vehicle connector. Detailed Implementation

[0024] Embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below. Examples of these embodiments are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions throughout. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and intended to explain the embodiments of the present invention, and should not be construed as limiting the present invention.

[0025] In the description of the embodiments of the present invention, it should be understood that the terms "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing the embodiments of the present invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on the present invention.

[0026] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of embodiments of the present invention, "a number" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0027] In the embodiments of the present invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "linking," "fixing," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in the embodiments of the present invention according to the specific circumstances.

[0028] Please see Figures 1 to 8 As shown, a preferred embodiment of the present invention discloses an in-vehicle connector for mechanically and electrically connecting a portable device to an automobile. The in-vehicle connector includes a female connector 100 and a male connector 200 rotatably inserted into the female connector 100. The female connector 100 is embedded in the vehicle's cabin and electrically connected to the vehicle's electrical system; it can be integrally mounted inside the center console, thus not affecting the layout outside the center console. The male connector 200 is embedded in a bracket module to provide a holding function for the portable device.

[0029] Please see Figures 2 to 5 As shown, the female connector 100 includes a female terminal module 10, a female housing 20 housing the female terminal module 10, and a locking member 30 fixed within the female housing 20. The female housing 20 is a metal shell. Figure 8 As shown, the female connector module 10 includes a female connector body 11 housed within a female connector housing 20 and several female connector terminals 12 fixed within the female connector body 11. The female connector terminals 12 are used for electrical connection with the male connector terminals 42 of the male connector 200. The female connector body 11 is made of plastic material and isolates the female connector housing 20 from the female connector terminals 12, thereby preventing short circuits between the female connector housing 20 and the female connector terminals 12.

[0030] The female connector housing 20 has a front portion 21, a rear portion 22 extending axially rearward from the front portion 21, and a connecting protrusion 23 extending rearward from the rear end of the rear portion 22. The connecting protrusion 23 has external threads to ensure that the female connector 100 can be stably fixed inside the center console of the vehicle. The female connector housing 20 has a recessed insertion hole 201 from the front end for insertion of the male connector 200.

[0031] Specifically, the insertion hole 201 has a receiving cavity 210 extending axially rearward from the top surface of the front part 21 of the housing and a mounting cavity 220 extending rearward from the receiving cavity 210 into the rear part 22 of the housing. The female terminal module 10 is accommodated and fixed in the mounting cavity 220. Further, the receiving cavity 210 has a front cavity 211 recessed rearward from the top surface of the front part 21 of the housing and a rear cavity 212 extending rearward from the front cavity 211. The rear cavity 212 communicates with the mounting cavity 220, and the inner diameter of the front cavity 211 is larger than the inner diameter of the rear cavity 212.

[0032] The female connector 100 includes at least two locking elements 30, which are evenly arranged circumferentially and located within the front portion 21 of the housing. In this embodiment, the number of locking elements 30 is two, and they are symmetrically arranged within the front portion 21 of the housing. Each locking element 30 includes a locking block 31 located on the inner wall of the insertion hole 201 and adjacent to the opening of the insertion hole 201, and two tabs 32 located on both sides of the locking block 31. The female housing 20 is provided with a groove 202 recessed inward from the inner wall of the front portion 21 of the housing. In this embodiment, the groove 202 is located on the inner wall of the rear cavity 212 and communicates forward with the front cavity 211, that is, the groove 202 communicates with the insertion hole 201. The locking block 31 is received within the groove 202, and the tabs 32 are fixed to the inner wall of the groove 202.

[0033] The locking block 31 has a pin 311 protruding forward from its top surface and at least two stop grooves 312 on both sides of the locking block 31. The pin 311 extends out of the groove 202 and protrudes into the insertion hole 201. The paddle 32 is engaged in the stop groove 312. Meanwhile, the locking member 30 also includes a cover plate 33 housed at the bottom of the front cavity 211. The cover plate 33 covers the top surface of the locking block 31 and is fixed to the bottom wall of the front cavity 211 of the front part 21 of the housing by screws 331. The cover plate 33 has two radially extending grooves 330. The pin 311 passes forward through the corresponding groove 330 and extends into the front cavity 211.

[0034] In this embodiment, the vehicle connector has a locked state and an unlocked state. When the female connector 100 and male connector 200 are not plugged in or are plugged in but not rotated, the vehicle connector is in the unlocked state. When the female connector 100 and male connector 200 are plugged in and rotated, the vehicle connector is in the locked state. When the vehicle connector is in the unlocked state, the paddle 32 is engaged in the innermost radial stop groove 312 of the locking block 31, and the locking block 31 does not protrude into the insertion hole 201. When the vehicle connector is in the locked state, the paddle 32 is engaged in the outermost radial stop groove 312 of the locking block 31, and the locking block 31 protrudes into the insertion hole 201 and locks with the male connector housing 50 of the male connector 200.

[0035] Please see Figures 6 to 7 As shown, the male connector 200 includes a rod-shaped male connector terminal module 40 and a male connector housing 50 supporting the male connector terminal module 40. The male connector housing 50 is a metal shell. The male connector terminal module 40 includes a rod-shaped male connector body 41 and several male connector terminals 42 fixed on the male connector body 41. When the male connector 200 is inserted into the female connector 100, the male connector terminal module 40 is inserted into the insertion hole 201 and connected to the female connector terminal module 10. Specifically, the male connector terminals 42 are electrically connected to the female connector terminals 12, thereby forming an electrical connection.

[0036] The male connector housing 50 has a circular base 51, a main body 52 extending forward from the base 51, and a connecting part 53 extending forward from the main body 52. ​​The base 51 and the main body 52 are located at the rear end of the male connector terminal module 40 and protrude radially outward from the outer peripheral wall of the male connector terminal module 40. The main body 52 has several guide grooves 520 located on the front end face of the main body 52 and extending obliquely in the circumferential direction. The number of guide grooves 520 is the same as the number of pins 311. When the male connector 200 is inserted into the female connector 100, the pins 311 are inserted into the guide grooves 520. When the male connector 200 rotates relative to the female connector 100, the pins 311 slide in the guide grooves 520, driving the locking block 31 to move radially to lock or disengage with the male connector housing 50.

[0037] Specifically, the guide groove 520 has a starting end 521 radially close to the edge of the main body 52 and a terminal end 522 far from the edge of the main body 52, that is, the distance from the starting end 521 to the center of the main body 52 is greater than the distance from the terminal end 522 to the center of the main body 52. ​​When the male connector 200 is inserted into the female connector 100 and not rotated (i.e., the vehicle connector is in the unlocked state), the main body 52 of the male housing 50 is accommodated in the front cavity 211, and the pin 311 is inserted into the starting end 521 of the guide groove 520. At this time, the locking block 31 does not protrude into the insertion hole 201.

[0038] Meanwhile, the connecting part 53 covers the rear end of the male connector terminal module 40 and has an annular groove 531 recessed from the outer peripheral wall inward. The locking block 31 is used to lock in the annular groove 531. When the vehicle connector switches from the unlocked state to the locked state, the pin 311 moves from the starting end 521 of the guide groove 520 to the ending end 522. The pin 311 drives the locking block 31 to move radially inward. At this time, the locking block 31 protrudes into the insertion hole 201 and locks the annular groove 531 of the male connector housing 50, thereby making the male connector 200 stably fixed on the female connector 100. When the vehicle connector switches from the locked state to the unlocked state, the pin 311 moves from the end 522 of the guide groove 520 to the starting end 521. The pin 311 drives the locking block 31 to move radially outward and disengage from the annular groove 531 of the male connector housing 50, so that the male connector 200 can be separated from the female connector 100.

[0039] In this invention, the female connector 100 includes a locking member 30 fixed within the female housing 20. The locking member 30 includes a locking block 31 located on the inner wall of the insertion hole 201 and adjacent to the opening of the insertion hole 201, and a pin 311 protruding forward from the locking block 31. The male housing 50 is provided with a guide groove 520 located on the front end face of the main body 52 and extending obliquely in the circumferential direction. The pin 311 is inserted into the guide groove 520, and when the male connector 200 rotates relative to the female connector 100, the pin 311 slides within the guide groove 520, causing the locking block 31 to move radially, thereby locking or disengaging with the male housing 50 of the male connector 200. The locking member 30 enables the charging function of portable devices from a car while allowing the portable devices to be stably fixed inside the car.

[0040] In summary, the above are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention. Any simple equivalent changes and modifications made in accordance with the claims and description of the present invention should still fall within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A vehicle-mounted connector, comprising a female connector and a male connector inserted into the female connector, the female connector comprising a female terminal module and a female housing housing the female terminal module, the female housing having an insertion hole recessed inward from its front end; the male connector comprising a rod-shaped male terminal module and a male housing supporting the male terminal module, the male housing having a main body portion located at the rear end of the male terminal module and protruding radially outward; when the male connector is inserted into the female connector, the male terminal module is inserted into the insertion hole and connected to the female terminal module; characterized in that: The female connector includes a locking element held within the female housing. The locking element includes a locking block located on the inner wall of the insertion hole and adjacent to the opening of the insertion hole, and a pin protruding forward from the locking block. The male housing has a guide groove located on the front end face of the main body and extending obliquely in the circumferential direction. The pin is inserted into the guide groove, and when the male connector rotates relative to the female connector, the pin slides in the guide groove, causing the locking block to move radially to lock or disengage from the male housing of the male connector.

2. The vehicle connector as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The guide groove has a starting end that is radially close to the edge of the main body and a terminal end that is radially away from the edge of the main body, that is, the distance from the starting end to the center of the main body is greater than the distance from the terminal end to the center of the main body.

3. The vehicle connector as described in claim 2, characterized in that: The female housing has a groove recessed inward from the inner wall, the groove is connected to the insertion hole, the locking block is received in the groove, and the pin extends out of the groove and protrudes into the insertion hole.

4. The vehicle connector as described in claim 3, characterized in that: When the male connector is inserted into the female connector, the pin is inserted into the starting end of the guide groove, and at this time the locking block does not protrude into the insertion hole.

5. The vehicle connector as described in claim 4, characterized in that: The vehicle connector has a locked state and an unlocked state. When the vehicle connector switches from the unlocked state to the locked state, the pin moves from the starting end to the ending end, and the pin drives the locking block to move radially inward and lock the male connector housing. When the vehicle connector switches from the locked state to the unlocked state, the pin moves from the ending end to the starting end, and the pin drives the locking block to move radially outward and disengage from the male connector housing.

6. The vehicle connector as described in claim 5, characterized in that: The locking element includes paddles located on both sides of the locking block. The paddles are fixed to the inner wall of the groove. The locking block has at least two stop grooves located on both sides. The paddles are engaged in the stop grooves. When the vehicle connector is in the locked state, the paddles are engaged in the outermost stop groove of the locking block. When the vehicle connector is in the unlocked state, the paddles are engaged in the innermost stop groove of the locking block.

7. The vehicle connector as described in claim 4, characterized in that: The male connector housing has a connecting portion extending forward from the main body. The connecting portion covers the rear end of the male connector terminal module and has an annular groove recessed inward from the outer peripheral wall. The locking block is locked in the annular groove.

8. The vehicle connector as described in claim 3, characterized in that: The female housing has a front portion and a rear portion extending axially from the front portion. The insertion hole has a receiving cavity extending from the top of the front portion of the housing to the rear and a mounting cavity extending from the receiving cavity into the rear portion of the housing. The female terminal module is housed in the mounting cavity, and the locking member is located in the front portion of the housing.

9. The vehicle connector as described in claim 8, characterized in that: The receiving cavity has a front cavity and a rear cavity extending rearward from the front cavity. The inner diameter of the front cavity is larger than the inner diameter of the rear cavity. The groove is provided on the inner wall of the rear cavity and communicates forward with the front cavity. The pin extends forward into the front cavity. When the male connector is inserted into the female connector, the main body of the male housing is received in the front cavity.

10. The vehicle connector as described in claim 9, characterized in that: The locking element includes a cover plate housed at the bottom of the front cavity, the cover plate covering the top surface of the locking block and fixed to the bottom wall of the front cavity at the front of the housing by screws.

Images