Connector status indication module and connector

Abstract

This invention discloses a connector status indication module and a connector. The connector status indication module includes: a circuit board; an indicator light mounted on the circuit board; and two contacts mounted on the circuit board and electrically connected to the positive and negative terminals of the indicator light respectively via conductive traces on the circuit board. The connector status indication module is adapted to be inserted into the connector housing, and the two contacts are adapted to make electrical contact with the two terminals of the connector respectively. The indicator light is adapted to emit light under the drive of electrical signals transmitted between the two terminals to indicate the working status of the connector. In this invention, the connector status indication module is inserted into the connector housing and makes direct electrical contact with the connector terminals. Therefore, this invention eliminates the need for a wiring harness, has the advantages of high integration and simple installation, and can effectively reduce electrical signal attenuation, providing strong anti-interference capabilities. Furthermore, the light guide tube can be designed into a suitable shape, offering strong versatility.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector status indication module for indicating the working status of a connector, and a connector including the connector status indication module. Background Technology

[0002] In existing technology, to display the working status of a connector, a main control board is required to first acquire the electrical signals transmitted from the connector terminals. Then, the main control board drives the connected LEDs to illuminate based on the acquired signals. If the customer wants to add an indicator function to the main control board, the main control board must be modified, and the corresponding electrical connection structure must be adjusted, resulting in high costs. In existing technology, signal acquisition harnesses are required between the main control board and the connector, and connection harnesses are required between the main control board and the LEDs, thus leading to high costs. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to solve at least one aspect of the aforementioned problems and defects existing in the prior art.

[0004] According to one aspect of the present invention, a connector status indication module is provided. The connector status indication module includes: a circuit board; an indicator light mounted on the circuit board; and two contacts mounted on the circuit board and electrically connected to the positive and negative terminals of the indicator light respectively via conductive traces on the circuit board. The connector status indication module is adapted to be inserted into a connector housing. The two contacts are adapted to make electrical contact with two terminals of the connector respectively. The indicator light is adapted to emit light under the drive of an electrical signal transmitted from the two terminals to indicate the operating status of the connector.

[0005] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the circuit board has a front side and a back side opposite each other in its thickness direction, the indicator light is mounted on the front side of the circuit board, and the two contacts are mounted on the back side of the circuit board.

[0006] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, two pads are formed on the circuit board, and the two contacts are respectively soldered to the two pads of the circuit board.

[0007] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the contact includes: a solder plate soldered to the pads of the circuit board; and a cantilever portion connected to the solder plate, the cantilever portion being used for electrical contact with the terminal.

[0008] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the contact is a one-piece stamped part.

[0009] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the indicator light is a surface mount LED light, which is soldered onto the circuit board in a surface mount manner.

[0010] According to another aspect of the present invention, a connector is provided. The connector includes: a housing; a plurality of terminals disposed in the housing; and the aforementioned connector status indicator module, inserted into the housing. Two contacts of the connector status indicator module are electrically contacted with two terminals in the housing, respectively, and the indicator light is adapted to illuminate under the drive of an electrical signal transmitted from the two terminals to indicate the operating status of the connector.

[0011] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the connector further includes a light guide tube mounted on the housing, the light guide tube having an inner end located in the housing and in contact with or adjacent to the indicator light and an outer end located outside the housing, such that light emitted by the indicator light can be propagated to the outside of the housing via the light guide tube.

[0012] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the light guide is a straight light guide extending in a straight line.

[0013] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the light guide tube is a bent light guide tube that has been bent into a predetermined shape.

[0014] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the light guide tube is an L-shaped, arc-shaped, U-shaped, or S-shaped bent light guide tube.

[0015] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a slot is formed on the peripheral wall of the housing, and the light guide tube extends out of the housing through the slot; a limiting flange is formed on the inner end of the light guide tube, the limiting flange being adapted to abut against the inner side of the peripheral wall of the housing to prevent the light guide tube from being pulled out of the slot.

[0016] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the end face of the inner end of the light guide tube faces the light-emitting surface of the indicator light and is in contact with or adjacent to the light-emitting surface of the indicator light.

[0017] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a transparent window facing the indicator light is formed on the housing, such that the light emitted by the indicator light can be propagated to the outside of the housing through the transparent window.

[0018] According to another exemplary embodiment of the invention, the housing is made of a transparent material, such that the light emitted by the indicator light can be transmitted through the housing to the outside of the housing.

[0019] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the connector further includes a retainer, mounted to the housing, for holding the connector status indication module in a predetermined installation position.

[0020] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the retaining member includes: an end plate having opposing first and second sides; a positioning plate connected to the first side of the end plate; and an elastic buckle connected to the second side of the end plate. A groove is formed on the elastic buckle, and a protrusion is formed on the outer side of the peripheral wall of the housing. The protrusion engages with the groove of the elastic buckle to lock the retaining member to the housing. The positioning plate is inserted into the housing, and the circuit board of the connector status indicator module is clamped between the positioning plate and the peripheral wall of the housing to hold the circuit board in a predetermined installation position.

[0021] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the circuit board has a left and right side opposite to each other in the lateral direction of the housing, a front and a rear side opposite to each other in the longitudinal direction of the housing, and a front and a back side opposite to each other in the height direction of the housing; a limiting rib abutting against the left or right side of the circuit board and a limiting step abutting against the front side of the circuit board are formed on the inner side of the peripheral wall of the housing; the end plate abutting against the rear side of the circuit board, the positioning plate abutting against the back side of the circuit board, and the peripheral wall of the housing abutting against the front side of the circuit board.

[0022] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the retaining member further includes a retaining plate connected to a second side of the end plate and arranged side by side with the elastic buckle, wherein an arc-shaped positioning surface is formed at the front end of the retaining plate, the arc-shaped positioning surface abutting against the light guide tube for holding the light guide tube in a predetermined position.

[0023] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the connector further includes: a locking member, inserted into the housing for locking the plurality of terminals in the housing, the locking member having a partition rib extending longitudinally along the housing, and a guide groove formed on the positioning plate of the retainer, the guide groove cooperating with the partition rib to guide the retainer to be inserted into the housing longitudinally and to position the retainer laterally in the housing.

[0024] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of terminals are arranged in two rows, upper and lower, and the two contacts of the connector status indicator module make electrical contact with two adjacent terminals in a row, respectively.

[0025] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the connector further includes: a plurality of cables electrically connected to the rear ends of the plurality of terminals respectively, the front ends of the terminals being used for mating with mating terminals of a mating connector.

[0026] In the foregoing exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the connector status indicator module is inserted into the connector housing and makes direct electrical contact with the connector terminals, using the electrical signals transmitted through the terminals to directly drive the indicator light to illuminate. Therefore, the present invention eliminates the need for connecting wire harnesses, offering advantages such as high integration and simple installation. Furthermore, it effectively reduces electrical signal attenuation and provides strong anti-interference capabilities.

[0027] Furthermore, in some of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention described above, the light guide tube can be designed into a suitable shape according to the actual application, and the connector status indicator module can be inserted into the housing of a commonly used connector. Therefore, the present invention is applicable to various applications and various connectors, and has strong versatility.

[0028] Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, and will help to provide a comprehensive understanding of the invention. Attached Figure Description

[0029] Figure 1 A perspective view of a connector status indication module according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, viewed from the front.

[0030] Figure 2 A perspective view of a connector status indication module according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, viewed from the rear.

[0031] Figure 3 An exploded view of a connector status indication module according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, viewed from the rear.

[0032] Figure 4 A schematic diagram showing a connector status indication module and the terminal electrical contacts of a connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0033] Figure 5 A perspective view of a connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0034] Figure 6 An exploded view of a connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0035] Figure 7 This shows an anatomical view of a connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0036] Figure 8 A cross-sectional view of a connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown, wherein the retainer has not yet been installed onto the housing;

[0037] Figure 9 A cross-sectional view of a connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0038] Figure 10 A perspective view of a retainer according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0039] Figure 11 A perspective view of a connector according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0040] The technical solution of the present invention will be further described in detail below through embodiments and in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In this specification, the same or similar reference numerals indicate the same or similar components. The following description of the embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings is intended to explain the overall inventive concept of the present invention and should not be construed as a limitation thereof.

[0041] Furthermore, in the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth for ease of explanation to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments disclosed herein. However, it will be apparent that one or more embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and apparatuses are illustrated to simplify the figures.

[0042] According to a general technical concept of the present invention, a connector status indication module is provided. The connector status indication module includes: a circuit board; an indicator light mounted on the circuit board; and two contacts mounted on the circuit board and electrically connected to the positive and negative terminals of the indicator light respectively via conductive traces on the circuit board. The connector status indication module is adapted to be inserted into the housing of a connector. The two contacts are adapted to make electrical contact with two terminals of the connector respectively. The indicator light is adapted to emit light under the drive of electrical signals transmitted from the two terminals to indicate the operating status of the connector.

[0043] According to another general technical concept of the present invention, a connector is provided. The connector includes: a housing; a plurality of terminals disposed in the housing; and the aforementioned connector status indicator module inserted into the housing. Two contacts of the connector status indicator module are electrically contacted with two terminals in the housing, respectively, and the indicator light is adapted to illuminate under the drive of an electrical signal transmitted from the two terminals to indicate the operating status of the connector.

[0044] Figure 1 A perspective view of a connector status indication module 1 as shown in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, viewed from the front. Figure 2 A perspective view of a connector status indication module 1 as viewed from the rear, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 An exploded view of the connector status indication module 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, viewed from the rear. Figure 4 A schematic diagram showing the electrical contact between the connector status indication module 1 and the connector terminal 3 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; Figure 5 A perspective view of a connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown; Figure 6 An exploded view of a connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown; Figure 7 This shows an anatomical view of a connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; Figure 8 A cross-sectional view of a connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown, wherein the retainer 5 has not yet been installed onto the housing 2; Figure 9 A cross-sectional view of a connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown; Figure 10 A perspective view of a retainer 5 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0045] like Figures 1 to 10 As shown, in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a connector status indication module 1 is disclosed. The connector status indication module 1 includes: a circuit board 10, an indicator light 11, and two contacts 12. The indicator light 11 is mounted on the circuit board 10. The two contacts 12 are mounted on the circuit board 10 and electrically connected to the positive and negative terminals of the indicator light 11 respectively via conductive traces on the circuit board 10. The connector status indication module 1 is adapted to be inserted into the housing 2 of a connector, the two contacts 12 are adapted to make electrical contact with the two terminals 3 of the connector respectively, and the indicator light 11 is adapted to emit light under the drive of electrical signals transmitted from the two terminals 3 to indicate the working status of the connector.

[0046] like Figures 1 to 10 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, the circuit board 10 has a front and a back facing each other in its thickness direction, an indicator light 11 is mounted on the front of the circuit board 10, and two contacts 12 are mounted on the back of the circuit board 10.

[0047] like Figures 1 to 10 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, two pads 100 are formed on the circuit board 10, and two contacts 12 are respectively soldered to the two pads 100 of the circuit board 10.

[0048] like Figures 1 to 10 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, contact 12 includes a solder plate 120 and a cantilever portion 121. The solder plate 120 is soldered to the pads 100 of the circuit board 10. The cantilever portion 121 is connected to the solder plate 120. The cantilever portion 121 is used for electrical contact with the terminal 3.

[0049] like Figures 1 to 10 As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the contact 12 can be a one-piece stamped part.

[0050] like Figures 1 to 10 As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the indicator light 11 can be a surface-mount LED, which is soldered onto the circuit board 10 in a surface-mount manner.

[0051] like Figures 1 to 10 As shown, in another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a connector is also disclosed. The connector includes: a housing 2, a plurality of terminals 3, and the aforementioned connector status indicator module 1. The plurality of terminals 3 are disposed in the housing 2. The connector status indicator module 1 is inserted into the housing 2. Two contacts 12 of the connector status indicator module 1 are electrically connected to two terminals 3 in the housing 2, respectively. An indicator light 11 is adapted to illuminate under the drive of an electrical signal transmitted from the two terminals 3 to indicate the working status of the connector.

[0052] like Figures 1 to 10 As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the connector further includes a light guide 4, which is mounted on the housing 2. The light guide 4 has an inner end located in the housing 2 and in contact with or adjacent to the indicator light 11, and an outer end located outside the housing 2, such that the light emitted by the indicator light 11 can be propagated to the outside of the housing 2 via the light guide 4.

[0053] like Figures 1 to 10 As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the light guide 4 is a straight light guide extending in a straight line. However, the present invention is not limited to this; for example, the light guide 4 may also be a bent light guide that has been bent into a predetermined shape.

[0054] Figure 11 A perspective view of a connector according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0055] Figure 11 The connector shown is Figures 1 to 10 The only difference between the connectors shown is the shape of the light guide tube 4. Figure 11 In the embodiment shown, the light guide tube 4 can be bent into any suitable shape according to actual needs. For example, the light guide tube 4 can be, but is not limited to, an L-shaped, arc-shaped, U-shaped, or S-shaped bent light guide tube.

[0056] like Figures 1 to 10 As shown in the illustrated embodiment, a slot 24 is formed on the peripheral wall of the housing 2, through which the light guide tube 4 extends from the housing 2. A limiting flange 4a is formed on the inner end of the light guide tube 4, which is adapted to abut against the inner side of the peripheral wall of the housing 2 to prevent the light guide tube 4 from being pulled out of the slot 24.

[0057] like Figures 1 to 10As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the inner end face of the light guide tube 4 faces the light-emitting surface of the indicator light 11 and is in contact with or adjacent to the light-emitting surface of the indicator light 11.

[0058] However, please note that the present invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiment. For example, in another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a transparent window facing the indicator light 11 is formed on the housing 2, so that the light emitted by the indicator light 11 can be propagated to the outside of the housing 2 through the transparent window. In this way, the aforementioned light guide tube 4 can be omitted.

[0059] In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the housing 2 may be made of a transparent material, so that the light emitted by the indicator light 11 can be directly transmitted to the outside of the housing 2 through the housing 2. In this way, the aforementioned light guide tube 4 can also be omitted.

[0060] like Figures 1 to 10 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, the connector further includes a retainer 5, which is mounted to the housing 2 to hold the connector status indicator module 1 in a predetermined installation position.

[0061] like Figures 1 to 10 As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the retainer 5 includes an end plate 51, a positioning plate 52, and a resilient buckle 53. The end plate 51 has a first side (lower side) and a second side (upper side) opposite each other in the height direction Z of the housing 2. The positioning plate 52 is connected to the first side of the end plate 51. The resilient buckle 53 is connected to the second side of the end plate 51. A groove 5a is formed on the resilient buckle 53, and a protrusion 2a is formed on the outer side of the peripheral wall of the housing 2. The protrusion 2a engages with the groove 5a of the resilient buckle 53 to lock the retainer 5 to the housing 2. The positioning plate 52 is inserted into the housing 2, and the circuit board 10 of the connector status indicator module 1 is clamped between the positioning plate 52 and the peripheral wall of the housing 2 to hold the circuit board 10 in a predetermined installation position.

[0062] like Figures 1 to 10 As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the circuit board 10 has a left and right side opposite to each other in the transverse X direction of the housing 2, a front and rear side opposite to each other in the longitudinal Y direction of the housing 2, and a front and back side opposite to each other in the height Z direction of the housing 2. A limiting rib 21 is formed on the inner side of the peripheral wall of the housing 2, abutting against the left or right side of the circuit board 10, and a limiting step 22 abutting against the front side of the circuit board 10. An end plate 51 abuts against the rear side of the circuit board 10, a positioning plate 52 abuts against the back side of the circuit board 10, and the peripheral wall of the housing 2 abuts against the front side of the circuit board 10. This ensures that the circuit board 10 is positioned in the predetermined mounting position.

[0063] like Figures 1 to 10As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the retainer 5 further includes a retaining plate 54 connected to the second side of the end plate 51 and arranged side by side with the elastic buckle 53. An arc-shaped positioning surface 5c is formed at the front end of the retaining plate 54. The arc-shaped positioning surface 5c abuts against the light guide tube 4 to hold the light guide tube 4 in a predetermined position.

[0064] like Figures 1 to 10 As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the connector further includes a locking member 6, which is inserted into the housing 2 to lock the plurality of terminals 3 within the housing 2. The locking member 6 has a partition rib 6b extending along the longitudinal direction Y of the housing 2, and a guide groove 5b is formed on the positioning plate 52 of the retainer 5. The guide groove 5b engages with the partition rib 6b to guide the retainer 5 into the housing 2 along the longitudinal direction Y and to position the retainer 5 in the transverse direction X of the housing 2.

[0065] like Figures 1 to 10 As shown in the illustrated embodiment, multiple terminals 3 are arranged in two rows, one above the other, and the two contacts 12 of the connector status indicator module 1 make electrical contact with two adjacent terminals 3 in one row.

[0066] like Figures 1 to 10 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, the connector further includes a plurality of cables 7, which are electrically connected to the rear ends of a plurality of terminals 3. The front ends of the terminals 3 are used to mate with mating terminals (not shown) of a mating connector (not shown).

[0067] Those skilled in the art will understand that the embodiments described above are exemplary and can be improved upon. The structures described in the various embodiments can be freely combined without causing structural or principle conflicts, and these changes should fall within the protection scope of this invention.

[0068] Although the invention has been described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, the embodiments disclosed in the drawings are intended to illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention and should not be construed as limiting the invention.

[0069] While some embodiments of the general concept of the invention have been shown and described, those skilled in the art will understand that changes may be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the general concept of the invention, the scope of which is defined by the claims and their equivalents.

[0070] It should be noted that the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the words "a" or "an" do not exclude multiple elements. Furthermore, any reference numerals in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A connector status indication module, characterized in that, include: Circuit board (10); Indicator light (11) is mounted on the circuit board (10); and Two contacts (12) are mounted on the circuit board (10) and electrically connected to the positive and negative terminals of the indicator light (11) respectively via conductive traces on the circuit board (10). The connector status indicator module (1) is adapted to be inserted into the housing (2) of the connector, the two contacts (12) are adapted to make electrical contact with the two terminals (3) of the connector respectively, and the indicator light (11) is adapted to emit light under the drive of the electrical signal transmitted by the two terminals (3) to indicate the working status of the connector.

2. The connector status indication module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The circuit board (10) has a front and a back facing each other in its thickness direction, the indicator light (11) is mounted on the front of the circuit board (10), and the two contacts (12) are mounted on the back of the circuit board (10).

3. The connector status indication module according to claim 1, characterized in that: Two pads (100) are formed on the circuit board (10), and the two contacts (12) are respectively soldered to the two pads (100) of the circuit board (10).

4. The connector status indication module according to claim 3, characterized in that: The contact element (12) includes: A soldering plate (120) is soldered to the pads (100) of the circuit board (10); and The cantilever portion (121) is connected to the welding plate (120). The cantilever (121) is used for electrical contact with the terminal (3).

5. The connector status indication module according to claim 4, characterized in that: The contact element (12) is an integral stamped part.

6. The connector status indication module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The indicator light (11) is a surface mount LED, which is soldered onto the circuit board (10) in a surface mount manner.

7. A connector, characterized in that, include: Shell (2); Multiple terminals (3) are disposed in the housing (2); and The connector status indicator module (1) according to any one of claims 1-6 is inserted into the housing (2). The two contacts (12) of the connector status indicator module (1) are electrically connected to the two terminals (3) in the housing (2), and the indicator light (11) is adapted to emit light under the drive of the electrical signal transmitted by the two terminals (3) to indicate the working status of the connector.

8. The connector according to claim 7, characterized in that, Also includes: The light guide tube (4) is installed on the housing (2). The light guide tube (4) has an inner end located in the housing (2) and in contact with or adjacent to the indicator light (11) and an outer end located outside the housing (2), so that the light emitted by the indicator light (11) can be propagated to the outside of the housing (2) via the light guide tube (4).

9. The connector according to claim 8, characterized in that: The light guide tube (4) is a straight light guide tube that extends in a straight line.

10. The connector according to claim 8, characterized in that: The light guide tube (4) is a bent light guide tube that has been bent into a predetermined shape.

11. The connector according to claim 10, characterized in that: The light guide tube (4) is an L-shaped, arc-shaped, U-shaped, or S-shaped bent light guide tube.

12. The connector according to claim 8, characterized in that: A slot (24) is formed on the peripheral wall of the housing (2), and the light guide tube (4) extends out of the housing (2) through the slot (24); A limiting flange (4a) is formed on the inner end of the light guide tube (4), the limiting flange (4a) being adapted to abut against the inner side of the peripheral wall of the housing (2) to prevent the light guide tube (4) from being pulled out of the slot (24).

13. The connector according to claim 8, characterized in that: The inner end face of the light guide tube (4) faces the light-emitting surface of the indicator light (11) and is in contact with or adjacent to the light-emitting surface of the indicator light (11).

14. The connector according to claim 7, characterized in that: A transparent window facing the indicator light (11) is formed on the housing (2), so that the light emitted by the indicator light (11) can be transmitted to the outside of the housing (2) through the transparent window.

15. The connector according to claim 7, characterized in that: The housing (2) is made of a transparent material, so that the light emitted by the indicator light (11) can be transmitted through the housing (2) to the outside of the housing (2).

16. The connector according to claim 8, characterized in that, Also includes: A retainer (5) is installed on the housing (2) to hold the connector status indicator module (1) in a predetermined installation position.

17. The connector according to claim 16, characterized in that: The retainer (5) includes: End plate (51) having opposing first and second sides; Positioning plate (52), connected to the first side of end plate (51); and The elastic buckle (53) is connected to the second side of the end plate (51). A slot (5a) is formed on the elastic buckle (53), and a protrusion (2a) is formed on the outer side of the peripheral wall of the housing (2). The protrusion (2a) engages with the slot (5a) of the elastic buckle (53) to lock the retainer (5) to the housing (2). The positioning plate (52) is inserted into the housing (2). The circuit board (10) of the connector status indicator module (1) is clamped between the positioning plate (52) and the peripheral wall of the housing (2) to hold the circuit board (10) in a predetermined installation position.

18. The connector according to claim 17, characterized in that: The circuit board (10) has a left and right side opposite to each other in the transverse (X) direction of the housing (2), a front and a rear side opposite to each other in the longitudinal (Y) direction of the housing (2), and a front and a back side opposite to each other in the height direction (Z) direction of the housing (2). A limiting rib (21) abutting against the left or right side of the circuit board (10) and a limiting step (22) abutting against the front side of the circuit board (10) are formed on the inner side of the peripheral wall of the housing (2); The end plate (51) abuts against the rear side of the circuit board (10), the positioning plate (52) abuts against the back side of the circuit board (10), and the peripheral wall of the housing (2) abuts against the front side of the circuit board (10).

19. The connector according to claim 17, characterized in that: The retainer (5) further includes a retaining plate (54) connected to the second side of the end plate (51) and arranged side by side with the elastic buckle (53). An arc-shaped positioning surface (5c) is formed at the front end of the retaining plate (54). The arc-shaped positioning surface (5c) abuts against the light guide tube (4) to hold the light guide tube (4) in a predetermined position.

20. The connector according to claim 17, characterized in that, Also includes: A locking element (6) is inserted into the housing (2) to lock the plurality of terminals (3) in the housing (2). The locking member (6) has a partition rib (6b) extending along the longitudinal (Y) direction of the housing (2), and a guide groove (5b) is formed on the positioning plate (52) of the retainer (5). The guide groove (5b) cooperates with the partition rib (6b) to guide the retainer (5) to be inserted into the housing (2) along the longitudinal (Y) direction and to position the retainer (5) in the transverse (X) direction of the housing (2).

21. The connector according to claim 7, characterized in that: The plurality of terminals (3) are arranged in two rows, upper and lower, and the two contacts (12) of the connector status indicator module (1) make electrical contact with two adjacent terminals (3) in a row of terminals (3).

22. The connector according to claim 7, characterized in that, Also includes: Multiple cables (7) are electrically connected to the rear ends of the multiple terminals (3), respectively. The front end of the terminal (3) is used to mate with the mating terminal of the mating connector.

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