Locking structure, plug, socket and quick plug-and-pull array connector assembly

Abstract

This invention proposes a locking structure, a plug, a socket, and a quick-connect array connector assembly. The locking structure includes a socket housing, a plug housing, and a locking member. The locking member is sleeved on the outside of the insertion point of the plug housing and the socket housing and can move relative to each other along the axial direction and rotate relative to each other around the axis. An elastic reset member is provided between the plug housing and the locking member. The socket housing has a first locking groove and a first positioning groove offset by a predetermined angle in the circumferential direction. The inner wall of the locking member has a first positioning protrusion and a first locking protrusion. When locking, the first locking protrusion is inserted into the first locking groove. When separating, the locking member is pushed axially to compress the elastic reset member, causing the first locking protrusion to disengage from the first locking groove. The locking member is rotated to align the first positioning protrusion with the first positioning groove. After release, the elastic force of the elastic reset member pushes the first positioning protrusion to slide out along the first positioning groove to achieve separation. Through the above-described combination, the present invention can lock the device with only three consecutive actions: push, turn, and loosen. Similarly, it can separate the device with just three actions, enabling quick insertion and removal without tools, which greatly improves operational efficiency. At the same time, it eliminates fasteners such as screws, reduces the types of spare parts, and lowers procurement and inventory costs.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of connector technology, and more particularly to a locking structure, plug, socket, and quick-release array connector assembly. Background Technology

[0002] In the field of optoelectronic hybrid array connectors, the locking structure of the connector directly affects the reliability of the connection, ease of operation, and maintenance costs. Traditional optoelectronic hybrid connectors often use screw fastening to lock the plug and socket, for example, by using the original half-connecting ring 100, screw 200, and spring washer 300 to achieve locking. While this structure provides a certain degree of connection stability, it has the following problems in practical use:

[0003] 1. Cumbersome operation and low efficiency: Screw fastening requires tools for tightening and loosening, which takes a long time and cannot meet users' needs for quick plugging and unplugging of connectors. Especially in high-frequency assembly and disassembly scenarios such as array connection, the operation efficiency becomes a significant bottleneck.

[0004] 2. Spare parts management is complex and costly: Due to the large number and small size of parts such as screws and washers, they are easily lost. Users need to keep a variety of spare parts in stock, which increases the difficulty of spare parts management and procurement costs.

[0005] 3. Limited connection reliability: Traditional screw locking structures are prone to loosening in vibration environments, requiring the use of anti-loosening parts such as spring washers, but it is still difficult to completely avoid signal or power transmission interruptions caused by loosening.

[0006] To address the aforementioned issues, several quick-locking structures have been proposed in the existing technology, such as using a keyway and spring to achieve axial or circumferential locking. However, existing solutions often suffer from drawbacks such as complex structures, unintuitive locking paths, and inconvenient unlocking operations, making it difficult to balance speed and reliability.

[0007] Therefore, there is an urgent need for a locking structure for optoelectronic hybrid quick-connect connectors that is simple in structure, easy to operate, and has reliable locking, in order to improve the efficiency and adaptability of the connectors. Summary of the Invention

[0008] To address the aforementioned technical problems, this invention proposes a locking structure, a plug, a socket, and a quick-release array connector assembly to solve the problems of complex structure and inconvenient unlocking operation in existing array connector locking structures.

[0009] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution of the present invention is implemented as follows:

[0010] The locking structure includes a locking member for fitting around the insertion point of the plug housing and the socket housing. The locking member is axially movable and rotatable relative to the plug housing and socket housing. One of the plug housing and socket housing has an elastic reset member between itself and the locking member, and the other has a first locking groove and a first positioning groove offset at a predetermined angle in the circumferential direction. The inner wall of the locking member has a first positioning protrusion and a first locking protrusion. The first positioning groove is used to slide with the first positioning protrusion to guide the axial relative movement of the locking member. In the locked state, the first locking protrusion is inserted into the first locking groove. This invention, through the cooperation of the locking member, elastic reset member, first locking groove, first positioning groove, first positioning protrusion, and first locking protrusion, requires only three consecutive actions—pushing, turning, and loosening—to complete locking and disengaging. This achieves tool-free, rapid insertion and removal, significantly improving operational efficiency. It also eliminates screws and other fasteners, reducing the types of spare parts and lowering procurement and inventory costs.

[0011] Furthermore, in order to enable the first locking protrusion to follow the movement of the first positioning protrusion without interfering with the insertion and sliding of the plug and socket, the first locking protrusion extends axially to one side of the first positioning protrusion to form a U-shaped structure.

[0012] Furthermore, in order to facilitate the first locking protrusion to follow the first positioning protrusion into position and then be rotated to allow the first locking protrusion to enter the first locking groove, an annular protrusion is provided on the outer periphery of the socket housing. The first locking groove and the first positioning groove are set on the annular protrusion, and the first locking groove and the first positioning groove are offset by ninety degrees.

[0013] Furthermore, in order to provide a stable and reliable axial reset force and simplify the spring installation structure, the locking member has an inner ring platform at the end away from the socket housing, and an outer ring platform is provided on the outer periphery of the plug housing near the socket housing. One end of the elastic reset member abuts against the inner ring platform, and the other end abuts against the outer ring platform.

[0014] Furthermore, in order to ensure that the locking component is smoothly fitted onto the outside of the plug housing during assembly and to avoid interference from the internal key structure, the inner ring platform of the locking component is provided with a guide groove, and the outer wall of the plug housing is provided with a plug guide key, which slides in conjunction with the guide groove.

[0015] A plug for use with a socket includes a plug housing and a locking member. The locking member is fitted onto the outside of the plug housing and is movable and rotatable relative to it. An elastic reset member is provided between the plug housing and the locking member. The plug housing has a plug guide key. The inner wall of the locking member has a first positioning protrusion and a first locking protrusion. The first locking protrusion is used to insert into a first locking groove of the socket in the locked state. With the above structure, the plug of this invention can achieve quick locking and unlocking when used with a matching socket.

[0016] Furthermore, in order to quickly and reliably fix the plug housing and plug sleeve axially and prevent circumferential rotation, two second half connecting rings are also included. The two second half connecting rings are fastened at the connection between the plug housing and the plug sleeve. The two ends of the second half connecting ring are provided with second inner bosses. The plug housing and the plug sleeve are respectively provided with a first outer ring groove and a second outer ring groove that mate with the second inner bosses. The first outer ring groove of the plug housing is provided with a plug boss, and the corresponding second inner boss is provided with a connecting ring keyway II that mates with the plug boss.

[0017] A socket for mating with a plug includes a socket housing. The socket housing has a first locking groove and a first positioning groove, which are offset circumferentially at a predetermined angle. The first positioning groove engages with a first positioning protrusion of the plug to guide the plug into or out of the socket. The first locking groove allows the first locking protrusion of the plug to be inserted for locking. This socket, through its structure, allows for quick locking and unlocking when mated with a matching plug.

[0018] Furthermore, in order to quickly and reliably fix the socket housing and socket sleeve axially and prevent circumferential rotation, two first half connecting rings are also included. The two first half connecting rings are fastened at the connection between the socket housing and the socket sleeve. The two ends of the first half connecting ring are provided with first inner bosses. The socket sleeve and the socket housing are respectively provided with third outer ring grooves and fourth outer ring grooves that cooperate with the first inner bosses. The fourth outer ring groove of the socket housing is provided with a socket boss, and the corresponding first inner boss is provided with a connecting ring keyway that fits with the socket boss.

[0019] A quick-connect / disconnect array connector assembly includes the aforementioned plug and socket or locking structure. This invention achieves quick locking and disconnection through the cooperation of the plug and socket, with a compact overall structure, making it particularly suitable for applications requiring frequent disassembly and assembly.

[0020] Furthermore, in order to ensure that the locking component has sufficient axial movement space during locking and unlocking without being blocked by the half-connecting ring, the first half-connecting ring and the locking component, as well as the locking component and the second half-connecting ring, have a first gap and a second gap, respectively, so that the locking component has axial movement allowance.

[0021] Furthermore, in order to prevent the socket sleeve or plug sleeve from rotating relative to the housing under vibration or torsion, the end of the socket housing is provided with an axially extending socket protrusion key, which is used to cooperate with the first groove in the socket sleeve to achieve anti-rotation; the end of the plug housing away from the mating end is provided with an axially extending plug protrusion key, which is used to cooperate with the second groove in the plug sleeve to achieve anti-rotation.

[0022] The beneficial effects of this invention are:

[0023] 1. According to the present invention, the quick locking of the connector is realized through the insertion fit between the first locking protrusion and the first locking groove as well as the axial reset elastic force of the elastic reset member, the mating and fixing can be completed without any tools, and the operation time is greatly shortened.

[0024] 2. When the connector of the present invention is to be separated, it is only necessary to axially compress the elastic reset member to disengage the first locking protrusion from the first locking groove, then rotate the locking member to align the first positioning protrusion with the first positioning groove, and the connector can be automatically ejected by the elastic force of the spring, so that the unlocking and separation are equally fast and labor-saving.

[0025] 3. In the present invention, the first positioning protrusion and the first locking protrusion form an integrated structure in a shape of "convex", which integrates the locking and guiding functions on the same part, reduces the number of parts, and lowers the manufacturing cost and assembly complexity.

[0026] 4. In the present invention, the first locking groove and the first positioning groove are staggered by 90° in the circumferential direction, so that the locked state and the unlocked release state can be switched through one rotating action, with clear operation logic and low possibility of misoperation.

[0027] 5. The present invention adopts the elastic reset member as the elastic reset element, which has the advantages of adjustable stiffness, large stroke, long fatigue life and the like, and two wave springs can be arranged in a back-to-back manner or an integrated assembly can be selected as required to meet different load requirements.

[0028] According to the present invention, the receptacle housing and the receptacle sleeve are fixedly connected, and the plug housing and the plug sleeve are fixedly connected via the first half connecting ring and the second half connecting ring respectively, the inner boss on the connecting ring is fitted with the outer annular groove on the housing, and the boss is matched with the key groove for rotation prevention, so that reliable and detachable axial fixing is achieved.

[0029] In the present invention, gaps are reserved between the first half connecting ring and the locking member, and between the locking member and the second half connecting ring, which provides sufficient axial movement allowance for the locking member, and ensures that the compression and reset of the spring are not interfered during the locking and unlocking processes.

[0030] According to the present invention, the axial extending receptacle key at the end of the receptacle housing is fitted with the inner groove of the receptacle sleeve, and the axial extending plug key at the mating end of the plug housing is fitted with the inner groove of the plug sleeve, which effectively prevents relative rotation between the sleeve and the housing, and improves the reliability of the connector in a vibration environment.

[0031] The present invention has an overall compact structure, and the locking and separation processes only require three consecutive actions of "push - rotate - release", no special tools are needed, and the present invention is particularly suitable for application scenarios requiring high-frequency disassembly and assembly and strict operation efficiency requirements such as segment connection. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0032] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0033] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the existing array connector structure.

[0034] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the present invention.

[0035] Figure 3 This is a partially enlarged structural schematic diagram of the present invention.

[0036] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the locking component of the present invention.

[0037] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the elastic reset component of the present invention.

[0038] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the socket housing of the present invention.

[0039] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the plug housing of the present invention.

[0040] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the first half-connecting ring of the present invention.

[0041] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the second half connecting ring of the present invention.

[0042] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the plug structure of the present invention.

[0043] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of the socket structure of the present invention.

[0044] Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the plug and socket before they are plugged in according to the present invention.

[0045] Figure 13 This is a schematic diagram of the plug and socket of the present invention, which are not locked when fully inserted.

[0046] Figure 14 for Figure 13 A cross-sectional structural diagram.

[0047] Figure 15 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the plug and socket of the present invention after they are inserted and locked together.

[0048] In the diagram: 100, original half-connecting ring; 200, screw; 300, spring washer; 1, socket sleeve; 11, third outer ring groove; 12, first groove; 2, half-connecting ring; 21, connecting ring keyway; 22, first inner boss; 3, socket housing. 31. Socket boss; 32. First locking groove; 33. First positioning groove; 34. Socket key; 35. Annular boss; 36. Fourth outer ring groove; 4. Locking element; 41. Guide groove; 42. First positioning protrusion; 43. First locking protrusion; 44. Inner ring platform; 5. Plug housing; 51. External key; 52. Plug boss; 53. Protrusion key; 54. Plug guide key; 55. Outer ring platform; 56. First outer ring groove; 6. Elastic reset element; 7. Half connecting ring; 71. Connecting ring keyway two; 72. Second inner boss; 8. Plug sleeve; 81. Second outer ring groove; 82. Second groove; 9. First gap; 10. Second gap. Detailed Implementation

[0049] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0050] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown in Embodiment 1 of the present invention, a locking structure solves the problems of cumbersome operation and low disassembly and assembly efficiency of traditional screw fastening methods, and realizes quick insertion and removal and reliable locking.

[0051] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the locking structure includes a socket housing 3, a plug housing 5, and a locking member 4. The locking member 4 is sleeved on the outside of the insertion point between the plug housing 5 and the socket housing 3, and can move relative to each other axially and rotate relative to each other circumferentially around the axis. An elastic return member 6 is provided between the plug housing 5 and the locking member 4, and the elastic return member 6 is sleeved on the outside of the plug housing 5 and located inside the locking member 4. The structure of the elastic return member 6 is as follows... Figure 5 As shown. In this embodiment, the locking member 4 is specifically a connecting nut, the elastic reset member 6 is specifically a counter-rotating corrugated spring, the socket housing 3 constitutes a socket locking structure, and the plug housing 5 and the connecting nut sleeved on the plug housing 5 constitute a plug locking structure.

[0052] Specifically, such as Figure 4 As shown, the locking element 4, i.e., the end of the connecting nut away from the socket housing 3, has an inner ring platform 44. For example... Figure 7 As shown, an outer ring platform 55 is provided on the outer periphery of the plug housing 5 near the socket housing 3. Figure 2 and Figure 3 as shown, one end of the elastic reset member 6, which is a butting corrugated spring, abuts against the inner annular platform 44, and the other end abuts against the outer annular platform 55. When the locking member 4 moves toward the end of the socket housing 3, the butting corrugated spring can be compressed.

[0053] A guide groove 41 is provided on the inner annular platform 44 of the locking member 4, which is a coupling nut. As shown Figure 7 , the outer wall of the plug housing 5 is provided with a plug guide key 54, which is in sliding fit with the guide groove 41. The guide groove 41 is a nut key groove provided on the inner annular platform of the coupling nut. When the plug housing 5 is assembled with the coupling nut, the guide groove 41 of the coupling nut is aligned with the plug guide key 54 of the plug housing 5 and slides relatively, so that the coupling nut can be sleeved on the outer side of the plug housing 5. After rotating by a certain angle, the plug guide key 54 and the guide groove 41 are staggered to achieve anti-disengagement effect. Moreover, on the outer wall of the plug housing 5, at a position axially located between the plug guide key 54 and the outer annular platform 55, a step structure is provided; the step structure forms a step surface facing the plug guide key 54 and spaced apart from the plug guide key 54, such that after the inner annular platform 44 slides through the plug guide key 54 and rotates by a certain angle, the inner annular platform is limited between the step surface and the plug guide key 54. In this embodiment, four guide grooves 41 are uniformly distributed on the inner annular platform; four plug guide keys 54 are uniformly distributed on the outer side of the plug housing 5.

[0054] Further, an annular boss 35 is provided at the middle of the outer periphery of the socket housing 3, as shown Figure 6 , the annular boss 35 is provided with a first locking groove 32 and a first positioning groove 33, and the first locking groove 32 and the first positioning groove 33 are staggered by 90° in the circumferential direction. As shown Figure 4 , the inner wall of the end of the locking member 4 close to the socket housing 3 is provided with a first positioning protrusion 42 and a first locking protrusion 43, wherein the first locking protrusion 43 extends axially on the side of the first positioning protrusion 42 away from the socket housing 3, and the width of the first locking protrusion 43 is smaller than that of the first positioning protrusion 42. In this embodiment, the first locking protrusion 43 is located on one side of the middle part of the first positioning protrusion 42, forming a overall "convex" structure, and the entire "convex" structure is a protrusion radially inward from the inner wall of the locking member 4. During assembly, the first positioning protrusion 42 at one end of the locking member 4 is aligned with the first positioning groove 33 of the socket housing 3 and slides, so that the locking member 4 can be sleeved on the outer side of the socket housing 3.

[0055] When the plug and the socket are not mated, the locking member 4, which is the coupling nut, is sleeved on the outer side of the plug housing 5, as shown Figure 10 in the figure. When preparing for mating, as shown Figure 11As shown, the connecting nuts on the outer sides of the socket housing 3 and the plug housing 5 are opposite each other. At this time, the first positioning protrusion 42 of the connecting nut is aligned with the first positioning groove 33, but has not yet entered. When plugged in, the plug or socket moves axially relative to each other, causing the first positioning protrusion 42 to enter the first positioning groove 33 and slide relative to each other, compressing the elastic reset member 6. Figure 13 and Figure 14 As shown, the plug housing 5 and the socket housing 3 are fully inserted, but the connecting nut has not yet rotated. At this time, the first locking protrusion 43 is not aligned with the first locking groove 32. Rotating the connecting nut aligns the first locking protrusion 43 with the first locking groove 32, releasing the thrust, and the elastic force of the elastic reset member 6 causes the connecting nut to have an axial reset tendency, so that the first locking protrusion 43 is fully inserted into the first locking groove 32 and cannot retract, thereby achieving axial locking. Figure 14 As shown, when the connecting nut is rotated into place, the first locking protrusion 43 is fully inserted into the first locking groove 32, the insertion is completed, and the connector is in the final locked state.

[0056] When separation is required, push the connecting nut axially again to compress the elastic reset member 6, causing the first locking protrusion 43 to disengage from the first locking groove 32; then rotate the connecting nut to align the first positioning protrusion 42 with the first positioning groove 33. In this embodiment, the connecting nut rotates at a 90° angle to align the first positioning protrusion 42 with the first positioning groove 33, but this is not limited to this. A suitable rotation angle can be set according to requirements to achieve the alignment function; release the thrust, and the elastic force of the elastic reset member 6 pushes the first positioning protrusion 42 to slide away from the socket housing 3 along the first positioning groove 33. The connecting nut drives the plug housing 5 out of the socket housing 3, completing the separation.

[0057] In addition, such as Figure 7 As shown, the plug housing 5 has an axially extending external key 51 on the outer side of the mating end. The external key 51 engages with the axially extending groove on the inner wall of the mating end of the socket housing 3, so that the plug housing 5 will not rotate freely relative to the socket housing 3.

[0058] Example 2, as Figure 10 As shown, a plug for mating with a socket includes a plug housing 5 and a locking member 4. The locking member 4, i.e., a connecting nut, is sleeved on the outside of the plug housing 5 and can move axially and rotate circumferentially relative to it. An elastic return member 6 (in this embodiment, a counter-rotating corrugated spring) is provided between the plug housing 5 and the connecting nut. A plug guide key 54 is provided on the plug housing 5. The inner wall of the connecting nut is provided with a first positioning protrusion 42 and a first locking protrusion 43. When the connecting nut moves axially, it can compress the elastic return member 6, and the first locking protrusion 43 is used to insert into the first locking groove 32 of the socket in the locked state. The fixing method between the plug housing 5 and the plug sleeve 8 is described in Embodiment 3.

[0059] Example 3: Based on Example 2, this example further describes the fixing structure of the plug housing 5 and the plug sleeve 8.

[0060] It also includes two second-half connecting rings 7 and a plug sleeve 8. The two second-half connecting rings 7 are fastened at the connection between the plug housing 5 and the plug sleeve 8. Figure 9 As shown, the second half-connecting ring 7 has second inner bosses 72 at both ends; the plug housing 5 has a first outer ring groove 56 that mates with the second inner bosses 72, as shown. Figure 7 As shown; the plug sleeve 8 is provided with a second outer annular groove 81 that mates with the second inner boss 72, as... Figure 14 As shown. Figure 7 As shown, the plug housing 5 has a plug boss 52 in the first outer annular groove 56, and a connecting ring keyway 71 that matches the plug boss 52 on the corresponding second inner boss 72. After fastening, the plug housing 5 and the plug sleeve 8 are axially fixed.

[0061] Example 4: A socket for mating with a plug, such as... Figure 11 As shown, the socket housing 3 is included. The socket housing 3 has a first locking groove 32 and a first positioning groove 33, which are offset 90° circumferentially. The first locking groove 32 is used for the insertion of the first locking protrusion 43 of the locking member 4 to achieve locking. The first positioning groove 33 is used to slide and engage with the first positioning protrusion 42 of the locking member in the unlocked state to guide the insertion or separation of the plug and the socket. The method of fixing the socket housing 3 and the socket sleeve 1 is described in Embodiment 2.

[0062] Example 5: Based on Example 1, this example further describes the fixing structure of the socket housing 3 and the socket sleeve 1.

[0063] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, it also includes two first half-connecting rings 2 and a socket sleeve 1. The two first half-connecting rings 2 are fastened at the connection between the socket housing 3 and the socket sleeve 1. Figure 8 As shown, the first half-connecting ring 2 has first inner bosses 22 at both ends, and the socket sleeve 1 has a third outer ring groove 11 that mates with the first inner bosses 22; the socket housing 3 has a fourth outer ring groove 36 that mates with the first inner bosses 22. Figure 6 As shown, the fourth outer ring groove 36 of the socket housing 3 is also provided with a socket boss 31, and the corresponding first inner boss 22 is provided with a connecting ring keyway 21 that fits with the socket boss 31, as shown. Figure 8As shown. When the two first half connecting rings 2 are engaged, the first inner boss is inserted into the third outer ring groove 11 of the socket sleeve 1 and the fourth outer ring groove 36 of the socket housing 3. At the same time, the connecting ring keyway 21 cooperates with the socket boss 31 to prevent circumferential rotation, thereby axially fixing the socket sleeve 1 and the socket housing 3.

[0064] Example 6: Based on Example 5, this example further limits the axial movement space of the locking member 4, i.e., the connecting nut.

[0065] The first half-connecting ring 2, the connecting nut, and the second half-connecting ring 7 are arranged axially along the outer side of the combined structure formed by the socket sleeve, the socket housing, the plug housing, and the plug sleeve. A first gap 9 exists between the first half-connecting ring 2 and the connecting nut, and a second gap 10 exists between the connecting nut and the second half-connecting ring 7. These gaps at both ends of the connecting nut constitute the axial movement allowance of the connecting nut, ensuring that the connecting nut can smoothly compress the elastic reset member 6 during tightening and loosening, allowing the first locking protrusion 43 to enter and exit the first locking groove 32.

[0066] Example 7: Based on Example 6, this example further includes an anti-rotation structure.

[0067] like Figure 6 As shown, the end of the socket housing 3 away from the plug housing 5 is provided with an axially extending socket protrusion key 34. The socket protrusion key 34 is used to cooperate with the first groove 12 on the inner wall of the socket sleeve 1 to achieve circumferential locking between the socket housing 3 and the socket sleeve 1.

[0068] like Figure 7 As shown, the end of the plug housing 5 away from the socket housing 3 is provided with an axially extending plug protrusion key 53. The plug protrusion key 53 is used to cooperate with the second groove 82 on the inner wall of the plug sleeve 8 to achieve circumferential locking between the plug housing 5 and the plug sleeve 8.

[0069] The insertion and engagement of the anti-rotation protrusion key with the sleeve groove effectively prevents relative rotation between the sleeve and the shell under vibration or torsion conditions.

[0070] Example 8, quick-plug array connector assembly, such as Figure 15As shown, the connector includes a plug and a socket that are mutually compatible at their front ends. The plug is the plug described in any of the above embodiments, and the socket is the socket described in any of the above embodiments, which will not be described again here. The socket also includes a socket sleeve 1 disposed at the rear end of its socket housing, and the plug also includes a plug sleeve 8 disposed at the rear end of its plug housing. Both the plug and the socket are provided with mutually compatible contacts, which can be electrical contacts, optical contacts, or optoelectronic hybrid contacts. Because the plug and socket adopt the locking structure in the above embodiments, the quick-plug array connector assembly can achieve quick plugging, unplugging, locking, and unlocking without the use of any tools, which is particularly suitable for use scenarios such as array connections that require frequent disassembly and assembly.

[0071] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that any modifications to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions of some or all of the technical features thereof, within the spirit and principles of the present invention, do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, and should all be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A locking structure, characterized in that, comprising a locking member (4) configured to be sleeved outside the mating portion of the plug housing (5) and the socket housing (3), and the locking member (4) is capable of relative axial movement and relative rotation around the axis; one of the plug housing (5) and the socket housing (3) is provided with an elastic reset member (6) between itself and the locking member (4), and the other one is provided with a first locking groove (32) and a first positioning groove (33) that are circumferentially offset by a predetermined angle, and the inner wall of the locking member (4) is provided with a first positioning protrusion (42) and a first locking protrusion (43); the first positioning groove (33) is configured to be in sliding fit with the first positioning protrusion (42) to guide the relative axial movement of the locking member (4); in the locked state, the first locking protrusion (43) is inserted into the first locking groove (32).

2. The locking structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The locking member (4) is a coupling nut sleeved outside the plug housing (5) and capable of relative axial movement and circumferential rotation, and the first locking protrusion (43) extends axially on one side of the first positioning protrusion (42) to form a "convex"-shaped structure.

3. The locking structure according to claim 2, characterized in that, An annular boss (35) is provided on the outer periphery of the socket housing (3), and the first locking groove (32) and the first positioning groove (33) are disposed on the annular boss (35); and the first locking groove (32) and the first positioning groove (33) are disposed offset by 90 degrees.

4. The locking structure according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, An inner annular platform (44) is provided at the end of the locking member (4) away from the socket housing (3), an outer annular platform (55) is provided on the outer periphery of the plug housing (5) at a position close to the socket housing (3), one end of the elastic reset member (6) abuts against the inner annular platform (44), and the other end abuts against the outer annular platform (55).

5. The locking structure according to claim 4, characterized in that, A guide groove (41) is provided on the inner annular platform (44) of the locking member (4); a plug guide key (54) is provided on the outer wall of the plug housing (5), and the plug guide key (54) is in sliding fit with the guide groove (41).

6. A plug for use with a socket, characterized in that, comprising a plug housing (5) and a locking member (4), wherein the locking member (4) is sleeved outside the plug housing (5) and is capable of relative axial movement and circumferential rotation; an elastic reset member (6) is disposed between the plug housing (5) and the locking member (4); a plug guide key (54) is disposed on the plug housing (5); a first positioning protrusion (42) and a first locking protrusion (43) are disposed on the inner wall of the locking member (4); the locking member (4) can compress the elastic reset member (6) when moving relatively along the axial direction, and the first locking protrusion (43) is configured to be inserted into the first locking groove (32) of the socket in the locked state.

7. The plug according to claim 6, characterized in that, It also includes two second half connecting rings (7), which are fastened to the connection between the plug housing (5) and the plug sleeve (8). The two ends of the second half connecting ring (7) are provided with second inner bosses (72). The plug housing (5) and the plug sleeve (8) are respectively provided with a first outer ring groove (56) and a second outer ring groove (81) that cooperate with the second inner bosses (72). The first outer ring groove (56) of the plug housing (5) is provided with a plug boss (52), and the corresponding second inner boss (72) is provided with a connecting ring keyway (71) that fits with the plug boss (52).

8. A socket for mating with a plug, characterized in that, The socket housing (3) includes a first locking groove (32) and a first positioning groove (33) on the socket housing (3). The first locking groove (32) and the first positioning groove (33) are offset from each other by a predetermined angle in the circumferential direction. The first positioning groove (33) is used to cooperate with the first positioning protrusion (42) of the plug to guide the plug to be inserted into or separated from the socket. The first locking groove (32) is used for the first locking protrusion (43) of the plug to be inserted to achieve locking.

9. The socket according to claim 8, characterized in that, It also includes two first half connecting rings (2), which are fastened to the connection between the socket housing (3) and the socket sleeve (1). The two ends of the first half connecting ring (2) are provided with first inner bosses (22). The socket sleeve (1) and the socket housing (3) are respectively provided with third outer ring grooves (11) and fourth outer ring grooves (36) that cooperate with the first inner bosses (22). The fourth outer ring groove (36) of the socket housing (3) is provided with a socket boss (31), and the corresponding first inner boss (22) is provided with a connecting ring keyway (21) that fits with the socket boss (31).

10. A quick-plug array connector assembly, characterized in that: Includes the plug as described in claim 6 or 7 and the socket as described in claim 8 or 9.

11. The quick-plug array connector assembly according to claim 10, characterized in that, The first half-connecting ring (2) and the locking member (4) have a first gap (9) and a second gap (10) respectively, and the locking member (4) and the second half-connecting ring (7) have axial movement allowance.

12. The quick-plug array connector assembly according to claim 10, characterized in that, The socket housing (3) has an axially extending socket protrusion (34) at the end away from the mating end. The socket protrusion (34) is used to cooperate with the first groove (12) in the socket sleeve (1) to achieve anti-rotation. The plug housing (5) has an axially extending plug protrusion (53) at the end away from the mating end. The plug protrusion (53) is used to cooperate with the second groove (82) in the plug sleeve (8) to achieve anti-rotation.

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