A connector plug

Abstract

The application relates to a connector plug, which comprises a plug shell, a switching unit, a wiring unit and a mechanical holding unit. A terminal accommodating cavity is formed in the plug shell; the switching unit is accommodated in the terminal accommodating cavity and comprises at least one bidirectional plug-in female terminal, the bidirectional plug-in female terminal has a first plug-in part and a second plug-in part, respectively used for plugging with a socket terminal and the wiring unit, so that the relay switching of electric signals is realized by one part. The first plug-in part of the bidirectional plug-in female terminal has a first elastic arm and a second elastic arm which are at least partially overlapped in up and down directions, and generates reverse elastic supporting force when being pressed, thereby ensuring long-term reliable contact. The wiring unit comprises a male terminal, and the mechanical holding unit is a fixing sheet independent of the wiring unit and used for bearing mechanical force during plugging and unplugging, thereby preventing the male terminal from being peeled off from the welding point of a circuit board. The application simplifies the plug structure, reduces the number of parts, and improves the long-term reliability of electric connection.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of electrical connector technology, and more specifically to a connector plug. Background Technology

[0002] In the field of electrical connections between electronic devices, connectors are widely used to transmit signals. In typical connector designs, to meet specific wiring or signal routing requirements, signals from the socket terminals sometimes need to be transmitted through the inside of the connector to the cable or flexible circuit board, thus completing the so-called relay function.

[0003] Traditional implementations often employ cascading of multiple independent connectors or incorporating multiple interlocking intermediate terminal assemblies within the plug. This results in a complex overall plug structure with a large number of components, hindering the miniaturization of equipment and increasing assembly steps. Furthermore, the addition of intermediate transition links creates multiple contact interfaces along the electrical signal transmission path, making it susceptible to contact reliability issues such as momentary disconnections caused by vibration or insertion / removal operations. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a connector plug with a simple structure and reliable electrical connection.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, this application provides the following technical solution:

[0006] A connector plug, comprising:

[0007] The plug housing has a terminal receiving cavity formed inside;

[0008] An adapter unit is housed within the terminal receiving cavity, the adapter unit including at least one bidirectional mating female terminal;

[0009] The bidirectional mating female terminal has a first mating portion and a second mating portion;

[0010] The first pair of plugs is used to plug into the socket terminal, and the second pair of plugs is used to plug into the wiring unit.

[0011] Furthermore, the plug housing includes a plug body and a front cover assembled at the front end of the plug body. After the front cover is fastened to the plug body, the bidirectional mating female terminal is fixed in the terminal receiving cavity.

[0012] Furthermore, the first pair of insertion portions of the bidirectional mating female terminal includes: a base plate;

[0013] Left side panel and right side panel;

[0014] The first top plate extends to the left from the upper front part of the right side plate, and its rear end bends backward to extend out the first elastic arm.

[0015] The second top plate extends to the left from the upper rear end of the right side plate, and its front end bends forward to extend out the second elastic arm.

[0016] The third top plate extends to the right from the upper part of the left side plate.

[0017] The first elastic arm and the second elastic arm overlap at least partially in the vertical direction, so that when the first elastic arm is deformed by pressure, it will be supported by the reverse elastic force of the second elastic arm.

[0018] Furthermore, a spring arm limiting part extends downward from the right side of the third top plate. The spring arm limiting part is located on the side of the first spring arm and the second spring arm away from the third top plate, so as to restrict the first spring arm and the second spring arm from moving to that side.

[0019] Furthermore, the first top plate has a first mounting protrusion on its left side and a first mounting hole on its left side plate, the first mounting protrusion being inserted into the first mounting hole; the second top plate has a second mounting protrusion on its left side and a second mounting hole on its left side plate, the second mounting protrusion being inserted into the second mounting hole.

[0020] Furthermore, it also includes a wiring unit and a mechanical retention unit. The wiring unit includes at least one male terminal, one end of which is inserted into the second pair of insertion portions of the bidirectional mating female terminal. The mechanical retention unit is a retaining plate independent of the wiring unit. The retaining plate is fixedly mounted on the plug housing and has a soldering portion for soldering to the flexible circuit board. The retaining plate is configured to withstand the mechanical force acting on the flexible circuit board when the plug and socket are inserted and removed, so as to prevent the solder joints of the wiring unit and the flexible circuit board from peeling off.

[0021] Furthermore, the fixing piece has multiple mounting teeth, each mounting tooth having wavy protrusions, and the plug housing has a fixing piece mounting slot. The mounting teeth are inserted into the fixing piece mounting slot and fixed by the interference holding force of the wavy protrusions.

[0022] Furthermore, the wiring unit includes an upper row of long terminals and a lower row of short terminals arranged in two rows.

[0023] Furthermore, the upper and lower sides of the front cover are respectively provided with multiple female buckles extending rearward, and the plug body is provided with multiple male buckles accordingly; the multiple female buckles are buckle slots of different sizes, and the multiple male buckles are protrusions of different sizes. The female buckles of different sizes and the male buckles are fastened in a unique direction to form a foolproof structure.

[0024] Furthermore, the front cover has a positioning protrusion on the side facing the plug body at each of the first pair of insertion holes, and the positioning protrusion is inserted into the terminal receiving cavity to position the first pair of insertion holes.

[0025] The beneficial effects of this application are as follows:

[0026] (1) The connector plug provided in this application uses a built-in adapter unit to realize the relay and transfer of electrical signals. The adapter unit includes bidirectional mating female terminals with a first pair of mating parts and a second pair of mating parts. One part can simultaneously complete bidirectional mating with the socket terminal and the wiring unit, eliminating the need for cascading multiple intermediate terminal assemblies. This simplifies the internal structure of the plug, reduces the number of parts and assembly steps, and is conducive to the miniaturization of the equipment. At the same time, since the adapter path that originally required multiple contact interfaces is integrated into the two ends of a single female terminal, the number of contact points on the signal transmission path is reduced. Each contact point is in a fixed position relationship of the same part, and is not prone to relative displacement due to vibration or insertion and removal operations, thereby improving the reliability of the electrical connection. Attached Figure Description

[0027] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a connector plug and a mating socket before they are inserted, according to an embodiment of this application.

[0028] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a connector plug provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0029] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the disassembled structure of a connector plug according to an embodiment of this application;

[0030] Figure 4 for Figure 3 A magnified view of a portion at point A;

[0031] Figure 5 A cross-sectional view of a connector plug provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0032] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the front cover provided in one embodiment of this application;

[0033] Figure 7 This is a structural schematic diagram of the front cover from another perspective, provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0034] Figure 8 for Figure 6 A magnified view of the area at point B;

[0035] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a bidirectional mating female terminal provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0036] Figure 10A top view of a bidirectional mating female terminal block provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0037] Figure 11 for Figure 10 Sectional view at CC

[0038] Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a bidirectional mating female terminal provided in one embodiment of this application from another perspective;

[0039] Figure 13 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a male terminal provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0040] Figure 14 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a mechanical retention sheet provided in an embodiment of this application; Detailed Implementation

[0041] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this application clearer, the following detailed description is provided in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative and not intended to limit the scope of this application.

[0042] It should be noted that when one element is considered to be "connected" to another element, it can be a direct connection to the other element and integrated with it, or it can be an indirect connection through an intermediary element. The terms "mounted," "connected," and "linked" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; 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; and they can refer to the internal communication between two elements. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this application based on the specific circumstances.

[0043] In this application, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, "above" or "below" the second feature can mean that the first feature is in direct contact with the second feature, or that the first feature is in indirect contact with the second feature through an intermediate medium. Furthermore, "above," "on top of," and "over" the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. "Below," "below," and "under" the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.

[0044] like Figure 1 As shown, the connector plug 100 provided in one embodiment of this application is used to cooperate with the mating socket 200 to realize the transmission of electrical signals.

[0045] The connector plug 100 mainly includes a plug housing 10, an adapter unit 20, a wiring unit 30, a mechanical retention unit 40, and an FPC 50.

[0046] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the plug housing 10 is generally rectangular in shape, with a terminal receiving cavity 101 formed inside for accommodating and positioning the adapter unit 20. Specifically, the plug housing 10 includes a plug body 12 and a front cover 11 assembled to the front end of the plug body 12. After the front cover 11 is engaged with the plug body 12, it can axially and radially fix the bidirectional mating female terminals 21 of the adapter unit 20 within the terminal receiving cavity 101, preventing them from dislodging.

[0047] Please refer to Figures 6 to 7 The front cover 11 has multiple female latches 111 extending rearward from its upper and lower sides, and the plug body 12 has multiple male latches 121 correspondingly provided. The front cover 11 and the plug body 12 are reliably assembled through the engagement of the female latches 111 and the male latches 121. Furthermore, the multiple female latches 111 are of different sizes, and correspondingly, the multiple male latches 121 are also of different sizes. In this way, the female latches 111 and male latches 121 of different sizes can only be engaged in a single direction, thus forming a foolproof structure to prevent the front cover 11 from being assembled backwards.

[0048] like Figure 6 As shown, the upper and lower surfaces of the front cover 11 are respectively provided with raised ribs 112 extending in the front-rear direction. When the connector plug 100 is inserted into the socket, these raised ribs 112 form line contact with the inner wall of the socket, rather than surface contact, thereby effectively reducing the frictional interference force during insertion, improving the insertion and removal feel and reducing housing wear.

[0049] like Figures 6 to 8 As shown, the front cover 11 has first insertion holes 113 that correspond one-to-one with the first insertion portions 211 of the bidirectional female terminals 21, allowing the terminals of the socket to pass through and enter the first insertion portions 211. Each first insertion hole 113 has a guide bevel 114 around its entrance to guide the insertion of the socket terminals. The rear side of the front cover 11 facing the plug body 12 has positioning protrusions 115 at each first insertion hole 113. These positioning protrusions 115 precisely insert into the corresponding area of ​​the terminal receiving cavity 101, achieving accurate alignment between the first insertion holes 113 and the internal bidirectional female terminals 21.

[0050] like Figure 6 As shown, in addition, the upper side of the front cover 11 is also provided with a guide limiting groove 116. When the plug and socket are inserted, the guide limiting groove 116 cooperates with the guide limiting strip on the socket to guide and limit the insertion, preventing the plug from being inserted at an angle. Figure 8As shown, the front cover 11 is also provided with an electrical test through hole 117 for external test probes to pass through and contact the internal terminals for electrical testing.

[0051] like Figure 9 and Figure 11 As shown, the bidirectional mating female terminal 21 of the adapter unit 20 is integrally stamped and bent from a metal sheet, and has a first pair of plugs 211 at the front end and a second pair of plugs 212 at the rear end. The first pair of plugs 211 is used to form an electrical connection with the terminals of the socket, and the second pair of plugs 212 is used to form an electrical connection with the male terminal 31 of the wiring unit 30, thereby realizing the relay and transfer of electrical signals with a single component, eliminating the need for multiple intermediate terminal assemblies.

[0052] like Figure 9 and Figure 11 Specifically, the first pair of insertion portions 211 comprises a base plate 213, a left side plate 214, a right side plate 215, and three top plates. A first top plate 216 extends to the left from the upper part near the front end of the right side plate 215, with its rear end bending backward to extend a first spring arm 2161. A second top plate 217 extends to the left from the upper part near the rear end of the right side plate 215, with its front end bending forward to extend a second spring arm 2171. A third top plate 218 extends to the right from the upper part of the left side plate 214, covering the first spring arm 2161 and the second spring arm 2171. The first spring arm 2161 and the second spring arm 2171 at least partially overlap vertically. When the socket terminal is inserted, the first spring arm 2161 is lifted and deformed, and this deformation force is transmitted to the overlapping second spring arm 2171, which then generates a reverse elastic support force. This double-layered spring arm structure not only increases the contact force, but also allows the other spring arm to provide compensation when the stress of the spring arm relaxes after long-term use, significantly improving the long-term reliability of the contact.

[0053] The first pair of inserts 211 and the second pair of inserts 212 have the same structure, and will not be described again.

[0054] like Figure 11 As shown, a first protruding contact portion 2131 is stamped on the base plate 213, which faces the lower part of the spring arm and clamps the inserted socket terminal together with the spring arm, forming the core electrical contact point. The front end of the third top plate 218 extends downward to form an electrical testing contact portion 2181, which is used to contact external testing equipment to facilitate electrical testing during production.

[0055] like Figure 9 As shown, a spring arm limiting part 2182 extends downward from the right side of the third top plate 218. The spring arm limiting part 2182 is located outside the first spring arm 2161 and the second spring arm 2171, which can limit the spring arm from excessive outward displacement or plastic deformation when subjected to lateral force.

[0056] To enhance the stability of the overall structure, the first top plate 216 has a first mounting protrusion 2162 on its left side, and the left side plate 214 has a first mounting hole 2141, into which the first mounting protrusion 2162 is inserted. The second top plate 217 has a second mounting protrusion 2172 on its left side, and the left side plate 214 has a second mounting hole 2142, into which the second mounting protrusion 2172 is inserted. In this way, the top plates and the left side plates interlock, preventing the top plates from opening outwards under the action of insertion and extraction forces.

[0057] like Figure 9 As shown, to prevent the bidirectional mating female terminal 21 from being misaligned when inserted into the terminal receiving cavity 101, a foolproof mounting point 2132 is formed by punching and bending to one side on the base plate 213 between its two mating portions. For example... Figure 4 As shown, the terminal receiving cavity 101 of the plug body 12 is provided with a foolproof groove 122. Only when the installation direction is correct can the foolproof stop point 2132 fall into the foolproof groove 122; otherwise, interference will occur.

[0058] like Figure 3 As shown, the wiring unit 30 is responsible for transmitting electrical signals from the adapter unit 20 to the outside via the FPC 50. It includes multiple male terminals 31 arranged side-by-side. In this embodiment, to adapt to the circuit board layout and achieve high-density arrangement, these male terminals 31 are divided into upper and lower rows, including an upper row of long terminals 31a and a lower row of short terminals 31b. Figure 13 As shown, the front end of each male terminal 31 is a pointed mating guide 311, which facilitates insertion into the second mating portion 212 of the bidirectional mating female terminal 21; its rear end is a terminal soldering foot 313, used to connect external cables or flexible circuit boards by means of soldering or other methods. The middle part is the mounting and holding part, which is provided with barbs 312 to form an interference fit with the mounting groove in the plug housing 10, so that the male terminal 31 is firmly fixed.

[0059] like Figure 14 As shown, the mechanical retention unit 40 is a component independent of the wiring unit 30, specifically manifested as a pair of metal retaining plates 41. The retaining plates 41 are inserted into retaining plate mounting slots 123 on both sides of the plug housing 10 via multiple mounting teeth 411. The mounting teeth 411 have wavy protrusions 412 that interfere with the inner wall of the mounting slots 123, generating a strong retaining force to firmly fix the retaining plates 41 to the housing. Each retaining plate 41 has a flat soldering portion 413 at its tail, which will be soldered onto the flexible circuit board. The retaining plates 41 are made of copper alloy and have a matte tin plating layer on their surface to facilitate better wetting and welding of the solder paste during laser soldering.

[0060] like Figure 2 As shown, an unlocking button 124 is also provided on the upper rear side of the plug body 12. The unlocking button 124 has a cantilever structure, with its front end connected to the plug body 12 and its rear end movable up and down. The unlocking button 124 is provided with a mating main locking position 125. When the plug and socket are fully mated, the mating main locking position 125 engages with the locking structure on the socket to prevent loosening. When it is necessary to unplug, press the unlocking button 124 to release the locking mechanism.

[0061] The following combination Figures 1 to 14 The structure of this embodiment will be further explained by a complete assembly sequence:

[0062] First, the plug body 12 is provided. The mounting teeth 411 of the fixing piece 41 are pressed into the fixing piece mounting slot 123 of the plug body 12 from top to bottom or from the side to complete the pre-installation of the fixing piece.

[0063] Next, insert the lower row of short terminals 31b into the corresponding mounting slots from the rear of the plug body 12, so that the front end of the guide portion 311 enters the appropriate position at the rear of the terminal receiving cavity 101.

[0064] Then, the front cover 11 is fastened onto the front end of the plug body 12. Due to the foolproof design of the female latch 111 and male latch 121, the front cover 11 can only be fastened in the correct direction. After fastening, the positioning protrusion 115 is also perfectly embedded in the front end of the terminal receiving cavity 101.

[0065] Then insert the upper row of long terminals 31a into the corresponding mounting slots from the rear of the plug body 12.

[0066] Finally, insert the pre-installed bidirectional mating female terminal 21 into the terminal receiving cavity 101 through the first mating through hole 113 on the front cover 11 or the opening at the rear of the housing, in the correct direction. During insertion, the installation anti-foolproof stop 2132 must be aligned with the anti-foolproof groove 122; after insertion, the first mating part 211 of the bidirectional mating female terminal 21 is aligned with the first mating through hole 113 on the front cover 11, and the second mating part 212 is fitted onto the outside of the mating guide part 311 of the upper and lower rows of male terminals 31, thus completing the assembly of the entire plug.

[0067] After assembly, the soldering molten portion 413 of the retaining plate 41 and the terminal solder pad portion 313 of the male terminal are soldered together to the corresponding pads on the flexible circuit board. During subsequent repeated insertion and removal processes, the solder joint between the male terminal 31 and the flexible circuit board serves only as an electrical signal transmission channel, while the mechanical tensile stress caused by the insertion and removal actions is primarily borne by the structurally stronger retaining plate 41. This force-electric separation design fundamentally avoids the risk of solder joint peeling failure during long-term use.

[0068] The embodiments described above are merely illustrative of several implementation methods of this application, and while the descriptions are specific and detailed, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of the patent application. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and improvements without departing from the concept of this application, such as changing the specific spring arm shape of the bidirectional mating female terminal or adjusting the layout of the latch, all of which fall within the protection scope of this application. Therefore, the protection scope of this patent application should be determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A connector plug, characterized in that, include: The plug housing has a terminal receiving cavity formed inside; An adapter unit is housed within the terminal receiving cavity, the adapter unit including at least one bidirectional mating female terminal; The bidirectional mating female terminal has a first mating portion and a second mating portion; The first pair of plugs is used to plug into the socket terminal, and the second pair of plugs is used to plug into the wiring unit.

2. The connector plug according to claim 1, characterized in that, The plug housing includes a plug body and a front cover assembled at the front end of the plug body. After the front cover is fastened to the plug body, the bidirectional mating female terminal is fixed in the terminal receiving cavity.

3. The connector plug according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first mating portion of the bidirectional mating female terminal includes: Base plate; Left side panel and right side panel; The first top plate extends to the left from the upper front part of the right side plate, and its rear end bends backward to extend out the first elastic arm. The second top plate extends to the left from the upper rear end of the right side plate, and its front end bends forward to extend out the second elastic arm. The third top plate extends to the right from the upper part of the left side plate. The first elastic arm and the second elastic arm overlap at least partially in the vertical direction, so that when the first elastic arm is deformed by pressure, it will be supported by the reverse elastic force of the second elastic arm.

4. The connector plug according to claim 3, characterized in that, A spring arm limiting part extends downward from the right side of the third top plate. The spring arm limiting part is located on the side of the first spring arm and the second spring arm away from the third top plate, so as to restrict the first spring arm and the second spring arm from moving to that side.

5. The connector plug according to claim 3, characterized in that, The first top plate has a first mounting protrusion on its left side and a first mounting hole on its left side plate, and the first mounting protrusion is inserted into the first mounting hole; the second top plate has a second mounting protrusion on its left side and a second mounting hole on its left side plate, and the second mounting protrusion is inserted into the second mounting hole.

6. The connector plug according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a wiring unit and a mechanical retention unit, wherein the wiring unit includes at least one male terminal, one end of which is inserted into the second pair of the bidirectional mating female terminal; The mechanical holding unit is a fixing piece independent of the wiring unit. The fixing piece is fixedly installed on the plug housing and has a soldering part for soldering to the flexible circuit board. The retaining plate is configured to withstand the mechanical force exerted on the flexible circuit board when the plug and socket are inserted or removed, so as to prevent the solder joints of the wiring unit and the flexible circuit board from peeling off.

7. The connector plug according to claim 6, characterized in that, The fixing piece has multiple mounting teeth, each with a wavy protrusion. The plug housing has a fixing piece mounting slot, and the mounting teeth are inserted into the fixing piece mounting slot and fixed by the interference holding force of the wavy protrusion.

8. The connector plug according to claim 6, characterized in that, The wiring unit includes an upper row of long terminals and a lower row of short terminals arranged in two rows.

9. The connector plug according to claim 2, characterized in that, The upper and lower sides of the front cover are respectively provided with multiple female buckles extending rearward, and the plug body is provided with multiple male buckles accordingly; the multiple female buckles are buckle slots of different sizes, and the multiple male buckles are protrusions of different sizes. The female buckles of different sizes and the male buckles are fastened in a unique direction to form a foolproof structure.

10. The connector plug according to claim 2, characterized in that, The front cover has a positioning protrusion on the side facing the plug body at each of the first pair of insertion holes. The positioning protrusion is inserted into the terminal receiving cavity to position the first pair of insertion holes.

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