Connector

Abstract

The utility model belongs to the technical field of connector locking devices, and particularly provides a connector. The connector comprises a shell and a sliding block, the sliding direction of the sliding block is perpendicular to the plugging direction of the shell in different planes, the end, making contact with the shell firstly in the sliding direction when the sliding block and the shell are installed and matched, of the sliding block serves as the front end, and a secondary locking structure for limiting the sliding block to retreat is arranged between the side wall of the rear end of the sliding block and the shell wall, opposite to the side wall, of the shell. The secondary locking structure of the connector and the locking piece which is arranged on the shell and matched with the secondary locking structure are not located on the back side of the plugging direction, the secondary locking structure and the locking piece are arranged through the space of the connector in the height direction, and therefore the thickness of the connector is reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model belongs to the technical field of connector locking devices, in particular to a connector. Background Art

[0002] In the three-electric (battery, motor, and electronic control) system of new energy vehicles, connectors are key components, and the reliability of connectors is related to the reliability of the entire vehicle. Due to the vibration of the vehicle during driving, in addition to the primary locking structure of the connector housing itself, the connector used in the vehicle generally needs to be equipped with a secondary locking structure (CPA structure) to improve the reliability of the connection between the connector plug and the socket.

[0003] In the prior art, the secondary locking structure is generally arranged on the back side of the connector housing in the plug-in and unplug direction (away from the plug-in and unplug interface), and the insertion direction of the secondary locking structure is parallel to the plug-in and unplug direction of the connector housing. For example, the patent document with the application publication number CN111585103A of the applicant provides a connector with a secondary locking structure, which is configured with a secondary locking structure integrated with a signal short-circuit component. Specifically, the connector (plug) includes a housing, a slider (handle) slidably assembled on the slider, a signal short-circuit component, and a locking groove on the slider that cooperates with a locking column on the socket. The sliding direction of the slider is skewed and perpendicular to the plug-in and unplug direction of the connector. The locking groove cooperates with the locking column on the socket to form a primary lock. After the connector is plugged in place, the signal short-circuit component can be inserted. A locking key is arranged on the back of the signal short-circuit component. After the signal short-circuit component is inserted, the locking key can cooperate with the locking groove on the slider to achieve secondary locking.

[0004] However, in some projects, due to the structural layout of other vehicle components, the space left for plugging in the connector in the plugging and unplugging direction (connector thickness direction) is limited, so the thickness of the connector needs to be controlled within a smaller range. The prior art solution of setting the secondary locking structure on the back side of the connector in the plugging and unplugging direction easily makes the connector too thick, making it difficult to use in applications where the connector thickness is required. Utility Model Content

[0005] The utility model aims to provide a connector to solve the technical problem in the prior art that the connector is too thick due to the secondary locking structure being arranged at the back of the connector in the plugging and unplugging direction.

[0006] To achieve the above purpose, the technical solution of the connector provided by the utility model is:

[0007] A connector includes a shell and a slider. The sliding direction of the slider is perpendicular to the plug-in and pull-out direction of the shell. The end of the slider that first contacts the shell in the sliding direction when the slider is installed and matched with the shell is the front end. A secondary locking structure for limiting the slide from retreating is provided between the side wall at the rear end of the slider and the shell wall opposite to the side wall.

[0008] As a further improvement, the secondary locking structure and the slider are slidably matched, the shell is provided with a guide structure for specifying the sliding direction of the slider, the shell wall is provided with a locking piece protruding from the shell wall, and the side wall is provided with a first through hole for the locking piece to pass through, and the secondary locking structure has a locking state in which it is locked with the locking piece and an unlocking state in which it is separated from the locking piece during its sliding stroke.

[0009] As a further improvement, the sliding direction of the secondary locking structure, the sliding direction of the slider, and the plugging and unplugging direction of the housing are skewed and perpendicular.

[0010] As a further improvement, the locking member is provided with a locking groove for locking with the secondary locking structure, and the slider is provided with a retaining structure for keeping the secondary locking structure in a locked state.

[0011] As a further improvement, the secondary locking structure includes a main body, on which a locking cantilever is provided, and the locking cantilever is used to be inserted into a locking slot to lock with the locking member.

[0012] As a further improvement, a safety spring arm is provided on the secondary locking structure, and one end of the safety spring arm is provided with a limiting structure for cooperating with the slider to limit the position of the secondary locking structure when the shell is not plugged into place. A second through hole is provided on the slider, and a pushing boss protruding from the shell wall is also provided on the shell wall. The pushing boss is used to pass through the second through hole to push open the limiting structure to release the limiting state of the secondary locking structure.

[0013] As a further improvement, the limiting structure is a hooking structure, which is used to hook the second through-hole and limit the position of the secondary locking structure.

[0014] As a further improvement, the slider is further provided with a receiving groove for receiving the hooking structure when the secondary locking structure is in a locked state.

[0015] As a further improvement, the guide structure includes at least two vertical plates and at least two vertical plates are arranged opposite to each other, and two opposite side surfaces of two adjacent vertical plates form guide surfaces for guiding and cooperating with the secondary locking structure.

[0016] As a further improvement, the anti-retraction structure includes an anti-retraction boss arranged on the guide surface, and the secondary locking structure is provided with an anti-retraction groove for cooperating with the anti-retraction boss.

[0017] As a further improvement, the guide structure further includes a top cover supported by the vertical plate.

[0018] As a further improvement, the secondary locking structure is provided with a guide groove, and the top cover is provided with a guide boss for guiding and cooperating with the guide groove on the secondary locking structure.

[0019] The beneficial effect is that the utility model is an improved invention. When the connector is in use, the slider and the housing are slidably matched. Different from the prior art, the secondary locking structure of the connector and the locking piece arranged on the housing and matched with the secondary locking structure in the utility model are not located on the back side of the plugging and unplugging direction, and the secondary locking structure and the locking piece are arranged by using the space at the height of the connector, thereby reducing the thickness of the connector. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Figure 1 It is a structural schematic diagram of one viewing angle when the connector embodiment of the utility model is not plugged into a socket;

[0021] Figure 2 It is a structural schematic diagram of a slider in one viewing angle in the connector embodiment of the utility model;

[0022] Figure 3 It is a structural schematic diagram of a housing in a connector embodiment of the utility model from one viewing angle;

[0023] Figure 4 It is a schematic diagram of the structure after the housing and the slider in the connector embodiment of the utility model are in place;

[0024] Figure 5 It is a structural schematic diagram of the secondary locking structure in one viewing angle in the connector embodiment of the utility model;

[0025] Figure 6 It is a structural schematic diagram of the secondary locking structure in the connector embodiment of the utility model at another viewing angle;

[0026] Figure 7 It is a structural schematic diagram of another viewing angle when the connector embodiment of the utility model is not plugged into the socket;

[0027] Figure 8 It is a partial cross-sectional view of the top cover part of the connector embodiment of the utility model;

[0028] Fig. 9 for Figure 8 A partial enlarged view of the middle section.

[0029] Description of reference numerals:

[0030] 1. Shell; 2. Slider; 3. Secondary locking structure; 101. Locking member; 102. Pushing boss; 201. First through hole; 202. Second through hole; 203. Accommodating groove; 204. Vertical plate; 205. Top cover; 206. Guide boss; 207. Retraction stop boss; 208. Anti-slip boss; 301. Main body; 302. Locking cantilever; 303. Safety spring arm; 304. Reinforcing rib; 305. Guide groove; 306. Retraction stop groove; 307. Hooking structure; 308. Guide surface. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] Taking into account the vibration of the vehicle during driving, in order to improve the reliability of the connector head plug-in, the vehicle connector generally needs to be equipped with a secondary locking structure when in use. The applicant previously provided a connector with a slider structure, in which the secondary locking structure is arranged on the back side of the connector plug-in direction, and the sliding direction of the slider is perpendicular to the plug-in direction of the connector when in use. However, in the subsequent application of the product, in some projects, the space reserved for the connector is relatively small, which puts forward new requirements for the thickness of the connector.

[0032] In order to solve the above problems, the basic technical concept of the utility model is to change the position of the secondary locking structure, and set the secondary locking structure on the back side of the slider direction. It can also be understood that the secondary locking structure is set at the top of the connector. In this way, the secondary locking structure will not occupy the space in the thickness direction of the connector (plugging and unplugging direction), so that the thickness of the connector can be better controlled, which is suitable for applications with high requirements on the thickness of the connector.

[0033] The present invention is further described in detail below in conjunction with the embodiments and drawings.

[0034] The specific embodiment of the connector provided by the utility model:

[0035] The connector provided in this embodiment is as follows Figure 1 As shown, the whole comprises a housing 1, a slider 2, and a secondary locking structure 3. The housing 1 is provided with contact terminals and cables and other components. The specific structures of the contact terminals and cables and other components are prior art and are not specifically limited here. When in use, a part of the housing 1 is used to plug and match with the matching connector. The plug-in and pull-out direction is Figure 1 The slider 2 and the housing 1 slide together, and the sliding direction is Figure 1In the Z direction, or in the up-down direction, the slider 2 is provided with a primary locking member for locking with the matching connector. After the housing 1 is plugged in place, the slider 2 slides downward, and the primary locking member locks with the matching connector to achieve primary locking. The specific implementation form of the primary locking member is the prior art, for example, a locking column can be provided on the inner wall of the housing 1 of the slider 2, and the slider 2 can be inserted into the lock hole of the matching connector during the sliding process to achieve primary locking.

[0036] When in use, the secondary locking structure 3 slides with the slider 2. Specifically, the secondary locking structure 3 is guided and matched with the side wall on the rear end of the slider 2. That is, the side wall on the rear end of the slider 2 is provided with a guide structure for guiding and matching with the secondary locking structure 3. The guide structure specifies the sliding direction of the secondary locking structure 3. It should be noted that the rear end mentioned here is the sliding direction of the slider 2 as the front-to-back direction, and the end of the slider 2 that first contacts the housing 1 is defined as the front. When in use, the slider 2 slides from front to back, with the sliding direction of the slider 2 being the front end. Figure 1 For example, the side wall at the rear end of the slider 2 refers to Figure 1 A side wall at the top of the middle slider 2.

[0037] It can be seen from the analysis that, unlike the prior art, the secondary locking structure 3 in this embodiment is installed in the sliding direction of the slider 2, that is, Figure 1 The top of the connector is provided in the middle, thus eliminating the problem of space occupation of the secondary locking structure 3 in the thickness direction (X direction) of the connector, thereby the thickness of the connector can be controlled within a relatively thin range, which is suitable for use in occasions with high requirements on the thickness of the connector.

[0038] The housing 1 is provided with a locking member 101 for locking with the secondary locking structure 3 to achieve secondary locking. Figure 2-Figure 4 As shown, a locking member 101 protruding from the shell wall is provided on the shell wall on the side opposite to the side wall provided with the guide structure in the shell 1. More specifically, a locking groove is provided on the locking member 101, and a first through hole 201 for the locking member 101 to pass through the side wall is provided on the slider 2. After the slider 2 slides into place, the locking member 101 can pass through the first through hole 201, and a portion (the position of the locking groove) is higher than the side wall at the rear end of the slider 2. At this time, the secondary locking structure 3 can be pushed to move to the position of the locking groove, and a portion is inserted into the locking groove to achieve locking cooperation with the locking groove, thereby achieving secondary locking of the connector. In order to prevent the secondary locking structure 3 from withdrawing from the locking groove due to unexpected circumstances such as vibration in the locked state, the slider 2 is also provided with a stop structure for cooperating with the secondary locking structure 3 to keep the secondary locking structure 3 in the locked state.

[0039] Furthermore, the insertion direction of the secondary locking structure 3 when it is matched with the lock slot, the plugging and unplugging direction of the housing 1 when in use, and the sliding direction of the slider 2 are all skewed and perpendicular. Figure 1As shown, the insertion direction of the secondary locking structure 3 is the Y direction. In essence, the X direction, the Y direction and the Z direction form a spatial rectangular coordinate system. This can maximize the use of the width direction of the connector to meet the installation and insertion of the secondary locking structure 3, thereby better controlling the size of the connector in the thickness direction.

[0040] In other embodiments, the above three directions are not necessarily perpendicular. Figure 1 For example, the insertion direction Y direction of CPA may also have a certain angle with the X direction. For example, taking the axis of the Z direction as the central axis, rotating the Y direction by a certain angle, such as 20 degrees, can also achieve normal use of the secondary locking structure 3.

[0041] like Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the secondary locking structure 3 includes a main body 301, and a locking cantilever 302 is provided on the main body 301. When in use, Figure 8 and Fig. 9 As shown, the locking cantilever 302 is used to insert into the locking groove and lock with the locking member 101, so as to limit the accidental movement of the slider 2 in the Z direction and realize secondary locking. As a feasible embodiment, the locking groove is generally U-shaped and is through in the X direction. In other feasible embodiments, the locking groove can also be a circumferentially closed locking groove on the locking member 101, which can meet the insertion of the locking cantilever 302.

[0042] In other feasible implementations, if the size of the locking slot is large enough to accommodate the insertion of the main body 301, the locking cantilever 302 may not be separately provided.

[0043] In order to improve the structural strength of the locking cantilever 302, as Figure 6 and Fig. 9 As shown, a reinforcing rib 304 is further provided between the main body 301 and the locking cantilever 302 . The number of the reinforcing rib 304 may be one, two, three, etc., and no specific limitation is made here.

[0044] One side of the locking cantilever arm 302 is provided with a guide surface 308 for slidingly cooperating with the notch of the lock slot to guide the locking cantilever arm 302 to be smoothly inserted into the lock slot. Fig. 9 As shown, the lower edge of the locking groove (in the up-down direction in the figure) is also higher than the side wall of the rear end of the slider 2, so that when a guide surface 308 is provided, the guide surface 308 can guide the locking cantilever 302 to slide into the locking groove. Preferably, the guide surface 308 is an inclined surface. Of course, the guide surface 308 can also be an arc surface.

[0045] Considering the actual use of the connector, when the connector (housing 1) is not plugged in, the secondary locking structure 3 should not move to the locked position. As a more reliable implementation method, Figure 5 and Figure 6As shown, the secondary locking structure 3 is also provided with a safety spring arm 303, and one end of the safety spring arm 303 is provided with a limit structure. When the connector is not plugged in, the limit structure is used to cooperate with the slider 2 to limit the position of the secondary locking structure 3 and prevent it from moving to the locking position that cooperates with the lock groove. Figure 1-Figure 4 As shown, the slider 2 is further provided with a second through hole 202, and the shell wall of the shell 1 is further provided with a push boss 102 protruding from the shell wall. The push boss 102 is used to pass through the second through hole 202 to push open the limiting structure provided on the safety spring arm 303, thereby releasing the limiting state of the secondary locking structure 3, so that the secondary locking structure 3 can move to a position that matches the lock groove. The number of the safety spring arm 303 can be one or more. Figure 1-Figure 4 There may be two or more of them, which are not specifically limited here.

[0046] With the above design, the secondary locking structure 3 can be movably installed on the slider 2 in advance. With the cooperation of the safety spring arm 303 and the slider 2, the secondary locking structure 3 will not move to a position that cooperates with the lock groove, and will not affect the normal insertion of the connector.

[0047] As a preferred solution, the limiting structure provided at one end of the safety spring arm 303 is a hook structure 307, such as Figure 7-Figure 9 As shown, the hook structure 307 is used to hook the second through hole 202 to achieve the limited matching relationship between the secondary locking structure 3 and the slider 2. When the slider 2 moves downward, the hook structure 307 can be pushed out of the second through hole 202 under the action of the push boss 102, thereby releasing the limited state. This hook structure 307 is a two-way limited structure, which not only prevents the secondary locking structure 3 from moving to the position of the lock slot, but also prevents the secondary locking structure 3 from escaping from the slider 2.

[0048] Furthermore, in order to prevent the safety spring arm 303 from being deformed or broken due to long-term pressure when the connector is in normal use, the slider 2 is also provided with a receiving groove 203 for accommodating the hook structure 307 when the secondary locking structure 3 is in the locked state. In this way, when the secondary locking structure 3 is in the locked state, under the action of the elastic force of the safety spring arm 303, the hook structure 307 can be released and accommodated in the receiving groove 203, thereby ensuring long-term and reliable use of the connector.

[0049] It should be noted that the limiting structure in the safety spring arm 303 is not limited to the hook structure 307. If a boss structure is provided at the opening of the second through hole 202, in the non-locked state, one end of the safety spring arm 303 can directly press against the boss structure to limit the position of the secondary locking structure 3. At this time, the end surface of one end of the safety spring arm 303 forms a limiting structure, i.e., a limiting surface. Under the action of the pushing boss 102, the safety cantilever can be lifted up and passed over the boss structure to achieve normal locking of the secondary locking structure 3.

[0050] like Figure 1-Figure 9 As shown, the guide structure provided on the slider 2 includes two vertical plates 204, the two vertical plates 204 are arranged in parallel, and the two opposite side surfaces between the two vertical plates 204 form a guide surface for guiding and cooperating with the secondary locking structure 3, and the guide surface extends along the Y direction. When in use, the secondary locking structure 3 is inserted between the two vertical plates 204. In other embodiments, the number of vertical plates 204 is not limited to two, for example, the number of vertical plates 204 can be three, and in this case, the two opposite side surfaces of two adjacent vertical plates 204 form a guide surface.

[0051] Of course, in other implementations, if the side wall at the rear end of the slider 2 is thicker, a groove structure that plays a guiding role may also be provided on the side wall at the rear end of the slider 2 .

[0052] Furthermore, the anti-retraction structure includes an anti-retraction boss 207 provided on the guide surface and an anti-retraction groove 306 provided on the secondary locking structure 3. Fig. 9 As shown, when the secondary locking structure 3 reaches the locking position, the backstop groove 306 can be stuck in the backstop boss 207, thereby preventing the secondary locking structure 3 from accidentally disengaging. Of course, the backstop structure is not limited to the solution of setting the backstop boss 207 on the guide surface. In fact, the backstop boss 207 can be set at other positions of the slider 2.

[0053] Furthermore, a top cover 205 supported by the vertical plate 204 is also provided on the slider 2. The top cover 205 can protect the secondary locking structure 3 and prevent the secondary locking structure 3 from being damaged due to collision or other reasons.

[0054] On the basis of being provided with a top cover 205, a guide boss 206 which can also play a guiding role is provided on the top cover 205. Correspondingly, a guide groove 305 for guiding and cooperating with the guide boss 206 is provided on the secondary locking structure 3. By setting the guide boss 206 and the guide groove 305, the guiding effect of the slider 2 on the secondary locking structure 3 can be further enhanced.

[0055] It should be noted here that one of the locking methods of the secondary locking structure 3 is given above, specifically the plug-in cooperation of the secondary locking structure and the locking piece. Of course, the secondary locking structure 3 can also be other forms of locking structures. For example, as another sliding type (sliding cooperation of the secondary locking structure 3 and the slider 2), the secondary locking structure can be provided with a clamp or a clamp and other structures. At this time, the locking piece is still a locking piece protruding from the shell wall. Correspondingly, a clamping mating part for cooperating with the secondary locking structure clamp can be provided on the locking piece. When in use, the secondary locking structure can be wrapped around the outer periphery of the locking piece, and the locking of the slider and the shell can also be realized, and the locking can be stopped at the same time of locking.

[0056] Of course, the secondary locking structure 3 can also be a rotating locking structure in addition to a sliding locking structure. For example, a locking hook that cooperates with the rotation of the slider is set on the slider, and the locking hook is equivalent to the secondary locking structure. After the slider slides into place, the locking hook can rotate and hook into the corresponding locking groove set on the shell, and locking can also be achieved. What I want to emphasize here is that as long as the secondary locking structure is set at the top of the connector, the space occupied by the secondary locking structure in the thickness direction of the connector plugging and unplugging can be released, and the thickness of the connector can be controlled within a smaller range.

[0057] Finally, it should be noted that the above is only a preferred embodiment of the utility model and is not intended to limit the utility model. Although the utility model is described in detail with reference to the above embodiments, those skilled in the art can still modify the technical solutions recorded in the above embodiments without creative work, or replace some of the technical features therein by equivalents. Any modification, equivalent replacement, improvement, etc. made within the spirit and principle of the utility model shall be included in the protection scope of the utility model.

Claims

1. A connector, comprising a housing (1) and a slider (2), wherein the sliding direction of the slider (2) and the plugging and unplugging direction of the housing (1) are skewed and perpendicular, and characterized in that: The end of the slider (2) that first contacts the shell (1) in the sliding direction when the slider (2) and the shell (1) are installed and matched is taken as the front end, and a secondary locking structure (3) for limiting the slider (2) from retreating is provided between the side wall at the rear end of the slider (2) and the shell wall of the shell (1) opposite to the side wall.

2. The connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The secondary locking structure (3) and the slider (2) are slidably matched, the housing (1) is provided with a guide structure for specifying the sliding direction of the slider (2), the housing wall is provided with a locking piece (101) protruding from the housing wall, the side wall is provided with a first through hole (201) for the locking piece (101) to pass through, and the secondary locking structure (3) has a locked state in which it is locked with the locking piece and an unlocked state in which it is separated from the locking piece during its sliding stroke.

3. The connector according to claim 2, characterized in that: The sliding direction of the secondary locking structure (3), the sliding direction of the slider (2), and the plugging and unplugging direction of the housing (1) are all skewed and perpendicular.

4. The connector according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that: The locking piece is provided with a locking groove for lockingly cooperating with the secondary locking structure (3), and the sliding block (2) is provided with a stop structure for keeping the secondary locking structure (3) in a locked state.

5. The connector according to claim 4, characterized in that: The secondary locking structure (3) comprises a main body (301), on which a locking cantilever (302) is provided, and the locking cantilever (302) is used to be inserted into a locking slot to lock with the locking member (101).

6. The connector according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that: The secondary locking structure (3) is provided with a safety spring arm (303), one end of which is provided with a limiting structure for cooperating with the slider (2) to limit the position of the secondary locking structure (3) when the shell (1) is not plugged in place, the slider (2) is provided with a second through hole (202), and the shell wall is also provided with a pushing boss (102) protruding from the shell wall, the pushing boss (102) is used to pass through the second through hole (202) to push open the limiting structure to release the limiting state of the secondary locking structure (3).

7. The connector according to claim 6, characterized in that: The limiting structure is a hooking structure (307), and the hooking structure (307) is used to hook the second through hole (202) and limit the position of the secondary locking structure (3).

8. The connector according to claim 7, characterized in that: The sliding block (2) is also provided with a receiving groove (203) for receiving the hook structure (307) when the secondary locking structure (3) is in a locked state.

9. The connector according to claim 4, characterized in that: The guide structure comprises at least two vertical plates (204) and at least two vertical plates (204) are arranged opposite to each other, and two opposite side surfaces of two adjacent vertical plates (204) form guide surfaces for guiding and cooperating with the secondary locking structure (3).

10. The connector according to claim 9, characterized in that: The anti-retraction structure comprises an anti-retraction boss (207) arranged on the guide surface, and the secondary locking structure (3) is provided with an anti-retraction groove (306) for cooperating with the anti-retraction boss (207).

11. The connector according to claim 9, characterized in that: The guide structure also includes a top cover (205) supported by the vertical plate (204).

12. The connector according to claim 11, characterized in that: The secondary locking structure (3) is provided with a guide groove (305), and the top cover (205) is provided with a guide boss (206) for guiding and cooperating with the guide groove (305) on the secondary locking structure (3).

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