Connector and connector assembly

Abstract

The utility model discloses a connector and a connector assembly. The connector includes: an insulator; a terminal held in the insulator; the shielding shell is sleeved on the insulator; and the outer shell is arranged on the shielding shell. The shielding shell is provided with an elastic lock catch, and the elastic lock catch extends out of the outer shell and is used for being locked to a matching connector so as to ensure that the connector and the matching connector are reliably locked in a matching state. In the embodiment of the utility model, the elastic lock catch on the connector can reliably lock the connector and the matching connector in the matching state, thereby ensuring the continuity of signal transmission between the connector and the matching connector. In addition, the connector provided by the utility model is simple in structure, and can be conveniently matched with a matching connector.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to a connector and a connector component comprising the connector. Background Art

[0002] In the prior art, a USB-C connector generally includes a male connector and a female connector that mates with the male connector. Usually, there is no locking structure on the male connector and the female connector that can lock the two in a mating state. Therefore, when subjected to vibration, there is a risk of momentary disconnection between the terminals of the male connector and the female connector, which can cause signal interruption and signal discontinuity. Utility Model Content

[0003] The purpose of the present invention is to solve at least one aspect of the above-mentioned problems and defects in the prior art.

[0004] According to one aspect of the utility model, a connector is provided. The connector comprises: an insulator; a terminal, which is held in the insulator; a shielding shell, which is sleeved on the insulator; and an outer shell, which is arranged on the shielding shell. The shielding shell has an elastic lock, which extends from the outer shell and is used to lock to a mating connector to ensure that the connector and the mating connector are reliably locked in a mating state.

[0005] According to an exemplary embodiment of the utility model, the elastic lock includes: a first elastic arm, whose rear end is connected to the top wall of the shielding shell and extends forward from its rear end in a horizontal direction; a second elastic arm, located above the first elastic arm and extending backward from its front end in an inclined upward direction; and an arc-shaped connecting arm, connected between the front ends of the first elastic arm and the second elastic arm, a locking protrusion is formed on the second elastic arm, and the locking protrusion is close to the front end of the second elastic arm, for locking into the card slot of the mating connector.

[0006] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present utility model, the second elastic arm is suitable for moving between a locking position engaged with the card slot of the mating connector and an unlocking position separated from the card slot of the mating connector.

[0007] According to another exemplary embodiment of the utility model, an elastic cantilever is formed on the outer shell, and the rear end of the second elastic arm is engaged with the end of the elastic cantilever, so that the second elastic arm can be moved from the locked position to the unlocked position by pressing the elastic cantilever.

[0008] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the outer shell is an injection-molded part that is directly molded on the shielding shell through an insert injection molding process, so that the shielding shell and the outer shell become an integral part.

[0009] According to another exemplary embodiment of the utility model, the shielding shell includes: a front shielding shell; and a rear shielding shell, which is welded to the rear end of the front shielding shell, the insulator is arranged in the front shielding shell, and the elastic lock is formed on the rear shielding shell.

[0010] According to another exemplary embodiment of the utility model, the connector also includes: a circuit board, which is arranged in the rear shielding shell; and a cable, the core wire of the cable is welded to the circuit board, the terminal is welded to the circuit board, the circuit board is used to electrically connect the terminal to the cable, and the cable is led out from the rear end of the outer shell.

[0011] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a crimping portion is formed at the rear end of the rear shielding shell, and the crimping portion is used to be crimped onto the shielding layer of the cable to be electrically connected to the shielding layer of the cable.

[0012] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the front portion of the front shielding shell extends out from the outer shell, and is used to be inserted into a mating shielding shell of a mating connector to mate with the mating shielding shell.

[0013] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the connector is a USB-C connector.

[0014] According to another aspect of the utility model, a connector assembly is provided. The connector assembly includes: the aforementioned connector; and a mating connector, which is mated with the connector. The mating connector includes: a retaining body; a mating terminal, which is arranged in the retaining body; a mating shielding shell, which is sleeved on the retaining body; and an outer cover, which is installed on the outside of the mating shielding shell, the mating terminal is mated with the terminal of the connector, the mating shielding shell is mated with the shielding shell of the connector, the outer cover is used to fix the mating connector to the circuit board, the outer cover has a locking structure located above the top of the mating shielding shell, and the locking structure is engaged with the elastic locking of the connector to lock the connector and the mating connector in a mating state.

[0015] According to an exemplary embodiment of the utility model, the locking structure of the outer cover includes a receiving recess formed on the top of the outer cover and a card slot formed on the top wall of the receiving recess; the front portion of the elastic locking catch of the connector is inserted into the receiving recess of the outer cover, and the locking protrusion of the elastic locking catch is engaged in the card slot.

[0016] According to another exemplary embodiment of the utility model, the outer cover has a top wall and a pair of side walls, and the locking structure is formed on the top wall of the outer cover; a slot is formed on the side wall of the outer cover, and a protrusion is formed on the outer side of the side wall of the matching shielding shell, and the protrusion is locked into the slot to fix the outer cover to the matching shielding shell.

[0017] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the top wall of the outer cover is welded to the outer side of the top wall of the matching shielding shell, and the pair of side walls of the outer cover are respectively welded to the outer sides of the pair of side walls of the matching shielding shell.

[0018] According to another exemplary embodiment of the utility model, a plurality of plug pins are respectively formed on the lower sides of a pair of side walls of the outer cover, and the plurality of plug pins are used to be respectively plugged into a plurality of sockets on the circuit board to fix the mating connector to the circuit board.

[0019] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present utility model, the mating terminal has a welding foot exposed from the bottom of the retaining body, and the welding foot of the mating terminal is used for welding to the circuit board.

[0020] In the above exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the elastic lock on the connector can reliably lock the connector and the mating connector in a mating state, thereby ensuring the continuity of signal transmission between the connector and the mating connector. In addition, the connector has a simple structure and can be easily mated with the mating connector.

[0021] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, which will help to provide a comprehensive understanding of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] Figure 1 A perspective schematic diagram showing a connector assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the utility model;

[0023] Figure 2 An exploded schematic diagram showing a connector assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present utility model;

[0024] Figure 3 A three-dimensional schematic diagram showing a mating connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the utility model;

[0025] Figure 4 A three-dimensional schematic diagram showing a connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the utility model;

[0026] Figure 5A three-dimensional schematic diagram showing a rear shielding shell and a circuit board of a connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the utility model. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] The technical solution of the utility model is further specifically described below through examples and in combination with the accompanying drawings. In the specification, the same or similar reference numerals indicate the same or similar components. The following description of the implementation mode of the utility model with reference to the accompanying drawings is intended to explain the overall utility model concept of the utility model, and should not be understood as a limitation of the utility model.

[0028] In addition, in the detailed description below, for ease of explanation, many specific details are set forth to provide a comprehensive understanding of the disclosed embodiments. However, it is apparent that one or more embodiments may be implemented without these specific details. In other cases, known structures and devices are embodied in a schematic manner to simplify the accompanying drawings.

[0029] According to an overall technical concept of the utility model, a connector is provided. The connector comprises: an insulator; a terminal, which is held in the insulator; a shielding shell, which is sleeved on the insulator; and an outer shell, which is arranged on the shielding shell. The shielding shell has an elastic lock, which extends from the outer shell and is used to lock to a mating connector to ensure that the connector and the mating connector are reliably locked in a mating state.

[0030] According to another general technical concept of the utility model, a connector assembly is provided. The connector assembly includes: the aforementioned connector; and a mating connector, which is mated with the connector. The mating connector includes: a retaining body; a mating terminal, which is arranged in the retaining body; a mating shielding shell, which is sleeved on the retaining body; and an outer cover, which is installed on the outside of the mating shielding shell, the mating terminal is mated with the terminal of the connector, the mating shielding shell is mated with the shielding shell of the connector, the outer cover is used to fix the mating connector to the circuit board, the outer cover has a locking structure located above the top of the mating shielding shell, and the locking structure is engaged with the elastic locking of the connector to lock the connector and the mating connector in a mating state.

[0031] Figure 1 A perspective schematic diagram showing a connector assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the utility model; Figure 2 An exploded schematic diagram showing a connector assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present utility model; Figure 3 A three-dimensional schematic diagram showing a mating connector 2 according to an exemplary embodiment of the utility model; Figure 4 A three-dimensional schematic diagram showing a connector 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the utility model; Figure 5 A three-dimensional schematic diagram showing a rear shielding shell 13 ″ and a circuit board 15 of a connector 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present utility model.

[0032] like Figures 1 to 5 As shown, in an exemplary embodiment of the utility model, a connector 1 is disclosed. The connector 1 includes: an insulator 11, a terminal 12, a shielding shell 13 and an outer shell 14. The terminal 12 is held in the insulator 11. The shielding shell 13 is sleeved on the insulator 11. The outer shell 14 is arranged on the shielding shell 13. The shielding shell 13 has an elastic lock 130, which extends from the outer shell 14 and is used to lock to the mating connector 2 to ensure that the connector 1 and the mating connector 2 are reliably locked in a mating state.

[0033] like Figures 1 to 5 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, the elastic lock 130 includes: a first elastic arm 131, a second elastic arm 132 and an arc-shaped connecting arm 133. The rear end of the first elastic arm 131 is connected to the top wall of the shielding shell 13 and extends forward from its rear end in a horizontal direction. The second elastic arm 132 is located above the first elastic arm 131 and extends backward from its front end in an inclined upward direction. The arc-shaped connecting arm 133 is connected between the front ends of the first elastic arm 131 and the second elastic arm 132. A locking protrusion 13a is formed on the second elastic arm 132, and the locking protrusion 13a is close to the front end of the second elastic arm 132, and is used to lock into the card slot 24a of the mating connector 2.

[0034] like Figures 1 to 5 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, the second elastic arm 132 is adapted to move between a locking position engaged with the card slot 24 a of the mating connector 2 and an unlocking position separated from the card slot 24 a of the mating connector 2 .

[0035] like Figures 1 to 5 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, an elastic cantilever is formed on the outer shell 14, and the rear end of the second elastic arm 132 is engaged with the end of the elastic cantilever, so that the second elastic arm 132 can be moved from the locked position to the unlocked position by pressing the elastic cantilever.

[0036] like Figures 1 to 5 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, the outer shell 14 is an injection-molded part that is directly molded on the shielding shell 13 by an insert injection molding process, so that the shielding shell 13 and the outer shell 14 become an integral part.

[0037] like Figures 1 to 5As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, the shielding shell 13 includes: a front shielding shell 13' and a rear shielding shell 13". The rear shielding shell 13" is welded to the rear end of the front shielding shell 13'. The insulator 11 is arranged in the front shielding shell 13', and an elastic lock 130 is formed on the rear shielding shell 13".

[0038] like Figures 1 to 5 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, the connector further includes: a circuit board 15 and a cable (not shown). The circuit board 15 is disposed in the rear shielding shell 13". The core wire of the cable is welded to the circuit board 15. The terminal 12 is welded to the circuit board 15, and the circuit board 15 is used to electrically connect the terminal 12 to the cable, and the cable is led out from the rear end of the outer shell 14.

[0039] like Figures 1 to 5 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, a crimping portion 13b is formed at the rear end of the rear shielding shell 13″, and the crimping portion 13b is used to be crimped onto the shielding layer of the cable to be electrically connected to the shielding layer of the cable.

[0040] like Figures 1 to 5 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, the front portion of the front shielding shell 13 ′ extends from the outer shell 14 for being inserted into the mating shielding shell 23 of the mating connector 2 to mate with the mating shielding shell 23 .

[0041] like Figures 1 to 5 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, the connector 1 and the mating connector 2 are two USB-C connectors suitable for intermate.

[0042] like Figures 1 to 5 As shown, in another exemplary embodiment of the utility model, a connector assembly is also disclosed. The connector assembly includes: a connector 1 and a mating connector 2. The mating connector 2 is mated with the connector 1. The mating connector 2 includes: a retaining body 21, a mating terminal 22, a mating shielding shell 23 and an outer cover 24. The mating terminal 22 is arranged in the retaining body 21. The mating shielding shell 23 is sleeved on the retaining body 21. The outer cover 24 is mounted on the outside of the mating shielding shell 23. The mating terminal 22 is mated with the terminal 12 of the connector 1, the mating shielding shell 23 is mated with the shielding shell 13 of the connector 1, and the outer cover 24 is used to fix the mating connector 2 to a circuit board (not shown). The outer cover 24 has a locking structure 240 located above the top of the mating shielding shell 23, and the locking structure 240 is engaged with the elastic locking buckle 130 of the connector 1 to lock the connector 1 and the mating connector 2 in a mating state.

[0043] like Figures 1 to 5As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, the locking structure 240 of the outer cover 24 includes a receiving recess 24b formed on the top of the outer cover 24 and a card slot 24a formed on the top wall of the receiving recess 24b. The front portion of the elastic locking catch 130 of the connector 1 is inserted into the receiving recess 24b of the outer cover 24, and the locking protrusion 13a of the elastic locking catch 130 is engaged in the card slot 24a.

[0044] like Figures 1 to 5 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, the outer cover 24 has a top wall and a pair of side walls, and a locking structure 240 is formed on the top wall of the outer cover 24. A slot 24c is formed on the side wall of the outer cover 24, and a protrusion 23c is formed on the outer side of the side wall of the matching shielding shell 23, and the protrusion 23c is locked into the slot 24c to fix the outer cover 24 to the matching shielding shell 23.

[0045] like Figures 1 to 5 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, the top wall of the outer cover 24 is welded to the outer side of the top wall of the mating shielding shell 23, and the pair of side walls of the outer cover 24 are respectively welded to the outer sides of the pair of side walls of the mating shielding shell 23.

[0046] like Figures 1 to 5 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, a plurality of plug pins 24d are respectively formed on the lower sides of a pair of side walls of the outer cover 24, and the plurality of plug pins 24d are used to be respectively plugged into a plurality of plug holes on the circuit board to fix the mating connector 2 to the circuit board.

[0047] like Figures 1 to 5 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, the mating terminal 22 has a welding foot 22a exposed from the bottom of the holding body 21, and the welding foot 22a of the mating terminal 22 is used for welding to the circuit board.

[0048] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the embodiments described above are exemplary and can be improved upon by those skilled in the art. The structures described in the various embodiments can be freely combined without causing any conflicts in structure or principle, and these changes should fall within the scope of protection of the present utility model.

[0049] Although the present invention has been described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, the embodiments disclosed in the accompanying drawings are intended to exemplify the preferred implementation modes of the present invention and should not be construed as limiting the present invention.

[0050] Although some embodiments of the general inventive concept have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes may be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the general inventive concept, the scope of which is defined by the claims and their equivalents.

[0051] It should be noted that the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the word "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. In addition, any element number of the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A connector, characterized in that: include: Insulator (11); A terminal (12) held in the insulator (11); A shielding shell (13) is sleeved on the insulator (11); and An outer shell (14) is arranged on the shielding shell (13), The shielding shell (13) has an elastic lock (130), which extends from the outer shell (14) and is used to lock onto the mating connector (2) to ensure that the connector (1) and the mating connector (2) are reliably locked in a mating state.

2. The connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The elastic lock buckle (130) comprises: A first elastic arm (131), the rear end of which is connected to the top wall of the shielding shell (13) and extends forward from the rear end in a horizontal direction; A second elastic arm (132) is located above the first elastic arm (131) and extends backward from the front end thereof in an inclined upward direction; and An arc-shaped connecting arm (133) is connected between the front ends of the first elastic arm (131) and the second elastic arm (132). A locking protrusion (13a) is formed on the second elastic arm (132), and the locking protrusion (13a) is close to the front end of the second elastic arm (132) and is used to lock into the card slot (24a) of the matching connector (2).

3. The connector according to claim 2, characterized in that: The second elastic arm (132) is suitable for moving between a locking position engaged with the card slot (24a) of the mating connector (2) and an unlocking position separated from the card slot (24a) of the mating connector (2).

4. The connector according to claim 3, characterized in that: An elastic cantilever is formed on the outer shell (14), and the rear end of the second elastic arm (132) is engaged with the end of the elastic cantilever, so that the second elastic arm (132) can be moved from the locking position to the unlocking position by pressing the elastic cantilever.

5. The connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The outer shell (14) is an injection-molded part that is directly molded on the shielding shell (13) through an embedded injection molding process, so that the shielding shell (13) and the outer shell (14) become an integral part.

6. The connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The shielding shell (13) comprises: A front shielding shell (13'); and The rear shielding shell (13") is welded to the rear end of the front shielding shell (13'), the insulator (11) is arranged in the front shielding shell (13'), and the elastic lock (130) is formed on the rear shielding shell (13").

7. The connector according to claim 6, characterized in that: Also includes: A circuit board (15) is arranged in the rear shielding shell (13"); and A cable, the core wire of which is welded to the circuit board (15), The terminal (12) is welded to a circuit board (15), and the circuit board (15) is used to electrically connect the terminal (12) to the cable, and the cable is led out from the rear end of the outer shell (14).

8. The connector according to claim 7, characterized in that: A crimping portion (13b) is formed at the rear end of the rear shielding shell (13"), and the crimping portion (13b) is used to be crimped onto the shielding layer of the cable to be electrically connected to the shielding layer of the cable.

9. The connector according to claim 7, characterized in that: The front portion of the front shielding shell (13') extends out from the outer shell (14) and is used for being inserted into the mating shielding shell (23) of the mating connector (2) so as to mate with the mating shielding shell (23).

10. The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that: The connector (1) is a USB-C connector.

11. A connector assembly, characterized in that: include: The connector (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10; and A mating connector (2) is mated with the connector (1), The mating connector (2) comprises: A retaining body (21); A mating terminal (22) is arranged in the retaining body (21); A matching shielding shell (23) is sleeved on the retaining body (21); and An outer cover (24) is mounted on the outside of the matching shielding shell (23), The mating terminal (22) is mated with the terminal (12) of the connector (1), the mating shielding shell (23) is mated with the shielding shell (13) of the connector (1), and the outer cover (24) is used to fix the mating connector (2) to a circuit board. The outer cover (24) has a locking structure (240) located above the top of the mating shielding shell (23), and the locking structure (240) engages with the elastic locking catch (130) of the connector (1) to lock the connector (1) and the mating connector (2) in a mating state.

12. The connector assembly according to claim 11, characterized in that: The locking structure (240) of the outer cover (24) comprises a receiving recess (24b) formed on the top of the outer cover (24) and a locking groove (24a) formed on the top wall of the receiving recess (24b); The front portion of the elastic lock buckle (130) of the connector (1) is inserted into the accommodating recess (24b) of the outer cover (24), and the locking protrusion (13a) of the elastic lock buckle (130) is engaged in the card slot (24a).

13. The connector assembly according to claim 11, characterized in that: The outer cover (24) has a top wall and a pair of side walls, and the locking structure (240) is formed on the top wall of the outer cover (24); A slot (24c) is formed on the side wall of the outer cover (24), and a protrusion (23c) is formed on the outer side of the side wall of the matching shielding shell (23), and the protrusion (23c) is locked into the slot (24c) to fix the outer cover (24) to the matching shielding shell (23).

14. The connector assembly according to claim 13, characterized in that: The top wall of the outer cover (24) is welded to the outer side of the top wall of the matching shielding shell (23), and the pair of side walls of the outer cover (24) are respectively welded to the outer sides of the pair of side walls of the matching shielding shell (23).

15. The connector assembly according to claim 13, wherein: A plurality of plug pins (24d) are respectively formed on the lower sides of a pair of side walls of the outer cover (24), and the plurality of plug pins (24d) are used to be respectively plugged into a plurality of plug holes on the circuit board to fix the mating connector (2) to the circuit board.

16. The connector assembly according to claim 13, wherein: The mating terminal (22) has a welding foot (22a) exposed from the bottom of the retaining body (21), and the welding foot (22a) of the mating terminal (22) is used for welding to the circuit board.

Images