Connector with TPA structure

Abstract

The utility model relates to the technical field of connectors, in particular to a connector with a TPA structure, which comprises a sheath, a terminal and a TPA piece, the sheath is provided with a locking cavity communicated with the terminal cavity and used for installing the TPA piece at one side of the terminal cavity, the TPA piece comprises a body and a locking plate integrally arranged with the body, and the locking plate is provided with a locking hole communicated with the terminal cavity and used for installing the TPA piece. At least part of the body is arranged in the locking cavity, and one end, far away from the body, of the locking plate extends into the terminal cavity; the body is provided with a first installation position and a second installation position in the locking cavity, and when the body is located at the second installation position, the locking plate is matched with the terminal in a blocking mode so as to prevent the terminal from retreating from the terminal cavity. According to the utility model, the body is installed in the locking cavity along the installation direction of the terminal, the original idle area in the sheath is fully utilized, the TPA piece is simple in structure and smaller, and the appearance, especially the outer side wall, of the sheath is not influenced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of connectors, and more specifically, to a connector with a TPA structure. Background Art

[0002] In connectors, in order to obtain a higher terminal anti-retraction effect, it is usually necessary to use a terminal position assurance (TPA) structure to fix the terminals again to prevent them from retreating.

[0003] In some types of connectors, the TPA structure is a TPA part that is inserted from the side wall, front end or rear end of the shell. After the installation, part of the structure of the TPA part abuts against the corresponding edge of the terminal, thereby increasing the anti-retraction retention force of the terminal. However, when this type of TPA part is installed from the side wall, it is necessary to open a hole in the side wall of the shell and add a sealing structure. When installed from the front end or rear end, although it is not necessary to open a hole in the side wall of the shell, considering factors such as installation, fixation and coordination with other structures of the shell, the TPA part has more structures and is relatively large in size and weight. Utility Model Content

[0004] The utility model provides a connector with a TPA structure, so as to solve the problem that the TPA structure of the existing connector has more TPA components and is larger in size and weight.

[0005] The utility model provides a connector with a TPA structure, comprising a sleeve, a terminal installed in a terminal cavity of the sleeve, and a TPA component for secondary locking of the terminal, wherein the sleeve is provided with a locking cavity on one side of the terminal cavity, the locking cavity being connected with the terminal cavity and used for installing the TPA component, the TPA component comprising a main body and a locking plate integrally provided with the main body, the main body being at least partially loaded into the locking cavity, and the locking plate extending into the terminal cavity at one end away from the main body; the main body has a first installation position and a second installation position in the locking cavity, and when the main body is in the second installation position, the locking plate cooperates with the terminal stopper to prevent the terminal from withdrawing from the terminal cavity.

[0006] Optionally, the body moves in the locking cavity along a direction perpendicular to the terminal insertion direction, a snap-in groove is provided on the terminal, and when the body is in the second installation position, the locking plate enters into the snap-in groove and cooperates with the side wall of the snap-in groove.

[0007] Optionally, one end of the locking plate is connected to the side surface of the body, and the direction in which the locking plate extends in the terminal cavity is perpendicular to the moving direction of the body.

[0008] Optionally, pre-installation grooves and locking grooves are arranged at intervals on the side walls of the locking cavity along the moving direction of the main body, and ribs are arranged on the side walls of the main body corresponding to the pre-installation grooves and the locking grooves, and the ribs are respectively engaged with the pre-installation grooves and the locking grooves to position the TPA part in the first installation position and the second installation position.

[0009] Optionally, a toggle hole communicating with the locking cavity is provided on one surface of the plug-in end of the sheath, and an end surface of the body facing the plug-in end is partially exposed from the toggle hole.

[0010] Optionally, a blind hole is provided on the end surface of the body partially exposed from the shifting hole, and a tool is inserted into the blind hole to shift the TPA component to move between the first installation position and the second installation position.

[0011] Optionally, an elastic hook is provided on the inner wall of the locking cavity in the opposite direction to the terminal insertion direction, and the body is inserted into the locking cavity after passing over the elastic hook, and the end face of the body facing away from the plug-in end of the sheath is engaged with the elastic hook to prevent the body from detaching from the locking cavity.

[0012] Optionally, the elastic hook has a locking plane, and a boss structure is provided on the side of the inner wall of the locking cavity opposite to the elastic hook, and the boss structure has a stop plane coplanar with the locking plane, and when the main body moves in the locking cavity, the locking plane and the stop plane together constitute a guiding surface to prevent the main body from detaching from the locking cavity.

[0013] Optionally, the number of the terminals is two and they are arranged side by side, the number of the locking cavities is located between the two terminals and is two, and the two TPA parts are respectively located in the two locking cavities and move relatively to respectively cooperate with the two terminals.

[0014] Optionally, a line connecting central axes of the two terminals and a line connecting central axes of the two locking cavities are perpendicular to each other.

[0015] The utility model has at least the following beneficial effects:

[0016] In the utility model, the locking cavity is located on one side of the terminal cavity, and the TPA component includes a main body and a locking plate. The main body is installed in the locking cavity along the installation direction of the terminal, making full use of the original idle area in the sheath. The TPA component has a simple structure and is more compact. The realization of its installation and locking functions does not affect the shape of the sheath, especially the outer side wall, and does not significantly increase the weight of the connector while realizing the established TPA function.

[0017] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the present invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a connector with a TPA structure according to this embodiment;

[0020] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of the assembly status of the sheath, terminal and TPA part;

[0021] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the pre-assembly position of the housing, terminal and TPA parts in the assembled state;

[0022] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the locking position of the housing, terminal and TPA component in the assembled state;

[0023] Figure 5 A structural diagram of a TPA component from one perspective;

[0024] Figure 6 It is a structural diagram of the TPA component from another perspective;

[0025] Figure 7 A schematic cross-sectional view of a TPA component in an assembled state of a housing, a terminal and a TPA component;

[0026] Figure 8 A schematic cross-sectional view of the assembly of the housing, the terminal and the TPA component through another TPA component;

[0027] Fig. 9 Schematic diagram of the structure of the position terminal.

[0028] The following are marked in the figure:

[0029] 1. Protective shell;

[0030] 2. Sheath; 21. Toggle hole; 22. Locking cavity; 221. Elastic hook; 2211. Clamping plane; 222. Boss structure; 2221. Stopping plane; 223. Limiting platform; 224. Pre-installed groove; 225. Locking groove; 23. Terminal cavity;

[0031] 3. Terminal; 31. Mounting portion; 32. Wiring portion; 33. Connecting slot;

[0032] 4. TPA part; 41. blind hole; 42. body; 43. convex rib; 44. locking plate. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] Various exemplary embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that unless otherwise specifically stated, the relative arrangements of components and steps, numerical expressions and numerical values ​​set forth in these embodiments do not limit the scope of the present invention.

[0034] The following description of at least one exemplary embodiment is merely illustrative in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses.

[0035] Technologies, methods, and equipment known to ordinary technicians in the relevant art may not be discussed in detail, but where appropriate, the technologies, methods, and equipment should be considered part of the specification.

[0036] In all examples shown and discussed herein, any specific values ​​should be interpreted as merely exemplary and not limiting. Therefore, other examples of the exemplary embodiments may have different values.

[0037] like Figure 1-9 As shown, an embodiment of the utility model provides a connector with a TPA structure, the connector with the TPA structure includes a sleeve 2, a terminal 3 installed in a terminal cavity 23 of the sleeve 2, and a TPA component 4 for secondary locking of the terminal 3. A protective shell 1 is also provided on the outside of the sleeve 2. The sleeve 2 is provided with a locking cavity 22 on one side of the terminal cavity 23, which is connected to the terminal cavity 23 and is used to install the TPA component 4. The extension directions of the locking cavity 22 and the terminal cavity 23 are parallel, and both extend along the plug-in direction of the sleeve 2 or the terminal 3. The TPA component 4 includes a main body 42 and a locking plate 44 integrally arranged with the main body 42. The main body 42 is at least partially inserted into the locking cavity 22, and the locking plate 44 extends into the terminal cavity 23 away from one end of the main body 42.

[0038] Furthermore, the main body 42 has a first installation position and a second installation position in the locking cavity 22, and when the main body 42 is in the second installation position, the locking plate 44 cooperates with the terminal 3 to prevent the terminal 3 from withdrawing from the terminal cavity 23, that is, the second installation position is actually the locking position, and the first installation position is the pre-installation position.

[0039] The above-mentioned locking cavity 22 is located on one side of the terminal cavity 23, and the main body 42 is installed in the locking cavity 22, which makes full use of the original idle area in the sheath 2. The TPA component 4 has a simpler and more compact structure, and will not have much impact on the weight of the connector while achieving the established TPA function. In addition, the installation of the TPA component 4 and the realization of the locking function do not pass through the outside of the sheath 2, and only need to be installed and operated from the end of the sheath 2. There is no need to add windows, sealing structures, etc. on the outer wall of the sheath 2, and it will not affect the shape and outer wall of the sheath 2.

[0040] Furthermore, in order to facilitate the movement of the TPA component 4 so that it can be converted between the first installation position and the second installation position, the main body 42 moves in the locking cavity 22 along the insertion direction of the terminal 3, that is, the movement direction of the main body 42 is perpendicular to the insertion direction of the terminal 3. A snap-in groove 33 is provided on the terminal 3. When the main body 42 is in the second installation position, the locking plate 44 enters into the snap-in groove 33 and cooperates with the side wall of the snap-in groove 33.

[0041] In this embodiment, Figure 3 , 4 As shown in Figures 9 and 10, the moving direction of the main body 42 is also perpendicular to the outer side surface of the adjacent sheath 2. The snap-in groove 33 is actually composed of an annular recessed space between the mounting portion 31 and the wiring portion 32 of the terminal 3. The mounting portion 31 is snap-fitted with the terminal cavity 23, and the wiring portion 32 is used for crimping cables. When the main body 42 is in the second mounting position, the locking plate 44 enters into the recessed space and cooperates with the edge of the mounting portion 31 to stop.

[0042] Furthermore, in order to adapt to the shape of the terminal 3 and ensure a good locking / unlocking effect, it is prevented that the locking plate 44 hinders the terminal 3 from being inserted into or removed from the terminal cavity 23 when in the first installation position, and it is prevented that the locking plate 44 cannot be well matched with the terminal 3 when in the second installation position. Figure 3-6 As shown, in the present embodiment, one end of the locking plate 44 is connected to the side of the body 42, and the direction in which the locking plate 44 extends in the terminal cavity 23 is perpendicular to the moving direction of the body 42, so that when the TPA component 4 is located in the first installation position, the locking plate 44 is completely separated from the movement path of the terminal 3, and when the TPA component 4 is located in the second installation position, the locking plate 44 can mostly enter the movement path of the terminal 3 and form an effective blocking fit with the terminal 3.

[0043] Furthermore, in order to facilitate processing and manufacturing, ensure that the TPA component 4 can be fixed in the first installation position or the second installation position, and ensure that the TPA component 4 can move smoothly between the first installation position and the second installation position, pre-installation grooves 224 and locking grooves 225 are arranged on the side walls of the locking cavity 22 at intervals along the moving direction of the main body 42, and ribs 43 are arranged on the side walls of the main body 42 corresponding to the pre-installation grooves 224 and the locking grooves 225. The ribs 43 are respectively engaged with the pre-installation grooves 224 and the locking grooves 225 to position the TPA component 4 in the first installation position and the second installation position.

[0044] like Figure 3-6 As shown, in this embodiment, the cross-section of the main body 42 is an adaptive rectangle, the locking cavity 22 is adapted to the functional shape of the main body 42, the pre-installed groove 224 and the locking groove 225 are located on the side wall of the locking cavity 22 close to the terminal cavity 23, and the rib 43 is located on the side wall of the main body 42 close to the terminal cavity 23.

[0045] Furthermore, if Figure 2 , 6 As shown, in order to facilitate the movement of the body 42, in this embodiment, a toggle hole 21 communicating with the locking cavity 22 is provided on one surface of the plug-in end of the sheath 2, and the end surface of the body 42 facing the plug-in end is partially exposed from the toggle hole 21. Furthermore, in this embodiment, a blind hole 41 is provided on the end surface of the body 42 partially exposed from the toggle hole 21, and a tool is inserted into the blind hole 41 to toggle the TPA member 4 between the first installation position and the second installation position.

[0046] In addition, if Figure 3 , 4 As shown in Figures 7 and 8, a side wall of the above-mentioned toggle hole 21 constitutes a limit platform 223 for limiting the position of the main body 42 inserted into the locking cavity 22. The limit platform 223 extends along the moving direction of the main body 42, so that when the main body 42 is located in the pre-installation position and the locking position and when moving between the pre-installation position and the locking position, it can cooperate with the end face of the main body 42 toward the plug-in end to achieve the effect of limiting the front stop position of the main body 42.

[0047] Furthermore, if Figure 3 , 4 As shown in Figures 7 and 8, in order to facilitate the installation of the main body 42 into the locking cavity 22, in the present embodiment, an elastic hook 221 is provided on the inner wall of the locking cavity 22 in the opposite direction to the insertion direction of the terminal 3. The main body 42 passes over the elastic hook 221 and is installed into the locking cavity 22. The end surface of the main body 42 facing away from the plug-in end of the sheath 2 is engaged with the elastic hook 221 to prevent the main body 42 from escaping from the locking cavity 22, thereby achieving the effect of limiting the rear stop position of the main body 42.

[0048] Furthermore, if Figure 3 , 4 As shown in , 7, in order to ensure that the main body 42 is located in the first installation position when installed in the locking cavity 22, and to prevent the main body 42 from escaping from the locking cavity 22 during the process of moving to the second installation position, in this embodiment, the elastic hook 221 has a clamping plane 2211, and a boss structure 222 is provided on the side of the inner wall of the locking cavity 22 opposite to the elastic hook 221, and the boss structure 222 has a stop plane 2221 coplanar with the clamping plane 2211. When the main body 42 moves in the locking cavity 22, the clamping plane 2211 and the stop plane 2221 together constitute a guiding surface for preventing the main body 42 from escaping from the locking cavity 22, that is, they jointly achieve the effect of limiting the rear stop position of the main body 42.

[0049] like Figure 2 , 3As shown in FIG. 4 , in this embodiment, the number of terminals 3 is two and they are arranged side by side, the number of locking cavities 22 is two and they are located between the two terminals 3 , and considering the rationality of the installation, movement and layout of the TPA member 4 , the two TPA members 4 are respectively located in the two locking cavities 22 and move relatively to respectively cooperate with the two terminals 3 , and, as shown in FIG. Figure 2 As shown, the central axis line of the two terminals 3 and the central axis line of the two locking chambers 22 are perpendicular to each other (the central axis line is as shown in FIG. Figure 2 ), thereby making the layout of the TPA component 4 and the terminal 3 more regular.

[0050] During specific use, the TPA part 4 is first installed into the sleeve 2, the main body 42 enters the locking cavity 22 and is fixed in the first installation position. At this time, the locking plate 44 does not interfere with the movement of the terminal 3. Then the terminal 3 is inserted into the terminal cavity 23. Finally, the main body 42 is moved to the second installation position by a tool. At this time, the locking plate 44 and the installation portion 31 of the terminal 3 are blocked and cooperated to prevent the terminal 3 from withdrawing from the terminal cavity 23, thereby achieving the purpose of locking the terminal 3.

[0051] In the above process, if the terminal 3 is not fully inserted into the terminal cavity 23, when the body 42 moves to the second installation position, the locking plate 44 will interfere with the movement of the outer wall of the terminal 3 because the terminal 3 is in an incorrect state, causing the body 42 to be unable to continue to move to the second installation position, that is, unable to complete the locking of the terminal 3, so that the operator can be fed back to remind that the terminal 3 is in an incorrect state and needs to check the terminal 3 and reinsert the terminal 3. Therefore, in the above case, the TPA part 4 also has the function of prompting that the terminal 3 is in the wrong position.

[0052] Although some specific embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail by way of examples, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that the above examples are for illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that the above embodiments may be modified without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. The scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A connector with a TPA structure, comprising a sheath, a terminal installed in a terminal cavity of the sheath, and a TPA member for secondary locking of the terminal, characterized in that: The sleeve is provided with a locking cavity on one side of the terminal cavity, which is connected to the terminal cavity and used for installing the TPA component. The TPA component includes a main body and a locking plate integrally provided with the main body. The main body is at least partially inserted into the locking cavity, and one end of the locking plate away from the main body extends into the terminal cavity; the main body has a first installation position and a second installation position in the locking cavity, and when the main body is in the second installation position, the locking plate cooperates with the terminal stop to prevent the terminal from withdrawing from the terminal cavity.

2. A connector with a TPA structure as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: The body moves in the locking cavity along a direction perpendicular to the terminal insertion direction, a clamping groove is provided on the terminal, and when the body is in the second installation position, the locking plate enters into the clamping groove and cooperates with the side wall of the clamping groove.

3. A connector with a TPA structure as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: One end of the locking plate is connected to the side surface of the body, and the direction in which the locking plate extends in the terminal cavity is perpendicular to the moving direction of the body.

4. A connector with a TPA structure as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: Pre-installation grooves and locking grooves are arranged at intervals on the side walls of the locking cavity along the moving direction of the main body, and convex ribs are arranged on the side walls of the main body corresponding to the pre-installation grooves and the locking grooves. The convex ribs are respectively engaged with the pre-installation grooves and the locking grooves to position the TPA part in the first installation position and the second installation position.

5. A connector with a TPA structure as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: A shifting hole communicating with the locking cavity is arranged on one surface of the plug-in end of the sheath, and the end surface of the body facing the plug-in end is partially exposed from the shifting hole.

6. A connector with a TPA structure as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that: A blind hole is arranged on the end surface of the body partially exposed from the shifting hole, and a tool is inserted into the blind hole to shift the TPA part between the first installation position and the second installation position.

7. A connector with a TPA structure as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: An elastic hook is arranged on the inner wall of the locking cavity in the opposite direction to the terminal insertion direction. The body is inserted into the locking cavity after passing over the elastic hook. The end surface of the body facing away from the plug-in end of the sheath is engaged with the elastic hook to prevent the body from escaping from the locking cavity.

8. A connector with a TPA structure as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that: The elastic hook has a clamping plane, and a boss structure is provided on the side of the inner wall of the locking cavity opposite to the elastic hook. The boss structure has a stop plane coplanar with the clamping plane. When the main body moves in the locking cavity, the clamping plane and the stop plane together constitute a guiding surface to prevent the main body from detaching from the locking cavity.

9. A connector with a TPA structure as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: The number of the terminals is two and they are arranged side by side. The number of the locking cavities is two and they are located between the two terminals. The two TPA parts are respectively located in the two locking cavities and move relatively to respectively cooperate with the two terminals.

10. A connector with a TPA structure as claimed in claim 9, characterized in that: A line connecting the central axes of the two terminals and a line connecting the central axes of the two locking cavities are perpendicular to each other.

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