Self-locking structure for through-board connector and through-board connector

Abstract

The utility model provides a self-locking structure used for a through-board connector, the through-board connector comprises a connector housing and a nut member, the nut member is removably matched with the connector housing to fix the through-board connector to a target board body, the outer surface of the connector housing is provided with external threads, and the external threads are matched with the nut member to fix the through-board connector to the target board body. An internal thread is formed on the inner surface of the nut component; wherein the outer surface of the connector shell is provided with a groove, and the nut component is provided with an elastic locking fastener; as the internal thread of the nut member is threadedly engaged with the external thread of the connector housing, at least a portion of the resilient latch member enters the groove to form a self-locking of the threadedly engaged. The utility model also provides a plate-penetrating connector comprising the self-locking structure disclosed by the utility model.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The embodiments of the utility model relate to the technical field of electrical connectors, and in particular to a self-locking structure for a through-board connector and a through-board connector. Background Art

[0002] The bulkhead connector is suitable for electrical connection inside and outside the cylinder of a heavy machinery vehicle, for example. Currently, there are two common ways to fix the bulkhead connector.

[0003] One method is a threaded connection: the outer surface of the connector housing is provided with external threads, and the inner surface of the fixing nut is provided with internal threads. After the connector passes through the cylinder plate, the internal threads of the nut and the external threads of the connector housing are threaded together to secure the connector to the cylinder plate. The advantages of this threaded connection method are that it can be used with cylinder plates of different thicknesses and is simple to operate and easy to disassemble. However, the disadvantage is that the threaded connection is prone to loosening when exposed to long-term vibration, which affects the fixing and sealing performance.

[0004] Another method is the fixed ring snap-fit connection method: the outer surface of the connector housing is provided with a number of protrusions, and the inner surface of the fixed ring is correspondingly provided with an elastic snap-fit part. After the connector passes through the cylinder plate, the fixing ring is sleeved onto the connector housing. The elastic snap-fit part is elastically compressed when passing through the protrusions, and rebounds and abuts against the protrusions after passing over the protrusions, thus achieving a snap-fit connection between the connector housing and the fixed ring, thereby fixing the connector to the cylinder plate. The advantage of this fixed ring snap-fit connection method is that it can maintain a good fixing effect even in a vibrating environment for a long time; however, the disadvantage is that since the position of the protrusions on the connector housing and the position of the elastic snap-fit part on the fixing ring are fixed, it can only be applied to cylinder plates of a specific thickness and cannot be flexibly applied to cylinder plates of different thicknesses. In addition, this fixed ring snap-fit connection method has the disadvantage of being difficult to disassemble.

[0005] Therefore, the industry urgently needs an improved fixing method for through-board connectors to solve the problems of existing through-board connectors being easy to loosen when exposed to vibration environments for a long time and being difficult to adapt to different types of board thicknesses. Utility Model Content

[0006] The purpose of the present invention is to solve at least one aspect of the above-mentioned problems and defects in the prior art.

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, a self-locking structure for a through-board connector is provided, wherein the through-board connector includes a connector housing and a nut member, wherein the nut member is removably engaged with the connector housing to fix the through-board connector to a target board body, wherein an outer surface of the connector housing is formed with an outer thread, and an inner surface of the nut member is formed with an inner thread; wherein the outer surface of the connector housing is provided with a groove, and the nut member is provided with an elastic locking member; as the inner thread of the nut member and the outer thread of the connector housing are threadedly engaged, at least a portion of the elastic locking member enters the groove to form a self-locking of the threaded engagement.

[0008] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the groove is provided in a region of the outer surface of the connector housing where the outer thread is formed; and the elastic locking piece is provided in a region of the inner surface of the nut member where the inner thread is formed.

[0009] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the elastic locking element is an elastic cantilever, and the elastic cantilever extends inward from the inner surface of the nut member.

[0010] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the nut member is further provided with a stop block, wherein, by abutting the cantilever end protrusion of the elastic cantilever against the stop block, at least a portion of the elastic cantilever is lifted away from the groove to release the self-locking of the threaded fit.

[0011] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the elastic cantilever further includes a manipulation portion, wherein the cantilever end protrusion of the elastic cantilever can be disengaged from the abutment with the stop block by toggling the manipulation portion.

[0012] According to a further exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the self-locking structure also includes: a sliding unlocking member, which is slidably arranged on the outer surface of the nut member and is configured to slide along the outer surface of the nut member between a first position and a second position. When the sliding unlocking member slides to the first position, the sliding unlocking member has no effect on at least a portion of the elastic cantilever located in the groove; when the sliding unlocking member slides to the second position, the sliding unlocking member lifts at least a portion of the elastic cantilever away from the groove, thereby releasing the self-locking of the threaded fit.

[0013] According to a further exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the elastic cantilever also includes a receiving portion, wherein when the sliding unlocking member slides to the second position, the sliding unlocking member at least partially enters the receiving portion to lift at least a portion of the elastic cantilever out of the groove.

[0014] According to a further exemplary embodiment of the present invention, when the slide unlocking member is in the second position, it is closer to the cantilever end protrusion of the elastic cantilever than when it is in the first position.

[0015] According to some embodiments of the present invention, a plurality of grooves are provided on the outer surface of the connector housing, and the plurality of grooves are independently arranged along the axial direction of the connector housing.

[0016] According to another aspect of the present invention, a through-board connector is provided, wherein the through-board connector includes the self-locking structure as described in any of the aforementioned embodiments.

[0017] The self-locking structure for a bulkhead connector and the bulkhead connector provided by the aforementioned exemplary embodiments of the present invention utilize releasable self-locking structures provided on the connector housing and nut member in addition to existing threaded connection methods. This prevents the threaded connection between the connector housing and nut member from loosening even when the bulkhead connector is exposed to long-term vibration, thereby facilitating the securing and sealing of the bulkhead connector. Furthermore, the same nut member can be used to adapt to cylinder plates of varying thicknesses. Furthermore, the self-locking structure is easy and convenient to unlock.

[0018] 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

[0019] Figure 1 is a schematic structural diagram showing a through-board connector and a nut member assembled together according to an exemplary embodiment of the present utility model;

[0020] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing the three-dimensional structure of a nut member according to an exemplary embodiment of the present utility model;

[0021] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing the three-dimensional structure of a connector housing of a through-board connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present utility model;

[0022] Figure 4 Yes Display Figure 1 Schematic cross-section diagram showing the self-locking structure in a locked state;

[0023] Figure 5 yes Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the enlarged structure of the portion selected by the middle rectangular dotted box;

[0024] Figure 6 Yes Display Figure 1 Schematic cross-section diagram showing the self-locking structure in the unlocked state;

[0025] Figure 7 yes Figure 6 A schematic diagram of the enlarged structure of the portion selected by the middle rectangular dotted box;

[0026] Figure 8 is a schematic perspective view showing a nut member according to a further exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 9 Yes Display Figure 8 , showing a cross-sectional diagram of the self-locking structure in a locked state; and

[0028] Figure 10 Yes Display Figure 8 Schematic cross-section diagram showing the self-locking structure in the unlocked state. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] The following examples and accompanying drawings further illustrate the technical solution of the present invention. In the specification, the same or similar reference numerals indicate the same or similar components. The following description of the embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings is intended to explain the overall inventive concept of the present invention and should not be construed as limiting the present invention.

[0030] In addition, in the following detailed description, for ease of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a comprehensive understanding of the disclosed embodiments. However, it is apparent that one or more embodiments can be practiced without these specific details. In other cases, well-known structures and devices are shown in diagrammatic form to simplify the accompanying drawings.

[0031] According to one overall technical concept of the present invention, a self-locking structure for a through-board connector is provided, wherein the through-board connector includes a connector housing and a nut member, wherein the nut member is engaged with the connector housing to fix the through-board connector to a target board, wherein an outer surface of the connector housing is formed with an outer thread, and an inner surface of the nut member is formed with an inner thread; wherein the outer surface of the connector housing is provided with a groove, and the nut member is provided with an elastic locking member; as the inner thread of the nut member and the outer thread of the connector housing are threadedly engaged, at least a portion of the elastic locking member enters the groove to form a self-locking for the thread engagement. According to another overall technical concept of the present invention, a through-board connector is also provided, wherein the through-board connector includes the self-locking structure as described above.

[0032] A bulkhead connector is a common type of electrical connector, which is mainly used for electrical connections inside and outside the cylinder of a heavy machinery vehicle.

[0033] See also Figures 1 to 10The embodiment of the present invention provides a self-locking structure for a through-board connector 100. The through-board connector 100 mainly includes a connector housing 110 and conductive terminals and terminal blocks disposed in the connector housing 110 (see, for example, Figure 4 、 Figure 6 、 Figure 9 and Figure 10 , not numbered) and other components. The through-board connector 100 further includes a nut member 120. The nut member 120 is removably engaged with the connector housing 110 to fix the through-board connector 100 to a target plate body (e.g., a cylinder plate of a heavy machinery vehicle, not shown). According to the present invention, Figures 1 to 7 As shown, the outer surface of the connector housing 110 is formed with an external thread 111, and the inner surface of the nut member 120 is formed with an internal thread 121; the outer surface of the connector housing 110 is provided with a groove 112, and the nut member 120 is provided with an elastic locking member 122. As the internal thread 121 of the nut member 120 and the external thread 111 of the connector housing 110 are threadedly engaged, at least a portion of the elastic locking member 122 enters the groove 112, thereby forming a self-locking effect on the threaded engagement between the nut member 120 and the connector housing 110. According to the design concept of the present invention, the elastic locking member 122 is provided inside the nut member 120. The elastic locking member 122 can elastically deform during the process of tightening the nut member 120 to the connector housing 110 and eventually enter the groove 112 pre-opened on the outer surface of the connector housing 110, thereby forming a self-locking effect on the threaded engagement.

[0034] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, specifically, the groove 112 is provided in the area of the outer surface of the connector housing 110 where the outer thread 111 is formed; the elastic locking member 122 is provided in the area of the inner surface of the nut member 120 where the inner thread 121 is formed.

[0035] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2 and Figures 4 to 7As shown, the elastic locking member is specifically an elastic cantilever 122, which extends inward from the inner surface of the nut member 120. That is, in a naturally unstressed state, at least a portion of the elastic cantilever 122 (e.g., the cantilever end) is closer to the central axis of the nut member 120 in the radial direction of the nut member 120 than the inner surface of the nut member 120. As such, when the nut member 120 is tightened onto the connector housing 110, at least a portion of the elastic cantilever 122 (e.g., the cantilever end) elastically abuts against the external threads of the connector housing 110 until it encounters a groove 112 formed on the outer surface of the connector housing 110. At this point, under the action of its own elastic force, at least a portion of the elastic cantilever 122 (e.g., the cantilever end) enters the groove 112, thereby forming a self-locking thread fit. According to the design concept of the present invention, the groove 112 matches at least a portion of the elastic cantilever 122 of the nut member 120 in shape and / or size, ensuring that at least a portion of the elastic cantilever 122 can be smoothly inserted into the groove 112 during the tightening process.

[0036] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2 and Figures 4 to 7 (especially Figure 5 and Figure 7 ), the nut member 120 is further provided with a stop block 124, wherein, by abutting the cantilever end protrusion 1221 of the elastic cantilever 122 against the stop block 124, at least a portion of the elastic cantilever 122 is lifted away from the groove 112, thereby releasing the self-locking of the threaded engagement. According to an exemplary embodiment of the present utility model, as Figure 2 and Figures 4 to 7 As shown, the elastic cantilever 122 further includes a manipulation portion 1222, wherein, by toggling the manipulation portion 1222, the cantilever end protrusion 1221 of the elastic cantilever 122 can be disengaged from the abutment with the stop block 124. Specifically, when it is necessary to release the self-locking of the threaded engagement, it is only necessary to use a finger to toggle the manipulation portion 1222 of the elastic cantilever 122 so that at least a portion of the elastic cantilever 122 (e.g., the cantilever end) is lifted out of the groove 112. Subsequently, the cantilever end protrusion 1221 of the elastic cantilever 122 abuts the stop block 124, thereby keeping the elastic cantilever 122 lifted out of the groove 112, thereby releasing the self-locking of the threaded engagement. In this way, the nut member 120 can be easily unscrewed from the connector housing 110.

[0037] According to a further embodiment of the present invention, Figures 8 to 10 As shown, the self-locking structure further includes a sliding unlocking member 130, which is slidably disposed on the outer surface of the nut member 120 and is configured to slide along the outer surface of the nut member 120 between a first position P1 and a second position P2. Figure 9As shown, when the slide unlocking member 130 slides to the first position P1, the slide unlocking member 130 does not act on at least a portion of the elastic cantilever 122 located in the groove 112. At this time, at least a portion of the elastic cantilever 122 (for example, the cantilever end) enters the groove 112 under the action of its own elastic force. Figure 10 As shown, when the slide unlocking member 130 slides to the second position P2, the slide unlocking member 130 lifts at least a portion (e.g., the cantilever end) of the elastic cantilever 122 away from the groove 112, thereby releasing the self-locking of the threaded engagement. More specifically, as shown in FIG. Figures 8 to 10 As shown, the elastic cantilever 122 further includes a receiving portion 1223, wherein when the sliding unlocking member 130 slides to the second position P2, the sliding unlocking member 130 at least partially enters the receiving portion 1223 to keep at least a portion of the elastic cantilever 122 lifted out of the groove 112, thereby releasing the self-locking of the threaded engagement. More specifically, as Figures 8 to 10 As shown, the sliding unlocking member 130 is closer to the cantilever end protrusion of the elastic cantilever 122 when it is in the second position P2 than when it is in the first position P1. By providing the sliding unlocking member 130, the operator can complete the self-locking and releasing of the threaded engagement with one hand.

[0038] Furthermore, although not shown, in some embodiments of the present invention, the outer surface of the connector housing 110 is provided with a plurality of grooves 112, each independently arranged along the axial direction of the connector housing 110. Depending on the thickness of the cylinder plate, the elastic locking element 122 can elastically deform during the tightening of the nut member 120 onto the connector housing 110 and ultimately enter a groove 112 corresponding to the thickness of the cylinder plate, thereby achieving a self-locking threaded fit. This allows the same nut member to be adapted for cylinder plates of varying thicknesses.

[0039] According to another aspect of the present invention, a through-board connector 100 is provided. The through-board connector 100 includes the self-locking structure as described in any of the aforementioned embodiments.

[0040] The self-locking structure for a bulkhead connector and the bulkhead connector provided by the aforementioned exemplary embodiments of the present invention utilize releasable self-locking structures provided on the connector housing and nut member in addition to existing threaded connection methods. This prevents the threaded connection between the connector housing and nut member from loosening even when the bulkhead connector is exposed to long-term vibration, thereby facilitating the securing and sealing of the bulkhead connector. Furthermore, the same nut member can be used to adapt to cylinder plates of varying thicknesses. Furthermore, the self-locking structure is easy and convenient to unlock.

[0041] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the embodiments described above are exemplary and that they may be improved upon. The structures described in the various embodiments may be freely combined without causing any conflict in structure or principle.

[0042] Although the present invention has been described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, the embodiments disclosed in the drawings are intended to exemplify the preferred implementations of the present invention and should not be construed as limiting the present invention.

[0043] Although some embodiments of the present 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 present general inventive concept, the scope of which is defined by the claims and their equivalents.

[0044] 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 in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A self-locking structure for a through-board connector (100), the through-board connector (100) comprising a connector housing (110) and a nut member (120), the nut member (120) being removably engaged with the connector housing (110) to secure the through-board connector (100) to a target board, characterized in that: An external thread (111) is formed on the outer surface of the connector housing (110), and an internal thread (121) is formed on the inner surface of the nut member (120); in, The outer surface of the connector housing (110) is provided with a groove (112), and the nut member (120) is provided with an elastic locking member; As the internal thread (121) of the nut member (120) and the external thread (111) of the connector housing (110) are threadedly engaged, at least a portion of the elastic locking member enters the groove (112) to form self-locking for the threaded engagement.

2. The self-locking structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The groove (112) is provided in a region of the outer surface of the connector housing (110) where the external thread (111) is formed; and The elastic locking member is arranged in an area of the inner surface of the nut member (120) where the internal thread (121) is formed.

3. The self-locking structure according to claim 2, characterized in that: The elastic locking element is an elastic cantilever (122), and the elastic cantilever (122) extends inward from the inner surface of the nut member (120).

4. The self-locking structure according to claim 3, characterized in that: The nut member (120) is further provided with a stop block (124). Wherein, by causing the cantilever end protrusion (1221) of the elastic cantilever (122) to abut against the stop block (124), at least a portion of the elastic cantilever (122) is lifted away from the groove (112), thereby releasing the self-locking of the threaded engagement.

5. The self-locking structure according to claim 4, characterized in that: The elastic cantilever (122) further includes a manipulation portion (1222). Wherein, by shifting the operating portion (1222), the cantilever end protrusion (1221) of the elastic cantilever (122) can be disengaged from the abutment with the stop block (124).

6. The self-locking structure according to claim 3, characterized in that: The self-locking structure further comprises: A sliding unlocking member (130) is slidably disposed on the outer surface of the nut member (120) and is configured to slide along the outer surface of the nut member (120) between a first position (P1) and a second position (P2). When the sliding unlocking member (130) slides to the first position (P1), the sliding unlocking member (130) has no effect on at least a portion of the elastic cantilever (122) located in the groove (112); when the sliding unlocking member (130) slides to the second position (P2), the sliding unlocking member (130) lifts at least a portion of the elastic cantilever (122) away from the groove (112), thereby releasing the self-locking of the threaded fit.

7. The self-locking structure according to claim 6, characterized in that: The elastic cantilever (122) further includes a receiving portion (1223), When the sliding unlocking member (130) slides to the second position (P2), the sliding unlocking member (130) at least partially enters the receiving portion (1223) to lift at least a portion of the elastic cantilever (122) away from the groove (112).

8. The self-locking structure according to claim 6, characterized in that: When the sliding unlocking member (130) is in the second position (P2), it is closer to the cantilever end protrusion of the elastic cantilever (122) than when it is in the first position (P1).

9. The self-locking structure according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that: The outer surface of the connector housing (110) is provided with a plurality of grooves (112), and the plurality of grooves (112) are independently arranged along the axial direction of the connector housing (110).

10. A through-board connector (100), characterized in that: The through-board connector (100) comprises the self-locking structure according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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