Position retainer, connector and connector assembly

Abstract

The utility model discloses a position retainer, a connector and a connector assembly. The position retainer is adapted for insertion into the connector housing and for movement between a final locking position and a pre-locking position. The position holder includes a cantilever portion and a pressing portion. And when the position keeping piece is located at the final locking position, the cantilever part abuts against an elastic buckle of a connector shell, so that the elastic buckle is kept at a locking position where the elastic buckle is jointed with a lug boss of a matched shell of a matched connector. And when the position keeping piece is located at the pre-locking position, the pressing part presses the elastic buckle to an unlocking position where the elastic buckle is separated from the convex part of the matching shell, so that the connector shell is allowed to be pulled out of the matching shell. According to the utility model, when the connector shell is pulled out, an operator does not need to press the elastic buckle, so that the operator can clamp and pull out the connector shell with two fingers, and the pull-out operation of the connector is simplified.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The utility model relates to a position keeping piece, a connector comprising the position keeping piece and a connector assembly comprising the connector. BACKGROUND

[0002] In the prior art, after the connector and the mating connector are mated, the elastic catch on the connector housing engages with the protruding part in the mating housing of the mating connector to lock the connector and the mating connector together. When it is necessary to pull the connector out of the mating connector, a finger is needed to press the unlocking part of the elastic catch, and at the same time, the other finger is needed to pull the connector housing outwards. However, since the connector is very small in size, only one finger can be used to pull the connector housing outwards while the other finger is used to press the unlocking part of the elastic catch. This results in very difficult operation of pulling the connector out. SUMMARY

[0003] The utility model aims to solve at least one aspect of the above problems and defects in the prior art.

[0004] According to one aspect of the utility model, a position keeping piece is provided. The position keeping piece is adapted to be inserted into a connector housing and to be moved between a final lock position and a pre-lock position. The position keeping piece comprises a cantilever part and a pressing part. When the position keeping piece is in the final lock position, the cantilever part abuts against an elastic catch of the connector housing to keep the elastic catch in a locked position engaging with a protruding part of a mating housing of a mating connector. When the position keeping piece is in the pre-lock position, the pressing part presses the elastic catch to an unlocked position disengaging from the protruding part of the mating housing to allow the connector housing to be pulled out of the mating housing.

[0005] According to one exemplary embodiment of the utility model, the position keeping piece further comprises a back seat body connected with the cantilever part and the pressing part. The cantilever part and the pressing part extend forward from the back seat body and are spaced apart in the height direction.

[0006] According to another exemplary embodiment of the utility model, the pressing part is located above the cantilever part, the pressing part is cantilevered and has a pressing protrusion protruding downward; when the position keeping piece is in the pre-lock position, the pressing protrusion presses the unlocking part of the elastic catch downward, so that the elastic catch is pressed to the unlocked position; when the position keeping piece is in the final lock position, the pressing protrusion is separated from the unlocking part of the elastic catch to allow the elastic catch to automatically reset to the locked position.

[0007] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present application, the position retainer further comprises a frame body connected to the rear seat body and extending forwardly from the rear seat body in the longitudinal direction. Pre-lock grooves and final-lock grooves are formed on the laterally opposite sides of the frame body, respectively. The pre-lock grooves are used to engage with retaining protrusions in the connector housing to retain the position retainer in the pre-lock position. The final-lock grooves are used to engage with the retaining protrusions in the connector housing to retain the position retainer in the final-lock position.

[0008] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present application, the frame body is in U-shape and its open end is connected to the rear seat body, and the cantilever portion is suspended in the U-shaped frame body.

[0009] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present application, the position retainer is an integral injection molding.

[0010] According to another aspect of the present application, a connector is provided. The connector comprises a connector housing formed with a slot and an elastic catch suspended in the slot, and the aforementioned position retainer inserted into the slot of the connector housing and movable in the longitudinal direction between a final-lock position and a pre-lock position. When the position retainer is in the final-lock position, the cantilever portion abuts against the elastic catch to retain the elastic catch in a locked position engaged with a protrusion of a mating housing of a mating connector. When the position retainer is in the pre-lock position, the pressing portion presses the elastic catch to an unlocked position separated from the protrusion of the mating housing to allow the connector housing to be pulled out of the mating housing.

[0011] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present application, the elastic catch has an upwardly protruding unlocking portion at its rear end. When the position retainer is in the pre-lock position, the pressing portion presses downwardly on the unlocking portion of the elastic catch to press the elastic catch to the unlocked position. When the position retainer is in the final-lock position, the pressing portion is separated from the unlocking portion of the elastic catch to allow the elastic catch to automatically reset to the locked position.

[0012] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present application, retaining protrusions are formed on the laterally opposite inner side walls of the slot of the connector housing, respectively. When the position retainer is in the pre-lock position, the retaining protrusions engage with the pre-lock grooves on the position retainer to retain the position retainer in the pre-lock position. When the position retainer is in the final-lock position, the retaining protrusions engage with the final-lock grooves on the position retainer to retain the position retainer in the final-lock position.

[0013] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a slot is formed on the elastic buckle and is suitable for engaging with a protrusion in the mating housing, so as to lock the connector housing to the mating housing.

[0014] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the connector further comprises: a terminal disposed in the connector housing and configured to mate with a mating terminal disposed in the mating housing.

[0015] According to another aspect of the present invention, a connector assembly is provided. The connector assembly includes: a connector and a mating connector. The mating connector is mated with the connector. The mating connector includes a mating housing, the connector housing is inserted into the mating housing and a protrusion is formed in the mating housing. When the position retaining member is in the final locking position, the elastic buckle is in a locking position engaged with the protrusion and is retained in the locking position by the position retaining member to prevent the elastic buckle from being accidentally unlocked; when the position retaining member is moved from the final locking position to the pre-locking position, the elastic buckle is pressed by the position retaining member to an unlocking position separated from the protrusion to allow the connector housing to be pulled out of the mating housing.

[0016] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the mating connector further comprises: a mating terminal disposed in the mating housing, wherein the terminal of the connector mates with the mating terminal of the mating connector to achieve electrical connection therebetween.

[0017] In the aforementioned exemplary embodiments of the present invention, when the position retaining member is moved to the pre-locking position, the position retaining member presses the elastic buckle of the connector housing to the unlocking position, and the operator does not need to press the elastic buckle, so that the operator can clamp and unplug the connector with two fingers, simplifying the operation of unplugging the connector from the mating connector.

[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 A perspective schematic diagram showing a connector assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present utility model;

[0020] Figure 2 A vertical cross-sectional view showing a connector assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, wherein the position retaining member is in a final locking position;

[0021] Figure 3FIG. 6 shows a vertical cross-sectional view of a connector according to one example embodiment of the present application;

[0022] Figure 4 FIG. 7 shows an exploded view of a connector according to one example embodiment of the present application;

[0023] Figure 5 FIG. 8 shows a horizontal cross-sectional view of a connector according to one example embodiment of the present application;

[0024] Figure 6 FIG. 9 shows a vertical cross-sectional view of a connector assembly according to one example embodiment of the present application, with the position holder in the final lock position;

[0025] Figure 7 FIG. 10 shows a vertical cross-sectional view of a connector assembly according to one example embodiment of the present application, with the position holder in the pre-lock position;

[0026] Figure 8 FIG. 11 shows a horizontal cross-sectional view of a connector assembly according to one example embodiment of the present application, with the position holder in the final lock position;

[0027] Figure 9 FIG. 12 shows a horizontal cross-sectional view of a connector assembly according to one example embodiment of the present application, with the position holder in the pre-lock position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] The technical solutions of the present application will be further described in detail below with reference to the embodiments and in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In the description, identical or similar reference numerals indicate identical or similar components. The following description of the embodiments of the present application with reference to the accompanying drawings is intended to explain the general inventive concept of the present application, and should not be construed as a limitation of the present application.

[0029] In addition, in the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments of the present application. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that one or more embodiments of the present application can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are not described in detail in order to simplify the drawings.

[0030] According to one general technical concept of the present application, a position holding member is provided. The position holding member is adapted to be inserted into a connector housing and to be moved between a final lock position and a pre-lock position. The position holding member comprises a cantilever portion and a pressing portion. When the position holding member is in the final lock position, the cantilever portion abuts against a resilient catch of the connector housing to hold the resilient catch in a locked position in engagement with a protrusion of a mating housing of a mating connector. When the position holding member is in the pre-lock position, the pressing portion presses the resilient catch to an unlocked position out of engagement with the protrusion of the mating housing to allow the connector housing to be pulled out of the mating housing.

[0031] According to another general technical concept of the present application, a connector is provided. The connector comprises a connector housing formed with a slot and a resilient catch suspended in the slot, and the aforementioned position holding member inserted into the slot of the connector housing and movable in a longitudinal direction between a final lock position and a pre-lock position. When the position holding member is in the final lock position, the cantilever portion abuts against the resilient catch to hold the resilient catch in a locked position in engagement with a protrusion of a mating housing of a mating connector. When the position holding member is in the pre-lock position, the pressing portion presses the resilient catch to an unlocked position out of engagement with the protrusion of the mating housing to allow the connector housing to be pulled out of the mating housing.

[0032] According to another general technical concept of the present application, a connector assembly is provided. The connector assembly comprises a connector and a mating connector. The mating connector is mated with the connector. The mating connector comprises a mating housing into which the connector housing is inserted and in which a protrusion is formed. When the position holding member is in a final lock position, the resilient catch is in a locked position in engagement with the protrusion and is held in the locked position by the position holding member to prevent the resilient catch from being unlocked accidentally. When the position holding member is moved from the final lock position to a pre-lock position, the resilient catch is pressed by the position holding member to an unlocked position out of engagement with the protrusion to allow the connector housing to be pulled out of the mating housing.

[0033] Figure 1 a perspective view of a connector assembly according to one exemplary embodiment of the present application is shown; Figure 2 a vertical sectional view of a connector assembly according to one exemplary embodiment of the present application is shown, wherein the position holding member 3 is in a final lock position; Figure 3 a vertical sectional view of a connector according to one exemplary embodiment of the present application is shown; Figure 4 an exploded view of a connector according to one exemplary embodiment of the present application is shown;

[0034] Figure 5 shows a horizontal sectional view of a connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application; Figure 6 shows a vertical sectional view of a connector assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application, wherein the position holder 3 is in the final lock position; Figure 7 shows a vertical sectional view of a connector assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application, wherein the position holder 3 is in the pre-lock position; Figure 8 shows a horizontal sectional view of a connector assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application, wherein the position holder 3 is in the final lock position; Figure 9 shows a horizontal sectional view of a connector assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application, wherein the position holder 3 is in the pre-lock position.

[0035] As shown in Figures 1 to 9 In an exemplary embodiment of the present application, a position holder 3 is also disclosed. The position holder 3 is adapted to be inserted into the connector housing 1 and is adapted to move between the final lock position and the pre-lock position. The position holder 3 comprises a cantilever portion 31 and a pressing portion 32. When the position holder 3 is in the final lock position, the cantilever portion 31 abuts against the elastic catch 11 of the connector housing 1 to hold the elastic catch 11 in the locked position of engagement with the protruding portion 2b of the mating housing 2 of the mating connector. In this way, the elastic catch 11 can be prevented from being unlocked accidentally. When the position holder 3 is in the pre-lock position, the pressing portion 32 presses the elastic catch 11 to the unlocked position of disengagement from the protruding portion 2b of the mating housing 2 to allow the connector housing 1 to be pulled out of the mating housing 2.

[0036] As shown in Figures 1 to 9 In the illustrated embodiment, the position holder 3 further comprises a rear seat body 30, which is connected with the cantilever portion 31 and the pressing portion 32. The cantilever portion 31 and the pressing portion 32 extend forward from the rear seat body 30 and are spaced apart in the height direction Z.

[0037] As shown in Figures 1 to 9 In the illustrated embodiment, the pressing portion 32 is located above the cantilever portion 31, and the pressing portion 32 is cantilevered and has a pressing protrusion 32a protruding downward. When the position holder 3 is in the pre-lock position, the pressing protrusion 32a presses the unlocking portion 11a of the elastic catch 11 downward, so that the elastic catch 11 is pressed to the unlocked position. When the position holder 3 is in the final lock position, the pressing protrusion 32a is separated from the unlocking portion 11a of the elastic catch 11 to allow the elastic catch 11 to be automatically reset to the locked position.

[0038] As shown in Figures 1 to 9As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, the position retaining member 3 further includes a frame body 33. The frame body 33 is connected to the rear seat body 30 and extends forward from the rear seat body 30 along the longitudinal direction Y. A pre-locking groove 33a and a final locking groove 33b located behind the pre-locking groove 33a are respectively formed on two opposite sides of the frame body 33 in the transverse direction X. The pre-locking groove 33a is used to engage with the retaining protrusion 10c in the connector housing 1 to maintain the position retaining member 3 in the pre-locking position. The final locking groove 33b is used to engage with the retaining protrusion 10c in the connector housing 1 to maintain the position retaining member 3 in the final locking position.

[0039] like Figures 1 to 9 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, the frame body 33 is U-shaped and its open end is connected to the rear seat body 30 , and the cantilever portion 31 is suspended in the U-shaped frame body 33 .

[0040] like Figures 1 to 9 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, the position retaining member 3 is an integral injection molded part, which can reduce manufacturing costs.

[0041] like Figures 1 to 9 As shown, in another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a connector is disclosed. The connector includes a connector housing 1 and a position retaining member 3. The connector housing 1 is formed with a slot 10 and an elastic buckle 11 suspended in the slot 10. The position retaining member 3 is inserted into the slot 10 of the connector housing 1 and is movable along the longitudinal direction Y between a final locking position and a pre-locking position.

[0042] like Figure 2 and Figure 6 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, when the position retaining member 3 is in the final locking position, the cantilever portion 31 abuts against the elastic buckle 11 to maintain the elastic buckle 11 in the locked position engaged with the protrusion 2b of the mating housing 2 of the mating connector. In this way, the elastic buckle 11 can be prevented from being accidentally unlocked.

[0043] like Figure 7 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, when the position retaining member 3 is in the pre-locking position, the pressing portion 32 presses the elastic buckle 11 to an unlocking position separated from the protrusion 2 b of the mating housing 2 to allow the connector housing 1 to be pulled out of the mating housing 2 .

[0044] like Figures 1 to 9 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, the elastic buckle 11 has an upwardly protruding unlocking portion 11a located at its rear end. When the position retaining member 3 is in the pre-locking position, the pressing portion 32 presses downward on the unlocking portion 11a of the elastic buckle 11 to press the elastic buckle 11 into the unlocked position. When the position retaining member 3 is in the final locking position, the pressing portion 32 separates from the unlocking portion 11a of the elastic buckle 11, allowing the elastic buckle 11 to automatically return to the locked position.

[0045] As Figures 1 to 9 shown, in the illustrated embodiment, a retaining protrusion 10c is formed on each of the two inner side walls opposite in the transverse direction X of the slot 10 of the connector housing 1. When the position retaining member 3 is in the pre-lock position, the retaining protrusion 10c engages with the pre-lock groove 33a on the position retaining member 3 to retain the position retaining member 3 in the pre-lock position. When the position retaining member 3 is in the final-lock position, the retaining protrusion 10c engages with the final-lock groove 33b on the position retaining member 3 to retain the position retaining member 3 in the final-lock position.

[0046] As Figures 1 to 9 shown, in the illustrated embodiment, a clamping groove 11b adapted to engage with the protruding portion 2b in the mating housing 2 is formed on the elastic buckle 11 for locking the connector housing 1 to the mating housing 2.

[0047] As Figures 1 to 9 shown, in the illustrated embodiment, the connector further comprises terminals (not shown). The terminals are disposed in the connector housing 1 for mating with the mating terminals (not shown) disposed in the mating housing 2.

[0048] As Figures 1 to 9 shown, in another exemplary embodiment of the present application, a connector assembly is also disclosed. The connector assembly comprises a connector and a mating connector. The mating connector mates with the connector. The mating connector comprises a mating housing 2, and the connector housing 1 is inserted into the mating housing 2 and forms a protruding portion 2b in the mating housing 2.

[0049] As Figures 1 to 9 shown, in the illustrated embodiment, when the position retaining member 3 is in the final-lock position, the elastic buckle 11 is in the locked position engaging with the protruding portion 2b and is retained in the locked position by the position retaining member 3 to prevent the elastic buckle 11 from being accidentally unlocked. When the position retaining member 3 is moved from the final-lock position to the pre-lock position, the elastic buckle 11 is pressed by the position retaining member 3 to the unlocked position disengaging from the protruding portion 2b to allow the connector housing 1 to be pulled out of the mating housing 2.

[0050] As Figures 1 to 9 shown, in the illustrated embodiment, the mating connector further comprises mating terminals. The mating terminals are disposed in the mating housing 2. The terminals of the connector mate with the mating terminals of the mating connector to achieve electrical connection between the two.

[0051] Those skilled in the art can understand that the above-described embodiments are exemplary, and those skilled in the art can make improvements, and the structures described in various embodiments can be freely combined without structural or principle conflicts, and these changes shall fall within the protection scope of the present application.

[0052] Although the utility model has been described in conjunction with the drawings, the embodiments disclosed in the drawings are intended to exemplarily illustrate the preferred embodiments of the utility model and cannot be understood as a limitation of the utility model.

[0053] Although some embodiments of the general concept of the utility model have been shown and described, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that changes can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the general concept of the utility model, and the scope of the utility model is defined by the claims and their equivalents.

[0054] It should be noted that the wording "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the wording "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. In addition, any reference signs in the claims should not be understood as limiting the scope of the utility model.

Claims

1. A position retaining member adapted to be inserted into a connector housing (1) and adapted to move between a final locking position and a pre-locking position, characterized in that: The position retaining member (3) comprises a cantilever portion (31) and a pressing portion (32). When the position retaining member (3) is in the final locking position, the cantilever portion (31) abuts against the elastic buckle (11) of the connector housing (1) to retain the elastic buckle (11) in a locked position engaged with the protruding portion (2b) of the mating housing (2) of the mating connector. When the position retaining member (3) is in the pre-locking position, the pressing portion (32) presses the elastic buckle (11) to an unlocking position separated from the protruding portion (2b) of the mating housing (2), thereby allowing the connector housing (1) to be pulled out of the mating housing (2).

2. The position retaining member according to claim 1, wherein: Also includes: The rear seat body (30) is connected to the cantilever portion (31) and the pressing portion (32). The cantilever portion (31) and the pressing portion (32) extend forward from the rear seat body (30) and are spaced apart from each other in the height direction (Z).

3. The position retaining member according to claim 2, wherein: The pressing portion (32) is located above the cantilever portion (31), and the pressing portion (32) is cantilever-shaped and has a pressing protrusion (32a) protruding downward. When the position retaining member (3) is in the pre-locking position, the pressing protrusion (32a) presses the unlocking portion (11a) of the elastic buckle (11) downward, so that the elastic buckle (11) is pressed to the unlocking position; When the position retaining member (3) is in the final locking position, the pressing protrusion (32a) is separated from the unlocking portion (11a) of the elastic buckle (11) to allow the elastic buckle (11) to automatically reset to the locking position.

4. The position retaining member according to claim 2, wherein: Also includes: The frame body (33) is connected to the rear seat body (30) and extends forward from the rear seat body (30) along the longitudinal direction (Y). A pre-locking groove (33a) and a final locking groove (33b) located behind the pre-locking groove (33a) are respectively formed on two opposite sides of the frame body (33) in the transverse direction (X). The pre-locking groove (33a) is used to engage with the retaining protrusion (10c) in the connector housing (1) to retain the position retaining member (3) in the pre-locking position. The final locking groove (33b) is used to engage with the retaining protrusion (10c) in the connector housing (1) to retain the position retaining member (3) in the final locking position.

5. The position retaining member according to claim 4, characterized in that: The frame body (33) is U-shaped and its open end is connected to the rear seat body (30), and the cantilever portion (31) is suspended in the U-shaped frame body (33).

6. The position retainer according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The position retaining member (3) is an integral injection-molded member.

7. A connector, characterized in that: include: A connector housing (1) is formed with a slot (10) and an elastic buckle (11) suspended in the slot (10); and The position retaining member (3) according to any one of claims 1 to 6 is inserted into the slot (10) of the connector housing (1) and can be moved in the longitudinal direction (Y) between a final locking position and a pre-locking position, When the position retaining member (3) is in the final locking position, the cantilever portion (31) abuts against the elastic buckle (11) to maintain the elastic buckle (11) in a locked position engaged with the protruding portion (2b) of the mating housing (2) of the mating connector. When the position retaining member (3) is in the pre-locking position, the pressing portion (32) presses the elastic buckle (11) to an unlocking position separated from the protruding portion (2b) of the mating housing (2), thereby allowing the connector housing (1) to be pulled out of the mating housing (2).

8. The connector according to claim 7, wherein: The elastic buckle (11) has an unlocking portion (11a) located at its rear end and protruding upward; When the position retaining member (3) is in the pre-locking position, the pressing portion (32) presses downward on the unlocking portion (11a) of the elastic buckle (11) to press the elastic buckle (11) to the unlocking position; When the position retaining member (3) is in the final locking position, the pressing portion (32) is separated from the unlocking portion (11a) of the elastic buckle (11) to allow the elastic buckle (11) to automatically reset to the locking position.

9. The connector according to claim 7, wherein: A retaining protrusion (10c) is formed on two inner side walls of the slot (10) of the connector housing (1) that are opposite in the transverse direction (X). When the position retaining member (3) is in the pre-locking position, the retaining protrusion (10c) engages with the pre-locking groove (33a) on the position retaining member (3) to retain the position retaining member (3) in the pre-locking position; When the position retaining member (3) is in the final locking position, the retaining protrusion (10c) engages with the final locking groove (33b) on the position retaining member (3) to retain the position retaining member (3) in the final locking position.

10. The connector according to claim 7, wherein: A latching groove (11b) is formed on the elastic buckle (11) and is suitable for engaging with a protruding portion (2b) in the mating housing (2) for locking the connector housing (1) to the mating housing (2).

11. The connector according to claim 7, wherein: Also includes: The terminal is arranged in the connector housing (1) and is used to mate with a mating terminal arranged in the mating housing (2).

12. A connector assembly, characterized in that: include: The connector according to any one of claims 7 to 11; and A mating connector, mated with the connector, The mating connector comprises a mating housing (2), the connector housing (1) is inserted into the mating housing (2) and a protrusion (2b) is formed in the mating housing (2). When the position retaining member (3) is in the final locking position, the elastic buckle (11) is in a locking position engaged with the protrusion (2b) and is retained in the locking position by the position retaining member (3) to prevent the elastic buckle (11) from being accidentally unlocked; When the position retaining member (3) is moved from the final locking position to the pre-locking position, the elastic buckle (11) is pressed by the position retaining member (3) to an unlocking position separated from the protruding portion (2b), thereby allowing the connector housing (1) to be pulled out from the mating housing (2).

13. The connector assembly according to claim 12, wherein: The mating connector further comprises: The mating terminal is arranged in the mating housing (2), The terminals of the connector mate with the mating terminals of the mating connector to achieve electrical connection between the two.

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