Tool-free installation connector and connector assembly

Abstract

The utility model provides a tool-free installation connector and a connector assembly, and relates to the technical field of electric connectors, the tool-free installation connector comprises a first insulation shell, at least one end of the first insulation shell is provided with a first elastic clamping part, and the first elastic clamping part is used for being clamped with an installation plate; one end of the plugboard part is arranged in the first insulating shell, the other end of the plugboard part extends to the outside of the first insulating shell, and an electric connection part is arranged on the surface of the plugboard part; one end of the guide part is connected with the first insulating shell, a guide groove is formed in the side, close to the plugboard part, of the guide part, and the guide groove extends in the plugging direction of the plugboard part; the problem that in the prior art, when a connector which is clamped on a mounting plate and is installed without a tool is connected with other connectors in an inserted mode, an insertion plate part of the connector cannot be accurately aligned with an insertion groove in the other connectors, and the insertion of the connector which is installed without the tool is prone to being difficult is solved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model belongs to the field of electrical connector technology, and more specifically, relates to a tool-free connector and connector assembly. Background Technology

[0002] Tool-less connectors, also known as toolless mounters, are widely used due to their ease of installation and removal. They snap into mounting slots on a mounting plate, with a gap between the connector and the slot to facilitate insertion. However, when a tool-less connector on the mounting plate is to be mated to another connector, its insertion plate may not align precisely with the other connector's slot. This can easily lead to mating difficulties, especially when there are multiple tool-less connectors on a single mounting plate. Utility Model Content

[0003] The purpose of this utility model is to address the shortcomings of the existing technology by providing a tool-free connector and connector assembly. This solves the problem that in the existing technology, when a tool-free connector that is snapped onto a mounting plate is plugged into other connectors, its insertion plate may not be accurately aligned with the insertion slots on other connectors, which can easily lead to difficulties in plugging in the tool-free connector.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model provides a tool-free connector, comprising:

[0005] A first insulating housing, wherein at least one end of the first insulating housing is provided with a first elastic snap-fit ​​portion, the first elastic snap-fit ​​portion being used to snap-fit ​​with a mounting plate;

[0006] The insert plate has one end disposed inside the first insulating shell and the other end extending to the outside of the first insulating shell. The surface of the insert plate is provided with an electrical connection portion.

[0007] The guide portion has one end connected to the first insulating shell, and a guide groove is provided on the side of the guide portion near the insertion plate portion, the guide groove extending along the insertion direction of the insertion plate portion.

[0008] Optionally, the first elastic snap-fit ​​portion includes an elastic deformation portion and a moving portion that are connected in sequence to form an L-shape. The elastic deformation portion is connected to the first insulating shell. The moving portion has a first snap-fit ​​groove on the outer side of one end near the elastic deformation portion. The first snap-fit ​​groove is used to snap-fit ​​with the mounting plate.

[0009] Optionally, the first elastic snap-fit ​​portion is integrally connected to the first insulating shell.

[0010] Optionally, the end of the moving part away from the elastic deformation part forms an operating end, and the operating end is provided with a bent portion extending in a direction away from the first insulating shell.

[0011] Optionally, the first elastic snap-fit ​​portion is disposed at one end of the first insulating shell, and the other end of the first insulating shell opposite to it is provided with a second snap-fit ​​groove, which is used to snap-fit ​​with the mounting plate.

[0012] Optionally, a foolproof protrusion is provided on one side surface of the first insulating shell, the foolproof protrusion being located between the first snap-fit ​​groove and the second snap-fit ​​groove.

[0013] Optionally, the guide portion is disposed at both ends of the insert plate portion, the guide portion is a U-shaped structure with the opening facing the insert plate portion, and the end of the guide groove away from the first insulating shell is gradually tapered from the outside to the inside.

[0014] This utility model also provides a connector assembly, including:

[0015] The first connector is the tool-free installation connector described above, and the first connector snaps into the first mounting plate;

[0016] The second connector is inserted and mated with the first connector.

[0017] Optionally, the second connector includes:

[0018] The second insulating shell has a second elastic snap-fit ​​portion at at least one end, which snaps into the second mounting plate.

[0019] The plug-in portion has one end connected to the first insulating shell. The plug-in portion has a plug-in groove and an electrical connection terminal is provided in the plug-in groove. The plug plate portion can be plugged into the plug-in groove to make the electrical connection portion electrically connected to the electrical connection terminal. The guide portion is plugged into the outer side of the plug-in portion through the guide groove.

[0020] Optionally, the first mounting plate and the second mounting plate are respectively provided with at least two first mounting slots and at least two second mounting slots, and each first mounting slot and each second mounting slot respectively engages with a first connector and a second connector.

[0021] This utility model provides a tool-free connector and connector assembly, the advantages of which are: the tool-free connector is provided with a first elastic snap-fit ​​part on the first insulating shell, which enables convenient tool-free installation on the mounting plate, and the guide part can guide and cooperate with other connectors mating with the tool-free connector through the guide groove. Through the guiding action of the guide part, the misalignment or gap between the connector and the mounting groove on the mounting plate can be adaptively adjusted to ensure the accuracy and convenience of the insertion of the plug plate part, and a reliable blind mating connection can be achieved.

[0022] Other features and advantages of this invention will be described in detail in the following detailed description section. Attached Figure Description

[0023] The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals generally represent like parts.

[0024] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a tool-free mounting connector according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0025] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a connector assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0026] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the structure of a second connector of a connector assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0027] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0028] 1. First insulating shell; 2. First elastic snap-fit ​​part; 3. Insertion plate part; 4. Electrical connection part; 5. Guide part; 6. Guide groove; 7. First cable outlet; 8. Elastic deformation part; 9. Moving part; 10. Bending part; 11. Second snap-fit ​​groove; 12. Foolproof protrusion; 13. Tapered section; 14. First mounting plate; 15. Second insulating shell; 16. Second elastic snap-fit ​​part; 17. Second mounting plate; 18. Insertion part; 19. Insertion groove; 20. Electrical connection terminal; 21. Second cable outlet; 22. First snap-fit ​​groove. Detailed Implementation

[0029] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in more detail. While preferred embodiments of the present invention are described below, it should be understood that the present invention can be implemented in various forms and should not be limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided to make the present invention more thorough and complete, and to fully convey the scope of the present invention to those skilled in the art.

[0030] like Figure 1 As shown, this utility model provides a tool-free connector, comprising:

[0031] A first insulating shell 1, at least one end of the first insulating shell 1 is provided with a first elastic snap-fit ​​part 2, the first elastic snap-fit ​​part 2 being used to snap-fit ​​with the mounting plate;

[0032] Insertion plate 3, one end of the insertion plate is disposed inside the first insulating shell 1, the other end of the insertion plate 3 extends to the outside of the first insulating shell 1, and an electrical connection portion 4 is provided on the surface of the insertion plate 3;

[0033] The guide part 5 has one end connected to the first insulating shell 1. A guide groove 6 is provided on the side of the guide part 5 near the insertion plate part 3. The guide groove 6 extends along the insertion direction of the insertion plate part 3.

[0034] Specifically, to address the problem in the prior art where tool-free connectors snapped onto a mounting plate may not accurately align their insertion plate portion 3 with the insertion slots 19 on other connectors, leading to difficulties in insertion, the tool-free connector provided by this invention has a first elastic snap-fit ​​portion 2 on the first insulating shell 1. This enables convenient tool-free installation on the mounting plate. Furthermore, the guide portion 5 allows for guiding and engaging with other connectors mating with the tool-free connector via the guide groove 6. The guiding action of the guide portion 5 adaptively adjusts the misalignment or gap between the connector and the mounting slot on the mounting plate, ensuring the accuracy and convenience of insertion of the insertion plate portion 3, and achieving a reliable blind-fit connection.

[0035] In this embodiment, the first elastic snap-fit ​​portion 2 is disposed at at least one end of the first insulating shell 1 in the first direction, the insert plate portion 3 extends along the second direction of the first insulating shell 1, and its insertion direction is along the second direction of the first insulating shell 1, the second direction being perpendicular to the first direction.

[0036] In this embodiment, one end of the first insulating shell 1 in the second direction is provided with a plug-in outlet, which is used for the plug-in part 3 to extend outward. The other end of the first insulating shell 1 in the second direction is provided with a first cable outlet 7, which is used for the output of a first cable. The first cable is electrically connected to the plug-in part 3.

[0037] In this embodiment, the insert part 3 is a PCB board, and the electrical connection part 4 is a gold finger.

[0038] Optionally, the first elastic snap-fit ​​part 2 includes an elastic deformation part and a moving part 9 connected in sequence to form an L-shape. The elastic deformation part 8 is connected to the first insulating shell 1. The moving part 9 is provided with a first snap-fit ​​groove 22 on the outer side of one end near the elastic deformation part 8. The first snap-fit ​​groove 22 is used to snap-fit ​​with the mounting plate.

[0039] Specifically, when the end of the moving part 9 away from the elastic deformation part 8 is pressed toward the direction close to the first insulating shell 1, the elastic deformation part 8 undergoes elastic deformation, and the moving part 9 moves toward the direction close to the first insulating shell 1, which can insert the mounting plate into the first snap-fit ​​groove 22, thereby realizing the tool-free installation of the connector on the mounting plate.

[0040] In this embodiment, both sides of the first snap-fit ​​groove 22 extend away from the first insulating shell 1. One side of the first snap-fit ​​groove 22 is shorter than the other side and is provided with a guide slope to facilitate the insertion installation of the tool-free connector on the mounting plate.

[0041] Optionally, the first elastic snap-fit ​​part 2 is integrally connected to the first insulating shell 1.

[0042] Specifically, the first elastic snap-fit ​​part 2 and the first insulating shell 1 adopt an integrated structure and are made of the same material.

[0043] In other embodiments, the first elastic snap-fit ​​part 2 can also be installed on the first insulating shell 1 in an installation manner. The material is not limited, as long as the elastic snap-fit ​​function is achieved.

[0044] Optionally, the end of the moving part 9 away from the elastic deformation part is formed as an operating end, and the operating end is provided with a bent part 10 extending in a direction away from the first insulating shell 1.

[0045] Specifically, the operating end is used by the user to press, and the bent part 10 is bent in the direction away from the first insulating shell 1 to form an L-shaped structure, which facilitates pressing, increases the pressing stroke, and prevents slippage.

[0046] Optionally, the first elastic snap-fit ​​part 2 is provided at one end of the first insulating shell 1, and the other end of the first insulating shell 1 opposite to it is provided with a second snap-fit ​​groove 11, which is used to snap-fit ​​with the mounting plate.

[0047] Specifically, the first elastic snap-fit ​​part 2 is provided at one end of the first insulating shell 1 in the first direction, and the other end of the first insulating shell 1 in the first direction is provided with a second snap-fit ​​groove 11, which can be formed on the first insulating shell 1.

[0048] In this embodiment, both sides of the second snap-fit ​​groove 11 extend outward toward the first insulating shell 1. When the tool-free connector is installed on the mounting plate, first insert the end of the first insulating shell 1 containing the second snap-fit ​​groove 11 into the mounting groove on the mounting plate, snap one end of the mounting plate into the second snap-fit ​​groove 11, then press the first elastic snap-fit ​​part 2, insert the end of the first elastic snap-fit ​​part 2 of the first insulating shell 1 into the mounting groove on the mounting plate, and snap the other end of the mounting plate into the first snap-fit ​​groove 22.

[0049] Optionally, a foolproof protrusion 12 is provided on one side surface of the first insulating housing 1, and the foolproof protrusion 12 is located between the first snap-fit ​​groove 22 and the second snap-fit ​​groove 11.

[0050] Specifically, to prevent the tool-free connector from being installed backwards in the mounting slot of the mounting plate, a foolproof protrusion 12 is provided on one side surface of the first insulating housing 1. Correspondingly, a foolproof groove is provided on one side of the mounting slot on the mounting plate, which cooperates with the foolproof protrusion 12 and communicates with the mounting slot. The foolproof protrusion 12 can pass through the foolproof groove. However, if the tool-free connector is installed backwards, the foolproof protrusion 12 cannot be inserted into the mounting slot on the mounting plate, and the tool-free connector cannot be installed.

[0051] Optionally, the guide portion 5 is provided at both ends of the insert plate portion 3. The guide portion 5 is a U-shaped structure with the opening facing the insert plate portion 3. The end of the guide groove 6 away from the first insulating shell 1 is gradually narrowed from the outside to the inside.

[0052] Specifically, two guide sections 5 are arranged at both ends of the insertion plate section 3 in a bracket-like structure. The insertion plate section 3 is located between the two guide sections 5. The guide groove 6 inside the guide section 5 has a tapered section 13. The tapered section 13 allows for a larger insertion error at the beginning of insertion. As insertion proceeds, the position of the connector in the mounting groove is adaptively adjusted and corrected to ensure that the insertion plate section 3 can be accurately inserted into the insertion groove 19, thus ensuring the convenience and accuracy of insertion.

[0053] like Figure 2 As shown, this utility model also provides a connector assembly, including:

[0054] The first connector is the tool-free installation connector described above, and the first connector snaps into the first mounting plate 14;

[0055] The second connector is inserted and mated with the first connector.

[0056] Specifically, the second connector is inserted into the first connector mounted on the first mounting plate 14 to achieve signal transmission.

[0057] Optionally, the second connector includes:

[0058] The second insulating housing 15 has a second elastic snap-fit ​​portion 16 at at least one end, which snaps into the second mounting plate 17.

[0059] The plug-in part 18 has one end connected to the first insulating shell 1. The plug-in part 18 has a plug-in groove 19 and an electrical connection terminal 20 is provided in the plug-in groove 19. The plug plate part 3 can be plugged into the plug-in groove 19 and make the electrical connection part 4 electrically connected to the electrical connection terminal 20. The guide part 5 is plugged into the outside of the plug-in part 18 through the guide groove 6.

[0060] Specifically, such as Figure 3 As shown, the second connector can also be tool-free installed on the second mounting plate 17 through the setting of the second elastic snap-fit ​​part 16, which is convenient for installation. Its plug part 18 extends outward from one end of the second insulating shell 15. The plug groove 19 inside the plug part 18 is for the plug plate part 3 of the first connector to be inserted, and conduction is achieved through the contact between the electrical connection terminal 20 and the electrical connection part 4.

[0061] In this embodiment, the second elastic snap-fit ​​part 16 has the same structure as the first elastic snap-fit ​​part 2, and the second connector and the first connector respectively form the female head and the male head of the connector assembly.

[0062] In this embodiment, a second cable outlet 21 is provided on the second insulating shell 15 at the other end opposite to the end where the plug-in part 18 is located. The second cable outlet 21 is used for the outlet of the second cable.

[0063] Optionally, the first mounting plate 14 and the second mounting plate 17 are respectively provided with at least two first mounting slots and at least two second mounting slots, and each first mounting slot and each second mounting slot respectively engages with a first connector and a second connector.

[0064] Specifically, at least two first connectors and at least two second connectors are respectively mounted on the first mounting plate 14 and the second mounting plate 17. The at least two first connectors are snapped onto the first mounting plate 14 and are inserted into the at least two second connectors snapped onto the second mounting plate 17 along with the first mounting plate 14 as a whole. During this process, the guide portion 5 of the first connector and the outer side of the insertion portion 18 of the second connector are used for guiding engagement. The insertion portion 18 is inserted into the guide groove 6 for insertion guidance. This guide can adaptively adjust the misalignment or gap between each first connector and each first mounting groove on the first mounting plate 14 to ensure that each insertion plate portion 3 can be accurately and conveniently inserted into a insertion groove 19, ensuring the accuracy and convenience of insertion, and enabling reliable blind mating insertion.

[0065] The various embodiments of the present invention have been described above. These descriptions are exemplary and not exhaustive, nor are they limited to the disclosed embodiments. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the described embodiments.

Claims

1. A tool-free connector, characterized in that, include: A first insulating housing, wherein at least one end of the first insulating housing is provided with a first elastic snap-fit ​​portion, the first elastic snap-fit ​​portion being used to snap-fit ​​with a mounting plate; The insert plate has one end disposed inside the first insulating shell and the other end extending to the outside of the first insulating shell. The surface of the insert plate is provided with an electrical connection portion. The guide portion has one end connected to the first insulating shell, and a guide groove is provided on the side of the guide portion near the insertion plate portion, the guide groove extending along the insertion direction of the insertion plate portion.

2. The tool-free connector according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first elastic snap-fit ​​portion includes an elastic deformation portion and a moving portion connected in sequence to form an L-shape. The elastic deformation portion is connected to the first insulating shell. The moving portion has a first snap-fit ​​groove on the outer side of one end near the elastic deformation portion. The first snap-fit ​​groove is used to snap-fit ​​with the mounting plate.

3. The tool-free connector according to claim 2, characterized in that, The first elastic snap-fit ​​part is integrally connected to the first insulating shell.

4. The tool-free connector according to claim 2, characterized in that, The end of the moving part away from the elastic deformation part forms an operating end, and the operating end is provided with a bent portion extending in a direction away from the first insulating shell.

5. The tool-free connector according to claim 2, characterized in that, The first elastic snap-fit ​​part is provided at one end of the first insulating shell, and the other end of the first insulating shell opposite to it is provided with a second snap-fit ​​groove, which is used to snap-fit ​​with the mounting plate.

6. The tool-free connector according to claim 5, characterized in that, A foolproof protrusion is provided on one side surface of the first insulating shell, and the foolproof protrusion is located between the first snap-fit ​​groove and the second snap-fit ​​groove.

7. The tool-free connector according to claim 1, characterized in that, The guide portion is disposed at both ends of the insert plate portion. The guide portion is a U-shaped structure with its opening facing the insert plate portion. The end of the guide groove away from the first insulating shell is gradually tapered from the outside to the inside.

8. A connector assembly, characterized in that, include: The first connector is a tool-free installation connector as described in any one of claims 1-7, and the first connector snaps into the first mounting plate; The second connector is inserted and mated with the first connector.

9. The connector assembly according to claim 8, characterized in that, The second connector includes: The second insulating shell has a second elastic snap-fit ​​portion at at least one end, which snaps into the second mounting plate. The plug-in portion has one end connected to the first insulating shell. The plug-in portion has a plug-in groove and an electrical connection terminal is provided in the plug-in groove. The plug plate portion can be plugged into the plug-in groove to make the electrical connection portion electrically connected to the electrical connection terminal. The guide portion is plugged into the outer side of the plug-in portion through the guide groove.

10. The connector assembly according to claim 9, characterized in that, The first mounting plate and the second mounting plate are respectively provided with at least two first mounting slots and at least two second mounting slots, and each first mounting slot and each second mounting slot respectively engages with a first connector and a second connector.

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