Wire end male connector and connector assembly

Abstract

The embodiment of the utility model discloses a wire end male head connector and a connector assembly. The wire end male head connector comprises a shell, a plurality of first terminal assemblies, a plurality of cables and a locking piece. The plurality of first terminal assemblies are arranged in a plurality of rows along the longitudinal direction and are arranged in a plurality of columns along the transverse direction. And at the locking position, the locking piece and each first terminal assembly are blocked and limited along the front-back direction. At the unlocking position, the locking piece is separated from each first terminal assembly. And the wire end male head connector is matched with the wire end female head connector, so that the connection of the cable is realized, the wiring transfer is convenient, and the wiring convenience is improved. In addition, locking of all the first terminal assemblies is achieved through one locking piece in the wire end male connector, and the efficiency of assembling the wire end male connector is improved.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of connectors, in particular to a wire-end male connector and a connector assembly. BACKGROUND

[0002] A connector is a kind of conductor device for connecting electrical circuits, used for power and data connection. According to the structure of the conductive terminal, the connector can be divided into a male connector and a female connector. The conductive terminal in the male connector is needle-shaped or sheet-shaped, used for plug-in cooperation with the conductive terminal in the female connector. According to the connection mode of the rear end of the connector, the connector can be divided into a board-end connector and a wire-end connector. The board-end connector refers to the connector fixed on an electronic device or a PCB board. The wire-end connector refers to the rear end of the connector connected to a cable.

[0003] At present, the board-end male connector is matched with the wire-end female connector, which is not convenient for wiring due to space limitation in the application scenario. CONTENT OF THE INVENTION

[0004] Embodiments of the present application provide a wire-end male connector and a connector assembly to improve the convenience of wiring.

[0005] To solve the above technical problems, embodiments of the present application disclose the following technical solutions:

[0006] On the one hand, a wire-end male connector is provided, which is used for plug-in cooperation with a wire-end female connector along the front-rear direction. The wire-end male connector includes a housing, a plurality of first terminal assemblies, a plurality of cables, and a locking member. Each first terminal assembly is inserted into the housing along the front-rear direction. The plurality of first terminal assemblies are arranged in multiple rows along the longitudinal direction and in multiple columns along the transverse direction. Any two of the front-rear direction, the transverse direction, and the longitudinal direction are perpendicular to each other. The first terminal assembly is used for plug-in cooperation and electrical conduction with a second terminal assembly in the wire-end female connector along the front-rear direction. The cable corresponds to the first terminal assembly one by one. Each cable is connected to and electrically connected with the corresponding first terminal assembly. The locking member is movably arranged in the housing along the longitudinal direction and can selectively be in a locked position or an unlocked position. In the locked position, the locking member blocks and positions each first terminal assembly along the front-rear direction. In the unlocked position, the locking member is separated from each first terminal assembly.

[0007] In addition to one or more of the above disclosed features, or alternatively, the housing has a plurality of mounting holes each extending in the front-rear direction, and the first terminal assembly corresponds to each mounting hole, and each first terminal assembly is accommodated in the corresponding mounting hole. The housing has a receiving groove in communication with each mounting hole, and the communication is located at the side wall of the mounting hole, and the receiving groove is open on one side in the longitudinal direction. The locking member has a locking portion, which is inserted into the receiving groove in the longitudinal direction through the opening. In the locked position, the locking portion extends into each mounting hole through the communication of each mounting hole and the receiving groove to block each first terminal assembly in the front-rear direction, and in the unlocked position, the locking portion exits each mounting hole to separate from each first terminal assembly.

[0008] In addition to one or more of the above disclosed features, or alternatively, the first terminal assembly has a limiting groove arranged around the first terminal assembly with the front-rear direction as the axis, and the locking portion is a flat plate and is arranged vertically with respect to the front-rear direction, and the locking portion is clamped in the limiting groove to block the first terminal assembly.

[0009] In addition to one or more of the above disclosed features, or alternatively, the plurality of mounting holes includes a first mounting hole and a second mounting hole, and the first mounting hole and the second mounting hole are used to accommodate two first terminal assemblies located on the same column and adjacent to each other, and the first mounting hole is closest to the opening in the longitudinal direction, and the second mounting hole is second closest to the opening in the longitudinal direction. The locking portion has a first outer edge, a second outer edge, and a third outer edge connected in sequence. In the unlocked position, the first outer edge is flush with the side wall of the first mounting hole, the third outer edge is flush with the side wall of the second mounting hole, and the second outer edge is located in the receiving groove.

[0010] In addition to one or more of the above disclosed features, or alternatively, the second outer edge includes a first sub-section and a second sub-section. The first sub-section is arranged in parallel with the longitudinal direction and is connected to the first outer edge on one side in the longitudinal direction. The second sub-section is connected between the first sub-section on the other side in the longitudinal direction and the third outer edge, and the profile of the second sub-section matches the shape of the groove bottom surface of the limiting groove of the first terminal assembly in the second mounting hole. In the locked position, the second sub-section and the groove bottom surface have a radial distance L from the first terminal assembly, and the distance L is consistent in the circumferential direction of the first terminal assembly.

[0011] In addition to one or more of the above disclosed features, or alternatively, the locking member has a first guide portion protruding from the side surface of the locking portion in the front-rear direction and extending in the longitudinal direction. The side wall of the receiving groove is provided with a first guide groove extending in the longitudinal direction. The first guide portion is clamped in the first guide groove and is in sliding fit with the housing in the longitudinal direction.

[0012] In addition to one or more of the above disclosed features, or as an alternative, the locking member has a second guide portion and a third guide portion, the second guide portion and the third guide portion are respectively protruded on the other side surface of the locking portion in the front-rear direction, the second guide portion and the third guide portion are respectively arranged along the longitudinal direction and respectively extend along the longitudinal direction, and the identification portion is located between the second guide portion and the third guide portion along the longitudinal direction. The side wall of the accommodating groove is provided with a second guide groove extending along the longitudinal direction. The second guide portion and the third guide portion are respectively clamped in the second guide groove and respectively slide along the longitudinal direction with the housing.

[0013] In addition to one or more of the above disclosed features, or as an alternative, the housing has a first blocking portion, a second blocking portion and a third blocking portion respectively protruding along the transverse direction, and the first blocking portion and the second blocking portion are arranged along the longitudinal direction. The locking member has a resilient arm, and a fourth blocking portion and a fifth blocking portion respectively protruding along the transverse direction on the free end of the resilient arm, the free end is capable of swinging along the transverse direction under the action of an external force, the fourth blocking portion is located between the first blocking portion and the second blocking portion along the longitudinal direction, and when the fifth blocking portion is located on one side of the third blocking portion along the longitudinal direction, the locking member is in the unlocked position, and when the fifth blocking portion is located on the other side of the third blocking portion along the longitudinal direction, the locking member is in the locked position.

[0014] In addition to one or more of the above disclosed features, or as an alternative, the number of the first terminal assemblies is four, and the four first terminal assemblies are arranged in two rows and two columns.

[0015] In addition to one or more of the above disclosed features, or as an alternative, the first terminal assembly includes a first conductive portion and a first shielding shell. The first conductive portion is used to be inserted into the insertion slot formed by the second conductive portion of the second terminal assembly along the front-rear direction, so as to be electrically connected with the second conductive portion. The first shielding shell is arranged around the first conductive portion along the front-rear direction as the axis direction, and is used to be sleeved outside the second shielding shell of the second terminal assembly, and the second shielding shell is arranged around the second conductive portion along the front-rear direction as the axis direction. The cable is connected with the first conductive portion in the corresponding first terminal assembly and is electrically connected.

[0016] In addition to one or more of the above disclosed features, or as an alternative, the number of the first terminal assemblies is four, and the four first terminal assemblies are arranged in two rows and two columns.

[0017] One of the above technical solutions has the following advantages or beneficial effects:

[0018] The line end male connector and the line end female connector are matched to realize the connection of the cable, facilitate wiring switching, and improve the convenience of wiring. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0019] The technical scheme and other beneficial effects of the present application will become apparent from the following detailed description of specific embodiments of the present application, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0020] Figure 1 is a three-dimensional structure schematic diagram of the line end male connector and the line end female connector in the connected state in the embodiment of the present application;

[0021] Figure 2 is a three-dimensional structure schematic diagram of the line end male connector and the line end female connector in the separated state in the embodiment of the present application;

[0022] Figure 3 is a three-dimensional structure schematic diagram of the line end male connector in the embodiment of the present application;

[0023] Figure 4 is a three-dimensional exploded schematic diagram of the line end male connector in the embodiment of the present application;

[0024] Figure 5 is a partial three-dimensional structure schematic diagram of the first terminal assembly in the embodiment of the present application;

[0025] Figure 6 is a partial three-dimensional structure schematic diagram of the second terminal assembly in the embodiment of the present application;

[0026] Figure 7 is a front view of the shell in the embodiment of the present application;

[0027] Figure 8 is Figure 7 A-A sectional view in the embodiment of the present application;

[0028] Figure 9 is a front view of the locking member in the embodiment of the present application;

[0029] Figure 10 is a sectional view of the locking member assembled in the shell in the embodiment of the present application, and the locking member is in the unlocked position;

[0030] Figure 11 is a sectional view of the locking member assembled in the shell in the embodiment of the present application, and the locking member is in the locked position;

[0031] Figure 12 is a schematic diagram of the locking member and the first terminal assembly blocking and limiting in the embodiment of the present application;

[0032] Figure 13 is a three-dimensional structure schematic diagram of the first perspective of the locking piece in the embodiment of the present application;

[0033] Figure 14 is a three-dimensional structure schematic diagram of the second perspective of the locking piece in the embodiment of the present application;

[0034] Figure 15 is a three-dimensional structure schematic diagram of the housing in the embodiment of the present application.

[0035] The reference signs are as follows: 100 - male connector; 110 - housing; 111 - mounting hole; 111a - first mounting hole; 111b - second mounting hole; 112 - accommodating groove; 113 - open end; 114 - first guide groove; 115 - second guide groove; 117 - first blocking part; 118 - second blocking part; 119 - third blocking part; 120 - first terminal assembly; 121 - first conductive part; 122 - first shielding shell; 123 - first insulating piece; 124 - limiting groove; 1241 - groove bottom surface; 130 - cable; 140 - locking piece; 142 - locking part; 1421 - first outer edge; 1422 - second outer edge; 1423 - third outer edge; 1424 - first sub-section; 1425 - second sub-section; 143 - first guide part; 144 - second guide part; 145 - third guide part; 146 - identification part; 147 - elastic arm; 148 - fourth blocking part; 149 - fifth blocking part; 200 - female connector; 220 - second terminal assembly; 221 - second conductive part; 222 - second shielding shell; 223 - second insulating piece; 224 - plug-in groove; X - front-rear direction; Y - lateral direction; Z - longitudinal direction. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] In order to make the purpose, technical scheme and beneficial effects of the present application clearer, the present application will be further described in detail below in combination with the drawings and specific embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described in the present specification are only for the purpose of explaining the present application, and are not intended to limit the present application.

[0037] Vehicle-mounted electronic devices provide a wide range of functions for a vehicle, such as radars, cameras, sensors, various actuators, and center control displays for human-machine interaction. Through these vehicle-mounted electronic devices, a vehicle can provide a wide range of consumer electronic functions, navigation control and / or safety features, and feedback control for autonomous driving, for example.

[0038] Vehicle electronic equipment relies on the data network of the automotive electronic electrical architecture (EEA) to realize data signal transmission with the electronic control unit (ECU) of the vehicle. The data network of the EEA can be implemented in multiple technologies, such as CAN bus, LIN bus, and MOST bus. However, as the number of application scenarios on the vehicle increases and the amount of data transmission increases, the traditional vehicle data network cannot meet the requirements of data transmission rate. Therefore, Ethernet technology is increasingly developed and integrated into the automotive EEA system. In order to use Ethernet technology in the automotive EEA system, in addition to the requirement that the ECU and the units associated therewith can support the Ethernet protocol, a matching Ethernet connector that meets the Ethernet transmission requirements is also required.

[0039] The existing high-speed four-channel Ethernet male connector is connected to a device end port, i.e., a board end male connector, which has a single application and is limited. It cannot meet the customer's multi-channel wiring and step-by-step vehicle installation requirements, limiting the expansion of functions and applications.

[0040] The board end male connector is matched with a wire end female connector. In the application scenario, the space is limited, and the wiring is not convenient. To improve the convenience of wiring, the wire end male connector and the connector assembly provided in the embodiments of the present application are provided.

[0041] Please refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 . Figure 1 , Figure 2 are three-dimensional structure schematic diagrams of the wire end male connector 100 and the wire end female connector 200 in the connected state and the separated state in the embodiments of the present application.

[0042] For convenience of description, three directions are defined in the three-dimensional space, i.e., the front-rear direction X, the lateral direction Y, and the longitudinal direction Z, which are perpendicular to each other.

[0043] The connector assembly includes the wire end male connector 100 and the wire end female connector 200 which are inserted and matched along the front-rear direction X. The connector assembly is used for transmitting power and / or signals. The connector assembly is used for realizing cable conversion.

[0044] Please refer to Figure 3 and Figure 4 . Figure 3 is a three-dimensional structure schematic diagram of the wire end male connector 100 in the embodiments of the present application. Figure 4 is a three-dimensional exploded schematic diagram of the wire end male connector 100 in the embodiments of the present application.

[0045] The wire end male connector 100 includes a housing 110, a plurality of first terminal assemblies 120, a plurality of cables 130, and a locking piece 140.

[0046] The housing 110 serves as a structural body of the male terminal connector 100, and is used to mount the remaining components of the male terminal connector 100. The housing 110 can be made of an insulating material, such as plastic.

[0047] The housing 110 has a plurality of mounting holes 111. Each mounting hole 111 extends along the front-rear direction X.

[0048] Each first terminal assembly 120 is inserted into the housing 110 along the front-rear direction X, and the plurality of first terminal assemblies 120 are arranged in multiple rows along the longitudinal direction Z and in multiple columns along the lateral direction Y.

[0049] Specifically, Figure 3 and Figure 4 In the male terminal connector 100 shown in FIG. 1, the number of first terminal assemblies 120 is four, and the four first terminal assemblies 120 are arranged in two rows and two columns. The two first terminal assemblies 120 arranged at intervals along the lateral direction Y are in the same row, and the projections of the first terminal assemblies 120 in the same row overlap each other in the projection direction Y. The two first terminal assemblies 120 arranged at intervals along the longitudinal direction Z are in the same column, and the projections of the first terminal assemblies 120 in the same column overlap each other in the projection direction Z.

[0050] In other embodiments, the number of first terminal assemblies 120 can also be six, and the six first terminal assemblies 120 are arranged in three rows and two columns, or two rows and three columns. In other embodiments, the number of first terminal assemblies 120 can also be eight, and the eight first terminal assemblies 120 are arranged in two rows and four columns, or four rows and two columns.

[0051] The first terminal assemblies 120 correspond one-to-one to the mounting holes 111, and each first terminal assembly 120 is accommodated in the corresponding mounting hole 111.

[0052] The first terminal assemblies 120 are used to be inserted and mated with the second terminal assemblies 220 in the female terminal connector 200 along the front-rear direction X and electrically conductive.

[0053] Please refer to Figure 5 and Figure 6 . Figure 5 FIG. 2 is a partial three-dimensional structural schematic view of the first terminal assembly 120 in the embodiment of the present application. Figure 6 FIG. 3 is a partial three-dimensional structural schematic view of the second terminal assembly 220 in the embodiment of the present application.

[0054] The first terminal assembly 120 includes first conductive parts 121 and a first shielding shell 122. The first shielding shell 122 surrounds the first conductive parts 121 in the front-rear direction X as the axis direction. In order to insulate, a first insulating part 123 is further arranged between the first conductive parts 121 and the first shielding shell 122. Specifically, the number of the first conductive parts 121 is two, and the first shielding shell 122 surrounds the two first conductive parts 121.

[0055] The second terminal assembly 220 includes second conductive parts 221 and a second shielding shell 222. The second shielding shell 222 surrounds the second conductive parts 221 in the front-rear direction X as the axis direction. The second conductive parts 221 form a plug-in slot 224. In order to insulate, a second insulating part 223 is further arranged between the second conductive parts 221 and the second shielding shell 222. Specifically, the number of the second conductive parts 221 is two, and the second shielding shell 222 surrounds the two second conductive parts 221.

[0056] In the connected state of the male connector 100 and the female connector 200, the first conductive parts 121 are inserted into the plug-in slot 224 formed by the second conductive parts 221 of the second terminal assembly 220 in the front-rear direction X, thereby being in electrical conduction with the second conductive parts 221. The first shielding shell 122 is sleeved outside the second shielding shell 222 of the second terminal assembly 220. Thus, the function of transmitting power and / or signals is realized.

[0057] The cable 130 corresponds to the first terminal assembly 120 one by one, and each cable 130 is connected to and in electrical conduction with the corresponding first terminal assembly 120. Specifically, the cable 130 is connected to and in electrical conduction with the first conductive parts 121 in the corresponding first terminal assembly 120. Specifically, the cable 130 is a twisted pair wire. Two conductive cores in the twisted pair wire are respectively connected to the two first conductive parts 121 in the first terminal assembly 120. As to the form of the first conductive part 121 and the specific connection mode of the first conductive part 121 and the conductive core, known techniques and development means in the art can be adopted to realize, and no additional description is made here.

[0058] In some embodiments, in order to ensure the stable position of the cable 130 on the housing 110, the male connector 100 further includes a clamping groove (not shown in the figure). The clamping groove is used to fix the cable 130. The clamping groove can be a commercially available product, for example, a standard 7mm clamping groove. The clamping groove is not necessarily required.

[0059] The locking part 140 is movably arranged on the housing 110 in the longitudinal direction Z and can selectively be in a locked position or an unlocked position. In the locked position, the locking part 140 blocks and limits each first terminal assembly 120 in the front-rear direction X. In the unlocked position, the locking part 140 is separated from each first terminal assembly 120.

[0060] Specifically, the housing 110 has a receiving groove 112 (see Figure 7 ), which respectively communicates with each mounting hole 111 and the communication is located at the side wall of the mounting hole 111. The receiving groove 112 is open at one side along the longitudinal direction Z. The locking member 140 has a locking portion 142, which is inserted into the receiving groove 112 along the longitudinal direction Z through the opening 113. In the locking position, the locking portion 142 respectively extends into each mounting hole 111 through the communication of each mounting hole 111 and the receiving groove 112 to block and limit each first terminal assembly 120 along the front-back direction X. In the unlocking position, the locking portion 142 respectively exits each mounting hole 111 to separate from each first terminal assembly 120.

[0061] In one assembly scenario of the wire end male connector 100, the locking member 140 is first placed in the unlocking position, then the first terminal assembly 120 connected with the cable 130 is inserted into the corresponding mounting hole 111, and then the locking member 140 is switched to the locking position, so that the locking member 140 fixes the first terminal assembly 120 to avoid the first terminal assembly 120 from exiting the mounting hole 111.

[0062] In the technical solution, the wire end male connector 100 cooperates with the wire end female connector 200 to facilitate wiring conversion and improve the convenience of wiring. In addition, in the wire end male connector 100, one locking member 140 is used to lock all the first terminal assemblies 120, which improves the efficiency of assembling the wire end male connector 100.

[0063] Please continue to refer to Figure 4 The first terminal assembly 120 has a limiting groove 124 which is annularly arranged around the first terminal assembly 120 with the front-back direction X as the axis. Specifically, the first shielding shell 122 forms the limiting groove 124. The locking portion 142 is in the form of a flat plate and is arranged vertically relative to the front-back direction X. The locking portion 142 is clamped in the limiting groove 124 to block and limit the first terminal assembly 120.

[0064] Specifically, when the locking member 140 is in the locking position, the projection of the locking portion 142 partially overlaps the projection of the first terminal assembly 120 with the front-back direction X as the projection direction. When the locking member 140 is in the unlocking position, the projection of the locking portion 142 does not intersect the projection of the first terminal assembly 120 with the front-back direction X as the projection direction. In this way, the locking portion 142 can selectively block the movement of the first terminal assembly 120 along the front-back direction X.

[0065] In other embodiments, the first terminal assembly 120 can also be formed with a protrusion (not shown) which protrudes radially outwardly, and the locking portion 142 abuts against the protrusion along the front-back direction X to limit the movement of the first terminal assembly 120.

[0066] In the embodiment, the plurality of first terminal assemblies 120 are arranged into multiple rows along the longitudinal direction Z, and the locking member 140 is inserted into the housing 110 along the longitudinal direction Z and can lock the first terminal assemblies 120 in each row. Generally, the locking member 140 can more easily lock the first terminal assemblies 120 in the first row closest to the opening 113, and the locking effect on the first terminal assemblies 120 in the second row next to the opening 113 is relatively poor due to the space limitation of the first terminal assemblies 120 in the first row away from the opening 113. Specifically, to lock the first terminal assemblies 120, the first portion of the locking portion 142 is blocked and positioned along the front-rear direction X with the first terminal assemblies 120, and the second portion of the locking portion 142 adjacent to the first portion is blocked and positioned along the front-rear direction X with the housing 110, thereby fixing the position of the first terminal assemblies 120. When locking the first terminal assemblies 120 in the second row, the corresponding second portion has a relatively small contact area with the housing, thereby resulting in a relatively poor locking effect.

[0067] To improve the contact area of the second portion with the housing 110, the embodiment is further improved as follows.

[0068] Please refer to Figure 7 and Figure 8 . Figure 7 is a front view of the housing 110 in the embodiment. Figure 8 is Figure 7 A-A sectional view in the embodiment.

[0069] The plurality of mounting holes 111 include first mounting holes 111a and second mounting holes 111b. The first mounting holes 111a and the second mounting holes 111b are respectively used to accommodate two first terminal assemblies 120 adjacent to each other in the same column. The first mounting holes 111a are closest to the opening 113 along the longitudinal direction Z, and the second mounting holes 111b are next closest to the opening 113 along the longitudinal direction Z. The first mounting holes 111a are the mounting holes 111 corresponding to the first terminal assemblies 120 in the first row. The second mounting holes 111b are the mounting holes 111 corresponding to the first terminal assemblies 120 in the second row.

[0070] Please refer to Figure 9 . Figure 9 is a front view of the locking member 140 in the embodiment.

[0071] The locking portion 142 has a first outer edge 1421, a second outer edge 1422, and a third outer edge 1423 connected in sequence.

[0072] Please refer to Figure 10 and Figure 11 . Figure 10 is a sectional view of the locking member 140 assembled in the housing 110 in the embodiment, and the locking member 140 is in the unlocked position.Figure 11 is a sectional view of the locking member 140 assembled in the housing 110 in the locking position.

[0073] In the unlocking position, the first outer edge 1421 is flush with the sidewall of the first mounting hole 111a, the third outer edge 1423 is flush with the sidewall of the second mounting hole 111b, and the second outer edge 1422 is located in the accommodating groove 112.

[0074] In the locking position, the locking portion 142 corresponding to the second outer edge 1422 extends into the second mounting hole 111b and blocks the first terminal assembly 120.

[0075] In this embodiment, the space in the accommodating groove 112 is maximized, so that the locking portion 142 can have a relatively large abutting area with the housing 110 when locking the first terminal assembly 120 in the second mounting hole 111b, thereby improving the locking effect on the first terminal assembly 120.

[0076] Please refer to Figure 12 . Figure 12 is a schematic view of the locking member 140 and the first terminal assembly 120 in the blocking position in this embodiment of the application.

[0077] Further, the second outer edge 1422 includes a first sub-section 1424 and a second sub-section 1425. The first sub-section 1424 is arranged parallel to the longitudinal direction Z and is connected to the first outer edge 1421 on one side of the longitudinal direction Z. The second sub-section 1425 is connected between the first sub-section 1424 on the other side of the longitudinal direction Z and the third outer edge 1423. The profile of the second sub-section 1425 matches the shape of the groove bottom surface 1241 of the limiting groove 124 of the first terminal assembly 120 in the second mounting hole 111b. In the locking position, the second sub-section 1425 and the groove bottom surface 1241 have a radial spacing L from the first terminal assembly 120, and the spacing L is consistent in the circumferential direction of the first terminal assembly 120.

[0078] To enable the locking member 140 to be stably slidably fitted in the housing 110 along the longitudinal direction Z and to ensure that the locking portion 142 does not deviate in the transverse direction Y, this embodiment is further improved as follows.

[0079] Please refer to Figure 13 and Figure 14 . Figure 13 is a three-dimensional structural schematic view of the locking member 140 from a first perspective in this embodiment of the application. Figure 14 is a three-dimensional structural schematic view of the locking member 140 from a second perspective in this embodiment of the application.

[0080] The locking member 140 has a first guide portion 143, a second guide portion 144, a third guide portion 145, and a mark portion 146. The first guide portion 143 is protruded on one side surface of the locking portion 142 in the front-rear direction X and extends along the longitudinal direction Z. The second guide portion 144 and the third guide portion 145 are respectively protruded on the other side surface of the locking portion 142 in the front-rear direction X, and the second guide portion 144 and the third guide portion 145 are arranged in the longitudinal direction Z with a spacing therebetween and respectively extend along the longitudinal direction Z. The mark portion 146 is located between the second guide portion 144 and the third guide portion 145 in the longitudinal direction Z.

[0081] Please refer to Figure 7 . The side wall of the accommodating groove 112 is provided with a first guide groove 114 extending along the longitudinal direction Z. The side wall of the accommodating groove 112 is provided with a second guide groove 115 extending along the longitudinal direction Z.

[0082] The first guide portion 143 is clamped in the first guide groove 114 and is in sliding fit with the shell 110 along the longitudinal direction Z. The second guide portion 144 and the third guide portion 145 are respectively clamped in the second guide groove 115 and are respectively in sliding fit with the shell 110 along the longitudinal direction Z.

[0083] In the embodiment, the first guide portion 143, the second guide portion 144, and the third guide portion 145 realize the guidance of the movement of the locking member 140 along the longitudinal direction Z, and at the same time, the structural strength of the locking portion 142 is enhanced, and the effect of blocking the movement of the first terminal assembly 120 is improved.

[0084] To realize that the locking member 140 is selectively located in the locking position or the unlocking position, the locking member 140 forms a blocking and limiting structure with the shell 110 on both sides in the transverse direction Y. The blocking and limiting structure on one side will be described in detail below, and the blocking and limiting structure on the other side can be referred to for implementation.

[0085] Please refer to Figure 15 . Figure 15 is a three-dimensional structure schematic view of the shell 110 in the embodiment of the application.

[0086] The shell 110 has a first blocking portion 117, a second blocking portion 118, and a third blocking portion 119 which are respectively protruded in the transverse direction Y. The first blocking portion 117 and the second blocking portion 118 are arranged in the longitudinal direction Z with a spacing therebetween. The third blocking portion 119 is respectively located on the same side of the first blocking portion 117 and the third blocking portion 119 in the front-rear direction X. With the front-rear direction X as a projection direction, the projection of the third blocking portion 119 is located between the projection of the first blocking portion 117 and the projection of the second blocking portion 118 in the longitudinal direction Z.

[0087] Please refer to Figure 13 , 14The locking member 140 has an elastic arm 147, and a fourth blocking portion 148 and a fifth blocking portion 149 protruding along the transverse direction Y at the free end of the elastic arm 147, respectively. The free end can swing along the transverse direction Y under the action of an external force.

[0088] In the assembled state, the fourth blocking portion 148 is located between the first blocking portion 117 and the second blocking portion 118 along the longitudinal direction Z. When the fifth blocking portion 149 is located on one side of the third blocking portion 119 along the longitudinal direction Z, the locking member 140 is in the unlocked position; when the fifth blocking portion 149 is located on the other side of the third blocking portion 119 along the longitudinal direction Z, the locking member 140 is in the locked position.

[0089] Specifically, the locking member 140 is inserted into the housing 110 along the longitudinal direction Z, and in the process of pushing the locking member 140, the free end of the elastic arm 147 is expanded under the action of the pushing force, so that the fourth blocking portion 148 passes over the first blocking portion 117 and moves to between the first blocking portion 117 and the second blocking portion 118, and the fifth blocking portion 149 is located on the side of the third blocking portion 119 along the longitudinal direction Z toward the opening 113. At this time, the locking member 140 is in the unlocked position. In the state that the locking member 140 is in the unlocked position, the locking member 140 is continuously pushed, and in the process of pushing the locking member 140, the free end of the elastic arm 147 is expanded under the action of the pushing force, so that the fifth blocking portion 149 passes over the third blocking portion 119, and the fifth blocking portion 149 is located on the side of the third blocking portion 119 along the longitudinal direction Z away from the opening 113. At this time, the locking member 140 is in the locked position.

[0090] In summary, in the embodiment of the present application, the male connector at the end of the wire is matched with the female connector at the end of the wire to realize the connection of the cable, facilitate the wiring switching, and improve the convenience of wiring. The male connector at the end of the wire has a plurality of first terminal assemblies, which can meet the multi-channel Ethernet signal transmission requirement. In addition, one locking member in the male connector at the end of the wire is used to lock all the first terminal assemblies, which improves the efficiency of assembling the male connector at the end of the wire.

[0091] The above steps provide an introduction to help understand the method, structure and core idea of the present application. For those skilled in the art, without departing from the principles of the present application, the present application can be improved and modified in several ways, and these improvements and modifications also belong to the scope of protection of the claims of the present application.

Claims

1. A wire end male connector for mating with a mating wire end female connector (200) in a front-rear direction (X), characterized by, The wire end male connector (100) comprises: a housing (110); a plurality of first terminal assemblies (120), each of which is inserted into the housing (110) along the front-rear direction (X), and the first terminal assemblies (120) are arranged in multiple rows along the longitudinal direction (Z) and multiple columns along the lateral direction (Y), and any two of the front-rear direction (X), the lateral direction (Y), and the longitudinal direction (Z) are perpendicular to each other, and the first terminal assemblies (120) are used to be plugged and electrically connected with the second terminal assemblies (220) in the wire end female connector (200) along the front-rear direction (X); a plurality of cables (130), each of which corresponds to one of the first terminal assemblies (120) and is electrically connected with the corresponding first terminal assembly (120); a locking member (140) movably arranged in the housing (110) along the longitudinal direction (Z) and selectively in a locked position or an unlocked position, in the locked position, the locking member (140) blocks and limits each of the first terminal assemblies (120) along the front-rear direction (X), and in the unlocked position, the locking member (140) is separated from each of the first terminal assemblies (120).

2. The wire end male connector according to claim 1, wherein: the housing (110) has a plurality of mounting holes (111), each of which extends along the front-rear direction (X), and the first terminal assemblies (120) correspond to the mounting holes (111) one by one, and each of the first terminal assemblies (120) is accommodated in the corresponding mounting hole (111); the housing (110) has a receiving groove (112) in communication with each of the mounting holes (111) and located at the side wall of the mounting hole (111), and the receiving groove (112) is open at one side along the longitudinal direction (Z); the locking member (140) has a locking portion (142) inserted into the receiving groove (112) along the longitudinal direction (Z) through the opening (113); in the locked position, the locking portion (142) extends into each of the mounting holes (111) through the communication part of each of the mounting holes (111) and the receiving groove (112) to block and limit each of the first terminal assemblies (120) along the front-rear direction (X), and in the unlocked position, the locking portion (142) exits each of the mounting holes (111) to be separated from each of the first terminal assemblies (120).

3. The wire end male connector according to claim 2, wherein: The first terminal assembly (120) has a limiting groove (124) annularly arranged around the front-rear direction (X), the locking portion (142) is flat and is arranged vertically relative to the front-rear direction (X), and the locking portion (142) is clamped in the limiting groove (124) to block the first terminal assembly (120).

4. The male wire end connector according to claim 3, wherein The plurality of mounting holes (111) include a first mounting hole (111a) and a second mounting hole (111b), the first mounting hole (111a) and the second mounting hole (111b) are respectively used for accommodating two first terminal assemblies (120) located on the same column and adjacent to each other, the first mounting hole (111a) is most adjacent to the opening (113) in the longitudinal direction (Z), and the second mounting hole (111b) is least adjacent to the opening (113) in the longitudinal direction (Z). The locking portion (142) has a first outer edge (1421), a second outer edge (1422), and a third outer edge (1423) connected in sequence. In the unlocked position, the first outer edge (1421) is flush with the side wall of the first mounting hole (111a), the third outer edge (1423) is flush with the side wall of the second mounting hole (111b), and the second outer edge (1422) is located in the accommodating groove (112).

5. The wire end male connector of claim 4, wherein, The second outer edge (1422) includes: A first sub-section (1424) arranged in parallel with the longitudinal direction (Z) and connected to the first outer edge (1421) on one side of the longitudinal direction (Z); A second sub-section (1425) connected between the first sub-section (1424) on the other side of the longitudinal direction (Z) and the third outer edge (1423), the profile of the second sub-section (1425) matches the shape of a groove bottom surface (1241) of the limiting groove (124) of the first terminal assembly (120) in the second mounting hole (111b), and the second sub-section (1425) and the groove bottom surface (1241) have a radial distance L from the first terminal assembly (120) in the locked position, the distance L is consistent in the circumferential direction of the first terminal assembly (120).

6. The male wire end connector according to claim 3, wherein The locking member (140) has a first guide portion (143) protruding from a side surface of the locking portion (142) on the front-rear direction (X) and extending along the longitudinal direction (Z); A side wall of the accommodating groove (112) is provided with a first guide groove (114) extending along the longitudinal direction (Z); The first guide portion (143) is clamped in the first guide groove (114) and slidably engages with the housing (110) along the longitudinal direction (Z).

7. The male wire end connector according to claim 6, wherein The locking member (140) has a second guide portion (144), a third guide portion (145), and a mark portion (146). The second guide portion (144) and the third guide portion (145) are respectively provided on the other side surface of the locking portion (142) in the front-rear direction (X), are spaced apart along the longitudinal direction (Z), and respectively extend along the longitudinal direction (Z). The mark portion (146) is located between the second guide portion (144) and the third guide portion (145) along the longitudinal direction (Z). The side wall of the accommodating groove (112) is provided with a second guide groove (115) extending along the longitudinal direction (Z). The second guide portion (144) and the third guide portion (145) are respectively clamped in the second guide groove (115) and respectively slide along the longitudinal direction (Z) with the shell (110).

8. The male connector according to claim 1, wherein The shell (110) has a first blocking portion (117), a second blocking portion (118), and a third blocking portion (119) respectively protruding along the transverse direction (Y). The first blocking portion (117) and the second blocking portion (118) are spaced apart along the longitudinal direction (Z). The locking member (140) has a resilient arm (147) and a fourth blocking portion (148) and a fifth blocking portion (149) respectively protruding from the free end of the resilient arm (147) along the transverse direction (Y). The free end can swing along the transverse direction (Y) under external force. The fourth blocking portion (148) is located between the first blocking portion (117) and the second blocking portion (118) along the longitudinal direction (Z). When the fifth blocking portion (149) is located on one side of the third blocking portion (119) along the longitudinal direction (Z), the locking member (140) is in the unlocked position. When the fifth blocking portion (149) is located on the other side of the third blocking portion (119) along the longitudinal direction (Z), the locking member (140) is in the locked position.

9. The male connector according to any one of claims 1-8, wherein The number of the first terminal assemblies (120) is four, and the four first terminal assemblies (120) are arranged in two rows and two columns.

10. The wire end male connector of any one of claims 1-8, wherein, The first terminal assembly (120) comprises: A first conductive portion (121) for being inserted into an insertion groove (224) formed by a second conductive portion (221) of the second terminal assembly (220) along the front-rear direction (X) to electrically conduct with the second conductive portion (221); A first shielding shell (122) surrounding the first conductive portion (121) along the front-rear direction (X) for being sleeved outside a second shielding shell (222) of the second terminal assembly (220), and the second shielding shell (222) surrounds the second conductive portion (221) along the front-rear direction (X). The cable (130) is connected to and electrically connected with the first conductive part (121) in the corresponding first terminal assembly (120).

11. A connector assembly characterized by, Comprise: A wire end male connector (100) and a wire end female connector (200) are inserted and fitted in the front and back direction (X), and the wire end male connector (100) is the wire end male connector (100) of any one of claims 1-10.

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