Connector housing and connector

Abstract

The utility model discloses a connector housing and a connector. The connector housing includes: a housing main body formed with a plurality of terminal jacks extending in a longitudinal direction thereof and arranged in a row in a transverse direction thereof; and the locking piece is positioned on the outer side of the shell main body and is connected with the shell main body. The locking piece comprises a plurality of locking teeth which are arranged in a row along the transverse direction of the shell main body, a plurality of slotted holes which respectively correspond to the plurality of locking teeth are formed in the shell main body, and the plurality of slotted holes are respectively communicated with the plurality of terminal jacks; the locking piece can move between a locking position where the locking teeth are connected with the groove holes and an unlocking position where the locking teeth are separated from the groove holes. And when the locking piece is moved to the locking position, the locking teeth are inserted into the slotted holes and extend into the terminal jacks, so that the terminals are locked in the terminal jacks. According to the utility model, the partition walls are arranged between the adjacent slotted holes, and the partition walls can increase the creepage distance between the two adjacent terminals.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to a connector housing and a connector including the connector housing. Background Technology

[0002] In the prior art, connectors typically include a housing and a row of terminals. A row of terminal sockets is formed in the housing, and the terminals are inserted into these sockets. To reliably lock the terminals in the sockets, a locking element (or secondary lock) and a slot adapted to engage with the locking element are typically formed on the top wall of the housing. The locking element and the slot extend laterally from left to right along the housing. Therefore, the slot forms a lateral opening on the top wall of the housing extending from left to right, which reduces the creepage distance between adjacent terminals, causing the creepage distance between adjacent terminals to fail to meet requirements. Utility Model Content

[0003] The purpose of this utility model is to solve at least one aspect of the aforementioned problems and defects existing in the prior art.

[0004] According to one aspect of the present invention, a connector housing is provided. The connector housing includes: a housing body having a plurality of terminal sockets extending longitudinally therein and arranged in a row transversely therein; and a locking member located outside the housing body and connected to the housing body. The locking member includes a plurality of locking teeth arranged in a row transversely along the housing body, and a plurality of slots corresponding to the plurality of locking teeth are formed on the housing body, the plurality of slots communicating with the plurality of terminal sockets respectively; the locking member is movable between a locked position in which the locking teeth engage with the slots and an unlocked position in which the locking teeth disengage from the slots. When the locking member is moved to the locked position, the locking teeth are inserted into the slots and extend into the terminal sockets to lock the terminals in the terminal sockets.

[0005] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the locking member further includes a cover plate, wherein the plurality of locking teeth are protrudingly formed on the surface of the cover plate facing the shell body; and the cover plate is flexibly connected to the shell body, such that the locking member can rotate relative to the shell body between the locked position and the unlocked position.

[0006] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, when the locking member is rotated to the locking position, the plurality of slots on the housing body are covered by the cover plate.

[0007] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a snap-fit ​​feature is formed on the locking tooth, and a mating snap-fit ​​feature adapted to engage with the snap-fit ​​feature is formed on the inner wall of the slot; when the locking member is rotated to the locking position, the snap-fit ​​feature engages with the mating snap-fit ​​feature to hold the locking member in the locking position.

[0008] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the snap-fit ​​feature is a protrusion formed on the locking tooth, and the mating snap-fit ​​feature is a groove formed on the inner wall of the slot.

[0009] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the cover plate has a predetermined elasticity, thereby enabling the buckle feature to disengage from the mating buckle feature by pushing the cover plate; when the buckle feature disengages from the mating buckle feature, the cover plate can automatically reset the locking member to the unlocked position under the action of its own elastic restoring force.

[0010] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the shell body has a top wall and a bottom wall opposite each other in its height direction, and the locking member is located on the outer side of the top wall of the shell body and connected to the top wall of the shell body.

[0011] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the shell body has a first partition wall located between two adjacent slots and a second partition wall located between two adjacent terminal sockets, the top of the first partition wall being connected to the top of the corresponding second partition wall, and the thickness of the first partition wall being greater than that of the second partition wall.

[0012] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, at least one rib is formed on the outer surface of the cover plate, the at least one rib extending laterally along the shell body for engaging with a human finger, so that the latching feature on the locking tooth can be pushed to a position disengaged from the mating latching feature by the human finger.

[0013] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the cover plate has a front side and a rear side opposite each other in the longitudinal direction of the shell body, and the rear side of the cover plate is connected to the rear side of the top wall of the shell body.

[0014] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the housing body has a front side and a rear side opposite each other in its longitudinal direction, and a slot is formed on a second partition wall between two adjacent terminal sockets to allow insertion of a flexible flat cable or a flexible circuit board, the slot extending forward along the longitudinal direction of the housing body from the rear side of the second partition wall by a predetermined length.

[0015] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the connector housing further includes: an elastic buckle located on the outside of the bottom wall of the housing body and flexibly connected to the bottom wall of the housing body, which is movable between a locked position engaged with the mating housing and an unlocked position disengaged from the mating housing.

[0016] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the elastic buckle includes: a cantilever portion whose front end is connected to the front side of the bottom wall of the housing body; and a protrusion formed on the outer side of the cantilever portion, the cantilever portion being suspended below the bottom wall of the housing body, the protrusion being adapted to engage with a slot on the mating housing to lock the connector housing and the mating housing together.

[0017] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the elastic buckle further includes an unlocking part connected to the rear end of the cantilever part, so that the elastic buckle can be moved to the unlocked position by pressing the unlocking part.

[0018] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the connector housing is an integral injection molded part.

[0019] According to another aspect of the present invention, a connector is provided. The connector includes: the aforementioned connector housing; and a plurality of terminals, respectively inserted into a plurality of terminal sockets in the housing body. When the locking member is moved to the locked position, the plurality of locking teeth are respectively inserted into the plurality of slots and abut against the plurality of terminals to lock the plurality of terminals in the plurality of terminal sockets.

[0020] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the connector further includes: a flexible circuit board, wherein the rear ends of the plurality of terminals are pressed onto the front end of the flexible circuit board and electrically connected to the plurality of conductive traces on the flexible circuit board respectively, and the front end of the flexible circuit board and the plurality of terminals are inserted together into the housing body.

[0021] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the connector further includes: a flexible flat cable, wherein the rear ends of the plurality of terminals are crimped to the front ends of the flexible flat cable and electrically connected to the plurality of core wires of the flexible flat cable respectively, and the front ends of the flexible flat cable and the plurality of terminals are inserted together into the housing body.

[0022] In the foregoing exemplary embodiments of the present invention, a row of locking elements is formed on the locking element, and only a row of slots corresponding to the row of locking teeth needs to be formed on the housing body. A partition wall is provided between adjacent slots, which can increase the creepage distance between two adjacent terminals.

[0023] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, and will help to provide a comprehensive understanding of the invention. Attached Figure Description

[0024] Figure 1 This diagram shows a perspective view of a connector housing according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, viewed from the front, with the locking element in the unlocked position.

[0025] Figure 2 This diagram shows a perspective view of a connector housing according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, viewed from the rear, with the locking element in the locked position.

[0026] Figure 3 This shows a longitudinal sectional view of a connector housing according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, viewed from the front, with the locking element in the unlocked position;

[0027] Figure 4 This shows a longitudinal sectional view of a connector housing according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, viewed from the rear, with the locking element in the unlocked position;

[0028] Figure 5 Another longitudinal sectional view of the connector housing according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, viewed from the rear, shows the locking element in the unlocked position;

[0029] Figure 6 Another longitudinal sectional view of the connector housing according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, viewed from the rear, shows the locking element in the locked position;

[0030] Figure 7 This shows a cross-sectional view of a connector housing according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, wherein the locking element is in the unlocked position. Detailed Implementation

[0031] The technical solution of this utility model will be further described in detail below through embodiments and in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In this specification, the same or similar reference numerals indicate the same or similar components. The following description of the embodiments of this utility model with reference to the accompanying drawings is intended to explain the overall inventive concept of this utility model and should not be construed as a limitation thereof.

[0032] Furthermore, in the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth for ease of explanation to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments disclosed herein. However, it will be apparent that one or more embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and apparatuses are illustrated to simplify the figures.

[0033] According to a general technical concept of this utility model, a connector housing is provided. The connector housing includes: a housing body having a plurality of terminal sockets extending longitudinally therein and arranged in a row laterally therein; and a locking member located outside the housing body and connected to the housing body. The locking member includes a plurality of locking teeth arranged in a row laterally along the housing body, and a plurality of slots corresponding to the plurality of locking teeth are formed on the housing body, the plurality of slots communicating with the plurality of terminal sockets respectively; the locking member is movable between a locked position in which the locking teeth engage with the slots and an unlocked position in which the locking teeth disengage from the slots. When the locking member is moved to the locked position, the locking teeth insert into the slots and extend into the terminal sockets to lock the terminals in the terminal sockets.

[0034] According to another general technical concept of this utility model, a connector is provided. The connector includes: the aforementioned connector housing; and a plurality of terminals, which are respectively inserted into a plurality of terminal sockets of the housing body. When the locking member is moved to the locking position, the plurality of locking teeth are respectively inserted into the plurality of slots and abut against the plurality of terminals to lock the plurality of terminals in the plurality of terminal sockets.

[0035] Figure 1 This diagram shows a front-view perspective view of a connector housing 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, wherein the locking member 11 is in the unlocked position; Figure 2 This diagram shows a perspective view of a connector housing 1 from the rear, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, wherein the locking member 11 is in the locked position. Figure 3 This shows a longitudinal sectional view of a connector housing 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, viewed from the front, with the locking member 11 in the unlocked position; Figure 4 Showing a longitudinal sectional view of a connector housing 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, viewed from the rear, with the locking member 11 in the unlocked position; Figure 5 Another longitudinal sectional view of the connector housing 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown from the rear, with the locking member 11 in the unlocked position; Figure 6Another longitudinal sectional view of the connector housing 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown from the rear, wherein the locking member 11 is in the locked position; Figure 7 This shows a cross-sectional view of a connector housing 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, wherein the locking member 11 is in the unlocked position.

[0036] like Figures 1 to 7 As shown, in an exemplary embodiment of this utility model, a connector housing 1 is disclosed. The connector housing 1 includes a housing body 10 and a locking member 11. The housing body 10 has a plurality of terminal sockets 101 extending along its longitudinal direction Y, and the plurality of terminal sockets 101 are arranged in a row in the transverse direction X of the housing body 10. The locking member 11 is located outside the housing body 10 and connected to the housing body 10. The locking member 11 includes a plurality of locking teeth 112 arranged in a row along the transverse direction X of the housing body 10, and a plurality of slots 102 corresponding to the plurality of locking teeth 112 are formed on the housing body 10. The plurality of slots 102 communicate with the plurality of terminal sockets 101 respectively. The locking member 11 can be locked in a locking position where the locking teeth 112 engage with the slots 102. Figure 2 The position shown) and the unlocking position where the locking tooth 112 disengages from the slot 102 (the position shown) Figure 1 The locking member 11 moves between the positions shown. When the locking member 11 is moved to the locked position, the locking teeth 112 insert into the slot 102 and extend into the terminal socket 101 to lock the terminal in the terminal socket 101.

[0037] like Figures 1 to 7 As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the locking member 11 further includes a cover plate 111, with a plurality of locking teeth 112 protruding on the surface of the cover plate 111 facing the housing body 10. The cover plate 111 is flexibly connected to the housing body 10, allowing the locking member 11 to rotate relative to the housing body 10 between a locked position and an unlocked position.

[0038] like Figures 1 to 7 As shown in the illustrated embodiment, when the locking member 11 is rotated to the locked position, the plurality of slots 102 on the housing body 10 are covered by the cover plate 111.

[0039] like Figures 1 to 7 As shown in the illustrated embodiment, a snap-fit ​​feature 112a is formed on the locking tooth 112, and a mating snap-fit ​​feature 102a adapted to engage with the snap-fit ​​feature 112a is formed on the inner wall of the slot 102. When the locking member 11 is rotated to the locked position, the snap-fit ​​feature 112a engages with the mating snap-fit ​​feature 102a to hold the locking member 11 in the locked position.

[0040] like Figures 1 to 7As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the snap-fit ​​feature 112a is a protrusion formed on the locking tooth 112, and the mating snap-fit ​​feature 102a is a groove formed on the inner wall of the slot 102.

[0041] like Figures 1 to 7 As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the cover plate 111 has a predetermined elasticity, which allows the snap-fit ​​feature 112a to disengage from the mating snap-fit ​​feature 102a by pushing the cover plate 111. When the snap-fit ​​feature 112a disengages from the mating snap-fit ​​feature 102a, the cover plate 111 can automatically reset the locking member 11 to the unlocked position under the action of its own elastic restoring force.

[0042] like Figures 1 to 7 As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the shell body 10 has a top wall and a bottom wall opposite each other in its height direction Z, and the locking member 11 is located on the outer side of the top wall of the shell body 10 and connected to the top wall of the shell body 10.

[0043] like Figures 1 to 7 As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the shell body 10 has a first partition wall 105 located between two adjacent slots 102 and a second partition wall 104 located between two adjacent terminal sockets 101. The top of the first partition wall 105 is connected to the top of the corresponding second partition wall 104, and the thickness of the first partition wall 105 is greater than that of the second partition wall 104.

[0044] like Figures 1 to 7 As shown in the illustrated embodiment, at least one rib 113 is formed on the outer surface of the cover plate 111. The at least one rib 113 extends laterally X along the shell body 10 for engaging with a human finger, so that the latching feature 112a on the locking tooth 112 can be pushed to a position disengaged from the mating latching feature 102a by the human finger.

[0045] like Figures 1 to 7 As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the cover plate 111 has a front side and a rear side opposite each other in the longitudinal direction Y of the shell body 10, and the rear side of the cover plate 111 is connected to the rear side of the top wall of the shell body 10.

[0046] like Figures 1 to 7 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, the housing body 10 has a front side and a rear side opposite each other in its longitudinal direction Y, and a slot 103 is formed on a second partition wall 104 between two adjacent terminal sockets 101 to allow insertion of a flexible flat cable or flexible circuit board. The slot 103 extends forward along the longitudinal direction Y of the housing body 10 from the rear side of the second partition wall 104 by a predetermined length.

[0047] like Figures 1 to 7As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the connector housing also includes an elastic buckle 12, which is located on the outside of the bottom wall of the housing body 10 and is flexibly connected to the bottom wall of the housing body 10, and is movable between a locked position engaged with the mating housing and an unlocked position disengaged from the mating housing.

[0048] like Figures 1 to 7 As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the resilient buckle 12 includes a cantilever portion 121 and a protrusion 122. The front end of the cantilever portion 121 is connected to the front side of the bottom wall of the housing body 10. The protrusion 122 is formed on the outer side of the cantilever portion 121. The cantilever portion 121 is suspended below the bottom wall of the housing body 10, and the protrusion 122 is adapted to engage with a slot on the mating housing to lock the connector housing and the mating housing together.

[0049] like Figures 1 to 7 As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the elastic buckle 12 further includes an unlocking part 123, which is connected to the rear end of the cantilever part 121 so that the elastic buckle 12 can be moved to the unlocked position by pressing the unlocking part 123.

[0050] like Figures 1 to 7 As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the connector housing is a one-piece injection molded part.

[0051] like Figures 1 to 7 As shown, in another exemplary embodiment of this utility model, a connector is also disclosed. The connector includes: the aforementioned connector housing 1 and a plurality of terminals (not shown), the plurality of terminals being respectively inserted into a plurality of terminal sockets 101 of the housing body 10. When the locking member 11 is moved to the locked position, a plurality of locking teeth 112 are respectively inserted into a plurality of slots 102 and abut against a plurality of terminals to lock the plurality of terminals in the plurality of terminal sockets 101.

[0052] like Figures 1 to 7 As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the connector further includes a flexible circuit board (not shown), the rear ends of multiple terminals are pressed onto the front end of the flexible circuit board and electrically connected to multiple conductive traces on the flexible circuit board. The front end of the flexible circuit board and the multiple terminals are inserted together into the housing body 10.

[0053] like Figures 1 to 7 As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the connector further includes a flexible flat cable (not shown), the rear ends of which are crimped onto the front ends of the flexible flat cable and electrically connected to the various core wires of the flexible flat cable. The front ends of the flexible flat cable and the various terminals are inserted together into the housing body 10.

[0054] Those skilled in the art will understand that the embodiments described above are exemplary and can be improved upon. The structures described in the various embodiments can be freely combined without causing structural or principle conflicts, and these changes should fall within the protection scope of this utility model.

[0055] Although the present invention has been described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, the embodiments disclosed in the drawings are intended to illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention and should not be construed as a limitation thereof.

[0056] While some embodiments of the general concept of this utility model have been shown and described, those skilled in the art will understand that changes may be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the general concept of this utility model, the scope of which is defined by the claims and their equivalents.

[0057] It should be noted that the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the words "a" or "an" do not exclude multiple elements. Furthermore, any reference numerals in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope of this invention.

Claims

1. A connector housing characterized by, Comprising: a housing body (10) formed with a plurality of terminal insertion holes (101) extending in a longitudinal direction (Y) thereof and arranged in a row in a lateral direction (X) thereof; and a lock member (11) located outside the housing body (10) and connected to the housing body (10), the lock member (11) including a plurality of lock teeth (112) arranged in a row in the lateral direction (X) of the housing body (10), a plurality of groove holes (102) corresponding to the plurality of lock teeth (112), respectively, being formed in the housing body (10) and communicating with the plurality of terminal insertion holes (101), respectively, the lock member (11) being movable between a locked position in which the lock teeth (112) engage with the groove holes (102) and an unlocked position in which the lock teeth (112) disengage from the groove holes (102), when the lock member (11) is moved to the locked position, the lock teeth (112) are inserted into the groove holes (102) and extend into the terminal insertion holes (101) to lock terminals in the terminal insertion holes (101).

2. The connector housing according to claim 1, characterized in that: the lock member (11) further includes a cover plate (111), the plurality of lock teeth (112) being protrusively formed on a surface of the cover plate (111) facing the housing body (10); and the cover plate (111) is flexibly connected to the housing body (10) so that the lock member (11) is rotatable relative to the housing body (10) between the locked position and the unlocked position.

3. The connector housing according to claim 2, characterized in that: when the lock member (11) is rotated to the locked position, the plurality of groove holes (102) in the housing body (10) are covered by the cover plate (111).

4. The connector housing according to claim 2, characterized in that: snap features (112a) are formed on the lock teeth (112), and counter snap features (102a) adapted to engage with the snap features (112a) are formed on inner walls of the groove holes (102); when the lock member (11) is rotated to the locked position, the snap features (112a) engage with the counter snap features (102a) to hold the lock member (11) in the locked position.

5. The connector housing according to claim 4, characterized in that: the snap features (112a) are protrusions formed on the lock teeth (112), and the counter snap features (102a) are slots formed on the inner walls of the groove holes (102).

6. The connector housing according to claim 4, characterized in that: the cover plate (111) has a predetermined elasticity so that the snap features (112a) can be disengaged from the counter snap features (102a) by pushing the cover plate (111). When the snap feature (112a) is disengaged from the counter snap feature (102a), the cover plate (111) is able to automatically reset the lock member (11) to the unlocked position under the action of its own elastic reset force.

7. The connector housing according to claim 2, wherein: The shell body (10) has a top wall and a bottom wall opposite in the height direction (Z) thereof, and the lock member (11) is located on the outside of the top wall of the shell body (10) and is connected to the top wall of the shell body (10).

8. The connector housing according to claim 7, wherein: The shell body (10) has a first partition wall (105) located between two adjacent slots (102) and a second partition wall (104) located between two adjacent terminal receptacles (101), the first partition wall (105) is connected to the top of the corresponding second partition wall (104), and the thickness of the first partition wall (105) is greater than that of the second partition wall (104).

9. The connector housing according to claim 4, wherein: At least one rib (113) is formed on the outer surface of the cover plate (111), the at least one rib (113) extends along the transverse direction (X) of the shell body (10) and is used to engage with a human finger, so that the snap feature (112a) on the lock tooth (112) can be pushed to a position disengaged from the counter snap feature (102a) by a human finger.

10. The connector housing according to claim 7, wherein: The cover plate (111) has a front side and a rear side opposite in the longitudinal direction (Y) of the shell body (10), and the rear side of the cover plate (111) is connected to the rear side of the top wall of the shell body (10).

11. The connector housing according to claim 8, wherein: The shell body (10) has a front side and a rear side opposite in the longitudinal direction (Y) thereof, and an insertion slot (103) allowing flexible flat cable or flexible circuit board to be inserted is formed on the second partition wall (104) between two adjacent terminal receptacles (101), the insertion slot (103) extends a predetermined length from the rear side of the second partition wall (104) to the front along the longitudinal direction (Y) of the shell body (10).

12. The connector housing of claim 7, wherein, Further comprising: An elastic buckle (12) located on the outside of the bottom wall of the shell body (10) and flexibly connected to the bottom wall of the shell body (10), and capable of moving between a locked position engaged with a counter housing and an unlocked position disengaged from the counter housing.

13. The connector housing according to claim 12, wherein: The elastic buckle (12) comprises: A cantilever portion (121) having a front end connected to the front side of the bottom wall of the shell body (10); and A protruding portion (122) formed on the outside of the cantilever portion (121), The cantilever portion (121) is suspended below the bottom wall of the shell body (10), and the protruding portion (122) is adapted to engage with a clamping slot on the counter housing to lock the connector housing and the counter housing together.

14. The connector housing according to claim 13, characterized in that: the elastic buckle (12) further comprises: an unlocking portion (123) connected to the rear end of the cantilever portion (121) to enable the elastic buckle (12) to be moved to an unlocked position by pressing the unlocking portion (123).

15. The connector housing according to any one of claims 1-14, characterized in that: the connector housing is an integral injection molding piece.

16. A connector characterized by comprising: comprises: the connector housing (1) according to any one of claims 1-15; and a plurality of terminals respectively inserted into a plurality of terminal insertion holes (101) of the housing main body (10), when the locking member (11) is moved to the locked position, the plurality of locking teeth (112) are respectively inserted into the plurality of slot holes (102) and abut against the plurality of terminals respectively to lock the plurality of terminals in the plurality of terminal insertion holes (101) respectively.

17. The connector of claim 16, wherein, further comprises: a flexible circuit board, rear ends of the plurality of terminals being crimped to front ends of the flexible circuit board and being respectively electrically connected to a plurality of conductive traces on the flexible circuit board, the front ends of the flexible circuit board and the plurality of terminals are inserted into the housing main body (10) together.

18. The connector of claim 16, wherein, further comprises: a flexible flat cable, rear ends of the plurality of terminals being crimped to front ends of the flexible flat cable and being respectively electrically connected to a plurality of core wires of the flexible flat cable, the front ends of the flexible flat cable and the plurality of terminals are inserted into the housing main body (10) together.

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