Indicator lamp structure and data module connector assembly
By designing an indicator light structure with a light-transmitting part and a light-emitting element on the data module plug socket, the problem of difficult socket identification in dim environments is solved, achieving the effects of fast and accurate insertion and reducing production costs.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-06-16
- Publication Date
- 2026-04-14
AI Technical Summary
In dimly lit environments, it is difficult to quickly and accurately insert the data cable connector into the socket of the data module plug. Existing electronic devices lack an effective indicator light structure.
Design an indicator light structure including a docking inner core and an inner core outer shell. The inner core outer shell is provided with a light-transmitting part and a light-emitting element. The light-transmitting part extends in a ring to form a light halo. When the light-emitting element is powered on, it indicates the position of the socket for easy insertion.
In dim environments, the light-transmitting part forms a halo, visually indicating the position of the jack, improving the accuracy and speed of data cable connector insertion, reducing production costs and simplifying the assembly process.
Smart Images
Figure CN224121093U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the field of data socket technology, and more specifically, to an indicator light structure and a data module plug socket. Background Technology
[0002] Data module connectors are primarily installed on electronic devices. One side of the connector is exposed on the outside of the device for easy connection to the corresponding data cable connector; the other side is located inside the device and electrically connects to the corresponding circuit board. Existing electronic devices typically have small indicator lights to show whether the device is powered on, but data module connectors do not have such indicators. In dimly lit environments, when connecting the data cable to the connector, it is difficult to immediately determine the location of the connector's socket, making it impossible to quickly and accurately insert the data cable into the socket. Utility Model Content
[0003] To address at least one of the aforementioned problems, this utility model first provides an indicator light structure, comprising a docking inner core and an inner core outer shell. The docking inner core is installed inside the inner core outer shell, and a light-emitting element is provided on the docking inner core. A docking hole is formed on the outer wall of one end of the inner core outer shell, and the docking hole communicates with the interior of the outer shell to facilitate the insertion of a data cable connector into the docking inner core. A light-transmitting portion is provided at the end of the inner core outer shell where the docking hole is located, and the light-transmitting portion extends circumferentially outside the docking hole, allowing the light from the light-emitting element to be emitted through the light-transmitting portion.
[0004] Optionally, the light-transmitting portion is annular.
[0005] Optionally, the docking core is a USB core, a Type-C core, an HDMI core, or an RJ45 core.
[0006] Optionally, the indicator light structure further includes a mounting housing fitted onto the inner core housing, the mounting housing being adapted for connection to an electronic device.
[0007] Optionally, the front end of the mounting housing is provided with an outward flange, and the outer peripheral wall of the mounting housing is provided with external threads.
[0008] Optionally, the rear end of the mounting housing has a first slot, and the bottom of the first slot has a second slot, which penetrates the mounting housing. The diameter of the first slot is larger than the diameter of the second slot. One end of the inner core housing is interference-fitted into the second slot, and the other end protrudes from the first slot and is cantilevered. A convex ring is fixedly provided on the outer wall of the inner core housing, and the convex ring is located in the first slot. The rear end of the mounting housing has a constricted flange, and the inner diameter of the constricted flange is smaller than the outer diameter of the convex ring.
[0009] Optionally, the inner core housing includes a first housing and a second housing, the first housing and the second housing are plugged into each other, the two ends of the mating inner core are respectively inserted into the first housing and the second housing, the first housing is inserted into the second slot and does not protrude from the second slot.
[0010] Optionally, the mating hole is located at the end of the first housing away from the second housing. The first housing is made of transparent plastic, the second housing is made of light-shielding plastic, and the side of the first housing where the light-transmitting part is located is coated with light-shielding paint, except for the location of the light-transmitting part.
[0011] Optionally, the inner core outer shell includes a light-shielding plastic shell and a transparent plastic end cap, the transparent plastic end cap being connected to the light-shielding plastic shell; the transparent plastic end cap is inserted into the second slot, the mating hole and the light-transmitting part are both provided on the transparent plastic end cap, the mating hole penetrates through the plastic end cap, and the mating inner core is inserted into the light-shielding plastic shell; the transparent plastic end cap, except for the light-transmitting part, is coated with light-shielding paint.
[0012] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial technical effects of this utility model are as follows:
[0013] 1. The light-transmitting part extends into a ring on the outer peripheral wall of the docking hole. When the light-emitting element is powered on and lit, the light-transmitting part forms a light ring. The docking hole is located inside the light ring. In a dim environment, the light ring formed by the light-transmitting part directly exposes the position of the docking hole and serves as an indicator. Users can directly insert the data cable connector into the light. It is not easy to impact hard surfaces, so the data cable connector can be quickly and accurately inserted into the docking hole and docked with the docking core.
[0014] 2. After the inner core and outer shell are plugged into each other, the rear end of the mounting shell is processed by a shrinking process to ensure a stable connection between the inner core and outer shell and the mounting shell. For different inner cores and outer shells and mating inner cores, the manufacturer only needs to open a mold to produce the same specification of mounting shell, which reduces production costs.
[0015] 3. When assembling the inner core and the inner core shell, simply insert both ends of the inner core into the first shell and the second shell respectively, and then connect the first shell and the second shell together. The assembly is simple and can effectively improve assembly production efficiency.
[0016] 4. Since transparent plastic is more expensive than light-blocking plastic, only the first housing containing the light-transmitting part is made of transparent plastic, while the second housing is made of conventional light-blocking plastic, thus reducing the cost.
[0017] 5. The end of the first housing with the docking hole, excluding the light-transmitting part, is covered with a light-shielding coating to block light. During the production process, it is beneficial to apply light-shielding coatings of different shapes to different docking cores, so that the shape of the light-transmitting part is different. When multiple different docking cores are installed on the same electronic device, the user can quickly and accurately understand the location of the corresponding docking core according to the shape of the light-transmitting part, thereby improving the docking accuracy. In addition, during production, the area of the light-shielding coating can be easily changed according to customer needs, thereby changing the area of the light-transmitting part.
[0018] In addition, this utility model provides a data module connector, including the indicator light structure described above.
[0019] Compared with the prior art, the data module plug socket described in this utility model has the same advantages as the above-mentioned indicator light structure, which will not be repeated here. Attached Figure Description
[0020] Figure 1 This is a structural diagram of the docking inner core, the inner core outer shell, and the mounting outer shell in an embodiment of this utility model;
[0021] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view of the docking inner core, the inner core outer shell, and the mounting outer shell in an embodiment of this utility model;
[0022] Figure 3 This is an exploded view of the docking inner core and the inner core outer shell in an embodiment of this utility model;
[0023] Figure 4 This is an exploded view of the docking inner core, the inner core outer shell, and the mounting outer shell in an embodiment of this utility model;
[0024] Figure 5 This is a structural diagram of a Type-C inner core in an embodiment of this utility model.
[0025] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached drawings: 1. Connecting inner core; 11. Light-emitting element; 2. Inner core outer shell; 21. Connecting hole; 22. Light-transmitting part; 23. First shell; 24. Second shell; 25. Protruding ring; 3. Mounting shell; 31. First slot; 32. Second slot; 33. Narrowing flange; 34. Outer flange. Detailed Implementation
[0026] To make the above-mentioned objectives, features and advantages of this utility model more apparent and understandable, the following description is provided in conjunction with the appendix. Figure 1-5 This application will be described in further detail.
[0027] The accompanying drawings of this utility model embodiment include a coordinate X, where the positive direction of the X-axis represents the front and the negative direction of the X-axis represents the rear.
[0028] Firstly, this utility model provides an indicator light structure, as shown in Embodiment 1, referring to... Figure 1 and Figure 2 The indicator light structure includes a mating inner core 1, an inner core outer shell 2, and a mounting shell 3. A circuit board is soldered onto the mating inner core 1, and a light-emitting element 11 is electrically connected to the circuit board. When the circuit board is powered on, the light-emitting element 11 emits light. The mating inner core 1 is installed inside the inner core outer shell 2. A mating hole 21 is provided on the outer wall of one end of the inner core outer shell 2, communicating with the interior of the shell to facilitate the insertion of a data cable connector into the mating inner core 1. The mounting shell 3 is fitted onto and connected to the inner core outer shell 2, and is suitable for connection to electronic devices. A light-transmitting portion 22 is provided at the end of the inner core outer shell 2 where the mating hole 21 is located. The light-transmitting portion 22 extends circumferentially outside the mating hole 21, allowing the light from the light-emitting element 11 to be emitted through the light-transmitting portion 22.
[0029] The inner core 1 is a USB inner core; or a Type-C inner core; or an HDMI inner core; or an RJ45 inner core. In this embodiment, the inner core 1 is preferably a USB inner core, and the inner core 1 is a double-ended inner core, that is, the inner core 1 has two USB connectors symmetrically arranged, so that one USB connector can be connected to the data cable connector on the outside of the electronic device; and the other connector can be electrically connected to the corresponding circuit board inside the electronic device.
[0030] Reference Figure 2 and Figure 3 The light-emitting element 11 can be an LED or a luminous coating. In this embodiment, the light-emitting element 11 is preferably an LED, and the LED emits white or other colored light when powered on, so that the light transmitted through the light-transmitting part 22 is also white or other colored, so that the user can distinguish the type of the inner core 1. In another embodiment, the light-emitting element 11 can be omitted from the circuit board, and instead, luminous coating can be directly applied to the light-transmitting part 22.
[0031] Reference Figures 2 to 4 The inner core and outer shell 2 includes a first shell 23 and a second shell 24. Both the first shell 23 and the second shell 24 are open on their adjacent sides, and the two ends of the mating inner core 1 are respectively inserted into the first shell 23 and the second shell 24. The first shell 23 has a first mating post integrally formed at the end closest to the second shell 24, and also has a first mating groove, with the first mating groove and the first mating post arranged alternately. The second shell 24 has a second mating post integrally formed at the end closest to the first shell 23, and also has a second mating groove, with the second mating groove and the second mating post arranged alternately. The first mating post can be interference-fitted into the second mating groove; the second mating post can also be interference-fitted into the first mating groove, thus making the assembly of the mating inner core 1 and the inner core and outer shell 2 more convenient.
[0032] Assuming the first housing 23 needs to mate with the data cable connector, the mating hole 21 is located at the end of the first housing 23 away from the second housing 24, and the light-transmitting part 22 is also located at the end of the first housing 23 away from the second housing 24. In order for the light of the light-emitting element 11 to pass through the light-transmitting part 22, the first housing 23 is made of transparent plastic, and the second housing 24 is made of black light-shielding plastic.
[0033] Reference Figures 2 to 4 The light-transmitting part 22 is a closed ring, and the docking hole 21 is located inside the annular light-transmitting part 22. The side of the first housing 23 where the docking hole 21 is located is coated with a light-shielding paint. In this embodiment, the light-shielding paint is preferably black. Except for the area of the light-transmitting part 22, the remaining areas of the first housing 23 where the docking hole 21 is located are coated with light-shielding paint, thus preventing the light from the light-emitting element 11 from emanating from the light-shielding paint area and allowing it to be emitted only from the light-transmitting part 22. When the light-emitting element 11 is powered on and lit, the light-transmitting part 22 forms a halo, with the docking hole 21 located within the halo. In dim environments, the halo formed by the light-transmitting part 22 clearly exposes the position of the docking hole 21, serving as an indicator. Users can directly insert the data cable connector into the light source, minimizing the risk of impact with hard surfaces, and thus enabling quick and accurate insertion of the data cable connector into the docking hole 21 to mate with the inner core 1. In another embodiment, the light-transmitting part 22 can be an open-shaped arc ring; in yet another embodiment, the light-transmitting part 22 can be a single small hole, and multiple small holes are provided, with the multiple small holes arranged at intervals along the circumference of the mating hole 21 to surround the mating hole 21.
[0034] Reference Figures 3 to 5 The shape of the light-transmitting part 22 can be adapted to the shape of the corresponding mating inner core 1; or it can not be adapted to the shape of the mating inner core 1. For example, when the mating inner core 1 is a Type-C inner core, the light-transmitting part 22 can be an elliptical ring with the same shape as the Type-C interface; or it can be a circular ring. This allows different mating inner cores 1 to have different shapes of the light-transmitting part 22, enabling users to quickly and accurately identify the model of the mating inner core 1 in dim environments by observing the shape of the light-transmitting part 22, thereby improving the accuracy of mating. Since the light-blocking coating is used to display the light-transmitting part 22, the area of the light-blocking coating can be easily changed according to customer needs during production, thereby changing the area of the light-transmitting part 22.
[0035] Reference Figures 1 to 4In this embodiment, the mounting housing 3 is preferably a metal housing. Let the end of the mounting housing 3 closest to the first housing 23 be the front end, and the other end be the rear end. A first slot 31 is formed at the rear end of the mounting housing 3, and a second slot 32 is formed at the bottom of the first slot 31, penetrating the mounting housing 3. The diameter of the first slot 31 is larger than the diameter of the second slot 32. The first housing 23 is inserted into the second slot 32 without protruding, thus eliminating the need for a light-shielding coating on the portion of the first housing 23 located within the second slot 32. The end of the second housing 24 furthest from the first housing 23 protrudes from the first slot 31 and is cantilevered at the rear end of the mounting housing 3.
[0036] Both the first housing 23 and the second housing 24 have integrally formed protruding rings 25 on their outer peripheral walls at their respective ends, and the protruding rings 25 on the first housing 23 and the second housing 24 are located within the first slot 31. The side of the protruding ring 25 on the first housing 23 away from the second housing 24 abuts against the bottom of the first slot 31 to achieve a limiting position. The rear end of the mounting shell 3 is formed with a tapered flange 33 through a tapering process. The inner diameter of the tapered flange 33 is smaller than the outer diameter of the protruding ring 25, and the side of the protruding ring 25 on the second housing 24 away from the first housing 23 abuts against the tapered flange 33, thereby making it difficult for the inner core shell 2 to be pulled out from inside the mounting shell 3, so that the inner core shell 2 and the mounting shell 3 can be connected.
[0037] The front end of the mounting housing 3 is integrally formed with an outward flange 34, and the outer peripheral wall of the mounting housing 3 is provided with external threads. When connecting to an electronic device, the mounting housing 3 can be inserted into the mounting hole opened in the electronic device, and a clamping nut can be threaded onto the mounting housing 3. The clamping nut cooperates with the outward flange 34 to clamp the wall of the electronic device, thereby realizing the installation.
[0038] The mounting housing 3 is also equipped with a dust cover. When not in use, the dust cover can be inserted into the docking core 1 to block dust or water from entering the docking core 1.
[0039] The implementation principle of the indicator light structure in this application embodiment is as follows: the light-transmitting part 22 extends into a ring on the outer peripheral wall of the docking hole 21. After the light-emitting element 11 is powered on and lit, the light-transmitting part 22 forms a light ring. The docking hole 21 is located inside the light ring. In a dim environment, the light ring formed by the light-transmitting part 22 directly exposes the position of the docking hole 21 and plays an indicative role. Users can directly insert the data cable connector into the light, which is not easy to impact with hard surfaces. Thus, the data cable connector can be quickly and accurately inserted into the docking hole 21 and docked with the docking core 1.
[0040] Example 2 differs from Example 1 in that the inner core and outer shell 2 include a light-shielding plastic shell and a transparent plastic end cap. The light-shielding plastic shell is made of conventional black plastic, and the transparent plastic end cap is glued to it. The transparent plastic end cap is inserted into the second slot 32. Both the mating hole 21 and the light-transmitting part 22 are located on the transparent plastic end cap, with the mating hole 21 penetrating through the end cap. The inner core 1 is inserted into the light-shielding plastic shell. Except for the light-transmitting part 22, the transparent plastic end cap is coated with light-shielding material. Thus, the light-transmitting plastic end cap is smaller than the first shell 23, achieving lower cost while ensuring the light-transmitting part 22 functions.
[0041] Secondly, another embodiment of the present invention provides a data module plug socket, including the indicator light structure described in the first aspect above.
[0042] Similarly, the components included in the "components," "mechanisms," and "devices" of this disclosure can also be flexibly combined. They can be modularly produced according to actual needs and assembled as an independent module; or they can be assembled separately to form a module in this device. The division of the above-mentioned components in this disclosure is only one embodiment for ease of reading and is not intended to limit the scope of protection of this disclosure. Any technical solution that includes the above-mentioned components and has the same function should be understood as an equivalent technical solution of this disclosure.
[0043] In the description of this disclosure, it should be understood that the terms "center," "longitudinal," "lateral," "length," "width," "thickness," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," "clockwise," "counterclockwise," "axial," "radial," and "circumferential" indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are used only for the convenience of describing this disclosure and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this disclosure.
[0044] Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," etc., are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined with "first," "second," etc., may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of that feature. In the description of this disclosure, "a plurality of" means at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise explicitly specified.
[0045] In this disclosure, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "joining," and "fixing," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components, unless otherwise expressly limited. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this disclosure according to the specific circumstances.
[0046] In this disclosure, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, "above" or "below" the second feature can mean that the first and second features are in direct contact, or that the first and second features are in indirect contact through an intermediate medium. Furthermore, "above," "on top of," and "over" the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. "Below," "below," and "under" the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.
[0047] It should be noted that when a component is referred to as "fixed to," "set on," "fixed to," or "mounted on" another component, it can be directly on the other component or there may be an intervening component. When a component is considered to be "connected to another component," it can be directly connected to the other component or there may be an intervening component. Furthermore, when a component is considered to be "fixedly connected" to another component, the connection can be detachable or non-detachable, such as through socketing, snap-fitting, integral molding, welding, etc., which are achievable in conventional technologies and will not be elaborated upon here.
[0048] The technical features of the above embodiments can be combined in any way. For the sake of brevity, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above embodiments are described. However, as long as there is no contradiction in the combination of these technical features, they should be considered to be within the scope of this specification.
[0049] The above embodiments are merely illustrative of several implementation methods of this disclosure, and their descriptions are relatively specific and detailed. However, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of the utility model patent. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and improvements without departing from the inventive concept of this disclosure, and these modifications and improvements all fall within the protection scope of this disclosure.
Claims
1. An indicator light structure, characterized in that: The device includes a docking inner core (1) and an inner core outer shell (2). The docking inner core (1) is installed inside the inner core outer shell (2). The docking inner core (1) is provided with a light-emitting element (11). A docking hole (21) is opened on the outer wall of one end of the inner core outer shell (2). The docking hole (21) communicates with the inside of the outer shell to facilitate the insertion of a data cable connector into the docking inner core (1). A light-transmitting part (22) is provided at one end of the inner core outer shell (2) where the docking hole (21) is opened. The light-transmitting part (22) extends circumferentially outside the docking hole (21). The light of the light-emitting element (11) is suitable for being emitted through the light-transmitting part (22).
2. The indicator light structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The light-transmitting part (22) is annular.
3. The indicator light structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The docking core (1) is a USB core, a Type-C core, an HDMI core, or an RJ45 core.
4. The indicator light structure according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that: It also includes a mounting housing (3), which is fitted onto the inner core housing (2) and is adapted to be connected to an electronic device.
5. The indicator light structure according to claim 4, characterized in that: The front end of the mounting housing (3) is provided with an outward flange (34), and the outer peripheral wall of the mounting housing (3) is provided with external threads.
6. The indicator light structure according to claim 4, characterized in that: The mounting housing (3) has a first slot (31) at its rear end, and a second slot (32) is provided at the bottom of the first slot (31). The second slot (32) penetrates the mounting housing (3), and the diameter of the first slot (31) is larger than the diameter of the second slot (32). One end of the inner core housing (2) is inserted into the second slot (32) with an interference fit, and the other end protrudes from the first slot (31) and is suspended. A convex ring (25) is fixedly provided on the outer wall of the inner core housing (2). The convex ring (25) is located in the first slot (31). The mounting housing (3) has a tapered flange (33) at its rear end, and the inner diameter of the tapered flange (33) is smaller than the outer diameter of the convex ring (25).
7. The indicator light structure according to claim 6, characterized in that: The inner core outer shell (2) includes a first shell (23) and a second shell (24), the first shell (23) and the second shell (24) are connected by insertion, the two ends of the mating inner core (1) are respectively inserted into the first shell (23) and the second shell (24), the first shell (23) is inserted into the second slot (32) and does not protrude from the second slot (32).
8. The indicator light structure according to claim 7, characterized in that: The docking hole (21) is located at the end of the first housing (23) away from the second housing (24). The first housing (23) is made of transparent plastic, and the second housing (24) is made of light-shielding plastic. The side of the first housing (23) where the light-transmitting part (22) is located is coated with light-shielding paint except for the position of the light-transmitting part (22).
9. The indicator light structure according to claim 6, characterized in that: The inner core shell (2) includes a light-shielding plastic shell and a transparent plastic end cap. The transparent plastic end cap is connected to the light-shielding plastic shell. The transparent plastic end cap is inserted into the second slot (32). The mating hole (21) and the light-transmitting part (22) are both provided on the transparent plastic end cap. The mating hole (21) penetrates the plastic end cap. The mating inner core (1) is inserted into the light-shielding plastic shell. The transparent plastic end cap is coated with light-shielding paint except for the position of the light-transmitting part (22).
10. A data module connector, characterized in that, Includes the indicator light structure as described in any one of claims 1-9.