Latches for connectors, connector housings, male connectors, and connector assemblies

Abstract

The utility model belongs to the field of electric connector, specifically provide a lock catch, connector housing, male connector and connector assembly for connector. The lock catch includes fixed part and press part, the fixed part is used for loading into the clamping groove of the connector housing setting, the fixed part is equipped with two elastic cantilever along the direction of fixed part loading into the clamping groove in use, is equipped with barb on elastic cantilever, barb has the hooking surface for with the hooking structure of the connector housing setting stop cooperation, to prevent the fixed part from the clamping groove and come out. The connector housing has the hooking cooperation surface for with the barb of the lock catch stop cooperation. The male connector includes above-mentioned connector housing and lock catch. The connector assembly includes above-mentioned male connector. Through setting hooking structure on the shell, setting elastic cantilever on the lock catch, the utility model can utilize the cooperation of hooking structure and lock hook, prevent the fixed part from the clamping groove and come out, improve the reliability of lock catch and connector housing fixation.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model belongs to the field of electrical connectors, and in particular relates to a latch, connector housing, male connector and connector assembly for connectors. Background Technology

[0002] In existing adapter connectors used between two PCBs, the male connector is equipped with a latch, and the female connector is equipped with a latching hole that mates with the latch. The latch and the latching hole work together to maintain a locked mating state between the male and female connectors. For example, utility model patent CN219892467U discloses an electrical connector and connector assembly. The housing of the electrical connector is provided with a latching assembly, and the housing of the adapter connector is provided with a latching hole. After mating with the adapter connector, the protruding locking point (convex bulge) on the latching assembly can enter the latching hole to lock the connector assembly.

[0003] Specifically, the existing lock structure is as follows: Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the device consists of two pressing parts 1 and a fixing part 2. The fixing part 2 is used to fix the latch to the housing 3. The pressing part 1 has a backstop protrusion 101 on the side facing away from the fixing part 2. Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the housing 3 is provided with a slot 301 for the insertion of the fixing part 2. The fixing part 2 has two end faces 201 in the width direction. After the fixing part 2 is inserted into the slot 301, the two end faces 201 are compressed by the slot 301, achieving a forced interference fit between the fixing part 2 and the housing 3 to fix the fixing part 2 and the housing 3. When the housings of the male and female connectors are mated, the anti-reverse protrusion 101 can enter the locking hole of the matching female connector, thereby locking the male and female connectors. When it is necessary to separate the male and female connectors, the pressing part 1 can be manually pressed to make the anti-reverse protrusion 101 exit from the locking hole, thereby separating the male and female connectors.

[0004] However, since the existing latches are fixed only by the interference fit between the protrusion and the slot, the fixing part is prone to come out of the slot and separate from the housing after the connector is plugged and unplugged repeatedly, resulting in poor reliability and failure of the connector mating and locking. Utility Model Content

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide a locking mechanism for connectors to solve the technical problem that the locking mechanism and housing fixation effect is unreliable in the prior art.

[0006] The purpose of this utility model is also to provide a connector housing that works in conjunction with the latch to solve the problem of unreliable fastening effect between the latch and the housing.

[0007] The purpose of this utility model is also to provide a male connector that uses the above-mentioned connector latch and connector housing to solve the same technical problem.

[0008] Meanwhile, the purpose of this utility model is also to provide a connector assembly including the above-mentioned male connector to solve the same technical problem.

[0009] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution for the locking mechanism of the connector provided by this utility model is as follows:

[0010] A latch for a connector includes a fixing part and a pressing part. The fixing part is used to insert into a slot provided in the connector housing to fix the latch to the connector housing. The fixing part is provided with two elastic cantilever arms extending in the direction in which the fixing part is inserted into the slot during use. The elastic cantilever arms are provided with barbs. The barbs have hook surfaces for engaging with hook structures provided in the connector housing to prevent the fixing part from coming out of the slot.

[0011] As a further improvement, the base of the flexible cantilever is provided with a strong protrusion for interference fitting into the slot to secure the latch to the connector housing.

[0012] As a further improvement, a reinforcing cantilever is provided between the two elastic cantilever arms, and the root of the reinforcing cantilever arm is connected to the root of the two elastic cantilever arms.

[0013] As a further improvement, the barb is provided with a guide surface for sliding along the side wall of the slot when the fixing part is inserted into the slot, so as to guide the fixing part into the slot.

[0014] This utility model is an improved invention, and its beneficial effects are: the latch in this utility model can also be fixed to the connector housing by the fixing part. Unlike the prior art, the fixing part is provided with two elastic cantilever arms, and barbs are provided on the elastic cantilever arms. After the fixing part is in place, the barbs can cooperate with the hook structure on the connector housing to prevent the fixing part from coming out of the slot, thereby improving the reliability of the fixing of the latch and the connector housing.

[0015] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution for the connector housing provided by this utility model is as follows:

[0016] A connector housing has a retaining part for a latch to be inserted into a slot to fix the latch and the housing. The housing has a hook structure with two hook mating surfaces for engaging with the barbs of two elastic cantilever arms provided with the retaining part to prevent the retaining part from coming out of the slot.

[0017] As a further improvement, hook protrusions are provided on both sides of the slot, and the hook structure consists of two hook protrusions.

[0018] As a further improvement, the hook protrusion has a guide surface for slidingly engaging with the barb when the fixing part is inserted into the slot, so as to guide the barb over the hook protrusion.

[0019] This utility model is an improved invention, and its beneficial effects are: by setting a hook structure on the housing, after the buckle is inserted into the slot, the hook mating surface of the hook structure can cooperate with the barb of the buckle's elastic cantilever to prevent the fixing part from coming out of the slot, thereby improving the reliability of the buckle and connector housing fixing.

[0020] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution for the male connector provided by this utility model is as follows:

[0021] A male connector includes a housing and a latch. The housing has a slot, and the latch includes a fixing part and a pressing part. The fixing part is inserted into the slot to fix the latch and the housing. The fixing part has two elastic cantilever arms extending in the direction in which the fixing part is inserted into the slot. The elastic cantilever arms have barbs. The housing has a hook structure. The barb structure has a hooking surface that engages with the hook structure. The hook structure has two hooking surfaces that engage with the barbs to prevent the fixing part from coming out of the slot.

[0022] As a further improvement, the base of the flexible cantilever is provided with a rigid protrusion to fix the latch to the housing by interference fit between the rigid protrusion and the slot.

[0023] As a further improvement, hook protrusions are provided on both sides of the slot, and the hook structure consists of two hook protrusions.

[0024] As a further improvement, the hook protrusion has a guide surface for slidingly engaging with the barb when the fixing part is inserted into the slot, so as to guide the barb over the hook protrusion.

[0025] As a further improvement, a reinforcing cantilever is provided between the two elastic cantilever arms, and the root of the reinforcing cantilever arm is connected to the root of the two elastic cantilever arms.

[0026] As a further improvement, the barb is provided with a guide surface for sliding along the side wall of the slot when the fixing part is inserted into the slot, so as to guide the fixing part into the slot.

[0027] This utility model is an improved invention, and its beneficial effects are: the male connector housing is provided with a hook structure, the latch is provided with an elastic cantilever, and the elastic cantilever is provided with a barb. After the latch is inserted into the slot on the housing, the hook engagement surface of the hook structure can engage with the barb of the elastic cantilever of the latch to prevent the fixing part from coming out of the slot, thereby improving the reliability of the latch and the connector housing.

[0028] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution for the connector assembly provided by this utility model is as follows:

[0029] A connector assembly includes a male connector and a female connector, which are locked together by a latch. The male connector includes a housing and a latch. The housing has a slot. The latch includes a fixing part and a pressing part. The fixing part is inserted into the slot to fix the latch and the housing. The fixing part has two elastic cantilever arms extending in the direction in which the fixing part is inserted into the slot. The elastic cantilever arms have barbs. The housing has a hook structure. The barb structure has a hooking surface that engages with the hook structure. The hook structure has two hooking surfaces that engage with the barbs to prevent the fixing part from coming out of the slot.

[0030] As a further improvement, the base of the flexible cantilever is provided with a rigid protrusion to fix the latch to the housing by interference fit between the rigid protrusion and the slot.

[0031] As a further improvement, hook protrusions are provided on both sides of the slot, and the hook structure consists of two hook protrusions.

[0032] As a further improvement, the hook protrusion has a guide surface for slidingly engaging with the barb when the fixing part is inserted into the slot, so as to guide the barb over the hook protrusion.

[0033] As a further improvement, a reinforcing cantilever is provided between the two elastic cantilever arms, and the root of the reinforcing cantilever arm is connected to the root of the two elastic cantilever arms.

[0034] As a further improvement, the barb is provided with a guide surface for sliding along the side wall of the slot when the fixing part is inserted into the slot, so as to guide the fixing part into the slot.

[0035] This utility model is an improved invention, and its beneficial effects are: the male connector housing is provided with a hook structure, the latch is provided with an elastic cantilever, and the elastic cantilever is provided with a barb. After the latch is inserted into the slot on the housing, the hook engagement surface of the hook structure can engage with the barb of the elastic cantilever of the latch to prevent the fixing part from coming out of the slot, thereby improving the reliability of the latch and the connector housing. Attached Figure Description

[0036] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a locking mechanism used in connectors in the prior art, viewed from one angle.

[0037] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a locking mechanism used in connectors in the prior art from another perspective;

[0038] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view of the mating point between the latch and the connector housing in the prior art.

[0039] Figure 4 for Figure 3 A magnified view of a section at point A in the middle;

[0040] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of one perspective of an embodiment of the locking mechanism for connectors in this utility model;

[0041] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram from another perspective of an embodiment of the locking mechanism for connectors in this utility model;

[0042] Figure 7 for Figure 6 A magnified view of a section at point B in the middle;

[0043] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the locking mechanism for a connector in this invention before it is installed into the housing (the pressing part is hidden).

[0044] Figure 9 for Figure 8 A magnified view of a section at point C;

[0045] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram showing the process of inserting the locking mechanism for the connector in this invention into the housing (with the pressing part hidden).

[0046] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the latch for connector in this utility model after it is installed in the housing (the pressing part is hidden).

[0047] Figure 12 for Figure 11 A magnified view of a section at point D;

[0048] Figure 13 for Figure 11 A magnified view of a section at point E in the middle;

[0049] Figure 14 This is a schematic diagram showing the male connector embodiment of this utility model after mating with the female connector;

[0050] Figure 15 This is a cross-sectional view of the male connector embodiment of this utility model after mating with the female connector.

[0051] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0052] 1. Pressing part; 101. Anti-reverse protrusion; 2. Fixing part; 201. Reinforcing protrusion; 202. Elastic cantilever; 203. Barb; 204. Reinforcing cantilever; 2031. Hooking surface; 2032. Guide surface; 3. Housing; 301. Slot; 302. Hooking protrusion; 3021. Hooking mating surface; 3022. Guide surface. Detailed Implementation

[0053] To improve the fixing reliability of the latch and connector housing, the basic technical concept of this utility model is to configure a barb on the latch and to configure a hooking structure on the connector housing that engages with the barb to prevent the latch from retracting from the connector housing. Based on the above concept, the utility model will be further described in detail below with reference to some specific embodiments.

[0054] Specific embodiments of the male connector provided by this utility model:

[0055] like Figure 13 and Figure 14 As shown, the male connector includes a housing 3 and a latch, which is fixed to the housing 3. Specifically, as shown... Figures 5-7 As shown, the latch also includes a fixing part 2 and a pressing part 1. The latch is fixed to the housing 3 by the fixing part 2. Correspondingly, the housing 3 is provided with a slot 301 for the fixing part 2 to enter. The slot 301 can be formed by the spaced protrusions on the housing 3 and the main body of the housing 3. The fixing part 2 is also provided with a stop edge for engaging with the end of the protrusion to limit the limit position of the latch insertion. The pressing part 1 has a backstop protrusion 101 at the end opposite to the fixing part 2. After the male connector and the female connector are inserted, the backstop protrusion 101 can enter the latch hole provided by the female connector to lock the male connector and the female connector. When it is necessary to separate the two, the pressing part 1 can be pressed manually to make the backstop protrusion 101 exit from the latch hole, and then the male connector can be pulled out.

[0056] To prevent the fixing part 2 from loosening and dislodging from the slot 301 due to repeated plugging and unplugging of the male connector, in this embodiment, the fixing part 2 is provided with two elastic cantilever arms 202. The two elastic cantilever arms 202 extend along the insertion direction when the lock is in use (i.e., when it is inserted), and the insertion direction corresponds to... Figure 8 and Figure 10 The direction indicated by the middle arrow should be noted, however, that since the elastic cantilever 202 can undergo elastic deformation under force, the extension along the insertion direction here refers to the elastic cantilever 202 being substantially parallel to the insertion direction in its natural state. The elastic cantilever 202 is provided with barbs 203, each with a hooking surface 2031. Correspondingly, the housing 3 is provided with a hooking structure, which has two hooking mating surfaces 3021. These two surfaces are used to engage with the hooking surfaces 2031 of the two barbs 203, i.e., the hooking surfaces 2031 are used to engage with the hooking structure. Through the engaging (hooking) of the barbs 203 with the hooking structure, this embodiment prevents the fixing part 2 from dislodging from the slot 301.

[0057] Regarding the hook-and-loop structure described above, due to space limitations, not all embodiments can be exhaustively listed. The following only provides some typical embodiments to illustrate the hook-and-loop structure. For example, in some embodiments, such as... Figures 8-12 As shown, hook protrusions 302 are provided on both sides of the slot 301. These protrusions face inwards towards the inside of the slot 301. The two hook protrusions 302 constitute the hook structure described above. The end face of the hook protrusion 302 facing away from the opening of the slot 301 into which the fixing part 2 is inserted is the hook mating surface 3021. In this embodiment, the hook protrusions 302 ensure a large hooking contact area between the hook mating surface 3021 and the barb 203. Simultaneously, the hook protrusions 302 can also push the elastic cantilever 202 inwards, causing it to deform, thus forming a tight fit between the fixing part 2 and the slot 301. This makes the fit between the fixing part 2 and the slot 301 more reliable.

[0058] Regarding the hook structure, in other embodiments, grooves can also be made on both sides of the slot 301, and the barb 203 can be locked in the groove. In this case, the groove can restrict the position of the slot 301 in two directions, which can prevent it from falling back and limit the extreme position of the fixing part 2. At the same time, it can also fix the fixing part 2 relative to the slot 301.

[0059] Regarding the hook structure, in some other embodiments, it can also be formed directly by the end of the protruding rib that forms the slot 301 away from the end where the fixing part 2 is inserted, and the end face of this end is the hook mating surface 3021.

[0060] In embodiments employing the hook protrusion 302, more preferably, as Figures 8-12 As shown, the hook protrusion 302 has a guide surface 3022 that slides with the barb 203 when the fixing part 2 is inserted into the slot 301. The guide surface 3022 can be the inclined surface shown in the figure, or it can be an arc surface. By configuring the guide surface 3022, the elastic cantilever 202 can be pushed to slowly retract during the process of inserting the elastic cantilever 202 into the slot 301, so that the elastic cantilever 202 can pass over the hook protrusion 302.

[0061] Regarding the fixing method of the fixing part 2 and the slot 301 described above, in some embodiments, such as Figures 5-11 , Figure 13 As shown, the root of the elastic cantilever 202 is provided with a forced mounting protrusion 201, which, through an interference fit between the forced mounting protrusion 201 and the slot 301, fixes the latch to the housing 3. Because the forced mounting protrusion 201 is located at the root of the elastic cantilever 202, the root of the elastic cantilever 202 is stronger. Furthermore, when the forced mounting protrusion 201 is compressed, the elastic cantilever 202 tends to expand outwards, thereby making the fit between the barb 203 and the hook structure tighter, further improving the reliability of the fit between the fixing part 2 and the slot 301.

[0062] It should be added that in some other embodiments, it is not entirely necessary to provide a force-fitting protrusion 201 at the root of the elastic cantilever 202, or even entirely necessary to provide a force-fitting protrusion 201. For example, when the hook structure is a groove on the side wall of the slot 301, after the barb 203 enters the groove, it can be locked in the groove, thereby fixing the fixing part 2 and the slot 301. For another example, with... Figure 11 For example, the hook protrusion 302 and the barb 203 can cooperate to restrict the fixing part 2 from exiting the slot 301, and the retaining edge of the fixing part 2 can cooperate with the end of the rib that surrounds the slot 301 to restrict the insertion position of the fixing part 2. At this time, the fixing part 2 can be reliably positioned, so it is not necessary to provide the forced installation protrusion 201.

[0063] Furthermore, in some other embodiments, such as Figure 7 and Figure 12 As shown, the barb 203 has a guide surface 2032, which slides along the side wall of the slot 301 when the fixing part 2 is inserted into the slot 301, thereby guiding the fixing part 2 into the slot 301 and facilitating the installation of the lock. The guide surface 2032 can be a bevel or an arc surface.

[0064] To improve the overall strength of the latch, in some preferred embodiments, such as Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the fixing part 2 is provided with a reinforcing cantilever 204 located between the two elastic cantilever 202. The root of the reinforcing cantilever 204 is connected to the root of the two elastic cantilever 202. At this time, without affecting the normal elastic deformation of the two elastic cantilever 202, the root of the elastic cantilever 202 is made "stronger", thereby improving the overall strength of the lock.

[0065] Specific embodiments of the connector housing provided by this utility model:

[0066] The implementation of the connector housing is the same as that described in the implementation of the male connector described above, and will not be described in detail here.

[0067] The specific implementation of the locking mechanism for connectors provided by this utility model is as follows:

[0068] The implementation of the locking mechanism for the connector is the same as that described in the implementation of the male connector described above, and will not be described in detail here.

[0069] Specific embodiments of the connector assembly provided by this utility model:

[0070] Connector components can be referenced. Figures 13-15It includes a male connector and a female connector, which are locked together by a latch. The structure of the male connector is the same as the above-described implementation of the male connector, and will not be described in detail here.

[0071] Finally, it should be noted that the above description is only a preferred embodiment of this utility model and is not intended to limit this utility model. Although this utility model has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art can still make modifications to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments without creative effort, or make equivalent substitutions for some of the technical features. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of this utility model should be included within the protection scope of this utility model.

Claims

1. A latch for a connector, comprising a fixing part (2) and a pressing part (1), wherein the fixing part (2) is used to insert into a slot (301) provided in a connector housing (3) to fix the latch to the connector housing (3), characterized in that, The fixing part (2) is provided with two elastic cantilever (202) extending in the direction in which the fixing part (2) is inserted into the slot (301) during use. The elastic cantilever (202) is provided with a barb (203). The barb (203) has a hook surface (2031) for engaging with the hook structure provided on the connector housing (3) to prevent the fixing part (2) from coming out of the slot (301).

2. The latch for a connector according to claim 1, characterized in that, The base of the flexible cantilever (202) is provided with a strong mounting protrusion (201) for interference fitting into the slot (301) to secure the latch to the connector housing (3).

3. The latch for a connector according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, A reinforcing cantilever (204) is provided between the two elastic cantilever (202), and the root of the reinforcing cantilever (204) is connected to the root of the two elastic cantilever (202).

4. The latch for a connector according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The barb (203) is provided with a guide surface (2032) for sliding along the side wall of the slot (301) when the fixing part (2) is inserted into the slot (301) to guide the fixing part (2) into the slot (301).

5. A connector housing, wherein the housing (3) is provided with a retaining part (2) for inserting a latch to fix the latch and the housing (3) in a slot (301), characterized in that, The housing (3) is provided with a hook structure, which has two hook mating surfaces (3021) for respectively engaging with the barbs (203) of the two elastic cantilever (202) provided on the fixing part (2) to prevent the fixing part (2) from coming out of the slot (301).

6. The connector housing according to claim 5, characterized in that, The card slot (301) has hook protrusions (302) on both sides of the card slot (301), and the hook structure consists of two hook protrusions (302).

7. The connector housing according to claim 6, characterized in that, The hook protrusion (302) has a guide surface (3022) for sliding engagement with the barb (203) when the fixing part (2) is inserted into the slot (301) to guide the barb (203) over the hook protrusion (302).

8. A male connector, comprising a housing (3) and a latch, wherein the housing (3) is provided with a slot (301), and the latch includes a fixing part (2) and a pressing part (1), wherein the fixing part (2) is inserted into the slot (301) to fix the latch and the housing (3), characterized in that, The fixing part (2) is provided with two elastic cantilever (202) extending in the direction of the fixing part (2) being inserted into the slot (301). The elastic cantilever (202) is provided with a barb (203). The housing (3) is provided with a hook structure. The barb (203) structure has a hook surface (2031) that cooperates with the hook structure to stop. The hook structure has two hook mating surfaces (3021) that cooperate with the barb (203) to stop, so as to prevent the fixing part (2) from coming out of the slot (301).

9. The male connector according to claim 8, characterized in that, The base of the flexible cantilever (202) is provided with a mounting protrusion (201) to fix the latch to the housing (3) by interference fit between the mounting protrusion (201) and the slot (301).

10. The male connector according to claim 8, characterized in that, The card slot (301) has hook protrusions (302) on both sides of the card slot (301), and the hook structure consists of two hook protrusions (302).

11. The male connector according to claim 10, characterized in that, The hook protrusion (302) has a guide surface (3022) for sliding engagement with the barb (203) when the fixing part (2) is inserted into the slot (301) to guide the barb (203) over the hook protrusion (302).

12. The male connector according to any one of claims 8-11, characterized in that, A reinforcing cantilever (204) is provided between the two elastic cantilever (202), and the root of the reinforcing cantilever (204) is connected to the root of the two elastic cantilever (202).

13. The male connector according to any one of claims 8-11, characterized in that, The barb (203) is provided with a guide surface (2032) for sliding along the side wall of the slot (301) when the fixing part (2) is inserted into the slot (301) to guide the fixing part (2) into the slot (301).

14. A connector assembly comprising a male connector and a female connector, wherein the male connector and the female connector are locked together by a latch, characterized in that, The male connector is the male connector as described in any one of claims 8-13.

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