A wire-to-wire connector

Abstract

The application relates to the technical field of connectors and discloses a wire-to-wire connector which comprises a male connecting piece and a female connecting piece, the male connecting piece comprises a male rubber shell and a plurality of plug pins arranged in the male rubber shell, the female connecting piece comprises a female rubber shell and a plurality of female terminals arranged in the female rubber shell, the male rubber shell is connected with the female rubber shell in a plug-in mode, and the wire-to-wire connector further comprises a clamping assembly, the clamping assembly comprises a clamping block and an elastically deformable buckling piece, the clamping block is fixed to the outer wall of the male rubber shell, the buckling piece is fixed to the outer wall of the female rubber shell, the buckling piece is connected with the clamping block in a buckling mode, and the buckling piece is pressed to unlock the buckling between the clamping block and the buckling piece. The buckling piece is elastically deformed to realize locking and unlocking in the plugging process, direct abrasion of the rigid structure is avoided, and the mechanical service life and the connection stability of the connector under the high-frequency plugging working condition are improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the technical field of connectors, and more particularly to a wire-to-wire connector. Background Technology

[0002] A connector is a device that connects two active devices and is used to transmit current or signals. In the current connector technology field, especially in high-frequency mating applications, the reliability of the mechanical connection between the male and female terminals is crucial.

[0003] In existing technologies, such as the connector structure disclosed in CN219458229U, the male and female plastic shells are fixed by interlocking the protrusions on the female plastic shell with the snap-fit ​​holes on the male plastic shell. This structure has a certain degree of reliability during initial assembly. However, after multiple insertion and removal cycles, the edges of the plastic protrusions and snap-fit ​​holes are prone to wear, plastic deformation, or even breakage, resulting in a decrease in snap-fit ​​force, loose connection, increased contact resistance, unstable signal transmission, or momentary power failure.

[0004] Therefore, while the existing connector structure based on the combination of card blocks and card holes has solved some of the problem of balancing insertion and extraction forces, it still has not overcome the problem of mechanical wear after repeated insertion and removal, and cannot meet the application requirements of high-frequency and high-reliability insertion and removal. Summary of the Invention

[0005] A wire-to-wire connector is provided to improve mating life and connection stability while maintaining ease of assembly.

[0006] The above-mentioned objective of this application is achieved through the following technical solution: A wire-to-wire connector includes a male connector and a female connector. The male connector includes a male housing and a plurality of pins disposed therein. The female connector includes a female housing and a plurality of female terminals disposed therein. The male housing and the female housing are plugged into each other. It also includes a snap-fit ​​assembly, which includes a snap-fit ​​block and an elastically deformable fastener. The snap-fit ​​block is fixed to the outer wall of the male housing, and the fastener is fixed to the outer wall of the female housing. The fastener is engaged with the snap-fit ​​block, and pressing the fastener unlocks the engagement between the snap-fit ​​block and the fastener.

[0007] By adopting the above technical solution, the traditional rigid block and hole engagement method is replaced by using a flexible and deformable fastening component to engage with the snap-fit ​​block through surface or line contact. The fastening component locks and unlocks through its own elastic deformation during insertion and removal, avoiding direct wear of the rigid structure. This improves the mechanical life and connection stability of the connector under high-frequency insertion and removal conditions, and enhances the mechanical connection reliability between the male and female housings.

[0008] Preferably, the fastening component includes a support part, an adjustment part, and a hook. The adjustment part is disposed opposite to the mother shell and connected to it through the support part. The hook abuts against the snap-fit ​​block. The adjustment part has a snap-fit ​​groove on the side facing the mother shell, and the snap-fit ​​block slides over the hook and is inserted into the snap-fit ​​groove.

[0009] By adopting the above technical solution, the support part, as the key lever fulcrum, efficiently converts the force of the operator pressing the adjustment part into the elastic displacement of the hook, making the unlocking operation less strenuous and with a shorter stroke. Users can easily separate the locking block from the hook without pressing hard, which significantly improves the unlocking operation experience and convenience, and is especially suitable for scenarios with limited space or where frequent insertion and removal are required.

[0010] Preferably, the snap-fit ​​assembly further includes a locking component, which includes an integrally formed sliding part and a locking part. The sliding part slides on the side of the adjusting part facing away from the mother shell. The snap-fit ​​block has a locking groove on the side facing the snap hook along the insertion direction of the mother shell. The snap hook has a movable groove opposite to the locking groove along the insertion direction of the mother shell. The locking part has a locking piece on the side facing the snap hook that passes through the movable groove and is inserted into the locking groove.

[0011] By adopting the above technical solution, the locking component constitutes an independent secondary locking switch. When the locking component is pushed to the locking position, the locking piece physically inserts into the locking groove of the snap-fit ​​block, forming a direct mechanical barrier. This effectively blocks the possible elastic rebound or deformation path of the snap-fit ​​hook. Even if an external object accidentally impacts or scrapes the adjustment part, its force cannot be transmitted and cause the snap-fit ​​hook to shift. This fundamentally eliminates accidental unlocking caused by accidental contact and greatly improves the reliability and safety of the connector in complex and multi-interference environments.

[0012] Preferably, the adjusting part has at least two limiting protrusions on the side facing the sliding part, the limiting protrusions are respectively arranged along the sliding direction of the sliding part, and the sliding part has a limiting notch on the side facing the adjusting part for the limiting protrusions to engage.

[0013] By adopting the above technical solution, the cooperation between the limiting protrusion and the limiting recess sets two or more clear physical stops for the sliding path of the locking component. When the locking component moves to the target position of locking or unlocking, the limiting protrusion is engaged with different limiting recesses respectively, which effectively prevents the locking component from slipping under vibration, impact or accidental external force, so that the secondary locking state of the connector always remains stable.

[0014] Preferably, the female terminal has two opposing fixing pieces at its end along the insertion direction of the female housing, and a connecting piece is provided on the opposite side of the two fixing pieces, and the pin is inserted between the two fixing pieces and abuts against the connecting piece.

[0015] By adopting the above technical solution, a single pin can simultaneously form at least three independent physical contact points with the inner sides of the two fixing plates and the connecting plate in the middle. Even if the contact performance of a certain contact point deteriorates due to wear or micro-vibration oxidation after long-term use, the remaining contact points can still maintain a low-resistance connection to ensure the continuity of current or signal transmission. This greatly slows down the process of overall connection performance degradation and significantly extends the effective service life of the connector.

[0016] Preferably, the end of the pin facing the female terminal is provided with an inclined guide slope.

[0017] By adopting the above technical solution, the guide bevel can guide the pin to smoothly enter the interface of the female terminal in the initial stage of insertion, avoiding rigid collision between the pin tip and the edge of the terminal, thereby significantly reducing the insertion force and making the insertion and removal operation more effortless and smoother.

[0018] Preferably, the male housing is provided with a male terminal that is connected to the corresponding pin, and the outer walls of both the female and male terminals are fixedly connected with limiting springs, and the male and female housings are respectively provided with limiting grooves for the limiting springs to engage.

[0019] By adopting the above technical solution, the limiting spring is engaged with the limiting groove in the housing by its elastic force, forming a positive mechanical interlock, which eliminates the backward movement of the terminal under the action of insertion and extraction force, continuous cable pulling force or vibration inertial force, and ensures the continuous stability of the electrical connection.

[0020] Preferably, the male and female rubber shells are respectively provided with pressing members at the limiting groove, the inner wall of the limiting groove is provided with a sliding groove, the outer wall of the pressing member is provided with a sliding block that slides in the sliding groove, and the pressing member is abutting against the limiting spring.

[0021] By adopting the above technical solution, the bottom of the pressing component is pressed down to release the limiting spring, which disengages it from the latch of the limiting groove, thus making it easy to remove the terminal without the need to use other tools to press the limiting spring. This facilitates later maintenance, replacement of damaged terminals or changes in wiring sequence, and reduces maintenance costs.

[0022] Preferably, the outer wall of the female shell is provided with a guide block, and the inner wall of the male shell is provided with a guide groove for the guide block to be inserted.

[0023] By adopting the above technical solution, the insertion of the guide block and the guide groove plays a guiding and foolproof role. The male and female rubber shells can only be inserted in the correct direction and angle, eliminating the possibility of reverse connection, incorrect connection or other incorrect angle insertion caused by operator negligence.

[0024] In summary, this application includes at least one of the following beneficial technical effects: 1. The support part, as a key lever fulcrum, efficiently converts the force of the operator pressing the adjustment part into the elastic displacement of the hook. Pressing the adjustment part can easily separate the locking block from the hook, avoiding direct wear of the rigid structure, thereby improving the mechanical life and connection stability of the connector under high-frequency insertion and removal conditions. 2. When the locking piece is pushed to the locked position, the locking plate physically inserts into the locking groove of the snap-fit ​​block, forming a direct mechanical barrier that effectively blocks the possible elastic rebound or deformation path of the snap-fit ​​hook, preventing accidental unlocking due to accidental contact, and improving the reliability and safety of the connector in complex environments. Attached Figure Description Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a wire-to-wire connector. Figure 2 An exploded view of the male and female connectors; Figure 3 This is a sectional view of the male connector. Figure 4 Cross-sectional view of a wire-to-wire connector Figure 1 ; Figure 5 This is a sectional view of the female end connector; Figure 6 Cross-sectional view of a wire-to-wire connector Figure 2 ; Figure 7 A schematic diagram of the explosion between the male and female plastic shells; Figure 8 for Figure 7 A magnified view of a portion at point A.

[0025] Reference numerals: 1. Male connector; 11. Male housing; 111. Mounting cavity; 112. Guide groove; 12. Pin; 121. Guide slope; 13. Male terminal; 2. Female connector; 21. Female housing; 211. Guide block; 22. Female terminal; 221. Fixing piece; 222. Insertion space; 223. Connecting piece; 3. Snap-fit ​​assembly; 31. Snap-fit ​​block; 311. Locking groove; 32. Fastening piece; 321. Support part; 322. Adjustment part; 3221. Limiting protrusion; 323. Hook; 3231. Movable groove; 324. Snap-fit ​​groove; 33. Locking piece; 331. Sliding part; 332. Locking part; 333. Locking piece; 334. Limiting notch; 4. Limiting spring; 5. Limiting groove; 51. Slide groove; 6. Pressing piece; 61. Sliding block. Detailed Implementation The following section provides a more detailed description, in conjunction with the accompanying diagrams: As attached Figure 1 and attached Figure 2As shown, a wire-to-wire connector includes a male connector 1, a female connector 2, and a snap-fit ​​assembly 3. The male connector 1 includes a male housing 11, and the female connector 2 includes a female housing 21. Both the male housing 11 and the female housing 21 are made of plastic. The male housing 11 has a mounting cavity 111 on one side for the female housing 21 to be inserted into. The two outer side walls of the female housing 21 are integrally formed with guide blocks 211. The inner wall of the mounting cavity 111 has a guide groove 112 for the guide blocks 211 to be inserted into. The insertion of the guide blocks 211 and the guide groove 112 serves to guide and prevent mistaken insertion. The male housing 11 and the female housing 21 can only be inserted in the correct direction and angle, eliminating the possibility of reverse connection, incorrect connection, or other incorrect angle insertion due to operator negligence.

[0026] As attached Figure 3 and attached Figure 4 As shown, the male housing 11 has several male terminals 13 and pins 12. The end of the male terminal 13 away from the female housing 21 is used to bind the cable. The end of the male terminal 13 facing the female housing 21 is integrally fixedly connected to the pin 12. There are two pins 12 and two male terminals 13. The pins 12 are usually made of metal, such as copper alloy, to ensure good conductivity. The number of pins 12 can be adjusted according to the function of the connector and the usage scenario.

[0027] As attached Figure 4 and attached Figure 5 As shown, the female housing 21 has several female terminals 22. There are two female terminals 22 here. The two female terminals 22 are respectively aligned with two pins 12. The end of the female terminal 22 away from the male housing 11 is used to bind the cable. The end of the female terminal 22 facing the male housing 11 is fixedly connected to two oppositely arranged fixing pieces 221. When the male housing 11 and the female housing 21 are inserted, a insertion space 222 is formed between the two fixing pieces 221 for the pins 12 to be inserted. The pins 12 abut against the fixing pieces 221 to achieve electrical connection. The end of the pins 12 facing the female terminal 22 is provided with an inclined guide slope 121. The guide slope 121 can guide the pins 12 to smoothly enter the interface of the female terminal 22 in the initial stage of insertion, avoiding rigid collision between the pin tip and the edge of the terminal.

[0028] Two fixing plates 221 are respectively provided with connecting plates 223 on opposite sides. The connecting plates 223 are stamped from the fixing plates 221. The two oppositely arranged connecting plates 223 reduce the insertion space 222 of the pin 12. When the male shell 11 and the female shell 21 are inserted, the pin 12 is inserted into the insertion space 222 and abuts against the connecting plate 223. The connecting plate 223 is in close contact with the pin 12, ensuring the continuity of current or signal transmission and delaying the process of overall connection performance degradation.

[0029] As attached Figure 3and attached Figure 5 As shown, limiting springs 4 are fixedly connected to the outer wall of the bottom of the female terminal 22 and the outer wall of the top of the male terminal 13. The limiting springs 4 are made of elastic material. The male housing 11 and the female housing 21 are respectively provided with limiting grooves 5 for the limiting springs 4 to engage. When the male terminal 13 is inserted into the male housing 11, the limiting springs 4 on the male terminal 13 engage in the limiting grooves 5 of the male housing 11. When the female terminal 22 is inserted into the female housing 21, the limiting springs 4 on the female terminal 22 engage in the limiting grooves 5 of the female housing 21. The limiting springs 4 engage in the limiting grooves 5 with their elastic force and form a mechanical interlock, eliminating the backward movement of the terminal under the action of insertion and extraction force, continuous cable pulling force or vibration inertia force.

[0030] The male housing 11 and the female housing 21 are each provided with a pressing member 6 at the limiting groove 5. There are four pressing members 6 at this location. The pressing members 6 are rectangular blocks. Each limiting groove 5 has a sliding groove 51 on the side facing the pressing member 6. The pressing member 6 has a sliding block 61 on the side facing the inner wall of the limiting groove 5. One end of the sliding block 61 is fixedly connected to the pressing member 6, and the other end of the sliding block 61 slides in the sliding groove 51. The sliding block 61 gradually shrinks from the pressing member 6 towards the sliding groove 51, so as to facilitate the interference fit of the sliding block 61 in the sliding groove 51. The pressing member 6 in each limiting groove 5 is abutted against the limiting spring 4. When it is necessary to disassemble the male terminal 13 or the female terminal 22, it is only necessary to press the pressing member 6 to deform the limiting spring 4 and disengage it from the limiting groove 5, thereby realizing the disassembly of the male terminal 13 and the female terminal 22.

[0031] As attached Figure 5 and attached Figure 6 As shown, the snap-fit ​​assembly 3 includes a snap-fit ​​block 31 and an elastically deformable fastener 32. The snap-fit ​​block 31 is fixed to the outer wall of the male housing 11. The snap-fit ​​block 31 can be fixed to the male housing 11 by injection molding. The snap-fit ​​block 31 is block-shaped, and the snap-fit ​​block 31 has an inclined surface on the side facing the fastener 32, so as to facilitate the fastener 32 and the snap-fit ​​block 31 to snap together.

[0032] The fastener 32 is fixed to the outer wall of the mother plastic shell 21. The fastener 32 is made of elastic plastic and includes a support part 321, an adjustment part 322 and a hook 323. The adjustment part 322 is plate-shaped and is disposed opposite to the outer wall of the mother plastic shell 21. The adjustment part 322 and the outer wall of the mother plastic shell 21 are connected by the support part 321. The support part 321 is block-shaped and is perpendicularly connected to the adjustment part 322 and the mother plastic shell 21 respectively. The support part 321 is located in the middle of the adjustment part 322. Using the support part 321 as a lever fulcrum, pressing one end of the adjustment part 322 will cause the other end of the adjustment part 322 to elastically deform and spring up.

[0033] The hook 323 is fixedly connected to the end of the adjusting part 322 along the insertion direction of the female rubber shell 21. The hook 323 is fixedly connected perpendicularly to the adjusting part, and the side of the hook 323 along the insertion direction of the female rubber shell 21 is inclined. The adjusting part 322 also has a snap-fit ​​groove 324 on the side facing the female rubber shell 21. The hook 323 is located in the snap-fit ​​groove 324. The snap-fit ​​block 31, the hook 323 and the snap-fit ​​groove 324 are aligned and aligned with each other in the insertion direction of the female rubber shell 21. When the female rubber shell 21 and the male rubber shell 11 are initially inserted, the hook 323 has an inclined... One side of the inclined surface slides on the side of the locking block 31 with the inclined surface. When the female plastic shell 21 and the male plastic shell 11 are continuously inserted, the hook 323 will slide past the locking block 31 with interference and form a locking with the locking block 31. The locking block 31 will slide past the hook 323 with interference and insert into the locking groove 324 to achieve a fastening. When it is necessary to separate the male plastic shell 11 and the female plastic shell 21, press the end of the adjusting part 322 away from the hook 323. The end of the adjusting part 322 with the hook 323 will undergo elastic deformation, so that the hook 323 will disengage from the locking block 31 and achieve unlocking.

[0034] As attached Figure 7 and attached Figure 8 As shown, the snap-fit ​​assembly 3 also includes a locking member 33. The shape of the locking member 33 is the same as that of the fastening member 32. The locking member 33 includes an integrally formed sliding part 331 and a locking part 332. The sliding part 331 and the locking part 332 are perpendicularly connected. The sliding part 331 has a plate-like structure. The sliding part 331 is located on the side of the adjusting part 322 facing away from the mother shell 21 and slides on the surface of the mother shell 21. The locking part 332 is located on the side of the hook 323 facing away from the snap-fit ​​block 31. The locking part 332 also has a plate-like structure. The locking part 332 and the hook 323 are abutted against each other.

[0035] The snap-fit ​​block 31 has a locking groove 311 on the side facing the snap hook 323 along the insertion direction of the female housing 21. The snap hook 323 has a through movable groove 3231 along the insertion direction of the female housing 21, and the movable groove 3231 is aligned with the locking groove 311. A locking piece 333 is fixedly connected to the side of the locking part 332 facing the snap-fit ​​block 31, and the locking piece 333 passes through the movable groove 3231 and is inserted into the locking groove 311. The locking groove 311 is used to limit the locking piece 333. The locking piece 333 is inserted into the movable slot 3231 and forms a barrier. The locking piece 333 is used to limit the hook 323 in the vertical direction. When the end of the adjusting part 322 away from the hook 323 is pressed, the locking piece 333 effectively blocks the possible elastic rebound or deformation path of the hook 323. Even if an external object accidentally hits or scrapes the adjusting part 322, its force cannot be transmitted and cause the hook 323 to shift, thus fundamentally preventing accidental unlocking caused by accidental touch.

[0036] The adjusting part 322 has at least two limiting protrusions 3221 on the side facing the sliding part 331. There are two limiting protrusions 3221, each positioned along the sliding direction of the sliding part 331. The sliding part 331 has corresponding limiting recesses 334 on the side facing the adjusting part 322. The limiting protrusions 3221 can slide into the locking recesses 334 to limit and fix the locking piece 333. When the locking piece 333 slides along the insertion direction of the female housing 21, the sliding part 331 and the adjusting part 322... Part 322 is engaged by a limiting notch 334 and a limiting protrusion 3221. When the locking member 33 slides along the direction opposite to the insertion of the female housing 21, the sliding part 331 and the adjusting part 322 are engaged by the two limiting notches 334 and the two limiting protrusions 3221, which sets two clear physical positions for the sliding path of the locking member 33. When the locking member 33 moves to the target position of locking or unlocking, the limiting protrusions 3221 respectively engage with different limiting notches 334, effectively preventing the locking member 33 from slipping under vibration, impact or accidental external force.

[0037] The implementation principle of this embodiment is as follows: Locking is achieved through the interference fit between the rigid snap-fit ​​block 31 on the male housing 11 and the elastically deformable fastening member 32 on the female housing 21. The elastic restoring force of the fastening member 32 material replaces the frictional contact of the traditional rigid snap-fit ​​structure, significantly improving the mechanical life and connection stability under high-frequency insertion and removal conditions. Furthermore, the locking piece 333 on the sliding locking member 33 is inserted into the locking groove 311 on the snap-fit ​​block 31 to form a rigid mechanical interlock barrier, effectively preventing the elastic rebound or displacement of the fastening member 32 due to accidental contact or external impact, fundamentally eliminating accidental unlocking. At the same time, the stop-type cooperation between the limiting protrusion 3221 on the adjusting part 322 and the upper limit recess 334 on the sliding part 331 provides clear position retention and status feedback for the locking member 33, ensuring that the connector can maintain a stable locked or unlocked state in complex environments such as vibration and impact. Overall, it achieves a comprehensive performance improvement of high reliability, anti-misoperation and long life.

[0038] This specific embodiment is merely an explanation of this application and is not intended to limit it. After reading this specification, those skilled in the art can make modifications to this embodiment without contributing any inventive step, but such modifications are protected by patent law as long as they fall within the scope of protection claimed in this application.

Claims

1. A wire-to-wire connector, comprising a male connector (1) and a female connector (2), wherein the male connector (1) comprises a male housing (11) and a plurality of pins (12) disposed therein, and the female connector (2) comprises a female housing (21) and a plurality of female terminals (22) disposed therein, wherein the male housing (11) and the female housing (21) are plugged into each other, characterized in that... ； It also includes a snap-fit ​​assembly (3), which includes a snap-fit ​​block (31) and a resiliently deformable fastener (32). The snap-fit ​​block (31) is fixed to the outer wall of the male housing (11), and the fastener (32) is fixed to the outer wall of the female housing (21). The fastener (32) is engaged with the snap-fit ​​block (31), and pressing the fastener (32) unlocks the engagement between the snap-fit ​​block (31) and the fastener (32).

2. A wire-to-wire connector according to claim 1, characterized in that, The fastening component (32) includes a support part (321), an adjustment part (322), and a hook (323). The adjustment part (322) is disposed opposite to the mother shell (21) and connected to it through the support part (321). The hook (323) abuts against the snap-fit ​​block (31). The adjustment part (322) has a snap-fit ​​groove (324) on the side facing the mother shell (21), and the snap-fit ​​block (31) slides over the hook (323) and is inserted into the snap-fit ​​groove (324).

3. A wire-to-wire connector according to claim 2, characterized in that, The snap-fit ​​assembly (3) further includes a locking member (33), which includes an integrally formed sliding part (331) and a locking part (332). The sliding part (331) slides on the side of the adjusting part (322) facing away from the mother shell (21). The snap-fit ​​block (31) has a locking groove (311) on the side facing the hook (323) along the insertion direction of the mother shell (21). The hook (323) has a movable groove (3231) opposite to the locking groove (311) along the insertion direction of the mother shell (21). The locking part (332) has a locking piece (333) on the side facing the hook (323) that passes through the movable groove (3231) and is inserted into the locking groove (311).

4. A wire-to-wire connector according to claim 3, characterized in that, The adjusting part (322) is provided with at least two limiting protrusions (3221) on the side facing the sliding part (331). The limiting protrusions (3221) are respectively arranged along the sliding direction of the sliding part (331), and the sliding part (331) has a limiting notch (334) for the limiting protrusions (3221) to be engaged on the side facing the adjusting part (322).

5. A wire-to-wire connector according to claim 1, characterized in that, The female terminal (22) has two opposing fixing pieces (221) at its end along the insertion direction of the female housing (21). The two fixing pieces (221) have connecting pieces (223) on opposite sides respectively. The pin (12) is inserted between the two fixing pieces (221) and abuts against the connecting piece (223).

6. A wire-to-wire connector according to claim 1, characterized in that, The end of the pin (12) facing the female terminal (22) is provided with an inclined guide slope (121).

7. A wire-to-wire connector according to claim 1, characterized in that, The male housing (11) is provided with a male terminal (13) that is connected to the corresponding pin (12), and a limiting spring (4) is fixedly connected to the outer wall of both the female terminal (22) and the male terminal (13), and a limiting groove (5) for the limiting spring (4) to engage is opened in both the male housing (11) and the female housing (21).

8. A wire-to-wire connector according to claim 7, characterized in that, The male rubber shell (11) and the female rubber shell (21) are respectively provided with pressing parts (6) at the limiting groove (5). The inner wall of the limiting groove (5) is provided with a sliding groove (51). The outer wall of the pressing part (6) is provided with a sliding block (61) that slides in the sliding groove (51). The pressing part (6) is abutted against the limiting spring (4).

9. A wire-to-wire connector according to claim 1, characterized in that, The outer wall of the female plastic shell (21) is provided with a guide block (211), and the inner wall of the male plastic shell (11) is provided with a guide groove (112) for the guide block (211) to be inserted.

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