A connector secondary locking structure and a connector

Abstract

The utility model belongs to the field of electric connector, specifically provides a connector secondary locking structure and connector. The secondary locking structure includes the main part, the main part includes the manual operation part in the top and the two side walls in two side parts, the front end of main part is equipped with secondary locking cantilever, the outer side wall surface of two side walls is equipped with the guide boss, is used for with the limiting window on the connector shell cooperation and restricts the up and down position of main part relative to the connector shell, the rear end of side wall is equipped with the avoidance gap, is used for giving out the pressing operation part of connector's primary locking cantilever. The connector includes above -mentioned secondary locking structure. The utility model is equipped with the avoidance gap in the rear end of side wall, can give out the pressing operation part of primary locking cantilever, makes the pressing operation part expose, thereby when the staff operation unlocking, can conveniently press primary locking cantilever, especially for the miniaturization connector, like this can greatly promote the unlocking separation efficiency of connector.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model belongs to the field of electrical connectors, and in particular relates to a connector secondary locking structure and a connector. Background Technology

[0002] To enhance the reliability and safety of connector mating, automotive connectors are often equipped with a connector position assurance (CPA) structure to lock the connector in place after mating.

[0003] The applicant's invention patent application with publication number CN115579680A provides a waterproof FAKRA connector. This connector includes a primary locking cantilever and a CPA locking plate, forming a secondary locking structure. After mating with a male connector, the primary locking boss at the front end of the male connector engages with the primary locking cantilever to achieve primary locking. The CPA locking plate includes a locking plate cantilever (i.e., a secondary locking cantilever), a guide boss, a CPA limiting platform, and locking protrusions. The connector housing has lockable grooves, limiting windows, and volume slots. The guide boss can move along the limiting window. There are two locking grooves; during the movement of the CPA locking plate relative to the connector housing, the locking protrusions can enter the corresponding locking grooves, allowing the CPA locking plate to have a pre-installed position and a locked position. The CPA locking plate remains locked to the connector housing through the guide boss and the CPA limiting platform. Simultaneously, when the CPA locking plate is in the locked position, the locking plate cantilever can engage with the primary locking boss at the front end of the male connector to achieve secondary locking of the mated male and female connectors.

[0004] In the aforementioned patent application, when unlocking and separating the male and female connectors, the CPA locking plate can be pushed to the pre-installed position, the locking plate cantilever can be separated from the primary locking boss, and then the primary locking cantilever can be pressed down to raise the primary locking cantilever, thereby separating it from the primary locking boss and contacting the separation of the male and female connectors.

[0005] However, the CPA locking plate is positioned high off the end of the locking plate cantilever, clamping the primary locking cantilever in between. This makes it difficult for operators to avoid the CPA locking plate when pressing down on the primary locking cantilever normally. In practice, pressing with a finger would directly press onto the CPA locking plate, often requiring operators to lightly tap the primary locking cantilever with their fingertips, making the operation cumbersome. Especially with increasing demands for vehicle lightweighting, the space available for connectors is extremely limited, necessitating connector miniaturization. For miniaturized connectors, if the aforementioned CPA locking plate is used as the secondary locking structure, the actual space available for operators to press down on the primary locking cantilever becomes even more limited, making unlocking difficult. Utility Model Content

[0006] The purpose of this invention is to provide a secondary locking structure for a connector, thereby solving the technical problem in the prior art where the secondary locking structure of the connector affects the manual operation of pressing the cantilever arm to unlock. Another purpose of this invention is to provide a connector that solves the same technical problem.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution of the connector secondary locking structure provided by this utility model is as follows: A connector secondary locking structure includes a main body, which includes a manual operation part located at the top and two side walls located on both sides. The front end of the main body is provided with a secondary locking cantilever, and the outer side wall of the two side walls is provided with a guide boss for cooperating with a limiting window on the connector housing to limit the vertical position of the main body relative to the connector housing. The rear end of the side wall is provided with a clearance notch for allowing the pressing operation part of the connector's primary locking cantilever to pass.

[0008] As a further improvement, the sidewall has a sloping portion and a flat portion that extend continuously from front to back at the clearance.

[0009] As a further improvement, the manual operation section includes an operation boss located on the top of the main body, and the operation boss is provided with raised touch ribs.

[0010] As a further improvement, both the operating boss and the touch rib are arc-shaped structures with a concave center.

[0011] This invention is an improvement, and its beneficial effects are as follows: By incorporating a secondary locking arm, sidewall, and guide boss into the connector's secondary locking structure, a secondary locking mechanism is achieved during connector mating, ensuring better connector reliability. Unlike existing technologies, this invention features a clearance notch at the rear end of the sidewall, exposing the pressing operation portion of the primary locking arm. This allows for convenient pressing of the primary locking arm during unlocking, significantly improving the unlocking and separation efficiency, especially for miniaturized connectors.

[0012] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution for the connector provided by this utility model is as follows: A connector includes a housing with a secondary locking structure and a primary locking cantilever. The primary locking cantilever has a pressing operation portion for unlocking. The secondary locking structure includes a main body with a manual operation portion at the top and two side walls on both sides. The secondary locking cantilever is located at the front end of the main body. A guide boss is provided on the outer side wall of each side wall. A limiting window is provided on the housing. The guide boss cooperates with the limiting window to limit the vertical position of the main body relative to the housing. An avoidance notch is provided at the rear end of the side wall to allow the pressing operation portion of the primary locking cantilever to pass.

[0013] As a further improvement, the sidewall has a continuous sloped portion and a planar portion extending from front to back at the clearance.

[0014] As a further improvement, the shell has a continuous inclined shell portion and a flat shell portion extending from front to back at the clearance openings corresponding to the two side walls.

[0015] As a further improvement, the shell plane portion is lower than the sidewall plane portion.

[0016] As a further improvement, the manual operation section includes an operation boss located on the top of the main body, and the operation boss is provided with raised touch ribs.

[0017] As a further improvement, both the operating boss and the touch rib are arc-shaped structures with a concave center.

[0018] This invention is an improvement, and its beneficial effects are as follows: By incorporating a secondary locking arm, sidewall, and guide boss into the connector's secondary locking structure, a secondary locking mechanism is achieved during connector mating, ensuring better connector reliability. Unlike existing technologies, this invention features a clearance notch at the rear end of the sidewall, exposing the pressing operation portion of the primary locking arm. This allows for convenient pressing of the primary locking arm during unlocking, significantly improving the unlocking and separation efficiency, especially for miniaturized connectors. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the connector head and base mating positions in the embodiment of this utility model. Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram showing the connector head and base mating completed in the embodiment of this utility model. Figure 3 This is a perspective view of an embodiment of the connector in this utility model; Figure 4 This is an exploded view of the connector embodiment of this utility model; Figure 5 This is a front view of the connector embodiment of the present invention (the connector secondary locking structure is in the pre-installed position). Figure 6 This is a front view of the connector embodiment of the present invention (the connector secondary locking structure is in the locking position). Figure 7 for Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of the connector after mating (the secondary locking structure of the connector is in the pre-installed position). Figure 8 for Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of the connector after mating (the secondary locking structure of the connector is in the locked position). Figure 9 This is an isometric view of an embodiment of the connector secondary locking structure in this utility model; Figure 10 This is an isometric view of an embodiment of the connector secondary locking structure in this utility model from another perspective.

[0020] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures: 1. Housing; 2. Primary locking cantilever; 3. Connector secondary locking structure; 4. Terminal secondary locking structure; 5. Terminal; 6. Sealing ring; 100. Socket connector; 200. Plug connector; 101. Angled portion of housing; 102. Flat portion of housing; 103. Groove; 104. Limiting window; 301. Side wall; 302. Secondary locking cantilever; 303. Touch rib; 304. Operating boss; 305. Clearance notch; 306. Tail limiting platform; 307. Protrusion; 308. Guide boss; 309. Angled portion of side wall; 310. Flat portion of side wall; 1001. Locking boss. Detailed Implementation

[0021] To facilitate the pressing of the primary locking arm of the connector by the staff during unlocking, the basic concept of this utility model is to set a notch structure at the tail side wall of the secondary locking structure of the connector to avoid the primary locking arm, thereby changing the way the tail of the existing secondary locking structure of the connector "clamps" the primary locking arm, so that more of the primary locking arm is exposed, making it easier for the staff to manually press and unlock.

[0022] Based on the above concept, the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the embodiments.

[0023] Specific embodiments of the connector provided by this utility model: The connector provided in this embodiment can be used as, for example Figure 1 and Figure 2 The plug connector 200 shown can be mated with the socket connector 100 during use. For ease of description, unless otherwise specified, "connector" refers to the plug connector 200. Specifically, as shown... Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the connector includes a housing 1, which allows the outer shell of the socket connector 100 to enter. It is easy to understand that a locking structure should be provided between the housing 1 and the outer shell of the socket connector 100. Considering that vibrations are unavoidable during vehicle operation, the locking structure between the housing 1 and the outer shell includes a primary locking structure and a secondary locking structure.

[0024] A primary locking cantilever 2 is provided on the housing 1. Correspondingly, a locking boss 1001 is provided on the outer shell of the socket connector 100. After the head and base are inserted, the primary locking cantilever 2 can engage with the locking boss 1001, thereby achieving primary locking of the head and base. A secondary locking structure, namely the connector secondary locking structure 3, is also provided on the housing 1. Based on the primary locking of the head and base, the operator can operate the connector secondary locking structure 3 to engage with the locking boss 1001 on the outer shell of the socket connector 100 to achieve secondary locking of the head and base.

[0025] Specifically, regarding the connector secondary locking structure 3, it is essentially consistent with the prior art, namely the background art cited above, as follows: Figure 9 and Figure 10 As shown, the connector secondary locking structure 3 includes a main body, which includes a manually operated section at the top (the top refers to the part facing the operator when operating the connector secondary locking structure 3). The main body also includes two side walls 301 on both sides. Overall, the connector secondary locking structure 3 is a U-shaped structure with its opening facing the primary locking cantilever 2. Consistent with existing technology, a volumetric groove is also provided on the primary locking cantilever 2 to accommodate the installation of the connector secondary locking structure 3.

[0026] The front end of the main body is provided with a secondary locking cantilever 302. As is known to those skilled in the art, the end of the connector used to mate with the adapter connector is the front end, and the other end is the rear end or tail end. After the head and base are mated, the secondary locking cantilever 302 can engage with the locking boss 1001 on the outer shell to achieve secondary locking of the head and base.

[0027] It is easy to understand that the prerequisite for achieving secondary locking of the connector head is that the secondary locking structure 3 of the connector can also remain fixed to the housing 1. Specifically, as... Figure 5 , Figure 6 , Figure 9 and Figure 10 As shown, a guide boss 308 is provided on the outer side wall of both side walls 301. Correspondingly, a limiting window 104 is provided on the housing 1. The guide boss 308 is inserted into the limiting window 104. When the connector secondary locking structure 3 is pushed to move, the guide boss 308 can move along the limiting window 104. At the same time, the guide boss 308 and the limiting window 104 can also restrict the vertical position of the main body relative to the housing 1.

[0028] In addition, in this embodiment, the connector secondary locking structure 3 has a pre-installed position and a locking position relative to the housing 1, such as... Figures 5-8 As shown, two grooves 103 are provided on the housing 1, and corresponding protrusions 307 are provided on the secondary locking structure 3 of the connector. When the protrusion 307 is located in one of the grooves 103, that is... Figure 5When the right-hand groove 103 is in the center, the connector secondary locking structure 3 is in the pre-installed position. When the protrusion 307 is in another groove 103, that is... Figure 6 When the recess 103 is positioned to the left, the secondary locking structure 3 of the connector is in the locked position. This allows the secondary locking structure 3 to be pre-installed on the housing 1 before assembling the plug-socket connector. After the primary locking cantilever 2 engages with the locking boss 1001, the secondary locking structure 3 can be manually moved to engage the secondary locking cantilever 302 with the locking boss 1001, achieving secondary locking. (See reference...) Figure 8 .

[0029] A tail limiting platform 306 is also provided at the rear end of the side wall 301. Correspondingly, a stop protrusion is provided on the housing 1. When the connector secondary locking structure 3 is in the pre-installed position, the tail limiting platform 306 and the stop protrusion stop and cooperate to prevent the connector secondary locking structure 3 from coming out.

[0030] When a problem occurs later and the connector needs to be repaired, the head seat needs to be separated. When separating, first move the connector secondary locking structure 3 backward to unlock it, and then press down the locking cantilever 2 to release the connection between the locking cantilever 2 and the locking boss 1001, so that the head seat can be separated.

[0031] Unlike existing technologies, such as Figures 5-10 As shown, the rear end of the side wall 301 has a notch structure, which forms an avoidance notch 305 to avoid the primary locking cantilever 2. In other words, the rear end of the side wall 301 is not a traditional sloping structure, but rather has a notch. This allows the top of the primary locking cantilever 2, i.e., the pressing operation part of the primary locking cantilever 2, to be fully exposed. This prevents the operator from directly contacting the secondary locking cantilever 302 of the connector when pressing the primary locking cantilever 2, thus facilitating the operator's pressing and operation of the primary locking cantilever 2. This design greatly improves operational convenience, especially for miniaturized connectors.

[0032] In a preferred embodiment, such as Figure 9 and Figure 10 As shown, the clearance gap 305 has a sloping portion and a flat portion that extend continuously from front to back. The sloping portion can be defined as the sloping portion 309 of the side wall, and the flat portion can be defined as the flat portion 310 of the side wall. At this time, the clearance gap 305 is equivalent to forming an obtuse angle structure. Compared with a right angle structure (step), it can provide sufficient clearance space at the tail of the side wall 301, while also giving the side wall 301 higher strength.

[0033] The shape of the housing 1 at the clearance notch 305 on the corresponding side wall 301 is consistent with the clearance notch 305, thus forming a clearance opening on the housing 1, thereby preventing the housing 1 from interfering with personnel operation when pressing the locking cantilever 2 once. Specifically, as shown in Figure 3 As shown, the shell 1 also has a sloped portion and a flat portion that extend continuously from front to back at the position corresponding to the clearance notch 305. Here, the sloped portion can be defined as the shell sloped portion 101, and the flat portion can be defined as the shell flat portion 102.

[0034] Preferably, such as Figure 3 and Figure 5 As shown, the shell plane portion 102 is lower than the side wall plane portion 310, which further increases the size of the clearance opening of the shell 1, making it easier for staff to operate.

[0035] Furthermore, for miniaturized connectors, in order to facilitate the operation of the connector secondary locking structure 3 by staff, the manual operation part of the connector secondary locking structure 3 has also been improved in the preferred embodiment.

[0036] Specifically, such as Figure 3 , Figure 9 and Figure 10 As shown, the manual operation section at the top of the connector secondary locking structure 3 includes an operation boss 304 located on the top of the main body, and a raised touch rib 303 is provided on the operation boss 304. Compared with the prior art method of directly setting the touch rib 303 on the top of the main body, this increases the height of the touch rib 303, making it easier for personnel to operate.

[0037] More preferably, both the touch rib 303 and the operating boss 304 are concave arc-shaped structures, which makes the operating boss 304 and the touch rib 303 more adaptable to the shape of human fingers, further improving the convenience of operation.

[0038] For electrical connectors, naturally, they should also include terminals 5 located inside the housing 1, such as... Figure 4 , Figure 7 and Figure 8 As shown, after terminal 5 is installed in housing 1, terminal 5 can be locked in place. To improve the locking reliability of terminal 5, the connector is also equipped with a secondary locking structure 4. The secondary locking structure 4 is U-shaped and has an opening on housing 1 for insertion from one side. The secondary locking structure 4 can be inserted from one side to achieve secondary locking and fixing of terminal 5.

[0039] Considering the possibility of the vehicle wading through water, a sealing ring 6 should be installed at the mating part after the plug connector 200 and the socket connector 100 are inserted. Figure 7 and Figure 8As shown, but unlike the conventional sealing ring 6 setting method, for miniaturized connectors, there is not enough space to set a boss structure on the housing 1 to fix the axial position of the sealing ring 6. In this embodiment, the sealing ring 6 is directly bonded to the housing 1, which can be processed by silicone injection process. In this way, while ensuring that the sealing ring 6 is firmly fixed, there is no need to open a boss structure on the housing 1 to stop the sealing ring 6. This ensures that the radial space here can be fully used for the sealing ring 6 to be squeezed and sealed, thereby ensuring the sealing effect.

[0040] Specific implementation of the connector secondary locking structure in this utility model: The implementation method of the connector secondary locking structure is the same as the connector secondary locking structure described in the above-mentioned connector implementation method, and will not be described in detail here.

[0041] 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 connector secondary locking structure, comprising a main body, the main body including a manually operated part located at the top and two side walls (301) located on both sides, a secondary locking cantilever (302) provided at the front end of the main body, and a guide boss (308) provided on the outer side wall of the two side walls (301) for cooperating with a limiting window (104) on the connector housing (1) to limit the vertical position of the main body relative to the connector housing (1), characterized in that, The rear end of the sidewall (301) is provided with a clearance notch (305) to allow for the pressing operation portion of the primary locking cantilever (2) of the connector.

2. The connector secondary locking structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The side wall (301) has a sloping portion and a planar portion that extend continuously from front to back at the clearance (305).

3. The connector secondary locking structure according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The manual operation part includes an operation boss (304) located on the top of the main body, and the operation boss (304) is provided with a raised touch rib (303).

4. The connector secondary locking structure according to claim 3, characterized in that, Both the operating boss (304) and the touch rib (303) are arc-shaped structures with a concave center.

5. A connector, comprising a housing (1), wherein a secondary locking structure and a primary locking cantilever (2) are disposed on the housing (1), the primary locking cantilever (2) having a pressing operation part for unlocking, the secondary locking structure comprising a main body, the main body comprising a manual operation part located at the top and two side walls (301) located on both sides, a secondary locking cantilever (302) provided at the front end of the main body, a guide boss (308) provided on the outer side wall of the two side walls (301), a limiting window (104) provided on the housing (1), the guide boss (308) cooperating with the limiting window (104) to limit the vertical position of the main body relative to the housing (1), characterized in that, The rear end of the side wall (301) is provided with a clearance notch (305) to allow for the pressing operation portion of the locking cantilever (2).

6. The connector according to claim 5, characterized in that, The side wall (301) has a sloped portion (309) and a planar portion (310) that extend continuously from front to back at the clearance (305).

7. The connector according to claim 6, characterized in that, The shell (1) has a shell inclined section (101) and a shell flat section (102) that extend continuously from front to back at the clearance (305) corresponding to the two side walls (301).

8. The connector according to claim 7, characterized in that, The shell planar portion (102) is lower than the sidewall planar portion (310).

9. The connector according to any one of claims 5-8, characterized in that, The manual operation part includes an operation boss (304) located on the top of the main body, and the operation boss (304) is provided with a raised touch rib (303).

10. The connector according to claim 9, characterized in that, Both the operating boss (304) and the touch rib (303) are arc-shaped structures with a concave center.

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