Locking tab and connector

Abstract

The utility model provides a kind of locking piece and connector, belong to connecting device field.The connector includes shell and locking piece, locking piece includes base body and with base body interlocking and extension and in-place indication elastic arm, extension is provided with interlocking plug-in part in the end away from base body, in-place indication elastic arm is used to indicate whether connector and adaptive connector are inserted in place and / or whether the closure of connector is buckled in place, extension and in-place indication elastic arm are arranged along the width direction of in-place indication elastic arm.The locking piece is the locking piece in the above-mentioned connector.The utility model changes the relative arrangement position of in-place indication elastic arm and interlocking plug-in part, so that the structure of whole locking piece is more compact, reduce the size in the up-down direction of locking piece, and then reduce the size of shell.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model belongs to the field of connecting devices, and in particular relates to a locking plate and a connector. Background Technology

[0002] Some plug and socket connectors require a locking mechanism for additional locking after mating, in order to ensure reliable mating and prevent them from coming apart during use.

[0003] A Chinese utility model patent with authorization announcement number CN216488828U discloses a secondary locking structure. This structure includes a plug housing, a socket housing, and a signal interlock housing slidably assembled within the plug / socket housing along the plug / socket mating direction. The plug and socket housings are respectively provided with a primary locking plate and a primary locking hook. The signal interlock housing has a locking position (i.e., a stop position) and an unlocking position (i.e., a clearance position) within its sliding stroke. When in the locking position, the signal interlock housing simultaneously cooperates with the secondary locking structures on the plug and socket to achieve secondary locking, and the interlocking short-circuit socket at the front end of the signal interlock housing engages and conducts with the interlocking pin inside the socket / plug housing. When in the unlocking position, the signal interlock housing unlocks from the secondary locking structures on the plug and socket, and the interlocking short-circuit socket separates from the interlocking pin. This secondary locking structure not only achieves mechanical interlocking but also allows monitoring of the secondary locking structure's normal operation using a signal interlock circuit.

[0004] In the aforementioned secondary locking structure, the mechanical interlock is achieved by a locking spring arm (i.e., a position indicator spring arm) located above the main body (i.e., the extension) of the signal interlock housing. Since the locking spring arm needs to elastically deform in the thickness direction, a large space needs to be left between the locking spring arm and the main body of the signal interlock housing. This results in a large overall size of the signal interlock housing and the locking spring arm in the thickness direction of the locking spring arm. During use, it requires a large space in the thickness direction of the locking spring arm for the plug / socket, resulting in a large size of the plug / socket in this direction. This makes it difficult to use in situations with limited space, thus limiting the flexibility of plug / socket use. Utility Model Content

[0005] The purpose of this utility model is to provide a locking piece to solve the technical problem that the locking piece in the prior art has a large size in the thickness direction of the positioning indicator spring arm, which affects the use of the connector; Another objective of this invention is to provide a connector that solves the technical problem of poor flexibility in use due to the large size of the connector in the thickness direction of the positioning indicator spring arm.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution for the locking plate provided by this utility model is as follows: A locking plate, characterized in that, during use, the locking plate is movable along the insertion / removal direction of the connector and has a stop position that can stop and limit the pressing / unlocking end of the locking plate and a clearance position that can avoid the pressing / unlocking end of the locking plate along the movement path. The locking plate includes a base, an extension connected to the base and extending along the movement direction of the locking plate, and a position indicator spring arm. An interlocking insertion part is provided at the end of the extension part away from the base. The interlocking insertion part is provided with a insertion conductor for inserting with a signal terminal on the adapter connector to form a complete interlocking signal circuit. The position indicator spring arm is used to indicate whether the connector and the adapter connector are fully inserted and / or to indicate whether the cover of the connector located behind the locking plate in the opposite insertion direction is fully engaged. The extension part and the position indicator spring arm are arranged along the width direction of the position indicator spring arm.

[0007] As a further improvement, the interlocking connector is located on the front side of the position indicator spring arm in the connector mating direction. The width of the interlocking connector is greater than the width of the extension. The position indicator spring arm and the interlocking connector have an overlapping area in the moving direction of the locking piece.

[0008] As a further improvement, both sides of the interlocking connector are provided with retaining spring arms for engaging with the adapter connector to keep the locking piece stationary. The positioning indicator spring arm and the corresponding retaining spring arm are arranged at intervals along the moving direction of the locking piece.

[0009] As a further improvement, the base is also provided with two guide arms extending along the moving direction of the locking piece. The guide arms are used to guide and cooperate with the housing along the moving direction of the locking piece. The two guide arms are located on both sides of the extension in the width direction, and the positioning indicator arm is located between the guide arm on the corresponding side and the extension.

[0010] As a further improvement, the positioning indicator spring includes a mating indicator spring for indicating whether the connector and the adapter connector are mated in place, and a locking indicator spring for indicating whether the cover of the connector is locked in place. The mating indicator spring and the locking indicator spring are arranged along their width direction, and the extension is located between the mating indicator spring and the locking indicator spring.

[0011] As a further improvement, the positioning indicator spring arm includes a mating indicator spring arm for indicating whether the connector and the adapter connector are properly mated. The mating indicator spring arm is provided with a stop pawl for engaging with a stepped structure provided on the housing to prevent the locking piece from moving to the stop position. The mating indicator spring arm is also provided with a mating pressing part for lifting the mating indicator spring arm by the pushing action of the adapter connector after the connector and the adapter connector are properly mated, so that the stop pawl is disengaged from the stepped structure. The mating pressing part is a mating pressing protrusion. The mating pressing protrusion and the stop pawl are arranged side by side, and the arrangement direction of the mating pressing protrusion and the stop pawl is in the same direction as the width direction.

[0012] As a further improvement, the width of the interlocking connector is greater than the width of the extension, the engagement indicator arm is located between the interlocking connector and the base, the stop pawl and the interlocking connector at least partially overlap in the insertion and extraction direction, and the engagement pressure protrusion is located on the side of the stop pawl away from the interlocking connector.

[0013] As a further improvement, the positioning indicator spring arm includes a locking indicator spring arm for indicating whether the connector cover is locked in place. The locking indicator spring arm is provided with a pawl for engaging with a stepped structure provided on the housing to prevent the locking piece from moving to the stop position. The locking indicator spring arm is also provided with a locking pressing protrusion for lifting the locking indicator spring arm by the pushing action of the cover after the cover is locked in place, so that the pawl disengages from the stepped structure. The locking pressing protrusion is provided with a guide surface for sliding pressing engagement with the cover.

[0014] As a further improvement, the snap-fit ​​top pressing protrusion and the clasp are arranged at intervals along the insertion and extraction direction, with the snap-fit ​​top pressing protrusion located on the side of the clasp closer to the base.

[0015] The beneficial effects are as follows: The locking piece provided by this utility model is an invention that changes the relationship between elements. By arranging the positioning indicator spring arm and the extension in the width direction, the structure of the locking piece is made more compact, thereby effectively reducing the size of the locking piece in the thickness direction and reducing the space occupied by the locking piece in the corresponding direction on the entire connector housing. This reduces the space requirements of the connector and makes it easier to use.

[0016] 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 locking plate for locking with an adapter connector. The housing also has a movable locking plate that moves along a mating direction. The width direction of the locking plate is the same as the arrangement direction of the power terminals on the connector. During use, the locking plate can move along the mating direction of the connector and has a stop position that can limit the pressing / unlocking end of the locking plate and a clearance position that can avoid the pressing / unlocking end of the locking plate along its movement path. The locking plate includes a base, an extension connected to the base and extending along the movement direction of the locking plate, and a position indicator spring arm. An interlocking insertion portion is provided at the end of the extension portion away from the base. The interlocking insertion portion has a insertion conductor for inserting with a signal terminal on the adapter connector to form a complete interlocking signal circuit. The position indicator spring arm is used to indicate whether the connector and the adapter connector are properly mated and / or to indicate whether the cover of the connector located behind the locking plate in the opposite mating direction is properly fastened. The extension portion and the position indicator spring arm are arranged along the width direction of the position indicator spring arm.

[0017] As a further improvement, the interlocking connector is located on the front side of the position indicator spring arm in the connector mating direction. The width of the interlocking connector is greater than the width of the extension. The position indicator spring arm and the interlocking connector have an overlapping area in the moving direction of the locking piece.

[0018] As a further improvement, both sides of the interlocking connector are provided with retaining spring arms for engaging with the adapter connector to keep the locking piece stationary. The positioning indicator spring arm and the corresponding retaining spring arm are arranged at intervals along the moving direction of the locking piece.

[0019] As a further improvement, the base is also provided with two guide arms extending along the moving direction of the locking piece. The guide arms are used to guide and cooperate with the housing along the moving direction of the locking piece. The two guide arms are located on both sides of the extension in the width direction, and the positioning indicator arm is located between the guide arm on the corresponding side and the extension.

[0020] As a further improvement, the positioning indicator spring includes a mating indicator spring for indicating whether the connector and the adapter connector are mated in place, and a locking indicator spring for indicating whether the cover of the connector is locked in place. The mating indicator spring and the locking indicator spring are arranged along their width direction, and the extension is located between the mating indicator spring and the locking indicator spring.

[0021] As a further improvement, the positioning indicator spring arm includes a mating indicator spring arm for indicating whether the connector and the adapter connector are properly mated. The mating indicator spring arm is provided with a stop pawl for engaging with a stepped structure provided on the housing to prevent the locking piece from moving to the stop position. The mating indicator spring arm is also provided with a mating pressing part for lifting the mating indicator spring arm by the pushing action of the adapter connector after the connector and the adapter connector are properly mated, so that the stop pawl is disengaged from the stepped structure. The mating pressing part is a mating pressing protrusion. The mating pressing protrusion and the stop pawl are arranged side by side, and the arrangement direction of the mating pressing protrusion and the stop pawl is in the same direction as the width direction.

[0022] As a further improvement, the width of the interlocking connector is greater than the width of the extension, the engagement indicator arm is located between the interlocking connector and the base, the stop pawl and the interlocking connector at least partially overlap in the insertion and extraction direction, and the engagement pressure protrusion is located on the side of the stop pawl away from the interlocking connector.

[0023] As a further improvement, the positioning indicator spring arm includes a locking indicator spring arm for indicating whether the connector cover is locked in place. The locking indicator spring arm is provided with a pawl for engaging with a stepped structure provided on the housing to prevent the locking piece from moving to the stop position. The locking indicator spring arm is also provided with a locking pressing protrusion for lifting the locking indicator spring arm by the pushing action of the cover after the cover is locked in place, so that the pawl disengages from the stepped structure. The locking pressing protrusion is provided with a guide surface for sliding pressing engagement with the cover.

[0024] As a further improvement, the snap-fit ​​top pressing protrusion and the clasp are arranged at intervals along the insertion and extraction direction, with the snap-fit ​​top pressing protrusion located on the side of the clasp closer to the base.

[0025] The beneficial effects are as follows: The connector provided by this utility model is an improvement on the prior art. The locking plate used in this connector, by arranging the position indicator spring arm and the extension in the width direction, makes the structure of the locking plate more compact, thereby effectively reducing the size of the locking plate in the thickness direction and reducing the space occupied by the locking plate in the corresponding direction of the entire connector housing. After changing the relative positional relationship between the position indicator spring arm and the extension on the locking plate, the thickness of the locking plate decreases and the width increases. However, since the connector already has a large space in the arrangement direction of the power terminals, the overall width of the connector does not increase. The reduction in the thickness direction of the locking plate ultimately reduces the overall size of the connector. Attached Figure Description

[0026] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of Embodiment 1 of the connector in this utility model; Figure 2This is a schematic diagram of the locking piece in Embodiment 1 of the connector of this utility model; Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view of Embodiment 1 of the connector in this utility model, which demonstrates the function of the insertion indicator spring arm. Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional view of Embodiment 1 of the connector in this utility model, which demonstrates the function of the snap-fit ​​indicator spring arm. Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional view of Embodiment 1 of the connector in this utility model, which demonstrates the function of the interlocking plug-in part. Figure 6 This is a cross-sectional view of Embodiment 1 of the connector in this utility model, which shows the sealing between the interlocking insertion part and the insertion cavity. Figure 7 This is a cross-sectional view of Embodiment 1 of the connector in this utility model, which shows the interlocking connection part.

[0027] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures: 1. Plug connector; 11. Plug end; 12. Housing; 13. Cover; 131. Mating protrusion; 14. Locking plate; 15. Cavity; 16. Locking plate; 161. Base; 1611. Clearance groove; 162. Snap-on indicator arm; 1621. Claw; 1622. Snap-on pressing protrusion; 163. Interlocking plug part; 1631. Groove; 1632. Plug conductor; 1633. Snap-on protrusion; 1634. Sealing groove; 1635. Sealing ring; 1636. Limiting position 164. Step; 1641. Engagement indicator spring arm; 1642. Stop pawl; 1643. Engagement pressing protrusion; 165. Guide arm; 166. Retaining spring arm; 167. Push plate; 168. Limiting part; 169. Anti-reverse part; 1691. Connecting arm; 1692. Connecting hole; 1693. Anti-reverse part; 1694. Through hole; 17. Mating spring arm; 171. Stopping protrusion; 172. Limiting protrusion; 2. Socket connector; 21. Adapting protrusion; 22. Socket cavity; 23. Pin. Detailed Implementation

[0028] The present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the embodiments.

[0029] Specific embodiment 1 of the connector provided by this utility model: See appendix Figure 1The connector is a plug connector 1, and the adapter connector that mates with it is a socket connector 2. The connector is generally L-shaped, and its mating direction with the adapter connector is perpendicular to the extension direction of the cable connected to it. The end of the connector that mates with the adapter connector is its mating end 11, with the mating direction as the front-back direction and the mating end 11 as the front end of the connector; the extension direction of the cable connected to the connector is the up-down direction, and the cable is connected to the lower side of the connector; the direction perpendicular to both the front-back and up-down directions is the left-right direction, and the two power terminals on the plug connector used for transmitting electrical energy are arranged along the left-right direction, which is also the width direction of the connector.

[0030] The connector includes a housing 12 and a cover 13. The rear end of the housing 12 has an opening for mounting bolts, and the cover 13 is located at the rear end of the housing 12 and closes the opening. The underside of the cover 13 is hinged to the housing 12 via a hinge axis, thereby allowing the cover 13 to be opened by flipping or to be fastened to the housing 12 by flipping.

[0031] The upper side of the housing 12 is provided with a locking structure for locking with the adapter connector. The locking structure includes a locking plate 14, the middle of which is connected to the main body of the housing 12 via a torsion bar, allowing the locking plate 14 to swing up and down. The locking structure also includes a primary locking hook and a secondary locking hook located on the lower front end of the locking plate 14. The specific structure of the locking structure is the same as that of the prior art and will not be described in detail.

[0032] The main body of housing 12 has a groove-shaped structure on its upper side. A locking piece 14 is located at the upper opening of the groove-shaped structure. The locking piece 14 and the groove-shaped structure on housing 12 together form a cavity 15. The connector also includes a locking piece 16, which is located in the cavity 15. The upper wall of the cavity 15 is the lower surface of the locking piece 14, and the lower wall and the left and right side walls of the cavity 15 are the surfaces of the main body of housing 12.

[0033] See appendix Figure 2 The locking piece 16 includes a base 161 and a latching indicator spring arm 162 integrally connected to the front side of the base 161 and extending forward, an extension, an insertion indicator spring arm 164, and a guide arm 165. Both the latching indicator spring arm 162 and the insertion indicator spring arm 164 are positioning indicator spring arms used to achieve positioning indication. The extension is centrally located, and an interlocking insertion part 163 is provided at the front end of the extension. The latching indicator spring arm 162 and the insertion indicator spring arm 164 are located on the left and right sides of the extension, respectively. There are two guide arms 165, one of which is located on the side of the latching indicator spring arm 162 away from the extension, and the other guide arm 165 is located on the side of the insertion indicator spring arm 164 away from the extension.

[0034] Both sides of the interlocking connector 163 are integrally connected with retaining spring arms 166, which are located between the interlocking connector 163 and the corresponding guide arm 165. The retaining spring arm 166 has an L-shaped structure, with one end engaging with the interlocking connector 163 and the other end facing forward for engaging with the adapter connector, so that the locking piece 16 can be kept in place. One retaining spring arm 166 is located in front of the engagement indicator spring arm 162, and the other retaining spring arm 166 is located in front of the engagement indicator spring arm 164.

[0035] The locking piece 16 has a compact overall layout, making the most of the space on the locking piece 16, thus enabling the locking piece 16 to achieve more functions in a small volume.

[0036] Both sides of the cavity 15 are provided with guide grooves extending forward and backward, and the guide arm 165 is guided and engaged with the corresponding guide groove in the forward and backward direction. The rear side of the base 161 is provided with an upwardly protruding push plate 167. After the preliminary preparation operations are completed, the operator can manually push the push plate 167 forward to move the locking piece 16 forward.

[0037] The inner side of the guide arm 165 is provided with a recess to avoid the retaining spring arm 166. Since the retaining spring arm 166 is engaged with the adapter connector through the inner protrusion, the retaining spring arm 166 will bend and deform outward during the insertion and removal of the connector and the adapter connector. The recess on the guide arm 165 can prevent interference when the retaining spring arm 166 is deformed.

[0038] The locking piece 16 has a stop position and a clearance position in the front-to-back direction, with the stop position in front and the clearance position in the back. Neither the stop nor the clearance position is a fixed point, but rather a region. The locking piece 16 can perform corresponding functions within the corresponding regions. The base 161 of the locking piece 16 is provided with a limiting part 168 for limiting the locking piece 14. When the locking piece 16 is in the stop position, the limiting part 168 can be engaged below the rear end of the locking piece 14, preventing the rear end of the locking piece 14 from swinging downwards, thus locking the locking piece 14 and preventing accidental unlocking due to misoperation. When the locking piece 14 is in the clearance position, the limiting part 168 moves backwards away from the locking piece 14, and the locking piece 14 is no longer limited, allowing the rear end of the locking piece 14 to swing downwards, thus enabling the unlocking operation between the connector and the adapter connector.

[0039] When the connector and adapter are not fully engaged, or when the cover 13 is not fully latched, the locking piece 16 can only remain in the clearance position and cannot be pushed forward to the stop position. In this way, the locking piece 16 can also indicate the engagement status of the connector and adapter and the latching status of the cover 13. The above two functions are achieved by the engagement indicator spring arm 164 and the latching indicator spring arm 162, respectively.

[0040] See appendix Figure 3 and in conjunction with the appendix Figure 2 The cavity 15 contains a mating spring arm 17 integrally connected to the main body of the housing 12. The mating spring arm 17 is plate-shaped, with its thickness direction aligned with the vertical direction. The front end of the mating spring arm 17 is an overhanging end that can swing up and down. The mating spring arm 17 is located below the locking plate 16. A stop protrusion 171 is provided on the mating spring arm 17 at positions corresponding to the insertion indicator spring arm 164 and the latching indicator spring arm 162. The rear side of the stop protrusion 171 is perpendicular to the front-back direction and forms a stepped surface. The front side of the stop protrusion 171 is a slope.

[0041] The lower side of the engagement indicator spring arm 164 is provided with a stop pawl 1641 and an engagement pressing part. The front side of the stop pawl 1641 can engage with the rear side of the corresponding stop protrusion 171 to prevent the locking piece 16 from moving forward to the stop position. The rear side of the stop pawl 1641 is a slope. In this way, when the locking piece 16 moves backward to the avoidance position, the slope of the stop pawl 1641 can engage with the slope of the stop protrusion 171 to lift the engagement indicator spring arm 164 upward, so that the stop pawl 1641 passes over the stop protrusion 171. The engagement pressing part is an engagement pressing protrusion 1642, and both the front and rear sides of the engagement pressing protrusion 1642 are sloped.

[0042] The adapter connector has an adapter protrusion 21 at a position corresponding to the mating pressing protrusion 1642. After the connector and the adapter connector are mated in place, the adapter protrusion 21 presses against the mating pressing protrusion 1642, thereby lifting the mating indicator spring arm 164 on the locking piece 16 which is in the avoidance position upward, so that the stop pawl 1641 disengages from the stepped structure on the corresponding stop protrusion 171, thus achieving a prerequisite for the locking piece 16 to move forward.

[0043] In this embodiment, the stop pawl 1641 and the engagement pressing protrusion 1642 are arranged side by side, with the engagement pressing protrusion 1642 and the stop pawl 1641 arranged in the left-right direction, and the engagement pressing protrusion 1642 is located on the side of the stop pawl 1641 away from the extension. The purpose of this arrangement is to shorten the front-to-back length of the entire engagement indicator spring arm 164, making the locking piece 16 structure more compact.

[0044] Furthermore, the dimensions of the engagement indicator spring 164 and the latching indicator spring 162 in the front-to-back direction are smaller than those of the extension in the front-to-back direction, and both the engagement indicator spring 164 and the latching indicator spring 162 are located behind the interlocking insertion portion 163. The width of the interlocking insertion portion 163 in the left-to-right direction is greater than that of the extension in the left-to-right direction, and the stop pawl 1641 on the engagement indicator spring 164 overlaps with the interlocking insertion portion 163 in the front-to-back direction. This allows the engagement indicator spring 164 to be positioned further closer to the center without affecting the engagement pressing protrusion 1642's engagement with the adapter protrusion 21 on the adapter connector, thus reducing the overall width of the locking piece 16 in the left-to-right direction.

[0045] See appendix Figure 4 and in conjunction with the appendix Figure 2 The lower side of the engagement indicator spring arm 162 is provided with a pawl 1621 and an engagement pressing protrusion 1622. The engagement pressing protrusion 1622 is a raised structure and is located behind the pawl 1621. The front side of the pawl 1621 can engage with the rear side of the corresponding stop protrusion 171 to prevent the locking piece 16 from moving forward to the stop position. The rear side of the pawl 1621 is a slope, so that during the process of the locking piece 16 moving backward from the stop position to the avoidance position, the slope of the pawl 1621 can engage with the slope of the stop protrusion 171 to lift the engagement indicator spring arm 1622 upward, so that the pawl 1621 passes over the stop protrusion 171. Both the front and rear sides of the engagement pressing protrusion 1622 are sloped.

[0046] The upper edge of the cover 13 is provided with a mating protrusion 131 that can press against the snap-fit ​​pressing protrusion 1622. The front and rear sides of the mating protrusion 131 are also beveled. When the cover 13 is in the open state, the locking piece 16 is in the clearance position. After the cover 13 flips upward and snaps onto the housing 12 and is fully engaged, the mating protrusion 131 on the cover 13 presses against the snap-fit ​​pressing protrusion 1622, thereby lifting the snap-fit ​​indicator spring arm 162 on the locking piece 16 upward, causing the pawl 1621 to disengage from the stepped structure on the corresponding stop protrusion 171, thus achieving another prerequisite for the locking piece 16 to move forward.

[0047] Since the hinge axis of the cover 13 is at the bottom, the upper edge of the cover 13 has the largest displacement when rotated by the same angle. Using the upper edge of the cover 13 to push and engage the pressing protrusion 1622 can improve the accuracy of the indication and ensure that the cover 13 is fully engaged before triggering the engagement indicator spring arm 162.

[0048] During the process of the mating protrusion 131 pressing against the fastening protrusion 1622, the inclined surface on the front side of the mating protrusion 131 and the inclined surface on the rear side of the fastening protrusion 1622 slide and press against each other, so both of these inclined surfaces constitute guide surfaces.

[0049] To facilitate the elastic deformation of the insertion indicator arm 164 and the latching indicator arm 162, the thickness of the insertion indicator arm 164 and the latching indicator arm 162 in the vertical direction is smaller than that of the base 161 in the vertical direction, and the lower side of the insertion indicator arm 164 and the latching indicator arm 162 is higher than the lower side of the base 161. The lower side of the base 161 is provided with a relief groove 1611 for avoiding the mating protrusion 131 on the cover 13, and the bottom surface of the relief groove 1611 is flush with the lower side of the latching indicator arm 162.

[0050] Meanwhile, the clearance groove 1611 and the fastening indicator spring arm 162 are directly opposite each other in the front-back direction. In this way, after the mating protrusion 131 on the cover 13 passes through the clearance groove 1611, it can definitely press and engage with the fastening pressing protrusion 1622 on the fastening indicator spring arm 162. The clearance groove 1611 plays a role in positioning the cover 13 left and right during the fastening process.

[0051] Furthermore, the locking piece 16, through the interlocking insertion part 163, can realize the connection of the interlocking signal circuit, thereby indicating the mating state of the connector and the adapter connector in the form of an electrical signal. See Appendix Figure 5 and attached Figure 6 The interlocking connector 163 has a groove 1631 at its front end, and a U-shaped insertion conductor 1632 is disposed in the groove 1631. A corresponding insertion cavity 22 is provided at the corresponding position of the adapter connector for the interlocking connector 163 to insert into. Two pins 23 are disposed in the insertion cavity 22, and these two pins 23 are respectively connected to the two ends of the interlocking signal circuit. The interlocking signal circuit is disconnected at the two pins 23. The two pins 23 can be inserted and connected to the two ends of the insertion conductor 1632, and the insertion conductor 1632 short-circuits the two pins 23 to form a complete interlocking signal circuit.

[0052] See appendix Figure 7An anti-retraction member 169 is fitted onto the interlocking connector 163 to prevent the connector conductor 1632 from exiting from the front end of the interlocking connector 163. The anti-retraction member 169 includes an anti-retraction portion 1693 at the front end and connecting arms 1691 located at the rear sides of the upper and lower ends of the anti-retraction portion 1693 and extending rearward. The connecting arms 1691 can swing up and down and have connecting holes 1692. The upper and lower sides of the interlocking connector are provided with locking protrusions 1633, each with a beveled front side. The locking protrusions 1633 can engage with the connecting holes 1692 on the connecting arms 1691, thus connecting the anti-retraction member 169 to the interlocking connector 163. After the anti-retraction member 169 is assembled, the anti-retraction portion 1693 is located at the front of the interlocking connector 163, blocking the connector conductor 1632 and preventing it from exiting forward. The anti-reverse part 1693 is provided with a through hole 1694 that runs from front to back, so that the pin 23 on the adapter connector can pass through and connect with the plug conductor 1632.

[0053] An annular sealing groove 1634 is provided on the interlocking plug part 163. The sealing groove 1634 is located behind the anti-retraction member 169. A sealing ring 1635 is installed in the sealing groove 1634. During the mutual insertion of the connector and the adapter connector, the interlocking plug part 163 will be inserted into the plug cavity 22 on the adapter connector. The sealing ring 1635 will also be inserted into the plug cavity 22. The sealing ring 1635 achieves a seal between the plug cavity 22 and the interlocking plug part 163.

[0054] See appendix Figure 5 Appendix Figure 6 and appendix Figure 7 A limiting step 1636 is provided on the lower side of the interlocking connector 163, located behind the sealing groove 1634, with the stepped surface of the limiting step 1636 facing rearward. A limiting protrusion 172 is provided on the upper side of the spring arm 17, with the front side of the limiting protrusion 172 perpendicular to the front-rear direction and the rear side of the limiting protrusion 172 being a slope. During use, the front side of the limiting protrusion 172 can engage with the stepped surface of the limiting step 1636 in the front-rear direction, thereby keeping the locking piece 16 in the clearance position and preventing the locking piece 16 from moving excessively rearward and falling off the housing 12.

[0055] The locking piece 16 is inserted into the cavity 15 from back to front. During the assembly process, the limiting step 1636 needs to pass over the limiting protrusion 172 so that the step surface of the limiting step 1636 can stop and engage with the front side of the limiting protrusion 172. As the limiting step 1636 passes over the limiting protrusion 172, the limiting step 1636 applies a downward pressing force to the inclined surface of the rear side of the limiting protrusion 172, thereby causing the engaging spring arm 17 to swing downward. After the limiting step 1636 passes over the limiting protrusion 172, the engaging spring arm 17 returns to its original position.

[0056] The inclined surface on the rear side of the limiting protrusion 172 forms a sliding mating surface that allows the limiting step 1636 and the limiting protrusion 172 to slide against each other. In other embodiments, an arc surface can also be provided on the rear side of the limiting protrusion 172 as a sliding mating surface. In other embodiments, a sliding mating surface can also be provided on the locking piece 16 to achieve mutual sliding between the limiting step 1636 and the limiting protrusion 172, and this sliding mating surface is located on the front side of the limiting step 1636.

[0057] Specific embodiment 2 of the connector provided by this utility model: This embodiment is based on embodiment 1. The difference between this embodiment and embodiment 1 is that the locking plate in this embodiment does not have a snap-on indicator spring arm. This locking plate is suitable for connectors without a cover.

[0058] The engagement indicator arm can be provided in a single manner, which is located on one side of the extension; or it can be provided in two manner, with the two engagement indicator arms located on the left and right sides of the extension respectively.

[0059] Specific embodiment 3 of the connector provided by this utility model: This embodiment is based on embodiment 1. The difference between this embodiment and embodiment 1 is that in this embodiment, the snap-fit ​​indicator spring arm and the interlocking plug part also have a partial overlap in the front-to-back direction. This allows the snap-fit ​​indicator spring arm to be set as close to the center as possible, thereby further reducing the size of the locking piece in the left-to-right direction.

[0060] Since the latching indicator spring arm engages with the cover, and the cover moves from rear to front to trigger the latching indicator spring arm, the partial overlap of the latching indicator spring arm and the interlocking connector in the front-rear direction does not affect the normal operation of the latching indicator spring arm.

[0061] Specific embodiment 4 of the connector provided by this utility model: This embodiment is based on embodiment 1. The difference between this embodiment and embodiment 1 is that the dimensions of the snap-fit ​​indicator arm and the insertion indicator arm in the front-to-back direction are both larger than the dimensions of the extension in the front-to-back direction in this embodiment. The arm is kept connected to the base and arranged side by side with the snap-fit ​​indicator arm and the insertion indicator arm.

[0062] Specific embodiment 5 of the connector provided by this utility model: This embodiment is based on embodiment 1. The difference between this embodiment and embodiment 1 is that the guide surface is not provided on the fastening top pressing protrusion in this embodiment, but is provided on the mating protrusion on the cover.

[0063] Specific embodiment 6 of the connector provided by this utility model: This embodiment is based on Embodiment 1, but differs in that the thickness of the front half of the snap-fit ​​indicator arm in the vertical direction is greater than that of the rear half. The upper side of the front half of the snap-fit ​​indicator arm is flush with the upper side of the rear half, and a stepped structure is formed between the lower side of the front half and the lower side of the rear half. This stepped structure constitutes the snap-fit ​​pressing protrusion. The stepped surface of the stepped structure faces rearward and is inclined, thus forming a guide surface.

[0064] Specific embodiment 7 of the connector provided by this utility model: This embodiment is based on embodiment 1. The difference between this embodiment and embodiment 1 is that the cover does not have a mating protrusion, and the height of the snap-fit ​​pressing protrusion is relatively high. In this way, after the cover is snapped in place, it can naturally press against the guide surface on the snap-fit ​​pressing protrusion.

[0065] Specific embodiment 8 of the connector provided by this utility model: This embodiment is based on embodiment 1. The difference between this embodiment and embodiment 1 is that in this embodiment, the lower side of the snap-fit ​​indicator arm is flush with the lower side of the base, and there is no need to set an avoidance groove.

[0066] Specific embodiment 9 of the connector provided by this utility model: This embodiment is based on embodiment 1. The difference between this embodiment and embodiment 1 is that the cap can be completely removed from the housing. When installing the cap, it is moved from back to front and snapped onto the housing.

[0067] Specific embodiment 10 of the connector provided by this utility model: This embodiment is based on embodiment 1. The difference between this embodiment and embodiment 1 is that the snap-fit ​​top pressing protrusion and the pawl are arranged side by side in this embodiment. The snap-fit ​​top pressing protrusion is located on the side of the pawl away from the interlocking insertion part. This makes the front and rear length of the snap-fit ​​indicator spring arm smaller, which facilitates the compact design of the entire locking plate.

[0068] Specific embodiment 11 of the connector provided by this utility model: This embodiment is based on embodiment 1. The difference between this embodiment and embodiment 1 is that in this embodiment, the insertion indicator arm and the latching indicator arm are located on the same side of the interlocking insertion part.

[0069] Specific embodiment 12 of the connector provided by this utility model: This embodiment is based on Embodiment 1, but differs in that the locking plate does not have a limiting step, and the engaging spring arm does not have a limiting protrusion. The locking plate can be pulled out of the cavity backward. Since the limiting protrusion is no longer provided, the assembly difficulty of the locking plate is reduced, the engaging spring arm does not need to be provided in the cavity, and the blocking protrusion can be provided on the main body of the housing.

[0070] Specific embodiments of the locking plate provided by this utility model: The locking piece is the same as the locking piece in the above-described connector embodiment, and will not be described again.

[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 locking plate, characterized in that, When in use, the locking plate can move along the insertion and removal direction of the connector and has a stop position that can stop and limit the pressing and unlocking end of the locking plate (14) and a clearance position that can avoid the pressing and unlocking end of the locking plate (14) on the movement path. The locking plate includes a base (161) and an extension connected to the base (161) and extending along the movement direction of the locking plate and a position indicator spring arm. An interlocking plug-in part (163) is provided at one end of the extension part away from the base (161). A plug-in conductor (1632) is provided on the interlocking plug-in part (163) for plugging into the signal terminal on the adapter connector to form a complete interlocking signal circuit. The position indicator spring arm is used to indicate whether the connector and the adapter connector are plugged in and / or to indicate whether the cover of the connector located behind the locking plate in the opposite insertion direction is fastened in place. The extension part and the position indicator spring arm are arranged along the width direction of the position indicator spring arm.

2. The locking piece according to claim 1, characterized in that it is interlocked. The insertion part (163) is located on the front side of the position indicator spring arm in the connector mating direction. The width dimension of the interlocking insertion part (163) is greater than the width dimension of the extension part. The position indicator spring arm and the interlocking insertion part (163) have an overlapping area in the moving direction of the locking piece.

3. The locking piece according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it is interlocked. Both sides of the plug portion (163) are provided with retaining spring arms (166) for engaging with the adapter connector to keep the locking piece stationary. The positioning indicator spring arm and the corresponding retaining spring arm (166) are arranged at intervals along the moving direction of the locking piece.

4. The locking piece according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The base (161) is also provided with two guide arms (165) extending along the moving direction of the locking piece. The guide arms (165) are used to guide and cooperate with the housing (12) along the moving direction of the locking piece. The two guide arms (165) are located on both sides of the extension in the width direction, and the positioning indicator arm is located between the guide arm (165) on the corresponding side and the extension.

5. The locking piece according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The positioning indicator spring includes a mating indicator spring (164) for indicating whether the connector and the adapter connector are mated in place, and a locking indicator spring (162) for indicating whether the cover (13) of the connector is locked in place. The mating indicator spring (164) and the locking indicator spring (162) are arranged along their width direction, and the extension is located between the mating indicator spring (164) and the locking indicator spring (162).

6. The locking piece according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The positioning indicator spring arm includes a mating indicator spring arm (164) for indicating whether the connector and the adapter connector are mated in place. The mating indicator spring arm (164) is provided with a stop pawl (1641) for engaging with a stepped structure provided on the housing (12) to prevent the locking piece (16) from moving to the stop position. The mating indicator spring arm (164) is also provided with a mating pressing part for lifting the mating indicator spring arm (164) by the pushing action of the adapter connector after the connector and the adapter connector are mated in place, so that the stop pawl (1641) is disengaged from the stepped structure. The mating pressing part is a mating pressing protrusion (1642). The mating pressing protrusion (1642) and the stop pawl (1641) are arranged side by side, and the arrangement direction of the mating pressing protrusion (1642) and the stop pawl (1641) is in the same direction as the width direction.

7. The locking piece according to claim 6, characterized in that it is interlocked. The width of the plug portion (163) is greater than the width of the extension portion. The insertion indicator arm (164) is located between the interlocking plug portion (163) and the base (161). The stop pawl (1641) and the interlocking plug portion (163) overlap at least partially in the insertion and extraction direction. The insertion pressing protrusion (1642) is located on the side of the stop pawl (1641) away from the interlocking plug portion (163).

8. The locking piece according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The positioning indicator spring arm includes a locking indicator spring arm (162) for indicating whether the cover (13) of the connector is locked in place. The locking indicator spring arm (162) is provided with a pawl (1621) for engaging with a stepped structure provided on the housing (12) to prevent the locking piece (16) from moving to the stop position. The locking indicator spring arm (162) is also provided with a locking pressing protrusion (1622) for lifting the locking indicator spring arm (1622) by the pushing action of the cover (13) after the cover (13) is locked in place, so that the pawl (1621) disengages from the stepped structure. The locking pressing protrusion (1622) is provided with a guide surface for sliding pressing engagement with the cover (13).

9. The locking piece according to claim 8, characterized in that, The snap-fitting top pressing protrusion (1622) and the claw (1621) are arranged at intervals along the insertion and extraction direction, with the snap-fitting top pressing protrusion (1622) located on the side of the claw (1621) closer to the base.

10. A connector, comprising a housing (12) having a locking tab (14) for locking with an adapter connector, characterized in that, The housing (12) is also movably provided with a locking piece (16) as described in any one of claims 1-9, which is movable in the insertion / removal direction, and the width direction of the locking piece (16) is in the same direction as the arrangement direction of the power terminals on the connector.

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