Latch structure of an electrical connector

Abstract

The utility model provides a lock catch structure of electric connector, include: a base, its one long edge is equipped with plurality of conductive terminal and is equipped with the assembly part in two short edges, is formed with the stop portion in two assembly parts opposite outside, a cover plate is installed on the base and forms and has the plug -in space, and the two assembly parts of base have an operating space correspondingly, two elastic fasteners are installed in two assembly parts of base and two operating spaces of cover plate, the fixed part of elastic fastener is set up in the assembly part position of the other side away from plug -in space, and the fixed part extends and has the buckle and the operating part that supplies the force and makes the buckle move downward and is limited and holds in the stop portion, the aforementioned component is very simple and has the advantage that assembles easily, is advantageous in the system of car or thin -gauge electronic product, reaches the same function under the premise of giving consideration to structural stability.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to a locking structure for an electrical connector, and more particularly to a structure in which, when the flexible circuit board of the electrical connector is inserted into the insertion space formed by the base and the cover plate, the front end of the flexible circuit board first contacts the latches of two elastic fasteners during the pushing process and presses down the latches. When the latching grooves on both sides of the flexible circuit board are aligned with the latches to form a non-interference state, the latches spring back and rise into the latching grooves to form a latch. At the same time, the multiple contacts on the bottom side of the flexible circuit board abut against the mating parts of the multiple conductive terminals on the base plate to form an electrical connection, thereby achieving the purpose of automatic locking between the electrical connector and the flexible circuit board. Background Technology

[0002] The rapid development of electronic technology and the Internet has led to the continuous emergence of various related electronic products, which are gradually becoming lighter, thinner, shorter, smaller, easier to carry, and faster in terms of computing and transmission speed. In order to reduce the size of various electronic products, the electronic components with different functions inside the electronic products need to be more precise and miniaturized, and the overall structural strength needs to be strengthened to meet the current development trend of electronic products.

[0003] Furthermore, in order for electronic components of electronic products to perform their intended functions, multiple electrical connectors are used as bridges for the transmission and communication of electrical signals between them. Since the designers of electrical connectors for signal transmission usually design them with the dual goals of increasing signal transmission volume and miniaturization, flexible printed circuit (FPC) type electrical connectors with a large number of terminals and light, thin, short and small size have emerged and are increasingly widely used in computers and their peripheral electronic devices.

[0004] However, existing electrical connectors for pluggable flexible circuit boards have many parts and complex assembly structures, which increases manufacturing costs and production time. At the same time, the overall height of the electrical connector is relatively large, which is not conducive to its application in space-constrained fields (such as automotive systems or thin electronic products). Therefore, how to develop a thin electrical connector that can achieve the same function while taking into account structural stability has become the goal that those engaged in this industry are eager to achieve. Utility Model Content

[0005] Therefore, in view of the above-mentioned problems and deficiencies, the main purpose of this utility model is to provide a locking structure for an electrical connector.

[0006] This utility model provides a locking structure for an electrical connector, characterized in that it includes:

[0007] A base has a plurality of conductive terminals passing through one long side and an assembly part on each of the two short sides. A stop part is formed on the opposite outer side of each of the two assembly parts.

[0008] A cover plate is mounted on the base and forms an insertion space, and the cover plate has an operating space at each of the two assembly parts corresponding to the base; and

[0009] Two elastic fasteners are installed in the two assembly parts of the base and the two operating spaces of the cover plate. The fixing part of the elastic fastener is located in the insertion space on the side away from the assembly part, and the fixing part extends to have a buckle and an operating part for applying force to move the buckle downward and limit it against the stop part.

[0010] The locking structure of the electrical connector, wherein: the long side of the base has a plurality of through slots for the plurality of conductive terminals to pass through and be positioned, and the welded portions of the plurality of conductive terminals in a bend shape are exposed from the base, while the suspended ends of the upwardly arched mating portions of the plurality of conductive terminals are located in a plurality of limiting slots in the base plate.

[0011] The locking structure of the electrical connector, wherein: the base and the cover plate are provided with at least one latching block and at least one through groove on the short sides of both sides, which can be fastened to each other.

[0012] The locking structure of the electrical connector includes: the insertion space formed between the base and the cover plate allows a preset flexible circuit board to pass through, and both sides of the preset flexible circuit board have locking grooves for the two elastic fasteners to extend into to form interference positioning, and the bottom side of the preset flexible circuit board has multiple contacts for the mating portions of the multiple conductive terminals to abut against each other to form an electrical connection.

[0013] The locking structure of the electrical connector includes: the assembly part of the base includes a slot for the fixing part of the elastic fastener to be inserted, and an open movable space corresponding to the operating space of the cover plate. A positioning plate is provided between the slot and the movable space, and a stop part is formed on the opposite outer side of the two movable spaces to limit and resist when the elastic fastener is pressed down.

[0014] The locking structure of the electrical connector includes: the elastic fastener includes a base located in the movable space of the base, and a bent portion extending from one side of the base to abut against the positioning plate; a fixing portion with a thorn structure on both sides is formed at the suspended end of the bent portion; an upwardly protruding buckle is provided on the inner side of the base of the two elastic fasteners, and a guide portion with an oblique extension is provided on the top side of the buckle; an operating portion is formed on the side of the base opposite to the buckle that extends vertically upward and horizontally.

[0015] Based on the above description, when the flexible circuit board is inserted into the insertion space formed by the base and the cover plate, the front end of the flexible circuit board first contacts the latches of the two elastic fasteners during the pushing process and presses down the latches. When the latching grooves on both sides of the flexible circuit board are aligned with the latches and form a non-interference state, the latches spring back and rise into the latching grooves to form a latch. At the same time, the multiple contacts on the bottom side of the flexible circuit board abut against the mating parts of the multiple conductive terminals on the base plate to form an electrical connection, thereby achieving the purpose of automatic locking between the electrical connector and the flexible circuit board. Furthermore, the parts of the electrical connector of this utility model are extremely simplified, which has the advantage of easy assembly and forms a thin electrical connector, which is more advantageous for application in automotive systems or thin electronic products, achieving the same function while taking into account structural stability. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional view of the electrical connector of this utility model.

[0017] Figure 2 This is an exploded perspective view of the electrical connector of this utility model.

[0018] Figure 3 This is an exploded perspective view of the electrical connector of this utility model.

[0019] Figure 4 The electrical connector of this utility model is along Figure 1 A three-dimensional cross-sectional view of A-A' after it has been cut open and is in the locking state.

[0020] Figure 5 The electrical connector of this utility model is along Figure 1 A side sectional view of section A-A' in the locked state after being cut open.

[0021] Figure 6 The electrical connector of this utility model is along Figure 1 A side view sectional view of A-A' after it has been cut open in the unlocked state.

[0022] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached drawings: 1-Base; 10-Interlocking space; 11-Conductive terminal; 111-Welding part; 112-Mating part; 12-Assembly part; 121-Slot; 122-Movement space; 123-Positioning plate; 124-Stop part; 13-Through groove; 14-Limiting groove; 15-Snap block; 2-Cover plate; 20-Operating space; 21-Through groove; 3-Elastic fastener; 31-Base; 32-Bending part; 33-Fixing part; 331-Razor structure; 34-Snap; 341-Guide angle part; 35-Operating part; 4-Flexible circuit board; 41-Snap groove; 42-Contact point. Detailed Implementation

[0023] Please see Figures 1 to 3The figures shown are a perspective view, an exploded perspective view, and an exploded perspective view of the electrical connector of this utility model. As can be clearly seen from the figures, this utility model provides an electrical connector, mainly comprising a base 1, a cover plate 2, and two elastic fasteners 3. The detailed structure and connection relationships are as follows:

[0024] The base 1 has a plurality of conductive terminals 11 through one long side and an assembly part 12 on each of the two short sides. A stop part 124 is formed on the opposite outer side of each of the two assembly parts 12.

[0025] The cover plate 2 is mounted on the base 1 and forms an insertion space 10, and the cover plate 2 has a concave operating space 20 corresponding to the two assembly parts 12 of the base 1.

[0026] The two elastic fasteners 3 are installed in the two assembly parts 12 of the base 1 and the two operating spaces 20 of the cover plate 2. The fixing part 33 of the elastic fastener 3 is located in the insertion space 10 on the side away from the assembly part 12, and the fixing part 33 extends to have a buckle 34 and an operating part 35 for applying force to move the buckle 34 downward and limit it to abut against the stop part 124.

[0027] The base 1 has a plurality of through slots 13 on its long side for the plurality of conductive terminals 11 to pass through and be positioned, and the welded portions 111 of the plurality of conductive terminals 11 are exposed from the base 1 in a bend shape. The suspended ends of the upwardly arched mating portions 112 of the plurality of conductive terminals 11 are located in the plurality of limiting slots 14 of the base 1 bottom plate. The base 1 and the cover plate 2 are provided with at least one fastening block 15 and at least one through slot 21 on their two short sides. The insertion space 10 formed between the base 1 and the cover plate 2 is for a preset flexible circuit 4 (Flexible Printed Circuit, FPC) board to pass through. The preset flexible circuit board 4 has fastening slots 41 on both sides for the buckles 34 of the two elastic fasteners 3 to extend into and form interference positioning. The bottom side of the preset flexible circuit board 4 has a plurality of contacts 42 for the mating portions 112 of the plurality of conductive terminals 11 to abut against and form an electrical connection.

[0028] The assembly part 12 of the base 1 includes a slot 121 for the fixing part 33 of the elastic fastener 3 to be inserted, and an open movable space 122 corresponding to the operating space 20 of the cover plate 2. A positioning plate 123 is provided between the slot 121 and the movable space 122. A stop part 124 is formed on the outer side of the two movable spaces 122 to limit and support the elastic fastener 3 when it is pressed down.

[0029] The aforementioned elastic fastener 3 includes a base 31 located in the movable space 122 of the base 1, and a bent portion 32 extending from one side of the base 31 to abut against the positioning plate 123. A fixing portion 33 with a barbed structure 331 on both sides is formed at the suspended end of the bent portion 32. An upwardly protruding buckle 34 is provided on the inner side of the base 31 of the two elastic fasteners 3, and the top side of the buckle 34 has a guide portion 341 in an oblique shape. An operating portion 35 is formed on the side of the base 31 opposite to the buckle 34, extending vertically upward and horizontally.

[0030] When assembling the electrical connector of this utility model, the plurality of conductive terminals 11 made of metal are first joined to the base 1 made of insulating plastic. The preferred joining method is to achieve this through in-mold injection molding. Then, the fixing parts 33 of the two elastic fasteners 3 are inserted into the slots 121 on both sides of the base 1 to form a snap-fit ​​fixation. At the same time, the base 31 and the buckle 34 of the elastic fasteners 3 are located in the movable space 122 of the base 1. Finally, the cover plate 2 is assembled on the base 1 from top to bottom and is fastened and fixed by the plurality of fastening blocks 15 and the plurality of through slots 21 on both sides, thus completing the assembly of the electrical connector.

[0031] Please see Figures 4 to 6 As shown, these are the electrical connector edges of this utility model. Figure 1 The diagram shows a three-dimensional cross-sectional view of the connector after it has been cut open along line A-A' in the locked state, a side cross-sectional view in the locked state, and a side cross-sectional view in the unlocked state. In actual operation, the flexible circuit board 4 needs to be inserted into the insertion space 10 formed by the base 1 and the cover plate 2. During the pushing process, the front end of the flexible circuit board 4 first contacts the inclined guide portion 341 of the two elastic fasteners 3, allowing the elastic fasteners 3 to use the bent portion 32 as a fulcrum to press down the buckle 34 and tilt the base 31 (e.g., ...). Figure 6 As shown), when the slots 41 on both sides of the flexible circuit board 4 form a non-interfering state with the buckle 34, the buckle 34 and the base 31 spring back and rise to a horizontal state and extend into the slot 41 to form a stable automatic latch (as shown). Figure 4 , Figure 5 As shown), after the flexible circuit board 4 is positioned, the plurality of contacts 42 can abut against the mating portions 112 of the plurality of conductive terminals 11 on the base 1 to form an electrical connection. To unlock and separate the electrical connector from the flexible circuit board 4, force needs to be applied to the operating portions 35 of the two elastic fasteners 3 to press down. The elastic fasteners 3 then use the bending portion 32 as a fulcrum to press down the latch 34 and tilt the base 31. After the height of the top of the latch 34 is lower than the surface of the flexible circuit board 4, the flexible circuit board 4 can be pulled out from the electrical connector. Releasing the force on the two elastic fasteners 3 will cause them to spring back to the horizontal position, thus completing the unlocking and separation of the electrical connector from the flexible circuit board 4.

[0032] The main feature of this utility model is that when the flexible circuit board 4 is inserted into the insertion space 10 formed by the base 1 and the cover plate 2, the front end of the flexible circuit board 4 first contacts the buckle 34 of the two elastic fasteners 3 during the pushing process and presses the buckle 34 down. When the buckle grooves 41 on both sides of the flexible circuit board 4 form a non-interference state with the buckle 34, the buckle 34 springs back and extends into the buckle groove 41 to form a fastening. At the same time, the multiple contacts 42 on the bottom side of the flexible circuit board 4 abut against the mating part 112 of the multiple conductive terminals 11 on the bottom plate of the base 1 to form an electrical connection, thereby achieving the purpose of automatic locking between the electrical connector and the flexible circuit board 4. Furthermore, the parts of the electrical connector of this utility model are extremely simplified and have the advantage of easy assembly, forming a thin electrical connector, which is more advantageous for application in automotive systems or thin electronic products, while achieving the same function and taking into account structural stability.

[0033] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present utility model and does not limit the patent scope of the present utility model. Therefore, any simple modifications and equivalent structural changes made based on the description and drawings of the present utility model should also be included in the patent scope of the present utility model.

Claims

1. A locking structure for an electrical connector, characterized in that, include: A base has a plurality of conductive terminals passing through one long side and an assembly part on each of the two short sides. A stop part is formed on the opposite outer side of each of the two assembly parts. A cover plate is mounted on the base and forms an insertion space, and the cover plate has an operating space at each of the two assembly parts corresponding to the base; and Two elastic fasteners are installed in the two assembly parts of the base and the two operating spaces of the cover plate. The fixing part of the elastic fastener is located in the insertion space on the side away from the assembly part, and the fixing part extends to have a buckle and an operating part for applying force to move the buckle downward and limit it against the stop part.

2. The locking structure of the electrical connector as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The long side of the base has multiple through slots for the multiple conductive terminals to pass through and be positioned, and the welded portions of the multiple conductive terminals, which are in a bend shape, are exposed from the base, while the suspended ends of the upward-arched mating portions of the multiple conductive terminals are located in multiple limiting slots in the base plate.

3. The locking structure of the electrical connector as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The base and the cover plate are provided with at least one latching block and at least one through groove on the short sides of both sides, which can be interlocked with each other.

4. The locking structure of the electrical connector as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The insertion space formed between the base and the cover plate allows a pre-set flexible circuit board to pass through. Both sides of the pre-set flexible circuit board have buckle grooves for the two elastic fasteners to extend into and form interference positioning. The bottom side of the pre-set flexible circuit board has multiple contacts for the mating portions of the multiple conductive terminals to abut against each other to form an electrical connection.

5. The locking structure of the electrical connector as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The assembly portion of the base includes a slot for the fixing portion of the elastic fastener to be inserted, and an open movable space corresponding to the operating space of the cover plate. A positioning plate is provided between the slot and the movable space, and a stop portion is formed on the opposite outer sides of the two movable spaces to limit and resist when the elastic fastener is pressed down.

6. The locking structure of the electrical connector as described in claim 5, characterized in that: The elastic fastener includes a base located in the movable space of the base, and a bent portion extending from one side of the base to abut against the positioning plate. A fixing portion with a barbed structure on both sides is formed at the suspended end of the bent portion. An upwardly protruding buckle is provided on the inner side of the base of the two elastic fasteners, and the top side of the buckle has a guide portion in the shape of an oblique extension. An operating portion is formed on the side of the base opposite to the buckle, extending vertically upward and horizontally.

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