Connector

Abstract

A connector (1) is provided. The connector (1) of the present invention includes a first barrier (23) and a second barrier (33). The connection terminals (22) of the female connecting element (2) are arranged between the first barrier (23) and the base (213) of the first main body (21). The connection terminals (32) of the male connecting element (3) are arranged between the second barrier (33) and the base (313) of the second main body (31). When the first main body (21) rotates and moves along the first path (315), such that the first barrier (23) and the second barrier (33) rotate and move, the connection terminal (32) penetrates through the second hole (332) and the first hole (232) to make contact with the connection terminal (22).

Description

Connector Field of invention This disclosure relates to a connector and, more particularly, to a connector with enhanced security. Background of the invention Currently, the connectors do not include protective devices. Document EP-0665454A1 discloses a connector according to the preamble of claim 1. Consequently, the user comes into direct contact with the charged metal terminal of the connector. Furthermore, the commercial demand and battery capacity of electronic products have increased, resulting in a corresponding increase in the output voltage of the electronic product at the connector. When the output voltage of the electronic product at the connector exceeds 42 V, safety regulations are violated. Therefore, when the internal surge protection of the electronic product fails, the risk of the user suffering an electric shock from contact with the metal terminal of the connector is high. Therefore, there is a need to provide a connector to circumvent the drawbacks encountered by the above techniques. Summary of the invention This disclosure provides a connector. The connector of this disclosure includes a first barrier and a second barrier. The plurality of first connection terminals of the female connecting element are arranged between the first barrier and the bottom of the first main body. The plurality of second connection terminals of the male connecting element are arranged between the second barrier and the bottom of the second main body. When the first main body is rotated and moved through the first path to actuate the first and second barriers so that they rotate and move, the second connection terminal passes through the second hole and the first hole to make contact with the first connection terminal.Consequently, when the male connector is not assembled with the female connector, the second barrier of the male connector covers the second connection terminal, preventing the second terminal from being exposed and thus avoiding contact with it by the user. When the male connector is assembled with the female connector, the first main body rotates and moves, so that the second connection terminal passes through the second hole of the second barrier and makes contact with the first connection terminal. As a result, the safety of the connector described herein is improved, and the risk of electric shock to the user is reduced. According to one aspect of this disclosure, a connector is provided. The connector includes a female connecting element and a male connecting element. The female connecting element includes a first main body, a first barrier, and a plurality of first connecting terminals. An inner peripheral surface of the first main body includes a first guiding portion. The first main body includes a first receiving portion. The first barrier is disposed in the first receiving portion and fixed to the first main body. The first barrier includes a first alignment portion and a plurality of first holes. The first alignment portion is disposed on one side of the first barrier, away from the bottom of the first main body. The plurality of first holes and the plurality of first connecting terminals are spatially matched in a one-to-one relationship.Each of the plurality of first connection terminals is arranged at the bottom of the first main body. The male connection element includes a second main body, a second barrier, and a plurality of second connection terminals. An outer peripheral surface of the second main body includes a first path. The second main body includes a second receiving part. The second barrier is arranged on the second receiving part and includes a second alignment part and a plurality of second holes. The second alignment part is arranged on one side of the second barrier, away from the bottom of the second main body. Each of the plurality of second connection terminals is arranged at the bottom of the second main body.The second alignment part and the first alignment part are aligned with each other, such that the plurality of second holes and the plurality of first holes have a spatial correspondence in their position in a one-to-one relationship. The first guiding part of the first main body is aligned with the first path of the second main body. The first main body is driven so that it is rotated and moved along a path of the first. The first barrier and the second barrier are rotated and moved so that each of the plurality of second connection terminals passes through a corresponding one of the plurality of second holes and a corresponding one of the plurality of first holes to make contact with a corresponding one of the first connection terminals. The content of this disclosure will be more clearly made apparent to the ordinary person skilled in the art from the following detailed description and accompanying drawings, in which: Brief description of the drawings Figure 1 is a schematic view representing a connector of the present disclosure; Figure 2 is a schematic exploded view representing the connector in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a schematic view representing the connector in Figure 1, taken from another viewpoint; Figure 4 is a schematic exploded view representing the connector in Figure 3; Figures 5A to 5D are schematic views representing an assembly process of the connector in Figure 1; and Figures 6A to 6D are schematic cross-sectional views representing the connector of Figures 5A to 5D, respectively, and taken along line AA. Detailed description of the preferred embodiment The present disclosure will be described more specifically below with reference to the following embodiments. It should be noted that the following descriptions of preferred embodiments of the present disclosure are presented herein for illustrative and descriptive purposes only. No exhaustiveness or limitation to the precise embodiment disclosed is sought. Figure 1 is a schematic view representing a connector of this disclosure. Figure 2 is a schematic exploded view representing the connector of Figure 1. Figure 3 is a schematic view representing the connector of Figure 1, taken from another viewpoint. Figure 4 is a schematic exploded view representing the connector of Figure 3. As depicted in Figures 1 through 4, the connector 1 of this disclosure includes a female connecting element 2 and a male connecting element 3. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the female connecting element 2 includes a first main body 21, four first connecting terminals 22, and a first barrier 23. The first main body 21 is a hollow cylinder and includes an inner peripheral surface 211, an outer peripheral surface 212, a bottom 213, a first receiving part 214, and two first guiding parts 215. The inner peripheral surface 211 and the outer peripheral surface 212 of the first main body 21 are opposite each other. The outer peripheral surface 212 of the first main body 21 is arranged around the inner peripheral surface 211 of the first main body 21. The bottom 213 is connected to the inner peripheral surface 211 and the outer peripheral surface 212. The inner peripheral surface 211 and the bottom 213 of the first main body 21 together define the first receiving part 214.The opening of the first receiving part 214 is oriented towards the male connecting element 3. The first two guiding parts 215 extend from the inner peripheral surface 211 of the first main body 21 and are perpendicular to the inner peripheral surface 211, respectively. The first two guiding parts 215 are arranged on opposite sides of the first main body 21 and the first receiving part 214, respectively. In this embodiment, the first main body 21 further includes a plurality of recesses 216. For example, the first main body 21 includes four recesses 216. Each of the recesses 216 is concave with respect to a side of the first main body 21 adjacent to the male connecting element 3 and away from the male connecting element 3.Each of the first guiding parts 215 is arranged between the two corresponding holes 216 so that the position of the first guiding part 215 can be confirmed in accordance with the position of the two holes 216. Each of the first connection terminals 22 is a conductive structure and extends from the bottom 213 of the first main body 21 towards the male connection element 3. In this embodiment, the first four connection terminals 22 are arranged sequentially. Two of the first four connection terminals 22 are arranged in the line formed between the first two guide parts 215. One of the two connection terminals 22 arranged in the line formed between the first two guide parts 215 is adjacent to one of the first two guide parts 215. The other of the two connection terminals 22 arranged in the line formed between the first two guide parts 215 is adjacent to the other of the first two guide parts 215. The first barrier 23 is arranged in the first receiving part 214 of the first main body 21 and fixed to the first main body 21. For example, the first barrier 23 is fixed to the bottom 213 of the first main body 21 and covers the first four connection terminals 22. The first four connection terminals 22 are arranged in the bottom 213 of the first main body 213. The first barrier 23 includes two first alignment parts 231 and four first holes 232. The first two alignment parts 231 are arranged on one side of the first barrier 23 away from the bottom 213 of the first main body 21. That is, the first two alignment parts 231 are arranged on one side of the first barrier 23 facing the male connection element 3. Preferably, but not exclusively, each of the first alignment parts 231 is a concave structure.The first four holes 232 pass through the first barrier 23, respectively. The first four holes 232 and the first four connection terminals 22 have a one-to-one spatial correspondence in terms of their position. That is, each of the first connection terminals 22 remains exposed through its corresponding first hole 232. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the male connecting element 3 includes a second main body 31, four second connecting terminals 32, and a second barrier 33. The second main body 31 is a hollow cylinder and includes an inner peripheral surface 311, an outer peripheral surface 312, a bottom 313, a second receiving part 314, two first paths 315, and two second paths 316. The inner peripheral surface 311 and the outer peripheral surface 312 of the second main body 31 are opposite each other. The outer peripheral surface 312 of the second main body 31 is arranged around the inner peripheral surface 311 of the second main body 31. The diameter formed by the inner peripheral surface 211 of the first main body 21 is greater than or equal to the diameter formed by the second outer peripheral surface 312 of the second main body 31.The bottom 313 is connected to the inner peripheral surface 311 and the outer peripheral surface 312. The inner peripheral surface 311 and the bottom 313 of the second main body 31 together define the second receiving part 314. The opening of the second receiving part 314 is oriented towards the female connecting element 2. The first two paths 315 are concave with respect to the outer peripheral surface 312 of the second main body 31. The first two paths 315 are arranged on opposite sides of the second main body 31. When the female connecting element 2 is assembled with the male connecting element 3, the first two guiding parts 215 of the first main body 21 align and engage with the corresponding first path 315, respectively, to actuate the first main body 21 so that it rotates and / or moves in accordance with the travel of the first path 315. In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, each of the first paths 315 of the second main body 31 includes a first interval 315a, a second interval 315b, and a third interval 315c. The first interval 315a, the second interval 315b, and the third interval 315c are arranged sequentially on the outer peripheral surface 312 of the second main body 31. A first end of the first interval 315a of the first path 315 is arranged at an end of the outer peripheral surface 312 of the second main body 31, adjacent to the female connecting element 2. The extension direction of the first interval 315a is the same as the axial direction of the second main body 31. A first end of the second interval 315b of the first path 315 is in communication with a second end of the first interval 315a of the first path 315.The extension direction of the second interval 315b is perpendicular to the extension direction of the first interval 315a. A first end of the third interval 315c of the first path 315 is in communication with a second end of the second interval 315b of the first path 315. The extension direction of the third interval 315c is the same as the extension direction of the first interval 315a. That is, the extension direction of the third interval 315c is the same as the axial direction of the second main body 31. The two second paths 316 of the second principal body 31 are concave with respect to the inner peripheral surface 311 of the second principal body 31. The two second paths 316 are arranged on opposite sides of the second principal body 31. The path of each of the second paths 316 and the path of the corresponding first path 315 are aligned with each other and arranged on opposite sides of the surface of the second principal body 31. That is, the second path 316 includes three intervals. Each of the intervals of the second path 316 and the corresponding interval of the first path 315 are arranged on opposite sides of the surface of the second principal body 31.For example, the three intervals of the second path 316 are similar to the first interval 315a, the second interval 315b, and the third interval 315c of the first path 315, respectively, and are not described redundantly hereafter in this memory. Each of the second connection terminals 32 is a conductive structure and extends from the bottom 313 of the second main body 31 towards the female connection element 2. In this embodiment, the four second connection terminals 32 are arranged sequentially. Two of the four second connection terminals 32 are adjacent to the intervals of the two second paths 316 corresponding to the third interval 315c of the first path 315, respectively. The second barrier 33 is arranged in the second receiving part 314 of the second main body 31. The four second connection terminals 32 are arranged in the bottom 313 of the second main body 31. The second barrier 33 includes two second alignment parts 331, four second holes 332, and two second guiding parts 333. The two second alignment parts 331 are arranged on one side of the second barrier 33 away from the bottom 313 of the second main body 31. That is, the two second alignment parts 331 are arranged on one side of the second barrier 33 facing the female connection element 2. Preferably, but not exclusively, each of the second alignment parts 331 is a protruding structure. Each of the second alignment parts 331 is aligned with the corresponding first alignment part 231 of the first barrier 23.The four second holes 332 pass through the second barrier 33, respectively. When the female connecting element 2 is assembled with the male connecting element 3 and the second alignment part 331 is aligned with the first alignment part 231, the four second holes 332 of the second barrier 33 and the four first holes 232 of the first barrier 23 are spatially aligned in a one-to-one relationship. The two second guide parts 333 protrude from the outer peripheral edge of the second barrier 33. Each of the second guide parts 333 is aligned with the corresponding second path 316 to actuate the second barrier 33 so that it rotates and / or moves in accordance with the path of the second path 316. When the second guide part 333 of the second barrier 33 is arranged in the interval of the second path 316 of the second main body 31 corresponding to the first interval 315a of the first path 315, the four second connection terminals 32 remain covered by the second barrier 33 and cannot remain exposed through the four second holes 332.When the second guide part 33 of the second barrier 33 is positioned in the interval of the second path 316 of the second main body 31 corresponding to the third interval 315c of the first path 315, the four second connection terminals 32 remain exposed through the second hole 332, respectively. The operation of the second barrier 33 is described below. Figures 5A to 5D are schematic views depicting an assembly process of the connector in Figure 1. Figures 6A to 6D are cross-sectional schematic views of the connector in Figures 5A to 5D, respectively, taken along line AA. As depicted in Figures 5A and 6A, the first main body 21 of the female connecting element 2 is in contact with the second main body 31 of the male connecting element 3, and the first guide portion 215 of the first main body 21 is aligned with one end of the first path 315 of the second main body 31 adjacent to the first main body 21. That is, the first guide portion 215 of the first main body 21 is positioned at one end of the first interval 315a of the first path 315 adjacent to the first main body 21.As shown in Figure 6A, the second connection terminal 32 of the male connection element 3 remains covered by the second barrier 33 and cannot remain uncovered through the second four holes 332. Next, as shown in Figures 2, 5B, and 6B, the first main body 21 of the female connecting element 2 moves toward the second main body 31 of the male connecting element 3 along the axial direction of the first main body 21. The first guiding portion 215 of the first main body 21 moves toward the connection between the first interval 315a and the second interval 315b along the first interval 315a of the first path 315 of the second main body 31, such that the second alignment portion 331 of the second barrier 33 aligns and engages with the first alignment portion 231 of the first barrier 23, and the second four holes 332 of the second barrier 33 and the first four holes 232 of the first barrier 23 are spatially aligned in a one-to-one relationship. The first barrier 23 is fixed to the first main body 21.That is, when the first main body 21 drives the first barrier 23 so that it moves, the first barrier 23 drives the second barrier 33 so that the latter moves along the interval of the second path 316 of the second main body 31 corresponding to the first interval 315a of the first path 315. As depicted in Figure 6B, the second connection terminal 32 of the male connection element 3 remains covered by the second barrier 33 and cannot remain uncovered through the four second holes 332. Next, as shown in Figures 2, 5C, and 6C, the first main body 21 of the female connecting element 2 is rotated along the second interval 315b of the male connecting element 3. In more detail, the first guide portion 215 of the first main body 21 moves toward the connection between the second interval 315b and the third interval 315c along the second interval 315b of the first path 315 of the second main body 31. The first main body 21 drives the first barrier 23 to rotate, and the first barrier 23 drives the second barrier 33 to rotate in the same direction. That is, the first barrier 23 drives the second barrier 33 to rotate along the interval of the second path 316 of the second main body 31 corresponding to the second interval 315b of the first path 315.Consequently, the four second connection terminals 32 and the four second holes 332 are spatially aligned in a one-to-one relationship. That is, each of the second connection terminals 32 is exposed through the second hole 332. Furthermore, the four second connection terminals 32, the four second holes 332, the first four holes 232, and the first four connection terminals 22 are spatially aligned in a one-to-one relationship sequentially. That is, each of the second connection terminals 32, the corresponding second hole 332, the corresponding first hole 232, and the corresponding first connection terminal 22 are sequentially aligned. Next, as depicted in Figures 2, 5D, and 6D, the first main body 21 of the female connecting element 2 moves toward the second main body 31 of the male connecting element 3 along the axial direction of the first main body 21. The first guide portion 215 of the first main body 21 moves along the third interval 315c of the first path 315 of the second main body 31. The first main body 21 drives the first barrier 23 to move, and the first barrier 23 drives the second barrier 33 to move in the same direction. That is, the first barrier 23 drives the second barrier 33 to move along the interval of the second path 316 of the second main body 31 corresponding to the third interval 315c of the first path 315.Consequently, each of the second connection terminals 32 passes through the corresponding second hole 332 and the corresponding first hole 232 to make contact with the corresponding first terminal 22. See Figures 6C and 6D, in which the male connecting element 3 further includes a spring 34 disposed between the second barrier 33 and the bottom 313 of the second main body 31. Consequently, when the second connecting terminal 32 of the male connecting element 3 is removed from the first hole 232 of the first barrier 23, the spring 34 provides an elastic force to push the second barrier 33 back to its original position in which the second barrier 33 is not forced by the first barrier 23. As mentioned above, the connector of this disclosure includes a first barrier and a second barrier. The plurality of first connection terminals of the female connecting element are arranged between the first barrier and the bottom of the first main body. The plurality of second connection terminals of the male connecting element are arranged between the second barrier and the bottom of the second main body. When the first main body is rotated and moved through the first path to actuate the first and second barriers so that they rotate and move, the second connection terminal passes through the second hole and the first hole to make contact with the first connection terminal.Consequently, when the male connector is not assembled with the female connector, the second barrier of the male connector covers the second connection terminal, preventing it from being exposed and thus preventing the user from coming into contact with it. When the male connector is assembled with the female connector, the first main body rotates and moves, allowing the second connection terminal to pass through the second hole of the second barrier and make contact with the first connection terminal. This improves the safety of the connector described herein and reduces the risk of electric shock to the user.

Claims

1. Connector (1), characterized in that it comprises: a female connecting element (2) comprising a first main body (21), a first barrier (23), and a plurality of first connection terminals (22), wherein an inner peripheral surface (211) of the first main body (21) comprises a first guiding part (215), the first main body (21) comprises a first receiving part (214), the first barrier (23) is disposed in the first receiving part (214) and fixed onto the first main body (21), the first barrier (23) comprises a first alignment part (231) and a plurality of first holes (232), the first alignment part (231) is disposed on one side of the first barrier (23) at a distance from a bottom (213) of the first main body (21), the plurality of first holes (232) and the plurality of first connection terminals (22) are spatially corresponding in position in a one-to-one relationship,and each of the plurality of first connection terminals (22) is arranged at the bottom (213) of the first main body (21); and a male connecting element (3) comprising a second main body (31), a second barrier (33), and a plurality of second connecting terminals (32), wherein an outer peripheral surface (312) of the second main body (31) comprises a first path (315), the second main body (31) comprises a second receiving part (314), the second barrier (33) is disposed on the second receiving part (314) and comprises a second alignment part (331) and a plurality of second holes (332), the second alignment part (331) is disposed on one side of the second barrier (33) at a distance from a bottom (313) of the second main body (31), and each of the plurality of second connecting terminals (32) is disposed on the second main body (31),wherein the second alignment part (331) and the first alignment part (231) are aligned with each other, such that the plurality of second holes (332) and the plurality of first holes (232) are spatially corresponding in position in a one-to-one relationship, the first guiding part (215) of the first main body (21) is aligned with the first path (315) of the second main body (31), characterized in that: the first main body (21) is driven to be rotated and moved through a path of the first path (315), and the first barrier (23) and the second barrier (33) are rotated and moved,such that each of the plurality of second connection terminals (32) penetrates through a corresponding one of the plurality of second holes (332) and a corresponding one of the plurality of first holes (232) to make contact with a corresponding one of the plurality of first connection terminals (22).

2. Connector (1) according to claim 1, wherein the first path (315) comprises a first interval (315a), a second interval (315b), and a third interval (315c), a first end of the first interval (315a) is disposed on an end of the second main body (31) adjacent to the first main body (21), an extension direction of the first interval (315a) is the same as an axial direction of the second main body (31), the second interval (315b) is disposed between a second end of the second interval (315b) and an end of the third interval (315c),1. An extension direction of the second interval (315b) is perpendicular to the extension direction of the first interval (315a), and an extension direction of the third interval (315c) is the same as the extension direction of the first interval (315a).

2. Connector (1) according to claim 2, wherein the second barrier (33) of the male connecting element (3) comprises a second guiding portion (333) projecting from an outer peripheral edge of the second barrier (33), the second main body (31) comprises a second path (316) formed concavely from an inner peripheral surface (311) of the second main body (31), and the second guiding portion (333) is aligned with the second path (316) and drives the second barrier (33) to rotate and move in accordance with a path of the second path (316).

3. Connector (1) according to claim 3,wherein the path of the second segment (316) of the second main body (31) and the path of the first segment (315) of the second main body (31) are aligned with each other and arranged on the two opposite sides of a surface of the second main body (31).

5. Connector (1) according to any one of claims 3 and 4, wherein one of the plurality of second connection terminals (32) is adjacent to an interval of the second segment (316) corresponding to the third interval (315c) of the first segment (315).

6. Connector (1) according to any one of claims 3 and 4, wherein when the second guiding part (333) of the second barrier (33) is arranged in an interval of the second path (316) corresponding to the first interval (315a) of the first path (315), the plurality of second connection terminals (32) are covered by the second barrier (33) and cannot be exposed through the plurality of second holes (332),wherein when the second guiding part (333) of the second barrier (33) is arranged in the interval of the second path (316) corresponding to the third interval (315c) of the first path (315), the plurality of second connection terminals (32) are exposed through a corresponding one of the plurality of second holes (332), respectively.

7. Connector (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein one of the plurality of first connection terminals (22) is adjacent to the first guiding part (215).

8. Connector (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the first main body (21) of the female connecting element (2) comprises two recesses (216), each of the two recesses (216) being concavely formed from a side of the first main body (21) adjacent to the second main body (31) and at a distance from the second main body (31),wherein the first guiding part (215) is arranged between the two recesses (216).

9. Connector (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein a diameter formed by the inner peripheral surface (211) of the first main body (21) is greater than or equal to a diameter formed by the outer peripheral surface of the second main body (31).

10. Connector (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the male connecting element (3) comprises a spring (34) arranged between the first barrier (23) and the bottom (313) of the second main body (31).

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