Unlocking tool

Abstract

An unlocking tool 5 (Figure 3) for unlocking a terminal 42 (Figure 1) from a connector; the unlocking tool comprises: a handle portion 51 (Figure 3), including two handle halves 511, 512 that can be o

Description

[0001] This application claims the benefit of Chinese Patent Application No. CN202320749235.5 filed on April 7, 2023 at the State Intellectual Property Office of China, the whole disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to an unlocking tool, and in particular to an unlocking tool for unlocking a terminal in a connector.

[0003] In the prior art, an unlocking tool for unlocking a terminal in or from a connector typically includes a handle and a tool head connected to one end of the handle. The crosssection of the tool head is C-shaped, and is configured to be inserted into an insertion hole in a top cover of the connector to drive the terminal locking member of the connector to an unlocked position and allow separation of the terminal from the connector.

[0004] In the prior art, before inserting the tool head into the insertion hole of the connector, it is necessary to bend a cable connected to the terminal to one side to prevent the unlocking tool from being interfered with by the cable. Then, it is necessary to observe the position of three elastic locking pieces of the terminal locking member through the insertion hole and to align the tool head with the three elastic locking pieces of the terminal locking member and insert it. Therefore, the unlocking operation of existing unlocking tools is very complex and difficult, SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 10005] The present invention has been made to overcome or alleviate at least one aspect of the above mentioned disadvantages,

[0006] According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an unlocking tool for unlocking a terminal of a connector. The unlocking tool comprises of: a handle portion, including two handle halves that can be opened and closed; and a tool head comprising two tool head halves respectively fixed to one ends of the two handle halves. The unlocking tool has a cable through hole axially penetrating through the handle portion and the tool head, and the cable through hole is used to accommodate a cable of the connector; when the two handle halves are closed, the two tool head halves are combined to form a cylindrical tool head, which is adapted to be inserted into an insertion hole in a top cover of the connector to drive a terminal locking member of the connector to an unlocking position separate from the terminal. J0007J According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, when the two handle halves are opened, the cable of the connector can be placed in the cable through hole from one side of the unlocking tool.

[0008] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, when the two handle halves are closed and the cable has been placed in the cable through hole, the unlocking tool can move axially relative to the cable to allow the tool head of the unlocking tool to be inserted into the insertion hole in the top cover.

[0009] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, when the two handle halves are closed, the two handle halves are combined to form the handle portion, and the handle portion is in a hollow cylindrical shape.

[0010] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, one end of one tool head half is inserted (or engaged with) and bonded to one end of one handle half; and / or one end of the other tool head half is inserted and bonded to one end of the other handle half.

[0011] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a semi-circular first positioning flange is formed on the inner circumferential wall of one end of the one handle half, and the end face of one end of the one tool head half is pressed against the first positioning flange to axially position the one handle half; a semi-circular second positioning flange is formed on the inner circumferential wall of one end of the other handle half, and the end face of one end of the other tool head half is pressed against the second positioning flange to axially position the other handle half.

[0012] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, one handle half is over molded on one tool head half to fix one end of the one tool head half into one end of the one handle half; and / or the other handle half is over molded on the other tool head half to fix one end of the other tool head half into one end of the other handle half.

[0013] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, one tool head half and one handle half are formed into an integral injection molded part; and / or the other tool head half and the other handle half are formed into an integral injection molded part. (0014] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, one sides of the two handle halves are rotatably connected together, allowing the two handle halves to be rotatably opened or closed. |0015] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the other sides of the two handle halves are suitable for being buckled together, so that the two handle halves can be kept in a closed state.

[0016] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a pivot shaft is formed on one side of one handle half, and a pivot hole is formed in one side of the other handle half; the pivot shaft is engaged with the pivot hole, allowing the two handle halves to be rotatably opened or closed.

[0017] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the pivot hole has a side opening, and the size of the side opening is smaller than the diameter of the pivot hole, so that the cross-section of the pivot hole is C-shaped; the pivot shaft is clamped, clipped or snapped into the pivot hole through the side opening of the pivot hole.

[0018] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a tongue portion is formed on one side of the handle half, and pivot shafts are respectively formed on both sides of the tongue portion; a notch is formed on one side of the other handle half, and pivot holes are respectively formed at both sides of the notch; the tongue portion is matched into the notch, and the pivot shaft is engaged into the pivot hole.

[0019] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a groove extending axially is formed on the other side of one handle half, and a convex rib extending axially is formed on the other side of the other handle half; the convex rib is suitable for engaging with the groove, so that the other sides of the two handle halves can be buckled or connected together.

[0020] In the aforementioned exemplary embodiments of the present invention, when unlocking the terminal, there is no need to bend the cable and align the tool head with the elastic locking pieces on the terminal locking member. Therefore, the unlocking operation of the unlocking tool of the present invention is very simple and easy. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] The above and other features of the present invention will become more apparent by describing in detail exemplary embodiments thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0022] Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 2 shows an illustrative perspective view of the terminal locking member of the connector shown in Figure 1;

[0024] Figure 3 shows an illustrative perspective view of an unlocking tool according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, wherein the unlocking tool is in a closed state;

[0025] Figure 4 shows an illustrative perspective view of an unlocking tool according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, wherein the unlocking tool is in an opened state;

[0026] Figure 5 shows an illustrative exploded view of an unlocking tool according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 6 shows an illustrative perspective view of one handle half and one tool head half of an unlocking tool according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 7 shows an illustrative perspective view of the other handle half and the other tool head half of the unlocking tool according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 8 shows an illustrative view of opening the unlocking tool to place the connector cable into the cable through hole of the unlocking tool;

[0030] Figure 9 shows an illustrative view of the cable of the connector being placed into the cable through hole of the opened unlocking tool;

[0031] Figure 10 shows an illustrative view of closing the unlocking tool and inserting the tool head into the connector's insertion hole after the cable is placed into the cable through hole of the unlocking tool; and

[0032] Figure 11 shows a sectional view of the unlocking tool and connector shown in Figure 10. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION [0033) Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described hereinafter in detail with reference to the attached drawings, wherein the like reference numerals refer to the like elements. The present disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiment set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that the present disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the concept of the disclosure to those skilled in the art. [0034) In the following detailed description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the disclosed embodiments. It will be apparent, however, that one or more embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are schematically shown in order to simplify the drawings. [0035) According to a general concept of the present invention, there is provided an unlocking tool for unlocking a terminal of a connector. The unlocking tool comprises: a handle portion, including two handle halves that can be opened and closed; and a tool head comprising two tool head halves fixed to respective ends of the two handle halves. The unlocking tool has a cable through hole axially penetrating or extending through the handle portion and the tool head. The cable through hole is used to accommodate a cable of the connector. When the two handle halves are closed, the two tool head halves are combined to form a cylindrical tool head, which is adapted to be inserted into an insertion hole in a top cover of the connector to drive a terminal locking member of the connector to an unlocking position or configuration to permit the terminal to be separated from a remainder of the connector.

[0936] Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 shows an illustrative perspective view of the terminal locking member 3 of the connector shown in Figure 1.

[0037] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, in the illustrated embodiments, the connector comprises a housing 1, a top cover 2, a terminal locking member 3, and a cable assembly 4. The top cover 2 is installed on the top opening of the housing 1, and the terminal locking member 3 is installed in an insertion hole 21 in the top cover 2. The cable assembly 4 includes a cable 41 and a terminal 42. The terminal 42 is crimped onto one end of cable 41. The terminal 42 is inserted into the housing 1 through the insertion hole 21 in the top cover 2.

[0038] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, in die illustrated embodiments, the terminal locking member 3 comprises a cylindrical body 30 and three elastic locking pieces 31 located within the cylindrical body 30. Three elastic locking pieces 31 are pressed against a radial step surface 42a on the terminal 42 to lock the terminal 42 in the housing I. Therefore, when pulling out the cable assembly 4 from housing 1, it is necessary to first use the unlocking tool 5 to push the three elastic locking pieces 31 of terminal locking member 3 to the unlocking or unlocked position in which they are separated from the radial step surface 42a on the terminal 42. |0G39| Figure 3 shows an illustrative perspective view of an unlocking tool 5 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, wherein the unlocking tool 5 is in a closed state. Figure 4 shows an illustrative perspective view of an unlocking tool 5 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, wherein the unlocking tool 5 is in an opened state. Figure 5 shows an illustrative exploded view of the unlocking tool 5 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Figure 6 shows an illustrative perspective view of one handle half 511 and one tool head half 521 of the unlocking tool 5 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Figure 7 shows an illustrative perspective view of the other handle half 512 and the other tool head half 522 of the unlocking tool 5 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [0040[ As shown in Figures 1 to 7, in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an unlocking tool 5 is disclosed for unlocking the terminal 42 of the connector as shown in Figure 1 thereby allowing the terminal to be removed from the housing 1. The unlocking tool 5 includes: a handle 51 and a tool head 52. The handle portion 51 includes two handle halves 511 and 512 that can be opened and closed. The tool head 52 includes two tool head halves 521 and 522 respectively fixed to ends of the two handle halves 511 and 512. Therefore, in the illustrated embodiment, the unlocking tool 5 can be opened and closed.

[0041] Figure 8 shows an illustrative view of opening the unlocking tool 5 to place the connector cable 41 into the cable through hole 501 of the unlocking tool 5. Figure 9 shows an illustrative view of the cable 41 of the connector being placed into the cable through hole 501 of the opened unlocking tool 5. Figure 10 shows an illustrative view of the cable 41 being placed into the cable through hole 501 of the unlocking tool 5, followed by closing the unlocking tool 5 and inserting the tool head 52 into the connector's insertion hole 21. Figure 11 shows a sectional view of the unlocking tool 5 and connector shown in Figure 10. (0042] As shown in Figures 1 to 11, in the illustrated embodiments, the unlocking tool 5 has a cable through hole 501 that axially penetrates or extends through the handle portion 51 and the tool head 52. The cable through hole 501 is used to accommodate the cable 41 of the connector. (0043] As shown in Figures 1 to 11, in the illustrated embodiment, when the two handle halves 511 and 512 are closed, the two tool head halves 521 and 522 are combined to form a cylindrical tool head 52. This tool head 52 is configured to be inserted into the insertion hole 21 in the top cover 2 of the connector, in order to drive or reconfigure the terminal locking member 3 of the connector to the unlocked position or configuration to permit the terminal 42 to be separated from the housing.

[0044] As shown in Figures 1 to 11, in the illustrated embodiments, when two handle halves 511 and 512 are opened, the cable 41 of the connector can be placed in the cable through hole 501 from one side of the opened unlocking tool 5,

[0045] As shown in Figures 1 to 11, in the illustrated embodiments, when the two handle halves 511 and 512 are closed and the cable 41 has been placed in or accommodated in the cable through hole 501, the unlocking tool 5 can be moved axially relative to the cable 41 to allow the unlocking tool 5 to be inserted into the insertion hole 21 in the top cover 2.

[0046] As shown in Figures 1 to 11, in the illustrated embodiments, when two handle halves 511 and 512 are closed, the two handle halves 511 and 512 are combined to form a handle portion 51, and the handle portion 51 has a hollow cylindrical shape.

[0047] As shown in Figures 1 to 11, in the illustrated embodiments, the tool head 52 is typically a metal component, and the handle 51 is typically a plastic component. One end of the tool head half 521 is inserted in and bonded to one end of the handle half 511. One end of the other tool head half 522 is inserted in and bonded to one end of the other handle half 512.

[0048] As shown in Figures 1 to 11, in the illustrated embodiments, a semi-circular first positioning flange 51 Ic is formed on the inner circumference wall of one end of one handle half 511, and the end face of one end of one tool head half 521 is pressed against the first positioning flange 511c to axially position one handle half 511. A semi-circular second positioning flange 512c is formed on the inner circumferential wall of one end of the other handle half 512, and the end face of one end of the other tool head half 522 is pressed against the second positioning flange 512c to axially position the other handle half 512.

[0049] Please note that the present invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiments. For example, in another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, one handle half 511 is over molded on one tool head half 521 to fix one end of the one tool head half 521 into one end of the one handle half 511. The other handle half 512 is over molded on the other tool head half 522 to fix one end of the other tool head half 522 into one end of the other handle half 512.

[0050] Please note that the present invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiments. For example, in another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, one tool head half 521 and one handle half 511 are formed into an integral injection molded part. The other tool head half 522 and the other handle half 512 are formed into an integral injection molded part.

[0051] As shown in Figures 1 to 11, in the illustrated embodiment, one side of the two handle halves 511 and 512 is rotatably connected together, allowing the two handle halves 511 and 512 to rotate and open and close.

[0052] As shown in Figures 1 to 11, in the illustrated embodiments, the other sides of the two handle halves 511 and 512 are suitable for being buckled together, so that the two handle halves 511 and 512 can be kept in a closed state.

[0053] As shown in Figures 1 to 11, in the illustrated embodiments, a pivot shaft 511a is formed on one side of one handle half 511, and a pivot hole 512a is formed on one side of the other handle half 512. The pivot shaft 511a is engaged with the pivot hole 512a, allowing the two handle halves 511 and 512 to be rotatably opened and closed.

[0054] As shown in Figures 1 to 11, in the illustrated embodiments, the pivot hole 512a has a side opening, and the size of the side opening is smaller than the diameter of the pivot hole 512a, resulting in a C-shaped cross-section of the pivot hole 512a. The pivot shaft 511a is clamped or snapped into the pivot hole 512a through the side opening of the pivot hole 512a.

[0055] As shown in Figures 1 to 11, in the illustrated embodiments, a tongue portion 5110 is formed on one side of one handle half 511, and pivot shafts 511a are respectively formed on both sides of the tongue portion 5110. A notch 5120 is formed on one side of the other handle half 512, and pivot holes 512a are respectively formed at both sides of the notch 5120. The tongue portion 5110 is matched into the notch 5120, and the or each the pivot shaft 511a is engaged in one of the pivot holes 512a.

[0056] As shown in Figures 1 to 11, in the illustrated embodiments, a groove 511b extending axially is formed on the other side of one handle half 511, and a convex rib 512b extending axially is formed on the other side of the other handle half 512. The convex rib 512b is suitable for joining or engaging with the groove 511b, so that the other sides of the two handle halves 511 and 512 can be buckled together.

[0057] The following will refer to Figures 8-11 to illustrate the unlocking process of the unlocking tool 5 of the present invention. Firstly, as shown in Figure 8, open the two handle halves 511 and 512 of the unlocking tool 5. Then, as shown in Figure 9, place the cable 41 of the connector into the cable through hole 501 of the opened unlocking tool 5. Then, as shown in Figure 10, close the two handle halves 511 and 512 of the unlocking tool 5. Then, as shown in Figure 11, insert the tool head 52 of the closed unlocking tool 5 into the insertion hole 21 of the connector until the end face of the tool head 52 is against the radial step surface 42a of the terminal 42. At this time, the elastic locking pieces 31 of the terminal locking member 3 are pushed to the unlocking or unlocked position separated from the terminal 42 by the tool head 52. Finally, pull out the cable assembly 4 outward, so that unlocking tool 5 and the cable assembly 4 are pulled out of the connector together.

[0058] It should be appreciated for those skilled in this art that the above described embodiment is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. For example, many modifications may be made to the above embodiment by those skilled in this art, and various features described in different embodiments may be freely combined with each other or omitted without conflicting in configuration or principle. {0059] Although several exemplary embodiments have been shown and described, it would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes or modifications may be made in these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the disclosure, the scope of which is defined in the claims and their equivalents.

[0060] As used herein, an element recited in the singular and proceeded with the word "a” or •'an" should be understood as not excluding plural of said elements or steps, unless such exclusion is explicitly stated. Furthermore, references to "one embodiment" of the present invention are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features. Moreover, unless explicitly stated to the contrary, embodiments ’’comprising" or "having" an element or a plurality of elements having a particular property may include additional such elements not having that property.

Claims

1. An unlocking tool for unlocking a terminal of a connector, wherein the unlocking tool comprises:a handle portion, including two handle halves that can be opened and closed; anda tool head comprising two tool head halves each fixed to an end of a respective one of the two handle halves,wherein the unlocking tool has a cable through hole axially extending through the handle portion and the tool head, which cable through hole is configured to accommodate a cable of the connector;wherein, when the two handle halves are closed, the two tool head halves are combined Io form a cylindrical tool head, which is adapted to be inserted into an insertion hole in a top cover of the connector to drive a terminal locking member of the connector to an unlocked configuration to permit the terminal to be separated from a remainder of the connector.

2. The unlocking tool according to claim 1 wherein, when the two handle halves are opened, the cable of the connector can be placed in the cable through hole from one side of the unlocking tool.

3. The unlocking tool according to claim I or 2 wherein, when the two handle halves are closed and the cable has been placed in the cable through hole, the unlocking tool can move axially relative to the cable to allow the tool head of the unlocking tool to be inserted into the insertion hole in the top cover.

4. The unlocking tool according to any preceding claim wherein, when the two handle halves are closed, the two handle halves are combined to form the handle portion, and the handle portion has a hollow cylindrical shape.

5. The unlocking tool according to any preceding claim wherein, one end of one tool head half is inserted in and bonded to one end of one handle half; and / orwherein one end of the other tool head half is inserted in and bonded to one end of the other handle half.

6. The unlocking tool according to any preceding claim,wherein a semi-circular first positioning flange is formed on an inner circumferential wall of one end of the one handle half, and an end face of one end of the one tool head half is pressedagainst the first positioning flange to axially position the one tool head half; andwherein a semi-circular second positioning flange is formed on an inner circumferential wall of one end of the other handle half, and an end face of one end of the other tool head half is pressed against the second positioning flange to axially position the other tool head half.

7. The unlocking tool according to any of claims 1 to 5,wherein one handle half is over molded on one tool head half to fix one end of the one tool head half into one end of the one handle half; and / orwherein the other handle half is over molded on the other tool head half to fix one end of the other tool head half into one end of the other handle half.

8. The unlocking tool according to any of claims 1 to 4,wherein one tool head half and one handle half are formed into an integral injection molded part; and / orwherein the other tool head half and the other handle half are formed into an integral injection molded part.

9. The unlocking tool according to any preceding claim, wherein adjacent sides of the two handle halves are rotatably connected together, allowing the two handle halves to be rotatably opened or closed.

10. The unlocking tool according to claim 9, wherein the other sides of the two handle halves are configured to be engaged with each other, so that the two handle halves can be kept in a closed state.

11. The unlocking tool according to claim 9 or 10,wherein a pivot shaft is formed on one side of one handle half, and a pivot hole is formed in one side of the other handle half; andwherein the pivot shaft is engaged with the pivot hole, allowing the two handle halves to be rotatably opened or closed.

12. The unlocking tool according to claim 11,wherein the pivot hole has a side opening, and the size of the side opening is smaller than a diameter of the pivot hole, so that the cross-section of the pivot hole is C-shaped; and,wherein the pivot shaft can be snapped into the pivot hole through the side opening of the pivot hole.

13. The unlocking tool according to claim 11 or 12,wherein a tongue portion is formed on one side of the handle half, and pivot shafts are respectively formed on both sides of the tongue portion;wherein a notch is formed on one side of the other handle half, and pivot holes are respectively formed at both sides of the notch; andwherein the tongue portion is configured to be accommodated in the notch, and each pivot shaft is engaged in a respective one of the pivot holes.

14. The unlocking tool according to claim 10,wherein an axially extending groove is formed on the other side of one handle half, and an axially extending convex rib is formed on the other side of the other handle half; andwherein the convex rib is suitable for engaging with the groove, so that the other sides of the two handle halves can be engaged with each other.

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