Self-fastening connector

Abstract

To provide an automatic fastening connector capable of preventing generation of a crack from a specific position or breakage by dispersing stress applied to a specific connector when fastening between connectors.SOLUTION: The automatic fastening connector includes a first connector (100) having a pin terminal therein and a second connector having a socket terminal into which the pin terminal is inserted, the first connector 100 includes a housing accommodating the pin terminals therein, an accommodation space formed in the housing and accommodating the second connector 200 in a first direction, a pair of position correction guides 130 formed at both sides of the housing and extending in the first direction, and a prevention guide 140 formed at a rear side of the housing and extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a self-fastening connector, and more particularly to a self-fastening connector that allows easy fastening and unfastening between connectors. [Background technology]

[0002] Generally, a connector is a connecting device that electrically connects a power source to a device, another device to another device, or an internal unit of a device. This connector consists of a pair of connectors that can be fastened to each other, i.e., a plug connector and a receptacle connector. The plug connector and the receptacle connector are provided with terminals inside for transmitting current and signals.

[0003] However, in the conventional connector assembly, the worker must check the connection visually or tactilely before fastening the connector, which has the problem that efficiency and workability cannot be significantly improved.

[0004] Furthermore, in the conventional connector assembly, stress is concentrated at a specific position of the position correction arm during the process of fastening the plug connector and the receptacle connector.

[0005] In this way, if stress is concentrated at a specific location on the position correction arm when fastening the plug connector and receptacle connector, the strength of that location will decrease, and if the stress is severe, cracks or breakage may occur. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The technical objective of an embodiment of the present invention is to provide an automatic fastening connector that can distribute stress applied to a specific connector when fastening connectors together, thereby preventing cracks or breakage from occurring at specific locations.

[0007] Another technical object of the present invention is to provide an automatic fastening connector that can improve fastening stability when the connectors are coupled.

[0008] The problems to be solved by the present invention are not limited to the technical problems mentioned above, and other technical problems not mentioned above will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains from the following description. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] An automatic fastening connector according to an embodiment for solving the above-mentioned technical problems includes a first connector having pin terminals therein, and a second connector having socket terminals into which the pin terminals are inserted, the first connector including a housing for accommodating the pin terminals therein, an accommodating space formed inside the housing for accommodating the second connector from a first direction, a pair of position correction guides formed on both sides of the housing and extending in the first direction, and a prevention guide formed at the rear of the housing and extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.

[0010] According to an embodiment, the pair of position correction guides include a first curved portion having one end abutting both sides of the housing and the other end bent (folded) toward the first direction, and a second curved portion having one end abutting the other end of the first curved portion and the other end abutting the rear of the housing, and formed in an S-shape.

[0011] According to an embodiment, the pair of position correction guides further include extensions formed by protruding from the first curved portion toward both sides of the housing, and ends of the extensions are formed spaced apart on both sides of the housing.

[0012] According to an embodiment, the extension is formed spaced apart from the second curved portion.

[0013] According to an embodiment, the extension is formed to be inclined toward the front of the housing.

[0014] According to an embodiment, the pair of position correction guides further include a slot formed extending from the first curved portion to the second curved portion.

[0015] According to an embodiment, the prevention guide is formed in a pair, and the pair of prevention guides are formed spaced apart from the upper and lower ends of the housing, respectively.

[0016] According to the embodiment, the tension of the prevention guide located at the upper part is greater than the tension of the prevention guide located at the lower part.

[0017] According to an embodiment, the first connector further includes a fastening guide formed at the front of the housing and increasing in width as it goes forward, and the second connector is accommodated in the accommodating space along the fastening guide.

[0018] According to an embodiment, the cross section of the fastening guide is formed in a rectangular shape.

[0019] According to an embodiment, the second connector includes a housing that accommodates the socket terminals therein, a protrusion that protrudes from a front end of the housing and forms an installation space in which the socket terminals are installed, and a pair of position correction guides that are formed on both sides of the housing and extend in a direction opposite to the first direction.

[0020] According to an embodiment, the pair of position correction guides include an extension portion having one end abutting both sides of the housing and the other end extending toward the first direction, and a bent portion having one end abutting the other end of the extension portion and the other end bent to abut the rear of the housing.

[0021] According to an embodiment, each of the pair of position correction guides includes a first extension portion and a first bent portion formed on an upper portion of the housing, and a second extension portion and a second bent portion formed on a lower portion of the housing. [Effects of the Invention]

[0022] According to the embodiment, an automatic fastening connector is provided that disperses the stress applied to a specific connector when fastening connectors, preventing cracks or breakage from occurring at specific locations, thereby enabling workers to easily join / fasten connectors.

[0023] According to the embodiment, an automatic fastening connector capable of improving fastening stability when connecting connectors is provided, thereby enabling an operator to easily connect / fasten connectors.

[0024] The effects obtained by the present invention are not limited to those mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0025] [Figure 1] 1 illustrates an auto-fastening connector according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] 1 is an exploded view of an automatic fastening connector according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] 1 illustrates a first connector of an automatic fastening connector according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] 1 illustrates a first connector of an automatic fastening connector according to an embodiment. [Figure 5] 1 illustrates a first connector of an automatic fastening connector according to an embodiment. [Figure 6] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing a prevention guide provided in a first connector of an automatic fastening connector according to an embodiment. [Figure 7] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating an example in which a second connector of a self-fastening connector according to an embodiment is fastened to a first connector. [Figure 8] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating an example in which a second connector of a self-fastening connector according to an embodiment is fastened to a first connector. [Figure 9] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating an example in which a second connector of a self-fastening connector according to an embodiment is fastened to a first connector. [Figure 10] 10A and 10B show a second connector of the self-fastening connector according to an embodiment. [Figure 11] 10A and 10B show a second connector of the self-fastening connector according to an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0026] Hereinafter, the embodiments disclosed in this specification will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which the same or similar components will be given the same reference numerals regardless of the drawing numerals, and redundant explanations thereof will be omitted.

[0027] The suffixes "module" and "section" for components used in the following description are used or mixed together solely for the convenience of writing the specification, and do not have any distinct meanings or roles. Furthermore, when describing the embodiments disclosed herein, if it is determined that a detailed description of related publicly known technology may obscure the gist of the embodiments disclosed herein, the detailed description will be omitted.

[0028] Furthermore, the attached drawings are merely for facilitating understanding of the embodiments disclosed in this specification, and the attached drawings should not be construed as limiting the technical ideas disclosed in this specification, but should be understood to include all modifications, equivalents, or alternatives included within the idea and technical scope of the present invention.

[0029] Terms including ordinal numbers such as "first," "second," etc. are used to describe various components of the embodiments. However, these components should not be limited in their interpretation by these terms. Such terms are merely used to distinguish one component from another.

[0030] When a component is said to be "coupled" or "connected" to another component, it should be understood that this means that the component is directly coupled or connected to the other component, but also includes cases where there are other components between them. On the other hand, when a component is said to be "directly coupled" or "directly connected" to another component, it should be understood that there are no other components between them.

[0031] The singular expression includes the plural expression unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0032] In this specification, the terms "comprise" or "have" and the like are intended to specify the presence of features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof described in the specification, and should be understood as not precluding the possibility of the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0033] 1 and 2 are diagrams showing an automatic fastening connector according to an embodiment of the present invention, and exploded views of the automatic fastening connector according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] More specifically, FIG. 1 shows a state in which a second connector 200 is fastened to a first connector 100. As shown in FIG.

[0035] The auto-fastening connector 1000 shown in FIG. 2 corresponds to the auto-fastening connector 1000 shown in FIG.

[0036] In the following description of the automatic fastening connector 1000 according to the embodiment, the left-right direction will be the x-axis direction, the up-down direction will be the y-axis direction, and the forward or backward direction will be the z-axis direction.

[0037] 1 and 2, an automatic fastening connector 1000 according to an embodiment includes a first connector 100 and a second connector 200.

[0038] The automatic fastening connector 1000 corresponds to a connector provided in a vehicle lamp assembly or the like, which transmits current and signals. That is, the first connector 100 is a type of male connector that is installed on the vehicle lamp lens (not shown), and the second connector 200 is a type of female connector that is installed on the vehicle lamp housing (not shown).

[0039] The first connector 100 includes a housing 110 that defines the outer shape, and pin terminals 101 that are installed inside the housing 110. A locking device 102 is provided inside the housing 110 to fix the pin terminals 101 so that they do not come off after installation.

[0040] Similar to the first connector 100, the second connector 200 includes a housing 210 that defines the outer shape, and socket terminals 201 that are installed inside the housing 210. Similarly, a locking device 202 is provided inside the housing 210 to fix the socket terminals 201 so that they do not come off after installation.

[0041] That is, the first connector 100 and the second connector 200 are fastened to each other by inserting the pin terminals 101 into the socket terminals 201. At this time, the housing 110 of the first connector 100 includes a plate 103 to prevent deformation of the pin terminals 101 caused by insertion of the pin terminals 101 into the socket terminals 201. The plate 103 is formed in a plate shape with a predetermined strength to prevent deformation of the pin terminals 101 caused by insertion of the pin terminals 101 into the socket terminals 201. The plate 103 is also formed so that the protruding portions of the pin terminals 101 can pass through the plate 103 but the inserted portions of the socket terminals 201 cannot pass through the plate 103.

[0042] Conventional connector assemblies have a problem in that when the first connector and the second connector are fastened together, the first connector and the second connector are not fastened properly due to an incorrect fastening position, etc. Furthermore, conventional connector assemblies have a problem in that when the first connector and the second connector are fastened together, cracks or breakage occurs due to a load applied to the first connector or the second connector.

[0043] Therefore, the automatic fastening connector 1000 according to the embodiment has the advantage that the above-mentioned problems can be solved by providing the first connector 100 with the position correction guide 130 and the prevention guide 140. The first connector 100 will be described in more detail below.

[0044] Figures 3 to 5 are diagrams showing a first connector of the automatic fastening connector according to the embodiment, and Figure 6 is a diagram showing a prevention guide provided on the first connector of the automatic fastening connector according to the embodiment.

[0045] 3 to 5, the first connector 100 of the automatic fastening connector 1000 according to the embodiment includes a housing 110, an accommodating space 120, a position correction guide 130, a prevention guide 140, and a fastening guide 150.

[0046] 1 and 2, the housing 110 is a configuration that forms the outer shape of the first connector 100, and accommodates the pin terminals 101 therein. A fastening portion 111 is formed at the rear of the housing 110. The fastening portion 111 fastens the first connector 100 to the side of a vehicle lamp lens (not shown).

[0047] The accommodating space 120 is formed inside the housing 110 and accommodates the second connector 200 from a first direction. That is, the accommodating space 120 accommodates the second connector 200 inserted from the first direction (-z axis direction). The second connector 200 is inserted from the first direction and accommodated in the accommodating space 120. More specifically, when the second connector 200 is accommodated in the accommodating space 120, the pin terminals 101 provided in the first connector 200 are fastened to the socket terminals 201 provided in the second connector 200.

[0048] The position correction guides 130 are formed on both sides of the housing 110, extending in a first direction, and are formed as a pair. That is, the position correction guides 130 are formed on both sides of the housing 110.

[0049] The position correction guide 130 includes a first curved portion 131, a second curved portion 132, an extension portion 133, and a slot 134.

[0050] The first curved portion 131 has one end abutting on both sides of the housing 110 and the other end bent in a first direction. That is, the first curved portion 131 extends from the housing 110 and is bent in the rear direction of the housing 110.

[0051] Second curved portion 132 is formed so that one end abuts against the other end of first curved portion 131 and the other end abuts against the rear of housing 110. Second curved portion 132 is formed in an S-shape. That is, second curved portion 132 extends from the other end of first curved portion 131, bends in an S-shape, and abuts against the rear of housing 110.

[0052] 3 and 4, it is preferable that the second curved portion 132 first bends toward the front of the housing 110 (z-axis direction) and then bends toward the rear of the housing 110 (-z-axis direction).

[0053] The extensions 133 are formed to protrude from the first curved portion 131 toward both sides of the housing 110. That is, the extensions 133 extend from the middle of the first curved portion 131 and protrude toward both sides of the housing 110 (in the + / -x-axis directions).

[0054] The extension 133 is formed to be inclined toward the front direction of the housing 110. The extension 133 is formed to be spaced apart from the second curved portion 132.

[0055] The slot 134 is formed extending from the first curved portion 131 to the second curved portion 132 .

[0056] The position correction guide 130 corrects the fastening position of the second connector 200 when fastening the second connector 200 to the first connector 100, and at the same time distributes the load generated on the first connector 100. In particular, the extension 133 of the position correction guide 130 prevents movement of the housing 110 in the front-to-rear direction (+ / -z-axis direction). This will be described in detail with reference to Figures 7 to 9.

[0057] The prevention guide 140 is formed at the rear of the housing 110 and extends in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. That is, the prevention guide 140 is formed at the rear of the housing 110 and has a plate shape that extends long in the left-right direction (+ / -x-axis direction) of the first connector 100.

[0058] 5, the prevention guide 140 is formed in a pair. More specifically, the prevention guide 140 includes an upper prevention guide 141 spaced apart from the upper end of the housing 110 and a lower prevention guide 142 spaced apart from the lower end of the housing 110.

[0059] In particular, the prevention guide 140 abuts against the fastening portion 111 located at the rear of the housing 110. That is, the prevention guide 140 is located at a distance from the housing 110 but abuts against the fastening portion 111 formed by extending rearward from the housing 110.

[0060] The tension of the upper prevention guide 141 is greater than the tension of the lower prevention guide 142. That is, the tension of the upper prevention guide 141 is higher than the tension of the lower prevention guide 142.

[0061] The prevention guide 140 is formed at a distance from the upper or lower end of the housing 110, thereby preventing excessive twisting from occurring in the first connector 100 when the second connector 200 and the first connector 100 are fastened together. That is, as shown in Fig. 6, when the second connector 200 and the first connector 100 are fastened together, a twisting phenomenon may occur at the neck end of the first connector 100, and the generated twisting phenomenon causes the housing 110 of the first connector 100 to move excessively in the up / down direction (+ / -y-axis direction).

[0062] Therefore, the prevention guide 140 of the automatic fastening connector 1000 according to the embodiment is positioned at a distance from the upper and lower ends of the housing 110, thereby allowing a certain degree of vertical movement of the housing 110, but preventing excessive vertical movement of the housing 110.

[0063] The fastening guide 150 is formed at the front of the housing 110 and is formed to become wider as it goes forward. More specifically, as shown in Fig. 3, the fastening guide 150 is configured in four, formed at each edge that forms the front surface of the housing 110. The fastening guide 150 is bent in an angle shape along each edge of the front surface of the housing 110, and its inner wall is formed in a tapered shape that narrows as it goes toward the receiving space 120.

[0064] The fastening guide 150 is formed so that its inner wall narrows toward the accommodation space 120, so that even if the coupling / fastening direction of the first connector 100 and the second connector 200 is slightly misaligned, the coupling / fastening direction can be corrected by the fastening guide 150. In particular, the fastening guide 150 is formed in an angled shape, so that the coupling direction of the first connector 100 and the second connector 200 can be corrected up and down and left and right.

[0065] 7 to 9 are diagrams showing an example in which the second connector of the automatic fastening connector according to the embodiment is fastened to the first connector.

[0066] More specifically, FIG. 7 shows a state in which the second connector 200 is fastened to the first connector 100 at an incorrect fastening position, FIG. 8 shows a state in which the left and right sides of the second connector 200 are corrected by the position correction guide 130, and FIG. 9 shows a state in which the front and back of the second connector 200 are corrected by the position correction guide 130 and the prevention guide 140.

[0067] First, as shown in FIG. 7, when the second connector 200 and the first connector 100 are fastened together, there is a possibility that the second connector 200 will be inserted into the first connector 100 at an incorrect fastening position rather than the correct fastening position.

[0068] 3 to 5, when second connector 200 moves in the direction to couple with first connector 100, it comes into contact with fastening guide 150 formed at the front of housing 110. Furthermore, second connector 200 that comes into contact with fastening guide 150 moves to the left along the inner wall of fastening guide 150, correcting the coupling direction.

[0069] In particular, it is preferable that the fastening guide 150 has a rectangular cross section and is made up of four walls, so that regardless of the coupling direction of the second connector 200, the second connector 200 moves upward / downward / left / right along the inner walls of the fastening guide 150 to correct the coupling direction.

[0070] The fastening guide 150 corrects the coupling direction of the second connector 200 even if the coupling direction is incorrect, and as a result, the second connector 200 is fastened to the first connector 100 as shown in Figures 8 and 9.

[0071] Referring to FIG. 8, even if the coupling direction of the second connector 200 differs from the original fastening direction on the left or right, the position of the second connector 200 is automatically corrected by the position correction guide 130.

[0072] That is, when the second connector 200 is accommodated in the accommodation space 120 along the fastening guide 150 , the position of the second connector 200 is automatically corrected by the spring tension structure of the position correction guide 130 .

[0073] Furthermore, when a load in the first direction acts on the first connector 100 as the second connector 200 moves in the first direction, the extension portion 133 of the position correction guide 130 can prevent the second curved portion 132 of the position correction guide 130 from moving forward or backward. At this time, the position correction guide 130 can correct the fastening direction to a difference of up to 6 mm on the left or right from the original fastening direction.

[0074] Referring to FIG. 9, even if the coupling direction of the second connector 200 differs from the original fastening direction based on the front and rear, the position of the second connector 200 is automatically corrected by the position correction guide 130 and the prevention guide 140.

[0075] That is, when the second connector 200 is accommodated in the accommodating space 120 along the fastening guide 150, the position of the second connector 200 is automatically corrected by the spring tension structure of the position correction guide 130 and the spring tension structure of the prevention guide 140.

[0076] Furthermore, when a load acts on the first connector 100 in the up-down direction (+ / -y-axis direction) as the second connector 200 moves in the front-to-rear direction, the prevention guide 140 can prevent the first connector 100 from moving in the up-down direction. At this time, the prevention guide 140 and the position correction guide 130 can correct the fastening direction to a difference of up to 6 mm, based on the front-to-rear direction, from the original fastening direction.

[0077] Therefore, the automatic fastening connector 1000 according to the embodiment has the advantage that even if the second connector 200 is fastened in the wrong coupling direction, the position of the second connector 200 can be automatically corrected regardless of the left / right / up / down direction.

[0078] 10 and 11 are diagrams showing a second connector of the automatic fastening connector according to the embodiment.

[0079] 10 and 11, the second connector 200 of the automatic fastening connector 1000 according to the embodiment includes a housing 210, a protrusion 220, and a position correction guide 230.

[0080] 1 and 2, the housing 210 is a configuration that forms the outer shape of the second connector 200, and accommodates the socket terminals 201 therein. A fastening portion 211 is formed at the rear of the housing 110. The fastening portion 211 allows the second connector 200 to be installed on the vehicle lamp housing (not shown) side.

[0081] The protrusion 220 is formed to protrude from the front end of the housing 210, and defines a mounting space 221 in which the socket terminal 201 is mounted. That is, the protrusion 220 has the socket terminal 201 therein, and the protrusion 220 is inserted into the accommodating space 120 of the first connector 100. More specifically, when the protrusion 220 is accommodated in the accommodating space 120, the pin terminal 101 of the first connector 200 is fastened to the socket terminal 201 of the second connector 200.

[0082] The position correction guides 230 are formed on both sides of the housing 210 and extend in the direction opposite to the first direction. The position correction guides 230 are formed in pairs. That is, the position correction guides 230 are formed on both sides of the housing 210.

[0083] The position correction guide 230 includes an extension portion 231 and a bent portion 232 .

[0084] The extension portion 231 has one end abutting on both sides of the housing 210 and the other end extending in a first direction. That is, the extension portion 231 extends from the housing 210 toward the front of the housing 210.

[0085] The bent portion 232 is bent so that one end abuts against the other end of the extension portion 231 and the other end abuts against the rear of the housing 210. That is, the bent portion 232 extends from the extension portion 231 and is bent toward the rear of the housing 210.

[0086] In particular, the bent portion 232 abuts against the fastening portion 211 located at the rear of the housing 210. That is, the bent portion 232 is formed by being bent toward the rear of the housing 210, and abuts against the fastening portion 211 formed by extending toward the rear of the housing 210.

[0087] 10, the extension 231 and the bent portion 232 are formed in pairs on the upper side of the housing 210 and the lower side of the housing 210, respectively.

[0088] The detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention disclosed above has been provided to enable those skilled in the art to embody and practice the present invention. Although the present invention has been described above with reference to the preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will understand that the present invention can be modified and changed in various ways without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, those skilled in the art may use the various configurations described in the above embodiments in combination with each other.

[0089] Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

Claims

1. a first connector having pin terminals therein; and a second connector having socket terminals into which the pin terminals are inserted; The first connector includes: a housing for accommodating the pin terminal therein; an accommodating space formed inside the housing and configured to accommodate the second connector from a first direction; a pair of position correction guides formed on both sides of the housing and extending in the first direction; and The self-fastening connector includes a prevention guide formed at the rear of the housing and extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.

2. The pair of position correction guides are a first curved portion having one end abutting both sides of the housing and the other end bent in the first direction; and 2. The automatic fastening connector according to claim 1, further comprising a second curved portion having one end abutting the other end of the first curved portion and the other end abutting the rear of the housing and formed in an S-shape.

3. The pair of position correction guides are The housing further includes extensions formed by protruding from the first curved portion toward both sides of the housing, 3. The self-fastening connector of claim 2, wherein the terminal ends of the extension are formed spaced apart on opposite sides of the housing.

4. The extension portion is The self-fastening connector of claim 3 , wherein the second curved portion is spaced apart.

5. The extension portion is The self-fastening connector of claim 3 , wherein the housing is formed to be inclined toward the front.

6. The pair of position correction guides are The self-fastening connector of claim 2 further comprising a slot formed extending from said first curved portion to said second curved portion.

7. The prevention guides are formed in pairs, The pair of prevention guides are 2. The self-fastening connector of claim 1, wherein the connectors are formed spaced apart at the upper and lower ends of the housing.

8. 8. The automatic fastening connector according to claim 7, wherein the tension of the upper prevention guide is greater than the tension of the lower prevention guide.

9. The first connector includes: The housing further includes a fastening guide formed at a front portion thereof and having a width that increases toward the front, The automatic fastening connector according to claim 1 , wherein the second connector is accommodated in the accommodation space along the fastening guide.

10. The automatic fastening connector according to claim 9 , wherein the cross section of the fastening guide is formed in a rectangular shape.

11. The second connector includes: a housing for accommodating the socket terminal therein; a protrusion formed from the front end of the housing and defining a mounting space in which the socket terminal is mounted; and 2. The self-fastening connector according to claim 1, further comprising a pair of position correction guides formed on opposite sides of said housing and extending in a direction opposite to said first direction.

12. The pair of position correction guides are an extension portion having one end abutting on each side of the housing and the other end extending in the first direction; and 12. The automatic fastening connector according to claim 11, further comprising a bent portion formed by bending the connector such that one end abuts against the other end of the extension and the other end abuts against the rear of the housing.

13. Each of the pair of position correction guides is 13. The self-fastening connector of claim 12, including a first extension and a first bent portion formed on an upper portion of the housing, and a second extension and a second bent portion formed on a lower portion of the housing.

Images