Terminal pin retaining plate, connector and connector assembly

Abstract

This invention discloses terminal pin retaining plates, connectors, and connector assemblies. [Solution] The terminal pin retaining plate comprises a plate-like body 20 having a retaining hole 21 formed therein for holding the pin 3a of the connector terminal 3, and an elastic buckle 22. The elastic buckle 22 is a cylindrical portion connected to the plate-like body 20, and includes a cylindrical portion formed in the cylindrical portion and divided into a cantilever portion by an axial slot, and a locking portion formed at the end of the cantilever portion and protruding along the radial direction of the cylindrical portion. The cylindrical portion is fitted to pass through the limiting hole 102 of the bottom wall 10 of the housing, and the locking portion and the plate-like body 20 abut against the inside and outside of the bottom wall 10 of the housing to lock the terminal pin retaining plate 2 to the housing, and the diameter of the cylindrical portion is smaller than the diameter of the limiting hole 102 so that the terminal pin retaining plate 2 can float radially in the limiting hole 102 relative to the housing after it is locked to the housing. The present invention simplifies the structure and reduces manufacturing costs.

Description

Technical Field

[0004]

[0001] Cross - reference to Related Applications This application claims the benefit of Chinese Patent Application No. CN202411437444.1, filed with the China National Intellectual Property Administration on October 15, 2024, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to a terminal pin holding plate, a connector including the terminal pin holding plate, and a connector assembly including the connector.

Background Art

[0003] In the prior art, a connector typically includes a housing, a plurality of terminals, and a terminal pin holding plate. The plurality of terminals are provided in the housing. An opening is formed in the housing so that a plurality of terminal pins can extend, and the terminal pin holding plate is installed in the housing and covers the opening of the housing. A plurality of holding holes are formed in the terminal pin holding plate, and the pins of the plurality of terminals pass through the plurality of holding holes and are respectively held in the plurality of holding holes. The terminal pin holding plate is also formed with positioning posts that fit with the positioning holes of the circuit board and are suitable for guiding the pins of the plurality of terminals to be inserted into the plurality of pin sockets of the circuit board.

[0004] In the prior art, an elastic buckle and a limiting post separated from the elastic buckle are formed on the terminal pin holding plate. The elastic buckle is fixed to the snap slot of the housing to lock the terminal pin holding plate to the housing so that the terminal pin holding plate cannot be separated from the housing in the vertical direction parallel to the terminal pins. The limiting post is inserted into the limiting hole of the housing, and the dimension of the limiting post is smaller than that of the limiting hole so that the terminal pin holding plate can float relative to the housing in the horizontal direction perpendicular to the terminal pins after the terminal pin holding plate is locked to the housing. In the prior art, since the elastic buckle and the limiting post are two separate structures, the structures of the terminal pin holding plate and the housing become complicated, which not only increases the assembly difficulty but also results in an increase in cost.

Summary of the Invention

[0005] This invention was made to overcome or mitigate at least one aspect of the aforementioned drawbacks. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, a terminal pin retaining plate is provided. The terminal pin retaining plate comprises a plate-like body having retaining holes formed therein for holding the pins of a connector terminal, and an elastic buckle. The elastic buckle comprises a cylindrical portion connected to the plate-like body, which is divided into a plurality of cantilever portions by at least one axial slot formed in the cylindrical portion, and a locking portion formed at the end of the cantilever portion and projecting outward along the radial direction of the cylindrical portion. The cylindrical portion is fitted to pass through the limiting hole in the bottom wall of the connector housing, and the locking portion and plate-like body are fitted to lock the terminal pin retaining plate to the housing by contacting the inside and outside of the bottom wall of the housing, respectively, and the diameter of the cylindrical portion is smaller than the diameter of the limiting hole so that the terminal pin retaining plate can float relative to the housing along the radial direction of the limiting hole after it has been locked to the housing.

[0007] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a single axial slot is formed in the cylindrical portion, and the single axial slot divides the cylindrical portion into two radially opposite cantilever portions.

[0008] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the locking portion has an upper and lower side on opposite sides of the cylindrical portion in the axial direction, with a guide inclined surface formed on the upper side of the locking portion to guide the cylindrical portion into the limiting hole, and a locking surface formed on the lower side of the locking portion perpendicular to the axial direction of the cylindrical portion, the locking surface being used to abut axially against the inside of the bottom wall of the housing.

[0009] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the root of the cylindrical portion connected to the plate-like body is a solid cylinder, such that the extended length of the axial slot along the axial direction of the cylindrical portion is smaller than the axial length of the cylindrical portion.

[0010] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the retaining holes include a plurality of first retaining holes for each of the pins of a plurality of first terminals and a plurality of second retaining holes for each of the pins of a plurality of second terminals, wherein the plurality of first retaining holes are located in a first region of the plate-like body and the plurality of second retaining holes are located in a second region of the plate-like body separated from the first region.

[0011] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the plate-like body has two ends on opposite sides in the longitudinal direction of the plate-like body, and an upper and lower surface on opposite sides in the thickness direction of the plate-like body, and elastic buckles are formed at both ends of the plate-like body, with the elastic buckles located on the upper surface of the plate-like body.

[0012] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the terminal pin retaining plate further comprises positioning pins formed on the lower surface of the plate-like body and fitted into positioning holes in the circuit board, which are suitable for guiding the terminal pins to be inserted into the pin sockets of the circuit board.

[0013] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the elastic buckle is formed on the upper surface of a plate-like body, and the cylindrical portion of the elastic buckle is coaxial with the positioning pin.

[0014] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the terminal pin retaining plate is an integrally injection-molded part.

[0015] According to another aspect of the present invention, a connector is provided. The connector comprises a housing having a bottom wall, terminals provided in the housing and having pins for electrical connection to a circuit board, and a terminal pin retaining plate that locks to the bottom wall of the housing. An opening is formed in the bottom wall of the housing, the terminal pin retaining plate covers the opening, the pins of the terminals extend from the opening and pass through retaining holes in the terminal pin retaining plate, a limiting hole is also formed in the bottom wall of the housing, the terminal pin retaining plate is locked to the housing by an elastic buckle passing through the limiting hole and is floating relative to the housing along the radial direction of the limiting hole.

[0016] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the limiting hole has an entrance portion located on the outside of the bottom wall, and the entrance portion of the limiting hole is trumpet-shaped to guide the elastic buckle into the limiting hole.

[0017] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the terminal also has a mating end for mating with a mating terminal of a mating connector, the mating end of the terminal extending along the longitudinal direction of the housing, and the pins of the terminal extending along the height direction of the housing.

[0018] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the housing comprises a front housing portion and a rear housing portion on opposite sides of the housing in the longitudinal direction, an opening formed in the bottom wall of the rear housing portion, a terminal pin retaining plate locked to the bottom wall of the rear housing portion, terminal pins used for insertion into pin sockets on a circuit board, and mating ends of terminals extending to the front housing portion to mate with mating terminals inserted into the front housing portion.

[0019] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the terminal includes a plurality of first terminals and a plurality of second terminals distinct from the plurality of first terminals, and the retaining holes include a plurality of first retaining holes that each mate with the pins of the plurality of first terminals and a plurality of second retaining holes that each mate with the pins of the plurality of second terminals, the plurality of first terminals are arranged in one region of the housing and the plurality of second terminals are arranged in a separate region of the housing separated from the first region.

[0020] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the front portion of the housing comprises a first mating port and a second mating port arranged laterally and spaced apart from each other in the housing, wherein the mating ends of a plurality of first terminals extend into the first mating port and mate with a plurality of first mating terminals inserted into the first mating port, and the mating ends of a plurality of second terminals extend into the second mating port and mate with a plurality of second mating terminals inserted into the second mating port.

[0021] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a first projection for locking the mating connector into the mating housing is formed on the outside of the peripheral wall of the first mating port, and a second projection for locking into the mating housing is formed on the outside of the peripheral wall of the second mating port.

[0022] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, guide ribs extending longitudinally along the housing are formed on the outside of the circumferential wall of the first mating port and / or the outside of the circumferential wall of the second mating port, and the guide ribs are used to guide the front portion of the connector housing to be inserted longitudinally into the mating housing.

[0023] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the housing further comprises a flange portion located between the front and rear of the housing for attachment to a mounting panel, the flange portion having a front and rear side on opposite sides in the longitudinal direction of the housing, and a positioning column extending along the longitudinal direction is formed on the front side of the flange portion, the positioning column being used to engage with positioning holes in the mounting panel.

[0024] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the connector further comprises a nut embedded in the flange portion, the nut being used for screw connection with a screw so that the flange portion can be secured to a mounting panel via the screw.

[0025] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the housing is an integrally injection-molded part, the housing is directly injected into the nut, and the housing and the nut form an integral part.

[0026] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a seal ring installation groove is formed on the front side of the flange portion, the positioning column and the nut are located in the area surrounded by the seal ring installation groove, the connector further includes a seal ring installed in the seal ring installation groove, and the seal ring is adapted to achieve a seal between the flange portion and the mounting panel by being compressed between the flange portion and the mounting panel.

[0027] According to another aspect of the present invention, a connector assembly is provided. The connector assembly includes the above-mentioned connector and a circuit board electrically connected to the pins of the terminals of the connector. Pin sockets and positioning holes are formed on the circuit board, the pins of the terminals are inserted into the pin sockets of the circuit board, and the positioning columns of the terminal pin holding plate are inserted into the positioning holes of the circuit board.

[0028] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the connector assembly further includes a mating connector that fits with the connector.

[0029] In the foregoing exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the elastic buckle not only has a locking portion suitable for locking to the housing such that the terminal pin holding plate can be locked to the housing via the elastic buckle and can float along the radial direction of the limiting hole with respect to the housing after being locked to the housing, but also has a cylindrical portion that is fitted into the limiting hole of the housing with a gap. Therefore, the present invention does not need to separately form a limiting post on the terminal pin holding plate, nor does it need to form a limiting hole for fitting with the limiting post on the housing. Thus, according to the present invention, the structures of the terminal pin holding plate and the housing are simplified, the assembly difficulty is reduced, and the manufacturing cost is reduced.

[0030] The above and other features of the present invention will become apparent by describing exemplary embodiments thereof in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0031] [Figure 1] This is an illustrative perspective view of a connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, viewed from below. [Figure 2] This is an illustrative exploded view of a connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, viewed from below. [Figure 3] This is an illustrative perspective view of the terminal pin retaining plate of a connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, viewed from below. [Figure 4] This is an illustrative top-down perspective view of a terminal pin retaining plate of a connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, in which the terminal pin retaining plate is not yet installed in the connector housing. [Figure 7] This is a cross-sectional view of a connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, in which the terminal pin retaining plate is not yet installed in the connector housing. [Figure 8] This is an illustrative perspective view of a connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, viewed from the front. [Figure 9] This is another longitudinal cross-sectional view of a connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0032] Exemplary embodiments of this disclosure are described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Similar reference numerals refer to similar elements. However, this disclosure may be embodied in many different ways and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments described herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided to make this disclosure thorough and complete and to fully convey the concepts of this disclosure to those skilled in the art.

[0033] The following detailed description includes many specific details to enable a full understanding of the disclosed embodiments for illustrative purposes. However, it will be apparent that one or more embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. In other cases, well-known structures and devices are shown schematically to simplify the drawings.

[0034] According to the general concept of the present invention, a terminal pin retaining plate is provided. The terminal pin retaining plate comprises a plate-like body having retaining holes for holding the pins of a connector terminal, and an elastic buckle. The elastic buckle comprises a cylindrical portion connected to the plate-like body, which is divided into a plurality of cantilever portions by at least one axial slot formed in the cylindrical portion, and a locking portion formed at the end of the cantilever portion and projecting outward along the radial direction of the cylindrical portion. The cylindrical portion is fitted to pass through the limiting hole in the bottom wall of the connector housing, and the locking portion and plate-like body are fitted to lock the terminal pin retaining plate to the housing by contacting the inside and outside of the bottom wall of the housing, respectively, and the diameter of the cylindrical portion is smaller than the diameter of the limiting hole so that the terminal pin retaining plate can float relative to the housing along the radial direction of the limiting hole after it has been locked to the housing.

[0035] According to another general concept of the present invention, a connector is provided. The connector comprises a housing having a bottom wall, terminals provided in the housing and having pins for electrical connection to a circuit board, and a terminal pin retaining plate that locks to the bottom wall of the housing. An opening is formed in the bottom wall of the housing, the terminal pin retaining plate covers the opening, the pins of the terminals extend from the opening and pass through retaining holes in the terminal pin retaining plate, a limiting hole is also formed in the bottom wall of the housing, the terminal pin retaining plate is locked to the housing by an elastic buckle passing through the limiting hole and is floating relative to the housing along the radial direction of the limiting hole.

[0036] According to another general concept of the present invention, a connector assembly is provided. The connector assembly comprises the connector and a circuit board electrically connected to the pins of the connector's terminals. Pin sockets and positioning holes are formed in the circuit board, the terminal pins are inserted into the pin sockets of the circuit board, and the positioning columns of the terminal pin retaining plate are inserted into the positioning holes of the circuit board.

[0037] Figure 1 shows an illustrative perspective view from below of a connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 shows an illustrative exploded view from below of a connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 shows an illustrative perspective view from below of the terminal pin retaining plate 2 of the connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 shows an illustrative perspective view from above of the terminal pin retaining plate 2 of the connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5 shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Figure 6 shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, in which the terminal pin retaining plate 2 is not installed in the connector housing 1.

[0038] As shown in Figures 1 to 6, an exemplary embodiment of the present invention discloses a terminal pin retaining plate 2. The terminal pin retaining plate 2 includes a plate-like body 20 and an elastic buckle 22. The plate-like body 20 has retaining holes 21 for holding the pins 3a of the terminals 3 of the connector. The elastic buckle 22 includes a cylindrical portion 220 and a locking portion 221. The cylindrical portion 220 is connected to the plate-like body 20. At least one axial slot 222 extending along the axial direction of the cylindrical portion 220 is formed in the cylindrical portion 220, and the cylindrical portion 220 is divided into a plurality of cantilever portions 223 by the at least one axial slot 222 formed in the cylindrical portion 220. A locking portion 221 is formed at the end of the cantilever portion 223 and protrudes outward along the radial direction of the cylindrical portion 220.

[0039] As shown in Figures 1 to 6, in the illustrated embodiment, the cylindrical portion 220 is fitted to pass through the limiting hole 102 in the bottom wall 10 of the connector housing 1. The locking portion 221 and the plate-like body 20 are suitable for locking the terminal pin retaining plate 2 to the housing 1 by pressing against the inside and outside of the bottom wall 10 of the housing 1, respectively. The diameter of the cylindrical portion 220 is smaller than the diameter of the limiting hole 102 so that the terminal pin retaining plate 2 can float relative to the housing 1 along the radial direction of the limiting hole 102 after it has been locked to the housing 1. The radial floating of the terminal pin retaining plate 2 is equal to the difference between the diameter of the limiting hole 102 and the diameter of the cylindrical portion 220. In this way, positioning errors of the housing 1 can be absorbed and it becomes easier to insert the pins 3a of the connector terminals 3 into the pin sockets of the circuit board (not shown).

[0040] As shown in Figures 1 to 6, in the illustrated embodiment, the elastic buckle 22 not only has a locking portion 221 suitable for locking to the housing 1 so that the terminal pin retaining plate 2 can be locked to the housing 1 via the elastic buckle 22 and, after being locked to the housing 1, can float along the radial direction of the limiting hole 102 relative to the housing 1, but also has a cylindrical portion 220 that fits into the limiting hole 102 of the housing 1 with a gap. For this reason, in the present invention, there is no need to separately form a limiting post on the terminal pin retaining plate 2, nor is there a need to form a limiting hole in the housing 1 for fitting with the limiting post. Accordingly, the structure of the terminal pin retaining plate 2 and the housing 1 is simplified by the present invention, the difficulty of assembly is reduced, and manufacturing costs are reduced.

[0041] As shown in Figures 1 to 6, in the illustrated embodiment, a single axial slot 222 is formed in the cylindrical portion 220, and the single axial slot 222 divides the cylindrical portion 220 into two radially opposite cantilever portions 223.

[0042] As shown in Figures 1 to 6, in the illustrated embodiment, the locking portion 221 has an upper and lower side on opposite sides in the axial direction of the cylindrical portion 220. A guide inclined surface 221a is formed on the upper side of the locking portion 221, and the guide inclined surface 221a is inclined with respect to the axial direction of the cylindrical portion 220 to guide the cylindrical portion 220 into the limiting hole 102. A locking surface 221b perpendicular to the axial direction of the cylindrical portion 220 is formed on the lower side of the locking portion 221. The locking surface 221b is used to abut axially against the inside of the bottom wall 10 of the housing 1.

[0043] As shown in Figures 1 to 6, in the illustrated embodiment, the root of the cylindrical portion 220 connected to the plate-like body 20 is a solid cylinder, so the extended length of the axial slot 222 along the axial direction of the cylindrical portion 220 is smaller than the axial length of the cylindrical portion 220.

[0044] As shown in Figures 1 to 6, in the illustrated embodiment, the retaining holes 21 include a plurality of first retaining holes 21' for each of the pins 3a of a plurality of first terminals 31, and a plurality of second retaining holes 21'' for each of the pins 3a of a plurality of second terminals 32. The plurality of first retaining holes 21' are located in a first region of the plate-like body 20, and the plurality of second retaining holes 21'' are located in a second region of the plate-like body 20, separated from the first region.

[0045] As shown in Figures 1 to 6, in the illustrated embodiment, the plate-like body 20 has two ends on opposite sides in the longitudinal direction and an upper and lower surface on opposite sides in the thickness direction. Elastic buckles 22 are formed at both ends of the plate-like body 20, and the elastic buckles 22 are located on the upper surface of the plate-like body 20.

[0046] As shown in Figures 1 to 6, in the illustrated embodiment, the terminal pin holding plate 2 further includes positioning pins 23, which are formed on the lower surface of the plate-like body 20 and are suitable for fitting into positioning holes in the circuit board and guiding the pins 3a of the terminal 3 to be inserted into the pin sockets of the circuit board.

[0047] As shown in Figures 1 to 6, in the illustrated embodiment, the elastic buckle 22 is formed on the upper surface of the plate-like body 20, and the cylindrical portion 220 of the elastic buckle 22 is coaxial with the positioning pin 23. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 6, and for example, the cylindrical portion 220 of the elastic buckle 22 may be axially offset from the positioning pin 23.

[0048] As shown in Figures 1 to 6, in the illustrated embodiment, the terminal pin retaining plate 2 is an integrally injection-molded part. This can reduce manufacturing costs.

[0049] As shown in Figures 1 to 6, another exemplary embodiment of the present invention also discloses a connector. The connector includes a housing 1, terminals 3, and the aforementioned terminal pin retaining plate 2. The housing 1 has a bottom wall 10. The terminals 3 are provided in the housing 1 and have pins 3a for electrical connection to a circuit board. The terminal pin retaining plate 2 is locked to the bottom wall 10 of the housing 1. An opening 101 is formed in the bottom wall 10 of the housing 1, and the terminal pin retaining plate 2 covers the opening 101. The pin 3a of terminal 3 extends from the opening 101 and passes through the retaining hole 21 of the terminal pin retaining plate 2. A limiting hole 102 is also formed in the bottom wall 10 of the housing 1, and the elastic buckle 22 of the terminal pin retaining plate 2 passes through the limiting hole 102. The terminal pin retaining plate 2 is locked to the housing 1 by the elastic buckle 22 and is able to float relative to the housing 1 along the radial direction of the limiting hole 102.

[0050] As shown in Figures 1 to 6, in the illustrated embodiment, the limiting hole 102 has an inlet portion 102a located on the outside of the bottom wall 10, and the inlet portion 102a of the limiting hole 102 is trumpet-shaped to guide the elastic buckle 22 into the limiting hole 102.

[0051] Figure 7 shows a cross-sectional view of a connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, in which the terminal pin retaining plate 2 is not yet installed in the connector housing 1. Figure 8 shows an exemplary perspective view of the connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, viewed from the front. Figure 9 shows another longitudinal cross-sectional view of the connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0052] As shown in Figures 1 to 9, in the illustrated embodiment, terminal 3 also has a mating end 3b for mating with a mating terminal (not shown) of a mating connector (not shown). The mating end 3b of terminal 3 extends along the longitudinal direction Y of housing 1, and the pin 3a of terminal 3 extends along the height direction Z of housing 1.

[0053] As shown in Figures 1 to 9, in the illustrated embodiment, the housing 1 includes a front housing portion 11 and a rear housing portion 12 on opposite sides of the housing 1 in the longitudinal direction Y. An opening 101 is formed in the bottom wall 10 of the rear housing portion 12, and the terminal pin retaining plate 2 is locked to the bottom wall 10 of the rear housing portion 12. The pins 3a of the terminal 3 are used to be inserted into a pin socket on a circuit board, and the mating end 3b of the terminal 3 extends into the front housing portion 11 to mate with a mating terminal inserted into the front housing portion 11.

[0054] As shown in Figures 1 to 9, in the illustrated embodiment, terminal 3 includes a plurality of first terminals 31 and a plurality of second terminals 32 that are different from the plurality of first terminals 31. The retaining hole 21 includes a plurality of first retaining holes 21' that each engage with the pins 3a of the plurality of first terminals 31, and a plurality of second retaining holes 21'' that each engage with the pins 3a of the plurality of second terminals 32. The plurality of first terminals 31 are arranged in one region of the housing 1, and the plurality of second terminals 32 are arranged in a separate region of the housing 1 that is separated from that region.

[0055] As shown in Figures 1 to 9, in the illustrated embodiment, the front portion 11 of the housing includes a first mating port 111 and a second mating port 112 arranged side by side and spaced apart in the lateral direction X of the housing 1. The mating ends 3b of a plurality of first terminals 31 extend to the first mating port 111 and mate with a plurality of first mating terminals (not shown) inserted into the first mating port 111. The mating ends 3b of a plurality of second terminals 32 extend to the second mating port 112 and mate with a plurality of second mating terminals (not shown) inserted into the second mating port 112.

[0056] As shown in Figures 1 to 9, in the illustrated embodiment, a first projection 11a for locking the mating connector onto a mating housing (not shown) is formed on the outside of the peripheral wall of the first mating port 111, and a second projection 11b for locking onto the mating housing is formed on the outside of the peripheral wall of the second mating port 112.

[0057] As shown in Figures 1 to 9, in the illustrated embodiment, guide ribs 11c extending along the longitudinal direction Y of the housing 1 are formed on the outside of the peripheral wall of the first mating port 111 and / or the peripheral wall of the second mating port 112. The guide ribs 11c are used to guide the front portion 11 of the connector housing to be inserted into the mating housing along the longitudinal direction Y.

[0058] As shown in Figures 1 to 9, in the illustrated embodiment, the housing 1 further includes a flange portion 13 located between the front portion 11 and the rear portion 12 of the housing for mounting to a mounting panel (not shown). The flange portion 13 has a front and a rear side on opposite sides of the longitudinal direction Y of the housing 1, and a positioning column 13a extending along the longitudinal direction Y is formed on the front side of the flange portion 13. The positioning column 13a is used to engage with positioning holes (not shown) of the mounting panel.

[0059] As shown in Figures 1 to 9, in the illustrated embodiment, the connector further includes a nut 4 embedded in the flange portion 13. The nut 4 is used for screw connection with a screw (not shown), and the flange portion 13 can be fixed to a mounting panel via the screw.

[0060] As shown in Figures 1 to 9, in the illustrated embodiment, the housing 1 is an integrally injection-molded part, and the housing 1 is injected directly into the nut 4, so that the housing 1 and the nut 4 are an integral part.

[0061] As shown in Figures 1 to 9, in the illustrated embodiment, a seal ring mounting groove 130 is formed on the front side of the flange portion 13, and the positioning column 13a and nut 4 are located in the area enclosed by the seal ring mounting groove 130. The connector also includes a seal ring 5 installed in the seal ring mounting groove 130, which is suitable for achieving a seal between the flange portion 13 and the mounting panel by being compressed between the flange portion 13 and the mounting panel.

[0062] As shown in Figures 1 to 9, another exemplary embodiment of the present invention also discloses a connector assembly. The connector component includes a connector and a circuit board (not shown). The circuit board is electrically connected to the pins 3a of terminal 3 of the connector. The circuit board has pin sockets and positioning holes formed therein. The pins 3a of terminal 3 are inserted into the pin sockets of the circuit board, and the positioning posts 13a of terminal pin retaining plate 2 are inserted into the positioning holes of the circuit board.

[0063] As shown in Figures 1 to 9, in the illustrated embodiment, the connector assembly further includes a mating connector (not shown) that is mated with the connector.

[0064] Those skilled in the art will understand that the above embodiments are illustrative and not intended to be limiting. For example, many modifications to the above embodiments may be made by those skilled in the art, and the various features described in different embodiments may be freely combined with each other without structural or principle contradiction.

[0065] While several exemplary embodiments have been illustrated and described, those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications or changes can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the disclosure. The scope of the disclosure is defined in the claims and its equivalents.

[0066] In this specification, elements described in the singular and preceded by the words "a" or "an" should be understood not to exclude multiple such elements or steps unless otherwise expressly stated. Furthermore, references to “one embodiment” of the present invention are not intended to be construed as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that similarly incorporate the described features. Furthermore, unless otherwise expressly stated to the contrary, embodiments that “compile” or “have” one or more elements having a particular characteristic may include additional such elements that do not possess that characteristic.

Claims

1. A terminal pin retaining plate, A plate-like body (20) having a retaining hole (21) formed therein for holding the pin (3a) of the connector terminal (3), Elastic buckle (22) and The elastic buckle (22) is equipped with, A cylindrical portion (220) connected to the plate-like body (20), the cylindrical portion (220) is divided into a plurality of cantilever portions (223) by at least one axial slot (222) formed in the cylindrical portion (220), A locking portion (221) is formed at the end of the cantilever portion (223) and protrudes outward along the radial direction of the cylindrical portion (220). Equipped with, The cylindrical portion (220) is fitted to pass through the limiting hole (102) in the bottom wall (10) of the connector housing (1), and the locking portion (221) and the plate-like body (20) are fitted to lock the terminal pin retaining plate (2) to the housing (1) by contacting the inside and outside of the bottom wall (10) of the housing (1), respectively. A terminal pin retaining plate (2) having a diameter smaller than the diameter of the limiting hole (102) such that the terminal pin retaining plate (2) can float relative to the housing (1) along the radial direction of the limiting hole (102) after the terminal pin retaining plate (2) is locked to the housing (1).

2. The terminal pin retaining plate according to claim 1, wherein a single axial slot (222) is formed in the cylindrical portion (220), and the single axial slot (222) divides the cylindrical portion (220) into two radially opposite cantilever portions (223).

3. The locking portion (221) has an upper and lower side on opposite sides in the axial direction of the cylindrical portion (220), A guide inclined surface (221a) of the cylindrical portion (220) that is inclined with respect to the axial direction is formed on the upper side of the locking portion (221) in order to guide the cylindrical portion (220) to the limiting hole (102). The terminal pin retaining plate according to claim 1, wherein a locking surface (221b) perpendicular to the axial direction of the cylindrical portion (220) is formed on the lower side of the locking portion (221), and the locking surface (221b) is used to abut axially against the inside of the bottom wall (10) of the housing (1).

4. The terminal pin holding plate according to claim 1, wherein the root portion of the cylindrical portion (220) connected to the plate-like body (20) is a solid cylindrical body, and the extended length of the axial slot (222) along the axial direction of the cylindrical portion (220) is smaller than the axial length of the cylindrical portion (220).

5. The retaining hole (21) includes a plurality of first retaining holes (21') for each of the pins (3a) of a plurality of first terminals (31), and a plurality of second retaining holes (21'') for each of the pins (3a) of a plurality of second terminals (32). The terminal pin retaining plate according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of first retaining holes (21') are arranged in a first region of the plate-like body (20), and the plurality of second retaining holes (21'') are arranged in a second region of the plate-like body (20) separated from the first region.

6. The terminal pin retaining plate according to claim 1, wherein the plate-like body (20) has two ends on opposite sides in the longitudinal direction of the plate-like body (20), and an upper surface and a lower surface on opposite sides in the thickness direction of the plate-like body (20), and the elastic buckles (22) are formed on both ends of the plate-like body (20), and the elastic buckles (22) are located on the upper surface of the plate-like body (20).

7. The terminal pin holding plate according to claim 1, further comprising a positioning pin (23), wherein the positioning pin (23) is formed on the lower surface of the plate-like body (20) and is fitted into a positioning hole of a circuit board, thereby guiding the pin (3a) of the terminal (3) to be inserted into the pin socket of the circuit board.

8. The terminal pin retaining plate according to claim 7, wherein the elastic buckle (22) is formed on the upper surface of the plate-like body (20), and the cylindrical portion (220) of the elastic buckle (22) is coaxial with the positioning pin (23).

9. The terminal pin retaining plate (2) is an integrally injection-molded part, as described in any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. It is a connector, A housing (1) having a bottom wall (10), The housing (1) is provided with a terminal (3) having a pin (3a) for electrical connection to a circuit board, The terminal pin retaining plate (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 9 is locked to the bottom wall (10) of the housing (1) and Equipped with, An opening (101) is formed in the bottom wall (10) of the housing (1), the terminal pin retaining plate (2) covers the opening (101), the pin (3a) of the terminal (3) extends from the opening (101) and passes through the retaining hole (21) of the terminal pin retaining plate (2), A limiting hole (102) is also formed in the bottom wall (10) of the housing (1), and the terminal pin retaining plate (2) is locked to the housing (1) by an elastic buckle (22) that passes through the limiting hole (102), and is able to float relative to the housing (1) along the radial direction of the limiting hole (102). connector.

11. The connector according to claim 10, wherein the restricting hole (102) has an entrance portion (102a) located outside the bottom wall (10), and the entrance portion (102a) of the restricting hole (102) is trumpet-shaped to guide the elastic buckle (22) into the restricting hole (102).

12. The connector according to claim 10, wherein the terminal (3) also has a mating end (3b) for mating with a mating terminal of a mating connector, the mating end (3b) of the terminal (3) extends along the longitudinal direction (Y) of the housing (1), and the pin (3a) of the terminal (3) extends along the height direction (Z) of the housing (1).

13. The housing (1) comprises a housing front portion (11) and a housing rear portion (12) on opposite sides of the housing (1) in the vertical direction (Y), the opening (101) is formed in the bottom wall (10) of the housing rear portion (12), and the terminal pin retaining plate (2) is locked to the bottom wall (10) of the housing rear portion (12). The connector according to claim 12, wherein the pin (3a) of the terminal (3) is used for insertion into the pin socket of the circuit board, and the mating end (3b) of the terminal (3) extends to the front of the housing (11) to mate with the mating terminal inserted into the front of the housing (11).

14. The terminal (3) includes a plurality of first terminals (31) and a plurality of second terminals (32) that are different from the plurality of first terminals (31), and the retaining hole (21) includes a plurality of first retaining holes (21') that each engage with the pins (3a) of the plurality of first terminals (31), and a plurality of second retaining holes (21'') that each engage with the pins (3a) of the plurality of second terminals (32), The connector according to claim 13, wherein the plurality of first terminals (31) are arranged in one region of the housing, and the plurality of second terminals (32) are arranged in a separate region of the housing (1) separated from the first region.

15. The front portion of the housing (11) includes a first mating port (111) and a second mating port (112) arranged side by side and spaced apart in the lateral direction (X) of the housing (1), The mating ends (3b) of the plurality of first terminals (31) extend to the first mating port (111) and mat with the plurality of first mating terminals inserted into the first mating port (111). The connector according to claim 14, wherein the mating ends (3b) of the plurality of second terminals (32) extend to the second mating port (112) and mat with a plurality of second mating terminals inserted into the second mating port (112).

16. The connector according to claim 15, wherein a first projection (11a) for locking the mating connector to the mating housing is formed on the outside of the peripheral wall of the first mating port (111), and a second projection (11b) for locking to the mating housing is formed on the outside of the peripheral wall of the second mating port (112).

17. The connector according to claim 15, wherein a guide rib (11c) extending along the longitudinal direction (Y) of the housing (1) is formed on the outside of the peripheral wall of the first mating port (111) and / or the peripheral wall of the second mating port (112), and the guide rib (11c) is used to guide the front portion (11) of the housing of the connector to be inserted into the mating housing along the longitudinal direction (Y).

18. The housing (1) further comprises a flange portion (13) located between the front portion (11) and the rear portion (12) of the housing for attachment to a mounting panel. The connector according to claim 13, wherein the flange portion (13) has a front and a rear side on opposite sides of the housing (1) in the longitudinal direction (Y), and a positioning column (13a) extending along the longitudinal direction (Y) is formed on the front side of the flange portion (13), and the positioning column (13a) is used to engage with a positioning hole of the mounting panel.

19. The flange portion (13) is further equipped with a nut (4) embedded in it. The connector according to claim 18, wherein the nut (4) is used for screw connection with the screw so that the flange portion (13) can be fixed to the mounting panel via the screw.

20. The connector according to claim 19, wherein the housing (1) is an integrally injection-molded part, and the housing (1) is injected directly into the nut (4), so that the housing (1) and the nut (4) form an integral part.

21. A seal ring mounting groove (130) is formed on the front side of the flange portion (13), and the positioning column (13a) and the nut (4) are located in the region enclosed by the seal ring mounting groove (130). The connector according to claim 18, further comprising a seal ring (5) installed in the seal ring mounting groove (130), wherein the seal ring (5) is fitted to be compressed between the flange portion (13) and the mounting panel to achieve a seal between the flange portion (13) and the mounting panel.

22. The connector according to any one of claims 10 to 21, A circuit board electrically connected to the pin (3a) of the terminal (3) of the connector and Equipped with, A pin socket and positioning hole are formed in the circuit board, the pin (3a) of the terminal (3) is inserted into the pin socket of the circuit board, and the positioning column (13a) of the terminal pin holding plate (2) is inserted into the positioning hole of the circuit board. Connector assembly.

23. The connector assembly according to claim 22, further comprising a mating connector that is mated with the aforementioned connector.

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