Easy-lock connectors, connector housings, and easy-lock connector assemblies

Abstract

To provide an easy-lock connector which has good operability and allows the lock on a mating connector to be released with one hand. [Solution] The easy-lock connector 10 comprises an insulating housing 11, a plurality of contacts 15 held by the insulating housing, two locking members 13, and a push rod member 12. The insulating housing has an accommodating space. A mating connector is inserted into the accommodating space along a first direction. The locking member locks the mating connector inserted into the easy-lock connector. The push rod member is operated to move the locking arm of the locking member away from the locked position, thereby releasing the lock on the mating connector. The installation of the push rod member improves the operability of the easy-lock connector.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an easy-lock connector, and more particularly to an easy-lock connector that can be unlocked with one hand to a mating connector. The mating connector consists of a connector housing and a flat connection object, such as a flexible flat cable (FFC), a flexible flat circuit (FPC), a card board, or other similar object. [Background technology]

[0002] Taiwan Utility Model No. M644042U (Patent Document 1) discloses a flexible flat cable connector. The connector in Patent Document 1 has an operating member pivotally supported on an insulating housing. The flexible flat cable is unlocked by pressing the body of the operating member to swing it. However, because this operating member has a certain thickness, this type of connector is not suitable for thinning.

[0003] Taiwan Utility Model Publication No. M591717U (Patent Document 2) discloses a connector for flexible flat cables. Patent Document 2 discloses attaching a male connector housing to the insertion end of a flexible flat cable. This allows the mating direction of the flexible flat cable into the easy-lock connector to be changed. This makes it possible to automate the insertion of the flexible flat cable into the easy-lock connector. Furthermore, it improves the operability and protection of the flexible flat cable. However, with the easy-lock connector disclosed in Patent Document 2, the user must simultaneously operate two separate locking members to release the flexible flat cable, resulting in poor unlocking operability. Because the operating portion of the locking member is on the same side as the main body of the flexible flat cable, the unlocking operation may be obstructed by the main body of the flexible flat cable. Summary of the Invention

[0004] One of the objects of the present invention is to provide an easy-lock connector that has good operability and can be unlocked from the mating connector with one hand.

[0005] Another object of the present invention is to provide an easy-lock connector that is thin and suitable for use in the narrow spaces of small or thin electronic devices.

[0006] A further object of the present invention is to provide an easy-lock connector which can easily lock a mating connector simply by inserting the mating connector into the easy-lock connector, and which is useful for automatic assembly of the mating connector and the easy-lock connector.

[0007] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an easy-lock connector, comprising: an insulating housing having an accommodating space, the mating connector being inserted into the accommodating space along a first direction and at least a portion of the mating connector being accommodated in the accommodating space; a plurality of contacts held by the insulating housing, arranged along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, each contact having a contact portion extending into the accommodating space and a connection terminal portion facing the contact portion; two locking members respectively arranged on both sides of the accommodating space in the second direction, each locking member including a fixed portion, a locking arm, and an actuated portion, the locking arm extending from the fixed portion in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction, the actuated portion formed on a free end of the locking arm, the locking arm elastically moving between a locked position and an unlocked position in the second direction, the locking arm always elastically biased toward the locked position, first engaging means formed on the locking arm, when the mating connector is inserted into the accommodating space, the first engaging means engages with second engaging means formed on the mating connector, preventing the mating connector from being separated from the easy-lock connector; a push rod member including a push rod body and two swinging arms formed on both ends of the push rod body, the push rod body including an operating part extending in the second direction and two actuating parts located on both ends of the operating part and extending in the third direction, the two swinging arms being pivotally supported on the insulating housing so as to be rotatable about axes parallel to the second direction, the two actuating parts cooperating with actuated parts of the two locking members by operating the operating part, and the locking arms of the two locking members moving in the second direction away from the locking positions by movement of the two actuating parts in the first direction, thereby releasing the lock on the mating connector.

[0008] In the easy-lock connector of the present invention, the easy-lock connector further comprises a shell, which is fixed to the insulating housing and covers at least a portion of the insulating housing, and which has two stopper protrusions formed on the shell located above the two swing arms, thereby preventing the two swing arms from swinging upward.

[0009] In the easy-lock connector of the present invention, the first engagement means formed on the locking arm is a slot.

[0010] In the easy-lock connector of the present invention, the actuated portion includes an inclined guide surface.

[0011] In the easy-lock connector of the present invention, the insulating housing includes a flat rectangular body and a peripheral wall formed on the edge of the flat rectangular body, the flat rectangular body and the peripheral wall define the accommodating space, the peripheral wall is composed of a front wall portion, a rear wall portion opposite the front wall portion, and two side wall portions connecting the front wall portion and the rear wall portion, the two locking members are respectively arranged adjacent to the two side wall portions, the fixing portion of each locking member is arranged adjacent to the front wall portion, and the locking arm extends beyond the rear wall portion.

[0012] In the easy-lock connector of the present invention, the push rod member is pivotally mounted on the two side walls of the insulating housing.

[0013] In the easy-lock connector of the present invention, a chamfer is formed on the upper inner edge of the peripheral wall.

[0014] In the easy-lock connector of the present invention, the insulating housing is formed with at least one positioning post for guiding and positioning the mating connector.

[0015] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a connector housing attached to an insertion end of a flat connection object, the flat connection object having a plurality of electrodes formed on the insertion end, the connector housing and the flat connection object constituting a mating connector of the easy-lock connector of claim 1, the connector housing including two locking portions arranged parallel to a plane perpendicular to the second direction, each locking portion formed with the second engaging means that engages with the first engaging means.

[0016] According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a connector assembly including an easy-lock connector and a mating connector for mating with the easy-lock connector, the mating connector comprising: a flat connection object having a plurality of electrode portions formed at an insertion end; and a connector housing attached to the insertion end of the flat connection object, including two locking portions arranged parallel to a plane perpendicular to the second direction, each locking portion having a second engaging means formed thereon to engage with the first engaging means.

[0017] According to the easy-lock connector of the present invention, by providing a push rod member that cooperates with the locking member, the operability of the easy-lock connector can be improved and the easy-lock connector can be made thinner.

[0018] Those skilled in the art will be able to fully understand the technical features, other objects and advantages of the present invention by reading the specification and accompanying drawings of the present invention. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an easy-lock connector assembly including an easy-lock connector and a mating connector in a mated state according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an unmated easy-lock connector assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 3] 1 is a perspective view showing an easy-lock connector according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing an easy-lock connector according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 5] A perspective view showing an insulating housing [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a pair of locking members; [Figure 7] A perspective view showing multiple contacts [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a push rod member; [Figure 9] Perspective view of the shell [Figure 10] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a mating connector that mates with the easy-lock connector according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 11] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a mating connector according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 12] FIG. 1 is a front view showing a mating connector according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 13] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an upper housing of a mating connector according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 14] A perspective view showing a flat connection object [Figure 15] FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing the locking member of the easy-lock connector of the present invention in a locked position, without showing the shell of the easy-lock connector; [Figure 16]FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing the locking member of the easy-lock connector of the present invention in the unlocked position, without showing the shell of the easy-lock connector; [Figure 17] Schematic diagram showing how to remove the mating connector from the easy-lock connector DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] Hereinafter, an easy-lock connector assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, similar components or components having the same function are designated by the same reference numerals. The drawings are not drawn to actual scale.

[0021] 1 and 2, components of an easy-lock connector assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in brief. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an easy-lock connector assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention in a mated state. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an easy-lock connector assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention in an unmated state. The easy-lock connector assembly is generally designated by the reference numeral 1. The easy-lock connector assembly 1 includes an easy-lock connector 10 and a mating connector 20 that mates with the easy-lock connector 10 in a first direction D1. The easy-lock connector 10 is specifically embodied as a receptacle connector. The mating connector 20 is specifically embodied as a plug connector.

[0022] The mating connector 20 is formed by attaching a connector housing to the insertion end of a flat connection object, such as a flexible flat cable (FFC) or a flexible flat circuit board (FPC). In this specification, the assembly consisting of the connector housing and the flat connection object is referred to as the "mating connector."

[0023] An easy-lock connector 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 3 and 4. Figure 3 is a perspective view of the easy-lock connector according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of the easy-lock connector according to an embodiment of the present invention. The easy-lock connector 10 includes an insulating housing 11, a push rod member 12, two locking members 13, a shell 14, and a plurality of contacts 15.

[0024] The mating connector 20 is inserted into the easy-lock connector 10 along a first direction D1 (i.e., the height direction or mating direction). A flat connection object that is part of the mating connector 20 is, but is not limited to, a flexible flat cable (FFC) or a flexible flat circuit (FPC). The flat connection object may be a card board. The flat connection object has a plurality of electrodes formed on the insertion end of the flat connection object.

[0025] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the insulating housing 11. The structure of the insulating housing 11 will be described with reference to FIG. 5. The insulating housing 11 is made of an insulating synthetic resin or polymer material. The insulating housing 11 has a flat rectangular body 110 and a peripheral wall formed on the edge of the flat rectangular body 110. The flat rectangular body 110 and the peripheral wall define an accommodation space SP. The peripheral wall is composed of a front wall portion 111, a rear wall portion 113 facing the front wall portion 111, and two side wall portions 112 connecting the front wall portion 111 and the rear wall portion 113.

[0026] The flat rectangular body 110 has a plurality of retaining grooves 1102 formed therein. The retaining grooves 1102 are arranged along the second direction D2 (i.e., the width direction) and are separated from one another. Each retaining groove 1102 holds a corresponding contact 15. The flat rectangular body 110 has two positioning posts 1101 separated from one another in the second direction D2. The tip of each positioning post 1101 is frustoconical. The positioning posts 1101 are provided to guide the insertion of the mating connector 20 and to position the mating connector 20.

[0027] A notch 1110 is formed in the front wall 111. The notch 1110 makes it possible to prevent interference between the front wall 111 and the main body of a flat object to be connected (e.g., a cable portion). Each side wall 112 has a first restricting notch 1121 for pivotally mounting the push rod member 12, and a locking member fixing portion 1122 adjacent to the front wall 111. The first restricting notch 1121 is open upward in the first direction D1, making it easy to attach the push rod member 12.

[0028] The end of the rear wall 113 is separated from the side wall 112 by a gradually expanding gap 1130. Specifically, the width of the gap 1130 gradually increases rearward along a third direction D3 (i.e., the front-to-rear direction). The third direction D3 is perpendicular to the first direction D1 and the second direction D2. The gap 1130 allows a portion of the locking member 13 to move in the second direction D2.

[0029] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a pair of locking members 13. The locking members 13 are elongated members formed by stamping and bending a metal plate. The locking members 13 include a soldered portion 131, a fixed portion 132, a locking arm 133, and an actuated portion 134. The soldered portion 131 is formed at one end of the fixed portion 132. The locking arm 133 extends from the other end of the fixed portion 132, away from the soldered portion, generally in a third direction D3. The soldered portion 131 is soldered to a solder pad formed on a circuit board using surface mount technology (SMT). The actuated portion 134 is formed at the end of the locking arm 133. The locking arm 133 is formed with a first engaging means. The first engaging means engages with a second engaging means formed on the connector housing of the mating connector 20, thereby locking the mating connector 20. In this embodiment, the first engaging means is specifically implemented as a slot 1330.

[0030] The locking member 13 is disposed inside and adjacent to the side wall portion 112. A fixing portion 132 of the locking member 13 is fixed to the locking member fixing portion 1122. The fixing portion 132 of the locking member 13 is adjacent to the front wall portion 111. A locking arm 133 of the locking member 13 extends from the fixing portion 132 beyond the rear wall portion 113 in the third direction D3 and is elastically movable between a locked position and an unlocked position. The locking member 13 is disposed such that the locking arm 133 is always elastically biased toward the locked position.

[0031] The operated portion 134 of the locking member 13 has an inclined guide surface. The operating portion 1202 (see FIG. 8) of the push rod member abuts against the guide surface and interferes with the guide surface. Cooperation between the operating portion 1202 and the operated portion 134 moves the locking arm 133 from the locked position to the released position.

[0032] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing multiple contacts 15. The contacts 15 are arranged in a row along the second direction D2 and held by the insulating housing 11. Each contact 15 is made of copper or a copper alloy. The contact 15 has a connection terminal portion 151, a held portion 152, a contact arm 153, and a contact portion 154. The contact arm 153 extends from one end of the held portion 152. The connection terminal portion 151 extends from the other end of the held portion 152. The held portion 152 has a barb structure. The held portion 152 is inserted by interference fitting into a holding hole formed in the insulating housing 11 and communicating with the holding groove 1102. The contact portion 154 is formed at the distal end of the contact arm 153. The contact arm 153 extends into the housing space SP in the third direction so that the contact portion 154 comes into contact with an electrode portion of a flat connection target. The connection terminal portion 151 protrudes from the insulating housing 11. The connection terminal portion 151 is soldered to a solder pad formed on a circuit board by surface mount technology (SMT).

[0033] Figure 8 is a perspective view of the push rod member. As shown in Figure 8, the push rod member 12 has a push rod body 120 and swing arms 121 formed on both ends of the push rod body 120. The swing arms 121 are perpendicular to the push rod body 120. A shaft 122 is formed on the distal end of each swing arm 121. The shaft 122 is received in a first restricting notch 1121 of the insulating housing 11. The swing arms 121 are pivoted relative to the insulating housing 11 so as to be rotatable about an axis parallel to the second direction D2. In this way, the push rod member 12 is rotatably attached to the insulating housing 11.

[0034] The push rod body 120 has an operating portion 1201 extending along the second direction D2 and two actuating portions 1202 extending in the third direction D3. The operating portion 1201 is located between the two actuating portions 1202. The push rod body 120 is configured so that the height of the operating portion 1201 in the first direction D1 is slightly lower than that of the actuating portions 1202. This limits the distance the operating portion 1201 can move downward in the first direction D1 and prevents excessive pressure on the operating portion 1201. In this way, the reaction force in the first direction that the shaft portion 122 applies to the easy-lock connector can be suppressed. If necessary, the operating portion 1201 can be machined into a flat shape, thereby increasing the contact area with the user's fingers.

[0035] In an embodiment of the present invention, the push rod member 12 is formed by bending a metal rod, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The push rod member 12 can also be formed by pressing a metal plate or by powder metallurgy (e.g., metal injection molding (MIM)). The push rod member 12 can also be made of a non-metallic material (e.g., a polymer material). To ensure sufficient strength and rigidity, it is preferable to make the push rod member 12 from a metallic material.

[0036] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the shell 14. The shell 14 is formed by pressing and bending a metal plate. The shell 14 is configured to have a generally U-shape when viewed from the first direction D1. The shell 14 has two shell side portions 141 and a connecting portion 140 that connects the two shell side portions 141. The shell side portions 141 cover at least a portion of the side wall portion 112. The connecting portion 140 covers at least a portion of the rear wall portion 113.

[0037] The lower edge of the shell side portion 141 has a first soldering portion 1411 adjacent to the front end and a second soldering portion 1412 adjacent to the rear end. The first soldering portion 1411 and the second soldering portion 1412 are soldered to solder pads formed on the circuit board using surface mount technology (SMT). This allows the easy lock connector 10 to be stably attached to the circuit board.

[0038] The shell side portion 141 is formed with a second restricting notch 1414 corresponding to the first restricting notch 1121. The second restricting notch 1414 is open downward in the first direction D1. When the shell 14 is attached to the insulating housing 11, the first restricting notch 1121 and the second restricting notch 1414 rotatably support the shaft portion 122 of the push rod member 12. The shell side portion 141 is further formed with a stopper protrusion 1413 located above the swing arm 121 of the push rod member 12. The stopper protrusion 1413 prevents the swing arm 121 of the push rod member 12 from rotating upward.

[0039] An engagement portion 1401 is formed on the rear edge of the connecting portion 140. The engagement portion 1401 engages with a protrusion 1131 formed on the rear wall portion 113 of the insulating housing 11. The engagement between the engagement portion 1401 and the protrusion 1131 prevents the shell 14 from coming off the insulating housing 11. An alignment hole 1402 is formed in the connecting portion 140. When the mating connector 20 is grasped by a robot arm and aligned with the accommodating space SP of the easy-lock connector 10, the alignment hole 1402 functions as an alignment mark for recognition by a machine vision system.

[0040] A mating connector according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 10, 11, and 12. Figure 10 is a perspective view of the mating connector according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 11 is an exploded perspective view of the mating connector according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 12 is a front view of the mating connector according to an embodiment of the present invention. The mating connector 20 includes a connector housing composed of an upper housing 21 and a lower housing 22, and a flat connection object 23. This connector housing is attached to the flat connection object 23.

[0041] 13 is a perspective view of the upper housing 21. The upper housing 21 and the lower housing 22 are formed by stamping and bending a metal plate. In this embodiment, the connector housing is a two-piece housing, but the present invention is not limited to this. The connector housing may also be a one-piece housing. In this embodiment, the connector housing is made of a metal material or an alloy material, but the present invention is not limited to this. The connector housing may also be made of an insulating synthetic resin or a polymer material.

[0042] Details of the upper housing 21 are shown in Figures 11 and 13. The upper housing 21 has a main body 210. The main body 210 has a flat surface and can be sucked by a vacuum nozzle. Alignment holes 2101 are formed in the main body 210 of the upper housing 21. Like the alignment holes 1402, the alignment holes 2101 function as alignment marks for recognition by a machine vision system. Locking portions 211 are formed on each side edge of the main body 210. The locking portions 211 are arranged parallel to a plane perpendicular to the second direction D2. The locking portions 211 are formed with second engaging means that engage with the first engaging means. When the mating connector 20 is mated with the easy-lock connector 10, the locking arm 133 of the locking member 13 is positioned inside the locking portion 211 of the upper housing 21, thereby engaging the first engaging means with the second engaging means. In this embodiment, the second engagement means is specifically implemented as a wedge-shaped protrusion 2110. Alternatively, the first engagement means may be implemented as a wedge-shaped protrusion, and the second engagement means may be implemented as a slot. Furthermore, two engagement portions 212 are formed on each side edge of the main body portion 210.

[0043] The details of the lower housing 22 are shown in Figure 11. The lower housing 22 has a main body 220. The main body 220 has a cutout 2201. A portion of the bottom surface of the flat connection object 23 is exposed through the cutout 2201. Two first positioning portions 2202 and two second positioning portions 2203 are formed on the front and rear edges of the main body 220, respectively. Two protrusions 222 are formed on each side edge of the main body 220. The upper housing 21 and the lower housing 22 are fixed to each other by engagement between the protrusions 222 and the engaging portions 212, thereby forming a connector housing. Note that the upper housing 21 and the lower housing 22 do not necessarily need to have an engaging structure such as an engaging portion or protrusion. Alternatively, the upper housing 21 and the lower housing 22 may be fixed to each other by laser welding.

[0044] Furthermore, two positioning holes 2204 that mate with the positioning posts 1101 are formed in the main body 210 of the lower housing 22. The positioning posts 1101 position the mating connector 20 in an appropriate position and prevent the mating connector 20 from moving on a plane perpendicular to the first direction D1 or from rotating around an axis parallel to the first direction D1 when mated. This ensures reliable contact between the electrode portions of the flat connection object 23 and the contacts 15. The main body 210 of the lower housing 22 is further formed with two bosses 2205 as gap adjustment portions. The protruding bosses 2205 prevent the flat connection object 23 from swinging up and down relative to the upper housing 21 and the lower housing 22.

[0045] Fig. 14 is a perspective view of a flat connection object 23. As shown in Fig. 14, the flat connection object 23 includes a head portion 231 and an extension portion 230. A notch 2310 is formed on each side edge of the head portion 231. In this embodiment, the flat connection object 23 is a flexible flat cable (FFC), and the extension portion 230 is a cable body. Another head portion is formed on the other end of the cable body. A plurality of electrode portions 2312 arranged in the second direction D2 are formed on the bottom surface of the head portion 231.

[0046] Referring again to FIG. 13 , a plurality of third positioning portions 2102 are formed on the main body 210 of the upper housing 21. The third positioning portions 2102 abut against inner edges of the notches 2310 of the flat connection object 23, thereby preventing the flat connection object 23 from moving in the third direction D3 relative to the connector housing. The first positioning portion 2202 and the second positioning portion 2203 formed on the main body 220 of the lower housing 22 abut against front and rear edges of the head portion 231 of the flat connection object 23, respectively, thereby preventing the flat connection object 23 from moving in the third direction D3 relative to the connector housing. The positioning post 1101 abuts against inner edges of the notches 2310 of the flat connection object 23, thereby preventing the flat connection object 23 from moving in the second direction D2 relative to the connector housing.

[0047] Releasing the lock on the mating connector 20 will now be described with reference to Figures 15 and 16. Figure 15 is a schematic diagram showing the locking member 13 of the easy-lock connector 10 in the locked position. Figure 16 is a schematic diagram showing the locking member 13 of the easy-lock connector 10 in the unlocked position. For ease of explanation, the shell 14 of the easy-lock connector 10 is not shown in Figures 15 and 16.

[0048] In Figure 15, the locking member 13 is in an upper position corresponding to the locked position. In this state, the operating portion 1202 of the push rod member 12 is located above or rests on the operated portion 134 of the locking member 13. In Figure 16, the locking member 13 is in a lower position corresponding to the released position.

[0049] The inclined guide surface of the actuated portion 134 is formed so that when the actuating portion 1202 of the push rod member 12 moves from an upper position to a lower position in the first direction D1, the locking member 13 moves inward from the locked position to the unlocked position in the second direction D2. Therefore, by pressing the operating portion 1201 of the push rod member 12, the locking member 13 can be moved from the locked position to the unlocked position, thereby releasing the lock on the mating connector 20.

[0050] 17 is a schematic diagram showing how the mating connector 20 is removed from the easy-lock connector 10. When the push rod member 12 is moved from the upper position to the lower position by pressing the single operating portion 1201 of the push rod member 12, the locking member 13 moves from the locked position to the unlocked position, and the lock on the mating connector 20 is released. In this state, the wedge-shaped protrusion serving as the second engagement means is disengaged from the slot 1330 serving as the first engagement means, so that the mating connector 20 can be removed from the easy-lock connector 10 along the first direction D1, as shown in FIG.

[0051] The easy-lock connector of the present invention reliably combines the advantages of thinness and good operability. Furthermore, the easy-lock connector of the present invention is particularly suitable for small or thin electronic devices with limited space. Furthermore, the easy-lock connector of the present invention is also suitable for automated assembly of the easy-lock connector with flat connection objects.

[0052] Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art may make various modifications as appropriate within the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, but is subject to the scope of the utility model registration claims. In other words, equivalent changes and modifications that do not depart from the scope of the utility model registration claims of the present invention shall remain within the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0053] 1 Easy Lock Connector Assembly 10 Easy Lock Connector 11 Insulating housing 110 Flat rectangular body 1101 Positioning post 1102 Retaining groove 111 Front wall 1110 notch 112 Side wall 1121 First restriction notch 1122 Locking member fixing part 113 Rear wall 1130 Gap 1131 Protrusion 12 Push rod member 120 Push rod body 1201 Operation unit 1202 Operating part 121 Swing arm 122 Shaft 13 Locking member 131 Soldering section 132 Fixed part 133 Lock Arm 1330 Slots 134 Actuated part 14 shells 140 Connection section 1401 Engagement part 1402 Alignment hole 141 Shell side 1411 First soldering section 1412 Second soldering section 1413 Stopper protrusion 1414 Second restriction notch 15 Contacts 151 Connection terminal 152 Holding part 153 Contact Arm 154 Contact part 20 Mating connector 21 Upper housing 210 Main body 2101 Alignment hole 2102 Third positioning part 211 Rock Club 2110 Cuneiform process 212 Engagement part 22 Lower housing 220 Main body 2201 Notch 2202 First positioning part 2203 Second positioning part 2204 Positioning hole 2205 Boss 222 Protrusion 23 Flat connecting object 230 Stretching section 231 Head 2310 Notch 2312 Electrode section D1 1st direction D2 2nd direction D3 Third direction SP Containment Space

Claims

1. An easy-lock connector, an insulating housing having an accommodating space, the mating connector being inserted into the accommodating space along a first direction and at least a portion of the mating connector being accommodated in the accommodating space; a plurality of contacts held by the insulating housing, arranged along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, each contact having a contact portion extending into the accommodating space and a connection terminal portion facing the contact portion; two locking members respectively arranged on both sides of the accommodating space in the second direction, each including a fixed portion, a locking arm, and an actuated portion, the locking arm extending from the fixed portion in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction, the actuated portion formed on a free end of the locking arm, the locking arm elastically moving between a locked position and an unlocked position in the second direction, the locking arm always elastically biased toward the locked position, first engaging means formed on the locking arm, when the mating connector is inserted into the accommodating space, the first engaging means engages with second engaging means formed on the mating connector, preventing the mating connector from being separated from the easy-lock connector; an easy-lock connector comprising: a push rod member including a push rod body and two swinging arms formed on both ends of the push rod body, the push rod body including an operating portion extending in the second direction and two actuating portions located on both ends of the operating portion and extending in the third direction, the two swinging arms being pivotally supported on the insulating housing so as to be rotatable about axes parallel to the second direction, the two actuating portions cooperating with actuated portions of the two locking members by operating the operating portion, and movement of the two actuating portions in the first direction causing the locking arms of the two locking members to move in the second direction away from the locking positions, thereby releasing the lock to the mating connector.

2. the easy lock connector further comprises a shell; the shell is fixed to the insulating housing and covers at least a portion of the insulating housing; The easy-lock connector according to claim 1, characterized in that the shell is formed with two stopper protrusions located above the two swing arms, thereby preventing the two swing arms from swinging upward.

3. 2. The easy-lock connector according to claim 1, wherein the first engagement means formed on the locking arm is a slot.

4. 2. The easy-lock connector according to claim 1, wherein the actuated portion includes an inclined guide surface.

5. The insulating housing includes a flat rectangular body and a peripheral wall formed on an edge of the flat rectangular body. The flat rectangular body and the peripheral wall define the storage space, the peripheral wall is configured by a front wall portion, a rear wall portion facing the front wall portion, and two side wall portions connecting the front wall portion and the rear wall portion, the two locking members are disposed adjacent to the two side wall portions, respectively; Each of the locking members is disposed so that the fixing portion is adjacent to the front wall portion, 2. The easy-lock connector of claim 1, wherein the locking arm extends beyond the rear wall.

6. 6. The easy-lock connector according to claim 5, wherein said push rod member is pivotally mounted on said two side walls of said insulating housing.

7. 6. The easy-lock connector according to claim 5, wherein a chamfer is formed on an upper inner edge of the peripheral wall.

8. 7. The easy-lock connector according to claim 1, wherein the insulating housing is formed with at least one positioning post for guiding and positioning the mating connector.

9. A connector housing, The connector housing is attached to an insertion end of a flat connection object, the flat connection object has a plurality of electrode portions formed at the insertion end, The connector housing and the flat connection object constitute a mating connector of the easy-lock connector according to claim 1, The connector housing includes two locking portions, the two locking portions are provided parallel to a plane perpendicular to the second direction, The connector housing has the second engaging means formed on each of the locking portions, which engages with the first engaging means.

10. A connector assembly comprising the easy lock connector according to claim 1 and a mating connector that mates with the easy lock connector, The mating connector is a flat connection object having a plurality of electrode portions formed at an insertion end; a connector housing attached to the insertion end of the flat connection object, the connector housing including two locking portions arranged parallel to a plane perpendicular to the second direction, and each locking portion having a second engaging means formed thereon that engages with the first engaging means.

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