Connector Assembly

Abstract

To provide a connector assembly.SOLUTION: A connector assembly comprises: a base which includes a body and two lock arms including first fixing parts and rotatably connected to both ends of the body; a contact unit which includes a connection part provided in the body and a plurality of contacts provided in the connection part and extended by protruding from one side of the connection part, and which is positioned between the two lock arms; and contact fixing unit which includes two second fixing parts and a plurality of through-holes positioned between the two second fixing parts. The two first fixing parts sandwich the two second fixing parts, respectively, and the contacts penetrate correspondingly to the through-holes.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to contact connection technology, and more particularly, to connector assemblies. [Background technology]

[0002] Generally, signals and / or currents are transmitted between electronic devices by wires. In some applications, the wires are combined with a horn base to form a horn connector. As electronic devices become smaller, the plugging or mounting space of the horn connector becomes smaller. Therefore, when plugging or mounting the horn connector, the contacts of the wires may be displaced due to space limitations. If the contacts are displaced, it may cause poor electrical contact between the contacts and the horn base. In addition, the displaced contacts may be deflected, reducing the distance between two adjacent contacts, which may cause problems such as arcing, accidental contact, and / or noise due to signal interference. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a connector assembly, which includes a contact fixing unit, which is capable of distributing most of the stress applied to the contact unit, thereby significantly reducing the impact of the stress on the joint between the contact unit and the base, and further effectively improving the stability of the contact between the contact unit and the base.

[0004] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a connector assembly, the contact fixing unit of which can avoid deflection of the contacts of the contact unit, can maintain the distance between adjacent contacts, and can further avoid the occurrence of arcing, accidental contact, and / or signal interference between the adjacent contacts.

[0005] Based on the above-mentioned object, the present disclosure provides a connector assembly comprising: a main body; a base including two locking arms including a first fixing portion and rotatably joined to both ends of the main body; a connection portion provided in the main body; and a contact fixing unit including a contact unit positioned between the two locking arms, the contact unit including a connection portion provided in the connection portion and a plurality of contacts extending protruding from one side of the connection portion, the contact unit including two second fixing portions and a plurality of through holes positioned between the two second fixing portions, wherein the two first fixing portions respectively clamp the two second fixing portions, and the contacts are passed through corresponding to the through holes.

[0006] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, each of the first fixing portions includes two tabs.

[0007] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, each of the first fixing portions further includes a first engagement portion provided on at least one of the two tabs, and each of the second fixing portions includes a second engagement portion, and these first engagement portions and second engagement portions engage with each other in a corresponding manner.

[0008] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, each of the two first fixing portions has two of the first engagement portions, and each of the two second fixing portions has two of the second engagement portions.

[0009] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, one of the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion is a convex portion and the other is a concave portion.

[0010] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the opposing direction of the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion is perpendicular to the extending direction of the contact.

[0011] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the opposing direction of the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion is parallel to the extending direction of the contact.

[0012] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the contact securing unit is a one-piece structure.

[0013] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the contact fixing unit is configured with a first block structure and a second block structure, and the contact is sandwiched between the first block structure and the second block structure.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the outer sides of the two lock arms protrude outward beyond the outer side of the contact fixing unit.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the outer sides of the two locking arms are flush with the outer side of the contact fixing unit.

[0016] Based on the above-mentioned object, the present disclosure further provides a connector assembly including a connection portion and a plurality of contacts, wherein the connection portion includes two first fixing portions located on one side of the connection portion, and the contacts are provided in the connection portion and protrude from that side of the connection portion and located between the two first fixing portions, and a contact fixing unit including two second fixing portions and a plurality of through holes, wherein the through holes are located between the two second fixing portions, the two first fixing portions are respectively engaged with corresponding to the two second fixing portions, and the contacts are passed through corresponding to the through holes.

[0017] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, one of the two first fixing parts and the two second fixing parts is two recesses, while the other is two buckles.

[0018] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the contact securing unit is a one-piece structure.

[0019] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the connector assembly further includes a base, the base including a main body and two locking arms rotatably joined to both ends of the main body, the contact unit is located between the two locking arms, and the connection portion is provided in the main body. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0020] The following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the drawings, will enable a better understanding of the aspects of the present disclosure. It should be noted that, in accordance with standard industry practice, features are not drawn to scale. In fact, the size of each feature may be arbitrarily increased or decreased to make the discussion clearer. [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a top schematic view illustrating a connector assembly according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] 1 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a connector assembly according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a front schematic view illustrating a connector assembly according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] FIG. 11 is a schematic front view showing a connector assembly according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is a top schematic view illustrating a connector assembly according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is a top schematic view illustrating a connector assembly according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is a schematic perspective view showing a connector assembly according to a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 8A] FIG. 13 is an assembly schematic diagram showing a connector assembly according to a sixth embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 8B] FIG. 13 is an assembly schematic diagram showing a connector assembly according to a sixth embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0021] Please refer to Figs. 1 to 3. Figs. 1 to 3 respectively show a top schematic view, a three-dimensional schematic view, and a front schematic view of a connector assembly according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. In this embodiment, the connector assembly 100 mainly includes a base 110, a contact unit 120, and a contact fixing unit 130. In some examples, the base 110 is a horn base. The base 110 may include a main body 112 and two locking arms 114. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the two locking arms 114 may be pivotally attached to both ends (opposite sides) of the main body 112 so as to be rotatably joined to the main body 112 with the pivotal attachment portion as a rotation axis.

[0022] Each locking arm 114 includes a first fixing portion 114a. The first fixing portions 114a of the two locking arms 114 face each other. In some exemplary embodiments, as shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, each first fixing portion 114a includes two tabs PE, which are provided on the upper and lower sides of the first fixing portion 114a, respectively, and may face each other. The two tabs PE of one first fixing portion 114a protrude and extend toward the other first fixing portion 114a. Each first fixing portion 114a may selectively include one or more first engagement portions E1. When each first fixing portion 114a includes one first engagement portion E1, the first engagement portion E1 is provided on one of the two tabs PE, and the first engagement portion E1 faces the other tab PE. When each first fixing portion 114a includes two first engagement portions E1, the two first engagement portions E1 may be provided on two tabs PE, respectively, so as to face each other. The two first engagement portions E1 may be provided on the same tab PE. In some specific embodiments, it is not necessary to provide any engagement portion on the first fixing portion 114a. As shown in FIG. 3, the first engagement portion E1 may be a convex portion. In other embodiments, the first engagement portion E1 may be a concave portion.

[0023] The contact unit 120 is joined to the base 110 and is located between the two lock arms 114 of the base 110. As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the contact unit 120 mainly includes a connection portion 122 and a plurality of contacts 124. The connection portion 122 is provided in the body 112 of the base 110. The contacts 124 are provided in the connection portion 122 and extend protruding from one side 122a of the connection portion 122. The contacts 124 may be substantially parallel to each other. The contacts 124 may be arranged at regular intervals. In some other embodiments, the intervals between the contacts 124 are different from each other, or are partially the same and partially different. The contacts 124 are electrically connected to a circuit inside the base 110 so that the contact unit 120 is electrically connected to the base 110.

[0024] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 3, the contact fixing unit 130 has a one-piece structure and is a block. The contact fixing unit 130 includes two second fixing portions 132 and a plurality of through holes 134. The two second fixing portions 132 are located at both ends of the contact fixing unit 130, respectively. The two first fixing portions 114a of the base 110 may respectively clamp the two second fixing portions 132. In some embodiments, each second fixing portion 132 includes one or more second engagement portions E2. The number, positions, and dimensions of the second engagement portions E2 of each second fixing portion 132 all correspond to the number, positions, and dimensions of the first engagement portions E1 of the corresponding first fixing portion 114a. In addition, the structure of the second engagement portion E2 matches the structure of the first engagement portion E1. In some embodiments, one of the first engagement portion E1 and the second engagement portion E2 is a convex portion, and the other is a concave portion that may match the convex portion in structure and size. In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, the first engagement portion E1 is a convex portion, and the second engagement portion E2 is a concave portion. This allows the first engagement portion E1 and the second engagement portion E2 to engage with each other.

[0025] Specifically, in an embodiment in which each first fixing portion 114a includes one first engaging portion E1 and the first engaging portion E1 is provided on the bottom surface of the upper tab PE, the second engaging portion E2 is provided on the top surface of the second fixing portion 132. In an embodiment in which each first fixing portion 114a includes two first engaging portions E1 and the two first engaging portions E1 are provided on the bottom surface of the upper tab PE and the top surface of the lower tab PE, respectively, the second fixing portion 132 includes two second engaging portions E2 provided on its top surface and bottom surface, respectively, so that the two first engaging portions E1 can be engaged with the two second engaging portions E2 correspondingly, respectively. The numbers and installation positions of the corresponding first engaging portions E1 and second engaging portions E2 are merely for illustrative purposes, and the present embodiment is not limited thereto.

[0026] In some embodiments, no engagement portion is disposed on the first fixing portion 114a and the second fixing portion 132. In such embodiments, each of the first fixing portions 114a clamps the second fixing portion 132 by an interference fit between the two tabs PE and the second fixing portion 132.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 2, the through holes 134 are arranged between the two second fixing parts 132. The extension directions of these through holes 134 may be substantially parallel to each other. The number of the through holes 134 may be the same as the number of the contacts 124, or may be greater than the number of the contacts 124. At the position of each contact 124, there is a corresponding through hole 134. The contacts 124 may be penetrated by the corresponding through hole 134. Specifically, the contacts 124 extend from an outer side 136 of the contact fixing unit 130. In this embodiment, the two locking arms 114 also protrude from the outer side 136. The outer side is the side of the contact fixing unit 130 farther from the base 110.

[0028] 3, in this embodiment, the two tabs PE of each first fixing portion 114a apply a clamping force to the corresponding second fixing portion 132 along the opposing first and second directions D1 and D2. See also FIG. 1. The first and second directions D1 and D2 are substantially perpendicular to the extension direction ED of the contacts 124.

[0029] By inserting the contact 124 into the through hole 134 of the contact fixing unit 130 and then clamping the second fixing portion 132 of the contact fixing unit 130 with the first fixing portion 114a of the lock arm 114 of the base 110, the contact fixing unit 130 can reliably fix the contact 124. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the contact fixing unit 130 is physically separated from the connection portion 122 of the contact unit 120.

[0030] Since the stress received by the contact unit 120 can be applied to the contact fixing unit 130, the impact of the stress on the joint between the contact unit 120 and the base 110 can be reduced, and further, poor contact between the contact unit 120 and the base 110 can be avoided. In addition, since the contact fixing unit 130 can prevent deflection of the contacts 124 penetrating into the connection part 122, the distance between adjacent contacts 124 in the connection part 122 can be maintained, and further, arc discharge between adjacent contacts 124, accidental contact of adjacent contacts 124, and / or mutual interference of signals of adjacent contacts 124 can be avoided.

[0031] Please refer to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 shows a schematic front view of a connector assembly according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. The configuration of a connector assembly 200 of this embodiment is substantially similar to the configuration of the connector assembly 100 described above. The connector assemblies 200 and 100 differ in that a contact securing unit 230 of the connector assembly 200 includes a first block structure 232 and a second block structure 234, and is not a one-piece structure like the contact securing unit 130.

[0032] A first recess CA1 is provided in the bottom 232a of the first block structure 232, and a second recess CA2 is provided in the top 234a of the second block structure 234. The first recess CA1 and the second recess CA2 face each other, and the positions of the first recess CA1 and the second recess CA2 correspond to each other. When the bottom 232a of the first block structure 232 and the top 234a of the second block structure 234 are docked, the first recess CA1 and the second recess CA2 together form a space SP capable of accommodating a plurality of contacts 124. In other words, these contacts 124 are sandwiched between the first block structure 232 and the second block structure 234. These contacts 124 are provided spaced apart from each other in the space SP.

[0033] Please refer to Fig. 5. Fig. 5 shows a schematic top view of a connector assembly according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure. The configuration of connector assembly 300 of this embodiment is substantially similar to the configuration of connector assembly 100 described above, except that the structure of base 310 of connector assembly 300 is different from the structure of base 110 of connector assembly 100.

[0034] The base 310 similarly includes a main body 312 and two locking arms 314. The two locking arms 314 may be pivotally attached to both ends of the main body 312, respectively, so that the two locking arms 314 may be rotatably joined to the main body 312 with the pivotal parts as rotation axes. Each locking arm 314 includes a first fixing portion 314a, and the first fixing portions 314a of the two locking arms 314 face each other. Each first fixing portion 314a includes two tabs PE1, like the tabs PE of the first fixing portion 114a. The design of the tabs PE1 of the first fixing portion 314a is the same as the design of the tabs PE of the first fixing portion 114a, and the description thereof is omitted here. The locking arm 314 of the base 310 is shorter than the locking arm 114 of the base 110. When the first fixing portion 314 a of the locking arm 314 correspondingly engages with the second fixing portion 132 of the contact fixing unit 130 , the two locking arms 314 are substantially flush with the outer side 136 of the contact fixing unit 130 .

[0035] Please refer to Fig. 6. Fig. 6 shows a schematic top view of a connector assembly according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure. The configuration of a connector assembly 400 of this embodiment is substantially similar to the configuration of the connector assembly 100, except that the direction in which the base 410 of the connector assembly 400 applies a clamping force to the contact fixing unit 430 is different from that of the connector assembly 100.

[0036] In the connector assembly 400, the base 410 similarly includes a main body 412 and two locking arms 414. The connection form between the main body 412 and the two locking arms 414 is the same as that of the base 110, and the description thereof will be omitted here. Each locking arm 414 includes a first fixing portion 414a. The first fixing portions 414a of the two locking arms 414 may face each other. In some embodiments, each first fixing portion 414a may include one tab PE2, which protrudes from an inner surface of the locking arm 414 to the opposing locking arm 414. Each locking arm 414 may further include a protruding portion 414b. The tab PE2 and the protruding portion 414b of each locking arm 414 may sandwich the second fixing portion 432 from the opposing first side surface 432a and second side surface 432b of the second fixing portion 432 of the contact fixing unit 430, respectively. Specifically, the tab PE2 of each first fixing portion 414a and the protrusion 414b of the locking arm 414 apply a clamping force to the corresponding second fixing portion 432 along the opposing third direction D3 and fourth direction D4. The third direction D3 and the fourth direction D4 are substantially parallel to the extension direction ED of the contacts 124.

[0037] In some embodiments, each first fixing portion 414a may include two tabs PE2. The two tabs PE2 of each locking arm 414 can pinch the second fixing portion 432 from the opposing first side 432a and second side 432b of the second fixing portion 432 of the contact fixing unit 430. That is, one of the tabs PE2 of each first fixing portion 414a applies a pinching force to the second fixing portion 432 instead of the protruding portion 414b of the locking arm 414. The two tabs PE2 of each first fixing portion 414a apply a pinching force to the corresponding second fixing portion 432 along the opposing third direction D3 and fourth direction D4, respectively.

[0038] Please refer to Fig. 7. Fig. 7 shows a perspective schematic view of a connector assembly according to a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure. The configuration of the connector assembly 500 of this embodiment is substantially similar to the configuration of the connector assembly 100, except that the contacts 524 of the contact unit 520 are arranged in two rows, one above the other. Due to the arrangement of the contacts 524 of the contact unit 520, the through holes 534 of the contact fixing unit 530 are correspondingly adjusted to two rows so as to easily accommodate the contacts 524.

[0039] Please refer to Figures 8A and 8B. Figures 8A and 8B show assembly schematic diagrams of a connector assembly according to a sixth embodiment of the present disclosure. The connector assembly 600 may mainly include a contact unit 620 and a contact fixing unit 630. The contact unit 620 mainly includes a connection portion 622 and a plurality of contacts 624. The connection portion 622 includes two first fixing portions 622f. The two first fixing portions 622f are located on one side surface 622a of the connection portion 622, and may be adjacent to opposite ends of the connection portion 622, for example. The contacts 624 are provided in the connection portion 622 and extend protruding from the side surface 622a of the connection portion 622. For example, the contacts 624 are located between the two first fixing portions 622f. These contacts 624 may be substantially parallel to each other. Additionally, the contacts 624 may be spaced apart at regular intervals, or the spacing between the contacts 624 may vary or not be exactly the same.

[0040] The contact fixing unit 630 may be a one-piece structure and a block. The contact fixing unit 630 includes two second fixing parts 632 and a plurality of through holes 634. The two second fixing parts 632 are located on one side 630a of the contact fixing unit 630, and may be adjacent to opposite ends of the contact fixing unit 630, for example. The positions and dimensions of the two second fixing parts 632 correspond to the positions and dimensions of the first fixing part 622f of the connecting part 622, and the structure of the second fixing part 632 matches the structure of the first fixing part 622f. In some embodiments, one of the first fixing part 622f and the second fixing part 632 is a recess, and the other is a buckle. For example, the buckle may be any suitable buckle, such as a straight arm buckle, an L-shaped buckle, a circumferential buckle, a U-shaped buckle, etc. 8A, the first fixing portion 622f is a recess, and the second fixing portion 632 is a buckle, so that the first fixing portion 622f and the second fixing portion 632 can be engaged with each other.

[0041] The through holes 634 are arranged between the two second fixing portions 632. The extension directions of these through holes 634 may be substantially parallel to each other. The number of the through holes 634 may be the same as or greater than the number of the contacts 624. At the position of each contact 624, there is a corresponding through hole 634. The contact 624 may be penetrated by the corresponding through hole 634.

[0042] 8A, the contacts 624 may be inserted through the through holes 634 of the contact fixing unit 630, and then the contact fixing unit 630 may be pressed against the side surface 622a of the connecting portion 622 along the contacts 624. Next, as shown in FIG. 8B, the first fixing portion 622f of the connecting portion 622 is engaged with the second fixing portion 632 of the contact fixing unit 630, thereby fixing the contact fixing unit 630 to the contact unit 620. At this time, the side surface 622a of the connecting portion 622 can be joined to the side surface 630a of the contact fixing unit 630.

[0043] In this embodiment, the connector assembly 600 may further include a base 610. The base 610 may be a horn base. The base 610 may also include a main body 612 and two locking arms 614. The two locking arms 614 may be pivotally attached to both ends of the main body 612, respectively, so that they can be rotatably joined to the main body 612 with the pivotal parts as rotation axes. Unlike the base 110 of FIG. 1, the locking arms 614 of the base 610 are not provided with a fixing part that clamps the contact fixing unit 630. The contact unit 620 is joined to the base 610 and is located between the two locking arms 614. The connecting part 622 is provided in the main body 612.

[0044] As can be seen from the above embodiment, one advantage of the present disclosure is that the connector assembly of the present disclosure includes a contact fixing unit, which can distribute most of the stress applied to the contact unit, thereby greatly reducing the impact of the stress on the joint between the contact unit and the base, and further effectively improving the stability of the contact between the contact unit and the base.

[0045] Another advantage of the present disclosure is that the contact fixing unit of the connector assembly of the present disclosure can avoid deflection of the contacts of the contact unit, thereby maintaining the distance between adjacent contacts, and further avoiding the occurrence of arcing, accidental contact, and / or signal interference between adjacent contacts.

[0046] The present disclosure has been disclosed above based on the embodiments, but the embodiments do not limit the present disclosure, and a person skilled in the art can make various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present disclosure is based on what is defined in the appended claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0047] 100 Connector assembly 110 Base 112 Main unit 114 Lock Arm 114a 1st fixed part 120 Contact Unit 122 Connection 122a side 124 Contacts 130 Contact fixing unit 132 Second fixed part 134 Through hole 136 Outside 200 Connector Assembly 230 Contact fixing unit 232 First Block Structure 232a bottom 234 Second Block Structure 234a Top 300 Connector Assembly 310 Base 312 Main unit 314 Lock Arm 314a 1st fixed part 400 Connector Assembly 410 Base 412 Main unit 414 Lock Arm 414a 1st fixed part 414b Protrusion 430 Contact Fixing Unit 432 Second fixed part 432a 1st side 432b Second side 500 Connector Assembly 520 Contact Unit 524 Contacts 530 Contact Fixing Unit 534 Through hole 600 Connector Assembly 610 Base 612 Main unit 614 Lock Arm 620 Contact Unit 622 Connection 622a side 622f 1st fixed part 624 Contact 630 Contact Fixing Unit 630a Side 632 Second fixed part 634 Through hole CA1 First recess CA2 2nd recess D1 1st direction D2 2nd direction D3 Third direction D4 4th direction E1 1st engagement part E2 Second engagement part ED extension direction PE Tab PE1 Tab PE2 Tab SP Space

Claims

1. A base including a main body and two lock arms including a first fixing portion and rotatably joined to both ends of the main body; a contact unit including a connection portion provided in the body and a plurality of contacts protruding from one side of the connection portion, the contact unit being positioned between the two lock arms; a contact fixing unit including two second fixing portions and a plurality of through holes located between the two second fixing portions; Equipped with a connector assembly in which the two first fixing portions are engaged with the two second fixing portions, respectively, and the contacts are passed through corresponding through holes;

2. The connector assembly of claim 1 , wherein each of the two first fastening portions includes two tabs.

3. 3. A connector assembly as described in claim 2, wherein each of the two first fixing portions further includes a first engagement portion provided on at least one of the two tabs, and each of the two second fixing portions includes a second engagement portion, the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion correspondingly engage with each other.

4. Each of the two first fixing portions has two of the first engagement portions, 4. The connector assembly according to claim 3, wherein each of said two second fixing portions has two of said second engaging portions.

5. 4. The connector assembly according to claim 3, wherein one of said first engaging portion and said second engaging portion is a convex portion and the other is a concave portion.

6. 4. The connector assembly according to claim 3, wherein the direction in which the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion face each other is perpendicular to the extending direction of the contacts.

7. 4. The connector assembly according to claim 3, wherein the opposing direction of the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion is parallel to the extending direction of the contacts.

8. 2. The connector assembly of claim 1, wherein said contact securing unit is of one-piece construction.

9. 2. The connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein the contact securing unit is configured with a first block structure and a second block structure, and the contact is sandwiched between the first block structure and the second block structure.

10. 2. The connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein outer sides of the two locking arms protrude outward beyond an outer side of the contact fixing unit.

11. 2. The connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein outer sides of the two locking arms are flush with an outer side of the contact securing unit.

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