Closure structure for a connector, connector, and vehicle light cable assembly

Abstract

The invention relates to a closure structure for a connector having a socket (1) and a plug (2) which can be plugged together. The closure structure has a latching hole (111) which is arranged on a cylindrical body (11) of the socket (1); an elastic arm (3) which is connected at its fixed end to the plug (2) and is provided centrally with a latching piece (31) in such a way that, after the plug (2) and the elastic arm (3) have been inserted into the socket (1), the latching piece (31) is latched into the latching hole (111); a locking mechanism which is arranged between the plug (2) and the elastic arm (3) and is designed in such a way that, when the latching piece (31) is latched in the latching hole (111) and is in the locked state, pivoting of the elastic arm (3) in the direction of the plug (2) is prevented until the latching piece (31) is separated from the latching hole (111).

Description

[0001] LOCKING STRUCTURE FOR A CONNECTOR, CONNECTOR AND VEHICLE LIGHT CABLE ARRANGEMENT

[0002] TECHNICAL AREA

[0003] The present invention relates to the field of connectors, specifically a locking structure for a connector as well as a connector and a vehicle lighting cable arrangement.

[0004] STATE OF THE ART

[0005] In a conventional connector, a socket and a plug are typically connected simply by pushing them together. Due to the insufficient reliability of such a connection, there is a risk of poor contact between the plug and socket terminals during prolonged use. In such cases, the socket and plug could even separate, compromising the long-term stable operation of the connector. Alternatively, a locking mechanism is achieved using a threaded sleeve. However, this requires turning the threaded sleeve several times to lock or unlock, which reduces efficiency. Furthermore, the locking force is difficult to control.Insufficient locking leads to an unreliable connection, while excessively tight locking requires a lot of force to unlock, and furthermore, if the threaded sleeve is misaligned, it jams and cannot be turned.

[0006] CONTENT OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0007] The present invention is based on the objective of overcoming the disadvantage in the prior art by providing a locking structure for a connector with which a socket and a plug can be conveniently and securely locked together, thereby improving the reliability of the connection.

[0008] According to the present invention, the problem is solved by a locking structure for a connector, in particular a plug connector, with a socket and a plug which can be plugged together, wherein the locking structure comprises: a locking hole which is arranged on a cylindrical body of the socket; an elastic extension which is connected at its fixed end to the plug and is provided centrally with a locking element, such that after insertion of the plug and the elastic extension into the socket the locking element is engaged in the locking hole; a locking mechanism which is arranged between the plug and the elastic extension and is designed such that, when the locking element is engaged in the locking hole and in the locked state, pivoting of the elastic extension towards the plug until the locking element is separated from the locking hole is prevented.

[0009] Furthermore, the specific design of a locking mechanism is provided, wherein the locking mechanism comprises a locking element arranged in a sliding fit on the connector, the locking element having a locking position and an unlocking position during its sliding movement; wherein, when the locking element is in the locking position, the locking element bears against a side of the elastic arm facing the connector such that pivoting of the elastic arm towards the connector until the detent is separated from the detent hole is prevented; wherein, when the locking element is in the unlocking position, the elastic arm is pivotable towards the connector until the detent is separated from the detent hole. In particular, the locking element does not prevent the elastic arm from pivoting towards the connector until the detent is separated from the detent hole.

[0010] Furthermore, to prevent unwanted unlocking of the locking mechanism, a retaining arrangement is provided between the locking piece and the plug to hold the locking piece in the locked or unlocked position.

[0011] Furthermore, the specific design of a retention arrangement is provided, wherein the locking piece has an elastic arm, and the retention arrangement comprises a projection provided on the elastic arm as well as a locking position recess and an unlocking position recess, which are provided on the plug and are designed to form a positive connection with the projection.

[0012] Furthermore, to protect the locking structure, a flexible protective cover is provided to cover the detent hole, the elastic extension and the locking mechanism, which is connected to the socket.

[0013] The present invention further proposes a connector, in particular a connector, comprising a socket, a plug and a locking structure for a connector according to the preceding disclosure.

[0014] Furthermore, for double locking of the socket and the plug, it is provided that the socket has at least one plug terminal and the plug has at least one socket terminal, or wherein the plug has at least one plug terminal and the socket has at least one socket terminal; wherein the socket terminal has a grid contact structure for locking the plug terminal.

[0015] To increase the tightness of the connection between the socket and the plug and to make it waterproof, a sealing ring is also provided between the socket and the plug.

[0016] The present invention further proposes a vehicle lighting cable arrangement with at least one connector according to the preceding disclosure.

[0017] Furthermore, to facilitate maintenance and replacement of some of the vehicle lighting cables, the vehicle lighting cable assembly is designed to include a cable distribution box, a connecting bus, and at least two branch cables. The connecting bus is connected to the cable distribution box. A connector is provided for each of the at least two branch cables. The respective socket of the corresponding connector is located and / or mounted on the cable distribution box. The respective plug of the corresponding connector is also located and / or mounted on one of the at least two branch cables. Finally, the branch cables are connected to the cable distribution box via the connector.

[0018] With the above technical design, a socket and a plug can be reliably connected to each other in the locking structure of the present invention, and due to the presence of the locking mechanism, the separation of the locking piece from the locking hole by an accidental actuation of the elastic extension can be effectively avoided, thereby further improving the reliability of the connection.

[0019] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] This shows

[0021] Fig. 1 shows a schematic structural view of the locking mechanism of the closure structure for a connector according to the present invention in the locked state;

[0022] Fig. 2 is a top view according to Fig. 1;

[0023] Fig. 3 is an enlarged view of location A according to Fig. 2;

[0024] Fig. 4 shows a sectional view through line AA according to Fig. 2;

[0025] Fig. 5 shows a top view of the locking mechanism of the closure structure for a connector according to the present invention in the unlocked state;

[0026] Fig. 6 shows a sectional view through line BB according to Fig. 5;

[0027] Fig. 7 shows a schematic structural view of the bushing according to the present invention;

[0028] Fig. 8 shows a schematic structural view of the plug according to the present invention;

[0029] Fig. 9 shows a schematic structural view of the socket terminal according to the present invention;

[0030] Fig. 10 shows a schematic structural view of a vehicle lighting cable arrangement according to the present invention;

[0031] Fig. 11 shows a schematic structural view of another vehicle lighting cable arrangement according to the present invention;

[0032] Reference symbols: 1. Socket; 11. Cylindrical body; 111. Detent hole; 12. Plug terminal; 2.

[0033] Plug; 21. Locking position recess; 22. Socket terminal; 221.

[0034] Grid contact structure; 23. Release position recess; 3. Elastic cantilever; 31.

[0035] 4. Locking piece; 41. Elastic arm; 411. Projection; 5. Flexible protective cover; 6. Sealing ring; 7. Cable distribution box; 8. Connection bus; 9.

[0036] Branch cable. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] To make the content of the present invention easier to understand and clearer, a more detailed description of the invention follows, based on detailed embodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0038] First embodiment

[0039] As shown in Figures 1 to 8, a locking structure for a connector comprises a socket 1 and a plug 2, which can be mated together. The locking structure includes: a locking hole 111, which is arranged on a cylindrical body 11 of the socket 1; an elastic extension 3, which is connected at its fixed end to the plug 2 and is provided centrally with a locking element 31, such that after insertion of the plug 2 and the elastic extension 3 into the socket 1, the locking element 31 engages in the locking hole 111; a locking mechanism, which is arranged between the plug 2 and the elastic extension 3 and is designed such that, when the locking element 31 is engaged in the locking hole 111 and in the locked position, the elastic extension 3 is prevented from pivoting towards the plug 2 until the locking element 31 separates from the locking hole 111.

[0040] In detail, before plug 2 is inserted into socket 1, the locking mechanism is first unlocked, allowing the elastic arm 3 to deform towards plug 2. Plug 2 is then aligned with socket 1 and inserted. During insertion, the detent 31 is pressed through the wall of the cylindrical body 11, causing the elastic arm 3 to deform towards plug 2 until the detent 31 moves to the position of the detent hole 111 and engages in it. The locking mechanism is then engaged, locking the entire connection and ensuring a reliable connection between socket 1 and plug 2.Due to the presence of the locking mechanism, the separation of the detent piece 31 from the detent hole 111 by accidental actuation of the elastic cantilever 3 can be effectively avoided, thus further improving reliability.

[0041] The locking mechanism can be designed to include a locking piece 4 which is arranged in a sliding fit on the plug 2, wherein the locking piece 4 has a locking position and an unlocking position during its sliding movement; wherein, when the locking piece 4 is in the locking position, the locking piece 4 bears against a side of the elastic arm 3 facing the plug 2 in such a way that pivoting of the elastic arm 3 towards the plug 2 until the detent piece 31 separates from the detent hole 111 is prevented;wherein, when the locking piece (4) is in the unlocking position, the elastic arm (3) is pivotable towards the plug (2) until the locking piece (31) is separated from the locking hole (111), in particular by the fact that, when the locking piece 4 is in the unlocking position, the locking piece 4 does not prevent the elastic arm 3 from pivoting towards the plug 2 until the locking piece 31 is separated from the locking hole 111.

[0042] It should be noted that the design of the locking mechanism is not limited to the above configuration and that the locking mechanism can, in fact, be designed to include a locking bolt. In this case, a locking hole is provided on the flexible arm 3, and the locking bolt is screwed onto the connector 2. By screwing the locking bolt into the locking hole, the flexible arm 3 can be secured so that it cannot pivot towards the connector 2.

[0043] Second embodiment

[0044] Based on the first embodiment, in which the locking mechanism of the closure structure for a connector uses the locking piece 4, it is provided that, as can be seen from Figs. 2, 3 and 5, a retaining arrangement is provided between the locking piece 4 and the plug 2 to retain the locking piece 4 in the locking position or the unlocking position.

[0045] This effectively prevents unwanted unlocking of the locking mechanism, thereby improving the reliability of the connection of the locking structure.

[0046] Several options are conceivable for the construction of the containment system, which are not limited to the following two configurations:

[0047] In a first embodiment, the locking element 4 has an elastic arm 41, and the retaining arrangement comprises a projection 411 provided on the elastic arm 41, as well as a locking position recess 21 and an unlocking position recess 23, which are provided on the connector 2 and designed to engage positively with the projection 411. It is understood that, alternatively, the projection 411 can be arranged on the connector 2, and the locking position recess 21 and the unlocking position recess 23 can be provided on the elastic arm 41. With the projection 411 inserted in the locking position recess 21, the locking element 4 can be locked in the locking position, while with the projection 411 inserted in the unlocking position recess 23, the locking element can be locked in the unlocking position.

[0048] As shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 5, the locking piece 4 can have two elastic arms 41 and accordingly two retaining arrangements are also provided.

[0049] In a second embodiment, the retaining device can be a spring located between the locking element 4 and the connector 2. The spring pushes the locking element 4 outwards, so that it is in the locked position. Compressing the spring allows the locking element 4 to return to the unlocked position.

[0050] The sliding direction of the locking element 4 can be parallel to the direction of travel of the elastic cantilever 3. Regardless of which of the two configurations above is used for the retention arrangement, a side of the free end of the elastic cantilever 3 located close to the connector 2 can be designed as an inclined surface, which is inclined outwards along the direction of travel of the free end of the elastic cantilever 3. This allows for a smaller distance between the unlocking position and the locking position, resulting in a compact overall design.

[0051] In the present embodiment, the first configuration is preferably used, in which the locking element 4 can be locked not only in the locking position but also in the unlocking position. If the locking element 4 is locked in the unlocking position, the spring does not need to be intentionally compressed when the plug 2 is inserted into the socket 1, thus facilitating operation.

[0052] Third example

[0053] As shown in Figs. 1, 2, 4, 5, 6 and 7, based on the first or second embodiment, the closure structure for a connector further comprises a flexible protective cover 5 for covering the detent hole 111, the elastic extension 3 and the locking mechanism, which is connected to the socket 1.

[0054] In detail, the flexible protective cover 5 provides protection against water and dust, thus protecting the locking mechanism and preventing it from jamming due to dust ingress. The flexible protective cover 5 can be made of silicone. It features a collar that slides onto the socket 1. Whether the cover 5 is open or closed, it remains securely attached to the socket 1 and cannot be lost. This also reduces the number of parts required.

[0055] Fourth embodiment

[0056] As can be seen from Figs. 1 to 8, a connector comprises a socket 1, a plug 2 and the locking structure for a connector according to one of the first to third

[0057] Execution example.

[0058] A sealing ring 6 is provided between the socket 1 and the plug 2, which increases the sealing and achieves a water resistance of protection class IP67.

[0059] Fifth embodiment

[0060] As shown in Figures 4, 6, and 9, based on the fourth embodiment, one of the components, socket 1 and plug 2, is provided with at least one plug terminal 12, and the other component is provided with at least one socket terminal 22. The socket terminal 22 has a grid contact structure 221 for locking the plug terminal 12.

[0061] Thus, the grid contact structure 221 of the socket terminal 22 and the plug terminal is interlocked, while the locking structure provides a secondary locking mechanism, thereby establishing a reliable connection between the socket 1 and the plug 2. Furthermore, the grid contact structure 221 can increase the reliability of the contact between the plug terminal 12 and the socket terminal 22.

[0062] Sixth embodiment As can be seen from Figs. 10 and 11, a vehicle lighting cable arrangement comprises the connector according to one of the fourth to sixth embodiments.

[0063] As shown in Figures 10 and 11, the vehicle lighting cable assembly further comprises a cable distribution box 7, a connecting bus 8 and at least two connecting branch cables 9. The connecting bus 8 is connected to the cable distribution box 7 and the connecting branch cables 9 are connected to the cable distribution box 7 via the connector.

[0064] The connecting branch cables 9 can be provided in numbers of two, three, four, five, six, etc., and the specific number is set as required. In Fig. 10, the connecting bus 8 is connected to one side of the cable distribution box 7, and the connecting branch cables 9 are provided in a number of four and distributed on two sides of the cable distribution box 7 perpendicular to the side on which the connecting bus 8 is located. In Fig. 11, the four connecting branch cables 9 are distributed on one side of the cable distribution box 7 opposite the side on which the connecting bus 8 is located.

[0065] In Figures 10 and 11, the connecting bus 8 is a 13-pin connector wire, and the four branch cables 9 consist of two three-pin and two five-pin wires. Four sockets 1 are mounted on the cable distribution box 7, and each of the branch cables 9 is connected to a plug 2. The two three-pin wires are used to connect to a right side light and a left side light, respectively, and the two five-pin wires are used to connect to a right rear light and a left rear light, respectively.

[0066] It should be noted that in the present embodiment, the vehicle lighting cable arrangement is not limited to the above configuration, which serves only as an example. Rather, a different structure can be provided as required.

[0067] This type of vehicle lighting cable arrangement is easy to maintain; in the event of a fault, only the corresponding connecting branch cable 9 needs to be replaced, without the need for a complete replacement. This also saves on maintenance costs.

[0068] The description so far has been based on preferred embodiments of the present invention, and with the help of the above description, a person skilled in the art can make various modifications and adaptations without deviating from the scope of the technical ideas of the invention. The technical scope of the present invention is in no way limited to the content of the description and should rather be determined according to the scope of the claims.

Claims

Claims 1. A locking structure for a connector with a socket (1) and a plug (2) which can be plugged together, characterized in that the locking structure has the following: a locking hole (111) which is arranged on a cylindrical body (11) of the socket (1); an elastic extension (3) which is connected at its fixed end to the plug (2) and is provided centrally with a locking element (31), such that after insertion of the plug (2) and the elastic extension (3) into the socket (1) the locking element (31) is engaged in the locking hole (111); a locking mechanism which is arranged between the plug (2) and the elastic cantilever (3) and is designed in such a way that, when the locking piece (31) is engaged in the locking hole (111) and is in the locked state, the elastic cantilever (3) is prevented from pivoting towards the plug (2) until the locking piece (31) is separated from the locking hole (111).

2. A locking structure for a connector according to claim 1, characterized in that the locking mechanism comprises a locking element (4) arranged in a sliding fit on the plug (2), wherein the locking element (4) has a locking position and an unlocking position during its sliding movement; wherein, when the locking element (4) is in the locking position, the locking element (4) bears against a side of the elastic extension (3) facing the plug (2) such that pivoting of the elastic extension (3) towards the plug (2) until the detent (31) is separated from the detent hole (111) is prevented; wherein, when the locking element (4) is in the unlocking position, the elastic extension (3) is pivotable towards the plug (2) until the detent (31) is separated from the detent hole (111).

3. Locking structure for a connector according to claim 2, characterized in that a retention arrangement for retaining the locking piece (4) in the locking position or the unlocking position is provided between the locking piece (4) and the plug (2).

4. Locking structure for a connector according to claim 3, characterized in that the locking element (4) has an elastic arm (41), wherein the retention arrangement comprises a projection (411) provided on the elastic arm (41) as well as a locking position recess (21) and an unlocking position recess (23) which are provided on the connector (2) and are designed to engage positively with the projection (411).

5. Closure structure for a connector according to claim 1, characterized in that Furthermore, a flexible protective cover (5) is provided to cover the detent hole (111), the elastic extension arm (3) and the locking mechanism, which is connected to the socket (1).

6. Connector comprising a socket (1), a plug (2) and a locking structure for a connector according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. Connector according to claim 6, characterized in that the socket (1) has at least one plug terminal (12) and the plug (2) has at least one socket terminal (22), or wherein the plug (2) has at least one plug terminal (12) and the socket (1) has at least one socket terminal (22); wherein the socket terminal (22) has a grid contact structure (221) for locking the plug terminal (12).

8. Connector according to claim 6, characterized in that a sealing ring (6) is provided between the socket (1) and the plug (2).

9. Vehicle lighting cable arrangement with at least one connector according to one of claims 6 to 8.

10. Vehicle lighting cable arrangement according to claim 9, characterized in that a cable distribution box (7), a connecting bus (8) and at least two connecting branch cables (9) are further provided, wherein the connecting bus (8) is connected to the cable distribution box (7), wherein at least one connector is provided for each of the at least two connecting branch cables (9), wherein the respective socket (1) of the corresponding connector is arranged and / or mounted on the cable distribution box (7), wherein the respective plug (2) of the corresponding connector is arranged and / or mounted on one of the at least two connecting branch cables (9), and wherein the connecting branch cables (9) are connected to the cable distribution box (7) via the connector.

Images