Connector

Abstract

The present invention relates to a connector, the connector, according to one embodiment, comprising: a coupling part provided so as to extend in a first direction and be inserted into an external apparatus in the first direction in order to transmit / receive data; a cable part provided so as to be coupled to the coupling part and transmit / receive data through the coupling part; and a housing part provided so as to be connected to the coupling part, surround the cable part, and guide at least one portion of the cable part in a predetermined direction, wherein the housing part comprises a first housing member which is coupled to the coupling part and guides the cable part in a direction other than the first direction among directions away from the coupling part.

Description

connector

[0001] Cross-citation with related applications

[0002] This application claims the benefit of priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0128519 filed on September 23, 2024, and all contents disclosed in the document of said Korean Patent Application are incorporated herein as part of this specification.

[0003] Technology field

[0004] The present invention relates to a connector, and more specifically, to a connector with improved space utilization and improved durability.

[0005] As automobiles become SDVs (Software Defined Vehicles), the diversification of functions and technological advancements through software are progressing rapidly, and the industry is shifting towards a software-centric model; accordingly, the demand for connectors for transmitting and receiving data is increasing.

[0006] A connector is generally constructed by comprising a cable, a housing that encloses the cable, and a connection part designed to be coupled with an external device. With this configuration, the connector can establish an electrical connection by coupling with an external device, such as a mating connector. In such cases, the coupling direction between the connector and the external device may be parallel to the direction of the cable and the housing.

[0007] In such cases, a physical space in the coupling direction inevitably required by the connector is created, which is a hindering factor in high-density integration. There is a need for connectors that can control this physical space in the coupling direction and are applicable in a wider variety of environments.

[0008] The present invention has been devised to solve the above problems, and the objective of the present invention is to provide a connector with improved space utilization.

[0009] Another objective of the present invention is to provide a connector with improved durability.

[0010] The problems of the present invention are not limited to those mentioned above, and other unmentioned problems will be clearly understood by a person skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains from the description below.

[0011] In one example, the connector comprises a fastening portion extending in a first direction and arranged to be inserted into an external mechanism in the first direction for transmitting and receiving data, a cable portion coupled to the fastening portion and configured to transmit and receive data through the fastening portion, and a housing portion connected to the fastening portion, surrounding the cable portion, and configured to guide at least a portion of the cable portion in a certain direction, wherein the housing portion comprises a first housing member coupled to the fastening portion and guiding the cable portion in a direction away from the fastening portion, excluding the first direction.

[0012] In another example, the first housing member may guide the cable portion in the lower direction of the fastening portion.

[0013] In another example, the connector may further include a second housing member provided to be coupled with the other end of the first housing member and to guide the cable member in the first direction, wherein the area coupled to the fastening portion of the first housing member is defined as one end of the first housing member and the end of the first housing member in the direction away from the fastening portion is defined as the other end of the first housing member.

[0014] In another example, the housing portion may further include a third housing member that is coupled to the lower side of the second housing member and arranged to guide the cable portion downward.

[0015] In another example, when the vertical space between the fastening part and the second housing member is referred to as a separation area, the vertical length of the separation area may be shorter than the vertical length of the fastening part.

[0016] In another example, the fastening portion includes a fastening portion base extending in the first direction and a locking tab protruding from the upper surface of the fastening portion base, and the locking tab includes a locking tab base coupled to the upper surface of the fastening portion base and a locking tab fixing portion extending obliquely upward from the end of the locking tab base, and the locking tab fixing portion may include a material having elasticity.

[0017] In another example, the housing portion may further include a flexible member that is coupled to the lower side of the second housing member, surrounds a part of the third housing member, and comprises an elastic material.

[0018] In another example, the flexible member may include a plurality of grooves that are indented inwardly on the side.

[0019] In another example, the flexible member may be cut along a plane perpendicular to the vertical direction so that the area of ​​the cross-section viewed from the top decreases toward the bottom.

[0020] In another example, the flexible member may include an insulating material.

[0021] According to one aspect of the present invention, the space utilization of the connector can be improved.

[0022] According to one aspect of the present invention, the durability of the connector can be improved even when the connector is used in a space where an external force is applied.

[0023] The effects of the present invention are not limited to the effects described above, and unmentioned effects will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from this specification and the attached drawings.

[0024] FIG. 1 is a perspective view according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] FIG. 2 is a front view according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] FIG. 3 is a plan view according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] FIG. 4 is a side view according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective view according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] Preferred embodiments of the present invention are described in detail so that those skilled in the knowledge can easily implement them. However, the present invention may be embodied in various different forms and is not limited or restricted by the following embodiments.

[0030] In order to clearly explain the present invention, detailed descriptions of related prior art that are irrelevant to the explanation or that may unnecessarily obscure the essence of the invention have been omitted. Furthermore, when assigning reference numerals to the components of each drawing in this specification, identical or similar reference numerals are assigned to identical or similar components throughout the entire specification.

[0031] Furthermore, terms and words used in this specification and claims should not be interpreted as being limited to their ordinary or dictionary meanings, but should be interpreted in a meaning and concept consistent with the technical spirit of the invention, based on the principle that the inventor can appropriately define the concept of the terms to best describe his invention.

[0032] FIG. 1 is a perspective view according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a front view according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a plan view according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a side view according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective view according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] This will be explained with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5. For convenience of explanation, any direction below will be referred to as the first direction (D1).

[0034] In this embodiment, the connector (1) may include a connecting part (100), a cable part (200), and a housing part (300). The connecting part (100) may be extended in a first direction (D1) and arranged to be inserted into an external device in the first direction (D1) for transmitting and receiving data. At this time, the connecting part (100) may be an RJ45 (Registered Jack 45) standard for internet communication. The cable part (200) may be coupled to the connecting part (100) and configured to transmit and receive data through the connecting part (100). At this time, the cable part (200) may include a conductive material. At this time, the cable part (200) may be an internet cable. The housing part (300) may be connected to the connecting part (100), surround the cable part (200), and be configured to guide at least a portion of the cable part (200) in a certain direction.

[0035] In this embodiment, the housing portion (300) may include a first housing member (310). The first housing member (310) is coupled to the fastening portion (100) and can guide the cable portion (200) in a direction excluding the first direction (D1) among the directions moving away from the fastening portion (100). The first housing member (310) can guide the cable portion (200) in a downward direction of the fastening portion (100). When the first housing member (310) guides the cable portion (200) in a direction excluding the first direction (D1) among the directions moving away from the fastening portion (100), the physical space required for the first direction (D1) by the connector (1) is reduced, thereby increasing the space utilization of the connector (1).

[0036] In the following description, for convenience of explanation, the area coupled to the fastening portion (100) of the first housing member (310) is referred to as one end of the first housing member (310), and the end of the first housing member (310) in a direction away from the fastening portion (100) is referred to as the other end of the first housing member (310). In this embodiment, the housing portion (300) may further include a second housing member (320) that is coupled to the other end of the first housing member (310) and is provided to guide the cable portion (200) in a first direction (D1).

[0037] Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, the vertical space between the connecting part (100) and the second housing member (320) is referred to as the separation area (A). In this embodiment, the vertical length of the separation area (A) of the connector (1) may be shorter than the vertical length of the connecting part (100). When the second housing member (320) guides the cable part (200) in the first direction (D1), the separation area (A) may occur.

[0038] When a gap area (A) occurs, a part of an external mechanism can be inserted and fixed into the gap area (A), thereby making the connection tighter. If the vertical length of the gap area (A) is shorter than the vertical length of the fastening part (100), the possibility of the first housing member (310) being damaged by external force can be reduced. If the vertical length of the gap area (A) has a height corresponding to the height of the part where the external mechanism is inserted into the gap area, it is possible to maintain a stable connection state between the connector (1) and the external mechanism.

[0039] In this embodiment, the housing portion (300) may further include a third housing member (330) and a flexible member (340). The third housing member (330) may be provided to be coupled to the lower side of the second housing member (320) to guide the cable portion (200) downward. The flexible member (340) may be coupled to the lower side of the second housing member (320), wrap around a part of the third housing member (330), and include an elastic material. The flexible member (340) may include a plurality of grooves (341). The plurality of grooves (341) may be in a shape that is indented inward from the side of the flexible member (340). When the flexible member (340) includes an elastic material and a groove (341), when the connector (1) receives an external force, the space of the groove (341) is reduced and cushioned, allowing the cable portion (200) to be wrapped with high durability, and when the external force is removed, it can be restored to its original shape, so the connector (1) can be utilized in various environments.

[0040] In this embodiment, the flexible member (340) may be cut along a plane perpendicular to the vertical direction so that the area of ​​the cross-section viewed from the top decreases as it goes downward. The flexible member (340) may include an insulating material.

[0041] In this embodiment, the fastening part (100) may include a fastening part base (110) and a locking tab (120). The fastening part base (110) may extend in a first direction (D1). The locking tab (120) may protrude from the upper surface of the fastening part base (110). The locking tab (120) may include a locking tab base (121) and a locking tab fixing part (122). The locking tab base (121) may be coupled to the upper surface of the fastening part base (110). The locking tab fixing part (122) may extend obliquely upward from the end of the locking tab base (121). The locking tab fixing part (122) may include a material having elasticity. If the locking tab fixing part (122) is made of a material having elasticity, the locking tab fixing part (122) can bend to fit the shape of the external mechanism during the process of inserting the fastening part (100) into the external mechanism and return to its original shape when fully inserted, thereby being coupled with the protruding area or internal space of the external mechanism, and accordingly, the fastening part (100) and the external mechanism can be coupled more firmly. In addition, if the locking tab fixing part (122) is made of a material having elasticity, when uncoupling the fastening part (100) and the external mechanism, an external force can be applied to the locking tab fixing part (122) to temporarily release the firmly coupled state, thereby allowing the fastening part (100) and the external mechanism to be uncoupled without causing damage to the connector (1).

[0042] Although the present invention has been described above by limited embodiments and drawings, the present invention is not limited thereto, and various implementations are possible within the scope of the technical spirit of the present invention and the equivalent scope of the claims described below by those skilled in the art to which the present invention belongs.

Claims

1. A fastening part extending in a first direction and arranged to be inserted into an external device in the first direction for transmitting and receiving data; A cable portion coupled to the above-mentioned fastening portion and configured to transmit and receive data through the above-mentioned fastening portion; and It includes a housing portion connected to the above-mentioned fastening portion, surrounding the above-mentioned cable portion, and configured to guide at least a portion of the cable portion in a certain direction, The above housing part is, A connector comprising a first housing member that is coupled to the above-mentioned fastening portion and guides the above-mentioned cable portion in a direction other than the first direction among directions away from the above-mentioned fastening portion.

2. In Paragraph 1, The first housing member above is, A connector that guides the cable portion in the downward direction of the above-mentioned connecting portion.

3. In Paragraph 1 or 2, When the area of ​​the first housing member that is coupled to the fastening portion is called one end of the first housing member, and the end of the first housing member in the direction away from the fastening portion is called the other end of the first housing member, The above housing part is, A connector further comprising a second housing member configured to be coupled to the other end of the first housing member and to guide the cable portion in the first direction.

4. In Paragraph 3, The above housing part is, A connector further comprising a third housing member provided to be coupled to the lower side of the second housing member and to guide the cable portion downward.

5. In Paragraph 3, When the vertical space between the above-mentioned fastening part and the above-mentioned second housing member is referred to as the separation area, A connector in which the vertical length of the above-mentioned separation area is shorter than the vertical length of the above-mentioned connection part.

6. In Paragraph 1, The above fastening part is, A fastening base extending in the first direction above; and It includes a locking tab protruding from the upper surface of the above-mentioned fastening base, and The above locking tab is, A locking tab base coupled to the upper surface of the above-mentioned fastening base; and Extending obliquely upward from the end of the above-mentioned locking tab base and including a locking tab fixing part, The above locking tab fixing part is, A connector comprising a material having elasticity.

7. In Paragraph 4, The above housing part A connector further comprising a flexible member coupled to the lower side of the second housing member, wrapping a part of the third housing member, and comprising an elastic material.

8. In Paragraph 7, The above flexible member is, A connector comprising a plurality of grooves indented inwardly on the side.

9. In Paragraph 7, The above flexible member is, A connector that is cut along a plane perpendicular to the vertical direction, such that the area of ​​the cross-section viewed from the top decreases toward the bottom.

10. In Paragraph 7, The above flexible member is, A connector comprising an insulating material.

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