CN214849182U

CN214849182U - Electric connector and electric connector assembly

Info

Publication number: CN214849182U
Application number: CN202120889654.XU
Authority: CN
Inventors: 王勇; 徐红强; 许立军
Original assignee: Dongguan Leader Precision Industry Co Ltd
Current assignee: Dongguan Leader Precision Industry Co Ltd
Priority date: 2021-04-27
Filing date: 2021-04-27
Publication date: 2021-11-23
Anticipated expiration: 2031-04-27

Abstract

An electrical connector, comprising: the light guide comprises an insulating body, a plurality of conductive terminals, a shell and a light guide body. The insulating body comprises a tongue plate. The shell surrounds the periphery of the tongue plate. The housing includes a receiving space for receiving at least a portion of the mating connector. The tongue plate is at least partially positioned in the accommodating space. The light guide body is used for transmitting light emitted by the light source. The light guide includes an annular space into which the flap extends at least partially. Compared with the prior art, the electric connector can be conveniently identified through the light guide body; on the other hand, by using the light guide as a part of the housing of the electrical connector, a good balance between the structural strength, size and cost of the electrical connector can be achieved. The utility model also discloses an electric connector subassembly of including electric connector.

Description

Electric connector and electric connector assembly

Technical Field

The utility model relates to an electric connector and electric connector component belongs to connector technical field.

Background

Conventional electrical connectors (e.g., output/output connectors) generally include an insulative housing, conductive terminals, and a shielding housing, wherein the shielding housing includes a receiving space for receiving a mating connector. With the continuous development of electrical connectors, in order to improve user experience, especially to identify the position of the electrical connector in a dark environment, an electrical connector with a light guide body is appeared in the prior art. However, the light guide in the prior art still has a space for an optimal design.

SUMMERY OF THE UTILITY MODEL

An object of the utility model is to provide an electric connector and electric connector component with improved design.

In order to achieve the above purpose, the utility model adopts the following technical scheme: an electrical connector, comprising:

an insulator body including a tongue plate;

a plurality of conductive terminals including a butting portion exposed to the tongue plate; and

the shell surrounds the periphery of the tongue plate, the shell comprises a containing space used for containing at least part of the butting connector, and the tongue plate is at least partially positioned in the containing space;

the electric connector further comprises a light guide body positioned at the front end of the accommodating space, the light guide body is assembled and fixed at the front end of the shell and used for transmitting light emitted by the light source, the light guide body comprises a first wall portion, a second wall portion opposite to the first wall portion, a first connecting wall connected with one side of the first wall portion and one side of the second wall portion, a second connecting wall connected with the other side of the first wall portion and the second wall portion, and an annular space surrounded by the first wall portion, the second wall portion, the first connecting wall and the second connecting wall, and the tongue plate at least partially extends into the annular space.

As a further improved technical solution of the present invention, the casing includes a contracting portion located at the front end thereof and a body portion located at the rear end thereof, the contracting portion is opposite to the body portion in a direction toward the tongue plate, and the light guide body is sleeved on the contracting portion.

As a further improved aspect of the present invention, the rear end of the first wall portion, the second wall portion, the first connecting wall, and the second connecting wall is fixed around the outer surface of the constricted portion, and the inner surfaces of the first wall portion, the second wall portion, the first connecting wall, and the second connecting wall are aligned with the inner surface of the constricted portion.

As the utility model discloses further modified technical scheme, the light conductor with the casing is integrated into one piece structure, embedded into shaping structure or equipment shaping structure.

As a further improved technical solution of the present invention, the first connecting wall includes a first arc-shaped surface exposed to the annular space, and the second connecting wall includes a second arc-shaped surface exposed to the annular space; the light guide further includes a first extending portion extending from the first wall portion to one side, the first extending portion being located at one side of the light source.

As a further improved technical solution of the present invention, the first extension portion includes an illuminated surface, the illuminated surface is a side surface of the first extension portion, and the light source and the illuminated surface are disposed at an interval or adjacent to each other.

As a further improved technical solution of the present invention, the first extension portion includes an illuminated surface, the illuminated surface is concavely disposed on a side surface of the first extension portion, the light source is located in the first extension portion, and the light source and the illuminated surface are disposed at an interval or adjacent to each other.

As a further improved technical solution of the present invention, the number of the light sources is two, the light guide further includes a second extending portion extending from the first wall portion to the other side of the first extending portion, and the first extending portion and the second extending portion are respectively located on one side of the two light sources.

The utility model discloses still relate to an electric connector subassembly, it includes aforementioned electric connector and is used for the installation electric connector's circuit board, the light source is installed on the circuit board.

As the utility model discloses further modified technical scheme, the circuit board is including being used for the installation electric connector's installation breach and being located the support arm of the at least one side of installation breach, first wall portion upwards protrudes the circuit board, second wall portion protrudes downwards the circuit board, first extension extends to the support arm, the light source is located just be located on the support arm with between the first extension.

Compared with the prior art, the tongue plate is at least partially positioned in the accommodating space of the shell and at least partially extends into the annular space of the light guide body, so that on one hand, the electric connector can be identified conveniently through the light guide body; on the other hand, the light guide can be used as a part of the housing of the electrical connector, so that the structural strength, size and cost of the electrical connector can be well balanced.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an electrical connector assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a partially exploded perspective view of fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the electrical connector assembly of the present invention.

Fig. 4 is a partially exploded perspective view of fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a partial exploded perspective view of fig. 3 at another angle.

Fig. 6 is a schematic sectional view taken along line a-a in fig. 3.

Detailed Description

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. If several embodiments exist, the features of these embodiments may be combined with each other without conflict. When the description refers to the accompanying drawings, like numbers in different drawings represent the same or similar elements unless otherwise indicated. The description set forth below in the exemplary detailed description does not represent all embodiments consistent with the present invention; rather, they are merely examples of apparatus, products, and/or methods consistent with certain aspects of the invention, as recited in the claims of the invention.

The terminology used in the description of the invention herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. As used in the specification and claims of this application, the singular form of "a", "an", or "the" is intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

It should be understood that the terms "first," "second," and the like as used in the description and in the claims of the present invention do not denote any order, quantity, or importance, but rather are used to distinguish one element from another. Also, the use of the terms "a" or "an" and the like do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one. Unless otherwise indicated, the terms "front," "back," "up," "down," and the like in the description of the invention are used for convenience of description and are not limited to a particular position or spatial orientation. The word "comprise" or "comprises", and the like, is an open-ended expression meaning that an element that precedes "includes" or "comprising" includes "that the element that follows" includes "or" comprises "and its equivalents, that do not preclude the element that precedes" includes "or" comprising "from also including other elements. If the utility model discloses in appear "a plurality of", its meaning indicates two and more than two.

Referring to fig. 1 and 2, an embodiment of the present invention discloses an electrical connector assembly including an electrical connector 100 and a circuit board 200 for mounting the electrical connector 100. In the illustrated embodiment of the present invention, the electrical connector 100 is a USB Type C receptacle connector. Of course, in other embodiments, the electrical connector 100 may be other types of electrical connectors. The circuit board 200 is mounted with a light source 201. Preferably, the light source 201 is an LED light source. The color of the light source 201 can be flexibly adjusted according to different requirements.

The electrical connector 100 includes an insulating body 1, a plurality of conductive terminals 2, a housing 3, and a light guide 4. The insulating body 1 comprises a tongue plate 11. The conductive terminals 2 include a mating portion 21 exposed to the tongue plate 11 and a tail portion (not shown) for being soldered to the circuit board 200.

The housing 3 surrounds the periphery of the tongue plate 11. The housing 3 includes a receiving space 30 for receiving at least a portion of a mating connector (not shown). The tongue plate 11 is at least partially located in the receiving space 30. In an embodiment of the present invention, the housing 3 is a metal housing to improve structural strength and improve shielding effect.

Specifically, the housing 3 includes a constricted portion 31 at a front end thereof and a body portion 32 at a rear end thereof. The constricted portion 31 is constricted relative to the body portion 32 in the direction of the tongue plate 11. The constriction 31 is annular. In an embodiment of the present invention, the housing 3 includes a metal housing located inside and an insulating housing coated on the periphery of the metal housing, wherein the contraction portion 31 is formed by extending the metal housing protruding from the insulating housing.

The light guide 4 is assembled and fixed to the front end of the housing 3. That is, the light guide 4 is located at the front end of the accommodating space 30 to be close to the socket of the electrical connector 100. The light guide 4 is used for transmitting the light emitted by the light source 201, thereby facilitating identification. The light guide body 4 includes a first wall portion 41, a second wall portion 42 opposed to the first wall portion 41, a first connecting wall 43 connecting one side of the first wall portion 41 and the second wall portion 42, a second connecting wall 44 connecting the other side of the first wall portion 41 and the second wall portion 42, and an annular space 40 surrounded by the first wall portion 41, the second wall portion 42, the first connecting wall 43, and the second connecting wall 44. The rear ends of the first wall portion 41, the second wall portion 42, the first connecting wall 43, and the second connecting wall 44 are fixed around the outer surface of the constricted portion 31. The inner surfaces of the first wall portion 41, the second wall portion 42, the first connecting wall 43, and the second connecting wall 44 are aligned with the inner surface of the constricted portion 31 so as not to interfere with the mating connector. Said tongue 11 extends forward at least partially into said annular space 40. With such an arrangement, by using the light guide 4 and the housing 3 as the housing of the electrical connector 100, the housing 3 can ensure that the housing has a certain structural strength, thereby improving reliability; the light guide body 4 is positioned at the front end of the housing 3, and the size of the electrical connector 100 is not increased while the light guide body 4 can play a role in identification; in addition, compare in the whole technical scheme who adopts light conductor 4 of shell, the utility model discloses a this kind by light conductor 4 with the shell that the casing 3 combination formed has advantage on the cost.

In the illustrated embodiment of the present invention, the light guide 4 is assembled and fixed to the housing 3. The light guide 4 is fitted around the constricted portion 31. The light guide 4 and the housing 3 are assembled and formed. Of course, in other embodiments, the light guide 4 may be integrally formed with the housing 3 or insert-molded, and in this case, the light guide 4 and the housing 3 may be separated from each other only by destructive means.

In the illustrated embodiment of the present invention, the first connecting wall 43 includes a first arc-shaped surface 431 exposed to the annular space 40, and the second connecting wall 44 includes a second arc-shaped surface 441 exposed to the annular space 40.

Referring to fig. 1 and 2, in an embodiment of the present invention, the light guide 4 further includes a first extending portion 411 extending from the first wall portion 41 to one side. The first extension 411 is located at one side (e.g., above) of the light source 201. The first extension 411 includes a light receiving surface 413, and the light receiving surface 413 is a side surface of the first extension 411. The light receiving surface 413 is used for transmitting the light emitted by the light source 201. The light source 201 is spaced apart from or adjacent to the light receiving surface 413. In the illustrated embodiment of the present invention, the light receiving surface 413 of the first extension 411 is spaced apart from the light source 201 to avoid crushing the light source 201. Of course, in other embodiments, the light source 201 may also be located in the first extension 411 to better protect the light source 201 and save space.

Referring to fig. 3 to 6, in another embodiment of the present invention, there are two light sources 201. The light guide 4 includes a first extending portion 411 extending from the first wall portion 41 to one side and a second extending portion 412 extending from the first wall portion 41 to the other side away from the first extending portion 411, and the first extending portion 411 and the second extending portion 412 are respectively located on one side (e.g., above) of the two light sources 201. The first extension portion 411 includes a light receiving surface 413, the light receiving surface 413 is recessed on a side surface of the first extension portion 411, and the light source 201 is located in the first extension portion 411, so as to better protect the light source 201 and save space. The light source 201 is spaced apart from or adjacent to the light receiving surface 413. In the second embodiment of the present invention, the structure of the second extension portion 412 is the same as that of the first extension portion 411, wherein the second extension portion 412 also includes a light receiving surface 414, the light receiving surface 414 of the second extension portion 412 is recessed on the side of the second extension portion 412, and the light source 201 corresponding to the second extension portion 412 is located in the second extension portion 412, so as to better protect the light source 201 and save space. The light source 201 corresponding to the second extension portion 412 is spaced apart from or adjacent to the light receiving surface 414 of the second extension portion 412.

In the illustrated embodiment of the present invention, the electrical connector 100 is counter-bored to the circuit board 200 to reduce the height of the electrical connector assembly. The circuit board 200 includes a mounting notch 202 for mounting the electrical connector 100 and a support arm 203 located on at least one side of the mounting notch 202. In the first embodiment of the present disclosure, the first extension 411 extends to the support arm 203 (e.g., the first extension 411 and the support arm 203 at least partially overlap in a vertical direction). The light source 201 is disposed on the supporting arm 203 and located between the supporting arm 203 and the first extending portion 411. In the second embodiment of the present invention, the two support arms 203 are respectively located at two sides of the installation notch 202, and the first extension portion 411 and the second extension portion 412 respectively extend to the corresponding support arm 203 (for example, the first extension portion 411 and the support arm 203 corresponding thereto at least partially overlap in the vertical direction, and the second extension portion 412 and the support arm 203 corresponding thereto at least partially overlap in the vertical direction). The light sources 201 are respectively disposed on the corresponding support arms 203, wherein the light source 201 corresponding to the first extension 411 is disposed between the first extension 411 and the support arm 203 corresponding to the first extension 411, and the light source 201 corresponding to the second extension 412 is disposed between the second extension 412 and the support arm 203 corresponding to the second extension 412. The first wall portion 41 projects upward from the circuit board 200, and the second wall portion 42 projects downward from the circuit board 200. Of course, in other embodiments, the electrical connector 100 may also be mounted on the circuit board 200, i.e. the light guide 4 is completely located on the circuit board 200. Those skilled in the art can understand that the mounting manner of the electrical connector 100 and the circuit board 200 can be varied, and the detailed description of the present invention is omitted.

The above embodiments are only used for illustrating the present invention and not for limiting the technical solutions described in the present invention, and the understanding of the present invention should be based on the technical personnel in the technical field, although the present specification has been described in detail with reference to the above embodiments, however, the skilled in the art should understand that the technical personnel in the technical field can still modify the present invention or substitute the same, and all technical solutions and modifications thereof that do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention should be covered within the scope of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. An electrical connector (100), comprising:

an insulating body (1), the insulating body (1) comprising a tongue plate (11);

a plurality of conductive terminals (2), the conductive terminals (2) including a butting portion (21) exposed to the tongue plate (11); and

a housing (3), wherein the housing (3) surrounds the periphery of the tongue plate (11), the housing (3) comprises a receiving space (30) for receiving at least part of a butting connector, and the tongue plate (11) is at least partially positioned in the receiving space (30);

the method is characterized in that: the electric connector (100) further comprises a light guide body (4) positioned at the front end of the accommodating space (30), the light guide body (4) is assembled and fixed at the front end of the shell (3), the light guide body (4) is used for transmitting the light emitted by the light source (201), the light guide body (4) includes a first wall portion (41), a second wall portion (42) opposed to the first wall portion (41), a first connecting wall (43) connecting one sides of the first wall portion (41) and the second wall portion (42), a second connecting wall (44) connecting the other sides of the first wall portion (41) and the second wall portion (42), and an annular space (40) surrounded by the first wall portion (41), the second wall portion (42), the first connecting wall (43), and the second connecting wall (44), the tongue plate (11) extends at least partially into the annular space (40).

2. The electrical connector (100) of claim 1, wherein: the shell (3) comprises a contraction part (31) at the front end of the shell and a body part (32) at the rear end of the shell, the contraction part (31) contracts relative to the body part (32) towards the tongue plate (11), and the light guide body (4) is sleeved on the contraction part (31).

3. The electrical connector (100) of claim 2, wherein: the rear ends of the first wall portion (41), the second wall portion (42), the first connecting wall (43), and the second connecting wall (44) are fixed around the outer surface of the constricted portion (31), and the inner surfaces of the first wall portion (41), the second wall portion (42), the first connecting wall (43), and the second connecting wall (44) are aligned with the inner surface of the constricted portion (31).

4. The electrical connector (100) of claim 1, wherein: the light guide body (4) and the shell (3) are of an integrally formed structure, an embedded formed structure or an assembled formed structure.

5. The electrical connector (100) of claim 1, wherein: the first connecting wall (43) comprises a first arc-shaped face (431) exposed to the annular space (40), the second connecting wall (44) comprises a second arc-shaped face (441) exposed to the annular space (40); the light guide body (4) further includes a first extending portion (411) extending from the first wall portion (41) to one side, the first extending portion (411) being located on one side of the light source (201).

6. The electrical connector (100) of claim 5, wherein: the first extension portion (411) comprises a light receiving surface (413), the light receiving surface (413) is a side surface of the first extension portion (411), and the light source (201) and the light receiving surface (413) are arranged at intervals or adjacent to each other.

7. The electrical connector (100) of claim 5, wherein: the first extension part (411) comprises a light receiving surface (413), the light receiving surface (413) is concavely arranged on the side surface of the first extension part (411), the light source (201) is positioned in the first extension part (411), and the light source (201) and the light receiving surface (413) are arranged at intervals or are adjacent to each other.

8. The electrical connector (100) of claim 5, wherein: the number of the light sources (201) is two, the light guide body (4) further comprises a second extending portion (412) extending from the first wall portion (41) to the other side far away from the first extending portion (411), and the first extending portion (411) and the second extending portion (412) are respectively located on one side of the two light sources (201).

9. An electrical connector assembly, comprising an electrical connector (100) according to any one of claims 5 to 8 and a circuit board (200) for mounting the electrical connector (100), the light source (201) being mounted on the circuit board (200).

10. The electrical connector assembly of claim 9, wherein: the circuit board (200) comprises a mounting notch (202) used for mounting the electric connector (100) and a support arm (203) located on at least one side of the mounting notch (202), the first wall portion (41) protrudes upwards from the circuit board (200), the second wall portion (42) protrudes downwards from the circuit board (200), the first extension portion (411) extends to the support arm (203), and the light source (201) is arranged on the support arm (203) and located between the support arm (203) and the first extension portion (411).