KR20000071291A - Electrical connector with locking mechanism and metal spring - Google Patents

Abstract

A plug connector having a mechanism for securing a mating socket connector and improving grounding is provided. The plug connector includes a movable latch having a retractable claw. The claw is received in a corresponding recess in the socket connector in the inserted state to prevent accidental removal. The latch is movably mounted in the rigid conductive shell of the plug connector. The latch has a press accessible through a first hole in the shell and the claw protrudes through the second hole. The latch spring is disposed in the shell to bias the latch outwards. In one embodiment, the spring is integrally formed with two free ends which are slightly biased from each other in normal conditions. When the latch spring is deflected, the free ends traverse each other, interfering with a slight "click". On the opposite side of the plug connector, the ground spring also projects outward from the recess in the shell to contact the recess in the mating socket connector.

Description

ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR WITH LOCKING MECHANISM AND METAL SPRING}

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates generally to the art of electrical connectors, and more particularly to a plug and receptacle having a locking mechanism to mate.

As described in Japanese Utility Model Application No. 7-16312, a shield is provided to provide a predetermined gap around the outer circumference of the terminal, and a plug connector in which the shield forms a contact portion with a mating socket connector is known. It is. In such known connectors, the shield is constructed by forming a thin metal plate into an oblate rectangular shape in cross-sectional shape. The resulting shield is intended to maintain the physical contact strength between the connector and the socket by the spring elasticity of the metal of the shield frame.

Such known connectors generally do not include a locking mechanism. Thus, the plug connector can be easily removed from the receptacle by simply pulling the connector body of the plug connector away from the socket connector in the removal direction.

Such a non-locking connector configuration may be sufficient for many individual user applications where the insertion and removal of plugs is frequently repeated, such as cable connections between home personal computers and digital video. However, the non-locking configuration may be insufficient to maintain satisfactory engagement in other environments where high reliability is required and in particular when removal of the plug is not frequent. Even more reliable connections are desirable in commercial or business applications, such as in security cameras in banks or stores.

There is a need for plug and socket connectors with improved reliability. In particular, a connector is releasably lockable to prevent accidental plug disengagement. In addition, there is a need for a connector that provides a strong and stable connection.

A plug connector with a shield having a locking mechanism is proposed. The locking mechanism includes a movable latch having a claw projecting outwardly from one side of the shield. In addition, a socket receptacle is provided to receive the plug connector. When inserting the plug connector into the mating socket receptacle, the protruding claw is received into a corresponding mating recess formed in the socket receptacle.

Unfortunately, in some connector geometries, the plug connector can move relative to the socket receptacle on the opposite side of the single locking mechanism. By this movement, the claw can act freely from the recess, which may unlock the connector. In order to prevent this, it has been considered to provide a connector having a pair of locking mechanisms on opposite sides. However, providing multiple locks on the connector complicates the structure and increases manufacturing costs. In addition, the double lock connector structure can cause shaking or shaking due to the minute positional displacement of the lock mechanism. When this fluctuation occurs, the electrical connection between the shield and the receptacle becomes unstable.

Thus, a feature of the present invention allows a connector structure with a single locking mechanism to provide a secure connection between the plug and the socket receptacle and a tight locking engagement fit. In addition, the present invention advantageously reduces noise components in connection to the socket.

An additional feature of the present invention is to generate a "click" or a feeling of friction when the latch is pressed by the user. The structure of the connector is provided so as to correspond to a condition in which a click is released by claw pressing against the recess of the socket receptacle. This sensory feedback indicates that the plug can be removed, helping the user to operate the plug. In one embodiment, the click effect is performed by a latch spring. In particular, the latch spring is formed in a nested leaf spring shape so that the two free ends of the spring are separated by a small gap in the normal state, but the two free ends of the spring are deformed as the spring deforms as the latch is pressed. Physical contact and traverse each other with some interference. Advantageously, the spring according to this embodiment of the present invention performs both an unlocking " click " indication function and an original spring function to facilitate the latch.

In one embodiment of the present invention, a shielded electrical connector is provided having an insulated housing having a plurality of terminal cavities, a plurality of terminals inserted into each terminal cavity, and a conductive shell surrounding a portion of the housing. The conductive shell has a front opening for the mating connector to access. In addition, the first side of the conductive shell is provided with a first hole and a second hole. A latch disposed on the shell has a rear end pivotably mounted to the shell. The latch further includes a pressing portion accessible through the second opening of the shell and a claw protruding outward through the first opening of the shell. A spring is disposed between the shield and the latch to bias the latch and the claw outwards.

In one embodiment, the connector further includes an inner shield that encloses the housing within the conductive shell.

To pivotally mount relative to the shell, the latch in this embodiment includes a pair of opposing posts that are pivotably within the pivot holes of the shell.

In one embodiment, the connector further includes an insulating jacket around the conductive shell. The jacket is preferably formed of a flexible material such as rubber or plastic material. In one embodiment, the insulating jacket includes a flexible press portion that abuts the push portion of the latch. Advantageously, the insulating jacket protects the other elements of the connector and allows the connector to be easily gripped while allowing manipulation of the latch.

In one embodiment, the latch is disposed between the conductive shell and the insulating jacket around the shell.

In one embodiment, the connector includes a convenience spring that projects outward from the second side of the shell. This convenience spring advantageously ensures a firm fit of the connector in the mating socket receptacle and a stable ground connection.

In one embodiment, the receptacle connector includes a biasing spring that biases against the front of the plug connector upon insertion to apply a force in a removal direction against the plug connector. This pressing spring advantageously allows one side of the deployed claw to be held tight against the recess of the socket receptacle. In addition, when the latch is pressed to release the plug connector to retract the claw from the recess, the pressing spring advantageously pushes the plug connector in the removal direction from the receptacle connector.

Additional features and advantages of the invention will be described herein and will become apparent from the description, the claims, and the drawings.

1 is a perspective view of an electrical plug connector having a locking mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the electrical connector of FIG. 1 seen from another angle.

3 is a sectional view of the connector of FIGS. 1 and 2;

4 is a plan view of the spring of the connector;

5 is a side view of the spring;

6 is a bottom view of the spring.

FIG. 7 is a partially enlarged view of the spring region indicated by circle A of FIG. 5;

8 is a perspective view of a complementary socket connector.

Fig. 9 is a sectional view of the socket connector along the line VIII-VIII in Fig. 8;

FIG. 10 is a partial cross-sectional top view showing a grounded connector assembly including a plug connector that mates with a socket connector. FIG.

<Explanation of symbols for main parts of drawing>

100: shielded electrical connector

102: insulated housing

106: terminal

112: conductive shell

116: insulating jacket

120: latch

122: claw

130: latch spring

200: socket connector

The same reference numerals refer to the drawings indicating like elements, and FIGS. 1-3 show plug connectors 100 implementing features in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. Although the connector 100 shown is a 1394-type connector, the present invention can be used for other types of connectors. 8 and 9 illustrate mating socket connectors 200 matingly receiving plug connector 100. The plug connector 100 and the socket connector or receptacle 200 are shown mated in FIG.

1 and 2, the plug connector 100 includes an insulating housing 102. To provide electromagnetic shielding, the conductive inner shield 104 is disposed along the perimeter around the housing 102. Housing 102 includes a plurality of terminal cavities, each holding a plurality of conductive terminals 106. Terminal openings 108 are formed in the housing 102 to provide access to the terminals 106. The intermediate housing 109 (see FIG. 3) is disposed outside of the inner shield. Cable 110, such as a coaxial cable, is mounted to the rear of housing 102 to distribute signals or power to or from connector 100. The cable 110 includes a conductive lead that is connected to each terminal 106.

To provide strong stiffness and electromagnetic shielding, the plug connector 100 includes a conductive shell 112 shown in FIGS. 1-3 that surrounds a portion of the housing 102. The front insertion portion 114 of the shell 112 has a front opening that provides access to the socket connector 200 (see FIGS. 8-10). In the front portion of the plug connector 100, the conductive shell 112 and the housing 102 are separated by a gap 113. Conductive shell 112 is rigid and may be formed from a metal such as aluminum by die-casting or machining. Shell 112 preferably includes an upper element disposed in parallel with the bottom element.

Referring also to FIGS. 1-3, for protection and gripping, the connector 100 further includes an insulating jacket 116 disposed around the exterior of the conductive shell 112. Jacket 116 is formed of a flexible material, such as molded synthetic resin. The insert 114 of the shell 112 extends forward of the jacket 116 to properly fit into the socket receptacle 200.

To releasably secure the plug connector 100 according to one aspect of the invention, the plug connector 100 includes a movable latch 120 as shown in FIG. The latch 120 is disposed between the housing 102 and the shell 112. The front portion of the latch 120 forms a claw 122 protruding outward through the first hole in the shell 112 as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, the rear end of the latch 120 is movably mounted to the shell 112 at the pivot 124. In particular, pivot 124 includes a pair of opposing struts extending from opposing sides of latch 120 and pivotally positioned within corresponding pivot holes in shell 112. The latch 120 extending forward from the pivot 124 has a pressing portion 126 accessible through a second hole in the shell 112. The latch 120 is formed of a rigid material such as metal or hard plastic.

The latch 120 is movable on the pivot relative to the shell 112 such that the claw 112 is in an extended position as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, and the claw 122 is through a corresponding hole in the shell 112. Selectively move between retracted retracted positions. In the embodiment shown, the claw 112 is ramped for one-way locking insertion. Latch spring 130 is disposed on shell 112 between outer wall of shield 104 and latch 120 to bias latch 120 outward in normal conditions. Latch spring 130 is described in more detail below with reference to FIGS.

To release the claw 122 from the extended or locked position, the user applies pressure on the pressing portion 126 of the latch 120 to move the latch 120 against the biasing force of the latch spring 130. The claw 122 is retracted. As shown in Figures 1 and 3, the jacket 116 preferably includes a pressing portion 132 that lies on the pressing portion of the latch. The pressing portion 132 of the jacket is formed by the slot 134 for additional flexibility.

For tight mating insertion and good grounding, the plug connector 100 of the illustrated embodiment has a grounding spring 136 having a protrusion 138 protruding from the recess 139 on the opposite side of the shell 112 under normal conditions. It includes. The protrusion 138 of the ground spring 136 retracts into the recess 139 when it encounters a sliding force in the insertion direction applied by the socket connector 200 at mating, but maintains an outer bias.

4 to 7, the spring 130 is shown in more detail. The latch spring 130 has a first leaf 140 on one side and a second plate 142 on the second side connected by a U-shaped bend 144 (FIG. 5) and a pair of individual free ends It is integrally formed into a folded-over shape having 146 and 148. In one embodiment, spring 130 provides a convenient “click” or frictional feel that corresponds to the retracted position of locking claw 122 when latch 120 (FIG. 3) is pressed by a user. This “click” feedback informs the user that the plug 100 can be removed because the latch is released. When positioned in the normal position in the plug connector 100 that biases outwards against the latch 120, as shown in FIG. 3, the free ends 146, 148 of the latch spring 130 are generally facing each other. Slightly offset from each other.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged view of the portion A of Fig. 5 showing the normal deviation positions of the free ends 146, 148 in detail, where the free ends 146, 148 have a predetermined gap α in the expansion / contraction direction. Slightly separated by In the preferred embodiment, each free end 146, 148 is tapered or vertex shaped. More specifically, free end 146 includes tapered surfaces 150 and 152 and free end 148 includes tapered surfaces 154 and 156. The free ends 146, 148 overlap one another with overlapping dimensions β, so that when the latch 120 (FIG. 3) is pressed, the spring 130 is deflected, and the free ends 146, 148 move towards each other. Contact each other. The overlap dimension β is selected such that the continuous deflection of the latch spring 130 traverses each other while the free ends 146, 148 generate some slight frictional interference or “click”. Tapered surfaces 150, 152, 154, and 156 help the free ends 146, 148 ride up on each other.

For example, a suitable latch spring 130 has a plate thickness [theta] x2 of about 0.2 mm. The overlap dimension β is about 0.05 mm and the gap α is set to about 0.07 mm. The latch spring 130 is formed of an elastic spring metal. In one embodiment, the biasing force of latch spring 130 may be adjusted by cutting the material from spring 130. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the elliptical slot 160 is formed in the middle portion in the width direction of the spring plate 142. Also, for example, the notched slot 162 may be formed on both sides in the width direction of the other spring plate 140 to adjust the overall spring force as needed to provide the desired resistance.

Referring now to Figure 8 will be described in more detail the socket connector 200. The socket connector 200 includes an insulated socket body 202 defining an insertion port 204 formed in front to receive the insertion portion 114 of the plug connector 100 (FIGS. 1-3). The socket body 202 forms a guide sleeve 206 that projects forward within the insertion port 204, which guide sleeve 206 is in the gap 113 of the plug connector 100 (FIGS. 1 to 3). And is adapted to receive the front portion of the housing 102 of the plug connector 100.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 8, the socket body 202 forms a plurality of terminal cavities that hold a plurality of conductive terminals 208. The socket body includes a terminal platform 210 that projects forward within the guide sleeve 206 and has a contact portion of the terminal 208 disposed thereon. The terminal platform 210 is received in the terminal opening 108 of the plug connector 100 (FIGS. 1 and 2) so that the terminals 208 of the socket connector 200 are in contact with the plug terminals 106. The tail 212 of the conductive terminal 208 protrudes from the back of the socket body 202 to be connected to the corresponding conductive pad of the circuit board. The socket connector 200 may be molded of synthetic resin.

To provide electromagnetic shielding, as shown in FIG. 8, an inner shield 214 is disposed within the guide sleeve 206. When the insert 114 of the plug connector 100 is inserted, the inner shield 214 is brought into multi-surface contact with the inner shield 104 of the plug connector (see FIGS. 1 and 2). . In addition, the recess 216 has a socket body 202 to lockably receive the locking claw 122 of the plug connector 100 (FIGS. 1 to 3), as shown in FIGS. 8 and 10. Is provided at a predetermined position. As shown in FIG. 10, another recess 218 is provided in the socket body 202 on the opposite side of the insertion port 204 to receive the ground spring 136. A portion of the conductive shield may be disposed in the recesses 216 and / or 218. Claw 122 and ground spring 136 may serve to provide ground contact between plug connector 100 and socket connector 200, respectively.

As shown in FIG. 8, the protrusion 220 preferably serves as the pivot point when the external force is provided against the plug 100 mating with the socket connector 200, as described above. Is formed on the inner surface. In this state, it is also possible to maintain contact stability between the inner shield 214 and the inner shield 104 of the plug connector 100.

The socket body 202 forms the mounting blocks 222, 224 at opposite sides. A pair of screw holes 226 are provided in the socket body 202 in the insertion direction for firmly mounting the socket connector 200. In addition, a pair of screw holes 228 may be provided in the vertical direction. Thus, the socket connector 200 can be mounted on a panel or a circuit board. For example, as shown in FIG. 10, the socket body 202 is mounted on a circuit board (not shown) using a pair of screws 230 extending through the screw holes 228.

To enhance the locking action of the claws 122 (FIGS. 1 to 3 and 10) and to assist in the removal of the plug connector 100 from the socket connector 200, as shown in FIG. 9, the socket connector 200 may be Serpentine pressure springs 232. Each pressure spring 232 is generally mounted in the deepest portion of the insertion port 204. These springs 232 are preferably formed by bending the conductive metal plate to Z or meander. The front face of the plug connector 100 is moved in contact with the pressure spring 232 so that the pressure spring 232 is biased against the plug connector 100 in the removal direction. As shown in Figures 8-10, the individual contact ends 234 of each of the aforementioned pressure springs are bent L-shaped and protrude from the bottom surface of the socket body 202 described above. The spring end 234 may be connected to a ground contact (not shown) of the circuit board by soldering or the like. This is an advantage that the ground contact is strengthened by the ground spring 136 and the claw 122 in contact with the grounded portion of the socket connector 200, thereby achieving stable grounding for both the plug connector 100 and the socket connector 200. To provide.

The invention is not limited to the example embodiments described specifically herein. On the contrary, those skilled in the art will recognize that various changes and modifications can be made to the embodiments specifically described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, the appended claims are intended to cover such changes and modifications.

According to the present invention, there is provided an improved plug and socket connector that is releasably lockable to prevent accidental plug disengagement and that provides a strong and stable connection.

Claims (20)

In the shielded electrical connector, An insulated housing comprising a plurality of terminal cavities, A plurality of terminals inserted into each terminal cavity, A conductive shell surrounding a portion of the housing and having a front opening for access by a mating socket connector, a first hole and a second hole in the first side; A rear end disposed on the shell and pivotally mounted on the shell, a pressing portion accessible through the second hole in the shell, and protruding outward through the first hole in the shell; A latch having a claw, A latch spring disposed against the latch to bias the latch outwards Shielded electrical connector comprising a. The shielded electrical connector of claim 1, further comprising an inner shield that partially encloses the housing within the conductive shell. 3. The shielded electrical connector of claim 2 wherein the latch is disposed between an insulative jacket around the connector and the conductive shell. 4. The shielded electrical connector of claim 3 wherein the spring is disposed between the conductive shell and the latch. 2. The shielded electrical connector of claim 1 wherein the latch has a post pivotably mounted in a pivot hole in the shell. 2. The shielded electrical connector of claim 1 comprising an insulative jacket around the conductive shell. 7. The shielded electrical connector of claim 6 wherein the insulated jacket includes a flexible press that abuts against the pressing portion of the latch. 10. The shielded electrical connector of claim 1 further comprising a ground spring protruding outward from the second side of the shell. 2. The latch spring of claim 1, wherein the latch spring has two free ends disposed close to each other in a normal state such that the free ends cross each other while the latch clicks against the bias of the latch spring. Shielded electrical connectors. In the plug connector, An insulated housing comprising a plurality of terminal cavities, A plurality of terminals inserted into each terminal cavity, A conductive shell surrounding a portion of the housing and having a front opening for access by a mating socket connector; A recess in the conductive shell, A grounding spring having a portion protruding outward from the recess to contact a mating socket connector Plug connector comprising a. The plug connector of claim 10, further comprising an inner shield that partially surrounds the housing within the conductive shell. The plug connector of claim 10, comprising an insulated jacket around the conductive shell. In the shielded electrical connector, An insulated housing comprising a plurality of terminal cavities, A plurality of terminals inserted into each terminal cavity, A conductive shell surrounding a portion of the housing and having a front opening for receiving a mating socket connector, a first hole and a second hole in the first side, and a recess in the second side; A latch disposed movably in the shell, the latch having a pressing portion accessible through a second hole in the shell and a claw projecting outwardly through the first hole in the shell; A latch spring disposed against the latch to bias the latch outward; A grounding spring having a portion protruding outward from the recess to contact a mating socket connector Shielded electrical connector comprising a. 15. The shielded electrical connector of claim 13 further comprising an inner shield that partially surrounds the housing within the conductive shell, wherein the ground spring contacts the inner shield. 15. The shielded electrical connector of claim 14 wherein the latch is disposed between the conductive shell and an insulating jacket around the connector. 16. The shielded electrical connector of claim 15 wherein the latch spring is disposed between the conductive shell and the latch. 15. The shielded electrical connector of claim 13 wherein the latch has a post pivotably mounted in a pivot hole in the shell. 15. The shielded electrical connector of claim 13 comprising an insulated jacket around the conductive shell. 19. The shielded electrical connector of claim 18 wherein the insulative jacket includes a flexible press that abuts against the press portion of the latch. 14. The latch spring of claim 13, wherein the latch spring has two free ends disposed in close proximity to one another in a normal state such that the free ends cross each other while clicking when the latch is pressed against the bias of the latch spring. Shielded electrical connectors.