TWM655348U - Connector body with docking units of different widths - Google Patents

Abstract

This invention is a connector body with docking unit groups of different widths, which can be applied to a power connector, including a power base and a plurality of docking unit groups, wherein the power base is provided with at least one accommodating space; each docking unit group can be arranged on the docking surface of the power base in the vertical axis direction, and each includes a plurality of docking units, and the docking units in the same docking unit group are arranged along the horizontal axis direction, and the docking units can respectively connect the corresponding accommodating spaces and can respectively accommodate a power terminal, and the widths of at least two adjacent docking unit groups in the horizontal axis direction are different from each other, so that the foolproof effect can be effectively achieved through the width variation between the docking unit groups.

Description

Connector body with docking units of different widths

The invention relates to a connector body, and more particularly to a connector body having a plurality of docking unit sets, wherein at least two adjacent docking unit sets have different widths in the transverse direction.

According to the market, signal connectors refer to all connection components and their accessories used in electronic signal and power transmission. They are the bridge for current and signal transmission in all electronic devices. Their quality not only has a critical and important impact on the reliability of current and signal transmission, but is also closely related to the normal operation of electronic systems.

With the development of electronic technology, signal connectors have become an indispensable component for various electronic devices to transmit data and connect with other peripheral devices. With the design trend of various electronic devices becoming thinner and smaller, the configurations of various signal connectors have to develop in a more precise and smaller direction so that they can be smoothly installed in various electronic devices. However, while the structures of various signal connectors are becoming more and more precise, the structural strength of each signal connector is also weakened. Therefore, when users blindly plug or plug two connectors in the wrong direction without paying attention, the connectors are often damaged and the performance or service life of the connectors is shortened due to improper force or deviation in the plugging direction.

In view of this, the concept of foolproofing (or "error proofing") is crucial when designing and manufacturing products. In short, foolproofing is a design strategy that aims to prevent users from misusing or operating incorrectly to ensure the correct and safe use of the product. However, as connectors gradually become smaller and lower, overly complex foolproofing structures will cause production costs and design difficulties to rise. Therefore, how to provide a more suitable foolproofing structure to ensure its proper foolproofing effect and function has become an important topic that this creation wants to explore.

In order to stand out in the fiercely competitive market, the creator has relied on his rich practical experience in designing, processing and manufacturing various power or signal connectors for many years, and has adhered to the spirit of continuous improvement. After a long period of hard research and experiments, he finally developed this creation, a connector body with docking units of different widths. It is hoped that the advent of this creation will gain the favor of consumers.

One purpose of the invention is to provide a connector body with docking unit groups of different widths, which can be applied to a power connector, including a power base and a plurality of docking unit groups, wherein the power base is provided with at least one accommodating space; each of the docking unit groups can be arranged on the docking surface of the power base in the vertical axis direction, and each includes a plurality of docking units, and the docking units in the same docking unit group are arranged along the horizontal axis direction, and the The docking units can respectively connect the corresponding accommodation spaces and can respectively accommodate a power terminal. Moreover, the widths of at least two adjacent docking unit groups in the transverse direction are different from each other, and the configuration jointly formed by the docking unit groups along the vertical axis, after rotating 180 degrees with the longitudinal axis as the axis, the flipped configuration will not be the same as the unflipped configuration. In this way, the fool-proofing effect can be effectively achieved through the width changes between the docking unit groups.

Optionally, among the docking units of one set of docking unit groups, the width projection range of at least one docking unit in the transverse direction completely covers the width projection range of the corresponding docking unit in the other set of docking unit groups in the transverse direction.

Optionally, each docking unit is in the form of a cylinder, each of which can extend outward from the docking surface of the power base, and each of which has a power terminal slot therein, and each of which is used to accommodate the power terminal.

Optionally, the cross-sectional configuration of the power terminal slot in the vertical axis direction is substantially rectangular.

Optionally, the power terminal slots have the same width in the transverse direction.

Optionally, the front side of the power base is provided with at least one protrusion in the longitudinal direction, and the protrusion is located between two adjacent docking units.

Optionally, the connector body further includes a signal base, which is connected to the power base and has a plurality of signal terminal slots formed thereon, each of which is used to accommodate a signal terminal.

Optionally, a height of at least one signal terminal slot in the vertical axis direction is smaller than a height of one power terminal slot in the vertical axis direction.

Optionally, the signal terminal slots are arranged in a row along the transverse direction, and the total transverse length between the two signal terminal slots farthest apart in the same row is greater than the total transverse length between the two power terminal slots farthest apart in one set of docking unit groups.

Optionally, each of the docking units is in the form of a recessed hole, each of the recessed holes can extend inward from the docking surface of the power base, and can be used to accommodate the power terminal.

Optionally, the corresponding hole walls of two adjacent docking units may be broken or fractured to form a break or fracture point, thereby connecting the spaces inside the holes of the two docking units.

Optionally, the connector body further includes a signal base, which is connected to the power base and has a signal terminal slot formed thereon, and the signal terminal slot is used to accommodate a plurality of signal terminals.

Optionally, the height of the signal terminal slot in the vertical axis direction is smaller than the height of one of the docking units in the vertical axis direction.

Optionally, the total length of the signal terminal slot in the transverse direction is greater than the total length in the transverse direction between two docking units that are farthest apart in one set of docking unit groups.

In order to help the review committee to have a deeper understanding of the purpose, technical features and effects of this creation, we provide an example with diagrams and a detailed description as follows:

In order to make the purpose, technical content and advantages of this creation clearer, the following is a further detailed description of the implementation methods disclosed in this creation in combination with specific implementation methods and with reference to the attached drawings. The technical personnel in this field can understand the advantages and effects of this creation from the content disclosed in this manual, and this creation can be implemented or applied through other different specific embodiments. The details in this manual can also be modified and changed in various ways based on different viewpoints and applications without deviating from the concept of this creation. In addition, it is stated in advance that the attached drawings of this creation are only for simple schematic illustrations and are not depicted according to actual sizes. In addition, unless the context clearly indicates or defines otherwise, the meaning of "one" and "the" in this creation includes the plural. In addition, the following implementation methods will further explain the relevant technical content of this creation in detail, but the disclosed content is not used to limit the protection scope of this creation.

It should be understood that the terms used herein generally have the ordinary meaning in the art, and in the event of a conflict, any definition given herein shall prevail. Since the same thing can be expressed in multiple ways, alternative words and synonyms may be used for any term discussed or described herein, and there is no special limitation on whether the term is elaborated or discussed herein, and the use of one or more synonyms does not exclude other synonyms. The embodiments used anywhere in the specification of this creation, including the use of any term, are merely illustrative and in no way limit the scope and meaning of this creation or any term. Similarly, this creation is not limited to the various embodiments disclosed in the specification. Although the terms first, second or third, etc. may be used herein to describe various components, each of the components should not be limited by the aforementioned terms. The aforementioned terms are mainly used to distinguish one component from another, and should not impose any substantial restrictions on any component, and should not limit the assembly or setting order of each component in actual application. In addition, the directional terms mentioned in the embodiments, such as "up", "down", "front", "back", "left", "right", etc., are only referenced to the directions of the attached drawings. Therefore, the directional terms used are used to illustrate and are not used to limit the scope of protection of this creation. In addition, the term "or" used herein may include any one or more combinations of the associated listed items depending on the actual situation.

Furthermore, the terms “substantially” or “approximately” as used herein may refer to a numerical value or an average value of multiple numerical values within a deviation range of a specific value that can be recognized or determined by technicians in this field, including certain specific errors that may arise when measuring the specific value due to the limitations of the measurement system or equipment. For example, the numerical value referred to substantially may include ±5%, ±3%, ±1%, ±0.5%, ±0.1% and one or more standard deviation ranges of the specific value.

This invention is a connector body with docking units of different widths, and the spatial form of its components is defined according to three mutually orthogonal axes, namely the horizontal axis (X axis), the longitudinal axis (Y axis) and the vertical axis (Z axis). In addition, according to the application requirements of the product, the connector body can be applied to a plug-type or socket-type power connector. For the convenience of explanation, the subsequent embodiments will add the word "plug" or "socket" to the names of some related components according to the application of the product. Specifically, please refer to Figures 1 to 3, the plug connector body 1 can be used to assemble multiple power terminals (such as plug power terminals 2) to form a plug connector C1, or the socket connector body 4 can be used to assemble multiple power terminals (such as socket power terminals 5) to form a socket connector C2. In addition, the side of the plug connector C1 and the socket connector C2 that are opposite and can be combined is called a "butting surface", and the side opposite to the butting surface is called a "back side".

First, the structure of the plug connector C1 is described. Please refer to Figures 1 to 4. The plug connector body 1 includes a plug power base 11 and a plurality of cylinder groups 12A and 12B. The plug power base 11 is made of an insulating material and has at least one plug accommodating space 110 therein for accommodating a partial area of each of the plug power terminals 2. Furthermore, the cylinder groups 12A, 12B (i.e., docking unit groups) can be separated and arranged on the docking surface of the plug power base 11 in the vertical axis direction, and each cylinder group 12A, 12B respectively includes a plurality of cylinders 13 (i.e., docking units). In one embodiment, each of the cylinders 13 is made of an insulating material and can be integrally formed to extend outward from the docking surface of the plug power base 11, but not limited to this. In other embodiments of the present invention, according to product requirements, the cylinders 13 can also be independent components and assembled to the plug power base 11. In addition, the cylinders 13 are independently separated from each other and are respectively provided with a power terminal slot 130. Each power terminal slot 130 is respectively connected to a corresponding plug accommodating space 110 to accommodate the remaining area of each plug power terminal 2.

As mentioned above, please refer to FIG. 1 and FIG. 5 . The multiple cylinders 13 of each cylinder group 12A, 12B are arranged along the transverse axis, respectively. The distance between the outermost sides of the two cylinders 13, for example, the leftmost cylinder 13 and the rightmost cylinder 13 in FIG. 5 , is the width T1, T2 of the cylinder group 12A, 12B in the transverse axis. Moreover, the widths T1, T2 of the cylinder groups 12A, 12B in the transverse axis are different from each other, and the configuration formed by the cylinder groups 12A, 12B along the vertical axis will not be the same as the un-flipped configuration after rotating 180 degrees around the longitudinal axis. In some embodiments, when the plug connector body 1 has more than two docking unit groups, the widths of at least two adjacent docking unit groups in the horizontal direction are different. In this way, when the user plugs the plug connector C1 into the socket connector C2 in the wrong direction, the electrical connection cannot be completed due to the influence of the cylinder groups 12A and 12B, and the user can also know that the current plugging direction is wrong through the obstruction feel during plugging.

In addition, in order to improve the fool-proof capability of the plug connector C1, in this embodiment, please refer to Figures 1 and 5 again, the cross-sectional configuration of the barrel 13 and/or the power terminal slot 130 in the vertical axis direction is substantially rectangular. In short, the barrel 13 and/or the power terminal slot 130 have clearly distinguishable long sides and short sides to prevent the plug connector C1 and the socket connector C2 from being plugged in the wrong direction. In addition, the widths of the power terminal slots 130 in the horizontal axis direction can be the same to facilitate the use of plug power terminals 2 of the same specification (but not limited to this). In addition, please refer to FIG. 6 , in this embodiment, the width projection range W1 of at least one cylinder 13 in one cylinder group 12A in the horizontal axis direction also completely covers the width projection range W2 of the opposite (adjacent) cylinder 13 in the other cylinder group 12B in the horizontal axis direction, but it is not limited thereto. In other embodiments of the present invention, when the widths of two adjacent cylinders 13 in different rows are the same or different, the width projection ranges W1 and W2 of the two cylinders 13 may be partially offset and not completely covered.

As mentioned above, in this embodiment, please refer to FIG. 1 and FIG. 4 again, at least one corner of the cylinder 13 has an inclined surface 131, when the user plugs the plug connector C1 into the socket connector C2 in the wrong direction, the plugging action cannot be completed smoothly. In addition, please refer to FIG. 7, in this embodiment, the docking surface of the plug power base 11 is provided with a protrusion 111 in the longitudinal direction, and the protrusion 111 will be between the two opposite cylinders 13 in the two adjacent cylinder groups 12A and 12B, and the extension length will be less than the extension length of the adjacent cylinder 13, but it is not limited to this. In other embodiments of the present invention, the protrusion 111 can be between two adjacent docking units in the same docking unit group. The aforementioned structure will cause the hole wall of the corresponding recessed hole 43 of the socket connector C2 to be broken or fractured 432 (as shown in FIG. 2 ) to be sufficient to accommodate the protrusion 111, thereby ensuring that the plug connector C1 can only be plugged into the socket connector C2 in the correct direction. In this way, through the changes in the aforementioned barrel 13 and its adjacent structures, the plug connector C1 and the socket connector C2 can only be plugged in the correct direction, effectively reducing the probability of incorrect plugging.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, please refer to Figures 1 and 2 again, the plug connector body 1 can also include a plug signal base 15 and a plug buckle portion 17, wherein the plug signal base 15 is located at the bottom side of the plug power base 11, and the plug buckle portion 17 is located at the top side of the plug power base 11, but not limited to this. In other embodiments of the present invention, the plug signal base 15 and the plug buckle portion 17 can be located at any position of the plug power base 11. Furthermore, please refer to FIG. 4 again, the plug signal base 15 is provided with a plurality of plug signal terminal slots 150, and the vertical axis height H2 of at least one plug signal terminal slot 150 is smaller than the vertical axis height H1 of one of the power terminal slots 130, wherein each of the plug signal terminal slots 150 is used to accommodate a plug signal terminal 3, so that the plug connector C1 is also endowed with the ability to transmit signals. In addition, in this embodiment, the plug signal terminal slots 150 can also be arranged in a row along the horizontal direction, and the total length P2 in the horizontal direction between the two plug signal terminal slots 150 that are farthest apart in the row (such as the two plug signal terminal slots 150 on the leftmost and rightmost sides in FIG. 4 ) will be at least greater than the total length P1 in the horizontal direction between the two power terminal slots 130 that are farthest apart in one group of cylinder groups 12A, 12B (such as the two power terminal slots 130 on the leftmost and rightmost sides in FIG. 4 )).

Similarly, the socket connector C2 has a corresponding structure matching the plug connector C1, as described below. Referring again to FIG. 1 , FIG. 2 and FIG. 8 , the socket connector body 4 includes a socket power base 41 and a plurality of recessed hole groups 42A, 42B, wherein the socket power base 41 is made of an insulating material and has at least one socket accommodating space 410 therein for accommodating a portion of each socket power terminal 5. Furthermore, the recessed hole groups 42A, 42B (i.e., docking unit groups) can be separated and arranged on the docking surface of the socket power base 41 in the vertical axis direction, and each recessed hole group 42A, 42B respectively includes a plurality of recessed holes 43 (i.e., docking units), each of which extends inward from the docking surface of the socket power base 41 and is respectively connected to the corresponding socket accommodating space 410 to accommodate the remaining area of each socket power terminal 5.

Continuing from the above, please refer to FIG. 2 and FIG. 9 , the multiple recessed holes 43 of each recessed hole group 42A, 42B are arranged along the transverse axis, respectively, wherein the outermost two recessed holes 43, for example, the leftmost recessed hole 43 and the rightmost recessed hole 43 in FIG. 8 , have their outermost sides spaced apart by a distance equal to the transverse width T3, T4 of the recessed hole groups 42A, 42B, and the transverse widths T3, T4 of the recessed hole groups 42A, 42B are different from each other, and the configuration formed by the recessed hole groups 42A, 42B along the vertical axis, after being rotated 180 degrees with the longitudinal axis as the axis, will not be the same as the un-flipped configuration. In some embodiments, when the socket connector body 4 has more than two docking unit groups, the widths of at least two adjacent docking unit groups in the horizontal direction are different. In this way, when the user plugs the socket connector C2 and the plug connector C1 in the wrong direction, the recessed hole groups 42A, 42B and the barrel groups 12A, 12B cannot match, resulting in a plugging failure.

In addition, to improve the foolproof capability of the socket connector C2, in this embodiment, please refer to FIG. 2 and FIG. 9 again, the cross-sectional configuration of the vertical axis direction of the recessed hole 43 is substantially rectangular, that is, the recessed hole 43 has clearly distinguishable long sides and short sides, so as to prevent the socket connector C2 and the plug connector C1 from being plugged in the wrong direction. In addition, please refer to FIG. 10, in this embodiment, at least one recessed hole 43 in one recessed hole group 42A, its width projection range W3 in the horizontal axis direction, also covers the width projection range W4 in the horizontal axis direction of the opposite (adjacent) recessed hole 43 in another recessed hole group 42B, but is not limited thereto. In other embodiments of the present invention, when the widths of two adjacent recessed holes 43 in different rows are the same or different, the width projection ranges W3 and W4 of the two recessed holes 43 may be partially offset and not completely covered.

Continuing from the above, in this embodiment, please refer to FIG. 2 and FIG. 8 again, at least one corner of the socket connector body 4 corresponding to the recessed hole 43 can have an inclined surface 431. When the user plugs the socket connector C2 into the plug connector C1 in the wrong direction, the plugging action cannot be completed smoothly. In addition, the hole walls of the two opposite recessed holes 43 in the two adjacent recessed hole groups 42A and 42B are broken or fractured to form a break or fracture 432, thereby connecting the inner spaces of the two recessed holes 43. However, this is not limited to the present invention. In other embodiments of the present invention, the break or fracture 432 can be located between two adjacent docking units in the same docking unit group. In this way, the break or fracture 432 of the socket connector body 4 can accommodate the protrusion 111 of the plug connector body 1, so that the socket connector C2 and the plug connector C1 can be plugged in the correct direction.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, please refer to Figures 1 and 2 again, the socket connector body 4 can also include a socket signal base 45 and a socket buckle portion 47, wherein the socket signal base 45 is located at the bottom side of the socket power base 41, and the socket buckle portion 47 is located at the top side of the socket power base 41, but not limited to this. In other embodiments of the present invention, the socket signal base 45 and the socket buckle portion 47 can be located at any position of the socket power base 41. Again, referring to FIG8 , a socket signal terminal slot 450 is provided on the socket signal base 45, and the vertical axis height H4 of the socket signal terminal slot 450 is smaller than the vertical axis height H3 of one of the recessed holes 43, wherein the socket signal terminal slot 450 is used to accommodate a plurality of socket signal terminals 6, so that the socket connector C2 is also endowed with the ability to transmit signals. In addition, in this embodiment, the total transverse axis length P4 of the socket signal terminal slot 450 is at least greater than the total transverse axis length P3 between the two recessed holes 43 that are farthest apart in one of the recessed hole groups 42A and 42B (such as the two recessed holes 43 on the leftmost and rightmost sides in FIG8 ). Thus, through the overall structure of the plug connector body 1 and the socket connector body 4 of the present invention, when the user blindly plugs (i.e., the user's vision is blocked and the plug connector C1 or the socket connector C2 cannot be clearly seen) or fails to pay close attention to the plugging position, the plug connector C1 and the socket connector C2 will not be incorrectly plugged in due to position deviation.

The above is only the preferred embodiment of the present invention. However, the scope of rights claimed by the present invention is not limited thereto. Any equivalent changes that can be easily thought of by those familiar with the art based on the technical content disclosed in the present invention should fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

1: Plug connector body

11: Plug power base

110: Plug storage space

111: protrusion

12A, 12B: Cylinder set

13: Barrel

130: Power terminal slot

131,431: Inclined surface

15: Plug signal base

150: Plug signal terminal slot

17: Plug buckle

2: Plug power terminal

3: Plug signal terminal

4: Socket connector body

41: Socket power base

410: Socket accommodation space

42A, 42B: Concave hole group

43: Concave hole

432:Break or fracture

45:Socket signal base

450: Socket signal terminal slot

47: Socket buckle part

5: Socket power terminal

6: Socket signal terminal

C1: Plug connector

C2: Socket connector

T1,T2,T3,T4: Width

W1,W2,W3,W4: Width projection range

H1,H2,H3,H4: Height in vertical direction

P1, P2, P3, P4: Total length in the horizontal direction

[Figure 1] is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the plug connector and the socket connector of the present invention from one perspective; [Figure 2] is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the plug connector and the socket connector of the present invention from another perspective; [Figure 3] is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the plug connector and the socket connector of the present invention after being plugged in; [Figure 4] is a front view schematic diagram of the plug connector of the present invention; [Figure 5] is a schematic diagram comparing the widths of the two cylinder groups of the present invention; [Figure 6] is a schematic diagram comparing the width projection ranges of the two cylinders of the present invention; [Figure 7] is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of a partial cross-section of the plug connector of the present invention; [Figure 8] is a front view schematic diagram of the socket connector of the present invention; [Figure 9] is a schematic diagram comparing the widths of the two recessed hole groups of the present invention; and [Figure 10] is a comparative diagram of the width projection range of the two concave holes in this creation.

1: Plug connector body

11: Plug power base

111: protrusion

12A, 12B: Cylinder assembly

13: Cylinder

130: Power terminal slot

131: Inclined surface

15: Plug signal base

150: Plug signal terminal slot

17: Plug buckle part

2: Plug power terminal

C1: Plug connector

H1, H2: Height in vertical direction

P1, P2: Total length in the horizontal direction

Claims (15)

A connector body with docking unit groups of different widths is applied to a power connector, comprising: a power base, in which at least one accommodating space is provided; and a plurality of docking unit groups are arranged on the docking surface of the power base in the vertical axis direction, wherein each of the docking unit groups comprises a plurality of docking units, the docking units in the same docking unit group are arranged along the horizontal axis direction, and the docking units can respectively connect the corresponding accommodating spaces and can respectively accommodate a power terminal; Among them, the widths of at least two adjacent docking unit groups in the transverse direction are different from each other, and the configuration formed by the docking unit groups along the vertical axis, after rotating 180 degrees with the longitudinal axis as the axis, will not be the same as the un-flipped configuration. As described in claim 1, in the connector body, among the docking units in one set of docking unit groups, the width projection range of at least one docking unit in the transverse direction completely covers the width projection range of the corresponding docking unit in another set of docking unit groups in the transverse direction. As described in claim 1, the connector body, wherein each docking unit is in the form of a cylinder, each cylinder can extend outward from the docking surface of the power base, and each power terminal slot is provided therein, each power terminal slot is used to accommodate the power terminal. A connector body as described in claim 3, wherein the cross-sectional configuration of the power terminal slot in the vertical axis direction is substantially rectangular. A connector body as described in claim 3, wherein the power terminal slots have the same width in the transverse direction. The connector body as described in claim 3, wherein the front side of the power base is provided with at least one protrusion in the longitudinal direction, and the protrusion is located between two adjacent docking units. The connector body as described in any one of claims 3 to 6 also includes a signal base, which is connected to the power base and has a plurality of signal terminal slots thereon, each of which is used to accommodate a signal terminal. A connector body as described in claim 7, wherein the vertical axis height of at least one signal terminal slot is smaller than the vertical axis height of one power terminal slot. A connector body as described in claim 8, wherein the signal terminal slots are arranged in a row along the horizontal direction, and the total horizontal length between the two signal terminal slots that are farthest apart in the same row is greater than the total horizontal length between the two power terminal slots that are farthest apart in one set of docking units. As described in claim 1, the connector body, wherein each of the docking units is in the form of a recessed hole, each of the recessed holes can extend inward from the docking surface of the power base and can be used to accommodate the power terminal. A connector body as described in claim 10, wherein the cross-sectional configuration of the docking unit in the vertical axis direction is substantially rectangular. In the connector body as described in claim 10, the corresponding hole walls of two adjacent docking units are broken or fractured to form a break or fracture point, thereby connecting the spaces inside the holes of the two docking units. The connector body as described in any one of claim 10 to 12 also includes a signal base, which is connected to the power base and has a signal terminal slot thereon, and the signal terminal slot is used to accommodate a plurality of signal terminals. A connector body as described in claim 13, wherein the vertical axis height of the signal terminal slot is smaller than the vertical axis height of one of the docking units. A connector body as described in claim 13, wherein the total transverse length of the signal terminal slot is greater than the total transverse length between two docking units that are farthest apart in one set of docking units.

Images