阅读说明：本技术 电连接器以及其适配和解适配的方法 (Electrical connector and methods of adapting and de-adapting the same ) 是由 范军 曾涛 于 2020-06-28 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明提供一种电连接器以及其适配和解适配的方法。该电连接器包括壳体、锁定臂、偏置构件和滑动构件。锁定臂包括第一端、第二端和中间部,中间部位于第一端和第二端之间,其中,第一端包括锁紧部,中间部绕枢轴可枢转地安装至壳体,第二端包括凸轮面。偏置构件与锁定臂接合,以沿第一方向驱动第一端。滑动构件可滑动地连接至壳体,滑动构件构造为沿垂直于第一方向的第二方向滑动并接触凸轮面,使得第二端沿第一方向移动,锁定臂相对于壳体枢转,且第一端沿与第一方向相反的方向移动。该电连接器能够牢固地锁定至适配电连接器,并且结构紧凑,能够允许适配电连接器安装在结构紧凑的电路板上。(The invention provides an electrical connector and a method for adapting and de-adapting the electrical connector. The electrical connector includes a housing, a locking arm, a biasing member, and a slide member. The locking arm includes a first end, a second end, and an intermediate portion between the first and second ends, wherein the first end includes a locking portion, the intermediate portion is pivotally mounted to the housing about a pivot, and the second end includes a cam surface. A biasing member engages the locking arm to drive the first end in a first direction. A slide member is slidably connected to the housing, the slide member configured to slide in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and contact the cam surface such that the second end moves in the first direction, the locking arm pivots relative to the housing, and the first end moves in a direction opposite the first direction. The electrical connector can be securely locked to the mating electrical connector and is compact, allowing the mating electrical connector to be mounted on a compact circuit board.)

1. An electrical connector, comprising:

a housing;

a locking arm comprising a first end, a second end, and an intermediate portion between the first end and the second end, wherein the first end comprises a locking portion, the intermediate portion is pivotally mounted to the housing about a pivot, and the second end comprises a cam surface;

a biasing member engaged with the locking arm to drive the first end in a first direction; and

a sliding member slidably connected to the housing, the sliding member configured to slide in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and contact the cam surface such that the second end moves in the first direction, the locking arm pivots relative to the housing, and the first end moves in a direction opposite the first direction.

2. The electrical connector of claim 1, wherein the biasing member is engaged to a portion of the locking arm between the pivot and the first end, the biasing member urging the portion in the first direction.

3. The electrical connector of claim 1, further comprising a pull tab connected to the sliding member.

4. The electrical connector of claim 3, wherein the pull tab is rotatably connected to the slide member.

5. The electrical connector of claim 4, wherein the pull tab includes a protrusion configured to engage the sliding member and prevent further rotation of the pull tab when the pull tab is rotated to a predetermined angle relative to the sliding member.

6. The electrical connector of claim 1, wherein the biasing member comprises a coil spring.

7. The electrical connector of claim 1, wherein the locking portion comprises a hook extending in the first direction.

8. The electrical connector of claim 1, wherein the electrical connector comprises a right angle header electrical connector.

9. The electrical connector of claim 1, wherein the locking arm is a first locking arm, the electrical connector further comprising a second locking arm.

10. The electrical connector of claim 9, wherein the second locking arm is a mirror image of the first locking arm.

11. The electrical connector of claim 10, wherein the sliding member includes a contact projection between the first locking arm and the second locking arm, the contact projection contacting the cam surface of the first locking arm and the cam surface of the second locking arm.

12. The electrical connector of claim 1, wherein the housing is provided with a first runner and a second runner spaced apart in the second direction and extending in the second direction, and the slide member is provided with a first slider mating with the first runner and a second slider mating with the second runner, the first slider sliding into the first runner from a gap between the first runner and the second runner.

13. An electrical connector, comprising:

a housing having an elongated opening configured to receive a mating portion of a mating electrical connector, wherein the elongated opening is surrounded by a wall of the housing,

wherein the wall includes a middle portion having at least one recess, opposite sides of the at least one recess including undercuts configured to engage with the locking portions of two locking arms inserted into the at least one recess when the mating connector is inserted.

14. The electrical connector of claim 13, wherein the electrical connector is a vertical electrical connector.

15. The electrical connector of claim 13, wherein the electrical connector includes a mounting face disposed in a plane, the mounting face configured for mounting to a surface of a printed circuit board, and wherein the elongated opening and the at least one recess are formed on a surface of the housing opposite the mounting face.

16. A method of operating a first electrical connector and a second electrical connector for mating and unmating, wherein the first electrical connector includes at least one locking arm pivotally mounted to a first housing, the method comprising:

mating the first electrical connector and the second electrical connector by:

inserting the first electrical connector into the second electrical connector such that the first end of the locking arm contacts a member of the second electrical connector;

inserting the first electrical connector further into the second electrical connector to pivot the first end of the locking arm in a direction away from a member of the second electrical connector; and

inserting the first electrical connector further into the second electrical connector such that the locking portion of the first end of the locking arm clears a member of the second electrical connector, the first end of the locking arm rebounding in an opposite direction opposite the direction to lock the first electrical connector to the second electrical connector;

unmating the first electrical connector and the second electrical connector by:

sliding the sliding member of the first electrical connector relative to the first housing such that the sliding member of the first connector contacts the second end of the locking arm;

further sliding the slide member of the first electrical connector relative to the first housing such that the slide member of the first connector pushes the second end of the locking arm in the opposite direction and the first end of the locking arm is away from the member of the second electrical connector to unlock the first electrical connector from the second electrical connector; and

removing the first electrical connector from the second electrical connector.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein sliding the sliding member of the first electrical connector comprises pulling a pull tab connected to the sliding member of the first electrical connector.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the pull tab is rotatably connected to the sliding member.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising rotating the pull tab relative to the sliding member and pulling the pull tab in a direction in which the sliding member slides.

20. The method of claim 16,

the member of the second electrical connector comprises an undercut at a side of the at least one groove in the second housing;

the locking arm locks the first electrical connector to the second electrical connector by locking to a lower side of the undercut.

21. The method of claim 16,

the locking arm is a first locking arm, the first electrical connector further comprising a second locking arm; and is

Inserting the first electrical connector further into the second electrical connector to pivot the first end of the locking arm in the direction includes pivoting the first end of the first locking arm toward the first end of the second locking arm.

22. The method of claim 16,

the locking arm is a first locking arm, the first electrical connector further comprising a second locking arm; and is

Further sliding the slide member of the first electrical connector relative to the housing such that the slide member of the first electrical connector pushes the second end of the locking arm in the opposite direction and the first end of the locking arm is distal from the member of the second electrical connector comprises pushing the second end of the first locking arm and the second end of the second locking arm in opposite directions.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a first electrical connector, a second electrical connector, and methods of operating both mating and unmating.

Background

Electrical connectors have been widely used in electronic products as a transmission medium, which can be used to establish a quick connection for communication or power between a system and a device. With the advent of the information age, people have increasingly high requirements for the use frequency and functions of electronic products, and the electronic products are increasingly miniaturized. Thus, more demands are placed on the electrical connector.

The self-locking mechanism of the electric connector in the prior art has a complex structure and poor compactness, so that the electric connector has a large volume. If other components are provided around the connector, it is necessary to maintain sufficient spacing from other components, and thus, the limitations of use are large. This is contrary to the trend of miniaturization, integration and multi-functionalization of electronic products.

Disclosure of Invention

To at least partially solve the problems in the prior art, according to one aspect of the present invention, an electrical connector is provided. The electrical connector includes a housing, a locking arm, a biasing member, and a slide member. The locking arm includes a first end, a second end, and an intermediate portion between the first and second ends, wherein the first end includes a locking portion, the intermediate portion is pivotally mounted to the housing about a pivot, and the second end includes a cam surface. A biasing member engages the locking arm to drive the first end in a first direction. A slide member is slidably connected to the housing, the slide member configured to slide in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and contact the cam surface such that the second end moves in the first direction, the locking arm pivots relative to the housing, and the first end moves in a direction opposite the first direction.

Illustratively, the biasing member is engaged to a portion of the locking arm between the pivot and the first end, the biasing member urging the portion in the first direction.

Illustratively, the electrical connector further comprises a pull tab connected to the sliding member.

Illustratively, the pull tab is rotatably connected to the sliding member.

Illustratively, the pull tab includes a protrusion configured to engage the sliding member and prevent further rotation of the pull tab when the pull tab is rotated to a predetermined angle relative to the sliding member.

Illustratively, the biasing member comprises a coil spring.

Illustratively, the locking portion includes a hook extending in the first direction.

Illustratively, the electrical connector comprises a right angle header electrical connector.

Illustratively, the locking arm is a first locking arm, and the electrical connector further comprises a second locking arm.

Illustratively, the second locking arm is a mirror image of the first locking arm.

Illustratively, the slide member includes a contact protrusion between the first lock arm and the second lock arm, the contact protrusion contacting the cam surface of the first lock arm and the cam surface of the second lock arm.

Illustratively, the housing is provided with a first runner and a second runner spaced apart in the second direction and extending in the second direction, and the slide member is provided with a first slider mating with the first runner and a second slider mating with the second runner, the first slider sliding into the first runner from a gap between the first runner and the second runner.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is also provided an electrical connector comprising a housing having an elongated opening configured to receive a mating portion of a mating electrical connector, wherein the elongated opening is surrounded by a wall of the housing. The wall includes a middle portion having at least one recess, opposite sides of the at least one recess including undercuts configured to engage the locking portions of the two locking arms inserted into the at least one recess when the mating connector is inserted.

Illustratively, the electrical connector is a vertical electrical connector.

Illustratively, the electrical connector includes a mounting face disposed in a plane, the mounting face configured for mounting to a surface of a printed circuit board, and the elongated opening and the at least one recess are formed on a surface of the housing opposite the mounting face.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, there is also provided a method of operating a first electrical connector and a second electrical connector for mating and unmating, characterized in that the first electrical connector comprises at least one locking arm pivotally mounted to a first housing, the method comprising:

mating a first electrical connector and a second electrical connector by:

inserting the first electrical connector into the second electrical connector such that the first end of the locking arm contacts a member of the second electrical connector;

inserting the first electrical connector further into the second electrical connector to pivot the first end of the locking arm in a direction away from the member of the second electrical connector; and

inserting the first electrical connector further into the second electrical connector such that the locking portion of the first end of the locking arm clears a member of the second electrical connector, the first end of the locking arm rebounding in an opposite direction opposite the direction to lock the first electrical connector to the second electrical connector;

unmating the first electrical connector and the second electrical connector by:

sliding the sliding member of the first electrical connector relative to the first housing such that the sliding member of the first connector contacts the second end of the locking arm;

further sliding the slide member of the first electrical connector relative to the first housing such that the slide member of the first connector pushes the second end of the locking arm in the opposite direction and the first end of the locking arm is away from the member of the second electrical connector to unlock the first electrical connector from the second electrical connector; and

the first electrical connector is removed from the second electrical connector.

Illustratively, sliding the sliding member of the first electrical connector includes pulling a pull tab connected to the sliding member of the first electrical connector.

Illustratively, the pull tab is rotatably connected to the sliding member.

Illustratively, the method further comprises rotating the pull tab relative to the sliding member and pulling the pull tab in a direction in which the sliding member slides.

Illustratively, the member of the second electrical connector comprises an undercut at a side of the at least one groove in the second housing; the locking arm locks the first electrical connector to the second electrical connector by locking to the underside of the undercut.

Illustratively, the locking arm is a first locking arm, the first electrical connector further comprising a second locking arm; and further inserting the first electrical connector into the second electrical connector to pivot the first end of the locking arm in the direction, including pivoting the first end of the first locking arm toward the first end of the second locking arm.

Illustratively, the locking arm is a first locking arm, the first electrical connector further comprising a second locking arm; and further sliding the slide member of the first electrical connector relative to the housing such that the slide member of the first electrical connector pushes the second end of the locking arm in the opposite direction and the first end of the locking arm is distal from the member of the second electrical connector, including pushing the second end of the first locking arm and the second end of the second locking arm in opposite directions.

By this arrangement, the first electrical connector can be reliably connected to the second electrical connector, and the first electrical connector is compact in structure, neat in external dimensions, and small. When the mated first and second electrical connectors are mounted on the printed circuit board, the second electrical connector may be allowed to be disposed closer to surrounding components on the printed circuit board. Therefore, under the condition that the size of the printed circuit board is not changed, more parts can be arranged on the printed circuit board, so that the electronic product with the printed circuit board achieves the purposes of miniaturization, integration and multi-functionalization.

A series of concepts in a simplified form are introduced in the summary of the invention, which is described in further detail in the detailed description section. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

The advantages and features of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Drawings

The following drawings of the invention are included to provide a further understanding of the invention. The drawings illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings, there is shown in the drawings,

fig. 1 is a perspective view of a first electrical connector and a second electrical connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, wherein both electrical connectors are in a unmated state;

fig. 2 is a perspective view of the first and second electrical connectors shown in fig. 1, with both electrical connectors in a mated state;

fig. 3 is an exploded view of the first electrical connector shown in fig. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another angle of the slide member shown in FIG. 3;

fig. 5A-5H show various schematic views of a first electrical connector during assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, fig. 5D-1 and 5D-2 being schematic views of two different effects in the same operational step, differing only in that the sliding member is in perspective and non-perspective effects in fig. 5D-1 and 5D-2, respectively; FIGS. 5E-1 and 5E-2 and FIGS. 5F-1 and 5F-2 show in a similar manner the different effects in the other two operating steps;

6A-6B illustrate a first electrical connector and a second electrical connector in an incompletely mated state in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention, wherein FIG. 6B is an enlarged partial view of FIG. 6A with the slide member and a portion of the second housing removed;

fig. 7A-7B illustrate the first and second electrical connectors of fig. 6A-6B in a state in which mating is completed, wherein fig. 7B is a partially enlarged view of fig. 7A with the slide member and a portion of the second housing removed; and

fig. 8A-8D show schematic views of a first electrical connector and a second electrical connector during a unmating process according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, wherein fig. 8A-8B are views of a sliding member just starting to slide, the difference between the two being that the sliding member is in a non-see-through and see-through effect in fig. 8A and 8B, respectively; FIG. 8C is an enlarged partial view of FIG. 8A with the slide member and a portion of the second housing removed; fig. 8D is a schematic diagram of the first electrical connector completely separated from the second electrical connector.

Wherein the figures include the following reference numerals:

100. a first electrical connector; 110. a circuit board; 120. a cable; 200. a first housing; 210. a guide groove; 221. a first chute; 222. a second chute; 223. spacing; 230. a stopper; 300X1, first locking arm; 300X2, second locking arm; 310X1, 310X2, first end; 311. a locking portion; 320X1, 320X2, second end; 321X1, 321X2, cam surface; 330. an intermediate portion; 341. 343, a pin shaft; 342. a pivot hole; 350. a positioning column; 400. a biasing member; 500. a sliding member; 521. a first slider; 522. a second slider; 530. a contact projection; 540. a space; 600. a pull tab; 610. an operation section; 620. a protrusion; 700. a second electrical connector; 710. a second housing; 720. an elongated opening; 730. opening a hole; 740. a groove; 741. a middle portion; 750. an undercut portion; 760. and (3) a mounting surface.

Detailed Description

In the following description, numerous details are provided to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. One skilled in the art, however, will understand that the following description merely illustrates a preferred embodiment of the invention and that the invention may be practiced without one or more of these details. In other instances, well known features have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the invention.

Fig. 1 and 2 are schematic views of the first electrical connector 100 and the second electrical connector 700 in an unmated state and a mated state, respectively. As shown in fig. 1-3, the first electrical connector 100 may have a mating portion for connecting to an electrical connector that mates with the first electrical connector 100 (e.g., a second electrical connector 700 to be mentioned below). The adapting portion may be a circuit board 110. The first electrical connector 100 may be configured such that the circuit board 110 extends from the underside of the first electrical connector 100. A cable 120 may also be connected to the first electrical connector 100. The first electrical connector 100 may be configured such that the cable 120 extends from the back of the first electrical connector 100. The circuit board 110 and the cable 120 may be electrically connected inside the first connector 100. The cable 120 is perpendicular to the circuit board 110 when viewed from the outside, so that the first electrical connector 100 can be referred to as a right angle (right angle) electrical connector. The second electrical connector 700 may be electrically connected to other components, such as a printed circuit board, cable, etc. When it is desired to mate the first electrical connector 100 and the second electrical connector 700, the circuit board 110 may be inserted into the elongated opening 720 of the second electrical connector 700, thereby establishing an electrical connection between the circuit board 110 and a printed circuit board to which the second electrical connector 700 is connected.

The first electrical connector 100 may have a locking mechanism for holding the first electrical connector 100 on the second electrical connector 700 after the first electrical connector 100 and the second electrical connector 700 are mated, thereby establishing a reliable electrical connection between the circuit board 110 and the second electrical connector 700. The locking mechanism will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

As shown in fig. 1-3, the first electrical connector 100 may include a first housing 200, a first locking arm 300X1, a biasing member 400, and a sliding member 500.

The first locking arm 300X1 may include a first end 310X1, a second end 320X1, and an intermediate portion 330. The middle portion 330 may be located between the first end 310X1 and the second end 320X 1. Alternatively, the first end 310X1, the second end 320X1, and the middle portion 330 may be joined together by welding, gluing, or the like. Alternatively, the first locking arm 300X1 may also be an integrally formed piece. The middle portion 330 may be pivotally mounted to the first housing 200 about a pivot axis. In the embodiment shown in the drawings, the first housing 200 may be provided with a pin 341. The second end 320X1 is provided with a pivot hole 342 adapted to the pin 341. The pin 341 is pivotable within the pivot hole 342, so that the first locking arm 300X1 is pivotably mounted to the first housing 200 centering on the pin 341. In this case, the pivot is a central axis of the pin 341. In other embodiments not shown, a pin may be disposed on the first locking arm 300X1, and a pivot hole adapted to the pin may be disposed on the first housing 200. Alternatively, the middle portion 330 may be pivotally mounted to the first housing 200 in any other suitable manner.

The first end 310X1 may include a locking portion 311. The locking portion 311 is configured to be inserted into the second electrical connector 700 and engage with a component in the second electrical connector 700 when the first electrical connector 100 and the second electrical connector 700 are mated, so as to lock the first electrical connector 100 and the second electrical connector 700.

Preferably, as shown in fig. 3, the locking portion 311 may include a hook extending in the first direction X1. Thus, the locking portion 311 has a simple structure and is inexpensive to manufacture. Preferably, the bottom of the hook may be provided with a chamfer. The inclined surface can play a guiding role. When the first electrical connector 100 is inserted into the second electrical connector 700 along the direction Y2, the wall of the second electrical connector 700 may press the inclined surface so that the hook may move in the direction X2 opposite to the first direction X1, and the first electrical connector 100 is easily inserted into the second electrical connector 700.

The second end 320X1 may include a cam surface 321X 1. The cam surface 321X1 projects toward the direction X2 opposite to the first direction X1. The cam surface 321X1 and the locking portion 311 always move in opposite directions under the restriction of the pivot.

The biasing member 400 may be engaged with the first locking arm 300X 1. The biasing member 400 may drive the first end 310X1 in the first direction X1. The biasing member 400 may be coupled to any suitable location on the first locking arm 300X 1. Preferably, the biasing member 400 may be coupled to a portion of the first locking arm 300X1 between the pin 341 and the first end 310X 1. In this embodiment, the biasing member 400 may push the portion between the pivot and the first end 310X1 in the first direction X1. This portion corresponds to the portion between the pivot hole 342 and the first end 310X1 in the figure. In this manner, the space between the pivot hole 342 and the second end 320X1 is not affected, facilitating installation of the slide member 500, as will be described in more detail below. In other embodiments not shown, the biasing member 400 may be engaged to a portion of the first locking arm 300X1 between the pivot hole 342 and the second end 320X 1. In this embodiment, the biasing member 400 may pull the portion between the pivot and the first end 310X1 in the direction X2. Thereby, the biasing member 400 is enabled to drive the first end 310X1 in the first direction X1.

The manner in which the biasing member 400 engages the first locking arm 300X1 may be arbitrary. In the embodiment shown in the figures, the first locking arm 300X1 can have a locating post 350 disposed thereon, and the biasing member 400 can be sleeved over the locating post 350 such that the biasing member 400 engages the first locking arm 300X 1. This facilitates mounting and dismounting of the biasing member 400. The biasing member 400 may include an elastic member such as rubber. Preferably, the biasing member 400 may include a coil spring. The spiral spring has the advantages of simple structure, reliable performance, low price and the like. In this embodiment, the coil spring can be directly fit over the positioning post 350, facilitating engagement of the biasing member 400 with the first locking arm 300X 1. Preferably, the first housing 200 may be provided with a guide groove 210. The biasing member 400 may be received in the guide groove 210. By providing the guide groove 210, the biasing member 400 is not easily separated from the operating position thereof, and the stability of the operating performance of the biasing member 400 is ensured.

The sliding member 500 is slidably connected to the first housing 200. The sliding member 500 may be slidably coupled to the first housing 200 by any means. For example by means of slides and runners. The slide member 500 may be configured to slide in a second direction Y1 perpendicular to the first direction X1, and contact the cam surface 321X1 during the initial sliding or sliding process. When the sliding member 500 continues to slide in the second direction Y1 after contacting the cam surface 321X1, the sliding member 500 pushes the cam surface 321X1 so that the second end 320X1 of the first locking arm 300X1 moves in the first direction X1, and the first locking arm 300X1 may pivot relative to the first housing 200, thereby moving the first end 310X1 in the direction X2 opposite to the first direction X1. Thus, the locking portion 311 can be retracted from the state of being engaged with the components in the second electrical connector 700, and at this time, the first electrical connector 100 is forced in the second direction Y1, so that the first electrical connector 100 and the second electrical connector 700 can be unmated.

While the principles of the invention have been described above in terms of a right angle electrical connector, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the locking mechanism referred to above may be used with vertical (vertical) electrical connectors, coplanar (coplanar) electrical connectors, and the like, in addition to right angle electrical connectors.

As shown in fig. 1-2, the second electrical connector 700 may include a second housing 710. The second housing 710 may have an elongated opening 720. The elongated opening 720 may be configured to receive a mating portion (e.g., the circuit board 110) of the first electrical connector 100. That is, the circuit board 110 may be inserted into the elongated opening 720. The elongated opening 720 may be surrounded by a wall of the second housing 710. The second electrical connector 700 may be used to connect with other components, such as a printed circuit board or the like, to electrically connect the circuit board 110 inserted into the elongated opening 720 with the other components. The wall may include a middle portion 741 having at least one groove 740. Opposing sides of at least one groove 740 include undercuts 750, see in combination fig. 6A-6B. The undercut 750 may be configured to engage with the locking portions of two locking arms inserted into the at least one recess 740 when the circuit board 110 is inserted. Preferably, the second housing 710 may be provided with an opening 730. An opening 730 may be provided on a sidewall of the second housing 710 so that whether the locking portion is engaged with the undercut 750 may be visually observed. Preferably, the second electrical connector 700 may be a vertical connector.

During the process of mating the first electrical connector 100 and the second electrical connector 700, referring to fig. 1, 3 and 6A-6B, the first electrical connector 100 is inserted into the second electrical connector 700, so that the locking portion 311 of the first end 310X1 of the locking arm 300 can contact a member of the second electrical connector 700, such as the undercut 750. The first electrical connector 100 is then further inserted into the second electrical connector 700 so that the locking portions 311 of the first ends 310X1 of the locking arms 300 can be pivoted in a direction away from the members of the second electrical connector 700 (i.e., in the direction X2). Referring to fig. 7A-7B, the first electrical connector 100 is further inserted into the second electrical connector 700 such that the locking portion 311 of the first end 310X1 of the locking arm 300 can pass over the components of the second electrical connector 700. The first ends of the locking arms 300 spring back in the opposite direction (i.e., the first direction X1) opposite to the direction X2 to lock the first electrical connector 100 to the second electrical connector 700. At this point, the mating of the first electrical connector 100 and the second electrical connector 700 is completed. At this time, the circuit board 110 in the first electrical connector 100 may be electrically connected with other components through the second electrical connector 700, so that communication or other signal transmission may be performed.

By this arrangement, the first electrical connector 100 and the second electrical connector 700 are compact, and the external dimensions are neat and small while ensuring that the first electrical connector 100 and the second electrical connector 700 can be reliably fitted together. When the mated first and second electrical connectors 100, 700 are mounted on a printed circuit board, the second electrical connector 700 may be allowed to be positioned closer to surrounding components on the printed circuit board. Therefore, under the condition that the size of the printed circuit board is not changed, more parts can be arranged on the printed circuit board, so that the electronic product with the printed circuit board achieves the purposes of miniaturization, integration and multi-functionalization.

Preferably, as shown in fig. 1-3, the first electrical connector 100 may further include a pull tab 600. Pull tab 600 may be attached to sliding member 500. The pull tab 600 may be attached to the slide member 500 by any suitable means, such as welding, adhesive, etc. Pulling on pull tab 600 slides slide member 500 in second direction Y1. Therefore, the first electrical connector 100 provided with the pull tab 600 is comfortable to operate and has good man-machine interaction. Preferably, the pull tab 600 may have an operating portion 610. The operation portion 610 may be provided at a tail portion of the pull tab 600, i.e., a head portion of the pull tab 600 may be connected to the sliding member 500. The operating portion 610 may include various structures, such as a pull ring and the like. In the embodiment shown in the figures, the handle portion 610 has a thicker and wider dimension relative to the location where the handle portion 610 is attached to facilitate applying a force to the pull tab 600 to more comfortably pull the pull tab 600.

Further, as shown in fig. 1-3, a pull tab 600 is rotatably connected to the slide member 500. Thus, when the pull tab 600 is not required to be pulled, the pull tab 600 can be rotated to enable the pull tab 600 to be located at the buckling position, and the situation that the installation of the first electrical connector 100 is limited in some spaces due to the pull tab 600 is avoided.

Still further, as shown in fig. 3, the pull tab 600 may include a protrusion 620. The protrusion 620 may be configured to engage the slider member 500 and prevent further rotation of the pull tab 600 when the pull tab 600 is rotated to a predetermined angle relative to the slider member 500, see fig. 7A in combination. That is, the pull tab 600 cannot be rotated further in this rotational direction at this time, and can only be stopped or rotated in the opposite direction. The predetermined angle may be, for example, 30 degrees, 60 degrees, 90 degrees, etc. One skilled in the art can select the appropriate predetermined angle according to the structure of the first electrical connector 100. By providing the protrusion 620, the pull tab 600 can be stopped when rotated by a predetermined angle, ensuring that pulling the pull tab 600 at this time is labor-saving and comfortable.

Preferably, as shown in fig. 3, the first electrical connector 100 may further include a second locking arm 300X 2. The first and second locking arms 300X1 and 300X2 may have the same or similar structure. The second locking arm 300X2 may include a first end 310X2, a second end 320X2, and a middle portion between the first end 310X2 and the second end 320X 2. The middle portion may be pivotally mounted to the first housing 200 about a pivot axis. In the illustrated embodiment, the pivot is defined by pin 343. The first end 310X2 may include a locking portion and the second end 320X2 may include a cam surface 321X 2. Further, as shown in fig. 3, the second locking arm 300X2 and the first locking arm 300X1 may be provided in mirror image. Thus, the first electrical connector 100 and the second electrical connector 700 can be adapted more closely, and the force applied after the adaptation is more balanced, and the working stability is higher.

Further, as shown in fig. 4, the sliding member 500 may include a contact protrusion 530 between the first locking arm 300X1 and the second locking arm 300X 2. The contact protrusion 530 may contact the cam surfaces 321X1 of the first locking arm 300X1 and the cam surfaces 321X2 of the second locking arm 300X 2. The cam surfaces 321X1 of the first lock arms 300X1 and the cam surfaces 321X2 of the second lock arms 300X2 abut against each other by the biasing member 400. When the sliding member 500 is slid in the second direction Y1, the contact protrusion 530 contacts and pushes the cam surface 321X1 of the first locking arm 300X1 and the cam surface 321X2 of the second locking arm 300X2, and the cam surfaces 321X1 and 321X2 are separated from each other, so that the first end 310X1 of the first locking arm 300X1 is moved in the direction X2 and the first end 310X2 of the second locking arm 300X2 is moved in the direction X1. Thereby, the locking portions of the first and second locking arms 300X1 and 300X2 may be disengaged from the members of the second electrical connector 700. By providing the contact protrusion 530, the sliding member 500 has a simple structure and is inexpensive to manufacture. Preferably, the contact protrusion 530 may have a curved surface, so that resistance when the contact protrusion 530 contacts the cam surfaces 321X1 of the first and second locking arms and 321X2 of the second locking arm is low, reducing resistance when the sliding member 500 slides in the second direction Y2.

When only one locking arm is provided, the position and working principle of the contact protrusion 530 are the same as those of the two locking arms, and thus, for the sake of brevity, will not be further described herein.

Preferably, as shown in fig. 1 to 3, the first housing 200 may be provided with a first slide groove 221 and a second slide groove 222. The first runner 221 and the second runner 222 may extend and be spaced apart in the second direction Y1. The sliding member 500 may be provided with a first slider 521 mated with the first sliding chute 221 and a second slider 522 mated with the second sliding chute 222. The first slider 521 can slide into the first sliding groove 221 from the space 223 between the first sliding groove 221 and the second sliding groove 222. The first slider 521 is slidable in the first sliding groove 221, and the second slider 522 is slidable in the second sliding groove 222. The first sliding groove 221 and the second sliding groove 222 may be the same or different, and the first slider 521 and the second sliding groove 222 may also be the same or different. Thus, when assembled, the contact projection 530 of the sliding member 500 may be aligned with the space 540 between the biasing member 400 and the second ends 320X1 of the first locking arm 300X1 and the second ends 320X2 of the second locking arm 300X2 while the first slider 521 is aligned with the space 223 between the first and second sliding grooves 221 and 222. After the first slider 521 is aligned with the first sliding groove 221 along the second direction Y1, the sliding member 500 is pulled along the second direction Y1, so that the assembly of the sliding member 500 and the first housing 200 can be completed. Therefore, the first electrical connector 100 can be assembled simply, with short assembly time and low assembly cost. Based on this, the top of the sliding slot 220 (i.e., the upper portion of the sliding slot in the drawing) may be further provided with a stopper 230 to prevent the sliding member 500 from being separated from the first housing 200 when sliding in the second direction Y1.

Fig. 5A-5E illustrate the first electrical connector 100 assembly process. As shown in fig. 5A, the locking arm and biasing member 400 are first engaged with the first housing 200. When two lock arms are present, they are engaged with the first housing 200, respectively. When there is only one locking arm, the locking arm may be engaged with the first housing 200. The principle of the present invention will be described below by taking the illustrated embodiment as an example, and the first locking arm 300X1 and the second locking arm 300X2 are respectively engaged with the first housing 200, for example, the pivot hole 342 is fitted over the pin 341 of the first housing 200. Then, the biasing member 400 may be sleeved over the positioning posts 350 on the first and second locking arms 300X1 and 300X2, as shown in fig. 5B.

The sliding member 500 is then attached to the first housing 200, see fig. 5C, 5D-1 and 5D-2, 5E-1 and 5E-2, and 5F-1 and 5F-2. Before the slide member 500 is attached to the first housing 200, the first ends of the two lock arms may be forced against each other, as shown in fig. 5C, to increase the space 540 enclosed by the second ends of the two lock arms and the biasing member, so that the fitting of the contact protrusion of the slide member 500 into the space 540 may be facilitated. As shown in fig. 5D-1 and 5D-2, while the contact projection 530 of the sliding member 500 is fitted into the space 540, the first slider 521 is attached to the first housing 200 from the space 223 of the first and second sliding grooves, and then the first slider 521 is slid into the upper first sliding groove from the space 223, removing the external force applied to the first ends of the two locking arms. At this point, the assembly of the sliding member 500 is completed.

If a pull tab 600 is present, the pull tab 600 may then be mounted to the sliding member 500, as shown in FIGS. 5G-5H. Of course, the pull tab 600 may also be attached to the slide member 500 before the slide member 500 is attached to the first housing 200.

Referring back to fig. 1-2, the second electrical connector 700 may include a mounting face 760 disposed in a plane. The mounting face 760 may be configured for mounting to a surface of a printed circuit board (not shown). In the illustrated embodiment, the mounting face 760 may be soldered to a surface of a printed circuit board via conductive terminals thereon such that the mounting face 760 mounts to the surface of the printed circuit board. The mounting face 760 may also be mounted to a surface of a printed circuit board in various ways known in the art or that may occur in the future. The elongated opening 720 and the at least one recess 740 may be formed on a surface of the second housing 710 opposite the mounting surface 760. The elongated opening 720 is configured to receive a mating portion of the first electrical connector 100, such as the circuit board 110. The elongated opening 720 thus allows the circuit board 110 to be electrically connected to a printed circuit board.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is also provided a method of operating a first electrical connector and a second electrical connector to mate and unmate.

The method of mating the first electrical connector 100 and the second electrical connector 700 comprises the steps of: first inserting the first electrical connector 100 into the second electrical connector 700 such that the first end of the locking arm contacts a member of the second electrical connector 700; the first electrical connector 100 is then inserted further into the second electrical connector 700, taking the first locking arm 300X1 as an example, the first end 310X1 of the first locking arm 300X1 pivots in a direction X2 away from the members of the second electrical connector 700, as shown in fig. 6A-6B; the first electrical connector 100 is further inserted into the second electrical connector 700, and the locking portion 311 of the first end 310X1 of the first locking arm 300X1 passes over the members of the second electrical connector 700. The first end 310X1 of the first locking arm 300X1 is sprung back in the direction X1 toward the members of the second electrical connector 700 to lock the first electrical connector 100 to the second electrical connector 700 as shown in fig. 7A-7B with the locking portion 311 locked to the members of the second electrical connector 700. Preferably, the member of the second electrical connector 700 includes an undercut 750.

The method of unmating the first electrical connector 100 and the second electrical connector 700 comprises the steps of: the sliding member 500 of the first electrical connector 100 is first slid relative to the first housing 200 (as shown in fig. 8A) so that the sliding member 500 of the first electrical connector 100 contacts the second end of the locking arm. Taking the first locking arm 300X1 as an example, the contact projection 530 may be brought into contact with the second end of the first locking arm 300X1, as shown in fig. 8B. Then, the sliding member 500 of the first electrical connector 100 is further slid with respect to the first housing 200, so that the sliding member 500 of the first electrical connector 100 pushes the second end 320X1 of the first locking arm 300X1 along the direction X1, and the locking part 311 of the first end of the first locking arm 300X1 moves along the direction X2 to move away from the member of the second electrical connector 700, i.e. the locking part 311 moves away from the undercut 750, as shown in fig. 8C, so as to unlock the first electrical connector 100 from the second electrical connector 700; the first electrical connector 100 is then removed from the second electrical connector 700, as shown in fig. 8D.

Preferably, as shown in fig. 8A, sliding the sliding member 500 of the first electrical connector 100 includes pulling the pull tab 600 connected to the sliding member 500 of the first electrical connector 100. Pull tab 600 may be rotatably connected to slide member 500. In this case, the method of unmating the first electrical connector 100 and the second electrical connector 700 further includes rotating the pull tab 600 with respect to the sliding member 500 and pulling the pull tab 600 in a direction in which the sliding member 500 slides.

As previously described, the first electrical connector 100 may further include a second locking arm 300X2, the second locking arm 300X2 being a mirror image of the first locking arm 300X 1. In this case, the second locking arm 300X2 mirrors the action of the first locking arm 300X1 during mating and unmating of the first electrical connector 100 and the second electrical connector 700.

Thus, the present invention has been described in terms of several embodiments, but it will be appreciated that those skilled in the art, in light of the teachings herein, may make numerous alterations, modifications, and improvements within the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed. The scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims and equivalents thereof. The foregoing examples are for the purpose of illustration and description only and are not intended to limit the invention to the scope of the described examples.

Various changes may be made to the structures illustrated and described herein. For example, the locking mechanism described above is used on a right angle electrical connector, but the locking mechanism may be used on any suitable electrical connector, such as vertical electrical connectors and coplanar electrical connectors. Also for example, while the first electrical connector 100 is described above as being connected to a cable and the second electrical connector 700 is connected to a printed circuit board, the second electrical connector 700 may also be connected to a cable, forming an electrical connection between the cable and the cable.

Moreover, while many of the inventive aspects have been described above with respect to cable connectors having right angle configurations, it should be understood that aspects of the invention are not limited thereto. As such, any of the inventive features, alone or in combination with one or more other inventive features, may also be used with other types of electrical connectors, such as backplane connectors, daughter card connectors, stacking connectors, mezzanine connectors, I/O connectors, chip sockets, and the like.

In the description of the present invention, it is to be understood that the directions or positional relationships indicated by the directional terms such as "front", "rear", "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "lateral", "vertical", "horizontal" and "top", "bottom", etc., are generally based on the directions or positional relationships shown in the drawings, and are only for convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, and in the case of not making a reverse explanation, these directional terms do not indicate and imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore, should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention; the terms "inner" and "outer" refer to the interior and exterior relative to the contours of the components themselves.

Spatially relative terms, such as "above … …," "above … …," "above … …," "above," and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe the spatial relationship of one or more components or features shown in the figures to other components or features. It is to be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass not only the orientation of the component as depicted in the figures, but also different orientations of the component in use or operation. For example, if an element in the drawings is turned over in its entirety, the articles "over" or "on" other elements or features will include the articles "under" or "beneath" the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplary term "above … …" can include both an orientation of "above … …" and "below … …". Further, these components or features may also be positioned at various other angles (e.g., rotated 90 degrees or other angles), all of which are intended to be encompassed herein.

It is noted that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of example embodiments according to the present application. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an", and/or "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, and it should be understood that when the terms "comprises" and/or "comprising" are used in this specification, they specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or combinations thereof, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

It should be noted that the terms "first," "second," and the like in the description and claims of this application and in the drawings described above are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a particular sequential or chronological order. It is to be understood that the data so used is interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that the embodiments of the application described herein are capable of operation in sequences other than those illustrated or described herein.