CONNECTOR PLUG AND CONNECTOR

Abstract

 This disclosure relates to a connector plug and a connector. The connector comprises the connector plug and a connector socket. The connector plug comprises an insertion slot, a lock handle, and an elastic member. The insertion slot is to accommodate a press-engaging portion of the connector socket. One end of the elastic member is to be installed onto the lock handle. The lock handle is configured to: when the connector plug is installed on the connector socket, become movable relative to the press-engaging portion of the connector socket to switch between a locked state and an unlocked state. In the locked state, the lock handle is press-engaged to the press-engaging portion that is inserted in the insertion slot. The elastic member is configured to deform in response to the lock handle moving from the locked state to the unlocked state. And the lock handle is configured to move from the unlocked state to the locked state in response to the elastic member restoring the deformation. The connector provided in this disclosure can achieve an automatic locking between the connector plug and the connector socket.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] This patent application relates to a connector, in particular to a connector with a connector plug and a connector socket that can be interlocked.

BACKGROUND

[0002] The existing locking approaches between a connector plug and a connector socket usually comprise latch locking and thread locking. However, the latch locking approach has the problems of difficult unlocking and low service life. The thread locking approach usually requires the use of tools to achieve the locking and unlocking between the connector plug and the connector socket, which makes the locking and unlocking between the connector plug and the connector socket inconvenient. In addition, the locking between the connector plug and the connector socket achieved through the thread locking approach is often affected by external vibration forces and may become loose, leading to the problem of locking failure between the connector plug and the connector socket.

[0003] In addition, the existing technology has proposed a technical solution that can conveniently realize the locking and unlocking between the connector plug and connector socket without the need for tools. For example, a Chinese utility model patent, which is issued as CN208986289U, describes a connector with a plug and a socket that are interlocked. This connector achieves the locking between a plug assembly and a socket assembly through the cooperation between a stopping portion of a lock handle in the plug assembly and a press-engaging portion in the socket assembly, and releases the locking between the plug assembly and the socket assembly by pushing an operation portion of the lock handle, thereby unlocking the plug assembly and the socket assembly. However, this locking and unlocking approach between the connector plug and the connector socket still has operational burdens, and there is space for further improvement.

SUMMARY

[0004] The technical solution proposed by this patent application aims to solve at least one of the above-mentioned technical problems in the existing technology.

[0005] In one aspect of the present invention, a connector plug is provided, which comprises an insertion slot for accommodating a press-engaging portion of a connector socket; a lock handle; and an elastic member with one end to be installed onto the lock handle. The lock handle is configured to: when the connector plug is installed on the connector socket, become movable relative to the press-engaging portion of the connector socket to switch between a locked state and an unlocked state, wherein in the locked state, the lock handle is press-engaging with the press-engaging portion that is inserted in the insertion slot, and in the unlocked state, the lock handle is detached from the press-engaging portion. The elastic member is configured to deform in response to the lock handle moving from the locked state to the unlocked state. And the lock handle is configured to move from the unlocked state to the locked state in response to the elastic member restoring the deformation.

[0006] In at least one embodiment of one aspect of the present invention, the connector plug further comprises a plug housing, wherein the insertion slot is located within the plug housing, and the lock handle and the elastic member are to be installed into the plug housing. The lock handle comprises a stopping portion, the stopping portion configured to: in response to the lock handle moving from the locked state to the unlocked state, transition from a state of being press-engaging with the press-engaging portion inserted in the insertion slot to a state of detaching from the press-engaging portion. The stopping portion comprises a step, and the press-engaging portion of the connector socket comprises a flange, wherein when the stopping portion is press-engaging with the press-engaging portion, the flange is press-engaged to the step.

[0007] In at least one embodiment of one aspect of the present invention, the flange comprises an annular flange.

[0008] In at least one embodiment of one aspect of the present invention, the flange comprises a lower surface and a lateral edge, wherein the lateral edge comprises an inclined portion and a vertical portion connecting the inclined portion and the lower surface. The lock handle comprises a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, and the step of the lock handle is located between the first surface and the second surface and comprises a first end surface, a stepped surface, and a second end surface connected in sequence. When the flange is press-engaged to the step, the lower surface of the flange abuts against or engages with the stepped surface of the step, and the vertical portion of the lateral edge of the flange abuts against or engages with the first end surface of the step.

[0009] In at least one embodiment of one aspect of the present invention, the plug housing comprises an installation portion having an installation element, and the lock handle has an installation cooperation element for cooperating with the installation element.

[0010] In at least one embodiment of one aspect of the present invention, the installation element comprises a convex shaft protruding from its installation surface, and the installation cooperation element comprises a through-hole or a blind hole.

[0011] In at least one embodiment of one aspect of the present invention, there is a holding plate between the convex shaft and the installation surface, and the holding plate has an outer diameter larger than that of the convex shaft.

[0012] In at least one embodiment of one aspect of the present invention, the lock handle has a protrusion on its first surface that surrounds the through-hole or blind hole, wherein the protrusion is to engage with the holding plate but not contact with the installation surface.

[0013] In at least one embodiment of one aspect of the present invention, the convex shaft has a first portion close to the holding plate and a second portion away from the holding plate, wherein a first outer diameter of the first portion of the convex shaft is greater than a second outer diameter of the second portion of the convex shaft and smaller than an outer diameter of the holding plate. The through-hole comprises a stepped hole, the stepped hole having a first aperture for cooperating with the first outer diameter of the first portion of the convex shaft and a second aperture for cooperating with the second outer diameter of the second portion of the convex shaft.

[0014] In at least one embodiment of one aspect of the present invention, the installation element comprises a sliding element, and the installation cooperation element comprises a sliding cooperation element for cooperating with the sliding element.

[0015] In at least one embodiment of one aspect of the present invention, the plug housing further comprises: a cylinder for accommodating at least a part of a plug conductive component; and a slot wall, wherein the insertion slot is located between the slot wall and the cylinder.

[0016] In at least one embodiment of one aspect of the present invention, the slot wall is constructed to at least partially surround a peripheral wall of the cylinder, wherein the peripheral wall is coaxial with the cylinder and is provided with a first opening thereon to allow the stopping portion of the lock handle installed on the installation portion to enter and exit the insertion slot.

[0017] In at least one embodiment of one aspect of the present invention, the other end of the elastic member is to be installed on the peripheral wall.

[0018] In at least one embodiment of one aspect of the present invention, the lock handle has a blind hole on a side wall located between the opposite first and second surfaces, and an outer wall of the peripheral wall is provided with a sliding groove. The elastic member is configured to abut against or engage with the bottom of the blind hole at one end, and abut against or engage with the bottom of the sliding groove at the other end.

[0019] In at least one embodiment of one aspect of the present invention, the installation portion has an end wall at one end opposite to the peripheral wall, and the other end of the elastic member is to be installed on the end wall.

[0020] In at least one embodiment of one aspect of the present invention, the plug conductive component comprises a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion of the plug conductive component is used for crimping a cable, and the second portion of the plug conductive component is located inside the cylinder for electrical connection with a socket conductive component of the connector socket. The connector plug further comprises a cable seal for fitting outside the first portion of the plug conductive component; and a plastic nut for fitting outside the cable seal and connecting with a threaded structure on the plug housing.

[0021] In at least one embodiment of one aspect of the present invention, the connector plug further comprises a cover, the cover having a cover wall; and two opposite side walls located on both sides of the cover wall, wherein each side wall is provided with a latch portion, wherein the plug housing has a latch cooperation portion for cooperating with the latch portion of the side wall, and the cover cooperates with the plug housing to form an installation cavity for accommodating at least a portion of the lock handle.

[0022] In at least one embodiment of one aspect of the present invention, an inner side of the cover wall of the cover is also provided with installation holes, and the plug housing is also provided with installation cooperation portions that interferes with the installation holes.

[0023] In at least one embodiment of one aspect of the present invention, the lock handle is arc-shaped, the stopping portion is located at one end of the lock handle, and the lock handle also comprises an operation portion located at the other end of the lock handle. The cover cooperates with the plug housing to form a second opening. When at least a part of the lock handle is accommodated in the installation cavity formed by the cover and the plug housing, at least a part of the operation portion of the lock handle is facing the second opening or extends beyond the second opening.

[0024] In the other aspect of the present invention, a connector is provided, which comprises: a connector plug as described in any one of the previous paragraphs, a plug housing of the connector plug has a plug conductive component therein; a connector socket comprising: a socket housing, one end of the socket housing having a press-engaging portion for inserting into the insertion slot of the connector plug; and a socket conductive component to be disposed in the socket housing, wherein when the press-engaging portion of the connector socket is inserted into the insertion slot of the connector plug, the lock handle press-couples with the press-engaging portion and the plug conductive component is electrically connected with the socket conductive component.

[0025] In at least one embodiment of the other aspect of the present invention, the connector socket is to be installed on an mounting panel, and the connector socket further comprises: a connection flange to be fixedly connected to an outer wall of the socket housing; a seal to be connected to the connection flange and to seal between the connector socket and the mounting panel.

[0026] Compared to existing technologies, the technical solutions proposed by the present invention can have at least one or more of the following advantages:

(1) by providing an elastic member between a lock handle and a plug housing, an automatic locking between a connector plug and a connector socket can be achieved;

(2) a holding plate with a larger outer diameter is provided between a convex shaft of an installation portion and an installation surface to suspend the lock handle above the installation surface of the installation portion, which reduces the operating force for rotating the lock handle and improves the operation comfort when operating the lock handle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] In order to further clarify the above and other advantages and features of various embodiments of the present invention, reference will be made to the accompanying drawings to present a more specific description of various embodiments of the present invention. It should be understood that these drawings only depict typical embodiments of the present invention and will therefore not be considered a limitation on the protection scope of the present invention.

FIG. 1 shows a structural schematic diagram of a connector according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows an exploded schematic diagram of a connector plug according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows an exploded schematic diagram of a connector socket according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows a structural schematic diagram of a plug housing according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 shows a structural schematic diagram of a lock handle according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 shows a schematic diagram of the lock handle in the plug housing being in a locked state according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 shows a schematic diagram from another perspective of the lock handle in the plug housing being in the locked state according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 shows a schematic diagram of the lock handle in the plug housing being in an intermediate state between the locked state and an unlocked state according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 shows a schematic diagram of the lock handle in the plug housing being in the unlocked state according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 shows a schematic diagram of a press-engaging portion of a socket housing being in a unlocked state before assembling of the connector plug and the connector socket according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 shows a schematic diagram of the press-engaging portion of the socket housing being in a locked state after completion of assembling of the connector plug and the connector socket according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 shows a schematic diagram of the press-engaging portion of the socket housing being in an unlocked state before disassembling the connector plug and the connector socket according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 shows a structural schematic diagram of a cover according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 shows a schematic diagram of the cover and the plug housing before installation according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 shows a schematic diagram of the cover and the plug housing after installation according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Reference numbers:

[0028] 

100 connector

1 connector plug

10 plug housing

11 cylinder

13 peripheral wall

131 sliding groove

132 opening

15 insertion slot

17 installation portion

171 installation surface

172 end wall

173 convex shaft

174a first latch wall

174b second latch wall

175 holding plate

176a first installation cooperation portion

176b second installation cooperation portion

176c third installation cooperation portion

2 socket connector

20 socket housing

21 press-engaging portion

211 lateral edge of the press-engaging portion

212 inclined portion of the lateral edge

213 lower surface of the press-engaging portion

214 vertical portion of the lateral edge

30 plug conductive component

32 first portion of the plug conductive component

34 second portion of the plug conductive component

40 socket conductive component

41 insulation cap

42 first end of the socket conductive component

50 lock handle

51 first surface of the lock handle

52 through-hole

53 second surface of the lock handle

54 protrusion

55 stopping portion

551 stepped surface of the stopping portion

553 first end surface of the stopping portion

555 second end surface of the stopping portion

56 blind hole

57 operation portion

60 connection flange

62 seal

64 screw

70 cover

71 cover wall

73a first side wall

73b second side wall

75a first latch portion

75b second latch portion

77a first installation hole

77b second installation hole

77c third installation hole

90 spring

92 first sealing ring

94 cable seal

96 plastic nut

98 second sealing ring

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] The present invention will be further described below with reference to specific embodiments and drawings. In the following description, more details are set forth in order to fully understand the present invention, but the present invention can obviously be implemented in many other ways different from that in the description. Those skilled in the art can make similar promotion and deduction according to the actual applications without violating the connotation of the present invention. Therefore, the contents of specific embodiments herein should not limit the protection scope of the present invention.

[0030] The present application uses specific words to describe embodiments of the present application. For example, "one embodiment", "other embodiments", and/or "some embodiments" means a certain feature, structure or characteristic associated with at least one embodiment of the present application. Therefore, it should be emphasized and noted that "one embodiment" or "other embodiments" or "some embodiments" referred to twice or more in different positions in this specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Further, certain features, structures or characteristics in one or more embodiments of the present application may be appropriately combined.

[0031] It should be noted that in order to simplify the presentation disclosed in the present application, thereby facilitating the understanding of one or more embodiments, in the description for the embodiments of the present application, sometimes a plurality of features are combined into an embodiment, a drawing or a description thereof. However, this method of disclosure does not mean that the subject matter of the present application requires more features than those mentioned in the claims.

[0032] It should be understood that in this disclosure, terms such as "press-engage", "press-engaged", "abut against", "engage" are used to describe the connection between two components. The terms "press-engage" and "press-engaged" generally indicate that two connected components cannot move relative to each other in a certain direction. In some non-limiting examples of the present invention, when a component A "press-engages with" a component B, the component B can be depicted as being "press-engaged" to the component A. The term "abut against" may usually indicate that there is contact and interactive force between two connected components. The term "engage" may usually indicate that there is contact but no interactive force (except for gravity) between two connected components. In some embodiments, the terms "abut against" and "engage" can be used interchangeably.

[0033] Referring to FIG. 1, FIG. 1 shows a structural schematic diagram of a connector 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the connector 100 may comprise a connector plug 1 and a connector socket 2. The connector plug 1 may comprise a plug housing 10. The plug housing 10 may have a cylinder 11 and a peripheral wall 13. The cylinder 11 may be constructed as a hollow structure and a plug conductive component 30 (not shown in FIG. 1) may be provided inside the cylinder 11. The cylinder 11 and the peripheral wall 13 may be coaxial, and an annular insertion slot 15 (not shown in FIG. 1) may be formed between an outer wall of the cylinder 11 and an inner wall of the peripheral wall 13. Referring to FIG. 1, the connector socket 2 may comprise a socket housing 20 and a socket conductive component 40. As shown in FIG. 1, the socket housing 20 may be constructed as a hollow cylindrical structure with two open ends. One end of the socket housing 20 may have a press-engaging portion 21. In the embodiment as shown in FIG. 1, the press-engaging portion 21 may be constructed as an annular flange, which may comprise a lateral edge 211 and a lower surface 213. The lateral edge 211 may comprise an inclined portion 212 and a vertical portion 214. The inclined portion 212 may be a slope or chamfer, and the vertical portion 214 connects the lower surface 213 and the inclined portion 212 of the lateral edge 211. In other embodiments, the press-engaging portion 21 may be constructed as a semi-annular flange, or as a flange with any curvature on the outer wall of the one end of the socket housing 20. The socket conductive component 40 may be fixedly inserted into the socket housing 20. As shown in FIG. 1, when the socket conductive component 40 is disposed (for example, by installation or injection molding) inside the hollow cylinder of the socket housing 20, a first end (shown as an upper end in FIG. 1) of the socket conductive component 40 is exposed to the outside through the annular flange shaped press-engaging portion 21, and a second end (shown as a lower end in FIG. 1) of the socket conductive component 40 opposite to the first end is located outside the other end of the socket housing 20. When the connector socket 2 and the connector plug 1 are installed together, the press-engaging portion 21 can be inserted into the insertion slot 15 (not shown in FIG. 1) located between the outer wall of the cylinder 11 and the inner wall of the peripheral wall 13 in the plug housing 10, and the first end of the socket conductive component 40 can be inserted into the cylinder 11 of the plug housing 10 and is in electrical contact with the plug conductive component 30 (not shown in FIG. 1) inside the cylinder 11.

[0034] The following provides a detailed description of the connector plug 1 with reference to FIG. 2. FIG. 2 shows an exploded schematic diagram of a connector plug 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the connector plug 1 may comprise the plug housing 10 and the plug conductive component 30. The plug housing 10 may be constructed as an internally hollow structure, and may have the cylinder 11 and the peripheral wall 13 on the plug housing 10. The cylinder 11 may be constructed as a hollow cylindrical structure and in communication with the interior of the plug housing 10. The peripheral wall 13 may be constructed as an annular wall surrounding the cylinder 11 and may be coaxial with the cylinder 11. An annular insertion slot 15 may be formed between the outer wall of the cylinder 11 and the inner wall of the peripheral wall 13 and may be used to accommodate the press-engaging portion 21 of the connector socket 2 to be inserted into it. In some embodiments, the peripheral wall 13 of the plug housing 10 may be constructed to partially surround the cylinder 11. For example, the peripheral wall 13 may not surround the cylinder 11 on the side near an installation portion 17 to form an opening 132 (not shown in FIG. 2), allowing a stopping portion 55 (described below with reference to FIG. 5) of a lock handle 50 installed on the plug housing 10 to extend to the insertion slot 15 through the opening 132. In other embodiments, the cylinder 11 and the peripheral wall 13 may be constructed in other shapes, as long as the insertion slot 15 for accommodating the press-engaging portion 21 of the connector socket 2 can be formed between the cylinder 11 and the peripheral wall 13, and the peripheral wall 13 may have the opening 132 for allowing the stopping portion 55 of the lock handle 50 to extend into the insertion slot 15.

[0035] Referring to FIG. 2, the plug conductive component 30 may have a first portion 32 located outside the plug housing 10 and a second portion 34 located inside the cylinder 11 of the plug housing 10. The first portion 32 may be electrically connected to the second portion 34 or may be integrally formed with the second portion 34. For example, the plug conductive component 30 may be embedded into a channel formed by the cylinder 11 and the plug housing 10 through the in-mold insert injection molding process. The first portion 32 of the plug conductive component 30 located outside the plug housing 10 may be used for crimping onto cable (not shown in FIG. 2), while the second portion 34 located inside the cylinder 11 of the plug housing 10 may be used for electrical connection with the socket conductive component 40 of the connector socket 2, thereby forming an electrical connection path from the connector socket 2 to the cable.

[0036] Referring to FIG. 2, the connector plug 1 may also comprise a lock handle 50, a cover 70, and a spring 90. The lock handle 50 may be installed on the installation portion 17 of the plug housing 10, the spring 90 may be installed between the lock handle 50 and the peripheral wall 13 of the plug housing 10, and the cover 70 may be fixedly installed on the installation portion 17 of the plug housing 10 and enclose at least a part of the lock handle 50.

[0037] Referring to FIG. 2, the connector plug 1 may also comprise a first sealing ring 92. The first sealing ring 92 may be fitted outside the cylinder 11 to seal a joint between the cylinder 11 of the connector plug 1 and the socket housing 20 of the connector socket 2, thereby preventing external pollutants or water from entering the connector 100 through this joint.

[0038] Referring to FIG. 2, the connector plug 1 may also comprise a cable seal 94, a plastic nut 96, and a second sealing ring 98. The cable seal 94 may be fitted outside the first portion 32 of the plug conductive component 30 which is for crimping onto cable (not shown in FIG. 2). The plastic nut 96 may be fitted outside the cable seal 94 and fixedly connected to a threaded portion of the plug housing 10. The second sealing ring 98 may be located between the plastic nut 96 and the plug housing 10 to seal a joint between the plastic nut 96 and the plug housing 10, thereby preventing external pollutants or water from entering the connector 100 through this joint.

[0039] The following provides a detailed description of the connector socket 2 with reference to FIG. 3. FIG. 3 shows an exploded schematic diagram of a connector socket 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the connector socket 2 may comprise the socket housing 20 and the socket conductive component 40. As described above in conjunction with FIG. 1, the socket conductive component 40 may be fixedly inserted into the hollow cylinder of the socket housing 20. Referring to FIG. 3, the connector socket 2 may also comprise a plastic cap 41 for fitting onto a first end 42 of the socket conductive component 40. As described above in conjunction with FIG. 1, when the socket conductive component 40 is disposed inside the socket housing 20, the first end 42 of the socket conductive component 40 is exposed. Due to the insulated plastic cap 41 being fitted onto the first end 42 of the socket conductive component 40, a risk of electric shock caused by accidental touch can be prevented. Referring to FIG. 3, the connector socket 2 may also comprise a connection flange 60, a seal 62, and a screw 64. The connection flange 60 may be fixedly connected to the outer wall of the socket housing 20, the shape of the seal 62 may be constructed to fit the connection flange 60, and the screw 64 may be used to connect and secure the connection flange 60 and the seal 62 together. When the connector socket 2 is mounted on an mounting panel (not shown in FIG. 3) through the connection flange 62, the seal 62 may be located between the connector socket 2 and the mounting panel to seal between them.

[0040] The installation of the lock handle 50, the spring 90, and the plug housing 10 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 4-5. FIG. 4 shows a structural schematic diagram of the plug housing 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 shows a structural schematic diagram of the lock handle 50 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 4, the plug housing 10 may have the installation portion 17 having an installation surface 171 and a convex shaft 173 protruding upward from the installation surface 171. In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 4, the convex shaft 173 may have a first portion near the installation surface 171 and a second portion away from the installation surface 171. An first outer diameter of the first portion of the convex shaft 173 is greater than a second outer diameter of the second portion of the convex shaft 173. Additionally, the convex shaft 173 may also have a holding plate 175 located between the first portion of the convex shaft 173 and the installation surface 171 (i.e., located at a root of the convex shaft 173), with an outer diameter of the holding plate 175 being greater than the first outer diameter of the first portion of the convex shaft 173.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 5, the lock handle 50 may have a first surface 51, a second surface 53 opposite to the first surface 51, and a through-hole 52 passing through the first surface 51 and the second surface 53. In other embodiments, the lock handle 50 may have a first surface 51, a second surface 53 opposite to the first surface 51, and a blind hole being in communication with the first surface 51 but not being in communication with the second surface 53. When the lock handle 50 is installed onto the installation portion 17 of the plug housing 10, the through-hole 52 or blind hole of the lock handle 50 can be fitted onto the convex shaft 173 of the installation portion 17. By fitting the through-hole 52 or blind hole with the convex shaft 173, the lock handle 50 can rotate around the convex shaft 173 on the installation portion 17. In addition, when the lock handle 50 is installed on the installation portion 17 of the plug housing 10, the first surface 51 of the lock handle 50 is closer to the installation surface 171 of the installation portion 17 than the second surface 53. In some embodiments, the through-hole 52 (or the blind hole) may be a stepped hole having a first aperture for mating with the first outer diameter of the first portion of the convex shaft 173 and a second aperture for mating with the second outer diameter of the second portion of the convex shaft 173, wherein the first aperture is larger than the second aperture. Additionally, there may be a protrusion 54 that is located on the first surface 51 of the lock handle 50 and surrounds the through-hole 52 (or the blind hole). When the lock handle 50 is installed on the installation portion 17, the protrusion 54 on the first surface 51 of the lock handle 50 can engage the holding plate 175 of the installation portion 17 along the axial direction of the through-hole 52. By the engagement between the protrusion 54 protruding from the first surface 51 of the lock handle 50 and the holding plate 175 protruding from the installation surface 171 of the installation portion 17, remaining flat portion of the first surface 51 of the lock handle 50, other than the protrusion 54, can be at least partially suspended above the installation surface 171 of the installation portion 17 without contacting the installation surface 171. This reduces the contact area between the lock handle 50 and the installation portion 17, thereby reducing the operating force for rotating the lock handle 50 on the installation portion 17 and improving the operating comfort of the lock handle 50. In other embodiments, the purpose of reducing the contact area between the lock handle 50 and the installation portion 17 can be achieved by only providing one of the protrusion 54 protruding from the first surface 51 of the lock handle 50 and the holding plate 175 protruding from the installation surface 171 of the installation portion 17 as described above, thereby reducing the operating force for rotating the lock handle 50 on the installation portion 17 and improving the operating comfort of the lock handle 50.

[0043] In the above embodiments, by providing the convex shaft 173 on the installation portion 17 and providing the through-hole 52 or blind hole on the lock handle 50, and further by the cooperation between the convex shaft 173 and the through-hole 52, it can be achieved that the lock handle 50 is rotatably mounted on the installation portion 17 of the plug housing 10. However, in other embodiments, a convex shaft may be provided on the lock handle 50, and accordingly, a through-hole or blind hole for cooperating with the convex shaft on the lock handle 50 may be provided on the installation portion 17 of the plug housing 10, as long as the lock handle 50 can be rotatably mounted on the installation portion 17 of the plug housing 10.

[0044] Referring to FIG. 5, there may be a blind hole 56 on a side wall between the first surface 51 and the second surface 53 of the lock handle 50. The extending direction of the blind hole 56 may be perpendicular to the extending direction of the through-hole 52, and the blind hole 52 may be in communication with the second surface 53 of the lock handle 50. Referring back to FIG. 4, the peripheral wall 13 of the plug housing 10 may have a sliding groove 131 on the side near the installation portion 17. The sliding groove 131 may extend along a circumferential direction of the peripheral wall 13 by a certain width and extend along an axial direction of the peripheral wall 13 to the upper end of the peripheral wall 13. After the lock handle 50 has been installed onto the plug housing 10, the spring 90 can slide along the sliding groove 131 from the upper end of the peripheral wall 13 and be installed between the lock handle 50 and the peripheral wall 13 of the plug housing 10. When the spring 90 is installed between the lock handle 50 and the peripheral wall 13 of the plug housing 10, one end of the spring 90 abuts against or engages with the bottom of the blind hole 56 of the lock handle, and the other end of the spring 90 abuts against or engages with the bottom of the sliding groove 131 of the peripheral wall 13. In other embodiments, as shown in FIG. 4, the installation portion 17 has an end wall 172 at the end opposite to the peripheral wall 13, and the spring 90 may be installed between the lock handle 50 and the end wall 172. In some embodiments, when the spring 90 is installed between the lock handle 50 and the plug housing 10, two ends of the spring 90 may respectively abut against or engage with the lock handle 50 (e.g., the bottom of the blind hole 56) and the plug housing 10 (e.g., the bottom of the sliding groove 131 or the end wall 172 of the installation portion 17). Alternatively, the two ends of the spring 90 may be respectively fixed to the lock handle 50 (e.g., the bottom of the blind hole 56) and the plug housing 10 (e.g., the bottom of the sliding groove 131 or the end wall 172 of the installation portion 17). In some embodiments, other elastomers can be used as an alternative or supplement to spring 90.

[0045] Referring to FIG. 5, the lock handle 50 may also have a stopping portion 55 and an operation portion 57. The stopping portion 55 may be used to lock the connector plug 1 with the connector socket 2, and the operation portion 57 may allow for external force operation to rotate the lock handle 50 to release the locking between the connector plug 1 and the connector socket 2. In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 5, two ends of the lock handle 50 are bent towards the same side, so that the lock handle 50 has a roughly arc-shaped outer contour. Two ends of the lock handle 50 may have a stopping portion 55 and an operation portion 57, respectively. The stopping portion 55 may comprise a step having a stepped surface 551. As shown in FIG. 5, the stopping portion 55 may also comprise a first end surface 553 and a second end surface 555. The first end surface 553 connects the first surface 51 of the lock handle 50 with the stepped surface 551, and the second end surface 555 connects the stepped surface 551 with the second surface 53 of the lock handle 50. The through-hole 52 may be located in an approximately middle position of the arc-shaped lock handle, and the blind hole 56 may be located between the through-hole 52 and the operation portion 57 or between the through-hole 52 and the stopping portion 55. The following will, with reference to FIGS. 6-11, describe in detail how to achieve locking and unlocking between the connector plug 10 and the connector socket 20 through the lock handle 50..

[0046] Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, FIG. 6 shows a schematic diagram of the lock handle 50 in the plug housing 10 being in a locked state according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 shows a schematic diagram from another perspective of the lock handle 50 in the plug housing 10 being in the locked state according to an embodiment of the present invention. When the lock handle 50 is installed onto the installation portion 17 of the plug housing 10 and in a locked state, the operation portion 57 of the lock handle 50 may be located at a locked position L (see FIG. 6), and the stopping portion 55 may extend through the opening 132 on the peripheral wall 13 into the insertion slot 15 (see FIG. 7). At this time, the spring 90 is in its initial state. One end of the spring 90 may abut against or engage with the bottom of the blind hole 56 of the lock handle 50, and the other end of the spring 90 may abut against or engage with the bottom of the sliding groove 131 of the peripheral wall 13 of the plug housing 10. The initial state may comprise a natural state or a pre-compressed state. As shown in FIG. 6, compared to an unlocked position U, the locked position L may be further away from the peripheral wall 13.

[0047] Referring to FIG. 8, FIG. 8 shows a schematic diagram of the lock handle 50 in the plug housing 10 being in an intermediate state between the locked state and an unlocked state according to an embodiment of the present invention. During the process of applying an external force to the operation portion 57 of the lock handle 50 to push the operation portion 57 from the locked position L towards the unlocked position U, the lock handle 50 may be in the intermediate state between the locked state and unlocked state. When the lock handle 50 is in the intermediate state, the operation portion 57 of the lock handle 50 may be located between the locked position L and the unlocked position U, and the stopping portion 55 may partially leave the insertion slot 15. For example, the first end face 553 of the stopping portion 55 may leave the insertion slot 15, but the second end face 555 of the stopping portion 55 is still located in the insertion slot 15. At this time, the spring 90 may be compressed from its initial state to an intermediate state.

[0048] Referring to FIG. 9, FIG. 9 shows a schematic diagram of the lock handle 50 in the plug housing 10 being in an unlocked state according to an embodiment of the present invention. When the external force is continued to be applied to the operation portion 57 of the lock handle 50 to further push the operation portion 57 to the unlocked position U, the lock handle 50 may be in the unlocked state. When the lock handle 50 is in the unlocked state, the operation portion 57 of the lock handle 50 may be located at the unlocked position U, and the stopping portion 55 may leave the insertion slot 15. For example, the second end face 555 of the stopping portion 55 may leave the insertion slot 15. At this time, the spring 90 may be further compressed from the intermediate state.

[0049] When the external force applied to the operation portion 57 is released, the compressed spring 90 may return to its initial state, causing the lock handle 50 to rotate around the convex shaft 173 under the restoring force of the spring 90 and to return to the locked state as shown in FIG. 7.

[0050] The following describes a state changing process of the lock handle 50 during the insertion of the connector plug 1 into the connector socket 2, as well as a state changing process of the lock handle 50 during the extraction of the connector plug 1 from the connector socket 2.

[0051] Referring to FIG. 10, FIG. 10 shows a schematic diagram of a press-engaging portion 21 of a socket housing 20 being in a unlocked state before assembling of the connector plug 1 and the connector socket 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 10, in an initial state before the assembling, the second surface 53 of the lock handle 50 is closer to the press-engaging portion 21 of the socket housing 20 than the first surface 51. It should be understood that although the press-engaging portion 21 of the socket housing 20 is in the unlocked state at this time, the lock handle 50 is in the locked state in the plug housing 10 as described above in conjunction with FIGS. 6-7.

[0052] When an operator inserts the connector plug 1 into the connector socket 2 along a direction I, the lateral edge 211 (e.g., the inclined portion 212 of the lateral edge 211) of the annular flange of the press-engaging portion 21 of the socket housing 20 contacts the stopping portion 55 of the lock handle 50, and pushes the lock handle 50 by sliding relative to the stopping portion 55 of the lock handle 50, so that the lock handle 50 rotates in a direction R around the convex shaft 173 (not shown in FIG. 10) on the installation portion 17 of the plug housing 10, while causing the spring 90 (not shown in FIG. 10) installed between the lock handle 50 and the plug housing 10 to be compressed. As the lock handle 50 moves further in the insertion direction I and rotates further around the convex shaft 173 in the direction R, the second end face 555 of the stopping portion 55 of the lock handle 50 slides further along the lateral edge 211 (e.g., the vertical portion 214 of the lateral edge 211) of the annular flange of the press-engaging portion 21. When the lock handle 50 moves to a position that the stepped surface 551 of the stopping portion 55 is flush with or slightly lower than the lower surface 213 of the press-engaging portion 21, the stopping portion 55 of the lock handle 50 does not interact with the lateral edge 211 of the press-engaging portion 21 in a radial direction. At this time, the lock handle 50 is in the unlocked state (when in the unlocked state, the spring 90 is compressed) in the plug housing 10, as described above in conjunction with FIG. 9. Meanwhile, due to the lack of interaction between the stopping portion 55 of the lock handle 50 and the lateral edge 211 of the press-engaging portion 21, the restoring force of the spring 90 causes the lock handle 50 to rotate around the convex shaft 173 in a direction opposite to the direction R, ultimately rotating to the locked state as shown in FIG. 11. When the lock handle 50 is exactly rotated to the locked state under the restoring force of the spring 90, the first end face 553 of the stopping portion 55 of the lock handle 50 collides with the vertical portion 214 of the lateral edge 211 of the press-engaging portion 21 of the socket housing 20, producing a clear feedback sound of "click". It can prompt the operator that the lock handle 50 has achieved the locking of the socket housing 20.

[0053] FIG. 11 shows a schematic diagram of a press-engaging portion 21 of a socket housing 20 being in a locked state after completing the assembling of the connector plug 1 and the connector socket 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 11, when the press-engaging portion 21 of the socket housing 20 is in the locked state, the vertical portion 214 of the lateral edge 211 of the press-engaging portion 21 of the socket housing 20 radially abuts against or engages with the first end surface 553 of the stopping portion 55 of the lock handle 50, and at the same time, the lower surface 213 of the press-engaging portion 21 abuts against or engages with the stepped surface 551 of the stopping portion 55 of the lock handle 50. At this time, the lock handle 50 cannot be pulled out of the socket housing 20 solely by moving along a pulling direction P, thus achieving the locking of the lock handle 50 to the socket housing 20.

[0054] When it is necessary to release the locking of the lock handle 50 with the socket housing 20, an external force can be applied to the operation portion 57 of the lock handle 50 to rotate the lock handle 50 in the direction R around the convex shaft 173 (not shown in FIG. 11) (and at the same time, the spring 90 installed between the lock handle 50 and the plug housing 10 is compressed), and finally the lock handle 50 can be rotated to a position as shown in FIG. 12, so that the press-engaging portion 21 of the socket housing 20 is in the unlocked state. FIG. 12 shows a schematic diagram of the press-engaging portion 21 of the socket housing 20 being in an unlocked state before disassembling the connector plug 1 and the connector socket 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 12, when the lock handle 50 rotates around the convex shaft 173 (not shown in FIG. 12) in the direction R, causing the stopping portion 55 of the lock handle 50 to detach from the press-engaging portion 21 of the socket housing 20, the press-engaging portion 21 of the socket housing 20 is in the unlocked state. At this time, the lock handle 50 can be pulled out of the socket housing 20 by movement along the pulling direction P, thus releasing the locking of the lock handle 50 with the socket housing 20.

[0055] After pulling the lock handle 50 out of the socket housing 20, the external force applied to the operation portion 57 may be released. At this time, the lock handle 50 may rotate around the convex shaft 173 (not shown in FIG. 12) in a direction opposite to the direction R under the restoring force of the spring 90 and rotate to the position as described above in conjunction with FIG. 10, so that the press-engaging portion 21 of the socket housing 20 is in the unlocked state.

[0056] The installation of the cover 70 and the plug housing 10 will be described in detail with reference to Figs. 13-15.

[0057] FIG. 13 shows a structural schematic diagram of a cover 70 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 13, the cover 70 may have a cover wall 71 and two opposing first and second side walls 73a and 73b extending from two ends of the cover wall 71, respectively. A first latch portion 75a and a second latch portion 75b may be provided on the first and second side walls 73a and 73b, respectively. A first installation hole 77a, a second installation hole 77b, and a third installation hole 77c may be provided on an inner side of the cover wall 71. These installation holes may be through holes or blind holes.

[0058] Referring to FIG. 14, FIG. 14 shows a schematic diagram of the cover 70 and the plug housing 10 before the installation according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 14, the installation portion 17 of the plug housing 10 may have two opposing first and second latch walls 174a and 174b. The first and second latch walls 174a and 174b may extend upward from the installation surface 171 and be located at both ends of the end wall 172, respectively. On inner sides of the first latch wall 174a and the second latch wall 174b, first and second latch cooperation portion (not shown in the figures) may be provided, which cooperate with the first and second latch portions 75a and 75b on the first and second side walls 73a and 73b of the cover 70, respectively. When installing the cover 70 onto the installation portion 17 of the plug housing 10, the cover 70 may be fixed onto the installation portion 17 by the cooperation between the first latch portion and the first latch cooperation portion, as well as the cooperation between the second latch portion and the second latch cooperation portion. As shown in FIG. 14, a first installation cooperation portion 176a, a second installation cooperation portion 176b, and a third installation cooperation portion 176c may also be provided on the installation portion 17 of the plug housing 10. These three installation cooperation portion may respectively cooperate with the first installation hole 77a, the second installation hole 77b, and the third installation hole 77c on the cover wall 71 of the cover 70. In some embodiments, the installation cooperation portion may be constructed as a prism to form an interference fit with the installation hole, thereby further enhancing the fixation between the cover 70 and the plug housing 10. In other embodiments, the installation cooperation portion may also be constructed in other shapes, such as a cylinder.

[0059] When the cover 70 is fixedly installed on the installation portion 17 of the plug housing 10, an installation cavity can be formed between the cover 70 and the installation portion 17 for accommodating at least a part of the lock handle 50 therein. Referring to FIG. 15, FIG. 15 shows a schematic diagram of the cover 70 and the plug housing 10 after the installation according to an embodiment of the present invention. In one embodiment, when the cover 70 is fixedly mounted on the installation portion 17 of the plug housing 10, the cover 70 cooperates with the plug housing 10 to form an opening, and at least a part of the operation portion 57 of the lock handle 50 is facing or extending beyond the opening, such that the operation portion 57 can be operated by the operator.

[0060] In the above embodiments, it is described that the connector plug 1 comprises the cover 70 and the installation cavity for accommodating at least a part of the lock handle 50 is formed through a fixed installation between the cover 70 and the installation portion 17 of the plug housing 10, thereby preventing the lock handle 50 from falling off from the installation portion 17 after being installed onto the installation portion 17 of the plug housing 10. However, in other embodiments, the connector plug 1 may not have the cover 70, and the lock handle 50 may be installed and maintained on the installation portion 17 of the plug housing 10 by other means such that the lock handle 50 will not fall off from the installation portion 17 and is moveable on the installation portion 17. For example, a top plate may be provided at the end of the convex shaft 173 on the installation portion 17, away from the installation surface 131. The outer diameter of the top plate is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the convex shaft and the aperture of the through-hole 52 of the lock handle 50. When the lock handle 50 is installed on the installation portion 17 by pressing the through-hole 52 onto the convex shaft 173, the lock handle 50 can not only rotate around the convex shaft 173 on the installation portion 17, but also avoid from falling off from the installation portion 17 due to the larger outer diameter of the top plate on the convex shaft 173 abutting against or engaging with the second surface 53 of the lock handle 50.

[0061] In the above described embodiments, when the lock handle 50 rotates from the locked state to the unlocked state, the spring 90 is described as being compressed, and when the external force applied to the lock handle 50 (such as, the external force applied by the operator to the operation portion 57 of the lock handle 50, the force applied by the lateral edge 211 of the press-engaging portion 21 of the socket housing 20 to the stopping portion 55 of the lock handle 50) is released, compressed potential energy stored in the compressed spring 90 will push the lock handle 50 back from the unlocked state to the locked state. However, in other embodiments, when the lock handle 50 rotates from the locked state to the unlocked state, the spring 90 can be stretched, and when the external force applied to the lock handle 50 is released, stretching potential stored in the stretched spring 90 will push the lock handle 50 back from the unlocked state to the locked state. It is appreciated that those skilled in the art would set the installation position of the spring 90 as needed, for example, between the lock handle 50 and the peripheral wall 13 of the plug housing 10, or between the lock handle 50 and the end wall 172 of the plug housing 10. One end of the spring 90 may be located between the through-hole 52 of the lock handle 50 and the stopping portion 55, or between the through-hole 52 of the lock handle 50 and the operation portion 57. In correspondence to the installation position of the spring 90, the spring 90 may be compressed or stretched when the lock handle 50 rotates from the locked state to the unlocked state. For example, when the spring 90 is installed between the lock handle 50 and the peripheral wall 13 of the plug housing 10 and one end of the spring 90 is located between the through-hole 52 of the lock handle 50 and the operation portion 57, the spring 90 may be compressed when the lock handle 50 rotates from the locked state to the unlocked state. For example, when the spring 90 is installed between the lock handle 50 and the peripheral wall 13 of the plug housing 10 and one end of the spring 90 is located between the through-hole 52 of the lock handle 50 and the stopping portion 55, the spring 90 may be stretched when the lock handle 50 rotates from the locked state to the unlocked state. For example, when the spring 90 is installed between the lock handle 50 and the end wall 172 of the plug housing 10 and one end of the spring 90 is located between the through-hole 52 of the lock handle 50 and the operation portion 57, the spring 90 may be stretched when the lock handle 50 rotates from the locked state to the unlocked state. For example, when the spring 90 is installed between the lock handle 50 and the end wall 172 of the plug housing 10 and one end of the spring 90 is located between the through-hole 52 of the lock handle 50 and the stopping portion 55, the spring 90 may be compressed when the lock handle 50 rotates from the locked state to the unlocked state.

[0062] In the above embodiments, it is described that the lock handle 50 may rotate around the convex shaft 173 on the installation portion 17 of the plug housing 10 to press-engage the stopping portion 55 of the lock handle 50 with the press-engaging portion 21 of the socket housing 20 or to disengage the stopping portion 55 of the lock handle 50 from the press-engaging portion 21 of the socket housing 20, thereby achieving the locking and unlocking of the lock handle 50 with the socket housing 20. However, in other embodiments, the lock handle 50 may slide linearly on the installation portion 17 of the plug housing 10 to press the stopping portion 55 of the lock handle 50 onto the press-engaging portion 21 of the socket housing 20 or to disengage the stopping portion 55 of the lock handle 50 from the press-engaging portion 21 of the socket housing 20, thereby achieving the locking and unlocking of the lock handle 50 with the socket housing 20. For example, the installation portion 17 of the plug housing 10 may not be provided with the convex shaft 173, but with sliding element(s) such as linearly extending sliding slot(s) or protrusion(s). The lock handle 50 may not be provided with the through-hole 52, but with sliding cooperation element(s) that cooperate with the sliding element(s). By the cooperation between the sliding element(s) on the installation portion 17 and the sliding cooperation element(s) on the lock handle 50, the lock handle 50 can slide on the installation portion 17 to allow the stopping portion 55 of the lock handle 50 to enter or leave the insertion slot 15, thereby press-engaging it with or disengaging it from the press-engaging portion 21 of the socket housing 20 that is inserted into the insertion slot 15. In this way, the locking and unlocking of the lock handle 50 with the socket housing 20 can be achieved.

[0063] Although the present invention has been described based on the preferred embodiments disclosed herein, it is not intended to be limited thereby, but only by the scope set forth in the appended claims. Those skilled in the art should understand that various modifications and changes can be made to the embodiments described herein without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the present invention as set forth in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A connector plug comprising:

an insertion slot for accommodating a press-engaging portion of a connector socket;

a lock handle; and

an elastic member with one end to be installed onto the lock handle,

wherein the lock handle is configured to: when the connector plug is installed on the connector socket, become movable relative to the press-engaging portion of the connector socket to switch between a locked state and an unlocked state, wherein in the locked state, the lock handle is press-engaging with the press-engaging portion that is inserted in the insertion slot, and in the unlocked state, the lock handle is detached from the press-engaging portion,

wherein the elastic member is configured to deform in response to the lock handle moving from the locked state to the unlocked state, and

wherein the lock handle is configured to move from the unlocked state to the locked state in response to the elastic member restoring the deformation.

2. The connector plug of claim 1, wherein,

the connector plug further comprises a plug housing, wherein the insertion slot is located within the plug housing, and the lock handle and the elastic member are to be installed into the plug housing,

the lock handle comprises a stopping portion, the stopping portion configured to: in response to the lock handle moving from the locked state to the unlocked state, transition from a state of being press-engaging with the press-engaging portion which is inserted into the insertion slot to a state of detaching from the press-engaging portion,

the stopping portion comprises a step, and the press-engaging portion of the connector socket comprises a flange, wherein when the stopping portion is press-engaging with the press-engaging portion, the flange is press-engaged to the step.

3. The connector plug of claim 2, wherein the flange comprises an annular flange.

4. The connector plug of claim 3, wherein the flange comprises a lower surface and a lateral edge, wherein the lateral edge comprises an inclined portion and a vertical portion connecting the inclined portion and the lower surface,

wherein the lock handle comprises a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, and the step of the lock handle is located between the first surface and the second surface and comprises a first end surface, a stepped surface, and a second end surface connected in sequence,

when the flange is press-engaged to the step, the lower surface of the flange abuts against or engages with the stepped surface of the step, and the vertical portion of the lateral edge of the flange abuts against or engages with the first end surface of the step.

5. The connector plug of claim 2, wherein the plug housing comprises an installation portion having an installation element, and the lock handle has an installation cooperation element for cooperating with the installation element.

6. The connector plug of claim 5, wherein the installation element comprises a convex shaft protruding from its installation surface, and the installation cooperation element comprises a through-hole or a blind hole.

7. The connector plug of claim 6, wherein there is a holding plate between the convex shaft and the installation surface, and the holding plate has an outer diameter larger than that of the convex shaft.

8. The connector plug of claim 7, wherein the lock handle has a protrusion on its first surface that surrounds the through-hole or blind hole, wherein the protrusion is to engage with the holding plate but not contact with the installation surface.

9. The connector plug of claim 8, wherein the convex shaft has a first portion close to the holding plate and a second portion away from the holding plate, wherein a first outer diameter of the first portion of the convex shaft is greater than a second outer diameter of the second portion of the convex shaft and smaller than an outer diameter of the holding plate,
wherein the through-hole comprises a stepped hole, the stepped hole having a first aperture for cooperating with the first outer diameter of the first portion of the convex shaft and a second aperture for cooperating with the second outer diameter of the second portion of the convex shaft.

10. The connector plug of claim 5, wherein the installation element comprises a sliding element, and the installation cooperation element comprises a sliding cooperation element for cooperating with the sliding element.

11. The connector plug of claim 5, wherein the plug housing further comprises:

a cylinder for accommodating at least a part of a plug conductive component; and

a slot wall,

wherein the insertion slot is located between the slot wall and the cylinder.

12. The connector plug of claim 11, wherein the slot wall is constructed to at least partially surround a peripheral wall of the cylinder, wherein the peripheral wall is coaxial with the cylinder and is provided with a first opening thereon to allow the stopping portion of the lock handle installed on the installation portion to enter and exit the insertion slot.

13. The connector plug of claim 12, wherein the other end of the elastic member is to be installed on the peripheral wall.

14. The connector plug of claim 13, wherein the lock handle has a blind hole on a side wall located between opposite first and second surfaces, and an outer wall of the peripheral wall is provided with a sliding groove,
wherein the elastic member is configured to abut against or engage with the bottom of the blind hole at one end, and abut against or engage with the bottom of the sliding groove at the other end.

15. The connector plug of claim 12, wherein the installation portion has an end wall at one end opposite to the peripheral wall, and the other end of the elastic member is to be installed on the end wall.

16. The connector plug of claim 11, wherein the plug conductive component comprises a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion of the plug conductive component is used for crimping a cable, and the second portion of the plug conductive component is located inside the cylinder for electrical connection with a socket conductive component of the connector socket,
the connector plug further comprises:

a cable seal for fitting outside the first portion of the plug conductive component; and

a plastic nut for fitting outside the cable seal and connecting with a threaded structure on the plug housing.

17. The connector plug of any one of claims 2-16, wherein the connector plug further comprises a cover, the cover having:

cover wall; and

two opposite side walls located on both sides of the cover wall, wherein each side wall is provided with a latch portion,

wherein the plug housing has a latch cooperation portion for cooperating with the latch portion of the side wall, and

wherein the cover cooperates with the plug housing to form an installation cavity for accommodating at least a portion of the lock handle.

18. The connector plug of claim 17, wherein an inner side of the cover wall of the cover is also provided with installation holes, and the plug housing is also provided with installation cooperation portions that interferes with the installation holes.

19. The connector plug of claim 17, wherein the lock handle is arc-shaped, the stopping portion is located at one end of the lock handle, and the lock handle also comprises an operation portion located at the other end of the lock handle,
wherein the cover cooperates with the plug housing to form a second opening, when at least a part of the lock handle is accommodated in the installation cavity formed by the cover and the plug housing, at least a part of the operation portion of the lock handle is facing the second opening or extends beyond the second opening.

20. A connector comprising:

the connector plug of any one of claims 1-19, a plug housing of the connector plug has a plug conductive component therein;

a connector socket comprising:

a socket housing, one end of the socket housing having a press-engaging portion for inserting into the insertion slot of the connector plug; and

a socket conductive component to be disposed in the socket housing,

wherein when the press-engaging portion of the connector socket is inserted into the insertion slot of the connector plug, the lock handle press-couples with the press-engaging portion and the plug conductive component is electrically connected with the socket conductive component.

21. The connector of claim 20, wherein the connector socket is to be installed on an mounting panel, and the connector socket further comprises:

a connection flange to be fixedly connected to an outer wall of the socket housing;

a seal to be connected to the connection flange and to seal between the connector socket and the mounting panel.

Drawing