Female connector, connector module having the female connector and electronic device having the connector module

• US 10,290,978 B2
• Filed: 06/27/2017
• Issued: 05/14/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 07/08/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Solum Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Solum Co., Ltd.
• Inventors: Park, Jong Sik, Jang, Dae Hyun, Seo, Chang Min
• Primary Examiner(s): Vu, Hien D
• Application Number:
  US15/634,571
• Publication Number:
  US 20180013238A1
• Time in Patent Office: 686 Days
• Field of Search: 439578, 439583, 439490
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/115 U-shaped sockets having inwardly bent legs, e.g. spade type
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/622 Screw-ring or screw-casing H01R13/623 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/641 by indicating incorrect coupling; by indicating correct or full engagement
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6616 with resistor
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6633 with inductive component, e.g. transformer
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6675 with built-in power supply
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6683 with built-in sensor
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6691 with built-in signalling means H01R13/717 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/7038 making use of a remote controlled switch, e.g. relais, solid state switch activated by the engagement of the coupling parts
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2101/00 One pole
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2103/00 Two poles
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2201/18 for television
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/46 comprising switches
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/76 with sockets, clips or analogous contacts and secured to apparatus or structure, e.g. to a wall

Abstract

A female connector capable of easily confirming whether or not a male connector is connected thereto, a connector module having the male connector, and an electronic device having the connector module are disclosed. The female connector comprises a connector body, a first terminal engagement pin and a second terminal engagement pin. The first terminal engagement pin is disposed inside the connector body and capable of receiving an input signal from a connection terminal of a male connector when the connection terminal is in contact therewith. The second terminal engaging pin is disposed inside the connector body to be spaced apart from the first terminal engaging pin. The first and second terminal engagement pins are electrically connected with each other through the connection terminal when the connection terminal is inserted and coupled between the first and second terminal engagement pins.

Claims

1. An electrical connector module comprising:

a female connector comprising a connector body, a first terminal engagement pin disposed inside the connector body and capable of receiving an input signal from a connection terminal of a male connector when the connection terminal is in contact therewith, and a second terminal engaging pin disposed inside the connector body to be spaced apart from the first terminal engaging pin, wherein the first and second terminal engagement pins are electrically connected with each other through the connection terminal when the connection terminal is inserted and coupled between the first and second terminal engagement pins; and

a connector circuit electrically connected to each of the first and second terminal engagement pins,

wherein a first voltage is formed on the second terminal engagement pin when the second terminal engagement pin is not electrically connected to the first terminal engagement pin, and

a second voltage different from the first voltage is formed in the second terminal engagement pin when the second terminal engagement pin is electrically connected to the first terminal engagement pin through the connection terminal,

wherein the connector circuit further comprises;

a signal receiving unit electrically connected to the first terminal engagement pin to receive the input signal from the first terminal engagement pin;

a power supply unit for providing a DC voltage;

a resistor unit electrically connecting the second terminal engagement pin and the power supply unit; and

a ground unit being electrically connected to and providing a ground voltage to the first terminal engagement pin.

2. The electrical connector module of claim 1, wherein the connector circuit further comprises

an inductor unit electrically connecting the first terminal engagement pin and the ground unit.

3. The electrical connector module of claim 2, wherein the first voltage is a high level voltage, and the second voltage is a voltage of a low level.

4. An electronic device comprising:

a connector module comprising;

a female connector comprising a connector body, a first terminal engagement pin disposed inside the connector body and capable of receiving an input signal from a connection terminal of a male connector when the connection terminal is in contact therewith, and a second terminal engaging pin disposed inside the connector body to be spaced apart from the first terminal engaging pin, wherein the first and second terminal engagement pins are electrically connected with each other through the connection terminal when the connection terminal is inserted and coupled between the first and second terminal engagement pins; and

a connector circuit electrically connected to each of the first and second terminal engagement pins; and

a signal processing module electrically connected to the connector circuit to receive the input signal to process a signal, the signal processing unit being capable of indicating whether or not the female connector is connected to the male connector,

wherein the signal processing module further comprises;

a voltage sensing unit electrically connected to the connector circuit to sense a voltage formed on the second terminal engagement pin, and to output a control signal depending on whether or not the female connector is connected to the male connector in response to the sensed voltage;

an indicating unit capable of outputting light; and

a signal processing unit capable of processing a signal in response to the input signal provided from the connector circuit and controlling the indicating unit to indicate whether or not the female connector is connected to the male connector in response to the control signal provided from the voltage sensing unit.

5. The electronic device of claim 4, wherein the indicating unit comprises a display device controlled by the signal processing unit and capable of displaying an image according to the input signal or indicating whether or not the female connector is connected to the male connector according to the control signal.

6. The electronic device of claim 4, wherein, a first voltage is formed on the second terminal engagement pin when the second terminal engagement pin is not electrically connected to the first terminal engagement pin, and

a second voltage different from the first voltage is formed on the second terminal engagement pin when the second terminal engagement pin is electrically connected to the first terminal engagement pin through the connection terminal.

7. The electronic device of claim 6, wherein the connector circuit comprises:

a signal receiving unit electrically connected to the first terminal engagement pin to receive the input signal from the first terminal engagement pin;

a power supply unit for providing a DC voltage;

a resistor unit electrically connecting the second terminal engagement pin and the power supply unit; and

a ground unit being electrically connected to and providing a ground voltage to the first terminal engagement pin.

8. The electronic device of claim 6, wherein the connector circuit comprises:

a signal receiving unit electrically connected to the first terminal engagement pin to receive the input signal from the first terminal engagement pin;

a ground unit providing a ground voltage;

a resistor unit electrically connecting the second terminal engagement pin and the ground unit; and

a power supply unit being electrically connected to and providing a DC voltage to the first terminal engagement pin.