Connector for a sensor module

Abstract

This invention provides a connector for a sensor module, comprising: a first connector module including a first housing and a plurality of first contacts held by the first housing; a second connector module including a second housing, a plurality of second contacts formed by the second housing, and a cylindrical outer shell, the second housing being assembled to the cylindrical outer shell; and a covering shell, the covering shell being formed by insert injection molding to partially cover the assembly composed of the first connector module and the second connector module. With the above-described connector configuration, the assembly of the sensor module can be facilitated and water or moisture can be prevented from entering the sensor module.

Claims

1. A connector for a sensor module, comprising: A first connector module includes a first housing and a plurality of first contacts. The first housing has a first mating opening for inserting a first connection object along a first direction and a first engagement portion opposite to the first mating opening. The plurality of first contacts are held by the first housing. Each first contact has a first contact portion located in the first mating opening, a second contact portion located in the first engagement portion, and a first holding portion located between the first contact portion and the second contact portion. The plurality of first contacts are positioned such that the first contact portions of the plurality of first contacts are arranged along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The second connector module includes a second housing, a plurality of second contacts, and a cylindrical outer shell. The second housing has a second engagement portion that engages with the first engagement portion and an assembly portion that is inserted into one end of the cylindrical outer shell. The cylindrical outer shell has a sleeve portion at the other end. The second housing and the sleeve portion define a second fitting opening for insertion of a second connector object. The plurality of second contacts are held by the second housing. Each second contact has a third contact portion located in the second engagement portion, a fourth contact portion located in the second fitting opening, and a second holding portion located between the third contact portion and the fourth contact portion. The second contact portions of the plurality of first contacts are electrically in contact with the third contact portions of the plurality of first contacts. The module also includes a cover housing, which is formed by injection molding to partially cover the assembly consisting of the first connector module and the second connector module. The first fitting opening is exposed from the cover housing, and the sleeve portion of the outer shell extends out of the cover housing.

2. The connector for a sensor module as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first contact portion of each first contact is composed of a pair of contact arms, the first connection object being a plate-shaped connection object, and the pair of contact arms being configured to clamp the first connection object.

3. The connector for a sensor module as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first housing has a body portion, the body portion of the first housing is covered by the cover housing, and a plurality of dovetail grooves are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the body portion, wherein when the cover housing is formed by insert injection molding, the material forming the cover housing flows into the plurality of dovetail grooves and solidifies.

4. The connector for a sensor module as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first housing has a boss, the first mating opening is formed on the boss, and the boss protrudes from the housing.

5. The connector for a sensor module as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the second contact portion of each first contact is configured as a plate, and the third contact portion of each second contact is formed by a pair of contact arms, wherein the plate-shaped second contact portion is clamped by the third contact portion formed by the pair of contact arms.

6. The connector for a sensor module as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the fourth contact portion of each second contact is configured in a cylindrical shape.

7. The connector for a sensor module as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein one of the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion is formed with a polygonal engagement hole, and the other of the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion is formed with a cylindrical engagement post, the cylindrical engagement post being inserted into the polygonal engagement hole in a tight fit manner.

8. The connector for a sensor module as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the second engagement portion is formed with a plurality of contact retaining holes, the second retaining portion of each second contact is configured as a cylinder, and the second retaining portions of the plurality of second contacts are respectively inserted into the plurality of polygonal contact retaining holes in a tight-fitting manner.

9. The connector for a sensor module as claimed in claim 8, wherein the inner wall surface of the first engagement portion is formed with a plurality of ribs extending along the first direction.

10. The connector for a sensor module as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the outer peripheral surface of the mounting portion of the second housing is formed with a plurality of ribs extending along the first direction.

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