Connector and connector assembly

Abstract

A connector and a connector assembly. The connector is configured for plug-in engagement with a mating connector, the connector comprising a main body, a limiting member and a lever. The side wall on at least one side of the main body is provided with an accommodating space. The limiting member is rotationally connected to the main body; when the limiting member is not under pressure, at least part of the limiting member protrudes beyond the outer surface of the main body. The lever grips both sides of the main body and is capable of rotating, wherein the lever is rotationally connected to the part of the limiting member protruding beyond the outer surface of the main body. In the present application, when the lever is not mounted on the connector, the limiting member is not subjected to the gripping force from the lever, such that the part of the limiting member configured to be gripped by the lever naturally protrudes beyond the outer surface of the main body. When the connector provided in the present application is plugged into the mating connector, the part of the limiting member that protrudes beyond the outer surface of the main body interferes with the mating connector, preventing the connector provided in the present application from being plugged into the mating connector normally. In this way, an operator has a direct sense of anomalies in the state of insertion, allowing the operator to promptly notice the problem of lever missing or detachment, thereby preventing the connector that does not have the lever mounted thereon from being left at a vehicle operation site. In addition, after the lever is mounted on the connector, the gripping force provided by the lever enables the limiting member to be accommodated in the accommodating space, thereby preventing the connector provided in the present application from interfering with the mating connector when plugged into the mating connector normally.

Description

Connector and connector assembly

[0001] The present application claims priority to the Chinese patent application No. 202421550351.5, filed on July 2, 2024, and entitled "Connector and connector assembly", the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present application relates to the technical field of circuit connection, in particular to a connector and a connector assembly. BACKGROUND

[0003] Connectors are usually used in large quantities in automobiles to achieve electrical connection. A connector assembly generally includes a male connector and a female connector, and the male connector and the female connector achieve electrical connection through plug-in connection. In order to ensure the reliability of plug-in connection of the male connector and the female connector, a rotatable lever is usually assembled on the female connector or the male connector, and after the male connector and the female connector are plugged in, the locking of the male connector and the female connector can be achieved by rotating the lever to a suitable position.

[0004] However, in the case of missing the lever, the male connector and the female connector can still achieve normal plug-in connection, which will result in that the male connector and the female connector cannot be locked by the lever after being plugged in, and after the connector is subjected to jolt or collision, the male connector and the female connector are easily separated from each other, thereby causing the high-voltage power failure of the whole vehicle and failing to achieve normal functions.

[0005] SUMMARY

[0006] Therefore, the present application provides a connector and a connector assembly to solve the problem that the male connector and the female connector can still achieve normal plug-in connection in the case of missing the lever in the prior art.

[0007] In a first aspect, the present application provides a connector for plug-in connection with a counterpart connector, wherein the connector comprises a body, a limiting member and a lever. A side wall of at least one side of the body is provided with an accommodation space. The limiting member is rotatably connected to the body, at least part of the limiting member is arranged in the accommodation space, and at least part of the limiting member protrudes from the outer surface of the body when the limiting member is not subjected to pressure. The lever is rotatably clamped on both sides of the body, wherein the lever is rotatably connected to the part of the limiting member protruding from the outer surface of the body, and the lever is used to provide the pressure to the limiting member to press the part of the limiting member protruding from the outer surface of the body into the accommodation space.

[0008] In the present application, in the case of abnormal falling caused by missing or damage of the lever, the limiting piece is not clamped by the lever, and the part of the limiting piece clamped by the lever protrudes naturally from the outer surface of the body, or at least part of the limiting piece protrudes naturally from the inner wall surface of the slot for the female connector provided with the slot. When the connector provided by the present application is inserted with the mating connector, the part of the limiting piece protruding from the outer surface of the body or the inner wall surface of the slot will interfere with the mating connector, so that the connector provided by the present application cannot be normally inserted with the mating connector. Thus, the operator can intuitively perceive the abnormal insertion state, so that the operator can timely pay attention to the problem of missing or falling of the lever, and avoid leaving the connector without the lever to the driving site. In addition, after the lever is assembled on the connector, the clamping force provided by the lever can make the limiting piece be accommodated in the accommodation space, so that the connector provided by the present application can avoid interference with the mating connector in the normal insertion process. At the same time, since the lever is rotationally connected with the limiting piece, after the connector provided by the present application is normally inserted with the mating connector, the lever can be rotated relative to the limiting piece to the terminal position to realize the locking of the connector, so as to ensure that the two connectors maintain a stable insertion state.

[0009] In a possible implementation, the limiting piece comprises a rotating part, and a flexible connecting rib is arranged on the rotating part. The rotating part is connected to the body through the flexible connecting rib. The lever is rotationally connected with the rotating part. The material of the flexible connecting rib can be a flexible material such as plastic. When the rotating part is clamped by the lever, the flexible connecting rib is also subjected to a torsional force and can be elastically deformed to a certain extent to realize the rotation of the rotating part, so that the rotating part can be rotated as a whole into the accommodation space after being clamped by the lever. In addition, in the case of abnormal falling caused by missing or damage of the lever, the rotating part is not clamped by the lever, the flexible connecting rib returns to the original state, and the stable structure shape can be maintained, so that the rotating part can maintain a natural inclined posture, that is, at least part of the rotating part can protrude from the outer surface of the body.

[0010] In a possible implementation, the body and the limiting piece are integrally formed. For example, the rotating part, the flexible connecting rib and the body can be integrally formed by using an injection molding process, so as to ensure the reliability of the structure, facilitate processing and manufacturing, reduce parts and save costs.

[0011] In a possible implementation, the limiting member comprises a rotating part, a connecting shaft and an elastic part, the rotating part is rotatably connected to the body through the connecting shaft. The two ends of the elastic part are connected to the rotating part and the body respectively. By assembling the rotating part, the connecting shaft and the body, the service life of each part is prolonged, and the reliability of the limiting member in long-term operation is ensured. The elastic part can be arranged between the limiting member and the body in the rotating direction of the limiting member, so that the elastic part can support the limiting member. In the natural state of the limiting member without the clamping force of the lever, at least part of the limiting member can protrude from the outer surface of the body. When the limiting member is subjected to the clamping force of the lever, the clamping force of the lever can cause the elastic part to be elastically compressed and deformed, so that the lever can extrude the part of the limiting part protruding from the outer surface of the body into the accommodating space of the body.

[0012] In a possible implementation, the elastic part is a spring, a spring sheet or a thermoplastic polyester elastomer. The elastic part with these structures has a certain elastic deformation capacity.

[0013] In a possible implementation, the end of the limiting member away from the counterpart connector is rotatably connected to the body. In the absence of the clamping force of the lever, the end of the limiting member close to the counterpart connector can protrude from the outer surface of the body. For the connector provided in the application, which is a male connector, the end of the limiting member close to the counterpart female connector can protrude from the outer surface of the body, so that the interference between the limiting member and the female connector can prevent the connector without the lever from being inserted into the counterpart female connector. Thus, in the application, the limiting member can rotate around the end of the limiting member away from the counterpart connector, so that the end of the limiting member close to the counterpart connector can protrude from the outer surface of the body in the absence of force.

[0014] In a possible implementation, the middle part of the limiting member is rotationally connected with the body. For example, the middle part of the limiting member can be rotationally connected with the inner wall of the through hole through a flexible connecting rib. When the limiting member is not subjected to the clamping force of the lever, one end of the limiting member protrudes from the inner wall of the insertion slot, and the other end of the limiting member protrudes from the outer surface of the body, and the lever is connected to the part of the limiting member protruding from the outer surface of the body. Since the middle part of the limiting member is rotationally connected with the body, the limiting member can form a lever structure. Taking the connector provided in the present application as a female connector having an insertion slot and taking a male connector as a counterpart connector as an example, when the lever clamps one end of the limiting member protruding from the outer surface of the body, the part of the limiting member protruding from the outer surface of the body can be rotationally accommodated into the accommodating space, and at the same time, the other end of the limiting member (the end protruding from the inner wall of the insertion slot) can also be synchronously accommodated into the accommodating space through the rotation of the limiting member, thereby avoiding interference of the male connector when being inserted into the insertion slot, and enabling the connector provided in the embodiment to be normally plugged with the male connector.

[0015] In a possible implementation, the body is provided with an accommodating space on each of the two opposite side walls, the limiting member is provided with two, each of the limiting members is matched with a corresponding accommodating space, and the two ends of the lever are rotationally connected with the corresponding limiting members. The two ends of the lever can be clamped on the corresponding limiting members. When the lever is not properly installed or the lever is damaged and abnormally falls off, the limiting members on the two sides of the body naturally protrude from the outer surface of the body, or at least part of the limiting members naturally protrude from the inner wall of the insertion slot for the female connector provided in the present application, thereby effectively avoiding the connector provided in the embodiment from being normally plugged with the counterpart connector in the case that the lever is not installed, and further avoiding the connector assembly without the lever locking from being left in the driving field.

[0016] In a possible implementation, the lever includes a first clamping arm, a second clamping arm and a connecting arm, the two ends of the connecting arm are connected with the first clamping arm and the second clamping arm respectively, and the first clamping arm is rotationally connected with the limiting member on one side of the body. When the limiting member is provided with one, the second clamping arm is rotationally connected with the side wall of the body away from the first clamping arm; or when the limiting member is provided with two, the second clamping arm is rotationally connected with the other limiting member on the side wall of the body away from the first clamping arm. The lever provided in the present application has a simple structure, is convenient to manufacture, can limit the limiting member in the accommodating space, and can lock the plugging position of the connector through the rotation of the lever, thereby ensuring the reliability of the plugging of the connector.

[0017] In a possible implementation, the limiting piece is provided with a mounting column, and the lever is provided with a rotating hole, and the lever is rotatably connected to the limiting piece through cooperation of the rotating hole and the mounting column, so that assembly of the lever can be facilitated.

[0018] In a possible implementation, the accommodating space includes a groove or a through hole provided on the side wall of the body. The accommodating space can be formed by opening the groove or the through hole on the side wall of the body, so that manufacturing can be facilitated.

[0019] In a possible implementation, the body is provided with a slot for plugging the counterpart connector. The accommodating space includes a through hole penetrating at least one side wall of the slot. The middle part of the limiting piece is rotatably connected to the inner wall of the through hole. When the limiting piece is not subjected to the pressure, one end of the limiting piece protrudes from the inner wall of the slot, and the other end of the limiting piece protrudes from the outer surface of the body. The lever is connected to the part of the limiting piece protruding from the outer surface of the body. In this case, the middle part of the limiting piece is rotatably connected to the body, so that the limiting piece forms a lever structure. Taking the connector provided in the application as a female connector with a slot and the counterpart connector as a male connector as an example, when the lever clamps one end of the limiting piece protruding from the outer surface of the body, the part of the limiting piece protruding from the outer surface of the body can be rotatably accommodated in the accommodating space. Meanwhile, the other end of the limiting piece (the end protruding from the inner wall of the slot) can also be synchronously accommodated in the accommodating space through rotation of the limiting piece, so that interference of the male connector with the connector provided in the application can be avoided when the male connector is inserted into the slot, and normal plugging of the connector provided in the application and the male connector can be achieved.

[0020] In a possible implementation, along the direction in which the body is plugged with the counterpart connector, when the limiting piece is not subjected to the pressure, one end of the limiting piece away from the counterpart connector protrudes from the outer surface of the body, and the other end of the limiting piece toward the counterpart connector protrudes from the inner wall of the slot. In this way, when the counterpart male connector is plugged with the connector provided in the application without the lever, the end of the limiting piece protruding from the inner wall of the slot will interfere with the counterpart male connector, and the end of the limiting piece protruding from the inner wall of the slot will rotate away from the accommodating space, so that the limiting piece blocks the path of mutual plugging of the two connectors, and the limiting piece cannot be accommodated in the accommodating space, so that normal plugging between the two connectors without the lever can be effectively prevented.

[0021] In a possible implementation, in the direction in which the body is inserted with the counterpart connector, an end of the limiting member on the body towards the counterpart connector protrudes from the outer surface of the body when the limiting member is not subjected to the pressure. Thus, when the limiting member interferes with the corresponding structure on the female connector, the end of the limiting member on the body protruding from the outer surface of the body is rotated in the direction away from the accommodating space, so that the limiting member blocks the path of mutual insertion of the two connectors, avoiding the limiting member from being accommodated into the accommodating space, thereby effectively preventing the normal insertion between the two connectors without the lever being assembled.

[0022] In a second aspect, the application further provides a connector assembly, which includes a male connector and a female connector, and the male connector and the female connector are inserted and matched. One of the male connector and the female connector is the connector provided in the first aspect of the application. The connector assembly including the connector provided in the first aspect of the application has similar technical effects as the aforementioned connector, and will not be described herein again.

[0023] It should be understood that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are only exemplary, and cannot limit the application. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0024] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the application, the drawings needed to be used in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of the application, and other drawings can be obtained by those skilled in the art without creative labor.

[0025] FIG. 1 is a structural schematic view of the body in the connector provided in an embodiment of the application;

[0026] FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the cooperation between the body and the limiting member in the connector provided in an embodiment of the application;

[0027] FIG. 3 is a structural schematic view of the connector provided in an embodiment of the application;

[0028] FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the connector provided in an embodiment of the application before being inserted with the counterpart connector;

[0029] FIG. 5 is a schematic view of the connector provided in an embodiment of the application after being inserted with the counterpart connector;

[0030] FIG. 6 is a schematic view of the connector provided in another embodiment of the application before being inserted with the counterpart connector;

[0031] FIG. 7 is a side view of the cooperation between the body and the limiting member provided in an embodiment of the application;

[0032] Fig. 8 is a schematic view of the cooperation between the body and the limiting member in the connector according to another embodiment of the present application;

[0033] Fig. 9 is a schematic view of the interference between the connector according to an embodiment of the present application and the mating connector when the lever is not assembled;

[0034] Fig. 10 is a schematic view of the interference between the connector according to another embodiment of the present application and the mating connector when the lever is not assembled;

[0035] Fig. 11 is a sectional view of the cooperation between the body and the limiting member according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0036] Fig. 12 is a side view of the cooperation between the body and the limiting member according to another embodiment of the present application;

[0037] Fig. 13 is a sectional view of the cooperation between the body and the limiting member according to another embodiment of the present application;

[0038] Fig. 14 is a schematic view of the structure of the lever according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0039] Fig. 15 is a schematic view of the lever before being assembled to the limiting member according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0040] Fig. 16 is a schematic view of the cooperation between the body and the lever according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0041] Fig. 17 is a schematic view of the cooperation between the body and the lever according to another embodiment of the present application.

[0042] Reference signs: 1 - body; 11 - accommodating space; 12 - slot; 2 - limiting member; 21 - flexible connecting rib; 22 - rotating part; 23 - connecting shaft; 24 - elastic part; 25 - intermediate position; 26 - mounting column; 3 - lever; 31 - first clamping arm; 32 - second clamping arm; 33 - connecting arm; 34 - rotating hole; 10 - connector; 20 - mating connector. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0043] In order to better understand the technical solutions of the present application, the embodiments of the present application are described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

[0044] It should be clear that the described embodiments are only some of the embodiments of the present application, but not all the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative labor fall within the scope of protection of the present application.

[0045] The terminology used in the description of the application herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting thereof. The use of the terms "a" and "the" and "said" herein is merely intended to convey one or more embodiments, unless it is otherwise explicitly provided.

[0046] It should be understood that the term "and / or" used herein is merely an association relationship of the associated objects, which means that there can be three relationships, for example, A and / or B, which can represent the three cases of A alone, A and B together, and B alone. In addition, the character " / " herein generally represents an "or" relationship between the front and rear associated objects.

[0047] In the description of the application, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "first", "second" are only for the purpose of description, and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance; unless otherwise specified or explained, the term "multiple" means two or more; the terms "connection", "fixation" and the like should be understood in a broad sense, for example, "connection" can be fixed connection, or detachable connection, or integrally connected, or electrically connected; it can be directly connected, or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium. For those skilled in the art, the specific meaning of the above terms in the application can be understood according to the specific circumstances.

[0048] Connectors are widely used in vehicle, industrial and other fields to achieve electrical connection. For example, in the automotive field, connectors are widely used to achieve electrical connection between various devices. The connector can be divided into a male connector and a female connector. The male connector can be mounted to one device, and the female connector can be mounted to another device. The male connector and the female connector each have terminals. After the male connector and the female connector are plugged together, the terminals in the male connector and the terminals in the female connector can achieve electrical connection, thereby achieving electrical connection between the two devices.

[0049] In the related art, in order to ensure that the male connector and the female connector can maintain a reliable plugging state, a rotatable lever can be assembled on the female connector or the male connector, thereby forming a lever connector. For example, a lever is rotatably connected to the male connector, and the lever can rotate between an initial position and a terminal position. When the lever is in the initial position, the male connector and the female connector can be normally plugged together. After the male connector and the female connector are plugged together, the lever can be rotated to the terminal position, and the male connector and the female connector can be locked by the lever, thereby ensuring that the male connector and the female connector maintain a reliable plugging state.

[0050] However, in the case of abnormal falling caused by missing or damage of the lever, the male connector and the female connector can still be normally plugged, but cannot be locked by the lever after plugging, and are easily separated from each other after the connectors are subjected to jolt or collision, thereby causing high voltage power-off of the whole vehicle, loss of communication signal, and failure to realize normal function.

[0051] The connector provided by the embodiment of the application can be a male connector or a female connector which are plugged into each other in a connector assembly, and the embodiment of the application does not limit the type of the connector.

[0052] Fig. 1 is a structural schematic view of a body in a connector provided by an embodiment of the application, as shown in Fig. 1, the connector provided by the embodiment of the application comprises a body 1, and the body 1 can be provided with a terminal, when the body 1 is plugged with a counterpart connector, the body 1 can be electrically connected with the counterpart connector through the terminal. The counterpart connector is another connector which can be plugged into each other with the connector provided by the embodiment of the application to realize electrical connection. The body 1 is provided with an accommodating space 11 on at least one side wall thereof. Exemplarily, the accommodating space 11 can be arranged on only one side wall of the body 1, or the accommodating space 11 can be arranged on opposite two side walls of the body 1 respectively. The side wall of the body 1 has a certain wall thickness, in an embodiment, a groove can be formed on the side wall of the body 1, and the space in the groove is formed into the accommodating space 11. In an embodiment, a through hole can be formed on the side wall, and the space in the through hole is formed into the accommodating space 11. Thus, the accommodating space 11 is formed by forming the groove or the through hole on the side wall of the body 1, which can facilitate processing and manufacturing.

[0053] Fig. 2 is a schematic view of the body 1 and a limiting piece 2 in cooperation provided by an embodiment of the application, as shown in Fig. 2, the connector provided by the embodiment of the application further comprises the limiting piece 2, the limiting piece 2 is rotatably connected to the body 1, and at least part of the limiting piece 2 is arranged in the accommodating space 11. In the natural state without force, the limiting piece 2 presents an inclined posture relative to the outer surface of the body 1, and part of the limiting piece 2 can protrude from the outer surface of the body 1. The limiting piece 2 can be connected to the inner wall of the body 1 for forming the accommodating space 11, exemplarily, the side wall of the body 1 has a certain thickness, a groove can be arranged on the side wall of the body 1, the space in the groove is formed into the accommodating space 11, and the limiting piece 2 can be connected to the inner wall of the groove. Exemplarily, a through hole can be arranged on the side wall of the body 1, the space in the through hole is formed into the accommodating space 11, and the limiting piece 2 can be connected to the inner wall of the through hole. The limiting piece 2 can be rotated at the position connected to the body 1, and the position of the limiting piece 2 connected to the body 1 can always be located in the accommodating space 11.

[0054] In the case that the part of the limiting member 2 protruding from the outer surface of the body 1 is pressed by an external force, the limiting member 2 can rotate in the accommodating space 11, and the part of the limiting member 2 protruding from the outer surface of the body 1 can be rotated into the accommodating space 11 by the pressing of the external force, so that the limiting member 2 as a whole can be located in the accommodating space 11.

[0055] Fig. 3 is a structural schematic view of the connector provided by an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Fig. 3, the connector provided by the embodiment of the present application further includes a lever 3 rotatably clamped on two sides of the body 1. The lever 3 has a set rotation range, for example, the lever 3 has a starting position and an ending position of rotation, and the lever 3 can rotate between the starting position and the ending position. Fig. 4 is a schematic view of the connector 10 provided by an embodiment of the present application before being plugged with a counterpart connector 20. As shown in Fig. 4, when the lever 3 is at the starting position M1, the connector 10 provided by the embodiment can be normally plugged with the counterpart connector 20. Fig. 5 is a schematic view of the connector 10 provided by an embodiment of the present application after being plugged with the counterpart connector 20. As shown in Fig. 5, when the connector 10 provided by the embodiment is plugged with the counterpart connector 20, the lever 3 can be rotated to the ending position M2, so that the lever 3 can lock the position of the counterpart connector 20, preventing the connector 10 provided by the embodiment from being separated from the counterpart connector 20. The counterpart connector 20 can have a matching structure for connecting with the lever 3, and when the connector 10 provided by the embodiment is plugged with the counterpart connector 20, the lever 3 can be connected with the matching structure on the counterpart connector 20 when the lever 3 is rotated to the ending position, so that the locking of the position of the counterpart connector 20 can be achieved, ensuring that the connector 10 provided by the embodiment is reliably plugged with the counterpart connector 20 and preventing the separation.

[0056] As shown in Fig. 5, the lever 3 is rotationally connected with the part of the limiting member 2 protruding from the outer surface of the body 1, and the lever 3 can provide a pressure to the limiting member 2 to press the part of the limiting member 2 protruding from the outer surface of the body 1 into the accommodating space 11. Part of the lever 3 can be clamped on the opposite two sides of the body 1, that is, the lever 3 can provide a certain clamping force. Since the lever 3 is connected with the part of the limiting member 2 protruding from the outer surface of the body 1, the clamping force provided by the lever 3 will act on the part of the limiting member 2 protruding from the outer surface of the body 1, so that the part of the limiting member 2 protruding from the outer surface of the body 1 can be pressed into the accommodating space 11, and the limiting member 2 will no longer have a part protruding from the outer surface of the body 1.

[0057] In an embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the connector 10 provided in the embodiment is a male connector, and the counterpart connector 20 is a female connector. The connector 10 provided in the embodiment needs to be inserted into the slot of the female connector. In the case that the lever 3 is assembled on the connector 10 provided in the embodiment, the clamping force applied by the lever 3 on the limiting member 2 can make the part of the limiting member 2 protruding out of the outer surface of the body 1 rotate into the accommodating space 11, and the part of the limiting member 2 not protruding out of the outer surface of the body 1, so that the connector 10 provided in the embodiment can not interfere during the insertion into the counterpart female connector, and the connector 10 provided in the embodiment can be normally plugged with the female connector. In the embodiment, since at least part of the limiting member 2 only needs to protrude out of the outer surface of the body 1, the accommodating space 11 can include a groove or a through hole, and the depth of the groove or the through hole can achieve the effective rotation of the limiting member 2.

[0058] FIG. 6 is a schematic view of the connector 10 provided in another embodiment of the application before being plugged with the counterpart connector 20. As shown in FIG. 6, the connector 10 provided in the embodiment is a female connector, and the counterpart connector 20 is a male connector. The connector 10 provided in the embodiment can be provided with a slot 12 for plugging the male connector. The body 1 can be provided with a through hole, and the through hole can form an accommodating space 11 for accommodating the limiting member 2. Specifically, the through hole is arranged on the side wall of the slot 12. FIG. 7 is a side view of the cooperation between the body 1 and the limiting member 2 provided in an embodiment of the application. As shown in FIG. 7, the middle part 25 of the limiting member 2 can be rotatably connected to the inner wall of the through hole, for example, the middle part 25 of the limiting member 2 can be rotatably connected to the inner wall of the through hole through the flexible connecting rib 21.

[0059] Since the middle part 25 of the limiting member 2 is rotatably connected to the body 1, the limiting member 2 can form a lever structure. FIG. 8 is a schematic view of the cooperation between the body 1 and the limiting member 2 in the connector provided in another embodiment of the application. As shown in FIG. 8, when the limiting member 2 is not subjected to the clamping force of the lever 3, one end 2a of the limiting member 2 protrudes out of the inner wall surface of the slot 12, and the other end 2b of the limiting member 2 protrudes out of the outer surface of the body 1, and the lever 3 is connected to the part of the limiting member 2 protruding out of the outer surface of the body 1. Taking the connector provided in the embodiment as a female connector with the slot 12, and the counterpart connector 20 as a male connector as an example, when the lever 3 clamps one end 2b of the limiting member 2 protruding out of the outer surface of the body 1, the part of the limiting member 2 protruding out of the outer surface of the body 1 can rotate and be accommodated into the accommodating space 11, and at the same time, the other end (one end 2a protruding out of the inner wall surface of the slot 12) of the limiting member 2 can also be accommodated into the accommodating space 11 synchronously with the rotation of the limiting member 2, so that the male connector can not interfere when being inserted into the slot 12, and the connector provided in the embodiment can be normally plugged with the male connector.

[0060] Meanwhile, since the lever 3 is rotationally connected with the limiting member 2, after the connector provided in the embodiment and the counterpart connector 20 are normally plugged, the lever 3 can be rotated relative to the limiting member 2 to the termination position, so as to realize the locking of the connector, and ensure that the two connectors maintain a stable plugging state.

[0061] In addition, if the lever 3 is missing or the lever 3 is damaged and causes abnormal falling, the limiting member 2 will not be clamped by the lever 3, and the part of the limiting member 2 clamped by the lever 3 will naturally protrude from the outer surface of the body 1, or for the female connector provided in the embodiment, at least part of the limiting member 2 will also naturally protrude from the inner wall surface of the slot 12. When the connector provided in the embodiment and the counterpart connector 20 are plugged, the part of the limiting member 2 protruding from the outer surface of the body 1 or the inner wall surface of the slot 12 will interfere with the counterpart connector, so that the connector provided in the embodiment and the counterpart connector cannot be normally plugged. Thus, the operator can intuitively perceive the abnormal plugging state, so that the operator can timely notice the problem of missing or falling of the lever 3, and avoid leaving the connector without the lever 3 to the driving site.

[0062] In an embodiment, FIG. 9 is a schematic view of the connector 10 provided in an embodiment of the application interfering with the counterpart connector 20 when the lever 3 is not assembled, as shown in FIG. 9, for the connector 10 provided in the embodiment being a male connector, and the aforementioned counterpart connector 20 being a female connector, the connector 10 provided in the embodiment needs to be inserted into the slot of the female connector. Among them, along the direction of the body 1 of the connector 10 provided in the embodiment and the counterpart female connector plugging, when the limiting member 2 is not subjected to pressure, one end of the limiting member 2 protruding from the outer surface of the body 1 towards the female connector. Thus, when the limiting member 2 interferes with the corresponding structure on the female connector, the one end of the limiting member 2 protruding from the outer surface of the body 1 will be rotated away from the containing space 11, so as to block the limiting member 2 in the path of the mutual plugging of the two connectors, and avoid the limiting member 2 being received into the containing space 11, so as to effectively prevent the normal plugging between the two connectors without the lever 3.

[0063] In an embodiment, Fig. 10 is a schematic view of the connector 10 of another embodiment of the present application interfering with the mating connector 20 when the lever 3 is not assembled, as shown in Fig. 10, the connector 10 of the embodiment is a female connector, and the mating connector 20 is a male connector, and the connector 10 of the embodiment can be provided with a slot 12 for plugging the male connector. Wherein, along the direction of plugging the connector 10 of the embodiment with the mating male connector, when the limiting member 2 is not under pressure, the end of the limiting member 2 away from the mating male connector protrudes from the outer surface of the body 1, and the end of the limiting member 2 towards the mating male connector protrudes from the inner wall surface of the slot 12. Thus, when the mating male connector is plugged with the connector of the embodiment without the lever 3 assembled, the end of the limiting member 2 protruding from the inner wall surface of the slot 12 will interfere with the mating male connector, and will make the end of the limiting member 2 protruding from the inner wall surface of the slot 12 rotate away from the accommodation space 11, so that the limiting member 2 blocks the path of the mutual plugging of the two connectors, and avoids the limiting member 2 being accommodated into the accommodation space 11, thereby effectively preventing the normal plugging between the two connectors without the lever 3 assembled.

[0064] In an embodiment, as shown in Fig. 10, the opposite two side walls of the body 1 are respectively provided with an accommodation space 11, and the limiting member 2 is provided with two, each limiting member 2 cooperates with the corresponding accommodation space 11, and the two ends of the lever 3 are respectively rotationally connected with the corresponding limiting member 2. The two ends of the lever 3 can be respectively clamped on the corresponding limiting member 2. When the lever 3 is missing or the lever 3 is damaged and causes abnormal falling off, the limiting member 2 on both sides of the body 1 has part of the position naturally protruding from the outer surface of the body 1, or for the female connector provided with the slot 12 of the embodiment, at least part of the limiting member 2 will also naturally protrude from the inner wall surface of the slot 12, thereby effectively avoiding the normal plugging of the connector of the embodiment with the mating connector 20 without the lever 3 assembled, and further avoiding the connector assembly without the lever 3 locked left to the driving site.

[0065] In an embodiment, Fig. 11 is a sectional view of the body 1 cooperating with the limiting member 2 of an embodiment of the present application, as shown in Fig. 11, the body 1 is provided with an accommodation space 11 only on one side of the side wall, and the corresponding limiting member 2 can also be provided with only one, that is, the limiting member 2 on one side of the body 1 can also prevent the connector of the embodiment from being plugged with the mating connector without the lever 3 assembled, which will not be described here.

[0066] In an embodiment, Fig. 12 is a side view of the body 1 and the limiting member 2 according to another embodiment of the present application. As shown in Fig. 12, the limiting member 2 can include a rotating portion 22, and the rotating portion 22 can be provided with a flexible connecting rib 21. The rotating portion 22 is connected to the body 1 through the flexible connecting rib 21, and the lever 3 is rotationally connected to the rotating portion 22. The rotating portion 22 can rotate in the accommodating space 11 of the body 1. When the rotating portion 22 is in a natural state without force, at least a part of the rotating portion 22 can protrude from the outer surface of the body 1. The flexible connecting rib 21 can be made of a flexible material such as plastic. When the rotating portion 22 is subjected to the clamping force of the lever 3, the flexible connecting rib 21 is also subjected to a torsional force and can be elastically deformed to a certain extent to realize the rotation of the rotating portion 22. The rotating portion 22 can rotate as a whole into the accommodating space 11 after being subjected to the clamping force of the lever 3. In addition, when the lever 3 is not installed or the lever 3 is damaged and falls off abnormally, the rotating portion 22 is not subjected to the clamping force of the lever 3, the flexible connecting rib 21 returns to the original state and can maintain a stable structural shape, so that the rotating portion 22 can maintain a natural inclined posture, that is, at least a part of the rotating portion 22 can protrude from the outer surface of the body 1. In this embodiment, the flexible connecting rib 21 is used to realize the rotational connection between the rotating portion 22 and the body 1, which can simplify the structure, facilitate the processing and manufacturing, reduce the parts, and save the cost.

[0067] The rotating portion 22, the flexible connecting rib 21, and the body 1 can be made of the same material. For example, the rotating portion 22, the flexible connecting rib 21, and the body 1 can be integrally formed by using plastic. For example, the rotating portion 22, the flexible connecting rib 21, and the body 1 can be integrally formed by using an injection molding process, so as to ensure the reliability of the structure, facilitate the processing and manufacturing, reduce the parts, and save the cost.

[0068] In an embodiment, Fig. 13 is a sectional view of the body 1 and the limiting member 2 according to another embodiment of the present application. As shown in Fig. 13, the limiting member 2 includes a rotating portion 22, a connecting shaft 23, and an elastic portion 24. The rotating portion 22 is rotationally connected to the body 1 through the connecting shaft 23. The two ends of the elastic portion 24 are connected to the rotating portion 22 and the body 1, respectively. The rotating portion 22, the connecting shaft 23, and the elastic portion 24 can be separate parts which are separately processed and manufactured. The limiting member 2 and the body 1 can be rotationally connected by assembling.

[0069] The rotating part 22 can be a plate structure, such as a plastic plate. In one embodiment, the rotating part 22 is fixedly connected to the connecting shaft 23, and the connecting shaft 23 is rotatably connected to the body 1. In another embodiment, the rotating part 22 is rotatably connected to the connecting shaft 23, and the connecting shaft 23 is fixedly connected to the body 1. The above-mentioned connecting modes between the rotating part 22, the connecting shaft 23 and the body 1 can realize normal rotation of the rotating part 22 relative to the body 1. In this embodiment, the rotating part 22, the connecting shaft 23 and the body 1 are assembled, which can prolong the service life of each part and ensure the reliability of the limiting part 2 during long-term operation.

[0070] In one embodiment, the elastic part 24 can be a spring, a spring sheet or a thermoplastic polyester elastomer. The elastic part 24 with these structures can have a certain elastic deformation capacity. Of course, in other embodiments, the elastic part 24 can have other structural forms, which are not limited in this embodiment. In this embodiment, the elastic part 24 is arranged between the limiting part 2 and the body 1 in the rotating direction of the limiting part 2, so that the elastic part 24 can support the limiting part 2, and the limiting part 2 has at least part of the portion protruding from the outer surface of the body 1 in the natural state without the clamping force of the lever 3. When the limiting part 2 is subjected to the clamping force of the lever 3, the clamping force of the lever 3 can cause the elastic part 24 to be elastically compressed and deformed, so that the lever 3 can extrude the part of the limiting part protruding from the outer surface of the body 1 into the accommodating space 11 of the body 1.

[0071] In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 13, for the connector provided in this embodiment as a male connector, the aforementioned counterpart connector is a female connector, and the connector provided in this embodiment needs to be inserted into the slot of the female connector. In the direction of insertion of the connector provided in this embodiment and the counterpart connector, the end of the limiting part 2 of the connector provided in this embodiment away from the counterpart connector can be rotatably connected to the body 1, and the end of the limiting part 2 close to the counterpart connector can protrude from the outer surface of the body 1 without the clamping force of the lever 3. That is, for the connector provided in this embodiment as a male connector, the end of the limiting part 2 close to the counterpart female connector can protrude from the outer surface of the body 1, so that the interference between the limiting part 2 and the female connector can prevent the connector without the lever 3 from being inserted into the counterpart female connector.

[0072] In an embodiment, Fig. 14 is a structural schematic diagram of the lever 3 provided in an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Fig. 14, the lever 3 comprises a first clamping arm 31, a second clamping arm 32 and a connecting arm 33, and the two ends of the connecting arm 33 are connected with the first clamping arm 31 and the second clamping arm 32 respectively. The first clamping arm 31, the second clamping arm 32 and the connecting arm 33 can form a U-shaped shape. The lever 3 provided in the embodiment has a simple structure, is convenient for processing and manufacturing, can realize the restriction of the limiting member 2 in the accommodating space 11, and can also lock the plug-in position of the connector through the rotation of the lever 3, thereby ensuring the reliability of the plug-in of the connector. The counter connector can be provided with a matching structure (not shown in the figure) for connecting with the connecting arm 33. After the connector provided in the embodiment and the counter connector are plugged in, the lever 3 can be rotated to a terminal position, and the connecting arm 33 can be connected with the matching structure on the counter connector, so as to realize the locking of the counter connector and ensure the reliability of the plug-in of the two connectors to prevent disengagement. The matching structure on the counter connector 20 can be a buckle, a hook or the like, which is not limited in the embodiment.

[0073] In an embodiment, Fig. 15 is a schematic diagram of the lever 3 provided in an embodiment of the present application before being assembled to the limiting member 2. As shown in Fig. 15, the limiting member 2 can be provided with a mounting column 26, and the clamping arm of the lever 3 connected with the limiting member 2 can be provided with a rotating hole 34. The lever 3 can be rotatably connected with the limiting member 2 through the cooperation of the rotating hole 34 and the mounting column 26, so as to facilitate the assembly of the lever 3.

[0074] In an embodiment, Fig. 16 is a schematic diagram of the cooperation of the body 1 and the lever 3 provided in an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Fig. 16, when the limiting member 2 is provided with one, the first clamping arm 31 is rotatably connected with the limiting member 2 on one side of the body 1, and the second clamping arm 32 is rotatably connected with the side wall of the body 1 away from the first clamping arm 31. The first clamping arm 31 and the second clamping arm 32 have a first distance H1 therebetween, the maximum distance between the part of the limiting member 2 protruding from the outer surface of the body 1 and the surface of the body 1 away from the limiting member 2 is H2, and H1 < H2. Thus, after the assembly of the lever 3, the limiting member 2 and the body 1 are completed, the first clamping arm 31 can exert a clamping force on the part of the limiting member 2 protruding from the outer surface of the body 1, so as to enable the limiting member 2 to be accommodated in the accommodating space 11 as a whole.

[0075] In an embodiment, Fig. 17 is a schematic view of the body 1 and the lever 3 according to another embodiment of the present application. As shown in Fig. 17, when the limiting member 2 is provided with two, the second clamping arm 32 is rotatably connected to the other limiting member 2 on the body 1 away from the first clamping arm 31. Wherein, the first clamping arm 31 and the second clamping arm 32 have a first distance H3, and the maximum distance between the part protruding from the outer surface of the body 1 on one limiting member 2 and the part protruding from the outer surface of the body 1 on the other limiting member 2 is H4, H3 < H4. Thus, after the lever 3 is assembled with the two limiting members 2, the first clamping arm 31 and the second clamping arm 32 can exert a clamping force on the part protruding from the outer surface of the body 1 on the corresponding limiting member 2, so that the two limiting members 2 can be accommodated in the corresponding accommodating space 11 as a whole.

[0076] In an embodiment, the lever 3 provided by the present embodiment can be integrally formed. For example, the lever 3 can be integrally injection molded, that is, the first clamping arm 31, the second clamping arm 32 and the connecting arm 33 can be formed at the same time during the processing and manufacturing of the lever 3, so as to ensure the structural reliability of the lever 3, facilitate the processing and manufacturing, and save costs.

[0077] The above only describes the preferred embodiments of the present application and is not intended to limit the present application. For those skilled in the art, the present application can have various modifications and changes. Any modification, equivalent replacement, improvement, etc. within the spirit and principle of the present application shall be included in the protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A connector for mating with a mating connector, characterized by, The utility model relates to a connector, which comprises: a body provided with a containing space on at least one side wall thereof; a limiting piece rotatably connected to the body, at least a part of the limiting piece being arranged in the containing space, and at least a part of the limiting piece protruding from an outer surface of the body when the limiting piece is not subjected to pressure; a lever rotatably clamped on both sides of the body, wherein the lever is rotatably connected to the part of the limiting piece protruding from the outer surface of the body, and the lever is used to provide the limiting piece with the pressure to press the part of the limiting piece protruding from the outer surface of the body into the containing space.

2. The connector of claim 1, wherein The limiting piece comprises a rotating part provided with a flexible connecting rib, and the rotating part is connected to the body through the flexible connecting rib. The lever is rotatably connected to the rotating part.

3. The connector of claim 2, wherein The body and the limiting piece are integrally formed.

4. The connector of claim 1, wherein The limiting piece comprises a rotating part, a connecting shaft and an elastic part, and the rotating part is rotatably connected to the body through the connecting shaft. Two ends of the elastic part are respectively connected to the rotating part and the body.

5. The connector of claim 4, wherein, The elastic part is a spring, a spring sheet or a thermoplastic polyester elastomer.

6. The connector of any one of claims 1-5, wherein, One end of the limiting piece away from the counterpart connector is rotatably connected to the body.

7. The connector of any one of claims 1-5, wherein, A middle part of the limiting piece is rotatably connected to the body.

8. The connector of any one of claims 1-5, wherein, Opposite side walls of the body are respectively provided with containing spaces, the limiting piece is provided with two limiting pieces, each of the limiting pieces is matched with a corresponding containing space, and two ends of the lever are respectively rotatably connected to corresponding limiting pieces.

9. The connector of any one of claims 1-8, wherein, The lever comprises a first clamping arm, a second clamping arm and a connecting arm, two ends of the connecting arm are respectively connected to the first clamping arm and the second clamping arm, the first clamping arm is rotatably connected to the limiting piece on one side of the body; When the limiting piece is provided with one limiting piece, the second clamping arm is rotatably connected to a side wall of the body away from the first clamping arm; or when the limiting piece is provided with two limiting pieces, the second clamping arm is rotatably connected to another limiting piece of the body away from the first clamping arm.

10. The connector of any one of claims 1-9, wherein, The limiting piece is provided with a mounting column, the lever is provided with a rotating hole, and the lever is rotatably connected to the limiting piece through cooperation of the rotating hole and the mounting column.

11. The connector of any one of claims 1-10, wherein, The containing space comprises a groove or a through hole arranged on the side wall of the body.

12. The connector of any one of claims 1-10, wherein, The body is provided with a slot for plugging the counterpart connector; The containing space comprises a through hole penetrating at least one side wall of the slot; A middle part of the limiting piece is rotatably connected to an inner wall of the through hole, one end of the limiting piece protrudes from an inner wall surface of the slot when the limiting piece is not subjected to pressure, the other end of the limiting piece protrudes from an outer surface of the body, and the lever is connected to the part of the limiting piece protruding from the outer surface of the body.

13. The connector of claim 12, wherein, In a direction in which the body is plugged with the counterpart connector, when the limiting member is not subjected to the pressure, an end of the limiting member away from the counterpart connector protrudes from an outer surface of the body.

14. The connector of any one of claims 1-11, wherein, In a direction in which the body is plugged with the counterpart connector, when the limiting member is not subjected to the pressure, an end of the limiting member toward the counterpart connector protrudes from an outer surface of the body.

15. A connector assembly characterized by, The male connector and the female connector are plugged together; one of the male connector and the female connector is the connector according to any one of claims 1-14.

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