Circular connector with integral coupling ring

Abstract

An electrical connector includes a housing and a coupling ring. The housing has a contact receiving channel and an outer wall with a coupling ring retention protrusion. The coupling ring is integrally mounted on the housing. The coupling ring is movable between a first position and a second position. A spring is integrally positioned on the coupling ring. The spring is in a stressed position when the coupling ring is moved to the second position. Openings are provided in the coupling ring that are located proximate to the spring. The openings are sized to allow removal of residual material created during manufacture of the electrical connector.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a circular connector with an integral connecting ring. In particular, this invention relates to a circular connector manufactured by additive manufacturing, on which a connecting ring is integrally molded. Background Technology

[0002] Circular connectors manufactured using traditional processes consist of many different individual components that must be manufactured and assembled. Many of these components, including the housing, coupling ring, and spring arm, must be molded or formed separately and then assembled to complete the circular connector assembly. This is an expensive and time-consuming process because manufacturing and assembly require various molds and tools.

[0003] Alternatively, 3D printing or other additive manufacturing processes can be used to manufacture various connectors. While this type of process is advantageous for some connectors, 3D printing or other additive manufacturing processes are ineffective for connectors whose product features do not allow for sufficient removal of residual resin or powder.

[0004] Therefore, it is beneficial to provide a circular connector with desired product features, such as an integrated coupling ring and an integrated spring clip, which can be manufactured using 3D printing or other additive manufacturing processes, while allowing complete removal of residual resin from the connector. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This embodiment relates to an electrical connector including a housing and a coupling ring. The housing has a contact receiving channel and an outer wall with a coupling ring retaining protrusion. The coupling ring is integrally mounted on the housing. The coupling ring is movable between a first position and a second position. A spring is integrally positioned on the coupling ring. When the coupling ring is moved to the second position, the spring is in a stressed position. Openings are provided in the coupling ring, located near the spring. The size of the openings allows for the removal of residual material generated during the manufacture of the electrical connector. Attached Figure Description

[0006] Figure 1 This is a front perspective view of an illustrative embodiment of the circular electrical connector of the present invention.

[0007] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Rear perspective view of the circular connector.

[0008] Figure 3 Is with Figure 1 A perspective view of a circular connector mating with a mating connector.

[0009] Figure 4 It is in its initial position on the mating connector. Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of a circular electrical connector.

[0010] Figure 4a yes Figure 4 An enlarged view of the area indicated by 4a.

[0011] Figure 5 It is located in the partially inserted position on the mating connector. Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of a circular electrical connector.

[0012] Figure 5a yes Figure 5 An enlarged view of the area indicated by 5a.

[0013] Figure 6 It is in the fully inserted position on the mating connector. Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of a circular electrical connector.

[0014] Figure 6a yes Figure 6 An enlarged view of the area indicated by 6a.

[0015] Figure 7 This is a front perspective view of an illustrative embodiment of an alternative circular electrical connector of the present invention.

[0016] Figure 8 yes Figure 7 Rear perspective view of the circular connector.

[0017] Figure 9 yes Figure 7 A perspective view of the connecting ring.

[0018] Figure 10 It is in its initial position on the mating connector. Figure 7 A cross-sectional view of a circular electrical connector.

[0019] Figure 11 It is located in the partially inserted position on the mating connector. Figure 7 A cross-sectional view of a circular electrical connector.

[0020] Figure 12 It is in the fully inserted position on the mating connector. Figure 7 A cross-sectional view of a circular electrical connector. Detailed Implementation

[0021] This embodiment relates to an electrical connector including a housing and a coupling ring. The housing has a contact receiving channel and an outer wall with a coupling ring retaining protrusion. The coupling ring is integrally mounted on the housing. The coupling ring is movable between a first position and a second position. A spring is integrally positioned on the coupling ring. When the coupling ring is moved to the second position, the spring is in a stressed position. Openings are provided in the coupling ring, located near the spring. The size of the openings allows for the removal of residual material generated during the manufacture of the electrical connector.

[0022] This embodiment relates to an electrical connector manufactured using an additive manufacturing process. The electrical connector includes a housing and a coupling ring. The housing has a contact receiving channel and an outer wall with a retaining protrusion for the coupling ring. The coupling ring is integrally mounted on the housing and is movable between a first position and a second position. A spring is integrally positioned on the coupling ring. When the coupling ring is moved to the second position, the spring is in a stressed position. An opening is provided in the coupling ring. The opening is located near the spring, and its size allows for the removal of residual material generated during the additive manufacturing process. A gap is provided between the housing and the coupling ring. Because the coupling ring and the housing are formed in the same additive manufacturing process, the gap between the coupling ring and the housing facilitates cleaning or removal of excess material and allows the connector to rotate around the housing.

[0023] The embodiments relate to a method for manufacturing an electrical connector having an integral coupling ring. The method includes: printing a body of a circular electrical connector during additive manufacturing; printing an integral coupling ring simultaneously with the body, the integral coupling ring being spaced apart from the body to allow rotation of the integral coupling ring relative to the body; and removing residual residue generated during the printing and cleaning of the body and integral coupling ring through openings formed during the printing of the body and the integral coupling ring.

[0024] refer to Figures 1 to 6 The illustrated embodiment shows a circular electrical connector plug assembly generally indicated by 10. The assembly of the present invention includes an electrical connector housing 12 and a coupling ring 14. The housing 12 and the coupling ring 14 are integrally molded in a 3D printing process or other additive manufacturing process. Although the coupling ring 14 is rotatably mounted on the housing 12, the coupling ring 14 cannot be removed from the housing 12. The housing 12 and the coupling ring 14 define a central longitudinal axis 16 for the connector assembly.

[0025] The housing 12 includes a mating surface 20 and a conductor receiving surface 22 facing opposite directions. A circular outer wall 24 extends between the mating surface 20 and the conductor receiving surface 22. A contact receiving channel 26 extends from the mating surface 20 through the housing 12 to the conductor receiving surface 22. The contact receiving channel 26 is sized to receive a contact (not shown). The number and size of the contact receiving channels 26 can be varied without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0026] The outer wall 24 of the housing 12 includes a mating connector receiving portion 30 extending circumferentially around the housing 12. The mating connector receiving portion 30 extends from the mating surface 20 to a connecting ring receiving portion 32 on the outer wall 24. One or more guides or key-like protrusions 34 project outward from the mating connector receiving portion 30 on the outer wall 24. The key-like protrusions 34 extend in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis 16 of the housing 12. The number and position of the key-like protrusions 34 can be varied without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0027] A connecting ring retaining protrusion 36 extends circumferentially around the housing 12 from the connecting ring receiving portion 32 of the outer wall 24. In the illustrated embodiment, the connecting ring retaining protrusion 36 is positioned close to, but spaced apart from, the conductor receiving surface 22. The connecting ring retaining protrusion 36 has a front shoulder 38 and a rear shoulder 40. The front shoulder 38 and the rear shoulder 40 extend in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 16 of the housing 12.

[0028] The connecting ring 14 includes a mating surface 50 and a back surface 52 facing opposite to it. A circular inner wall 54 and a circular outer wall 56 extend between the mating surface 50 and the back surface 52. The diameter of the inner wall 54 of the connecting ring 14 is larger than the diameter of the outer wall 24 of the housing 12. The mating surface 50 of the connecting ring 14 is substantially aligned and positioned with the mating surface 20 of the housing 12.

[0029] The connecting ring 14 has a mating connector receiving portion 55 and a housing receiving portion 57. A first locking protrusion 58 extends from the inner wall 54 of the housing receiving portion 57 in a direction away from the outer wall 56. The first locking protrusion 58 extends circumferentially around the connecting ring 14 from the inner wall 54. In the illustrated embodiment, the first locking protrusion 58 is positioned close to but spaced apart from the back surface 52. The first locking protrusion 58 has a first shoulder 60 that extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 16 of the housing 12.

[0030] The second locking protrusion 62 extends from the inner wall 54 of the housing receiving portion 57 in a direction away from the outer wall 56. The second locking protrusion 62 extends circumferentially from the inner wall 54 around the connecting ring 14. In the illustrated embodiment, the second locking protrusion 62 is closer to the mating surface 50 than the first locking protrusion 58. The second locking protrusion 62 has a second shoulder 64 that extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 16 of the housing 12.

[0031] A mesh spring 66 is integrally formed in the housing receiving portion 57. The mesh spring 66 extends between the first locking protrusion 58 and the second locking protrusion 62. The mesh spring 66 extends from the outer wall 56 to the inner wall 54. The mesh spring 66 is configured to allow movement of the second locking protrusion 62 and the mating connector receiving portion 55 relative to the first locking protrusion 58, as will be described more fully below. Although a mesh spring is shown, other integral flexible features may be used without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0032] During printing, the connecting ring 14 is spaced apart from the housing 12 by a gap 67. The size of the gap can vary. Since the connecting ring 14 and the housing 12 are formed in the same process, and since tools cannot be inserted into the gap 67 to properly form the part, the connecting ring 14 and the housing 12 must be formed by an additive manufacturing process, such as, but not limited to, 3D printing. Therefore, when the assembly 10 is formed, it must be possible to remove or clean off excess or unwanted material from the connecting ring 14 and the housing 12. Providing a gap 67 between the connecting ring 14 and the housing 12 facilitates the cleaning or removal of excess material. The gap 67 also allows the connection to rotate around the housing 12.

[0033] An opening 69 is provided on the coupling ring 14. When the mating connector 80 is fully engaged in the assembly 10, the opening 69 allows the cam protrusion 92 to be seen, thus providing a visual indication of proper engagement.

[0034] When in the initial or unforced position, such as Figure 4 As shown, the first shoulder 60 of the first locking protrusion 58 and the second shoulder 64 of the second locking protrusion 62 are circumferentially movable relative to the connecting ring retaining protrusion 36 of the connecting ring receiving portion 32 of the outer wall 24. In this position, the mesh spring 66 is unloaded, thereby allowing limited movement between the connecting ring 14 and the housing 12. However, although the connecting ring can move relative to the housing 12, the engagement of the first shoulder 60 of the first locking protrusion 58 and the second shoulder 64 of the second locking protrusion 62 with the front shoulder 38 and rear shoulder 40 of the connecting ring retaining protrusion 36 of the connecting ring receiving portion 32 of the outer wall 24 prevents the connecting ring 14 from being removed from the housing 12.

[0035] One or more helical annular grooves 68 are provided in the inner wall 54 of the mating connector receiving portion 55 of the connecting ring 14. The helical annular grooves 68 extend from the mating surface 50 toward the back surface 52. The helical annular grooves 68 have locking recesses 70 provided near the closed end of the grooves 68.

[0036] A mating connector receiving recess 74 is provided between the outer wall 24 of the housing 12 and the inner wall 54 of the connecting ring 14. The mating connector receiving recess 74 extends from the mating surface 20 to the connecting ring receiving portion 32 of the outer wall 24.

[0037] like Figure 3 As best shown, the mating connector 80 has a mating surface 82 and a wall 84 extending therefrom. The wall 84 defines a cavity 86, which is sized to receive the housing 12 of the circular electrical plug assembly 10. The inner surface 88 of the wall 84 has guide or key-like recesses 90. The key-like recesses 90 extend in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis 16 of the housing 12. The number and position of the key-like recesses 90 can be varied without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0038] One or more cam protrusions 92 protrude from the wall 84 in a direction away from the cavity 86. The cam protrusions 92 are sized and positioned on the wall to mate with the helical annular groove 68 of the connecting ring 14.

[0039] Reference Figures 4 to 6 This illustrates the operation or mating of the circular electrical plug assembly 10 with the mating connector 80. Figure 4 In the middle, the circular electrical plug assembly 10 moves to engage with the mating connector 80. When the mating connector 80 is installed on the panel 94, etc., the mating connector 80 is held in a fixed position. When the circular electrical plug assembly 10 moves to Figure 5 In the indicated position, the key-shaped protrusion 34 of the housing 12 moves to align with the guide or key-shaped recess 90 of the mating connector 80. The engagement of the key-shaped protrusion 34 and the key-shaped recess 90 serves to properly mate the entire connector plug assembly 10 onto the mating connector 80. The mating connector 80 can only be fully inserted into the mating connector receiving recess 74 of the connector plug assembly 10 when the key-shaped protrusion 34 and the key-shaped recess 90 are aligned. With the key-shaped protrusion 34 and the key-shaped recess 90 properly aligned, the cam protrusion 92 of the mating connector 80 aligns with the end of the helical annular groove 68.

[0040] Once correctly aligned, the electrical plug assembly 10 moves toward the panel 94, causing the cam protrusion 92 to enter the spiral annular groove 68, as... Figure 4 As best shown. With the cam protrusion 92 located in the helical annular groove 68, the connecting ring 14 rotates, causing the helical annular groove 68 to rotate around the cam protrusion 92, as shown. Figure 5 As shown. When this occurs, the force applied by the cam protrusion 92 to the surface of the spiral annular groove 68 causes the mesh spring member 66 to expand and be in a tensioned state.

[0041] Continue rotating until the electrical plug assembly 10 is fully inserted into the mating connector 80, as shown. Figure 6 As shown. In this position, the cam protrusion 92 is located in the locking recess 70 of the helical annular groove 68. As the mesh spring member 66 attempts to move toward its unforced position, the cam protrusion 92 is held in the locking recess 70 by the elastic force applied by the mesh spring member 66.

[0042] In order to remove the electrical plug assembly 10 from the mating connector 80, sufficient rotational force must be applied to the coupling ring 14 to overcome the elastic force applied by the spring member 66.

[0043] refer to Figures 7 to 12In the illustrated embodiment, the circular electrical connector plug assembly is generally shown as 110. The assembly of the present invention includes an electrical connector housing 112 and a coupling ring 114. The housing 112 and the coupling ring 114 are integrally molded in a 3D printing process or other additive manufacturing process. Although the coupling ring 114 is rotatably mounted on the housing 112, the coupling ring 114 cannot be removed from the housing 112. The housing 112 and the coupling ring 114 define a central longitudinal axis 116 for the connector assembly.

[0044] The housing 112 includes a mating surface 120 and a conductor receiving surface 122 facing opposite directions. A circular outer wall 124 extends between the mating surface 120 and the conductor receiving surface 122. An integral contact receiving channel 126 extends from the mating surface 120 through the housing 112 to the conductor receiving surface 122. The contact receiving channel 126 is sized to receive a contact (not shown) therein. The contact can have various configurations. The number and size of the contact receiving channels 126 can be varied without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0045] The outer wall 124 of the housing 112 includes a mating connector receiving portion 130 extending circumferentially around the housing 112. The mating connector receiving portion 130 extends from the mating surface 120 to a connecting ring receiving portion 132 of the outer wall 124. One or more guides or key-like protrusions 134 project outwardly from the mating connector receiving portion 130 of the outer wall 124. The key-like protrusions 134 extend in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis 116 of the housing 112. The number and position of the key-like protrusions 134 can be varied without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0046] A connecting ring retaining protrusion 136 extends circumferentially around the housing 112 from the connecting ring receiving portion 132 of the outer wall 124. In the illustrated embodiment, the connecting ring retaining protrusion 136 is positioned close to, but spaced apart from, the conductor receiving surface 122. The connecting ring retaining protrusion 136 has a front shoulder 138 and a rear shoulder 140. The front shoulder 138 and the rear shoulder 140 extend in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 116 of the housing 112.

[0047] The connecting ring 114 includes a mating surface 150 and a back surface 152 facing opposite directions. A circular inner wall 154 and a circular outer wall 156 extend between the mating surface 150 and the back surface 152. The diameter of the inner wall 154 of the connecting ring 114 is larger than the diameter of the outer wall 124 of the housing 112. The mating surface 150 of the connecting ring 114 is substantially aligned and positioned with the mating surface 120 of the housing 112.

[0048] The connecting ring 114 has a mating connector receiving portion 155 and a housing receiving portion 157. A locking protrusion 158 extends from the inner wall 154 of the housing receiving portion 157 in a direction away from the outer wall 156. The locking protrusion 158 extends circumferentially around the connecting ring 114 from the inner wall 154. The locking protrusion 158 has a first shoulder 160 that extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 116 of the housing 112.

[0049] One or more springs 166 are integrally positioned on the inner wall 154 of the housing receiver 157 and extend from the inner wall 154 of the housing receiver 157 in a direction away from the outer wall 156. The spring 166 has a locking surface 162. In the illustrative embodiment shown, the locking surface 162 is closer to the back surface 152 than the locking protrusion 158. Other configurations of the spring 166 may be used without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0050] During printing, the connecting ring 114 is spaced apart from the housing 112 by a gap 167. The size of the gap can vary. Since the connecting ring 114 and the housing 112 are formed in the same process, and because tools cannot be inserted into the gap 167 to properly form the part, the connecting ring 114 and the housing 112 must be formed by an additive manufacturing process, such as, but not limited to, 3D printing. Therefore, when the assembly 110 is formed, it must be possible to remove or clean off excess or unwanted material from the connecting ring 114 and the housing 112. Providing a gap 167 between the connecting ring 114 and the housing 112 facilitates the cleaning or removal of excess material.

[0051] A cleaning opening 169 is provided on the connecting ring 114. The cleaning opening 169 is located near the spring 166 and extends from the outer wall 156 through the connecting ring 114 to the inner wall 154. In this illustrative embodiment, three cleaning openings 169 are provided on the connecting ring 114. However, other numbers and locations of cleaning openings 169 can be used. When the assembly 10 is formed, the cleaning openings 169 facilitate the removal of excess or unwanted material from the connecting ring 114 and the housing 112. In particular, the photocurable resin used in manufacturing must be completely rinsed out of the assembly 110 for optimal performance. The openings 169 prevent liquid material trapping and allow sufficient drainage of liquefied resin and final rinsing / cleaning, resulting in excellent product performance.

[0052] When in the initial or unforced position, such as Figure 10As shown, the first shoulder 160 of the first locking protrusion 158 and the locking surface 162 of the spring 166 are circumferentially movable relative to the connecting ring retaining protrusion 136 of the connecting ring receiving portion 132 of the outer wall 124. In this position, the spring 166 is in an unstressed position, thereby allowing limited movement between the connecting ring 114 and the housing 112. However, although the connecting ring 114 can move relative to the housing 112, the engagement of the first shoulder 160 of the first locking protrusion 158 and the locking surface 162 of the spring 166 with the front shoulder 138 and rear shoulder 140 of the connecting ring retaining protrusion 136 of the connecting ring receiving portion 132 of the outer wall 124 prevents the connecting ring 114 from being removed from the housing 112.

[0053] One or more spiral annular grooves 168 are provided on the inner wall 154 of the mating connector receiving portion 155 of the connecting ring 114. The spiral annular grooves 168 extend from the mating surface 150 toward the back surface 152. The spiral annular grooves 168 have locking recesses 170 provided near the closed end of the grooves 168.

[0054] A mating connector receiving recess 174 is provided between the outer wall 124 of the housing 112 and the inner wall 154 of the connecting ring 114. The mating connector receiving recess 174 extends from the mating surface 120 to the connecting ring receiving portion 132 of the outer wall 124.

[0055] like Figure 3 As best shown, the mating connector 80 has a mating surface 82 and a wall 84 extending therefrom. The wall 84 defines a cavity 86, which is sized to receive a housing 112 of a circular electrical plug assembly 110. The inner surface 88 of the wall 84 has guide or key-like recesses 90. The key-like recesses 90 extend in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis 116 of the housing 112. The number and position of the key-like recesses 90 can be varied without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0056] One or more cam protrusions 92 protrude from the wall 84 in a direction away from the cavity 86. The cam protrusions 92 are sized and positioned on the wall to mate with the helical annular groove 168 of the connecting ring 114.

[0057] Reference Figures 10 to 12 This illustrates the operation or mating of the circular electrical plug assembly 110 with the mating connector 80. Figure 10 In the middle, the circular electrical plug assembly 110 moves to engage with the mating connector 80. When the mating connector 80 is installed on the panel 94, etc., the mating connector 80 is held in a fixed position. When the circular electrical plug assembly 110 moves to... Figure 11In the indicated position, the key-shaped protrusion 134 of the housing 112 moves to align with the guide or key-shaped recess 90 of the mating connector 80. The engagement of the key-shaped protrusion 134 with the key-shaped recess 90 serves to properly mate the entire connector plug assembly 110 onto the mating connector 80. The mating connector 80 can only be fully inserted into the mating connector receiving recess 174 of the connector plug assembly 110 when the key-shaped protrusion 134 and the key-shaped recess 90 are aligned. With the key-shaped protrusion 134 and the key-shaped recess 90 properly aligned, the cam protrusion 92 of the mating connector 80 aligns with the end of the helical annular groove 168.

[0058] Once correctly aligned, the electrical plug assembly 110 moves toward the panel 194, causing the cam protrusion 192 to enter the spiral annular groove 168, as... Figure 10 As best shown. With the cam protrusion 192 located in the helical annular groove 168, the connecting ring 114 rotates, thereby causing the helical annular groove 168 to rotate about the cam protrusion 192, as shown. Figure 11 As shown. When this occurs, the force applied by the cam protrusion 192 to the surface of the spiral annular groove 168 causes the connecting ring 114 to move, which in turn causes the spring 166 to bend and be in a tensioned state.

[0059] Continue rotating until the electrical plug assembly 110 is fully inserted into the mating connector 80, as shown. Figure 12 As shown. In this position, the cam protrusion 192 is located in the locking recess 170 of the helical annular groove 168. As the springs 66 attempt to return to their unforced position, the cam protrusion 92 is held in the locking recess 170 by the elastic force applied by the springs 166.

[0060] In order to remove the electrical plug assembly 110 from the mating connector 80, sufficient rotational force must be applied to the coupling ring 114 to overcome the elastic force applied by the spring 166.

[0061] As described above, a method for manufacturing an electrical connector with an integral coupling ring includes: printing a body of a circular electrical connector during an additive manufacturing process; printing an integral coupling ring simultaneously with the body, the integral coupling ring being spaced apart from the body to allow the integral coupling ring to rotate relative to the body; and removing residual residues generated during the printing and cleaning of the body and the integral coupling ring through openings formed during the printing of the body and the integral coupling ring.

[0062] The one-piece molded electrical plug assembly of the present invention, having a captured connecting ring and an integrated spring member, can be rapidly molded at a significantly reduced cost by eliminating various loose parts and associated assembly processes. The integration of the spring member into the connecting ring eliminates the need for front and rear inserts, retaining clips, and conventional bonding processes and corresponding adhesives. The construction of the one-piece molded electrical plug assembly allows for proper cleaning of residual resin associated with additive manufacturing processes.

Claims

1. An electrical connector, comprising: A housing (12) having an integral contact receiving channel (26), the housing (12) having an outer wall, the outer wall of the housing (12) having a connecting ring retaining protrusion (36). A connecting ring (14) is mounted on the housing (12), the connecting ring (14) being movable between a first position and a second position, the connecting ring (14) having a mating connector receiving portion (30) and a housing receiving portion (57), wherein the housing (12) and the connecting ring (14) are integrally molded in an additive manufacturing process; A first locking protrusion (58) extends from the inner wall (54) of the housing receiving portion (57) in a direction away from the outer wall of the housing receiving portion (57); The second locking protrusion (62) extends from the inner wall (54) of the housing receiving portion (57) in a direction away from the outer wall of the housing receiving portion (57); and The spring (66) integrally formed in the housing receiving part (57) is in a stressed position when the connecting ring (14) moves to the second position.

2. The electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein, An opening (69) is provided in the connecting ring (14), the opening (69) being located close to the spring (66), and the size of the opening (69) being designed to allow the removal of residual material generated during the manufacturing process of the electrical connector.

3. The electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein, The connecting ring retains the protrusion (36) extending circumferentially around the housing (12).

4. The electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein, The connecting ring retaining protrusion (36) has a front shoulder (38) and a rear shoulder (40) that extend in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the housing (12).

5. The electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein, The first locking protrusion (58) extends circumferentially from the inner wall (54) around the connecting ring (14) and has a first shoulder (60) extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the housing (12).

6. The electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein, The second locking protrusion (62) extends circumferentially from the inner wall (54) around the connecting ring (14) and has a second shoulder (64) extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the housing (12).

7. The electrical connector according to claim 6, wherein, The spring (66) is a mesh spring (66) integrally formed in the housing receiving portion (57) and extends between the first locking protrusion (58) and the second locking protrusion (62). The mesh spring (66) allows the second locking protrusion (62) and the mating connector receiving portion (30) to move relative to the first locking protrusion (58).

8. The electrical connector according to claim 6, wherein, A gap is provided between the housing (12) and the connecting ring (14), wherein, since the connecting ring (14) and the housing (12) are formed in the same process, the gap between the connecting ring (14) and the housing (12) helps to clean or remove excess material.

9. The electrical connector according to claim 5, wherein, The spring (66) extends from the inner wall (54) of the housing receiving portion (57) in a direction away from the outer wall of the housing receiving portion (57), and the spring (66) has a locking surface (162).

10. A method for manufacturing an electrical connector according to claim 1 having an integral connecting ring (14), the method comprising: The body of a circular electrical connector is printed during additive manufacturing. Simultaneously with printing the main body, an integral connecting ring (14) is printed, spaced apart from the main body to allow the integral connecting ring (14) to rotate relative to the main body; and Residual residues generated during the printing and cleaning process of the body and integral connecting ring (14) are removed through the opening (69) formed during the printing of the body and integral connecting ring (14).

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising: An integral spring (66) is printed in the connecting ring (14).

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