Terminal system of a connector system

Abstract

A terminal system (20) comprising a first terminal assembly (110), a sleeve (140) arranged around the first terminal assembly (110), and a second terminal assembly (210) mateable with the first terminal assembly (110) in a longitudinal direction (L). The sleeve (140) is movable relative to the first terminal assembly (110) along the longitudinal direction (L) from an insertion position (I) to an end position (C) towards the second terminal assembly (210) while the first terminal assembly (110) remains stationary at a mating position (M) with the second terminal assembly (210).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a terminal system, and more particularly to a terminal system comprising a first terminal assembly capable of engaging with a second terminal assembly. Background Technology

[0002] In a connector system where a wire harness assembly mates with another wire harness assembly, an air gap typically exists at the interface between the terminal assemblies of the mating wire harness assemblies in the mated state. The size of the air gap significantly affects the performance of the terminal system, including the terminal assemblies. Current efforts to improve terminal system performance, such as by transmitting higher data speeds and minimizing the size of the terminal system, result in smaller tolerances for air gap dimensions.

[0003] In existing connector systems, each wire harness assembly has tolerance ranges for multiple different parts that include the assembly. For example, within a terminal assembly, the dimension from the contact end to the latching point of the contact is affected by tolerances. The position of the terminal assembly within the housing of the wire harness assembly is constrained by individual tolerances. When the wire harness assembly mates, the tolerances of the individual parts together determine the potential size of the air gap; when a large number of different tolerances exist in the connector system, meeting the small tolerances of the air gap size is difficult and unreliable. Summary of the Invention

[0004] A terminal system includes a first terminal assembly, a sleeve disposed around the first terminal assembly, and a second terminal assembly capable of engaging the first terminal assembly in a longitudinal direction. The sleeve is movable relative to the first terminal assembly from an insertion position toward an end position in the longitudinal direction, while the first terminal assembly remains stationary in the engaging position with the second terminal assembly. Attached Figure Description

[0005] The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0006] Figure 1 A cross-sectional perspective view of a connector system according to one embodiment;

[0007] Figure 2 This is a perspective view of the first terminal assembly of the first wire harness assembly in the connector system;

[0008] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional perspective view of the first wire harness assembly;

[0009] Figure 4 A side sectional view of the second wire harness assembly of the connector system;

[0010] Figure 5A cross-sectional view of the first and second wire harness assemblies before they mate with the first and second terminal assemblies of the second wire harness assembly, with the sleeve in the insertion position;

[0011] Figure 6 This is a cross-sectional view of the first and second terminal assemblies in the mating position, with the sleeve in the insertion position;

[0012] Figure 7 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the sleeve moving from the insertion position to the end position, wherein the first terminal assembly and the second terminal assembly are in the mating position;

[0013] Figure 8 A schematic cross-sectional view of the sleeve in its end position and the first terminal assembly and the second terminal assembly in their mating positions;

[0014] Figure 9 This is a side sectional view of a connector system, in which the sleeve is at its end position and the first terminal assembly and the second terminal assembly are in mating positions.

[0015] Figure 10 This is a cross-sectional view of the sleeve in the inserted position when the first terminal assembly and the second terminal assembly are not engaged.

[0016] Figure 11 This is a cross-sectional perspective view of a first wire harness assembly according to another embodiment;

[0017] Figure 12 yes Figure 11 The cross-sectional perspective view of the first wire harness assembly shown indicates that the sleeve is in the insertion position; and

[0018] Figure 13 for Figure 11 The diagram shows a cross-sectional perspective view of the first and second wire harness assemblies when they are engaged, with the sleeve at the end position. Detailed Implementation

[0019] Exemplary embodiments of the invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like elements. However, this disclosure may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will convey the concepts of the disclosure to those skilled in the art. Furthermore, in the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth for purposes of explanation in order to provide a thorough understanding of the disclosed embodiments. However, it will be apparent that one or more embodiments may also be practiced without these specific details.

[0020] According to one embodiment of the connector system 10, such as Figure 1As shown, it includes a first wire harness assembly 100 and a second wire harness assembly 200 that can mate with the first wire harness assembly 100.

[0021] like Figure 1-3 As shown, the first wire harness assembly 100 includes a first terminal assembly 110, a sleeve 140 disposed around the first terminal assembly 110, and a first housing 150, wherein the first terminal assembly 110 and the sleeve 140 are disposed in the first housing 150.

[0022] like Figure 1-3 As shown, the first terminal assembly 110 includes a first inner housing 120 and a first outer contact 130 disposed around the first inner housing 120. The first inner housing 120 is formed of an insulating material, such as plastic. Figure 2 As shown, the first external contact 130 has a first external contact body 132 and an external contact beam 134 extending from the first external contact body 132 along the longitudinal direction L of the first terminal assembly 110. The first external contact 130 is formed of a conductive material, such as a copper alloy, aluminum, or another metal. In the illustrated embodiment, the first external contact 130 is integrally formed as a single piece from a stamped and bent metal sheet. In other embodiments, the first external contact 130 may be formed of other conductive materials and may be assembled from multiple separately formed components.

[0023] like Figure 2 As shown, the outer contact beam 134 has an engagement channel 136 that extends through the outer contact beam 134 in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L. The outer contact beam 134 extends from the first outer contact body 132 to a free end 138, which is opposite to the first outer contact body 132 in the longitudinal direction L; the outer contact beam 134 cantilevered from the first outer contact body 132 and can be elastically deflected relative to the first outer contact body 132.

[0024] like Figure 2 As shown, sleeve 140 has sleeve body 142 and sleeve beam 144 extending from sleeve body 142 in the longitudinal direction L. Sleeve beam 144 is resiliently deflectable relative to sleeve body 142. Sleeve beam 144 has a latch 146 disposed at the end of sleeve beam 144 opposite to sleeve body 142 in the longitudinal direction L. Sleeve 140 has a latch arm 148 extending from sleeve body 142 opposite to sleeve beam 144 in the longitudinal direction L.

[0025] exist Figure 1 and Figure 2In the illustrated embodiment, sleeve 140 has a sleeve beam 144 and two latching arms 148 disposed opposite to each other around sleeve 140. In other embodiments, sleeve 140 may have more than one sleeve beam 144 and / or may have three or more latching arms 148, provided that the sleeve beam 144 and latching arms 148 have the same function as described herein. In yet another embodiment, sleeve 140 may have no latching arms 148.

[0026] In various embodiments, the sleeve 140 may be made of a conductive material such as steel or an insulating material such as plastic. In the illustrated embodiment, the sleeve 140 is integrally formed as a single piece from either a conductive or insulating material. In other embodiments, the sleeve 140 may be assembled from multiple separately formed parts.

[0027] like Figure 1 and 3 As shown, the first housing 150 has a first terminal assembly channel 152 extending through the first housing 150 in the longitudinal direction L. The first housing 150 has a first mating end 154 in the longitudinal direction L and a latch 156 disposed within the first terminal assembly channel 152 adjacent to the first mating end 154. In the illustrated embodiment, the latch 156 is a step in the first housing 150 formed by a widening of the first terminal assembly channel 152. In other embodiments, the latch 156 can be any other type of latch 156 capable of releasably engaging a latch arm 148. In another embodiment where the sleeve 140 does not have a latch arm 148, the first housing 150 may not have a latch 156. The first housing 150 is formed of an insulating material, such as plastic.

[0028] exist Figure 5-8 In the embodiment shown in Figure 10, the first housing 150 has a second locking channel 158 extending through the first housing 150 in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L. The second locking channel 158 communicates with the first terminal assembly channel 152. In this embodiment, the first wiring harness assembly 100 has a secondary lock 160 that is removably inserted into the secondary locking channel 158.

[0029] The assembly of the first wiring harness assembly 100 is as follows: Figure 2 , 3 As shown in Figure 5.

[0030] like Figure 2As shown, the sleeve 140 is positioned in insertion position I around the first terminal assembly 110. In insertion position I, the latch 146 engages with the engagement channel 136 of the outer contact beam 134 to secure the sleeve 140 relative to the first terminal assembly 110 in the longitudinal direction L. While the latch 146 engages with the engagement channel 136, the sleeve 140 remains fixed along the first outer contact 130 in the longitudinal direction L. Figure 2 The location shown.

[0031] When the sleeve 140 is in the insertion position I, the first terminal assembly 110 and the sleeve 140 are located in the first housing 150, such as Figure 3 As shown. The first terminal assembly 110 and the sleeve 140 are inserted into the first terminal assembly channel 152 along the longitudinal direction L. The latch arm 148 of the sleeve 140 is deflected by contacting the first housing 150 in the first terminal assembly channel 152 until the sleeve 140 reaches the latch 156, as shown. Figure 3 and 5 As shown, the latch arm 148 elastically returns to engage the latch 156. The engagement of the latch arm 148 with the latch 156 secures the sleeve 140 to the first housing 150 opposite to the longitudinal direction L. Figure 5 In the embodiment shown, the stop 143 of the sleeve body 142 engages with the first outer shell 150 to fix the sleeve 140 to the first outer shell 150 along the longitudinal direction L.

[0032] In other embodiments, the latch arm may be part of the first housing 150, and the latch engaging the latch arm may be part of the sleeve 140; the latch arm 148 and the latch 156 may be constructed in any manner that allows the sleeve 140 to be detachably engaged with the first housing 150. In another embodiment, the sleeve 140 does not have the latch arm 148, and the first housing 150 does not have the latch 156; the sleeve 140 may be secured in the first housing 150 with an adhesive material, or it may be molded into the first housing 150. Figure 3 As shown, the sleeve 140 and the first terminal assembly 110 are located in the first terminal assembly channel 152 adjacent to the first mating end 15.

[0033] exist Figure 5 In the illustrated embodiment, the secondary lock 160 is inserted into the secondary locking channel 158 until it abuts against the first outer contact 130 and is positioned along the longitudinal direction L near the rear of the sleeve 140. The secondary lock 160 also secures the sleeve 140 in the first housing 150 along the longitudinal direction L. In other embodiments, the secondary locking channel 158 and the secondary lock 160 may be omitted.

[0034] like Figure 3As shown, in one embodiment, the first wiring harness assembly 100 includes a first inner contact 170, a first cable 180 connected to the first inner contact 170, and a first connection assembly 190 securing the first cable 180 to a first terminal assembly 110. The first inner contact 170 is formed of a conductive material and is held within a first inner housing 120. In the illustrated embodiment, the first inner contact 170 is a receptacle contact. In other embodiments, the first inner contact 170 may be a pin contact or any other type of electrical contact.

[0035] exist Figure 3 In the illustrated embodiment, the first cable 180 has a first conductor 182, a first insulator 184 disposed around the first conductor 182, and a first braid 186 disposed around the first insulator 184. The first conductor 182 is formed of a conductive material, and at a location where the first insulator 184 is peeled off from the end of the first conductor 182, the first conductor 182 is mechanically and electrically connected to a first inner contact 170 held in the first inner housing 120, for example by crimping or any other mechanical and electrical fixation from the conductor to the contact.

[0036] exist Figure 2 and Figure 3 In the illustrated embodiment, the first cable 180 is a shielded twisted-pair cable and includes a pair of first conductors 182, each with a first insulator 184, twisted together within a single first braid 186. In this embodiment, the first harness assembly 100 has two first inner contacts 170 held within a first inner housing 120, each of the first conductors 182 being connected to one of the first inner contacts 170. In other embodiments, the first cable 180 may have a single first conductor 182 with a single first insulator 184 and a single first braid 186, or may include multiple separate cables or shielded twisted-pair cables, provided that each first conductor 182 is mechanically and electrically connected to one of the first inner contacts 170 held within the first inner housing 120.

[0037] The first connecting assembly 190 includes a first inner sleeve 192, which is disposed within one end of the first outer contact 130 and adjacent to the first inner housing 120. Figure 3 As shown. The first inner ferrule 192 is formed of a conductive material. The first conductor 182 and the first insulator 184 of the first cable 180 extend along the longitudinal direction L through the first inner ferrule 192. The first braid 186 is located outside the first inner ferrule 192 outside the first outer contact 130 and is electrically connected to the first inner ferrule 192.

[0038] like Figure 1 and Figure 4As shown, the second wiring harness assembly 200 includes a second terminal assembly 210 and a second housing 240, with the second terminal assembly 210 disposed in the second housing 240.

[0039] like Figure 4 As shown, the second terminal assembly 210 includes a second inner housing 220 and a second outer contact 230 disposed around the second inner housing 220. The second inner housing 220 is formed of an insulating material, such as plastic. The second outer contact 230 has a second outer contact body 232 and a protrusion 234 extending from the second outer contact body 232.

[0040] like Figure 4 As shown, a protrusion 234 extends from the second outer contact body 232 in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L. The protrusion 234 has a first inclined surface 236, a central portion 237, and a second inclined surface 238 along the longitudinal direction L. The first inclined surface 236 extends away from the second outer contact body 232 at an angle to the longitudinal direction L and connects to the central portion 237. In the illustrated embodiment, the central portion 237 extends parallel to the longitudinal direction L. In other embodiments, the central portion 237 may extend at an angle to the longitudinal direction L. The second inclined surface 238 extends rearward at an angle toward the second outer contact body 232 from one end of the central portion 237, this end being opposite the first inclined surface 236 in the longitudinal direction L. In another embodiment, the central portion 237 is omitted, and the second inclined surface 238 extends from one end of the first inclined surface 236, forming a triangular protrusion 234.

[0041] The second outer contact 230 is formed of a conductive material, such as a copper alloy, aluminum, or another metal. In the illustrated embodiment, the second outer contact 230 is integrally formed as a single piece from a stamped and bent metal sheet. In various embodiments, the protrusion 234 may be formed by stamping, embossing, and bending a single sheet of material. In other embodiments, the second outer contact 230 may be formed of other conductive materials and may be assembled from multiple separately formed components.

[0042] like Figure 4 As shown, the second housing 240 has a second terminal assembly channel 242 extending through the second housing 240 in the longitudinal direction L. The second housing 240 has a second mating wall 244 in the longitudinal direction L, and forms a receiving space 246 adapted to receive the first wire harness assembly 100 adjacent to the second mating wall 244. The second terminal assembly 210 is inserted into the second terminal assembly channel 242 opposite to the longitudinal direction L and is fixed in the second housing 240. Figure 4 As shown in the diagram; protrusion 234 is disposed in receiving space 246. The second terminal assembly 210 may be secured in the second housing 240 by latching, by adhesive, or by any other type of attachment capable of securing the second terminal assembly 210 in the shown location in the second housing 240.

[0043] like Figure 4 As shown, in one embodiment, the second wiring harness assembly 200 includes a second inner contact 250, a second cable 260 connected to the second inner contact 250, and a second connection assembly 270 securing the second cable 260 to a second terminal assembly 210. The second inner contact 250 is formed of a conductive material and is held within a second inner housing 220. In the illustrated embodiment, the second inner contact 250 is a pin contact. In other embodiments, the second inner contact 250 may be a socket contact or any other type of electrical contact.

[0044] exist Figure 4 In the illustrated embodiment, the second cable 260 has a second conductor 262, a second insulator 264 disposed around the second conductor 262, and a second braid 266 disposed around the second insulator 264. The second conductor 262 is formed of a conductive material, and at a location where the second insulator 264 is peeled off from the end of the second conductor 262, the second conductor 262 is mechanically and electrically connected to a second inner contact 250 held in the second inner housing 220, for example by crimping or any other mechanical and electrical fixation from the conductor to the contact.

[0045] exist Figure 1 and Figure 4 In the illustrated embodiment, the second cable 260 is a shielded twisted-pair cable comprising a pair of second conductors 262, each with a second insulator 264, twisted together within a single second braid 266. In this embodiment, the second harness assembly 200 has two second inner contacts 250 held within a second inner housing 220, each of the second conductors 262 being connected to one of the second inner contacts 250. In other embodiments, the second cable 260 may have a single second conductor 262 with a single second insulator 264 and a single second braid 266, or may comprise multiple separate cables or shielded twisted-pair cables, provided that each second conductor 262 is mechanically and electrically connected to one of the second inner contacts 250 held within the second inner housing 220.

[0046] The second connecting assembly 270 includes a second inner sleeve 272, which is disposed within one end of the second outer contact 230 and adjacent to the second inner housing 220, such as Figure 4 As shown. The second inner ferrule 272 is formed of a conductive material. The second conductor 262 and the second insulator 264 of the second cable 260 extend along the longitudinal direction L through the second inner ferrule 272. The second braid 266 is located outside the second inner ferrule 272 outside the second outer contact 230 and is electrically connected to the second inner ferrule 272.

[0047] In another embodiment, the element 200 that mates with the first wiring harness assembly 100 has a second terminal assembly 210, but instead of a second housing 240, it has a printed circuit board. The second terminal assembly 210 is disposed within the printed circuit board relative to the second housing 240 as described above, and has a second inner contact 250 as described above. The printed circuit board functions similarly to the second mating wall 244 of the second housing 240, as described below. The embodiment with the printed circuit board does not have a second cable 260 or a second connection assembly 270. In this embodiment, the element 200 is referred to as a mating assembly 200 or a socket 200 that mates with the wiring harness assembly 100.

[0048] The main references are as follows Figure 5-10 The mating of the first wire harness assembly 100 and the second wire harness assembly 200 of the connector system 10 is described in more detail below. Figure 5-8 In Figures 10 and 10, for clarity of the drawings and to simplify the explanation of the positions of the first wiring harness assembly 100 and the second wiring harness assembly 200 during the mating process, the inner contacts 170 and 250, cables 180 and 260, and connecting assemblies 190 and 270 are omitted. (Refer to Figures 10 and 20) Figure 9 Describes the connection between the inner contacts 170, 250, cables 180, 260 and connecting assemblies 190, 270 formed by the mating.

[0049] In the illustrated embodiment, the first wiring harness assembly 100 has a first housing 150 formed as a plug and a first inner contact 170 formed as a receptacle, while the second wiring harness assembly 200 has a second housing 240 formed as a receptacle that mates with the plug of the first housing 150 and a second inner contact 250 formed as a pin that mates with the receptacle of the first inner contact 170. In other embodiments, the first housing 150 may be a receptacle, the second housing 240 may be a plug, the first inner contact 170 may be a plug, and the second inner contact 250 may be a receptacle.

[0050] In the following text, the sub-assemblies of the connector system 10, including the first terminal assembly 110, the sleeve 140, and the second terminal assembly 210, will be referred to as the terminal system 20.

[0051] The first wiring harness assembly 100 from Figure 2 Starting from sleeve 140 at insertion position I, the first wire harness assembly 100 is inserted into the receiving space 246 of the second housing 240 along the longitudinal direction L from the unfitted position of the connector system 10 and terminal system 20. The longitudinal direction L may also be referred to herein as the insertion direction.

[0052] like Figure 5As shown, as the first wiring harness assembly 100 is inserted along the longitudinal direction L, the free end 138 of the outer contact beam 134 first contacts the first inclined surface 236 of the protrusion 234 and begins to deflect as it moves along the first inclined surface 236. The free end 138 of the outer contact beam 134 moves on the central portion 237 of the protrusion 234, and the outer contact beam 134 remains deflected as the first wiring harness assembly 100 continues to be inserted along the longitudinal direction l. Figure 6 As shown, when the outer contact beam 134 reaches the second inclined surface 238 of the protrusion 234, the outer contact beam 134 elastically returns to the undeflected position.

[0053] Figure 6 The first terminal assembly 110 and the second terminal assembly 210 of the terminal system 20 shown are in mating position M. In mating position M, when the outer contact beam 134 elastically returns to its undeflected position, the protrusion 234 extends through the engagement channel 136 and engages with the outer contact beam 134. In mating position M, the first inner housing 120 is positioned separated from the second inner housing 220 along the longitudinal direction L through the connector interface gap CG. The first inner housing 120 is held relative to the second inner housing 220 at the connector interface gap CG by the engagement of the protrusion 234 with the engagement channel 136 of the outer contact beam 134.

[0054] At the mating position M, the first inner contact 170 and the second inner contact 250 mate and are electrically connected. Simultaneously, the inner housings 120 and 220 are positioned at the connector interface gap CG. Figure 9 As shown, the first cable 180 and the second cable 260 are electrically connected. In one embodiment, the first external contact 130 is electrically connected to the second external contact 230 at the mating position M of the terminal system 20, providing electromagnetic shielding and electrically connecting the braids 186 and 266 of the cables 180 and 260.

[0055] When the first terminal assembly 110 and the second terminal assembly 210 of the terminal system 20 arrive Figure 6 In the mating position M, as shown, the protrusion 234 abuts against the latch 146, causing the sleeve beam 144 to deflect out of the engagement channel 136. The sleeve 140 remains in the insertion position I, but is deflected out of the engagement channel 136 by the latch 146, and the sleeve 140 is no longer fixed to the first outer contact 130 along the longitudinal direction L. In the insertion position I, the first mating end 154 of the first outer shell 150 is separated from the second mating wall 244 of the second outer shell 240 by the shell gap HG along the longitudinal direction l.

[0056] When the latch 146 disengages from the engagement channel 136, the sleeve 140 is free to move relative to the first terminal assembly 110 in the longitudinal direction L toward the second wire harness assembly 200. In one embodiment, when the latch 146 is released from engagement with the engagement channel 136, the sleeve 140 may be spring-loaded to bias toward the end position C.

[0057] The first housing 150 is connected to the sleeve 140 via a latch arm 148, but not to the first terminal assembly 110; the first housing 150 and the sleeve 140 move together relative to the first terminal assembly 110 in the longitudinal direction L. Figure 7 and 8 As shown, the first terminal assembly 110 and the second terminal assembly 210 are held in the mating position M, and the first inner housing 120 is held at the connector interface gap CG relative to the second inner housing 220, while the sleeve 140 and the first outer housing 150 move toward the second wire harness assembly 200 along the longitudinal direction L.

[0058] like Figure 7 As shown, the latch 146 moves along the outer contact beam 134 until it reaches the free end 138, at which point... Figure 8 In the illustrated embodiment, the sleeve beam 144 elastically recovers to engage with the free end 138. In another embodiment, the latch 146 and the sleeve beam 144 can be... Figure 8 The position shown remains deflected and does not elastically return to engage the free end 138.

[0059] Figure 8 and Figure 9 The first harness assembly 100 and the second harness assembly 200 shown are located at the end position C of the sleeve 140. As the sleeve 140 moves from the insertion position I to the end position C, the first housing 150 moves toward the second housing 240 along the longitudinal direction L, reducing and closing the housing gap HG. At the end position C, where the sleeve beam 144 is no longer deflected and the latch 146 is positioned along the longitudinal direction L beyond the free end 138 of the outer contact beam 134, the first mating end 154 of the first housing 150 abuts the second mating wall 244 of the second housing 240, thereby minimizing the housing gap HG at the mating position M. In another embodiment, the latch 146 and the sleeve beam 144 remain deflected at the end position C while the housing gap HG is minimized.

[0060] When the sleeve 140 is in the end position C, the first terminal assembly 110 and the second terminal assembly 210 of the terminal system 20 remain stationary in the mating position M, and the first inner housing 120 is held relative to the second inner housing 220 at the connector interface gap CG. While the sleeve 140 is in the end position C, it prevents the outer contact beam 134 from deviating from its engagement with the protrusion 234, thereby maintaining the first terminal assembly 110 and the second terminal assembly 210 in the mating position M.

[0061] from Figure 8 and Figure 9 At the end position C shown, the sleeve 140 can be moved back to the insertion position I. When the first wire harness assembly 100 moves away from the second wire harness assembly 200 in the longitudinal direction L, the latch 146 deflects above the free end 138 of the outer contact beam 138, as... Figure 7 As shown. The housing gap HG widens along the longitudinal direction L, while the first terminal assembly 110 and the second terminal assembly 210 remain in the mating position M, and the first inner housing 120 remains at the connector interface gap CG relative to the second inner housing 220.

[0062] When latch 146 reaches Figure 10 In the position shown, at insertion position I of sleeve 140, sleeve 140 no longer inhibits the deflection of outer contact beam 134, and the free end 138 of outer contact beam 134 can deflect and move along the second inclined surface 238 of protrusion 234. While sleeve 140 is in insertion position I, outer contact beam 134 can move out of engagement with protrusion 234, thereby allowing disengagement of first terminal assembly 110 and second terminal assembly 210 and removal of first wire harness assembly 100 from second wire harness assembly 200.

[0063] According to another embodiment, the first wire harness assembly 100 of the connector system 10 is as follows: Figure 11-13 As shown. Compared with the above embodiments, the same reference numerals denote the same elements, and will be described in detail here. Figure 11-13 The differences between the illustrated embodiments are as follows.

[0064] like Figure 11As shown, the first housing 150 has a pair of posts 157 protruding from the upper inner surface of the first housing 150 and extending into the first terminal assembly channel 152. The posts 157 are separated from each other along a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction l. The posts 157 are formed of the same material as the first housing 150, and in the illustrated embodiment, the posts 157 are integrally formed with the first housing 150 as a single piece. In another embodiment, the posts 157 may be formed separately from the first housing 150 and attached to the first housing 150. Although two posts 157 are depicted in the illustrated embodiment, in other embodiments, the first housing 150 may have one post 157 or three or more posts 157, provided that the posts 157 can perform the following functions.

[0065] Figure 12 The image shows the first wire harness assembly 100 before it mates with the second wire harness assembly 200, with the sleeve 140 in the insertion position I. Figure 12 At the position shown, post 157 is adjacent to the first outer contact body 132 of the first outer contact 130. Post 157 in this position is spaced apart from outer contact beam 134 along the longitudinal direction L and does not prevent or restrict the deflection of outer contact beam 134.

[0066] like Figure 13 As shown, when the first wire harness assembly 100 mates with the second wire harness assembly 200 of the connector system 10, the sleeve 140 and the first housing 150 have moved relative to the first terminal assembly 110 toward the second wire harness assembly 200 in the longitudinal direction L. Figure 11-13 In the embodiment shown, when the sleeve 140 reaches Figure 13 At the end position C shown, the post 157 has moved along the longitudinal direction L together with the first housing 150 and is positioned abutting the outer contact beam 134. The post 157 restricts or inhibits the deflection of the outer contact beam 134 at the end position C and the mating position M of the sleeve 140.

[0067] Figure 11-13 In the illustrated embodiment, the post 157 of the first housing 150 allows the outer contact beam 134 to resiliently deflect over the protrusion 234 while moving at the end position C above the outer contact beam 134, providing support to prevent the outer contact beam 134 from deflecting out of engagement with the protrusion 234, thus holding the first terminal assembly 110 and the second terminal assembly 210 in the mating position M. The reinforcement provided by the post 157 for limiting or inhibiting the deflection of the outer contact beam 134 can replace or supplement the deflection restriction provided by the sleeve 140 described above.

[0068] In the terminal system 20 and connector system 10 according to the embodiments described herein, when the first terminal assembly 110 and the second terminal assembly 210 reach the mating position M with the connector interface gap CG, the sleeve 140 allows the first housing 150 to move further relative to the second housing 240, while the first terminal assembly 110 and the second terminal assembly 210 remain mated and separated by the connector interface gap CG. Therefore, through the movement of the sleeve 140 relative to the first terminal assembly 110, the assembly tolerances of the housings 150, 240 are independent of and do not affect the connector interface gap CG. Thus, the connector interface gap CG is determined by fewer tolerances than in known arrangements, and it is easier to maintain small tolerances below those required for the optical performance of the terminal system 20 and connector system 10. The connector interface gap CG described in the illustrated embodiments is merely exemplary; the connector interface gap CG may be less than or greater than illustrated, or may be zero, if it is within a predetermined tolerance range.

Claims

1. A terminal system (20), comprising: First terminal assembly (110); A sleeve (140) is disposed around the first terminal assembly (110); and The second terminal assembly (210) is capable of engaging with the first terminal assembly (110) along the longitudinal direction (L), and the sleeve (140) is capable of moving from an insertion position (I) to an end position (C) relative to the first terminal assembly (110) along the longitudinal direction (L) toward the second terminal assembly (210), while the first terminal assembly (110) remains stationary in the engaging position (M) with the second terminal assembly (210); The first terminal assembly (110) includes a first external contact (130), and a sleeve (140) is disposed around the first external contact (130). The first external contact (130) has a first external contact body (132) and an external contact beam (134) that can be elastically deflected relative to the first external contact body (132). The sleeve (140) has a sleeve body (142) and a sleeve beam (144) that can be elastically deflected relative to the sleeve body (142). The sleeve (140) has a latch (146) disposed at the end of the sleeve beam (144). The second terminal assembly (210) includes a second external contact (230) having a protrusion (234) which, during the insertion of the first terminal assembly (110) toward the second terminal assembly (210) along the longitudinal direction (L), deviates from contact with the protrusion (234). In the insertion position (I), the latch (146) engages in the engagement channel (136) of the outer contact beam (134); Wherein, at the mating position (M), the protrusion (234) engages in the engagement channel (136) of the outer contact beam (134); In the insertion position (I), the protrusion (234) deflects the sleeve beam (144) out of the engagement channel (136), and while the sleeve (140) is in the insertion position (I), the outer contact beam (134) can move to disengage from the engagement with the protrusion (234).

2. The terminal system (20) according to claim 1, wherein, The first terminal assembly (110) includes a first inner housing (120) and the first outer contact (130) is disposed around the first inner housing (120).

3. The terminal system (20) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, When the first terminal assembly (110) and the second terminal assembly (210) are not in the mating position (M), the sleeve (140) is fixed to the first external contact (130).

4. The terminal system (20) according to claim 2, wherein, The second terminal assembly (210) includes a second inner housing (220) and a second outer contact (230) disposed around the second inner housing (220). The second inner housing (220) is separated from the first inner housing (120) by a connector interface gap (CG) at both the insertion position (I) and the end position (C).

5. The terminal system (20) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The latch (146) at the end position (C) is configured in the longitudinal direction (L) as a free end (138) extending beyond the outer contact beam (134).

6. A connector system (10), comprising: The first wire harness assembly (100) has a first terminal assembly (110) and a sleeve (140) disposed around the first terminal assembly (110). and The second wiring harness assembly (200) has a second terminal assembly (210) capable of engaging with the first terminal assembly (110) along the longitudinal direction (L), and the sleeve (140) is capable of moving from an insertion position (I) to an end position (C) relative to the first terminal assembly (110) along the longitudinal direction (L) toward the second wiring harness assembly (200), while the first terminal assembly (110) remains stationary in the engaging position (M) with the second terminal assembly (210); The first wire harness assembly (100) has a first housing (150), the first terminal assembly (110) and the sleeve (140) are disposed within the first housing (150), the sleeve (140) is attached to the first housing (150), and the first housing (150) and the sleeve (140) are movable relative to the first terminal assembly (110) between the insertion position (I) and the end position (C). The first housing (150) has a post (157) adjacent to a first external contact (130) of the first terminal assembly (110). The first external contact (130) has a first external contact body (132) and an external contact beam (134) resiliently deflectable relative to the first external contact body (132). At the end position (C) of the sleeve (140), the post (157) abuts the external contact beam (134) and restricts the deflection of the external contact beam (134).

7. The connector system (10) according to claim 6, wherein, The second wiring harness assembly (200) has a second housing (240), and the second terminal assembly (210) is disposed in the second housing and fixed in the second housing (240).

8. The connector system (10) according to claim 7, wherein, The first housing (150) moves along the longitudinal direction (L) toward the second housing (240) between the insertion position (I) and the end position (C), and reduces the housing gap (HG) between the first housing (150) and the second housing (240).

Images