Sealing assembly, connector and connector assembly

Abstract

A sealing assembly, a connector and a connector assembly are disclosed. The sealing assembly comprises a retainer and an elastic sealing sleeve sleeved on the retainer. The sealing assembly is adapted to be inserted into an empty cable jack of a connector in a single component manner to seal the empty cable jack. In the present application, the sealing assembly can seal the empty cable jack of the connector to achieve a waterproof sealing function. In addition, the sealing assembly has a retainer for support and can be conveniently inserted into the cable jack of the connector.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a sealing assembly, including a connector of the sealing assembly and a connector assembly including the connector. Background Technology

[0002] In existing technologies, to achieve quick connection between cables and circuit boards, two mating connectors are typically used. One connector connects to the cable, and the other connector (called the mating connector) connects to the circuit board. By mating these two connectors, the connection between the cable and the circuit board can be achieved.

[0003] In existing technology, to achieve a waterproof seal, a flexible sealing sleeve is typically fitted onto the cable. When the cable is inserted into the connector's cable socket, this sleeve seals the socket. However, when the cable is not inserted, external dust and other contaminants can enter the connector through the socket. To prevent external dust from entering the connector through the empty cable socket, existing technology typically involves inserting a rod-shaped plug into the empty socket to seal it.

[0004] However, in the existing technology, the rod-shaped plug does not have a waterproof function, and the rod-shaped plug will interfere with the mating terminals in the mating connector. Therefore, it is necessary to remove the mating terminals in the mating connector in advance, which is very inconvenient. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to solve at least one aspect of the aforementioned problems and defects existing in the prior art.

[0006] According to one aspect of the invention, a sealing assembly is provided, comprising: a retainer; and a resilient sealing sleeve fitted onto the retainer. The sealing assembly is adapted to be inserted, as a single component, into an empty cable jack on the housing of a connector to seal the empty cable jack.

[0007] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the retainer includes: a first portion located at a first end of the retainer; a second portion located at a second end of the retainer opposite to the first end; and an intermediate portion connected between the first portion and the second portion. An elastic sealing sleeve is fitted onto the intermediate portion of the retainer, and both ends of the elastic sealing sleeve are respectively positioned on the end faces of the first portion and the second portion.

[0008] According to another exemplary embodiment of the invention, the first portion and the second portion protrude radially outward relative to the intermediate portion along the retainer so as to enable positioning of the two ends of the resilient sealing sleeve.

[0009] According to another exemplary embodiment of the invention, the middle portion of the retainer is cylindrical; the first portion of the retainer is cylindrical and its diameter is larger than that of the middle portion; the second portion of the retainer is cuboid and its length and / or width is larger than that of the diameter of the middle portion.

[0010] According to another exemplary embodiment of the invention, the resilient sealing sleeve is fitted onto the retainer from the first end of the retainer; a tapered guide slope is formed on the end of the first end of the retainer to guide the resilient sealing sleeve to be fitted onto the retainer.

[0011] According to another exemplary embodiment of the invention, when the sealing assembly is inserted into an empty cable jack of the connector, a portion of the first end of the retainer is located outside the empty cable jack, while the other portion of the retainer is fully inserted into the empty cable jack.

[0012] According to another exemplary embodiment of the invention, the resilient sealing sleeve includes: a cylindrical body portion fitted onto the middle portion of the retainer; and an annular protrusion formed on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical body portion. When the sealing assembly is inserted into an empty cable socket of the housing, the annular protrusion of the resilient sealing sleeve is pressed between the inner walls of the retainer and the cable socket to seal the mating interface between them.

[0013] According to another exemplary embodiment of the invention, the retainer is an insulating member, and the hardness of the retainer is greater than that of the elastic sealing sleeve, so as to provide support for the elastic sealing sleeve.

[0014] According to another exemplary embodiment of the invention, the retainer further includes an elastic buckle formed on an end of its second end, the elastic buckle being adapted to snap onto a step on the inner wall of the cable socket to retain the sealing assembly in the cable socket.

[0015] According to another aspect of the invention, a connector is provided, comprising: a housing having a cable socket for inserting a cable; and the aforementioned sealing assembly, inserted into an empty cable socket on the connector where no cable is inserted, to seal the empty cable socket.

[0016] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the housing has a plug portion adapted to be inserted into an insertion cavity on a mating housing of a mating connector; the connector further includes an elastic sealing ring fitted on the plug portion, the elastic sealing ring being adapted to be pressed between the inner walls of the plug portion and the insertion cavity of the mating housing to seal the mating interface between the two.

[0017] According to another exemplary embodiment of the invention, a resilient snap is formed on the housing, the resilient snap being adapted to lock onto the mating housing of the mating connector.

[0018] According to another aspect of the present invention, a connector assembly is provided, comprising: the aforementioned connector and a mating connector. The mating connector mates with the connector.

[0019] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the mating connector includes: a mating housing having an insertion cavity; and a mating terminal disposed in the mating housing and extending into the insertion cavity, wherein the retainer is adapted to mate with the mating terminal, thereby allowing the sealing assembly to be inserted into an empty cable jack of the connector without removing the mating terminal.

[0020] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a snap-fit ​​structure adapted to engage with an elastic snap-fit ​​on the housing of the connector is formed on the mating housing; when the housing and the mating housing are mated together, the elastic snap-fit ​​is locked onto the snap-fit ​​structure.

[0021] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a mounting plate adapted to be fixed to a panel is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the mating housing, and the mating connector further includes an elastic sealing ring disposed on the mounting plate; when the mounting plate is fixed to the panel, the elastic sealing ring is adapted to be pressed between the panel and the mounting plate to seal the mating interface between the two.

[0022] In the foregoing exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the sealing assembly is capable of sealing an unused cable jack on the connector to achieve a waterproof seal. Furthermore, the sealing assembly includes a retainer for support, allowing for easy insertion into the cable jack of the connector.

[0023] Furthermore, in some of the aforementioned exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the sealing component is capable of mating with mating terminals in the mating connector without interfering with the mating terminals, thus allowing the sealing component to be inserted into an empty cable jack of the connector without removing the mating terminals.

[0024] Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, and will help to provide a comprehensive understanding of the invention. Attached Figure Description

[0025] Figure 1 A perspective view of a connector assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown; Figure 2 show Figure 1A perspective view of a connector module shown, illustrating a sealing assembly inserted into an empty cable jack; Figure 3 show Figure 2 A three-dimensional schematic diagram of the sealing assembly shown; Figure 4 show Figure 3 An exploded view of the sealing assembly shown; Figure 5 show Figure 2 The longitudinal sectional view of the connector module shown illustrates the sealing assembly inserted into the cable jack. Detailed Implementation

[0026] The technical solution of the present invention will be further described in detail below through embodiments and in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In this specification, the same or similar reference numerals indicate the same or similar components. The following description of the embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings is intended to explain the overall inventive concept of the present invention and should not be construed as a limitation thereof.

[0027] Furthermore, in the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth for ease of explanation to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments disclosed herein. However, it will be apparent that one or more embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and apparatuses are illustrated to simplify the figures.

[0028] According to a general technical concept of the present invention, a sealing assembly is provided, comprising: a retainer; and a resilient sealing sleeve fitted onto the retainer. The sealing assembly is adapted to be inserted, as a single component, into an empty cable jack on the housing of a connector to seal the empty cable jack.

[0029] Figure 1 A perspective view of a connector assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown; Figure 2 show Figure 1 The diagram shows a perspective view of a connector module of connector 1, in which a sealing assembly 100 is inserted into an empty cable jack 11.

[0030] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the sealing assembly mainly includes a retainer 110 and a resilient sealing sleeve 120. The resilient sealing sleeve 120 is fitted onto the retainer 110. In the illustrated embodiment, the retainer 110 has a higher hardness than the resilient sealing sleeve 120 to provide support for the resilient sealing sleeve 120. For safety reasons, in an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the retainer 110 is an insulating element.

[0031] Figure 3 show Figure 2 A three-dimensional schematic diagram of the sealing assembly 100 shown.

[0032] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the sealing component 100 is adapted to be inserted as a single component into an empty cable socket 11 on the housing 10 of the connector 1 where no cable is connected, to seal the empty cable socket 11. This prevents moisture and dust from entering the interior of the connector 1 through the empty cable socket 11.

[0033] Figure 4 show Figure 3 An exploded view of the sealing assembly 100 shown.

[0034] like Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the retainer 110 includes a first portion 111, a second portion 112, and an intermediate portion 113. The first portion 111 is located at a first end of the retainer 110. The second portion 112 is located at a second end of the retainer 110 opposite to the first end. The intermediate portion 113 connects the first portion 111 and the second portion 112. An elastic sealing sleeve 120 is fitted onto the intermediate portion 113 of the retainer 110, and the two ends of the elastic sealing sleeve 120 are respectively positioned on the end faces of the first portion 111 and the second portion 112. Thus, during the insertion of the sealing assembly 100 into the cable socket 11, the elastic sealing sleeve 120 will not move axially relative to the retainer 110.

[0035] like Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, the first portion 111 and the second portion 112 of the retainer 110 protrude radially outward relative to the intermediate portion 113 along the retainer 110 so as to be able to position the two ends of the resilient sealing sleeve 120.

[0036] like Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the middle portion 113 of the retainer 110 is cylindrical; the first portion 111 of the retainer 110 is cylindrical and its diameter is larger than that of the middle portion 113; the second portion 112 of the retainer 110 is cuboid and its length and / or width are larger than the diameter of the middle portion 113.

[0037] like Figure 3 and Figure 4As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the resilient sealing sleeve 120 is fitted onto the retainer 110 from the first end of the retainer 110; a tapered guide ramp 111a is formed on the end of the first end of the retainer 110 to guide the resilient sealing sleeve 120 to be fitted onto the retainer 110.

[0038] like Figures 1 to 4 As shown in the illustrated embodiment, when the sealing assembly 100 is inserted into the empty cable jack 11 of the connector 1, a portion of the first end of the retainer 110 is located outside the empty cable jack 11, while the other portion of the retainer 110 is fully inserted into the empty cable jack 11.

[0039] like Figures 1 to 4 As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the resilient sealing sleeve 120 includes a cylindrical body portion 121 and an annular protrusion 122. The cylindrical body portion 121 is fitted onto the intermediate portion 113 of the retainer 110. The annular protrusion 122 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical body portion 121. When the sealing assembly 100 is inserted into the empty cable socket 11 of the housing 10, the annular protrusion 122 of the resilient sealing sleeve 120 is pressed between the retainer 110 and the inner wall of the cable socket 11 to seal the mating interface between them.

[0040] Figure 5 show Figure 2 The longitudinal sectional view of the connector module shown illustrates the sealing assembly 100 inserted into the cable jack 11.

[0041] like Figures 1 to 5 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, the retainer 110 further includes an elastic buckle 114 formed on its second end, the elastic buckle 114 being adapted to snap onto a step 14 on the inner wall of the cable jack 11 to retain the sealing assembly 110 in the cable jack 11.

[0042] like Figures 1 to 5 As shown, in one exemplary embodiment of the invention, a connector is also disclosed, comprising a plurality of connector modules arranged side by side, each connector module including a housing 10 and a sealing assembly 110. The housing 10 has a cable socket 11 for inserting a cable. The sealing assembly 110 is inserted into an empty cable socket 11 on the connector 1 that is not connected to a cable to seal the empty cable socket 11.

[0043] like Figures 1 to 5As shown in the illustrated embodiment, each connector module's housing 10 has a plug portion 12 adapted to be inserted into an insertion cavity (not shown) on the mating housing 20 of the mating connector 2. The connector 1 also includes an elastic sealing ring 13 fitted onto the plug portion 12, adapted to be pressed between the plug portion 12 and the inner wall of the insertion cavity of the mating housing 20 to seal the mating interface between them. This prevents moisture and dust from entering the interior of the connector 1 and the mating connector 2 through the gap between the plug portion 12 of the connector 1 and the inner wall of the insertion cavity of the mating connector 2.

[0044] like Figures 1 to 5 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, a resilient snap 15 is formed on the housing 10, which is adapted to lock onto the mating housing 20 of the mating connector 2.

[0045] like Figures 1 to 5 As shown, in another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a connector assembly is also disclosed, comprising: the aforementioned connector 1 and a mating connector 2. The mating connector 2 is mated with the connector 1.

[0046] like Figures 1 to 5 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, the mating connector 2 includes: a mating housing 20 having an insertion cavity; and mating terminals 23 disposed in the mating housing 20 and extending into the insertion cavity. A retainer 110 is adapted to mate with the mating terminals 23, thereby allowing the sealing assembly 110 to be inserted into an empty cable jack 11 of the connector 1 without removing the mating terminals 23. In the illustrated embodiment, the mating terminals 23 can be inserted between a pair of resilient latches 114 of the retainer 110. Therefore, the inserted retainer 110 does not interfere with the mating terminals 23.

[0047] like Figures 1 to 5 As shown in the illustrated embodiment, a snap-fit ​​structure 25 is formed on the mating housing 20, which is adapted to engage with the resilient snap 15 on the housing 10 of the connector 1. When the housing 10 and the mating housing 20 are mated together, the resilient snap 15 locks onto the snap-fit ​​structure 25.

[0048] like Figures 1 to 5 As shown in the illustrated embodiment, a mounting plate 21 suitable for fixing to a panel (e.g., the housing of an electronic device) is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the mating housing 20. The mating connector 2 also includes an elastic sealing ring 22 disposed on the mounting plate 21. When the mounting plate 21 is fixed to the panel, the elastic sealing ring 22 is adapted to be pressed between the panel and the mounting plate 21 to seal the mating interface between them. This prevents moisture and dust from entering the interior of the electronic device through the gap between the mounting plate 21 and the panel.

[0049] Those skilled in the art will understand that the embodiments described above are exemplary and can be improved upon. The structures described in the various embodiments can be freely combined without causing structural or principle conflicts, and these changes should fall within the protection scope of this invention.

[0050] Although the invention has been described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, the embodiments disclosed in the drawings are intended to illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention and should not be construed as limiting the invention.

[0051] While some embodiments of the general concept of the invention have been shown and described, those skilled in the art will understand that changes may be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the general concept of the invention, the scope of which is defined by the claims and their equivalents.

[0052] It should be noted that the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the words "a" or "an" do not exclude multiple elements. Furthermore, any reference numerals in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A sealing assembly, characterized in that, include: Retainer (110); and An elastic sealing sleeve (120) is fitted onto the retainer (110). The sealing assembly (100) is adapted to be inserted as a single component into an empty cable jack (11) without a connected cable on the housing (10) of the connector (1) to seal the empty cable jack (11). The retainer (110) includes: The first part (111) is located at the first end of the retainer (110); The second part (112) is located at the second end of the retainer (110) opposite to the first end; and The middle part (113) connects the first part (111) and the second part (112). The elastic sealing sleeve (120) is fitted onto the middle portion (113) of the retainer (110), and the two ends of the elastic sealing sleeve (120) are respectively positioned on the end faces of the first portion (111) and the second portion (112). The retainer (110) further includes an elastic buckle (114) formed on its second end, the elastic buckle (114) being adapted to snap onto a step (14) on the inner wall of the cable socket (11) to retain the sealing assembly (110) in the cable socket (11).

2. The sealing assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first portion (111) and the second portion (112) protrude radially outward relative to the middle portion (113) along the retainer (110) so as to be able to position the two ends of the resilient sealing sleeve (120).

3. The sealing assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The middle portion (113) of the retainer (110) is cylindrical; The first part (111) of the retainer (110) is cylindrical and its diameter is larger than that of the middle part (113). The second part (112) of the retainer (110) is cuboid in shape, and its length and / or width are greater than the diameter of the middle part (113).

4. The sealing assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The elastic sealing sleeve (120) is fitted onto the retainer (110) from the first end; A tapered guide slope (111a) is formed on the end of the first end of the retainer (110) to guide the elastic sealing sleeve (120) to be fitted onto the retainer (110).

5. The sealing assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: When the sealing assembly (100) is inserted into the empty cable jack (11) of the connector (1), a portion of the first end of the retainer (110) is outside the empty cable jack (11), and the other portion of the retainer (110) is fully inserted into the empty cable jack (11).

6. The sealing assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The elastic sealing sleeve (120) includes: The cylindrical main body (121) is fitted onto the middle portion (113) of the retainer (110); and An annular protrusion (122) is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical main body (121). When the sealing assembly (100) is inserted into the empty cable socket (11) of the housing (10), the annular protrusion (122) of the elastic sealing sleeve (120) is pressed between the retainer (110) and the inner wall of the cable socket (11) to seal the mating interface between them.

7. The sealing assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The retainer (110) is an insulating member, and the hardness of the retainer (110) is greater than that of the elastic sealing sleeve (120) to provide support for the elastic sealing sleeve (120).

8. A connector, characterized in that, include: The housing (10) has a cable socket (11) for plugging in cables. and The sealing component (110) according to any one of claims 1-7 is inserted into an empty cable jack (11) on the connector (1) where no cable is connected, to seal the empty cable jack (11).

9. The connector according to claim 8, characterized in that: The housing (10) has a plug portion (12) adapted to be inserted into an insertion cavity on the mating housing (20) of the mating connector (2); The connector (1) also includes an elastic sealing ring (13) fitted on the plug portion (12), the elastic sealing ring (13) being adapted to be pressed between the inner wall of the insertion cavity of the plug portion (12) and the mating housing (20) to seal the mating interface between the two.

10. The connector according to claim 8, characterized in that: An elastic snap (15) is formed on the housing (10), the elastic snap (15) being adapted to lock onto the mating housing (20) of the mating connector (2).

11. A connector assembly, characterized in that, include: Connector (1) according to any one of claims 8-10; and The mating connector (2) is mated with the connector (1).

12. The connector assembly according to claim 11, characterized in that: The mating connector (2) includes: The mating housing (20) has an insertion cavity; and The mating terminal (23) is disposed in the mating housing (20) and extends into the insertion cavity. The retainer (110) is adapted to mate with the mating terminal (23), thereby allowing the sealing assembly (110) to be inserted into an empty cable jack (11) of the connector (1) without removing the mating terminal (23).

13. The connector assembly according to claim 12, characterized in that: A snap-fit ​​structure (25) is formed on the mating housing (20) to engage with the elastic snap (15) on the housing (10) of the connector (1); When the housing (10) and the mating housing (20) are mated together, the elastic buckle (15) locks onto the buckle structure (25).

14. The connector assembly according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that: A mounting plate (21) suitable for fixing to a panel is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the mating housing (20), and the mating connector (2) further includes an elastic sealing ring (22) disposed on the mounting plate (21). When the mounting plate (21) is fixed to the panel, the elastic sealing ring (22) is adapted to be pressed between the panel and the mounting plate (21) to seal the mating interface between the two.

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