Connector assembly and method of assembling such connector assembly

Abstract

A connector assembly (100) comprising a support (5) configured to receive the connector (1), a connector (1) comprising a connector housing (2) to receive at least one first electrical terminal (3), a mating connector (10) configured to mate with the connector (1), and at least one securing member (7) extending longitudinally along a securing direction (SD), the invention relates to a connector (1) comprising at least one first electrical terminal (3) and comprising a mating connector housing (11) to accommodate at least one second electrical terminal configured to be connected with said at least one first electrical terminal (3), characterized in that said at least one fixing member (7) comprises a first fixing section (8) configured to fix the connector (1) to a support (5), and a second securing section (13) configured to secure the mating connector (10) to the connector (1).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of automation connectors, and for example to the field of power connectors for automation application scenarios. Background Art

[0002] There is a connector (e.g., a header) and a mating connector (e.g., a plug) that matches the connector, wherein the connector has a housing configured to be mounted to a support, such as an instrument, a structural element, etc. of a vehicle. Then, the housing can be fixed to its support using one or more screws, and the connector can be fixed to the mating connector using another one or more other screws.

[0003] Therefore, assembling these connectors typically involves placing and screwing the connector onto its support and then placing and screwing the mating connector onto the connector and / or support. This type of connector assembly has disadvantages. For example, the space occupied by all the screws requires a relatively large connector housing.

[0004] Accordingly, there is a need to at least partially improve such connector assemblies, and their assembly and mounting process onto a support. Summary of the invention

[0005] A connector assembly according to claim 1 is described below, which at least partially helps to overcome at least some of the disadvantages of the prior art.

[0006] In fact, the same fixing member (or fastening element) is used to fix the connector to the support and to fix the counter connector to the connector. Therefore, sufficient space is provided for only a single fastening element, and no sufficient space is provided for two different fastening elements (e.g. two different screws), i.e. one fastening element for fixing the connector to the support and another fastening element for fixing the counter connector to the connector. Of course, several fixing members can be used to fix the connector, the counter connector and the support together, but at least one fixing member can replace two fastening elements.

[0007] Optionally, the connector further comprises one and / or other features mentioned in claims 2 to 10, each feature may be considered alone or in combination with one or more other features.

[0008] A method of assembling a connector assembly according to claims 11 and 12 is also described below. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] Further features and advantages will become apparent from the detailed disclosure of example embodiments of connector assemblies and variations thereto, the disclosure being accompanied by reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0010] Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of an example of a connector fixed to a support;

[0011] Figure 2 Schematically shows Figure 1 A perspective cross-sectional view of a portion of a connector and a support member;

[0012] Figure 3 A schematic perspective view of a connector assembly is shown, the connector assembly comprising a Figure 1 The connector shown and the mating connector on the support; and

[0013] Figure 4 Schematically shows Figure 3 A perspective cutaway view of a portion of a connector assembly. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0014] Figure 1 An example embodiment of a connector 1 is shown in FIG. 1 . For example, the connector 1 is used in an electric circuit of an electric vehicle. For example, such a circuit is used to interconnect components such as connecting rods, batteries, charging stations, converters, electric motors, etc.

[0015] In the illustrated example, the connector 1 is a header.

[0016] The connector 1 includes a connector housing 2. In this example, the connector housing 2 accommodates three power terminals 3 (at least one of these power terminals 3 corresponds to the "at least one first electrical terminal" stated in the claims). In the illustrated example, each power terminal 3 is protected by a cap 4. The housing 2 and the cap 4 are made of, for example, molded plastic (insulating plastic). The power terminals 3 are made of, for example, a copper alloy (alternatively, they are made of an aluminum alloy or other conductive material).

[0017] In the illustrated example, the housing 2 is fixed to the support 5 by means of two screws 6 and a fixing member 7. In alternative embodiments, the number of screws 6 and / or fixing members 7 may vary. The screws 6 are made of zinc-nickel-plated steel, for example. The fixing member 7 is made of zinc-nickel-plated steel, for example.

[0018] The fixing member 7 is positioned substantially in the triangular area 12 left between the three protective caps 4. In other words, the fixing member 7 does not occupy additional space in the connector 1, which would otherwise require the size of the connector housing 2 to be increased.

[0019] like Figure 2As shown, the fixing member 7 passes through a cylindrical passage 18, which is provided through a plate 19 of the connector housing 2. More specifically, the fixing member 7 passes through a cylindrical seat ring 20 inserted in the cylindrical passage 18. For example, the cylindrical seat ring 20 is made of metal. Since the connector housing 2 is made of plastic, the cylindrical seat ring 20 provides a reinforcement that prevents the housing plate 19 from breaking when the fixing member 7 clamps the connector 1 to the support 5.

[0020] The fixing member comprises a first fixing section 8 configured to fix the connector 1 to the support 5. In the illustrated example, the first fixing section 8 comprises a first threaded portion 9. The first threaded portion 9 is at least partially screwed into a complementary threaded hole 17 of the support 5. In alternative embodiments, the first fixing section 8 comprises any fixing means suitable for fixing the connector 1 to the support 5. For example, such a fixing means may be configured to be forcibly inserted or press-fitted into the hole, to cooperate with a self-retaining retaining ring, etc.

[0021] The fixing member 7 further comprises a second fixing section 13. In the illustrated example, the second fixing section 13 comprises a second threaded portion 14. In an alternative embodiment, the second fixing section 13 comprises any fixing means suitable for fixing the connector 1 and the counter connector 10 to each other. For example, such fixing means may be constituted by complementary snap-fitting means, latching means, locking means, etc.

[0022] In the illustrated example, the fixing member 7 comprises a seat segment 15 between the first fixing segment 8 and the second fixing segment 13. In the illustrated example, the seat segment 15 comprises a nut segment 30 configured to screw the fixing member 7 in the support 5 over the plate 19. The nut segment 30 can have any suitable shape (e.g., a hexagonal (Hex) or plum blossom (Torx) compatible shape) for tightening the fixing member 7 to the support 5, and the seat segment 15 comprises a ring segment 16. The ring segment 16 is configured to cooperate with the connector housing 2 (e.g., the plate 19 of the connector housing 2) to hold the connector 1 to the support 5. The ring segment 16 is formed as a single piece with the fixing segments 8, 15 and 13 of the fixing member 7. The ring segment 16 rests on the cylindrical seat ring 20 and / or the annular surface of the connector housing 2, which surrounds the cylindrical channel 18. In the example shown, this annular surface is itself surrounded by an annular rib 26. The rib 26 guides the ring segment 16 and ensures the correct positioning of the connector 1 on the support 5. The rib 26 is also located above the seal 24 which surrounds the area of ​​the plate 19 including the terminals 3 of the connector 1. The rib 26 then acts as a reinforcement structure which ensures that the plate 19 is flat and ensures a good seal between the plate 19 and the support 5.

[0023] The ring section 16 is thick enough (in a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the fixing member 7, which direction also corresponds to the fixing direction SD when the assembly is performed) so that when the counterpart connector 10 is mated with the connector 1 (see Figure 4 ), the alignment structure 29 of the mating connector or plug 10 can be guided by the ring segment 16.

[0024] The fixing member 7 includes a free end 21 located on the same side as the second threaded portion 14 (see Figure 2 The free end 21 comprises a screw-on structure 22, the shape of which is complementary to that of a wrench or a screwdriver.

[0025] In summary, the fixing member 7 extends longitudinally between the two free ends and comprises, from one free end to the other, a first threaded portion 9, an intermediate portion 25, a ring segment 16, a seat segment 15, a second threaded portion 14 and a free end 21 comprising a screw-on structure 22. All these parts and segments form a single piece. This provides the advantage of simplifying the process of assembling the connector 1 and the counter connector 10 onto the support 5. This also simplifies procurement and supply chain logistics, as there are fewer parts to manage.

[0026] like Figure 3 As shown, the mating connector 10 is mounted on the connector 1. The mating connector 10 includes a mating connector housing 11. In the illustrated example, the mating connector 10 is a plug connector (e.g., a female connector). The mating connector 10 is a cable connector. It accommodates three power terminals (not shown), each of which is electrically and mechanically connected to a cable. The cable extends perpendicular to the mating direction. The cable is a power cable with a relatively large cross-section. The cable is relatively hard and heavy.

[0027] like Figure 3As shown, the mating connector 10 includes a recess (hollow portion) 23. The recess 23 is substantially located in an area corresponding to the triangular area 12 in the connector 1. A ring 31 is mounted on the mating connector 10. The mating connector 10 has a retaining device 27 that retains the ring 31. For example, the ring 31 has a rectangular plate-like shape and is configured to be guided when inserted into the mating connector 10. The ring 31 has an internal shape around the hole so that the nut 28 can be retained on the ring 31 after a specific crimping. The retaining device 27 is flexible so that the ring 31 and the nut 28 are inserted into the mating connector 10 in one direction (the chamfered portion helps the insertion) and so as to make it more difficult to remove it in the opposite direction. The retaining device 27 keeps the ring 31 and the nut 28 captive. Therefore, the ring 31 and the nut 28 are mounted and retained on the mating connector 10. For example, the mating connector 10 is supplied at a wiring harness manufacturer (i.e., a manufacturer that performs assembly of cables and terminals and installation of terminals in the mating connector 10). This has the advantage that there is no risk of losing the nut 28. This also simplifies the supply chain because there are fewer separate components to manage. The nut 28 is screwed onto the second threaded portion 14 and tightened onto the ring 31 (alternatively, any other suitable fastening means may be used in place of the nut 28 and the threaded portion 14). The nut 28 and the ring 31 are located in the recess 23 so that they do not interfere with the environment of the connector assembly 100.

[0028] like Figure 4 As shown, the seat section 15 allows the blocking ring 31 and the nut 28 and thus prevents the connector housing 2 from being deformed and / or broken.

[0029] In one aspect, as described above, the mating connector 10 (along with its cable, terminals, ring 31 and nut 28) may be prepared by a cable manufacturer.

[0030] On the other hand, the connector 1 can be directly supplied to the vehicle manufacturer. In other words, the connector 1 and the fixing member 7 can be supplied to the vehicle manufacturer by the manufacturer of the connector 1, and the mating connector 10 can be supplied to the vehicle manufacturer by the cable manufacturer. Then, for the vehicle manufacturer, it is very easy to assemble the connector 1 and the mating connector 10.

[0031] To assemble the connector 1 and the counter connector 10 on the support 5, the following steps are performed:

[0032] - placing the connector 1 on the support 5,

[0033] - fixing the connector 1 to the support 5 by means of the fixing member 7 and the screws 6,

[0034] - placing the connector 1 and the mating connector 10 so that the terminals of the connector 1 and the mating connector 10 are aligned in the pre-mating position and so that the mating connector 10 is in a position suitable for engaging the nut 28 on the fixing member 7 relative to the fixing member 7,

[0035] A nut 28 is screwed onto the second threaded portion 14 in order to clamp the connector housing 2 and the counter connector housing 11 between the support 5 and the ring 31 .

[0036] Screwing the nut 28 on the second threaded portion 14 facilitates the mating between the connector 1 and the counter connector 10 and their corresponding terminals.

[0037] In order to help the connector 1 and the mating connector 10 to be well aligned before and during the screwing of the nut 28 on the second threaded portion 14, the connector 1 and the mating connector 10 have complementary sliding devices 50. The sliding device 50 acts as a "third hand". In fact, since the cable is hard and heavy, the sliding device 50 helps to maintain the connector 1 and the mating connector 10 in a pre-mating position before the aforementioned screwing step, and helps to align the connector 1 with the mating connector 10 for easy screwing, and avoids damaging the nut 28 and the corresponding threads of the second threaded portion 14.

Claims

1. A connector assembly (100), comprising a support (5), a connector (1), a mating connector (10), and at least one fixing member (7) extending longitudinally along a fixing direction (SD), wherein: - the support (5) is configured to receive the connector (1), - the connector (1) comprises a connector housing (2) to accommodate at least one first electrical terminal (3), and - the mating connector (10) is configured to mate with the connector (1) and comprises a mating connector housing (11) to accommodate at least one second electrical terminal, the at least one second electrical terminal being configured to be connected to the at least one first electrical terminal (3), Characterized in that the at least one fixing member (7) comprises a first fixing section (8) configured to fix the connector (1) to the support member (5), and a second fixing section (13) configured to fix the mating connector (10) to the connector (1).

2. The connector assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first fixing section (8) comprises a first threaded portion (9) which is configured to be screwed onto the support (5).

3. The connector assembly according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The second fixing section (13) includes a second threaded portion (14) configured to be screwed with a nut (28) to keep the mating connector (10) mated to the connector (1).

4. A connector assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The at least one fixing member (7) comprises a seat section (15) between the first fixing section (8) and the second fixing section (13).

5. The connector assembly according to claim 4, characterized in that: The seat section (15) comprises a nut section (30) which is formed in one piece with the at least one fixing member (7).

6. The connector assembly according to claim 5, characterized in that: The seat segment (15) comprises a ring segment (16) configured to cooperate with the connector (1) to retain the connector (1) to the support (5), the ring segment (16) being formed in one piece with the at least one fixing member (7).

7. A connector assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The at least one fixing member (7) comprises a free end (21) located on the same side as the second threaded portion (14), the free end (21) comprising a screw-on structure (22), the shape of the screw-on structure (22) being complementary to that of a wrench or a screwdriver.

8. A connector assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The mating connector (10) comprises a retaining device (27) which is configured as a retaining ring (26) on which the nut (28) is tightened when the nut (28) is screwed onto the second threaded portion (14).

9. The connector assembly according to claim 8, characterized in that: The retaining device (27) keeps the nut (28) captive.

10. A connector assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that The connector assembly includes a sealing member (24) interposed between the connector housing (2) and the support member (5).

11. A method for assembling a connector (1) and a mating connector (10) with a support (5), the method comprising: - placing the connector (1) onto the support (5), - fixing the connector (1) to the support (5) by means of at least one fixing member (7), - placing the connector (1) and the mating connector (10) such that at least one first terminal (3) accommodated in the connector (1) and at least one second terminal accommodated in the mating connector (10) are in a pre-mating position, and such that the mating connector (10) is in a position suitable for engaging a fastener (28) on the at least one fixing member (7) relative to the at least one fixing member (7), - fixing the first fixing section (8) of the at least one fixing member (7) to the support (5) so as to fix the connector (1) to the support (5), and fixing the mating connector (1) to the connector (1) by engaging the fastener (8) to the second fixing section (13) of the at least one fixing member (7).

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that The fastener (28) is a nut, and wherein, when the nut (28) is screwed onto the at least one fixing member (7), the at least one first terminal (3) is connected to the at least one second terminal.

Images