Electric connector and electric connector assembly

Abstract

The invention provides an electric connector and an electric connector assembly. The electric connector comprises a first housing; the first terminal penetrates through the first outer wall of the first shell and is provided with a first end and a second end, the first end is arranged outside the first shell, and the second end is arranged inside the first shell; a second terminal disposed in the first housing and having a first end and a second end; the second shell is connected with the first shell, an accommodating space is defined by the second shell and the first shell, and a through hole for a wire harness to penetrate through is formed in the second shell; the second end of the first terminal is connected with the first end of the second terminal through a bolt, the second end of the second terminal is connected to a wire harness, the electric connector is simple in structure and convenient to assemble, the connection stability between the terminals is high, and the shock resistance is high.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the technical field of electrical connectors, and more particularly, to an electrical connector and an electrical connector assembly. Background Art

[0002] In current new energy vehicles, multiple external electrical connector interfaces are usually provided on the battery pack for connecting electrical devices. The commonly known electrical connectors for battery packs are usually male-female separable quick-insert connectors, which include a male connection part and a female connection part that can be plugged together. The male connection part is generally arranged at the device end, the female connection part is connected to a wire harness, and after the male connection part and the female connection part are paired and connected, they are locked by a fixing member.

[0003] It should be noted that the information disclosed in the above background art section is only used to enhance the understanding of the background of the present disclosure, and thus may include information that does not constitute the prior art known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Summary of the Invention

[0004] One technical problem to be solved by this application is how to simplify the structure of the electrical connector and improve its installation stability.

[0005] In addition, other aspects of this application are also intended to solve or alleviate other technical problems existing in the prior art.

[0006] This application provides an..., specifically, according to one aspect of this application, there is provided:

[0007] An electrical connector, comprising:

[0008] A first housing;

[0009] A first terminal, which is arranged through the first outer wall of the first housing and has a first end and a second end, the first end is arranged outside the first housing, and the second end is arranged inside the first housing;

[0010] A second terminal, which is arranged in the first housing and has a first end and a second end;

[0011] A second housing, which is connected to the first housing and encloses an accommodation space, and a through hole for the wire harness to pass through is provided on the second housing;

[0012] The second end of the first terminal is bolted to the first end of the second terminal, and the second end of the second terminal is connected to the wire harness.

[0013] Optionally, according to an embodiment of this application, the first terminal is configured as a copper busbar, the second terminal is configured as a crimp terminal, and the second end of the second terminal is crimped to the wire harness.

[0014] Optionally, according to an embodiment of the present application, a protruding portion is provided on the first outer wall of the first housing, the first terminal passes through the protruding portion and is inserted into the first housing, and the protruding portion surrounds the first terminal.

[0015] Optionally, according to an embodiment of the present application, the first outer wall is provided as a planar boss, an annular groove surrounding the protruding portion is provided on the boss, and a first annular sealing ring is provided in the annular groove.

[0016] Optionally, according to an embodiment of the present application, riveting nuts are respectively provided at the first end and the second end of the first terminal.

[0017] Optionally, according to an embodiment of the present application, a recessed portion is provided at one end of the first housing, a protruding portion matching the recessed portion is provided on the second housing, and the second housing covers the first housing and is snapped into the recessed portion through the protruding portion to form the accommodation space.

[0018] Optionally, according to an embodiment of the present application, a second annular sealing ring is provided at one end of the first housing close to the second housing. The outer ring of the second annular sealing ring abuts against the inner wall of the first housing, and the inner ring abuts against the wire harness.

[0019] Optionally, according to an embodiment of the present application, a stop portion is provided at one end of the first housing close to the second housing, a stepped portion is provided on the second housing, one end of the second annular sealing ring is stopped on the stop portion, and the other end is stopped on the stepped portion.

[0020] Optionally, according to an embodiment of the present application, a mounting hole coaxial with the threaded hole on the second end of the first terminal is provided on the outer wall of the first housing for mounting a bolt connecting the first terminal and the second terminal. A bolt plug is mounted in the mounting hole, and a third annular sealing ring is provided between the bolt plug and the first housing.

[0021] According to another aspect of the present application, the present application provides an electrical connector assembly, wherein the electrical connector assembly includes at least two of the above-mentioned electrical connectors arranged side by side, and the electrical connectors are connected to each other through the first outer wall.

[0022] The beneficial effects of the present application include:

[0023] 1. The electrical connector proposed in one embodiment of the present application does not adopt a male-female plug-in connection, but directly fixes two matching terminals in the housing of the electrical connector by bolts. The electrical connector itself forms an integral body rather than two parts, namely, a male connection part and a female connection part. The structure is simple, the assembly is convenient, and the connection stability between the terminals is high and the shock resistance is strong.

[0024] 2. The two terminals in the electrical connector proposed in one embodiment of the present application can be directly screwed in the shell, which is convenient for the assembly of the electrical connector; and multiple sealing structures are arranged between the shell and the device, between the shell and the outside, and between the shell and the wiring harness to ensure the sealing between the electrical connector and the outside. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] With reference to the accompanying drawings, the above and other features of the present application will become apparent. It is easy for those skilled in the art to understand that these drawings are only for illustrative purposes and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present application. In addition, similar numbers in the drawings are used to represent similar components, among which,

[0026] Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of an electrical connector assembly according to an embodiment of the present application is shown;

[0027] Figure 2 Another cross-sectional view of an electrical connector assembly according to an embodiment of the present application is shown, wherein: Figure 2 The cutting plane is perpendicular to Figure 1 cutting plane. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] It is easy to understand that according to the technical solution of the present application, without changing the essential spirit of the present application, a person skilled in the art can propose a variety of interchangeable structural modes and implementation modes. Therefore, the following specific implementation modes and drawings are only exemplary descriptions of the technical solution of the present application, and should not be regarded as the entirety of the present application or as a limitation or restriction on the technical solution of the present application.

[0029] The directional terms such as up, down, left, right, front, back, front, back, top, bottom, etc. mentioned or may be mentioned in this specification are defined relative to the structures shown in the drawings. They are relative concepts and may change accordingly according to their different positions and different usage states. Therefore, these or other directional terms should not be interpreted as restrictive terms. In addition, the terms "first", "second", "third", etc. or similar expressions are only used for description and distinction purposes, and cannot be understood as indicating or implying the relative importance of the corresponding components or the order or assembly order of the components.

[0030] refer to Figure 1and Figure 2 , which respectively show cross-sectional views of an electrical connector assembly 1 according to an embodiment of the present application on two different cutting planes, wherein: Figure 2 The cutting plane is perpendicular to Figure 1 The cutting plane. Figure 2 In the embodiment of the present application, the electrical connector assembly 1 includes two electrical connectors 100. Figure 2 The cross-sectional view of the two electrical connectors is shown in a top view, and Figure 1 The cross-sectional view of FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of the electrical connector assembly at a single electrical connector in a side view.

[0031] An electrical connector 100 proposed in one embodiment of the present application includes a first shell 110, a second shell 120, a first terminal 130, and a second terminal 140. The first shell 110, for example, is abutted against the device end during installation, especially against the device end through the first outer wall 111, and the second shell 120 is arranged at the wiring harness end and is provided with a through hole 121 for the wiring harness 200 to pass through. The first shell 110 is connected to the second shell 120 and encloses a receiving space 101. The first shell 110 and the second shell 120 are especially connected by snapping. Figure 1 In the embodiment, a recessed portion 112, especially an annular recessed portion 112, is provided on one end of the first housing 110, and a protruding portion 122 matching the recessed portion 112 is provided on the second housing 120. The second housing 120 is covered on one end of the first housing 110 and is snapped into the recessed portion 112 through the protruding portion 122 to form an accommodating space 101. This housing structure is conducive to simplifying the assembly of the electrical connector 100. It should be understood that the first housing 110 and the second housing 120 can also be connected in any other way that can form the accommodating space 101, such as the second housing 120 is snapped into the inner wall of the first housing 110 or connected through an intermediate connector, etc., which should also be included in the protection scope of the present application.

[0032] The first terminal 130 is arranged through the first outer wall 111 of the first housing 110 and has a first end 131 and a second end 132, the first end 131 is arranged outside the first housing 110, and the second end 132 is arranged inside the first housing 110. The first terminal 131 is particularly configured as a copper busbar, the first end 131 of which is electrically connected to the device, and the second end 132 is connected to the second terminal 140. The second terminal 140 is arranged in the first housing 110 and has a first end 141 and a second end 142, the first end 141 of the second terminal 140 is connected to the second end 132 of the first terminal 130 by a bolt 150, and the second terminal 140 is particularly configured as a crimping terminal, and the second end 142 of the second terminal 140 is crimped to the wiring harness 200.

[0033] In an embodiment of the present application, a riveted nut 133 is provided on the first end 131 of the first terminal 130 and a riveted nut 134 is provided on the second end 132. The riveted nut 133 on the first end 131 is used for the electrical connection between the first terminal 130 and the device, and the riveted nut 134 on the second end 132 is used for the threaded connection between the first terminal 130 and the second terminal 140. In this case, the nut is riveted and fixed on the first terminal 130, and no additional nut or other threaded connection member needs to be installed when installing the first terminal 130.

[0034] In an embodiment of the present application, a protruding protrusion 113 is provided on the first outer wall 111 of the first housing 110. The first terminal 130 passes through the protrusion 113 and is inserted into the first housing 110, and the protrusion 113 surrounds the first terminal 130. The protrusion 113 is particularly manufactured by injection molding around the first terminal 130, which can make the first terminal 130 more firmly fixed on the first housing 110 and can reduce the electrical clearance at the first terminal 130.

[0035] In an embodiment of the present application, the first outer wall 111 is provided as a flat boss. When the electrical connector 100 is electrically connected to the device, the boss particularly abuts against the device. Threaded holes are particularly provided on the boss so that the electrical connector 100 can be fixedly connected to the device through the threaded holes on the boss by bolts. An annular groove 114 surrounding the protrusion 113 is provided on the boss, and a first annular sealing ring 115 is provided in the annular groove 114. The annular sealing ring 115 particularly abuts against the mounting surface of the device during assembly to prevent dust, water, etc. from entering between the electrical connector 100 and the device.

[0036] In an embodiment of the present application, a second annular sealing ring 160 is provided at one end of the first housing 110 close to the second housing 120. The outer ring of the second annular sealing ring 160 abuts against the inner wall of the first housing 110, and the inner ring abuts against the wire harness 200 connected to the second end 142 of the second terminal 140. Through the second annular sealing ring 160, the gap between the wire harness 200 and the first housing 110 is filled and sealed, making it difficult for external dust and moisture to enter the accommodation space 101 of the electrical connector 100 through the gap at the wire harness connection.

[0037] In an embodiment of the present application, a stop portion (not shown in the figure, which is, for example, an annular protrusion protruding inward from the first housing 110) is provided at one end of the first housing 110 close to the second housing 120. A stepped portion 123 is provided on the second housing 120. One end of the second annular seal ring 160 abuts against the stop portion, and the other end abuts against the stepped portion 123. The stop portion and the stepped portion 123 are both provided in an annular shape in particular. The second annular seal ring 160 can be fixed at a specific position in the housing through the stop portion and the stepped portion 123, preventing it from slipping off the wire harness 200 due to lateral movement during installation or use.

[0038] In an embodiment of the present application, a mounting hole 114 coaxial with the threaded hole on the second end 132 of the first terminal 130 is provided on the first housing 110 for mounting a bolt 150 that connects the first terminal 130 and the second terminal 140. Thus, when the first terminal 130 and the second terminal 140 are arranged in place, the bolt 150 can extend into the accommodation space 101 of the electrical connector 100 through the mounting hole 114 to screw the first terminal 130 and the second terminal 140 together, without the need to connect the two terminals outside the electrical connector 100 and then arrange them in the accommodation space 101 of the electrical connector 100, which facilitates the overall assembly of the electrical connector 100. A bolt plug 170 is installed in the mounting hole 114, and a third annular seal ring 180 is provided between the bolt plug 170 and the first housing 110. The mounting hole 114 is sealed by the bolt plug 170 and the third annular seal ring 180 to prevent dust and water outside the electrical connector 100 from entering the electrical connector 100 through the mounting hole 114.

[0039] In Figure 2 the embodiment, it can be seen that the electrical connector assembly 1 includes two electrical connectors 100 arranged side by side. The two electrical connectors 100 are connected to each other through a first outer wall 111, and the first housings 110 of the two electrical connectors 100 are integrally formed through the first outer wall 111 in particular. The electrical connector assembly 1 can provide two second terminals for connecting two wire harnesses. It should be understood that in an embodiment not shown, the electrical connector assembly 1 may also have only one electrical connector or include more than two electrical connectors, and its arrangement can also be adjusted according to the positions of the device and the wire harness, which should also be included in the protection scope of the present application.

[0040] When assembling the electrical connector 100 in the present application, first, the first end 131 of the first terminal 130 is fixedly connected to the device end through the riveting nut 133, and the first annular sealing ring 115 is installed on the first outer wall 111 of the first housing 110. Then, the first outer wall 111 of the first housing 112 is installed on the end face of the device end through bolts. Subsequently, the second annular sealing ring 160 is installed into the second housing 120, and the wire harness 200 is passed through the second housing 120 and the second annular sealing ring 160 and connected to the second end 142 of the second terminal 140. Then, the second housing 120 is snapped onto the first housing 110. At this time, the first end 141 of the second terminal 140 and the second end 132 of the first terminal 130 also reach the position where they are connected to each other. The bolt 150 is inserted into the accommodation space 101 through the mounting hole 114 on the first housing 110, and the second end 132 of the first terminal 130 and the first end 141 of the second terminal 140 are connected by the bolt 150. Finally, the bolt plug 170 and the third annular sealing ring 180 are installed on the mounting hole 114 of the first housing 110 to achieve the sealing of the mounting hole 114.

[0041] An embodiment of the present application provides an electrical connector with fewer components, a simple structure, lower cost, and good stability. It realizes the stable connection between two terminals through a simple structure, simplifies the assembly steps, and sets multiple sealing structures between the housing and the device, between the housing and the outside, and between the housing and the wire harness, ensuring the sealing performance between the electrical connector and the outside, and can also achieve the connection and sealing with a multi-strand wire harness.

[0042] It should be understood that all the above preferred embodiments are exemplary rather than restrictive. Any modifications or deformations made by those skilled in the art to the specific embodiments described above under the concept of the present application should be within the scope of legal protection of the present application.

Claims

1. An electrical connector, characterized in that: include: a first shell; A first terminal, which is arranged through the first outer wall of the first housing and has a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is arranged outside the first housing and the second end is arranged inside the first housing; a second terminal disposed in the first housing and having a first end and a second end; A second housing connected to the first housing to enclose a receiving space, wherein the second housing is provided with a through hole for the wiring harness to pass through; The second end of the first terminal is connected to the first end of the second terminal by a bolt, and the second end of the second terminal is connected to the wiring harness.

2. The electrical connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first terminal is configured as a copper busbar, the second terminal is configured as a crimping terminal, and the second end of the second terminal is crimped to the wire harness.

3. The electrical connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: A protrusion protruding outward is provided on the first outer wall of the first housing, the first terminal is inserted into the first housing through the protrusion, and the protrusion surrounds the first terminal.

4. The electrical connector according to claim 3, characterized in that: The first outer wall is configured as a planar boss, an annular groove surrounding the protrusion is provided on the boss, and a first annular sealing ring is provided in the annular groove.

5. The electrical connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: Riveted nuts are respectively provided at the first end and the second end of the first terminal.

6. The electrical connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: A recessed portion is provided on one end of the first shell, a protruding portion matching the recessed portion is provided on the second shell, and the second shell is covered on the first shell and inserted into the recessed portion through the protruding portion to form the accommodating space.

7. The electrical connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: A second annular sealing ring is arranged at one end of the first housing close to the second housing, the outer ring of the second annular sealing ring abuts against the inner wall of the first housing, and the inner ring abuts against the wiring harness.

8. The electrical connector according to claim 7, characterized in that: A stopper is provided at one end of the first shell close to the second shell, a step portion is provided on the second shell, one end of the second annular sealing ring stops on the stopper, and the other end stops on the step portion.

9. According to the electrical connector of claim 5, a mounting hole is provided on the outer wall of the first shell and is coaxially arranged with the threaded hole on the second end of the first terminal, for installing a bolt connecting the first terminal and the second terminal, a bolt plug is installed in the mounting hole, and a third annular sealing ring is provided between the bolt plug and the first shell.

10. An electrical connector assembly, characterized in that: The electrical connector assembly comprises at least two electrical connectors according to any one of claims 1 to 9 which are arranged side by side, and the electrical connectors are connected to each other via the first outer wall.

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