Connector and automobile windshield

Abstract

The invention belongs to the technical field of connectors, and particularly relates to a connector and an automobile windshield. The connector comprises a connecting rod, two lantern rings arranged at the two ends of the connecting rod in a sleeving mode correspondingly, a first connecting piece and a second connecting piece, and the first connecting piece and the second connecting piece are connected with the two lantern rings correspondingly; the connecting rod, the lantern ring, the first connecting piece and the second connecting piece are all made of conductive materials, the first connecting piece and the second connecting piece are used for being electrically connected with an external structure, and the lantern ring can rotate around the axis of the connecting rod. Therefore, the connecting angle of the first connecting piece or the second connecting piece relative to the external structure is adjusted. According to the invention, the applicability and the assembly efficiency of the connector can be improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the technical field of connectors, and particularly relates to a connector and an automotive windshield. Background Art

[0002] With the increasing popularity of automotive advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS), more and more vehicles are equipped with cameras. An automotive windshield provided with a camera generally includes a glass substrate. The glass substrate has a perspective area, and the camera is disposed facing the perspective area of the windshield. The camera can observe the driving environment through the perspective area of the windshield. However, in autumn, winter or rainy days, there is a large temperature difference between the inside and outside of the windshield, and the inner surface of the windshield is prone to fogging, which will interfere with the camera and is not conducive to driving safety. Therefore, it is usually necessary to provide a heating component on the glass substrate and connect the heating component to the in-vehicle circuit device through a connector, so that the heating component conducts electricity to generate heat to heat the glass substrate.

[0003] With the miniaturization and multifunctionality of in-vehicle circuit devices, the requirements for connectors applied to automotive windshields are also getting higher and higher. However, existing connectors can usually only be connected to a device interface at one angle and cannot be aligned when the angle of the device interface is not fixed, so the scope of use is limited. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of the embodiments of the present application is to provide a connector and an automotive windshield, aiming to solve the problem of how to improve the applicability and assembly efficiency of the connector.

[0005] To achieve the above purpose, the technical solution adopted in the present application is:

[0006] In a first aspect, a connector is provided, including a connecting rod, two sleeves respectively sleeved at both ends of the connecting rod, and a first connecting piece and a second connecting piece respectively connected to the two sleeves. The connecting rod, the sleeves, the first connecting piece and the second connecting piece are all made of conductive materials. The first connecting piece and the second connecting piece are used for electrically connecting to an external structure. The sleeve can rotate around the axis of the connecting rod to adjust the connection angle of the first connecting piece or the second connecting piece relative to the external structure.

[0007] In some embodiments, the connecting rod is made of a flexible material, and the connecting rod can be bent by an external force to adjust the orientation of the first connecting piece or the second connecting piece relative to the external structure.

[0008] In some embodiments, a notch is formed on the ring body of the sleeve, the notch penetrates the inner cavity of the sleeve, and both ends of the notch extend to the two end faces of the sleeve respectively.

[0009] In some embodiments, the gap between the collar and the connecting rod is filled with a lubricant made of a conductive material.

[0010] In some embodiments, the first connecting piece includes a main body portion and two positioning protrusions connected to both sides of the main body portion. The collar is connected to the main body portion, and the connection portion between the main body portion and the collar is located between the two positioning protrusions. The positioning protrusions are used for snap connection with the external structure to achieve positioning.

[0011] In some embodiments, fixing holes for fixing to the external structure are formed in the main body portion.

[0012] In some embodiments, the second connecting piece is used for welding to an external structure. A recessed portion is formed on one side wall of the second connecting piece, and the recessed portion penetrates through the second connecting piece along the thickness direction of the second connecting piece. The end face of the collar along the axial direction is connected to the bottom wall of the recessed portion.

[0013] In some embodiments, a sleeve is sleeved on the connecting rod, and the sleeve is made of an insulating material.

[0014] In a second aspect, a vehicle windshield is provided, which includes the above-mentioned connector. The vehicle windshield further includes a glass substrate and a heating structure provided on the glass substrate. The connector is used for connecting the heating structure and an external power supply, and the external power supply supplies power to the heating structure through the connector, so that the heating structure generates heat and heats the glass substrate.

[0015] In some embodiments, the heating structure includes a silver paste circuit that covers the glass substrate and bends and extends. The silver paste circuit is used for conducting electricity and generating heat. The second connecting piece is welded to the silver paste circuit, and the first connecting piece is electrically connected to the external power supply.

[0016] For the connector provided in the present application, the collar can rotate around the axis of the connecting rod, thereby driving the first connecting piece or the second connecting piece to rotate around the axis of the connecting rod, facilitating the user to adjust the first connecting piece or the second connecting piece to a suitable angle to align with the external structure interface, improving the applicability of the connector; and during the assembly of the connector, the collar can rotate to any angle and be inserted and assembled with the connecting rod, thereby improving the assembly efficiency of the connector. Description of the Drawings

[0017] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application, the following will briefly introduce the drawings required for use in the embodiments or exemplary technical descriptions. Obviously, the drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of the present application. For those of ordinary skill in the art, without creative efforts, other drawings can also be obtained based on these drawings.

[0018] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the connector provided by the embodiment of the present application;

[0019] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the split structure of the connector provided by the embodiment of the present application;

[0020] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the automotive windshield provided by the embodiment of the present application.

[0021] Among them, the reference numerals in the figure are as follows:

[0022] 10, connecting rod; 21, collar; 211, notch; 22, first connecting piece; 221, main body part; 222, positioning protrusion; 223, fixing hole; 23, second connecting piece; 231, recessed part; 30, sleeve; 100, connector; 200, glass substrate; 310, silver paste circuit. Specific Embodiments

[0023] To make the purpose, technical solutions and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the following will clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are some, but not all, of the embodiments of the present invention. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative efforts fall within the scope of protection of the present invention. Therefore, the following detailed description of the embodiments of the present invention provided in the drawings is not intended to limit the scope of the claimed present invention, but merely represents selected embodiments of the present invention. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative efforts fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0024] In the description of the present invention, it should be understood that the orientation or positional relationship indicated by the terms "center", "longitudinal", "lateral", "length", "width", "thickness", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", "clockwise", "counterclockwise", etc. is based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings. It is only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation to the present invention.

[0025] In addition, the terms "first" and "second" are only used for descriptive purposes and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the quantity of the indicated technical features. Thus, the features defined with "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of such features. In the description of the present invention, "a plurality of" means two or more unless otherwise specifically defined.

[0026] In the present invention, unless otherwise clearly specified and defined, the first feature being "above" or "below" the second feature may include the first and second features being in direct contact, or may include the first and second features not being in direct contact but in contact through additional features therebetween. Moreover, the first feature being "above", "over" and "on top of" the second feature includes the first feature being directly above and obliquely above the second feature, or merely indicating that the first feature has a higher horizontal height than the second feature. The first feature being "below", "beneath" and "under" the second feature includes the first feature being directly below and obliquely below the second feature, or merely indicating that the first feature has a lower horizontal height than the second feature.

[0027] Please refer to Figures 1 to 3 , the embodiment of the present application provides a connector 100, which includes a connecting rod 10, two collar rings 21 respectively sleeved on both ends of the connecting rod 10, and a first connecting piece 22 and a second connecting piece 23 respectively connected to the two collar rings 21. The connecting rod 10, the collar rings 21, the first connecting piece 22 and the second connecting piece 23 are all made of conductive materials. The first connecting piece 22 and the second connecting piece 23 are used for electrically connecting with an external structure. The collar rings 21 can rotate around the axis of the connecting rod 10 to adjust the connection angle of the first connecting piece 22 or the second connecting piece 23 relative to the external structure.

[0028] Understandably, the connecting rod 10, the collar 21, the first connecting piece 22, and the second connecting piece 23 are all made of conductive materials. Therefore, electrical connections are formed between the connecting rod 10 and the collar 21, between the collar 21 and the first connecting piece 22, and between the collar 21 and the second connecting piece 23. Among them, the external structure can be a power supply device or other connectors, etc. In a specific embodiment, the connector 100 can be applied to an automotive windshield. The automotive windshield includes a glass substrate 200 and a heating structure provided on the glass substrate 200. The connector 100 is used to connect the heating structure and an external power supply. The external power supply supplies power to the heating structure through the connector 100, so that the heating structure generates heat and heats the glass substrate 200, thereby quickly removing moisture or ice and frost on the glass substrate 200, enabling the automotive windshield to adapt to cold weather and improving driving safety.

[0029] For the connector 100 provided in this application, the collar 21 can rotate around the axis of the connecting rod 10, thereby driving the first connecting piece 22 or the second connecting piece 23 to rotate around the axis of the connecting rod 10, facilitating the user to adjust the first connecting piece 22 or the second connecting piece 23 to an appropriate angle to align with the external structure interface, improving the applicability of the connector 100; and when the connector 100 is assembled, the collar 21 can rotate to any angle and be inserted and assembled with the connecting rod 10, thereby improving the assembly efficiency of the connector 100.

[0030] Specifically, the first connecting piece 22 and the second connecting piece 23 are sheet-like structures. The external structure can be provided with a socket hole. By inserting the first connecting piece 22 or the second connecting piece 23 into the socket hole, the electrical connection between the first connecting piece 22 or the second connecting piece 23 and the external structure is realized.

[0031] In some embodiments, the collar 21 is a circular ring structure, the connecting rod 10 is a cylindrical structure, and an interference fit is adopted between the collar 21 and the connecting rod 10. By precisely controlling the dimensions of the collar 21 and the connecting rod 10, the inner diameter of the collar 21 is slightly larger than the diameter of the connecting rod 10, forming a small gap to prevent the collar 21 and the connecting rod 10 from jamming.

[0032] Furthermore, the collar 21 can be made of a solid lubricant material, such as a copper alloy containing graphite, or a high-hardness coating can be formed on the surface of the collar 21, such as diamond-like carbon film, titanium nitride, etc., thereby reducing the friction coefficient of the contact surface between the collar 21 and the connecting rod 10. The surface of the connecting rod 10 can also be polished or coated with a low-friction metal, such as silver plating, gold plating, etc., thereby reducing the frictional resistance.

[0033] In some embodiments, the connecting rod 10 is made of a flexible material. The connecting rod 10 can be bent by an external force to adjust the orientation of the connecting piece 22 relative to the external structure, so that the orientation of the connecting piece 22 can be flexibly adjusted according to different external structures, thereby improving the adaptability of the connector 100. And because the connecting rod 10 is made of a flexible material, compared with the connecting rod 10 made of a rigid material, when the collar 21 rotates relative to the connecting rod 10, the connecting rod 10 can generate a certain deformation, thereby preventing damage to the connecting rod 10.

[0034] In some embodiments, a notch 211 is formed in the ring body of the collar 21. The notch 211 penetrates the inner cavity of the collar 21, and both ends of the notch 211 extend to the two end faces of the collar 21 respectively. That is to say, the collar 21 is a non-closed ring structure. By providing the notch 211, the collar 21 obtains the ability of radial elastic deformation, so that the inner diameter and tightness of the collar 21 can be adjusted, improving the assembly efficiency and assembly flexibility. At the same time, the existence of the notch 211 forms an elastic contact between the collar 21 and the connecting rod 10, which not only ensures the electrical conductivity stability, but also allows the collar 21 to rotate around the axis of the connecting rod 10 with low resistance when subjected to an external force, realizing the multi-angle adaptive adjustment of the first connecting piece 22 or the second connecting piece 23.

[0035] In some embodiments, the gap between the collar 21 and the connecting rod 10 is filled with a lubricant. The lubricant is made of a conductive material, so as to further reduce the frictional resistance between the collar 21 and the connecting rod 10.

[0036] Optionally, the lubricant can be a functional material composed of a silicone-based grease and silver particles, that is, silver powder is added to the non-conductive silicone-based grease. The silver powder has high electrical conductivity, so as to form a continuous conductive network in the grease to ensure the passage of current, so that the functional material composed of the silicone-based grease and silver particles can not only maintain electrical conductivity but also have lubricity, thereby reducing the rotational torque.

[0037] In some embodiments, a convex structure is provided on the inner wall of the collar 21, and a circumferential groove is correspondingly provided on the outer peripheral wall of the connecting rod 10. Through the cooperation of the convex structure and the circumferential groove, the rotation of the collar 21 can be guided.

[0038] In some embodiments, the first connecting piece 22 includes a main body portion 221 and two positioning protrusions 222 connected to both sides of the main body portion 221. The collar 21 is connected to the main body portion 221, and the connection between the main body portion 221 and the collar 21 is located between the two positioning protrusions 222. The positioning protrusions 222 are used for clamping with the external structure to achieve positioning. The external structure is correspondingly provided with a positioning groove adapted to the positioning protrusions 222. The positioning protrusions 222 are clamped with the positioning groove to achieve positioning, so as to ensure the correct connection between the connecting piece 22 and the external structure of the vehicle and ensure the stability of the electrical connection.

[0039] It should be noted that the first connecting piece 22 is directly plugged into the external structure to achieve electrical connection, and the second connecting piece 23 can be used as a welding foot to be welded to the external structure. When the second connecting piece 23 is welded to the external structure, a recessed portion 231 is provided on one side wall of the second connecting piece 23, and the recessed portion 231 penetrates the second connecting piece 23 along the thickness direction of the second connecting piece 23, and the end face of the collar 21 along the axial direction is connected to the bottom wall of the recessed portion 231. By providing the recessed portion 231 on one side wall of the second connecting piece 23, the side of the second connecting piece 23 away from the recessed portion 231 is the welding point, and the connection point between the collar 21 and the second connecting piece 23 is closer to the welding point, that is, the tension point of the collar 21 on the second connecting piece 23 is closer to the welding point, thereby reducing the force arm and the bending moment at the welding point, so that the second connecting piece 23 is not easy to be separated from the welding point, and the stability of welding is improved.

[0040] In some embodiments, a sleeve 30 is sleeved on the connecting rod 10, and the sleeve 30 is made of an insulating material. By providing the sleeve 30, the operator can be prevented from directly contacting the connecting rod 10, thereby improving safety.

[0041] Optionally, the sleeve 30 can be made of polyimide. Polyimide has extremely high heat resistance and can maintain stable performance for a long time in a high temperature environment. Therefore, when it is sleeved on the outside of the connecting rod 10, the connecting rod 10 can still work normally when it is heated, without softening, deformation or performance degradation. In addition, polyimide has high mechanical strength, including high tensile strength, high bending strength and high compression strength. Polyimide also has excellent electrical insulation performance and can maintain stable electrical performance under high voltage and high frequency, which helps to ensure the safe and stable operation of the electrical system.

[0042] Furthermore, the sleeve 30 may be made of a soft material, so as to have a certain buffering effect, thereby preventing the connecting rod 10 from directly contacting the glass substrate 200 , thereby avoiding damage to the glass substrate 200 .

[0043] In the embodiment of the present application, the connecting rod 10, the collar 21, the first connecting piece 22 and the second connecting piece 23 are made of copper alloy materials to ensure low resistance characteristics and high transmission efficiency. As a conductor, it can reduce energy loss and improve work efficiency. In addition, copper alloys have excellent electrical conductivity and good forgeability, and can maintain good plasticity and toughness at high and low temperatures. Since copper alloys are soft and easy to process and shape, they can be easily made into various structures and shapes. The use of copper alloy materials can also enhance the heat dissipation effect, accelerate heat dissipation, and avoid overheating affecting the performance of the connector. Optionally, the copper alloy material can be a copper alloy, a brass alloy, a beryllium copper alloy, a white copper alloy or a chromium copper alloy.

[0044] Optionally, the cross-sectional diameter of the connecting rod 10 is 1.5 mm to 4 mm, that is, the connecting rod 10 is a large-diameter conductor, which can optimize the electrical signal path, reduce signal attenuation and crosstalk. In addition, the relatively large cross-sectional diameter of the connecting rod 10 also makes the connecting rod 10 not prone to heat generation, further enhancing the heat dissipation effect of the connecting rod 10.

[0045] In some embodiments, the main body portion 221 is provided with fixing holes 223 for fixing to an external structure. When the first connecting piece 22 is inserted into the external structure, the external structure is provided with a protruding structure, and the protruding structure is inserted into the fixing hole 223 to achieve interlocking, so that the first connecting piece 22 is firmly connected to the external structure, and the first connecting piece 22 is not easily pulled out and detached, ensuring the smoothness of the circuit.

[0046] The present application also proposes an automotive windshield, which includes a connector 100, and the specific structure of the connector 100 refers to the above embodiments. Further, the automotive windshield further includes a glass substrate 200 and a heating structure disposed on the glass substrate 200. The connector 100 is used to connect the heating structure and an external power supply, and the external power supply supplies power to the heating structure through the connector 100, so that the heating structure generates heat and heats the glass substrate 200, thereby quickly removing water vapor or frost on the windshield, enabling the rear windshield of the vehicle to adapt to cold weather.

[0047] In some embodiments, the heating structure includes a silver paste line 310 covering and bending and extending on the glass substrate 200. The silver paste line 310 is used for conducting electricity and generating heat. The second connecting piece 23 is welded to the silver paste line 310, and the first connecting piece 22 is electrically connected to the external power supply.

[0048] It should be noted that silver paste is a functional material composed of silver powder, glass powder, organic carrier, etc. Silver powder, as the main conductive component, has high conductivity and can effectively conduct current. Glass powder plays a role in bonding silver powder and the glass matrix during the sintering process, and also helps to improve the adhesion of the conductive silver paste to the glass surface. The organic carrier endows the silver paste with good printing suitability and rheological properties, enabling it to be conveniently coated on the glass surface.

[0049] By providing the bent and extended silver paste line 310, the coverage area of the silver paste can be increased, the heating area can be expanded, and the heating efficiency can be improved. Moreover, the silver paste line 310 has good adhesion. The vehicle is affected by various factors such as vibration and temperature changes during driving. Therefore, the good adhesion between the silver paste and the glass surface can ensure that the silver paste line 310 will not fall off or be damaged during long-term use, maintaining the stability of the heating and defogging system; in addition, silver paste has high conductivity, which can reduce resistance and energy loss, enabling the glass to reach the temperature required for defogging in a short time.

[0050] In some embodiments, the two ends of the silver paste circuit 310 are respectively connected to a positive electrode solder pad and a negative electrode solder pad. Two connectors 100 are provided. One end of each of the two connectors 100 is respectively connected to the positive electrode solder pad and the positive electrode of an external power supply, and the other end of each of the two connectors 100 is respectively connected to the negative electrode solder pad and the negative electrode of the external power supply, thereby forming a loop. The silver paste circuit 310 is equivalent to a resistor and can conduct electricity and generate heat.

[0051] In summary, for the connector 100 provided in this application, the collar 21 can rotate around the axis of the connecting rod 10, thereby driving the first connecting piece 22 or the second connecting piece 23 to rotate around the axis of the connecting rod 10, facilitating the user to adjust the first connecting piece 22 or the second connecting piece 23 to an appropriate angle to align with an external structure interface, improving the applicability of the connector 100; and when the connector 100 is assembled, the collar 21 can rotate to any angle and be inserted and assembled with the connecting rod 10, thereby improving the assembly efficiency of the connector 100.

[0052] The above are only optional embodiments of this application and are not intended to limit this application. For those skilled in the art, various changes and modifications can be made to this application. Any modification, equivalent replacement, improvement, etc. made within the spirit and principle of this application shall be included within the scope of the claims of this application.

Claims

1. A connector, characterized in that: It includes a connecting rod (10), two collar rings (21) respectively sleeved at both ends of the connecting rod (10), and a first connecting piece (22) and a second connecting piece (23) respectively connected to the two collar rings (21). The connecting rod (10), the collar rings (21), the first connecting piece (22) and the second connecting piece (23) are all made of conductive materials. The first connecting piece (22) and the second connecting piece (23) are used for electrically connecting with an external structure. The collar rings (21) can rotate around the axis of the connecting rod (10) to adjust the connection angle of the first connecting piece (22) or the second connecting piece (23) relative to the external structure.

2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein: The connecting rod (10) is made of a flexible material and can be bent by an external force to adjust the orientation of the first connecting piece (22) or the second connecting piece (23) relative to the external structure.

3. The connector according to claim 1, wherein: A notch (211) is formed on the ring body of the collar ring (21). The notch (211) penetrates the inner cavity of the collar ring (21), and both ends of the notch (211) extend to the two end faces of the collar ring (21) respectively.

4. The connector according to claim 3, wherein: A lubricant is filled in the gap between the collar ring (21) and the connecting rod (10), and the lubricant is made of a conductive material.

5. The connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first connecting piece (22) includes a main body part (221) and two positioning protrusions (222) connected to both sides of the main body part (221). The collar ring (21) is connected to the main body part (221), and the connection part between the main body part (221) and the collar ring (21) is located between the two positioning protrusions (222). The positioning protrusions (222) are used for clamping with the external structure to achieve positioning.

6. The connector according to claim 5, characterized in that: A fixing hole (223) for fixing with the external structure is formed on the main body part (221).

7. The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: The second connecting piece (23) is used for welding with an external structure. A recessed part (231) is formed on one side wall of the second connecting piece (23). The recessed part (231) penetrates the second connecting piece (23) along the thickness direction of the second connecting piece (23), and the axial end face of the collar ring (21) is connected to the bottom wall of the recessed part (231).

8. The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: A sleeve (30) is sleeved on the connecting rod (10), and the sleeve (30) is made of an insulating material.

9. An automotive windshield, characterized in that, It includes a connector (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 8. The vehicle windshield further includes a glass substrate (200) and a heating structure arranged on the glass substrate (200). The connector (100) is used for connecting the heating structure and an external power supply. The external power supply supplies power to the heating structure through the connector (100) so that the heating structure generates heat and heats the glass substrate (200).

10. The automotive windshield according to claim 9, wherein: The heating structure includes a silver paste circuit (310) covering and bending and extending on the glass substrate (200). The silver paste circuit (310) is used for conducting electricity and generating heat. The second connecting piece (23) is welded to the silver paste circuit (310), and the first connecting piece (22) is electrically connected to the external power supply.

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