Connector with male and female sheaths adopting general TPA structure

Abstract

The invention discloses a connector with a male sheath and a female sheath adopting general TPA structures, and relates to the technical field of connectors, the connector comprises the male sheath and the female sheath which can be matched and connected, the male sheath and the female sheath respectively adopt a first TPA structure and a second TPA structure to fix and lock terminals, and the first TPA structure and the second TPA structure are the same in structure and can be universally replaced. The TPA does not need to be stored separately when being stored, an operator does not need to distinguish TPA models, the assembly efficiency of TPA parts is greatly improved, the TPA parts of the male sheath and the TPA parts of the female sheath are the same in structure and use the same mold, independent mold opening is not needed, the manufacturing cost is greatly reduced, and the production efficiency is improved. The technical problems that a male end sheath and a female end sheath in an existing connector generally adopt different TPA structures, so that part management is complex, assembly efficiency is low, and die development cost is high are solved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of connectors, in particular to a connector with male and female sheaths adopting a universal TPA structure. Background Art

[0002] In existing connector designs, male and female housings typically use different TPA structures. Due to the different cavity sizes, terminal insertion directions, and locking mechanisms of male and female housings, traditional TPAs need to be designed separately, leading to the following problems: (1) Complex parts management: TPA parts for male and female sheaths need to be stored separately, increasing the supply chain and inventory.

[0003] (2) Low assembly efficiency: Operators need to distinguish different TPA models. The assembly efficiency of TPA parts is low and prone to the risk of misassembly.

[0004] (3) High mold development cost: The TPA parts of the male and female sheaths need to be molded separately, which increases manufacturing costs. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In response to the deficiencies in the above-mentioned background technology, the present invention proposes a connector in which the male and female sheaths adopt a universal TPA structure, which solves the technical problems in existing connectors where the male and female sheaths usually adopt different TPA structures, resulting in complex parts management, low assembly efficiency and high mold development costs.

[0006] The technical solution of the present invention is implemented as follows: a connector with a universal TPA structure for male and female housings, comprising a male housing and a female housing that can be mated and connected, the male housing being provided with a first TPA structure, the female housing being provided with a second TPA structure, the first TPA structure and the second TPA structure being identical in structure and interchangeable. The male and female housings of the connector of the present application respectively adopt a first TPA structure and a second TPA structure to fix and lock the terminals, wherein the first TPA structure and the second TPA structure are identical in structure and interchangeable, and TPAs do not need to be stored separately when storing them, and operators do not need to distinguish between TPA models, thereby greatly improving the assembly efficiency of TPA parts, and the TPA parts of the male housing and the female housing require the same TPA part structure, using the same mold, without the need for independent mold opening, and greatly reducing manufacturing costs. This solves the technical problem that the male and female housings of existing connectors generally adopt different TPA structures, resulting in complex parts management, low assembly efficiency, and high mold development costs.

[0007] Preferably, the male housing is provided with a first insertion hole for inserting a first TPA structure, the first insertion hole being arranged along a direction perpendicular to the insertion direction of the terminal, and a first locking protrusion being provided on the inner wall of the first insertion hole. When the first TPA structure is inserted into the first insertion hole, the first TPA structure engages with the first locking protrusion. The female housing is provided with a second insertion hole for inserting a second TPA structure, the second insertion hole being arranged along a direction perpendicular to the insertion direction of the terminal, and a second locking protrusion being provided on the inner wall of the second insertion hole. When the second TPA structure is inserted into the second insertion hole, the second TPA structure engages with the second locking protrusion. That is, the first TPA structure on the male housing is inserted along the first insertion hole and engages with the first locking protrusion, completing the connection of the first TPA structure to the male housing, and the second TPA structure on the female housing is inserted along the second insertion hole and engages with the second locking protrusion, completing the connection of the second TPA structure to the female housing.

[0008] Preferably, when the male and female housings are mated, the first and second TPA structures are located on two different height planes. That is, when the male and female housings are mated, the first TPA structure on the male housing and the second TPA structure on the female housing are located on two different height planes. This arrangement is because when the male and female housings are mated, if the first and second TPA structures are located on the same height plane, they are likely to interfere with each other, and there is insufficient space on the same height plane to simultaneously insert the first and second TPA structures.

[0009] Preferably, when the male and female housings are mated, the first TPA structure on the male housing and the second TPA structure on the female housing can overlap after being flipped 180 degrees. This is because when the connector is fully assembled, the male housing is inserted into the male terminal from the bottom, and the female housing is inserted into the female terminal from the top. The first and second TPA structures can overlap after being flipped 180 degrees. This is to facilitate the first and second TPA structures to fix the male and female terminals respectively.

[0010] Preferably, the first and second TPA structures each include a base, the base being provided with a plurality of terminal through-holes, with connecting blocks integrally connected to either side of the base. The base and connecting blocks are located at two different height planes, and the connecting blocks are provided with elastic locking structures that can engage with the first and second locking protrusions, respectively. That is, a connecting block is integrally connected to each of the left and right sides of the base, forming a symmetrical TPA structure. The base and connecting blocks are located at two different height planes, respectively, to form an anti-misinstallation structure. If the TPA structure is installed in the wrong direction, it cannot be fully inserted, prompting the operator through physical interference. The elastic locking structure is provided to achieve the engagement of the male sheath with the first TPA structure and the female sheath with the second TPA structure.

[0011] A stop block for fixing the terminal is provided in the terminal through hole. After the connector is fully assembled, the male sheath is inserted into the male terminal from the bottom, and the female sheath is inserted into the female terminal from the top. The first TPA structure and the second TPA structure can be overlapped after being flipped 180°. This is to facilitate the stop block on the first TPA structure to fix the male terminal and the stop block on the second TPA structure to fix the female terminal.

[0012] Preferably, the two elastic locking structures are symmetrically arranged on either side of the base. The symmetrical arrangement of the two elastic locking structures on either side of the base is for structural symmetry, ensuring the stability of the holding force between the elastic locking structures and the male or female sheaths; and further improves the holding force between the elastic locking structures and the male or female sheaths.

[0013] Preferably, the elastic locking structure includes a cantilever integrally connected to the connecting block, and a fixed protrusion integrally connected to the end of the cantilever that can engage with the first locking protrusion and the second locking protrusion, respectively. That is, the elastic locking structure is composed of the cantilever and the fixed protrusion. When the first TPA structure on the male sheath is inserted through the first receptacle, the fixed protrusion on the first TPA structure engages with the first locking protrusion, completing the connection of the first TPA structure to the male sheath. When the second TPA structure on the female sheath is inserted through the second receptacle, the fixed protrusion on the second TPA structure engages with the second locking protrusion, completing the connection of the second TPA structure to the female sheath.

[0014] Preferably, the thickness of the cantilever is 0.8 mm -1.2 mm, and the yield strength of the cantilever is greater than or equal to 80 MPa. The thickness of the cantilever is 0.8 mm -1.2 mm because when the thickness of the cantilever is 0.8 mm -1.2 mm, the strength of the cantilever can meet the strength required for connection with the first locking protrusion or the second locking protrusion, and this thickness does not affect the length of the base and the connecting block. The preferred thickness of the cantilever is 1.2 mm to ensure the strength of the cantilever. The yield strength of the cantilever is greater than or equal to 80 MPa. The cantilever is configured in this way to ensure that the cantilever is not easily plastically deformed when subjected to external forces, thereby reducing fatigue damage caused by deformation, which helps to extend the service life of the cantilever.

[0015] Preferably, the first TPA structure and the second TPA structure are made of the same material. The TPA structures made of the same material make the first TPA structure and the second TPA structure completely identical, which is conducive to improving the universality of the first TPA structure and the second TPA structure.

[0016] Preferably, the first TPA structure adopts a TPA structure made of nylon or PBT, wherein PBT stands for polybutylene terephthalate, which is a high-performance thermoplastic polyester material. The TPA structure made of nylon or PBT is adopted because nylon or PBT materials have excellent electrical insulation properties and high thermal denaturation temperature, low hygroscopicity, low static and dynamic friction coefficients, excellent chemical corrosion resistance, and good processing performance.

[0017] Beneficial effects of the present invention: 1. The male and female housings of the connector of the present application respectively adopt a first TPA structure and a second TPA structure to fix and lock the terminals, wherein the first TPA structure and the second TPA structure have the same structure and are universally replaceable. There is no need to store TPAs separately when storing them, and operators do not need to distinguish between TPA models. The assembly efficiency of TPA parts is greatly improved, and the TPA parts of the male housing and the female housing have the same structure and use the same mold. There is no need to open molds independently, and the manufacturing cost is greatly reduced.

[0018] 2. The base and the connecting block of the present application are located on two height planes respectively. This setting is to form an anti-misinstallation structure. The TPA structure cannot be fully inserted when it is installed in the wrong direction, and the operator is prompted by physical interference.

[0019] 3. The first TPA structure and the second TPA structure of the present application are TPA structures made of the same material, which is conducive to improving the universality of the first TPA structure and the second TPA structure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present invention, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for use in the description of the embodiments. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without any creative work.

[0021] Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 2 It is a cross-sectional view of the connection between the male sheath and the first TPA structure of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 3 It is a cross-sectional view of the connection between the female sheath and the second TPA structure of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 4 It is a cross-sectional view of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 5 It is a cross-sectional view of the male sheath of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 6 for Figure 5 An enlarged view of the first locking protrusion in FIG.

[0027] Figure 7 This is a top view of the male sheath of the present invention mating with the first TPA structure.

[0028] Figure 8 Schematic diagram of the cooperation between the first locking protrusion, the cantilever and the fixing protrusion of the present invention.

[0029] Figure 9 It is a top view of the female sheath of the present invention.

[0030] Figure 10 Figure 9 An enlarged view of the second locking protrusion in FIG.

[0031] Figure 11 This is a top view of the female sheath of the present invention cooperating with the second TPA structure.

[0032] Figure 12 for Figure 11 Schematic diagram of the cooperation between the second locking protrusion, the cantilever and the fixed protrusion.

[0033] Figure 13 The first TPA structure of the present invention is Figure 1 .

[0034] Figure 14 The first TPA structure of the present invention is Figure 2 .

[0035] In the figure: 1 male housing, 2 female housing, 3 first TPA structure, 4 second TPA structure, 5 base, 6 terminal through hole, 7 connecting block, 8 elastic locking structure, 9 first locking protrusion, 10 second locking protrusion, 11 cantilever, 12 fixing protrusion, 13 clip. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] The following will clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field based on the embodiments of the present invention without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0037] Example 1, a connector with a universal TPA structure for male and female sheaths, such as Figure 1 、 Figure 2 、 Figure 3 、 Figure 4As shown, it includes a male sheath 1 and a female sheath 2 that can be matched and connected, and the male sheath 1 is provided with a first TPA structure 3, and the female sheath 2 is provided with a second TPA structure 4, and the structures of the first TPA structure 3 and the second TPA structure 4 are the same and can be universally replaced. The male sheath 1 and the female sheath 2 of the connector of the present application respectively adopt the first TPA structure 3 and the second TPA structure 4 to fix and lock the terminals, wherein the structures of the first TPA structure 3 and the second TPA structure 4 are the same and can be universally replaced. When storing TPA, there is no need to store them separately, and the operator does not need to distinguish the models of TPA. The assembly efficiency of TPA parts is greatly improved, and the TPA parts of the male sheath 1 and the female sheath 2 require the same TPA parts structure, use the same mold, do not need to open the mold independently, and the manufacturing cost is greatly reduced. This solves the technical problem that the male end sheath and the female end sheath in the existing connector usually adopt different TPA structures, resulting in complex parts management, low assembly efficiency and high mold development costs.

[0038] The male sheath 1 is provided with a clip 13. When the female sheath 2 is plugged into the male sheath 1, the female sheath 2 and the male sheath 1 are connected by the clip 13. The terminal jacks of the male and female sheaths 1 and 2 are provided with a limit structure for fixing the terminals. The limit structure and the clip 13 are both existing structures and will not be described in detail here. The TPA in this application is the abbreviation of terminal position assurance, that is, the secondary locking mechanism of the terminal. TPA is a mechanism that ensures that the terminal is installed in place and provides a separate terminal locking force.

[0039] Example 2, based on Example 1, a connector with a universal TPA structure for male and female sheaths, such as Figure 4 、 Figure 5 、 Figure 9 and Figure 10 As shown, the male housing 1 is provided with a first insertion hole for inserting a first TPA structure 3. The first insertion hole is arranged along the direction perpendicular to the terminal insertion direction. A first locking protrusion 9 is provided on the inner wall of the first insertion hole. When the first TPA structure 3 is inserted into the first insertion hole, the first TPA structure 3 engages with the first locking protrusion 9. The female housing 2 is provided with a second insertion hole for inserting a second TPA structure 4. The second insertion hole is arranged along the direction perpendicular to the terminal insertion direction. A second locking protrusion 10 is provided on the inner wall of the second insertion hole. When the second TPA structure 4 is inserted into the second insertion hole, the second TPA structure 4 engages with the second locking protrusion 10. That is, the first TPA structure 3 on the male housing 1 is inserted along the first insertion hole and engages with the first locking protrusion 9, completing the connection between the first TPA structure 3 and the male housing 1. The second TPA structure 4 on the female housing 2 is inserted along the second insertion hole and engages with the second locking protrusion 10, completing the connection between the second TPA structure 4 and the female housing 2.

[0040] Example 3, based on Example 2, a connector with a universal TPA structure for male and female sheaths, such as Figure 1 、 Figure 2 、 Figure 3 、 Figure 4 As shown, when the male housing 1 and the female housing 2 are mated, the first TPA structure 3 and the second TPA structure 4 are located on two height planes. That is, when the male housing 1 and the female housing 2 are mated, the first TPA structure 3 on the male housing 1 and the second TPA structure 4 on the female housing 2 are located on two height planes. This arrangement is because when the male housing 1 and the female housing 2 are mated, if the first TPA structure 3 and the second TPA structure 4 are located on the same height plane, they are likely to interfere with each other, and there is not enough space on the same height plane to simultaneously insert the first TPA structure 3 and the second TPA structure 4.

[0041] Example 4, based on Example 3, a connector with a universal TPA structure for male and female sheaths, such as Figure 1 、 Figure 2 、 Figure 3 、 Figure 4 As shown, when the male housing 1 and the female housing 2 are mated, the first TPA structure 3 on the male housing 1 and the second TPA structure 4 on the female housing 2 can overlap after being flipped 180 degrees. This is because when the connector is fully assembled, the male housing 1 is inserted from the bottom into the male terminal, and the female housing 2 is inserted from the top into the female terminal. The first TPA structure 3 and the second TPA structure 4 are arranged to overlap after being flipped 180 degrees. This is to facilitate the first TPA structure 3 and the second TPA structure 4 to fix the male terminal and the female terminal respectively.

[0042] Example 5, based on any one of Examples 1 to 4, a connector with a universal TPA structure for male and female sheaths, such as Figure 5 、 Figure 6 、 Figure 9 、 Figure 10 、 Figure 13 and Figure 14 As shown, Figure 13 is a front perspective view of the first TPA structure 3, Figure 14This is a perspective view of the back of the first and second TPA structures 3. Both the first and second TPA structures 3 and 4 comprise a base 5, which is provided with a plurality of terminal through-holes 6. Connecting blocks 7 are integrally connected to either side of the base 5. The base 5 and connecting blocks 7 are located at two different height planes. Each connecting block 7 is provided with an elastic locking structure 8 that engages with a first locking protrusion 9 and a second locking protrusion 10, respectively. Specifically, a connecting block 7 is integrally connected to each of the left and right sides of the base 5, forming a symmetrical TPA structure. The base 5 and connecting blocks 7 are located at two different height planes to prevent incorrect installation. If the TPA structure is installed in the incorrect orientation, it will not be fully inserted, providing a physical warning to the operator. The elastic locking structure 8 is provided to secure the male housing 1 to the first TPA structure 3 and the female housing 2 to the second TPA structure 4.

[0043] A stop block for fixing the terminal is provided in the terminal through hole 6. After the connector is fully assembled, the male sheath 1 is inserted into the male terminal from the bottom, and the female sheath 2 is inserted into the female terminal from the top. The first TPA structure 3 and the second TPA structure 4 can be overlapped after being flipped 180°. This is to facilitate the stop block on the first TPA structure 3 to fix the male terminal and the stop block on the second TPA structure 4 to fix the female terminal.

[0044] Example 6, based on Example 5, a connector with a universal TPA structure for male and female sheaths, such as Figure 7 、 Figure 11 As shown, the two elastic locking structures 8 are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the base 5. The symmetrical arrangement of the two elastic locking structures 8 on both sides of the base 5 is for structural symmetry, on the one hand, to ensure the stability of the holding force between the elastic locking structure 8 and the male sheath 1 or the female sheath 2; on the other hand, the provision of the two elastic locking structures 8 further improves the holding force between the elastic locking structure 8 and the male sheath 1 or the female sheath 2.

[0045] Example 7, based on Example 6, a connector with a universal TPA structure for male and female sheaths, such as Figure 8 and Figure 12As shown, the elastic locking structure 8 includes a cantilever 11, which is integrally connected to the connecting block 7. The end of the cantilever 11 is integrally connected to a fixing protrusion 12 that can respectively engage with the first locking protrusion 9 and the second locking protrusion 10. In other words, the elastic locking structure 8 is composed of the cantilever 11 and the fixing protrusion 12. When the first TPA structure 3 on the male sheath 1 is inserted through the first insertion hole, the fixing protrusion 12 on the first TPA structure 3 engages with the first locking protrusion 9, completing the connection of the first TPA structure 3 to the male sheath 1. After the second TPA structure 4 on the female sheath 2 is inserted through the second insertion hole, the fixing protrusion 12 on the second TPA structure 4 engages with the second locking protrusion 10, completing the connection of the second TPA structure 4 to the female sheath 2.

[0046] Example 8, based on Example 7, a connector with a universal TPA structure for male and female sheaths, such as Figure 8 and Figure 12 As shown, the thickness of the cantilever 11 is 0.8 mm -1.2 mm, and the yield strength of the cantilever 11 is greater than or equal to 80 MPa. The thickness of the cantilever 11 is 0.8 mm -1.2 mm because when the thickness of the cantilever 11 is 0.8 mm -1.2 mm, the strength of the cantilever 11 can meet the strength required for connection with the first locking protrusion 9 or the second locking protrusion 10, and this thickness does not affect the length of the base 5 and the connecting block 7. The preferred thickness of the cantilever 11 is 1.2 mm to ensure the strength of the cantilever 11. The yield strength of the cantilever 11 is greater than or equal to 80 MPa. The cantilever 11 is configured in this way to ensure that the cantilever 11 is not easily plastically deformed when subjected to external force, thereby reducing fatigue damage caused by deformation, which helps to extend the service life of the cantilever 11.

[0047] Example 9, based on Example 8, a connector with a universal TPA structure for male and female sheaths, such as Figure 1 、 Figure 2 、 Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the first TPA structure 3 and the second TPA structure 4 are made of the same material. The TPA structures made of the same material make the first TPA structure 3 and the second TPA structure 4 completely identical, which is conducive to improving the universality of the first TPA structure 3 and the second TPA structure 4.

[0048] Example 10, based on Example 9, a connector with a universal TPA structure for male and female sheaths, such as Figure 1 、 Figure 2 、 Figure 3 and Figure 4As shown, the first TPA structure 3 adopts a TPA structure made of nylon or PBT, wherein the full name of PBT is polybutylene terephthalate, which is a high-performance thermoplastic polyester material. The TPA structure made of nylon or PBT is adopted because nylon or PBT materials have excellent electrical insulation properties and high thermal denaturation temperature, low hygroscopicity, low static and dynamic friction coefficients, excellent chemical corrosion resistance, and good processing performance.

[0049] When Example 10 is implemented, a first socket and a second socket are respectively processed on the male sheath 1 and the female sheath 2. When the first TPA structure 3 on the male sheath 1 is inserted along the first socket, the fixing protrusion 12 on the first TPA structure 3 is snap-fitted with the first locking protrusion 9 to complete the connection of the first TPA structure 3 to the male sheath 1. When the second TPA structure 4 on the female sheath 2 is inserted along the second socket, the fixing protrusion 12 on the second TPA structure 4 is snap-fitted with the second locking protrusion 10 to complete the connection of the second TPA structure 4 to the female sheath 2. After the first TPA structure 3 and the second TPA structure 4 are respectively installed in place, the male sheath 1 is inserted into the female sheath 2, and the male sheath 1 and the female sheath 2 are snap-fitted by the clip 13. At this time, the first TPA structure 3 and the second TPA structure 4 are located at two upper and lower heights.

[0050] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included in the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A connector with a universal TPA structure for male and female sheaths, comprising a male sheath (1) and a female sheath (2) that can be mated and connected, characterized in that: The male sheath (1) is provided with a first TPA structure (3), and the female sheath (2) is provided with a second TPA structure (4); the first TPA structure (3) and the second TPA structure (4) have the same structure and are universally replaceable.

2. The connector with a universal TPA structure for male and female sheaths according to claim 1, characterized in that: The male housing (1) is provided with a first jack for inserting a first TPA structure (3), the first jack being arranged along a direction perpendicular to the insertion direction of the terminal, and a first locking protrusion (9) being provided on an inner wall of the first jack. When the first TPA structure (3) is inserted into the first jack, the first TPA structure (3) and the first locking protrusion (9) are engaged in a snap fit. The female housing (2) is provided with a second jack for inserting a second TPA structure (4), the second jack being arranged along a direction perpendicular to the insertion direction of the terminal, and a second locking protrusion (10) being provided on an inner wall of the second jack. When the second TPA structure (4) is inserted into the second jack, the second TPA structure (4) and the second locking protrusion (10) are engaged in a snap fit.

3. The connector with a universal TPA structure for male and female sheaths according to claim 2, characterized in that: When the male sheath (1) and the female sheath (2) are matched, the first TPA structure (3) and the second TPA structure (4) are located on two height planes.

4. The connector with a universal TPA structure for male and female sheaths according to claim 3, characterized in that: When the male sheath (1) and the female sheath (2) are matched, the first TPA structure (3) on the male sheath (1) and the second TPA structure (4) on the female sheath (2) can overlap after being flipped 180 degrees.

5. The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the male and female sheaths adopt a universal TPA structure, characterized in that: The first TPA structure (3) and the second TPA structure (4) both include a base (5), the base (5) is provided with a plurality of terminal through holes (6), both sides of the base (5) are integrally connected with connecting blocks (7), the base (5) and the connecting blocks (7) are respectively located on two height planes, and the connecting blocks (7) are provided with elastic locking structures (8) that can be respectively engaged with the first locking protrusion (9) and the second locking protrusion (10).

6. The connector with a universal TPA structure for male and female sheaths according to claim 5, characterized in that: The two elastic locking structures (8) are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the base body (5).

7. The connector with a universal TPA structure for male and female sheaths according to claim 6, characterized in that: The elastic locking structure (8) comprises a cantilever (11), the cantilever (11) being integrally connected to the connecting block (7), and the end of the cantilever (11) being integrally connected to a fixing protrusion (12) capable of engaging with the first locking protrusion (9) and the second locking protrusion (10) for blocking.

8. The connector with a universal TPA structure for male and female sheaths according to claim 7, characterized in that: The thickness of the cantilever (11) is 0.8 mm-1.2 mm, and the yield strength of the cantilever (11) is greater than or equal to 80 MPa.

9. The connector with a universal TPA structure for male and female sheaths according to claim 8, characterized in that: The first TPA structure (3) and the second TPA structure (4) are TPA structures made of the same material.

10. The connector with a universal TPA structure for male and female sheaths according to claim 9, characterized in that: The first TPA structure (3) is a TPA structure made of nylon or PBT.

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