Circular connector and connecting cable assembly

Abstract

The invention provides a circular connector, which comprises a female-end connector and a male-end connector, is provided with a threaded connection structure, and comprises a female-end core column assembly and a male-end core column, and the female-end core column assembly comprises a female-end core column, a sealing element and a connecting nut; an external thread area is arranged on the radial outer side of one end of the male end core column, an internal thread area is arranged at one end of the connecting nut, the starting position of an internal thread of the internal thread area is determined to be at the same position in the circumferential direction, and the starting position of an external thread of the external thread area is also determined to be at the same position in the circumferential direction. A first marking part is arranged on the radial outer side of the connecting nut corresponding to the initial position of the internal thread; a second flange is arranged in the area, close to the external thread, of the male end core column, and a second marking part is arranged on the second flange; when the first marking part and the second marking part are aligned, the fastening torque of the threaded connection structure reaches the specified torque. And an operator only needs to observe whether the first marking part is aligned with the second marking part or not during inspection, so that the visual inspection can be realized.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of connectors, in particular to a circular connector and a connecting cable assembly. BACKGROUND

[0002] Sensors / actuators are connected with controllers and / or power supplies through connecting cables with standardized circular connectors to realize signal and power transmission. Most of the circular connectors are M12 or M8 circular connectors, which are provided with a connecting structure including a threaded sleeve with external threads and a nut with internal threads. In order to ensure the required torque for fastening the connecting structure, the installer usually needs to manually tighten the threaded sleeve with the nut first, and then further fasten the nut using a torque wrench to ensure that the fastening torque reaches the standard requirement through the prompt of the torque wrench. Therefore, the inspection personnel cannot directly determine whether the fastening torque of the connecting structure meets the standard by visual inspection during the operation of the equipment, and often need to further detect by manually pulling or twisting the connecting structure, which is a complicated process and cannot guarantee the reliability, and cannot realize the automation of visual detection.

[0003] The female end and the male end of the existing circular connector product cannot meet the demand of random pairing assembly after mixed assembly, because the starting position of the internal threads of the nut is not fixed, which causes the nut and the threaded sleeve to be assembled one by one, seriously affecting the assembly efficiency. In addition, the threaded sleeve with external threads is a movable part, which is usually sleeved outside the male end core column, so the threaded sleeve is easy to rotate during assembly, and the operator cannot accurately determine the fastening degree, and the operation process is complicated and the assembly efficiency is low.

[0004] Based on the above, it is necessary to improve the existing circular connector and its connecting cable assembly. SUMMARY

[0005] The present application provides a circular connector and a connecting cable assembly, which can meet the pairing installation after mixed assembly of the female end connector and the male end connector, improve the assembly efficiency, and realize visual inspection operation.

[0006] In order to achieve the above purpose, the technical scheme adopted by the present application is as follows:

[0007] A circular connector, including a female end connector and a male end connector which can be inserted into each other, is provided with a threaded connecting structure, the threaded connecting structure includes a female end core column assembly provided in the female end connector and a male end core column provided in the male end connector, the female end core column assembly includes a female end core column, a sealing element and a connecting nut sleeved on the female end core column and the sealing element;

[0008] The male core post is provided with an external thread region radially outside one end thereof in the axial direction, the connecting nut is provided with an internal thread region for screwing to the external thread region at one end thereof in the axial direction, the internal thread start position of the internal thread region is determined at the same position in the circumferential direction, and the external thread start position of the external thread region is also determined at the same position in the circumferential direction.

[0009] The connecting nut is provided with a first mark part corresponding to the internal thread start position of the internal thread region radially outside; and the male core post is provided with a second flange close to the external thread region, and the second flange is provided with a second mark part.

[0010] When the first mark part is aligned with the second mark part, the fastening torque of the threaded connection structure reaches a specified torque.

[0011] Further, the first mark part is provided with a start end and an end end, the start end corresponds to the internal thread start position of the internal thread region, and when the second mark part is aligned with any position between the start end and the end end, the fastening torque of the connection structure reaches a specified torque.

[0012] Further, the first mark part is a triangular mark in a conical shape, and the second mark part is a square mark in a rectangular shape.

[0013] Further, the female core post comprises a female core post body and a first flange provided on the female core post body, the connecting nut is movably sleeved on the female core post body in the length direction of the female core post body and stopped at the first flange, one side of the first flange stopping the connecting nut is provided with a first wavy surface, and the connecting nut is provided with a second wavy surface matched with the first wavy surface.

[0014] Further, the sealing element is arranged on the side of the first flange away from the first wavy surface and clamped between the female core post, the male core post and the connecting nut.

[0015] Further, the sealing element radially seals the connection region between the female core post and the male core post on the inner side of the connecting nut.

[0016] Further, the female connector further comprises a female pin inserted into the female core post, the male connector further comprises a male pin inserted into the male core post, the female core post is partially inserted into the male core post, and the female pin is electrically connected with the male pin.

[0017] The application also provides a connecting cable assembly comprising the above-mentioned round connector.

[0018] The circular connector provided by the application is provided with a threaded connection structure between the female connector and the male connector, the threaded connection structure comprises a connecting nut provided with an internal thread area and a male core column provided with an external thread area, the internal thread start position of the internal thread area and the external thread start position of the external thread area are determined at the same position in the circumferential direction, a first mark part is arranged at the corresponding internal thread start position on the outer surface of the connecting nut, and a second mark part is arranged on the male core column, and the first mark part and the second mark part are aligned in the assembling and tightening, so that the tightening torque requirement of the threaded connection structure is met, when the operator inspects, only the alignment of the first mark part and the second mark part needs to be observed, the inspection visualization is facilitated, and the application scene is very suitable for narrow space.

[0019] The circular connector provided by the application is provided with a threaded connection structure between the female connector and the male connector, the threaded connection structure comprises a connecting nut provided with an internal thread area and a male core column provided with an external thread area, the internal thread start position of the internal thread area and the external thread start position of the external thread area are determined at the same position in the circumferential direction, a first mark part is arranged at the corresponding internal thread start position on the outer surface of the connecting nut, and a second mark part is arranged on the male core column, and the first mark part and the second mark part are aligned in the assembling and tightening, so that the tightening torque requirement of the threaded connection structure is met, when the operator inspects, only the alignment of the first mark part and the second mark part needs to be observed, the inspection visualization is facilitated, and the application scene is very suitable for narrow space.

[0020] The circular connector provided by the application is provided with a threaded connection structure between the female connector and the male connector, the threaded connection structure comprises a connecting nut provided with an internal thread area and a male core column provided with an external thread area, the internal thread start position of the internal thread area and the external thread start position of the external thread area are determined at the same position in the circumferential direction, a first mark part is arranged at the corresponding internal thread start position on the outer surface of the connecting nut, and a second mark part is arranged on the male core column, and the first mark part and the second mark part are aligned in the assembling and tightening, so that the tightening torque requirement of the threaded connection structure is met, when the operator inspects, only the alignment of the first mark part and the second mark part needs to be observed, the inspection visualization is facilitated, and the application scene is very suitable for narrow space. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0021] Figure 1 is a structural schematic diagram of the circular connector provided by the embodiment of the application;

[0022] Figure 2 is an exploded structural schematic diagram of the circular connector provided by the embodiment of the application;

[0023] Figure 3 is an exploded structural schematic diagram of the threaded connection structure provided by the embodiment of the application;

[0024] Figure 4 is Figure 3 is a cross-sectional structural schematic diagram of the threaded connection structure;

[0025] Figure 5 is a structural schematic diagram of the threaded connection structure in the connected state provided by the embodiment of the application;

[0026] Figure 6 is Figure 5 is a cross-sectional structural schematic diagram of the threaded connection structure in the connected state. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] The present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative of the invention and not intended to limit it. Furthermore, it should be noted that, for ease of description, the accompanying drawings show only the parts relevant to the present invention, and not all of the structures.

[0028] In the description of this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "connected," "linked," and "fixed" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention based on the specific circumstances.

[0029] In this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, "above" or "below" the second feature can include direct contact between the first and second features, or contact between the first and second features through another feature between them. Furthermore, "above," "over," and "on top" of the second feature includes the first feature directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. "Below," "below," and "under" the second feature includes the first feature directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.

[0030] In the description of this embodiment, the terms "upper," "lower," "left," and "right," etc., refer to the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are used only for ease of description and simplification of operation, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on the present invention. In addition, the terms "first" and "second" are used only for distinction in description and have no special meaning.

[0031] See Figure 1 and Figure 2 This embodiment provides a circular connector, including a female connector 100 and a male connector 200 that can be plugged into each other. The female connector 100 includes a female wire 110, a female pin 120, a female core post 130, a connecting nut 140, a sealing element 150, a female rubber coating layer 160, and a female wire seal 170; the male connector 200 includes a male wire 210, a male pin 220, a male core post 230, a male rubber coating layer 240, and a male wire seal 250.

[0032] See Figures 3 to 6The circular connector in this embodiment is provided with a threaded connection structure, which includes a female end core assembly disposed on the female end connector 100 and a male end core 230 disposed on the male end connector 200. The female end core assembly includes a female end core 130, a sealing element 150, and a connecting nut 140 sleeved on the female end core 130 and the sealing element 150. The male end core 230 has an external thread region 2302 radially outwardly disposed at one end in the axial direction, and the connecting nut 140 has an internal thread region 1401 disposed at one end in the axial direction for screwing into the external thread region 2302.

[0033] In this embodiment, the starting position of the internal thread of the internal thread region 1401 is specified circumferentially at the same position inside the connecting nut 140, which is also the starting position of the internal thread of the fixed internal thread region 1401. Similarly, in this embodiment, the starting position of the external thread of the external thread region 2302 is specified circumferentially at the same position outside the male end mandrel 230, which is also the starting position of the external thread of the fixed external thread region 2302.

[0034] In this embodiment, a first marking portion 1402 is provided on the radially outer side of the connecting nut 140 corresponding to the starting position of the internal thread. A second flange 2303 is provided on the male end core post 230 near the external thread region 2302, and a second marking portion 2304 is provided on the second flange 2303. When the internal thread region 1401 and the external thread region 2302 are threadedly connected, the tightening torque of the threaded connection structure reaches the specified torque after the first marking portion 1402 and the second marking portion 2304 are aligned. Of course, if the tightening torque is close to the specified torque, a secondary tightening can be performed using a torque wrench until the first marking portion 1402 and the second marking portion 2304 are aligned. Specifically, the specified torque is 0.4 Nm.

[0035] See Figures 3 to 6 The first marking part 1402 is a rectangular block mark, with a starting end 1402a and an ending end 1402b. The starting end 1402a corresponds to the starting position of the internal thread of the connecting nut 140, and the ending end 1402b is offset from the starting end 1402a in the tightening direction. The second marking part 2304 is a conical triangle mark. When the triangle mark is aligned with the starting end 1402a pointing to the block mark, the tightening torque of the threaded connection structure reaches the specified torque. To facilitate operator confirmation and prevent damage to the threaded connection structure due to over-tightening, the tightening torque of the threaded connection structure in this embodiment has a certain floating range. That is, when the triangle mark is aligned with any position between the starting end 1402a and the ending end 1402b pointing to the block mark, the tightening torque of the threaded connection structure can fluctuate within the specified torque range to meet product requirements.

[0036] See Figures 3 to 6The female end core 130 includes a female end core body 1301 and a first flange 1302 disposed on the female end core body 1301. The connecting nut 140 is movably sleeved on the female end core body 1301 along the length direction of the female end core body 1301 and stops at the first flange 1302. The side of the first flange 1302 that stops the connecting nut 140 is provided with a first wavy surface 1303, and the inner wall of the end of the connecting nut 140 away from the internal thread area 1401 is provided with a second wavy surface 1403 that matches the first wavy surface 1303. The sealing element 150 is disposed on the side of the first flange 1302 away from the first wavy surface 1303 and sandwiched between the female end core 130, the male end core 230 and the connecting nut 140, so as to radially seal the connection area between the female end core 130 and the male end core 230 on the inner side of the connecting nut 140.

[0037] Therefore, this embodiment comprehensively considers the sealing surface design of the first wave surface 1303 and the second wave surface 1403, the compression of the sealing element 150 in the sealed state, and the tightening torque when the first marking part 1402 is aligned with the second marking part 2304. Through these structural designs and complex and meticulous calculations, the thread starting position and appearance characteristics of each individual connecting nut 140 are kept completely consistent. This ensures that when female and male connectors from different batches are randomly assembled, the tightening torque of the threaded connection structure when the first marking part 1402 is aligned with the second marking part 2304 can still reach the specified torque. Moreover, the operator does not need to manually pull, use tools, or tighten the threaded connection structure inside the cabinet to assist in inspection. It is easy to achieve visual inspection during equipment operation and is suitable for narrow space application scenarios, which is conducive to the realization of inspection visualization.

[0038] In existing technology, a threaded sleeve with external threads is movably connected to the outer side of the male end core post. This threaded sleeve is a movable part and easily rotates during assembly, making it difficult for the operator to accurately judge the tightness of the threaded connection. Misjudgments often occur due to the rotation of the threaded sleeve, thus requiring tools to fix the threaded sleeve before assembly can be completed. In this embodiment, the male end core post 230 is a tubular part with an integrally injection-molded external thread area 2302 on its outer surface. During assembly, only the connecting nut 140 needs to be rotated to tighten the threaded connection, improving assembly efficiency and preventing misjudgments of tightness. Furthermore, it reduces the number of parts in the male connector 200, which helps reduce production costs. It is understood that, to facilitate tightening by the operator, both the connecting nut 140 and the outer side of the male end core post 230 are provided with anti-slip textures.

[0039] This embodiment also provides a connecting cable assembly, including the circular connector described above.

[0040] See Figure 2In this embodiment, the female connector 100 further includes a female pin 120 inserted into the female core post 130. The other end of the female pin 120 is crimped to a female wire 110. A female wire seal 170 is provided between the female wire 110 and the female core post 130, and its exterior is coated with a female rubber layer 160. Similarly, the male connector 200 further includes a male pin 220 inserted into the male core post 230. The other end of the male pin 220 is crimped to a male wire 210. A male wire seal 250 is provided between the male wire 210 and the male core post 230, and its exterior is coated with a male rubber layer 240.

[0041] In this embodiment, after the internal thread area 1401 of the connecting nut 140 is screwed onto the external thread area 2302 of the male core post 230, the second wave surface 1403 on the inner side of the tail of the connecting nut 140 contacts the first wave surface 1303 of the first flange 1302 on the female core post body 1301, and compresses the sealing element 150. By designing and calculating the peak-to-trough difference between the first wave surface 1303 and the second wave surface 1403, the total number of turns of the internal thread area 1401 and the external thread area 2302, and the compression of the sealing element 150, the second marking part 2304 can be aligned with the first marking part 1402 after the product is assembled, meeting the product's requirements for tightening torque and facilitating the realization of inspection visualization. Moreover, even after the female connector 100 and the male connector 200 are mixed and assembled, they can still meet any pairing assembly requirements, which is convenient, quick, reliable, waterproof, durable, and has a protection level of IP67, making it suitable for various outdoor environments.

[0042] Obviously, the above embodiments of the present invention are merely examples for clearly illustrating the present invention, and are not intended to limit the implementation of the present invention. Those skilled in the art will be able to make various obvious changes, readjustments, and substitutions without departing from the scope of protection of the present invention. It is neither necessary nor possible to exhaustively describe all embodiments here. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A circular connector, comprising a female connector (100) and a male connector (200) that can be plugged into each other, characterized in that, The device is provided with a threaded connection structure, which includes a female core post assembly disposed on the female connector (100) and a male core post (230) disposed on the male connector (200). The female core post assembly includes a female core post (130), a sealing element (150), and a connecting nut (140) sleeved on the female core post (130) and the sealing element (150). The male end core (230) has an external thread area (2302) radially outward at one end in the axial direction, and the connecting nut (140) has an internal thread area (1401) at one end in the axial direction for screwing into the external thread area (2302). The starting position of the internal thread of the internal thread area (1401) is determined at the same position along the circumferential direction, and the starting position of the external thread of the external thread area (2302) is also determined at the same position along the circumferential direction. A first marking portion (1402) is provided on the radial outer side of the connecting nut (140) corresponding to the starting position of the internal thread of the internal thread area (1401); a second flange (2303) is provided on the male end core (230) near the external thread area (2302), and a second marking portion (2304) is provided on the second flange (2303); When the first marking part (1402) and the second marking part (2304) are aligned, the tightening torque of the threaded connection structure reaches the specified torque.

2. The circular connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first marking part (1402) is provided with a starting end (1402a) and a ending end (1402b). The starting end (1402a) corresponds to the starting position of the internal thread of the internal thread region (1401). When the second marking part (2304) is aligned with any position between the starting end (1402a) and the ending end (1402b), the tightening torque of the connection structure reaches the specified torque.

3. The circular connector according to claim 2, characterized in that: The first marking part (1402) is a cone-shaped triangular mark, and the second marking part (2304) is a rectangular square mark.

4. The circular connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The female end core (130) includes a female end core body (1301) and a first flange (1302) disposed on the female end core body (1301). The connecting nut (140) is moved along the length direction of the female end core body (1301), sleeved on the female end core body (1301), and stopped at the first flange (1302). A first wave surface (1303) is provided on the side of the first flange (1302) that stops the connecting nut (140). A second wave surface (1403) matching the first wave surface (1303) is provided on the connecting nut (140).

5. The circular connector according to claim 4, characterized in that: The sealing element (150) is disposed on the side of the first flange (1302) away from the first wavy surface (1303) and sandwiched between the female end core (130), the male end core (230) and the connecting nut (140).

6. The circular connector according to claim 5, characterized in that: The sealing element (150) radially seals the connection area between the female end core (130) and the male end core (230) on the inner side of the connecting nut (140).

7. The circular connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The female connector (100) further includes a female pin (120) inserted into the female core post (130), and the male connector (200) further includes a male pin (220) inserted into the male core post (230). The female core post (130) is partially inserted into the male core post (230), and the female pin (120) and the male pin (220) are electrically connected.

8. A connecting cable assembly, characterized in that: Includes the circular connector as described in any one of claims 1-7.

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