Terminal protection cover, shell assembly, female end connector and connector assembly

By designing the cover body and retaining cavity structure of the terminal protection cover, the problem of damage to the female coaxial terminal during transportation and mating was solved, achieving effective protection of the female terminal and simplifying mating.

CN121863100APending Publication Date: 2026-04-14TYCO ELECTRONICS (SUZHOU) CO LTD +1
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Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
CN · China
Patent Type
Applications(China)
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2024-10-11
Publication Date
2026-04-14

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

The female coaxial terminal is easily damaged during transportation and mating, and the lack of a guiding structure makes mating difficult.

Method used

Design a terminal protection cover, including a cover body, a retaining cavity and a mounting part, for accommodating and locking onto a female connector, and guiding the male terminal to be inserted in a centered manner through a tapered guide surface, and positioning it in combination with positioning protrusions and positioning ribs.

Benefits of technology

It effectively protects the female terminals from damage and reduces the difficulty of mating the female and male terminals.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

The invention discloses a terminal protection cover, a shell assembly, a female end connector and a connector assembly. The terminal protection cover comprises a cover body which is suitable for being inserted into an accommodating chamber on an end cover of a female end connector; the holding cavity is formed in the cover body, is suitable for being matched with a matching end of a female terminal of a female end connector, and is used for accommodating and holding the matching end of the female terminal; and the mounting part is formed on the cover body, is suitable for being jointed with the end cover, and is used for locking the terminal protection cover on the end cover. According to the invention, the terminal protection cover can effectively protect the female terminal, and can effectively prevent the female terminal from being damaged in the transportation and matching process. In addition, the terminal protection cover can guide the male terminal to be inserted into the female terminal centrally, so that the matching difficulty of the female terminal and the male terminal is reduced.
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Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a terminal protective cover, including a housing assembly of the terminal protective cover, a female connector of the housing assembly, and a connector assembly including the female connector. Background Technology

[0002] On commonly used female RF connectors, the mating portion of the female coaxial terminal is directly exposed without any protection. This makes the female coaxial terminal easily damaged during transportation and mating. Furthermore, in existing technology, female RF connectors lack a guiding structure to ensure the male coaxial terminal is inserted centered into the female coaxial terminal, leading to difficulties in mating the female and male coaxial terminals. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to solve at least one aspect of the aforementioned problems and defects existing in the prior art.

[0004] According to one aspect of the present invention, a terminal protection cover is provided. The terminal protection cover includes: a cover body adapted to be inserted into a receiving chamber on an end cover of a female connector; a retaining cavity formed in the cover body and adapted to mate with a mating end of a female terminal of the female connector for receiving and retaining the mating end of the female terminal; and a mounting portion formed on the cover body and adapted to engage with the end cover for locking the terminal protection cover onto the end cover.

[0005] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the mounting portion includes an elastic buckle adapted to engage with a slot in the receiving chamber of the end cap; or the mounting portion includes a slot adapted to engage with an elastic buckle in the receiving chamber of the end cap.

[0006] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the retaining cavity has an inlet for guiding the male terminal of the male connector into the mating end of the female terminal, and a tapered guide surface is formed on the inner side of the inlet of the retaining cavity to guide the male terminal to be inserted centrally into the mating end of the female terminal.

[0007] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the cover has a top and a bottom opposite each other in the height direction, the inlet of the retaining cavity is located at the top of the cover; and a positioning protrusion is formed on the bottom of the cover, the positioning protrusion being adapted to be inserted into a first positioning groove on the housing of the female connector for positioning the terminal protective cover.

[0008] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the positioning protrusion extends along the height direction and has two first positioning surfaces that are laterally opposite each other. The first positioning surfaces are planes perpendicular to the lateral direction and are adapted to abut against the inner wall of the first positioning groove to laterally position the terminal protective cover.

[0009] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the cover has a left side and a right side opposite to each other in the lateral direction, and a positioning rib is formed on at least one of the left side and the right side of the cover, the positioning rib being adapted to be inserted into a second positioning groove on the inner wall of the receiving chamber of the end cover for positioning the terminal protective cover.

[0010] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the positioning rib extends along the height direction and has two second positioning surfaces that are opposite each other in the longitudinal direction. The second positioning surfaces are planes perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and are adapted to abut against the inner wall of the second positioning groove to longitudinally position the terminal protective cover.

[0011] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the mounting portion includes an elastic buckle adapted to engage with a groove in a receiving chamber of the end cap; the cap body has a front side and a rear side opposite in the longitudinal direction, and receiving recesses are formed on the front side and the rear side of the cap body respectively, and the elastic buckle is located in the receiving recesses.

[0012] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the elastic buckle includes: a cantilever portion suspended in a receiving recess of the cover body; and a protrusion adapted to engage in a slot of the end cap, the cantilever portion extending in the height direction and having its root connected to the bottom of the cover body, the protrusion being formed on the end of the cantilever portion.

[0013] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an annular positioning flange is formed in the retaining cavity, the annular positioning flange being adapted to axially abut against the end face of the mating end of the female terminal to axially position the mating end of the female terminal.

[0014] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the terminal protective cover is an integral injection molded part.

[0015] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, two retaining cavities are formed on the cover body, the two retaining cavities being arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction for respectively accommodating and retaining the mating ends of the two female terminals of the female connector.

[0016] According to another aspect of the present invention, a housing assembly is provided. The housing assembly includes: a housing including a peripheral wall and a bottom wall forming an inner cavity, and a retainer located in the inner cavity and connected to the bottom wall; an end cap disposed on top of the retainer and forming a receiving chamber; and the aforementioned terminal protection cover, installed into the receiving chamber of the end cap, wherein a terminal mounting hole for mounting a female terminal is formed in the retainer, and a retaining cavity in the terminal protection cover is used to receive and retain the mating end of the female terminal.

[0017] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a slot is formed on the inner wall of the receiving chamber of the end cap, the slot engaging with the resilient snap of the terminal protective cover to lock the terminal protective cover in the receiving chamber of the end cap.

[0018] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a first positioning groove is formed on the top of the retainer of the housing, and the positioning protrusion of the terminal protective cover is inserted into the first positioning groove of the housing.

[0019] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a second positioning groove is formed on the inner wall of the receiving chamber of the end cap, and the positioning rib of the terminal protective cover is inserted into the second positioning groove.

[0020] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, two terminal mounting holes are formed in the retaining body, the two terminal mounting holes are arranged side by side in the transverse direction of the housing, and are used to install two female terminals respectively; two retaining cavities are formed in the terminal protective cover, the two retaining cavities correspond to the two terminal mounting holes respectively, and are used to retain the mating ends of the two female terminals respectively.

[0021] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the terminal mounting hole extends along the height direction of the housing, and a first slot extending laterally along the housing is also formed on the housing, the first slot intersecting the terminal mounting hole. The housing assembly further includes: a first locking member, inserted into the first slot of the housing and adapted to axially abut against the stepped portion of the female terminal to lock the female terminal in the terminal mounting hole.

[0022] According to another exemplary embodiment of the invention, the housing assembly further includes a sealing ring fitted onto the retainer of the housing, the sealing ring being adapted to be radially pressed between the retainer of the housing and the mating housing of the male connector to achieve a seal between the two.

[0023] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a terminal socket for inserting a female signal terminal is further formed in the retaining body of the housing, and a retaining hole corresponding to the terminal socket is formed in the end cover. The retaining hole is used to retain the mating part of the female signal terminal for mating with the male signal terminal of the male connector.

[0024] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the terminal socket extends along the height direction of the housing, and a second slot extending laterally along the housing is also formed on the housing, the second slot intersecting the terminal socket; the housing assembly further includes: a second locking member, inserted into the second slot of the housing and adapted to axially abut against the stepped portion of the female signal terminal to lock the female signal terminal in the terminal socket.

[0025] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the end cap is mounted to the housing; or the housing and the end cap are integrally formed.

[0026] According to another aspect of the present invention, a female connector is provided. The female connector includes: the aforementioned housing assembly; and a female terminal, which is inserted into a terminal mounting hole in the housing, the female terminal having a mating end adapted to mate with a male terminal of a male connector, the mating end of the female terminal being received and retained in a retaining cavity of the terminal protective cover.

[0027] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the female terminal is a female coaxial terminal having an inner terminal and an outer terminal.

[0028] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the female connector further includes: a female signal terminal, which is inserted into the terminal socket of the housing and is different from the female terminal, the female signal terminal having a mating portion adapted to mate with the male signal terminal of the male connector, the mating portion of the female signal terminal being received and retained in the retaining hole of the end cap.

[0029] According to another aspect of the present invention, a connector assembly is provided. The connector assembly includes: the aforementioned female connector; and a male connector mating with the female connector.

[0030] In the foregoing exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the terminal protective cover can effectively protect the female terminal and effectively prevent the female terminal from being damaged during transportation and mating.

[0031] Furthermore, in some of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention described above, the terminal protective cover can guide the male terminal to be inserted into the female terminal in a centered manner, reducing the difficulty of mating the female terminal and the male terminal.

[0032] Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, and will help to provide a comprehensive understanding of the invention. Attached Figure Description

[0033] Figure 1 A perspective view of a female connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0034] Figure 2 An exploded view of a female connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0035] Figure 3 This shows a cross-sectional view of a female connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0036] Figure 4 This shows a cross-sectional view of a female connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, wherein the terminal protective cover has not yet been installed into the receiving chamber of the end cover;

[0037] Figure 5 Showing a longitudinal sectional view of a female connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0038] Figure 6 This shows a longitudinal sectional view of a female connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, wherein the terminal protective cover has not yet been installed into the receiving chamber of the end cover;

[0039] Figure 7 This shows a cross-sectional view of a female connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, wherein the first locking member has not yet been inserted into the housing;

[0040] Figure 8 This is a perspective view of the terminal protective cover of a female connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, viewed from the rear.

[0041] Figure 9 A perspective view of the terminal protective cover of a female connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, viewed from the bottom.

[0042] Figure 10 This shows a cross-sectional view of the terminal protective cover of a female connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0043] The technical solution of the present invention will be further described in detail below through embodiments and in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In this specification, the same or similar reference numerals indicate the same or similar components. The following description of the embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings is intended to explain the overall inventive concept of the present invention and should not be construed as a limitation thereof.

[0044] Furthermore, in the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth for ease of explanation to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments disclosed herein. However, it will be apparent that one or more embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and apparatuses are illustrated to simplify the figures.

[0045] According to a general technical concept of the present invention, a terminal protection cover is provided. The terminal protection cover includes: a cover body adapted to be inserted into a receiving chamber on an end cover of a female connector; a retaining cavity formed in the cover body and adapted to mate with a mating end of a female terminal of the female connector for receiving and retaining the mating end of the female terminal; and a mounting portion formed on the cover body and adapted to engage with the end cover for locking the terminal protection cover onto the end cover.

[0046] According to another general technical concept of the present invention, a housing assembly is provided. The housing assembly includes: a housing, comprising a peripheral wall and a bottom wall forming an inner cavity, and a retaining body located in the inner cavity and connected to the bottom wall; an end cap disposed on top of the retaining body and forming a receiving chamber; and the aforementioned terminal protection cover, installed into the receiving chamber of the end cap, wherein a terminal mounting hole for mounting a female terminal is formed in the retaining body, and a retaining cavity in the terminal protection cover is used to receive and retain the mating end of the female terminal.

[0047] According to another general technical concept of the present invention, a female connector is provided. The female connector includes: the aforementioned housing assembly; and a female terminal, which is inserted into a terminal mounting hole in the housing, the female terminal having a mating end adapted to mate with a male terminal of a male connector, the mating end of the female terminal being received and retained in a retaining cavity of the terminal protective cover.

[0048] According to another general technical concept of the present invention, a connector assembly is provided. The connector assembly includes: the aforementioned female connector; and a male connector, which mates with the female connector.

[0049] Figure 1 A perspective view of a female connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown; Figure 2 An exploded view of a female connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown; Figure 3This shows a cross-sectional view of a female connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 This shows a cross-sectional view of a female connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, wherein the terminal protection cover 3 has not yet been installed into the receiving chamber 20 of the end cover 2; Figure 5 Showing a longitudinal sectional view of a female connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; Figure 6 This shows a longitudinal sectional view of a female connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, wherein the terminal protection cover 3 has not yet been installed into the receiving chamber 20 of the end cover 2; Figure 7 This shows a cross-sectional view of a female connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, wherein the first locking member 4 has not yet been inserted into the housing 1; Figure 8 A perspective view of the terminal protective cover 3 of a female connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, viewed from the rear. Figure 9 A perspective view of the terminal protective cover 3 of a female connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, viewed from the bottom. Figure 10 This shows a cross-sectional view of the terminal protection cover 3 of a female connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0050] like Figures 1 to 10 As shown, in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a terminal protection cover 3 is disclosed. The terminal protection cover 3 includes a cover body 30, a retaining cavity 301, and a mounting portion. The cover body 30 is adapted to be inserted into a receiving chamber 20 on an end cover 2 of a female connector. The retaining cavity 301 is formed in the cover body 30 and adapted to engage with a mating end (not shown) of a female terminal (not shown) of the female connector for receiving and retaining the mating end of the female terminal. The mounting portion is formed on the cover body 30 and adapted to engage with the end cover 2 for locking the terminal protection cover 3 onto the end cover 2. In the illustrated embodiment, the aforementioned mounting portion includes a resilient buckle 31 formed on the cover body 30 and adapted to engage with a slot 21 within the receiving chamber 20 of the end cover 2 for locking the terminal protection cover 3 into the receiving chamber 20 of the end cover 2.

[0051] However, the present invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiment. For example, the mounting portion may also include a slot adapted to engage with an elastic snap-fit ​​within the receiving chamber 20 of the end cap 2. Alternatively, the mounting portion may be locked to the end cap 2 by other suitable means.

[0052] like Figures 1 to 10 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, the retaining cavity 301 has an inlet for guiding the male terminal (not shown) of the male connector (not shown) into the mating end of the female terminal. A tapered guide surface 3a is formed on the inner side of the inlet of the retaining cavity 301 to guide the male terminal to be inserted centered into the mating end of the female terminal.

[0053] like Figures 1 to 10 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, the cover 30 has a top and a bottom opposite each other in the height direction Z, with the inlet of the retaining cavity 301 located at the top of the cover 30. A positioning protrusion 33 is formed on the bottom of the cover 30, which is adapted to be inserted into a first positioning groove 13 on the housing 1 of the female connector for positioning the terminal protection cover 3.

[0054] like Figures 1 to 10 As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the positioning protrusion 33 extends along the height direction Z and has two first positioning surfaces 33a opposite each other in the transverse direction X. The first positioning surfaces 33a are planes perpendicular to the transverse direction X and are adapted to abut against the inner wall of the first positioning groove 13 to position the terminal protection cover 3 in the transverse direction X.

[0055] like Figures 1 to 10 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, the cover 30 has a left side and a right side opposite to each other in the transverse X direction. A positioning rib 32 is formed on at least one of the left and right sides of the cover 30. The positioning rib 32 is adapted to be inserted into a second positioning groove 22 on the inner wall of the receiving chamber 20 of the end cover 2 for positioning the terminal protection cover 3.

[0056] like Figures 1 to 10 As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the positioning rib 32 extends along the height direction Z and has two second positioning surfaces 32a opposite each other in the longitudinal direction Y. The second positioning surfaces 32a are planes perpendicular to the longitudinal direction Y and are adapted to abut against the inner wall of the second positioning groove 22 to position the terminal protection cover 3 in the longitudinal direction Y.

[0057] like Figures 1 to 10 As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the cover 30 has a front side and a rear side opposite each other in the longitudinal direction Y, and receiving recesses 34 are formed on the front side and the rear side of the cover 30, respectively, with the elastic buckle 31 located in the receiving recesses 34.

[0058] like Figures 1 to 10 As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the elastic buckle 31 includes a cantilever portion 31a and a protrusion 31b. The cantilever portion 31a is suspended in a receiving recess 34 of the cover body 30. The protrusion 31b is adapted to engage in a slot 21 of the end cap 2. The cantilever portion 31a extends along the height direction Z and its root is connected to the bottom of the cover body 30, and the protrusion 31b is formed on the end of the cantilever portion 31a.

[0059] like Figures 1 to 10 As shown in the illustrated embodiment, an annular positioning flange 3b is formed in the retaining cavity 301. The annular positioning flange 3b is adapted to axially abut against the end face of the mating end of the female terminal to axially position the mating end of the female terminal.

[0060] like Figures 1 to 10As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the terminal protective cover 3 is a one-piece injection molded part.

[0061] like Figures 1 to 10 As shown in the illustrated embodiment, two retaining cavities 301 are formed on the cover 30. The two retaining cavities 301 are arranged side by side in the longitudinal Y direction for accommodating and retaining the mating ends of the two female terminals of the female connector, respectively.

[0062] like Figures 1 to 10 As shown, in another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a housing assembly is also disclosed. The housing assembly includes a housing 1, an end cap 2, and a terminal protection cover 3. The housing 1 includes a peripheral wall 11 and a bottom wall 12 forming an inner cavity 100, and a retaining body 10 located in the inner cavity 100 and connected to the bottom wall 12. The end cap 2 is disposed on top of the retaining body 10 and forms a receiving chamber 20. The terminal protection cover 3 is installed into the receiving chamber 20 of the end cap 2. A terminal mounting hole 101 for mounting a female terminal is formed in the retaining body 10, and a retaining cavity 301 in the terminal protection cover 3 is used to receive and retain the mating end of the female terminal of the female connector.

[0063] like Figures 1 to 10 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, the end cap 2 is mounted to the housing 1. However, the invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiment; for example, the housing 1 and the end cap 2 may be integrally molded.

[0064] like Figures 1 to 10 As shown in the illustrated embodiment, a slot 21 is formed on the inner wall of the receiving chamber 20 of the end cover 2. The slot 21 engages with the elastic buckle 31 of the terminal protection cover 3 to lock the terminal protection cover 3 in the receiving chamber 20 of the end cover 2.

[0065] like Figures 1 to 10 As shown in the illustrated embodiment, a first positioning groove 13 is formed on the top of the retainer 10 of the housing 1, and the positioning protrusion 33 of the terminal protection cover 3 is inserted into the first positioning groove 13 of the housing 1.

[0066] like Figures 1 to 10 As shown in the illustrated embodiment, a second positioning groove 22 is formed on the inner wall of the receiving chamber 20 of the end cover 2, and the positioning rib 32 of the terminal protective cover 3 is inserted into the second positioning groove 22.

[0067] like Figures 1 to 10 As shown in the illustrated embodiment, two terminal mounting holes 101 are formed in the retainer 10. The two terminal mounting holes 101 are arranged side by side in the transverse X direction of the housing 1 for mounting two female terminals respectively. Two retaining cavities 301 are formed in the terminal protective cover 3. The two retaining cavities 301 correspond to the two terminal mounting holes 101 respectively and are used to retain the mating ends of the two female terminals respectively.

[0068] like Figures 1 to 10 As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the terminal mounting hole 101 extends along the height direction Z of the housing 1. A first slot 103 extending laterally X along the housing 1 is also formed on the housing 1, intersecting with the terminal mounting hole 101. The housing assembly also includes a first locking member 4, which is inserted into the first slot 103 of the housing 1 and adapted to axially abut against the stepped portion of the female terminal to lock the female terminal in the terminal mounting hole 101.

[0069] like Figures 1 to 10 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, the housing assembly further includes a sealing ring 6, which is fitted onto the retainer 10 of the housing 1. The sealing ring 6 is adapted to be radially pressed between the retainer 10 of the housing 1 and the mating housing (not shown) of the male connector to achieve a seal between the two.

[0070] like Figures 1 to 10 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, a terminal socket 102 for inserting a female signal terminal (not shown) is also formed in the retainer 10 of the housing 1, and a retaining hole 202 corresponding to the terminal socket 102 is formed in the end cover 2. The retaining hole 202 is used to retain the mating part of the female signal terminal for mating with the male signal terminal (not shown) of the male connector.

[0071] like Figures 1 to 10 As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the terminal socket 102 extends along the height direction Z of the housing 1. A second slot extending laterally X along the housing 1 is also formed on the housing 1, intersecting with the terminal socket 102. The housing assembly also includes a second locking member 5, which is inserted into the second slot of the housing 1 and adapted to axially abut against the stepped portion of the female signal terminal to lock the female signal terminal in the terminal socket 102.

[0072] like Figures 1 to 10 As shown, in another exemplary embodiment of the invention, a female connector is also disclosed. The female connector includes a housing assembly and a female terminal. The female terminal is inserted into a terminal mounting hole 101 in the housing 1. The female terminal has a mating end adapted to mate with a male terminal of a male connector, the mating end of the female terminal being received and held in a retaining cavity 301 of a terminal protective cover 3.

[0073] like Figures 1 to 10 As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the female terminal is a female coaxial terminal having an inner terminal and an outer terminal.

[0074] like Figures 1 to 10As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, the female connector further includes a female signal terminal, which is inserted into the terminal socket 102 of the housing 1 and is different from the aforementioned female terminal. The female signal terminal has a mating portion adapted to mate with the male signal terminal of the male connector, and the mating portion of the female signal terminal is received and held in the retaining hole 202 of the end cover 2.

[0075] like Figures 1 to 10 As shown, in another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a connector assembly is also disclosed. The connector assembly includes a female connector and a male connector, the male connector mating with the female connector.

[0076] In the aforementioned exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the mating end of the female terminal is hidden and held in the retaining cavity of the terminal protective cover. Therefore, the terminal protective cover can effectively protect the female terminal and effectively prevent the female terminal from being damaged during transportation and mating.

[0077] Furthermore, in some of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention described above, the terminal protective cover can guide the male terminal to be inserted into the female terminal in a centered manner, reducing the difficulty of mating the female terminal and the male terminal.

[0078] In the foregoing exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the terminal protective cover is easy to install and disassemble, effectively protects the female terminal, and can significantly shorten the extension development cycle and reduce investment in new product development. Furthermore, the terminal protective cover is designed with standard dimensions, and local adjustments to the internal structure allow for quick compatibility with female terminals from different manufacturers.

[0079] Those skilled in the art will understand that the embodiments described above are exemplary and can be improved upon. The structures described in the various embodiments can be freely combined without causing structural or principle conflicts, and these changes should fall within the protection scope of this invention.

[0080] Although the invention has been described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, the embodiments disclosed in the drawings are intended to illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention and should not be construed as limiting the invention.

[0081] While some embodiments of the general concept of the invention have been shown and described, those skilled in the art will understand that changes may be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the general concept of the invention, the scope of which is defined by the claims and their equivalents.

[0082] It should be noted that the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the words "a" or "an" do not exclude multiple elements. Furthermore, any reference numerals in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A terminal protective cover, characterized in that, include: Cover (30) is adapted to be inserted into the receiving chamber (20) on the end cover (2) of the female connector; A retaining cavity (301) is formed in the cover (30) and adapted to mate with the mating end of the female terminal of the female connector for receiving and retaining the mating end of the female terminal; and Mounting portion, formed on the cover (30) and adapted to engage with the end cap (2), for locking the terminal protection cover (3) onto the end cap (2).

2. The terminal protective cover according to claim 1, characterized in that: The mounting portion includes a resilient buckle (31) adapted to engage with a slot (21) within the receiving chamber (20) of the end cap (2); or The mounting portion includes a slot adapted to engage with a resilient snap-fit ​​within the receiving chamber (20) of the end cap (2).

3. The terminal protective cover according to claim 1, characterized in that: The retaining cavity (301) has an inlet for guiding the male terminal of the male connector into the mating end of the female terminal. A tapered guide surface (3a) is formed on the inner side of the inlet of the retaining cavity (301) to guide the male terminal to be inserted centered into the mating end of the female terminal.

4. The terminal protective cover according to claim 3, characterized in that: The cover (30) has a top and a bottom opposite each other in the height direction (Z), and the entrance to the retaining cavity (301) is located at the top of the cover (30); and A positioning protrusion (33) is formed on the bottom of the cover (30), the positioning protrusion (33) being adapted to be inserted into the first positioning groove (13) on the housing (1) of the female connector for positioning the terminal protective cover (3).

5. The terminal protective cover according to claim 4, characterized in that: The positioning protrusion (33) extends along the height direction (Z) and has two first positioning surfaces (33a) opposite each other in the transverse direction (X). The first positioning surfaces (33a) are planes perpendicular to the transverse direction (X) and are adapted to abut against the inner wall of the first positioning groove (13) to position the terminal protective cover (3) in the transverse direction (X).

6. The terminal protective cover according to claim 3, characterized in that: The cover (30) has a left side and a right side opposite in the transverse (X) direction. A positioning rib (32) is formed on at least one of the left side and the right side of the cover (30). The positioning rib (32) is adapted to be inserted into a second positioning groove (22) on the inner wall of the receiving chamber (20) of the end cover (2) for positioning the terminal protective cover (3).

7. The terminal protective cover according to claim 6, characterized in that: The positioning rib (32) extends along the height direction (Z) and has two second positioning surfaces (32a) opposite each other in the longitudinal direction (Y). The second positioning surfaces (32a) are planes perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (Y) and are adapted to abut against the inner wall of the second positioning groove (22) to position the terminal protective cover (3) in the longitudinal direction (Y).

8. The terminal protective cover according to claim 3, characterized in that: The mounting portion includes an elastic buckle (31) adapted to engage with a slot (21) in the receiving chamber (20) of the end cap (2); The cover (30) has a front side and a rear side opposite each other in the longitudinal direction (Y), and receiving recesses (34) are formed on the front side and the rear side of the cover (30), respectively, and the elastic buckle (31) is located in the receiving recesses (34).

9. The terminal protective cover according to claim 8, characterized in that: The elastic buckle (31) includes: The cantilever portion (31a) is suspended in the receiving recess (34) of the cover (30); and A protrusion (31b) is adapted to engage in a slot (21) of the end cap (2), the cantilever (31a) extends in the height direction (Z) and its root is connected to the bottom of the cover (30), the protrusion (31b) being formed on the end of the cantilever (31a).

10. The terminal protective cover according to claim 1, characterized in that: An annular positioning flange (3b) is formed in the retaining cavity (301), the annular positioning flange (3b) being adapted to axially abut against the end face of the mating end of the female terminal to axially position the mating end of the female terminal.

11. The terminal protective cover according to claim 1, characterized in that: The terminal protective cover (3) is an integral injection molded part.

12. The terminal protective cover according to any one of claims 1-11, characterized in that: Two retaining cavities (301) are formed on the cover (30), which are arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction (Y) for accommodating and retaining the mating ends of the two female terminals of the female connector respectively.

13. A housing assembly, characterized in that, include: The housing (1) includes a peripheral wall (11) and a bottom wall (12) forming an inner cavity (100) and a retainer (10) located in the inner cavity (100) and connected to the bottom wall (12); An end cap (2) is disposed on the top of the retainer (10) and forms a receiving chamber (20); and The terminal protective cover (3) according to any one of claims 1-12 is installed in the receiving chamber (20) of the end cover (2). A terminal mounting hole (101) for mounting a female terminal is formed in the retainer (10), and a retaining cavity (301) in the terminal protective cover (3) is used to accommodate and retain the mating end of the female terminal.

14. The housing assembly according to claim 13, characterized in that: A slot (21) is formed on the inner wall of the receiving chamber (20) of the end cover (2), and the slot (21) engages with the elastic buckle (31) of the terminal protection cover (3) to lock the terminal protection cover (3) in the receiving chamber (20) of the end cover (2).

15. The housing assembly according to claim 13, characterized in that: A first positioning groove (13) is formed on the top of the retainer (10) of the housing (1), and the positioning protrusion (33) of the terminal protection cover (3) is inserted into the first positioning groove (13) of the housing (1).

16. The housing assembly according to claim 13, characterized in that: A second positioning groove (22) is formed on the inner wall of the receiving chamber (20) of the end cover (2), and the positioning rib (32) of the terminal protection cover (3) is inserted into the second positioning groove (22).

17. The housing assembly according to claim 13, characterized in that: Two terminal mounting holes (101) are formed in the retainer (10), and the two terminal mounting holes (101) are arranged side by side in the transverse (X) direction of the housing (1) for mounting two female terminals respectively; Two retaining cavities (301) are formed in the terminal protective cover (3), and the two retaining cavities (301) correspond to the two terminal mounting holes (101) respectively, for retaining the mating ends of the two female terminals respectively.

18. The housing assembly according to claim 13, characterized in that: The terminal mounting hole (101) extends along the height direction (Z) of the housing (1), and a first slot (103) extending along the lateral direction (X) of the housing (1) is also formed on the housing (1), the first slot (103) intersecting with the terminal mounting hole (101); The housing assembly also includes: A first locking member (4) is inserted into a first slot (103) of the housing (1) and adapted to axially abut against the stepped portion of the female terminal to lock the female terminal in the terminal mounting hole (101).

19. The housing assembly according to claim 13, characterized in that, Also includes: A sealing ring (6) is fitted onto the retainer (10) of the housing (1). The sealing ring (6) is adapted to be radially pressed between the retainer (10) of the housing (1) and the mating housing of the male connector to achieve a seal between the two.

20. The housing assembly according to claim 13, characterized in that: A terminal socket (102) for inserting a female signal terminal is also formed in the retainer (10) of the housing (1), and a retaining hole (202) corresponding to the terminal socket (102) is formed in the end cover (2). The retaining hole (202) is used to retain the mating part of the female signal terminal for mating with the male signal terminal of the male connector.

21. The housing assembly according to claim 20, characterized in that: The terminal socket (102) extends along the height direction (Z) of the housing (1), and a second slot extending along the lateral direction (X) of the housing (1) is also formed on the housing (1), the second slot intersecting with the terminal socket (102); The housing assembly also includes: The second locking member (5) is inserted into the second slot of the housing (1) and adapted to axially abut against the stepped portion of the female signal terminal to lock the female signal terminal in the terminal socket (102).

22. The housing assembly according to claim 13, characterized in that: The end cap (2) is installed onto the housing (1); or The housing (1) and the end cap (2) are integrally formed parts.

23. A female connector, characterized in that, include: The housing assembly according to any one of claims 13-22; and The female terminal is inserted into the terminal mounting hole (101) of the housing (1). The female terminal has a mating end adapted to mate with the male terminal of the male connector, and the mating end of the female terminal is accommodated and held in the retaining cavity (301) of the terminal protective cover (3).

24. The female connector according to claim 23, characterized in that: The female terminal is a female coaxial terminal with inner and outer terminals.

25. The female connector according to claim 23, characterized in that, Also includes: The female signal terminal is inserted into the terminal socket (102) of the housing (1) and is different from the female terminal. The female signal terminal has a mating portion adapted to mate with the male signal terminal of the male connector, and the mating portion of the female signal terminal is received and held in the retaining hole (202) of the end cap (2).

26. A connector assembly, characterized in that, include: The female connector according to any one of claims 23-25; and The male connector is mated with the female connector.