Connector and connector assembly

Abstract

The connector comprises a shell, the shell comprises a matching end and a wiring end opposite to the matching end, the wiring end comprises a first cable channel for a first cable to be inserted so as to be connected with a first terminal installed in the shell, and the first cable channel is filled with silica gel. The matching end is provided with an insertion cavity for insertion of a matching connector matched with the connector, and one end, close to the first cable channel, of the insertion cavity is filled with silica gel. A connector assembly including the connector is also provided. According to the cable connector, the waterproof sealing function is achieved by filling the silica gel before the cable is assembled, the sealing effect can be achieved after the cable is inserted, convenience and rapidness are achieved, and the production efficiency of a client side is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a connector, and more particularly to a connector and a connector assembly including the connector. Background Art

[0002] Since sealed connectors have good waterproof and dustproof performance, they can be used in a wider range of applications than ordinary connectors, especially in places that need to work in harsh environments for a long time. In the prior art, common connector sealing and waterproof solutions usually require the assembly of rubber sealing rings or sealing pads after the terminal is crimped, which requires the customization of sealing rings for different types of connectors. Therefore, it is necessary to open molds to produce sealing rings or sealing pads, which increases costs, prolongs the development cycle, and has low assembly efficiency. Utility Model Content

[0003] An object of the present disclosure is to solve at least one aspect of the above-mentioned problems and defects in the prior art.

[0004] According to an embodiment of one aspect of the present disclosure, a connector is provided, the connector comprising a shell, the shell comprising a mating end and a wiring terminal opposite to the mating end, the wiring terminal comprising a first cable channel for inserting a first cable to be connected to a first terminal installed in the shell, the first cable channel is filled with silicone gel, the mating end is formed with a plug-in cavity for inserting a mating connector that mates with the connector, and the plug-in cavity is filled with silicone gel at one end close to the first cable channel.

[0005] In some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, the first cable channel includes a first section close to the mating end, a third section away from the mating end, and a second section connecting the first section and the third section, wherein the size of the third section is larger than that of the first section, and the silicone gel is filled in the second section and the third section.

[0006] In some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, textures are formed on an inner surface of the first cable channel that is in contact with the silicone gel.

[0007] In some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, the connector further includes a first stopper extending radially inwardly from an inner surface of the first cable channel.

[0008] In some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, the first stopper is formed at an end of the third section away from the first section.

[0009] In some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, the inner surface of the insertion cavity in contact with the silicone gel is formed with textures.

[0010] In some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, the connector further includes a second stopper extending radially inwardly from an inner surface of the plug-in cavity.

[0011] In some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, the silicone gel is poured into the shell before curing, and is cured in the shell to be bonded with the shell.

[0012] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a connector assembly is provided, comprising: the connector according to the above embodiment of the present disclosure; and a mating connector, wherein the mating connector is configured to be plugged into the plug-in cavity of the connector.

[0013] In some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, the mating connector includes a mating shell, the mating shell includes a first end for being plugged into the plug-in cavity of the connector and a second end opposite to the first end, the second end includes a second cable channel for inserting a second cable to be connected to a mating terminal installed in the mating shell, and the second cable channel is filled with silicone gel.

[0014] In some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, the second cable channel includes a first section close to the first end of the mating shell, a third section away from the first end of the mating shell, and a second section connecting the first section and the third section, wherein the size of the third section is larger than that of the first section, and the silicone gel is filled in the second section and the third section.

[0015] In some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, textures are formed on an inner surface of the second cable channel that contacts the silicone gel.

[0016] In some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, the mating connector further includes a third stopper extending radially inwardly from an inner surface of the second cable channel.

[0017] In some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, the third stopper is formed at an end of the third section of the second cable channel away from the first section of the second cable channel.

[0018] According to the connectors and connector assemblies described in the various embodiments of the present disclosure, a pre-sealing solution is adopted, that is, a waterproof sealing function is achieved by filling silicone gel before assembling the cable. The sealing effect can be achieved after the cable is inserted, which is convenient and fast, and improves the assembly efficiency of the client. It can also be applied to various types of connectors and adapt to a larger cable diameter span, with better compatibility. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] Figure 1is an exploded schematic diagram showing a connector assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0020] Figure 2 It is shown Figure 1 A schematic cross-sectional view of the connector assembly shown; and

[0021] Figure 3 It is shown Figure 1 The schematic cross-sectional view of the assembled connector assembly is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] Although the present disclosure will be fully described with reference to the accompanying drawings containing preferred embodiments of the present disclosure, it should be understood before this description that a person of ordinary skill in the art can modify the disclosure described herein while obtaining the technical effects of the present disclosure. Therefore, it should be understood that the above description is a broad disclosure to a person of ordinary skill in the art, and its content is not intended to limit the exemplary embodiments described in the present disclosure.

[0023] In addition, in the detailed description below, for ease of explanation, many specific details are set forth to provide a comprehensive understanding of the disclosed embodiments. However, it is apparent that one or more embodiments may be implemented without these specific details. In other cases, known structures and devices are embodied in a schematic manner to simplify the accompanying drawings.

[0024] According to a general inventive concept of the present disclosure, a connector is provided, which includes a shell, the shell includes a mating end and a wiring terminal opposite to the mating end, the wiring terminal includes a first cable channel for inserting a first cable to connect with a first terminal installed in the shell, the first cable channel is filled with silicone gel, the mating end is formed with a plug-in cavity for inserting a mating connector that mates with the connector, and the plug-in cavity is filled with silicone gel at one end close to the first cable channel.

[0025] According to another general inventive concept of the present disclosure, a connector assembly is provided, comprising: the connector as described above; and a mating connector, the mating connector being configured to be plugged into a plug-in cavity of the connector.

[0026] like Figures 1 to 3As shown, a connector 10 is provided according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The connector 10 includes a housing 11, and the housing 11 includes a mating end and a wiring terminal opposite to the mating end. The wiring terminal includes a first cable channel 14 for inserting a first cable 30 to connect with a first terminal 16 installed in the housing 11, and the first cable channel 14 is filled with silicone gel 152 to prevent water, moisture, etc. from entering the connector 10 through the first cable channel 14, thereby improving the sealing performance of the connector. Similarly, the mating end is formed with a plug-in cavity 12 for inserting a mating connector 20 mating with the connector 10, and the plug-in cavity 12 is filled with silicone gel 151 at one end close to the first cable channel 14 to prevent water, moisture, etc. from entering the connector 10 and the mating connector 20 through the gap between the connector 10 and the mating connector 20, thereby further improving the sealing performance. During assembly, uncured silicone gel can be poured into the first cable channel 14 of the shell 11, and cured in the first cable channel 14 to form a jelly-like shape and bonded to the shell 11, so that the waterproof sealing function can be achieved after the first cable 30 is inserted. The connector according to the embodiment of the present disclosure adopts a pre-sealing solution, that is, silicone gel is filled before the cable is assembled to achieve a waterproof sealing function. The sealing effect can be achieved after the cable is inserted, which is convenient and fast, and improves the assembly efficiency of the client. It can also be applicable to various types of connectors, such as flag-shaped connectors, multi-position connectors, etc., and can adapt to a larger cable diameter span, with better compatibility.

[0027] Since the silicone gel is as soft as jelly after curing, and the surface is naturally sticky after curing, the natural stickiness can enhance the physical adhesion of the silicone gel to most substrates without the need for primer, so it can be easily bonded to the inner surface of the first cable channel 14, and the silicone gel is ultra-soft, so the cable can be easily inserted later. In addition, the natural stickiness of the silicone gel has a regenerative property, so it can be bonded to the subsequently inserted cable, thereby greatly improving the sealing performance of the connector.

[0028] In an exemplary embodiment, Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the first cable channel 14 includes a first section 141 close to the mating end, a third section 143 away from the mating end, and a second section 142 connecting the first section 141 and the third section 143, wherein the size of the second section 142 is larger than the size of the first section 141, and the size of the first section 141 is adapted to the outer size of the first cable 30. Silicone gel 152 is filled in the second section 142 and the third section 143.

[0029] In an embodiment not shown in the present disclosure, the inner surface of the first cable channel 14 in contact with the silicone gel 152 is formed with textures to increase the contact force between the silicone gel and the inner surface of the first cable channel 14 to prevent the silicone gel from escaping from the first cable channel 14 .

[0030] In an embodiment not shown in the present disclosure, the connector 10 further includes a first stop portion (not shown) extending radially inward from the inner surface of the first cable channel 14, so as to prevent the silicone gel from escaping from the first cable channel 14. Preferably, the first stop portion may be disposed, for example, at the third section 143 of the first cable channel 14, for example, at the end of the third section 143 away from the first section 141.

[0031] In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the inner surface of the insertion cavity 12 in contact with the silicone gel is formed with textures to increase the contact force between the silicone gel and the inner surface of the insertion cavity 12 , thereby preventing the silicone gel from escaping from the insertion cavity 12 .

[0032] In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the connector 10 also includes a second stop portion (not shown) extending radially inward from the inner surface of the plug-in cavity 12, so as to prevent the silicone gel from escaping from the plug-in cavity 12. It should be noted that the position of the first stop portion should be set at a position that does not affect the insertion of the mating connector 20 into the plug-in cavity 12.

[0033] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, Figures 1 to 3 As shown, a connector assembly is also provided, which includes: the above-mentioned connector 10 and a mating connector 20 , and the mating connector 20 is configured to be plugged into the plug-in cavity 11 of the connector 10 .

[0034] In an exemplary embodiment, Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the mating connector 20 includes a mating shell 21, which includes a first end for being plugged into the plug-in cavity 11 of the connector 10 and a second end opposite to the first end, and the second end includes a second cable channel 24 for inserting a second cable 40 to connect with a mating terminal 26 installed in the mating shell 21, wherein the second cable channel 24 is filled with silicone gel to prevent water, moisture, etc. from entering the mating connector 20 through the second cable channel 24, thereby further improving the sealing performance of the mating connector 20 and the connector assembly.

[0035] In an exemplary embodiment, Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the second cable channel 24 includes a first section 241 close to the first end of the mating housing 21, a third section 243 away from the first end of the mating housing 21, and a second section 242 connecting the first section 241 and the third section 243, wherein the size of the third section 243 is larger than the size of the first section 241, and the size of the first section 241 is adapted to the outer size of the second cable 40. The silicone gel 25 is filled in the second section 242 and the third section 243.

[0036] In an embodiment not shown in the present disclosure, the inner surface of the second cable channel 24 in contact with the silicone gel 25 is formed with textures to increase the contact force between the silicone gel 25 and the inner surface of the second cable channel 24 , thereby preventing the silicone gel from escaping from the second cable channel 24 .

[0037] In an embodiment not shown in the present disclosure, the mating connector 20 also includes a third stop portion (not shown) extending radially inward from the inner surface of the second cable channel 24 to prevent the silicone gel from escaping from the second cable channel 24. Preferably, the third stop portion can be arranged at the third section 243 of the second cable channel 24, for example, at the end of the third section 243 away from the first section 241.

[0038] According to the connectors and connector assemblies of the various embodiments disclosed above, a pre-sealing solution is adopted, that is, a waterproof sealing function is achieved by filling silicone gel before assembling the cable. The sealing effect can be achieved after the cable is inserted, which is convenient and fast, and improves the production efficiency of the client. It can also be applied to various types of connectors and adapt to a larger cable diameter span, with better compatibility.

[0039] Those skilled in the art can understand that the embodiments described above are exemplary and can be improved by those skilled in the art. The structures described in various embodiments can be freely combined without causing conflicts in structure or principle.

[0040] Although the present disclosure is described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, the embodiments disclosed in the accompanying drawings are intended to exemplify the preferred implementation modes of the present disclosure and should not be construed as limiting the present disclosure.

[0041] Although some embodiments of the present general inventive concept have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes may be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the present general inventive concept, the scope of which is defined by the claims and their equivalents.

[0042] It should be noted that the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the word "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. In addition, any element reference signs in the claims shall not be construed as limiting the scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A connector, characterized in that: The connector (10) comprises a shell (11), the shell (11) comprises a mating end and a wiring end opposite to the mating end, the wiring end comprises a first cable channel (14) for inserting a first cable (30) to connect with a first terminal (16) installed in the shell (11), the first cable channel (14) is filled with silicone gel, the mating end is formed with an insertion cavity (12) for inserting a mating connector (20) mating with the connector (10), and one end of the insertion cavity (12) close to the first cable channel (14) is filled with silicone gel.

2. The connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first cable channel (14) comprises a first section (141) close to the mating end, a third section (143) away from the mating end, and a second section (142) connecting the first section (141) and the third section (143), wherein the size of the third section (143) is larger than the size of the first section (141), and the silicone gel is filled in the second section (142) and the third section (143).

3. The connector according to claim 2, characterized in that: The inner surface of the first cable channel (14) in contact with the silicone gel is formed with textures.

4. The connector according to claim 3, characterized in that: The connector (10) also includes a first stopper extending radially inward from an inner surface of the first cable channel (14).

5. The connector according to claim 4, characterized in that: The first stopper is formed at an end of the third section (143) away from the first section (141).

6. The connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The inner surface of the insertion cavity (12) in contact with the silicone gel is formed with textures.

7. The connector according to claim 6, characterized in that: The connector (10) further comprises a second stopper extending radially inwardly from the inner surface of the insertion cavity (12).

8. The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: The silicone gel is poured into the shell (11) before curing, and is cured inside the shell (11) to be bonded to the shell (11).

9. A connector assembly, characterized in that: The connector assembly comprises: The connector (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 8; and A mating connector (20) is configured to be plugged into the plug-in cavity (12) of the connector (10).

10. The connector assembly according to claim 9, characterized in that The mating connector (20) comprises a mating shell (21), the mating shell (21) comprises a first end for being plugged into the plug-in cavity (12) of the connector (10) and a second end opposite to the first end, the second end comprising a second cable channel (24) for inserting a second cable (40) to connect with a mating terminal (26) installed in the mating shell (21), and the second cable channel (24) is filled with silicone gel.

11. The connector assembly according to claim 10, characterized in that The second cable channel (24) includes a first section close to the first end of the mating shell (21), a third section away from the first end of the mating shell (21), and a second section connecting the first section and the third section, wherein the size of the third section is larger than the size of the first section, and the silicone gel is filled in the second section and the third section.

12. The connector assembly according to claim 11, characterized in that The inner surface of the second cable channel (24) in contact with the silicone gel is formed with textures.

13. The connector assembly according to claim 12, characterized in that The mating connector (20) also includes a third stopper extending radially inward from the inner surface of the second cable channel (24).

14. The connector assembly according to claim 13, characterized in that The third stopper is formed at an end of the third section of the second cable channel (24) away from the first section of the second cable channel (24).

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