Charging seat and electric connector assembly

Abstract

According to the technical scheme, the charging base comprises a shell and a mounting flange, the shell comprises a plugging cavity for a plug matched with the charging base to be plugged in, and the mounting flange extends outwards from the shell in the direction perpendicular to the plugging direction. A containing cavity is defined by the shell on the side, opposite to the insertion end of the insertion cavity, of the installation flange, the charging base further comprises a light guide body arranged in the containing cavity, and an opening is formed in the circumferential wall of the insertion cavity. The light guide body is configured to guide light emitted by a light source installed in the containing cavity into the insertion cavity through the opening. The utility model also relates to an electric connector assembly comprising the charging seat.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] An existing type of electrical connector assembly generally includes a charging seat and a plug that mates with the charging seat. The charging seat mainly includes a shell and terminals located in the shell for electrically contacting the terminals of the plug. The shell includes a plug-in cavity for inserting the plug. The charging seat also includes a mounting flange, which extends outward from the shell perpendicular to the insertion direction and is used to install the charging seat, for example, on a vehicle. In the prior art, an indicator light is generally provided on the outside of the plug-in cavity to indicate the charging status. However, since the insertion end of the plug-in cavity generally protrudes from the mounting flange and the mating interface between the charging seat and the plug is relatively deep, the indicator light cannot directly illuminate the inside of the plug-in cavity, resulting in a poor user experience when the user inserts the plug into the charging seat. 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 charging base is provided, which includes a shell and a mounting flange, the shell including a plug-in cavity for inserting a plug that matches the charging base, and the mounting flange extends outward from the shell perpendicular to the insertion direction, wherein the shell defines an accommodating cavity on the side of the mounting flange opposite to the insertion end of the plug-in cavity, and the charging base also includes a light guide arranged in the accommodating cavity, an opening is formed on the circumferential wall of the plug-in cavity, and the light guide is configured to guide light emitted by a light source installed in the accommodating cavity into the plug-in cavity via the opening.

[0005] In some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, the light guide includes a base installed in the accommodating cavity and a first light exit portion extending from the base in a direction perpendicular to the insertion direction and passing through the opening.

[0006] In some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, a light emitting surface of the first light emitting portion is flush with an inner wall surface of the plug-in cavity.

[0007] In some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, the opening includes a through hole penetrating the circumferential wall of the plug-in cavity and a groove connected to the through hole, the groove is formed on the inner wall surface of the circumferential wall of the plug-in cavity, and the first light output portion is adapted to the groove.

[0008] In some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, the groove extends helically or at least partially circumferentially along the inner wall surface of the circumferential wall of the insertion cavity.

[0009] In some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, the light guide further includes a second light exit portion extending from the base portion in a direction parallel to the insertion direction and passing through the mounting flange.

[0010] In some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, the light guide further includes a light incident portion extending from the base portion along a direction parallel to the insertion direction and away from the second light emitting portion.

[0011] In some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, the light incident portion extends from a circumferential edge of the base portion along a direction parallel to the insertion direction.

[0012] In some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, the charging base further includes a light source, and the light source is disposed on a center line of the light incident portion parallel to the insertion direction.

[0013] In some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, the charging base further includes a cover body covering the accommodating cavity.

[0014] In some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, an insertion end of the plug-in cavity protrudes from the mounting flange.

[0015] In some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, the charging base further includes a circuit board disposed in the accommodating cavity, and the light source is mounted on the circuit board.

[0016] In some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, the light guide is formed integrally with the housing and the mounting flange through an insert injection molding process.

[0017] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, an electrical connector assembly is provided, which includes: a charging base as described above; and a plug, wherein the plug includes an inserting portion configured to be inserted into the inserting cavity of the charging base.

[0018] According to the charging base and connector assembly described in the various embodiments of the present disclosure, an opening is formed on the circumferential wall of the plug-in cavity of the shell of the charging base, and the light emitted by the light source installed in the accommodating cavity is guided into the plug-in cavity through the opening by a light guide body arranged in the accommodating cavity of the shell to illuminate the interior of the plug-in cavity, thereby facilitating the user to insert the plug into the charging base, thereby improving the user experience. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] Figure 1 is a perspective schematic diagram showing a charging stand according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0020] Figure 2 It is shown Figure 1 A schematic cross-sectional view of the charging station shown;

[0021] Figure 3 is a perspective schematic diagram showing a light guide of a charging stand according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0022] Figure 4 It is shown Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the light guide shown in another angle; and

[0023] Figure 5 It is shown Figure 1 A perspective schematic diagram of a charging station is shown with the light guide removed. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] 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.

[0025] 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.

[0026] According to an overall inventive concept of the present disclosure, a charging stand is provided, which includes a shell and a mounting flange, the shell including a plug-in cavity for inserting a plug that matches the charging stand, and the mounting flange extends outward from the shell perpendicular to the insertion direction, wherein the shell defines an accommodating cavity on a side of the mounting flange opposite to the insertion end of the plug-in cavity, and the charging stand also includes a light guide arranged in the accommodating cavity, an opening is formed on the circumferential wall of the plug-in cavity, and the light guide is configured to guide light emitted by a light source installed in the accommodating cavity into the plug-in cavity via the opening.

[0027] According to another general inventive concept of the present disclosure, an electrical connector assembly is provided, comprising: a charging base as described above; and a plug, wherein the plug comprises an inserting portion configured to be inserted into the inserting cavity of the charging base.

[0028] In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 5 As shown, a charging stand 100 is provided. The charging stand 100 includes a housing 10 and a mounting flange 60. The housing 10 includes a plug cavity 11 for inserting a plug (not shown) that matches the charging stand 100. The mounting flange 60 extends outward from the housing 10 perpendicular to the insertion direction X. The insertion end of the plug cavity 11 protrudes from the mounting flange 60. The housing 10 has a side of the mounting flange 60 opposite to the insertion end of the plug cavity 11 (for example, Figure 1 The lower side of the charging stand 100 defines an accommodating cavity 12, and the charging stand 100 also includes a light guide 20 arranged in the accommodating cavity 12. An opening 13 is formed on the circumferential wall of the plug-in cavity 11. The light guide 20 is configured to guide the light emitted by the light source 30 installed in the accommodating cavity 13 to the plug-in cavity 11 through the opening 13 to illuminate the interior of the plug-in cavity 11, thereby facilitating the user to insert the plug into the charging stand 100, thereby improving the user experience.

[0029] In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 5 As shown, the insertion end of the plug cavity 11 protrudes from the mounting flange 60. In this case, the mating interface between the charging seat 100 and the plug is relatively deep. The charging seat 100 provided in the present application can guide the light emitted by the light source 30 to the plug cavity 11 through the opening 13 through the light guide 20 disposed in the accommodating cavity 12, so as to illuminate the interior of the plug cavity 11, thereby facilitating the user to insert the plug into the charging seat 100. However, in some other embodiments of the present disclosure, the insertion end of the plug cavity 11 may not protrude from the mounting flange 60, for example, it may be flush with the mounting flange.

[0030] In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, Figures 1 to 4 As shown, the light guide 20 includes a base 21 and a first light emitting portion 23. The base 21 is disposed in the accommodating cavity 12. The first light emitting portion 23 extends from the base 21 in a direction perpendicular to the insertion direction X and passes through the opening 13, so that the light emitted by the light source 30 can be guided into the plug cavity 11 to illuminate the interior of the plug cavity 11, thereby facilitating the user to insert the plug into the charging seat 100. Preferably, as Figure 1 As shown, the light emitting surface 23a of the first light emitting portion 23 is flush with the inner wall surface of the plug-in cavity 11, so that the inside of the plug-in cavity 11 can be better illuminated without affecting the insertion of the plug into the plug-in cavity 11 of the charging stand 100. However, it should be noted that the first light emitting portion 23 may also only pass through a portion of the opening 13, or even not extend into the opening 13, but only guide the light emitted by the light source 30 into the plug-in cavity 11 through the opening 13.

[0031] In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 5As shown, the opening 13 takes the form of a through hole that penetrates the circumferential wall of the plug-in cavity 11. However, in some embodiments not shown in the present disclosure, the opening may include a through hole that penetrates the circumferential wall of the plug-in cavity and a groove connected to the through hole, and the groove is formed on the inner wall surface of the circumferential wall of the plug-in cavity 11, and the shape of the first light output portion can be adapted to the groove. The groove can take various different forms, as long as the shape of the first light output portion of the light guide 20 can be adapted to the groove. For example, in one embodiment, the groove extends spirally around the inner wall surface of the plug-in cavity or at least partially circumferentially (for example, 360° extension), and the first light output portion extends through the through hole and into the groove to better illuminate the interior of the plug-in cavity 11. In another embodiment, the groove can also be replaced by a through slot that penetrates the circumferential wall of the plug-in cavity. The through slot can, for example, extend spirally around the inner wall surface of the plug-in cavity or at least partially extend circumferentially (for example, extend 360°). The first light-emitting portion extends through the through hole and into the through slot, so that not only the inside of the plug-in cavity 11 but also the outside of the plug-in cavity 11 can be illuminated. In addition, the opening can also be in the form of a plurality of holes, which are discretely distributed on the circumferential wall of the plug-in cavity 11, or the opening can also be in the form of a plurality of slots, each of which extends on the circumferential wall of the plug-in cavity 11 in a direction parallel to the insertion direction, and so on.

[0032] In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, Figures 1 to 4 As shown, the light guide 20 further includes a second light outlet 24 extending from the base 21 in a direction parallel to the insertion direction X and passing through the mounting flange 60 (via the hole 61 ) for indicating a charging state or creating an atmosphere.

[0033] In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, Figures 1 to 4 As shown, the light guide 20 further includes a light entrance portion 22 extending from the base 21 away from the second light exit portion 24 in a direction parallel to the insertion direction X. In this way, light emitted by the light source 30 installed in the accommodating cavity 12 can enter the light guide 20 via the light entrance portion 22 and be guided to the first light exit portion 23 and the second light exit portion 24, respectively.

[0034] In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, Figures 2 to 4 As shown, the light entrance portion 22 extends from the circumferential edge of the base 21 along a direction parallel to the insertion direction X, and the light source 30 is roughly arranged on the center line of the light entrance portion 22 parallel to the insertion direction X, so that light can be transmitted from the light source 30 to the first light exit portion 23 and the second light exit portion 24 with minimal loss.

[0035] In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, Figure 2As shown, the charging stand 100 further includes a cover body 40 covering the accommodating cavity 12 to seal the accommodating cavity 12 , thereby improving the safety of the charging stand 100 .

[0036] In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the light guide 20 can be formed integrally with the housing 10 and the mounting flange 60 by a secondary injection molding process. The light guide 20 can be made of optical materials, such as acrylic resin, polycarbonate, epoxy resin, and glass.

[0037] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, an electrical connector assembly is provided, comprising the charging base 100 as described above and a plug, the plug being adapted to mate with the charging base 100. Specifically, the plug comprises a plug portion configured to be plugged into the plug cavity 11 of the charging base 100.

[0038] According to the charging base and electrical connector assembly described in the various embodiments of the present disclosure, an opening is formed on the circumferential wall of the plug-in cavity of the shell of the charging base, and the light emitted by the light source installed in the accommodating cavity is guided into the plug-in cavity through the opening by a light guide body arranged in the accommodating cavity of the shell to illuminate the interior of the plug-in cavity, thereby facilitating the user to insert the plug into the charging base, thereby improving the user experience.

[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 numerals in the claims shall not be construed as limiting the scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A charging stand (100), characterized in that: The charging seat (100) comprises a shell (10) and a mounting flange (60), wherein the shell (10) comprises a plug-in cavity (11) for inserting a plug that matches the charging seat (100), and the mounting flange (60) extends outward from the shell (10) perpendicular to the insertion direction (X), wherein the shell (10) defines a receiving cavity (12) on a side of the mounting flange (60) opposite to the insertion end of the plug-in cavity (11), and the charging seat (100) further comprises a light guide (20) disposed in the receiving cavity (12), an opening (13) being formed on a circumferential wall of the plug-in cavity (11), and the light guide (20) is configured to guide light emitted by a light source (30) installed in the receiving cavity (12) into the plug-in cavity (11) via the opening (13).

2. The charging stand (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that: The light guide (20) comprises a base (21) installed in the accommodating cavity (12) and a first light emitting portion (23) extending from the base (21) in a direction perpendicular to the insertion direction (X) and passing through the opening (13).

3. The charging stand (100) according to claim 2, characterized in that: The light emitting surface (23a) of the first light emitting portion (23) is flush with the inner wall surface of the plug-in cavity (11).

4. The charging stand (100) according to claim 2, characterized in that: The opening (13) comprises a through hole penetrating the circumferential wall of the plug-in cavity (11) and a groove communicating with the through hole; the groove is formed on the inner wall surface of the circumferential wall of the plug-in cavity (11), and the first light emitting portion (23) is adapted to fit into the groove.

5. The charging stand (100) according to claim 4, characterized in that: The groove extends helically or at least partially circumferentially along the inner wall surface of the circumferential wall of the insertion cavity (11).

6. The charging stand (100) according to claim 2, characterized in that: The light guide (20) further comprises a second light exit portion (24) extending from the base portion (21) in a direction parallel to the insertion direction (X) and passing through the mounting flange (60).

7. The charging stand (100) according to claim 6, characterized in that: The light guide (20) further comprises a light entrance portion (22) extending from the base portion (21) along a direction parallel to the insertion direction (X) and away from the second light exit portion (24).

8. The charging stand (100) according to claim 7, characterized in that: The light entrance portion (22) extends from a peripheral edge of the base portion (21) along a direction parallel to the insertion direction (X).

9. The charging stand (100) according to claim 8, characterized in that: The charging seat (100) further comprises a light source (30), wherein the light source (30) is arranged on a center line of the light entrance portion (22) parallel to the insertion direction (X).

10. The charging stand (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that: The charging seat (100) further comprises a cover body (40) which is arranged on the accommodating cavity (12).

11. The charging stand (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that: The insertion end of the insertion cavity (11) protrudes from the mounting flange (60).

12. The charging stand (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that: The charging base (100) further comprises a circuit board (50) disposed in the accommodating cavity (12), and the light source (30) is mounted on the circuit board (50).

13. The charging stand (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that: The light guide (20) is formed integrally with the housing (10) and the mounting flange (60) through a secondary injection molding process.

14. A connector assembly, characterized in that: The connector assembly comprises: The charging stand (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 13; and A plug comprises a plugging portion, wherein the plugging portion is configured to be plugged into the plugging cavity (11) of the charging seat (100).

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