Connector assembly

Abstract

The utility model provides a connector assembly used for electrical connection, the connector assembly comprises a housing and an insulator, a radial gap is arranged between the housing and the insulator, an axial positioning member is arranged between the insulator and the housing, the axial positioning member axially positions the insulator, an axial gap is arranged between the axial positioning member and the housing, and the axial gap is arranged between the housing and the insulator. The axial gap is filled with a rigid filling material, and wherein the radial gap between the housing and the insulator is filled with a high temperature resistant filling material. The connector assembly has the following beneficial effects that the insulator is radially fixed through the high-temperature-resistant filling material, and the insulator is axially fixed through the axial positioning piece and the rigid filling material, so that the connector assembly is high-temperature-resistant, high-vibration-resistant, fire-resistant and good in sealing performance, the structure is simpler, and the manufacturing cost is reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the field of aviation connectors, in particular to a connector component which is resistant to high temperature, high vibration and fire and has good sealing performance. Background Art

[0002] The connector assembly usually includes a housing, an insulator, and a connector contact. The insulator plays the following roles:

[0003] Provide fixed support for connector contacts to maintain the integrity of the connector assembly;

[0004] Prevent current from flowing between different contacts and ensure that the current is transmitted along the intended path;

[0005] Provide physical protection for connector contacts to prevent contact damage such as wear, bending or breaking;

[0006] It also helps to seal the connector assembly and protect the contacts from environmental factors such as moisture, dust, and chemical corrosion.

[0007] Since connector components involve extreme special environments such as high temperature resistance, high vibration resistance, and fire resistance, and have high requirements for sealing performance, the fixation of the insulator and the sealing between the insulator and the shell are crucial.

[0008] Existing connector components have the following technical drawbacks:

[0009] 1. For existing connector assemblies that only use adhesives to fix the insulator, the fixing structure is unreliable, and the adhesive used in the existing connector will age due to long-term high temperature, resulting in a decrease in bonding strength, thereby affecting the fixation of the insulator and the sealing performance of the connector assembly;

[0010] 2. For existing connector assemblies that only use mechanical structures to fix the insulator, it is impossible to use a complex fixing structure due to the limited size and space of the connector assembly. After the conventional mechanical fixing structure is assembled, the axial clearance between the components in the connector assembly cannot be eliminated, thereby affecting the high vibration resistance of the connector assembly.

[0011] 3. The aviation field has put forward higher requirements for the high temperature resistance, vibration resistance, fire resistance and sealing performance of connector components. Existing connector components can no longer meet these requirements or meet these requirements at the same time.

[0012] 4. The structure of the existing connector assembly is relatively complex and the manufacturing cost is relatively high.

[0013] Therefore, there is a need for an improved connector assembly that can address one or more of the above-mentioned drawbacks. Utility Model Content

[0014] In order to solve the problems existing in the above-mentioned prior art, the utility model proposes a connector assembly, the purpose of which is to radially fix the insulator through high-temperature resistant filling materials and to axially fix the insulator through axial positioning pieces and rigid filling materials, so that the connector assembly can be resistant to high temperatures, high vibrations, fire and has good sealing properties, and has a simpler structure, thereby reducing manufacturing costs.

[0015] Therefore, the utility model proposes a connector assembly, which is used for electrical connection. The connector assembly includes a shell and an insulator. There is a radial gap between the shell and the insulator. An axial positioning member is arranged between the insulator and the shell. The axial positioning member is used to axially position the insulator relative to the shell. There is an axial gap between the axial positioning member and the shell. The axial gap is filled with a rigid filling material, and wherein the radial gap between the shell and the insulator is filled with a high-temperature resistant filling material.

[0016] According to the above technical solution, the connector assembly of the utility model can achieve the following beneficial effects: the insulator is radially fixed by the high temperature resistant filling material, and the radial seal between the shell and the insulator can be achieved, and the axial fixing of the insulator is achieved by the axial positioning member and the rigid filling material. As a result, the obtained connector assembly can withstand high temperature, high vibration, fire resistance and good sealing performance, and the structure is simpler, reducing the manufacturing cost.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the high temperature resistant filling material is high temperature resistant silica gel.

[0018] According to the above technical scheme, the connector assembly of the utility model can achieve the following beneficial effects: the insulator is radially fixed by high-temperature resistant silicone, so that the connector assembly can further be resistant to high temperature, radial high vibration, fire and good sealing.

[0019] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the axial positioning member includes an elastic retaining ring.

[0020] According to the above technical solution, the connector assembly of the utility model can achieve the following beneficial effects: the connector assembly can further resist high axial vibration, and the structure is simpler, thereby reducing manufacturing costs.

[0021] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the housing comprises an internal groove of the housing, the circlip is partially accommodated in the internal groove of the housing, and the axial gap is located between the circlip and the inner surface of the internal groove of the housing.

[0022] According to the above technical solution, the connector assembly of the utility model can achieve the following beneficial effects: it is convenient to fix the insulator axially.

[0023] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the axial positioning member is made of metal.

[0024] According to the above technical solution, the connector assembly of the utility model can achieve the following beneficial effects: the connector assembly is further made resistant to high temperature, high axial vibration and fire.

[0025] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the rigid filling material is a rigid epoxy glue.

[0026] According to the above technical solution, the connector assembly of the utility model can achieve the following beneficial effects: the connector assembly can further resist high axial vibration and has good sealing performance.

[0027] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the axial positioning member further comprises a gasket, and the gasket is located between the insulator and the elastic retaining ring.

[0028] According to the above technical solution, the connector assembly of the utility model can achieve the following beneficial effects: further improving the axial fixing effect of the insulator relative to the housing.

[0029] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the insulator comprises a flange extending from an outer surface of the insulator, and the axial positioning member abuts against the flange.

[0030] According to the above technical solution, the connector assembly of the utility model can achieve the following beneficial effects: it is convenient for positioning and fixing the insulator.

[0031] In an optional embodiment of the present invention, the insulator is of split type.

[0032] According to the above technical solution, the connector assembly of the utility model can achieve the following beneficial effects: it is easy to assemble and makes the assembly of the connector assembly more flexible.

[0033] It should be understood that the above utility model content is provided to introduce a selection of concepts further described in the detailed description in a simplified form. It is not meant to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, the scope of which is solely defined by the appended claims. In addition, the claimed subject matter is not limited to implementations that address any disadvantages noted above or in any part of this disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034] Further features and exemplary embodiments and advantages of the present invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It will be appreciated that this embodiment is not exhaustive of the full scope of the present invention. It will be further appreciated that some or all of the features described below may also be combined in other ways, including:

[0035] Figure 1is an exploded view of a connector assembly according to the utility model;

[0036] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of a connector assembly according to the utility model;

[0037] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 A partial enlarged view of a cross-sectional view;

[0038] Figure 4 yes Figure 2 Another partial enlarged view of the cross-sectional view.

[0039] Reference numerals list

[0040] 100 connector assembly;

[0041] 101 housing;

[0042] 101s inner surface of the shell;

[0043] 101a: inner groove of the housing;

[0044] 102 Insulator;

[0045] 102s Outer surface of insulator;

[0046] 103 axial positioning parts and gaskets;

[0047] 104 axial positioning member, elastic retaining ring;

[0048] 104s retaining ring side surface;

[0049] 105 high temperature resistant filling material, high temperature resistant silicone;

[0050] 106 Rigid filling material, rigid epoxy adhesive;

[0051] RC Radial clearance;

[0052] AC Axial clearance. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0053] The present invention is described more fully below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described. Obviously, all features disclosed in this specification, or steps in all methods or processes disclosed, except mutually exclusive features and / or steps, can be combined in any way. Any feature disclosed in this specification, unless otherwise described, can be replaced by other alternative features that are equivalent or have similar purposes, that is, unless otherwise described, each feature is just an example of a series of equivalent or similar features. The technical solution of the present invention is described in many aspects in combination with the figures and embodiments below.

[0054] In this document, the term "axial direction" refers to a direction parallel to the central axis of the connector assembly, "radial direction" refers to a direction parallel to a straight line that is perpendicular to and intersects the central axis of the connector assembly, and "circumferential direction" refers to a direction perpendicular to the central axis of the connector assembly and perpendicular to the cross-sectional radius.

[0055] In this document, the terms "inside", "outside", "inward", "outward", "proximal", "distal", etc. are only used to explain the relative positions of various elements. For example, "inside", "outside" or similar expressions used in this document refer to the inside and outside relative to the central axis of the connector assembly in the radial direction. For example, "proximal" or similar expressions used in this document refer to the distance from the connector head in the axial direction, while "distal" or similar expressions used in this document refer to the distance close to the connector head in the axial direction.

[0056] In this document, serial numbers "first", "second", etc. do not represent order (for example, do not imply a precedence relationship unless explicitly stated) or priority or importance. The above serial numbers are only used to indicate that they are different and independent devices, elements or steps.

[0057] Figure 1 is an exploded view of the connector assembly 100 according to the present invention, and Figure 2 1 is a cross-sectional view of a connector assembly 100 according to the present invention. The connector assembly 100 according to the present invention is preferably an aviation connector used in the aviation field, especially an aviation connector used in high temperature and high pressure application scenarios in the aviation field, but may also be other connectors.

[0058] The connector assembly 100 includes a shell 101, which is configured to protect the internal components surrounded by the shell 101 to ensure the normal use of the connector assembly 100. On the other hand, the shape of the shell 101 is configured to be compatible with the corresponding socket or plug for easy operation. The shell 101 has high mechanical strength to resist vibration, impact and mechanical stress. In addition, the shell 101 has good corrosion resistance and temperature stability, which will be explained below in conjunction with experiments. For example, the shell 101 can be made of aluminum alloy, stainless steel, high-performance plastic (such as polyetheretherketone PEEK, polyimide PI) or other composite materials, but is not limited to this.

[0059] The housing 101 includes an inner housing groove 101 a for accommodating an axial positioning member. More specifically, the inner housing groove 101 a accommodates an elastic retaining ring 104 to axially position the insulator 102 , which will be further described below.

[0060] The connector assembly 100 includes an insulator 102, which is configured to fix and support the connector contacts, maintain the integrity of the connector assembly, and prevent current from flowing between different contacts, ensuring that the current is transmitted along a predetermined path. The insulator 102 is configured as a column with holes extending through it from front to back. The shape of the insulator 102 can be adapted to the housing 101, and the through holes in the insulator 102 are used to accommodate corresponding connector contacts. For example, the insulator 102 can be made of high-performance plastics, ceramics, glass, rubber, and other materials, but is not limited thereto.

[0061] The housing 101 includes a housing inner surface 101s, and the insulator 102 includes an insulator outer surface 102s. There is a radial gap RC between the housing inner surface 101s and the insulator outer surface 102s, which will be described below in conjunction with Figure 3 Further description.

[0062] The insulator 102 is provided with a flange extending from the outer surface 102s of the insulator 102 to facilitate positioning in the housing 101, thereby fixing and supporting the connector contact. Preferably, the flange is arranged near the proximal end of the insulator 102. The insulator 102 may be as follows: Figure 1 The single component shown can also be split, such as Figure 2 An assembly consisting of two parts is shown in a cross-sectional view.

[0063] The connector assembly 100 includes an axial positioning member, which is configured to axially position the insulator 102. Preferably, the axial positioning member includes an elastic retaining ring 104. More preferably, the axial positioning member also includes a gasket 103. The gasket 103 abuts against the flange on the insulator 102. The elastic retaining ring 104 is partially arranged in the inner groove 101a of the housing, and the far side of the elastic retaining ring 104 abuts against the inner surface of the inner groove 101a of the housing and the gasket 103. Figure 4 This is further described. Preferably, the gasket 103 and the circlip 104 are made of metal material.

[0064] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 A partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the connector assembly 100, Figure 3 A radial gap RC between the housing inner surface 101 s of the housing 101 and the insulator inner surface 102 s of the insulator 102 is shown.

[0065] In the connector assembly 100 of the present invention, the radial gap RC is filled with a high temperature resistant filling material 105, which can improve the resistance of the connector assembly 100 to radial vibration, and can improve the high temperature resistance, fire resistance and sealing performance of the connector assembly. Preferably, the high temperature resistant filling material 105 is high temperature resistant silicone.

[0066] Figure 4 yes Figure 2 Another partial enlarged view of the cross-sectional view of the connector assembly 100, Figure 4 The axial gap AC between the circlip 104 and the housing internal groove 101a of the housing 101 is shown. As shown in the figure, the circlip 104 is partially accommodated in the housing internal groove 101a, the far side of the circlip 104 (i.e., the left side in the figure) abuts against the inner surface of the housing internal groove 101a and the gasket 103, and the axial gap AC is located between the proximal surface 104s of the circlip 104 (i.e., the right side in the figure) and the inner surface of the housing internal groove 101a.

[0067] In the connector assembly 100 of the present invention, the axial gap AC is filled with a rigid filling material 106, preferably a rigid epoxy glue 106. Filling the axial gap AC with the rigid filling material 106 can improve the resistance of the connector assembly 100 to axial vibration.

[0068] The inventor has conducted a test matrix consisting of various tests on the connector assembly 100 according to the utility model to verify its high temperature resistance, high vibration resistance, fire resistance and sealing performance. The tests conducted include but are not limited to: 1. High temperature resistance test; 2. High vibration resistance test; 3. Fire resistance test; 4. Air tightness test; 5. Hot and humid environment test.

[0069] In the high temperature test, the connector assembly 100 is subjected to 1500 cycles without current, each cycle lasting 1 hour, each cycle including 30 minutes of 200±5°C and 30 minutes of 260±5°C. The cycle is completed by two high temperature boxes, one of which is maintained at 200°C and the other at 260°C, and the transfer time between the two high temperature boxes does not exceed 10s. Through the above high temperature test, it is verified that the connector assembly 100 according to the utility model has good high temperature resistance.

[0070] In the high vibration test, the temperature was maintained at 260+5°C, and vibration was applied to the connector assembly 200 according to the preset vibration curve with a power spectrum density of 1G2 / Hz and an acceleration root mean square value of 43.9g, and each lasted for 8 hours in three mutually perpendicular directions. The cable was fixed at least 200mm away from the tail of the connector assembly, and the vibration sensor was as close to the connector assembly as possible. Through the above high temperature resistance test, it was verified that the connector assembly 100 according to the utility model has good high vibration resistance performance.

[0071] In the fire test, the cable is fixed between 200mm and 250mm from the end of the connector assembly, and the connector assembly is exposed to flames at a predetermined frequency and acceleration (e.g. 30-60Hz, 100m / s 2 ) vibration, the rated current is passed for the first 5 minutes, the predetermined voltage is applied between different parts for the next 1 minute, and then the flame is continued for 14 minutes without current and voltage. The flame temperature is 1100±80℃ and the heat flux is 116±10KW / m 2 The above fire resistance test verifies that the connector assembly 100 according to the present invention has good fire resistance performance.

[0072] In the air tightness test, the air pressure difference is 100KPa, 50% of the holes are equipped with sealing plugs, and the remaining 50% of the holes are equipped with contacts and connected to cables (50% of the cables should be of the minimum diameter and 50% of the cables should be of the maximum diameter), and the tail end of the cable is sealed. For the connector assembly 100 used as a socket, a specified air pressure difference is applied to both ends of the connector assembly 100 for 30 minutes, rotating in both directions (it should be ensured that any possible leakage at the installation of the connector assembly 100 is not considered during the measurement). For the connector assembly 100 used as a plug, the connector assembly 100 is plugged into a socket with a center contact removed, and a specified air pressure difference is applied to both ends of the socket assembly panel for 30 minutes, rotating in both directions (it should be ensured that any possible leakage at the installation of the socket is not considered during the measurement). Through the above air tightness test, it is verified that the connector assembly 100 according to the utility model has good air tightness.

[0073] In the wet and hot environment test, the connector assembly 100 is plugged together with the preset torque, and the cable passes through the test box or is sealed. It is required that the condensed water on the wall or top of the test box cannot drip onto the connector assembly 100. Then, 10 cycles are performed, and each cycle includes three stages: in the first stage, within 2 hours, the temperature of the test box is increased to 65±3°C and the relative humidity reaches 95±2%; in the second stage, the above conditions are maintained for 6 hours; in the third stage, within 16 hours, the temperature is gradually reduced to 38+4°C, and the relative humidity should not be lower than 85%. After the 7th cycle, the insulation resistance of the connector assembly 100 is tested, and the measured insulation resistance should be ≥100Ω. In this way, through the above-mentioned wet and hot environment test, it is verified that the sealing performance of the connector assembly 100 according to the utility model is good.

[0074] The beneficial effects of the connector assembly 100 according to the utility model are:

[0075] 1. The insulator 102 is radially fixed by the high temperature resistant filling material 105 and the insulator 102 is axially fixed by the axial positioning members 103, 104 and the rigid filling material 106, so that the connector assembly 100 can resist high temperature, high vibration, fire and has good sealing performance;

[0076] 2. The insulator 102 is radially fixed by the high temperature resistant filling material 105 and the insulator 102 is axially fixed by the axial positioning members 103, 104 and the rigid filling material 106, so that the structure of the connector assembly 100 is simpler and the manufacturing cost is reduced.

[0077] In this document, the terms "comprises," "comprising," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, structure, or apparatus that includes a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not explicitly listed, or also includes elements that are inherent to such process, method, structure, or apparatus.

[0078] Without more restrictions, the elements defined by the sentence "comprising..." do not exclude the existence of other identical elements in the process, method, structure or device that includes the elements.

[0079] The description of the utility model is given for the purpose of illustration and description, and is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the utility model to the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

[0080] The embodiments are selected and described in order to better illustrate the principles and practical applications of the present invention and to enable those skilled in the art to understand the present invention and thereby design various embodiments with various modifications suitable for specific purposes.

Claims

1. A connector assembly, the connector assembly is used for electrical connection, the connector assembly comprises a shell and an insulator, there is a radial gap between the shell and the insulator, characterized in that: An axial positioning member is arranged between the insulator and the shell, and the axial positioning member is used to axially position the insulator relative to the shell. There is an axial gap between the axial positioning member and the shell, and the axial gap is filled with a rigid filling material, and wherein the radial gap between the shell and the insulator is filled with a high-temperature resistant filling material.

2. The connector assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The high temperature resistant filling material is high temperature resistant silica gel.

3. The connector assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The axial positioning member includes an elastic retaining ring.

4. The connector assembly according to claim 3, characterized in that: The axial positioning member is made of metal.

5. The connector assembly according to claim 3, characterized in that: The housing comprises an inner groove of the housing, the circlip is partially accommodated in the inner groove of the housing, and the axial gap is located between the circlip and the inner surface of the inner groove of the housing.

6. The connector assembly according to claim 3, characterized in that: The axial positioning member further comprises a gasket, and the gasket is located between the insulator and the elastic retaining ring.

7. The connector assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The rigid filling material is rigid epoxy glue.

8. The connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein: The insulator includes a flange extending from an outer surface of the insulator, and the axial locator abuts against the flange.

9. The connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein: The insulator is of split type.

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