Connector assembly

By providing a sliding table on the inner wall of the terminal cavity of the connector assembly and a sliding groove on the clamping part of the TPA piece, a complementary structure is formed, and the problem of deformation and ejection of the TPA piece when subjected to stress is solved, ensuring the stability of the secondary lock structure of the connector assembly.

CN222763302UActive Publication Date: 2025-04-15CHANGZHOU JETTY AUTOMOTIVE PARTS CORP
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Patent Information

Application Number
CN202420882139.2
Authority / Receiving Office
CN · China
Patent Type
Utility models(China)
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2024-04-25
Publication Date
2025-04-15
Estimated Expiration
2034-04-25

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

The TPA parts of existing connector products are prone to deformation and ejection when the terminal components are under a large force, resulting in secondary lock failure.

Method used

A connector assembly is designed to provide a sliding table in the inner wall of the terminal cavity in the direction of the TPA piece being loaded into the sheath, and a sliding chute is opened on the clamping part of the TPA piece. After the TPA piece is loaded into the sheath, the sliding table is embedded in the sheath to form a complementary structure to enhance the structural stability of the TPA piece in the sheath.

Benefits of technology

Effectively prevent the TPA parts from deforming and popping when the terminal assembly is under a large force, ensuring that the secondary lock structure of the connector assembly is not prone to failure when it is under a force.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

The connector assembly comprises a TPA piece, a sheath and a terminal assembly installed in the sheath, the sheath is provided with an insertion port communicated with a terminal cavity of the sheath, the TPA piece comprises a main body part and clamping parts located on the two sides of the main body part, and the TPA piece enters the terminal cavity through the insertion port to achieve secondary locking of the terminal assembly. According to the connector assembly provided by the utility model, the sliding table is arranged on the inner wall of the terminal cavity along the direction that the TPA piece is arranged in the sheath, the sliding groove is formed in the clamping part of the TPA piece, after the TPA piece is arranged in the sheath, the sliding table is embedded in the sliding groove, and the sliding groove and the sliding table are complementary, so that the structural stability of the TPA piece in the sheath can be improved, and even if the terminal assembly is subjected to large stress, the TPA piece can be prevented from being damaged. Therefore, the TPA part, especially the clamping part, is still not obviously deformed and popped out of the sheath, so that the problem that the secondary lock structure of the connector assembly is easy to fail when the stress is relatively large can be effectively prevented.
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Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of connectors, in particular to a connector assembly. Background Art

[0002] In a connector, it is generally required that after the terminal is installed in the connector, the terminal is also required to be fixed for a second time to provide a higher terminal retention force requirement, which requires a terminal position retaining device (TPA) to be used in the connector.

[0003] The TPA parts of existing connector products generally include a main body and snap-in parts located on both sides of the main body, and are snap-fitted and fixed to the connector sleeve by the snap-in parts. In order to achieve better terminal retention, some TPA parts will also provide a terminal fixing part between the two snap-in parts, and the secondary locking of the terminal assembly is achieved by the snap-in part and the terminal fixing part. However, when the terminal assembly is subjected to greater force, this structure still has the risk of deformation and popping out after being subjected to force, resulting in failure of the secondary locking of the terminal assembly by the TPA part. Utility Model Content

[0004] In view of this, an object of the present invention is to provide a connector assembly to solve the technical problems mentioned in the background technology.

[0005] In order to achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the technical solution adopted by the utility model is: a connector assembly, including a TPA part, a sleeve and a terminal assembly installed in the sleeve, the sleeve is provided with an insertion port connected to the terminal cavity of the sleeve, the TPA part includes a main body and clamping parts located on both sides of the main body, and the TPA part enters the terminal cavity through the insertion port to achieve secondary locking of the terminal assembly, a slide is provided on the inner wall of the terminal cavity extending along the direction in which the TPA part is installed into the sleeve, the clamping part is provided with a slide groove matching the shape of the slide, and after the TPA part is installed in the sleeve, the slide is embedded in the slide groove.

[0006] In some embodiments, a sliding track structure that cooperates with each other is provided between the slide platform and the slide groove.

[0007] In some embodiments, the ratio of the width of the slide groove to the width of the clamping portion is 1 / 5-1 / 3.

[0008] In some embodiments, the TPA component is engaged with the inner wall of the terminal cavity through the engaging portion to achieve positioning of the TPA component in the pre-installed position or the locked position.

[0009] In some embodiments, the terminal assembly has a snap-fit ​​groove recessed inward, and the main body is further provided with a terminal fixing portion between two snap-fit ​​portions. When the TPA component is in a locked position, the terminal fixing portion and the two snap-fit ​​portions cooperate with the snap-fit ​​groove to achieve secondary locking of the terminal assembly.

[0010] In some embodiments, a boss is protruded from the inner side of the clamping portion, and when the TPA member is in the locked position, the boss and the terminal fixing portion are partially cantilevered into the clamping groove to achieve secondary locking of the terminal assembly.

[0011] In some embodiments, the terminal assembly has a first diameter-changing section and a second diameter-changing section, and the clamping groove is formed between the first diameter-changing section and the second diameter-changing section.

[0012] In some embodiments, a card block is protruding from the outer side of the clamping portion, and a pre-installation groove and a locking groove are sequentially provided on the inner wall of the terminal cavity along the direction in which the TPA component is installed into the sheath. During the process of installing the TPA component into the sheath, the card block successively enters the pre-installation groove and the locking groove to realize the positioning of the TPA component in the pre-installation position or the locking position.

[0013] In some embodiments, the pre-installation groove and the locking groove are both square holes that penetrate the sheath.

[0014] In some embodiments, a primary lock cantilever is extended on the inner wall of the sleeve along the direction in which the terminal assembly is installed into the sleeve, the free end of the primary lock cantilever is clamped to the clamping groove, and a crimping groove for accommodating the primary lock cantilever is provided between the clamping portion and the terminal fixing portion.

[0015] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the utility model are as follows: the connector assembly of the utility model sets a slide on the inner wall of the terminal cavity along the direction in which the TPA part is installed into the sleeve, and opens a slide groove on the clamping part of the TPA part. After the TPA part is installed into the sleeve, the slide is embedded in the slide groove. The complementary structure between the slide groove and the slide can improve the structural stability of the TPA part in the sleeve. Even when the terminal assembly is subjected to large force, the TPA part, especially the clamping part, will not undergo obvious deformation and pop out of the sleeve, thereby effectively preventing the secondary lock structure of the connector assembly from failing easily when subjected to large force. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the present invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 1 An exploded schematic diagram of the connector assembly provided by the utility model;

[0018] Figure 2 for Figure 1 Left view of

[0019] Figure 3 for Figure 1 Rear view of

[0020] Figure 4 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of the sheath in the connector assembly shown;

[0021] Figure 5 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of a terminal assembly in the connector assembly shown;

[0022] Figure 6 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of the TPA component in the connector assembly shown;

[0023] Figure 7 for Figure 2 Section view along AA direction;

[0024] Figure 8 for Figure 2 Cross-sectional view along BB direction;

[0025] Fig. 9 for Figure 3 Cross-sectional view along CC direction;

[0026] Fig.10 for Figure 3 Cross-sectional view along DD direction.

[0027] The following are marked in the figure:

[0028] 10. TPA component; 101. main body; 102. clamping part; 103. terminal fixing part; 104. slide groove; 105. slide rail groove; 106. boss; 107. clamping block; 108. crimping groove; 109. positioning block;

[0029] 20, sheath; 201, terminal cavity; 202, insertion port; 203, slide; 204, rib; 205, pre-installed groove; 206, locking groove; 207, one-time locking cantilever; 208, lap groove;

[0030] 30. Terminal assembly; 301. Clamping groove; 302. First diameter-reducing section; 303. Second diameter-reducing section;

[0031] 40. Grid structure;

[0032] 50. The direction in which the TPA component is installed into the sheath. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] Various exemplary embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that unless otherwise specifically stated, the relative arrangements of components and steps, numerical expressions and numerical values ​​set forth in these embodiments do not limit the scope of the present invention.

[0034] The following description of at least one exemplary embodiment is merely illustrative in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses.

[0035] Technologies, methods, and equipment known to ordinary technicians in the relevant art may not be discussed in detail, but where appropriate, the technologies, methods, and equipment should be considered as part of the specification.

[0036] In all examples shown and discussed herein, any specific values ​​should be interpreted as merely exemplary and not limiting. Therefore, other examples of the exemplary embodiments may have different values.

[0037] like Figure 1-Figure 10 As shown, a connector assembly includes a TPA component 10, a sheath 20 and a terminal assembly 30 installed in the sheath 20. The sheath 20 is provided with an insertion port 202 connected to a terminal cavity 201 of the sheath. The TPA component 10 includes a main body 101 and clamping parts 102 located on both sides of the main body. A one-time locking cantilever 207 is extended on the inner wall of the sheath 20 along the direction in which the terminal assembly 30 is installed into the sheath 20. The free end of the one-time locking cantilever 207 is clamped to the clamping groove 301 of the terminal assembly 30 to achieve one-time locking of the terminal assembly 30. For details, please refer to Figure 7 There is a crimping groove 108 for accommodating the primary lock cantilever 207 between the clamping part 102 and the terminal fixing part 103. After the TPA part 10 enters the terminal cavity 201 through the insertion port 202, the secondary locking of the terminal assembly 30 is realized. Further, a slide 203 is provided on the inner wall of the terminal cavity 201 along the direction 50 in which the TPA part is installed into the sheath. A slide groove 104 matching the shape of the slide 203 is provided on the clamping part 102. After the TPA part 10 is installed into the sheath 20, the slide 203 is embedded in the slide groove 104. The complementary structure between the slide groove 104 and the slide 203 can improve the structural stability of the TPA part 10 in the sheath 20. Even when the terminal assembly 30 is subjected to a large force, the TPA part 10, especially the clamping part 102, will not be significantly deformed and will not pop out of the sheath 20, thereby effectively preventing the problem that the secondary lock structure of the connector assembly is easily invalid when subjected to a large force.

[0038] In order to facilitate the installation of the TPA member 10 into the sheath 20, a sliding track structure that cooperates with each other is provided between the slide groove 104 and the slide table 203. In this embodiment, Figure 1 , Figure 4 and Figure 6As shown, ribs 204 for positioning and assisting sliding are arranged on both sides of the sliding direction of the slide 203, and a slide rail groove 105 matching with the ribs 204 is opened on the slide groove 104. When the TPA component 10 is installed in the sleeve 20, the slide 203 and the ribs 204 are respectively inserted into the slide groove 104 and the slide rail groove 105, so that the TPA component 10 can be smoothly inserted.

[0039] In one embodiment, the ratio of the width of the slide groove 104 to the width of the clamping portion 102 is 1 / 5-1 / 3. It should be noted that if the ratio of the width of the slide groove 104 to the width of the clamping portion 102 is greater than 1 / 3, the strength of the TPA member 10, especially the clamping portion 102, will be significantly reduced. If the ratio of the width of the slide groove 104 to the width of the clamping portion 102 is less than 1 / 5, the strength of the slide 203 will be significantly reduced. Therefore, the ratio of the width of the slide groove 104 to the width of the clamping portion 102 should be controlled within 1 / 5-1 / 3, and the setting is selected to be 1 / 4. For details, please refer to Figure 6 .

[0040] The TPA component 10 is engaged with the inner wall of the terminal cavity 201 through the engaging portion 102 to achieve positioning of the TPA component 10 in the pre-installed position or the locked position. Figure 6 and Figure 4 As shown, a clamping block 107 is protruded from the outer side of the clamping portion 102, and a pre-installed groove 205 and a locking groove 206 are sequentially provided on the inner wall of the terminal cavity 201 along the direction 50 in which the TPA component is installed into the sleeve. In this embodiment, the pre-installed groove 205 and the locking groove 206 are both square holes arranged through the sleeve 20. During the process of installing the TPA component 10 into the sleeve 20, the clamping block 107 successively enters the pre-installed groove 205 and the locking groove 206 to realize the positioning of the TPA component 10 in the pre-installed position or the locked position.

[0041] like Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the terminal assembly 30 has a clamping groove 301 that is recessed inward, and the main body 101 is further provided with a terminal fixing portion 103 between the two clamping portions 102. When the TPA component 10 is in the locked position, the terminal fixing portion 103 and the two clamping portions 102 cooperate with the clamping groove 301 to achieve secondary locking of the terminal assembly 30. Specifically, a boss 106 is protruding from the inner side of the clamping portion 102. When the TPA component 10 is in the locked position, the boss 106 and the terminal fixing portion 103 are partially suspended into the clamping groove 301 to achieve secondary locking of the terminal assembly. For details, please refer to Fig. 9 and Fig.10 . Further, if Figure 5As shown, the terminal assembly 30 has a first diameter-reducing section 302 and a second diameter-reducing section 303 , and a clamping groove 301 is formed between the first diameter-reducing section 302 and the second diameter-reducing section 303 . It should be noted here that the boss 106 and the terminal fixing portion 103 mainly realize the rear stop position after the terminal assembly 30 is installed, and the first reducing section 302 cooperates with the inner wall of the sleeve 20 to achieve the front stop position after the terminal assembly 30 is installed. Therefore, the width of the boss 106 and the terminal fixing portion 103 in the axial direction of the terminal assembly 30 can be designed according to needs, as long as the rear stop position after the terminal assembly 30 is installed can be achieved. In this embodiment, the width of the terminal fixing portion 103 is consistent with the width of the snap-in groove 301. When the TPA part 10 is in the locked position, the free end of the terminal fixing portion 103 is completely embedded in the snap-in groove 301 to achieve the purpose of the front and rear stops at the same time, and the boss 106 is only partially arranged in the snap-in groove 301 and cooperates with the first reducing section 302 to stop and achieve the purpose of the rear stop. In addition, a grid structure 40 is also provided in the sheath 20. After the TPA member 10 is installed in the sheath 20, the grid structure 40 and the first diameter-reducing section 302 together support the TPA member 10 to improve the stability of the TPA member 10 after it is installed in the sheath 20. For details, please refer to Figure 7 and Figure 8 .

[0042] In one embodiment, if Figure 1 , Figure 4 and Figure 6 As shown, at least one positioning block 109 is provided on the outer edge of the main body 101, and a lap groove 208 matching with the positioning block 109 is provided on the outer side of the insertion port 202 of the sheath 20. When the TPA component 10 is in the locked position, the positioning block 109 is embedded in the lap groove 208, and the lap groove 208 and the positioning block 109 cooperate with each other to position the installation of the TPA component 10 and prevent misinsertion. At the same time, in order to facilitate the disassembly of the TPA component 10, an inclined surface (not shown in the figure) is provided on one of the positioning block 109 and the lap groove 208. When the TPA component 10 needs to be disassembled, a sharp object is inserted into the inclined surface (not shown in the figure) to lift the TPA component 10.

[0043] Although some specific embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail by way of examples, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that the above examples are for illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that the above embodiments may be modified without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. The scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A connector assembly, comprising a TPA component, a sheath, and a terminal assembly installed in the sheath, wherein the sheath is provided with an insertion port communicating with a terminal cavity of the sheath, the TPA component comprises a main body and clamping portions located on both sides of the main body, and the TPA component enters the terminal cavity through the insertion port to achieve secondary locking of the terminal assembly, characterized in that: A slide is provided on the inner wall of the terminal cavity extending along the direction in which the TPA piece is inserted into the sleeve, and a slide groove matching the shape of the slide is provided on the clamping portion. After the TPA piece is inserted into the sleeve, the slide is embedded in the slide groove.

2. A connector assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: A sliding track structure that cooperates with each other is arranged between the sliding platform and the sliding groove.

3. A connector assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The ratio of the width of the slide groove to the width of the clamping portion is 1 / 5-1 / 3.

4. A connector assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The TPA component is engaged with the inner wall of the terminal cavity through the engaging portion to realize the positioning of the TPA component in the pre-installed position or the locked position.

5. A connector assembly according to claim 4, characterized in that: The terminal assembly has a snap-in groove recessed inwardly, and the main body is also provided with a terminal fixing portion between two snap-in portions. When the TPA component is in a locked position, the terminal fixing portion and the two snap-in portions cooperate with the snap-in groove to achieve secondary locking of the terminal assembly.

6. A connector assembly according to claim 5, characterized in that: A boss is protruding from the inner side of the clamping portion. When the TPA component is in the locked position, the boss and the terminal fixing portion are partially cantilevered into the clamping groove to achieve secondary locking of the terminal assembly.

7. A connector assembly according to claim 5, characterized in that: The terminal assembly is provided with a first diameter-changing section and a second diameter-changing section, and the clamping groove is formed between the first diameter-changing section and the second diameter-changing section.

8. A connector assembly according to claim 4, characterized in that: A clamping block is protruding from the outer side of the clamping portion, and a pre-installation groove and a locking groove are sequentially arranged on the inner wall of the terminal cavity along the direction in which the TPA component is installed into the sleeve. During the process of installing the TPA component into the sleeve, the clamping block successively enters the pre-installation groove and the locking groove to realize the positioning of the TPA component in the pre-installation position or the locking position.

9. A connector assembly according to claim 8, characterized in that: The pre-installation groove and the locking groove are both square holes that penetrate the sheath.

10. A connector assembly according to claim 5, characterized in that: A primary lock cantilever is extended on the inner wall of the sleeve along the direction in which the terminal assembly is installed into the sleeve, the free end of the primary lock cantilever is clamped to the clamping groove, and a crimping groove for accommodating the primary lock cantilever is provided between the clamping portion and the terminal fixing portion.