Connector assembly

Abstract

A connector assembly is provided. The connector assembly comprises a housing, the housing is provided with a port, and the port is jointly defined by a pair of first side parts separated along a first direction and a pair of second side parts separated along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction of the housing; and a terminal position locking device which is separably inserted into the port of the housing along a third direction perpendicular to both the first direction and the second direction, protruding blocks are arranged on the outer surfaces of the pair of second side portions of the shell respectively. The terminal position locking device is provided with locking hook arms, and the locking hook arms are respectively arranged on the opposite sides of the terminal position locking device; when the hook portion of the locking hook arm abuts against the protruding block, the terminal position locking device is located at a pre-locking position relative to the shell.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a connector assembly. Background Art

[0002] There is a type of connector assembly with a terminal position locking device on the market (for example, AMPSEAL connectors used on engines or gearboxes, under hoods, on power control units, on bulkheads, and on chassis to provide excellent reliability and environmental sealing). This type of connector assembly requires the terminal position locking device to be pre-locked on the connector housing at the manufacturer to ensure that the terminal position locking device will not fall off the connector housing during factory transportation. However, at the user's site, the terminal position locking device also needs to be manually pushed from the pre-locking position to the final locking position after all terminals are inserted to achieve position locking of the terminals.

[0003] In the existing connector assembly of this type, the connector housing is provided with a locking hook arm, and the terminal position locking device is provided with a locking mating protrusion. Specifically, a pair of locking hook arms extend from opposite sides of the port of the connector housing for receiving the terminal position locking device, and the terminal position locking device is provided with corresponding first locking mating protrusions and second locking mating protrusions at positions corresponding to the pair of locking hook arms. At the manufacturer, the terminal position locking device is pre-installed into the port of the connector housing, and the hook portions of the pair of locking hook arms slide through the first locking mating protrusion and engage with the first locking mating protrusion, so that the terminal position locking device is in a pre-locking position relative to the connector housing; at the user, after all terminals are installed, the terminal position locking device is further pushed into the port of the connector housing, and during this process, the hook portions of the pair of locking hook arms continue to slide through the second locking mating protrusion and engage with the second locking mating protrusion, so that the terminal position locking device is in a final locking position relative to the connector housing.

[0004] However, according to the aforementioned existing design of this type of connector assembly, due to the gap between the first locking mating protrusion and the second locking mating protrusion, during the transportation of the connector assembly, the hook portion of the pair of locking hook arms may slide past the second locking mating protrusion and engage with the second locking mating protrusion, causing the terminal position locking device to enter the final locking position prematurely, thereby resulting in the inability to successfully install the terminal at the user's place.

[0005] In addition, according to the aforementioned existing designs of this type of connector assembly, the snap-fit ​​positions between the locking hook arm and the first and second locking mating protrusions are both located inside the port. Therefore, when there is a need to perform an unlocking operation on the terminal locking device (for example, when the connector assembly needs to be repaired), an additional tool needs to be used to extend into the connector housing port to release the snap-fit ​​between the locking hook arm and the locking mating protrusion, thereby achieving an unlocking operation on the terminal locking device. In addition, according to the aforementioned existing designs of this type of connector assembly, a large unlocking force is usually required when performing an unlocking operation on the terminal locking device. Therefore, it is inconvenient for the user to use and / or repair. Utility Model Content

[0006] An object of the present disclosure is to solve at least one aspect of the above-mentioned problems and defects in the prior art.

[0007] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a connector assembly, comprising:

[0008] A housing having a port, the port being defined by a pair of first side portions of the housing separated along a first direction and a pair of second side portions separated along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; and

[0009] a terminal position locking device detachably insertable into the port of the housing along a third direction perpendicular to both the first direction and the second direction;

[0010] The outer surfaces of the pair of second side portions of the housing are respectively provided with protrusions; and

[0011] The terminal position locking device is provided with locking hook arms, and the locking hook arms are respectively arranged on opposite sides of the terminal position locking device;

[0012] Wherein, when the hook portion of the locking hook arm abuts against the protrusion, the terminal position locking device is in a pre-locking position relative to the housing.

[0013] In one embodiment, the locking hook arm is configured such that when the hook portion of the locking hook arm abuts against the protrusion, the inner surface of the locking hook arm contacts the protrusion, and the locking hook arm can pivot around the protrusion under the action of external force to make the hook portion of the locking hook arm disengage from the protrusion, so that the terminal position locking device leaves the pre-locking position, thereby being able to separate the terminal position locking device from the port of the shell.

[0014] In an exemplary embodiment, the locking hook arm is provided with a protruding pivot point; wherein, the locking hook arm is configured such that: when the hook portion of the locking hook arm abuts against the protrusion, the pivot point abuts against the protrusion, so that the locking hook arm can pivot around the pivot point under the action of an external force, and the hook portion of the locking hook arm is disengaged from the protrusion, so that the terminal position locking device leaves the pre-locking position, thereby enabling the terminal position locking device to be separated from the port of the shell.

[0015] In an exemplary embodiment, the projection is integrally formed with the housing.

[0016] In an exemplary embodiment, the terminal position locking device is interference-fitted with inner surfaces of the pair of first side portions in the first direction.

[0017] In an exemplary embodiment, a stop rib is provided on the inner surface of each first side portion; and a stop protrusion is provided on the outer surface of the terminal position locking device that is interference fit with the inner surface of each first side portion; wherein, when the stop protrusion interferes with the first end portion of the stop rib, the terminal position locking device is in the pre-locking position relative to the shell.

[0018] In an exemplary embodiment, after the stopping protrusion passes over the stopping rib and interferes with a second end portion of the stopping rib opposite to the first end portion, the terminal position locking device is in a final locking position relative to the housing.

[0019] In an exemplary embodiment, the stop rib has a long strip structure extending along the third direction, and the first end portion and the second end portion of the stop rib are both slope portions that obliquely transition to the inner surface of the first side portion.

[0020] In an exemplary embodiment, two or more stopper ribs are provided on the inner surface of each first side portion, and the two or more stopper ribs are spaced apart in the second direction; and

[0021] A corresponding number of stop protrusions are provided at corresponding positions on the outer surface of the terminal position locking device.

[0022] In an exemplary embodiment, the stop rib is formed integrally with the housing.

[0023] In an exemplary embodiment, the connector assembly further comprises a sealing ring, which is located in the port of the housing and is used to seal a joint interface between the housing and the terminal position locking device.

[0024] According to the connector assembly of the various embodiments described above in the present disclosure, the terminal position locking device can be stably in the pre-locking position relative to the connector housing during factory transportation, and the terminal can be smoothly inserted at the user's site. In addition, according to the connector assembly of the various embodiments described above in the present disclosure, the terminal position locking device can be restored from the terminal position locking position to the pre-locking position and / or the terminal position locking device can be separated from the port of the connector housing with less force without the need to use additional tools, so as to facilitate the use and / or maintenance of the connector assembly at the user's site.

[0025] Other objects and advantages of the present disclosure will be apparent from the following description of the present disclosure with reference to the accompanying drawings, and will help to have a comprehensive understanding of the present disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] Other objects and advantages of the present disclosure will be apparent from the following description of the present disclosure with reference to the accompanying drawings, which will help to provide a comprehensive understanding of the present disclosure, wherein:

[0027] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a three-dimensional structure of a connector assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0028] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the top view of the connector assembly shown;

[0029] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 The front view structural diagram of the connector assembly shown;

[0030] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 A schematic cross-sectional view of the connector assembly taken along line BB, wherein the terminal position locking device is in a pre-locking position relative to the connector housing;

[0031] Figure 5 yes Figure 1 Another cross-sectional structural schematic diagram of the connector assembly taken along line BB in FIG, wherein the terminal position locking device is in a final locking position relative to the connector housing; and

[0032] Figure 6 yes Figure 1 A schematic cross-sectional structural diagram of the connector assembly taken along line AA in FIG. 1 , wherein the terminal position locking device is in a pre-locking position relative to the connector housing. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] 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 present 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.

[0034] 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.

[0035] According to the general inventive concept of the present disclosure, a connector assembly is provided. The connector assembly includes: a housing, the housing is provided with a port, the port is defined by a pair of first side portions of the housing separated along a first direction and a pair of second side portions separated along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; and a terminal position locking device, the terminal position locking device is detachably inserted into the port of the housing along a third direction perpendicular to both the first direction and the second direction; wherein the outer surfaces of the pair of second side portions of the housing are respectively provided with protrusions; and the terminal position locking device is provided with locking hook arms, the locking hook arms are respectively arranged on opposite sides of the terminal position locking device; wherein, when the hook portion of the locking hook arm abuts against the protrusion, the terminal position locking device is in a pre-locking position relative to the housing.

[0036] See also Figures 1 to 6 According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a connector assembly 1000 is provided. The connector assembly 1000 mainly includes: a housing 100, a terminal position locking device 200, a sealing ring 300 and other components. The housing 100 and the terminal position locking device 200 can be made of plastic material, for example, and the sealing ring 300 can be made of rubber material, for example.

[0037] At the manufacturer's location, the terminal position locking device 200 is in a pre-locking position (eg, Figure 4 At the user's location, after all the terminals are inserted (not shown), the terminal position locking device 200 can be manually pushed from the pre-locking position to the final locking position (e.g. Figure 5It should be noted that in order to clearly show the matching structure and matching relationship between the housing 100 and the terminal position locking device 200 in the connector assembly, the terminal inserted into the terminal channel of the housing 100 and the terminal position locking device 200 and locked in position by the terminal position locking device 200 is not shown in the drawings.

[0038] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, Figures 1 to 6 As shown in the figure, in the connector assembly 1000, the housing 100 is provided with a port 101, which is defined by a pair of first side portions 110 separated along a first direction X and a pair of second side portions 120 separated along a second direction Y perpendicular to the first direction X. The terminal position locking device 200 is detachably inserted into the port 101 of the housing 100 along a third direction Z perpendicular to both the first direction X and the second direction Y. Figure 1 , Figure 3 and Figure 6 As shown, protrusions 121 are respectively provided on the outer surfaces of a pair of second side portions 120 of the housing 100; the terminal position locking device 200 is provided with locking hook arms 210, and the locking hook arms 210 are respectively arranged on opposite sides of the terminal position locking device 200. When the hook portion 211 of the locking hook arm 210 abuts against the protrusion 121, the terminal position locking device 200 is in a pre-locking position L1 relative to the housing 100. Through the abutment and cooperation between the hook portion 211 of the locking hook arm 210 and the protrusion 121, the terminal position locking device 200 can be stably locked in the port 101 of the housing 100, so that the terminal position locking device 200 is stably in the pre-locking position L1 relative to the housing 100 (as shown in FIG. 1 ). Figure 4 The connector assembly provided by the present disclosure can stably position the terminal position locking device relative to the connector housing in a pre-locking position during factory transportation, and facilitates the smooth insertion of the terminal at the user's location.

[0039] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, Figures 1 to 6 As shown in FIG. 2 , in the terminal position locking device 200 , the locking hook arm 210 is provided with a protruding pivot fulcrum 212 . Figure 6As shown, the locking hook arm 210 is configured such that when the hook portion 211 of the locking hook arm 210 abuts against the protrusion 121, the pivot fulcrum 212 abuts against the protrusion 121, so that the locking hook arm 210 can pivot around the pivot fulcrum 212 under the action of an external force, and the hook portion 211 of the locking hook arm 210 is disengaged from the protrusion 121, so that the terminal position locking device 200 leaves the pre-locking position L1, thereby facilitating the user to separate the terminal position locking device 200 from the port 101 of the housing 100. In another embodiment not shown in the figure, in the terminal position locking device, the locking hook arm may also not be provided with a protruding pivot fulcrum. That is, the locking hook arm is constructed so that when the hook portion of the locking hook arm abuts against the protrusion, the inner surface of the locking hook arm contacts the protrusion, and the locking hook arm can pivot around the protrusion under the action of external force to make the hook portion of the locking hook arm disengage from the protrusion, so that the terminal position locking device leaves the pre-locking position, thereby being able to separate the terminal position locking device from the port of the shell.

[0040] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the protrusion 121 is preferably formed integrally with the housing 100 , and the locking hook arm 210 is preferably formed integrally with the terminal position locking device 200 .

[0041] Therefore, the connector assembly provided by the present invention can restore the terminal position locking device from the terminal position locking position to the pre-locking position and / or separate the terminal position locking device from the port of the connector housing with less force without the need for additional tools, so as to facilitate the use and / or maintenance of the connector assembly at the user's site.

[0042] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, Figures 4 to 5 As shown, in the connector assembly 1000, the terminal position locking device 200 is interference-fitted with the inner surfaces of a pair of first side portions 110 in the first direction X. According to the present disclosure, the interference fit here can be selected with an appropriate amount of interference, so that during the process of inserting the terminal position locking device 200 into the port 101 of the housing 100 (including the pre-locking position L1 and the final locking position L2 to be described in detail below), a relatively tight fit is maintained between the terminal position locking device 200 and the housing port 101.

[0043] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, Figures 1 to 6 As shown, in the connector assembly 1000, a stop rib 111 is provided on the inner surface of each first side portion 110; and a stop protrusion 221 is provided on the outer surface of the terminal position locking device 200 which is interference-fitted with the inner surface of each first side portion 110. Figure 4 As shown, when the stopper protrusion 221 interferes with the first end 111a of the stopper rib 111, the terminal position locking device 200 is in the pre-locking position L1 relative to the housing 100. Figure 5 As shown, after the stop protrusion 221 passes over the stop rib 111 and interferes with the second end 111b of the stop rib 111 opposite to the first end 111a, the terminal position locking device 200 is in the final locking position L2 relative to the housing 100. It should be noted that in the exemplary embodiment shown in the drawings, when the stop protrusion 221 interferes with the first end 111a of the stop rib 111, the hook 211 of the locking hook arm 210 abuts against the protrusion 121, and at this time, the terminal position locking device 200 is in the pre-locking position L1 relative to the housing 100.

[0044] More specifically, in the exemplary embodiment shown in the figure, Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the stop rib 111 has a long strip structure extending along the third direction Z, and the first end 111a and the second end 111b of the stop rib 111 are both slope portions that obliquely transition to the inner surface of the first side portion 110. It should be noted that the shapes of the stop rib 111 and the stop protrusion 221 are not limited to those shown in the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, but can be specifically designed according to specific circumstances.

[0045] More specifically, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, Figure 2 As shown, two or more stop ribs 111 are provided on the inner surface of each first side portion 110, and the two or more stop ribs 111 are spaced apart in the second direction Y. In addition, a corresponding number of stop protrusions 221 may be provided at corresponding positions on the outer surface of the terminal position locking device 200. According to other embodiments, a whole line of stop protrusions 221 may also be provided at corresponding positions on the outer surface of the terminal position locking device 200. It should be noted that the number and shape of the stop protrusions 221 are not limited to those shown in the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, but may be specifically designed according to specific circumstances. According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the stop rib 111 is preferably formed integrally with the housing 100.

[0046] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the sealing ring 300 is located in the port 101 of the housing 100 for sealing the joint interface between the housing 100 and the terminal position locking device 200 .

[0047] It should be noted that, although not explained or illustrated in the present disclosure, according to actual design requirements, the connector assembly 1000 provided in the present disclosure also includes components such as a connector positioning locking device, a back cover, and a sealing gasket.

[0048] According to the connector assembly of the various embodiments described above in the present disclosure, the terminal position locking device can be stably in the pre-locking position relative to the connector housing during factory transportation, and the terminal can be smoothly inserted at the user's site. In addition, according to the connector assembly of the various embodiments described above in the present disclosure, the terminal position locking device can be restored from the terminal position locking position to the pre-locking position and / or the terminal position locking device can be separated from the port of the connector housing with less force without the need to use additional tools, so as to facilitate the use and / or maintenance of the connector assembly at the user's site.

[0049] 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.

[0050] 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.

[0051] 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.

[0052] 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 assembly (1000), comprising: A housing (100), the housing (100) being provided with a port (101), the port (101) being defined by a pair of first side portions (110) of the housing (100) separated along a first direction (X) and a pair of second side portions (120) separated along a second direction (Y) perpendicular to the first direction (X); and A terminal position locking device (200) which is detachably inserted into the port (101) of the housing (100) along a third direction (Z) perpendicular to both the first direction (X) and the second direction (Y); It is characterized in that The outer surfaces of the pair of second side portions (120) of the housing (100) are respectively provided with protrusions (121); and The terminal position locking device (200) is provided with locking hook arms (210), and the locking hook arms (210) are respectively arranged on opposite sides of the terminal position locking device (200); When the hook portion (211) of the locking hook arm (210) abuts against the protrusion (121), the terminal position locking device (200) is in a pre-locking position (L1) relative to the housing (100).

2. The connector assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The locking hook arm is constructed such that when the hook portion of the locking hook arm abuts against the protrusion, the inner surface of the locking hook arm contacts the protrusion, and the locking hook arm can pivot around the protrusion under the action of external force to make the hook portion of the locking hook arm disengage from the protrusion so that the terminal position locking device leaves the pre-locking position, thereby being able to separate the terminal position locking device from the port of the shell.

3. The connector assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The locking hook arm (210) is provided with a protruding pivot point (212); The locking hook arm (210) is constructed such that when the hook portion (211) of the locking hook arm (210) abuts against the protrusion (121), the pivot point (212) abuts against the protrusion (121), so that the locking hook arm (210) can pivot around the pivot point (212) under the action of an external force, and the hook portion (211) of the locking hook arm (210) is disengaged from the protrusion (121), so that the terminal position locking device (200) leaves the pre-locking position (L1), thereby being able to separate the terminal position locking device (200) from the port (101) of the housing (100).

4. The connector assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The protrusion (121) and the housing (100) are formed integrally.

5. The connector assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The terminal position locking device (200) is interference-fitted with the inner surfaces of the pair of first side portions (110) in the first direction (X).

6. The connector assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: A stop rib (111) is provided on the inner surface of each first side portion (110); and A stopper protrusion (221) is provided on the outer surface of the terminal position locking device (200) which is interference-fitted with the inner surface of each first side portion (110); When the stop protrusion (221) interferes with the first end (111a) of the stop rib (111), the terminal position locking device (200) is in the pre-locking position (L1) relative to the housing (100).

7. The connector assembly according to claim 6, characterized in that: After the stop protrusion (221) passes over the stop rib (111) and interferes with the second end (111b) of the stop rib (111) opposite to the first end (111a), the terminal position locking device (200) is in a final locking position (L2) relative to the housing (100).

8. The connector assembly according to claim 7, characterized in that: The stop rib (111) has a long strip structure extending along the third direction (Z), and the first end (111a) and the second end (111b) of the stop rib (111) are both sloped portions that transition obliquely to the inner surface of the first side portion (110).

9. The connector assembly according to claim 7, characterized in that: Two or more stopper ribs (111) are provided on the inner surface of each first side portion (110), and the two or more stopper ribs (111) are spaced apart in the second direction (Y); and A corresponding number of stop protrusions (221) are provided at corresponding positions on the outer surface of the terminal position locking device (200).

10. The connector assembly according to claim 7, wherein: The stop rib (111) and the housing (100) are formed integrally.

11. The connector assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that: The connector assembly further comprises a sealing ring (300), wherein the sealing ring (300) is located in the port (101) of the housing (100) and is used for sealing a joint interface between the housing (100) and the terminal position locking device (200).

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