Socket connector and connector assembly

Abstract

The utility model relates to the technical field of connectors, in particular to a socket connector and a connector assembly, the socket connector is matched with a plug connector in a plugging mode to form the connector assembly, a sealing ring is arranged on the plug connector, the socket connector comprises a plug pin element and a check ring, and the plug pin element is connected with the check ring. The plug connector and the socket connector are provided with at least one group of guide structures in sliding fit along the plugging direction of the plug connector and the socket connector, and the guide structure arranged on the socket connector extends out of one end, facing the plug connector, of the retainer ring, so that plugging guide of the plug connector and the socket connector is realized before plugging fit of the plug connector and the socket connector. And therefore, the check ring avoids the sealing ring when being inserted into the plug connector. According to the utility model, the edge of the check ring can be prevented from being scraped with the sealing ring.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of connectors, and more specifically, to a socket connector and a connector assembly. Background Art

[0002] The reliability of waterproof design is particularly important in the safety design of connectors. At present, in some connectors, a sealing ring and a slot are provided on the mating end of the plug connector, and a retaining ring is provided on the outer periphery of the mating end of the socket connector. When the plug connector is connected to the socket connector, the retaining ring enters the slot and is in sealing cooperation with the sealing ring.

[0003] In order to further facilitate the connection between the plug connector and the socket connector, guiding ribs extending along the insertion direction are provided on the outer side surface of the retaining ring, and guiding grooves are adaptively provided on the inner wall of the slot of the plug connector. The end of the conventional guiding rib facing the plug connector is lower than the end of the retaining ring facing the plug connector. In this structure, if the plug connector is inserted into the socket in an inclined posture during actual connection, the edge of the retaining ring facing the plug enters the slot earlier, and the cooperation between the guiding rib and the guiding groove is later and cannot correct the posture of the plug connector in time, which may cause the edge of the retaining ring to squeeze and scrape the sealing ring, damaging or displacing the sealing ring, resulting in sealing failure, and may cause water ingress in harsh driving environments such as wading and heavy rain, thus posing potential hazards to the safety and reliability of the whole vehicle. Summary of the Utility Model

[0004] The utility model provides a socket connector and a connector assembly to solve the problem that the sealing ring on the plug connector may be damaged by the retaining ring of the socket connector in the prior art.

[0005] A socket connector provided by the utility model is in plug-in cooperation with a plug connector. A sealing ring is provided on the plug connector. The socket connector includes at least one pin element and a retaining ring surrounding at least part of the periphery of the at least one pin element. The inner circumference of the retaining ring is fitted and installed with the sealing ring. At least one set of sliding-fit guiding structures are provided on the plug connector and the socket connector along the plugging direction of the two. The guiding structure provided on the socket connector extends from the end of the retaining ring facing the plug connector to realize the plugging guidance of the two before the plug connector and the socket connector are plugged in cooperation, so that the retaining ring avoids the sealing ring when inserting into the plug connector.

[0006] Optionally, a support plate for carrying at least one set of the guiding structures is extended and provided at the end of the retaining ring facing the plug connector.

[0007] Optionally, the guiding structure includes guiding ribs provided on the outer peripheral wall of the retaining ring and guiding grooves provided on the inner peripheral wall of the plug connector. The guiding ribs and the guiding grooves are arranged along the insertion direction of the socket connector and the plug connector, and are in sliding fit with each other.

[0008] Optionally, a plurality of the guiding ribs are spaced apart on the outer peripheral wall of the retaining ring.

[0009] Optionally, at least one of the guiding ribs includes a supporting portion connected to the outer peripheral wall of the retaining ring and a positioning portion provided on a side of the supporting portion facing away from the retaining ring and having a width greater than that of the supporting portion.

[0010] Optionally, the cross-section of the positioning portion is one or more of spherical, triangular, and polygonal.

[0011] A connector assembly provided by the present utility model includes a socket connector and a plug connector that are in plug-in fit. The socket connector is the socket connector as described above. A sealing ring is provided on the plug connector, and the inner circumference of the retaining ring is fitted and installed with the sealing ring.

[0012] Optionally, a socket insertion ring is further provided on the periphery of at least one pin element, and the socket insertion ring and the retaining ring jointly surround the periphery of at least one pin element.

[0013] Optionally, at least two locking teeth are protrudingly provided on the side wall of the retaining ring facing the socket insertion ring. A locking lever is provided on the plug connector, and a gear meshing with the locking teeth is provided on the locking lever; the side walls of at least two of the locking teeth facing the pin element of the socket gradually shift outward from the root to the top to avoid the sealing ring when the plug connector is inserted into the socket connector.

[0014] Optionally, in the insertion direction, there is a predetermined distance between the root of the locking tooth close to the plug connector and the end of the retaining ring facing the plug connector, and a transition surface is provided therebetween to avoid the sealing ring.

[0015] The present utility model has the following beneficial effects:

[0016] The guiding structure in the present utility model extends from the end of the retaining ring facing the plug connector, and can realize the plugging guidance of the socket connector and the plug connector before they are plugged together, thereby preventing the plug connector from continuing to be plugged into the socket connector in an inclined posture, and further avoiding scratching between the edge of the retaining ring and the sealing ring.

[0017] Other features and advantages of the present utility model will become clear through the following detailed description of the exemplary embodiments of the present utility model with reference to the accompanying drawings. Description of the Drawings

[0018] The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming a part of this specification illustrate embodiments of the present invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 1 Schematic perspective view of the socket connector;

[0020] Figure 2 is Figure 1 Schematic view of the guiding ribs and the support plate in

[0021] Figure 3 Schematic view of the structure of the socket connector from one perspective;

[0022] Figure 4 is Figure 3 Enlarged view of the partial structure A in

[0023] Figure 5 Schematic view of the structure of the socket connector from another perspective;

[0024] Figure 6 is Figure 5 Enlarged view of the partial structure B in

[0025] Figure 7 Schematic perspective view of the plug connector;

[0026] Figure 8 Schematic view of the structure of the connector assembly (plugged in at an inclined posture).

[0027] The markings in the figures are as follows:

[0028] 1. Socket connector; 11. Pin element; 12. Retaining ring; 121. Side part; 122. Middle part; 13. Guiding rib; 131. Positioning part; 132. Supporting part; 133. Anti-fooling rib; 14. Support plate; 15. Locking tooth; 151. Root; 152. Top; 153. Side wall; 154. Transition surface; 16. Socket plugging ring;

[0029] 2. Plug connector; 21. Plug plugging ring; 22. Sealing ring; 23. Guiding groove; 231. Anti-fooling groove; 24. Locking lever. Detailed Description of the Embodiments

[0030] Now, various exemplary embodiments of the present invention will 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.

[0031] The following description of at least one exemplary embodiment is merely illustrative in nature and is in no way a limitation on the present invention or its application or use.

[0032] Techniques, methods, and devices known to those of ordinary skill in the relevant art may not be discussed in detail, but where appropriate, such techniques, methods, and devices should be regarded as part of the specification.

[0033] In all the examples shown and discussed herein, any specific values should be construed as merely exemplary and not as a limitation. Thus, other examples of the exemplary embodiments may have different values.

[0034] As Figures 1-6 shown, a socket connector 1 provided in this embodiment is plugged and mated with a plug connector 2. A sealing ring 22 is provided on the plug connector 2. The socket connector 1 includes at least one pin element 11 and a retaining ring 12 surrounding at least a part of the periphery of the at least one pin element 11. The inner circumference of the retaining ring 12 is fitted and installed with the sealing ring 22. At least one set of sliding-fit guiding structures are provided on the plug connector 2 and the socket connector 1 along the plugging direction of the two. The guiding structure provided on the socket connector 1 extends from one end of the retaining ring 12 facing the plug connector 2 to achieve the plugging guidance for the two before the socket connector 1 and the plug connector 2 are plugged and mated, so that when the retaining ring 12 is inserted into the plug connector 2, the sealing ring 22 can be avoided.

[0035] In this embodiment, there are two pin elements 11 of the socket connector 1, and the retaining ring 12 is C-shaped and surrounds three sides of the periphery of the two pin elements 11. Obviously, the C-shaped retaining ring 12 has two side portions 121 and an intermediate portion 122 located between the two side portions 121.

[0036] The above guiding structure extends from one end of the retaining ring 12 facing the plug connector 2, and can achieve the plugging guidance for the two before the socket connector 1 and the plug connector 2 are plugged and mated, so as to prevent the plug connector 2 from continuing to be plugged with the socket connector 1 in an inclined posture from a position of one side portion 121 of the C-shaped retaining ring 12, and further avoid scratching of the edge of the retaining ring 12, especially the edge of the side portion 121, with the sealing ring 22.

[0037] Furthermore, as Figure 2 、 Figure 6 shown, in order to make the guiding structure more stable and prevent the guiding structure from being deformed and damaged, in this embodiment, a support plate 14 for carrying at least one set of guiding structures is extended and provided at one end of the retaining ring 12 facing the plug connector 2.

[0038] Furthermore, considering the convenience and operability of processing and manufacturing, in this embodiment, the guiding structure includes guiding ribs 13 provided on the outer peripheral wall of the retaining ring 12, and guiding grooves 23 provided on the inner peripheral wall of the plug connector 2, as Figure 7As shown, on the outer side of the sealing ring 22 of the plug connector 2, there is also provided a plug insertion ring 21. The guiding groove 23 is actually located on the inner peripheral wall of the plug insertion ring 21. The guiding rib 13 and the guiding groove 23 are arranged along the insertion direction of the socket connector 1 and the plug connector 2, and are in sliding fit with each other, and their shapes are adapted to each other. In this embodiment, the support plate 14 bears all the guiding ribs 13, and the support plate 14 actually extends from the middle part 122 of the retaining ring.

[0039] In embodiments other than this embodiment, the guiding structure may also include a guiding groove 23 provided on the outer peripheral wall of the retaining ring 12, and a guiding rib 13 provided on the inner peripheral wall of the plug connector 2, that is, the positions of the guiding rib 13 and the guiding groove 23 in this embodiment are interchanged.

[0040] Furthermore, in order to improve the guiding and correcting effects of the guiding structure in an inclined posture, multiple guiding ribs 13 are spaced apart on the outer peripheral wall of the retaining ring 12. At least one guiding rib 13 includes a supporting portion 132 connected to the outer peripheral wall of the retaining ring 12 and a positioning portion 131 provided on the side of the supporting portion 132 facing away from the retaining ring 12 and having a width greater than that of the supporting portion 132. The guiding groove 23 is adapted to the shape of the guiding rib 13. The cross-section of the supporting portion 132 can be one of polygons, such as a rectangle or a square. The cross-section of the positioning portion 131 can be one or more of a sphere, a triangle, and polygons, such as a rectangle or a square.

[0041] As Figure 3 、 Figure 5 and Figure 6 shown, in this embodiment, a total of 4 guiding ribs 13 are provided. Three of the guiding ribs 13 include a supporting portion 132 and a positioning portion 131, and the cross-sections of both the supporting portion 132 and the positioning portion 131 are rectangles. Thus, the cross-sections of these three guiding ribs 13 are in a T shape, and the cross-section of the corresponding guiding groove 23 is a matching T shape. The guiding rib 13 in the middle is a long strip with a rectangular cross-section, forming an anti-fooling rib 133, and the cross-section of the corresponding guiding groove 23 is a rectangle, forming an anti-fooling groove 231.

[0042] This embodiment further relates to a connector assembly. As Figure 8 shown, it includes a socket connector 1 and a plug connector 2 that are inserted and matched with each other. The socket connector 1 is the socket connector 1 as described above, and a sealing ring 22 is provided on the plug connector 2. The inner circumference of the retaining ring 12 is fitted and installed with the sealing ring 22.

[0043] Furthermore, in order to ensure the sealing effect, in this embodiment, a socket insertion ring 16 is also provided on the periphery of the two pin elements 11. The socket insertion ring 16 and the retaining ring 12 jointly surround the periphery of the two pin elements 11. As Figure 7As shown in the figure, the plug connector 2 is provided with a plug insertion ring 21 on the outer side of the sealing ring 22. After the plug connector 2 is inserted into the socket connector 1, the plug insertion ring 21 surrounds the periphery of the socket insertion ring 16 and the retaining ring 12.

[0044] In order to make the connection between the plug connector 2 and the socket connector 1 more stable, as Figure 1 and Figures 3-6 shown, in this embodiment, two locking teeth 15 are protrudingly provided on the side wall of the retaining ring 12 facing the socket insertion ring 16. Obviously, more locking teeth 15 can also be provided according to needs. A locking lever 24 is provided on the plug connector 2, and a gear meshing with the locking teeth 15 is provided on the locking lever 24.

[0045] Furthermore, as Figure 4 shown, in this embodiment, in order to prevent the locking teeth 15 from scratching the sealing ring 22, the side walls 153 of the two locking teeth 15 facing the pin element 11 of the socket gradually shift outward from the root 151 to the top 152 to avoid the sealing ring 22 when the plug connector 2 is inserted into the socket connector 1.

[0046] Furthermore, as Figure 6 shown, in this embodiment, in order to further prevent the locking teeth 15 from scratching the sealing ring 22, in the insertion direction, there is a predetermined distance h between the root 151 of the locking tooth 15 close to the plug connector 2 and the end of the retaining ring 12 facing the plug connector 2, and a transition surface 154 is provided between the two to avoid the sealing ring 22.

[0047] During actual use, when the plug connector 2 is inserted into the socket connector 1 in an inclined posture with one side 121 of the retaining ring 12 being closer and the other side 121 being farther away, the guide ribs 13 and the guide grooves 23 of the guiding structure are first butted. At this time, the edge of the retaining ring 12 facing the plug connector 2 and the locking teeth 15 have not yet entered the gap between the plug insertion ring 21 and the sealing ring 22, so they cannot scratch the sealing ring 22. And due to the guiding and correcting effect of the guiding structure on the posture of the plug connector 2, when the plug connector 2 returns to the correct insertion posture and continues to be inserted into the socket connector 1, the edge of the retaining ring 12 facing the plug connector 2 and the locking teeth 15 can no longer scratch the sealing ring 22. Thus, the purpose of avoiding the edge of the retaining ring 12 and the locking teeth 15 from scratching the sealing ring 22 is finally achieved.

[0048] Although some specific embodiments of the present utility model have been described in detail by way of examples, those skilled in the art should understand that the above examples are for illustrative purposes only and not for limiting the scope of the present utility model. Those skilled in the art should understand that the above embodiments can be modified without departing from the scope and spirit of the present utility model. The scope of the present utility model is defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A socket connector, mated with a plug connector, the plug connector being provided with a sealing ring, the socket connector comprising at least one pin element and a retaining ring arranged around at least part of the periphery of the at least one pin element, the inner periphery of the retaining ring being mounted in cooperation with the sealing ring, the plug connector and the socket connector being provided with at least one set of slidingly mating guiding structures along the mating direction of the two, characterized in that: The guiding structure arranged on the socket connector extends from one end of the retaining ring facing the plug connector to guide the socket connector and the plug connector before they are plugged into each other, thereby allowing the retaining ring to avoid the sealing ring when inserted into the plug connector.

2. A socket connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: A support plate for carrying at least one group of the guide structures is extended from one end of the retaining ring facing the plug connector.

3. A socket connector according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The guiding structure includes guiding ribs arranged on the outer peripheral wall of the retaining ring and guiding grooves arranged on the inner peripheral wall of the plug connector. The guiding ribs and guiding grooves are arranged along the plugging direction of the socket connector and the plug connector, and the two are slidably matched.

4. A socket connector as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that: A plurality of guide ribs are arranged at intervals on the outer peripheral wall of the retaining ring.

5. A socket connector as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that: At least one of the guide ribs comprises a support portion connected to the outer peripheral wall of the retaining ring and a positioning portion which is arranged on a side of the support portion away from the retaining ring and has a width greater than the support portion.

6. A socket connector as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that: The cross section of the positioning portion is spherical, polygonal, or one or more of the above.

7. A connector assembly, comprising a socket connector and a plug connector that are mated with each other, characterized in that: The socket connector is the socket connector as described in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a sealing ring is provided on the plug connector, and the inner periphery of the retaining ring is installed in cooperation with the sealing ring.

8. A connector assembly according to claim 7, characterized in that: A socket inserting ring is also arranged on the periphery of at least one pin element, and the socket inserting ring and the retaining ring together surround the periphery of the at least one pin element.

9. A connector assembly according to claim 8, characterized in that: At least two locking teeth are protruding from the side wall of the retaining ring facing the socket plug ring, and a locking lever is provided on the plug connector, and a gear meshing with the locking teeth is provided on the locking lever; at least two of the locking teeth gradually deviate outward from the root to the top of the side wall of the pin element facing the socket to avoid the sealing ring when the plug connector is inserted into the socket connector.

10. A connector assembly according to claim 9, characterized in that: In the plugging direction, there is a predetermined distance between the root of the locking tooth close to the plug connector and the end of the retaining ring facing one end of the plug connector, and a transfer transition surface is provided between the two to avoid the sealing ring.

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