Position retainer and connector assembly

Abstract

The utility model discloses a position retaining member and a connector assembly, the position retaining member comprises a main body and a clamping part formed by extending from the front end of the main body, side ribs are symmetrically arranged on two sides of the main body, and a preassembling positioning part is arranged on one side, far away from the clamping part, of each side rib. The free ends of the two side ribs are connected through the elastic structure with the reset function, the elastic structure with the reset function is arranged between the two side ribs of the position retaining piece, the elastic structure plays a role in supporting the two side ribs, and meanwhile the elastic structure has the good reset function. Therefore, the position retainer can be ensured to effectively recover to the original state after completing the corresponding action, and the problems that the retaining force of the position retainer is reduced and the position of the connector is ineffective due to deformation are solved.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] With the rapid development of modern technology, connectors, as important components for interconnecting the power systems of automobiles, are crucial for the safety and reliability during vehicle operation; the CPA (Connector Position Assurance) is a position retaining member used to ensure that the male and female ends of the connector will not easily withdraw after the primary locking mechanism is locked, and it has become an essential part of ensuring the safety of the connector.

[0003] The CPA member is slidably arranged on the female connector and has a pre-installed position and a locked position. After the male connector is cooperatively connected with the female connector, the CPA member will deform and be released from the pre-installed position after being squeezed by the corresponding structure on the mating connector, and then the CPA member can be switched from the pre-installed position to the locked position by pushing the CPA member.

[0004] Existing CPA members usually include a main body and a clamping portion extending from the front end of the main body. Side ribs are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the clamping portion, and a mutually cooperating clamping structure is arranged between the side ribs and the female connector. The CPA member is positioned at the pre-installed position with the female connector through the clamping structure. However, when the CPA member switches between different positions and needs to be removed from the female connector, the female connector will apply an inward force to the side ribs through the clamping structure. After multiple switches, the side ribs will inevitably deform and the holding force will be insufficient. To improve this situation, some CPA members in this field will arrange a cross beam for support between the two side ribs. However, the existence of the cross beam will increase the force required for the CPA member to switch positions and be removed from the female connector, and when the force is relatively large, the cross beam has a risk of fracture, which will further cause the CPA member and the female connector using the CPA member to be unusable. Summary of the Utility Model

[0005] In view of this, the purpose of the present utility model is to provide a position retaining member and a connector assembly to solve the technical problems mentioned in the background art.

[0006] To achieve the above purpose, the technical solution adopted by the present utility model is: a position retaining member, including a main body and a clamping portion extending from the front end of the main body. Side ribs with the same extending direction as the clamping portion are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the main body. A pre-installed positioning portion is arranged on the side of the side ribs away from the clamping portion. The free ends of the two side ribs are connected by an elastic structure with a reset function.

[0007] In some embodiments, the elastic structure is composed of at least one bending unit bent towards the main body.

[0008] In some embodiments, the elastic structure further includes a connecting unit, and both ends of the bending unit are respectively connected to the side ribs through the connecting unit.

[0009] In some embodiments, a plurality of bending units are provided, and the plurality of bending units are arranged end to end.

[0010] In some embodiments, an odd number of bending units are provided, and the minimum linear distance between the bending unit in the middle and the main body is less than the minimum linear distance between other bending units and the main body.

[0011] In some embodiments, the bending unit is V-shaped or wavy.

[0012] In some embodiments, the elastic structure is arranged inside the ends of the free ends of the two side ribs, and the main body, the clamping portion, the two side ribs and the elastic structure are integrally injection molded.

[0013] In some embodiments, a locking portion is formed at one end of the side rib close to the main body, and a locking protrusion protrudes from the locking portion;

[0014] An avoidance hole is penetrated through the area corresponding to the locking protrusion on the locking portion.

[0015] A connector assembly of the present utility model includes a connector and the position holder, the position holder is slidably arranged on the connector and has a pre-installed position and a locking position, and a limiting portion that is clamped and matched with the pre-installed positioning portion is provided on the connector. When the position holder is in the pre-installed position, the pre-installed positioning portion is clamped and matched with the limiting portion.

[0016] In some embodiments, both the pre-installed positioning portion and the limiting portion are convex structures. After the pre-installed positioning portion passes over the limiting portion along with the side rib, it is clamped to the front side of the limiting portion to realize the positioning of the position holder in the pre-installed position.

[0017] In some embodiments, a locking portion is formed at one end of the side rib close to the main body, a locking protrusion protrudes from the locking portion, and a locking hole that is clamped and matched with the locking protrusion is correspondingly provided on the connector. When the position holder is in the locking position, the locking protrusion is clamped in the locking hole.

[0018] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present utility model are as follows: An elastic structure with a reset function is provided between two side ribs of the position holder. The elastic structure serves to support the two side ribs. At the same time, the elastic structure has a good reset function, so as to ensure that after the position holder completes the corresponding action, it can effectively return to the original state, and problems such as a decrease in the holding force of the position holder and ineffective position holding of the connector due to deformation will not occur. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] The drawings incorporated in and forming a part of this specification illustrate embodiments of the present utility model and, together with the description, are used to explain the principles of the present utility model.

[0020] Figure 1 Structural schematic diagram of the position holder provided by the present utility model;

[0021] Figure 2 Structural schematic diagram of another position holder provided in the embodiment;

[0022] Figure 3 Structural schematic diagram of the connector assembly provided by the present utility model;

[0023] Figure 4 Cross-sectional view of the connector assembly when the position holder is in the pre-installed position;

[0024] Figure 5 Cross-sectional view of the connector assembly when the position holder is in the locked position.

[0025] The labels in the figures are as follows:

[0026] 1. Position holder; 2. Connector;

[0027] 10. Main body;

[0028] 20. Clamping portion; 201. Clamping protrusion;

[0029] 30. Side rib;

[0030] 40. Pre-installation positioning portion;

[0031] 50. Elastic structure; 501. Bending unit; 502. Connecting unit;

[0032] 60. Locking portion; 601. Locking protrusion; 602. Avoidance hole; 603. Locking hole;

[0033] 70. Restricting portion;

[0034] 80. Clamping arm; 801. First clamping groove; 802. Second clamping groove. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0035] Various exemplary embodiments of the present utility model 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 values set forth in these embodiments do not limit the scope of the present utility model.

[0036] The following description of at least one exemplary embodiment is merely illustrative in nature and is in no way a limitation on the present utility model or its application or use.

[0037] Technologies, methods and devices known to those of ordinary skill in the relevant art may not be discussed in detail, but where appropriate, the said technologies, methods and devices should be regarded as part of the specification.

[0038] In all the examples shown and discussed herein, any specific values should be construed as merely exemplary and not as a limitation. Accordingly, other examples of the exemplary embodiments may have different values.

[0039] A position retaining member, as Figure 1 shown, includes a main body 10 and a clamping portion 20 extending from the front end of the main body 10. A clamping protrusion 201 is convexly provided on the clamping portion 20. Side ribs 30 having the same extending direction as the clamping portion 20 are symmetrically provided on both sides of the main body 10. A pre-installation positioning portion 40 is provided on the side of the side rib 30 away from the clamping portion 20. The connector 2 has a limiting portion 70 that is clamped and matched with the pre-installation positioning portion 40. The two side ribs 30 are connected by an elastic structure 50 having a reset function. The elastic structure 50 serves to support the two side ribs 30. At the same time, the elastic structure 50 has a good reset function, so as to ensure that after the position retaining member 1 completes the corresponding action, it can effectively return to the original state, and there will be no problems such as the reduction of the retaining force of the position retaining member 1 and the failure of the position retention of the connector 2 due to deformation.

[0040] In one embodiment, as Figure 1As shown, the elastic structure 50 is composed of at least one bending unit 501 bent towards the main body 10. The bending unit 501 is V-shaped or wavy. Specifically, there are multiple bending units 501, and the multiple bending units 501 are arranged end to end. The multiple bending units 501 form an elastic structure 50 similar to a spring. When the position holder 1 switches between different positions and needs to be removed from the connector 2, the multiple bending units 501 play a role in supporting the two side ribs 30. At the same time, the elastic structure 50 has a good reset function, so as to ensure that after the position holder 1 completes the corresponding action, it can effectively return to the original state and will not cause problems such as the holding force of the position holder decreasing and failing due to deformation. In this embodiment, three are taken as an example to illustrate the technical solution of the present utility model: specifically, there are 3 bending units 501, and the minimum linear distance between the bending unit 501 in the middle and the main body 10 is less than the minimum linear distance between other bending units 501 and the main body 10, so as to improve the compressive capacity of the elastic structure 50 and prevent the elastic structure 50 from breaking when the force is large.

[0041] In another embodiment, the elastic structure 50 further includes a connecting unit 502. The two ends of the bending unit 501 are respectively connected to the side rib 30 through the connecting unit 502. For details, please refer to Figure 2 , the setting of the connecting unit 502 is mainly to improve the overall strength of the elastic structure 50. The setting length of the connecting unit 502 can be designed by those skilled in the art according to needs, so that the elastic structure 50 still has good strength on the premise of meeting the reset and support functions.

[0042] In one embodiment, as Figure 1 and Figure 2 shown, the elastic structure 50 is arranged inside the ends of the free ends of the two side ribs 30, so that the elastic structure 50 has good supporting ability and reset function for the two side ribs 30; further, the main body 10, the clamping part 20, the two side ribs 30 and the elastic structure 50 are integrally injection-molded, so as to reduce the manufacturing cost of the position holder 1.

[0043] In one embodiment, as Figure 1 and Figure 2 shown, a locking part 60 is formed at one end of the side rib 30 close to the main body 10, and a locking protrusion 601 protrudes on the locking part 60; an avoidance hole 602 is penetrated through the area corresponding to the locking protrusion 601 on the locking part 60; a locking hole 603 is correspondingly arranged on the connector 2 and is in snap-fit connection with the locking protrusion 601. When the position holder 1 is in the locked position, the locking protrusion 601 is snapped into the locking hole 603. The setting of the avoidance hole 602 enables the locking protrusion 601 to deflect inward when being squeezed by the inner wall of the connector 2, so that it can be smoothly snapped into the locking hole 603.

[0044] A connector assembly of the present utility model, as Figures 3 - 5 shown, includes a connector 2 and the above-mentioned position retaining member 1. The position retaining member 1 is slidably disposed on the connector 2 and has a pre-installed position and a locking position. Specifically, a clamping arm 80 is provided on the side wall of the connector 2, and a first clamping groove 801 and a second clamping groove 802 are provided on the clamping arm 80. When the position retaining member 1 is in the pre-installed position, the clamping protrusion 201 protruding from the clamping portion 20 is clamped into the first clamping groove 801. At this time, the pre-installed positioning portion 40 is clamped and cooperated with the limiting portion 70 provided on the connector 2 to realize the positioning of the position retaining member 1 in the pre-installed position. For details, please refer to Figure 4 ; after the mating connector is connected to the connector 2, the corresponding structure on the mating connector will eject the clamping protrusion 201 from the first clamping groove 801. Then, push the main body 10 of the position retaining member 1 forcefully to make the clamping protrusion 201 clamped into the second clamping groove 802 to realize the position retention between the connector 2 and the mating connector. At this time, the locking protrusion 601 provided on the side rib 30 is clamped and cooperated with the corresponding locking hole 603 on the connector 2 to realize the positioning of the position retaining member 1 in the locking position. For details, please refer to Figure 5 . Further, both the pre-installed positioning portion 40 and the limiting portion 70 are convex structures. After the pre-installed positioning portion 40 passes over the limiting portion 70 along with the side rib 30, it is clamped to the front side of the limiting portion 70 to realize the positioning of the position retaining member 1 in the pre-installed position.

[0045] When the position retaining member 1 switches between different positions and needs to be removed from the connector 2, the elastic structure 50 provided on the position retaining member 1 plays a role in supporting the two side ribs 30. At the same time, the elastic structure 50 has a good reset function, so as to ensure that after the position retaining member 1 completes the corresponding actions, it can effectively return to the original state and will not cause problems such as the reduction of the holding force of the position retaining member 1 and the failure of the position retention of the connector 2 due to deformation.

[0046] 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 only for illustration 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 position retaining member, comprising a main body and a clamping portion extending from the front end of the main body, side ribs extending in the same direction as the clamping portion are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the main body, and a pre-installed positioning portion is arranged on one side of the side rib away from the clamping portion, characterized in that: The free ends of the two side ribs are connected via an elastic structure with a reset function.

2. A position retaining member according to claim 1, characterized in that: The elastic structure is composed of at least one bending unit bent toward the main body.

3. A position retaining member according to claim 2, characterized in that: The elastic structure further comprises a connecting unit, and two ends of the bending unit are respectively connected to the side ribs through the connecting units.

4. A position retaining member according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that: There are multiple bending units, and the multiple bending units are connected end to end.

5. A position retaining member according to claim 4, characterized in that: An odd number of the bending units are provided, and the minimum straight-line distance between the bending unit located in the middle and the main body is smaller than the minimum straight-line distances between the other bending units and the main body.

6. A position retaining member according to claim 2, characterized in that: The bending unit is V-shaped or wave-shaped.

7. A position retaining member according to claim 1, characterized in that: A locking portion is formed on one end of the side rib close to the main body, and a locking protrusion is protruded from the locking portion; An avoidance hole is provided through an area of ​​the locking portion corresponding to the locking protrusion.

8. A connector assembly, characterized in that: It includes a connector and the position retaining member described in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the position retaining member is slidably arranged on the connector and has a pre-installed position and a locked position, and the connector has a limiting portion that is snap-fitted with a pre-installed positioning portion, and when the position retaining member is located at the pre-installed position, the pre-installed positioning portion is snap-fitted with the limiting portion.

9. A connector assembly according to claim 8, characterized in that: The pre-installed positioning portion and the limiting portion are both convex structures. The pre-installed positioning portion is clamped to the front side of the limiting portion after the side rib passes over the limiting portion, so as to realize the positioning of the position retaining member at the pre-installed position.

10. A connector assembly according to claim 8, characterized in that: A locking portion is formed at one end of the side rib close to the main body, and a locking protrusion is protruding from the locking portion. A locking hole that is snap-fitted with the locking protrusion is correspondingly provided on the connector. When the position retaining member is in the locking position, the locking protrusion is snap-fitted in the locking hole.

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