Connector assembly with power assisting structure

Abstract

The utility model discloses a connector assembly with a power-assisted structure, which integrates a drawing plate used for assisting connection of a male end and a female end and a barrier strip used for secondary locking of a female end terminal on a substrate, realizes effective integration of a power-assisted mechanism and a TPA piece at the female end, and enables the power-assisted mechanism and the TPA piece to be separated from each other when the female end is assembled. The two sets of systems can be assembled at a time, and time and labor are saved; and the integrated arrangement is beneficial to the miniaturization design of the connector.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of connectors, and in particular to a connector assembly with a power-assisting structure. Background Art

[0002] Existing automotive technology is developing rapidly and is becoming increasingly electrified and intelligent. As one of the important components for interconnecting automotive electrification and intelligent systems, connectors have put forward new requirements for product safety and reliability. Among them, the connector's TPA (Terminal Position Assurance) is a terminal position retention mechanism after the male and female ends of the connector are mated. It is used to ensure that the terminals will not be easily withdrawn. It is a key component to ensure the safety and reliability of the connector. Generally, the TPA of the connector is designed on the female end. At the same time, for multi-pin connectors, in order to assist the mating of the male and female ends, corresponding power-assisting mechanisms are often set on the female end. For example, a handle for power assistance, a pull-out plate set on the female end, and other structures make the structure of the female end more complex. However, since the TPA and the power-assisting structure are independent of each other, the two systems need to be assembled separately, which is time-consuming and labor-intensive. In addition, due to the low integration, the layout of the connector is more complicated, which is not conducive to the miniaturization design of the connector. Utility Model Content

[0003] In view of this, an object of the present invention is to provide a connector assembly with a power-assisting structure to solve the technical problems mentioned in the background technology.

[0004] In order to achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the technical solution adopted by the present invention is: a connector assembly with an assist structure, comprising a male end and a female end that are adapted for connection, the female end comprising a terminal fixing portion with a female end terminal installed inside and a female end sleeve arranged around the outside of the terminal fixing portion, a terminal accommodating cavity is provided inside the terminal fixing portion along the axial direction of the female end; engagement columns are symmetrically provided on one group of opposite side walls of the male end, a pull-out cavity is correspondingly provided on one group of opposite side walls of the female end sleeve, a pull-out plate is provided in the pull-out cavity, and a pull-out plate is provided on the pull-out plate A coupling groove is provided for slidingly cooperating with the coupling column to drive the male end and the female end to move toward each other, the ends of the two pull-out plates are connected by a base plate, and a baffle is formed on the base plate and is located between the two pull-out plates and is consistent with the extension direction of the pull-out plates. The female end sleeve and the terminal fixing portion are respectively penetrated by a first channel and a second channel connected to the terminal accommodating cavity on one side facing the baffle, and the baffle passes through the first channel and the second channel in turn and enters the terminal accommodating cavity and cooperates with the female end terminal to prevent the female end terminal from withdrawing from the female end sleeve.

[0005] In some embodiments, the engagement groove is arranged at an angle, the pull-out plate has a pre-installed position and a locked position in the pull-out cavity, and when the pull-out plate is in the pre-installed position, the entrance of the engagement groove is arranged corresponding to the engagement column.

[0006] In some embodiments, a receiving groove for receiving the engagement column is provided at the tail of the engagement groove. When the pull-out plate is in the locked position, the engagement column enters the receiving groove to prevent the male end and the female end from separating.

[0007] In some embodiments, a first clamping arm is provided on the inner wall of the female end sleeve along the axial direction of the female end. When the pull-out plate is in the pre-installed position, the first clamping arm is embedded in the entrance of the engagement groove to prevent the pull-out plate from continuing to move toward the locking position.

[0008] In some embodiments, there are multiple engagement grooves, and the multiple engagement grooves are arranged in parallel. When the pull-out plate is in the pre-installed position, the free end of the first clamping arm is embedded in the entrance of one of the engagement grooves.

[0009] In some embodiments, a second clamping arm is provided on the inner wall of the female end sleeve in the opposite direction of the pull-out plate being installed into the pull-out cavity, and a locking positioning groove and a pre-installation positioning groove that are engaged with the second clamping arm are sequentially provided on the pull-out plate in the direction of the pull-out plate being installed into the pull-out cavity. During the process of the pull-out plate being installed into the pull-out cavity, the free end of the second clamping arm is successively engaged with the pre-installation positioning groove and the locking positioning groove to realize the positioning of the pre-installation position and the locking position of the pull-out plate.

[0010] In some embodiments, a plurality of avoidance grooves are spaced apart at one end of the baffle away from the substrate. When the pull-out plate is in the pre-installed position, the plurality of avoidance grooves are arranged corresponding to the terminal accommodating cavity. When the pull-out plate is in the locked position, the area of ​​the baffle without the avoidance groove cooperates with the female terminal.

[0011] In some embodiments, the female terminal has a stop area for clamping the stop bar.

[0012] In some embodiments, the substrate is provided with a protrusion on the outside of at least one pull-out plate, and the female end sleeve is correspondingly provided with a groove for accommodating the protrusion. When the pull-out plate is in the locked position, the pull-out plate is completely accommodated in the pull-out cavity, and the protrusion is accommodated in the groove.

[0013] In some embodiments, the baffle, the pull-out plate, the base plate, and the protrusion are integrally injection molded.

[0014] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows: the present invention integrates the pull-out plate for assisting the engagement of the male and female ends and the retaining bar for secondary locking of the female terminal on the base plate, thereby realizing the effective integration of the assist mechanism and the TPA component on the female end. When assembling the female end, the two systems can be assembled at one time, saving time and effort; and the integrated setting is conducive to the miniaturized design of the connector. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

[0016] Figure 1 This is a structural diagram of a connector assembly with a power-assisting structure provided by the present invention;

[0017] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of the female end of the connector assembly shown;

[0018] Figure 3 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of the female end housing in the connector assembly shown;

[0019] Figure 4 for Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the connection relationship between the pull-out plate and the retaining bar in the connector assembly shown;

[0020] Figure 5 and Figure 6 They are respectively the front view and top view of the female end when the pull-out plate is in the pre-installed position;

[0021] Figure 7 for Figure 5 Cross-sectional view along CC direction

[0022] Figure 8 for Figure 6 Cross-sectional view along AA direction;

[0023] Figure 9 This is the main view of the female end when the pull-out plate is in the locked position;

[0024] Figure 10 for Figure 9 Cross-sectional view along BB direction.

[0025] The following are marked in the figure:

[0026] 10. Male end; 101. Male end sheath; 102. Engaging post;

[0027] 20. Female terminal; 201. Female terminal housing; 202. Terminal fixing portion; 203. Female terminal; 204. Terminal accommodating cavity; 205. Pull-out cavity; 206. First channel; 207. Second channel; 208. Stopping area; 209. Groove; 210. One-time locking cantilever;

[0028] 30. Pull-out plate; 301. Engagement slot; 302. Engagement slot entrance; 303. Receiving slot; 304. Pre-installation positioning slot; 305. Locking positioning slot;

[0029] 40. Substrate; 401. Bump;

[0030] 50. Baffle; 501. Avoidance groove; 502. Area of ​​baffle without avoidance groove;

[0031] 60. First clamping arm;

[0032] 70. Second clamping arm;

[0033] 80. The direction in which the pull-out plate is installed into the pull-out cavity. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] 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.

[0035] The following description of at least one exemplary embodiment is merely illustrative in nature and is in no way intended to limit the present invention, its application, or uses.

[0036] 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 part of the specification.

[0037] 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.

[0038] A connector assembly with an assist structure includes a male end 10 and a female end 20 adapted for connection. The male end 10 includes a male end sheath 101 and a male terminal (not shown in the figure). The female end 20 includes a terminal fixing portion 202 in which a female terminal 203 is installed and a female end sheath 201 arranged around the outside of the terminal fixing portion 202. The terminal fixing portion 202 has a terminal accommodating cavity 204 opened along the axial direction of the female end 20. The female terminal 203 is locked by a one-time lock provided on it. The cantilever 210 is engaged with the terminal accommodating cavity 204 to realize one-time locking of the female terminal 203; the male end sheath 101 has a pair of opposite side walls symmetrically provided with engaging posts 102, and the female end sheath 201 has a pair of opposite side walls correspondingly provided with a pull-out cavity 205, and a pull-out plate 30 is provided in the pull-out cavity 205, and the pull-out plate 30 is provided with an engaging groove 301 that slides with the engaging posts 102 to drive the male end 10 and the female end 20 to move toward each other. The ends of the pull plates 30 are connected through a base plate 40, and a stop bar 50 is formed on the base plate 40 and is located between the two pull plates 30 and is consistent with the extension direction of the pull plates 30. The female end sleeve 201 and the terminal fixing portion 202 are respectively penetrated by a first channel 206 and a second channel 207 connected to the terminal accommodating cavity 204 on one side thereof. The stop bar 50 passes through the first channel 206 and the second channel 207 in turn and enters the terminal accommodating cavity 204 and cooperates with the female end terminal 203 to prevent the female end terminal 203 from withdrawing from the female end sleeve 201. It should be noted here that: the female end terminal 203 has a stop area 208 for clamping the stop bar 50. The stop area 208 is generally a recessed area with an outer diameter smaller than the structure on both sides. After the stop bar 50 passes through the first channel 206 and the second channel 207 in turn and enters the terminal accommodating cavity 204, the stop bar 50 is inserted in the recessed area to achieve blocking of the female end terminal 203, that is, secondary locking. The utility model integrates the pull-out plate 30 for assisting the connection between the male and female ends and the blocking bar 50 for secondary locking of the female terminal 203 on the base plate 40, thereby realizing the effective integration of the assist mechanism and the TPA component on the female end 20. When assembling the female end 20, the two systems can be assembled at one time, saving time and effort. Moreover, the integrated setting is conducive to the miniaturized design of the connector.

[0039] In one embodiment, the engaging groove 301 is tilted, and the pull-out plate 30 has a pre-installed position and a locked position in the pull-out cavity 205. When the pull-out plate 30 is in the pre-installed position, the entrance 302 of the engaging groove is corresponding to the engaging column 102. When the male end 10 and the female end 20 are engaged, the pull-out plate 30 is first pre-installed in the pull-out cavity 205 and is in the pre-installed position. Then, the male end 10 is inserted into the female end 20 so that the engaging column 102 provided on the outer wall of the male end 10 is aligned with the entrance 302 of the engaging groove of the female end 20. Then, the pull-out plate 30 is pushed. 0 causes the pull-out plate 30 to move within the pull-out cavity 205. As the pull-out plate 30 moves, the engaging post 102 synchronously moves within the engaging groove 301 along the setting direction of the engaging groove 301. When the pull-out plate 30 moves to the locked position, the engaging post 102 is engaged in the engaging groove 301. To achieve the best use effect, a receiving groove 303 for accommodating the engaging post 102 is provided at the rear end of the engaging groove 301. When the pull-out plate 30 is in the locked position, the engaging post 102 enters the receiving groove 303 to prevent the male end 10 and the female end 20 from separating.

[0040] In one embodiment, a second clamping arm 70 is provided on the inner wall of the female end sleeve 201 along the opposite direction of the pull-out plate being installed into the pull-out cavity, and a locking positioning groove 305 and a pre-installed positioning groove 304 that are engaged with the second clamping arm 70 are sequentially provided on the pull-out plate 30 along the direction 80 in which the pull-out plate is installed into the pull-out cavity. During the process of the pull-out plate 30 being installed into the pull-out cavity 205, the free end of the second clamping arm 70 is successively engaged with the pre-installed positioning groove 304 and the locking positioning groove 305 to realize the positioning of the pre-installed position and the locked position of the pull-out plate 30.

[0041] Furthermore, in order to fix the pre-installed position of the pull-out plate 30 and prevent the pull-out plate 30 from withdrawing from the female end sleeve 201 when in the pre-installed position, or continuing to move to the locked position when subjected to force, a first clamping arm 60 is provided on the inner wall of the female end sleeve 201 along the axial direction of the female end 20, and a plurality of engaging grooves 301 are provided, and the plurality of engaging grooves 301 are arranged in parallel, preferably at intervals. When the pull-out plate 30 is in the pre-installed position, the free end of the first clamping arm 60 is embedded in the entrance 302 of one of the engaging grooves to prevent the pull-out plate 30 from continuing to move to the locked position. In this embodiment, the engaging column 102 and the engaging groove 301 are respectively provided There are three engagement posts 102 arranged in one-to-one correspondence. When the pull-out plate 30 is in the pre-installed position, the two engagement posts 102 at the rear correspond to the entrances 302 of the engagement grooves 301 at the top. One of the engagement posts 102 pushes out the free end of the first clamping arm 60 embedded in the entrance 302 of the engagement groove to restore the pull-out plate 30 to freedom. Then, the pull-out plate 30 is pushed. As the pull-out plate 30 moves, the engagement post 102 at the front corresponds to the entrance 302 of the engagement groove 301 at the bottom, and then all three engagement posts 102 enter the engagement groove 301 through the entrance 302 of the engagement groove.

[0042] In one embodiment, a plurality of avoidance grooves 501 are spaced apart at one end of the baffle 50 away from the substrate 40. When the pull-out plate 30 is in the pre-installed position, the plurality of avoidance grooves 501 are arranged corresponding to the terminal accommodating cavity 204, thereby not affecting the smooth installation of the female terminal 203 into the terminal accommodating cavity 204 of the female sleeve 201. When the pull-out plate 30 is in the locked position, the area of ​​the baffle 50 where the avoidance groove 501 is not arranged cooperates with the female terminal 203 to achieve secondary locking of the female terminal 203.

[0043] In this embodiment, only one row of female terminals 203 is provided, and two baffles 50 are provided, which are distributed on opposite sides of the female terminals 203, and the two baffles 50 are provided with one side of the avoidance groove 501 and are arranged opposite to each other, so that when the pull-out plate 30 is in the locked position, the two baffles 50 are clamped on opposite sides of the female terminals 203, which has a better anti-exit effect and makes the female terminals 203 have good stability.

[0044] In one embodiment, the base plate 40 is provided with a protrusion 401 on the outside of at least one of the pull-out plates 30, and the female end housing 201 is correspondingly provided with a groove 209 for accommodating the protrusion 401. When the pull-out plate 30 is in the locked position, the pull-out plate 30 is completely accommodated in the pull-out cavity 205, and the protrusion 401 is accommodated in the groove 209. The matching arrangement of the protrusion 401 and the groove 209, on the one hand, positions the installation of the pull-out plate 30 and the base plate 40 and has a function of preventing misinsertion, and on the other hand, facilitates the removal of the pull-out plate 30 and the base plate 40. Furthermore, the retaining bar 50, the pull-out plate 30, the base plate 40, and the protrusion 401 are integrally injection molded to reduce the manufacturing cost of the connector assembly.

[0045] Although some specific embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail through examples, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the above examples are for illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that modifications may be made to the above embodiments 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 with an assist structure, comprising a male end and a female end adapted for connection, the female end comprising a terminal fixing portion in which a female terminal is mounted and a female end sleeve arranged around the outside of the terminal fixing portion, a terminal accommodating cavity being provided in the interior of the terminal fixing portion along the axial direction of the female end; engagement posts being symmetrically provided on one set of opposite side walls of the male end, a pull-out cavity being correspondingly provided on one set of opposite side walls of the female end sleeve, a pull-out plate being pullably provided in the pull-out cavity, a pull-out plate being provided with an engagement groove which is slidably engaged with the engagement post to drive the male end and the female end to move toward each other, characterized in that: The ends of the two pull-out plates are connected by a substrate, and a baffle is formed on the substrate, which is located between the two pull-out plates and is consistent with the extension direction of the pull-out plates. The female end sleeve and the terminal fixing portion are respectively penetrated by a first channel and a second channel connected to the terminal accommodating cavity on one side facing the baffle. The baffle passes through the first channel and the second channel in turn and enters the terminal accommodating cavity and cooperates with the female end terminal to prevent the female end terminal from withdrawing from the female end sleeve.

2. The connector assembly with a power-assist structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The engaging groove is arranged obliquely, and the pull-out plate has a pre-installed position and a locked position in the pull-out cavity. When the pull-out plate is in the pre-installed position, the entrance of the engaging groove is arranged corresponding to the engaging column.

3. The connector assembly with a power-assist structure according to claim 2, characterized in that: The tail of the engagement groove is provided with a receiving groove for receiving the engagement column. When the pull-out plate is in the locked position, the engagement column enters the receiving groove to prevent the male end and the female end from separating.

4. The connector assembly with a power-assist structure according to claim 2, characterized in that: A first clamping arm is provided on the inner wall of the female end sleeve along the axial direction of the female end. When the pull-out plate is in the pre-installed position, the first clamping arm is embedded in the entrance of the engagement groove to prevent the pull-out plate from continuing to move toward the locking position.

5. The connector assembly with a power-assisting structure according to claim 4, characterized in that: There are multiple engagement grooves, and the multiple engagement grooves are arranged in parallel. When the pull-out plate is in the pre-installed position, the free end of the first clamping arm is embedded in the entrance of one of the engagement grooves.

6. The connector assembly with a power-assist structure according to claim 2, characterized in that: A second clamping arm is provided on the inner wall of the female end sheath in the opposite direction of the pull-out plate being installed into the pull-out cavity, and a locking positioning groove and a pre-installation positioning groove that are engaged with the second clamping arm are sequentially provided on the pull-out plate in the direction of the pull-out plate being installed into the pull-out cavity. During the process of the pull-out plate being installed into the pull-out cavity, the free end of the second clamping arm is successively engaged with the pre-installation positioning groove and the locking positioning groove to realize the positioning of the pre-installation position and the locking position of the pull-out plate.

7. The connector assembly with a power-assist structure according to claim 2, characterized in that: The baffle is provided with a plurality of avoidance grooves at one end away from the substrate. When the pull-out plate is in the pre-installed position, the plurality of avoidance grooves are arranged corresponding to the terminal accommodating cavity. When the pull-out plate is in the locked position, the area of ​​the baffle without the avoidance grooves cooperates with the female terminal.

8. The connector assembly with a power-assist structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The female terminal is provided with a stop area for clamping the stop bar.

9. The connector assembly with a power-assist structure according to claim 2, characterized in that: The base plate is provided with a protrusion on the outside of at least one pull-out plate, and the female end sleeve is correspondingly provided with a groove for accommodating the protrusion. When the pull-out plate is in the locked position, the pull-out plate is completely accommodated in the pull-out cavity, and the protrusion is accommodated in the groove.

10. The connector assembly with a power-assist structure according to claim 9, characterized in that: The baffle, the pull-out plate, the base plate and the protrusion are integrally injection-molded.

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