Self-aligning connector

What is AI technical title?
AI technical title is built by Patsnap AI team. It summarizes the technical point description of the patent document.
By using the elastic positioning ring and elastic element design of the self-aligning connector, the problem of misalignment between the outer and inner conductors in quick-connect connections is solved, achieving coaxiality and reliability of the connection, reducing contact resistance, and improving connection stability.

CN223502345UActive Publication Date: 2025-10-31CHANGZHOU AMPHENOL FUYANG COMM EQUIP CO LTD

View PDF 0 Cites 0 Cited by

Patent Information

Application Number: CN202422949868.8
Authority / Receiving Office: CN · China
Patent Type: Utility models(China)
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date: 2024-11-29
Publication Date: 2025-10-31
Estimated Expiration: 2034-11-29

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

In quick-connect connections, there is a gap between the male and female connectors, which can cause the outer and inner conductors to become misaligned, affecting the reliability of the connection.

Method used

The self-aligning connector uses an elastic positioning ring and an elastic element to ensure that the connected part remains coaxial with the conductor in the insertion cavity during the insertion process. The cooperation between the elastic positioning ring and the elastic element ensures that the connector remains coaxial during insertion, and after the insertion is completed, it is locked by an elastic locking ring and a locking mechanism.

Benefits of technology

Reducing contact resistance increases connection reliability, ensures that the outer and inner conductors are always coaxial, and improves connection stability and reliability.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

Smart Images

Figure CN223502345U_ABST

Patent Text Reader

Abstract

The utility model relates to the technical field of connectors, in particular to a self-aligning connector, which comprises a shell internally provided with an insertion cavity, and the cavity wall of the insertion cavity is provided with a self-aligning mechanism which is always attached to a connected piece when the connected piece is inserted so as to enable the connected piece to be coaxial with a conductor in the insertion cavity; the self-aligning mechanism comprises an elastic positioning ring and an elastic piece which extends in the circumferential direction of the elastic positioning ring and is arranged outside the elastic positioning ring in a hooping mode so that the elastic positioning ring can be attached to the connected piece all the time. According to the utility model, the elastic positioning ring in the housing and the elastic member hooped on the outer circumferential wall of the elastic positioning ring are used to make the connected member always fit the connected member when the connected member is inserted into the plugging cavity, so that the connected member returns to be coaxial with the conductor in the housing, thereby reducing the contact resistance and increasing the connection reliability.

Need to check novelty before this filing date? Find Prior Art

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of connector technology, and in particular to a self-aligning connector. Background Technology

[0002] Male and female connectors are generally connected by quick-connect or by traditional threaded locking. When threaded locking is used, the inner and outer conductors of the male and female connectors can generally be kept coaxial, which can reduce contact resistance and increase reliability. However, when using quick-connect, there is a gap between the male and female connectors, which can cause the outer and inner conductors to become misaligned, affecting the reliability of the connection. Utility Model Content

[0003] The technical problem to be solved by this utility model is: in order to solve the problem that the gap between the male and female connectors in the quick-connect connection in the prior art causes the outer conductor and the inner conductor to be out of axis, which affects the reliability of the connection, a self-aligning connector is provided.

[0004] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the present invention adopts the following technical solution: a self-aligning connector, including a shell with an internal insertion cavity, wherein the cavity wall is provided with a self-aligning mechanism for always fitting with the inserted component when the connected component is inserted so that the connected component and the conductor in the insertion cavity remain coaxial;

[0005] The self-aligning mechanism includes an elastic positioning ring and an elastic element that extends circumferentially along the elastic positioning ring and is clamped to the outside of the elastic positioning ring so that the elastic positioning ring is always in contact with the connected part.

[0006] Furthermore, the outer casing includes a first housing and a second housing sleeved outside the first housing and movable along the axial and circumferential directions of the first housing. An elastic locking ring is provided between the first housing and the second housing. The elastic locking ring is used to deform radially during the movement of the second housing toward the first housing to allow the connected component to pass through, and to perform radial reset after the second housing is axially reset to lock the connected component.

[0007] Furthermore, both the elastic positioning ring and the elastic locking ring are open rings.

[0008] Furthermore, a locking mechanism is provided between the first housing and the second housing for locking the first housing and the second housing after the second housing is axially reset.

[0009] Furthermore, the locking mechanism includes a locking pin located on either the first housing or the second housing, and a sliding groove located on the other housing for engaging with the locking pin. The sliding groove includes an axial unlocking groove and a circumferential locking groove that communicate with each other.

[0010] Furthermore, the first housing includes an outer ring and an inner ring, with a first annular cavity formed between them facing the second housing, and the elastic locking ring is located within the first annular cavity.

[0011] Furthermore, the second housing includes an outer ring and an inner ring, and a second annular cavity is formed between the two, facing the first housing and allowing the outer ring of the first housing to enter. One end of the elastic locking ring abuts against the outer ring of the first housing, and the other end abuts against the inner ring of the second housing.

[0012] Furthermore, the elastic locking ring includes a root portion for abutting against the outer ring of the first housing and an edge portion for abutting against the inner ring of the second housing, the edge portion being tapered and the thickness of the edge portion being less than the thickness of the root portion.

[0013] Furthermore, the second housing has a receiving groove for accommodating the elastic element, and the elastic positioning ring is located at the opening of the receiving groove.

[0014] Furthermore, the elastic positioning ring has guide slopes at both ends along its axial direction.

[0015] The beneficial effects of this utility model are as follows: This utility model utilizes the elastic positioning ring inside the shell and the elastic element clamped on the outer peripheral wall of the elastic positioning ring to ensure that the connected part is always in contact with the connected part during the insertion of the connected part into the insertion cavity, so that the connected part returns to the correct position and remains coaxial with the conductor inside the shell, thereby reducing contact resistance and increasing the reliability of the connection. Attached Figure Description

[0016] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0017] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the present invention;

[0018] Figure 2 This is the front view of this utility model;

[0019] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 Sectional view in the BB direction;

[0020] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 A magnified view of part A in the middle;

[0021] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the elastic locking ring;

[0022] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the elastic positioning ring;

[0023] In the picture:

[0024] 1. Outer shell; 101. Insertion cavity; 102. First shell; 1021. Outer ring; 1022. Inner ring; 103. Second shell; 1031. Outer ring; 1032. Inner ring; 1033. Receiving groove; 1034. Anti-slip groove;

[0025] 2. Elastic positioning ring; 201. Guide slope;

[0026] 3. Elastic components;

[0027] 4. Elastic locking ring; 401. Root; 402. Edge;

[0028] 5. Locking pin;

[0029] 6. Slide groove; 601. Axial unlocking groove; 602. Circumferential locking groove;

[0030] 7. Conductor;

[0031] 8. Insulators;

[0032] 9. Sealing components. Detailed Implementation

[0033] The present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. These drawings are simplified schematic diagrams, illustrating only the basic structure of the present invention. Therefore, they only show the components relevant to the present invention. Orientations and references (e.g., up, down, left, right, etc.) are only used to aid in the description of the features in the drawings. Therefore, the following specific embodiments are not intended to be restrictive, and the scope of the claimed subject matter is defined solely by the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0034] like Figures 1-3 As shown, a self-aligning connector includes a cylindrical housing 1 with an internal insertion cavity 101 for inserting a connected component to electrically connect the connector to the component. The cavity wall of the insertion cavity 101 is provided with a self-aligning mechanism to ensure that the connector remains in contact with the connected component during insertion, thereby maintaining coaxiality between the connected component and the conductor 7 within the insertion cavity 101.

[0035] The self-aligning mechanism includes an elastic positioning ring 2 and an elastic element 3 that extends circumferentially along the elastic positioning ring 2 and is clamped to the outside of the elastic positioning ring 2 so that the elastic positioning ring 2 is always in contact with the connected part. The elastic element 3 may be a spring.

[0036] As the connected component is gradually inserted into the insertion cavity 101, when the connected component reaches the position of the elastic positioning ring 2, it can open the elastic positioning ring 2. At this time, the elastic element 3 is compressed. Under the action of its own elastic force and the elastic force of the elastic element 3, the elastic positioning ring 2 is clamped on the outside of the connected component to position it, so that the connected component can return to the correct position and always remain coaxial with the conductor 7 inside the housing 1, thereby reducing contact resistance and increasing the reliability of the connection. When the connected component is separated from the connector, it is gradually pushed out of the insertion cavity 101. After the connected component is separated from the elastic positioning ring 2, both the elastic positioning ring 2 and the elastic element 3 will elastically reset.

[0037] In some examples, the housing 1 includes a first housing 102 and a second housing 103 sleeved outside the first housing 102 and movable axially and circumferentially along the first housing 102. An elastic locking ring 4 is provided between the first housing 102 and the second housing 103. The elastic locking ring 4 is used to deform radially during the movement of the second housing 103 toward the first housing 102 to allow the connected parts to pass through, and to perform radial reset after the second housing 103 is axially reset to lock the connected parts.

[0038] During the movement of the second housing 103 toward the first housing 102, the second housing 103 squeezes the elastic locking ring 4 to open it and cause it to deform radially to allow the connected part to pass through. When the connected part reaches the front of the connected part, the second housing 103 is reset after the connected part passes through. The second housing 103 releases the squeezing force on the elastic locking ring 4, and the elastic locking ring 4 undergoes radial reset to abut against the connected part, thereby locking it.

[0039] In some examples, both the elastic positioning ring 2 and the elastic locking ring 4 are open rings. The open elastic positioning ring 2 can undergo radial deformation under the squeezing action of the connected component to fit against the outer peripheral wall of the connected component. The open elastic locking ring 4 can undergo radial deformation under the squeezing action of the second housing 103.

[0040] In some examples, a locking mechanism is provided between the first housing 102 and the second housing 103 for locking the first housing 102 and the second housing 103 after the second housing 103 is axially reset. After the second housing 103 is axially reset, the locking mechanism locks the first housing 102 and the second housing 103, thus maintaining the locking effect of the elastic locking ring 4 on the connected parts.

[0041] In some examples, the locking mechanism includes a locking pin 5 located on either the first housing 102 or the second housing 103, and a groove 6 located on the other housing for engaging with the locking pin 5. In this embodiment, the locking pin 5 is located on the first housing 102, and the groove 6 is located on the second housing 103. The groove 6 includes an axial unlocking groove 601 and a circumferential locking groove 602 that communicate with each other. The locking pin 5 can rotate from the point where the axial unlocking groove 601 and the circumferential locking groove 602 communicate with each other into the circumferential locking groove 602. To facilitate the rotation of the second housing 103, the outer peripheral wall of the second housing 103 is edged with... The second housing 103 is provided with several anti-slip grooves 1034 spaced apart in the circumferential direction. When the second housing 103 moves toward the first housing 102, the locking pin 5 moves along the extension direction of the axial unlocking groove 601 until the opening of the circumferential locking groove 602. Then the connected part is inserted into the connector. Then the second housing 103 is rotated so that the locking pin 5 enters the circumferential locking groove 602 to lock the first housing 102 and the second housing 103. When unlocking is required, the second housing 103 is rotated so that the locking pin 5 enters the axial unlocking groove 601 from the circumferential locking groove 602. At this time, the second housing 103 can move axially.

[0042] In some examples, the first housing 102 includes an outer ring 1021 and an inner ring 1022, with a first annular cavity formed between them facing the second housing 103, and an elastic locking ring 4 located in the first annular cavity. A conductor 7 is disposed inside the inner ring 1022, and an insulator 8 is provided between the outer peripheral wall of the conductor 7 and the inner peripheral wall of the inner ring 1022. A sealing element 9 is fitted on the outer peripheral wall of the inner ring 1022, and the sealing element 9 may be, but is not limited to, an O-ring.

[0043] In some examples, the second housing 103 includes an outer ring 1031 and an inner ring 1032, and a second annular cavity is formed between them, facing the first housing 102 and allowing the outer ring 1021 of the first housing 102 to enter. One end of the elastic locking ring 4 abuts against the outer ring 1021 of the first housing 102, and the other end abuts against the inner ring 1032 of the second housing 103. During the movement of the second housing 103 toward the first housing 102, the inner ring 1032 of the second housing 103 compresses the elastic locking ring 4 to cause it to elastically deform so that the connected member can pass through.

[0044] In some examples, the elastic locking ring 4 includes a root portion 401 for abutting against the outer ring 1021 of the first housing 102 and an edge portion 402 for abutting against the inner ring 1032 of the second housing 103. The edge portion 402 is conical, and the conical edge portion 402 is easily expanded under the compression of the second housing 103. The end of the inner ring 1032 of the second housing 103 near the edge portion 402 is also conical. The thickness of the edge portion 402 is less than the thickness of the root portion 401. The edge portion 402 with a smaller thickness is more prone to elastic deformation, while the root portion 401 with a larger thickness has higher structural strength.

[0045] In some examples, the second housing 103 has a receiving groove 1033 for accommodating the elastic member 3. The receiving groove 1033 has an annular structure, the elastic positioning ring 2 is located at the opening of the receiving groove 1033, and the elastic member 3 is supported between the bottom of the receiving groove 1033 and the elastic positioning ring 2.

[0046] In some examples, the elastic positioning ring 2 has guide ramps 201 at both ends along its axial direction, which can reduce the force applied to it when the connected parts are inserted and pulled out. The inclination angle of the guide ramps 201 is 20°-45°.

[0047] Working principle:

[0048] During insertion, the second housing 103 is first pushed towards the first housing 102. At this time, the locking pin 5 moves along the extension direction of the axial unlocking groove 601. The inner ring 1032 of the second housing 103 applies pressure to the elastic locking ring 4, causing it to deform radially and open. Then, the connected part is inserted into the insertion cavity 101. When the connected part reaches the position of the elastic positioning ring 2, it can open the elastic positioning ring 2. At this time, the elastic element 3 is compressed. Under the action of its own elastic force and the elastic force of the elastic element 3, the elastic positioning ring 2 is clamped to the outside of the connected part and holds it open. Positioning is performed so that the connected component is aligned and coaxial with the conductor 7 inside the housing 1. Then, the connected component is inserted further into the position of the elastic locking ring 4. The expanded elastic locking ring 4 allows the connected component to pass through. Then, the second housing 103 is reset, releasing the pressure on the elastic locking ring 4 and causing the elastic locking ring 4 to radially reset to lock the connected component. At the same time, the second housing 103 is rotated so that the locking pin 5 enters the circumferential locking groove 602 from the axial unlocking groove 601, thereby axially locking the second housing 103. At this time, the connector and the connected component are successfully connected.

[0049] Based on the above-described preferred embodiments of this utility model, and through the foregoing description, those skilled in the art can make various changes and modifications without departing from the technical concept of this utility model. The technical scope of this utility model is not limited to the contents of the specification, but must be determined according to the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A self-aligning connector, characterized in that: The housing (1) includes an inner cavity (101) formed therein, and the cavity wall of the cavity (101) is provided with a self-aligning mechanism for always fitting the connected component when the connected component is inserted so that the connected component and the conductor (7) in the cavity (101) remain coaxial. The self-aligning mechanism includes an elastic positioning ring (2) and an elastic element (3) that extends circumferentially along the elastic positioning ring (2) and is clamped to the outside of the elastic positioning ring (2) so that the elastic positioning ring (2) is always in contact with the connected part.

2. The self-aligning connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The outer casing (1) includes a first casing (102) and a second casing (103) sleeved outside the first casing (102) and movable along the axial and circumferential directions of the first casing (102). An elastic locking ring (4) is provided between the first casing (102) and the second casing (103). The elastic locking ring (4) is used to deform radially during the movement of the second casing (103) toward the first casing (102) to allow the connected parts to pass through, and to perform radial reset after the second casing (103) is axially reset to lock the connected parts.

3. A self-aligning connector according to claim 2, characterized in that: Both the elastic positioning ring (2) and the elastic locking ring (4) are open rings.

4. A self-aligning connector according to claim 3, characterized in that: A locking mechanism is provided between the first housing (102) and the second housing (103) for locking the first housing (102) and the second housing (103) after the second housing (103) is axially reset.

5. A self-aligning connector according to claim 4, characterized in that: The locking mechanism includes a locking pin (5) located on either the first housing (102) or the second housing (103) and a sliding groove (6) located on the other for engaging with the locking pin (5). The sliding groove (6) includes an axial unlocking groove (601) and a circumferential locking groove (602) that are interconnected.

6. A self-aligning connector according to claim 2, characterized in that: The first housing (102) includes an outer ring (1021) and an inner ring (1022), and a first annular cavity is formed between the two towards the second housing (103), and the elastic locking ring (4) is located in the first annular cavity.

7. A self-aligning connector according to claim 6, characterized in that: The second housing (103) includes an outer ring (1031) and an inner ring (1032), and a second annular cavity is formed between the two, which faces the first housing (102) and allows the outer ring (1021) of the first housing (102) to enter. One end of the elastic locking ring (4) abuts against the outer ring (1021) of the first housing (102), and the other end abuts against the inner ring (1032) of the second housing (103).

8. A self-aligning connector according to claim 7, characterized in that: The elastic locking ring (4) includes a root portion (401) for abutting against the outer ring (1021) of the first housing (102) and an edge portion (402) for abutting against the inner ring (1032) of the second housing (103). The edge portion (402) is tapered and the thickness of the edge portion (402) is less than the thickness of the root portion (401).

9. A self-aligning connector according to claim 2, characterized in that: The second housing (103) has a receiving groove (1033) for accommodating the elastic element (3), and the elastic positioning ring (2) is located at the opening of the receiving groove (1033).

10. A self-aligning connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The elastic positioning ring (2) has guide slopes (201) at both ends along its axial direction.