Electric connector assembly

Abstract

An electric connector assembly is composed of a plug and a socket, the peripheral surface of the plug is divided into a first section, a second section and a third section, and an inner hole of the socket is divided into a first hole section, a second hole section and a third hole section; the diameter of the second section is equal to or smaller than that of the first section, and the diameter of the third section is larger than that of the first section; the first section is in interference fit with the first hole section, the third section is in interference fit with the third hole section, and the second section is in clearance fit with the second hole section; and the inner diameter of the second hole section is more than 0.15 mm larger than the diameter of the first section. According to the utility model, the plugging coupling force is kept to be zero in the early stage and the middle stage of the plugging process, and strong radial sealing pressure is generated only in the final stage of connection completion, so that the plugging hand feeling experience is greatly optimized, and the risk of mismatching is reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to an electrical connector. Background Art

[0002] An electrical connector assembly is a basic component for realizing electrical or optical circuit interconnection in an electronic system. Especially in humid, underwater or harsh environments (such as ocean exploration or industrial automation), reliable waterproof sealing is crucial for protecting the circuit integrity and ensuring the long-term stable operation of the device. Traditional electrical connector assembly designs often face problems such as unreliable sealing, large coupling force, and easy damage to contact parts, which have promoted the continuous evolution of technology.

[0003] In early technologies, waterproof connectors adopted redundant sealing designs, but there were significant defects. For example, using sealing elements arranged in series, resulting in non-simultaneous engagement of the sealing elements during the connection process, concentrated coupling force and difficult operation, and easy bending of contact pins.

[0004] To solve this problem, US Patent No. US 7,***提出了一种创新连接器组装方案。该设计在插头上设置凹槽和凸起密封元件,插座具有互补结构,使密封元件在连接时同时嵌入对方凹槽,形成冗余密封。这种安排降低了耦合力,提供了清晰的触觉反馈,提高了密封可靠性,适用于电气或光学电路。

[0005] On the basis of the above patent, US Patent No. US 9,465,173 B2 further optimized the connector geometry. It designed the diameter of the plug section to increase from outside to inside (D10 < D20 < D30), and the socket was correspondingly matched, so that the coupling force during the insertion process was small, and only the sealing pressure increased significantly at the last section. This improvement enhanced the sealing strength and durability, while reducing the operation difficulty. However, there are still the following deficiencies: The patent solution emphasizes the design of increasing diameter (D10 < D20 < D30). Among them, the D20 section on the plug must be larger than the D10 section, and the D20 section contacts the corresponding second concave section in the socket. Therefore, the diameter size of the second concave section on the socket needs to be equal to or slightly smaller than the D20 section, and thus it can only be slightly larger than the D10 section and cannot significantly exceed the D10 section. This size relationship results in a certain friction when the D10 section of the plug passes through the second concave section during the process of the plug being inserted into the socket, generating an insertion coupling force. Then when entering the first concave section, the insertion coupling force rises significantly again. It is also confirmed through physical simulation tests that, as shown by the dotted line in the Figure 1 insertion coupling force - insertion state (displacement) curve graph, when the D10 section of the plug passes through the second concave section, the first rising step of the dotted line is formed, and then when the D10 section of the plug enters the first concave section, the insertion coupling force rises suddenly again, forming Figure 1 It seems there is some incorrect or incomplete information in the original text around "为解决此问题,美国专利US 7,195,505 B1提出了一种创新连接器组装方案。该设计在插头上设置凹槽和凸起密封元件,插座具有互补结构,使密封元件在连接时同时嵌入对方凹槽,形成冗余密封。这种安排降低了耦合力,提供了清晰的触觉反馈,提高了密封可靠性,适用于电气或光学电路。 ", but I translated it as best as possible based on the overall context. If you can correct or clarify this part, it will be better for a more accurate translation.The second step is indicated by the dotted line. That is, when this patented solution is used, friction easily occurs during the travel of the D10 segment of the plug through the second concave segment, generating a significant insertion coupling force. There is still room for improvement in the smooth and effortless plugging and unplugging experience. Utility Model Content

[0006] The purpose of this invention is to provide an electrical connector assembly that ensures zero insertion coupling force during the early and middle stages of the mating process, and generates strong radial sealing pressure only in the final stage after the connection is completed, thereby further optimizing the mating feel.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution adopted by this utility model is as follows: an electrical connector assembly, comprising a plug and a socket, wherein the outer peripheral surface of the plug is provided with a plug annular groove and a plug annular ridge, and the socket is provided with a corresponding socket annular groove and a socket annular ridge; the outer peripheral surface of the plug is divided into a first segment, a second segment, and a third segment by the plug annular groove and the plug annular ridge, the first segment, the second segment, and the third segment being arranged sequentially from the front end of the plug to the rear end; the inner hole of the socket is divided into a first hole segment, a second hole segment, and a third hole segment (D301) by the socket annular groove and the socket annular ridge; in the final state where the plug and socket are fully engaged, the first segment corresponds to the first hole segment, the second segment corresponds to the second hole segment, and the third segment corresponds to the third hole segment;

[0008] The diameter of the second segment is equal to or less than the diameter of the first segment, and the diameter of the third segment is greater than the diameter of the first segment;

[0009] In the final state after the plug and socket are fully engaged, the first section is in an interference fit with the first hole section, the third section is in an interference fit with the third hole section, and the second section is in a clearance fit with the second hole section.

[0010] Furthermore, the inner diameter of the second hole segment is more than 0.15 mm larger than the diameter of the first segment.

[0011] In the above scheme, the diameter of the second section is smaller than the diameter of the first section, and the outer peripheral surface of the second section is a conical surface, with the small end of the conical surface being closer to the front end of the plug than the large end.

[0012] In the above scheme, the inner diameter of the second hole segment is equal to the inner diameter of the third hole segment.

[0013] In the above solution, the plug and socket are provided with a solid mesh tail that is integrally injection molded to protect the cable.

[0014] In the above solution, the outer periphery of the socket is provided with a front protrusion and a rear protrusion, which are spaced apart to form a saddle-shaped handhold.

[0015] In the above solution, protruding direction marks are correspondingly provided on the outer circumferential surfaces of the plug and the socket, and a convex point is further provided on the outer circumferential surface of one of the plug and the socket. The convex point on one is closer to the direction mark of the other than its own direction mark.

[0016] In the above solution, the plug annular ridge is an elastic annular seal, which is fixed on the outer circumferential surface of the plug.

[0017] In the above solution, the socket annular ridge is an elastic annular seal, which is fixed on the inner hole wall of the socket.

[0018] In the above solution, a conical guiding section is further provided at the front end of the plug.

[0019] The prior art US 7,195,505 B1 proposes to design the first section D10, the second section D20 and the third section D30 on the plug as an increasing three-stage stepped type (D10 < D20 < D30), and these three sections are all in sealing fit with the corresponding sections of the female plug. The inventor of this case found in the actual use of the prior art that during the plugging process, when the first section D10 of the plug passes through the second hole section, it is easy to generate friction, generating a certain insertion coupling force. Finally, when entering the first concave section, the insertion coupling force rises significantly again. It is also confirmed by physical simulation tests that as shown by the dotted line in the Figure 1 insertion coupling force - insertion state (displacement) curve diagram, when the D10 section of the plug passes through the second concave section, the first rising step of the dotted line is formed, and then when the D10 section of the plug enters the first concave section, the coupling force rises suddenly again, forming Figure 1 the second step of the dotted line in

[0020] Therefore, the present utility model breakthroughly changes the diameter of the second section to be equal to or smaller than the diameter of the first section, increases the inner diameter of the second hole section, and changes the second section and the second hole section to a clearance fit. The inner diameter of the second hole section is more than 0.15 mm larger than the diameter of the first section, so as to ensure that during the plugging process, when the first section D10 of the plug passes through the second hole section D201, there is no friction and no insertion coupling force is generated, and when finally entering the first concave section D101, the insertion coupling force rises significantly again, as shown in Figure 1The solid line in the insertion force-insertion state (displacement) curve graph shows that, without insertion coupling force, the terminals of the plug and socket can be aligned one by one. This makes it easy to feel whether the male and female terminals are aligned, thereby reducing the risk of misfitting.

[0021] In summary, the electrical connector of this invention maintains zero insertion coupling force in the early and middle stages of the mating process, and only generates strong radial sealing pressure in the final stage after the connection is completed. This characteristic greatly optimizes the mating feel and reduces the risk of misfitting.

[0022] In addition, the plug design of this utility model not only has the aforementioned advantages, but can also be properly inserted and sealed with the socket involved in patent US 7,195,505 B1, and can seamlessly use the socket in the prior art, reducing upgrade costs. Attached Figure Description

[0023] Figure 1 The insertion coupling force-insertion state (displacement) curve is obtained by simulating the mating test of the electrical connector assembly. The dashed line in the figure represents the prior art, and the solid line in the figure represents the embodiment of this utility model.

[0024] Figure 2 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the plug according to an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0025] Figure 3 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the socket according to an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0026] Figure 4 This is a full sectional view of the plug and socket according to an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0027] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the insertion process of a plug and socket, representing another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of a plug, representing another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] In the attached diagrams above:

[0030] 1. Plug; 11. Plug annular groove; 12. Plug annular ridge; 15. First solid mesh tail; 16. A conical inlet section; D10. First section; D20. Second section; D30. Third section; A. First direction mark;

[0031] 2. Socket; 21. Socket annular groove; 22. Socket annular ridge; 23. Front protrusion; 24. Rear protrusion; 25. Second solid mesh tail; D101. First hole segment; D201. Second hole segment; D301. Third hole segment; B. Second direction mark; C. Protrusion. Detailed Implementation

[0032] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments:

[0033] Example: The present invention will be clearly described below with illustrations and detailed description. Any person skilled in the art who understands the examples of the present invention can make changes and modifications based on the technology taught in the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0034] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing specific embodiments only and is not intended to limit the scope of this work. Singular forms such as “a,” “this,” “this,” “the,” and “the” as used herein also include plural forms.

[0035] An electrical connector assembly, see Figure 2-5 As shown:

[0036] See Figure 2-5 As shown, the electrical connector assembly consists of a plug 1 and a socket 2, with corresponding matching electrical connection terminals in the plug 1 and socket 2 to form an electrical signal path. Specifically, the type and quantity of the electrical connection terminals are selected as needed.

[0037] See Figure 2-5 As shown, the outer circumferential surface of the plug 1 is provided with a plug annular groove 11 and a plug annular ridge 12, and the socket 2 is provided with a socket annular groove 21 and a socket annular ridge 22, which are complementary and correspondingly arranged. The plug annular ridge 12 is an elastic annular seal, which is fixed to the outer circumferential surface of the plug 1. The socket annular ridge 22 is also an elastic annular seal, which is fixed to the inner wall of the socket 2. In the final state after the plug 1 and socket 2 are fully engaged, the plug annular ridge 12 is compressed and engaged in the socket annular groove 21, while the socket annular ridge 22 is compressed and engaged in the plug annular groove 11.

[0038] See Figure 2 and Figure 4 As shown, the outer peripheral surface of the plug 1 is divided into a first section D10, a second section D20 and a third section D30 by the plug annular groove 11 and the plug annular ridge 12. The first section D10, the second section D20 and the third section D30 are arranged sequentially from the front end to the rear end of the plug 1.

[0039] See Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the inner hole of the socket 2 is divided into a first hole segment D101, a second hole segment D201 and a third hole segment D301 by the socket annular groove 21 and the socket annular ridge 22.

[0040] In the final state where the plug 1 and socket 2 are fully engaged, the first section D10 corresponds to the first hole section D101, the second section D20 corresponds to the second hole section D201, and the third section D30 corresponds to the third hole section D301.

[0041] The most important point of this embodiment is: See Figure 2-4 As shown, the diameter of the second segment D20 is equal to or less than the diameter of the first segment D10, and the diameter of the third segment D30 is greater than the diameter of the first segment D10. In the final state where the plug 1 and the socket are fully engaged, the first segment D10 is interference-fitted with the first hole segment D101, the third segment D30 is interference-fitted with the third hole segment D301, and the second segment D20 is clearance-fitted with the second hole segment D201. Furthermore, the inner diameter of the second hole segment D201 is at least 0.15 mm larger than the diameter of the first segment D10.

[0042] A further preferred solution is, such as Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the diameter of the second segment D20 is smaller than that of the first segment D10, and the outer circumferential surface of the second segment D20 is conical. The smaller end of this conical surface is closer to the front end of the plug than the larger end, which facilitates the expulsion of compressed air during insertion and reduces insertion force. Simultaneously, the taper of the second segment D20 helps improve the separation of the mold from the product during injection molding, reducing demolding difficulty. Furthermore, the inner diameter of the second hole segment D201 is equal to the inner diameter of the third hole segment D301, making it easier to manufacture.

[0043] See Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the plug 1 and socket 2 are provided with solid mesh tails integrally injection molded to protect the cable: a first solid mesh tail 15 and a second solid mesh tail 25, which minimizes the length of the electrical connector and achieves minimal space occupation in the length direction, making it convenient for customers to install and use in a small space.

[0044] See Figure 3 As shown, the outer periphery of the socket 2 is provided with a front protrusion 23 and a rear protrusion 24, which are spaced apart to form a saddle-shaped handle. In use, the fingers are pinched in the middle of the saddle-shaped handle to increase the contact area between the fingers and the connector, thereby improving the comfort of holding the connector during insertion and removal.

[0045] See Figure 2 and Figure 3As shown, the outer peripheral surfaces of the plug 1 and the socket 2 are respectively provided with protruding direction marks: a first direction mark A and a second direction mark B. Furthermore, one of the plug 1 and the socket 2 also has a protrusion C on its outer peripheral surface, with the protrusion C on one being closer to the other's direction mark than its own direction mark. Specifically, as shown... Figure 3 For example, the second direction mark B on the socket 2 is positioned further back, and the protrusion C is positioned in front of the second direction mark B. During the matching process between the plug 1 and the socket 2, the two direction marks are initially far apart. Adding the protrusion C allows the protrusion C to be closer to the direction mark on the other side, which is beneficial for alignment and identification.

[0046] The connection simulation test results of this embodiment are as follows: Figure 1 As shown by the solid line (the solid line indicates only one step), no insertion coupling force is generated during the insertion of the first section D10 and the second section D20 of plug 1 into socket 2. Only when the third section D30 extends into socket 2 does the insertion coupling force increase significantly and abruptly. The above test proves that the electrical connector of this embodiment maintains zero insertion coupling force in the early and middle stages of the mating process, and only generates strong radial sealing pressure in the final stage after the connection is completed. This characteristic greatly optimizes the mating feel and reduces the risk of misfitting. In addition, plug 1 can also be mated and sealed normally with the socket involved in patent US 7,195,505 B1, and can seamlessly use the socket in the prior art, reducing upgrade costs.

[0047] See Figure 6 As shown, for easier insertion, a tapered guide section 16 is provided at the very front end of the plug 1, located on the front side of the first section D10. This makes it easier for the front end of the plug 1 to pass through the socket annular ridge 22.

[0048] The above embodiments are only for illustrating the technical concept and features of this utility model, and are intended to enable those skilled in the art to understand the content of this utility model and implement it accordingly. They should not be construed as limiting the scope of protection of this utility model. All equivalent changes or modifications made in accordance with the spirit and essence of this utility model should be included within the scope of protection of this utility model.

Claims

1. An electrical connector assembly consisting of a plug (1) and a socket (2), the plug (1) is provided with a plug annular groove (11) and a plug annular ridge (12) on its outer periphery, the socket (2) is correspondingly provided with a socket annular groove (21) and a socket annular ridge (22); the outer periphery of the plug (1) is divided into a first section (D10), a second section (D20) and a third section (D30) by the plug annular groove (11) and the plug annular ridge (12), the first section (D10), the second section (D20) and the third section (D30) are arranged in sequence from the front end of the plug to the rear; the inner hole of the socket (2) is divided into a first hole section (D101), a second hole section (D201) and a third hole section (D301) by the socket annular groove (21) and the socket annular ridge (22); in the final state of the plug (1) and the socket (2) after being inserted, the first section (D10) corresponds to the first hole section (D101), the second section (D20) corresponds to the second hole section (D201), and the third section (D30) corresponds to the third hole section (D301); characterized in that: the diameter of the second section (D20) is equal to or less than the diameter of the first section (D10), and the diameter of the third section (D30) is greater than the diameter of the first section (D10); in the final state of the plug (1) and the socket (2) after being inserted, the first section (D10) is in interference fit with the first hole section (D101), the third section (D30) is in interference fit with the third hole section (D301), and the second section (D20) is in clearance fit with the second hole section (D201); and the inner diameter of the second hole section (D201) is greater than the diameter of the first section (D10) by 0.15mm or more.

2. The electrical connector assembly of claim 1, wherein: the diameter of the second section (D20) is less than the diameter of the first section (D10), and the outer periphery of the second section (D20) is a tapered surface, the small end of which is closer to the front end of the plug (1) than the large end.

3. The electrical connector assembly of claim 1, wherein: the inner diameter of the second hole section (D201) is equal to the inner diameter of the third hole section (D301).

4. The electrical connector assembly of claim 1, wherein: the tail of the plug (1) and the socket (2) is provided with a solid net tail integrally injection molded for protecting the cable.

5. The electrical connector assembly of claim 1, wherein: the outer periphery of the socket (2) is provided with a front protrusion (23) and a rear protrusion (24), which are arranged apart to form a saddle-shaped hand holding part.

6. The electrical connector assembly of claim 1, wherein: the outer periphery of one of the plug (1) and the socket (2) is correspondingly provided with a protruding direction mark, and the outer periphery of the other one is further provided with a bump (C), the bump (C) on one of them is closer to the direction mark of the other one than its own direction mark.

7. The electrical connector assembly of claim 1, wherein: the plug annular ridge (12) is an elastic annular sealing element fixed on the outer periphery of the plug (1).

8. The electrical connector assembly of claim 1, wherein: the socket annular ridge (22) is an elastic annular sealing element fixed on the inner hole wall of the socket (2).

9. The electrical connector assembly of claim 1, wherein: the frontmost end of the plug (1) is further provided with a tapered lead-in section (16).

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