Electric connector assembly and engineering machinery
By using the compression connection of conductor springs and conductor contacts, the problem of high-frequency insertion and removal of moving parts in engineering machinery is solved, achieving a connection life of tens of thousands of cycles and modular design, adapting to certain positional misalignments, and applicable to fields such as engineering machinery and medical devices.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202520157200.1
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-01-23
- Publication Date
- 2026-01-23
- Estimated Expiration
- 2035-01-23
AI Technical Summary
In existing technologies, during the separation and docking process of moving parts of construction machinery, traditional connectors have a limited number of insertion and removal cycles and are prone to damage due to misalignment, which cannot meet the high-frequency connection requirements.
It adopts a compression connection method of conductor spring and conductor contact piece. One end of the conductor spring is fixed and the other end is free to move. It is designed as an arc-shaped structure, which can achieve a switching life of tens of thousands of cycles in a limited space and allow a certain degree of misalignment, combined with modular design.
It improves the switching life of the connector, can adapt to certain positional misalignment in a limited space, realizes high-frequency connection, and has a modular design, which facilitates wiring and is aesthetically pleasing.
Smart Images
Figure CN223828756U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the field of electrical connector technology, and in particular to electrical connector assemblies for moving parts. Background Technology
[0002] In industries such as construction machinery and medical devices, there are some application scenarios that require communication or power supply between two components, and the two components can exist in two states: separated and connected.
[0003] In construction machinery such as excavators, a rain sensor is installed on the windshield to automatically adjust the wiper speed. The windshield is a moving component with two states: normally closed and when it's at the top. When the windshield is closed, the sensor needs power and communication to function properly. When the windshield is at the top, the sensor needs to be switched off or disconnected to avoid sensing incorrect signals. If traditional connectors are used to connect the sensor's power and communication, two main problems need to be addressed: First, the windshield will open and close approximately 5000 times over its lifespan, while traditional connectors only last 50-100 times. Second, the windshield's opening and closing is achieved through a guide wheel and rail structure. Due to the gap between the guide wheel and the rail, the windshield will misalign with each closing action. However, misalignment is not allowed during connector mating, otherwise, the internal pins will be damaged. Utility Model Content
[0004] To overcome at least one of the above problems, this invention provides an improved electrical connector assembly that significantly improves switching life, can be used in limited spaces, and enables modular design.
[0005] Therefore, this utility model provides an electrical connector assembly for communication and / or electrical connection between a first component and a second component, wherein the second component is movable relative to the first component between a first position and a second position. The electrical connector assembly includes a first component and a second component, wherein: the first component includes an insulating base and a conductor contact, and the first component is fixedly connected to the first component; the second component includes an insulating shell and a conductor spring, and the second component is fixedly connected to the second component; the first component and the second component are arranged such that: when the second component is in the first position, the first component and the second component are in an engaged state, and the conductor contact presses against the conductor spring to electrically connect the first component and the second component; when the second component is in the second position, the first component and the second component are in a disconnected state.
[0006] In the above-described solution according to this utility model, the problem of insufficient insertion and removal cycles in the prior art can be solved by using the compression connection of conductor springs and conductor contacts, so that the on / off life of the connector can reach about 10,000 cycles.
[0007] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the insulating housing of the second component defines a receiving chamber for accommodating the conductor spring and has a bottom wall, a top wall, and a first peripheral wall and a second peripheral wall opposite each other in the longitudinal direction of the insulating housing, the top wall having an opening; and the conductor spring has a first end, an opposite second end, and an intermediate section located between the first end and the second end, wherein the first end is fixedly connected to the bottom wall near the first peripheral wall in the receiving chamber, the second end is a free end near the second peripheral wall, and a portion of the intermediate section of the conductor spring extends beyond the top wall through the opening.
[0008] In this design, since one end of the conductor spring is fixed and the other end can move freely, this allows the spring to repeatedly deform and recover, thereby increasing its lifespan.
[0009] According to a preferred embodiment of this invention, the width of the conductor spring is 5mm-8mm, for example, 6mm, and the thickness is 0.9mm to 1.1mm, for example, 1mm. This design of the conductor spring's width allows for a 1cm misalignment in both the vertical and horizontal directions while still maintaining normal operation. To ensure good elasticity, designing the conductor spring's thickness to be approximately 1mm is advantageous.
[0010] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the conductor spring is configured to have a rectangular base and a plurality of first arms extending from the rectangular base toward the first end and a plurality of second arms extending from the rectangular base toward the second end. Preferably, the first arms and the second arms are parallel to each other or located on the same straight line. The conductor spring configured in this way provides better elasticity and also saves material.
[0011] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first peripheral wall of the insulating housing of the second component has a first recess, and the terminal connected to the first end of the conductor spring is located in the first recess; and a plurality of drain ports in fluid communication with the receiving chamber are formed in the second peripheral wall. The terminal is connected to, for example, a sensor or other electronic components. The drain ports facilitate the drainage of condensate in the receiving chamber and reduce the disturbance of contact resistance by water vapor.
[0012] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the second component further includes a sealing gasket, such as a rubber gasket, disposed around the opening in the top wall to prevent rainwater from contacting the contact plate and spring plate, for example, during rain.
[0013] In one embodiment of this invention, the insulating base of the first component has a first base end and an opposing second base end. The conductor contact is fixedly connected to the insulating base by injection molding, and a second recess is provided at either the first or second base end. A terminal electrically connected to the conductor contact is located within this second recess. The terminal is connected, for example, to a power supply or control system.
[0014] According to one aspect of this utility model, both the conductor contact and the conductor spring can be made of copper, and the width of the conductor contact is smaller than the width of the conductor spring.
[0015] This utility model provides an engineering machine, which includes a cab frame referred to as a first component, a front glass frame referred to as a second component, and the aforementioned electrical connector assembly. The first component is fixedly connected to the inner side of the cab frame and electrically connected to a power supply and control system, while the second component is fixedly connected to the outer side of the front glass frame and electrically connected to a sensor. This engineering machine can be an excavator.
[0016] According to one aspect of this utility model, engineering machinery may include multiple electrical connector assemblies, the number of which depends on the number of wiring connections.
[0017] However, the aforementioned electrical connector assemblies are not only applicable to communication or electrical connections between moving parts of engineering machinery, but also to communication or electrical connections between two other parts that are in a state of separation and engagement, such as in the field of medical devices or other technical fields.
[0018] The beneficial effects of the electrical connector assembly according to this utility model are at least as follows: the use of spring clips for pressing connection enables the connector to have a switching life of up to tens of thousands of cycles; within a limited space, this design allows for a 1cm misalignment in the vertical and horizontal directions while still functioning normally; it achieves a modular design, allowing for the installation of connector pairs according to the number of connection lines, making wiring convenient and more aesthetically pleasing. Attached Figure Description
[0019] The features and advantages of this utility model will become clear from the following detailed description provided with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the following drawings are merely schematic and not necessarily drawn to scale, and therefore should not be considered as limitations on this utility model, wherein:
[0020] Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of an embodiment of an electrical connector assembly applied to the cab frame and front windshield frame of construction machinery;
[0021] Figure 2 This is a perspective view of an embodiment of the electrical connector assembly according to the present invention, wherein the electrical connector assembly is in an unengaged state;
[0022] Figure 3 This is a perspective view of an embodiment of the first component of the electrical connector assembly according to the present invention;
[0023] Figure 4 for Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of the first component shown;
[0024] Figure 5 A perspective view of an embodiment of the second component of the electrical connector assembly according to the present invention; and
[0025] Figure 6 for Figure 5 The cross-sectional view of the second component shown. Detailed Implementation
[0026] Embodiments of the present invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Numerous specific details are set forth in the following description to enable those skilled in the art to more fully understand and implement the present invention. Furthermore, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described. Rather, the present invention can be practiced with any combination of the features and elements described below, regardless of whether they relate to different embodiments. Therefore, the following aspects, features, embodiments, and advantages are for illustrative purposes only and should not be construed as elements or limitations of the claims unless expressly set forth in the claims.
[0027] The terms "first" and "second" are used below to describe the elements of this application. These terms are used only to distinguish the individual elements and not to limit the nature, order, or number of these elements. The terms "comprising" and "having" are used to indicate an open-ended inclusion and mean that there may be additional elements / components besides those listed.
[0028] In this invention, a "conductor contact" is a metal component in an electrical connector used for conducting electricity, typically achieving electrical connection with other components / elements through mechanical contact. The conductor contact is a crucial component of the electrical connector, its primary function being to ensure reliable transmission of current or signals between two circuits or devices.
[0029] In this invention, the "conductor spring" is actually an elastic contact piece, also known as a spring sheet, which can be tightly fitted with the contact surface through deformation, thereby forming a stable electrical contact.
[0030] Figure 1An embodiment of an electrical connector assembly 100 applied to the cab frame and front windshield frame of construction machinery is shown. Hereinafter, the cab frame may be referred to as a first component 1, and the front windshield frame as a second component 2. The first component 1 is fixed, while the second component 2 (i.e., the movable component) is movable relative to the first component 1 between a first position and a second position. The electrical connector assembly 100 is used in the first position (… Figure 1 The communication and / or electrical connection between the first component 1 and the second component 2 at the location shown.
[0031] See Figure 2 This figure illustrates an embodiment of an electrical connector assembly 100 according to the present invention. The electrical connector assembly 100 includes a mating first component 10 and a second component 20. The first component 10 is fixedly connected to a first member 1, such as the cab frame of construction machinery; the second component 20 is fixedly connected to a second member 2, such as the front windshield frame of construction machinery. As can be seen from the figure, the first component 10 includes an insulating base 11 and a conductor contact 12, and the second component 20 includes an insulating housing 21 and a conductor spring 22. Advantageously, the first component 10 and the second component 20 are arranged on the respective first and second members such that when the second member 2 is in position... Figure 1 In the first position shown, the first component and the second component are in an engaged state, and the conductor contact 12 presses the conductor spring 22 to electrically connect the first component and the second component; when the second component 2 is in the second position (not shown) separated from the first component, the first component and the second component are also in a disconnected state.
[0032] In a preferred embodiment, both the conductor contact 12 and the conductor spring 22 are made of copper, and the width of the conductor contact is smaller than the width of the conductor spring. Furthermore, to ensure the conductor spring is elastic, its thickness is significantly less than the thickness of the conductor contact. However, it should be understood that the conductor spring is preferably made of a metallic material with good conductivity, elasticity, and wear resistance, capable of repeated deformation without failure during insertion, removal, or contact. Examples of metallic materials include copper, beryllium copper, and phosphor bronze, and they are often plated (e.g., gold, silver, tin) to enhance conductivity and corrosion resistance.
[0033] In one embodiment of this invention, the insulating base and conductor contact of the first component 10 can be integrally formed by injection molding, that is, the conductor contact 12 is fixedly connected to the insulating base 11 by injection molding. The insulating shell of the second component 20 can also be formed by injection molding. In the field of electrical connector technology, the insulating base and insulating shell can be made of materials with good electrical insulation properties, heat resistance, chemical resistance and mechanical strength, such as polyimide, polyester and polyvinyl chloride. The choice of materials usually depends on factors such as the working environment, temperature range, voltage requirements and mechanical load of the electrical connector.
[0034] See Figure 3 and Figure 4 The insulating base 11 of the first component 10 is, for example, generally rectangular, having a first base end 111 and an opposing second base end 112. The conductor contact 12 is, for example, rectangular and partially extends beyond the upper surface of the insulating base 11. In the embodiment shown in the figure, the first base end and the second base end are each provided with a mounting flange 15, in which a threaded hole 15a is provided for engaging with a threaded fastener to securely mount the first component to the first member 1. Furthermore, a recess 112a is provided on the sidewall of the second base end 112, and a terminal 112b electrically connected to the conductor contact 12 is located within this recess. The terminal is connected, for example, to a power supply or control system.
[0035] See Figure 5 and Figure 6 The figure illustrates an embodiment of the second component 20 according to the present invention. As can be seen from the figure, the insulating housing 21 is generally cuboid in shape, having a bottom wall 211, a top wall 212, and a first peripheral wall 213 and a second peripheral wall 214 opposing each other along the length of the insulating housing 21, defining a receiving chamber 23 for receiving a conductor spring 22, wherein the top wall has an opening 212a, and the conductor spring 22 partially extends beyond the opening 212a. In the embodiment shown in the figure, the first and second peripheral walls are each provided with a mounting flange 25, in which a threaded hole 25a is provided for engaging with a threaded fastener to securely mount the second component to the second member 2.
[0036] See especially Figure 6 The conductor spring 22 is generally an arc-shaped piece made of thin copper sheet, having a first end 221, an opposing second end 222, and an intermediate section 223 located between the first and second ends. The first end is fixedly connected to the bottom wall 211 near the first peripheral wall 213 within the receiving chamber 23, and the second end 222 is a free end near the second peripheral wall 214. A portion of the intermediate section of the conductor spring 22 extends beyond the top wall 212 through an opening 212a. The conductor spring is configured such that one end is fixed and the other end is free to move, which facilitates the repeated deformation and recovery process of the spring, thereby increasing its service life and the number of uses.
[0037] Preferably, the conductor spring 22 has a width of 5mm-8mm, for example 6mm, and a thickness of 0.9mm to 1.1mm, for example 1mm. This width design allows for a 1cm misalignment in both vertical and horizontal directions while maintaining normal operation. To ensure good elasticity, a thickness of approximately 1mm is advantageous for the conductor spring. However, it should be understood that the aforementioned width and thickness are merely exemplary, and other suitable dimensions can be set according to the actual application.
[0038] In a preferred embodiment, the conductor spring 22 is configured to have a rectangular base 220 and three first arms 22a extending from the rectangular base toward a first end 221 and three second arms 22b extending from the rectangular base toward a second end 222. The shape of the opening is designed to match the shape of the conductor spring, and the rectangular base and some of the arms are located outside the insulating housing. Preferably, each first arm and each second arm is parallel to each other or located on the same straight line. The conductor spring constructed in this way provides better elastic properties and stable contact force, and also saves material. The number of arms described above is exemplary, and other numbers of arms may be provided depending on the total width required for the conductor spring and the application, which are also covered within the scope of this application.
[0039] See especially Figure 6 In the above embodiment, a notch 213a is provided in the first peripheral wall 213, and the terminal 213b connected to the first end of the conductor spring is located in the notch. Three drain ports 214a are provided in the second peripheral wall 214, which are in fluid communication with the receiving chamber 23. The drain ports facilitate the drainage of condensate from the receiving chamber, reducing the disturbance of contact resistance caused by water vapor.
[0040] According to a preferred embodiment, the second component 20 also includes a sealing gasket 24, such as a rubber gasket, disposed around an opening 212a around the top wall 212, for example, to isolate rainwater from entering the receiving chamber in the engaged state.
[0041] This utility model also provides an engineering machine, such as an excavator including a cab frame and a front glass frame, which includes an electrical connector assembly 100. A first component 10 of the electrical connector assembly is fixedly connected to the inner side of the cab frame and electrically connected to a power supply and control system. A second component 20 is fixedly connected to the outer side of the front glass frame and electrically connected to a sensor. Furthermore, the same number of electrical connector assemblies are installed according to the required number of wiring connections, i.e., a corresponding number of paired first and second components are installed.
[0042] Industrial applicability
[0043] The electrical connector assembly according to this utility model can be applied not only to engineering machinery, such as excavators, graders, loaders, bulldozers or road rollers, but also to other technical fields that require the docking of moving parts, such as the field of medical devices.
[0044] For example, in construction machinery such as excavators, a rain sensor needs to be installed on the windshield to automatically adjust the wiper speed. The excavator windshield is a moving part with two states: normally closed and when it's at the top. When the windshield is normally closed, the sensor needs power and communication to function properly. When the windshield is at the top, the sensor needs to be switched off or disconnected from all connections to avoid sensing incorrect signals.
[0045] An electrical connector assembly 100 according to the present invention is provided, comprising two parts: a first component 10 and a second component 20. See also Figure 1 The first component 10 is fixed inside the cab frame and connected to the power supply and system, transmitting electrical information to the conductor contact of the first component 10. The second component is fixed outside the front glass frame and connected to the sensor, transmitting electrical information to the conductor spring of the second component 20. When the front glass is normally closed, the conductor contact 12 of the first component 10 presses against the conductor spring 22 of the second component 20, thereby connecting the first and second components to transmit electrical information. When the front glass moves to the top, the conductor contact of the first component separates from the conductor spring of the second component, thereby disconnecting the first and second components. Furthermore, since one end of the conductor spring is fixed and the other end is free to move, this facilitates repeated deformation and recovery of the spring, thereby increasing its lifespan. The insulating shell of the second component also has drainage holes to facilitate the drainage of condensate in the spring grooves, reducing the disturbance of water vapor to the contact impedance.
[0046] Compared with traditional connectors, the electrical connector assembly according to this utility model adopts a spring clip clamping connection, which can solve the problem of insufficient insertion and removal cycles, and make the connector's switching life reach tens of thousands of times, far exceeding the insertion and removal life of traditional connectors (50 to 100 times).
[0047] As mentioned earlier, the opening and closing of the windshield is achieved through a guide wheel and slide rail structure. Due to the gap between the guide wheel and the slide rail, the windshield will be slightly misaligned each time it closes. Because the width of the conductor spring is designed to be larger than that of the conductor contact piece, it can still function normally even with slight misalignment in the left-right and up-down directions. Furthermore, the electrical connector assembly of this invention allows for modular design, with the number of connector pairs installed according to the number of connection lines, making wiring convenient and more aesthetically pleasing.
[0048] Various modifications and variations can be made to the embodiments disclosed above without departing from the scope or spirit of this invention. Other embodiments of this invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art based on the practice of this invention disclosed in this specification. This specification and the examples disclosed herein should be considered illustrative only, and the true scope of this invention is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.
Claims
1. An electrical connector assembly (100) for communication and / or electrical connection between a first member (1) and a second member (2), wherein the second member is movable relative to the first member between a first position and a second position, characterized in that, The electrical connector assembly (100) includes a first component (10) and a second component (20), wherein: The first component includes an insulating base (11) and a conductor contact (12), and the first component is fixedly connected to the first member; The second component includes an insulating housing (21) and a conductor spring (22), and the second component is fixedly connected to the second member; The first component and the second component are arranged as follows: When the second component (2) is in the first position, the first component and the second component are in an engaged state, and the conductor contact presses against the conductor spring to electrically connect the first component and the second component; and When the second component (2) is in the second position, the first component and the second component are in a disconnected state.
2. The electrical connector assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The insulating housing (21) defines a receiving chamber (23) for receiving the conductor spring (22) and has a bottom wall (211), a top wall (212), and a first peripheral wall (213) and a second peripheral wall (214) opposite each other in the longitudinal direction of the insulating housing, the top wall having an opening (212a); and The conductor spring (22) has a first end (221), an opposing second end (222), and an intermediate section (223) located between the first end and the second end, wherein the first end is fixedly connected to the bottom wall near the first peripheral wall in the receiving chamber (23), the second end is a free end near the second peripheral wall (214), and a portion of the intermediate section of the conductor spring extends beyond the top wall through the opening (212a).
3. The electrical connector assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that, The conductor spring (22) has a width of 5mm-8mm and a thickness of 0.9mm to 1.1mm.
4. The electrical connector assembly according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that, The conductor spring (22) is configured to have a rectangular base (220) and a plurality of first arms (22a) extending from the rectangular base toward the first end (221) and a plurality of second arms (22b) extending from the rectangular base toward the second end (222).
5. The electrical connector assembly according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that, A first recess (213a) is provided in the first peripheral wall (213), and a terminal (213b) connected to the first end of the conductor spring is located in the first recess; and a plurality of drain ports (214a) are provided in the second peripheral wall (214) that are in fluid communication with the receiving chamber (23).
6. The electrical connector assembly according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that, The second component (20) also includes a sealing gasket (24) disposed around the opening (212a) of the top wall.
7. The electrical connector assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The insulating base (11) has a first base end (111) and an opposing second base end (112). A second recess is provided at the first base end or the second base end. A terminal that is electrically connected to the conductor contact is located in the second recess. The conductor contact (12) is fixedly connected to the insulating base (11) by injection molding.
8. The electrical connector assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, Both the conductor contact (12) and the conductor spring (22) are made of copper, and the width of the conductor contact is smaller than the width of the conductor spring.
9. An engineering machinery, characterized in that, The engineering machinery includes a cab frame referred to as a first component (1), a front glass frame referred to as a second component (2), and an electrical connector assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the first component is fixedly connected to the inside of the cab frame and electrically connected to a power supply and control system, and the second component is fixedly connected to the outside of the front glass frame and electrically connected to a sensor.
10. The engineering machinery according to claim 9, characterized in that, The engineering machinery includes multiple of the aforementioned electrical connector assemblies.