CPA secondary locking connector

Abstract

The utility model relates to the field of connectors, in particular to a CPA secondary locking connector which comprises a male connector and a female connector, the male connector is provided with a plug terminal, the female connector is provided with a connecting female seat used for being connected with the plug terminal, the male connector is provided with a locking mechanism used for being connected with the female connector, and the locking mechanism is connected with the female connector. The locking mechanism comprises a first locking assembly and a second locking assembly, the male connector and the female connector are connected through the first locking assembly, and the second locking assembly is connected with the female connector. And the effect of reducing the risk of loosening of the male joint and the female joint can be achieved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of connectors, and in particular to a CPA secondary locking connector. Background Technology

[0002] Connectors are crucial components in the powertrain interconnection of new energy vehicles, directly impacting the safety and reliability of the vehicle during operation. Connector Position Assurance (CPA) and High Voltage Interlock Loop (HVIL) have become essential for ensuring connector safety. Connectors typically consist of a male and a female connector. The female connector is usually installed on the vehicle, while the male connector connects to external power supply systems. In use, the male connector is plugged into the female connector to establish the connection between the power supply and control systems.

[0003] After the male connector is plugged into the female connector, the vibration generated during vehicle operation can easily cause the male and female connectors to become loose. Utility Model Content

[0004] In order to reduce the risk of loosening when the male and female connectors are connected, this application provides a CPA secondary locking connector.

[0005] This application provides a CPA secondary locking connector, which adopts the following technical solution:

[0006] A CPA secondary locking connector includes a male connector and a female connector. The male connector has a plug terminal, and the female connector has a connection socket for connecting to the plug terminal. The male connector has a locking mechanism for connecting to the female connector. The locking mechanism includes a first locking component and a second locking component. The first locking component connects the male connector and the female connector, and the second locking component connects to the female connector. The second locking component also limits the first locking component.

[0007] By adopting the above technical solution, the male connector is inserted into the female connector, and the plug-in terminal is inserted into the connecting female socket. Then, the male connector and the female connector are locked once by the first locking component, and then locked a second time by the second locking component. The second locking component limits the first locking component, thereby maintaining the stability of the connection between the male connector and the female connector, thus reducing the risk of loosening when the male connector and the female connector are connected.

[0008] In one specific implementation, the first locking assembly includes a locking sleeve, a positioning element, and a connecting element. The locking sleeve is slidably mounted on the male connector. The positioning element includes an upper limit block and a lower limit block, both of which are mounted on the side wall of the male connector. The side wall of the locking sleeve has a limiting groove for the upper and lower limit blocks to insert into. The lower limit block is used to insert into the lower end of the limiting groove, and the upper limit block is used to insert into the upper end of the limiting groove. The connecting element is mounted on the female connector and is used to connect the male and female connectors.

[0009] By adopting the above technical solution, when the male connector is pre-inserted into the female connector, the locking sleeve is pressed, causing the limiting groove on the locking sleeve to move to the upper and lower limiting blocks, so that the upper and lower limiting blocks are inserted into the limiting groove, thereby limiting the locking sleeve and allowing the locking sleeve to completely press the male connector onto the female connector through the connecting piece, thus facilitating the initial positioning of the male and female connectors.

[0010] In one specific implementation, the connector includes a guide plate and a guide post. The guide plate is mounted on the side wall of the female connector, and one end of the guide plate extends away from the female connector. The guide post is mounted on the side wall of the guide plate. The side wall of the male connector has a guide groove for the guide plate to be inserted into. The inner side wall of the locking sleeve has a control groove for the guide post to slide.

[0011] By adopting the above technical solution, when the locking sleeve is pressed, the locking sleeve moves downward relative to the male connector, causing the guide post to slide along the control groove of the locking sleeve, thereby causing the guide post to pull the locking sleeve toward the female connector through the control groove, thus causing the locking sleeve to drive the male connector to be inserted into the female connector.

[0012] In one specific implementation, one end of the control groove is located at the lower end of the inner sidewall of the locking sleeve, and the other end of the control groove extends upward and is inclined towards the direction of the limiting groove. A notch for inserting the guide post is provided on the sidewall of the locking sleeve near the lower end of the control groove, and the notch communicates with the lower end of the control groove.

[0013] By adopting the above technical solution, when the locking sleeve is pressed down, the control groove on the locking sleeve moves downward relative to the guide post on the female connector, thereby causing the guide post to move upward relative to the locking sleeve along the control groove, so that the guide post moves horizontally relative to the locking sleeve towards the male connector, thereby pulling the locking sleeve towards the female connector, thus facilitating the locking sleeve to drive the male connector to be inserted into the female connector.

[0014] In one specific implementation, the second locking assembly includes a locking block, a connecting terminal, and a locking terminal. The locking block is slidably mounted on the side wall of the male connector, and one end of the locking block passes through the side wall of the locking sleeve. The locking block is connected to the locking sleeve by a limiting member, and the other end of the locking block extends toward the female connector. The connecting terminal is mounted on the end of the locking block near the female connector, and the locking terminal is mounted on the female connector. The locking terminal is used for insertion of the connecting terminal and for connection to an external power source. The connecting terminal is used to short-circuit the locking terminal.

[0015] By adopting the above technical solution, after pressing the locking sleeve, the locking block is pushed towards the female connector, causing the locking block to drive the connecting terminal to be inserted into the locking terminal on the female connector, thereby short-circuiting the locking terminal and connecting the locking block to the locking sleeve through the limiting member, thus positioning the locking block. At the same time, a short-circuit signal is sent to the external control system, so that the external control system can determine that the male connector and the female connector have been inserted into place.

[0016] In one specific implementation, the limiting member includes a positioning block, which is installed on the side wall of the locking block. The side wall of the locking sleeve is provided with an upper stop block and a lower stop block. A gap is left between the upper stop block and the lower stop block for the locking block to insert into. The upper stop block is used to limit the upper end of the locking block, and the lower stop block is used to limit the lower end of the locking block. The upper stop block is provided with a positioning groove for the locking block to engage.

[0017] By adopting the above technical solution, the locking block is pressed towards the male connector, causing it to be inserted into the gap between the upper and lower blocks, and the positioning block on the locking block is inserted into the positioning groove on the upper block, thereby positioning the locking block and facilitating the maintenance of the stability of the secondary locking of the male and female connectors.

[0018] In one specific implementation, a connecting cover is also installed on the male connector near the female connector, and the connecting cover has a connecting hole for the female connector to pass through.

[0019] By adopting the above technical solution and setting a connection cover, the connection between the male and female connectors is protected and insulated.

[0020] In one specific implementation, a protective cover is also installed on the side wall of the male connector.

[0021] By adopting the above technical solution and setting a protective cover, the part of the male connector used for connecting with external terminals can be protected.

[0022] In summary, this application includes at least one of the following beneficial effects:

[0023] 1. This application provides a first locking component and a second locking component to facilitate two locking of the connection between the male and female connectors, thereby maintaining the stability of the connection between the male and female connectors and reducing the possibility of the male and female connectors becoming loose. Attached Figure Description

[0024] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the CPA secondary locking connector of this application.

[0025] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the female connector and male connector being separated in an embodiment of this application.

[0026] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view of the male connector in an embodiment of this application.

[0027] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the positioning element in the embodiments of this application.

[0028] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the locking sleeve and the male connector being separated in an embodiment of this application.

[0029] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the locking sleeve being installed on the male connector in an embodiment of this application.

[0030] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the installation of the locking terminal in the female connector in the embodiments of this application.

[0031] Figure 8 This is a bottom view of the locking sleeve in an embodiment of this application.

[0032] Figure 9 This is a bottom view of the connecting cover in an embodiment of this application.

[0033] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the female connector and male connector being plugged into each other in an embodiment of this application.

[0034] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of the protective cover and the male connector being separated in an embodiment of this application.

[0035] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0036] 1. Male connector; 11. Plug-in terminal; 12. Plug-in end; 13. Guide groove; 14. Upper protrusion; 15. Lower protrusion; 16. Positioning hole; 2. Female connector; 21. Connecting female seat; 22. Connecting end; 3. Locking mechanism; 31. First locking assembly; 311. Locking sleeve; 3111. Limiting groove; 3112. Clearance groove; 3113. Control groove; 3114. Notch; 3115. Upper stop block; 3116. Lower... 3117, Positioning groove; 312, Upper limit block; 313, Lower limit block; 314, Guide plate; 315, Guide post; 32, Second locking assembly; 321, Locking block; 3211, Positioning block; 322, Connecting terminal; 323, Locking terminal; 3231, Locking spring; 4, Connecting cover; 41, Upper locking groove; 42, Lower locking groove; 43, Connecting hole; 44, Slot; 5, Protective cover; 51, Positioning wedge. Detailed Implementation

[0037] The following is in conjunction with the appendix Figure 1-11 This application will be described in further detail.

[0038] This application discloses a CPA secondary locking connector, referring to... Figures 1-3 The system includes a male connector 1 and a female connector 2. A plug-in terminal 11 is fixedly installed on the male connector 1, and a connecting female socket 21 for connecting to the plug-in terminal 11 is fixedly installed on the female connector 2. The connecting female socket 21 is connected to the vehicle's internal electrical system, and the plug-in terminal 11 is connected to an external electrical system. By plugging the male connector 1 into the female connector 2, the plug-in terminal 11 is plugged into the connecting female socket 21, thereby connecting the vehicle's internal electrical system to an external electrical system. The specific connection method is existing technology in this field and will not be elaborated further here. A connecting terminal 22 is also fixedly installed on the female connector 2, and a plug-in terminal 12 for plugging into the connecting terminal 22 is also fixedly installed on the male connector 1. The connecting terminal 22 is connected to the vehicle's onboard system, and the plug-in terminal 12 is connected to an external system.

[0039] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 The male connector 1 is also equipped with a locking mechanism 3 for connecting with the female connector 2. The locking mechanism 3 includes a first locking component 31 and a second locking component 32. The first locking component 31 includes a locking sleeve 311, a positioning element, and a connecting element. The locking sleeve 311 is slidably mounted on the side wall of the male connector 1 in a vertical direction and is used to cover the male connector 1. The positioning element includes an upper limit block 312 and a lower limit block 313. Both the upper limit block 312 and the lower limit block 313 are fixedly mounted on the side wall of the male connector 1 away from the female connector 2, and the upper limit block 312 and the lower limit block 313 are arranged in a vertical direction. (Refer to...) Figure 1 and Figure 4The locking sleeve 311 has a limiting groove 3111 on its side wall for the upper limit block 312 and the lower limit block 313 to be inserted. The limiting groove 3111 is vertically arranged and its length is greater than the distance between the upper limit block 312 and the lower limit block 313. The upper limit block 312 is used to be inserted into the upper end of the limiting groove 3111, and the lower limit block 313 is used to be inserted into the lower end of the limiting groove 3111. The end of the upper limit block 312 near the lower limit block 313 is used to abut against the side wall of the lower end of the limiting groove 3111. The end of the lower limit block 313 near the upper limit block 312 is provided with a guide slope for abutting against the side wall of the lower end of the locking sleeve 311. The end of the lower limit block 313 away from the upper limit block 312 is provided with an unlocking slope for abutting against the side wall of the lower end of the limiting groove 3111.

[0040] Reference Figure 2 and Figure 5 The connector includes a guide plate 314 and a guide post 315. Two guide plates 314 are provided, and the two guide plates 314 are symmetrically fixedly installed on the side walls on both sides of the female connector 2. One end of the guide plate 314 extends towards the male connector 1. Two guide posts 315 are also provided, and the two guide posts 315 correspond one-to-one with the two guide plates 314. The guide posts 315 are fixedly installed on the side wall of the guide plate 314 away from the female connector 2, and the guide posts 315 are located on the side of the guide plate 314 away from the axis of the female connector 2. The male connector 1 has a guide groove 13 for inserting the guide plate 314 on its side wall. The guide groove 13 is set in the horizontal direction. The inner walls on both sides of the locking sleeve have control grooves 3113 for sliding the guide post 315. One end of the control groove 3113 is located at the lower end of the locking sleeve 311. The other end of the control groove 3113 extends upward and is inclined away from the female connector 2. The lower end of the side wall of the locking sleeve near the female connector 2 also has a notch 3114 for the guide post 315 to pass through. The notch 3114 is connected to the lower end of the control groove 3113.

[0041] Reference Figure 2 and Figure 5The male connector 1 is pre-inserted into the female connector 2, and one end of the guide plate 314 is inserted into the guide groove 13. The guide post 315 on the guide plate 314 is inserted into the lower end of the control groove 3113 through the notch 3114. Then, by pressing down on the locking sleeve 311, the locking sleeve 311 moves downward relative to the female connector 2, causing the guide post 315 to slide along the control groove 3113. This allows the guide post 315 to slide from the lower end of the control groove 3113 to the upper end, thus pulling the locking sleeve 311 towards the female connector 2 through the control groove 3113. This causes the locking sleeve 311 to push the male connector 1 towards the female connector 2, so that the male connector 1 is fully inserted into the female connector 2, the insertion terminal 11 is inserted into the connecting female 21, and the connecting terminal 22 is inserted into the insertion terminal 12, thereby achieving a first-time locking of the male connector 1 and the female connector 2. At this time, refer to Figure 6 The upper limit block 312 and the lower limit block 313 are both located in the limiting groove 3111 of the locking sleeve 311, with the upper limit block 312 located at the upper end of the limiting groove 3111 and the lower limit block 313 located at the lower end of the limiting groove 3111.

[0042] Reference Figure 3 and Figure 4 The second locking assembly 32 includes a locking block 321, a connecting terminal 322, and a locking terminal 323. The locking block 321 is slidably mounted on the side wall of the male connector 1 in a horizontal direction, and one end of the locking block 321 extends through the side wall of the male connector 1 and toward the female connector 2. A clearance groove 3112 for sliding of the locking block 321 is provided on the side wall of the locking sleeve 311. The clearance groove 3112 is arranged vertically. An upper stop block 3115 and a lower stop block 3116 are also fixedly mounted on the side wall of the locking sleeve 311. A gap is left between the upper stop block 3115 and the lower stop block 3116, and the gap between the upper stop block 3115 and the lower stop block 3116 is used for the locking block 321 to insert into. The bottom wall of the upper stop block 3115 abuts against the top wall of the locking block 321, and the top wall of the lower stop block 3116 abuts against the bottom wall of the locking block 321. (Refer to...) Figure 7 The connecting terminal 322 is fixedly installed at one end of the locking block 321 near the female connector 2, and the connecting terminal 322 is connected to the external power supply system. The locking terminal 323 is fixedly installed in the female connector 2, and the locking terminal 323 is used for the connecting terminal 322 to be inserted. The locking terminal 323 is provided with two locking springs 3231. Both locking springs 3231 are used to abut against the side wall of the connecting terminal 322, and both locking springs 3231 are connected to the vehicle power supply system.

[0043] Reference Figure 3 and Figure 8The top wall of the locking block 321 is also provided with a limiting component, which includes a positioning block 3211. The positioning block 3211 is fixedly installed on the top wall of the locking block 321. The bottom wall of the upper stop block 3115 is provided with a positioning groove 3117 for the positioning block 3211 to engage at the side wall near the male connector 1.

[0044] Reference Figure 3 and Figure 9 A connecting cover 4 is installed on the side of the male connector 1 near the female connector 2. An upper locking groove 41 is formed on the top wall of the connecting cover 4. An upper protrusion 14 is fixedly installed on the inner wall of the male connector 1 at the locking groove, and the upper protrusion 14 is used to insert into the upper locking groove 41. A lower locking groove 42 is formed on the bottom wall of the connecting cover 4. A lower protrusion 15 is fixedly installed on the inner wall of the male connector 1 at the lower locking groove 42, and the lower protrusion 15 is used to insert into the lower locking groove 42. (Refer to...) Figure 7 and Figure 9 The side wall of the connecting cover 4 has a connecting hole 43 for the connecting female 21 to pass through. The plug-in terminal 11 is located at the end of the connecting hole 43, and the connecting female 21 passes through the connecting hole 43 to be plugged into the plug-in terminal 11. (Refer to...) Figure 9 and Figure 10 The side wall of the connecting cover 4 is also provided with several slots 44, which correspond to the plug-in terminal 12 on the male connector 1, and the connecting terminal 22 on the female connector 2 is plugged into the plug-in terminal 12 on the male connector 1 through the slots 44.

[0045] Reference Figure 11 A protective cover 5 is detachably installed on the side wall of the male connector 1 away from the female connector 2. The protective cover 5 is used to cover the plug-in terminal 12. A positioning hole 16 is opened on the side wall of the male connector 1. A positioning wedge 51 that is inserted into the positioning hole 16 is fixedly installed on the side wall of the protective cover 5.

[0046] The working principle of this embodiment is as follows: by pre-inserting the male connector 1 onto the female connector 2, the connecting female socket 21 on the female connector 2 is inserted into the connecting hole 43 of the connecting cover 4, and the guide plate 314 on the female connector 2 is inserted into the guide groove 13 on the male connector 1, and the guide post 315 on the guide plate 314 is inserted into the notch 3114, thereby limiting the male connector 1 in the vertical direction. Then, the locking sleeve is pressed down, so that the locking sleeve slides downward relative to the male connector 1, and the guide post 315 slides upward along the control groove 3113. The locking block 321 also slides upward relative to the locking sleeve in the clearance groove 3112, so that the guide post 315 pulls the locking sleeve towards the female connector 2 through the control groove 3113, so that the locking sleeve pushes the male connector 1 towards the female connector 2, so that the plug terminal 11 on the male connector 1 is inserted into the connecting female socket 21, thereby completing the electrical connection between the male connector 1 and the female connector 2.

[0047] When the locking sleeve is not pressed down, the upper limit block 312 is located at the lower end of the limiting groove 3111 on the locking sleeve, and the lower limit block 313 is located below the locking sleeve. Then, as the locking sleeve is pressed down, the locking sleeve slides down relative to the male connector 1, causing the lower end of the limiting groove 3111 on the locking sleeve to move towards the lower limit block 313, so that the lower end of the locking sleeve abuts against the guide slope of the lower limit block 313 and passes over the end of the lower limit block 313 along the guide slope, thereby causing the lower limit block 313 to gradually move into the limiting groove 3111. When the guide post 315 slides to the upper end of the control groove 3113, the lower limit block 313 moves to the lower end of the limit groove 3111 and limits the lower end of the limit groove 3111. At this time, the upper limit block 312 is located at the upper end of the limit groove 3111, and the locking block 321 also moves to the gap between the upper stop block 3115 and the lower stop block 3116. At this time, the first locking assembly 31 completes one locking of the male connector 1 and the female connector 2.

[0048] Then, pressing the locking block 321 causes it to move the connecting terminal 322 and the positioning block 3211 toward the female connector 2, thereby inserting the connecting terminal 322 into the locking terminal 323. Simultaneously, the connecting terminal 322 abuts against the two locking springs 3231, short-circuiting them and generating a short-circuit signal. This short-circuit signal allows the external control system to determine that the connecting terminal 322 is properly inserted. The specific short-circuit method and the external control system's determination method are existing technologies in the field and will not be elaborated here. At this time, the end of the locking block 321 outside the male connector 1 is also inserted into the gap between the upper stop block 3115 and the lower stop block 3116, and the positioning block 3211 on the locking block 321 engages with the positioning groove 3117 on the bottom wall of the upper stop block 3115, thus positioning the locking block 321 and completing the secondary locking of the male connector 1 and female connector 2.

[0049] Then, the protective cover 5 is engaged with the positioning hole 16 on the male connector 1 by the positioning wedge 51, thereby installing the protective cover 5 on the male connector 1 and covering the plug-in terminal 12.

[0050] The above are preferred embodiments of this application, and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, all equivalent changes made to the structure, shape and principle of this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application.

Claims

1. A CPA secondary locking connector, comprising a male connector (1) and a female connector (2), wherein the male connector (1) is provided with a plug terminal (11), and the female connector (2) is provided with a connecting female socket (21) for connecting to the plug terminal (11), characterized in that: The male connector (1) is provided with a locking mechanism (3) for connecting to the female connector (2). The locking mechanism (3) includes a first locking component (31) and a second locking component (32). The first locking component (31) connects the male connector (1) to the female connector (2), and the second locking component (32) connects to the female connector (2). The second locking component (32) is also used to limit the first locking component (31).

2. The CPA secondary locking connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first locking assembly (31) includes a locking sleeve (311), a positioning element, and a connecting element. The locking sleeve (311) is slidably mounted on the male connector (1). The positioning element includes an upper limit block (312) and a lower limit block (313). The upper limit block (312) and the lower limit block (313) are both mounted on the side wall of the male connector (1). The side wall of the locking sleeve (311) is provided with a limiting groove (3111) for the upper limit block (312) and the lower limit block (313) to be inserted. The lower limit block (313) is used to be inserted into the lower end of the limiting groove (3111), and the upper limit block (312) is used to be inserted into the upper end of the limiting groove (3111). The connecting element is mounted on the female connector (2) and is used to connect the male connector (1) and the female connector (2).

3. A CPA secondary locking connector according to claim 2, characterized in that: The connector includes a guide plate (314) and a guide post (315). The guide plate (314) is mounted on the side wall of the female connector (2), and one end of the guide plate (314) extends away from the female connector (2). The guide post (315) is mounted on the side wall of the guide plate (314). The side wall of the male connector (1) is provided with a guide groove (13) for the guide plate (314) to be inserted. The inner side wall of the locking sleeve (311) is provided with a control groove (3113) for the guide post (315) to slide.

4. A CPA secondary locking connector according to claim 3, characterized in that: One end of the control groove (3113) is located at the lower end of the inner sidewall of the locking sleeve (311), and the other end of the control groove (3113) extends upward and is inclined towards the limiting groove (3111). A notch (3114) for inserting the guide post (315) is provided on the sidewall of the locking sleeve (311) near the lower end of the control groove (3113). The notch (3114) is connected to the lower end of the control groove (3113).

5. A CPA secondary locking connector according to claim 2, characterized in that: The second locking assembly (32) includes a locking block (321), a connecting terminal (322), and a locking terminal (323). The locking block (321) is slidably mounted on the side wall of the male connector (1), and one end of the locking block (321) passes through the side wall of the locking sleeve (311). The locking block (321) is connected to the locking sleeve (311) by a limiting member. The other end of the locking block (321) extends toward the female connector (2). The connecting terminal (322) is mounted on the end of the locking block (321) near the female connector (2). The locking terminal (323) is mounted on the female connector (2). The locking terminal (323) is used for the connecting terminal (322) to be inserted into the female connector. The locking terminal (323) is used to be connected to an external power source. The connecting terminal (322) is used to short-circuit the locking terminal (323).

6. A CPA secondary locking connector according to claim 5, characterized in that: The limiting component includes a positioning block (3211), which is installed on the side wall of the locking block (321). The side wall of the locking sleeve (311) is provided with an upper stop block (3115) and a lower stop block (3116). A gap is left between the upper stop block (3115) and the lower stop block (3116) for the locking block (321) to be inserted. The upper stop block (3115) is used to limit the upper end of the locking block (321), and the lower stop block (3116) is used to limit the lower end of the locking block (321). The upper stop block (3115) is provided with a positioning groove (3117) for the locking block (321) to be engaged.

7. A CPA secondary locking connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: A connecting cover (4) is also installed on the male connector (1) near the female connector (2), and the connecting cover (4) has a connecting hole (43) for the female connector (21) to pass through.

8. A CPA secondary locking connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: A protective cover (5) is also installed on the side wall of the male connector (1).

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