Electric connector assembly and electric connector

Abstract

An electrical connector assembly and an electrical connector are described herein, the electrical connector assembly comprising a terminal assembly and a housing, the terminal assembly comprising: a wire comprising a plurality of wire harnesses; the first shell part and the second shell part are configured to be matched with each other so as to limit a hollow containing part for containing an inner core, with a shielding layer removed, of the multi-strand wire harness, and a conductive core, with an insulating layer removed, of the inner core extends out of the wire outlet end of the containing part; the housing includes a first housing and a second housing configured to cooperate with each other to collectively define a space for accommodating the terminal assembly. The first shell extends along a first direction, the second shell extends along a second direction forming an angle with the first direction, and the multiple strands of wire harnesses and the accommodating part are configured to be bent so as to be accommodated in the shell; and the terminal assembly also comprises a terminal which is electrically connected with the conductive core at the wire outlet end.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to an electrical connector assembly and an electrical connector, and more specifically, to a bent high-frequency electrical connector assembly and its electrical connector that can be adapted to different application requirements in fields such as, but not limited to, vehicle data transmission, and a method of forming the bent electrical connector assembly. Background Technology

[0002] With the development of electronic technology, there is a demand for portable electronic devices to quickly, conveniently, and reliably connect to fixed electrical connectors mounted on other devices, so that the electronic devices can obtain power from or exchange data signals with the other devices. For example, in automotive systems, it is desirable for on-board devices to connect quickly and reliably to electrical connectors and their various connector assemblies mounted on the vehicle.

[0003] Electrical connector assemblies are electronic components used for the transmission and exchange of current or signals between devices in electronic systems. As nodes, electrical connector assemblies, either independently or together with cables, transmit current or signals between devices, components, equipment, and systems, ensuring that signal distortion and energy loss do not occur between systems. They are essential basic components for forming the connection of the entire complete system. For example, I / O modules are typically used for connections between switches, and between switches and servers.

[0004] In existing technologies for in-vehicle data communication, electrical connectors are typically used to transmit signals between two printed circuit boards (PCBs). Specifically, as a typical example, each electrical connector contains its own connector assembly, and the two mating connector assemblies of a paired connector are each mounted in its own housing. The two connector assemblies are then mated together by locking their respective terminals relative to each other, and subsequently, by locking their respective housings relative to each other, to achieve signal transmission between them. Existing connector assemblies typically include an insulating housing (such as a plastic housing) and contact conductive terminals (including signal terminals and ground terminals) assembled within the insulating housing. Physical interconnection and electrical connection are achieved through the contact conductive terminals of the paired connector assemblies assembled in the mating connector.

[0005] In existing technologies, considering that when mated electrical connector assemblies are interconnected, straight-line electrical connector assemblies sometimes cannot meet the wiring requirements, making cable routing inconvenient, prone to interference with other components, and affecting connector performance and lifespan. Therefore, in addition to the original 180-degree straight cable exit method, a bent, i.e., inclined cable exit method is added, typically such as a 90-degree tail cable exit product structure. This has led to the development of bent electrical connector assemblies with a right-angle main structure in the field.

[0006] A bent electrical connector assembly, also known as a right-angle connector, has a straight mating end for the lead-out terminal to be inserted into the socket of a mating electrical connector assembly, and a vertical termination end for bending, for example, a 90-degree tail lead-out, which are substantially perpendicular to each other.

[0007] Bent electrical connector assemblies in related technologies are typically manufactured using two structures. One is the conventional manufacturing method, where two types of terminals are matched in both the horizontal and vertical directions to achieve a bent electrical connector. Alternatively, for example, a bent electrical connector is achieved by bending the terminals 90 degrees. More specifically, as an example, in some existing right-angle connectors, the central terminal body (e.g., in the form of a pin) for conductive contact is inserted into the dielectric housing of the connector assembly and then manually bent, for example, 90 degrees using a tool to form a signal transmission path through the right-angle corner of the bent electrical connector assembly. This is typically a 90-degree right-angle connector.

[0008] However, both of these related technologies, formed in different ways, inherently possess technical drawbacks in their bent electrical connector assemblies. Such bent electrical connectors suffer from numerous parts and complex assembly processes, resulting in complex and costly design, manufacturing, and assembly. For example, because the signal path turns, for instance, 90 degrees within the dielectric housing of the connector assembly (thus forming a right-angle corner at the transition between the mating and terminating ends), it is difficult to maintain the impedance of such a connector between the mating and terminating ends. Furthermore, typical right-angle connectors do not allow for automated manufacturing. Additionally, the dielectric housing is often difficult to form into a bent right-angle corner that completely surrounds the terminal body, potentially reducing shielding and causing signal attenuation.

[0009] On the one hand, using only conventional bent-type electrical connector assembly design makes it difficult to ensure that the position of the terminals remains locked relative to the wires and housing after assembly, thus making it difficult to ensure relative fixation and prevent detachment.

[0010] On the other hand, regarding the connection between the electrical connector assembly and the mating connector assembly, both existing electrical connector assemblies and mating connector assemblies are integrally equipped with a snap-fit ​​structure that can be engaged or disengaged. For example, a stop snap is provided on the housing of the electrical connector assembly, and a spring snap is provided on the housing of the mating connector assembly. When the electrical connector assembly and the mating connector assembly are mated, an electrical connection is achieved, the spring snap and the stop snap are engaged, and the connector and the mating connector are snapped together. When it is necessary to disconnect the electrical connection, pressing the spring snap will disassemble the stop snap and the spring snap, allowing the mating connector to be pulled out of the connector socket, thus disconnecting the electrical connection. However, due to the susceptibility of the spring snap to misoperation or harsh operating conditions, it is very easy for it to separate from the stop snap, causing the snap-fit ​​connection to fail, thereby resulting in the failure of the electrical connection between the connector and the mating connector. Therefore, the connection between the connector and the mating connector is unreliable, which leads to the inability to effectively ensure the overall relative positioning of the connector; and the interface holding force that elastic snaps, such as the concave-convex fit, can achieve is limited, which cannot provide large holding force and reliable RF electrical connection. It does not have a self-locking function, nor does it have good shock resistance, and cannot meet the need for quick insertion and removal self-locking in harsh environments.

[0011] Therefore, in the prior art, there is an urgent need for an improved bent-type electrical connector assembly and its connector, which is achieved, for example, through improvements in the assembly structure. This allows for effective locking of the terminals relative to the inner shell (referred to as the terminal shell) and the outer assembly shell, ensuring the terminals are fixed in place and do not disengage, while simultaneously preventing the terminal body from retracting or axially shifting in the opposite direction of the insertion movement. Furthermore, it effectively ensures the relative positioning and locking of the different outer shell portions used to form the assembly shell after assembly. Thus, the anticipated bent-type electrical connector assembly and its connector facilitate the use of pre-machined, mating bent shell portions to form a receiving portion for the core of a multi-strand wire harness with the shield removed. Effective terminal positioning and locking are achieved through a terminal position guarantee, and further, effective relative locking between the different outer shell portions of the assembly shell is achieved through a secondary lock as a connector position guarantee. Through these two reliable relative fixing and limiting mechanisms, the terminals of the electrical connector and the mating outer shell components are locked separately, improving the structural strength of the assembly and reducing deformation and accumulated stress during insertion. This also facilitates improved assembly accuracy, impedance matching, and high-frequency performance. Utility Model Content

[0012] The purpose of this disclosure is to provide a simple-structured bent electrical connector assembly and electrical connector, as well as a method for forming the bent electrical connector assembly, which respectively achieves effective locking of the terminals of the enhanced electrical connector and the mating housing components through a terminal position guarantee and a secondary lock serving as the connector position guarantee, thereby achieving reliable assembly through simple assembly steps, and thus solving at least one aspect of the aforementioned problems and defects existing in the prior art.

[0013] To achieve the above objectives, this disclosure provides the following technical solution:

[0014] In a first aspect of this disclosure, an electrical connector assembly is provided, the electrical connector assembly including a terminal assembly and a housing. The terminal assembly includes: a conductor, including a multi-strand wire harness; and a molded first housing portion and a second housing portion configured to cooperate with each other to define a hollow receiving portion for receiving an inner core of the multi-strand wire harness with its shielding layer removed, the conductive core of the inner core with its insulation layer removed extending from an outlet end of the receiving portion; the housing includes a first outer housing and a second outer housing configured to cooperate with each other to jointly define a space for accommodating the terminal assembly. The first outer housing extends along a first direction and the second outer housing extends along a second direction at an angle to the first direction, the multi-strand wire harness and the receiving portion are configured to be bent to be received within the housing; and the terminal assembly further includes a terminal electrically connected to the conductive core at the outlet end.

[0015] In an exemplary embodiment, the receiving portion is assembled by the second housing portion being detachably fitted to the first housing portion along the first direction; and the shielding layer of the multi-strand wire harness terminates at the inlet end of the receiving portion extending along the second direction, and the electrical connector assembly further includes a metal sheath that is pressed inwardly along the circumferential direction onto the inlet end by crimping.

[0016] In an exemplary embodiment, the terminal assembly further includes: a terminal housing fitted to the output terminal along the first direction and configured to fix the terminal therein; and a shield sleeved outside the terminal housing along the first direction.

[0017] In an exemplary embodiment, each terminal includes: a terminal body extending along the first direction, the terminal body having a hollow conductive contact end that is coaxially sleeved on and electrically contacting a corresponding conductive core at a proximal end toward the output end, and a plug-in end located away from the output end and in the form of a hollow conical sleeve, and a terminal sleeve that is partially sleeved on the corresponding terminal body such that the conductive contact end is exposed from the terminal sleeve, and only the distal surface of the plug-in end is exposed from the terminal sleeve.

[0018] In an exemplary embodiment, the first housing portion has a plurality of first through slots extending therethrough, and the second housing portion has a plurality of second through slots extending therethrough. The plurality of first through slots and the plurality of second through slots cooperate one by one to jointly define a plurality of channels suitable for the corresponding inner core of the multi-strand wire harness to pass through. The cross-sectional dimension of each channel is larger than the cross-sectional dimension of the corresponding inner core and smaller than the cross-sectional dimension of the portion of the multi-strand wire harness with the shielding layer.

[0019] In an exemplary embodiment, the outgoing terminal has an end wall that is adjacent to and engaged with the terminal housing, and the end wall has a plurality of hollow tube segments protruding along the first direction on the side facing the terminal housing, each hollow tube segment having a corresponding outlet through hole that extends away from the terminal housing along the first direction and communicates with a corresponding channel.

[0020] In an exemplary embodiment, the first housing portion includes: a first inlet portion extending along the second direction and having a plurality of first inlet grooves arranged parallel to each other; a first outlet portion extending along the first direction and having a plurality of first outlet grooves arranged parallel to each other; and a first transition portion configured to be curved and connected between the first inlet portion and the first outlet portion with rounded corners, and having a plurality of first transition grooves, each first transition groove communicating between a corresponding first inlet groove and a corresponding first outlet groove to jointly define a corresponding first through groove.

[0021] In an exemplary embodiment, the second housing portion includes: a second inlet portion extending along the second direction and having a plurality of second inlet grooves arranged parallel to each other; a second outlet portion extending along the first direction and having a plurality of second outlet grooves arranged parallel to each other; and a second transition portion configured to be curved and connected between the second inlet portion and the second outlet portion with rounded corners, and having a plurality of second transition grooves, each second transition groove communicating between a corresponding second inlet groove and a corresponding second outlet groove to collectively define a corresponding second through groove.

[0022] In an exemplary embodiment, the plurality of first inlet slots and the plurality of second inlet slots are respectively in a one-to-one correspondence to define a plurality of inlet channels suitable for the corresponding inner cores of the multi-strand wire harness to pass through. The plurality of first outlet slots and the plurality of second outlet slots are respectively in a one-to-one correspondence to define a plurality of outlet channels suitable for the corresponding inner cores of the multi-strand wire harness to pass through. The plurality of first transition slots and the plurality of second transition slots are respectively in a one-to-one correspondence to define a plurality of transition channels suitable for the corresponding inner cores of the multi-strand wire harness to pass through. Each transition channel is connected between the corresponding inlet channel and the corresponding outlet channel to jointly define the corresponding channel.

[0023] In an exemplary embodiment, the first housing is hollow and arranged to extend along the first direction, having a first free end facing the second housing and a second free end opposite to the first free end, and is configured to receive a first portion of the receiving portion extending along the first direction and the shielding member; and the second housing is hollow and arranged to extend along the second direction, and is configured to receive a second portion of the receiving portion extending along the second direction and the metal sheath, the second housing and the first housing cooperating with each other to form the housing.

[0024] In an exemplary embodiment, the second housing engages with the first housing at their respective outer surfaces, and the second housing partially covers the first housing and the first portion of the receiving portion.

[0025] In an exemplary embodiment, the electrical connector assembly further includes a peripheral seal that is constrained along a closed path to the outer surface of the first housing and pressed against the outer surface of the first housing and the inner surface of the second housing to form a seal between them.

[0026] In an exemplary embodiment, the first housing has a surrounding groove that is continuously recessed around the outer surface of the first housing at the proximal end of the first free end, the surrounding groove defining the closure path, and the peripheral seal is constrained to the outer surface of the first housing by being accommodated within the surrounding groove.

[0027] In an exemplary embodiment, the first free end is obliquely cut relative to the first direction, such that the edges of the opposite lateral outer surfaces of the first housing at the first free end form a first angle relative to the first direction; and the surrounding groove and the peripheral seal are also configured to form a second angle relative to the first direction on the opposite lateral outer surfaces of the first housing, preferably, the second angle is equal to the first angle.

[0028] In an exemplary embodiment, the second housing has a mating end facing the first housing and obliquely cut relative to the first direction, and a pair of baffles disposed opposite to each other to cover opposite outer sides of the mating end and extending toward the first housing, and the mating end is configured to receive insertion of the first free end, and the mating end is obliquely cut relative to the first direction at the first angle such that the tilt direction of the mating end is the same as the tilt direction of the first free end.

[0029] In an exemplary embodiment, the first housing further includes: a plurality of ribs that project inwardly from the inner wall of the first housing and extend along the first direction, and are arranged to be circumferentially spaced apart from each other, and configured to cooperatively limit the outer surface of the receiving portion by means of their respective inwardly pointing tips; and an elastic cantilever that projects inwardly from the inner wall of the first housing and extends along the first direction toward the second free end of the first housing until the end of the elastic cantilever terminates at the end wall of the outlet end of the receiving portion, and a flange of the second housing portion of the receiving portion adjacent to the end wall at the outlet end presses the end of the elastic cantilever toward the inner wall of the first housing.

[0030] In an exemplary embodiment, an annular recess having a stepped longitudinal section is formed at the second free end of the first housing; and the electrical connector assembly further includes: a retainer comprising: an annular body fitted onto the annular recess, and a tab extending from the annular body toward the interior of the first housing; and a washer fitted onto the annular recess and pressed against the annular body and the first housing in the first direction, such that the tab extends to be inserted between the inner wall of the first housing and the end of the resilient cantilever to hold the terminal assembly in place relative to the first housing by means of the resilient cantilever.

[0031] In an exemplary embodiment, the electrical connector assembly further includes: a cover that engages with the housing at the input end along the second direction and includes a first segment and a second segment pivotally hinged to each other about the engagement portion, the first segment and the second segment together defining a recess toward the input end and a through hole through which a shielded portion of the multi-strand wire harness extends; and a sealing gasket that is received in the recess and presses against the shielded portion surrounding the multi-strand wire harness.

[0032] In a second aspect of this disclosure, an electrical connector is provided, comprising: an electrical connector assembly according to the foregoing; and a mating electrical connector assembly including a mating housing and a socket defined by the mating housing for insertion and mating of the electrical connector assembly. Attached Figure Description

[0033] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form part of this specification, illustrate certain aspects of the subject matter disclosed herein and, together with the description, help to explain some principles associated with the disclosed embodiments. In the drawings:

[0034] Figure 1A and Figure 1B The electrical connector assembly according to the embodiment is illustrated in schematic perspective and exploded view, respectively.

[0035] Figure 2A and Figure 2B The accommodating portion according to the embodiment is illustrated in schematic perspective and exploded view, respectively. The accommodating portion is formed by inserting and fitting a second shell portion into a first shell portion along a first direction.

[0036] Figure 3 and Figure 4 Schematic perspective views of the first shell and the second shell are shown respectively.

[0037] Figure 5 The exploded view shows the overall structural arrangement of the electrical connector assembly, which is further assembled from multiple separately assembled sub-components.

[0038] Figure 6A and Figure 6B The first semi-finished sub-component is shown in both exploded view and schematic 3D view.

[0039] Figure 7A and Figure 7B A front view and a top view of the first housing according to an embodiment of the present disclosure are shown respectively; Figure 7C and Figure 7D Schematic perspective views of the first outer casing from different angles are shown; Figure 7E Show along Figure 7B A longitudinal section view of the section line offset from the longitudinal axis.

[0040] Figures 8A to 8C A front view, a left view, and a schematic perspective view of the second housing according to an embodiment of the present disclosure are shown respectively; Figure 8D A schematic perspective view showing the assembly state of the peripheral seals in the second housing.

[0041] Figure 9A and Figure 9B The second semi-finished sub-component is shown in both exploded and schematic 3D views.

[0042] Figure 10A and Figure 10B The third semi-finished sub-component is shown in both exploded and schematic 3D views.

[0043] Figure 11A A schematic perspective view of a housing according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown, and Figure 11B An exploded view shows the assembly state of the first and second outer shells together assembled into the housing via peripheral seals.

[0044] Figure 12 A schematic perspective view of a cover according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0045] Figure 13A and Figure 13BAn electrical connector according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown in both exploded and schematic perspective views.

[0046] Figure 14A and Figure 14B Schematic perspective and exploded view of a power distribution connector assembly according to embodiments of the present disclosure are shown respectively. Detailed Implementation

[0047] This disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are provided as illustrative examples to enable those skilled in the art to practice this disclosure. It is important to note that the following drawings and examples are not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure to a single embodiment, but rather to enable other embodiments by means of interchange of some or all of the described or illustrated elements. Furthermore, where certain elements of this disclosure can be implemented using known components in part or entirely, only those portions of such known components necessary for understanding this disclosure will be described, and detailed descriptions of other portions of such known components will be omitted so as not to obscure this disclosure. Unless otherwise stated herein, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that embodiments described as being implemented in software are not intended to be limited to this, but may include embodiments implemented in hardware or a combination of software and hardware, and vice versa. Embodiments showing a singular number of components in this specification should not be considered limiting; rather, unless expressly stated otherwise herein, this disclosure is intended to cover other embodiments including a plurality of identical components, and vice versa. Furthermore, the applicant does not intend for any terminology in this specification or claims to be relegated to an uncommon or particular meaning unless so expressly stated. In addition, this disclosure covers current and future known equivalents of known components mentioned herein with the aid of illustrations.

[0048] Unless otherwise specified, the terms "bottom" and "top," "upper" and "lower," etc., used in this disclosure are relative concepts. Furthermore, the terms "corresponding" or "corresponding" in this disclosure refer to the correspondence between paired, collaboratively working components.

[0049] Figure 1A and Figure 1B The electrical connector assembly 1 according to the embodiment is illustrated in schematic perspective view and exploded view, respectively. Figure 2A and Figure 2B The accommodating portion 12 according to the embodiment is illustrated in schematic perspective view and exploded view, respectively. The accommodating portion 12 is formed by inserting and fitting a second shell portion 122 into a first shell portion 121 along a first direction X.

[0050] In one aspect of this disclosure, according to a general technical concept of this disclosure, for example, Figure 1A and Figure 1BAs shown, an electrical connector assembly 1 is provided, the electrical connector assembly 1 including a terminal assembly 10 and a housing 20, the terminal assembly 10 including: a wire 11 including a multi-strand wire harness 110; and a molded first housing portion 121 and a second housing portion 122 (e.g., an upper molded part and a lower molded part, for example, molded from a metal material), for example as Figure 2A and Figure 2B As shown, a accommodating portion 12, configured to cooperate with each other to define a hollow space, is used to accommodate the inner core 112 of the multi-strand wire harness 110 with its shielded layer 111 removed. The conductive core 1120 of the inner core 112 with its insulation layer 113 removed extends from the outlet end 123 of the accommodating portion 12. The housing 20 includes a first outer shell 21 and a second outer shell 22, configured to cooperate with each other to jointly define a hollow space for accommodating the terminal assembly 10. And as an example, for instance... Figure 1B As shown, the first housing 21 extends along a first direction X (e.g., horizontal) and the second housing 22 extends along a second direction Y (e.g., vertical) at an angle (e.g., 90 degrees) to the first direction X. The multi-strand wire harness 110 and the receiving portion 12 are configured to be bent to be received within the housing 20. The terminal assembly 10 also includes a terminal 13 electrically connected to the conductive core 1120 at the output end 123. The terminal 13 is, for example, straight, extends along the first direction X, and more specifically, is sleeved on the conductive core 1120 along the first direction X and makes electrical contact. Accordingly, for example, the conductive core 1120 extends from the output end 123 of the receiving portion 12 along the first direction X.

[0051] As a specific example, the receiving portion 12 defines an inlet end 124 for a portion of the unshielded layer 111 of the multi-strand wire harness 110 to extend into, an outlet end 123 for a corresponding conductive core 1120 of the unshielded layer 111 and without an insulating layer 113 of the multi-strand wire harness 110 to extend out, and a cavity between the inlet end 124 and the outlet end 123 for receiving the multi-strand wire harness 110, wherein the shielding layer 111 of the conductor 11 terminates at the inlet end 124.

[0052] With this arrangement, for example, based on the inner core 112 of the removed shielding layer 111 of the multi-strand wire harness 110 of the conductor 11, which is formed by the bent receiving portion 12 of the first housing portion 121 and the second housing portion 122 being inserted and engaged with each other, and then utilizing the first housing 21 and the second housing 22 extending at an angle to each other in the first direction X and the second direction Y, respectively, a 90-degree electrical connector assembly 1 with a novel structure is realized.

[0053] According to exemplary embodiments of this disclosure, for example, Figure 2A and Figure 2BAs shown, the receiving portion 12 is assembled by the second housing portion 122 being detachably fitted to the first housing portion 121 along the first direction X; and the shielding layer 111 of the multi-strand wire harness 110 terminates at the wire entry end 124 extending along the second direction Y of the receiving portion 12, and for example... Figure 1B As shown, the electrical connector assembly 1 also includes a metal sheath 14 that is pressed circumferentially inward against the input terminal 124 by crimping, thereby fitting the metal sheath 14 onto the input terminal 124. It should be noted that the statement "the second housing portion 122 is detachably fitted to the first housing portion 121 along the first direction X" only indicates the assembly direction of the second housing portion 122 and the first housing portion 121 relative to each other, such as the direction along which the second housing portion 122 is inserted into the first housing portion 121, and does not exclude partial fitting along the second direction Y.

[0054] With this configuration, as an example, on the one hand, the first shell portion 121 and the second shell portion 122 (e.g., upper and lower molded parts) are inserted together along the first direction X via the bending of the receiving portion 12, defining a portion of the inner core 112 of the wire 11 extending along the first direction X within the receiving portion 12; on the other hand, the first shell portion 121 and the second shell portion 122 are prevented from loosening by pressing the metal sleeve 14, which is pressed inwardly along the circumferential direction onto the wire entry end 124, also defining a portion of the inner core 112 of the wire 11 extending along the second direction Y within the receiving portion 12. Thus, in the first direction X, for example, the horizontal direction, the two insertions of the receiving portion 12 are mutually fixed by embedding, and in the second direction Y, for example, the two molded parts of the receiving portion 12 are fixed relative to each other by pressing the metal sleeve 14, which is in the form of a collar, thereby realizing a 90-degree electrical connector assembly 1 that is easy to install and remove. More specifically, the metal sheath 14 is, for example, crimped into the form of a metal ring, so that the wire 11 is fixed together with the molded receiving portion 12 and does not fall off.

[0055] In a further embodiment, as shown in the figure as a specific example, the terminal assembly 10 further includes: a terminal housing 15, for example made of an insulating material, fitted to the output terminal 123 along the first direction X and configured to fix the terminal 13 therein; and a shield 16, sleeved on the outside of the terminal housing 15 along the first direction X.

[0056] With this arrangement, via the separately molded and mutually cooperating first shell portion 121 and second shell portion 122 (e.g., upper molded part and lower molded part), and metal sheath 14 and shield 16 (e.g. metal shield 16), the first shell portion 121, the second shell portion 122, the shield 16 and the metal sheath 14 together define an overall shielding structure for the inner core 112, thereby realizing an overall shielding arrangement for the inner core 112 (i.e. the unshielded portion of the wire 11) with the shielding layer 111 removed from the wire 11, which facilitates overall shielding to isolate external crosstalk.

[0057] In a further embodiment, such as Figure 1B As shown as a specific example, each terminal 13 includes: a terminal body 131 extending along the first direction X (e.g., a conductive terminal body 131 made of a metallic material), the terminal body 131 having a hollow conductive contact end 1311 that is coaxially fitted onto the corresponding conductive core 1120 and in electrical contact at a proximal end toward the output end 123, and a plug end 1312 located away from the output end 123 and in the form of a hollow conical sleeve, and a terminal sleeve 132, the terminal sleeve 132 being partially fitted onto the corresponding terminal body 131 such that the conductive contact end 1311 is exposed from the terminal sleeve 132, and only the end surface of the plug end 1312 is exposed from the terminal sleeve 132.

[0058] As an example, the plug-in terminal 1312 has a plurality of slits extending longitudinally (e.g., aligned with the first direction X) away from the conductive contact terminal 1311 and spaced apart from each other circumferentially; and each terminal 13 also has a hollow terminal sleeve 132 that acts as a protective sleeve, at least partially fitted longitudinally onto its outer surface (more specifically onto the outer surface of the plug-in terminal 1312). This forms a robustly and reliably mounted pin-type conductive terminal 13 electrically connected to the wire 11 for subsequent insertion into the mating electrical connector assembly 1.

[0059] This configuration enables an effective physical connection and conductive contact between the conductive core 1120, which has its insulation layer 113 further stripped (i.e. removed) of the unshielded inner core 112 of the wire 11, and the terminal 13, thereby providing the electrical connector assembly 1 with a lead-out terminal 13 that is securely fixed within the terminal assembly 10 and effectively conductively connected to the wire 11.

[0060] Figure 3 and Figure 4 Schematic perspective views of the first shell portion 121 and the second shell portion 122 are shown respectively.

[0061] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, as shown in the figure, for example, in the receiving portion 12, the first housing portion 121 has a plurality of first through slots 1210 extending therethrough, and the second housing portion 122 has a plurality of second through slots 1220 extending therethrough. The plurality of first through slots 1210 and the plurality of second through slots 1220 respectively cooperate to jointly define a plurality of channels suitable for the corresponding inner core 112 of the multi-strand wire harness 110 to pass through. The cross-sectional dimension of each channel is larger than the cross-sectional dimension of the corresponding inner core 112 and smaller than the cross-sectional dimension of the portion of the multi-strand wire harness 110 with the shielding layer 111.

[0062] Furthermore, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, as shown in the figure, for example, the output terminal 123 has an end wall 1230 that is adjacent to and engaged with the terminal housing 15, and the end wall 1230 has a plurality of hollow tube segments 1231 extending along the first direction X (more specifically, for example, extending along the first direction X toward the shield 16) on the side facing the terminal housing 15, each hollow tube segment 1231 having a corresponding outlet through hole 1232 extending away from the terminal housing 15 along the first direction X and communicating with a corresponding channel.

[0063] In a further embodiment, as shown in the figure as a specific example, the first housing portion 121 includes: a first inlet portion 1211 extending along the second direction Y and having a plurality of first inlet grooves 12110 arranged parallel to each other; a first outlet portion 1212 extending along the first direction X and having a plurality of first outlet grooves 12120 arranged parallel to each other; and a first transition portion 1213 configured, for example, to be curved and connected between the first inlet portion 1211 and the first outlet portion 1212 with a rounded transition, and having a plurality of first transition grooves 12130, each first transition groove 12130 communicating between a corresponding first inlet groove 12110 and a corresponding first outlet groove 12120 to jointly define a corresponding first through groove 1210.

[0064] In another further embodiment, as shown in the figure as a specific example, the second shell portion 122 includes: a second inlet portion 1221 extending along the second direction Y and having a plurality of second inlet grooves 12210 arranged parallel to each other; a second outlet portion 1222 extending along the first direction X and having a plurality of second outlet grooves 12220 arranged parallel to each other; and a second transition portion 1223 configured, for example, to be curved and connected between the second inlet portion 1221 and the second outlet portion 1222 with a rounded transition, and having a plurality of second transition grooves 12230, each second transition groove 12230 communicating between a corresponding second inlet groove 12210 and a corresponding second outlet groove 12220 to jointly define a corresponding second through groove 1220.

[0065] In a further embodiment, as shown in the figure as a specific example, the plurality of first inlet slots 12110 and the plurality of second inlet slots 12210 respectively define a plurality of inlet channels suitable for the corresponding inner cores 112 of the multi-strand wire harness 110 to pass through in a one-to-one correspondence. The plurality of first outlet slots 12120 and the plurality of second outlet slots 12220 respectively define a plurality of outlet channels suitable for the corresponding inner cores 112 of the multi-strand wire harness 110 to pass through in a one-to-one correspondence. The plurality of first transition slots 12130 and the plurality of second transition slots 12230 respectively define a plurality of transition channels suitable for the corresponding inner cores 112 of the multi-strand wire harness 110 to pass through in a one-to-one correspondence. Each transition channel is connected between the corresponding inlet channel and the corresponding outlet channel to jointly define the corresponding channel.

[0066] Thus, the inlet channel, the transition channel, and the outlet channel are continuously connected to define a channel in the receiving portion for receiving the inner core of the wire.

[0067] With this configuration, as an example, the separately molded first shell portion 121 and second shell portion 122 with bends and the insertion fit between them are realized, thereby realizing a novel angled bending structure (typically, for example, a 90-degree bend) with a molded receiving portion 12 having a hollow channel for detachable assembly and for receiving the unshielded portion of the multi-strand wire harness 110 of the wire 11.

[0068] It should be particularly noted that the assembly of the various components of the electrical connection assembly is a phased assembly process, in which several sub-components are first formed, and then these sub-components are assembled together. For example, Figure 5 An exploded view shows the overall structural arrangement of the electrical connector assembly 1, which is further assembled from multiple separately assembled sub-components. The specific structure of the electrical connector assembly 1 will be described below in detail with reference to the construction process of the multiple sub-components.

[0069] As an example, regarding the assembly of terminal assembly 10, on the one hand, a first semi-finished sub-assembly A is formed.

[0070] Figure 6A and Figure 6B The first semi-finished component A is shown in both an exploded view and a schematic three-dimensional view.

[0071] As an example, for example, Figure 6A and Figure 6BAs shown, firstly, the first molded shell portion 121 (e.g., the lower molded part) is inserted, for example, along the first direction X toward the terminal shell 15. More specifically, for example, the end wall 1230 of the first shell portion 121 located at the outlet end 123 of the receiving portion 12 is inserted and fitted to the end of the terminal shell 15 facing the first shell portion 121. Subsequently, the terminal shell 15, which has been fitted with the first shell portion 121 (e.g., the lower molded part), is fully inserted into the shield 16 along the first direction X, thereby causing the shield 16 to be fitted onto the outside of the terminal shell 15 along the first direction X. As an example, the terminal shell 15 and the shield 16 are respectively formed with mutually mating features. For example, as shown, a protruding feature is formed on the outer surface of the terminal shell 15, and a corresponding through hole 65 is formed on the shield 16 for the insertion and restraint of the protruding feature, thereby forming, for example, a detachable snap-fit ​​engagement.

[0072] Thus, through this setup and assembly process, the first semi-finished sub-component A is formed.

[0073] Furthermore, as a further example, regarding the assembly of the terminal assembly 10 implemented based on the first semi-finished sub-assembly A, please refer back to [link to previous document]. Figure 1B and Figure 5 On the other hand, the conductive connection between the wire 11 and the terminal 13, as well as the bent wire 11, are formed specifically through the following steps:

[0074] First, a stripping process is performed on the wire 11, that is, the shielding layer 111 of the wire 11 is removed by stripping a first length (the first length is, for example, greater than the length of the terminal sleeve 132 plus the total length of the channel in the bent receiving portion 12) starting from the front end of the wire 11; then, the insulation layer 113 is further removed from the portion of the wire 11 with the removed shielding layer 111 by a second length (the second length is, for example, substantially equal to the length of the terminal body 131 minus the length of the terminal sleeve 132) starting from the front end of the wire 11.

[0075] Next, a crimping process is performed to connect terminal 13 to wire 11. Specifically, the conductive core 1120 of wire 11 (with insulation layer 113 removed) is first inserted into the conductive contact end 1311 of the hollow terminal body 131, forming a conductive contact between the conductive core 1120 and the terminal body 131. Then, a terminal sleeve 132 is fitted onto the outer surface of the terminal body 131. This achieves the crimping and conductive connection between wire 11 and terminal 13.

[0076] Then, a bending process is performed on the inner core 112 of the wire 11 with the shielding layer 111 removed, thereby forming a bent wire 11 that has been crimped to the terminal 13.

[0077] Subsequently, regarding the assembly of the terminal assembly 10, on the other hand, the crimped terminals 13 and the bent wires 11 are inserted into the first semi-finished sub-assembly A along the first direction X, specifically into the first through slot 1210 inside the first housing portion 121 (e.g., the lower die casting).

[0078] Finally, regarding the assembly of the terminal assembly 10, the second housing portion 122 (e.g., the upper die-cast part) is inserted and fitted into the first housing portion 121 (e.g., the lower die-cast part) along a first direction X (e.g., the horizontal direction). Thereby, the second through slot 1220 of the housing portion engages with the first through slot 1210 of the first housing portion 121 to jointly define multiple channels suitable for the respective inner core 112 of the multi-strand wire harness 110 to pass through. As an example, the cross-sectional dimension of each channel is larger than the cross-sectional dimension of the corresponding inner core 112 and smaller than the cross-sectional dimension of the portion of the multi-strand wire harness 110 with the shielding layer 111. Thus, the portion of the wire 11 with the shielding layer 111 (i.e., the portion where the shielding layer 111 has not been stripped) is blocked from entering the multiple channels of the receiving portion 12.

[0079] Figure 7A and Figure 7B A front view and a top view of the first housing 21 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure are shown respectively; Figure 7C and Figure 7D Schematic perspective views of the first outer shell 21 from different angles are shown; Figure 7E Show along Figure 7B A longitudinal section view of the section line offset from the longitudinal axis. Figures 8A to 8C A front view, a left view, and a schematic perspective view of the second housing 22 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure are shown respectively; Figure 8D A schematic perspective view showing the assembly state of the peripheral seal 30 in the second housing 22.

[0080] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, as shown in the figures, for example, the first housing 21 is hollow and is arranged to extend along the first direction X, and has a first free end 211 facing the second housing 22 and a second free end 212 opposite to the first free end 211, and is configured to receive a first portion of the receiving portion 12 extending along the first direction X and the shield 16; and the second housing 22 is hollow and is arranged to extend along the second direction Y, and is configured to receive a second portion of the receiving portion 12 extending along the second direction Y and the metal sheath 14, the second housing 22 and the first housing 21 cooperating with each other to form the housing 20.

[0081] In a further embodiment, as shown in the figure as a specific example, the second outer shell 22 and the first outer shell 21 are snap-fitted together on their respective outer surfaces, and the second outer shell 22 partially covers the first outer shell 21 and the first portion of the accommodating portion 12.

[0082] In a further embodiment, as shown in the figure as a specific example, one of the first housing 21 and the second housing 22 has a protrusion 213 on its opposite lateral outer surface, and the other of the first housing 21 and the second housing 22 has a recess 224 on its opposite lateral outer surface, with each protrusion 213 and the corresponding recess 224 engaging in a snap-fit ​​engagement to lock each other.

[0083] In a further embodiment, as shown in the figure as a specific example, the electrical connector assembly 1 further includes a peripheral seal 30, which is constrained along a closed path to the outer surface of the first housing 21 and pressed against the outer surface of the first housing 21 and the inner surface of the second housing 22 to form a seal between them. Furthermore, in response to the first housing 21 and the second housing 22 engaging with each other, the peripheral seal 30 is pressed against the first housing 21 and the second housing 22 to form a seal.

[0084] In a specific embodiment, as an example, as shown in the figure, the first housing 21 has a surrounding groove 214 that is continuously recessed around the outer surface of the first housing 21 at the proximal end of the first free end 211. The surrounding groove 214 defines the closed path, and the peripheral seal 30 is constrained to the outer surface of the first housing 21 by being accommodated in the surrounding groove 214.

[0085] In a more specific embodiment, as an example, as shown in the figure, the first free end 211 is obliquely cut relative to the first direction X, such that the edges of the opposite lateral outer surfaces of the first housing 21 at the first free end 211 form a first angle relative to the first direction X; and the surrounding groove 214 and the peripheral seal 30 are also configured to form a second angle relative to the first direction X on the opposite lateral outer surfaces of the first housing 21, respectively. For example, the second angle is equal to the first angle, for example, both are equal to angle θ, preferably angle θ is equal to 39°. If these angles are chosen to be closer to 0 degrees, the travel required for the first housing 21 and the second housing 22 to move toward each other along the first direction X for assembly is greater, and the peripheral seal 30 correspondingly needs a larger circumference, the seal is correspondingly less reliable, and the seal is more prone to failure due to increased friction during the increased relative movement of the first housing 21 and the second housing 22; in addition, if these angles are chosen to be closer to 90 degrees, the peripheral seal is approximately close to a sealing ring in a plane orthogonal to the first direction X, that is, a sealing effect closer to that of a conventional sealing ring is obtained.

[0086] Furthermore, as an example, the second housing 22 has a mating end 221 that faces the first housing 21 and is obliquely cut relative to the first direction X, and a pair of baffles 225 that are disposed opposite to each other to cover opposite outer sides of the mating end 221 and extend toward the first housing 21; and the mating end 221 is configured to receive the insertion of the first free end 211, and the mating end 221 is obliquely cut relative to the first direction X at the first angle such that the tilt direction of the mating end 221 is the same as the tilt direction of the first free end 211.

[0087] In a specific embodiment, for example, the leading edges of the two opposing surfaces of the first outer shell 21 in the vertical direction orthogonal to the lateral direction at the first free end 211 are stopped by the inner surface of the second outer shell 22 at its closed rear end 222 (which, for example, protrudes from the vertical wall of the second outer shell 22 away from the first outer shell 21 along the first direction X) opposite to the mating end 221 in the first direction X. This achieves pre-stopping of the second outer shell 22 on the first outer shell 21.

[0088] In a more specific embodiment, for example, the inner wall of the second housing 22 (e.g., on the vertically downward surface of the inner wall near the closed rear end 222) is provided with at least one first stop 226 extending toward the mating end 221, the at least one first stop 226 being configured to block the first housing 21; and the trailing edge of one of the two surfaces of the first housing 21 opposite each other in the vertical direction orthogonal to the lateral direction at the respective edge of the first free end 211 is stopped by the at least one first stop 226. As an example, as shown in the figure, the first stop 226 is in the form of a ramp or step rising from the first housing 21 toward the second housing 22 along the first direction X, for example, each first stop 226 is in the form of a wedge-shaped block tilting downward toward the mating end 221. Thus, the second housing 22 achieves final cessation of the first housing 21.

[0089] Furthermore, as an example, the portion of the mating end 221 facing the periphery of the first housing 21 on the lateral surface is obliquely tangent relative to the first direction X at an angle substantially equal to the second angle; and in response to the first free end 211 of the first housing 21 being inserted into the second housing 22 and completely stopped by the second housing 22, the periphery of the first free end 211 is completely covered by the mating end 221 and sealed by the peripheral seal 30 against the inner surface of the second housing 22.

[0090] Thus, with this arrangement, during the movement of the first housing 21 toward the second housing 22, for example along the first direction X, the peripheral seal 30, although inclined relative to the first direction X, is abutted against the inner surface of the second housing 22 at substantially the same time to form a seal, and is subsequently shielded substantially simultaneously by the pair of baffles 225 arranged laterally on the second housing 22. This facilitates the formation of a reliable circumferential seal between the outer surface of the first housing 21 and the inner surface of the second housing 22 at a single moment during the process of the first housing 21 sliding into and fitting into the second housing 22.

[0091] Figure 9A and Figure 9B The second semi-finished component B is shown in both exploded view and schematic 3D view.

[0092] As an example, for example, Figure 9A and Figure 9BAs shown, firstly, for the second housing 22, before assembly with the first housing 21, a secondary lock 90, serving as a connector position assurance (CPA), is inserted and fitted at the top side of the second housing 22, for example, so that a reliable locking mechanism can be subsequently achieved between the electrical connector assembly 1 and the power distribution connector assembly 2, thereby achieving effective structural locking of the entire electrical connector 100. See the following discussion for further details.

[0093] Figure 10A and Figure 10B The third semi-finished component C is shown in both exploded view and schematic 3D view. Figure 11A A schematic perspective view of the housing 20 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown, and Figure 11B An exploded view shows the assembled state of the first outer shell 21 and the second outer shell 22 together with the peripheral seal 30 to form the housing 20.

[0094] According to exemplary embodiments of this disclosure, such as Figure 10A and Figure 10B ,as well as Figure 11A and Figure 11B As shown, and return to the reference. Figure 1B and Figure 5 As an example, the first housing 21 further includes: a plurality of ribs 215 that protrude inward from the inner wall of the first housing 21 and extend along the first direction X, and are arranged to be circumferentially spaced apart from each other, and configured to cooperatively limit the outer surface of the receiving portion 12 by means of their respective inwardly pointing tips; and an elastic cantilever 216 that protrudes inward from the inner wall of the first housing 21 and extends along the first direction X toward the second free end 212 of the first housing 21 until the end of the elastic cantilever 216 terminates at the end wall 1230 of the outlet end 123 of the receiving portion 12, and the flange (more specifically, for example, the rear sidewall of the flange) of the second housing portion 122 of the receiving portion 12 adjacent to the end wall 1230 at the outlet end 123 presses the end of the elastic cantilever 216 toward the inner wall of the first housing 21.

[0095] As an exemplary embodiment, as shown in the figure, the end of the elastic cantilever 216 has, for example, a first inclined surface that is angled toward the second free end 212 of the first housing 21, and a second inclined surface that is angled toward the first free end 211 and inclined in the opposite direction to the first inclined surface, and a further protruding rib pointing toward the shield 16 between the first inclined surface and the second inclined surface.

[0096] In a further exemplary embodiment, as an example, as shown in the figure, an annular recess 217 with a stepped longitudinal section is formed at the second free end 212 of the first housing 21; and the electrical connector assembly 1 further includes: a retainer 40, for example, acting as a terminal position assurance (TPA), the retainer 40 including: an annular body 41 fitted onto the annular recess 217, and a tab 42 (e.g., in a cantilever form) extending from the annular body 41 toward the interior of the first housing 21; and a washer 50 fitted onto the annular recess 217 and pressed against the annular body 41 and the first housing 21 along the first direction X, such that the tab 42 extends to be inserted between the inner wall of the first housing 21 and the end of the elastic cantilever 216 to hold the terminal assembly 10 in place relative to the first housing 21 by means of the elastic cantilever 216.

[0097] Based on this arrangement, typically, for example, by first fitting a washer 50 onto an annular recess 217 with a stepped longitudinal section at the second free end 212 of the first housing 21; then guiding the retainer 40, which acts as a TPA, toward the second free end 212 of the first housing 21, such that firstly, the longitudinally extending tab 42 of the retainer 40 (e.g., in the form of a cantilever extending from the annular body 41 of the retainer 40) extends into the interior of the first housing 21, and then the hollow annular body 41 of the retainer 40 presses the washer 50 along the first direction X to abut the washer 50 against the stepped end surface of the annular recess 217 along the first direction X; finally, fitting a peripheral seal 30 into a surrounding groove 214 at the first free end 211 of the first housing 21.

[0098] Thus, through this setup and assembly process, a third semi-finished sub-assembly C is formed, thereby achieving a seal at the second free end 212 of the first housing 21, and providing a peripheral seal 30 at the first free end 211 of the first housing 21 for sealing connection of the first housing 21 to the second housing 22.

[0099] Furthermore, in the assembly of the terminal assembly 10 with the third semi-finished sub-assembly C, firstly, in the already formed third semi-finished sub-assembly C, the tab 42 of the retainer 40 has extended into the first housing 21, more specifically corresponding to Figure 7E For example, the tab 42 extends into the gap between the elastic cantilever 216 of the first housing 21 and the inner wall of the first housing 21. Then, the terminal assembly 10 is inserted into the first housing 21 along the first direction X, more specifically corresponding to... Figure 7EThe shield 16 in the terminal assembly 10 elastically presses the elastic cantilever 216 toward the inner wall of the first housing 21 until the rear end of the shield 16 located at the outlet end 123 of the receiving portion 12 completely passes over the rib of the elastic cantilever 216 that serves as the boundary between the first and second inclined surfaces and presses against the first inclined surface. The flange of the second housing portion 122 (i.e., the upper die casting) of the receiving portion 12, which is adjacent to the end wall 1230 at the outlet end 123, presses against the second inclined surface so that the end of the elastic cantilever 216 is thus pressed toward the inner wall of the first housing 21.

[0100] Thus, with this arrangement, the tab 42 of the retainer 40 is correspondingly pressed and held between the elastic cantilever 216, which is pushed by the terminal assembly 10, and the inner surface of the first housing 21, thereby effectively ensuring the firm fixation of the terminal assembly 10 and its included terminals 13 relative to the inner surface of the first housing 21, that is, effectively ensuring the reliable positioning and retention of the terminals 13 relative to the first housing 21.

[0101] Figure 12 A schematic perspective view of a cover 60 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0102] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, as shown in the figures, for example, the electrical connector assembly 1 further includes: a cover 60 that engages with the housing 20 at the input terminal 124 along the second direction Y, and includes a first segment 61 and a second segment 62 that pivotally engage with each other around a mating portion 63, the first segment 61 and the second segment 62 together defining a recess 64 toward the input terminal 124 and a through hole 65 through which a portion of the shielded layer 111 of the multi-strand wire harness 110 extends; and a sealing gasket 70 that is received in the recess 64 and presses against a portion of the shielded layer 111 surrounding the multi-strand wire harness 110.

[0103] As an example, the cover 60 may be a single-line seal plug (SWS) and may be part of the housing 20 or alternatively an accessory fitted to the housing 20. Furthermore, the cover 60 fits to the housing 20 via a mating feature on the inner surface of the cover 60 and a mating feature on the outer surface of the lower end of the housing 20 (e.g., the second outer shell 22), such as a snap-fit ​​or hook-and-loop engagement.

[0104] Thus, the aforementioned peripheral seal 30, gasket 50 and sealing gasket 70 together define a sealed electrical connector assembly 1 relative to the external environment.

[0105] For the terminal assembly 10 and its included first semi-finished sub-assembly A, as an example, before performing the wire stripping process on the wire 11, the sealing gasket 70 has been pre-fitted onto the shielding layer 111 of the wire 11; then, the wire 11 is passed through the second housing 22 such that the sealing gasket 70 is located at the bottom 223 of the second housing 22 along the second direction Y; subsequently, for example, the metal sheath 14 is crimped onto the portion of the wire 11 that will not have its shielding layer 111 stripped, i.e., the wire entry end 124. The wire stripping process is then performed.

[0106] Furthermore, for the electrical connector assembly 1, once the terminal assembly 10, including the first semi-finished sub-assembly A, is inserted into the third semi-finished sub-assembly C, and subsequently assembled with the second semi-finished sub-assembly B, the sealing gasket 70 is further pressed against the outer surface of the bottom 223 of the second housing 22, which is to mate with the cover 60, for example, along the second direction Y; and then the cover 60 is installed, the first and second portions of the cover 60 pivoting relative to each other about the hinge to close and accommodate the sealing gasket 70 in the recess 64 of the cover 60, and the cover 60 mates with the bottom 223 of the second housing 22 along the second direction Y, thereby pressing against the sealing gasket 70 along the second direction Y to seal to the bottom 223 of the second housing 22; correspondingly, the terminal assembly 10 is also pressed toward the retainer 40, so that the retainer 40, acting as a TPA, effectively ensures that the terminal 13 is in a pre-locked position relative to the housing 20.

[0107] Based on the above-described bent electrical connector assembly 1, the following superior technical effects compared to existing technical solutions in the field can be achieved:

[0108] The electrical connector assembly 1 disclosed herein is based on molded upper and lower molded parts that fit together. It is fixed in the horizontal direction by inserting the two parts relative to each other, and in the angled direction, such as the vertical direction, it is fixed by a crimped metal sheath 14. This accommodates the bent wire 11, thus enabling a bent (e.g., 90-degree) electrical connector assembly 1 to be achieved using a straight terminal 13. This eliminates the need for conventional electrical connector assemblies where conductive parts are inserted in two angled directions, or conventional electrical connector assemblies where the terminal 13 itself is bent. Therefore, an alternative bent electrical connector assembly 1 is achieved through simple design and existing processes without significantly increasing the number of parts or reducing costs.

[0109] Figure 13A and Figure 13BAn electrical connector 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown in both an exploded view and a schematic perspective view. Figure 14A and Figure 14B A schematic perspective view and an exploded view of the power distribution connector assembly 2 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure are shown respectively.

[0110] In another aspect of this disclosure, according to a general technical concept, as shown in the figures, an electrical connector 100 is also provided, comprising: the aforementioned electrical connector assembly 1; and a mating electrical connector assembly 2, including a mating housing 200 and a socket defined by the mating housing 200 for insertion and mating of the electrical connector assembly 1. This arrangement realizes a fully bent (e.g., 90-degree) electrical connector 100 that accommodates a bent wire 11, thereby enabling a bent (e.g., 90-degree) electrical connector assembly 1 using a straight terminal 13, thus abandoning the conventional form of an electrical connector assembly 1 in which conductive elements are inserted in two directions at an angle to each other, or the conventional form of an electrical connector assembly 1 in which the bent terminal 13 itself is bent.

[0111] In exemplary embodiments according to this disclosure, such as Figure 9A and Figure 9B As shown as an example, a recess 227 is formed at the top of the second housing 22. Opposite guide rails 228 and opposing protrusions 229 are formed on the opposite inner sidewalls of the recess 227 along the first direction X. Each guide rail 228 is closed at one end away from the first housing 21. The electrical connector 100 also includes a secondary lock 90, which includes a plate-shaped main body 91 adapted to be received in the recess 227. The main body 91 is guided in the guide rails 228 by its opposite side edges to achieve reciprocating translation.

[0112] In further exemplary embodiments of this disclosure, for example, as Figure 9A and Figure 9B As shown, the main body 91 has opposing elastic protrusions 92 on opposite side surfaces. Each elastic protrusion 92 is configured to elastically deform in response to being pushed against the corresponding protrusion 229 to translate past the corresponding protrusion 229. Each protrusion 229 is configured to stop the corresponding elastic protrusion 92 that has elastically deformed past it to prevent the corresponding elastic protrusion 92 from sliding back.

[0113] In further exemplary embodiments of this disclosure, for example, as Figures 7A to 7E ,as well as Figure 13A and Figure 13B and Figure 14A and Figure 14BAs shown, the first housing 21 of the electrical connector assembly 1 has a cantilevered locking member 218 extending toward the first free end 211 on its top side, and the mating housing 200 of the mating connector assembly 2 has a mating portion 201 on its top side facing the locking member 218. The mating portion 201 is configured to at least partially receive the locking member 218 and push the locking member 218 toward the top outer surface of the first housing 20. For example, the mating portion is in the form of an outwardly bulging recess with an internal cavity for receiving the locking member.

[0114] In further exemplary embodiments of this disclosure, for example, as Figures 7A to 7E ,as well as Figure 13A and Figure 13B and Figure 14A and Figure 14B As shown, the locking member 218 has an end that tapers toward the main body 91, and the end has a stepped portion that descends toward the second free end 212; and the front edge of the mating portion 201 toward the first housing 21 abuts against the surface of the stepped portion toward the mating housing 200.

[0115] In further exemplary embodiments of this disclosure, for example, as Figure 13A and Figure 13B and Figure 14A and Figure 14B As shown, the main body 91 also has a descending wedge-shaped surface 95 formed thereon on the side facing the first housing 21 for pushing the end of the locking member 218 toward the mating housing 200, and the main body 91 is configured to be manually pushed in response to the mating portion 201 pushing the locking member 218 toward the main body 91 to push the end of the locking member 218 with the wedge-shaped surface so that the stepped portion abuts against the front edge of the mating portion 201.

[0116] In a further embodiment, for example, the tab 42 of the retainer 40 has a first protrusion 421 and a second protrusion 422 near the root of the annular body; correspondingly, the first housing 21 has a mating protrusion 219 near the inner wall of the second free end 212.

[0117] First, during the insertion of the tab 42 into the first housing 21, and while the terminal assembly 10 is also pushed toward the retainer 40, so that the retainer 40, acting as a TPA, effectively ensures that the terminal 13 is in the pre-locked position relative to the housing 20, the first tab 421 passes over the mating tab 219 while the second tab 422 has not yet passed over the mating tab 219, thus preventing the retainer 40, acting as a TPA, from falling off the first housing 21.

[0118] Subsequently, as the secondary lock 90 pushes the electrical connector assembly 1 toward the mating connector assembly 2, the second protrusion 422 also passes over the mating protrusion, thereby causing the retainer 40, which acts as the TPA, to further insert toward the first housing 21, effectively ensuring that the terminal 13 is in the final locked position relative to the housing 20. This reliably ensures the reliable positioning and retention of the terminal 13 relative to the mating connector assembly 2.

[0119] In a specific embodiment, as an example, as shown in the figure, a recess 93 of shallow depth is formed on the top surface of the main body 91 of the secondary lock 90, and parallel rows of ridges 94 are formed in the recess 93, so that the user's fingers, such as the thumb, can press the recess 93 and push the rows of ridges 94 to facilitate applying a pushing force to the secondary lock 90.

[0120] In an exemplary embodiment of this disclosure, the electrical connector 100 further includes a mating terminal assembly 210, which is housed within the mating housing 200 and includes a mating terminal shell 212 and mating terminals 211 fixed within the mating terminal shell 212.

[0121] With this configuration, once the aforementioned bent electrical connector assembly 1 and the power distribution connector assembly 2 are pressed together, the secondary lock 90 activates to further move the terminal 13, which is already in the pre-locked position, into the final locked position.

[0122] Furthermore, considering that the electrical connector 100 provided in another aspect of this disclosure includes the aforementioned bent electrical connector assembly 1, it also possesses the advantages of the aforementioned electrical connector assembly 1, which will not be elaborated further here.

[0123] The above description of the methods for the bent electrical connector assembly 1 and the electrical connector 100 in the foregoing embodiments of this disclosure is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. Although this disclosure has been described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, the embodiments disclosed in the drawings are intended to exemplify preferred embodiments of this disclosure and should not be construed as limiting this disclosure.

[0124] Therefore, those skilled in the art will understand that the embodiments described above are exemplary and can be improved by those skilled in the art. The structures described in the various embodiments can be modified and freely combined without conflict in structure or principle, and these changes should fall within the protection scope of this disclosure.

[0125] The breadth and scope of this disclosure should not be limited to any of the embodiments described above, but should be defined only by the following claims and their equivalents.

[0126] It should be noted that the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the words "a" or "an" do not exclude multiple. Furthermore, any reference numerals in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope of this disclosure.

Claims

1. An electrical connector assembly (1), comprising: Terminal assembly (10) includes: The conductor (11) includes a multi-strand wire harness (110); and The first shell portion (121) and the second shell portion (122) are molded together to define a hollow receiving portion (12) for receiving the inner core (112) of the removed shielding layer (111) of the multi-strand wire harness, the conductive core (1120) of the removed insulating layer (113) of the inner core (112) extending from the wire outlet end (123) of the receiving portion; and The housing (20), including a first outer shell (21) and a second outer shell (22), is configured to cooperate with each other to jointly define a space for accommodating the terminal assembly; Its features are, The first housing extends along a first direction (X) and the second housing extends along a second direction (Y) at an angle to the first direction; the multi-strand wire harness and the receiving portion are configured to be bent to be received within the housings; and The terminal assembly also includes a terminal (13) that is electrically connected to the conductive core at the output end.

2. The electrical connector assembly (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The receiving portion (12) is assembled by the second housing portion (122) being detachably fitted to the first housing portion (121) along the first direction (X); and The shielding layer (111) of the multi-strand wire harness (110) terminates at the inlet end (124) of the receiving portion (12) extending along the second direction (Y), and the electrical connector assembly (1) further includes a metal sheath (14) that is pressed inwardly in the circumferential direction onto the inlet end (124) by crimping.

3. The electrical connector assembly (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that, The terminal assembly (10) further includes: Terminal housing (15), fitted along the first direction (X) to the outlet end (123) and configured to fix the terminal (13) therein; and The shield (16) is sleeved on the outside of the terminal housing (15) along the first direction (X).

4. The electrical connector assembly (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that, Each terminal (13) includes: A terminal body (131) extending along the first direction (X) has a hollow conductive contact end (1311) that is coaxially sleeved on and electrically contacting the corresponding conductive core (1120) at a proximal end facing the output end (123), and a plug end (1312) located at a distal end facing away from the output end (123) and in the form of a hollow conical sleeve. Terminal sleeve (132), which is partially fitted onto the corresponding terminal body (131), exposes the conductive contact end (1311) from the terminal sleeve (132), and only the end surface of the plug end (1312) is exposed from the terminal sleeve (132).

5. The electrical connector assembly (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that, The first housing portion (121) has a plurality of first through slots (1210) extending through it, and the second housing portion (122) has a plurality of second through slots (1220) extending through it. The plurality of first through slots (1210) and the plurality of second through slots (1220) cooperate one by one to jointly define a plurality of channels suitable for the corresponding inner core (112) of the multi-strand wire harness (110) to pass through. The cross-sectional dimension of each channel is larger than the cross-sectional dimension of the corresponding inner core (112) and smaller than the cross-sectional dimension of the portion of the multi-strand wire harness (110) with the shielding layer (111).

6. The electrical connector assembly (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that, The outlet end (123) has an end wall (1230) that is adjacent to and engaged with the terminal housing (15), and the end wall (1230) has a plurality of hollow tube segments (1231) protruding along the first direction (X) on the side facing the terminal housing (15), each hollow tube segment (1231) having a corresponding outlet through hole (1232) that extends away from the terminal housing (15) along the first direction (X) and communicates with the corresponding channel.

7. The electrical connector assembly according to claim 5, characterized in that, The first shell portion (121) includes: The first inlet portion (1211) extends along the second direction (Y) and has a plurality of first inlet slots (12110) arranged parallel to each other. The first lead-out portion (1212) extends along the first direction (X) and has a plurality of first lead-out slots (12120) arranged parallel to each other; and The first transition portion (1213) is configured to be curved and connected between the first inlet portion (1211) and the first outlet portion (1212) with rounded corners, and has a plurality of first transition grooves (12130), each first transition groove (12130) communicating between the corresponding first inlet groove (12110) and the corresponding first outlet groove (12120) to jointly define the corresponding first through groove (1210).

8. The electrical connector assembly according to claim 7, characterized in that, The second shell portion (122) includes: The second inlet section (1221) extends along the second direction (Y) and has a plurality of second inlet slots (12210) arranged parallel to each other. The second lead-out portion (1222) extends along the first direction (X) and has a plurality of second lead-out slots (12220) arranged parallel to each other; and The curved second transition portion (1223) is configured to be curved and connected between the second inlet portion (1221) and the second outlet portion (1222) with rounded corners, and has a plurality of second transition grooves (12230), each second transition groove (12230) communicating between the corresponding second inlet groove (12210) and the corresponding second outlet groove (12220) to jointly define the corresponding second through groove (1220).

9. The electrical connector assembly according to claim 8, characterized in that, The plurality of first inlet slots (12110) and the plurality of second inlet slots (12210) respectively define, in a one-to-one correspondence, a plurality of inlet channels suitable for the corresponding inner cores (112) of the multi-strand wire harness (110) to pass through. The plurality of first outlet slots (12120) and the plurality of second outlet slots (12220) respectively define, in a one-to-one correspondence, a plurality of outlet channels suitable for the corresponding inner cores (112) of the multi-strand wire harness (110) to pass through. The plurality of first transition slots (12130) and the plurality of second transition slots (12230) are respectively in a one-to-one correspondence to define a plurality of transition channels through which the corresponding inner core (112) of the multi-strand wire harness (110) passes. Each transition channel is connected between the corresponding inlet channel and the corresponding outlet channel to jointly define the corresponding channel.

10. The electrical connector assembly (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that, The first outer shell (21) is hollow and is arranged to extend along the first direction (X), and has a first free end (211) facing the second outer shell (22) and a second free end (212) opposite to the first free end (211), and is configured to receive a first portion of the receiving portion (12) extending along the first direction (X), and the shielding member (16); and The second outer shell (22) is hollow and is arranged to extend along the second direction (Y) and is configured to receive the second portion of the receiving portion (12) extending along the second direction (Y) and the metal sheath (14), the second outer shell (22) and the first outer shell (21) cooperating with each other to form the housing (20).

11. The electrical connector assembly (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that, The second housing (22) engages with the first housing (21) on their respective outer surfaces, and the second housing (22) partially covers the first housing (21) and the first portion of the receiving portion (12).

12. The electrical connector assembly (1) according to any one of claims 10 to 11, further comprising: A peripheral seal (30) is constrained along a closed path to the outer surface of the first housing (21) and pressed against the outer surface of the first housing (21) and the inner surface of the second housing (22) to form a seal between them.

13. The electrical connector assembly (1) according to claim 12, characterized in that, The first housing (21) has a surrounding groove (214) that is continuously recessed around the outer surface of the first housing (21) at the proximal end of the first free end (211), the surrounding groove (214) defining the closed path, and the peripheral seal (30) is constrained to the outer surface of the first housing (21) by being accommodated in the surrounding groove (214).

14. The electrical connector assembly (1) according to claim 13, characterized in that, The first free end (211) is obliquely cut relative to the first direction (X), such that the edges of the opposite lateral outer surfaces of the first outer shell (21) at the first free end (211) form a first angle relative to the first direction (X), and The surrounding groove (214) and the peripheral seal (30) are also configured to form a second angle relative to the first direction (X) on opposite lateral outer surfaces of the first housing (21).

15. The electrical connector assembly (1) according to claim 14, characterized in that, The second housing (22) has a mating end (221) that faces the first housing (21) and is obliquely cut relative to the first direction (X), and a pair of baffles (225) that are disposed opposite to each other and extend toward the first housing (21) respectively covering the opposite outer sides of the mating end (221). The mating end (221) is configured to receive the insertion of the first free end (211), and the mating end (221) is obliquely cut at the first angle relative to the first direction (X) such that the tilt direction of the mating end (221) is the same as the tilt direction of the first free end (211).

16. The electrical connector assembly (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that, The first outer casing (21) further includes: Multiple ribs (215) protrude inwardly from the inner wall of the first housing (21) and extend along the first direction (X), and are arranged circumferentially spaced from each other, and configured to cooperatively limit the outer surface of the receiving portion (12) by means of their respective inwardly pointing tips; and The elastic cantilever (216) protrudes inward from the inner wall of the first housing (21) and extends along the first direction (X) toward the second free end (212) of the first housing (21) until the end of the elastic cantilever (216) terminates at the end wall (1230) of the outlet end (123) of the receiving portion (12), and The flange of the second housing portion (122) of the accommodating portion (12) adjacent to the end wall (1230) at the outlet end (123) presses the end of the elastic cantilever (216) against the inner wall of the first housing (21).

17. The electrical connector assembly (1) according to claim 16, characterized in that, An annular recess (217) with a stepped longitudinal section is formed at the second free end (212) of the first outer shell (21); and The electrical connector assembly (1) further includes: The retainer (40) comprises: an annular body (41) fitted onto the annular recess (217), and a tab (42) extending from the annular body (41) toward the interior of the first housing (21); and A washer (50) is fitted onto the annular recess (217) and pressed against the annular body (41) and the first housing (21) along the first direction (X), such that the tab (42) extends to be inserted between the inner wall of the first housing (21) and the end of the elastic cantilever (216) to hold the terminal assembly (10) in place relative to the first housing (21) by means of the elastic cantilever (216).

18. The electrical connector assembly (1) according to claim 2, further comprising: A cover (60) is fitted to the housing (20) at the wire inlet (124) along the second direction (Y) and includes a first segment (61) and a second segment (62) pivotally connected to each other about a connecting portion (63), the first segment (61) and the second segment (62) together defining a recess (64) toward the wire inlet (124) and a through hole (65) through which a shielded layer (111) for the multi-strand wire harness (110) partially extends; and A sealing gasket (70) is accommodated in the recess (64) and presses against the portion of the shielded layer (111) surrounding the multi-strand wire harness (110).

19. The electrical connector assembly (1) according to claim 14, characterized in that, The second angle is equal to the first angle.

20. An electrical connector (100), comprising: The electrical connector assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 19 above; and The electrical connector assembly (2) includes a mating housing (200) and a socket defined by the mating housing (200) for insertion and mating of the electrical connector assembly (1).

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