Connector assembly

Abstract

A connector assembly includes a receiving cap that supports a first cable, an insert plug that supports a second cable secured to the first cable, and a slide lever that is slidable relative to the insert plug, wherein the receiving cap includes a first inclined extraction surface that guides a direction of disengagement of the slide lever relative to the insert plug, a secondary guide surface that guides the direction of disengagement of the slide lever relative to the insert plug, and a second inclined extraction surface that guides the direction of disengagement of the slide lever relative to the insert plug, and the slide lever includes a first guide protrusion that is movable along the first inclined extraction surface, a secondary protrusion that is movable along the secondary guide surface, and a second guide protrusion that is movable along the second inclined extraction surface, wherein, as the insert plug is being inserted into the receiving cap, (i) the first guide protrusion and the secondary protrusion contact the first inclined extraction surface and the secondary guide surface, respectively, before the second guide protrusion contacts the second inclined extraction surface, and (ii) the second guide protrusion contacts the second inclined extraction surface before the secondary protrusion disengages from the secondary guide surface.

Description

[0001] Cross-reference to related applications

[0002] This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2025-0043879 (filed on April 4, 2025) and Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0060575 (filed on May 8, 2024), the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. Technical Field

[0003] The following description pertains to connector assemblies. Background Technology

[0004] A connector is an electrical component that allows or prevents electrical connections. Connectors are used in a variety of electromechanical devices, such as automobiles or household appliances, to enable electrical and / or physical connections between multiple electronic components.

[0005] For example, when a connector is installed within the main body of a vehicle door, it needs to be installed in a confined space. Therefore, it may be difficult for the operator to tighten the connector. Consequently, various studies have been conducted on structures that improve the ease of tightening the connector or structures for accurately tightening the connector.

[0006] The above description is information obtained or already known to the inventors during the process of conceiving this disclosure, and is not necessarily technology known prior to the filing of this application. Summary of the Invention

[0007] According to one aspect, a connector assembly is provided, the connector assembly including a receiving cap supporting a first cable, an insert plug supporting a second cable fastened to the first cable, and a sliding rod slidable relative to the insert plug, wherein the receiving cap includes: a first inclined withdrawal surface guiding the sliding rod in a disengagement direction relative to the insert plug; an auxiliary guide surface guiding the sliding rod in a disengagement direction relative to the insert plug; and a second inclined withdrawal surface guiding the sliding rod in a disengagement direction relative to the insert plug, and the sliding rod includes: a first guide protrusion movable along the first inclined withdrawal surface; an auxiliary protrusion movable along the auxiliary guide surface; and a second guide protrusion movable along the second inclined withdrawal surface, wherein, while the insert plug is being inserted into the receiving cap, (i) the first guide protrusion and the auxiliary protrusion contact the first inclined withdrawal surface and the auxiliary guide surface, respectively, before the second guide protrusion contacts the second inclined withdrawal surface, and (ii) the second guide protrusion contacts the second inclined withdrawal surface before the auxiliary protrusion disengages from the auxiliary guide surface.

[0008] According to an embodiment, the receiving cap may further include: a first inclined insertion surface, which, as it moves closer to the fastening direction of the insert plug fastened to the receiving cap, is inclined in a direction opposite to a first inclined withdrawal surface, and the first inclined insertion surface guides a first guide protrusion to move the insert plug in the direction in which the insert plug is inserted into the receiving cap as the sliding rod is being inserted into the insert plug; and a second inclined insertion surface, which, as it moves closer to the fastening direction of the insert plug fastened to the receiving cap, is inclined in a direction opposite to a second inclined withdrawal surface, and the second inclined insertion surface guides a second guide protrusion to move the insert plug in the direction in which the insert plug is inserted into the receiving cap as the sliding rod is being inserted into the insert plug.

[0009] According to an embodiment, the receiving cap may further include: a first inclined separation surface that guides the first guide protrusion to move the insert plug from the state of being secured to the receiving cap along the direction of separation between the insert plug and the receiving cap while the sliding rod is withdrawn from the insert plug; and a second inclined separation surface that guides the second guide protrusion to move the insert plug from the state of being secured to the receiving cap along the direction of separation between the insert plug and the receiving cap while the sliding rod is withdrawn from the insert plug.

[0010] According to an embodiment, the first angle formed by the first inclined insertion surface relative to a plane perpendicular to the fastening direction may be smaller than the second angle formed by the first inclined withdrawal surface relative to a plane perpendicular to the fastening direction, and the insertion plug is fastened to the receiving cap along the fastening direction.

[0011] According to an embodiment, the sliding rod may further include an elastic body that is elastically deformable while the insert is being fastened to the receiving cap. The elastic body includes: an elastic arm having a shape extending longitudinally in a plane on which the sidewall of the sliding rod is positioned; an elastic protrusion projecting from the elastic arm toward the inside of the insert; and an interference protrusion that is engaged by a portion of the insert when the sliding rod is fully inserted into the insert. While the insert is being fastened to the receiving cap, a portion of the receiving cap presses against the elastic protrusion, causing the elastic arm to elastically deform. This releases the interference protrusion engaged by the insert, allowing the sliding rod to be withdrawn from the insert.

[0012] According to an embodiment, the sliding rod may further include an elastomer that elastically deforms as the insert plug is being fastened to the receiving cap and provides an elastic restoring force in the direction in which the sliding rod disengages from the insert plug.

[0013] According to an embodiment, the elastomer may include: an elastic arm having a shape extending longitudinally in a plane on which the sidewall of the sliding rod is positioned; and an elastic protrusion protruding from the elastic arm toward the inside of the insert plug and positioned in the fastening direction in which the insert plug is fastened to the receiving cap based on the second guide protrusion.

[0014] According to an embodiment, the elastomer may include: an elastic arm having a shape extending longitudinally in a plane on which the sidewall of the sliding rod is positioned; and an elastic protrusion protruding from the elastic arm toward the inside of the insertion plug, wherein the elastic protrusion moves along a second inclined withdrawal surface in front of a second guide protrusion when the insertion plug is being fastened to the receiving cap.

[0015] According to an embodiment, the length of the second inclined extraction surface may be less than the length of the first inclined extraction surface.

[0016] According to another aspect, a connector assembly is provided, comprising a receiving cap supporting a first cable, an insert plug supporting a second cable fastened to the first cable, and a sliding rod slidable relative to the insert plug, wherein the sliding rod further comprises an elastomer that provides an elastic restoring force in the direction in which the sliding rod is withdrawn from the insert plug after the portion held by the insert plug is released, as the insert plug is being inserted into the receiving cap to a predetermined length, starting from a state where the sliding rod is fully inserted into the insert plug. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram illustrating a connector assembly installed in a vehicle according to an embodiment.

[0018] Figure 2 This is a perspective view of the connector assembly according to an embodiment.

[0019] Figure 3 This is an exploded perspective view of the connector assembly according to an embodiment.

[0020] Figure 4 It is along Figure 3 A cross-sectional view taken from line II.

[0021] Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional view of the state in which the insert plug and the receiving cap are aligned when the sliding rod is fully inserted into the insert plug according to an embodiment.

[0022] Figure 6 It is along Figure 5 A cross-sectional view taken from line II-II.

[0023] Figure 7This is a diagram illustrating the elastic body of a sliding rod being pressed during the initial process of inserting the insertion plug into the receiving cap, according to an embodiment.

[0024] Figure 8 This is a diagram illustrating a receiving cap according to an embodiment.

[0025] Figure 9 This is a diagram illustrating the fastening preparation process according to an embodiment, during which the sliding rod is pulled out of the insertion plug.

[0026] Figure 10 This is a diagram illustrating the assembly process according to an embodiment after the sliding rod has been fully withdrawn from the insert plug, during which the insert plug is fastened to the receiving cap while the sliding rod is being inserted into the insert plug.

[0027] Figure 11 This is a diagram illustrating a receiving cap according to an embodiment.

[0028] Figure 12 This is a diagram illustrating an elastomer according to an embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0029] In the following description, embodiments will be presented in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, various changes and modifications can be made to the embodiments. The embodiments are not to be construed as limiting the scope of this disclosure. The embodiments should be understood to include all variations, equivalents, and substitutions within the spirit and technical scope of this disclosure.

[0030] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the embodiments. The singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are also intended to include the plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will also be understood that, when used herein, the terms “comprising” and / or “including” specify the presence of the stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or combinations thereof.

[0031] As used herein, “A or B”, “at least one of A and B”, “at least one of A or B”, “A, B or C”, “at least one of A, B and C” and “at least one of A, B or C” can each include any one of the items listed together in the corresponding one of these phrases, or all possible combinations thereof.

[0032] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein (including technical and scientific terms) shall have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the embodiments pertain. It will also be understood that terms (such as those defined in common dictionaries) shall be interpreted as having the same meaning as they have in the context of the relevant field, and shall not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly defined herein.

[0033] When describing embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, similar reference numerals refer to similar constituent elements, and redundant descriptions associated with them will be omitted. In the description of embodiments, detailed descriptions of well-known related structures or functions will be omitted where such detailed descriptions would lead to a vague interpretation of this disclosure.

[0034] Furthermore, in the description of components, terms such as first, second, A, B, (a), (b), etc., may be used herein when describing components of this disclosure. These terms are used only for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another, and the nature, order, or sequence of the components is not limited by the terms. When a component is described as "connected," "joined," or "attached" to another component, it should be understood that one component may be directly connected to or attached to another component, and an intermediate component may also be "connected," "joined," or "attached" to a component.

[0035] The same names may be used to describe elements included in the example embodiments described above and elements having a common function. Unless otherwise stated, the description of the embodiments is applicable to the following embodiments, and therefore, for the sake of brevity, repeated descriptions will be omitted.

[0036] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram illustrating a connector assembly installed in a vehicle according to an embodiment. Figure 2 This is a perspective view of the connector assembly according to an embodiment. Figure 3 This is an exploded perspective view of the connector assembly according to an embodiment. Figure 4 It is along Figure 3 A cross-sectional view taken from line II.

[0037] refer to Figures 1 to 4According to an embodiment, connector assembly 1 may include an insertion plug 11, a receiving cap 12, and a sliding rod 13. At least a portion of the receiving cap 12 may be positioned in an interior space relative to a panel P (e.g., a vehicle panel). The receiving cap 12 supports a first cable C1 inside a first object B (e.g., the body of a vehicle), and the insertion through-wall 122 of the receiving cap 12 is exposed to the outside through a mounting hole H formed in the panel P of the first object B. The insertion plug 11 may be positioned in an external space opposite the receiving cap 12 to the panel P. The insertion plug 11 supports a second cable C2 inside a second object D (e.g., a vehicle door) and may be positioned in the space between the first object B and the second object D. In other words, the receiving cap 12 may be fastened to the insertion plug 11 from the opposite direction, such that the panel P is between the receiving cap 12 and the insertion plug 11, allowing the first cable C1 to be electrically connected to the second cable C2.

[0038] The plug 11 supports a second cable C2 installed by passing through the plug 11 and can be configured to be detachably attached to the receiving cap 12. When the plug 11 is properly connected to the receiving cap 12, the second cable C2 can be connected to the first cable C1 installed in the receiving cap 12.

[0039] The plug 11 may include: a plug body 111 supporting the second cable C2; ​​a plug housing 112 formed along the circumferential direction of the plug body 111; a sliding space 113 formed in the plug housing 112 into which the sliding rod 13 can be slidably inserted; and an anti-pull-out portion 115 (see Figure 6 This prevents the sliding rod 13 from being pulled out of the plug 11.

[0040] The receiving cap 12 supports a first cable C1 mounted through the receiving cap 12 and can be configured to be detachably attached to the insert plug 11. The receiving cap 12 may include: a cap body 121 that supports the first cable C1; an insertion through wall 122 that extends from the cap body 121 and is inserted into the space between the plug body 111 and the plug housing 112 to surround the plug body 111; a flange 123 that supports a panel P inserted between the insert plug 11 and the receiving cap 12; a resilient hook 124 that secures the panel P; a guide structure 125 that guides the sliding rod 13; an auxiliary groove 126; a release protrusion 127 that releases the fixed state of the insert plug 11 and the sliding rod 13; and a fastening groove 129 formed on the outer surface of the insertion through wall 122 to which the sliding rod 13 is fastened.

[0041] A snap-fit ​​groove is formed at the end of the elastic hook 124 to lock the mounting hole H of the panel P in order to prevent the panel P from detaching from the receiving cap 12.

[0042] The guide structure 125 can guide the movement of the sliding rod 13. For example, the guide structure 125 can guide the sliding rod 13 such that during the initial process of inserting the plug 11 into the receiving cap 12 to a predetermined length, the sliding rod 13 is withdrawn from the plug 11. For example, the guide structure 125 can guide the sliding rod 13 such that after the initial process, while the sliding rod 13 is being inserted into the plug 11, the plug 11 can be inserted into the receiving cap 12 beyond the predetermined length. An example structure of the guide structure 125 is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0043] The auxiliary groove 126 is a space into which the auxiliary protrusion 134 of the sliding rod 13 is inserted, and may have a shape, for example, recessed from the outer surface of the insertion through wall 122. Inserting the auxiliary protrusion 134 into the auxiliary groove 126 can improve the fastening force of the insertion plug 11, the receiving cap 12, and the sliding rod 13.

[0044] When the plug 11 is inserted into the receiving cap 12, the release protrusion 127 may interfere with the elastic body 137 of the sliding rod 13, causing the elastic body 137 to deform. In this configuration, the sliding rod 13 can be released from its locked state by the plug 11 via the elastic body 137. For example, the release protrusion 127 may protrude outward from the outer surface of the insertion through wall 122. An example configuration in which the locked state between the sliding rod 13 and the plug 11 is released is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0045] The sliding rod 13 is slidable into the sliding space 113 of the insert plug 11, and can cause the insert plug 11 to be secured to the receiving cap 12. The sliding rod 13 can be positioned in the insert plug 11 in an inserted state before the insert plug 11 is engaged with the receiving cap 12. For example, the position of the sliding rod 13 when the insert plug 11 is fully secured to the receiving cap 12 can be the same as the position of the sliding rod 13 before the insert plug 11 is secured to the receiving cap 12. The sliding rod 13 may include a sidewall 131, a clamping portion 132, a first guide protrusion 133, an auxiliary protrusion 134, a second guide protrusion 135, an elastomer 137, a clearance space 138, and a fastening protrusion 139.

[0046] The side wall 131 is in the direction in which the sliding rod 13 slides on the insertion plug 11 (e.g., Figure 3 The plug body 111 is formed longitudinally (in the + / -Y direction) and can be inserted into the sliding space 113. For example, the two sidewalls 131 can be inserted into the two sides of the plug body 111 respectively.

[0047] The clamping part 132 can be connected to the two side walls 131 of the sliding rod 13, so that the two side walls 131 can slide simultaneously relative to the insertion plug 11. The worker can clamp the clamping part 132 and make the sliding rod 13 slide.

[0048] The first guide protrusion 133 may be guided along the guide structure 125 such that the insert plug 11 can be assembled into the receiving cap 12 while the sliding rod 13 is being inserted into the insert plug 11. For example, the first guide protrusion 133 may be formed in the inner wall of the sliding rod 13. For example, the first guide protrusion 133 may project inward from the side wall 131 (e.g., toward the plug body 111).

[0049] The auxiliary protrusion 134 is guided along the guide structure 125 so that the sliding rod 13 can slide stably when it is disengaging from or being inserted into the insert plug 11. For example, the auxiliary protrusion 134 is formed in the inner wall of the sliding rod 13 and along the auxiliary guide surface 1255 (see...). Figure 7 The movement guides the sliding rod 13 in the direction of disengagement from the insert plug 11. For example, an auxiliary protrusion 134 may project inward from the sidewall 131 (e.g., toward the plug body 111). The auxiliary protrusion 134 may be positioned on the opposite side of the first guide protrusion 133 based on the second guide protrusion 135. When the insert plug 11 is initially placed in the receiving cap 12, the auxiliary protrusion 134 may contact the auxiliary guide surface 1255. During the initial process of inserting the insert plug 11 into the receiving cap 12, the auxiliary protrusion 134, together with the first guide protrusion 133, causes the insert plug 11 to be inserted without tilting to the left or right on the receiving cap 12, making it easier for the worker to connect the connector in narrow installation spaces, and the sliding operation of the sliding rod 13 can be performed smoothly. Furthermore, if the insert plug 11 is continuously inserted and the task is performed in a tilted state due to operator error, problems such as connector breakage or bending of the internal tab terminal may occur. An example operation of the auxiliary protrusion 134 is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0050] The elastomer 137 can elastically deform during the initial process of fastening the insert 11 to the receiving cap 12. In this state, as the insert 11 is inserted deeper into the receiving cap 12, the elastomer 137 can provide an elastic restoring force in the direction in which the sliding rod 13 disengages from the insert 11. In this way, the elastic restoring force of the elastomer 137 helps overcome the frictional forces generated between the sliding rod 13 and the insert 11 or between the sliding rod 13 and the receiving cap 12. Therefore, the sliding rod 13 can be smoothly withdrawn from the insert 11 by the elastic restoring force of the elastomer 137. For example, the elastomer 137 may include an elastic arm 1371, an elastic protrusion 1372, and an interference protrusion 1373.

[0051] The resilient arm 1371 may have a shape that extends longitudinally in the plane to which the sidewall 131 of the sliding rod 13 belongs. An example operation of the resilient arm 1371 is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0052] The resilient protrusion 1372 may protrude from the resilient arm 1371 toward the inside of the insertion plug 11 (e.g., the plug body 111). For example, the resilient protrusion 1372 may be spaced apart from the second guide protrusion 135 along the fastening direction (e.g., -Z direction) of the insertion plug 11 fastening to the receiving cap 12. In this configuration, when the insertion plug 11 is being fastened to the receiving cap 12, the resilient protrusion 1372 may be in front of the second guide protrusion 135 along the second inclined withdrawal surface 1256 (see...). Figure 8 Movement. For example, the resilient protrusion 1372 may include a first portion 1372a and a second portion 1372b with different protrusion lengths. For example, the first portion 1372a may protrude from the resilient arm 1371 in a direction toward the inside of the insertion plug 11 (e.g., the plug body 111), and the second portion 1372b may protrude from the first portion 1372a in a direction toward the inside of the insertion plug 11 (e.g., the plug body 111). Example operation of the first portion 1372a and the second portion 1372b is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. At the same time, unlike the drawings, it should be noted that the resilient protrusion 1372 may be formed in a shape in which the first portion 1372a and the second portion 1372b are indistinguishable from each other, i.e., protruding with the same length.

[0053] When the sliding rod 13 is fully inserted into the insertion plug 11, the interference protrusion 1373 can be inserted into a portion of the plug 11 (e.g., the anti-pull-out portion 115, see...). Figure 6 (This prevents the sliding rod 13 from being accidentally pulled out of the insertion plug 11 during delivery of the connector assembly 1.) For example, an interference protrusion 1373 may protrude from the end of the elastic arm 1371 toward the fastening direction (e.g., the -Z direction).

[0054] When the plug 11 is being connected to the receiving cap 12, the clearance space 138 provides space in which the elastic arm 1371 of the sliding rod 13 can be bent. The clearance space 138 may be formed in a direction opposite to the fastening direction (e.g., the -Z direction) of the plug 11 being fastened to the receiving cap 12 based on the elastomer 137 (e.g., the +Z direction).

[0055] When the sliding rod 13 is fully inserted into the plug 11, the fastening protrusion 139 can secure the plug 11 and the receiving cap 12 by fastening it into the fastening recess 129. For example, the fastening protrusion 139 may protrude inward from the side wall 131. Inserting the fastening protrusion 139 into the fastening recess 129 increases the fastening force of the plug 11, the receiving cap 12, and the sliding rod 13.

[0056] Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional view of the state in which the insert plug and the receiving cap are aligned when the sliding rod is fully inserted into the insert plug according to an embodiment. Figure 6 It is along Figure 5 A cross-sectional view taken from line II-II. Figure 7 This is a diagram illustrating the elastic body of a sliding rod being pressed during the initial process of inserting the insertion plug into the receiving cap, according to an embodiment.

[0057] refer to Figures 5 to 7 According to an embodiment, the plug 11 may include a plug body 111, a plug housing 112, a sliding space 113, and an anti-pull-out portion 115. According to an embodiment, the sliding rod 13 may include a side wall 131, a clamping portion 132, a second guide protrusion 135, and an elastic body 137. According to an embodiment, the elastic body 137 may include an elastic arm 1371, an elastic protrusion 1372, and an interference protrusion 1373.

[0058] The anti-pull-out portion 115 is positioned to overlap with the interference protrusion 1373 of the elastomer 137 in the sliding direction (e.g., the + / -Y direction) along the interference protrusion 1373, thereby interfering with the interference protrusion 1373 and preventing the sliding rod 13 from being pulled out of the plug 11. For example, the anti-pull-out portion 115 can be understood as a wall on one side of a hole formed in the bottom surface of the plug housing 112 (e.g., the outer surface in the -Z direction).

[0059] While the plug 11 and the receiving cap 12 are aligned, the resilient arm 1371 can elastically deform during the preparation process for inserting the plug 11 into the receiving cap 12. During this process, a portion of the receiving cap 12 (e.g., the release protrusion 127) can be pressed against the resilient protrusion 1372, causing the resilient arm 1371 connected to the resilient protrusion 1372 to deform. The pressing operation causes the resilient arm 1371 to deform into the clearance space 138, and the interference protrusion 1373 does not overlap with the anti-extraction portion 115 in the sliding direction (e.g., the + / -Y direction). In other words, the interference protrusion 1373 can be disengaged by being spaced upward from the anti-extraction portion 115. Therefore, the state in which the interference protrusion 1373 is locked by the plug 11 is released, allowing the sliding rod 13 to be withdrawn from the plug 11. For example, the resilient arm 1371 can be integrally formed with the sidewall 131 using the same material as the sidewall 131. For example, at least a portion of the elastic arm 1371 may be thinner than the rest of the sidewall 131. In this structure, the flexibility of the elastic arm 1371 can be improved.

[0060] At the same time, such as Figure 7As shown in (A), no external force may be applied to the resilient protrusion 1372 before the insert plug 11 is inserted into the receiving cap 12. In this case, the distance between the second guide protrusion 135 and the resilient protrusion 1372 may be an initial distance d_0 based on the tightening direction (e.g., -Z direction). Meanwhile, when the insert plug 11 is inserted into the receiving cap 12, the release protrusion 127 may press the resilient protrusion 1372 in a direction opposite to the tightening direction (e.g., +Z direction), and may reduce the distance between the second guide protrusion 135 and the resilient protrusion 1372. For example, during the initial tightening process for inserting the insert plug 11 into the receiving cap 12, in the state just before the sliding rod 13 is withdrawn from the insert plug 11 (e.g., ... Figure 7 In state (B), the distance between the second guide protrusion 135 and the elastic protrusion 1372 can be the minimum distance d_min. In this state, when the insert plug 11 is further inserted into the receiving cap 12 in the fastening direction, the sliding rod 13 begins to be withdrawn from the insert plug 11, and the elastic restoring force of the elastic body 137 helps the sliding rod 13 to be smoothly withdrawn from the insert plug 11.

[0061] For example, such as Figure 7 As shown in (B), when the first guide protrusion 133 contacts the first inclined extraction surface 1251 and the auxiliary protrusion 134 contacts the auxiliary guide surface 1255, the distance between the second guide protrusion 135 and the elastic protrusion 1372 can be the minimum distance d_min.

[0062] Figure 8 This is a diagram illustrating a receiving cap according to an embodiment. Figure 9 This is a diagram illustrating the fastening preparation process according to an embodiment, during which the sliding rod is pulled out of the insertion plug. Figure 9 (A) can be understood as showing the relationship with Figure 7 The state of (B) is the same as the state.

[0063] refer to Figure 8 and Figure 9 According to an embodiment, the receiving cap 12 may include a cap body 121, an insertion through wall 122, a flange 123, an elastic hook 124, and a guide structure 125. According to an embodiment, the guide structure 125 may include a first inclined withdrawal surface 1251, a first inclined insertion surface 1253, a first inclined separation surface 1254, an auxiliary guide surface 1255, a second inclined withdrawal surface 1256, a second inclined insertion surface 1258, and a second inclined separation surface 1259.

[0064] The first inclined withdrawal surface 1251 can guide the sliding rod 13 (e.g., the first guide protrusion 133) in the direction in which it is withdrawn from the insertion plug 11. For example, the first inclined withdrawal surface 1251 may be formed on the outer wall of the receiving cap 12 (e.g., the insertion through wall 122). For example, the first inclined withdrawal surface 1251 may be a surface formed on a structure protruding from the insertion through wall 122. For example, the first inclined withdrawal surface 1251 may be formed in the direction in which the insertion plug 11 of the structure moves away from the receiving cap 12 (e.g., the +Z direction). For example, the first inclined withdrawal surface 1251 may have a shape that is inclined toward the fastening direction (e.g., the -Z direction) as it gets closer to the withdrawal direction (e.g., the +Y direction), along which the sliding rod 13 is withdrawn from the insertion plug 11, and along the fastening direction, the insertion plug 11 is fastened to the receiving cap 12. For example, when the plug 11, in which the sliding rod 13 is inserted, is being inserted into the receiving cap 12, the first guide protrusion 133 of the sliding rod 13 receives a force from the first inclined withdrawal surface 1251, and a component of the force in the withdrawal direction (e.g., +Y direction) is applied to the first guide protrusion 133, causing the first guide protrusion 133 to move together with the sliding rod 13 in the withdrawal direction (e.g., +Y direction). By using the first inclined withdrawal surface 1251, during the preparation process for inserting the plug 11 into the receiving cap 12 to a certain depth while aligning the plug 11 with the receiving cap 12, the sliding rod 13 can be withdrawn from the plug 11 by the interference between the first guide protrusion 133 of the sliding rod 13 and the first inclined withdrawal surface 1251. In other words, the sliding rod 13 can be withdrawn from the plug 11 simply by the preparation process, even if the worker does not directly clamp the sliding rod 13 to withdraw it from the plug 11.

[0065] The auxiliary guide surface 1255 guides the direction in which the sliding rod 13 (e.g., auxiliary protrusion 134) is withdrawn from the insert plug 11. It should be noted that, unless otherwise stated, the description of the first inclined withdrawal surface 1251 also applies to the auxiliary guide surface 1255. During the preparation process for inserting the insert plug 11 into the receiving cap 12 to a certain depth while aligning the insert plug 11 with the receiving cap 12, the auxiliary guide surface 1255, together with the first inclined withdrawal surface 1251, provides a two-point support structure for the receiving cap 12, preventing the insert plug 11 from tilting to either side relative to the receiving cap 12. In other words, the insert plug 11 can be stably inserted without tilting relative to the receiving cap 12.

[0066] The second inclined withdrawal surface 1256 can guide the sliding rod 13 (e.g., the second guide protrusion 135) in the direction in which it is withdrawn from the plug 11. It should be noted that, unless otherwise stated, the description of the first inclined withdrawal surface 1251 also applies to the second inclined withdrawal surface 1256. The second inclined withdrawal surface 1256 can guide the elastomer 137 (e.g., the elastic protrusion 1372) in the direction in which it is withdrawn from the plug 11. For example, the second inclined withdrawal surface 1256 may have a shape extending from the release protrusion 127. For example, the release protrusion 127 can be understood as forming part of the second inclined withdrawal surface 1256.

[0067] For example, such as Figure 9 As shown in (A), when the plug 11 is being inserted into the receiving cap 12, the first guide protrusion 133 and the auxiliary protrusion 134 provide a two-point support structure by contacting the first inclined withdrawal surface 1251 and the auxiliary guide surface 1255, respectively. In this state, when the plug 11 is further inserted into the receiving cap 12, as... Figure 9 As shown in (B), the second guide protrusion 135 can contact the second inclined withdrawal surface 1256 before the auxiliary protrusion 134 disengages from the auxiliary guide surface 1255. Even if the auxiliary protrusion 134 subsequently disengages from the auxiliary guide surface 1255, the first guide protrusion 133 and the second guide protrusion 135 can provide a two-point support structure by contacting the first inclined withdrawal surface 1251 and the second inclined withdrawal surface 1256, respectively. Therefore, the insertion plug 11 can be stably inserted without tilting relative to the receiving cap 12. For example, based on the fastening direction (e.g., the -Z direction), the height h1 of the auxiliary guide surface 1255 can be greater than the distance h2 between the second guide protrusion 135 and the second inclined withdrawal surface 1256. In this structure, before the auxiliary protrusion 134 disengages from the auxiliary guide surface 1255, the second guide protrusion 135 contacts the second inclined withdrawal surface 1256, thereby providing a two-point or more support structure between the insert plug 11 and the receiving cap 12 while the insert plug 11 is being fastened to the receiving cap 12.

[0068] Simultaneously, before the second guide protrusion 135 contacts the second inclined withdrawal surface 1256, the elastomer 137 moves along the second inclined withdrawal surface 1256 in an elastically deformed state, allowing the sliding rod 13 to be smoothly withdrawn from the plug 11 by the elastic restoring force of the elastomer 137. Using the reaction force of the elastic restoring force of the elastomer 137, the elastic protrusion 1372 receives a force from the second inclined withdrawal surface 1256, and the component of the force in the withdrawal direction (e.g., +Y direction) is applied to the elastic protrusion 1372, allowing the elastic protrusion 1372 to move together with the sliding rod 13 in the withdrawal direction (e.g., +Y direction).

[0069] According to an embodiment, the second inclined withdrawal surface 1256 may include a second-first inclined withdrawal surface 1256a protruding from the insertion through wall 122 to a first height, and a second-second inclined withdrawal surface 1256b protruding from the insertion through wall 122 to a second height higher than the second-first inclined withdrawal surface 1256a. For example, when the insertion plug 11 is being inserted into the receiving cap 12, the resilient protrusion 1372 (e.g., the first portion 1372a) may be pressed by a portion of the receiving cap 12 (e.g., the release protrusion 127) in a direction opposite to the fastening direction (e.g., the -Z direction) (e.g., the +Z direction). In this state, the jamming state in which the interference protrusion 1373 is jammed by the anti-withdrawal portion 115 can be released. Then, the first guide protrusion 133 and the auxiliary protrusion 134 move along the first inclined withdrawal surface 1251 and the auxiliary guide surface 1255, respectively, so that the sliding rod 13 can be withdrawn from the insertion plug 11. Furthermore, the interference protrusion 1373 can move simultaneously while contacting the upper surface (+Z direction surface) of the anti-extraction portion 115. When the sliding rod 13 is withdrawn to a point where the interference protrusion 1373 is not in contact with the anti-extraction portion 115, the elastic protrusion 1372 (e.g., the second portion 1372b) can contact the second-first inclined withdrawal surface 1256a, and then the second guide protrusion 135 can contact the second-first inclined withdrawal surface 1256a. For example, the second-second inclined withdrawal surface 1256b can be spaced apart from the second-first inclined withdrawal surface 1256a to avoid contact with the elastic protrusion 1372 (e.g., the first portion 1372a). For example, the second portion 1372b and the second guide protrusion 135 of the elastomer 137 can move along the second-first inclined withdrawal surface 1256a. For example, the first portion 1372a of the elastomer 137 can move along the second-second inclined withdrawal surface 1256b. For example, the second portion 1372b may move while contacting the 2-1 inclined extraction surface 1256a, and the first portion 1372a may move while spaced apart from the 2-2 inclined extraction surface 1256b. In this case, the 2-1 inclined extraction surface 1256a may be referred to as an "elastic support surface", and the 2-2 inclined extraction surface 1256b may be referred to as a "relief groove".

[0070] Figure 10 This is a diagram illustrating the assembly process according to an embodiment after the sliding rod has been fully withdrawn from the insert plug, during which the insert plug is fastened to the receiving cap while the sliding rod is being inserted into the insert plug.

[0071] refer to Figure 10The first inclined insertion surface 1253 guides the sliding rod 13 (e.g., the first guide protrusion 133) connected to the insertion plug 11 such that when the sliding rod 13 is fully (e.g., to the maximum extent) withdrawn from the insertion plug 11, and when the sliding rod 13 is inserted into the insertion plug 11, the sliding rod 13 can move in the direction in which the insertion plug 11 is inserted into the receiving cap 12 (e.g., the -Z direction). By using the first inclined insertion surface 1253, during the assembly process for inserting the sliding rod 13 into the insertion plug 11, the insertion plug 11 and the receiving cap 12 can approach each other, and the insertion plug 11 can be secured to the receiving cap 12 by the mutual interference between the first guide protrusion 133 and the first inclined insertion surface 1253. As it moves closer to the securing direction (e.g., the -Z direction) in which the insertion plug 11 is secured to the receiving cap 12, the first inclined insertion surface 1253 can be inclined in the opposite direction (e.g., the -Y direction) to the first inclined withdrawal surface 1251. For example, the first inclined insertion surface 1253 may have a shape that is inclined along the insertion direction (e.g., the -Y direction) of the sliding rod 13 as it gets closer to the fastening direction (e.g., the -Z direction), along the fastening direction, the insertion plug 11 is fastened from the first inclined withdrawal surface 1251 to the receiving cap 12. For example, the first inclined insertion surface 1253 may be a surface formed on a structure protruding from the insertion through wall 122. For example, the first inclined insertion surface 1253 may be formed along the fastening direction (e.g., the -Z direction) of the structure in which the insertion plug 11 is fastened to the receiving cap 12. For example, the first inclined withdrawal surface 1251 may be formed on one side of the same structure, and the first inclined insertion surface 1253 may be formed on the other side. For example, as Figure 10 As shown in (A), when the insert plug 11 is inserted into the receiving cap 12 until the first guide protrusion 133 disengages from the first inclined withdrawal surface 1251, that is, when the sliding rod 13 is withdrawn, as Figure 10 As shown in (B), the sliding rod 13 can be inserted into the insert plug 11. In this case, the first guide protrusion 133 of the sliding rod 13 receives a force from the first inclined insertion surface 1253, and the component of the force in the fastening direction (e.g., the -Z direction) is applied to the first guide protrusion 133, such that the first guide protrusion 133 can move together with the insert plug 11 in the fastening direction (e.g., the -Z direction). Therefore, the insert plug 11 can be fully fastened to the receiving cap 12.

[0072] The second inclined insertion surface 1258 can guide the sliding rod 13 (e.g., the second guide protrusion 135) connected to the insertion plug 11 such that when the sliding rod 13 is fully (e.g., to the maximum extent) withdrawn from the insertion plug 11, and when the sliding rod 13 is inserted into the insertion plug 11, the sliding rod 13 can move in the direction in which the insertion plug 11 is inserted into the receiving cap 12 (e.g., the -Z direction). It should be noted that, unless otherwise stated, the description of the first inclined insertion surface 1253 also applies to the second inclined insertion surface 1258.

[0073] While the first guide protrusion 133 and the second guide protrusion 135 move along the first inclined insertion surface 1253 and the second inclined insertion surface 1258 respectively, the auxiliary protrusion 134 and the fastening protrusion 139 can be fastened to the auxiliary groove 126 and the fastening groove 129 respectively.

[0074] At the same time, Figure 10 In state (B), when the sliding rod 13 is withdrawn from the insertion plug 11, the connector assembly 1 can return to its original position through the interference between the first guide protrusion 133 and the first inclined separation surface 1254 and / or through the interference between the second guide protrusion 135 and the second inclined separation surface 1259. Figure 10 The state of (A).

[0075] The first inclined separation surface 1254 can guide a sliding rod 13 (e.g., a first guide protrusion 133) connected to the insert plug 11 such that when the insert plug 11 is secured to the receiving cap 12 and when the sliding rod 13 is withdrawn from the insert plug 11, the sliding rod 13 moves in the direction of separation between the insert plug 11 and the receiving cap 12 (e.g., the +Z direction). For example, the first inclined separation surface 1254 can face the first inclined insertion surface 1253. For example, the first inclined separation surface 1254 can be parallel to the first inclined insertion surface 1253. Unless otherwise stated, the description of the first inclined separation surface 1254 can also apply to the second inclined separation surface 1259.

[0076] Figure 11 This is a diagram illustrating a receiving cap according to an embodiment.

[0077] refer to Figure 11As the first angle θ1 formed by the first inclined insertion surface 1253 relative to a plane (e.g., the XY plane) perpendicular to the fastening direction (e.g., the -Z direction) of the insertion plug 11 fastening to the receiving cap 12 increases, the frictional force applied from the first inclined insertion surface 1253 to the first guide protrusion 133 may increase when the worker inserts the sliding rod 13 into the insertion plug 11 with the same magnitude of force. In other words, as the first angle θ1 decreases, the force required for the worker to insert the sliding rod 13 (hereinafter referred to as the "insertion force") may decrease. For example, the insertion force can be reduced by forming the first angle θ1 to 10 degrees or less (e.g., 5 degrees). For example, the first angle θ1 may be smaller than the second angle θ2, which will be described below.

[0078] Meanwhile, in order to limit the height of the insertion through-wall 122 to a set height, the second angle θ2 formed by the first inclined extraction surface 1251 relative to the plane (e.g., the XY plane) can be reduced. For example, the second angle θ2 can be formed to be less than 35 degrees, so that the height of the insertion through-wall 122 can be within the set height.

[0079] However, as the second angle θ2 decreases, the frictional force applied to the first guide protrusion 133 from the first inclined withdrawal surface 1251 increases when the worker inserts the plug 11 into the receiving cap 12 with the same force. Due to the increased frictional force, there is a possibility that the sliding rod 13 may not be smoothly withdrawn from the plug 11. According to an embodiment, this problem can be reduced by using the elastic restoring force of the elastomer 137.

[0080] For example, the length of the second inclined withdrawal surface 1256 may be less than the length of the first inclined withdrawal surface 1251. For example, when the plug 11 is being inserted into the receiving cap 12, after the first guide protrusion 133 and the auxiliary protrusion 134 have contacted the first inclined withdrawal surface 1251 and the auxiliary guide surface 1255, respectively, the second guide protrusion 135 may contact the second inclined withdrawal surface 1256. Then, the first guide protrusion 133 and the second guide protrusion 135 may simultaneously disengage from the first inclined withdrawal surface 1251 and the second inclined withdrawal surface 1256, respectively, and may enter the first inclined insertion surface 1253 and the second inclined insertion surface 1258, as described above. Therefore, the time for the second guide protrusion 135 to contact the second inclined withdrawal surface 1256 may be less than the time for the first guide protrusion 133 to contact the first inclined withdrawal surface 1251. Therefore, since it is not necessary to form the second inclined withdrawal surface 1256 to have the same length as the first inclined withdrawal surface 1251, the length of the second inclined withdrawal surface 1256 can be set to be less than the length of the first inclined withdrawal surface 1251. For example, based on the fastening direction (e.g., -Z direction) of the insertion plug 11 fastening to the receiving cap 12, the height of the top of the second inclined withdrawal surface 1256 can be the same as the height of the top of the first inclined withdrawal surface 1251. In this structure, the height of the second inclined withdrawal surface 1256 can be reduced, and the height of the entire connector assembly 1 can be reduced, while ensuring that the assembly task of the connector assembly 1 can be performed more easily.

[0081] Figure 12 This is a diagram illustrating an elastomer according to an embodiment.

[0082] refer to Figure 12 According to an embodiment, the sliding rod 23 may include a sidewall (e.g., Figure 4 The side wall 131), the clamping part (e.g., Figure 4 Clamping part 132), first guide protrusion (e.g., Figure 4 First guiding protrusion 133), auxiliary protrusions (e.g., Figure 4 The auxiliary protrusion 134), the second guiding protrusion 235, the elastomer 237, and the clearance space (e.g., Figure 4 (138) clearance space and fastening protrusions (e.g., Figure 4 (The fastening protrusion 139). The elastomer 237 may include an elastic arm 2371, an elastic protrusion 2372, and an interference protrusion 2373.

[0083] According to an embodiment, the second guide protrusion 235 and the elastomer 237 are movable along the second inclined extraction surface 1256, such as Figure 8 As illustrated in the figure. For example, the second inclined extraction surface 1256 may include a second-first inclined extraction surface 1256a and a second-second inclined extraction surface 1256b.

[0084] For example, the second guide protrusion 235 may move along the 2-1 inclined extraction surface 1256a, and the elastomer 237 may move along the 2-2 inclined extraction surface 1256b. For example, the second guide protrusion 235 and the elastomer 237 may move in contact with the 2-1 inclined extraction surface 1256a and the 2-2 inclined extraction surface 1256b, respectively. In this case, the 2-2 inclined extraction surface 1256b may be referred to as an "elastic support surface".

[0085] While this disclosure includes specific examples, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made in these examples without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims and their equivalents. The examples described herein are to be considered descriptive only and are not intended to be limiting. The description of features or aspects in each example will be considered applicable to similar features or aspects in other examples. For example, suitable results may be obtained if the described technology is performed in a different order and / or if components in the described system, architecture, device, or circuit are combined in a different manner, or replaced or supplemented by other components or their equivalents.

[0086] Therefore, other implementations, other embodiments and / or equivalents of the claims are within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A connector assembly comprising a receiving cap supporting a first cable, an insert plug supporting and fastening a second cable to the first cable, and a sliding rod slidable relative to the insert plug. in, The receiving cap includes: A first inclined pull-out surface guides the sliding rod in the direction of disengagement relative to the insertion plug; An auxiliary guide surface that guides the sliding rod in the direction of disengagement relative to the insertion plug; and The second inclined withdrawal surface guides the sliding rod in the direction of disengagement relative to the insertion plug, and The sliding rod includes: A first guide protrusion is movable along the first inclined extraction surface; An auxiliary protrusion movable along the auxiliary guide surface; and A second guide protrusion movable along the second inclined withdrawal surface, wherein, when the insert plug is being inserted into the receiving cap, (i) before the second guide protrusion contacts the second inclined withdrawal surface, the first guide protrusion and the auxiliary guide surface respectively, and (ii) before the auxiliary protrusion disengages from the auxiliary guide surface, the second guide protrusion contacts the second inclined withdrawal surface.

2. The connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein, The containment cap also includes: A first inclined insertion surface, as it moves closer to the fastening direction of the insertion plug to the receiving cap, is inclined in a direction opposite to the first inclined withdrawal surface, and the first inclined insertion surface guides the first guide protrusion as the sliding rod is being inserted into the insertion plug, so that the insertion plug moves in the direction in which the insertion plug is inserted into the receiving cap; and The second inclined insertion surface, as it gets closer to the fastening direction of the insertion plug fastening to the receiving cap, is inclined in the opposite direction to the second inclined withdrawal surface, and the second inclined insertion surface guides the second guide protrusion as the sliding rod is being inserted into the insertion plug so that the insertion plug moves in the direction in which the insertion plug is inserted into the receiving cap.

3. The connector assembly according to claim 2, wherein, The containment cap also includes: A first inclined separation surface guides the first guide protrusion to move the insert plug in a direction separating it from the receiving cap as the sliding rod is withdrawn from the insert plug; and A second inclined separation surface guides the second guide protrusion to move the insert plug from the state where it is secured to the receiving cap, in the direction of separation between the insert plug and the receiving cap, as the sliding rod is withdrawn from the insert plug.

4. The connector assembly according to claim 2, wherein, The first angle formed by the first inclined insertion surface relative to the plane perpendicular to the fastening direction is smaller than the second angle formed by the first inclined withdrawal surface relative to the plane perpendicular to the fastening direction, and the insertion plug is fastened to the receiving cap along the fastening direction.

5. The connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein, The sliding rod also includes an elastic body that is elastically deformable when the insertion plug is being fastened to the receiving cap. The elastomer includes: An elastic arm having a shape that extends longitudinally on the plane in which the sidewall of the sliding rod is positioned; An elastic protrusion protrudes from the elastic arm toward the inside of the insertion plug; and An interference protrusion is engaged by a portion of the insertion plug when the sliding rod is fully inserted into the insertion plug. When the insert is being fastened to the receiving cap, a portion of the receiving cap presses against the elastic protrusion, causing the elastic arm to deform elastically. This releases the interference protrusion that was held by the insert, allowing the sliding rod to be pulled out of the insert.

6. The connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein, The sliding rod also includes an elastomer that elastically deforms as the insert plug is being fastened to the receiving cap and provides an elastic restoring force in the direction in which the sliding rod disengages from the insert plug.

7. The connector assembly according to claim 6, wherein, The elastomer includes: An elastic arm having a shape that extends longitudinally in the plane on which the sidewall of the sliding rod is positioned; and An elastic protrusion protrudes from the elastic arm toward the inside of the insertion plug and is positioned in the fastening direction in which the insertion plug is fastened to the receiving cap based on the second guide protrusion.

8. The connector assembly according to claim 6, wherein, The elastomer includes: An elastic arm having a shape that extends longitudinally in the plane on which the sidewall of the sliding rod is positioned; and An elastic protrusion protrudes from the elastic arm toward the inside of the insertion plug. While the insertion plug is being fastened to the receiving cap, the elastic protrusion moves along the second inclined withdrawal surface in front of the second guide protrusion.

9. The connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein, The length of the second inclined extraction surface is less than the length of the first inclined extraction surface.

10. A connector assembly comprising a receiving cap supporting a first cable, an insert plug supporting and fastening a second cable to the first cable, and a sliding rod slidable relative to the insert plug. The sliding rod also includes an elastomer that provides an elastic restoring force in the following direction: starting from the state where the sliding rod is fully inserted into the insert plug, because the elastomer elastically deforms during the initial process of engaging with the receiving cap, after the portion held by the insert plug is released, the sliding rod is pulled out of the insert plug in the direction while the insert plug is being inserted into the receiving cap at a predetermined length.

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