INTEGRATED MULTIPLE CONNECTOR

Abstract

An integrated multipole connector (1) comprising: a socket housing (11) in which a first conductor unit (12) with a shielding contact (123) for electric field shielding and a second conductor unit (13) with a shielding cover (133) for electric field shielding are mounted, wherein the second conductor unit (13) has a different current capacity than the first conductor unit (12), a plug housing (21) connected to the socket housing (11), in which a first plug connection (23) electrically connected to the first line unit (12) and a second plug connection (24) electrically connected to the second line unit (13) are mounted in the plug housing (21), a connector shielding sleeve (22) arranged in the connector housing (21) to shield the electric fields of the first and second connector terminals (23, 24), and a socket shielding sleeve (14) arranged in the socket housing (11) to shield an electric field between the socket housing (11) and the plug housing (21) by connecting with the plug shielding sleeve (22) when the socket housing (11) is connected to the plug housing (21).

Description

BACKGROUND(a) Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to an integrated multipole connector. In particular, the invention relates to an integrated multipole connector that can be used as a multipole connector integrating a plurality of connectors employing different current capacities and shielding structures. (b) Background technology

[0002] Generally, connector specifications are classified according to the current capacity or shielding methods used. A connector typically applies an equivalent current level to a conductor.

[0003] In a hybrid vehicle that uses an electric motor as its drive source, an electrical power distribution unit is installed to distribute electrical power not only to the electric motor but also to various electrical loads installed in the vehicle. The electrical power distribution unit distributes the electrical power supplied by a battery mounted in the vehicle to the electric motor and each electrical load.

[0004] Since the electric motor consumes a very high current compared to the electrical load, different types of connectors are used, such as a connector to apply current to the electric motor and a connector to apply current to the electrical load.

[0005] Furthermore, conventional connectors feature different shielding structures depending on their current capacity. The connector's current capacity can be categorized into low-current and high-current versions based on its threshold current value. For cost and weight reduction, a shielding structure in a low-current connector is applied individually to each conductor connected to each terminal, while in a high-current connector, a shielding structure is applied to multiple terminals.

[0006] The size of the connector has increased in recent years with the increasing power capacity of vehicles, and thus the area required by an in-vehicle electrical power distribution unit to accommodate the connector is constantly increasing.

[0007] To solve this problem, a multipole connector was developed that integrates multiple low-current circuit connectors using the same shielding structure. However, integrating a low-current circuit connector with an individual shielding structure and a high-current circuit connector with a common shielding structure is difficult because it introduces problems related to increased size and maintaining water resistance.

[0008] It is possible to reduce the size when integrating connectors that use the same shielding structure; however, it is difficult to reduce the size when integrating connectors that use different shielding structures. Therefore, a new shielding structure is required. Furthermore, even when a new shielding structure is used to integrate connectors with different shielding structures, corrosion and damage to the connector can occur if the new shielding structure is not watertight.

[0009] Other known connectors are described in DE 10 2008 028 785 B4, US 2008 / 0 220 652 A1 and DE 694 01 232 T2.

[0010] The information disclosed in this section concerning the background of the invention serves only to provide a better understanding of the general background of the invention and may therefore contain information that does not constitute the prior art, which is already known to a person skilled in the art. BRIEF INVENTION EXPLANATION

[0011] The purpose of this disclosure is to solve the problems described above that are associated with the prior art.

[0012] According to one aspect, the present invention / disclosure provides an integrated multipole connector that can be used as a multipole connector integrating a plurality of connectors using different current capacities and shielding structures.

[0013] According to a preferred embodiment, an integrated multipole connector is provided. The integrated multipole connector comprises: a receptacle housing in which a first conductor unit with a shielding contact for electric field shielding and a second conductor unit with a shielding cover for electric field shielding are mounted, the second conductor unit having a different current capacitance than the first conductor unit; a plug housing connected to the receptacle housing, in which a first plug terminal, electrically connected to the first conductor unit, and a second plug terminal, electrically connected to the second conductor unit, are mounted in the plug housing; a plug shielding cover arranged in the plug housing to shield the electric fields of the first and second plug terminals; and a receptacle shielding cover.which is arranged in the socket housing to shield an electric field between the socket housing and the plug housing by connecting with the plug shielding sleeve when the socket housing is connected to the plug housing.

[0014] The socket shielding sleeve can have a first contact part formed at its front end, which is connected to a front end of the plug shielding sleeve, the first contact part being in contact with an inner surface of the front end of the plug shielding sleeve. The first contact part can make elastic contact with the inner surface of the front end of the plug shielding sleeve when the front end of the socket shielding sleeve is inserted into the plug shielding sleeve. The socket shielding sleeve can have a second contact part formed at its rear end, the second contact part being connected to the shielding contact by contact with it. The second contact part can be formed within the socket shielding sleeve to make elastic contact with the outside of the shielding contact when the first conductor assembly passes through the socket shielding sleeve.The first conductor assembly can pass through the socket shielding sleeve when mounted on a first circuit entry point of the socket housing. The socket shielding sleeve can have a third contact part formed at its rear end, the third contact part being connected to the shielding cover of the second conductor assembly by contact with it. The third contact part can be formed within the socket shielding sleeve to make elastic contact with the outside of the shielding cover when the second conductor assembly passes through the socket shielding sleeve. The second conductor assembly can pass through the socket shielding sleeve when mounted on a second circuit entry point of the socket housing.

[0015] The first conductor assembly can include at least one low-current conductor, one end of which is located in the connector shielding housing, and the shielding contact arranged around the center of the low-current conductor. The low-current conductor can have a core carrying current and a conductor shield for electrical field shielding of the core. The first conductor assembly can include a core insulator located between the core and the conductor shield to provide electrical insulation to the core, and a shield insulator located outside the conductor shield to provide electrical insulation to the conductor shield. The shielding contact can be arranged around a front end of the conductor shield, and the connector shielding housing and the conductor shield can extend in front of and beyond the shielding contact.

[0016] The second conductor assembly may comprise: at least one high-current conductor, of which a front end is arranged in the socket shielding housing, the shielding cover into which a rear end of the high-current conductor is inserted, and a shielding shield attached outside a rear end of the shielding cover to surround the rear end of the high-current conductor.

[0017] When the connector housing of the integrated multipole connector is mounted on a shielding housing for electric field shielding of an electrical power distributor, a rear end of the connector shielding sleeve can be connected to the shielding housing by contact to enable electric field shielding between the shielding housing and the connector housing.

[0018] In the integrated multipole connector, a small-current line seal can be arranged around the first line unit to prevent moisture ingress between the receptacle housing and the first line unit. In the integrated multipole connector, a cover seal can be arranged around the second line unit to prevent moisture ingress between the receptacle housing and the second line unit. In the integrated multipole connector, a large-current line seal can be arranged around the large-current line to prevent moisture ingress between the large-current line and the shielding cover located outside the large-current line. In the integrated multipole connector, a receptacle seal can be installed inside the receptacle housing to prevent moisture ingress between the receptacle housing and the plug housing.In the integrated multipole connector, a connector seal can be arranged at a rear end of the connector housing in contact with the shielding housing to prevent moisture from penetrating between the connector housing and the shielding housing.

[0019] In the integrated multipole connector, a receptacle locking terminal can be located in the receptacle housing, and a plug locking terminal can be located in the plug housing. When the electrical connection between the receptacle locking terminal and the plug locking terminal is established, current can be applied between the first conductor and the first plug terminal, and between the second conductor and the second plug terminal. The receptacle shield and the plug shield can then be connected by contact between them.

[0020] Further aspects and preferred embodiments of the disclosure are explained below.

[0021] It is noted that the term "vehicle" or "vehicle-" or similar terms as used in this application refer to motor vehicles in general, for example, passenger cars including off-road vehicles (SUVs), buses, trucks, various commercial vehicles, watercraft including a variety of boats and ships, aircraft and the like, as well as hybrid vehicles, electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, hydrogen-powered vehicles and other vehicles powered by alternative fuels (for example, vehicles powered by non-petroleum-derived fuels). In this document, a hybrid vehicle is a vehicle with two or more propulsion sources, for example, a vehicle having both a gasoline engine and an electric engine.

[0022] The above and further features of the present invention / disclosure are explained below. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] The above and further features of the present invention / disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to certain exemplary embodiments thereof, which are shown in the attached drawings, which serve only for illustration and thus do not limit the present disclosure. They show: Fig. 1 and Fig. Two views showing a bushing according to the present disclosure / invention, Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 views showing a plug according to the present disclosure / invention, Fig. 5, Fig. 6 and Fig. 7 views showing a low-current line according to the present disclosure / invention, Fig. 8, Fig. 9 and Fig. 10 views showing a high-voltage power line according to the present disclosure / invention, Fig. 11 and Fig. 12 views showing a socket shielding sleeve according to the present disclosure / invention, Fig. 13 a view showing a socket housing and a first line assembly according to the present disclosure, Fig. 14 a sectional view of the bushing according to the present disclosure / invention, Fig. 15 a view showing a state in which the first line unit according to the present disclosure / invention is mounted on the socket housing, Fig. 16 a view showing the socket housing and a second line assembly according to the present disclosure / invention, Fig. 17 a view showing a connection structure between the socket housing and a shielding cover according to the present disclosure / invention, Fig. 18 a view showing a state before the second line unit is mounted on the socket housing, according to the present disclosure / invention, Fig. 19 a view showing a state after the second line unit is mounted on the socket housing, according to the present disclosure / invention Fig. 20, Fig. 21A, Fig. 21B, Fig. 22A and Fig. 22B Views showing the actuation of a lever element and a connection process between the socket and the plug according to the present disclosure / invention, Fig. 23 a view showing the plug connected to an electrical power distributor, Fig. 24 a view showing an integrated multipole connector connected to the electrical power distributor, Fig. 25 a view showing a state before a locking terminal is connected, Fig. 26 a view showing a state after the locking connector is connected, and Fig. 27 a view showing a structure for preventing the ingress of water which may occur in the integrated multipole connector according to the present disclosure / invention.

[0024] It is noted that the attached drawings are not necessarily to scale, but rather represent a somewhat simplified depiction of various features that illustrate the basic principles of the present invention. The specific design features of the present invention, as disclosed herein, including, for example, certain dimensions, orientations, positions, and shapes, are partly determined by the particular intended application and the environment of use.

[0025] The reference symbols in the figures refer to identical or equivalent parts of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] Various embodiments of the present invention are discussed in detail below, with examples illustrated in the attached drawings and described below. Although the invention is described in connection with exemplary embodiments, it should be noted that the invention is not limited to these embodiments by the present description. On the contrary, the invention is intended to include not only the exemplary embodiments but also numerous alternatives, modifications, equivalents, and other embodiments that may be contained within the concept and scope of the invention as defined by the attached claims.

[0027] An integrated multipole connector 1 according to the present disclosure / invention has a socket 10 and a plug 20 which is inserted into the socket 10 for connection with it.

[0028] As in Fig. 1 and Fig. As shown in Figure 2, the socket 10 can have a socket housing 11, consisting of a socket inner housing 112 and a socket outer housing 111, and a socket shielding shell 14, which is arranged between the socket inner housing 112 and the socket outer housing 111.

[0029] The socket inner housing 112 can be configured to protect terminals 122 and 132 of a first and a second line unit 12 and 13, and includes a first socket terminal protection part 112a for protecting terminal 122 of the first line unit 12 and a second socket terminal protection part 112b for protecting terminal 132 of the second line unit 13.

[0030] The socket shielding sleeve 14 can be configured to provide a shielding structure between the socket 10 and the plug 20 by contacting the shielding sleeve of the plug 20 (i.e., a plug shielding sleeve 22) (see Fig. 24) to form. The socket shielding sleeve 14 can be connected to the main shielding sleeve 22 by contact with it when the socket 10 is connected to the plug 20. The socket shielding sleeve 14 is connected to the plug shielding sleeve 22, thereby enabling an electric field shield between the socket housing 11 and a plug housing 21.

[0031] The socket outer housing 111 can be provided with a lever element 17 which is able to prevent an increase in the insertion force of the plug 20 into a lever movement path opening 17b for a connection between the socket 10 and the plug 20 (see Fig. 20). When the plug 20 is inserted into the socket 10, a lever movement track projection 17a of the plug 20 is movable along the lever movement track opening 17b. The lever element 17 can be installed outside the socket outer housing 111 to be rotatable at a predetermined angle. When the lever movement track projection 17a of the plug 20 is positioned in the lever movement track opening 17b, the insertion depth of the plug 20 into the socket 11 can be adjusted by rotating the lever element 17.

[0032] The socket inner housing 112 is inserted into the socket shielding sleeve 14, and the socket shielding sleeve 14 is inserted into the socket outer housing 111. Since the shielding element of the first conductor unit 12 (i.e., a shielding contact) mounted on the socket housing 11 and the shielding element of the second conductor unit 13 (i.e., a shielding cover) come into contact with the socket shielding sleeve 14, shielding from the first conductor unit 12 to the socket housing 11 and shielding from the second conductor unit 13 to the socket housing 11 is possible (see Fig. 24).

[0033] Referring to the Fig. 25 and Fig. 26, after contact and connection are established between the terminals of socket 10 (i.e., the socket terminals) and the terminals of plug 20 (i.e., the plug terminals), when socket 10 is connected to plug 20 and a socket locking terminal 15 is connected to a plug locking terminal 25 by contact with it, a current is allowed to flow between socket terminals 122 and 132 and plug terminals 23 and 24. The socket locking terminal 15 can be mounted and secured in the socket inner housing 112. The socket inner housing 112 can be provided with a socket locking terminal mounting part 112g into which the socket locking terminal 15 is inserted.

[0034] A bushing seal 16, which is in Fig. The component shown in Figure 27 can be mounted in the socket outer housing 111. The ingress of moisture between the socket 10 and the plug 20 can be prevented by the socket seal 16, which is arranged between the socket outer housing 111 and a plug outer housing 211, when the socket housing 11 is connected to a plug housing 21, i.e., when the socket 10 is connected to the plug 20.

[0035] As in Fig. 3 and Fig. As shown in Figure 4, the connector 20 can have a connector housing 21, which consists of a connector inner housing 212 and a connector outer housing 211, and a connector shielding cover 22, which is arranged between the connector inner housing 212 and the connector outer housing 211.

[0036] The connector inner housing 212 can be configured to protect terminals 122, 132, 15, 23, 24, and 25 contained in the cable units 12 and 13. The terminals are a first connector terminal 23, electrically connected to the first cable unit 12, a second connector terminal 24, electrically connected to the second cable unit 13, and so on. The connector inner housing 212 has a first connector terminal protection part 212a for protecting the first connector terminal 23 inserted therein, and a second connector terminal protection part 212b for protecting the second connector terminal 24 inserted therein (see Fig. 26). The first and second connector protection parts 212a and 212b can be configured to support the first and second connector terminals 23 and 24 without movement.

[0037] The connector shielding sleeve 22 can be configured to shield the electric fields of the first and second connector terminals 23 and 24. The front end of the connector shielding sleeve 22 faces the front end of the socket shielding sleeve 14 and thus makes contact when the socket 10 is connected to the plug 20. The rear end of the connector shielding sleeve 22 can provide electric field shielding between the plug 20 and an electrical power distributor by contacting a shielding housing 2 of the electrical power distributor. The front end of the connector shielding sleeve 22 is inserted into the socket housing 21 when the socket housing 11 is connected to the plug housing 21.

[0038] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 23, the plug outer housing 211 can be attached and fixed to the electrical power distributor. The rear end of the plug outer housing 211 can be provided with a mounting bracket 211a, which is screwed to the shielding housing 2 of the electrical power distributor. The mounting point of the mounting bracket 211a can be provided with a sleeve to prevent vibration.

[0039] As in Fig. 25 and Fig. As shown in Figure 26, after contact and connection are established between socket terminals 122 and 132 and plug terminals 23 and 24 when socket 10 is connected to plug 20, the plug locking terminal 25 is connected to the socket locking terminal 15, thus allowing current to flow between socket terminals 122 and 132 and plug terminals 23 and 24. The plug locking terminal 25 can be mounted and secured within the plug inner housing 212. The plug inner housing 212 can be configured to protect the plug locking terminal 25 inserted therein.

[0040] A connector seal 26, which is in Fig. The connector seal 26, shown in Figure 27, is mounted to be positioned at the rear end of the connector outer housing 211 (specifically, the rear end of the mounting bracket). When the socket 10 is connected to the plug 20, the connector seal 26, positioned between the plug outer housing 211 and the shielding housing 2, prevents moisture from penetrating between the plug housing 211 and the shielding housing 2 of the electrical power distributor. Thus, the connector seal 26 prevents moisture from penetrating between the plug 20 and the shielding housing 2 of the electrical power distributor. When the plug 20 is connected to the shielding housing 2, the rear end of the plug outer housing 211 comes into contact with the surface of the shielding housing 2, and the rear end of the plug inner housing 212 passes through the shielding housing 2.

[0041] As in Fig. 2 and Fig. As shown in Figure 5, the first conductor unit 12 can have at least one low-current conductor 121 (also referred to as the "first conductor") and a shielding contact 123 arranged around the low-current conductor 121. The shielding contact 123 has an electric field shielding function and can be located at the longitudinal center of the low-current conductor 121. The low-current conductor 121 can have a current-carrying capacity that is lower by a predetermined value or more than that of a high-current conductor 131 (also referred to as the "second conductor"). The first conductor unit 12 can have a plurality of low-current conductors 121 with different current-carrying capacities.

[0042] As in Fig. 5 to Fig. As shown in Figure 7, the low-current line 121 can have a low-current core 121a, which forms a circuit for applying current, a core insulator 121b surrounding the core 121a, a line screen 121c located outside the core insulator 121b, and a screen insulator 121d located outside the line screen 121c. A current can flow in the core 121a. The core insulator 121b surrounds the entire outer circumferential surface of the core 121a to prevent the current flowing in the core 121a from escaping to the outside of the core insulator 121b. The conductor shield 121c provides electric field shielding, so that the electric field generated by the current flowing in the core 121a does not affect the outside of the low-current conductor 121. The shield insulator 121d provides electrical insulation of the conductor shield 121c to prevent an external current from flowing into the shield insulator 121d.

[0043] For circuit shielding in the low-current line 121, a shield base 124 is mounted around the core insulator 121b, and the conductor shield 121c is arranged around the shield base 124 after the low-current socket connector 122 (also referred to as the "first socket connector") is pressed against and connected to the core 121a. In this case, the conductor shield 121c covers the shield base 124. The shield contact 123 is mounted outside the shield base 124, which is covered by the conductor shield 121c. A section where the shield contact 123, the conductor shield 121c, and the shield base 124 overlap and are stacked on top of each other is pressed and fixed by a device. In this case, the shield contact 123 is arranged around the front end of the conductor shield 121c.When the small-current line 121 is inserted into the socket housing 11, the front end of it (the section with the first socket terminal) is arranged in the socket shielding housing (see . Fig. 24). Thus, the socket shielding sleeve 14 and the conductor shield 121c are arranged in front of and behind the shielding contact 123. The socket shielding sleeve 14 extends from the outside of the shielding contact 123 to the plug shielding sleeve 22, and the conductor shield 121c extends from the inside of the shielding contact 123 to the opposite side of the plug shielding sleeve 22.

[0044] As in Fig. 8 to Fig. As shown in Figure 10, the second conductor assembly 13 can comprise at least one high-current conductor 131, an aluminum shielding cover 133 into which the rear end of the high-current conductor 131 is inserted, and a shielding shield 135 located outside the rear end of the shielding cover 133. The front end of the high-current conductor 131 can be located in the socket shielding housing 14. The shielding shield 135 can surround the rear end of the high-current conductor 131. The second conductor assembly 13 can comprise a plurality of high-current conductors 131 having the same current capacity.

[0045] The high-current line 131 can have a high-current core 131a, a core insulator 131b surrounding the core 131a, and a high-current socket connector 132. The high-current line 131 is assembled such that, after the high-current socket connector 132 (also referred to as the "second socket connector") is pressed against and connected to the core 131a, the rear end of the high-current line 131 passes through the interior of the shielding cover 133. The rear end of the shielding cover 133 and the rear end of the high-current conductor 131 are surrounded by the shielding screen 135, which is arranged around the rear end of the shielding cover 133 into which the rear end of the high-current conductor 131 (the section not connected to the high-current socket terminal) is inserted. The shielding screen 135 can shield the electric field generated in the conductor.A crimp ring 134 is placed around the shielding cover 133 on the shielding shield 135. The crimp ring 134 is pressed against the shielding cover 133 by a device. A protective cable gland 136 is mounted on the crimp ring 134. The cable gland 136 can cover the open rear end of the shielding cover 133 to protect the rear end of the high-current conductor 131. The shielding cover 133 can be made of a metal material with an electric field shielding function, such as aluminum.

[0046] To prevent moisture from penetrating between the shielding cover 133 and the high-current conductor 131, a conductor seal 138 is mounted around the high-current conductor 131 (see Fig. 27). A cover seal 137 can be used to provide watertightness between the shielding cover 133 and the socket 10. The cover seal 137 can be mounted on the front end of the shielding cover 133. This means that the cover seal 137 can be mounted around the second conductor assembly 13. The cover seal 137 can prevent moisture from ingress between the socket housing 11 and the second conductor assembly 13.

[0047] As in Fig. 11 and Fig. As shown in Figure 12, the socket shielding housing 14 has first contact parts 141, a second contact part 142 and a third contact 143.

[0048] The first contact parts 141 can be formed at an upper and a lower end of the front end of the socket shielding housing 14. The first contact parts 141 come into contact with the inner surface of the front end of the plug shielding housing 22 when the socket 10 is connected to the plug 20 (see Fig. 24). The first contact parts 141 can come into elastic contact with the inner surface of the front end of the plug shielding sleeve 22 when the front end of the socket shielding sleeve 14 is inserted into the plug shielding sleeve 22.

[0049] The second and third contact parts 142 and 143 can be formed at the rear end of the socket shielding housing 14. As shown in Fig. 14 and Fig. As shown in Figure 15, the second contact part 142 can form an electric field shielding structure that is connected to the shielding contact 123 by contact with the shielding contact 123 of the low-current line 121 when the first line unit 12 is inserted into a first circuit entry part 112c of the socket housing 11. The third contact part 143 can form an electric field shielding structure that is connected to the shielding cover 133 by contact with the shielding cover 133 of the second line unit 13 when the second line unit 13 is inserted into a second circuit entry part 112d of the socket housing 11.

[0050] The second contact part 142 can be formed at the rear end of the socket shielding sleeve 14 to make elastic contact with the outside of the shielding contact 123 when the first conductor unit 12 passes through the socket shielding sleeve 14, which is arranged between the socket outer housing 111 and the socket inner housing 112. The third contact part 143 can be formed at the rear end of the socket shielding sleeve 14 to make elastic contact with the outside of the shielding cover 133 when the second conductor unit 13 passes through the socket shielding sleeve 14. When the first conductor unit 12 is inserted into the first circuit entry part 112c of the socket housing 11, it passes through the rear end of the socket shielding sleeve 14. When the second line unit 13 is mounted on the second circuit entry part 112d of the socket housing 11, it passes through the rear end of the socket shielding cover 14.

[0051] In particular, the second and third contact parts 142 and 143 can be elastically bent and deformed when the first and second conductor units 12 and 13 pass through the rear end of the socket shielding shell 14, so that they can be in stable contact with the shielding contact 123 and the shielding cover 133 by means of the elastic restoring force generated at the time of deformation.

[0052] The socket shielding sleeve 14 is connected to the plug shielding sleeve 22 by contact with it when the electrical connection between the socket locking terminal 15 and the plug locking terminal 25 is established.

[0053] As in Fig. 13 to Fig. As shown in Figure 15, the first socket terminal 122 is supported and fixed by a first terminal lance 112e of the socket inner housing 112 when the first conductor unit 12 is inserted into the first circuit entry part 112c of the socket inner housing 112 by passing through the rear end of the socket outer housing 111 (the first circuit protection part). In this case, the shield contact 123 of the first conductor unit 12 is connected to the second contact part 142 by passing through the rear end of the socket shielding cover 14.

[0054] As in Fig. 16 to Fig. As shown in Figure 19, the second socket connection 132 is supported and secured by a second connection lance 112f of the socket inner housing 112 when the second conductor assembly 13 is inserted into the second circuit entry part 112d of the socket inner housing 112 by passing through the rear end of the socket outer housing 111. In this case, the shielding cover 133 of the second conductor assembly 13 is connected to the third contact part 143 of the socket shielding cover 14 by contact with it in the rear part of the socket shielding cover 14. In addition, snap-in jaws 133a, which project from the shielding cover 133 of the second conductor assembly 13, can each be snapped into fastening parts 111b, which are formed on both sides of the socket outer housing 111.

[0055] As in Fig. 20 to Fig. As shown in Figure 22, the socket 10 moves towards the plug 20, which is fixed in the shielding housing 2 of the electrical power distributor, and the plug 20 is inserted into the socket 10 when the socket 10 is connected to the plug 20.

[0056] As in Fig. 20 and Fig. As shown in Figure 21A, the lever movement track projection 17a, which protrudes from the plug outer housing 211, enters the lever movement track opening 17b, which is formed in the socket outer housing 111, when the plug 20 is inserted into the socket 10. The plug 20 is primarily inserted into the socket 10 until the lever movement track projection 17a is positioned in the middle of the lever movement track opening 17b.

[0057] After the plug 20 is primarily inserted into the socket 10, the lever element 17, which is mounted in the socket outer housing 111, is moved as shown in Fig. 21A and Fig. 22A shown rotated. As the lever element 17 rotates, the socket 10 begins to move in a direction in which the socket terminals 122 and 132 come into contact with the plug terminals 23 and 24 (see Fig. 21B and Fig. 22B). Rotating the lever element 17 allows the lever movement track projection 17a to move towards the distal end of the lever movement track opening 17b, so that the plug 20 is secondarily inserted into the socket 10. The movement of the lever movement track projection 17a in the lever movement track opening 17b is limited by the rotation of the lever element 17, and the amount of movement of the plug 20 inserted into the socket 10 is adjusted.

[0058] As in Fig. 22A and Fig. As shown in Figure 22B, the connection between socket 10 and plug 20 is completed when the rotation of the lever element 17 is finished. This means that when the rotation of the lever element 17 is complete, contact and connection are established between socket terminals 122 and 132 and plug terminals 23 and 24, and the movement of plug 20 inserted into socket 10 is complete. In this case, socket terminals 122 and 132 and plug terminals 23 and 24 are in a state where current can flow. Furthermore, the first contact parts 141 of the socket shielding sleeve 14 are in contact with the inner surface of the front end of the plug shielding sleeve 22 when the rotation of the lever element 17 is complete. Since the socket shielding sleeve 14 and the plug shielding sleeve 22 are connected to each other in a contacting manner, the shielding structure of the first and second line units 12 and 13 extends from the socket 10 to the plug 20.

[0059] As in Fig. 23 and Fig. As shown in Figure 24, the mounting bracket 211a of the connector outer housing 211 can be attached and fixed to the electrical power distributor within the connector 20. The electrical power distributor has the shielding housing 2 for electric field shielding, and the connector outer housing 211 is firmly mounted to the shielding housing 2. The shielding housing 2 can have a through-hole 2a formed in one side of it, such that the rear end of the connector inner housing 212 is inserted into the through-hole 2a.

[0060] When the mounting bracket 211a of the connector 20 is attached to the shielding housing 2, a shielding contact part 221 of the connector shielding sleeve 22 comes into contact with the inner surface of the shielding housing 2 (the surface surrounding the through-hole). This enables electric field shielding between the shielding housing 2 and the connector shielding sleeve 22. Since the shielding housing 2 in the electrical power distributor is made entirely of a metal shielding material, such as aluminum, electric field shielding is possible within the interior of the electrical power distributor, i.e., within the shielding housing 2 where components for distributing electrical power are located. Accordingly, all areas where current flows in the socket 10, the connector 20, and the electrical power distributor become magnetic field shielding zones.

[0061] As in Fig. 25 and Fig. As shown in Figure 26, when plug 20 is connected to socket 10, after the connection between socket terminals 122 and 132 and plug terminals 23 and 24, and the connection between socket shielding sleeve 14 and plug shielding sleeve, the connection between socket terminals 122 and 132 and plug terminals 23 and 24, as well as the connection between socket shielding sleeve 14 and plug shielding sleeve 22, is established when plug 20 is fully inserted into socket 10. Plug locking terminal 25 and socket locking terminal 15 prevent current from flowing between socket terminals 122 and 132 and plug terminals 23 and 24 before the connection between socket terminals 122 and 132 and plug terminals 23 and 24 is established.This means that the plug locking terminal 25 and the socket locking terminal 15 are not connected until the connection between socket terminals 122 and 132 and plug terminals 23 and 24 is established. The connection between the plug locking terminal 25 and the socket locking terminal 15 allows current to flow between socket terminals 122 and 132 and plug terminals 23 and 24. Furthermore, the plug shielding sleeve 22 and the socket shielding sleeve 14 are connected by contact between them when the connection between the plug locking terminal 25 and the socket locking terminal 15 is established.

[0062] In the state where the connection between socket 10, plug 20 and the electrical power distributor is established, moisture can enter in the direction indicated by the arrow in the Fig. As shown in Figure 27, moisture can penetrate between the socket 10, the plug 20, and the shielding housing 2 of the electrical power distributor. To prevent moisture from penetrating between the socket 10, the plug 20, and the shielding housing 2 of the electrical power distributor, it is preferred that a sealing element be installed to provide watertightness at each location where moisture ingress can occur. The sealing element can prevent the shielding performance of the shielding-relevant components of the connector from deteriorating due to moisture by preventing moisture from entering the connector. Furthermore, the sealing element prevents moisture from penetrating from the outside at the rear end of the shielding cover 133, which is difficult to seal against water, since the rear end of the shielding cover 133 is covered by the cable gland 136 (see Figure 27). Fig. 18 and Fig. 19).

[0063] The sealing element can comprise a small-current line seal 125, a large-current line seal 138, a cover seal 137, a socket seal 16, a plug seal 26, and the like. The small-current line seal 125 can be configured to prevent the ingress of moisture between the first circuit protection part 111a of the socket outer casing 111 and the small-current line 121. The first circuit protection part 111a is a section that supports the rear end of the small-current line 12 of the first line unit 12 inserted therein. The small-current line seal 125 can be installed around the first line unit 12 (specifically around the rear end of the small-current line). The second circuit protection part 111c is a section that supports the front end of the shielding cover 133 of the second line unit 13 inserted therein.

[0064] The integrated multipole connector 1 of the present disclosure with the above configuration has, in addition to the effects mentioned above, the following further advantages.

[0065] It is possible to reduce the number of connector types included in the electrical power distribution box by using a structure that integrates the functions of conventional low-current and high-current line connectors. This, in turn, allows for a reduction in the size of the electrical power distribution box.

[0066] It is possible to simplify the number of operations involved in wiring a cable harness by reducing the number of connector types used in the electrical power distribution unit. By reducing the number of connector types, it is possible to reduce the number of locking circuits formed by the connector's locking terminals. This simplifies the number of operations required to create these locking circuits during wiring of the cable harness and reduces the number of components, such as the terminals and wires that form the locking circuits. Consequently, it is possible to reduce the manufacturing costs of the connector and increase productivity.

[0067] The integrated multipole connector according to the present disclosure has a structure that integrates a plurality of electrical connectors with different current capacities and shielding structures. For this reason, it is possible to reduce the number of connectors used for the electrical connection of a plurality of line units with different current capacities and to reduce the size of the electrical power distributor for distributing electrical power to the line units.

[0068] The disclosure has been described in detail with reference to preferred embodiments thereof. However, the person skilled in the art will recognize that modifications to these embodiments are possible without departing from the principles and the inventive concept, the scope of protection of the invention being defined in the attached claims and their equivalents.

Claims

[1] An integrated multipole connector (1) comprising: a socket housing (11) in which a first conductor unit (12) with a shielding contact (123) for electric field shielding and a second conductor unit (13) with a shielding cover (133) for electric field shielding are mounted, wherein the second conductor unit (13) has a different current capacity than the first conductor unit (12), a plug housing (21) connected to the socket housing (11), in which a first plug connection (23) electrically connected to the first line unit (12) and a second plug connection (24) electrically connected to the second line unit (13) are mounted in the plug housing (21), a connector shielding sleeve (22) arranged in the connector housing (21) to shield the electric fields of the first and second connector terminals (23, 24), and a socket shielding sleeve (14) arranged in the socket housing (11) to shield an electric field between the socket housing (11) and the plug housing (21) by connecting with the plug shielding sleeve (22) when the socket housing (11) is connected to the plug housing (21). [2] Integrated multipole connector (1) according to claim 1, wherein the socket shielding shell (14) has a first contact part (141) formed at its front end, which is connected to a front end of the plug shielding shell (22), wherein the first contact part (141) is in contact with an inner surface of the front end of the plug shielding shell (22). [3] Integrated multipole connector (1) according to claim 2, wherein the first contact part (141) comes into elastic contact with the inner surface of the front end of the connector shielding shell (22) when the front end of the socket shielding shell (14) is inserted into the connector shielding shell (22). [4] Integrated multipole connector (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the socket shielding shell (14) has a second contact part (142) formed at its rear end, wherein the second contact part (142) is connected to the shielding contact (123) by contact therewith. [5] Integrated multipole connector (1) according to claim 4, wherein the second contact part (142) is formed in the socket shielding shell (14) to come into elastic contact with the outside of the shielding contact (123) when the first conductor unit (12) passes through the socket shielding shell (14). [6] Integrated multipole connector (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the first conductor unit (12) passes through the socket shielding shell (14) when mounted on a first circuit insertion part (112c) of the socket housing (11). [7] Integrated multipole connector (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the socket shielding shell (14) has a third contact part (143) formed at its rear end, wherein the third contact part (143) is connected to the shielding cover (133) of the second conductor unit (13) by contact therewith. [8] Integrated multipole connector (1) according to claim 7, wherein the third contact part (143) is formed in the socket shielding shell (14) to make elastic contact with the outside of the shielding cover (133) when the second conductor unit (13) passes through the socket shielding shell (14). [9] Integrated multipole connector (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the second conductor unit (13) passes through the socket shielding shell (14) when mounted on a second circuit insertion part (112d) of the socket housing (11). [10] Integrated multipole connector (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the first conductor unit (12) comprises: at least one low-current conductor (121) of which a front end is arranged in the socket shielding shell (14), and the shielding contact (123) which is arranged around the center of the low-current conductor (121), and wherein the low-current conductor (121) comprises a core (121a) in which a current flows and a conductor shield (121c) for electric field shielding of the core (121a). [11] Integrated multipole connector (1) according to claim 10, wherein the first conductor unit (12) has a core insulator (121b) located between the core (121a) and the conductor shield (121c) to provide electrical insulation of the core (121a) and a shield insulator (121d) located outside the conductor shield (121c) to provide electrical insulation of the conductor shield (121c). [12] Integrated multipole connector (1) according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the shield contact (123) is arranged around a front end of the conductor shield (121c) and the socket shielding shell (14) and the conductor shield (121c) are arranged in front of and beyond the shield contact (123). [13] Integrated multipole connector (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the second line unit (13) comprises: at least one high-current conductor (131), one front end of which is arranged in the socket shielding housing (14), the shielding cover (133), into which a rear end of the high-current line (131) is inserted, and a shielding screen (135) attached outside a rear end of the shielding cover (133) to surround the rear end of the high-current line (131). [14] Integrated multipole connector (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein, when the connector housing (21) is mounted on a shielding housing (2) for electric field shielding of an electrical power distributor, a rear end of the connector shielding shell (22) is connected to the shielding housing (2) by contact therewith to enable electric field shielding between the shielding housing (2) and the connector housing (21). [15] Integrated multipole connector (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein a low-current conductor seal (125) is arranged around the first conductor assembly (12) to prevent the ingress of moisture between the socket housing (11) and the first conductor assembly (12). [16] Integrated multipole connector (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein a cover seal (137) is arranged around the second conductor assembly (13) to prevent the ingress of moisture between the socket housing (11) and the second conductor assembly (13). [17] Integrated multipole connector (1) according to claim 13 or according to any of claims 14 to 16, if in combination with claim 13, wherein a high-current conductor seal (138) is arranged around the high-current conductor (131) to prevent the ingress of moisture between the high-current conductor (131) and the shielding cover (133) which is arranged outside the high-current conductor (131). [18] Integrated multipole connector (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein a socket seal (16) is mounted in the socket housing (11) to prevent the ingress of moisture between the socket housing (11) and the connector housing (21). [19] Integrated multipole connector (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein a connector seal (26) is arranged at a rear end of the connector housing (21) in contact with the shielding housing (2) to prevent the ingress of moisture between the connector housing (21) and the shielding housing (2). [20] Integrated multipole connector (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 19, wherein: a socket locking terminal (15) is arranged in the socket housing (11) and a plug locking terminal (25) is arranged in the plug housing (21), and, when an electrical connection is established between the socket locking terminal (15) and the plug locking terminal (25), a current is applied between the first line unit (12) and the first plug terminal (23) and between the second line unit (13) and the second plug terminal (24), and the socket shielding cover (14) and the plug shielding cover (22) are connected to each other by contact between them.

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