Connector housing arrangement and connectors

Abstract

The present invention discloses a connector housing assembly and a connector. The connector housing assembly comprises: a base part (2) adapted for fixation to an installation manifold and formed with a hollow internal cavity (201); a housing (1) having a first end (11) adapted for insertion into the internal cavity (201) of the base part (2) along the axial direction of the internal cavity (201); and a spring (3) axially compressed between the first end (11) of the housing (1) and the base part (2), whereby the housing (1) can float relative to the base part (2) along the axial direction between a pre-installation position and a final installation position.An internal toothing (23) is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the base part (2), and an external toothing (13) is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the first end (11) of the housing (1), which is suitable for engagement with the internal toothing (23); when the housing (1) is in the final installation position, the internal toothing (23) engages with the external toothing (13) to prevent the housing (1) from rotating relative to the base part (2) about the axis of the internal cavity (201); when the housing (1) is in the pre-installation position, the internal toothing (23) is separated from the external toothing (13) to allow the housing (1) to rotate relative to the base part (2) about the axis of the internal cavity (201).In the present invention, the housing of the connector can be rotated relative to the installation distributor after installation on the installation distributor, so that the orientation of the housing can be adjusted as needed, thereby expanding the application range of the connector.

Description

Cross-reference to related application

[0001] This application claims the benefit of Chinese Patent Application No. CN202410147180.X, filed on February 1, 2024, with the State Intellectual Property Office of the People's Republic of China, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. Background of the inventionField of the invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a connector housing assembly and a connector comprising the connector housing assembly. Description of related technology

[0003] In the current state of the art, the connector housing is attached to the distribution board with screws. Therefore, the connector housing cannot be rotated relative to the distribution board after installation. However, in some applications, the orientation (or angle) of the connector housing must be adjusted as needed. Therefore, existing connectors are not suitable for this situation, which limits the application range of the connectors. Summary of the invention

[0004] The present invention has been made to overcome or mitigate at least one aspect of the above-mentioned disadvantages.

[0005] According to one aspect of the present invention, a connector housing assembly is provided. The connector housing assembly comprises: a base member adapted for fixation to an installation manifold and formed with a hollow interior cavity; a housing having a first end adapted for insertion into the interior cavity of the base member along the axial direction of the interior cavity; and a spring axially compressed between the first end of the housing and the base member, whereby the housing can float relative to the base member along the axial direction between a pre-installation position and a final installation position.An internal toothing is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the base part, and an external toothing is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the first end of the housing, which is suitable for engagement with the internal toothing; when the housing is in the final installation position, the internal toothing engages the external toothing to prevent the housing from rotating relative to the base part about the axis of the internal cavity; when the housing is in the pre-installation position, the internal toothing is separated from the external toothing to allow the housing to rotate relative to the base part about the axis of the internal cavity.

[0006] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the housing is adapted to automatically return from the pre-installation position to the final installation position under the elastic restoring force of the spring; when the housing is in the final installation position, the spring exerts a predetermined axial thrust on the housing to hold it in the final installation position.

[0007] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the external gear tooth has a plurality of first teeth evenly spaced in the circumferential direction of the first end of the housing; the internal gear tooth has a plurality of second teeth evenly spaced in the circumferential direction of the inner cavity of the base part; the first gear tooth is adapted to engage a tooth gap between two adjacent second gear teeth, and the second gear tooth is adapted to engage a tooth gap between two adjacent first gear teeth.

[0008] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the inner cavity of the base part has an upper opening and a lower opening that are opposite to each other in the axial direction of the inner cavity, the first end of the housing is inserted from the upper opening of the base part into the inner cavity of the base part, and the internal toothing is located near the upper opening of the base part.

[0009] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a locking flange is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the base part, and a snap slot is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the first end of the housing; the connector housing assembly further includes a locking washer snapped into the snap slot of the first end of the housing; the upper and lower ends of the spring are respectively pressed against the locking flange and the locking washer, so that the spring is axially compressed between the first end of the housing and the base part.

[0010] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the locking disc has the shape of a C-shaped ring.

[0011] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the spring is spiral-shaped and is mounted on the first end of the housing.

[0012] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, upper and lower limiting steps are formed on the inner peripheral surface of the base part, which are opposite to each other in the axial direction; when the housing is in the final installation position, the lower limiting step abuts against the locking disc to hold the housing in the final installation position; when the housing is in the pre-installation position, the upper limiting step abuts against the locking disc to hold the housing in the pre-installation position.

[0013] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the lower limiting step is located near the lower opening of the inner cavity of the base part and the locking flange is located above the upper limiting step and is spaced apart in the axial direction by a predetermined distance from the upper limiting step.

[0014] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the connector housing assembly further comprises a sealing ring provided on the lower end surface of the base part and adapted to be compressed between the base part and the installation manifold to create a seal therebetween.

[0015] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a seal ring installation groove is formed on the lower end surface of the base part, and the seal ring is installed in the seal ring installation groove.

[0016] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a connecting hole through which a threaded connecting element passes is formed in the base part, so that the base part can be fastened to the installation distributor by the threaded connecting element passing through the connecting hole.

[0017] According to one aspect of the present invention, a connector is provided. The connector comprises: the above connector housing assembly; an insulator provided in the housing; and a terminal retained in the housing by the insulator.

[0018] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the housing has a first terminal located at its first end, and the terminal has a connection end located in the first terminal of the housing, the connection end of the terminal being for electrical connection to a cable extending into the first terminal.

[0019] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the housing further comprises a second end and a second terminal located in the second end, and the terminal has a mating end located in the second terminal of the housing, wherein the mating end of the terminal is used for mating with a mating terminal of a mating connector inserted into the second terminal.

[0020] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an axial direction of the first end of the housing is perpendicular to an axial direction of the second end of the housing, whereby the housing becomes L-shaped.

[0021] In the above-mentioned exemplary embodiments according to the present invention, the housing of the connector can be rotated relative to the installation distributor after installation on the installation distributor, so that the orientation of the housing of the connector can be adjusted according to actual requirements, thereby expanding the application range of the connector. Short description of the drawings

[0022] The above and other features of the present invention will become more apparent when exemplary embodiments thereof are described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 shows an exemplary assembly view of a connector housing assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 2 shows an exemplary exploded view of a connector housing assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 3 shows an exemplary exploded view of the housing, spring, and locking washer of a connector housing assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 4 shows an axial sectional view of the base part of a connector housing assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, showing the connector housing; Fig. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of a connector housing assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, with the connector housing in the final installation position; and Fig. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of a connector housing assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, with the connector housing in the pre-installation position. Detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention

[0023] Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements. However, the present disclosure may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiment set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the concepts of the disclosure to those skilled in the art.

[0024] In the following detailed description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the disclosed embodiments. However, it will be apparent that one or more embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown schematically to simplify the drawing.

[0025] According to a general concept of the present invention, a connector housing assembly is provided. The connector housing assembly comprises: a base member adapted for fixation to an installation manifold and formed with a hollow interior cavity; a housing having a first end adapted for insertion into the interior cavity of the base member along the axial direction of the interior cavity; and a spring axially compressed between the first end of the housing and the base member, whereby the housing can float relative to the base member along the axial direction between a pre-installation position and a final installation position.An internal toothing is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the base part, and an external toothing is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the first end of the housing, which is suitable for engagement with the internal toothing; when the housing is in the final installation position, the internal toothing engages with the external toothing to prevent the housing from rotating relative to the base part about the axis of the internal cavity; when the housing is in the pre-installation position, the internal toothing is separated from the external toothing to allow the housing to rotate relative to the base part about the axis of the internal cavity.

[0026] According to another general aspect of the present invention, a connector is provided. The connector comprises: the above connector housing assembly; an insulator provided in the housing; and a terminal retained in the housing by the insulator.

[0027] The Fig. 1 shows an exemplary assembly view of a connector housing assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 shows an exemplary exploded view of a connector housing assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 3 shows an exemplary exploded view of the housing 1, the spring 3 and the locking disk 4 of a connector housing assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; The Fig. Fig. 4 shows an axial sectional view of the base part 2 of a connector housing assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, wherein the housing 1 of the connector is shown; Fig. Figure 5 shows a cross-sectional view of a connector housing assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, wherein the housing 1 of the connector is in the final installation position; Fig. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of a connector housing assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, wherein the connector housing 1 is in the pre-installation position.

[0028] As in the Fig. 1 to 6, in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a connector housing assembly is disclosed. The connector housing assembly includes a housing 1, a base 2, and a spring 3. The base 2 is adapted to be fixed to an installation manifold (not shown) and has a hollow interior cavity 201. The housing 1 has a first end 11 adapted for insertion into the interior cavity 201 of the base 2 along the axial direction of the interior cavity 201. The spring 3 is axially compressed between the first end 11 of the housing 1 and the base 2, allowing the housing 1 to float relative to the base 2 along the axial direction of the cavity 201 between a pre-installation position and a final installation position.

[0029] As in the Fig. 1 to 6, in the illustrated embodiment, an internal toothing 23 is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the base part 2, and an external toothing 13 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the first end 11 of the housing 1, which is suitable for engagement with the internal toothing 23. When the housing 1 is in the final installation position, the internal toothing 23 engages with the external toothing 13 (see the Fig. 5) to prevent the housing 1 from rotating relative to the base part 2 about the axis of the inner cavity 201. When the housing 1 is in the pre-installation position, the internal toothing 23 is separated from the external toothing 13 (see the Fig. 6) to allow the housing 1 to rotate relative to the base part 2 about the axis of the inner cavity 201. Therefore, in the present invention, the housing 1 of the connector can be rotated relative to the installation manifold after installation on the installation manifold, so that the orientation of the housing 1 of the connector can be adjusted according to actual requirements, thereby expanding the application range of the connector.

[0030] As in the Fig. 1 to 6, the housing 1 in the illustrated embodiment is adapted to be automatically moved from the pre-installation position (in Fig. 6) to the final installation position (shown in the Fig. 5). Therefore, in the illustrated embodiment, after the housing 1 of the connector is rotated to a predetermined orientation, the housing 1 automatically returns from the pre-installation position to the final installation position after release under the elastic restoring force of the spring 3, which is very convenient in use.

[0031] As in the Fig. 1 to 6, in the illustrated embodiment, when the housing is in the final installation position, the spring exerts a predetermined axial thrust on the housing to hold it in the final installation position.

[0032] As in the Fig. 1 to 6, the external gear 13 in the illustrated embodiment has a plurality of first teeth 13a that are evenly spaced in the circumferential direction of the first end 11 of the housing 1. The internal gear 23 has a plurality of second gear teeth 3a that are evenly spaced in the circumferential direction of the internal cavity 201 of the base part 2. The first gear tooth 13a is adapted to engage the tooth gap between two adjacent second gear teeth 3a, and the second gear tooth 3a is adapted to engage the tooth gap between two adjacent first gear teeth 13a.

[0033] As in the Fig. As shown in Figures 1 to 6, the inner cavity 201 of the base part 2 in the illustrated embodiment has an upper opening 201a and a lower opening 201b, which are opposite each other in its axial direction. The first end 11 of the housing 1 is inserted from the upper opening 201a of the base part 2 into the inner cavity 201 of the base part 2, and the internal toothing 23 is located near the upper opening 201a of the base part 2.

[0034] As in the Fig. 1 to 6, in the illustrated embodiment, a locking flange 2a is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the base part 2, and a snap slot 14 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the first end 11 of the housing 1. The connector housing assembly further includes a locking washer 4 snapped into the snap slot 14 of the first end 11 of the housing 1. The upper and lower ends of the spring 3 are respectively pressed against the locking flange 2a and the locking washer 4, thereby compressing the spring 3 axially between the first end 11 of the housing 1 and the base part 2.

[0035] As in the Fig. 1 to 6, the locking disc 4 in the illustrated embodiment has the shape of a C-shaped ring, which enables the locking disc 4 to undergo elastic deformation in the radial direction.

[0036] As in the Fig. As shown in Figures 1 to 6, the spring 3 in the illustrated embodiment has a spiral shape and is mounted on the first end 11 of the housing 1. However, the shape of the spring 3 is not limited to the illustrated embodiment and may include other suitable shapes of elastic components.

[0037] As in the Fig. 1 to 6, in the illustrated embodiment, an upper limiting step 2c and a lower limiting step 2b, which are opposite to each other in the axial direction of the inner cavity 201, are also formed on the inner peripheral surface of the base part 2. When the housing 1 is in the final installation position (see the Fig. 5), the lower limit stop 2b is pressed against the locking disc 4 to hold the housing 1 in the final installation position. When the housing 1 is in the pre-installation position (see the Fig. 6), the upper limit step 2c rests against the locking disc 4 to hold the housing 1 in the pre-installation position.

[0038] As in the Fig. 1 to 6, in the illustrated embodiment, the lower limiting step 2b is located near the bottom opening 201b of the inner cavity 201 of the base part 2, and the locking flange 2a is located above the upper limiting step 2c and is spaced therefrom by a predetermined distance in the axial direction.

[0039] As in the Fig. 1 to 6, the connector housing assembly in the illustrated embodiment further comprises a sealing ring 5 arranged on the lower end surface of the base part 2 and adapted to be compressed between the base part 2 and the installation manifold to create a seal between the two.

[0040] As in the Fig. 1 to 6, in the illustrated embodiment, a seal ring installation groove is formed on the lower end surface of the base part 2, and the seal ring 5 is installed in the seal ring installation groove.

[0041] As in the Fig. 1 to 6, in the illustrated embodiment, a connecting hole 20a is formed in the base part 2 to allow a threaded connecting element (not shown, such as a bolt or a screw) to be passed therethrough, so that the base part 2 can be fastened to the installation manifold by the threaded connecting element passed through the connecting hole 20a.

[0042] As in the Fig. 1 to 6, a connector is also disclosed in another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The connector includes the above-mentioned connector housing assembly, an insulator (not shown), and a terminal (not shown). The insulator is provided in the housing 1. The terminal is held in the housing 1 by the insulator.

[0043] As in the Fig. As shown in Figures 1 to 6, the housing 1 in the illustrated embodiment has a first terminal 101 located at the first end 11, and the terminal has a connecting end located in the first terminal 101 of the housing 1. The connecting end of the terminal is for electrical connection to a cable (not shown) extending into the first terminal 101.

[0044] As in the Fig. 1 to 6, the housing 1 in the illustrated embodiment also has a second end 12 and a second terminal 102 located in the second end 12. The terminal has a mating end located in the second terminal 102 of the housing 1, and the mating end of the terminal is used to mate with a mating terminal (not shown) of a mating connector (not shown) inserted into the second terminal 102.

[0045] As in the Fig. 1 to 6, in the illustrated embodiment, the axial direction of the first end 11 of the housing 1 is perpendicular to the axial direction of the second end 12 of the housing 1, which results in the housing 1 being L-shaped.

[0046] Those skilled in the art should understand that the above embodiments are intended for illustrative purposes only and not as limiting. For example, those skilled in the art may make many modifications to the above embodiments, and various features described in different embodiments may be freely combined without causing conflicts in configuration or principle.

[0047] Although several exemplary embodiments have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes or modifications may be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the disclosure, the scope of which is defined in the claims and their equivalents.

[0048] As used herein, an element mentioned in the singular and preceded by the word "a" or "an" should be understood not to exclude the plurality of such elements or steps unless such exclusion is expressly stated. Furthermore, references to "one embodiment" of the present invention should not be interpreted to preclude the existence of additional embodiments that also include the recited features. Furthermore, embodiments that "include" or "have" an element or a plurality of elements with a particular characteristic may include additional elements without that characteristic, unless expressly stated to the contrary. QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] CN 202410147180

[0001]

Claims

[1] A connector housing assembly comprising: a base part (2) adapted for fixing to an installation distributor and formed with a hollow inner cavity (201); a housing (1) having a first end (11) adapted for insertion into the inner cavity (201) of the base part (2) along the axial direction of the inner cavity (201); and a spring (3) which is compressed axially between the first end (11) of the housing (1) and the base part (2), whereby the housing (1) can float relative to the base part (2) along the axial direction between a pre-installation position and a final installation position, wherein an internal toothing (23) is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the base part (2) and an external toothing (13) is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the first end (11) of the housing (1), which is suitable for engagement with the internal toothing (23), wherein, when the housing (1) is in the final installation position, the internal toothing (23) engages the external toothing (13) to prevent the housing (1) from rotating relative to the base part (2) about the axis of the internal cavity (201), Wherein, when the housing (1) is in the pre-installation position, the internal toothing (23) is separated from the external toothing (13) to allow the housing (1) to rotate relative to the base part (2) about the axis of the internal cavity (201). [2] The connector housing assembly according to claim 1, wherein the housing (1) is adapted to automatically return from the pre-installation position to the final installation position under the elastic restoring force of the spring (3); wherein, when the housing (1) is in the final installation position, the spring (3) exerts a predetermined axial thrust on the housing (1) to hold it in the final installation position. [3] The connector housing assembly according to claim 1, wherein the external toothing (13) has a plurality of first teeth (13a) which are evenly spaced in the circumferential direction of the first end (11) of the housing (1); wherein the internal toothing (23) has a plurality of second teeth (13a) which are evenly spaced in the circumferential direction of the inner cavity (201) of the base part (2); wherein the first gear tooth (13a) is adapted to engage in the tooth gap between two adjacent second gear teeth (3a), and the second gear tooth (3a) is adapted to engage in the tooth gap between two adjacent first gear teeth (13a). [4] The connector housing assembly according to claim 1, wherein the inner cavity (201) of the base part (2) has an upper opening (201a) and a lower opening (201b) which are opposite to each other in the axial direction of the inner cavity (201), the first end (11) of the housing (1) is inserted from the upper opening (201a) of the base part (2) into the inner cavity (201) of the base part (2), and the internal toothing (23) is located near the upper opening (201a) of the base part (2). [5] The connector housing assembly according to claim 4, wherein a locking flange (2a) is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the base part (2) and a snap slot (14) is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the first end (11) of the housing (1); wherein the connector housing assembly further comprises a locking disc (4) snapped into the snap slot (14) of the first end (11) of the housing (1); wherein the upper and lower ends of the spring (3) are each pressed against the locking flange (2a) and the locking disc (4), so that the spring (3) is axially compressed between the first end (11) of the housing (1) and the base part (2). [6] The connector housing assembly according to claim 5, wherein the locking disc (4) has the shape of a C-shaped ring. [7] The connector housing assembly according to claim 5, wherein the spring (3) is spiral-shaped and is placed on the first end (11) of the housing (1). [8] The connector housing assembly according to claim 5, wherein an upper limiting step (2c) and a lower limiting step (2b) which are opposite to each other in the axial direction are formed on the inner peripheral surface of the base part (2); wherein, when the housing (1) is in the final installation position, the lower limit step (2b) bears against the locking disc (4) to hold the housing (1) in the final installation position; wherein, when the housing (1) is in the pre-installation position, the upper limit step (2c) bears against the locking disc (4) to hold the housing (1) in the pre-installation position. [9] The connector housing assembly according to claim 8, wherein the lower limiting step (2b) is located near the lower opening (201b) of the inner cavity (201) of the base part (2) and the locking flange (2a) is located above the upper limiting step (2c) and is spaced apart from the upper limiting step (2c) by a predetermined distance in the axial direction. [10] The connector according to claim 1, further comprising: a sealing ring (5) provided on the lower end surface of the base part (2) and adapted to be compressed between the base part (2) and the installation manifold to create a seal between the two. [11] The connector housing assembly according to claim 10, wherein a seal ring installation groove is formed on the lower end surface of the base part (2), and the seal ring (5) is installed in the seal ring installation groove. [12] The connector housing assembly according to claim 1, wherein a connecting hole (20a) is formed in the base part (2) to allow a threaded connecting member to be passed therethrough, so that the base part (2) can be fixed to the installation manifold by the threaded connecting member passed through the connecting hole (20a). [13] A connector comprising: the connector housing assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 12; an insulator provided in the housing (1); and a terminal held in the housing (1) by the insulator. [14] The connector according to claim 13, wherein the housing (1) has a first terminal (101) located at its first end (11), and the terminal has a connection end located in the first terminal (101) of the housing (1), the connection end of the terminal being used for electrical connection to a cable projecting into the first terminal (101). [15] The connector according to claim 14, wherein the housing (1) also has a second end (12) and a second terminal (102) located in the second end (12), and the terminal has a mating end located in the second terminal (102) of the housing (1), the mating end of the terminal being used for mating with a mating terminal of a mating connector inserted into the second terminal (102). [16] The connector according to claim 15, wherein an axial direction of the first end (11) of the housing (1) is perpendicular to an axial direction of the second end (12) of the housing (1), whereby the housing (1) becomes L-shaped.

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