Connector housing assembly and connector

Abstract

A connector housing assembly comprises of: a base 2 comprising a hollow inner cavity (figure 2, 201); a housing 1 which has a first end (figure 3, 11) adapted to be inserted into the inner cavity of the base 2 along the axial direction; and a spring 3 which is axially compressed between the first end of the housing 1 and the base 2, enabling a pre installation position and a final installation position. An internal gear 23 is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the base 2, and an external gear 13 suitable for meshing with the internal gear 23 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the first end of the housing 1. In the final installation position, the internal gear 23 engages the external gear 13 preventing relative rotation of the housing 1 and base 2. In the pre installation position, the gears 13, 23 are separated, allowing relative rotation between the housing 1 and base 2.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This application claims the benefit of Chinese Patent Application No. CN202410147180.X filed on February 1, 2024 in the State Intellectual Property Office of China, the whole disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a connector housing assembly and a connector comprising the connector housing assembly. Description of the Related Art In the prior art, the housing of the connector is fastened to the installation panel using bolts. Therefore, in the prior art, after being installed on the installation panel, the housing of the connector cannot be rotated relative to the installation panel. However, in some applications, the orientation (or angle) of the connector housing needs to be adjusted as needed. Therefore, the existing connectors are not suitable for this situation, which limits the application range of the connectors. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to overcome or alleviate at least one aspect of the above mentioned disadvantages. According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a connector housing assembly. The connector housing assembly comprises of: a base which is adapted to be fixed to an installation panel and formed with a hollow inner cavity; a housing which has a first end adapted to be inserted into the inner cavity of the base along the axial direction of the inner cavity; and a spring which is axially compressed between the first end of the housing and the base, allowing the housing to float relative to the base along the axial direction between a pre installation position and a final installation position. An internal gear is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the base, and an external gear suitable for meshing with the internal gear is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the first end of the housing; when the housing is in the final installation position, the internal gear meshes with the external gear to prevent the housing from being rotated relative to the base about the axis of the inner cavity; when the housing is in 2 the pre installation position, the internal gear is separated from the external gear to allow the housing to be rotated relative to the base about the axis of the inner cavity. According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the housing is adapted to automatically reset 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 applies a predetermined axial thrust on the housing to keep it in the final installation position. According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the external gear has multiple first teeth, which are evenly spaced in the circumferential direction of the first end of the housing; the internal gear has multiple second teeth, which are evenly spaced in the circumferential direction of the inner cavity of the base; the first gear tooth is adapted to engage in a tooth gap between adjacent two second gear teeth, and the second gear tooth is adapted to engage in a tooth gap between adjacent two first gear teeth. According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the inner cavity of the base has a top opening and a bottom opening that are opposite in an axial direction of the inner cavity, the first end of the housing is inserted into the inner cavity of the base from the top opening of the base, and the internal gear is close to the top opening of the base. According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a blocking flange is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the base, and a snap slot is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the first end of the housing; the connector housing assembly further comprises a blocking washer, which is 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 blocking flange and the blocking washer, so that the spring is axially compressed between the first end of the housing and the base. According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the blocking washer is in the form of a C-shaped ring. According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the spring is spiral shaped and is fitted onto the first end of the housing. According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an upper limit step and a lower limit step that are opposite in the axial direction are formed on the inner peripheral surface of the base; when the housing is in the final installation position, the lower limit step rests against the blocking washer to restrict the housing in the final installation position; when the housing is in the pre installation position, the upper limit step rests against the blocking washer to restrict the housing in the pre installation position. According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the lower limit step is located near the bottom opening of the inner cavity of the base, and the blocking flange is located above the upper limit step and is spaced a predetermined distance from the upper limit step in the axial direction. According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the connector 3 housing assembly further comprises a sealing ring which is provided on the lower end face of the base and is suitable for being compressed between the base and the installation panel to achieve sealing between the two. According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a sealing ring installation groove is formed on the lower end surface of the base, and the sealing ring is installed in the sealing ring installation groove. According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a connection hole is formed in the base to allow a threaded connection member to pass through, so that the base can be fastened to the installation panel through the threaded connection member passing through the connection hole. According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a connector. The connector comprises of: the above connector housing assembly; an insulator provided in the housing; and a terminal which is held in the housing by the insulator. According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the housing has a first port located in its first end, and the terminal has a connection end located in the first port of the housing, wherein the connection end of the terminal is used for electrical connection with a cable extending into the first port. According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the housing also has a second end and a second port located in the second end, and the terminal has a mating end located in the second port of the housing, the mating end of the terminal is used to mate with a mating terminal of a mating connector inserted into the second port. 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, making the housing L-shaped. In the aforementioned exemplary embodiments according to the present invention, after being installed on the installation panel, the housing of the connector can be rotated relative to the installation panel, so that the orientation of the housing of the connector can be adjusted according to actual needs, expanding the application scope of the connector. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The above and other features of the present invention will become more apparent by describing in detail exemplary embodiments thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows an illustrative assembly view of a connector housing assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 shows an illustrative exploded view of a connector housing assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 shows an illustrative exploded view of the housing, spring, and blocking washer 4 of a connector housing assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 shows an axial sectional view of the base of a connector housing assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, wherein the connector housing is shown; Figure 5 shows a cross-sectional view of a connector housing assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, wherein the connector housing is in the final installation position; and Figure 6 shows a cross-sectional view of a connector housing assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, wherein the connector housing is in a pre installation position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE IVENTION Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described hereinafter in detail with reference to the attached drawings, wherein the like reference numerals refer to the like elements. The present disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiment set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that the present disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the concept of the disclosure to those skilled in the art. 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. It will be apparent, however, that one or more embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are schematically shown in order to simplify the drawing. According to a general concept of the present invention, there is provided a connector housing assembly. The connector housing assembly comprises of: a base which is adapted to be fixed to an installation panel and formed with a hollow inner cavity; a housing which has a first end adapted to be inserted into the inner cavity of the base along the axial direction of the inner cavity; and a spring which is axially compressed between the first end of the housing and the base, allowing the housing to float relative to the base along the axial direction between a pre installation position and a final installation position. An internal gear is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the base, and an external gear suitable for meshing with the internal gear is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the first end of the housing; when the housing is in the final installation position, the internal gear meshes with the external gear to prevent the housing from being rotated relative to the base about the axis of the inner cavity; when the housing is in the pre installation position, the internal gear is separated from the external gear to allow the housing to be rotated relative to the base about the axis of the inner cavity. According to another general concept of the present invention, there is provided a 5 connector. The connector comprises of: the above connector housing assembly; an insulator provided in the housing; and a terminal which is held in the housing by the insulator. Figure 1 shows an illustrative assembly view of a connector housing assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 shows an illustrative exploded view of a connector housing assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 shows an illustrative exploded view of the housing 1, spring 3, and blocking washer 4 of a connector housing assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 shows an axial sectional view of the base 2 of a connector housing assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, wherein the housing 1 of the connector is shown; 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; Figure 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 a pre installation position. As shown in Figures 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 panel (not shown) and is formed with a hollow inner cavity 201. The housing 1 has a first end 11 adapted to be inserted into the inner cavity 201 of the base 2 along the axial direction of the inner cavity 201. The spring 3 is axially compressed between the first end 11 of housing 1 and the base 2, allowing the housing 1 to float relative to the base 2 along the axial direction of cavity 201 between a pre installation position and a final installation position. As shown in Figures 1 to 6, in the illustrated embodiment, an internal gear 23 is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the base 2, and an external gear 13 suitable for meshing with the internal gear 23 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the first end 11 of the housing 1. When the housing 1 is in the final installation position, the internal gear 23 meshes with the external gear 13 (see Figure 5) to prevent the housing 1 from being rotated relative to the base 2 about the axis of the inner cavity 201. When the housing 1 is in the pre installation position, the internal gear 23 separates from the external gear 13 (see Figure 6) to allow the housing 1 to rotate relative to the base 2 about the axis of the inner cavity 201. Therefore, in the present invention, after the connector is installed on the installation panel, the housing 1 of the connector can be rotated relative to the installation panel, so that the orientation of the housing 1 of the connector can be adjusted according to actual needs, expanding the application range of the connector. As shown in Figures 1 to 6, in the illustrated embodiment, the housing 1 is adapted to automatically reset from the pre installation position (position shown in Figure 6) to the final installation position (position shown in Figure 5) under the elastic restoring force of the spring 3. Therefore, in the illustrated embodiment, after rotating the housing 1 of the connector to a predetermined orientation, once the housing 1 is released, it will automatically reset from the pre 6 installation position to the final installation position under the elastic reset force of the spring 3, which is very convenient to use. As shown in Figures 1 to 6, in the illustrated embodiment, when the housing 1 is in the final installation position, the spring 3 applies a predetermined axial thrust on the housing 1 to keep it in the final installation position. As shown in Figures 1 to 6, in the illustrated embodiment, the external gear 13 has multiple first teeth 13a, which are evenly spaced in the circumferential direction of the first end 11 of the housing 1. The internal gear 23 has multiple second gear teeth 3a, which are evenly spaced in the circumferential direction of the inner cavity 201 of the base 2. Each first gear tooth 13a is adapted to be engaged in the tooth gap between adjacent two second gear teeth 3a, and each second gear tooth 3a is adapted to be engaged in the tooth gap between adjacent two first gear teeth 13 a. As shown in Figures 1 to 6, in the illustrated embodiment, the inner cavity 201 of the base 2 has a top opening 201a and a bottom opening 201b that are opposite in its axial direction. The first end 11 of the housing 1 is inserted into the inner cavity 201 of the base 2 from the top opening 201a of the base 2, and the internal gear 23 is close or adjacent to the top opening 201a of the base 2. As shown in Figures 1 to 6, in the illustrated embodiment, a blocking flange 2a is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the base 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 also includes a blocking washer 4, which is snapped in the snap slot 14 of the first end 11 of the housing 1. The upper end of spring 3 is pressed against the blocking flange 2a and the lower end of the spring 3 is pressed against the blocking washer 4, causing the spring 3 to be axially compressed between the first end 11 of housing 1 and the base 2. In the pre-installation and final installation positions, the blocking flange 2a is above the blocking washer 4. The elastic restoring force of the spring pushes the blocking flange 2a and the blocking washer 4 away from one another, forcing the first end of the housing 1 in a direction into the base 2. As shown in Figures 1 to 6, in the illustrated embodiment, the blocking washer 4 is in the form of a C-shaped ring, allowing the blocking washer 4 to undergo elastic deformation in the radial direction. As shown in Figures 1 to 6, in the illustrated embodiment, the spring 3 is in a spiral shape and is fitted onto the first end 11 of the housing 1. However, the shape of spring 3 is not limited to the illustrated embodiment and can be other suitable shapes of elastic components. As shown in Figures 1 to 6, in the illustrated embodiment, an upper limit step 2c and a lower limit step 2b are also formed on the inner peripheral surface of the base 2, which are opposite to each other in the axial direction of the inner cavity 201. When the housing 1 is in the final installation position (see Figure 5), the lower limit step 2b is pressed against the blocking washer 4 to restrict the housing 1 in the final installation position. When the housing 1 is in the pre installation position (see Figure 6), the upper limit step 2c rests against the blocking washer 4 to restrict the housing 1 in the pre installation position. As shown in Figures 1 to 6, in the illustrated embodiment, the lower limit step 2b is located near the bottom opening 201b of the inner cavity 201 of the base 2, and the blocking flange 2a is located above the upper limit step 2c and spaced apart from it by a predetermined distance in the axial direction. As shown in Figures 1 to 6, in the illustrated embodiment, the connector housing assembly further comprises a sealing ring 5, which is arranged on the lower end surface of the base 2 and is suitable for being compressed between the base 2 and the installation panel to achieve sealing between the two. As shown in Figures 1 to 6, in the illustrated embodiment, a sealing ring installation groove is formed on the lower end surface of the base 2, and the sealing ring 5 is installed in the sealing ring installation groove. As shown in Figures 1 to 6, in the illustrated embodiment, a connection hole 20a is formed in the base 2 to allow a threaded connection member (not shown, such as a bolt or screw) to pass through, so that the base 2 can be fastened to the installation panel through the threaded connection member passing through the connection hole 20a. As shown in Figures 1 to 6, in another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a connector is also disclosed. The connector includes the aforementioned 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. As shown in Figures 1 to 6, in the illustrated embodiment, the housing 1 has a first port 101 located at the first end 11, and the terminal has a connection end located in the first port 101 of the housing 1. The connection end of the terminal is used to electrically connect with a cable (not shown) extending into the first port 101. As shown in Figures 1 to 6, in the illustrated embodiment, the housing 1 also has a second end 12 and a second port 102 located in the second end 12. The terminal has a mating end located in the second port 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 port 102. As shown in Figures 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, resulting in the housing 1 being L-shaped. It should be appreciated for those skilled in this art that the above embodiments are intended to be illustrated, and not restrictive. For example, many modifications may be made to the above embodiments by those skilled in this art, and various features described in different embodiments may be freely combined with each other without conflicting in configuration or principle. Although several exemplary embodiments have been shown and described, it would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes or modifications may be made in 8 these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the disclosure, the scope of which is defined in the claims and their equivalents. As used herein, an element recited in the singular and proceeded with the word "a" or "an" should be understood as not excluding plural of said elements or steps, unless such exclusion is 5 explicitly stated. Furthermore, references to "one embodiment" of the present invention are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features. Moreover, unless explicitly stated to the contrary, embodiments "comprising" or "having" an element or a plurality of elements having a particular property may include additional such elements not having that property. 10

Claims

1. A connector housing assembly, comprising:a base (2) which is adapted to be fixed to an installation panel and is formed with a hollow inner cavity (201);a housing (1) which has a first end (11) adapted to be inserted into the inner cavity (201) of the base (2) along an axial direction of the inner cavity (201); anda spring (3) which 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 between a pre installation position and a final installation position,wherein an internal gear (23) is formed on an inner peripheral surface of the base (2), and an external gear (13) suitable for meshing with the internal gear (23) is formed on an outer peripheral surface of the first end (11) of the housing (1),wherein when the housing (1) is in the final installation position, the internal gear (23) meshes with the external gear (13) to prevent the housing (1) from being rotated relative to the base (2) about the axis of the inner cavity (201),wherein when the housing (1) is in the pre installation position, the internal gear (23) is separated from the external gear (13) to allow the housing (1) to be rotated relative to the base (2) about the axis of the inner cavity (201).

2. The connector housing assembly according to claim 1,wherein the housing (1) is adapted to automatically reset 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) applies a predetermined axial thrust on the housing (1) to keep it in the final installation position.

3. The connector housing assembly according to claim 1 or 2,wherein the external gear (13) has multiple first teeth (13a), which are evenly spaced in a circumferential direction of the first end (11) of the housing (1);wherein the internal gear (23) has multiple second teeth (13a), which are evenly spaced in a circumferential direction of the inner cavity (201) of the base (2);wherein each first gear tooth (13a) is adapted to engage in a tooth gap between adjacent two second gear teeth (3a), and each second gear tooth (3a) is adapted to engage in a tooth gap between adjacent two first gear teeth (13a).

4. The connector housing assembly according to claim 1, 2 or 3,wherein the inner cavity (201) of the base (2) has a top opening (201a) and a bottom opening (201b) that are opposite in the axial direction of the inner cavity (201), wherein the firstend (11) of the housing (1) is inserted into the inner cavity (201) of the base (2) from the top opening (201a) of the base (2), and the internal gear (23) is close to the top opening (201a) of the base (2).

5. The connector housing assembly according to claim 4,wherein a blocking flange (2a) is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the base (2), and a snap slot (14) is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the first end (11) of the housing (i);wherein the connector housing assembly further comprises a blocking washer (4), which is 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 respectively pressed against the blocking flange (2a) and the blocking washer (4), so that the spring (3) is axially compressed between the first end (11) of the housing (1) and the base (2).

6. The connector housing assembly according to claim 5,wherein the blocking washer (4) is in the form of a C-shaped ring.

7. The connector housing assembly according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the spring (3) is spiral shaped and is fitted onto the first end (11) of the housing(1).

8. The connector housing assembly according to claim 5, 6 or 7,wherein an upper limit step (2c) and a lower limit step (2b) that are opposite in the axial direction are formed on the inner peripheral surface of the base (2);wherein when the housing (1) is in the final installation position, the lower limit step (2b) rests against the blocking washer (4) to restrict the housing (1) in the final installation position;wherein when the housing (1) is in the pre installation position, the upper limit step (2c) rests against the blocking washer (4) to restrict the housing (1) in the pre installation position.

9. The connector housing assembly according to claim 8,wherein the lower limit step (2b) is located near the bottom opening (201b) of the inner cavity (201) of the base (2), and the blocking flange (2a) is located above the upper limit step (2c) and is spaced a predetermined distance from the upper limit step (2c) in the axial direction.

10. The connector housing assembly according to any preceding claim, further comprising:a sealing ring (5) which is provided on the lower end face of the base (2) and is suitable for being compressed between the base (2) and the installation panel to achieve sealing between the two.

11. The connector housing assembly according to claim 10,wherein a sealing ring installation groove is formed on the lower end surface of the base (2), and the sealing ring (5) is installed in the sealing ring installation groove.

12. The connector housing assembly according to any preceding claim,wherein a connection hole (20a) is formed in the base (2) to allow a threaded connection member to pass through, so that the base (2) can be fastened to the installation panel through the threaded connection member passing through the connection hole (20a).

13. A connector, comprising:the connector housing assembly according to any one of claims 1-12;an insulator provided in the housing (1); anda terminal which is held in the housing (1) by the insulator.

14. The connector according to claim 13,wherein the housing (1) has a first port (101) located in its first end (11), and the terminal has a connection end located in the first port (101) of the housing (1), wherein the connection end of the terminal is used for electrical connection with a cable extending into the first port (101).

15. The connector according to claim 14,wherein the housing (1) also has a second end (12) and a second port (102) located in the second end (12), and the terminal has a mating end located in the second port (102) of the housing (1), the mating end of the terminal is used to mate with a mating terminal of a mating connector inserted into the second port (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), making the housing (1) L-shaped.

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