Connector housing assembly and connector

Abstract

To provide a connector capable of adjusting the orientation of a housing as necessary.SOLUTION: A connector housing assembly includes a base 2 which is fixed to an installation panel, a housing 1 which has a first end inserted into the base 2, and a spring 3 which is axially compressed between the first end of the housing 1 and the base 2 and allows the housing 1 to float relative to the base 2 between a pre-installation position and a final installation position along an axial direction. 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 of the housing 1. The internal gear 23 meshes with the external gear and prevents the housing 1 from rotating around an axis relative to the base 2 when the housing 1 is in the final installation position.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims the benefit of Chinese Patent Application No. CN202410147180.X, filed with the State Intellectual Property Office of China on February 1, 2024, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to a connector housing assembly and a connector including the connector housing assembly. [Background technology]

[0003] In the prior art, the connector housing is fixed to the mounting panel using bolts. Therefore, in the prior art, the connector housing cannot be rotated relative to the mounting panel after being mounted to the mounting panel. However, in some applications, the orientation (or angle) of the connector housing needs to be adjusted as needed. Therefore, existing connectors are not suitable for this situation, which limits the range of application of the connector. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The present invention has been made to overcome or mitigate at least one aspect of the above disadvantages. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] According to an aspect of the present invention, a connector housing assembly is provided. The connector housing assembly includes: a base configured to be secured to a mounting panel and having a hollow internal cavity formed therein; a housing having a first end configured to be inserted axially into the internal cavity of the base; and a spring that is axially compressed between the first end of the housing and the base, allowing the housing to float axially relative to the base between a pre-mounted position and a final mounted position. An internal gear is formed on an inner peripheral surface of the base, and an external gear adapted to mesh with the internal gear is formed on an outer peripheral surface of the first end of the housing, such that when the housing is in the final mounted position, the internal gear meshes with the external gear to prevent the housing from rotating about the axis of the internal cavity relative to the base, and when the housing is in the pre-mounted position, the internal gear disengages from the external gear to allow the housing to rotate about the axis of the internal cavity relative to the base.

[0006] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the housing is configured to automatically reset from a pre-installed position to a final installed position under the elastic restoring force of a spring, and when the housing is in the final installed position, the spring applies a predetermined axial thrust to the housing to maintain the housing in the final installed position.

[0007] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the external gear has a plurality of first teeth evenly spaced circumferentially about the first end of the housing, and the internal gear has a plurality of second teeth evenly spaced circumferentially about the internal cavity of the base, the first gear teeth configured to engage tooth gaps between two adjacent second gear teeth, and the second gear teeth configured to engage tooth gaps between two adjacent first gear teeth.

[0008] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the internal cavity of the base has a top opening and a bottom opening on opposite sides of the internal cavity in an axial direction thereof, the first end of the housing is inserted into the internal cavity of the base through the top opening of the base, and the internal gear is adjacent to the top opening of the base.

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

[0010] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the block washer is in the form of a C-ring.

[0011] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the spring is helical in shape and is attached to the first end of the housing.

[0012] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, axially opposite upper and lower limit step portions are formed on the inner peripheral surface of the base, and when the housing is in the final installation position, the lower limit step portion abuts against the block washer to restrict the housing to the final installation position, and when the housing is in the pre-installation position, the upper limit step portion abuts against the block washer to restrict the housing to the pre-installation position.

[0013] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the lower step is located near the bottom opening of the internal cavity of the base, and the block flange is located above the upper step and is axially spaced a predetermined distance from the upper step.

[0014] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the connector housing assembly further comprises a seal ring provided on a lower end surface of the base and adapted to be compressed between the base and the mounting panel to achieve a seal between the base and the mounting panel.

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

[0016] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a connecting hole through which a threaded connecting member can pass is formed in the base, so that the base can be secured to the mounting panel by the threaded connecting member passing through the connecting hole.

[0017] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a connector comprising the connector housing assembly described above, an insulator provided in the housing, and a terminal held in the housing by the insulator.

[0018] In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the housing has a first port located at a first end of the housing, and the terminal has a connection end located at the first port of the housing, the connection end of the terminal being used to electrically connect to a cable extending into the first port.

[0019] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the housing also has a second end and a second port located at the second end, and the terminals have mating ends located at the second port of the housing, the mating ends of the terminals being used to mate with mating terminals of a mating connector inserted into the second port.

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

[0021] In the above exemplary embodiments according to the present invention, the housing of the connector can be rotated relative to the mounting panel after being mounted on the mounting panel, so that the orientation of the housing of the connector can be adjusted according to actual needs, and the application range of the connector is expanded.

[0022] These and other features of the present invention will become more apparent from the detailed description of illustrative embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0023] [Figure 1] 1 is an illustrative assembly view of a connector housing assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is an illustrative exploded view of a connector housing assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] 1 is an illustrative exploded view of a housing, spring, and block washer of a connector housing assembly in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 4] 2 is an axial cross-sectional view of a base of a connector housing assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, showing the connector housing; FIG. [Figure 5] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a connector housing assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, with the connector housing in a final installed position; [Figure 6] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a connector housing assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, with the connector housing in a pre-mounted position; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout the drawings. However, the present disclosure may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the concept of the disclosure to those skilled in the art.

[0025] 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 diagrammatically shown to simplify the drawings.

[0026] In accordance with a general aspect of the present invention, there is provided a connector housing assembly including: a base configured to be secured to a mounting panel and having a hollow internal cavity formed therein; a housing having a first end configured to be inserted axially into the internal cavity of the base; and a spring configured to be axially compressed between the first end of the housing and the base, allowing the housing to float axially relative to the base between a pre-mounted position and a final mounted position. An internal gear is formed on an inner peripheral surface of the base, and an external gear adapted to mesh with the internal gear is formed on an outer peripheral surface of the first end of the housing, such that when the housing is in the final mounted position, the internal gear meshes with the external gear to prevent the housing from rotating about the axis of the internal cavity relative to the base, and when the housing is in the pre-mounted position, the internal gear disengages from the external gear to allow the housing to rotate about the axis of the internal cavity relative to the base.

[0027] In accordance with another general aspect of the present invention, there is provided a connector including the connector housing assembly described above, an insulator disposed in the housing, and terminals held in the housing by the insulator.

[0028] FIG. 1 is an illustrative assembly view of a connector housing assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an illustrative exploded view of a connector housing assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is an illustrative exploded view of a housing 1, spring 3, and block washer 4 of a connector housing assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is an axial cross-sectional view of a base 2 of a connector housing assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, showing the connector housing 1. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a connector housing assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, with the connector housing 1 in a final installed position. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a connector housing assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, with the connector housing 1 in a pre-installed position.

[0029] As shown in Figures 1 to 6, a connector housing assembly is disclosed in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The connector housing assembly includes a housing 1, a base 2, and a spring 3. The base 2 is configured to be fixed to a mounting panel (not shown) and has a hollow internal cavity 201 formed therein. The housing 1 has a first end 11 configured to be inserted into the internal cavity 201 of the base 2 along the axial direction of the internal 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-mounted position and a final mounted position.

[0030] 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 mounting position, the internal gear 23 meshes with the external gear 13 (see FIG. 5 ) to prevent the housing 1 from rotating about the axis of the internal cavity 201 relative to the base 2. When the housing 1 is in the pre-mounting position, the internal gear 23 disengages from the external gear 13 (see FIG. 6 ) to allow the housing 1 to rotate about the axis of the internal cavity 201 relative to the base 2. Therefore, in the present invention, the connector housing 1 can be rotated relative to the mounting panel after the connector is mounted on the mounting panel, thereby allowing the orientation of the connector housing 1 to be adjusted according to actual needs, thereby expanding the range of application of the connector.

[0031] 1 to 6, in the illustrated embodiment, the housing 1 is configured to be automatically reset from a pre-mounting position (the position shown in FIG. 6) to a final mounted position (the position shown in FIG. 5) under the elastic restoring force of the spring 3. Therefore, in the illustrated embodiment, when the housing 1 of the connector is released after being rotated in a predetermined direction, the housing 1 is automatically reset from the pre-mounting position to the final mounted position under the elastic resetting force of the spring 3, which is very convenient to use.

[0032] As shown in FIGS. 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 to the housing 1 to maintain the housing 1 in the final installation position.

[0033] 1-6, in the illustrated embodiment, the external gear 13 has a plurality of first teeth 13a evenly spaced apart 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 evenly spaced apart in the circumferential direction of the internal cavity 201 of the base 2. The first gear teeth 13a are configured to engage with the tooth gaps between two adjacent second gear teeth 3a, and the second gear teeth 3a are configured to engage with the tooth gaps between two adjacent first gear teeth 13a.

[0034] 1 to 6, in the illustrated embodiment, the internal cavity 201 of the base 2 has an upper opening 201a and a bottom opening 201b on opposite sides in the axial direction. The first end 11 of the housing 1 is inserted into the internal cavity 201 of the base 2 through the upper opening 201a of the base 2, and the internal gear 23 is adjacent to the upper opening 201a of the base 2.

[0035] 1-6 , in the illustrated embodiment, a block 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 block washer 4 that fits into the snap slot 14 in the first end 11 of the housing 1. The upper and lower ends of a spring 3 press against the block flange 2a and the block washer 4, respectively, so that the spring 3 is axially compressed between the first end 11 of the housing 1 and the base 2.

[0036] As shown in Figures 1 to 6, in the illustrated embodiment, the block washer 4 is in the form of a C-ring, and the block washer 4 is capable of undergoing elastic deformation in the radial direction.

[0037] 1 to 6, in the illustrated embodiment, the spring 3 is helical in shape and is attached to the first end 11 of the housing 1. However, the shape of the spring 3 is not limited to the illustrated embodiment and may be any other suitable shape of elastic element.

[0038] 1 to 6, in the illustrated embodiment, an upper limit step 2c and a lower limit step 2b, which are located on opposite sides of the internal cavity 201 in the axial direction, are also formed on the inner peripheral surface of the base 2. When the housing 1 is in the final mounting position (see FIG. 5), the lower limit step 2b presses against the block washer 4 to restrict the housing 1 to the final mounting position. When the housing 1 is in the pre-mounting position (see FIG. 6), the upper limit step 2c abuts against the block washer 4 to restrict the housing 1 to the pre-mounting position.

[0039] As shown in Figures 1 to 6, in the illustrated embodiment, the lowermost step 2b is located near the bottom opening 201b of the internal cavity 201 of the base 2, and the block flange 2a is located above the uppermost step 2c and is spaced a predetermined distance axially from the uppermost step 2c.

[0040] As shown in Figures 1 to 6, in the illustrated embodiment, the connector housing assembly further includes a seal ring 5, which is disposed on the lower end surface of the base 2 and is suitable for being compressed between the base 2 and the mounting panel to achieve a seal between the base 2 and the mounting panel.

[0041] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, in the illustrated embodiment, a seal ring mounting groove is formed in the lower end surface of the base 2, and the seal ring 5 is mounted in the seal ring mounting groove.

[0042] As shown in Figures 1 to 6, in the illustrated embodiment, a connection hole 20a through which a threaded connection member (not shown, such as a bolt or screw) can pass is formed in the base 2, and therefore the base 2 can be fixed to the mounting panel by the threaded connection member passing through the connection hole 20a.

[0043] As shown in Figures 1 to 6, a connector is disclosed in another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The connector includes the above-mentioned connector housing assembly, an insulator (not shown), and terminals (not shown). The insulator is provided in the housing 1. The terminals are held in the housing 1 by the insulator.

[0044] 1-6, in the illustrated embodiment, the housing 1 has a first port 101 located at the first end 11, and the terminals have connection ends located at the first port 101 of the housing 1. The connection ends of the terminals are used to electrically connect to a cable (not shown) extending into the first port 101.

[0045] 1 to 6, in the illustrated embodiment, the housing 1 also has a second end 12 and a second port 102 located at the second end 12. The terminals have mating ends located at the second port 102 of the housing 1, and the mating ends of the terminals are used to mate with mating terminals (not shown) of a mating connector (not shown) inserted into the second port 102.

[0046] As shown in FIGS. 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, making the housing 1 L-shaped.

[0047] It should be understood by those skilled in the art that the above embodiments are illustrative and not restrictive. For example, those skilled in the art can make many modifications to the above embodiments without any contradiction in structure or principle, and can freely combine various features described in different embodiments with each other.

[0048] While several exemplary embodiments have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes or modifications can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the present disclosure, the scope of which is defined by the following claims and their equivalents.

[0049] As used herein, elements described in the singular and preceded by the word "a" or "an" should be understood as not excluding a plural of said elements or steps, unless such exclusion is expressly stated. Furthermore, references to "one embodiment" of the invention are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features. Furthermore, unless expressly stated otherwise, embodiments "comprising" or "having" an element or elements having a particular characteristic may include additional such elements that do not have that characteristic.

Claims

1. 1. A connector housing assembly comprising: - a base (2) configured to be fixed to a mounting panel and having a hollow internal cavity (201) formed therein; a housing (1) having a first end (11) adapted to be inserted into the internal cavity (201) of the base (2) along the axial direction of the internal cavity (201); a spring (3) compressed in the axial direction between the first end (11) of the housing (1) and the base (2) to allow the housing (1) to float along the axial direction relative to the base (2) between a pre-mounted position and a final mounted position; Equipped with 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 mounting position, the internal gear (23) meshes with the external gear (13) to prevent the housing (1) from rotating about the axis of the internal cavity (201) relative to the base (2); When the housing (1) is in the pre-mounted position, the internal gear (23) moves away from the external gear (13), allowing the housing (1) to rotate about the axis of the internal cavity (201) relative to the base (2). Connector housing assembly.

2. the housing (1) is configured to be automatically reset from the pre-installation position to the final installation position under the elastic restoring force of the spring (3); When the housing (1) is in the final installation position, the spring (3) applies a predetermined axial thrust to the housing (1) to maintain the housing (1) in the final installation position.

2. The connector housing assembly of claim 1.

3. The external gear (13) has a plurality of first teeth (13a) evenly spaced around the circumference of the first end (11) of the housing (1); The internal gear (23) has a plurality of second teeth (13a) equally spaced around the circumference of the internal cavity (201) of the base (2); The first gear teeth (13 a) are configured to engage with tooth gaps between two adjacent second gear teeth (3 a), and the second gear teeth (3 a) are configured to engage with tooth gaps between two adjacent first gear teeth (13 a).

2. The connector housing assembly of claim 1.

4. The internal cavity (201) of the base (2) has a top opening (201a) and a bottom opening (201b) on opposite sides of the internal cavity (201) in the axial direction, the first end (11) of the housing (1) is inserted into the internal cavity (201) of the base (2) through the top opening (201a) of the base (2), and the internal gear (23) is adjacent to the top opening (201a) of the base (2).

2. The connector housing assembly of claim 1.

5. a block flange (2a) formed on the inner peripheral surface of the base (2), and a snap slot (14) formed on the outer peripheral surface of the first end (11) of the housing (1); The connector housing assembly further comprises a block washer (4) fitted into the snap slot (14) of the first end (11) of the housing (1); The upper and lower ends of the spring (3) press against the block flange (2a) and the block washer (4), respectively, so that the spring (3) is compressed in the axial direction between the first end (11) of the housing (1) and the base (2).

5. The connector housing assembly of claim 4.

6. The block washer (4) is in the form of a C-ring.

6. The connector housing assembly of claim 5.

7. The spring (3) is helical in shape and is attached to the first end (11) of the housing (1); 6. The connector housing assembly of claim 5.

8. an upper limit step portion (2c) and a lower limit step portion (2b) on opposite sides in the axial direction are formed on the inner peripheral surface of the base (2); When the housing (1) is in the final installation position, the lower limit step portion (2b) abuts against the block washer (4) to limit the housing (1) to the final installation position; When the housing (1) is in the pre-installation position, the upper limit step portion (2c) abuts against the block washer (4) to limit the housing (1) to the pre-installation position.

6. The connector housing assembly of claim 5.

9. The lower limit step portion (2b) is located near the bottom opening (201b) of the internal cavity (201) of the base (2), and the block flange (2a) is located above the upper limit step portion (2c) and is spaced a predetermined distance from the upper limit step portion (2c) in the axial direction.

9. The connector housing assembly of claim 8.

10. a seal ring (5) provided on a lower end surface of the base (2) and adapted to be compressed between the base (2) and the mounting panel to achieve a seal between the base (2) and the mounting panel; 2. The connector housing assembly of claim 1.

11. A seal ring mounting groove is formed in the lower end surface of the base (2), and the seal ring (5) is mounted in the seal ring mounting groove. The connector housing assembly of claim 10.

12. A connecting hole (20a) through which a threaded connecting member can pass is formed in the base (2), so that the base (2) can be fixed to the mounting panel by the threaded connecting member passing through the connecting hole (20a).

2. The connector housing assembly of claim 1.

13. A connector, A connector housing assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 12; an insulator provided in the housing (1); a terminal held in the housing (1) by the insulator; Equipped with connector.

14. The housing (1) has a first port (101) located at a first end (11) of the housing (1), and the terminals have connection ends located at the first port (101) of the housing (1), the connection ends of the terminals being used to electrically connect to a cable extending into the first port (101). The connector of claim 13.

15. The housing (1) also has a second end (12) and a second port (102) located at the second end (12), and the terminals have mating ends located at the second port (102) of the housing (1), the mating ends of the terminals being used to mate with mating terminals of a mating connector inserted into the second port (102). The connector of claim 14.

16. 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), making the housing (1) L-shaped; 16. The connector of claim 15.

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