Connectors and electric vehicles equipped with connectors

Abstract

Disclosed are a connector and an electric vehicle equipped with the connector. [Solution] The connector comprises a first housing 100 having a receiving channel 110 extending in a first direction, a first holder fixed to the receiving channel 110, a terminal at least partially fixed to the first holder, a first shielding component surrounding the first holder circumferentially in the receiving channel 110 and partially extending from the first housing 100, and a second shielding component 500 including a mounting portion 510 attached to a portion of the first shielding component located outside the first housing 100, and a grounding terminal 520 extending from the mounting portion 510 for grounding. The second shielding component 500 is attached to a portion of the first shielding component located outside the first housing 100 by the mounting portion 510 of the second shielding component 500.

Description

Technical Field

[0006] , ,

[0001] Cross - reference to Related Applications This application claims priority to Chinese Application No. 202423168669.X, titled "Connector and Electric Vehicle comprising the same", filed on December 20, 2024, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] This application relates to a connector and an electric vehicle comprising the connector.

Background Art

[0003] A connector is a device for connecting two active devices to transmit current or signals. The connector can simplify the assembly process of electronic products and further simplify the mass production process of electronic products. The connector is easy to repair, and even if an electronic component fails, when the connector is attached, the failed component can be quickly replaced. With the progress of technology, the electronic components of electronic products with connectors can be updated, and old electronic components are replaced with new and better - performing electronic components, which is convenient for performance improvement. The connector can improve the flexibility of product design when designing and integrating new products and when forming a system using electronic components. Therefore, connectors are widely used in transportation, medical, aerospace, military, household appliances, and other fields.

[0004] The basic characteristics of a connector can be classified into three broad categories: mechanical characteristics, electrical characteristics, and environmental characteristics.

[0005] Insertion and extraction force and mechanical life are important mechanical characteristics. The insertion and extraction force and mechanical life of a connector are related to the structure of the contact parts (the magnitude of the standard pressure), the coating quality of the contact part (the sliding friction coefficient), and the dimensional accuracy of the arrangement of the contact parts (alignment accuracy).

[0006] The main electrical characteristics of a connector include contact resistance, insulation resistance, and dielectric strength. High-quality electrical connectors should have low and stable contact resistance, which varies from a few milliohms to tens of milliohms. Insulation resistance is an indicator for measuring the insulation performance between contact components and between contact components and the housing of the electrical connector, and its magnitude varies from several hundred megaohms to several thousand megaohms. Dielectric strength represents the ability to withstand the rated test voltage between contact components or between contact components and the housing of the connector.

[0007] Environmental characteristics include temperature resistance, humidity resistance, salt spray resistance, vibration resistance, and shock resistance.

[0008] Connector technology development is characterized by features such as faster and digital signal transmission, integration of various signal transmission types, miniaturization of product volume, lower product costs, modular combinations, and ease of insertion and removal.

[0009] In conventional technology, high-voltage substrate-end connectors are formed by multiple insert injection molding processes, making mold design difficult, resulting in easily deformed metal pieces, finished product sizes often exceeding tolerances, low product stability, a high scrap rate for finished products, difficulty in assembling the connectors, and complexity in manufacturing connectors after the addition of shielding and interlocking structures. [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0010] Therefore, there is an urgent need to provide connectors that accommodate shielding and interlocking, are easy to assemble and disassemble, and reduce manufacturing complexity and cost. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] This application aims to solve at least one of the above-mentioned problems.

[0012] According to one aspect of the present application, a connector is provided comprising: a first housing having a receiving channel extending in a first direction; a first holder fixed to the receiving channel; a terminal at least partially fixed to the first holder; a first shielding component surrounding the first holder circumferentially in the receiving channel and partially extending from the first housing; and a second shielding component including a mounting portion attached to a portion of the first shielding component located outside the first housing, and a grounding terminal extending from the mounting portion for grounding.

[0013] According to one aspect of the present application, the first shield component includes a first upper wall, a first bottom wall, and two first side walls connected between the first upper wall and the first bottom wall and facing each other, each of the two first side walls having a first through hole; the mounting portion includes a second upper wall and two second side walls extending from the second upper wall and facing each other, the second upper wall is provided with a first fixing arm extending downward from the second upper wall toward the first upper wall and abutting against the first upper wall, and the second side walls are provided with a second fixing arm extending from the second side wall into the first through hole and snap-connected to the first through hole.

[0014] According to one aspect of the present application, the connector further comprises a second housing that is detachably attached to a first housing and covers a second upper wall and two second side walls of a second shielding component, the second housing having second grounding components on both sides of the second housing along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and the grounding terminal is configured to extend from the second side wall closer to the outside of the connector onto the second grounding component.

[0015] According to one aspect of the present application, a first housing is provided with an elastic arm extending from the upper wall of a receiving channel toward a second housing, the elastic arm is provided with a projection, and a second through-hole is provided in the upper wall of the second housing, and the second housing is provided with a third through-hole in its upper wall that is aligned with the second through-hole, so that the projection is fixed in both the second and third through-holes.

[0016] According to one aspect of this application, the second upper wall is provided with four of the first fixing arms evenly spaced around the second through-hole.

[0017] According to one aspect of the present application, a first holder is provided with two first retaining channels, a second housing is provided with a second holder, the second holder is provided with two second retaining channels, so that when the second holder is inserted into the first shield component, the two second retaining channels are aligned with the two first retaining channels, the terminals include two first terminals, each of which is L-shaped and extends from one of the two second retaining channels to the corresponding channel of the two first retaining channels.

[0018] According to one aspect of this application, the first holder is further provided with two third retaining channels, and the terminal further includes two second terminals, each partially held in the two third retaining channels.

[0019] According to one aspect of the present application, the connector further comprises two wires, and the second housing further comprises an opening in its upper wall, the two wires connected through the opening to two second terminals, respectively, so that when the connector is inserted into place, each of the two second terminals generates a turn-on signal, thereby causing each of the two first terminals to receive current from a power source activated on the turn-on signal.

[0020] According to one aspect of the present application, the first housing includes the two receiving channels and a connecting portion for connecting the two receiving channels, and a first grounding component located at the connecting portion is provided in the first housing. The second shielding component includes the two mounting portions and a connecting arm connected between the two mounting portions and electrically connected to the first grounding component.

[0021] According to one aspect of the present application, each of the first grounding component and the second grounding component is configured to be cylindrical.

[0022] According to another aspect of the present application, an electric vehicle provided with a connector according to any of the above aspects is provided.

[0023] The accompanying drawings incorporated herein and forming a part of this specification illustrate the present application and, together with the description, explain the principles of the present application and are helpful for those skilled in the art to form and use the embodiments described herein.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0024] [Figure 1] It is a perspective view of a connector according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 2] It is a perspective view showing a combination of the first housing, the first shielding component, and the second shielding component of the connector shown in FIG. 1, and only showing the combination of the first housing, the first shielding component, and the second shielding component without showing the first shielding component located in the housing. [Figure 3] It is an exploded view of the combination shown in FIG. 2 showing the first housing, the first shielding component, and the second shielding component of the connector. [Figure 4] It is a perspective view of the combination shown in FIG. 2 showing only the first shielding component and the second shielding component with the first housing removed. [Figure 5] It is a perspective view of the connector with the first housing shown in FIG. 1 removed. [Figure 6]It shows a first holder attached within the receiving channel of the first housing, and is a rear view showing the first holding channel and the third holding channel. [Figure 7] It is a side view showing the first holder to which a wire, a first terminal, and a second terminal are assembled. [Figure 8] It is a perspective view of the first holder shown in FIG. 7. [Figure 9] It is a perspective view showing the second housing to which a wire, a first terminal, and a second terminal are assembled. [Figure 10] It is a perspective view showing a combination of a second shield component, a first grounding component, and the second housing.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0025] The features of this application will become more apparent from the detailed description set forth below in conjunction with the drawings, and like reference numerals always denote corresponding elements. In the drawings, like reference numerals generally denote identical, functionally similar, and / or structurally similar elements. Unless otherwise noted, the drawings provided throughout this application should not be construed as being drawn to scale.

[0026] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this application more clear, the application will be described in more detail below by referring to specific embodiments and the accompanying drawings.

[0027] However, it should be understood that these descriptions are merely illustrative and are not intended to limit the scope of this application. In the following detailed description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments of this application. However, it may be apparent that one or more embodiments can be implemented without these specific details. In addition, in the following description, descriptions of well-known structures and technologies are omitted in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the concepts of this application.

[0028] The terms used herein are for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit this application. Terms such as “equipment” and “includes” as used herein indicate the presence of features, steps, actions, and / or components, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, actions, or components.

[0029] When expressions such as "at least one of A, B, and C" are used, they should generally be interpreted according to the meaning of the expression as commonly understood by those skilled in the art (for example, "a system having at least one of A, B, and C" should be interpreted as including, but not limited to, a system having only A, a system having only B, a system having only C, a system having A and B, a system having A and C, a system having B and C, and / or a system having A, B, and C).

[0030] All terms used herein (including technical and scientific terms) have the meanings generally understood by those skilled in the art unless otherwise defined. It should be noted that terms used herein should be interpreted in a manner consistent with the context herein and not in an idealized or overly rigorous manner.

[0031] Referring to Figures 1 to 10, this application discloses a connector 1000 and an electric vehicle (not shown) equipped with the connector 1000.

[0032] The connector 1000 comprises a first housing 100, a first holder 200, terminals 310 and 320, a first shielding component 400, and a second shielding component 500. The first housing 100 is provided with a receiving channel 110 extending in a first direction D1. The first holder 200 is fixed to the receiving channel 110. The terminals 310 and 320 are at least partially fixed to the first holder 200. The first shielding component 400 surrounds the first holder 200 circumferentially in the receiving channel 110 and partially extends from the first housing 100 to maximize the prevention of electromagnetic interference between the terminals 310 and 320 and the external environment. The second shielding component 500 includes a mounting portion 510 and a grounding terminal 520. The mounting portion 510 is attached to a portion of the first shielding component 400 located outside the first housing 100. The grounding terminal 520 is ring-shaped and extends from the mounting portion 510 for grounding. However, those skilled in the art should understand that this application is not limited thereto and the grounding terminal 520 may be configured in any suitable shape for grounding as needed. The second shielding component 500 is attached by the mounting portion 510 of the second shielding component 500 to a portion of the first shielding component 400 located outside the first housing 100. This not only simplifies the assembly and disassembly of the various components of the connector 1000, but also makes it possible to manufacture the first housing 100, the first holder 200, and the second housing 600 (described later) in a single injection molding process. Thus, the structure of the molds for manufacturing any of the first housing 100, the first holder 200, and the second housing 600 is simplified, reducing the cost of manufacturing the connector 1000. Furthermore, it is difficult for the first shielding component 400 and the second shielding component 500 to deform and exceed tolerances during the assembly and disassembly of the connector 1000, thereby optimizing the electromagnetic stability of the connector 1000.

[0033] Referring to Figures 2 to 4, the first shield component 400 includes a first upper wall 410, a first bottom wall (not shown), and two first side walls 420 connected between the first upper wall 410 and the first bottom wall and facing each other, with each of the first side walls 420 having a first through hole 421. The mounting section 510 includes a second upper wall 511 and two second side walls 512 extending from the second upper wall 511 and facing each other. The second upper wall 511 is provided with a first fixing arm 5111 that extends downward from the second upper wall 511 toward the first upper wall 410 and abuts against the first upper wall 410, and the second side walls 512 are provided with a second fixing arm 5121 that extends from the second side walls 512 into the first through hole 421 and snaps into the first through hole 421, thereby fixing the second shield component 500 to the first shield component 400. The arrangement of the first fixing arm 5111 and the second fixing arm 5121 simplifies the assembly of the second shield component 500 and the first shield component 400.

[0034] The second housing 600 is removably attached to the first housing 100 and covers the second upper wall 511 and two second side walls 512 of the second shielding component 500. The second housing 600 is provided with second grounding components 610 (not fully shown) on both sides of the second housing 600 along a second direction D2 perpendicular to the first direction D1. The grounding terminal 520 is configured to extend from the second side wall 512 closer to the outside of the connector 1000 onto the second grounding component 610.

[0035] The first housing 100 is provided with an elastic arm 112 extending from the upper wall 111 of the receiving channel 110 toward the second housing 600. The elastic arm 112 is provided with a projection 1121, and the second upper wall 511 is provided with a second through hole 5112. The second housing 600 is provided with a third through hole 621 in its upper wall 620 that is aligned with the second through hole 5112. Thus, the projection 1121 is fixed to both the second through hole 5112 and the third through hole 621, thereby fixing the second shield component 500 and the second housing 600 to the first housing 100.

[0036] Referring to Figures 2 to 4, the second upper wall 511 is provided with four of the first fixing arms 5111 evenly spaced around the second through-hole 5112. However, those skilled in the art should understand that this application is not limited thereto and that the distribution and number of the first fixing arms 5111 can be provided as needed.

[0037] Referring to Figures 6 and 7, the first holder 200 is provided with two first retaining channels 210. Referring to Figures 9 and 10, the second housing 600 is provided with a second holder 630, and the second holder 630 is provided with two second retaining channels 631. In this way, when the second holder 630 is inserted into the first shield component 400, the two second retaining channels 631 are aligned with the two first retaining channels 210, respectively. The terminals 310, 320 include two first terminals 310 (also called “high voltage terminals”), each of which is L-shaped and extends from one of the two second retaining channels 631 to the corresponding channel of the two first retaining channels 210. In another embodiment of the present application, the first terminals 310 can be secured to the first retaining channels 210 by providing protruding ribs (not shown) on both sides of the portion of the first terminal 310 that is inserted into the first retaining channel 210, for contact with the two opposing side walls of the first retaining channel 210.

[0038] Referring to Figures 6 to 9, the first holder 200 is further provided with two third retaining channels 220. Terminals 310, 320 further include two second terminals 320 (also called “low-voltage terminals”) which are each partially held in the two third retaining channels 220. In this way, the front ends of the second terminals 320 protrude from the third retaining channels 220 and are electrically connected to the corresponding terminals of a mating connector (not shown).

[0039] Referring to Figures 6 to 8, the first holder 200 is provided with protrusions 230 at the upper and bottom of its rear end, respectively. When the first holder 200 is attached to the first shield component 400, the protrusions 230 come into contact with the inner wall of the first shield component 400, thereby facilitating the fixing of the first holder 200 to the first shield component 400.

[0040] The connector 1000 further comprises two wires 700. One end of each wire 700 is provided with a connecting member 710 connected to an associated interlock circuit (not shown). The upper wall 620 of the second housing 600 is further provided with an opening 622 (see Figures 5, 9, and 10) extending in a first direction D1. The two wires 700 each pass through the opening 622, and thus the other end of each wire 700 is connected by a metallic elastic sheet to the corresponding terminal of one of two second terminals 320. In this way, when the connector 1000 is inserted into a predetermined position in the mating connector, the interlock circuit is turned on, and thus each of the two second terminals 320 can generate a turn-on signal, thereby allowing each of the two first terminals 310 to receive a high voltage current from a power source (not shown) that is activated based on the turn-on signal.

[0041] The first housing 100 includes two receiving channels 110 and a connecting portion 120 for connecting the two receiving channels 110, and the first housing 100 is provided with a first grounding component 121 (see Figure 10) located at the connecting portion 120. The second shielding component 500 includes two mounting portions 510 and a connecting arm 530 connected between the two mounting portions 510 and electrically connected to the first grounding component 121. Each of the first grounding component 121 and the second grounding component 610 is configured to be cylindrical in shape.

[0042] While some embodiments of this application have been described above, those skilled in the art should understand that this application is not limited thereto. The first housing 100 may include three or more receiving channels 110. Accordingly, the second shielding component 500 may also include three or more mounting portions 510. Each of the first grounding component 121 and the second grounding component 610 may be configured in any suitable shape.

[0043] The embodiments of this application have been described in detail above with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that all embodiments not shown in the drawings or described in the text of the specification are known to those skilled in the art and will not be described in detail. Furthermore, the above definitions of each component are not limited to the various specific structures, shapes, or forms described in the embodiments, and those skilled in the art can easily make simple modifications or substitutions.

[0044] It should also be noted that in certain embodiments of this application, the numerical parameters in this specification and the appended claims are approximations and, unless otherwise specified, may be modified in accordance with the desired features obtained by the subject matter of this application. In detail, all figures representing dimensions, ranges, etc., used in this specification and the claims should be understood in all cases to be modified by the term “approximately”. Generally, the meaning of the expressed figures is intended to include variations of ±10% from a given quantity in some embodiments, ±5% from a given quantity in some embodiments, ±1% from a given quantity in some embodiments, and ±0.5% from a given quantity in some embodiments.

[0045] Those skilled in the art will understand that various combinations and / or sets of features described in the various embodiments and / or claims of this application can be made even if such combinations and / or sets are not expressly described in this application. In particular, various combinations and / or sets of features described in the various embodiments and / or claims of this application can be made without departing from the spirit and teachings of this application. All such combinations and / or sets are included in the scope of this application.

[0046] The specific embodiments described above provide a further detailed explanation of the object, technical solution, and beneficial effects of this application. It should be understood that the above description is merely a specific embodiment of this application and is not intended to limit it. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application.

Claims

1. It is a connector, - A first housing provided with a receiving channel extending in a first direction, - A first holder fixed to the receiving channel, - A terminal at least partially fixed to the first holder, - A first shield component that surrounds the first holder circumferentially in the receiving channel and partially extends from the first housing, - A second shield component including a mounting portion attached to a portion of the first shield component located on the outside of the first housing, and a grounding terminal extending from the mounting portion for grounding. A connector characterized by having the following features.

2. The first shield component includes a first upper wall, a first bottom wall, and two first side walls connected between the first upper wall and the first bottom wall and facing each other, with each of the two first side walls having a first through hole. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the mounting portion includes a second upper wall and two second side walls extending from the second upper wall and facing each other, the second upper wall is provided with a first fixing arm extending downward from the second upper wall toward the first upper wall and abutting against the first upper wall, and the second side wall is provided with a second fixing arm extending from the second side wall into the first through hole and snap-connected to the first through hole.

3. The connector according to claim 2, further comprising a second housing that is detachably attached to the first housing and covers the second upper wall and the two second side walls of the second shielding component, wherein the second housing is provided with second grounding components on both sides of the second housing along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and the grounding terminal is configured to extend from the second side wall closer to the outside of the connector onto the second grounding component.

4. The connector according to claim 3, characterized in that the first housing is provided with an elastic arm extending from the upper wall of the receiving channel toward the second housing, the elastic arm is provided with a projection, the upper wall of the second housing is provided with a second through hole, and the upper wall of the second housing is provided with a third through hole aligned with the second through hole, and therefore the projection is fixed to both the second through hole and the third through hole.

5. The connector according to claim 4, characterized in that the second upper wall is provided with four of the first fixing arms evenly arranged around the second through-hole.

6. The first holder is provided with two first retaining channels, The second housing is provided with a second holder, and the second holder is provided with two second retaining channels, so that when the second holder is inserted into the first shield component, the two second retaining channels are aligned with the two first retaining channels, The connector according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the terminal includes two first terminals, each of which is configured in an L-shape and extends from one of the two second retaining channels to the corresponding channel of the two first retaining channels.

7. The first holder is further provided with two third retaining channels, The connector according to claim 6, wherein the terminal further comprises two second terminals partially held in the two third holding channels, respectively.

8. It is further equipped with two wires, The connector according to claim 7, wherein the second housing is further provided with an opening in its upper wall, the two wires are connected to the two second terminals, respectively, through the opening, and so when the connector is inserted into a predetermined position, each of the two second terminals generates a turn-on signal, thereby causing each of the two first terminals to receive current from a power source activated based on the turn-on signal.

9. The first housing includes two receiving channels and a connecting portion for connecting the two receiving channels, and the first housing is provided with a first grounding component located at the connecting portion. The connector according to claim 8, wherein the second shielding component includes two mounting portions and a connecting arm connected between the two mounting portions and electrically connected to the first grounding component.

10. The connector according to claim 9, characterized in that each of the first grounding component and the second grounding component is configured to be cylindrical in shape.

11. An electric vehicle characterized by comprising the connector described in any one of claims 1 to 10.

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