Connector Assembly with Sequential Low-Voltage Engagement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing high-voltage connectors face challenges in accurately determining the fastening of high-voltage modules due to synchronous movement with low-voltage modules, leading to potential misjudgment and safety risks.
Innovation Solution
The low-voltage module is designed to be movably installed outside the housing and moved to a final installation position only after the high-voltage module is securely fastened, using a connecting bolt for threaded connection and a guide mechanism to ensure accurate electrical connection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the low-voltage module is moved synchronously with the high-voltage module during fastening, then the connection process is simplified, but the accuracy of determining high-voltage module fastening status deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is divided into two independent modules: a high-voltage module and a low-voltage module. The low-voltage module is made movable relative to the housing, allowing it to be positioned separately from the high-voltage module. This segmentation enables independent control of each module's positioning, resolving the contradiction by allowing the low-voltage module to remain stationary during high-voltage module fastening operations, thus maintaining measurement precision while preserving operational simplicity through modular design.
2Productivity
If the low-voltage module is moved to electrical connection position before high-voltage module fastening is confirmed, then the connection process is faster, but safety deteriorates due to potential misjudgment
Solution Approach 1:
The low-voltage module is pre-positioned in a movable state outside the housing, ready to be moved to the electrical connection position. However, the actual movement to the final connection position is conditioned on confirming high-voltage module fastening status. This preliminary positioning combined with conditional execution ensures that safety protocols are maintained (power supply only after fastening confirmation) while minimizing unnecessary movement time, thus balancing productivity and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms to detect the fastening status of the high-voltage module before enabling the low-voltage module to move to its electrical connection position. This feedback loop ensures that the low-voltage module only completes its movement after confirming proper fastening, preventing misjudgment and safety hazards while maintaining efficient connection processes through automated status verification.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention discloses a connector and a connector assembly. The connector comprises: a housing (11) which is suitable for mating with a mating housing (21) of a mating connector (2); a high-voltage module (12) which is provided in the housing (11) and is suitable for being fastened to a high-voltage mating module (22) of the mating connector (2) to be electrically connected with the high-voltage mating module (22); and a low-voltage module (13) which is movably installed outside the housing (11), for electrical connection to a low-voltage mating module (23) of the mating connector (2). The low-voltage module (13) can be moved between a pre installation position separated from the low-voltage mating module (23) and a final installation position electrically connected to the low-voltage mating module (23), the low-voltage module (13) is moved separately to the final installation position electrically connected to the low-voltage mating module (23) only after the high-voltage module (12) has been fastened to the high-voltage mating module (22). Therefore, the present invention can accurately determine whether the high-voltage module has been fastened to the high-voltage mating module based on the electrical connection status between the low-voltage module and the low-voltage mating module, thereby improving the safety of connector use.