CN215891524U

CN215891524U - Connector assembly

Info

Publication number: CN215891524U
Application number: CN202121780013.7U
Authority: CN
Inventors: 张超
Original assignee: Rayconnect Fluid Handling System Zhenjiang Co ltd; A Raymond SARL
Current assignee: Rayconnect Fluid Handling System Zhenjiang Co ltd; A Raymond SARL
Priority date: 2021-08-02
Filing date: 2021-08-02
Publication date: 2022-02-22
Anticipated expiration: 2031-08-02

Abstract

A connector assembly includes a female connector and a male connector for mating with the female connector. The female connector includes: a housing; a first cartridge received within and secured to the housing; and a locking sleeve rotatably fitted outside the first cylinder and including a guide groove and a locking groove provided on a circumferential wall thereof to be connected with each other. The male connector includes: a housing; and a second cylinder received in and fixed to the housing and including a locking protrusion provided at an outer periphery thereof. The locking protrusion is adapted to move along the guide groove and rotate the locking sleeve when the second cylinder is inserted between the locking sleeve and the first cylinder until the locking protrusion enters the locking groove, and is adapted to engage with the locking groove after entering the locking groove to hinder the second cylinder from disengaging from the locking sleeve. The connector assembly according to the present invention can conveniently accomplish mating and locking of the female and male connectors in a small installation space.

Description

Connector assembly

Technical Field

The present invention generally relates to connector assemblies for establishing fluid communication.

Background

Connector assemblies may be used in many different application scenarios to establish fluid communication between fluid lines.

The connector assembly typically includes a female connector and a male connector, each coupled directly or indirectly to a fluid line, the male connector being insertable into the female connector and establishing fluid communication between the fluid lines. In some application scenarios, it is desirable for the connector assembly to have a two-way shut-off function to prevent fluid in the fluid line from flowing out through the female and male connectors when the connectors are disconnected. In other application scenarios, for example, in the case of a battery pack applied to a new energy automobile, it is desirable to quickly and conveniently complete the mating of the female and male connectors in a small installation space. In addition, the connector assembly having the bidirectional blocking function has many application scenarios, and it is desirable to expand the compatibility of the connector assembly to various application scenarios. There are many challenges to developing a connector assembly that can achieve the above-described functionality.

SUMMERY OF THE UTILITY MODEL

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved connector assembly to perform one or more of the above functions.

A connector assembly includes a female connector and a male connector for mating with the female connector. The female connector includes: a housing; a first barrel defining a first axial direction, the first barrel at least partially received within and secured to the housing; a valve unit at least partially disposed within the first barrel; and a locking sleeve rotatably fitted outside the first barrel, at least a portion of the locking sleeve being restricted between the housing and the first barrel in the first axial direction, the locking sleeve including a guide groove and a locking groove provided on a circumferential wall thereof in communication with each other. The male connector includes: a housing; a second barrel defining a second axial direction, the second barrel at least partially received within the housing and secured to the housing, the second barrel configured to be insertable between the locking sleeve and the first barrel in the first axial direction, the second barrel including a locking tab disposed at an outer periphery thereof; and a valve assembly disposed at least partially within the second barrel. Wherein the locking protrusion is adapted to move along the guide groove and rotate the locking sleeve when the second cylinder is inserted between the locking sleeve and the first cylinder until the locking protrusion enters the locking groove. Wherein the locking protrusion is adapted to engage with the locking groove to hinder the second cylinder from disengaging the locking sleeve due to interaction of the valve assembly and the valve unit after entering the locking groove.

By rotatably providing the locking sleeve, the mating and locking of the female and male connectors can be accomplished by straight insertion when the female and male connectors are mated. The straight insertion mode has the advantages that on one hand, the required operation space is small, the operation is convenient, on the other hand, the shell of the female connector does not need to be rotated, the rotation resistance brought by the fluid line connected with the shell when the shell of the female connector is rotated does not need to be overcome, and the connection stress between the shell of the female connector and the connected fluid line can be reduced.

The present invention may further include any one or more of the following alternatives according to the above technical idea.

In some alternatives, the housing has a first retaining portion, the first barrel has a second retaining portion disposed about an outer periphery thereof, and the locking sleeve has a radially inwardly extending shoulder, wherein the shoulder is trapped between the first retaining portion and the second retaining portion.

In some alternatives, the locking sleeve has a first end and a second end, the guide groove extending from the first end toward the second end, the guide groove having an inlet end at the first end and an outlet end remote from the first end.

In some alternatives, the guide groove is arcuate in shape.

In some alternatives, an angle between a first radial direction of the locking sleeve directed towards the inlet end and a second radial direction directed towards the outlet end is less than 90 °.

In some alternatives, the included angle is 30 ° to 60 °.

In some alternatives, the included angle is 45 °.

In some alternatives, the locking groove extends in the first axial direction, at least a portion of the locking groove extending from the outlet end of the guide groove toward the first end of the locking sleeve.

In some alternatives, the locking groove has a locating end and a locking end opposite to each other, the locating end and the locking end being located on either side of the outlet end of the guiding groove, the locking end being closer to the first end of the locking sleeve than the locating end, the locking protrusion being adapted to move along the guiding groove and into the locating end when the second barrel is inserted between the locking sleeve and the first barrel, the locking protrusion being adapted to move from the locating end to the locking end and engage with the locking end due to interaction of the valve assembly and the valve unit after entering the locking groove.

In some alternatives, the housing comprises first and second nesting sections configured to mate with the first and second barrels, respectively; and the housing comprises a third and a fourth casing section configured to be able to cooperate with the first and second barrels, respectively. In this way, the connector assembly with various configurations can be provided, the application range of the connector assembly is expanded, and meanwhile the manufacturing cost, particularly the mold opening cost of the connector assembly can be remarkably reduced.

In some alternatives, the housing comprises a first connection section in the form of a hose connection section or a threaded connection section; and/or the housing comprises a second connection section in the form of a hose connection section or a threaded connection section.

In some alternatives, the housing and the first barrel are secured to one another by interference fit, snap fit, and/or welding; and/or the shell and the second cylinder are fixed with each other through interference fit, clamping and/or welding.

In some alternatives, the first barrel has a spigot end defining a port, the valve unit includes a valve spool movable in the first axial direction between a first closed position and a first open position, and a resilient member biasing the valve spool towards the first closed position, wherein the valve spool blocks the port to close the flow path of the female connector when in the first closed position and the valve spool opens the flow path of the female connector when in the first open position.

In some alternatives, the spigot end defines a first inner peripheral chamfer and a second inner peripheral chamfer, the port inner peripheral surface, the first inner peripheral chamfer and the second inner peripheral chamfer being contiguous in the first axial direction, the first inner peripheral chamfer and the second inner peripheral chamfer being for guiding a seal embedded in the outer periphery of the spool to move into sealing contact with the port inner peripheral surface in the first axial direction, wherein the first inner peripheral chamfer and the second inner peripheral chamfer are at a first angle and a second angle, respectively, from the first axial direction, the first angle being less than the second angle.

In some alternatives, the first angle is 5 ° to 15 °.

In some alternatives, the valve assembly includes a valve stem including a valve stem head and a valve stem base at each end thereof, a sliding sleeve sleeved outside the valve stem within the second cylinder and slidable in the second axial direction between a second closed position and a second open position, and an elastic element having each end abutting the sliding sleeve and the valve stem base to bias the sliding sleeve toward the second closed position, wherein the sliding sleeve blocks an annular gap between the second cylinder and the valve stem head to close the flow path of the male connector when in the second closed position and opens the flow path of the male connector when in the second open position.

In some alternatives, the valve stem base comprises: a base body provided with a through hole therethrough for fluid to flow through via the through hole; a protrusion extending from a center of the base body away from the valve stem head, the protrusion tapering in a direction away from the valve stem head.

In some alternatives, the protrusion is semi-ellipsoidal.

In some alternatives, the second barrel includes a second barrel body, the locking lug is made of metal, the second barrel body is made of plastic, and the second barrel body and the locking lug are integrally insert molded.

The connector assembly according to the present invention can conveniently complete the mating and locking of the female and male connectors in a small operation space, and can be variously configured to suit various application scenarios with low cost.

Drawings

Other features and advantages of the present invention will be better understood by the following detailed description of alternative embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts, and in which:

fig. 1 is a perspective view of a connector assembly according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 2A and 2B are a perspective view and a front view, respectively, of a female connector of a connector assembly according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 3A is a cross-sectional view of the female connector of the connector assembly according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3B is a partial enlarged view of FIG. 3A;

fig. 4A to 4C are a perspective view, a front view and a sectional view, respectively, of a housing of a female connector of a connector assembly according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 5A and 5B are a perspective view and a front view, respectively, of a first cylinder of a female connector of a connector assembly according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 6A and 6B are perspective views of the locking sleeve of the female connector of the connector assembly according to the first embodiment of the present invention, respectively, from different angles;

fig. 6C is a front view of a locking sleeve of a female connector of the connector assembly according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 7A and 7B are a perspective view and a front view, respectively, of a spool of a female connector of the connector assembly according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 8A and 8B are a perspective view and a front view, respectively, of a male connector of a connector assembly according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 9 is a sectional view of the male connector of the connector assembly according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 10A and 10B are perspective views of the housing of the male connector of the connector assembly according to the first embodiment of the present invention, respectively, as viewed from different angles;

fig. 10C and 10D are a front view and a sectional view, respectively, of a housing of a male connector of a connector assembly according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 11A and 11B are a perspective view and a front view, respectively, of a second cylinder of a male connector of the connector assembly according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 12A and 12B are a perspective view and a front view, respectively, of a valve stem of a male connector of a connector assembly according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 13A and 13B are a perspective view and a front view, respectively, of a sliding sleeve of a male connector of a connector assembly according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 14A to 14C show a perspective view, a front view, and a sectional view, respectively, of the female and male connectors of the connector assembly according to the first embodiment of the present invention disconnected from each other;

fig. 15A to 15C show a perspective view, a front view, and a sectional view, respectively, at the time of initial contact with each other in the mating process of the female connector and the male connector of the connector assembly according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 16A to 16C show a perspective view, a front view, and a sectional view, respectively, of the locking projection moving along the guide groove during mating of the female and male connectors of the connector assembly according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 17A to 17C show a perspective view, a front view, and a sectional view, respectively, of a locking protrusion entering a positioning end of a locking groove during mating of a female connector and a male connector of a connector assembly according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 18A to 18C show a perspective view, a front view, and a sectional view, respectively, of the female and male connectors of the connector assembly according to the first embodiment of the present invention when locked to each other, in which the locking protrusion is engaged with the locking end of the locking groove;

fig. 19A to 19C show a perspective view, a front view and a cross-sectional view, respectively, of a connector assembly according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 20A to 20C show a perspective view, a front view and a cross-sectional view, respectively, of a connector assembly according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 21A to 21C show a perspective view, a front view and a cross-sectional view, respectively, of a connector assembly according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention; and

fig. 22A to 22C show a perspective view, a front view, and a sectional view, respectively, of a connector assembly according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description

The making and using of the embodiments are discussed in detail below. It should be understood, however, that the detailed description discussed is merely exemplary of specific ways to make and use the utility model, and does not limit the scope of the utility model. The description herein of the structural positions of the respective components, such as the directions of upper, lower, top, bottom, etc., is not absolute, but relative. When the respective components are arranged as shown in the drawings, these direction expressions are appropriate, but when the positions of the respective components in the drawings are changed, these direction expressions are changed accordingly.

In the present invention, the axial direction of the cylindrical or annular member means a direction along the central axis of the member, the circumferential direction of the cylindrical or annular member means a direction along the circumferential length of the member, and the radial direction of the cylindrical or annular member means a direction passing through the central axis of the member and perpendicular to the axial direction of the member.

Fig. 1 to 18C show a connector assembly 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to fig. 1 to 3B and 8A to 9, the connector assembly 10 includes a female connector 100 and a male connector 200 for interfacing with the female connector 100. The female connector 100 includes a housing 102, a first barrel 104, a valve unit 106, and a locking sleeve 108. The first cylinder 104 defines a first axial direction a1 and is at least partially received within the housing 102 and secured to the housing 102. A valve unit 106 is at least partially disposed within the first barrel 104. The locking sleeve 108 is rotatably sleeved outside the first cylinder 104. At least a portion of the locking sleeve 108 is constrained between the housing 102 and the first barrel 104 in the first axial direction a 1. The locking sleeve 108 comprises a guide groove 110 and a locking groove 112 arranged on its circumferential wall in connection with each other. The male connector 200 includes a housing 202, a second barrel 204, and a valve assembly 206. The second cylinder 204 defines a second axial direction a2 and is at least partially received within the housing 202 and secured to the housing 202. The second cylinder 204 is configured to be insertable between the locking sleeve 108 and the first cylinder 104 in the first axial direction a 1. The second cylinder 204 includes a locking protrusion 208 disposed on its outer periphery. A valve assembly 206 is at least partially disposed within the second barrel 204. The locking tab 208 is adapted to move along the guide groove 110 and rotate the locking sleeve 108 as the second barrel 204 is inserted between the locking sleeve 108 and the first barrel 104 until the locking tab 208 enters the locking groove 112. The locking tab 208 is adapted to engage the locking recess 112 upon entering the locking recess 112 due to the interaction of the valve assembly 206 and the valve unit 106 to hinder the second cylinder 204 from disengaging the locking sleeve 108.

Fig. 2A to 7B show the female connector 100 of the connector assembly 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention and its respective constituent parts. The housing 102, the first barrel 104, and the locking sleeve 108 of the female connector 100 may all be injection molded.

Referring to fig. 3A and 4A to 4C, the housing 102 of the female connector 100 may be substantially cylindrical in shape and include a first connection section 114, a first bushing section 116, and a second bushing section 118 connected to each other in the first axial direction a 1. The first connection section 114 may be directly connected to a fluid line to be in fluid communication therewith. In the illustrated embodiment, the first connection section 114 may be in the form of a hose connection section to directly connect with a hose (not shown). The first connection section 114 comprises a plurality of circumferential annular flanges 120 at its outer periphery, and the hose can be sleeved outside the first connection section 114 and held in connection with the housing 102 by the annular flanges 120.

Referring to fig. 5A and 5B, the first cylinder 104 of the female connector 100 is substantially cylindrical in shape and includes a fixed end 122 and a plugging end 124 in the first axial direction a 1. The insertion end 124 of the first barrel 104 defines a port 126 (see fig. 18C).

Referring to fig. 3A and 4C, in the illustrated embodiment, the first barrel 104 of the female connector 100 is at least partially received within the first socket section 116 of the housing 102 and is secured to the first socket section 116 of the housing 102.

The first ferrule section 116 of the housing 102 is configured to mate with the fixed end 122 of the first barrel 104. Optionally, the first casing section 116 may be an interference fit with the fixed end 122 of the first barrel 104 such that the fixed end 122 of the first barrel 104 is fixed to the first casing section 116.

Optionally, the first sleeving connection section 116 and the fixed end 122 of the first barrel 104 may be further fixed to each other by welding in the circumferential direction to provide higher fixing strength and to achieve sealing between the first sleeving connection section 116 and the first barrel 104, thereby reducing the use of a sealing member and saving cost.

Alternatively, as shown in fig. 3A and 4C, an outer circumferential surface of the fixed end 122 of the first cylinder 104 may be provided with a first positioning protrusion 128, and accordingly, an inner circumferential surface of the first sleeving section 116 may be provided with a first positioning recess 130, and the first positioning protrusion 128 and the first positioning recess 130 may be engaged with each other to improve the fixing strength of the first cylinder 104 and the first sleeving section 116.

It is understood that the housing 102 and the first barrel 104 may be secured to one another by interference fit, snap fit, welding, and any combination thereof.

Further, referring to fig. 3A, 4C, and 14C, the second ferrule section 118 of the housing 102 is configured to mate with the second barrel 204 of the male connector 200. In other words, according to practical requirements, for example, in the case that the housing of the male connector 200 needs to have the hose connection section, the housing 102 of the female connector 100 can also be used as the housing of the male connector 200 to be assembled and fixed with the second cylinder 204 of the male connector 200 without mold-opening to manufacture the housing with the hose connection section for the male connector 200.

Thus, the first and

second ferrule sections

116, 118 of the housing 102 are capable of mating with the first and

second barrels

104, 204 of the female and

male connectors

100, 200, respectively, which reduces the number of injection molds required in the manufacturing process of the connector assembly 10, significantly reducing manufacturing costs, as will be further described below.

The diameters of the first connection section 114, the first nesting section 116, and the second nesting section 118 may be sequentially increased to form a first inner step 132 between the first connection section 114 and the first nesting section 116, and a second inner step 134 between the first nesting section 116 and the second nesting section 118. The first inner step portion 132 may be used to restrain the first barrel 104 when the first socket section 116 is mated with the first barrel 104.

Referring to fig. 3A and 3B and 7A and 7B, in the illustrated embodiment, a valve unit 106 may be disposed within the first barrel 104. The valve unit 106 may include a valve spool 136 and an elastic member 138. The valve spool 136 is movable in a first axial direction a1 between a first closed position (fig. 3B) and a first open position (fig. 18C). The resilient member 138 biases the spool 136 toward the first closed position. Wherein the ports 126 are blocked off when the spool 136 is in the first closed position such that the flow path of the female connector 100 is closed and the flow path of the female connector 100 is open when the spool 136 is in the first open position.

The spool 136 may include a spool head 140 and a bracket 142. A seal 144 may be disposed between an outer circumferential surface of the cartridge head 140 and an inner circumferential surface of the first barrel 104. In the illustrated embodiment, a seal 144 is inset from the outer periphery of the cartridge head 140 for sealing contact with the inner peripheral surface of the port 126 of the spigot end 124. The valve spool 136 may be injection molded.

One end of the resilient member 138 may abut the shelf 142 of the spool 136 and the other end of the resilient member 138 may abut the first internal step portion 132 of the housing 102, thereby biasing the spool 136 toward the first closed position blocking the port 126. When the spool 136 is biased in the first closed position by the resilient member 138, the spool head 140 is in sealing contact with the inner peripheral surface of the port 126, so that the fluid path of the female connector 100 is closed. When the valve spool 136 is subjected to the pressing external force in the first axial direction a1, the valve spool 136 may move away from the port 126 to the first open position against the elastic force of the elastic member 138, so that the flow path of the female connector 100 is opened. The elastic member 138 may be in the form of a coil spring.

As shown in fig. 18C, when the valve spool 136 is in the first open position, fluid may enter the interior of the first cylinder 104 from the port 126 of the first cylinder 104, flow through the gap between the first cylinder 104 and the valve spool 136, and then flow into a fluid line (not shown) coupled to the female connector 100, and likewise, fluid may flow in a reverse direction from the fluid line (not shown) coupled to the female connector 100 into the interior of the first cylinder 104 and finally out of the port 126 of the first cylinder 104.

Referring back to fig. 3B, the inner periphery of the spigot end 124 may define a first inner peripheral chamfer 146 and a second inner peripheral chamfer 148, the inner peripheral surface of the port 126, the first inner peripheral chamfer 146 and the second inner peripheral chamfer 148 meeting in sequence in the first axial direction a1, the first inner peripheral chamfer 146 and the second inner peripheral chamfer 148 for guiding the seal 144 embedded in the outer periphery of the spool 136 to move into sealing contact with the inner peripheral surface of the port 126 in the first axial direction a 1. Therein, the first inner peripheral chamfer 146 and the second inner peripheral chamfer 148 are at a first angle and a second angle, respectively, with the first axial direction a1, the first angle being smaller than the second angle. The first angle may be, for example, 5 ° to 15 °. By guiding the seal 144 of the spool 136 into the port 126 by the two inner peripheral inclined surfaces which are inclined at a smaller angle with respect to the first axial direction a1, the elastic force provided by the elastic member 138, which is required for the spool 136 to reach, for example, the first closed position for blocking the port 126 from the first open position, can be reduced, and on the one hand, since only the elastic member 138 is required to provide a smaller elastic force, the service life of the elastic member 138 can be increased, thereby improving the service life of the female connector 100; on the other hand, allowing the valve spool 136 to be returned to the first closed position using the elastic member 138 having a lower elastic coefficient makes the assembly of the female connector 100 easier.

Referring to fig. 3A, 4C, 5A, and 6A-6C, the locking sleeve 108 of the female connector 100 may be rotatably sleeved coaxially outside the first cylinder 104.

The locking sleeve 108 has a first end 150 and a second end 152. The locking sleeve 108 may also have a radially inwardly extending shoulder 154. The housing 102 may have a first stopper 156. The first cylinder 104 may have a second stopper 158 disposed at an outer circumference thereof. The shoulder 154 of the locking sleeve 108 may be trapped between the first stop portion 156 and the second stop portion 158. In the illustrated embodiment, the first stop portion 156 of the housing 102 may be an axial end of the housing 102, the second stop portion 158 of the first barrel 104 may be in the form of an annular flange, and the shoulder 154 of the locking sleeve 108 may be annular in shape and located at the second end 152 of the locking sleeve 108.

The locking sleeve 108 may include a guide groove 110 and a locking groove 112 extending through a circumferential wall thereof and connected to each other. In the illustrated embodiment, the guide groove 110 may extend from the first end 150 toward the second end 152 and have an arc shape. The guide groove 110 may have an inlet end 160 at the first end 150 of the locking sleeve 108 and an outlet end 162 distal from the first end 150.

The locking groove 112 may extend in the first axial direction a1, with at least a portion of the locking groove 112 extending from the outlet end 162 of the guide groove 110 toward the first end 150 of the locking sleeve 108. In the illustrated embodiment, the locking groove 112 has a locating end 164 and a locking end 166 opposite one another. The positioning end 164 and the locking end 166 are located on either side of the outlet end 162 of the guide groove 110. The locking end 166 is closer to the first end 150 of the locking sleeve 108 than the positioning end 164.

Referring to fig. 14A to 18C, when the second cylinder 204 of the male connector 200 is inserted between the locking sleeve 108 and the first cylinder 104 of the female connector 100 by an external force, the locking protrusion 208 may move along the guide groove 110 and enter the positioning end 164. The locking protrusion 208 is adapted to move from the alignment end 164 to the locking end 166 and into engagement with the locking end 166 upon entering the locking groove 112 due to the valve assembly 206 and the valve unit 106 interacting and tending to separate from each other, thereby locking the female and

male connectors

100 and 200 to each other, as will be described in detail below.

With combined reference to fig. 6B and 6C, the angle between the first radial direction R1 directed towards the inlet end 160 and the second radial direction R2 directed towards the outlet end 162 of the locking sleeve 108 is less than 90 °, preferably the angle is 30 ° to 60 °, more preferably the angle is 45 °.

Since the locking sleeve 108 is moved along the guide groove 110 by the locking protrusion 208 and applies a circumferential component force to the locking sleeve 108 to rotate when the second cylinder 204 of the male connector 200 is inserted between the locking sleeve 108 and the first cylinder 104 of the female connector 100 by an external force, if the included angle is too large, the locking protrusion 208 is jammed when moving along the guide groove 110, so that the locking sleeve 108 cannot be rotated in place, and the locking protrusion 208 cannot enter the locking groove 112 to achieve final locking. If the angle is too small, the generally triangular wall portions of the locking sleeve 108 between the guide grooves 110 and the locking grooves 112 and the first end 150 will be weak and will not meet the pull-out resistance requirements of the connector assembly 10, and thus, if the male connector 200 and the female connector 100 are already locked to each other, the locking sleeve 108 may be damaged by the pull-out force if the male connector 200 is subjected to an accidental pull-out force, thereby causing the male connector 200 to be disconnected from the female connector 100.

Referring back to fig. 3A, when the female connector 100 is assembled, the locking sleeve 108 may be first sleeved outside the first cylinder 104, then the valve unit 106 is placed inside the first cylinder 104, and the fixed end 122 of the first cylinder 104 is inserted into the first sleeving section 116 of the housing 102, such that the shoulder 154 of the locking sleeve 108 is located between the first limiting portion 156 of the housing 102 and the second limiting portion 158 of the first cylinder 104. The fixed end 122 of the first barrel 104 and the first socket section 116 of the housing 102 are then welded to each other along the circumferential direction, for example. Thereby, the assembly of the female connector 100 is achieved. The above assembly process is merely exemplary and not limiting.

Fig. 8A to 13B show the male connector 200 of the connector assembly 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention and its respective constituent components.

Referring to fig. 10A to 10D, the housing 202 of the male connector 200 may be substantially cylindrical in shape and include a second connection section 210, a third socket section 212, and a fourth socket section 214 connected in this order. In the illustrated embodiment, the second connection section 210 may be in the form of a threaded connection section and may be secured, for example, to a device using the connector assembly 10, such as may be threadably engaged with a threaded hole (not shown) in a wall of a battery pack of a new energy vehicle to secure the battery pack. The housing 202 of the male connector 200 may be injection molded.

Referring to fig. 11A and 11B, the second cylinder 204 may include a second cylinder body 216 and a locking tab 208. The second cartridge body 216 may be generally cylindrical in shape and includes a fixed end 218 and a mating end 220. The mating end 220 of the second cartridge body 216 defines an opening 222. Alternatively, the locking protrusion 208 may be made of metal, the second barrel body 216 may be made of plastic, and the second barrel body 216 and the locking protrusion 208 may be integrally insert molded to improve the pull-out resistance of the connector assembly 10.

In the illustrated embodiment, the second cylinder 204 may include two locking tabs 208 disposed opposite in a radial direction thereof. Accordingly, the locking sleeve 108 of the female connector 100 may have two guide grooves 110 and two locking grooves 112 thereon.

Referring collectively to fig. 9, the second barrel 204 of the male connector 200 is at least partially received within the fourth ferrule section 214 of the housing 202 and secured to the fourth ferrule section 214 of the housing 202.

The fourth sleeved section 214 of the housing 202 is configured to mate with the fixed end 218 of the second barrel 204. Optionally, the fourth casing section 214 may have an interference fit with the fixed end 218 of the second cylinder 204 such that the fixed end 218 of the second cylinder 204 is secured to the fourth casing section 214.

Alternatively, the fixed ends 218 of the fourth socket section 214 and the second cylinder 204 may be further fixed to each other by welding in the circumferential direction to provide higher fixing strength and to achieve sealing between the fourth socket section 214 and the second cylinder 204, thereby reducing the use of a sealing member and saving cost.

Alternatively, as shown in fig. 9, the outer circumferential surface of the fixed end 218 of the second cylinder 204 may be provided with a second positioning protrusion 224, and correspondingly, the circumferential wall of the fourth socket section 214 may be provided with a second positioning recess 226. The second positioning protrusion 224 and the second positioning recess 226 can be engaged with each other to improve the fixing strength of the fixed end 218 of the second cylinder 204 and the fourth socket section 214.

It is understood that the housing 202 and the second cylinder 204 can be secured to each other by interference fit, snap fit, welding, and any combination thereof.

Further, referring to fig. 9, 10D, and 14C, the third socket section 212 of the housing 202 is configured to be mateable with the first barrel 104 of the female connector 100. In other words, according to practical application requirements, for example, in the case that the housing of the female connector 100 needs to have a threaded connection section, the housing 202 of the male connector 200 can also be used as the housing of the female connector 100 to be assembled and fixed with the first cylinder 104 of the female connector 100, without the need of re-opening the mold to manufacture the housing with the threaded connection section for the female connector 100.

Thus, the third and

fourth socket sections

212, 214 of the housing 202 can be mated with the first barrel 104 of the female connector 100 and the second barrel 204 of the male connector 200, respectively, which can reduce the number of injection molds required in the manufacturing process of the connector assembly 10, significantly reducing manufacturing costs, as will be further described below.

The diameters of the second connection section 210, the third socket section 212, and the fourth socket section 214 may sequentially increase, thereby forming a third inner step 228 between the second connection section 210 and the third socket section 212, and a fourth inner step 230 between the third socket section 212 and the fourth socket section 214. The fourth inner step 230 can be used to restrain the second barrel 204 when the fourth sleeved section 214 is mated with the second barrel 204.

Further, an outer step 232 is also formed between the second connection section 210 and the third socket section 212 (fig. 10D). A sealing member 234 (see fig. 9) may be embedded in the outer step portion 232 to achieve a sealed connection of the housing 202 with a wall of a battery pack of, for example, a new energy automobile.

Referring to fig. 9, the valve assembly 206 of the male connector 200 includes a valve stem 236, a sliding sleeve 238, and a resilient member 240. The stem 236 includes a stem head 241 and a stem base 242 at its respective ends. The sliding sleeve 238 is disposed within the second cylinder 204 outside of the valve stem 236 and is slidable in the second axial direction a2 between a second closed position and a second open position. Both ends of the resilient element 240 abut the sliding sleeve 238 and the stem base 242, respectively, to bias the sliding sleeve 238 toward the second closed position. Wherein the sliding sleeve 238 blocks the annular gap between the second cylinder 204 and the valve stem head 241 to close the flow path of the male connector 200 when in the second closed position, and the flow path of the male connector 200 is open when the sliding sleeve 238 is in the second open position. The valve stem 236 and the sliding sleeve 238 may be injection molded.

Referring to fig. 9 and 12A and 12B, the valve stem 236 may be positioned in the second cylinder 204 in a second axial direction a 2. The valve stem 236 may include a valve stem head 241, a valve stem base 242, and a valve stem midsection 244 connecting the valve stem base 242 of the valve stem head 241. In the illustrated embodiment, the valve stem 236 is integrally formed.

The stem base 242 includes a base body 246 and a projection 248. The base body 246 may be provided with a through hole 250 therethrough for fluid to flow through via the through hole 250. The protrusion 248 may extend from the center of the base body 246 in the second axial direction a2 away from the stem head 241. The protrusion 248 may be tapered in a direction away from the valve stem head 241 to prevent the cross-sectional size of the flow path of the male connector 200 from abrupt changes near the base body 246, thereby avoiding turbulent flow. In the illustrated embodiment, the protrusion 248 may be semi-ellipsoidal. The valve stem middle portion 244 may be provided with a plurality of strengthening ribs 252 to increase the strength of the valve stem 236.

Referring to fig. 9 and 13A and 13B, the sliding sleeve 238 is disposed outside the valve stem 236 within the second cylinder 204 and is slidable in the second axial direction a2 between a second closed position and a second open position.

Seals

254, 256 are provided between the outer peripheral surface of the sliding sleeve 238 and the inner peripheral surface of the second cylinder 204 and between the inner peripheral surface of the sliding sleeve 238 and the outer peripheral surface of the valve stem head 241, respectively.

The two ends of the resilient member 240 abut the inner step 258 of the sliding sleeve 238 and the stem base 242, respectively. The sliding sleeve 238 is biased toward the second closed position by the elastic force of the elastic member 240. The outer circumference of the sliding sleeve 238 is provided with a limit protrusion 260. The inner periphery of the second cylinder 204 is provided with a stopper 262. The limit tab 260 and the limit face 262 may abut one another to limit the sliding sleeve 238 in the second, closed position in sealing contact with the valve stem head 241. The elastic member 240 may be in the form of a coil spring.

When the sliding sleeve 238 is biased in the second closed position by the resilient member 240, the sliding sleeve 238 cooperates with the

seals

254, 256 to close off the annular gap between the second cylinder 204 and the valve stem head 241 so that the flow path of the male connector 200 is closed. When the sliding sleeve 238 is subjected to a pushing external force in the second axial direction a2, the sliding sleeve 238 can move away from the valve stem head 241 to the second open position against the elastic force of the elastic member 240, so that the flow path of the male connector 200 is opened.

As shown in fig. 18C, when the sliding sleeve 238 is in the second open position, fluid can enter the housing 202 through the gap between the sliding sleeve 238 and the valve stem 236, flow through the through-hole 250 of the valve stem 236, and flow into a fluid line (not shown) coupled to the male connector 200, and likewise, fluid can flow in reverse from the fluid line coupled to the male connector 200 into the housing 202 and then out through the gap between the sliding sleeve 238 and the valve stem 236.

Referring back to fig. 9, the male connector 200 may be assembled by first placing the valve assembly 206 within the second barrel 204 and inserting the fixed end 218 of the second barrel 204 into the fourth mating section 214 of the housing 202. The fixed end 218 of the second cylinder 204 and the fourth socket section 214 of the housing 202 are then welded to each other in the circumferential direction, for example. Thereby, the assembly of the male connector 200 is achieved. The above assembly process is merely exemplary and not limiting.

A process of mating and locking the female connector 100 and the male connector 200 of the connector assembly 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention with each other is described below with reference to fig. 14A to 18C.

Fig. 14A to 14C show a state when the female connector 100 and the male connector 200 are disconnected from each other. At this time, the spool 136 of the female connector 100 is in the first closed position, and the sliding sleeve 238 of the male connector 200 is in the second closed position.

When the female and

male connectors

100 and 200 are mated with each other, as shown in fig. 15A to 15C, first, the operator may insert the second cylinder 204 of the male connector 200 between the first cylinder 104 of the female connector 100 and the locking sleeve 108 so that the locking protrusion 208 of the second cylinder 204 is inserted into the inlet end 160 of the guide groove 110 of the locking sleeve 108. At this time, the valve stem 236 and the sliding sleeve 238 of the male connector 200 initially contact the valve spool 136 of the female connector 100 and the mating end 124 of the first cylinder 104, respectively.

As the second cylinder 204 continues to be inserted, the locking protrusion 208 moves along the guide groove 110 and rotates the locking sleeve 108, as shown in fig. 16A-16C. In this process, the valve stem 236 of the male connector 200 may push the valve spool 136 from the first closed position toward the first open position against the elastic force of the elastic member 138 of the female connector 100, while the plugging end 124 of the female connector 100 may push the sliding sleeve 238 from the second closed position toward the second open position against the elastic force of the elastic member 240 of the male connector 200.

Thereafter, as shown in fig. 17A to 17C, the locking protrusion 208 enters the positioning end 164 of the locking groove 112. Because the alignment end 164 of the locking groove 112 is located on one side of the exit end 162 of the arcuate guide groove 110, and the non-smooth transition between the exit end 162 of the guide groove 110 and the alignment end 164 of the locking groove 112, the operator is provided tactile feedback as the locking tab 208 enters the alignment end 164 of the locking groove 112, at which time the insertion force may no longer be applied to the male connector 200.

Then, as shown in fig. 18A to 18C, the female and

male connectors

100 and 200 tend to separate from each other by the elastic force of the respective elastic members 138 and elastic elements 240, so that the locking protrusions 208 of the male connector 200 move from the positioning ends 164 to the locking ends 166 of the locking grooves 112 and engage with the locking ends 166 to hinder the second cylinder 204 of the male connector 200 from disengaging from the locking sleeve 108, thereby achieving locking of the female and

male connectors

100 and 200 with each other. At this time, the spool 136 of the female connector 100 is in the first open position, the sliding sleeve 238 of the male connector 200 is in the second open position, and the respective flow paths of the female and

male connectors

100, 200 are open and in fluid communication with each other.

By disposing the locking sleeve 108 in a rotatable manner, when the female connector 100 and the male connector 200 are mated, mating and locking of the female connector 100 and the male connector 200 can be accomplished by a straight-in manner. The straight insertion mode requires a small operation space, is convenient to operate and is particularly suitable for being used in a battery pack with a narrow internal space of a new energy automobile, and on the other hand, the connection stress between the housing 102 of the female connector 100 and a connected fluid line can be reduced without rotating the housing 102 of the female connector 100 and overcoming the rotation resistance caused by the fluid line connected with the housing 102 when the housing 102 of the female connector 100 is rotated.

Fig. 19A to 19C show a connector assembly 10A according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The connector assembly 10A according to the second embodiment is substantially the same as the connector assembly 10 according to the first embodiment, except that: the housing 102A and the first cylinder 104A of the female connector 100A of the connector assembly 10A according to the second embodiment are fixed to each other by interference fit and welding without a snap structure for fixing both, and similarly, the housing 202A and the second cylinder 204A of the male connector 200A are fixed to each other by interference fit and welding without a snap structure for fixing both. The same parts of the two embodiments will not be described again.

Fig. 20A to 20C show a connector assembly 10B according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The connector assembly 10B according to the third embodiment is substantially the same as the connector assembly 10A according to the second embodiment, except that: the second connector section 210B of the housing 202B of the male connector 200B of the connector assembly 10B of the third embodiment is in the form of a hose connector section, and the housing 202B of the male connector 200B and the housing 102B of the female connector 100B have the same configuration. The same parts of the two embodiments will not be described again.

Fig. 21A to 21C show a connector assembly 10C according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. The connector assembly 10C according to the fourth embodiment is substantially the same as the connector assembly 10A according to the second embodiment, except that: the first connection section 114C of the housing 102C of the female connector 100C of the connector assembly 10C of the fourth embodiment is in the form of a threaded connection section and the second connection section 210C of the housing 202C of the male connector 200C is in the form of a hose connection section. The same parts of the two embodiments will not be described again.

Fig. 22A to 22C show a connector assembly 10D according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. The connector assembly 10D according to the fifth embodiment is substantially the same as the connector assembly 10A according to the second embodiment except that: the first connection section 114D of the housing 102D of the female connector 100D of the connector assembly 10D of the fifth embodiment is in the form of a threaded connection section, the housing 102D of the female connector 100D and the housing 202D of the male connector 200D having the same configuration. The same parts of the two embodiments will not be described again.

Referring to fig. 19A to 22C, the two-end connecting sections of the

connector assemblies

10A, 10B, 10C, 10D according to the second to fifth embodiments of the present invention are different in configuration, and can be adapted to different application scenarios.

The

connector assemblies

10A, 10B, 10C, 10D according to the second to fifth embodiments of the present invention have the same configuration except for the housing and the outer shell. Thus, when manufacturing the connector assemblies according to the second to fifth embodiments of the present invention, the plastic parts of the connector assemblies other than the housing and the shell may share the injection mold.

Also, the housing and the case of the

connector assemblies

10A, 10B, 10C, 10D of the second to fifth embodiments may also share an injection mold. Specifically, taking the second embodiment as an example, similar to the first embodiment, referring to fig. 19C, the first and

second nesting sections

116A and 118A of the housing 102A of the female connector 100A of the connector assembly 10A of the second embodiment are configured to be able to mate with the first and

second cylinders

104A and 204A of the female and

male connectors

100A and 200A, respectively, and the third and

fourth nesting sections

212A and 214A of the housing 202A of the male connector 200A are able to mate with the first and

second cylinders

104A and 204A of the female and

male connectors

100A and 200A, respectively. In other words, the housing 102A of the connector assembly 10A of the second embodiment can be matched with the first cylinder 104A and/or the second cylinder 204A according to actual requirements to serve as a housing of a female connector and/or a housing of a male connector, and similarly, the housing 202A can also serve as a housing of a female connector and/or a housing of a male connector.

Thus, the requirements of the connector assemblies of the second to fifth embodiments for the housing and the outer shell can be met only by having to customize injection molds, e.g., a first mold and a second mold for injection molding the housing 102A and the outer shell 202A, respectively, for the housing 102A and the outer shell 202A of the connector assembly 10 of the second embodiment, e.g., fig. 19A to 19C. Specifically, the housing 102B and the shell 202B of the connector assembly 10B of the third embodiment may each have the same configuration as the housing 102A of the connector assembly 10A of the second embodiment, and be manufactured with the above-described first mold. The housing 102C and the shell 202C of the connector assembly 10C of the fourth embodiment may have the same configurations as the shell 202A and the housing 102A, respectively, of the connector assembly 10A of the second embodiment, and be manufactured with the above-described second mold and the first mold, respectively. The housing 102D and the shell 202D of the connector assembly 10D of the fifth embodiment may each have the same configuration as the shell 202A of the connector assembly 10A of the second embodiment, and be manufactured with the above-described second mold.

In this manner, the number of custom molds required to manufacture multiple configurations of connector assemblies may be significantly reduced, and since the mold opening cost represents a significant proportion of the cost of manufacturing plastic articles, this may significantly reduce the cost of manufacturing the connector assemblies while providing multiple configurations of connector assemblies, extending the range of applications for the connector assemblies.

It should be understood that the embodiments shown in fig. 1-22C merely illustrate the shape, size and arrangement of various optional components of a connector assembly according to the present invention, however, they are merely illustrative and not limiting, and that other shapes, sizes and arrangements may be adopted without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

While the technical content and the technical features of the utility model have been disclosed, it is understood that various changes and modifications of the concept disclosed above can be made by those skilled in the art within the spirit of the utility model, and the utility model is covered by the scope of the utility model. The above description of embodiments is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive, and the scope of the utility model is defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A connector assembly comprising a female connector and a male connector for mating with the female connector,

the female connector includes: a housing; a first barrel defining a first axial direction, the first barrel at least partially received within and secured to the housing; a valve unit at least partially disposed within the first barrel; and a locking sleeve rotatably fitted outside the first barrel, at least a portion of the locking sleeve being restricted between the housing and the first barrel in the first axial direction, the locking sleeve including a guide groove and a locking groove provided on a circumferential wall thereof in communication with each other;

the male connector includes: a housing; a second barrel defining a second axial direction, the second barrel at least partially received within the housing and secured to the housing, the second barrel configured to be insertable between the locking sleeve and the first barrel in the first axial direction, the second barrel including a locking tab disposed at an outer periphery thereof; and a valve assembly disposed at least partially within the second barrel;

wherein the locking protrusion is adapted to move along the guide groove and rotate the locking sleeve when the second cylinder is inserted between the locking sleeve and the first cylinder until the locking protrusion enters the locking groove,

wherein the locking protrusion is adapted to engage with the locking groove to hinder the second cylinder from disengaging the locking sleeve due to interaction of the valve assembly and the valve unit after entering the locking groove.

2. The connector assembly of claim 1, wherein the housing has a first retention portion, the first barrel has a second retention portion disposed at an outer periphery thereof, and the locking sleeve has a radially inwardly extending shoulder, wherein the shoulder is captured between the first retention portion and the second retention portion.

3. The connector assembly of claim 1, wherein the locking sleeve has a first end and a second end, the guide groove extending from the first end toward the second end, the guide groove having an entrance end at the first end and an exit end remote from the first end.

4. The connector assembly of claim 3, wherein the guide groove is arcuate in shape.

5. The connector assembly of claim 4, wherein an angle between a first radial direction of the locking sleeve directed toward the inlet end and a second radial direction directed toward the outlet end is less than 90 °.

6. The connector assembly of claim 5, wherein the included angle is 30 ° to 60 °.

7. The connector assembly of claim 5, wherein the included angle is 45 °.

8. The connector assembly of claim 3, wherein the locking groove extends in the first axial direction, at least a portion of the locking groove extending from the outlet end of the guide groove toward the first end of the locking sleeve.

9. The connector assembly of claim 8, wherein the locking groove has a locating end and a locking end opposite each other, the locating end and the locking end being located on either side of the outlet end of the guide groove, the locking end being closer to the first end of the locking sleeve than the locating end,

the locking projection is adapted to move along the guide groove and into the locating end when the second barrel is inserted between the locking sleeve and the first barrel,

the locking tab is adapted to move from the locating end to the locking end and into engagement with the locking end upon entering the locking recess due to the interaction of the valve assembly and the valve unit.

10. The connector assembly of any one of claims 1-9, wherein the housing comprises first and second ferrule sections configured to mate with the first and second barrels, respectively; and is

The shell comprises a third sleeving connection section and a fourth sleeving connection section, and the third sleeving connection section and the fourth sleeving connection section are constructed to be matched with the first barrel and the second barrel respectively.

11. The connector assembly of claim 10, wherein the housing comprises a first connection section in the form of a hose connection section or a threaded connection section; and/or

The housing includes a second connection section that is in the form of a hose connection section or a threaded connection section.

12. The connector assembly according to any one of claims 1-9, wherein the housing and the first barrel are secured to each other by interference fit, snapping and/or welding; and/or

The shell and the second barrel are fixed to each other through interference fit, clamping and/or welding.

13. The connector assembly of any of claims 1-9, wherein the first barrel has a mating end defining a port,

the valve unit includes a valve spool movable in the first axial direction between a first closed position and a first open position, and a resilient member biasing the valve spool toward the first closed position,

wherein the valve spool blocks the port to close the flow path of the female connector when in the first closed position and the flow path of the female connector is open when in the first open position.

14. The connector assembly of claim 13 wherein the spigot end defines a first inner peripheral chamfer and a second inner peripheral chamfer, the port inner peripheral surface, the first inner peripheral chamfer and the second inner peripheral chamfer being contiguous in the first axial direction, the first inner peripheral chamfer and the second inner peripheral chamfer being for guiding a seal embedded in the spool outer periphery to move in the first axial direction into sealing contact with the port inner peripheral surface,

wherein the first inner peripheral slope and the second inner peripheral slope form a first angle and a second angle with the first axial direction, respectively, and the first angle is smaller than the second angle.

15. The connector assembly of claim 14, wherein the first angle is 5 ° to 15 °.

16. The connector assembly of any one of claims 1-9, wherein the valve assembly includes a valve stem including a valve stem head and a valve stem base at its two ends, respectively, a sliding sleeve sleeved outside the valve stem within the second barrel and slidable in the second axial direction between a second closed position and a second open position, and a resilient element having two ends abutting the sliding sleeve and the valve stem base, respectively, to bias the sliding sleeve toward the second closed position,

wherein the sliding sleeve blocks an annular gap between the second cylinder and the valve stem head to close the flow path of the male connector when in the second closed position, and wherein the flow path of the male connector is open when the sliding sleeve is in the second open position.

17. The connector assembly of claim 16, wherein the valve stem base comprises:

a base body provided with a through hole therethrough for fluid to flow through via the through hole;

a protrusion extending from a center of the base body away from the valve stem head, the protrusion tapering in a direction away from the valve stem head.

18. The connector assembly of claim 17, wherein the protrusion is semi-ellipsoidal.

19. The connector assembly of any of claims 1-9, wherein the second barrel comprises a second barrel body, the locking lug is made of metal, the second barrel body is made of plastic, and the second barrel body and the locking lug are integrally insert molded.