CN217468928U - Connector assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

The utility model relates to a connector assembly. A connector assembly comprising: a plug housing including a plug housing main body and a plug housing rib protruding outward from the plug housing main body; a cap housing including a cap housing main body fastened to the plug housing main body and a cap housing rib protruding outward from the cap housing main body and facing the plug housing rib; a grommet surrounding the plug housing, the grommet having at least a portion positioned between the plug housing rib and the cap housing rib; and a rod having at least a portion inserted into the grommet, the rod being slidable along the plug housing.

Description

Connector assembly

Cross reference to related applications

This application claims the benefit of korean patent application No. 10-2020-0170877, filed on 8/2020/12/2021 and korean patent application No. 10-2021-0142646, filed on 25/10/2021, both of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety for all purposes.

Technical Field

One or more example embodiments relate to a connector assembly.

Background

The connector assembly requires a compact structure and a precise waterproof structure. The connector assembly includes several components for implementing water resistance. There is a need for a technique for securing sufficient waterproof performance while implementing a compact structure by reducing the number of members for waterproofing.

The above description is of information that the inventor(s) gathered or had possessed at the time during the course of conceiving the present disclosure, and is not necessarily a well-known technique prior to filing the present application.

SUMMERY OF THE UTILITY MODEL

One aspect provides a connector assembly.

According to one aspect, there is provided a connector assembly comprising: a plug housing including a plug housing main body and a plug housing rib protruding outward from the plug housing main body; a cap housing including a cap housing main body fastened to the plug housing main body and a cap housing rib protruding outward from the cap housing main body and facing the plug housing rib; a grommet (grommet) surrounding the plug housing, the grommet having at least a portion positioned between the plug housing rib and the cap housing rib; and a rod having at least a portion inserted into the grommet, the rod being slidable along the plug housing.

The grommet may seal the space between the plug shell rib and the cap shell rib.

The grommet may include a grommet body surrounding the plug housing body to receive the rod and a grommet cover extending from the grommet body and surrounding the plug housing rib.

The grommet may further include a grommet main seal protruding from the grommet cover toward the cap shell rib to be in close contact with the cap shell rib.

The grommet primary seal may include an inner seal to be in contact with one surface of the hat shell rib and an outer seal positioned further outward than the inner seal to be in contact with another surface of the hat shell rib.

The plug housing may further include a plug protrusion protruding from the plug housing body, and the grommet body may include a first grommet hole for receiving the plug protrusion.

The grommet body may further include a second grommet hole for receiving the rod.

The grommet may further include a grommet auxiliary seal protruding from one surface of the grommet body toward the center of the second grommet hole to be in close contact with the rod.

The lever may include: a stem base; a stem seal projecting in a first direction from the stem base for receipt in the second grommet hole; and a stem main arm protruding from the stem seal in a first direction to be received in the grommet body.

The lever main arm may include a main arm main body slidable along the plug housing and a main arm guide protruding from the main arm main body to be snapped into the plug housing.

The plug housing may further include a plug guide for guiding the main arm guide, and the main arm guide may include a guide body having a hollow portion therein and a guide protrusion protruding from the guide body and slidable along the plug guide.

The lever may further include a lever auxiliary arm protruding from the lever base to be caught by the plug protrusion.

The lever auxiliary arm may include: an auxiliary arm body protruding from the lever base in a first direction; and an auxiliary arm head protruding from the auxiliary arm body in a second direction intersecting the first direction to be caught by the plug protrusion.

The plug protrusion may include an auxiliary arm receiver recessed in the second direction to receive an end portion of the auxiliary arm head.

According to one aspect, there is provided a connector assembly to be secured to a board, the connector assembly comprising: a plug housing including a plug housing main body and a plug housing rib protruding outward from the plug housing main body; a cap housing including a cap housing main body fastened to the plug housing main body and a cap housing rib protruding outward from the cap housing main body and provided opposite to the plug housing rib based on a plate; a grommet surrounding the plug housing, the grommet having at least a portion positioned between the plug housing rib and the plate; and a rod having at least a portion inserted into the grommet, the rod being slidable along the plug housing.

The grommet may seal the space between the plug housing rib and the plate.

Additional aspects of the example embodiments will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the disclosure.

According to example embodiments, the connector assembly may simultaneously perform the function of protecting the plug housing and the function of implementing sufficient waterproof performance through the integrated grommet.

According to an example embodiment, the connector assembly may prevent moisture and/or foreign substances from entering through the mounting portion of the rod by a grommet that may be in close contact with the rod.

According to example embodiments, the grommet of the connector assembly may include a grommet seal that is in close contact with a panel or a cap shell of the vehicle body, thereby preventing moisture and/or foreign substances from entering a space between the plug shell and the cap shell or between the plug shell and the panel of the vehicle body.

Drawings

These and/or other aspects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of the exemplary embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a connector assembly according to an example embodiment;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a grommet and a post in accordance with an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a connector assembly according to an example embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a connector assembly before a lever is fully engaged according to an example embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a connector assembly when the lever is fully engaged according to an example embodiment;

FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional view illustrating a grommet in contact with a cap shell according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view illustrating a grommet in contact with a plate according to an example embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating a plug protrusion and lever assist arm according to an example embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a lever assist arm in contact with a plug protrusion according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a lever assist arm temporarily deformed by a plug protrusion according to an exemplary embodiment; and

fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a rod assist arm restored to its original shape according to an example embodiment.

Detailed Description

The following detailed structural or functional descriptions are provided only as examples, and various changes and modifications may be made to the example embodiments. Here, the exemplary embodiments are not construed as being limited to the present disclosure, and should be understood to include all changes, equivalents, and substitutions within the spirit and technical scope of the present disclosure.

Terms such as first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe components. Each of these terms is not intended to define the nature, order, or sequence of the corresponding component, but rather is merely intended to distinguish the corresponding component from other component(s). For example, a first member may be referred to as a second member, and similarly, a second member may also be referred to as a first member.

It should be noted that if one member is described as being "connected," "coupled," or "joined" to another member, a third member may be "connected," "coupled," and "joined" between the first member and the second member, although the first member may be directly connected, coupled, or joined to the second member.

The singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "comprises" and/or "comprising," when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

The same names may be used to describe elements included in the exemplary embodiments described above and elements having common functions. Unless otherwise mentioned, the description of the example embodiments may be able to be applied to the following example embodiments, and thus, the repetitive description will be omitted for the sake of brevity.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. Terms such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries are to be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

Hereinafter, example embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. When the example embodiments are described with reference to the accompanying drawings, like reference numerals refer to like elements, and repeated descriptions related thereto will be omitted.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a connector assembly according to an example embodiment, fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a grommet and a lever according to an example embodiment, fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a connector assembly according to an example embodiment, fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a connector assembly before a lever is completely engaged according to an example embodiment, and fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a connector assembly when a lever is completely engaged according to an example embodiment.

Referring to fig. 1 to 5, the connector assembly 1 may include a plug housing 11, a cap housing 12, a grommet 13, a rod 14, and a spring 15. The connector assembly 1 may implement the waterproof structure of the connector assembly 1 while protecting the plug housing 11 using the grommet 13 provided in an integrated form. Herein, the term "integrated" may refer to unity. The use of the integrated grommet 13 may allow the connector assembly 1 to be compact and easily assembled and maintained with fewer components. The connector assembly 1 may implement a sealing structure by means of the grommet 13 without the need for a separate sealing structure, such as, for example, an O-ring. The connector assembly 1 may implement sealing between the plug housing 11 and the cap housing 12 and sealing between the plug housing 11 and the rod 14 by means of the grommet 13.

The plug housing 11 may include a plug housing main body 111, a plug housing rib 112, a plug protrusion 113, and a plug guide 114.

The plug housing body 111 may have a plurality of holes for receiving a plurality of terminals. The plug housing body 111 may be fastened to a cap housing body 121 which will be described later.

The plug housing ribs 112 may protrude outward from the plug housing main body 111. For example, the plug housing ribs 112 may be disposed along the edge of the plug housing body 111 and may be in the shape of a closed curve. The plug housing rib 112 may face the cap housing rib 122. For example, when the connector assembly 1 is secured to a panel (e.g., a panel of a vehicle body), the plug housing rib 112 may be parallel to and face the panel.

The plug protrusion 113 may protrude from the plug housing main body 111. Plug tab 113 may pass through grommet 13. The plug protrusion 113 may interfere with the lever 14. For example, the plug protrusion 113 may be provided at a position interfering with at least a portion of the lever 14 based on the entering direction of the lever 14. The plug protrusion 113 may receive at least a portion of the stem 14 when the stem 14 is fully engaged.

A plug guide 114 may be provided on one side of the plug housing main body 111 in a longitudinal direction. The plug guide 114 may receive at least a portion of the stem 14 to guide a direction of movement of the stem 14.

The cap shell 12 may include a cap shell main body 121 and a cap shell rib 122.

The cap housing body 121 may include a plurality of holes for receiving a plurality of terminals. The cap housing body 121 may be fastened to the plug housing body 111.

The cap housing rib 122 may protrude outward from the cap housing main body 121. For example, the cap rib 122 may be disposed along an edge of the cap body 121 and may have a closed curve shape. The cap housing rib 122 may face the plug housing rib 112. For example, when the connector assembly 1 is secured to a panel (e.g., a panel of a vehicle body), the cap shell rib 122 may be parallel to the panel and positioned opposite the plug shell rib 112 based on the panel.

Grommet 13 may seal the space between plug housing rib 112 and cap housing rib 122. Grommet 13 may be compressed between plug shell rib 112 and cap shell rib 122.

Grommet 13 may comprise a resilient material that is deformable by an external force. For example, grommet 13 may comprise a rubber material. The plug housing 11 may be covered with a grommet 13. When the plug housing 11 is covered with the grommet 13, the grommet 13 may surround the plug housing 11. The grommet 13 may be provided in an integrated form. At least a portion of grommet 13 may be positioned between plug shell rib 112 and cap shell rib 122. Grommet 13 may include a grommet body 131, a grommet guide 132, a grommet cover 133, a grommet primary seal 134, and a grommet secondary seal 135.

Grommet body 131 may surround plug housing body 111 and receive rod 14. Grommet body 131 may surround a majority of plug housing body 111. The grommet body 131 can absorb the impact applied to the plug housing body 111. The grommet body 131 may have a hollow portion therein. Grommet body 131 may include a first grommet hole 131a for receiving plug protrusion 113 and a second grommet hole 131b for receiving pole 14.

Grommet guides 132 may protrude from grommet body 131. Grommet guide 132 may have a hollow portion in communication with the hollow portion of grommet body 131. Grommet guide 132 may be open in one direction. The grommet guide 132 may guide wires connected to a plurality of terminals provided inside the plug housing 11 and the cap housing 12 to the outside.

Grommet cover 133 may extend from grommet body 131 and surround plug housing rib 112. At least a portion of grommet covering 133 may be disposed between plug shell rib 112 and cap shell rib 122. For example, grommet cover 133 may cover at least three surfaces of plug housing rib 112.

The grommet primary seal 134 may protrude from the grommet cover 133 toward the cap housing rib 122 to be in close contact with the cap housing rib 122. Grommet primary seal 134 may include an inner seal 1341 and an outer seal 1342.

The inner seal 1341 may contact one surface of the cap shell rib 122. The inner seal 1341 may be deformed by being in close contact with the cap housing rib 122, thereby preventing moisture and/or foreign substances from entering the connector assembly 1 from the outside.

The outer seal 1342 may be in contact with one surface of the cap shell rib 122. The outer seal 1342 may be deformed by being in close contact with the cap housing rib 122, thereby preventing moisture and/or foreign substances from entering the connector assembly 1 from the outside. The outer seal 1342 may be positioned further outward than the inner seal 1341 to contact another surface of the cap shell rib 122. For example, the inner seal 1341 may be in contact with a top surface of the cap shell rib 122, and the outer seal 1342 may be in contact with a side surface of the cap shell rib 122. The outer seal 1342 may be longer than the inner seal 1341. The inner seal 1341 and the outer seal 1342 may implement a double waterproof structure, thereby improving waterproof performance.

The grommet auxiliary seal 135 may protrude from one surface of the grommet body 131 toward the center of the second grommet hole 131 b. The grommet auxiliary seal 135 may be in intimate contact with the stem 14. Grommet auxiliary seal 135 may prevent moisture and/or foreign substances from entering through the space between rod 14 and grommet 13 or between rod 14 and plug housing 11.

The rod 14 may have at least a portion inserted into the grommet 13 and slide along the plug housing 11. The stem 14 may include a stem base 141, a stem seal 142, a stem primary arm 143, and a stem secondary arm 144.

The lever base 141 may have a plate shape. The user can move the lever 14 by gripping the lever base 141.

The stem seal 142 may protrude from the stem base 141 in a first direction. The stem seal 142 may be received in the second grommet hole 131 b. The rod seal 142 and the grommet auxiliary seal 135 may implement a double waterproof structure. For example, the rod seal 142 may primarily perform a waterproof function by being in close contact with the grommet 13. The grommet auxiliary seal 135 can secondarily perform a waterproof function by being in close contact with the rod 14 while protruding from one surface of the grommet body 131 toward the center of the second grommet hole 131 b. It is also possible to implement the waterproof structure by providing only one of the rod seal 142 and the grommet auxiliary seal 135.

The stem main arm 143 may protrude from the stem seal 142 in a first direction. The rod base 141, the rod packing 142, and the rod main arm 143 may be sequentially arranged. The lever main arm 143 may be received in the grommet body 131. The lever main arm 143 can include a main arm body 1431 and a main arm guide 1432.

The main arm main body 1431 is slidable along the plug housing 11. The main arm main body 1431 may have a plate shape.

The main arm guide 1432 may protrude from the main arm main body 1431 to be snapped into the plug housing 11. The main arm guide 1432 may include: a guide body 1432a having a hollow portion therein; and a guide protrusion 1432b protruding outward from the guide main body 1432a and slidable along the plug housing 11. The guide body 1432a may be compressed and deformed by an external force.

The rod main arm 143 can pass through the grommet 13. When the lever main arm 143 passes through the grommet 13, the grommet 13 can be pressed and deformed by the lever main arm 143. When the lever main arm 143 is fully engaged (see fig. 5), the grommet 13 can be partially deformed by the lever 14 and is kept in close contact with the lever 14.

When the guide projection 1432b passes through the end portion of the plug housing main body 111 after passing through the grommet auxiliary seal 135, the guide projection 1432b may be pressed inward by the inner side surface of the plug housing main body 111. An external force applied to the guide protrusion 1432b may act as a force to deform the guide main body 1432 a. The main arm guide 1432 can be temporarily compressed and deformed when inserted into the plug housing main body 111. When the guide protrusion 1432b is positioned in the plug guide 114, the main arm guide 1432 may be restored to its original shape. The guide projection 1432b is movable in one degree of freedom along the plug guide 114.

The lever auxiliary arm 144 may protrude from the lever base 141 to be caught by the plug protrusion 113. The lever auxiliary arm 144 may be provided at a position interfering with the plug protrusion 113 based on the insertion direction of the lever 14. The lever auxiliary arm 144 may be temporarily deformed and then restored when the lever 14 is inserted into the plug housing 11, and may collide with the plug protrusion 113 during restoration. The sound generated by the collision of the lever auxiliary arm 144 with the plug protrusion 113 can be used as an acoustic signal indicating the completion of the engagement.

The spring 15 may be positioned between the main arm guide 1432 and the plug housing body 111. The spring 15 may be compressed and deformed when the rod 14 is inserted along the plug housing 11.

Fig. 6A is a cross-sectional view illustrating a grommet contacting a cap shell according to an exemplary embodiment, and fig. 6B is a cross-sectional view illustrating a grommet contacting a plate according to an exemplary embodiment.

Referring to fig. 6A and 6B, a grommet primary seal 134 provided between the cap shell rib 122 and the grommet covering 133 may perform a waterproof function.

The connector assembly 1 may be provided without being fastened to a board. For example, the plug housing 11 may be connected to one electronic device, and the cap housing 12 may be connected to another electronic device. Grommet primary seal 134 may prevent moisture and/or foreign matter from entering between cap shell rib 122 and grommet cover 133. The inner seal 1341 may be in close contact with the top surface of the cap housing rib 122, and the outer seal 1342 may be in close contact with the side surface of the cap housing rib 122.

The grommet primary seal 134 may prevent moisture and/or foreign matter from entering between the panel P and the grommet cover 133 when the connector assembly 1 is secured to the panel P (e.g., a panel of a vehicle body). The inner seal 1341 and the outer seal 1342 may be in close contact with one surface of the panel P.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view illustrating a plug protrusion and a lever sub-arm according to an example embodiment, fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a lever sub-arm contacting with the plug protrusion according to an example embodiment, fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a lever sub-arm temporarily deformed by the plug protrusion according to an example embodiment, and fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a lever sub-arm restored to its original shape according to an example embodiment.

Referring to fig. 7 to 10, the lever auxiliary arm 144 may protrude from the lever base 141. The lever auxiliary arm 144 may include: an auxiliary arm body 1441 protruding in a direction parallel to the protruding direction of the rod seal 142; and an auxiliary arm head 1442 protruding from the auxiliary arm body 1441 in a direction intersecting the protruding direction of the auxiliary arm body 1441.

When the lever 14 is inserted, the auxiliary arm head 1442 may interfere with the plug protrusion 113. The plug protrusion 113 may include an interference portion 1131, a secondary arm receiver 1132, and a contact portion 1133.

The interference portion 1131 may deform the auxiliary arm head 1442. The auxiliary arm head 1442 may be interfered by the interference portion 1131 to be elastically deformed in a direction opposite to the insertion direction of the lever 14.

The auxiliary arm receiver 1132 may receive an end portion of the auxiliary arm head 1442 when the auxiliary arm head 1442 has passed through the interference portion 1331.

Since the grommet 13 (see fig. 3) has a structure that completely surrounds the plug housing 11, the sound generated when the rod 13 is completely engaged can be absorbed by the grommet 13. The lever auxiliary arm 144 may generate an additional sound signal, thereby allowing a user to easily check the engagement state. Specifically, the contact portion 1133 may be in contact with the auxiliary arm head 1442. When the auxiliary arm head 1442 comes into contact with the contact portion 1133, a sound may be generated, and the sound may be used as a sound signal that allows the operator to recognize that the lever 14 has been normally fully engaged.

A number of example embodiments have been described above. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made to the example embodiments. For example, suitable results may be achieved if the described techniques are performed in a different order and/or if components in a described system, architecture, device, or circuit are combined in a different manner and/or replaced or supplemented by other components or their equivalents.

Accordingly, other implementations are within the scope of the following claims.

Claims (16)

1. A connector assembly, comprising:

a plug housing including a plug housing body and a plug housing rib protruding outward from the plug housing body;

a cap housing including a cap housing main body fastened to the plug housing main body and a cap housing rib protruding outward from the cap housing main body and facing the plug housing rib;

a grommet surrounding the plug housing, the grommet having at least a portion positioned between the plug housing rib and the cap housing rib; and

a lever including a lever base and a lever main arm having at least a portion inserted into the grommet, the lever being slidable along the plug housing.

2. The connector assembly of claim 1, wherein the grommet seals a space between the plug shell rib and the cap shell rib.

3. The connector assembly of claim 1, wherein the grommet comprises:

a grommet body surrounding the plug housing body to receive the rod; and

a grommet cover extending from the grommet body and surrounding the plug shell rib.

4. The connector assembly of claim 3, wherein the grommet further comprises:

a grommet primary seal protruding from the grommet cover toward the cap shell rib to be in close contact with the cap shell rib.

5. The connector assembly of claim 4, wherein the grommet primary seal comprises:

an inner seal to be in contact with one surface of the cap housing rib; and

an outer seal positioned further outward than the inner seal to contact another surface of the cap shell rib.

6. The connector assembly of claim 4,

the plug housing further includes a plug protrusion protruding from the plug housing main body, and,

the grommet body includes a first grommet hole for receiving the plug protrusion.

7. The connector assembly of claim 4, wherein the grommet body further comprises a second grommet hole for receiving the rod.

8. The connector assembly of claim 7, wherein the grommet further comprises a grommet auxiliary seal projecting from one surface of the grommet body toward a center of the second grommet hole to be in close contact with the rod.

9. The connector assembly of claim 7, wherein the lever further comprises:

a stem seal to be received in the second grommet hole between the stem base and the stem main arm.

10. The connector assembly of claim 9, wherein the lever main arm comprises:

a main arm main body slidable along the plug housing; and

a main arm guide protruding from the main arm main body to be snapped into the plug housing.

11. The connector assembly of claim 10,

the plug housing further includes a plug guide for guiding the main arm guide, and,

the main arm guide includes a guide body having a hollow portion therein and a guide protrusion protruding from the guide body and slidable along the plug guide.

12. The connector assembly of claim 1, wherein the plug housing further comprises a plug protrusion protruding from the plug housing body, and,

the lever further includes a lever assistant arm protruding from the lever base to be caught by the plug protrusion.

13. The connector assembly of claim 12, wherein the lever assist arm comprises:

an auxiliary arm body protruding from the lever base; and

an auxiliary arm head protruding from the auxiliary arm body to be caught by the plug protrusion.

14. The connector assembly of claim 13, wherein the plug protrusion includes a secondary arm receiver recessed to receive an end portion of the secondary arm head.

15. A connector assembly to be secured to a board, the connector assembly comprising:

a plug housing including a plug housing body and a plug housing rib protruding outward from the plug housing body;

a cap housing including a cap housing main body fastened to the plug housing main body and a cap housing rib protruding outward from the cap housing main body and provided opposite to the plug housing rib based on the plate;

a grommet surrounding the plug housing, the grommet having at least a portion positioned between the plug housing rib and the plate; and

a rod having at least a portion inserted into the grommet, the rod being slidable along the plug housing.

16. The connector assembly of claim 15, wherein the grommet seals a space between the plug housing rib and the plate.

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