WO2020049136A1

WO2020049136A1 - Connector assembly

Info

Publication number: WO2020049136A1
Application number: PCT/EP2019/073780
Authority: WO
Inventors: Lei Pan; Pai Rajendra; Yuan Zhong
Original assignee: Tyco Electronics Shanghai Co Ltd; Tyco Electronics UK Ltd
Current assignee: Tyco Electronics Shanghai Co Ltd; Tyco Electronics UK Ltd
Priority date: 2018-09-06
Filing date: 2019-09-05
Publication date: 2020-03-12
Anticipated expiration: 2021-03-06
Also published as: CN110890656B; CN110890656A

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a connector assembly including a first connector and a second connector. The first connector includes: a first housing; a plurality of first conductive terminals arranged in a row and fixed in the first housing; and a first magnetic attraction member mounted in the first housing, and arranged on at least one of opposite sides of the row of first conductive terminals in a direction orthogonal to a row direction of the row of first conductive terminals. The second connector includes: a second housing; a plurality of second conductive terminals arranged in a row in the row direction and fixed in the second housing; a second magnetic attraction member mounted in the second housing, and arranged on at least one of opposite sides of the row of second conductive terminals in a direction orthogonal to the row direction. The first and second magnetic attraction members are configured to attract each other, such that the plurality of first conductive terminals are electrically connected to the plurality of second conductive terminals, respectively.

Description

Connector Assembly

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure claims the benefit of Chinese Patent Application Disclosure No. 201811040785.X filed on September 6, 2018 in the China National Intellectual Property Administration, the whole disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Field of the Disclosure

At least one embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a connector assembly, and more particularly, to a magnetic connector assembly for rapid charging.

Description of the Related Art

In some household appliances, a magnetic connector assembly is generally used for charging, however, existing magnetic connector assembly has smaller rated power and rated current, and thus cannot be used under high power conditions (e.g., 20V, 5A). This limits charging speed and range of applications of the magnetic connector assembly.

Some conventional magnetic connector assemblies employ a pogo-pin terminal structure, in which a pogo-pin terminal is disposed in a cylindrical housing. One end of the pogo-pin terminal is abutted against a spring, and the other end of the pogo-pin terminal is pushed out of an opening of the cylindrical housing under a spring thrust, so that the pogo-pin terminal is electrically connected to a connection terminal of the household appliance. Such pogo-pin terminal structure is relatively complicated, high in manufacturing cost, and unstable in electrical connection formed, and is difficult to use under a high power condition.

Therefore, it is desirable to provide a connector assembly that may be used under high power conditions, and has a simple structure, reliable and convenient connection to the connection terminal of the household appliance.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

The technical problem to be solved by the embodiments of the present disclosure is to provide a connector assembly that can be used under high power conditions, and has a simple structure, reliable and convenient connection to the connection terminal of the household appliance.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a connector assembly comprising a first connector and a second connector. The first connector comprises: a first housing; a plurality of first conductive terminals arranged in a row and fixed in the first housing; and a first magnetic attraction member mounted in the first housing, and arranged on at least one of opposite sides of the row of first conductive terminals in a direction orthogonal to a row direction of the row of first conductive terminals. The second connector comprises: a second housing; a plurality of second conductive terminals arranged in a row in the row direction and fixed in the second housing; a second magnetic attraction member mounted in the second housing, and arranged on at least one of opposite sides of the row of second conductive terminals in a direction orthogonal to the row direction. The first and second magnetic attraction members are configured to attract each other, such that the plurality of first conductive terminals are electrically connected to the plurality of second conductive terminals, respectively. According to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the row of first conductive terminals are arranged in a matching groove of the first housing; and the row of second conductive terminals are arranged on a matching protrusion of the second housing which is mated with the matching groove.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the second conductive terminal comprises: a support arm; and an arc-shaped connecting portion arranged at an end of the support arm and protruding towards the first conductive terminal.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the first connector comprises three first conductive terminals, one first conductive terminal located centrally having a first polarity, and two first conductive terminals located on two opposite sides of the one first conductive terminal having a second polarity, respectively; and the second connector comprises three second conductive terminals electrically connected with the three first conductive terminals, respectively, one second conductive terminal located centrally having a first polarity, and two second conductive terminals located on two opposite sides of the one second conductive terminal having a second polarity, respectively.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the connector assembly further comprising: first wires inserted into the first housing and electrically connected to the first conductive terminals, respectively; and second wires inserted into the second housing and electrically connected to the second conductive terminals, respectively.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the first conductive terminal includes a conductive gasket which is in surface contact with the connecting portion of the second conductive terminal.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the second conductive terminal comprises a bottom wall, the support arm being formed by bending from one end of the bottom wall such that the support arm and the connecting portion are both located above the bottom wall.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the bottom wall is provide with a projection protruding towards the support arm to prevent a free end of the connecting portion from abutting against the bottom wall.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the second conductive terminal further comprises two limit sidewalls extending perpendicularly to the bottom wall from two opposite sides of the bottom wall, the connecting portion being limited between the two limit sidewalls.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the second conductive terminal further comprises an upper wall extending from a free end of the limit sidewall to an upper side of the support arm facing away from the bottom wall, so as to prevent the support arm from further moving away from the bottom wall.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the connecting portion is provided with a ridge to enhance electrical connection between the second conductive terminal and the first conductive terminal.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the first connector comprises receiving recesses provided in the matching groove for receiving the conductive gaskets, respectively.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the first connector further comprises a support installed in a bottom of the matching groove, and the receiving recesses being provided on one side of the support facing towards the second conductive terminals, the support comprising: first through holes through which the first wires pass to be electrically connected to the conductive gaskets received in the receiving recesses, respectively.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the second connector further comprises: a base mounted in the second housing and comprising: a plurality of conductive pads to which the bottom walls of the second conductive terminals are welded, respectively; and a plurality of channels through which the second wires are electrically connected with the conductive pads, respectively.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the base further includes a positioning boss configured to be inserted into a positioning hole formed in the bottom wall of the second conductive terminal so as to position the second conductive terminal on the base.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the first housing comprises: a first cylindrical wall; and a first projection projecting from a bottom wall of the first housing to define, together with the first cylindrical wall and the bottom wall of the first housing, a first accommodating portion adapted to accommodate the first magnetic attraction member; wherein, the matching groove extends radially along the first cylindrical wall.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the second housing comprises: a second cylindrical wall; the matching protrusion is provided with a cavity for receiving the base and the second conductive terminals, a side wall of the matching protrusion extends along a radial direction of the second housing and protrudes from the second cylindrical wall, so as to be inserted into the matching groove of the first housing, so that the second conductive terminals are in electrical contact with the conductive gaskets, respectively.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the second housing further comprises: a second projection projecting from a bottom wall of the second housing to define, together with the second cylindrical wall and the bottom wall of the second housing, a second adapted to accommodate portion accommodating the second magnetic attraction member.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the second connector further comprises: a mounting bracket mounted in the second accommodating portion of the second housing, the second magnetic attraction member being accommodated in the mounting bracket.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the mounting bracket comprises: an arc-shaped upright wall; two arc-shaped end walls connected to an upper end and a lower end of the upright wall in an axial direction of the arc-shaped upright wall, respectively; and two limiting portions connected to both sides of the upright wall in a circumferential direction of the upright wall and located between the two end walls so as to confine the second magnetic attraction member into the mounting bracket together with the two end walls and the upright wall.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a plurality of second through holes are provided in the end walls of the mounting bracket, respectively.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the first and second magnetic attraction members are opposed to each other in an axial direction and both have substantially annular profiles.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, at least one of the first magnetic attraction member and the second magnetic attraction member is a magnet.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the magnet is a neodymium iron boron magnet.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the first conductive terminal and the second conductive terminal are made of copper-nickel- silicon alloy.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other features of the present disclosure will become more apparent by describing in detail exemplary embodiments thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective schematic view of a connector assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

Fig. 2 is an exploded view of the connector assembly shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is another exploded view of the connector assembly shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a first housing of the connector assembly shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a front view of the first housing shown in Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a support for the connector assembly shown in Fig.

3;

Fig. 7 is a rear view of the support shown in Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a second housing of the connector assembly shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 9 is a front view of the second housing shown in Fig. 8; Fig. 10 is a front view of a mounting bracket for the connector assembly shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of a base mounted with second conductive terminals and second wires used in the connector assembly shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 12 is a front view of the base shown in Fig. 11 ;

Fig. 13 is a side view of the base shown in Fig. 11;

Fig. 14 is a perspective view of the second conductive terminal mounted on the base shown in Fig. 11 ;

Fig. 15 is a side view of the second conductive terminal of Fig. 14; and

Fig. 16 is a bottom view of the second conductive terminal shown in Fig. 14.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE DISCLOSURE

The technical scheme of the disclosure is further described in detail by the following embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the specification, the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar components. The following description of the embodiments of the present disclosure with reference to the accompanying drawings is intended to explain the present general inventive concept and should not be construed as a limitation of the present disclosure.

In addition, in the following detailed description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments of the disclosure. It may be evident, however, that one or more embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well- known structures and devices are shown in schematic form in order to simplify the drawing.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a connector assembly comprising a first connector and a second connector. T first connector comprises: a first housing; a plurality of first conductive terminals arranged in a row and fixed in the first housing; and a first magnetic attraction member mounted in the first housing, and arranged on at least one of opposite sides of the row of first conductive terminals in a direction orthogonal to a row direction of the row of first conductive terminals. The second connector comprises: a second housing; a plurality of second conductive terminals arranged in a row in the row direction and fixed in the second housing; a second magnetic attraction member mounted in the second housing, and arranged on at least one of opposite sides of the row of second conductive terminals in a direction orthogonal to the row direction. The first and second magnetic attraction members are configured to attract each other, such that the plurality of first conductive terminals are electrically connected to the plurality of second conductive terminals, respectively.

Fig. 1 is a perspective schematic view of a connector assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; Fig. 2 is an exploded view of the connector assembly shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is another exploded view of the connector assembly shown in Fig. 1 ; Fig. 14 is a perspective view of a second conductive terminal used in the connector assembly of Figs. 2 and 3; Fig. 15 is a side view of the second conductive terminal of Fig. 14; Fig. 16 is a bottom view of the second conductive terminal shown in Fig. 14.

As shown in Figs. 1-3 and 14-16, a connector assembly 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure includes: a first connector 1 and a second connector 2.

The first connector 1 includes: a first housing 10; a plurality of first conductive terminals 13 arranged in a row and fixed in the first housing 10; and a first magnetic attraction member 11 mounted in the first housing 10 and arranged on at least one of opposite sides of the row of first conductive terminals 13 in a direction orthogonal to a row direction of the row of first conductive terminals.

The second connector 2 includes: a second housing 20; a plurality of second conductive terminals 23 arranged in a row in the row direction and fixed in the second housing; and a second magnetic attraction member 21 mounted in the second housing 20 and arranged on at least one of opposite sides of the row of second conductive terminals 23 in a direction orthogonal to the row direction.

The first magnetic attraction member 11 and the second magnetic attraction member 21 are arranged to attract each other, such that the plurality of first conductive terminals 13 are electrically connected to the plurality of second conductive terminals 23, respectively, which facilitates quick connection between the first connector 1 and the second connector 2.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the row of first conductive terminals 13 are arranged in a matching groove 18 of the first housing 10; and the row of second conductive terminals 23 are arranged on a matching protrusion 26 of the second housing 20, which is constructed to be matched with the matching groove, thereby facilitating a quick connection between the first connector 1 and the second connector 2.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the second conductive terminal includes: a support arm 231; and an arc-shaped connecting portion 232 arranged at an end of the support arm and protruding towards the first conductive terminal.

Since the first and second conductive terminals 13 and 23 are both fixed in the connector assembly 100, and the connecting portion 232 obliquely extends upwards from the end of the support arm 231 and then is bent to be obliquely extend downwards to form an arc shape structure, contact area between the connecting portion 232 and the first conductive terminal 13 is increased while the first and second conductive terminals 13 and 23 are stably abutted against each other. Stable connection for a large current between the first and second conductive terminals 13 and 23 is realized, structure of the connector assembly is simplified, and cost of the connector assembly is reduced.

As shown in Figs. 2 to 3, according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the first connector comprises three first conductive terminals 13, wherein one first conductive terminal 13 located centrally has a first polarity, and two first conductive terminals 13 on two opposite sides of the one first conductive terminal have a second polarity; the second connector comprises three second conductive terminals 23 electrically connected to the three first conductive terminals 13, respectively, wherein one second conductive terminal 23 located centrally has the first polarity, and two second conductive terminals 23 located on two opposite sides of the one second conductive terminal have the second polarity.

The first and second magnetic attraction members 11, 21 may be respectively disposed on opposite sides of the rows of the first and second conductive terminals 13, 23 in the direction orthogonal to the row direction, so that the first and second conductive terminals 13, 23, and the first and second magnetic attraction members 11, 21 are symmetrically disposed. In this way, the first connector 1 and the second connector 2 may be mated with each other in a positive or negative posture without causing a situation in which conductive terminals having different polarities are electrically connected to each other, thereby enhancing safety, convenience, and practicality of the connector assembly 100.

As shown in Figs. 2-3, according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the connector assembly 100 further comprises: first wires 12 inserted into the first housing 10 and electrically connected to the first conductive terminals 13, respectively, and second wires 22 inserted into the second housing 20 and electrically connected to the second conductive terminals 23, respectively.

As shown in Fig. 3, according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the first conductive terminal 13 includes a conductive gasket which is in surface contact with the connecting portion 232 of the second conductive terminal 23. In this way, the contact area between the connecting portion 232 and the conductive gasket is increased, and the connector assembly 100 may be used under high power conditions.

As shown in Figs. 14-16, according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the second conductive terminal 23 further comprises: a bottom wall 234, the support arm 231 being formed by bending from one end of the bottom wall 234. Specifically, the support arm 231 first extends from the one end, then is bent upward, for example, by 90 °, and then bent, for example, by 90 °, so that the support arm 231 is substantially parallel to the bottom wall 234, and the support arm 231 and the connecting portion 232 are located above the bottom wall 234. When the connecting portion 232 is not abutted against the conductive gasket of the first conductive terminal 13, the bottom wall 234 is spaced apart from the connecting portion 232; and when the connecting portion 232 is abutted against the conductive gasket, the bottom wall 234 prevents the connecting portion 232 from being pushed excessively downwards.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a projection 2341 protruding towards the support arm 231 is formed at a portion of the bottom wall 234 close to the support arm 231. In this way, flexure strength of the support arm 231 to prevent a free end of the connecting portion 232 from abutting against the bottom wall 234 is increased when the connecting portion 232 is abutted against the conductive gasket.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the second conductive terminal 23 further comprises: two limit sidewalls 235 extending perpendicularly to the bottom wall upwards from two opposite edges of the bottom wall 234. In this way, the connecting portion 232 is limited between the two limit sidewalls 235, and it may prevent the connecting portion 232 from moving laterally when the connecting portion 232 is abutted against the conductive gasket, thereby further enhancing stability of the electrical connection between the connecting portion 232 and the conductive gasket.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the second conductive terminal 23 further comprises: an upper wall 233 extending from a free end of the limit sidewall 235 to an upper side of the support arm 231 facing away from the bottom wall 234. The upper wall 233 is adapted to prevent the support arm 231 from moving further away from the bottom wall 234 to enhance mechanical stability of the support arm 231.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a ridge 2321 is provided on the connecting portion 232 to enhance electrical connection between the second conductive terminal 23 and the first conductive terminal 13.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a support 14 for the connector assembly 100 shown in Fig. 3; Fig. 7 is a rear view of the support 14 shown in Fig. 6.

As shown in Figs. 3, 6 and 7, the first connector 1 comprises: the support 14 installed in a bottom 181 of the matching groove of the first housing 10. The support 14 includes: receiving recesses 141 and first through holes 142. The receiving recesses 141 are provided on one side of the support 14 facing towards the second conductive terminals to receive the conductive gaskets, respectively. The first conductive wire 12 passes through the first through hole 142 to be electrically connected to the conductive gasket accommodated in the receiving recess 141 by soldering or the like. By means of the support 14, the conductive gasket is stably mounted in the first housing 10, and a reliable electrical connection between the conductive gasket and the first conductive wire 12 is achieved.

Alternatively, in the case where the support 14 is not provided, the receiving recess for receiving the conductive gasket may be provided directly in the matching groove of the first connector.

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of the base 15 mounted with the second conductive terminals 23 and the second wires 22 used in the connector assembly 100 shown in Fig. 2; Fig. 12 is a front view of the base 15 shown in Fig. 11; Fig. 13 is a side view of the base 15 shown in Fig. 11.

As shown in Figs. 2, 11, 12 and 13, according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the second connector 2 further comprises a base 15 mounted into the second housing 20 and comprising: a plurality of conductive pads (not shown in Figs.) and a plurality of channels 151. The bottom walls 234 of the second conductive terminals 23 are welded and thus electrically connected to the conductive pads, respectively. The second wires 22 are electrically connected to the conductive pads through the channels 151 , respectively, and are fixed in the channels 151, respectively, by a suitable means such as soldering or the like.

For the sake of clarity, the channels 151 are shown disposed on a surface of the base 15, however this is not limiting, and the channels 151 may be disposed within and through the base 15. Connection pins may also be provided on a side of the base 15 opposite to a side on which the second conductive terminals 23 are located, and electrically connected to the channels 151, respectively. In this way, the second wires 22 are soldered, wound or otherwise suitably electrically connected to the connection pins to achieve electrical connection between one of the second wires 22 and corresponding one of the second conductive terminals 23.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the base 15 further includes a positioning boss (not shown) configured to be inserted into a positioning hole formed in the bottom wall 234 of the second conductive terminals 23, so that the second conductive terminal 23 is accurately positioned on the base 15. The number and location of the positioning boss may be set according to a desired arrangement.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the first housing 10 of the connector assembly 100 shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 5 is a front view of the first housing 10 shown in Fig. 4.

As shown in Figs. 4 and 5, according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the first housing 10 comprises: a first cylindrical wall 16, and a first projection 17 and the matching groove 18 as described above.

The first projection 17 projects from a bottom wall 101 of the first housing 10 to define, together with the first cylindrical wall 16 and the bottom wall 101 of the first housing 10, a first accommodating portion 102 adapted to accommodate the first magnetic attraction member 11. In the present exemplary embodiment, the matching groove 18 extends radially.

In the present embodiment, two first projections 17 are provided in semicircular shapes, respectively, and are symmetrical with respect to the matching groove 18. Accordingly, two first accommodating portions 102 are also provided in semi-annular shapes, respectively, and are symmetrical with respect to the matching groove 18. It should be understood, however, that this is not limitative, and the shapes of the first defining projection 17 and the first accommodating portion 102 may be provided as desired. A first connection hole 103 is provided in the bottom wall 101 of the first housing 10, and the first wires 12 are inserted through the first connection hole to be electrically connected with the support 14 accommodated in the bottom 181 of the matching groove 18.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the second housing 20 of the connector assembly 100 shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 9 is a front view of the second housing 20 shown in Fig. 8.

As shown in Figs. 8 and 9, according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the second housing 20 includes: a second cylindrical wall 24 and a matching protrusion 26 as described above. The matching protrusion has a cavity for receiving the base 15 and the second conductive terminals of the second connector 2, and a sidewall of the matching protrusion 26 extends in a radial direction of the second housing 20 and protrudes from the second cylindrical wall 24. The matching protrusion is constructed to be inserted into the matching groove 18 of the first housing 10, so that the second conductive terminals 23 are in electrical contact with the conductive gasket, respectively.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the second housing 20 further includes: a second projection 25 projecting from a bottom wall 201 of the second housing 20 to define, together with the second cylindrical wall 24 and the bottom wall 201 of the second housing 20, a second accommodating portion 202 adapted to accommodate the second magnetic attraction member 21. Similar to the first housing 10, two second protrusions 25 are provided in semicircular shapes respectively, and are symmetrical with respect to the matching protrusion 26; and two second accommodating portions 202 are also provided in a semi-annular shape, and are symmetrical with respect to the matching protrusion 26. It should be understood, however, that this is not limitative, and shapes of the second defining protrusion 25 and the second accommodating portion 202 may be provided as desired. A second connection hole 203 is provided in the second housing 20, and the second wires 22 are inserted through the second connection hole 203 to be electrically connected with the base 15 received in the matching protrusion 26.

Fig. 10 is a front view of a mounting bracket for receiving a magnet of the connector assembly 100 shown in Fig. 2. As shown in Fig. 10, according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the second connector 2 further includes: a mounting bracket 211 mounted in the second accommodating portion 202 of the second housing 20, the second magnetic attraction member 21 being accommodated in the mounting bracket. In the case where the second magnetic attraction member 21 is a magnet, the mounting bracket is advantageous in enhancing magnetism of the magnet in addition to fixing the second magnetic attraction member 21.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the mounting bracket 211 comprises: an arc-shaped upright wall 2111; two arc-shaped end walls 2112; and two limiting portions 2113. Two arc-shaped end walls 2112 are connected to an upper end and a lower end of the upright wall in an axial direction of the arc-shaped upright wall, respectively. The limiting portions 2113 are connected to both sides of the upright wall in a circumferential direction of the upright wall and located between the two end walls so as to confine the second magnetic attraction member 21 into the mounting bracket together with the two end walls and the upright wall.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a plurality of second through holes 2114 are provided in the end walls 2112 of the mounting bracket, respectively, so as to enhance attraction force between the first magnetic attraction member 11 and the second magnetic attraction member 21.

As shown in Fig. 3, according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the first magnetic attraction member 11 and the second magnetic attraction member 21 are opposed to each other in the axial direction, and both have substantially annular profiles. At least one of the first magnetic attraction member 11 and the second magnetic attraction member 21 comprises a magnet, and the other of the first magnetic attraction member 11 and the second magnetic attraction member 21 comprises a mating magnet or a metal. In another exemplary embodiment, the magnet and the mating magnet comprises a neodymium iron boron magnet. This arrangement may eliminate need to separately provide a mechanical holding member in the connector assembly 100, which is configured for joining the first connector 1 with the second connector 2 or separating them from each other as required. Further, this arrangement may generate a large attractive force between the first connector 1 and the second connector 2 to join them together. In this way, a stable electrical connection and easy separation between the first connector 1 and the second connector 2 may be achieved.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the first conductive terminal 13 and the second conductive terminal 23 are made of copper- nickel-silicon alloy, so that the first conductive terminal 13 and the second conductive terminal 23 have good mechanical properties while withstanding a relatively large current, thereby facilitating rapid charging of the connector assembly 100.

Two stress relief portions 27 are provided outside the first housing at a portion thereof to be bonded to the first wires and outside the second housing at a portion thereof to be bonded to the second wires, respectively, so as to prevent damage to the first wires and the second wires due to excessive stress at the portions.

It should be appreciated for those skilled in this art that the above embodiments are intended to be illustrated, and not restrictive. For example, many modifications may be made to the above embodiments by those skilled in this art, and various features described in different embodiments may be freely combined with each other without conflicting in configuration or principle.

Although several exemplary embodiments have been shown and described, it would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes or modifications may be made in these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the disclosure, the scope of which is defined in the claims and their equivalents.

As used herein, an element recited in the singular and proceeded with the word "a" or "an" should be understood as not excluding plural of said elements or steps, unless such exclusion is explicitly stated. Furthermore, references to "one embodiment" of the present disclosure are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features. Moreover, unless explicitly stated to the contrary, embodiments "comprising" or "having" an element or a plurality of elements having a particular property may include additional such elements not having that property.

Claims

What is claimed is,

1. A connector assembly, comprising:

a first connector comprising:

a first housing;

a plurality of first conductive terminals arranged in a row and fixed in the first housing; and

a first magnetic attraction member mounted in the first housing, and arranged on at least one of opposite sides of the row of first conductive terminals in a direction orthogonal to a row direction of the row of first conductive terminals; and

a second connector comprising:

a second housing;

a plurality of second conductive terminals arranged in a row in the row direction and fixed in the second housing;

a second magnetic attraction member mounted in the second housing, and arranged on at least one of opposite sides of the row of second conductive terminals in a direction orthogonal to the row direction;

wherein the first and second magnetic attraction members are configured to attract each other, such that the plurality of first conductive terminals are electrically connected to the plurality of second conductive terminals, respectively.

2. The connector assembly of claim 1 , wherein the row of first conductive terminals are arranged in a matching groove of the first housing; and

wherein the row of second conductive terminals are arranged on a matching protrusion of the second housing which is mated with the matching groove.

3. The connector assembly of claim 2, wherein the second conductive terminal comprises:

a support arm; and

an arc-shaped connecting portion arranged at an end of the support arm and protruding towards the first conductive terminal.

4. The connector assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first connector comprises three first conductive terminals, one first conductive terminal located centrally having a first polarity, and two first conductive terminals located on two opposite sides of the one first conductive terminal having a second polarity, respectively; and

wherein the second connector comprises three second conductive terminals electrically connected with the three first conductive terminals, respectively, one second conductive terminal located centrally having a first polarity, and two second conductive terminals located on two opposite sides of the one second conductive terminal having a second polarity, respectively.

5. The connector assembly of any one of claims 1-4, further comprising:

first wires inserted into the first housing and electrically connected to the first conductive terminals, respectively; and

second wires inserted into the second housing and electrically connected to the second conductive terminals, respectively.

6. The connector assembly of claim 3, wherein the first conductive terminal includes a conductive gasket which is in surface contact with the connecting portion of the second conductive terminal.

7. The connector assembly of claim 6, wherein the second conductive terminal comprises a bottom wall, the support arm being formed by bending from one end of the bottom wall such that the support arm and the connecting portion are both located above the bottom wall.

8. The connector assembly of claim 7, wherein the bottom wall is provide with a projection protruding towards the support arm to prevent a free end of the connecting portion from abutting against the bottom wall.

9. The connector assembly of claim 7 or 8, wherein the second conductive terminal further comprises two limit sidewalls extending perpendicularly to the bottom wall from two opposite sides of the bottom wall, the connecting portion being limited between the two limit sidewalls.

10. The connector assembly of claim 9, wherein the second conductive terminal further comprises an upper wall extending from a free end of the limit sidewall to an upper side of the support arm facing away from the bottom wall, so as to prevent the support arm from further moving away from the bottom wall.

11. The connector assembly of any one of claims 6-10, wherein the connecting portion is provided with a ridge to enhance electrical connection between the second conductive terminal and the first conductive terminal.

12. The connector assembly of any one of claims 6-11, wherein the first connector comprises receiving recesses provided in the matching groove for receiving the conductive gaskets, respectively.

13. The connector assembly of claim 12, wherein the first connector further comprises a support installed in a bottom of the matching groove, and the receiving recesses being provided on one side of the support facing towards the second conductive terminals, the support comprising:

first through holes through which the first wires pass to be electrically connected to the conductive gaskets received in the receiving recesses, respectively.

14. The connector assembly of claim 13, wherein the second connector further comprises: a base mounted into the second housing and comprising:

a plurality of conductive pads to which the bottom walls of the second conductive terminals are welded, respectively; and

a plurality of channels through which the second wires are electrically connected with the conductive pads, respectively.

15. The connector assembly of claim 14, wherein the base further includes a positioning boss configured to be inserted into a positioning hole formed in the bottom wall of the second conductive terminal so as to position the second conductive terminal on the base.

16. The connector assembly of claim 15, wherein the first housing comprises: a first cylindrical wall; and

a first projection projecting from a bottom wall of the first housing to define, together with the first cylindrical wall and the bottom wall of the first housing, a first accommodating portion adapted to accommodate the first magnetic attraction member; wherein, the matching groove extends radially.

17. The connector assembly of claim 16, wherein the second housing comprises: a second cylindrical wall; and

wherein the matching protrusion is provided with a cavity for receiving the base and the second conductive terminals, a sidewall of the matching protrusion extends along a radial direction of the second housing and protrudes from the second cylindrical wall, so as to be inserted into the matching groove of the first housing, so that the second conductive terminals are in electrical contact with the conductive gaskets, respectively.

18. The connector assembly of claim 17, wherein the second housing further comprises:

a second projection projecting from a bottom wall of the second housing to define, together with the second cylindrical wall and the bottom wall of the second housing, a second accommodating portion adapted to accommodate the second magnetic attraction member.

19. The connector assembly of claim 18, wherein the second connector further comprises:

a mounting bracket mounted in the second accommodating portion of the second housing, the second magnetic attraction member being accommodated in the mounting bracket.

20. The connector assembly of claim 19, wherein the mounting bracket comprises: an arc-shaped upright wall;

two arc-shaped end walls connected to an upper end and a lower end of the upright wall in an axial direction of the arc-shaped upright wall, respectively; and two limiting portions connected to both sides of the upright wall in a circumferential direction of the upright wall and located between the two end walls so as to confine the second magnetic attraction member into the mounting bracket together with the two end walls and the upright wall.

21. The connector assembly of claim 20, wherein a plurality of second through holes are provided in the end walls of the mounting bracket, respectively.

22. The connector assembly of any one of claims 1-21, wherein the first and second magnetic attraction members are opposed to each other in an axial direction and both have substantially annular profiles.

23. The connector assembly of any one of claims 1-22, wherein at least one of the first magnetic attraction member and the second magnetic attraction member comprises a magnet.