Electric connector assembly and electric equipment
Technical Field
The embodiment of the disclosure relates to the technical field of connectors, in particular to an electrical connector assembly and electrical equipment comprising the same.
Background
Electrical equipment generally comprises a cabinet in which a drawer cabinet is held, which can be drawn out in a sliding manner to carry out maintenance, testing, etc. of electrical components mounted in the drawer cabinet. Typically, the electrical components are powered by connecting cables connected to their circuit boards to a first circuit board held within the cabinet. However, in some applications, it may be desirable to maintain electrical components within the drawer cabinet in a powered state during servicing, testing, etc., and thus the cable is required to extend with the drawer cabinet, which requires the cable to be long enough to accommodate the extension of the drawer cabinet.
Disclosure of Invention
An object of the present disclosure is to solve at least one aspect of the above problems and disadvantages in the related art.
According to an embodiment of one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an electrical connector assembly comprising n connector units, wherein n ≧ 2, each of the connector units comprising:
a conductive tape; and
a slip connector, said slip connector comprising:
a connector housing slidably connected to said conductive strip; and
at least one connection terminal mounted within the connector housing and configured to maintain sliding electrical contact with the conductive strip;
wherein longitudinal axes of the conductive strips of the n connector units are parallel to each other, the sliding connector of the ith connector unit is mounted at a first end of the conductive strip of the (i + 1) th connector unit, and the connection terminal of the sliding connector of the ith connector unit is electrically connected with the conductive strip of the (i + 1) th connector unit, wherein n-1 ≧ i ≧ 1, so that the conductive strips of the n connector units are sequentially spread in a direction of the longitudinal axes as the sliding connector of the ith connector unit slides from a first end of the conductive strip of the ith connector unit to a second end opposite to the first end.
According to the electrical connector assembly of an embodiment of the present disclosure, the planes in which the conductive strips of the n connector units are located are parallel to each other.
According to the electric connector assembly of an embodiment of the present disclosure, the connector housing is provided with a sliding groove, and the conductive strip is at least partially inserted into the sliding groove so that the connector housing can slide relative to the conductive strip.
According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the connector housing includes a base wall and side walls extending perpendicularly from both sides of the base wall, respectively, and the sliding grooves include a first sliding groove formed on one of the side walls and slidably connected to a first edge of the conductive strip, and a second sliding groove formed on the other of the side walls and slidably connected to a second edge of the conductive strip opposite to the first edge, to fix a lateral position of the sliding connector with respect to the conductive strip.
According to an embodiment of the electrical connector assembly of the present disclosure, the sliding connector of the ith connector unit is installed below the conductive strip of the (i + 1) th connector unit.
According to an embodiment of the electrical connector assembly of the present disclosure, the 1 st said connector unit further comprises:
a first support plate positioned below the conductive strip of the 1 st connector unit, the first support plate having at least one support post thereon adapted to support the conductive strip of the 1 st connector unit.
According to an embodiment of the electrical connector assembly of the present disclosure, the nth connector unit further comprises:
a second support plate positioned below said conductive strip of an nth one of said connector units, said second support plate having at least one support post disposed thereon adapted to support said conductive strip of an nth one of said connector units; and
a connecting plate connected with the support substrate and the connector housing of the nth connector unit, respectively.
According to an embodiment of the electrical connector assembly of the present disclosure, the sliding connector of the ith connector unit is mounted above the conductive strip of the (i + 1) th connector unit.
According to the electrical connector assembly of an embodiment of the present disclosure, the second ends of the conductive strips of the n connector units are respectively provided with a stopper portion.
According to an embodiment of another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an electric device including:
at least one electrical connector assembly comprising n connector units, wherein n ≧ 2, each said connector unit comprising:
a conductive tape; and
a slip connector, said slip connector comprising:
a connector housing slidably connected to said conductive strip; and
at least one connection terminal mounted within the connector housing and configured to maintain sliding electrical contact with the conductive strip;
wherein longitudinal axes of the conductive strips of the n connector units are parallel to each other, the sliding connector of the ith connector unit is mounted at a first end of the conductive strip of the (i + 1) th connector unit, and the connection terminal of the sliding connector of the ith connector unit is electrically connected with the conductive strip of the (i + 1) th connector unit, wherein n-1 ≧ i ≧ 1, so that the conductive strips of the n connector units are sequentially spread in a direction of the longitudinal axes as the sliding connector of the ith connector unit slides from a first end of the conductive strip of the ith connector unit to a second end opposite to the first end;
a cabinet adapted to hold a first circuit board, an interior side wall of the cabinet being generally parallel to the longitudinal axis; and
at least one drawer cabinet reciprocally movably retained within said cabinet and adapted to retain a second circuit board, a first end of said conductive strip of a 1 st connector unit of said electrical connector assembly being electrically connected to said first circuit board, said connection terminal of said sliding connector of an nth connector unit of said electrical connector assembly being electrically connected to said second circuit board.
According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the planes in which the conductive strips of the n connector units lie are parallel.
According to the electrical equipment of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a sliding groove is provided on the connector housing, and the conductive strip is at least partially inserted into the sliding groove so that the connector housing can slide relative to the conductive strip.
According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the connector housing includes a base wall and side walls extending perpendicularly from both sides of the base wall, respectively, and the sliding grooves include a first sliding groove formed on one of the side walls and slidably connected to a first edge of the conductive strip, and a second sliding groove formed on the other of the side walls and slidably connected to a second edge of the conductive strip opposite to the first edge, to fix a lateral position of the sliding connector with respect to the conductive strip.
According to the electrical equipment of an embodiment of the present disclosure, the sliding connector of the ith connector unit is disposed below the conductive strap of the (i + 1) th connector unit, the electrical connector assembly is located below the bottom wall of the drawer cabinet, a through hole is provided on the bottom wall of the drawer cabinet, the through hole is suitable for the connection terminal of the sliding connector of the nth connector unit to pass through so as to be electrically connected with the second circuit board.
According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the 1 st connector unit further includes:
the first support plate is positioned below the conductive band of the 1 st connector unit and connected with the cabinet, and at least one support column which is suitable for supporting the 1 st connector unit and the conductive band is arranged on the first support plate.
According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the connector unit of the nth further includes:
a second support plate positioned below said conductive strip of an nth one of said connector units, said second support plate having at least one support post disposed thereon adapted to support said conductive strip of an nth one of said connector units; and
a connection plate connected with the second support plate and the connector housing or the drawer cabinet of the nth connector unit, respectively.
An electric apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein the sliding connector of the ith connector unit is disposed above the conductive strip of the (i + 1) th connector unit, the electric connector assembly is located at a mounting side of the drawer cabinet facing the inner side wall of the cabinet, and a through hole is provided on the mounting side such that the second circuit board partially protrudes from the through hole and is electrically connected with the connection terminal of the sliding connector of the nth connector unit.
According to the electric device of an embodiment of the present disclosure, stoppers are respectively provided on the second ends of the conductive strips of the n connector units.
According to the electrical connector assembly and the electrical equipment of the above embodiments of the present disclosure, by providing n connector units, the longitudinal axes of the conductive strips of the n connector units are parallel to each other, wherein the sliding connector of the ith (n-1 ≧ i ≧ 1) connector unit is mounted at the first end of the conductive strip of the (i + 1) th connector unit, and the connection terminal of the sliding connector of the ith connector unit is electrically connected with the conductive strip of the (i + 1) th connector unit. During the use, install the electric connector subassembly in the diapire below or the installation side of the drawer cabinet that is applicable to and keeps the second circuit board, this drawer cabinet keeps in the rack, and the first end of the conductive band of the 1 st connector unit is connected with the first circuit board electricity that keeps in the rack, and the connecting terminal of the sliding connector of the nth connector unit is connected with the second circuit board electricity. When the drawer cabinet is pulled out from the cabinet, the sliding connectors of the n connector units respectively slide from the first ends of the corresponding conductive strips to the second ends opposite to the first ends, so that the conductive strips of the n connector units are sequentially unfolded along the direction of the longitudinal axis to supply power or transmit electric signals to a circuit on a second circuit board arranged in the drawer cabinet, and the pulling stroke of the drawer cabinet is greatly prolonged.
Drawings
Other objects and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent and a full understanding thereof may be had by the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
fig. 1 is a perspective schematic view of an electrical connector assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the electrical connector assembly shown in FIG. 1;
fig. 3 is a perspective view of the electrical connector assembly shown in fig. 1 in an unfolded state;
fig. 4 is a perspective schematic view of a housing of a sliding connector of an electrical connector assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;
fig. 5 is a perspective schematic view of an electrical connector assembly according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;
fig. 6 is a perspective view of the electrical connector assembly shown in fig. 5 in an expanded state; and
fig. 7 is another perspective view of the electrical connector assembly shown in fig. 5 in an unfolded state.
Detailed Description
While the present disclosure will be fully described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which contain preferred embodiments of the disclosure, it should be understood, prior to this description, that one of ordinary skill in the art can modify the inventions described herein while obtaining the technical effects of the present disclosure. Therefore, it should be understood that the foregoing description is a broad disclosure directed to persons of ordinary skill in the art, and that there is no intent to limit the exemplary embodiments described in this disclosure.
Furthermore, 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 the general inventive concept of the present disclosure, there is provided an electrical connector assembly including n connector units, wherein n ≧ 2, each of the connector units including: a conductive tape; and a sliding connector, the sliding connector comprising: a connector housing slidably connected to said conductive strip; and at least one connection terminal mounted within the connector housing and configured to maintain sliding electrical contact with the conductive strip; wherein longitudinal axes of the conductive strips of the n connector units are parallel to each other, the sliding connector of the ith connector unit is mounted at a first end of the conductive strip of the (i + 1) th connector unit, and the connection terminal of the sliding connector of the ith connector unit is electrically connected with the conductive strip of the (i + 1) th connector unit, wherein n-1 ≧ i ≧ 1, so that the conductive strips of the n connector units are sequentially spread in a direction of the longitudinal axes as the sliding connector of the ith connector unit slides from a first end of the conductive strip of the ith connector unit to a second end opposite to the first end.
According to another general inventive concept of the present disclosure, there is provided an electrical apparatus including: at least one electrical connector assembly comprising n connector units, wherein n ≧ 2, each said connector unit comprising: a conductive tape; and a sliding connector, the sliding connector comprising: a connector housing slidably connected to said conductive strip; and at least one connection terminal mounted within the connector housing and configured to maintain sliding electrical contact with the conductive strip; wherein longitudinal axes of the conductive strips of the n connector units are parallel to each other, the sliding connector of the ith connector unit is mounted at a first end of the conductive strip of the (i + 1) th connector unit, and the connection terminal of the sliding connector of the ith connector unit is electrically connected with the conductive strip of the (i + 1) th connector unit, wherein n-1 ≧ i ≧ 1, so that the conductive strips of the n connector units are sequentially spread in a direction of the longitudinal axes as the sliding connector of the ith connector unit slides from a first end of the conductive strip of the ith connector unit to a second end opposite to the first end; a cabinet adapted to hold a first circuit board, an interior side wall of the cabinet being generally parallel to the longitudinal axis; and at least one drawer cabinet reciprocally movably held within the cabinet and adapted to hold a second circuit board, a first end of the conductive strip of a 1 st connector unit of the electrical connector assembly being electrically connected with the first circuit board, the connection terminal of the sliding connector of an nth connector unit of the electrical connector assembly being electrically connected with the second circuit board.
An electrical apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure includes a cabinet and a drawer cabinet reciprocally movably held within the cabinet to enable drawing out from the cabinet for servicing, testing, etc. electrical components mounted within the drawer cabinet. A first circuit board is held within the cabinet and a second circuit board 30 is held within the drawer cabinet, the circuitry on the second circuit board 30 being adapted to power the electrical components mounted within the drawer cabinet, the second circuit board 30 being electrically connected to the first circuit board by an electrical connector assembly such that when the drawer cabinet is pulled out of the cabinet, the first circuit board powers or transmits electrical signals to the circuitry on the second circuit board 30 to maintain the electrical components located within the drawer cabinet in a powered and operational state, such as during use and/or service.
Fig. 1 is a perspective schematic view of an electrical connector assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 2 is another perspective view of the electrical connector assembly shown in fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the electrical connector assembly shown in fig. 1 in an unfolded state. Fig. 4 is a perspective schematic view of a housing of a sliding connector of an electrical connector assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
As shown in fig. 1 to 3, in an exemplary embodiment, the electrical connector assembly comprises 2 connector units 10A, 10B, each connector unit 10A (10B) comprising a conductive strip 11A (11B) and a sliding connector, wherein the sliding connector comprises a connector housing 12A (12B) and at least one connection terminal 13A (13B), the connector housing 12A (12B) being in sliding connection with the conductive strip 11A (11B); the connection terminal 13A (13B) is mounted in the connector housing 12A (12B) and is configured such that the connection terminal 13A (13B) is held in sliding electrical contact with the conductive tape 11A (11B) when the connector housing 12A (12B) slides on the conductive tape 11A (11B); wherein the longitudinal axes of the conductive strips 11A, 11B of the 2 connector units 10A, 10B are parallel to each other, the sliding connector of the 1 st connector unit 10A is mounted at a first end of the conductive strip 11B of the 2 nd connector unit 10B, and the connection terminal 13A of the sliding connector of the 1 st connector unit 10A is electrically connected with the conductive strip 11B of the 2 nd connector unit 10B, so that the sliding connector of the 1 st connector unit 10A slides from a first end of the conductive strip 11A of the 1 st connector unit 10A to a second end opposite to the first end; as the sliding connector of the 2 nd connector unit 10B slides from a first end of the conductive strip 11B of the 2 nd connector unit 10B to a second end opposite the first end, the conductive strips 11A, 11B of the 2 connector units 10A, 10B spread out in sequence along the direction of the longitudinal axis, as shown in fig. 3. In use, by electrically connecting the first end of the conductive strip 11A of the 1 st connector unit 10A, for example by a cable, to a first circuit board held in the cabinet and by connecting the connection terminal 13B of the sliding connector of the 2 nd connector unit 10B to a second circuit board 30 held in the drawer cabinet, when the drawer cabinet is drawn from the closed position to the open position in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the conductive strips 11A, 11B, the sliding connectors of the 2 connector units 10A, 10B respectively slide from the first ends of the respective conductive strips 11A, 11B to the second ends opposite to the first ends, the conductive strips 11A, 11B of the 2 connector units 10A, 10B are sequentially spread out in the direction of the longitudinal axis, supplying power or transmitting electrical signals with the first circuit board to the circuit on the second circuit board 30, so that the electrical components located in the drawer cabinet are maintained in an energized and operational state, for example during use and/or service, the extension travel of the drawer cabinet can be greatly extended by the electrical connector assembly.
As shown in fig. 1 to 3, in an exemplary embodiment, the planes in which the conductive strips 11A, 11B of the 2 connector units 10A, 10B are located are parallel to each other. However, it should be noted that in other embodiments of the present disclosure, the planes in which the conductive strips 11A, 11B of the 2 connector units 10A, 10B are located may not be parallel, such as perpendicular to each other.
As shown in fig. 4, in an exemplary embodiment, the connector housing 12A (12B) is provided with sliding grooves 124A, 125A (124B, 125B), and the conductive strip 11A (11B) is at least partially inserted into the sliding grooves 124A, 125A (124B, 125B) so that the connector housing 12A (12B) can slide relative to the conductive strip 11A (11B). The slide grooves 124A, 125A (124B, 125B) guide the movement of the slide connector along the conductive strip 11A (11B) in the sliding direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the conductive strip 11A (11B).
As shown in fig. 4, in an exemplary embodiment, the connector housing 12A (12B) includes a base wall 121A (121B) and side walls 122A, 123A (122B, 123B) extending perpendicularly from both sides of the base wall 121A (121B), respectively, and the sliding grooves 124A, 125A (124B, 125B) include a first sliding groove 124A (124B) formed on one side wall 122A (122B) and slidably connected to a first edge of the conductive strip 11A (11B), and a second sliding groove 125A (125B) formed on the other side wall 123A (123B) and slidably connected to a second edge of the conductive strip 11A (11B) opposite to the first edge, to fix a lateral position of the sliding connector with respect to the conductive strip 11A (11B).
As shown in fig. 1 to 3, in one exemplary embodiment, the sliding connector of the 1 st connector unit 10A is mounted below the conductive strip 11B of the 2 nd connector unit 10B. In this case, the electrical connector assembly may be mounted below the bottom wall of the cabinet, which is provided with a through hole adapted for the connection terminal 13B of the sliding connector of the 2 nd connector unit 10B to pass through for electrical connection with the second circuit board 30 located inside the cabinet. However, it should be noted that in some other embodiments of the present disclosure, the sliding connector of the 1 st connector unit 10A is mounted above the conductive strip 11B of the 2 nd connector unit 10B, in which case the electrical connector assembly may be mounted on a mounting side of the drawer cabinet facing an inner side wall of the cabinet, the mounting side being provided with a through hole such that the second circuit board 30 located inside the drawer cabinet partially protrudes from the through hole and is electrically connected with the connection terminal 13B of the sliding connector of the 2 nd connector unit 10B.
Fig. 5 is a perspective view of an electrical connector assembly according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the electrical connector assembly shown in fig. 5 in an unfolded state. Fig. 7 is another perspective view of the electrical connector assembly shown in fig. 5 in an unfolded state.
As shown in fig. 5 to 7, in an exemplary embodiment, the 1 st connector unit 10A further includes a first support plate 14A, the first support plate 14A is located below the conductive strip 11A of the 1 st connector unit 10A, the first support plate 14A is connected to the cabinet, and at least one support column 15A adapted to support the conductive strip 11A of the 1 st connector unit 10A is disposed on the first support plate 14A. In this exemplary embodiment, 5 support posts 15A are shown spaced apart in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the conductive strip 11A.
As shown in fig. 5 to 7, in an exemplary embodiment, the 2 nd connector unit further includes a second support plate 14B and a connection plate 16B connected to the second support plate 14B, the second support plate 14B being located below the conductive strip 11B of the 2 nd connector unit 10B, at least one support post 15B adapted to support the conductive strip 11B of the 2 nd connector unit 10B being provided on the second support plate 14B; the connection plate 16B may be connected to a connector housing or a drawer cabinet of the 2 nd connector unit 10B, for example.
As shown in fig. 3, in an exemplary embodiment, the second ends of the conductive strips 11A, 11B of the 2 connector units 10A, 10B are provided with stoppers 111, respectively, to prevent the sliding connectors from being disengaged from the second ends when sliding on the conductive strips 11A, 11B.
According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is also provided an electrical apparatus comprising at least one electrical connector assembly, one cabinet and at least one drawer cabinet. The electrical connector assembly comprises 2 connector units 10A, 10B, each connector unit 10A (10B) comprising a conductive strip 11A (11B) and a sliding connector, wherein the sliding connector comprises a connector housing 12A (12B) and at least one connection terminal 13A (13B), the connector housing 12A (12B) being in sliding connection with the conductive strip 11A (11B); the connection terminal 13A (13B) is mounted in the connector housing 12A (12B) and is configured such that the connection terminal 13A (13B) is held in sliding electrical contact with the conductive tape 11A (11B) when the connector housing 12A (12B) slides on the conductive tape 11A (11B); wherein the longitudinal axes of the conductive strips 11A, 11B of the 2 connector units 10A, 10B are parallel to each other, the sliding connector of the 1 st connector unit 10A is mounted at a first end of the conductive strip 11B of the 2 nd connector unit 10B, and the connection terminal 13A of the sliding connector of the 1 st connector unit 10A is electrically connected with the conductive strip 11B of the 2 nd connector unit 10B, so that the sliding connector of the 1 st connector unit 10A slides from a first end of the conductive strip 11A of the 1 st connector unit 10A to a second end opposite to the first end; as the sliding connector of the 2 nd connector unit 10B slides from a first end of the conductive strip 11B of the 2 nd connector unit 10B to a second end opposite the first end, the conductive strips 11A, 11B of the 2 connector units 10A, 10B spread out in sequence along the direction of the longitudinal axis. A cabinet is adapted to hold a first circuit board, the cabinet having interior sidewalls substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis. The drawer cabinet is reciprocally movably held within the cabinet and adapted to hold a second circuit board 30, a first end of the conductive strip 11A of the 1 st connector unit 10A of the electrical connector assembly being electrically connected to the first circuit board, and a connection terminal 13B of the sliding connector of the 2 nd connector unit 10B of the electrical connector assembly being electrically connected to the second circuit board 30.
It should be noted, however, that in other embodiments of the present disclosure, the number of connector units may be n, wherein n is 2 or more, the longitudinal axes of the conductive strips of the n connector units are parallel to each other, the sliding connector of the ith connector unit is mounted at the first end of the conductive strip of the (i + 1) th connector unit, and the connection terminal of the sliding connector of the ith connector unit is electrically connected with the conductive strip of the (i + 1) th connector unit, wherein n-1 ≧ i ≧ 1, so that when the sliding connector of the ith connector unit slides from a first end of the conductive strip of the ith connector unit to a second end opposite to the first end, the conductive strips of the n connector units are spread out in sequence in the direction of the longitudinal axis.
According to the electrical connector assembly and the electrical equipment of the above embodiments of the present disclosure, by providing n connector units, the longitudinal axes of the conductive strips of the n connector units are parallel to each other, wherein the sliding connector of the ith (n-1 ≧ i ≧ 1) connector unit is mounted at the first end of the conductive strip of the (i + 1) th connector unit, and the connection terminal of the sliding connector of the ith connector unit is electrically connected with the conductive strip of the (i + 1) th connector unit. During the use, install the electric connector subassembly in the diapire below or the installation side of the drawer cabinet that is applicable to and keeps the second circuit board, this drawer cabinet keeps in the rack, and the first end of the conductive band of the 1 st connector unit is connected with the first circuit board electricity that keeps in the rack, and the connecting terminal of the sliding connector of the nth connector unit is connected with the second circuit board electricity. When the drawer cabinet is pulled out from the cabinet, the sliding connectors of the n connector units respectively slide from the first ends of the corresponding conductive strips to the second ends opposite to the first ends, so that the conductive strips of the n connector units are sequentially unfolded along the direction of the longitudinal axis to supply power or transmit electric signals to a circuit on a second circuit board arranged in the drawer cabinet, and the pulling stroke of the drawer cabinet is greatly prolonged.
It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the embodiments described above are exemplary and can be modified by those skilled in the art, and that the structures described in the various embodiments can be freely combined without conflict in structure or principle.
Having described preferred embodiments of the present disclosure in detail, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the appended claims, and the disclosure is not limited to the exemplary embodiments set forth herein.