KR102662993B1 - Connector assembly having protect plate - Google Patents

Abstract

A connector assembly according to an embodiment includes a cap housing having a plurality of tab terminals; a protective plate mounted within the cap housing to protect the tab terminal; And it may include a plug housing mounted on the protection plate.

Description

Connector assembly with protective plate {CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY HAVING PROTECT PLATE}

The description below relates to a connector assembly with a protective plate.

Currently, as the engine performance of vehicles improves and various convenience devices are installed, along with the trend of becoming more advanced and multifunctional, many electrical components and controllers are installed in vehicles, including power lines, control signal lines, and communication lines between controllers for various electrical components. Cables, including wiring harnesses and the like, are installed in a predetermined arrangement.

In particular, a connector is installed at one end of a wiring harness or cable for electrical connection between various electrical equipment and controllers, and these connectors are manufactured in different shapes depending on the rated capacity of the electrical equipment and the specifications of the wires used.

Accordingly, as a number of connectors for connecting various wiring harnesses, etc. are assembled in-line, the number of working hours increases.

An example of a technology to solve this problem is disclosed in Documents 1 and 2 below.

For example, in Patent Document 1 below, three connectors are provided, and among the three connectors, the first connector has a box-shaped structure with an open top, and the second connector consists of a cap housing and a plug housing for electrical connection, and 3The connector is assembled as a plug structure for electrical connection.

In addition, in Patent Document 2 below, a main body having a plurality of connection terminals inside, a first connector part to which a second connector part is coupled to one side, is inserted or pulled out from both sides of the main body, respectively, and the first connector part and the second connector part are connected to each other. A connector including a sliding guide member that couples or separates the connection terminals and a lever member that is coupled and rotatable to connect both sliding guide members to simultaneously withdraw or insert both sliding guide members, and is formed on the front or rear side of the main body. A connector having a cable cover included in the cable cover is disclosed.

However, in the conventional technology as described above, there was a problem in that some of the tab terminals were damaged, such as being bent or cut, during the transport process for mounting the connector on a vehicle, etc. after manufacturing the connector.

In addition, when providing a protective cap to protect the tab terminal in order to solve the above problem, the process of installing the protective cap during manufacturing and removing the protective cap when installing it on the vehicle is required, which increases the number of steps. There was also a problem.

Additionally, there was a problem that the tab terminal was damaged when the connector was disconnected after being mounted on the vehicle.

Meanwhile, Patent Document 3 below discloses a connector provided with a protection plate. In the case of such a connector, although it solves the above-mentioned problem, in order to form a structure that interferes with the protection plate, the thickness of the wall of the protection plate becomes thick, and thus there is a problem that space efficiency is reduced.

Republic of Korea Patent Publication No. 10-1091660 (registered on December 2, 2011) Republic of Korea Patent Publication No. 2011-0120549 (published on November 4, 2011) Republic of Korea Patent Publication No. 10-1575390 (registered on December 1, 2015)

The purpose of one embodiment is to solve the problems described above, and to provide a connector that prevents damage to the tab terminal during transportation of the connector by providing a protective plate.

The purpose of one embodiment is to provide a connector that prevents deformation of the tab terminal during assembly and disassembly of the connector by providing a protective plate.

The purpose of one embodiment is to provide a method of connecting and disconnecting a connector that can easily connect or disconnect a cap housing and a plug housing while protecting a tab terminal.

The purpose of one embodiment is to provide a connector assembly that is highly space efficient and can be miniaturized.

A purpose of one embodiment is to provide a connector assembly that can reduce the force required to engage and/or disengage the connector assembly.

A connector assembly according to an embodiment includes a cap housing having a plurality of tab terminals; a protective plate mounted within the cap housing to protect the tab terminal; And it may include a plug housing mounted on the protection plate.

The plug housing includes a fixing protrusion protruding from an outer surface, and the protection plate includes a bottom wall including a terminal hole into which the tab terminal can be inserted. a side wall extending from the top of the bottom wall; and a plug engaging portion formed on the side wall, deformed in a direction crossing the direction in which the fixing protrusion is inserted, and capable of being coupled to or detached from the fixing protrusion.

The shape of the plug engaging portion may be changed on a plane including the side wall of the protection plate.

The plug engaging portion may be formed by cutting a portion of a side wall of the protective plate.

The protective plate may further include a deformation receiving space formed adjacent to the plug engaging portion within a side wall of the protective plate and providing a space in which the plug engaging portion may be deformed.

The thickness of the plug engaging portion may be the same as the thickness of the side wall of the protective plate.

The plug engaging portion includes a first hook having an elastic hook body and a head portion formed at an end of the hook body to prevent the fixing protrusion from being separated; And it may include a second hook having a shape symmetrical to the first hook.

The fixing protrusion may move within a movement space defined as a space between the hook body of the first hook and the hook body of the second hook.

The cap housing includes a protective plate support lever for maintaining the protective plates spaced apart by a predetermined distance, the protective plate further includes a cap locking portion for engaging the protective plate support lever, and the plug housing includes the protective plate. It may include a separation protrusion for separating the cap locking portion and the protection plate support lever by pressing and deforming the support lever.

In the process of separating the plug housing from the cap housing, the protection plate may not move at an initial stage when the separation protrusion presses the protection plate support lever.

The cap housing includes a protective plate support lever for maintaining the protective plates spaced apart by a predetermined distance, and the protective plate may include a cap locking portion formed on the bottom wall of the protective plate and hooked to the protective plate support lever. there is.

The protection plate support lever is of a variable type, and the plug housing may include a separation protrusion for separating the cap locking portion and the protection plate support lever by pressing and deforming the protection plate support lever.

The protection plate support lever includes a lever body portion extending from the inner wall of the cap housing; a support portion protruding from the lever body portion and supporting the protection plate; and an action portion connected to the lever body portion or the support portion and overlapping the separation protrusion based on the direction in which the protection plate is inserted into the cap housing.

The protective plate may further include a receiving groove formed on the bottom wall of the protective plate and capable of receiving the action portion.

The protective plate may further include a lever sliding space formed on a side wall of the protective plate and providing a space in which the lever body portion can be moved.

The cap housing includes a separation prevention protrusion that protrudes from the inner wall of the cap housing and prevents the protection plate from being separated, and the protection plate includes a protrusion locking portion that can be coupled to or separated from the separation prevention protrusion, The protrusion locking portion may be formed within a side wall of the protective plate and may be provided in a variable form capable of bending toward the inside of the protective plate.

The protrusion locking portion includes a horizontal portion for engaging the lower end of the anti-separation protrusion; and a bending portion connected to the horizontal portion and capable of being bent when the protection plate is inserted beyond the separation prevention protrusion.

The protrusion locking portion may have a U-shape.

The protrusion locking portion may be formed by cutting a portion of the side wall of the protective plate.

The side wall of the protective plate may not have a portion protruding inward or outward when viewed from above.

The maximum thickness of the side wall of the protective plate may be 0.8 to 1.0 mm.

According to the connector assembly according to one embodiment, it is possible to prevent damage to the tab terminal when the connector is transported while the protection plate is mounted in the cap housing.

According to the connector assembly according to one embodiment, the cap housing and the plug housing are coupled or separated while the protective plate is mounted in the cap housing, so the effect of preventing damage that may be inflicted on the tab terminal during the coupling or separation process is obtained. Lose.

According to the connector assembly according to one embodiment, the cap housing and the plug housing are coupled or separated while the protective plate that protects the tab terminal is mounted in the cap housing, so the protective plate guides and couples the tab terminal that is inserted or separated from the plug housing. Alternatively, the effect of being able to easily realize separation is also obtained.

According to the connector assembly according to one embodiment, there is no need to form additional space to provide a structure in which any two components of the cap housing, protection plate, and plug housing are detachable, and as a result, the number of terminals that can be coupled in the same space increases. By doing so, space efficiency can be improved. In other words, since the longitudinal area occupied by the entire connector assembly can be reduced in order to connect the same number of terminals, the connector assembly can be miniaturized.

According to the connector assembly according to one embodiment, the force required for coupling and disassembly of the connector assembly can be reduced.

1 is a perspective view of a connector assembly according to one embodiment.
Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the connector assembly.
Figure 3 is a partially cut away perspective view showing the cap housing and the protective plate in a combined state.
Figure 4 is a diagram showing the plug housing fastened to the protection plate.
Figures 5a and 5b are diagrams showing the process of fastening the plug housing to the cap housing.
Figure 6 is a view showing a state in which the plug housing is fully inserted into the cap housing.
7A and 7B are diagrams showing the initial process in which the plug housing is separated from the cap housing.
Figure 8 is a diagram showing an intermediate process in which the plug housing is separated from the cap housing.
9 is a view showing a state in which the plug housing is separated from the cap housing.
Figure 10 is a diagram showing an intermediate process in which the plug housing is separated from the protection plate.
Figure 11 is a view showing a state in which the plug housing is separated from the protection plate.
Figure 12 is a view showing the plug housing completely pulled out from the cap housing.

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. However, the scope of the patent application is not limited or limited by these examples. The same reference numerals in each drawing indicate the same members.

Additionally, in describing the components of the embodiment, terms such as first, second, A, B, (a), and (b) may be used. These terms are only used to distinguish the component from other components, and the nature, sequence, or order of the component is not limited by the term. When a component is described as being “connected,” “coupled,” or “connected” to another component, that component may be directly connected or connected to that other component, but there is no need for another component between each component. It should be understood that may be “connected,” “combined,” or “connected.”

Components included in one embodiment and components including common functions will be described using the same names in other embodiments. Unless stated to the contrary, the description given in one embodiment may be applied to other embodiments, and detailed description will be omitted to the extent of overlap.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a connector assembly according to an embodiment, FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the connector assembly, and FIG. 3 is a partially cut away perspective view showing a cap housing and a protective plate in a combined state. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the cutting line II-I of Figure 2 with the protective plate coupled to the cap housing.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, the connector assembly 1 according to the embodiment may include a protection plate 20. The protection plate 20 can move up and down inside the connector assembly 1. The protection plate 20 may include a plurality of holes formed in the vertical direction of the connector assembly 1. Each of the plurality of terminals located inside the connector assembly 1 may be inserted into each of the plurality of holes. The protection plate 20 maintains the plurality of terminals in a straight state and prevents the plurality of terminals from being deformed due to external force applied to the plurality of terminals during work.

The connector assembly 1 according to the embodiment includes a cap housing 10 having a plurality of tab terminals, a protective plate 20 mounted in the cap housing 10 to protect the tab terminals, and a protective plate 20. It may include a plug housing 30 and a lever housing 40 mounted on the plug housing 30. The protection plate 20 can move up and down within the cap housing 10 by means of a rising member and a lowering member.

The rising member and the lowering member do not refer to any specific component, but rather are an organic combination of each component provided in the cap housing 10, the protection plate 20, the plug housing 30, and the lever housing 40. It means the composition according to. That is, the rising member and the lowering member raise or lower the protection plate 20 depending on the shape and function of each component provided in the cap housing 10, the protection plate 20, the plug housing 30, and the lever housing 40. It refers to each component that realizes the raising or lowering of the protective plate. More specifically, the lowering member is a structure formed so that the initial state of the protection plate 20 is disconnected by the plug housing 30 entering the cap housing 10 and the protection plate 20 is lowered, The rising member is a structure formed so that the protective plate 20 rises and maintains its initial state due to the upward movement of the plug housing 30. In addition, even if the rising member and the lowering member are the same component, if they are configured to act when the protection plate 20 is raised, they correspond to the rising member, and if they are configured to act when the protection plate 20 is lowered, they correspond to the lowering member. It can be understood.

The cap housing 10 includes at least one separation prevention protrusion 11 that prevents the protection plate 20 from separating from the protection plate 20, and at least one separation prevention protrusion 11 that maintains the protection plate 20 in a state (initial state) spaced apart by a certain distance L. It may include the above protective plate support lever 12 and a lever retraction space 13 provided with a space to allow movement of the protective plate support lever 12 when the protection plate 20 is raised or lowered.

The separation prevention protrusion 11 may limit the position of the protection plate 20 while the protection plate 20 is being pulled out from the cap housing 10 . The separation prevention protrusion 11 may be formed on the inner wall of the cap housing 10. For example, the lower part of the separation prevention protrusion 11 may have a flat shape, and the upper part may have an inclined shape. According to this shape, when the protection plate 20 is inserted into the cap housing 10, it can be easily mounted through the inclined shape of the upper part of the separation prevention protrusion 11. In addition, when the protection plate 20 is pulled out from the cap housing 10, it can be prevented from being separated from the cap housing 10 by the flat shape of the lower part of the separation prevention protrusion 11. The side wall of the protection plate 20 may not have a portion protruding inward or outward when viewed from above. The side wall of the protection plate 20 may have a thickness of, for example, 0.8 to 1.0 mm.

The protection plate support lever 12 may limit the position of the protection plate 20 during the process of inserting the protection plate 20 into the cap housing 10. The protection plate support lever 12 includes a lever body portion 121 extending from the inner wall of the cap housing 10, for example, the inner bottom wall, a support portion 122 protruding from the lever body portion 121, and a lever It may include an action portion 123 connected to the body portion 121 or the support portion 122. For example, the lever body portion 121, the support portion 122, and the action portion 123 may be formed as one piece. The lever body portion 121 is provided in a variable manner and can be deformed or moved within the lever retraction space 13 formed between the inner surface of the cap housing 10 and the lever body portion 121. The upper portion of the support portion 122 may have a flat shape, and the lower portion may have an inclined shape. The action portion 123 may be formed higher than the support portion 122. For example, each of the upper and lower portions of the action portion 123 may include an inclined shape.

The protection plate 20 includes a bottom wall including a plurality of terminal holes corresponding to the shapes of the plurality of tab terminals to protect the plurality of tab terminals provided in the cap housing 10, and a side wall extending from the upper surface of the bottom wall. may include. The protection plate 20 may maintain a position spaced apart from the inner bottom wall of the cap housing 10 by a certain distance L until the plug housing 30 is inserted. The protection plate 20 can move up and down within the cap housing 10 within the predetermined distance L depending on whether the plug housing 30 is coupled or not.

The protection plate 20 has a receiving groove 21 capable of accommodating the action portion 123, a cap locking portion 22 capable of supporting the support portion 122, and a plug locking portion that can be coupled to or detachable from the plug housing 30. A lever sliding space 25 that provides a space in which the portion 23 and the lever body portion 121 can be moved, a deformation receiving space 26 that provides a space in which the plug engaging portion 23 can be deformed, It may include a protrusion locking portion (27) that can be caught on the departure prevention protrusion (11).

The receiving groove 21 may be a groove recessed inward from the edge of the bottom wall of the protective plate 20. In other words, the receiving groove 21 can be formed by cutting a part of the bottom wall of the protective plate 20. The portion of the protection plate 20 in which the receiving groove 21 is not formed may be supported by the support portion 122. The portion of the bottom wall of the protection plate 20 supported by the support portion 122 may be referred to as the cap locking portion 22. The cap catching portion 22 may be understood as referring to a portion of the bottom wall of the protective plate 20 that overlaps the support portion 122 along the insertion direction (up and down direction with respect to Figure 3) of the protective plate 20. there is. According to the structure of the cap locking portion 22, there is no need to separately form an interference structure on the outside of the protection plate 20 to support the protection plate 20 in a spaced state from the bottom of the cap housing 10. , by reducing the distance between the side wall of the protection plate 20 and the inner wall of the cap housing 10, space efficiency can be improved and the entire connector assembly 1 can be miniaturized. More specifically, when the cap locking portion 22 is formed on the outside of the protective plate 20, the protective plate support lever 12 for supporting the cap locking portion 22 must be located on the outside of the protective plate 20. , a certain amount of free space must be left between the side wall of the protective plate 20 and the inner wall of the cap housing 10, corresponding to the space occupied by the protective plate support lever 12. However, according to the embodiment, the free space is unnecessary, so the above effect can be achieved. You can.

The lever sliding space 25 may be a hole or groove formed on the side wall of the protection plate 20. For example, the lever sliding space 25 can be formed by cutting a portion of the side wall of the protective plate 20. The lever sliding space 25 is such that when the protection plate 20 is inserted into the interior of the cap housing 10, the protection plate support lever 12 does not interfere with the rest of the protection plate 20 except for the cap locking portion 22. You can avoid it. According to this structure, even if the side wall of the protection plate 20 has a thin plate shape, an interference structure between the protection plate 20 and the protection plate support lever 12 can be formed.

The plug catching portion 23 may be coupled to or separated from the fixing protrusion 33 (see FIG. 4) protruding from the side wall of the plug housing 30. The plug catching portion 23 may be formed in a variable manner within the side wall of the protection plate 20. For example, the plug catching portion 23 may be formed on another edge of the protective plate 20 where the receiving groove 21 is not formed. The shape of the plug engaging portion 23 may change on a plane including the side wall of the protection plate 20 depending on interference with the fixing protrusion 33. According to this structure, compared to the case where the plug engaging portion 23 is deformed in a direction perpendicular to the side wall of the protective plate 20, the distance between the side wall of the protective plate 20 and the inner wall of the cap housing 10 is reduced. By doing so, space efficiency can be improved and the entire connector assembly 1 can be miniaturized. More specifically, when the plug engaging portion 23 is deformed in a direction perpendicular to the side wall of the protective plate 20, the side wall and cap of the protective plate 20 are sufficiently adjusted to accommodate the deformation of the plug engaging portion 23. Although a certain amount of free space must be left between the inner walls of the housing 10, according to the embodiment, the free space is unnecessary, so the above effect can be achieved. Specific examples of the plug engaging portion 23 will be described later with reference to FIG. 4 .

The deformation receiving space 26 may be provided, for example, on both sides of the plug engaging portion 23. The deformation-accommodating space 26 may be formed by cutting the periphery of a portion of the side wall of the protective plate 20 where the plug engaging portion 23 is formed. According to this structure, even if the side wall of the protection plate 20 has a thin plate shape, an interference structure between the protection plate 20 and the plug housing 30 can be formed.

The protrusion locking portion 27 may be coupled to or separated from the separation prevention protrusion 11. The protrusion locking portion 27 may be formed in a variable manner within the side wall of the protection plate 20. The protrusion locking portion 27 may be bent inside the protection plate 20 due to interference with the separation prevention protrusion 11. The protrusion catching portion 27 includes a horizontal portion 271 that can be caught at the bottom of the departure prevention projection 11, and a bending portion that can be bent when the horizontal portion 271 interferes with the departure prevention projection 11 ( 272) may be included. The horizontal portion 271 and the bending portion 272 may be formed, for example, by cutting a portion of the side wall of the protective plate 20. For example, the protrusion locking portion 27 may have a U-shape as shown in FIG. 3 .

The plug housing 30 has a separation protrusion 32 that moves the protection plate support lever 12 to separate the cap engaging portion 22 and the protection plate support lever 12, and a fixing portion that is caught on the plug engaging portion 23. It may include a dragon protrusion (33). For example, the lower portion of each of the separating protrusions 32 and the fixing protrusions 33 may have an inclined surface, and the upper portion may have a flat surface.

The lever housing 40 may include a manipulation unit for rotating the plug housing 30 when the operator couples or separates it from the cap housing 10 .

The cap housing 10, protection plate 20, plug housing 30, and lever housing 40 as described above may be made of a material having insulation and rigidity, such as plastic or ceramic resin.

As a method of coupling the connector assembly 1 to couple the cap housing 10 and the plug housing 30 according to the embodiment, first, as shown in FIG. 3, the connector assembly 1 is spaced apart by a certain distance L within the cap housing 10. Install the protective plate (20) that protects the tab terminal in its initial state.

This mounting is performed by the operator pushing the protection plate 20 into the cap housing 10 when manufacturing the connector according to the present invention.

That is, the protection plate 20 is inserted into the open upper part of the cap housing 10 shown in FIG. 2. By simple insertion like this, the protection plate 20 is stopped by the separation prevention protrusion 11 of the cap housing 10, but since the separation prevention protrusion 11 has a surface inclined from the top to the bottom, the worker presses it. As a result, the protection plate 20 easily passes through the separation prevention protrusion 11. After the protection plate 20 passes through the separation prevention protrusion 11, as shown in FIG. 3, the cap locking portion formed on the bottom wall of the protection plate 20 is attached to the protection plate support lever 12 of the cap housing 10 ( 22) is hung and maintained at a certain distance (L) from the inner bottom wall of the cap housing (10). This state may be a state (initial state) in which portions (tips) of the plurality of tab terminals built into the cap housing 10 are respectively inserted into the plurality of grooves formed in the protective plate 20.

More specifically, when the protection plate 20 is inserted into the cap housing 10, in the process of the protrusion locking portion 27 of the protection plate 20 passing over the separation prevention protrusion 11 of the cap housing 10, the protection plate ( As it is bent inward and then restored again, the upper end of the horizontal portion 271 of the protrusion locking portion 27 may be caught by the lower end of the anti-separation protrusion 11. Due to this action, the protection plate 20 may not be separated from the cap housing 10.

At a position where the protrusion locking portion 27 completely passes over the separation prevention protrusion 11, the cap locking portion 22 of the protective plate 20 may be supported on the support portion 122 of the protective plate support lever 12. Due to this action, the protective plate 20 can no longer enter the cap housing 10, and therefore, the protective plate 20 is spaced a certain distance (L) from the bottom wall of the cap housing 10. While maintained in the (initial state), the tab terminals of the cap housing 10 can be protected.

4 to 6 are diagrams illustrating a process in which the connector assembly according to an embodiment is combined after the state of FIG. 3. Figures 4 to 6 are cross-sectional views taken along the cutting line II-II of Figure 2 during each joining process. Figure 4 is a view showing the plug housing fastened to the protection plate, Figures 5a and 5b are views showing the process of fastening the plug housing to the cap housing, and Figure 6 shows the plug housing fully inserted into the cap housing. This is a drawing that represents.

First, referring to FIG. 4 , the plug catching portion 23 may include, for example, a first hook 231a, a second hook 231b, a movement space 232, and an entry portion 233.

The upper portions of the head portion of the first hook 231a and the second hook 231b may include a first upper inclined portion and a second upper inclined portion that protrude downwardly toward the inside. The lower portions of the head portion of the first hook 231a and the second hook 231b may include a first lower inclined portion and a second lower inclined portion that protrude upwardly toward the inside. As shown in FIG. 4, the slope of the first lower slope and the second lower slope may be gentler than the slope of the first upper slope and the second upper slope. The hook body of the first hook 231a and the hook body of the second hook 232b may have elasticity to enable movement into the deformation-accommodating space 26 provided within the side wall of the protective plate 20.

The moving space 232 is a space formed between the hook body of the first hook 231a and the hook body of the second hook 231b, and the fixing protrusion 33 can be moved within the moving space 232. there is.

The entry part 233 is a space formed between the head part of the first hook 231a and the head part of the second hook 231b, and is used for fixing the plug housing 30 when fastened to the protection plate 20. This is the part where the protrusion 33 enters.

In the state of FIG. 3, when the plug housing 30 is inserted into the cap housing 10, the fixing protrusion 33 of the plug housing 30 deforms the plug locking portion 23 of the protection plate 20, As shown in FIG. 4, it may be located at the top of the movement space 232. In the state of FIG. 4, the separation protrusion 32 of the plug housing 30 may come into contact with the action portion 123 of the protection plate support lever 12.

In the state of FIG. 4, when the plug housing 30 is further inserted into the cap housing 10, the separation protrusion 32 is formed before the tab terminal of the cap housing 10 is coupled to the plug housing 30, as shown in FIG. 5A. Can be inserted into the receiving groove 21 while pushing the action portion 123 outward. In this process, the lever body portion 121 of the protective plate support lever 12 is bent outward, and as a result, the support portion 122 (see FIG. 2) of the protective plate support lever 12 is connected to the cap locking portion 22. , see Figure 2). When the protective plate support lever 12 is separated from the protective plate 20 by the separation protrusion 32, the protective plate 20 deviates from its initial position and descends into the cap housing 10, as shown in Figure 5b, and the cap housing 10 ) tab terminal is coupled to the plug housing (30).

In this way, the process in which the fixing protrusion 33 interferes with the plug engaging portion 23, the process in which the separation protrusion 32 pushes the protection plate support lever 12, and the tab terminal of the cap housing 10 By preventing the processes of coupling to the plug housing 30 from starting at the same time, the plug housing 30 can be coupled to the protection plate 20 and the cap housing 10 with less force than when the plurality of processes start simultaneously. You can do it.

As shown in FIG. 5B, when the plug housing 30 is further inserted into the cap housing 10 in a state where the cap engaging portion 22 and the protection plate support lever 12 are separated, as shown in FIG. 6, the protection plate support lever 12 is restored to its original shape, the protection plate 20 is in close contact with the cap housing 10, each tab terminal is accommodated in the plug housing 30, and the plug housing 30 is completely coupled to the cap housing 10. It can be.

7A to 12 are diagrams showing a separation process of a connector assembly according to an embodiment. FIGS. 7A to 12 are cross-sectional views taken along the cutting line II-II of FIG. 2 during each joining process. Figures 7a and 7b are diagrams showing the initial process in which the plug housing is separated from the cap housing, Figure 8 is a diagram showing the intermediate process in which the plug housing is separated from the cap housing, and Figure 9 is a diagram showing the plug housing being separated from the cap housing. It is a drawing showing the state, Figure 10 is a drawing showing the intermediate process in which the plug housing is separated from the protection plate, Figure 11 is a drawing showing the state in which the plug housing is separated from the protection plate, and Figure 12 is a drawing showing the plug housing being completely pulled out from the cap housing. This is a drawing showing what it looks like.

First, as shown in FIG. 6, in a state in which the plug housing 30 is completely fastened to the protection plate 20 and the cap housing 10, the plug housing 30 moves upward within the cap housing 10, as shown in FIG. 7a. If so, the tab terminal of the cap housing 10 may begin to separate from the plug housing 30 before the separation protrusion 32 presses the protection plate support lever 12 outward. In other words, it may be understood that only a force is required to separate the plug housing 30 from the tab terminal of the cap housing 10 while the plug housing 30 is raised by the distance D in FIG. 7A.

Next, referring to FIG. 7B, as the plug housing 30 moves further upward within the cap housing 10, the separation protrusion 32 moves the action portion 123 of the protection plate support lever 12 (see FIG. 3). You may begin to press outward. Meanwhile, in the process shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the fixing protrusion 33 may be moved from the bottom to the top of the movement space 232. The protective plate 20 may not move until the fixing protrusion 33 abuts the top of the moving space 232.

In the state of Figure 7b, when the plug housing 30 moves further upward within the cap housing 10, the fixing protrusion 33 is caught on the plug catching portion 23 of the protection plate 20, as shown in Figure 8. Therefore, from this point on, the protective plate 20 can rise together with the plug housing 30.

In this way, the process of separating the plug housing 30 from the tab terminal of the cap housing 10, the process of the separation protrusion 32 pushing the protection plate support lever 12, and the fixing protrusion 33 By preventing the processes of raising the protection plate 20 by interfering with the locking portion 23 from starting at the same time, the plug housing 30 can be moved to the cap housing 10 with less force than when the plurality of processes are started simultaneously. can be separated from.

In the state of FIG. 8, when the plug housing 30 moves further upward within the cap housing 10, the separation protrusion 32 completely passes over the action portion 123 (see FIG. 3), as shown in FIG. When the protective plate support lever 12 is restored to its original shape, the cap locking portion 22 (see FIG. 3) of the protective plate 20 is supported by the support portion 122 (see FIG. 3) of the protective plate support lever 12. It becomes a state of being. In addition, in this case, as shown in FIG. 3, the separation prevention protrusion 11 of the cap housing 10 (see FIG. 3) is caught on the protrusion locking portion 27 of the protection plate 20, so that the protection plate 20 is connected to the cap housing 10. It becomes a state where it can no longer rise. Accordingly, the protection plate 20 can be positioned in an initial state spaced apart by a certain distance L within the cap housing 10.

9, that is, in a state in which the protection plate 20 can no longer rise due to the separation prevention protrusion 11 of the cap housing 10 (see FIG. 3), the plug housing 30 is attached to the cap housing 10. ), the fixing protrusion 33, as shown in FIG. 10, may escape upward as shown in FIG. 11 while deforming the plug engaging portion 23 of the protection plate 20. In other words, the plug housing 30 can be separated from the protection plate 20.

In the state of FIG. 11, when the plug housing 30 moves further upward within the cap housing 10, the plug housing 30 is completely separated from the cap housing 10 as shown in FIG. 12, and the protective plate 20 is The initial position can be maintained at a certain distance (L) within the cap housing 10.

By the separation process of the cap housing 10 and the plug housing 30 as described above, the protection plate 20 mounted in the cap housing 10 can move up and down within the cap housing 10, and the cap housing 10 ) will not be withdrawn outside of.

The above embodiment may be applied to, for example, an ACU connector assembly that has a function of preventing pin deformation, but it should be noted that it can also be applied to other types of connector assemblies other than the ACU connector assembly.

According to the connector assembly according to one embodiment, it is possible to prevent damage to the tab terminal when the connector is transported while the protection plate is mounted in the cap housing. According to the connector assembly according to one embodiment, the cap housing and the plug housing are coupled or separated while the protective plate is mounted in the cap housing, so the effect of preventing damage that may be inflicted on the tab terminal during the coupling or separation process is obtained. Lose. According to the connector assembly according to one embodiment, the cap housing and the plug housing are coupled or separated while the protective plate that protects the tab terminal is mounted in the cap housing, so the protective plate guides and couples the tab terminal that is inserted or separated from the plug housing. Alternatively, the effect of being able to easily realize separation is also obtained. According to the connector assembly according to one embodiment, there is no need to form additional space to provide a structure in which any two components of the cap housing, protection plate, and plug housing are detachable, and as a result, the number of terminals that can be coupled in the same space increases. By doing so, space efficiency can be improved. In other words, since the longitudinal area occupied by the entire connector assembly can be reduced in order to connect the same number of terminals, the connector assembly can be miniaturized. According to the connector assembly according to one embodiment, the force required for coupling and disassembly of the connector assembly can be reduced.

Although the embodiments have been described with limited drawings as described above, various modifications and variations can be made by those skilled in the art from the above description. For example, the described techniques are performed in a different order than the described method, or components such as the described structure and/or device are combined or combined in a different form than the described method, or are used by other components or equivalents. Appropriate results can be achieved even with substitutions or substitutions.

Claims (21)

A cap housing with a plurality of tab terminals;
a protective plate mounted within the cap housing to protect the tab terminal; and
Includes a plug housing mounted on the protective plate,
The plug housing includes a fixing protrusion protruding from the outer surface,
The protective plate is,
a bottom wall including a terminal hole into which the tab terminal can be inserted;
a side wall extending from the top of the bottom wall; and
It is formed on the side wall, and is deformed in a direction crossing the direction in which the fixing protrusion is inserted, and includes a plug engaging portion capable of being coupled to or detached from the fixing protrusion,
A connector assembly in which the shape of the plug engaging portion is deformed on a plane including a side wall of the protection plate.
delete delete A cap housing with a plurality of tab terminals;
a protective plate mounted within the cap housing to protect the tab terminal; and
Includes a plug housing mounted on the protective plate,
The plug housing includes a fixing protrusion protruding from the outer surface,
The protective plate is,
a bottom wall including a terminal hole into which the tab terminal can be inserted;
a side wall extending from the top of the bottom wall; and
It is formed on the side wall, and is deformed in a direction crossing the direction in which the fixing protrusion is inserted, and includes a plug engaging portion capable of being coupled to or detached from the fixing protrusion,
A connector assembly wherein the plug engaging portion is formed by cutting a portion of a side wall of the protective plate.
A cap housing with a plurality of tab terminals;
a protective plate mounted within the cap housing to protect the tab terminal; and
Includes a plug housing mounted on the protective plate,
The plug housing includes a fixing protrusion protruding from the outer surface,
The protective plate is,
a bottom wall including a terminal hole into which the tab terminal can be inserted;
a side wall extending from the top of the bottom wall; and
It is formed on the side wall, and is deformed in a direction crossing the direction in which the fixing protrusion is inserted, and includes a plug engaging portion capable of being coupled to or detached from the fixing protrusion,
The protective plate is,
The connector assembly further includes a deformation receiving space formed adjacent to the plug engaging portion within a side wall of the protection plate and providing a space in which the plug engaging portion is deformable.
A cap housing with a plurality of tab terminals;
a protective plate mounted within the cap housing to protect the tab terminal; and
Includes a plug housing mounted on the protective plate,
The plug housing includes a fixing protrusion protruding from the outer surface,
The protective plate is,
a bottom wall including a terminal hole into which the tab terminal can be inserted;
a side wall extending from the top of the bottom wall; and
It is formed on the side wall, and is deformed in a direction crossing the direction in which the fixing protrusion is inserted, and includes a plug engaging portion capable of being coupled to or detached from the fixing protrusion,
A connector assembly in which the thickness of the plug engaging portion is the same as the thickness of the side wall of the protection plate.
A cap housing with a plurality of tab terminals;
a protective plate mounted within the cap housing to protect the tab terminal; and
Includes a plug housing mounted on the protective plate,
The plug housing includes a fixing protrusion protruding from the outer surface,
The protective plate is,
a bottom wall including a terminal hole into which the tab terminal can be inserted;
a side wall extending from the top of the bottom wall; and
It is formed on the side wall, and is deformed in a direction crossing the direction in which the fixing protrusion is inserted, and includes a plug engaging portion capable of being coupled to or detached from the fixing protrusion,
The plug engaging part,
a first hook having an elastic hook body and a head portion formed at an end of the hook body to prevent the fixing protrusion from being separated; and
A connector assembly including a second hook having a shape symmetrical to the first hook.
According to claim 7,
The fixing protrusion is movable within a moving space defined by a space between the hook body of the first hook and the hook body of the second hook.
A cap housing with a plurality of tab terminals;
a protective plate mounted within the cap housing to protect the tab terminal; and
Includes a plug housing mounted on the protective plate,
The plug housing includes a fixing protrusion protruding from the outer surface,
The protective plate is,
a bottom wall including a terminal hole into which the tab terminal can be inserted;
a side wall extending from the top of the bottom wall; and
It is formed on the side wall, and is deformed in a direction crossing the direction in which the fixing protrusion is inserted, and includes a plug engaging portion capable of being coupled to or detached from the fixing protrusion,
The cap housing includes a protective plate support lever for maintaining the protective plates spaced apart by a predetermined distance,
The protective plate further includes a cap locking portion for engaging the protective plate support lever,
The plug housing is a connector assembly including a separation protrusion for separating the cap locking portion and the protection plate support lever by pressing and deforming the protection plate support lever.
According to clause 9,
A connector assembly in which the protection plate does not move at an initial stage when the separation protrusion presses the protection plate support lever during the process of separating the plug housing from the cap housing.
According to any one of claims 1, 4 to 7,
The cap housing includes a protective plate support lever for maintaining the protective plates spaced apart by a predetermined distance,
The protective plate is formed on a bottom wall of the protective plate and includes a cap locking portion for engaging the protective plate support lever.
According to claim 11,
The protective plate support lever is of a variable type,
The plug housing is a connector assembly including a separation protrusion for separating the cap locking portion and the protection plate support lever by pressing and deforming the protection plate support lever.
According to claim 12,
The protective plate support lever is,
a lever body portion extending from the inner wall of the cap housing;
a support portion protruding from the lever body portion and supporting the protection plate; and
A connector assembly including an action portion connected to the lever body portion or the support portion and overlapping the separation protrusion based on the direction in which the protection plate is inserted into the cap housing.
A cap housing with a plurality of tab terminals;
a protective plate mounted within the cap housing to protect the tab terminal; and
Includes a plug housing mounted on the protective plate,
The cap housing includes a protective plate support lever for maintaining the protective plates spaced apart by a predetermined distance,
The protective plate includes a cap locking portion for engaging the protective plate support lever,
The protective plate support lever is of a variable type,
The plug housing includes a separation protrusion for separating the cap locking portion and the protection plate support lever by pressing and deforming the protection plate support lever,
The protective plate support lever is of a variable type,
The plug housing includes a separation protrusion for separating the cap locking portion and the protection plate support lever by pressing and deforming the protection plate support lever,
The protective plate support lever is,
a lever body portion extending from the inner wall of the cap housing;
a support portion protruding from the lever body portion and supporting the protection plate; and
An action portion is connected to the lever body or the support portion and overlaps the separation protrusion based on the direction in which the protection plate is inserted into the cap housing,
The protective plate is,
The connector assembly is formed on the bottom wall of the protective plate and further includes a receiving groove capable of receiving the action portion.
A cap housing with a plurality of tab terminals;
a protective plate mounted within the cap housing to protect the tab terminal; and
Includes a plug housing mounted on the protective plate,
The cap housing includes a protective plate support lever for maintaining the protective plates spaced apart by a predetermined distance,
The protective plate includes a cap locking portion for engaging the protective plate support lever,
The protective plate support lever is of a variable type,
The plug housing includes a separation protrusion for separating the cap locking portion and the protection plate support lever by pressing and deforming the protection plate support lever,
The protective plate support lever is of a variable type,
The plug housing includes a separation protrusion for separating the cap locking portion and the protection plate support lever by pressing and deforming the protection plate support lever,
The protective plate support lever is,
a lever body portion extending from the inner wall of the cap housing;
a support portion protruding from the lever body portion and supporting the protection plate; and
An action portion is connected to the lever body or the support portion and overlaps the separation protrusion based on the direction in which the protection plate is inserted into the cap housing,
The protective plate is,
The connector assembly further includes a lever sliding space formed on a side wall of the protection plate and providing a space in which the lever body portion can be moved.
A cap housing with a plurality of tab terminals;
a protective plate mounted within the cap housing to protect the tab terminal; and
Includes a plug housing mounted on the protective plate,
The cap housing includes a separation prevention protrusion that protrudes from an inner wall of the cap housing and prevents the protection plate from separation,
The protective plate includes a protrusion locking portion that can be coupled to or separated from the separation prevention protrusion,
The protrusion locking portion is formed in a side wall of the protective plate, and is provided in a variable form that can be bent toward the inside of the protective plate.
According to claim 16,
The protrusion locking part,
a horizontal portion to be caught at the bottom of the separation prevention protrusion; and
A connector assembly connected to the horizontal portion and including a bending portion that can be bent when the protection plate is inserted beyond the separation prevention protrusion.
According to claim 16,
A connector assembly in which the protrusion locking portion has a U-shape.
According to claim 16,
A connector assembly in which the protrusion locking portion is formed by cutting a portion of a side wall of the protective plate.
A cap housing with a plurality of tab terminals;
a protective plate mounted within the cap housing to protect the tab terminal; and
Includes a plug housing mounted on the protective plate,
The plug housing includes a fixing protrusion protruding from the outer surface,
The protective plate is,
a bottom wall including a terminal hole into which the tab terminal can be inserted;
a side wall extending from the top of the bottom wall; and
It is formed on the side wall, and is deformed in a direction crossing the direction in which the fixing protrusion is inserted, and includes a plug engaging portion capable of being coupled to or detached from the fixing protrusion,
A connector assembly wherein the side wall of the protective plate does not have a portion protruding inward or outward when viewed from above.
A cap housing with a plurality of tab terminals;
a protective plate mounted within the cap housing to protect the tab terminal; and
Includes a plug housing mounted on the protective plate,
The plug housing includes a fixing protrusion protruding from the outer surface,
The protective plate is,
a bottom wall including a terminal hole into which the tab terminal can be inserted;
a side wall extending from the top of the bottom wall; and
It is formed on the side wall, and is deformed in a direction crossing the direction in which the fixing protrusion is inserted, and includes a plug engaging portion capable of being coupled to or detached from the fixing protrusion,
A connector assembly where the maximum thickness of the side wall of the protective plate is 0.8 to 1.0 mm.

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