Patent ID: 12241576

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Various specific implementations of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings which form a part of this description. It should be understood that although the terms indicating directions, such as “upper”, “lower”, “left”, “right”, and so on are used in the present disclosure to describe structural parts and elements in various examples of the present disclosure, these terms are used herein only for ease of description and are determined based on the exemplary orientations as shown in the accompanying drawings. Since the embodiments disclosed in the present disclosure can be arranged in different directions, these terms indicating directions are merely illustrative and should not be considered as limitations.

FIGS.1A and1Brespectively show a perspective view and a partially exploded view of a connector assembly100according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, showing the overall structure of the connector assembly100. As shown inFIGS.1A and1B, the connector assembly100comprises a male connector110and a female connector120detachably connected to each other. The male connector110is a pipe which includes a tubular body115, and a retaining flange116arranged on an outer surface of the tubular body115. The retaining flange116is in the form of a ring, protrudes outwards from the outer surface of the tubular body115and extends in a circumferential direction of the tubular body115. The female connector120has an axis X and a channel125extending in the axial direction. The male connector110can be received by the female connector120, i.e., inserted in the channel125of the female connector120. When the male connector110is inserted in place in the female connector120, the male connector110and the female connector120are secured by the retaining flange116.

FIG.2is an exploded view of the female connector120of the connector assembly100shown inFIG.1A, showing components of the female connector120. As shown inFIG.2, the female connector120includes a housing210, and a retaining clamp220and an indicating slider230that are arranged on the housing210, and all of these components are made of a plastic material.

The housing210is generally tubular, and the axial direction of the housing210is the same as the axial direction of the female connector120. The housing210defines the channel125extending in the axial direction and includes a receiving section215and a connecting section213. The receiving section215is configured for receiving and being secured with the male connector, and the connecting section213is configured for connecting the female connector120with other components (e.g., a hose). The retaining clamp220and the indicating slider230are arranged on the receiving section215. The receiving section215and the connecting section213are detachably connected to each other, for example by means of a snap fit connection. To this end, the connecting section213is provided with a plurality of wedge-shaped projections236arranged in a circumferential direction, the receiving section215is provided with a corresponding number of lugs256, and each of the lugs256is provided with a receiving hole257for receiving a wedge-shaped projection236. Since the receiving section215and the connecting section213are configured as separate portions, when there is a different model for the male connector110, a suitable receiving section215may be selected depending on the model of the male connector110without replacing the connecting section213, thus enabling a better adaptability of the female connector120.

The retaining clamp220is clamped on the receiving section215and configured to cooperate with the retaining flange116of the male connector110so as to secure the male connector110and the female connector120. The indicating slider230is mounted on the receiving section215for indicating that the male connector110is mounted in place in the female connector120.

FIGS.3A and3Bare respectively perspective views of the receiving section215of the housing210of the female connector120from two different perspectives, showing the specific structure of the receiving section215of the housing210. As shown inFIGS.3A and3B, the receiving section215of the housing210has an outer surface316and an inner wall317, the receiving section215is provided with a housing window320, and the housing window320runs through the outer surface316and the inner wall317of the housing210to connect with the channel125. The housing window320includes a first side window section322and a second side window section324, and a beam315arranged between the first side window section322and the second side window section324. The beam315extends in the axial direction of the housing210and forms a limiting portion. The first side window section322and the second side window section324each extends in the circumferential direction of the housing210such that the receiving section215has an overall hollowed-out shape.

The receiving section215of the housing210further includes a pair of stopping portions332provided on the outer surface316of the receiving section215. The pair of stopping portions332are arranged on opposite sides of the receiving section215in the circumferential direction. The receiving section215of the housing210further includes a pair of additional stopping portions333. The pair of additional stopping portions333are also arranged on the opposite sides of the receiving section215in the circumferential direction. The stopping portions332and the additional stopping portions333are on opposite sides of the housing window320in the axial direction. The stopping portion332and the additional stopping portion333, which are on the same side of the housing210in the circumferential direction, are in the same circumferential position on the receiving section215. The stopping portions332and additional stopping portions333are formed by protruding from the outer surface316of the housing210and are configured to cooperate with the retaining clamp220so as to retain the retaining clamp220on the housing210.

The receiving section215of the housing210is further provided with an opening350extending in the axial direction. The opening350is generally U-shaped and has an open end363and a closed end367opposite each other. The receiving section215of the housing210includes a guide strip360. The guide strip360is arranged in the opening350, and is connected to the closed end367of the opening350and extends from the closed end367of the opening350towards the open end363. The guide strip360is configured for mounting of the indicating slider230shown inFIG.2and guiding the indicating slider230to slide in the axial direction of the housing210. The guide strip360is provided with an identifier365which is, for example, a QR code. The identifier365is arranged at a distance from the closed end367.

In addition, the receiving section215of the housing210is further provided with two pairs of retaining ribs312. Each pair of retaining ribs312are arranged on one of a pair of side walls318that define the opening350. Each pair of retaining ribs312are separated from each other by a distance in the axial direction of the housing210. When viewed in the axial direction of the housing210, the retaining ribs312are at substantially the same level as the identifier365. The retaining ribs312are configured to retain the indicating slider230shown inFIG.2in an initial position in which the indicating slider230at least partially covers the identifier365.

FIGS.4A and4Bare perspective views of the retaining clamp220of the female connector120from two different perspectives, showing the specific structure of the retaining clamp220. As shown inFIGS.4A and4B, the retaining clamp220is a C-shaped clamp with a substantially uniform width, and includes a base410and a pair of arms422. The pair of arms422are respectively connected to opposite sides of the base410at their proximal ends425and each has a free distal end423. The pair of arms422are deflectable relative to the base410and thus also deflectable towards or away from each other. The base410is provided with a limiting recess415for accommodating the beam315(limiting portion) of the receiving section215of the housing210. The limiting recess415and the beam315cooperate with each other to restrict the retaining clamp220from moving in the circumferential direction relative to the housing210.

The pair of arms422each is provided with a retaining groove426. The retaining groove426extends in a length direction of a corresponding arm422from its proximal end425towards a corresponding free distal end423, and extends through the arm422in a thickness direction of the arm422. The retaining groove426has a width configured to be capable of accommodating the retaining flange116of the male connector110.

The arm422includes a front arm portion461and a rear arm portion462on opposite sides of the retaining groove426in a width direction. The front arm portion461and the rear arm portion462are connected at the proximal end425and the free distal end423of the arm422, respectively. At the proximal end425, the front arm portion461and the rear arm portion462are connected by the base410. At the free distal end423, the front arm portion461and the rear arm portion462are connected to each other by an end arm portion428. That is, the retaining groove426is closed by the end arm portion428at the free distal end423. During insertion of the male connector110into the female connector120, the front arm portion461of the retaining clamp220comes into contact with the retaining flange116of the male connector110first. The front arm portion461has an outer guide surface438inclined inwardly, and is configured to guide the retaining flange116of the male connector110to enter between the front arm portions461of the pair of arms422.

The pair of arms422each is further provided with a stopped portion432. The stopped portion432is formed by protruding from two sides in the width direction of the arm422, and configured to cooperate with the stopping portions332and the additional stopping portions333of the housing210to retain the retaining clamp220on the housing210. The stopped portions432are provided on the end arm portion428.

The pair of arms422each is further provided with an operating projection454. The operating projection454is formed by protruding from an outer surface of each arm422and is close to the proximal end425. By operating the operating projections454, an operator can deflect the pair of arms422of the retaining clamp220away from each other such that the retaining clamp220can release the retaining flange116of the male connector110.

FIGS.5A and5Bare perspective views of the indicating slider230of the female connector120from two different perspectives, showing the specific structure of the indicating slider230. As shown inFIGS.5A and5B, the indicating slider230includes a slider body510and a pair of extensions522extending from the slider body510. The slider body510is provided with a hole515through which the indicating slider230is sleeved on the guide strip360of the housing210of the female connector120, and the indicating slider230is movable along the guide strip360. The extensions522are generally in the form of an arc matching with the shape of the inner wall317of the receiving section215of the housing210. The pair of extensions522extend away from each other.

The slider body510is provided with a pair of retained protrusions512. Each of the retained protrusions512forms a retaining structure together with the pair of retaining ribs312of the housing210to retain the indicating slider230in its initial position (as shown inFIGS.7A and8A). Specifically, when the indicating slider230is not subjected to a pushing force, the retained protrusions512can be retained between the pair of retaining ribs312of the housing210, so as to retain the indicating slider230in its initial position. When the indicating slider230is subjected to a pushing force applied or exerted by the retaining flange116of the male connector110, the retained protrusions512can cross over the retaining ribs312, allowing the indicating slider230to move towards the closed end367of the opening350to reach an indicating position (as shown inFIG.9A).

FIG.6Ashows a perspective view of assembly of the receiving section215of the housing210, the retaining clamp220and the indicating slider230of the female connector120.FIG.6Bis a cross-sectional view ofFIG.6Aalong line6B-6B.FIGS.6A and6Breflect that the female connector120(including the housing210, the retaining clamp220and the indicating slider230) is in an assembled state, with the connecting section213of the housing210removed for ease of illustration. In the assembled state of the female connector120, as shown inFIGS.6A and6B, the retaining clamp220is arranged around at least part of the receiving section215of the housing210, and the retaining clamp220is held on the housing210by a clamping force of the pair of arms422. The portions of the pair of arms422of the retaining clamp220provided with the limiting grooves426enter the channel125of the housing210from the first side window section322and the second side window section324respectively, and are in a travel path of the retaining flange116of the male connector110in the channel215of the housing210. The stopped portions432of the retaining clamp220are spaced from the stopping portions332and the additional stopping portions333on the housing210. The outer guide surface438of the front arm section461is also in the channel125of the housing210and faces an entrance to the channel125. The indicating slider230is mounted on the guide strip360of the housing210and is retained in its initial position. The extensions522of the indicating slider230extend into the channel125of the housing210through the opening350in the housing210and extend in the circumferential direction of, and against, the inner wall317of the housing210. When the indicating slider230is in its initial position, in the axial direction, the extensions522of the indicating slider230are positioned corresponding to the position of the retaining grooves426of the arms422, such that the retaining flange116of the male connector110needs to push the indicating slider230to move the indicating slider230out of its initial position before the retaining flange116enter the retaining grooves426. For example, a front end edge of each of the extensions522of the indicating slider230is aligned with a front side edge of the retaining groove426, as shown by the dashed line A inFIG.7B.

FIGS.7A to9Cshow a process of the female connector120receiving and being secured with the male connector110, whereFIGS.7A to7Cshow an initial mounting position of the connector assembly100,FIGS.8A to8Cshow an intermediate mounting position of the connector assembly100, andFIGS.9A to9Cshow a final mounting position of the connector assembly100. In the initial mounting position, the male connector110begins to be received by the channel125of the female connector120in the assembled state (as shown inFIGS.6A and6B).

Specifically, as shown inFIGS.7A to7C, in the initial mounting position, the tubular body115of the male connector110is inserted into the channel125of the female connector120, but the retaining flange116of the male connector110has not yet enter the channel125of the female connector120. As shown inFIG.7C, in the assembled state of the female connector120, the pair of arms422of the retaining clamp220and the pair of extensions522of the indicating slider230together enclose a receiving opening. The receiving opening is capable of accommodating the tubular body115of the male connector110within it, but is not sufficient to accommodate the retaining flange116within it. That is, the pair of arms422of the retaining clamp220and the pair of extensions522of the indicating slider230are both in the travel path of the retaining flange116. Thus, in the initial mounting position, the male connector110enters between the pair of arms422of the retaining clamp220, but does not exert a force on the pair of arms422that deflects the pair of arms away from each other, and does not exert a force on the extensions522of the indicating slider230that causes the indicating slider230to slide. Further, as shown inFIG.7A, in the initial mounting position, the indicating slider230is in its initial position. In the initial position, the indicating slider230is at a distance from the closed end367of the opening350, with the indicating slider230covering most of the identifier365.

As the male connector110is inserted further into the channel125of the female connector120along the axial direction, the retaining flange116of the male connector110comes into contact with and pushes the front arm portion461of each of the pair of arms422of the retaining clamp220, causing the pair of arms422of the retaining clamp220to be deflected away from each other, such that the retaining flange116gradually enters between the front arm portions461of the pair of arms422, and the male connector110and the female connector120reach the intermediate mounting position as shown inFIGS.8A to8C. As shown inFIGS.8A to8C, in the intermediate mounting position, the retaining flange116is between the front arm portions461of the pair of arms422, such that the pair of arms422of the retaining clamp220are deflected away from each other and move out of the travel path of the retaining flange116under the action of a radial pushing force exerted by the retaining flange116. Furthermore, in the intermediate mounting position, the indicating slider230has not yet been pushed out of its initial position by the retaining flange116.

As the male connector110is inserted further along the axial direction into the channel125of the female connector120from the intermediate mounting position as shown inFIGS.8A to8Cuntil the male connector110reaches the final mounting position as shown inFIGS.9A to9C, the retaining flange116of the male connector110travels to be aligned with the retaining grooves426of the pair of arms422of the retaining clamp220and no longer exerts or applies an outward pushing force on the front arm portions461of the pair of arms422. Accordingly, the pair of arms422are no longer subjected to the pushing force exerted or applied by the retaining flange116and thus the pair of arms422are deflected towards each other to return to the travel path of the retaining flange116, the retaining flange116is accommodated in the retaining grooves426, such that the male connector110is secured with the female connector120by the retaining clamp220, that is, the male connector110is secured in place with the female connector120.

Furthermore, during the process from the intermediate mounting position as shown inFIGS.8A to8Cto the final mounting position as shown inFIGS.9A to9C, the retaining flange116of the male connector110pushes the indicating slider230to slide along the guide strip360such that the indicating slider230reaches the closed end367of the opening350when the male connector110is secured in place with the female connector120, i.e., reaches its indicating position. An operator observes that the indicating slider230is in the indicating position and may determine that the male connector110is secured in place with the female connector120. Furthermore, when the indicating slider230is in the indicating position, the indicating slider230no longer covers the identifier365, but fully uncovers the identifier365. The operator may determine that the male connector110is secured in place with the female connector120by scanning the identifier365.

When the male connector110needs to be detached from the female connector120, the operator pushes the pair of operating projections454with the index finger and the thumb, so as to cause the pair of arms422to be deflected away from each other and out of the travel path of the retaining flange116to cause the retaining flange116to be disengaged from the retaining grooves426, whereby the retaining clamp220releases the male connector110from the female connector120and the male connector110can be pulled out of the female connector120.

During the female connector120receiving and being secured with the male connector110, and during releasing and pulling the male connector110from the female connector120, the pair of arms422of the retaining clamp220may be deflected away from each other to enter the intermediate mounting position as shown inFIGS.8A to8C. To prevent the pair of arms422of the retaining clamp220from being disengaged from the housing210when deflected away from each other, present disclosure is provided with the stopped portions432on the pair of arms422and the stopping portions322and the additional stopping portions323on the housing210. When the pair of arms422of the retaining clamp220are deflected away from each other (or opened) to a certain extent, the stopped portions432abut against the stopping portions322and the additional stopping portions323(not shown in the figures), so as to hold the retaining clamp220on the housing210and prevent undesirable detachment of the retaining clamp220from the housing210. That is, the stopping portions322and the additional stopping portions323on the housing210are in a travel path along which the stopped portions432of the pair of arms422move as the pair of arms422are deflected away from each other. It should be noted that when the pair of arms422of the retaining clamp220are deflected away from each other to the extent that the male connector110can pass therebetween, the stopped portions432may not yet abut against the stopping portions322and the additional stop portion323, but when the pair of arms422of the retaining clamp220are not yet deflected away from each other to the extent that the male connector110can pass therebetween, the stopped portions432cannot abut against the stopping portions322and the additional stop portions323. Furthermore, it may be understood by those of skill in the art that since the limiting recess415of the retaining clamp220is not fixedly connected to the beam315on the housing210, the retaining clamp220may move radially relative to the housing210during the pair of arms422of the retaining clamp220being deflected away from each other (seeFIGS.8C and7C), but the beam315on the housing210will remain held in the limiting recess415to restrict the retaining clamp220from moving in the circumferential direction relative to the housing210.

FIGS.10A and10Bare perspective views of a connector assembly1100according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. The connector assembly1100as shown inFIGS.10A and10Bis identical to the connector assembly100shown inFIGS.1A and1Bexcept that the components used to indicate that the male connector110is secured in place with the female connector120are different.

Specifically, the connector assembly1100also includes a male connector1110and a female connector1120. The male connector1110and the male connector110of the connector assembly100have the same structure. An assembled state of the female connector1120is shown inFIG.10B.

FIG.11is an exploded view of the female connector1120of the connector assembly1100shown inFIG.10A. As shown inFIGS.10B and11, the female connector1120includes a housing1210, a retaining clamp1220arranged on the housing1210, and an indicating clamp1260. The specific structure and assembly of the housing1210and the retaining clamp1220of the female connector1120are the same as the specific structure and assembly of the housing210and the retaining clamp220of the female connector120of the connector assembly100, and details will not be repeated herein. The female connector1120includes no indicating slider230of the connector assembly100, but includes the indicating clamp1260. As shown inFIG.11, an end arm portion1428of a pair of arms1422of the retaining clamp1220forms a locking portion1430for releasably locking the indicating clamp1260to the retaining clamp1220.

FIG.12is a perspective view of the indicating clamp1260of the female connector1120, showing the specific structure of the indicating clamp1260. As shown inFIG.12, the indicating clamp1260includes an annular grip1610and a pair of legs1620connected to the grip1610. The indicating clamp1260is made of a plastic material. The grip1610is generally in the form of a square ring with two sub-rings1613inside. The grip1610is generally elastic and may deform under a force, while the inside sub-rings1613can strengthen the grip1610to a certain extent, thus limiting the degree of deformation.

The pair of legs1620are connected at their proximal ends1622to opposite ends of the grip1610, and have free distal ends1625. A locked portion1630is provided on an inner side of each of the legs1620. The locked portion1630is generally hook-shaped and arranged close to the proximal end1622. A bump1650is further provided on the inner side of each of the legs1620. The bump1650is also arranged close to the proximal end1622and is below the locked portion1630. The bumps1650are configured to be engaged with the retaining flange1116of the male connector1110, so as to move the pair of legs1620away from each other.

In an assembled state of the female connector1120shown inFIG.10B, the retaining clamp1220is held by a clamping force on a receiving section1215of the housing1210. The retaining clamp1220and the receiving section1215are assembled in the same way as the retaining clamp220and the receiving section215of the connector assembly100, and details will not be repeated herein. The indicating clamp1260is arranged around at least part of the receiving section1215of the housing1210and of the retaining clamp1220, and the indicating clamp1260and the retaining clamp1220surround the housing1210from the opposite sides of the housing1210. The pair of legs1620of the indicating clamp1260each at least partially enters a travel path of the retaining flange1116of the male connector1110in a channel1215of the housing1210through a retaining groove1426on each of the pair of arms1422of the retaining clamp1220. Furthermore, the locked portions1630on the pair of legs1620of the indicating clamp1260engage with the locking portions1430provided on the retaining clamp1220such that the indicating clamp1260is locked to the retaining clamp1220(seeFIG.13D). The retaining groove1426has a width configured such that the retaining groove1426is adapted to receive either of the leg1620and the retaining flange1116, rather than both of the leg1620and the retaining flange1116.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the indicating clamp1260is configured to be locked to the retaining clamp1220when the male connector1110is received by the female connector1120but not yet secured in position (seeFIG.13D), and to be released from the retaining clamp1220when the male connector1110is secured in position in the female connector1120, such that the indicating clamp1260can be removed from the retaining clamp1220(shown inFIG.15D). The release of the indicating clamp1260from the retaining clamp1220is achieved by the retaining flange1116of the male connector1110acting on the retaining clamp1220and the indicating clamp1260.

FIGS.13A to15Dshow a process of the female connector1120receiving and being secured with the male connector1110, whereFIGS.13A to13Dshow an initial mounting position of the connector assembly1100,FIGS.14A to14Dshow an intermediate mounting position of the connector assembly1100, andFIGS.15A to15Dshow a final mounting position of the connector assembly1100. In the initial mounting position, the male connector1110begins to be received by the channel1125of the female connector1120in the assembled state (as shown inFIG.10B).

Specifically, as shown inFIGS.13A to13D, in the initial mounting position, a tubular body1115of the male connector1110is inserted into the channel1125of the female connector1120, but the retaining flange1116of the male connector1110has not yet enter the channel1125of the female connector1120.

As shown inFIG.13C, in the assembled state of the female connector1120, the pair of arms1422of the retaining clamp1220enclose a receiving opening. The receiving opening is capable of accommodating the tubular body1115of the male connector1110within it, but is not sufficient to accommodate the retaining flange1116within it. That is, the pair of arms1422of the retaining clamp1220are in the travel path of the retaining flange116. As shown inFIG.13D, in the assembled state of the female connector1120, the pair of legs1620of the indicating clamp1260enclose a receiving opening. The receiving opening is capable of accommodating the tubular body1115of the male connector1110within it, but is not sufficient to accommodate the retaining flange1116within it. That is, the pair of legs1620of the indicating clamp1260are in the travel path of the retaining flange1116. Thus, in the initial mounting position, the male connector1110enters between the pair of arms1422of the retaining clamp1220and between the pair of legs1620of the indicating clamp1260, but does not exert a force on the pair of arms1422and the pair of legs1620which force can deflect the arms as well as the legs away from each other. As shown inFIG.13D, in the initial mounting position, the locked portions1630on the pair of legs1620of the indicating clamp1260engage with the locking portions1430on the retaining clamp1220such that the indicating clamp1260is locked to the retaining clamp1220and cannot be pulled out or removed. In addition, in the initial mounting position, the bumps1650on the pair of legs1620of the indicating clamp1260are not in contact with the tubular body1115of the male connector1110, but are at a certain distance from the tubular body.

As the male connector1110is inserted further into the channel1125of the female connector1120along the axial direction, the retaining flange1116of the male connector1110comes into contact with and pushes front arm portion1461of each of the pair of arms1422of the retaining clamp1220, causing the pair of arms1422of the retaining clamp1220to be deflected away from each other, such that the retaining flange1116gradually enters between the front arm portions1461of the pair of arms1422, and the male connector1110and the female connector1120reach the intermediate mounting position as shown inFIGS.14A to14D.

As shown inFIGS.14A to14D, in the intermediate mounting position, the retaining flange1116is between the front arm portions1461of the pair of arms1422, such that the pair of arms1422of the retaining clamp1220are deflected away from each other and move out of the travel path of the retaining flange1116under the action of a radial pushing force exerted by the retaining flange1116. Since the pair of legs1620of the indicating clamp1260are locked to the pair of arms1422of the retaining clamp1220, the pair of legs1620of the indicating clamp1260move away from each other, i.e., are expanded from each other, as the pair of arms1422of the retaining clamp1220are deflected away from each other. As can be seen inFIG.14D, the grip1610of the indicating clamp1260deforms in a way that allows for the movement of the pair of legs1620described above. Furthermore, as shown inFIG.14D, in the intermediate mounting position, the locked portions1630on the pair of legs1620of the indicating clamp1260remain engaged with the locking portions1430on the retaining clamp1220, such that the indicating clamp1260remains locked to the retaining clamp1220and cannot be pulled out or removed. Moreover, in the intermediate mounting position, the bumps1650on the pair of legs1620of the indicating clamp1260remain out of contact with the tubular body1115of the male connector1110and become further away from the tubular body1115than in the initial mounting position.

As the male connector1110is inserted further along the axial direction into the channel1125of the female connector1120from the intermediate mounting position as shown inFIGS.14A to14Duntil the male connector1110reaches the final mounting position as shown inFIGS.15A to15D, the retaining flange1116of the male connector1110travels to be aligned with the retaining grooves1426of the pair of arms1422of the retaining clamp1220and no longer exerts an outward pushing force on the front arm portions1461of the pair of arms1422. Accordingly, the pair of arms1422are no longer acted on by the pushing force exerted by the retaining flange1116, the pair of arms1422are thus deflected towards each other to return to the travel path of the retaining flange1116, and the retaining flange1116is accommodated inside the retaining grooves1426. In this way, the male connector1110and the female connector1120are secured by the retaining clamp1220, that is, the male connector1110is secured in place with the female connector1120.

Furthermore, when the retaining flange1116of the male connector1110travels to be aligned with the retaining grooves1426on the pair of arms1422of the retaining clamp1220, the retaining flange1116of the male connector1110is also between the pair of legs1620of the indicating clamp1260respectively accommodated inside the retaining grooves1426on the pair of arms1422, such that when the pair of arms1422are deflected towards each other to return (or rebound) to the travel path of the retaining flange1116, the pair of legs1620of the indicating clamp1260comes into contact with the retaining flange1116of the male connector1110via the bumps1650on the inner side thereof (seeFIG.15D), whereby the retaining flange1116keeps the pair of legs1620away from each other. Thereby, the locked portions1630on the pair of legs1620are disengaged from the locking portions1430on the pair of arms1422(seeFIG.15D), allowing the indicating clamp1260to be removed or pulled from the retaining clamp1220.

FIG.16is a perspective view of the connector assembly shown inFIG.10Awith the indicating clamp1260removed. As shown inFIG.16, the indicating clamp1260is removed from the connector assembly1100which is in the final mounting position. When the connector assembly1100reaches the final mounting position as shown inFIGS.15A to15D, the operator can remove or pull the indicating clamp1260from the retaining clamp1220by holding the grip1610of the indicating clamp1260. The operator determines that the male connector1110is secured in position in the female connector1120by removing or pulling the indicating clamp1260out.

The female connectors of the present disclosure are suitable for receiving and being secured with the male connector provided with the retaining flange on the outer surface thereof. The female connectors of the present disclosure include only three simple components, i.e., a housing, a retaining clamp and an indicating component (the indicating slider or indicating clamp), to enable the operation of receiving and securing as well as the operation of releasing and pulling-out of the male connector, and the operations are easily carried out.

The female connectors of the present disclosure further have an error-proofing mechanism, i.e., an indicating component, to prevent incorrect mounting of the male connector to the female connector. The error-proofing mechanism of the present disclosure may be multi-dimensional. For example, in an embodiment where the indicating slider is used, two error-proofing mechanisms are used at the same time, including scanning the QR code and observing whether the indicating slider reaches the indicating position, thereby achieving a higher error-proof reliability. The indicating component of the present disclosure is also simple in structure and easy to operate.

The present disclosure provides female connectors suitable for different scenarios. For example, the embodiment of the present disclosure using the indicating slider is suitable for a scenario where a QR code needs to be scanned to confirm that the male connector is mounted in place in the female connector. In addition, both the retaining clamp and the indicating slider of the connector assembly in the above embodiment fit closely with the housing of the female connector, such that the entire female connector has a compact size in the circumferential direction, which makes the above embodiment also suitable for a scenario in which mounting space and operating space are compact.

For another example, the embodiment of the present disclosure in which the indicating clamp is used is suitable for a scenario where the operator cannot visually observe the position of the indicating component, for example where the connector assembly is used in special working environment such as underwater or underground. In the above-mentioned working environment, the indicating clamp of the present disclosure can be placed vertically and exposed from the water or the ground, such that the operator can operate the grip of the indicating clamp and pull the indicating clamp out.

Although the present disclosure is disclosed with respect to the embodiments described above, various alternatives, modifications, variations, improvements, and/or substantial equivalents that are known or current or to be anticipated in the future may be obvious to those of ordinary skills in the art. Furthermore, the technical effects and/or technical problems described in the description are exemplary rather than limiting, so the disclosure of this description may be used to solve other technical problems and have other technical effects. Accordingly, the embodiments of the present disclosure as set forth above are intended to be illustrative rather than limiting. Various changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, the present disclosure is intended to encompass all known or earlier disclosed alternatives, modifications, variations, improvements, and/or substantial equivalents.