Description: Complete Specification:

The following specification describes and ascertains the nature of this invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.
Field of the invention
[0001] This invention relates to end cascading modules that when secured together constitutes a dual-pole plug connector, and when interposed with multiple interlocking modules constitutes a multi-pole plug connector.

Background of the invention
[0002] US 20180062299 A1 describes a split connector that includes a housing with an accommodating portion and sub-connectors that are inserted into the accommodating portion. Terminal fittings and retainers are inserted into the sub-connectors. Guide recesses are formed on an inner surface of the accommodating portion and extend along an inserting direction of the sub-connectors into the accommodating portion. Guide projections are formed on outer surfaces of the sub-connectors and fit into the guide recesses in an inserting process into the accommodating portion. Detecting projections on outer surfaces of the retainer are configured not to fit into the guide recesses when the retainers are at a partial locking position but fit into the guide recesses when the retainers are at a full locking position.

Brief description of the accompanying drawing
[0003] Figure 1 illustrates end cascading modules interposed with multiple interlocking modules in one embodiment of the invention.
[0004] Figure 2 illustrates end cascading modules interposed with multiple interlocking modules depicted in an alternate view in one embodiment of the invention.

Detailed description of the embodiments
[0005] Figure 1 illustrates end cascading modules interposed with multiple interlocking modules to constitute a multi-pole plug connector 10 in one embodiment of the invention. The multi-pole plug connector 10 comprises a first end cascading module 12 that comprises a groove 14 is defined proximate to an upper end 16 of the first end cascading module 12. A first button shaped projection 18 and a second button shaped projection 20 are each defined on a body 22 and positioned along a longitudinal length of the first end cascading module 12. A second end cascading module 24 that comprises a groove 26 is defined proximate to an upper end 28 of the second end cascading module 24. A first button shaped slot 30 and a second button shaped slot 32 is defined on a body 34 and positioned along a longitudinal length of the second end cascading module 24. The first button shaped projection 18 and the second button shaped projection 20 that are defined on the body 22 and positioned along the longitudinal length of the first end cascading module 12 are each inserted within the first button shaped slot 30 and the second button shaped slot 32 to facilitate securing the first end cascading module 12 to the second end cascading module 24 respectively. A securing tie 36 is adapted to be secured within the groove 14 that is defined proximate to an upper end 16 of the first end cascading module 12. The securing tie 36 is further adapted to be secured within the groove 26 defined proximate to an upper end 28 of the second end cascading module 24 such that the securing tie 36 circumscribes the groove 14 of the first end cascading module 12 and the groove 26 of the second end cascading module 24 respectively to facilitate securing the first end cascading module 12 to the second end cascading module 24.

[0006] Figure 1 illustrates end cascading modules 12,24 interposed with multiple interlocking modules to constitute a multi-pole plug connector 10 in one embodiment of the invention. The multi-pole plug connector 10 comprises a first end cascading module 12. The first end cascading module 12 comprises a groove 14 that is defined proximate to an upper end 16 of the first end cascading module 12. More specifically, the groove 14 is shaped in the form of a slot that is defined proximate to the upper end 16 of the first end cascading module 12. In an exemplary embodiment, the multi-pole plug connector 10 comprises a body 22 that extends from the upper end 16 of the first end cascading module 12 to a lower end of the first end cascading module 12. The body 22 of the multi-pole plug connector 10 comprises a first button shaped projection 18 and a second button shaped projection 20 that are defined therein. The first button shaped projection 18 and the second button shaped projection 20 that are defined on the body 22 of the multi-pole plug connector 10 are positioned along a longitudinal length of the first end cascading module 12. A second end cascading module 24 comprises a groove 26 that is defined proximate to an upper end 28 of the second end cascading module 24. More specifically, the groove 26 is shaped in the form of a slot that is defined proximate to the upper end 28 of the second end cascading module 24. In an exemplary embodiment, the multi-pole plug connector 10 comprises a body 34 that extends from the upper end 28 of the first end cascading module 24 to a lower end of the first end cascading module 24. The body 34 of the multi-pole plug connector 10 comprises a first button shaped slot 30 and a second button shaped slot 32 that are defined therein and positioned along a longitudinal length of the second end cascading module 24. The first button shaped projection 18 and the second button shaped projection 20 that are defined on the body 22 of the multi-pole plug connector 10 are positioned along a longitudinal length of the first end cascading module 24.

[0007] Figure 2 illustrates end cascading modules interposed with multiple interlocking modules to constitute a multi-pole plug connector 10 in an alternate view in one embodiment of the invention. The description in the embodiments will now be made with reference to Figure 1 and Figure 2 respectively. In an exemplary embodiment, the first button shaped slot 30 and the second button shaped slot 32 are defined on a body 34 and positioned along a longitudinal length of the second end cascading module 24. The first button shaped projection 18 and the second button shaped projection 20 that are defined on the body 22 and positioned along the longitudinal length of the first end cascading module 12 are each inserted within the first button shaped slot 30 and the second button shaped slot 32 respectively to facilitate securing the first end cascading module 12 to the second end cascading module 24. The first end cascading module 12 that is secured to the second end cascading module 24 constitutes a unitary assembly. In an exemplary embodiment, a securing tie 36 is adapted to be secured within the groove 14 that is defined proximate to the upper end 16 of the first end cascading module 12. More specifically, the securing tie 36 which constitutes an O-shaped ring member is adapted to be secured within the groove 14 that is defined proximate to an upper end 16 of the second end cascading module 12. The securing tie 36 circumscribes the groove 14 that is defined proximate to the upper end 16 of the second end cascading module 12 such that the securing tie 36 is positioned within the flat shaped slot portion of the groove 14. The securing tie 36 which circumscribes the groove 14 of the first end cascading module 12 also circumscribes the groove 26 of the second end cascading module 24 to bind the first end cascading module 12 to the second end cascading module 24 respectively in a unitary assembly. Therefore, when the securing tie 36 is secured between the first end cascading module 12 and the second end cascading module 24, the first end cascading module 12 and the second end cascading module 24 are secured together in a tight interference fit arrangement, and therefore cannot be separated from one another.

[0008] In an exemplary embodiment, a first circular shaped through-hole 38 originates from an upper end 16 of the first end cascading module 12 and extends through a body 22 of the first end cascading module 12. More specifically, the first circular shaped through-hole 38 that originates from the upper end 16 of the first end cascading module 12 and extends through the body 22 of the first end cascading module 12 terminates at an end that is proximate to a lower end 64 of the first end cascading module 12. The first circular shaped through hole 38 is adapted to receive a first electric terminal 40 of the control unit/components therein. Once the first electric terminal 40 of the control unit/components is inserted through the first circular shaped through hole 38, the first electric terminal 40 of the control unit/components is secured to a base portion of the first end cascading module 12.

[0009] In an exemplary embodiment, a second circular shaped through-hole 42 originates from an upper end 28 of the second end cascading module 24 and extends through a body 34 of the second end cascading module 24. More specifically, the second circular shaped through-hole 42 that originates from the upper end 28 of the second end cascading module 24 and extends through the body 34 of the second end cascading module 24 terminates at an end that is proximate to a lower end 65 of the second end cascading module 24. The second circular shaped through hole 42 is adapted to receive a second electric terminal 44 of the control unit/components therein. Once the second electric terminal 44 of the control unit/components is inserted through the second circular shaped through hole 42, the second electric terminal 44 of the control unit/components is secured to a base portion of the second end cascading module 24.

[0010] In an exemplary embodiment, at least one cascading block 46 is positioned between the first end cascading module 12 and the second end cascading module 24. In an alternate exemplary embodiment, two or more cascading blocks 46 and 47 may be integrated together and positioned between the first end cascading module 12 and the second end cascading module 24. The first cascading block 46 of the two or more cascading blocks comprises a groove 48 that is defined proximate to an upper end 50 of the first cascading block 46 that is adapted to receive the securing tie 36 therein for securing the first end cascading module 12, the first cascading block 46, and the second end cascading module 24 together in a unitary assembly. In addition, a first button shaped projection 52 and a second button shaped projection 54 are defined on a body 56 of the first cascading block 46 and are positioned along a longitudinal length of the first cascading block 46. The second cascading block 47 of the two or more cascading blocks comprises a groove 49 that is defined proximate to an upper end 50 of the second cascading block 47 that is adapted to receive the securing tie 36 therein for securing the first end cascading module 12, the first cascading block 46, the second cascading block 47, and the second end cascading module 24 together in a unitary assembly. In addition, a first button shaped slot 58 and a second button shaped slot 60 are defined on the body 57 of the second cascading block 47 and positioned along a longitudinal length of the second cascading block 47. More specifically, the first button shaped projection 52 and the second button shaped projection 54 that are defined on the body 56 of the first cascading block 46 is secured to the first button shaped slot 58 and the second button shaped slot 60 that are defined on the body 57 of the second cascading block 47 to facilitate securing the first cascading block 46 and the second cascading block 47 in a unitary assembly.

[0011] In an exemplary embodiment, a seal 62 is secured between a bottom 64 of the first end cascading module 12, a bottom 67 of the first cascading block 46, a bottom 69 of the second cascading block 46, a bottom of any further cascading blocks that are secured adjacent to the second cascading block 47, a bottom 65 of the second end cascading module 24 and the housing 66 of the plug connector 10. The seal 62 that is secured between the bottom 64 of the first end cascading module 12, the bottom 67 of the first cascading block 46, the bottom 69 of the second cascading block 47, the bottom of any further cascading blocks, the bottom 65 of the second end cascading module 24 and the housing 66 of the plug connector 10 facilitates forming a tight sealing arrangement between the first end cascading module 12, the bottom 67 of the first cascading block 46, the bottom 67 of the second cascading block 46, the bottom of any further cascading blocks, the bottom 65 of the second end cascading module 24 and the housing 66 of the plug connector 10. Therefore, the first end cascading block 12, the second end cascading block 24, and any further cascading blocks that are secured between the first end cascading block 12 and the second end cascading block 24 once secured firmly within the housing 66 of the plug connector 10 and are prevented from being withdrawn from within the housing 66 of the plug connector 10.

[0012] It must be understood that the embodiments explained above are only illustrative and do not limit the scope of the disclosure. Many modifications in the embodiments with regard to dimensions of various components are envisaged and form a part of this invention. The scope of the invention is only limited by the scope of the claims.
, Claims: CLAIMS

We Claim

1. A plug connector (10)/mating connector for housing a control unit/component therein, the plug connector (10)/mating connector comprising:
a first end cascading module (12) comprising a groove (14) defined proximate to an upper end (16) of said first end cascading module (12), wherein a first button shaped projection (18) and a second button shaped projection (20) are defined on a body (22) and positioned along a longitudinal length of the first end cascading module (12);
a second end cascading module (24) comprising a groove (26) defined proximate to an upper end (28) of said second end cascading module (24), and a first button shaped slot (30) and a second button shaped slot (32) defined on a body (34) and positioned along a longitudinal length of the second end cascading module (24), wherein the first button shaped projection (18) and the second button shaped projection (20) that are defined on the body (22) and positioned along the longitudinal length of the first end cascading module (12) are each inserted within the first button shaped slot (30) and the second button shaped slot (32) to facilitate securing the first end cascading module (12) to the second end cascading module (24); and
a securing tie (36) adapted to be secured within the groove (14) defined proximate to the upper end (16) of said first end cascading module (12), said securing tie (36) adapted to be secured within the groove (26) defined proximate to the upper end (28) of said second end cascading module (24) such that said securing tie (36) circumscribes the groove (14) of said first end cascading module (12) and the groove (26) of said second end cascading module (24) to facilitate securing said first end cascading module (12) to said second end cascading module (24).
2. The plug connector (10)/mating connector for housing a control unit/components therein in accordance with Claim 1, further comprising a first circular shaped/any shaped through-hole (38) originating from the upper end (16) of the first end cascading module (12) and extending through the body (22) of the first end cascading module (12), the first circular shaped through hole (38) adapted to receive a first electric terminal (40) of the control unit/components therein.

3. The plug connector (10)/mating connector for housing a control unit/components therein in accordance with Claim 1, further comprising a second circular shaped through-hole (42) originating from the upper end (28) of the second end cascading module (24) and extending through the body (34) of the second end cascading module (24), the second circular shaped through hole (42) adapted to receive a second electric terminal (44) of the control unit/components therein.

4. The plug connector (10)/mating connector for housing a control unit/components therein in accordance with Claim 1, further comprising at least one cascading block (46) that is positioned between the first end cascading module (12) and the second end cascading module (24), at least one cascading block (46) comprising a groove (48) defined proximate to an upper end (50) of said at least one cascading block (46), wherein a first button shaped projection (52) and a second button shaped projection (54) are defined on a body (56) and positioned along a longitudinal length of at least one cascading block (46).

5. The plug connector (10)/mating connector for housing a control unit/components therein in accordance with Claim 1, further comprising at least one cascading block (47) positioned between the first end cascading module (12) and the second end cascading module (24), the at least one cascading block (47) comprising a groove (49) defined proximate to an upper end (51) of said at least one cascading block (46), wherein a first button shaped slot (58) and a second button shaped slot (60) are defined on a body (57) and positioned along a longitudinal length of the at least one cascading block (46).

6. The plug connector (10)/mating connector for housing a control unit/components therein in accordance with Claim 1, further comprising a seal (62) that is secured between a bottom (64) of the first end cascading module (12) and a housing (66) of the plug connector (10)/ mating connector, the seal (62) that is secured between the bottom (64) of the first end cascading module (12) and the housing (66) of the plug connector (10)/mating connector facilitates sealing the first end cascading module (12) to the housing (66) of the plug connector (10)/mating connector.

7. The plug connector (10)/mating connector for housing a control unit/components therein in accordance with Claim 1, further comprising a seal (62) that is secured between a bottom (65) of the second end cascading module (24) and a housing (66) of the plug connector (10)/mating connector, the seal (62) that is secured between the bottom (65) of the second end cascading module (24) and the housing (66) of the plug connector (10)/mating connector facilitates sealing the second end cascading module (24) to the housing (66) of the plug connector (10)/mating connector.