EP1562263B1 - Electrical connector - Google Patents

Abstract

The connector has a housing with a receiver, and a latching unit (18) which moves with respect to the housing from a pre-assembly position. An electrical contact secured by a latching unit (16) is inserted into a receiver. Guide ribs (26) for a seal (20) are provided between a region of a spigot-like housing section designed to receive the seal and the latching unit that supports the seal in an intermediate region.

Description

The invention relates to an electrical connector with an at least a receptacle for electrical contact having Housing, a secondary locking element, with respect to the housing from a pre-assembly position in which the electrical contact in the receptacle can be used, is movable into an end position in which the contact is secured in the receptacle by the secondary locking, as well as with a placed on a pin-like housing portion seal.

Electrical connectors of this type are well known as for example in the European patent publication EP-A-0 895 312. They are in usually with a complementary connector plugged together and serve the electrical and optionally also mechanical connection of electrical device such as e.g. Cables and / or electrical appliances. They are used in particular in motor vehicles.

For example, during transport or during processing of such electrical connector, it may happen that the housing seal in the direction of its pre-assembly engaging second locking element slips down and on the secondary locking element comes to a stop. A corresponding shift of the seal is not obvious at first glance, so they are not in the assembly is noticed in any case. But now the connector with electrical Contacts populated and then the second locking element spent in its final position, there is a risk that the Squeegee crushed, damaged or even destroyed what a technical failure of the connector is equivalent.

The invention is based on the object, an improved electrical Connectors of the type mentioned above, in which the previously mentioned problem is eliminated in a simple and reliable manner.

This object is achieved in that in the insertion direction considered between the intended for receiving the seal Area of the pin-like housing portion and its pre-assembly position engaging second locking element guide ribs for the seal are provided to seal in case of eventual Displacement in the direction of the secondary locking element also in the Support intermediate area.

Because of this training is excluded in a simple and reliable way, that it when transferring the second lock in the final position in the case of a slipped housing seal to a pinch or damage or destruction of the seal comes. The System is self-explanatory, and the relevant connectors are easy to handle and easy to handle. The respective fitter So do not worry about whether the housing seal slipped or not, because the system even with slipped seal easy and reliable to handle.

Preferably, the guide ribs are distributed in the circumferential direction so that the seal in the event of a possible displacement in the intermediate area is kept at its pre-stressed level. Also in the critical intermediate area can thus at no time lead to a collision come with the moved to its final position secondary locking element.

The preferably extending in the insertion direction guide ribs are preferably on the housing or the pin-like housing portion intended. In this case, the second locking element with recesses be provided, in which the guide ribs in a transfer of the secondary locking element enter the end position.

Basically, however, such a design is conceivable in the the guide ribs at least partially the second locking element are assigned, in which case the corresponding recesses would be provided in the housing. However, the guide ribs are preferred provided on the housing.

As already mentioned, the secondary locking element is preferably in Plug-in direction between its pre-assembly position and its end position displaceable.

In a preferred practical embodiment, the seal runs around the pin-like housing section. The housing seal can so be especially annular.

The seal-carrying pin-like housing portion is advantageously arranged within a circumferential housing collar. there is the distance between the seal and the housing collar expediently smaller than the wall thickness of a complementary one Connector associated housing sleeve, so that they are plugged together the two connectors in the area between gasket and Housing collar is inserted while compressing the seal.

The connector can be used as a plug-in part or as a receiving part of the relevant Connector system may be provided, wherein it is preferred as Plug-in part is executed.

Figur 1

eine schematische, perspektivische Darstellung einer beispielhaften Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemäßen, mit Führungsrippen versehenen elektrischen Steckverbinders,

Figur 2

eine vergrößerte Wiedergabe des mit Führungsrippen versehenen Bereichs des erfindungsgemäßen elektrischen Steckverbinders gemäß Figur 1,

Figur 3

eine schematische, teilweise geschnittene Seitenansicht eines Teils des erfindungsgemäßen elektrischen Steckverbinders gemäß Figur 1,

Figur 4

eine schematische Ansicht des erfindungsgemäßen elektrischen Steckverbinders von unten, wobei das Zweitverriegelungselement der Übersichtlichkeit halber weggelassen ist, und

Figur 5

eine mit Figur 3 vergleichbare Teilansicht eines herkömmlichen elektrischen Steckverbinders ohne Führungsrippen.

The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to an embodiment with reference to the drawing; in this show:

FIG. 1

1 is a schematic perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a guide ribbed electrical connector according to the invention;

FIG. 2

2 shows an enlarged representation of the guide ribbed area of the electrical connector according to the invention according to FIG. 1,

FIG. 3

1 is a schematic, partially sectioned side view of a part of the electrical connector according to the invention according to FIG. 1,

FIG. 4

a schematic view of the electrical connector according to the invention from below, the secondary locking element is omitted for clarity, and

FIG. 5

a similar to Figure 3 partial view of a conventional electrical connector without guide ribs.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of an exemplary embodiment Embodiment of an electrical connector according to the invention 10th

This connector 10 comprises a housing 12 with at least one Image 14 (see also Figure 3) for an electrical contact. in the In the present case, several such recordings 14 are provided.

In the receptacles 14 are the electrical contacts by Erstverriegelungsmittel 16 lockable (see Figure 3). This first locking means 16 For example, locking elements such as in particular locking tongues and / or the like.

As can be seen in particular with reference to the figures 1 to 3, comprises the electrical connector 10 also has a secondary locking element 18. This second locking element 18 is relative to the housing 12th from a pre-assembly position shown, for example, in FIGS. 1 to 3, in the a respective electrical contact in the relevant recording 14 is used, movable into an end position in which the electric Contact in the receptacle 14 through the secondary locking element 18 is secured. In the present case, in particular by locking tongues and / or the like formed first locking means 16 (see FIG. FIG. 3) through the second locking element 18 at one of the first locking releasing deflection prevented to the outside.

Moreover, a seal 20 is provided, which is on a pin-like Housing section 22 is placed and revolves around this.

In the insertion direction S considered between the for receiving the seal 20 certain area or seat 24 (see in particular Figure 3) of the peg-like Housing section 22 and its pre-assembly engaging second locking element 18 are guide ribs 26 for provided the seal 20. By these guide ribs 26 is the Seal 20 in the event of a possible displacement in the direction of the secondary locking element 18 also in the critical area 28 between the seat 24 of the seal 20 and its pre-assembly occupant Second locking element 18 supported.

As can be seen in particular with reference to FIG. 4, the guide ribs are 26 distributed in the circumferential direction so that the seal 22 in the case a possible displacement (see for example Figure 3) also in the intermediate area 28 at least essentially at its pre-stressed level is held.

The extending in the insertion direction S guide ribs 26 can the housing 12 or the pin-like housing portion 22 or also be provided on the secondary locking element 18, wherein they are in the present Case, for example, on the housing 12 and the pin-like housing portion 22 are arranged. In the latter case, the secondary locking element 18 provided with recesses 30, in which the guide ribs 26th at a transfer of the secondary locking element 18 in the end position enter.

The in the insertion direction S between his pre-assembly and his Endposition displaceable second locking element 18 can at its the seal 20 facing end may be provided with a collar 32. As can be seen, for example, with reference to FIG. 3, the seal 20, if necessary, get up on this collar 32 of the secondary locking element 18.

In the present case, the around the pin-like housing portion 22nd circumferential seal 20 executed like a sleeve and with, for example provided three sealing ribs. You can in particular from a consist of elastomeric material.

The seal-carrying 20 pin-like housing portion 22 is in present case within a circumferential housing collar 34 arranged (see in particular FIG. 1).

The measured transversely to the insertion direction S distance between the seal 20 and the housing collar 34 is suitably smaller than the Wall thickness of a complementary connector assigned Housing sleeve, so this when mating the two connectors in the area between seal 20 and housing collar 34 inserted is and compresses the seal 20.

The electrical connector 10 can basically both as a plug-in part and provided as a receiving part of the relevant connector system be, but it is preferably provided as a plug-in part.

FIG. 2 shows an enlarged view of the guide ribs 26 provided area A of the electrical connector according to the invention 10 according to FIG. 1

Figure 3 shows a schematic, partially sectioned side view of a Part of the electrical connector 10 according to the invention according to FIG 1.

As already mentioned, the secondary locking element 18 takes in the Representations according to Figures 1 to 3, respectively, its pre-assembly one.

Figure 4 shows a schematic view of the electrical according to the invention Connector 10 from below, wherein the second locking element has been omitted for clarity. Accordingly, the guide ribs 26, which are distributed in the circumferential direction so that the seal 20 in the event of a possible displacement in the intermediate area 28 (see also Figure 3) on their biased level is held.

The seal 20 is thus in the event of a possible shift in Direction of the second locking element 18 in the critical intermediate region 28 supported (see in particular again Figure 3). One Crushing and damaging the seal 20 during transfer the second locking element 18 in the end position is thus excluded.

In contrast, in Figure 5 is a comparable to Figure 3 partial view a conventional electrical connector 36 without guide ribs shown. It can be seen that the seal 40 in case of eventual Displacement in the direction of the second locking element 40 after inside the gap 42 between the seal seat 44 and its Pre-assembly engaging second locking element 40 occur can. Will the second locking element 40 now in its final position shifted, it comes to a pinching, damage or even a destruction of the seal 40, resulting in the failure of the electrical Connector 36 leads.

In contrast, the seal in the inventive electrical Connector 10 (see Figures 1 to 4) in the event of a possible displacement in the direction of the secondary locking element 18 also in the critical intermediate area 28 and supported on their prestressed Kept level. Squeezing or damaging the seal 20 is excluded.

The system according to the invention is self-explanatory, and the relevant Connectors are easy to handle and easy to handle. The fitter does not have to worry about whether the seal has slipped or not, as they are always on their biased level.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

electrical connector

12

casing

14

admission

16

Erstverriegelungsmittel

18

Second locking element

20

poetry

22

pin-like housing section

24

Area, seat

26

guide ribs

28

intermediate area

30

recess

32

collar

34

housing collar

36

electrical connector

38

poetry

40

Second locking element

42

gap

44

seal seat

A

area provided with guide ribs

S

plug-in direction

Claims (11)

1. An electrical plug connector (10) comprising a housing (12) having at least one receiver (14) for an electrical contact, a second latching element (18) which can be moved with respect to the housing (12) from a pre-assembly position, in which the electrical contact can be inserted into the receiver (14), into an end position, in which the contact is secured in the receiver (14) by the second latching arrangement, and a seal (20) mounted on a spigot-like housing section (22),
   characterized in that,
   when considered in the plug-in direction (S), guide ribs (26) for the seal (20) are provided between the region (24) of the spigot-like housing section (22) designed to receive the seal (20) and the second latching element (18) adopting its pre-assembly position in order also to support the seal (20) in the intermediate region (28) in the event of a possible shift in the direction of the second latching element (18).
2. A plug connector in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the guide ribs (26) are distributed in the peripheral direction such that the seal (20) is also kept at its pre-tensioned level in the intermediate region (28) in the event of a possible shift.
3. A plug connector in accordance with claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the guide ribs (26) extend in the plug-in direction (S).
4. A plug connector in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the guide ribs (26) are provided at the housing (12), i.e. at the spigot-like housing section (22).
5. A plug connector in accordance with claim 4, characterized in that the second latching element (18) is provided with cut-outs (30) into which the guide ribs (26) enter on a moving of the second latching element (18) into the end position.
6. A plug connector in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second latching element (18) can be displaced between its pre-assembly position and its end position in the plug-in direction (S).
7. A plug connector in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the seal (20) extends around the spigot-like housing section (22).
8. A plug connector in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the spigot-like housing section (22) supporting the seal (20) is arranged inside a peripheral housing collar (34).
9. A plug connector in accordance with claim 8, characterized in that the spacing between the seal (20) and the housing collar (34) is smaller than the wall thickness of a housing sleeve associated with a complementary plug connector so that said sleeve can be introduced into the region between the seal (20) and the housing collar (34) on the plugging together of the two connectors and compresses the seal (20).
10. A plug connector in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is provided as the plug-in part of the respective plug connector system.
11. A plug connector in accordance with one of the claims 1 to 9, characterized in that it is provided as the receiving part of the respective plug connector system.

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