Grommets through which electrical connectors can pass

Abstract

To provide a grommet and electrical connector assembly that simplifies automation.SOLUTION: A grommet 1 includes an elastically expandable tube part and a cap-shaped housing part 6. The tube part includes a cable receptacle for passing an electrical cable 12 connected to an electrical connector 2. The housing part includes a connector receptacle for receiving the electrical connector connected to the cable receptacle. The grommet has a configuration in which the electrical connector is at least partially disposed in the connector receptacle, the electrical cable is at least partially disposed in the cable receptacle, and, first, the tube part at a mounting position 20 is elastically expanded so that its inner diameter is at least twice the inner diameter in a no-load state 7.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a grommet for an electrical connector, comprising an elastically expandable tube portion and a cap-shaped housing portion. The tube portion includes a cable receptacle for passing an electrical cable connected to the electrical connector. The housing portion is a connector receptacle for receiving the electrical connector, which is connected to the cable receptacle. The connector receptacle forms a seal surrounding the opening of the housing portion facing away from the tube portion.

[0002] The present invention further relates to a connector assembly, comprising a grommet including a tube portion and a cap-shaped housing portion, and an electrical connector at least partially covered by the housing portion of the grommet on a side facing away from the contact field. The seal of the housing portion abuts the connector in a sealing manner. The connector assembly further comprises an electrical cable connected to the electrical connector and extending through the tube portion, and the tube portion surrounds the cable in a sealing manner.

[0003] Finally, the present invention also relates to a method for manufacturing a pre-assembled connector assembly. The grommet is particularly suitable for door connectors in the automotive field. In the automotive field, firstly, attention must be paid to providing a good seal. Secondly, attention must be paid to numerous deformations due to many opening and closing operations of the door during operation and the low overall installation height. The pre-assembled connector assembly is particularly, for example, a door connector of an automobile that forms an electrical plug connection portion on the door side. With such an arrangement, the mating connector can be arranged inside the vehicle body, for example, on the door pillar. The tube portion of the grommet protects the electrical cable when the door is opened and closed, and prevents moisture and dust from entering the electrical connector.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Such electrical assemblies are currently pre-assembled mainly by hand in automobile assembly, which is complex and costly. Therefore, the present invention is based on the objective of providing grommets, electrical connector assemblies, and methods for manufacturing electrical connector assemblies to facilitate automation and enable greater automation of the manufacturing of connector assemblies. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] This objective is satisfied in that, with respect to the grommet mentioned earlier, the tube portion is configured to be movable to the mounting position, and in the mounting position, the tube portion is elastically expanded and has an inner diameter at least twice the inner diameter when the tube portion is in a stress-free state.

[0006] With respect to a pre-assembled connector assembly, the above objective is satisfied in that the tubular portion can be moved to the mounting position, where the tubular portion expands elastically, allowing the electrical connector to be inserted into the housing through the tubular portion.

[0007] The elastic expandability of the tubular section allows pre-assembled electrical connectors to be inserted through the grommet. Therefore, electrical connectors can be pre-assembled in a highly automated manner using an automated assembly machine, increasing the degree of automation in the manufacturing of connector assemblies and reducing costs.

[0008] Therefore, the above objectives are also satisfied by a method for manufacturing a connector assembly, the method comprising the steps of pre-assembling an electrical connector and connecting a cable to the electrical connector, inserting the electrical connector together with the cable through the tubular portion of an elastically expanded grommet, and sliding the housing portion of the grommet onto the electrical connector.

[0009] The above solutions can be further improved by the following characteristics, which are independent of each other, can be combined as desired, and each is advantageous in itself.

[0010] For example, grommets are preferably manufactured as a single piece, and the grommet forms a material mating body. The body of the grommet may have areas of different materials and / or materials having different material properties.

[0011] The tubing is preferably reversibly expandable or deformable. This means that after the tubing is moved from a stress-free state to a mounting position for the first or several times, the inner diameter in the stress-free state remains at least substantially unchanged or constant. A ±10% change in the inner diameter in the stress-free state is nevertheless considered constant or unchanged. This ensures that after the tubing is expanded, it can seally surround the electrical cable.

[0012] The connector receptacle preferably has a polygonal, particularly square or rectangular, base region. The longitudinal direction of the base region may be the longitudinal direction of the longitudinal extension of the tubular portion.

[0013] The housing portion may include side walls, including a front wall and / or a rear wall. The side walls may be oriented opposite each other laterally to the longitudinal extension of the pipe portion, the rear wall may form the end of the connector receptacle facing the pipe portion, and the front wall may form the end of the housing portion facing away from the pipe portion. Each of the side walls may be formed by a seal only.

[0014] In a further advantageous configuration, the housing portion may include a reinforcing region, which preferably extends at least partially, and preferably continuously, around the opening and is positioned between the seal and the rest of the housing portion. The reinforcing region enhances the dimensional stability of the housing portion and can uniformly transmit forces acting on the housing portion to the seal, thereby facilitating the sealing function of the seal.

[0015] The reinforcing region can, in particular, form a frame, and it is preferable that the frame extends in a closed manner around the opening of the housing portion.

[0016] The reinforcing region may be flange-like, or it may form a flange portion that projects outward away from the opening of the housing portion. The flange portion may extend around a portion of the opening, or it may extend in a closed manner around the opening.

[0017] The reinforced area is particularly an integral part of the grommet, but nevertheless, it can be formed from different materials, for example, by a multi-part manufacturing method, or it can be formed from the same material but processed or treated differently from the rest of the grommet. For example, the unreinforced areas of the tube and housing can be manufactured from rubber elastic material and / or soft elastomer. Such soft elastomer may be, for example, polyester, especially TPE. The Shore hardness of the unreinforced areas of the tube and housing may be 40-50 Shore, and the Shore hardness of the reinforced area may be about 70 Shore. Alternatively or additionally, the reinforced area of ​​the housing can be manufactured from a rigid elastomer such as TPE or a fiber-reinforced plastic material such as PBT.

[0018] In one configuration, the seal can be positioned inside a reinforcing region facing inward towards the opening of the housing, for example, to seal radially inward. Alternatively or additionally, if an outward-facing radial seal is desired, the seal can be positioned on the flange side facing away from the opening. If the seal is desired to be axial or in the plug-connection direction where the connector plugs into the mating connector, the seal can, alternatively or additionally, protrude in the plug-connection direction.

[0019] The seal can be manufactured from a soft elastomer. For example, the seal can be manufactured from the same material as the unreinforced areas of the pipe and / or housing. In particular, the seal can be manufactured from polyester such as TPE having a Shore hardness of 40-50 Shore.

[0020] The seal can be formed directly from the material of the unreinforced area of ​​the housing. When the seal is positioned in the portion of the housing facing the opening, it is preferable that the seal be positioned between the opening and the reinforced area. In such a configuration, the reinforced area supports the seal from the outside. Alternatively or additionally, if it is desirable that the sealing effect be radially outward, the reinforced area may be positioned between the seal and the opening to radially support the seal from the inside. Finally, the seal can form the edge surface of the opening facing the plug connection direction. In this way, the seal can be supported in the plug connection direction.

[0021] The configuration of a seal made of a different material from the reinforced area is particularly useful when the reinforced area is formed from a plastic material, such as a non-rubber elastic, rigid, and less flexible and / or elastic material like polyester such as PBT.

[0022] For example, if the reinforcing region is formed from a harder soft or hard elastomer having a Shore hardness of approximately 70 Shore, the seal can also be formed by the reinforcing region or by the material of the reinforcing region itself. In this case, the reinforcing region extends to the sealing surface, i.e., to the edge of the opening of the housing portion in the case of a seal acting radially inward, to the (outer) side of the housing portion facing away from the opening in the case of a seal acting radially outward, and to the end of the housing portion positioned in the plug connection direction and surrounding the opening in the case of an axially acting seal.

[0023] To avoid damage to the seal when the grommet deforms, it may be advantageous to connect the seal to the rest of the housing only in the reinforced area.

[0024] The sealing effect can be further enhanced if the seal includes at least one seal lip that preferably extends continuously around the opening. When the seal is configured as a radial seal, at least one seal lip can project perpendicular to the plug connection direction. For example, the seal lip can project inward toward the connector receptacle. A radial seal is also possible if the seal lip projects outward toward the opening. When the seal is configured as an axial seal, the seal lip projects toward the opening. By combining axial and radial seals, both types of seal lips can be provided simultaneously.

[0025] The opening direction corresponds to the direction perpendicular to the plane over which the opening of the connector receptacle extends. In one configuration, the opening of the housing portion is positioned at an angle of approximately 60° to approximately 120° with respect to the longitudinal direction of the tubing portion when the grommet is in a stress-free state. If the electrical connector is an angle connector in particular, the opening direction of the housing portion may be at least approximately 90°. In the case of a straight connector, the opening direction can extend parallel to the longitudinal direction of the tubing portion. In one configuration of the grommet, the opening direction of the opening may correspond to the plug connection direction in which the electrical connector is plugged into the mating connector.

[0026] To facilitate the insertion of electrical connectors through a grommet, it may be advantageous to make the housing reversibly rotatable and / or deformable in the mounting position, compared to the unforced state of the grommet, such that the opening of the housing faces the longitudinal direction of the tubing. In particular, in the mounting position, the tubing may be freely accessible along its longitudinal direction, and therefore the housing does not partially overlap the tubing, especially the cable receptacle, in the longitudinal direction, nor is the tubing partially closed by the housing. In the mounting position, the housing can be folded, for example, by at least about 60°, and especially about 90°.

[0027] In a further configuration, inserting the electrical connector through the pipe section can be facilitated in that the pipe section at the mounting position is elastically, particularly reversibly, compressible up to a length that is at most the same as the inner diameter of the pipe section at the mounting position. In particular, the longitudinal length of the pipe section at the mounting position may be shorter than the length of the electrical connector in the direction in which the electrical connector is inserted through the pipe section. However, in a force-free state, the pipe section can have a length that is at least six times, preferably at least eight times, the length of the pipe section in the mounted state. Such a length prevents liquid or dust from reaching the inside of the housing part between the pipe and the electrical cable.

[0028] When the electrical connector is received together with the electrical cable in the grommet, the pipe section is preferably elastically expanded by the electrical cable, and thus the pipe section abuts tightly against the electrical cable.

[0029] In a further advantageous configuration, the pipe section can be provided at least partially with ribs extending in the circumferential direction. Each rib can protrude outward. Alternatively or in addition, the rib can protrude inward, and thus the rib can be present on the outer surface and / or the inner surface of the pipe section.

[0030] The ribs can be located directly adjacent to each other in one or more regions of the pipe section. Outside at least one region, the pipe section can be smooth on the inside and / or the outside. The ribs increase the flexibility of the pipe section, and thus the pipe section can better follow the movement of the electrical cable. This is particularly advantageous when the grommet is used for an automotive door connector and the pipe section has to follow the movement of the door. The ribs further facilitate elastically and reversibly compressing the pipe section longitudinally when the pipe section is in the mounting position.

[0031] The ribs can extend perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. Preferably, each rib is located in a plane that extends perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. In this configuration, at least one region containing the ribs is analogous to the structure of a vacuum tube.

[0032] The side walls or rear and front walls of the housing can be connected to each other by cover walls. The cover walls protect the electrical connectors received into the connector receptacle.

[0033] The cover wall can be reinforced, for example, so that the cover wall has higher rigidity than the pipe section. The reinforced cover wall makes the housing section more dimensionally stable and can better protect the electrical connectors received in the housing section. The side wall between the cover wall and the reinforced area may be reinforced itself, even if it has lower rigidity than the cover wall and the reinforced area.

[0034] The rear wall of the housing facing the pipe can extend further from the cover wall in the opening direction or plug connection direction than the front wall located on the side of the housing facing away from the pipe. Such a configuration makes it easier for the housing to slide on the electrical connector by allowing for pivoting motion.

[0035] The housing cover can be configured complementary to the rear surface of the electrical connector. When the electrical connector is received in the housing, in one configuration, the rear surface of the electrical connector can abut against the housing wall. The complementary configuration of the housing cover and the rear surface of the electrical connector means that the housing cover and the rear surface are close together without any gaps, reducing the installation height of the connector assembly.

[0036] The electrical connector does not need to be fully receptacled by the connector receptacle; it can protrude from the housing through the opening in the direction of the opening and / or the plug connection.

[0037] In an advantageous configuration, the connector assembly may include a mating connector configured complementary to the electrical connector, i.e., pluggable with the electrical connector. When the connector and the mating connector are plugged together, it is preferable that the seal of the housing portion seals against the mating connector. Therefore, whether the mating connector is plugged into the electrical connector or the electrical connector is plugged into the mating connector, the housing portion seals the gap formed between the plugged electrical connector and the mating connector. The seal surrounds the mating connector and can be elastically expanded by the mating connector, and thus, by its elastic expansion, the seal presses against the mating connector, enhancing the sealing effect.

[0038] The mating connector may be equipped with a sealing base having a shoulder that faces perpendicular to the plug connection direction. When the connector and the mating connector are fully assembled, the seal can be pressed against the shoulder, sealing the gap between the connector and the mating connector. Preferably, the shoulder extends continuously around the mating connector, particularly outward or inward. Alternatively, the sealing base may be formed by a groove extending around the mating connector, and when the connector and the mating connector are plugged together and the grommet is fully attached to the connector and the mating connector, the seal will be located in the groove.

[0039] In one configuration, the mating connector is a wall connector configured to be mounted on a wall, for example, the wall of a vehicle body. In particular, the connector assembly is a connector assembly for a vehicle door, and the mating connector is mounted, for example, on a pillar of the vehicle body.

[0040] The connector assembly may include a housing cover that is attached to the mating connector when the connector and the mating connector are plugged together, and the housing portion is at least partially positioned between the housing cover and the electrical connector. The housing cover provides additional protection between the housing portion and the electrical connector accepted into the housing portion. In particular, a housing cover attached to the mating connector can act on the housing portion to generate a pre-pressure that presses the housing portion, especially its seal, against the mating connector.

[0041] The connector assembly may include a locking lever, in particular, attached to the mating connector. The locking lever can be swung, for example, to a closed position, in which case the housing portion is at least partially positioned between the locking lever and the electrical connector. In the closed position, the locking lever can generate a pre-pressure that presses the housing portion, particularly its seal, against the mating connector, instead of or in addition to the housing cover. If a housing cover is present, it is preferable that the housing cover is positioned in the closed position between the housing portion and the locking lever.

[0042] The lock lever is part of the mechanical drive system and, when swung to the closed position, pulls the electrical connector and the mating connector together until they are fully plugged into each other.

[0043] The mating connector may include a recess that can accommodate at least a portion of the seal, so that when the connector is received by the housing and plugged together with the mating connector, the seal is positioned in the recess. Such a recess can be used to facilitate sliding of the housing portion over the connector and the mating connector, for example. The recess can form a pivot axis around which the housing portion can pivot. Preferably, the recess is located in the rear wall of the housing portion.

[0044] When a mechanical drive system is provided on a mating connector, and a portion of it protrudes from the mating connector, it is preferable that these portions extend beyond the housing. Therefore, the portion of the mating connector from which the mechanical drive system protrudes is not covered by the housing.

[0045] In one configuration, the grommet is provided with a latching device, for example, at least one latching projection and / or at least one latching recess or opening, so that the grommet can be fixedly attached. The latching device is preferably formed by a reinforcing region. In a connector assembly, the latching device of the grommet is latched to a complementary latching device of the mating connector in one configuration.

[0046] The present invention will be described below using embodiments with reference to the attached drawings. In accordance with the above embodiments, if the technical effects related to the features of the following embodiments are not important for a particular application, those features may be omitted. Conversely, if the technical effects of the above features are advantageous for a particular application, those features may be added.

[0047] For simplicity, the same reference numerals will be used below for elements that correspond to each other in terms of function and / or structure. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0048] [Figure 1] This is a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of the grommet. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of the grommet and pre-assembled connector assembly before assembly. [Figure 3] This is a schematic perspective view showing an electrical connector assembly in the manufacturing process. [Figure 4] This is a schematic perspective view showing the connector assembly in a further stage of manufacturing. [Figure 5] This is a schematic perspective view showing the connector assembly in a further stage of manufacturing. [Figure 6] This is a schematic perspective view showing an electrical connector assembly in the manufacturing process. [Figure 7] This is a schematic perspective view showing a further stage of the manufacturing process of an electrical connector assembly. [Figure 8] Figure 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the completed electrical connector assembly, including detail A. [Figure 9] Further, a schematic perspective of the grommet. [Figure 10] Figure 9 is a schematic perspective view showing an electrical connector assembly using a grommet in the manufacturing process. [Figure 11] Figure 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the completed electrical connector assembly, including detail B. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0049] Figure 1 shows a grommet 1 for an electrical connector 2. Figure 2 shows the electrical connector 2 together with the grommet 1. The electrical connector 2 and the grommet 1 together form a connector assembly 3.

[0050] The grommet 1 comprises an elastically expandable tube 4 that preferably transitions directly into the housing 6. The elastic expandability of the tube is indicated by arrow 8 in Figure 2.

[0051] The conduit section 4 includes a cable receptacle 10 for the electrical cable 12. The term electrical cable also includes bundles of individual conductors.

[0052] The housing portion 6 includes a connector receptacle 14 connected to a cable receptacle. The connector receptacle 14 functions to at least partially receive the electrical connector 2. When the electrical connector 2 is positioned in the housing portion 6, it is preferable that the electrical connector 2 protrudes from an opening 16 in the housing portion that faces away from the conduit portion 4. The cable receptacle 10 is open into the connector receptacle 14.

[0053] The housing portion 6 also includes a seal 18 that specifically surrounds the opening 16, either continuously or completely.

[0054] The grommet 1, which comprises the tubular portion 4 and the housing portion 6, is preferably a single body formed from a rubber elastic material.

[0055] In the unforced state 7, the pipe section 4 has the shape shown in schematic Figure 1. From this unforced state 7, the pipe section can move to the mounting position 20, where the inner diameter of the pipe section 4 reversibly expands compared to the unforced state 7. The mounting position 20 is shown only in Figure 1.

[0056] The inner diameter 22 of the pipe section 4 at the mounting position 20 may be at least twice, more preferably at least three times, the inner diameter 24 in the unforced state 7. In particular, the pipe section 24 can be reversibly expanded by about 2 to 4 times the inner diameter 24. Additionally or instead, the inner diameter 24 of the pipe section 4 can be reversibly expanded in particular so that the volume of the electrical connector 2, including the minimum base area 26, can move through the pipe section 4 to the housing section 6 in the longitudinal direction 28 of the pipe section. Reversible expandability is understood here to mean that the inner diameter 24 in the unforced state 7 after the initial or repeated mounting position 20 is taken corresponds at least substantially to the inner diameter 24 before the initial mounting position 20 was taken.

[0057] The tubular section 4 may include one or more portions, each containing one or more circumferentially extending, radially projecting ribs 30. In particular, the ribs 30 may extend parallel to each other and / or be located in a plane extending perpendicular to the longitudinal direction 28 of the tubular section 24.

[0058] The ribs 30 are configured to elastically press the tube section 4 together in the longitudinal direction 28. By pressing the tube section 4 together, the end 32 of the tube section 4 that faces away from the housing section 6 can be brought closer to the end located in the housing section 6. This reduces the distance required to move the electrical connector 2 through the tube section 4. The ribs 30 protrude alternately outward and inward, parallel to each other, similar to a vacuum tube.

[0059] The ribs 30 can be provided on the pipe section 4 along its entire length, or only in part, for example, in a central region that can be defined at both ends by the smooth wall region of the pipe section 4.

[0060] The inner and / or outer cross-sections of the pipe section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction 28 are preferably circular, even in the region of the ribs 30 if ribs 30 are present.

[0061] The connector receptacle 14 is open in the opening direction 34. The opening direction 34 is, for example, perpendicular to the plane to which the opening 16 extends. In the unforced state of the grommet 1 7, the opening direction extends at an angle of approximately 60° to 120° with respect to the longitudinal direction 28 of the pipe, preferably substantially perpendicular. In some configurations, depending on whether the electrical connector 2 is an angle connector or a straight connector, the opening direction 34 may extend parallel to the longitudinal direction 28 of the pipe. Preferably, the opening direction 34 extends parallel to the plug connection direction 35 in which the electrical connector 2 is plugged into a mating connector (not shown in Figures 1 and 2).

[0062] The base region of the housing portion 6, perpendicular to the opening direction 34 of the opening 16, is substantially rectangular and may have rounded corners. The housing portion 6 or its base region may be longer in the longitudinal direction 28 of the pipe portion 4 than in the transverse direction relative to the longitudinal direction.

[0063] At the mounting position 20, the housing portion 6 may be, for example, elastically folded, pivoted, or deformed relative to the pipe portion 4. When the housing portion is folded, the opening direction 34 faces approximately the longitudinal direction 28. In the folded state, the housing portion 6 moves away from its overlap with the pipe portion 4, particularly in the longitudinal direction 28, and thus the interior of the pipe portion 4 is freely accessible in the longitudinal direction 28. Folding the housing portion 6 makes it easier to insert the electrical connector 2 through the grommet 1. The pivoted position of the housing portion 6 is shown by a dashed line in Figure 2.

[0064] The housing portion 6 includes a reinforcing region 36. The reinforcing region 36 has higher rigidity or Shore hardness compared to its immediate surroundings. The reinforcing region 36 may be less elastically deformable than the rest of the housing portion 6. The reinforcing region 36 may be manufactured from the same material as the rest of the housing portion 6, particularly the seal 18 and / or the tubular portion 4, or from a different material, but it is preferable that it be an integral part of the grommet 1. In one modified form, the entire housing portion 6 excluding the seal 18 may be reinforced relative to the seal 18 and / or the tubular portion 4.

[0065] For example, the reinforcing region 36 is formed from TPE having a Shore hardness of about 70 Shore, while the rest of the grommet 1 is formed from TPE having a Shore hardness of about 40 to about 50 Shore. Preferably, the reinforcing region 36 is manufactured together with the rest of the grommet 1 in a single manufacturing step, for example, in a two-part or multi-part process. In the configuration of Figure 1, the reinforcing region 36 simultaneously forms the seal 18. This is possible because the reinforcing region has sufficient flexibility and elasticity to exert a sealing effect despite its hardness.

[0066] The reinforcing region 36 provides dimensional stability to the seal 18 and the rest of the housing portion 6. The reinforcing region 36 can be formed, for example, by a flange portion 38 that closes or partially surrounds the opening 16. The seal 18 and / or flange portion 38 may protrude slightly away from the opening 16, for example, in the vertical direction 34. Nevertheless, the seal 18 is configured as a radial seal and therefore protrudes toward the opening 16. The seal 18 and / or reinforcing region 36 may face the plug connection direction 35 and form the edge of the connector receptacle 14 surrounding the opening 16.

[0067] In particular, when the opening direction 34 extends at least substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction 28, the pipe portion 4 can protrude slightly beyond the housing portion 6 on the side away from the opening 16, and thus the required installation height can be made as small as possible.

[0068] The housing portion may include at least two side walls 40 that are positioned opposite each other with respect to the longitudinal direction 28. Preferably, the two side walls 40 are connected to each other by a cover wall 42. The cover wall 42 is configured to cover the electrical connector 2 with its rear surface positioned opposite to the contact area 44. The cover wall 42 is positioned opposite the opening 16, and the tubular portion 4 is open to the region between the opening 16 and the cover wall 42, i.e., the connector receptacle 14. As shown in the figure, in the unforced state of the grommet 1 7, the cover wall 42 extends parallel to the longitudinal direction 28 of the tubular portion 4 and can be slightly lateral to the longitudinal direction 28.

[0069] The inner contour of the housing portion 6 is preferably formed at least partially to be complementary to the rear surface 46 of the electrical connector 2. Therefore, the housing portion 6 and the rear surface 46 of the electrical connector 2 are close to each other, and as a result, there is no unnecessary empty space between the rear surface 46 of the electrical connector 2 and the cover wall 42.

[0070] As shown in Figure 2, the electrical connector 2 may be an angle connector in particular, and the direction 48 or longitudinal direction 28 in which the cable 12 extends from the electrical connector 2 is perpendicular to the plug connection direction 35. The plug connection direction 35 is, for example, the direction in which the contact field 44 is open.

[0071] The seal 18 is preferably configured to be slightly separated from the electrical connector 2 and / or to only loosely contact the electrical connector 2. As will be further described below, in one configuration, when the electrical connector 2 and the mating connector are plugged together, the seal 18 should seal, particularly radially, contact the mating connector complementary to the electrical connector 2.

[0072] The following briefly describes the steps required to manufacture the pre-assembled connector assembly 3, with reference to Figures 3 to 7. As shown in Figure 2, the electrical connector 2 is already pre-assembled. This pre-assembly is preferably carried out in a fully automated manner by an automated assembly machine. Once the fully automated pre-assembly of the electrical connector 2 is complete, the electrical connector 2 is completed as a mounting component including all housing components, contacts, and electrical cable 12.

[0073] Next, the pre-assembled electrical connector is pushed through the grommet 1 from the pipe section 4 towards the housing section 6.

[0074] To this end, as shown in Figure 3, the grommet 1 is elastically expandable to the extent that the electrical connector 2, including the electrical cable 12, can be inserted through the tubular portion 4 into the housing portion 6, or beyond the housing portion 6 into the grommet.

[0075] To facilitate insertion, the tubular section 4 at the mounting position 20 can be compressed in the longitudinal direction 28. In one configuration, for example, in the direction in which the electrical connector 2 is inserted through the tubular section 4, the tubular section 4 can be compressed to a length 52 shorter than the length 54 of the connector in the direction 48 lateral to the cable outlet direction 48 or the plug connection direction 35. However, in other configurations, the compressed length 52 of the tubular section 4 may be longer than the length 54 of the connector 2, or the tubular section may not be compressed at all, but only expandable. In the compressed position of the tubular section 2, for example, the ribs 30 directly overlap each other. Longitudinal compression may be achieved, for example, by partial elastic expansion.

[0076] As mentioned above, the housing portion 6 at the mounting position 20 is folded. The housing portion 6 may also be extended. By folding the housing portion 6, the electrical connector 2 can be freely inserted through the pipe portion 4 without hitting the housing portion 6.

[0077] When connector 2 is inserted through grommet 1, it results in the state shown in Figure 3, for example, where connector 2 is pushed through grommet 1 beyond the end 56 of housing 6 facing away from pipe 4, and is therefore fully exposed. In this example, grommet 1 covers only the electrical cable 12. Alternatively, at the end of the insertion process shown in Figure 3, the electrical connector 2 may already be at least partially positioned in housing 6.

[0078] Regardless of the exact relative position of the electrical connector 2 and the grommet 1 after the connector 2 has been inserted through the grommet 1, the connector 2 is ready to be plugged into the mating connector 60 in the plugging direction 35. The mating connector 60 is an optional component of the connector assembly 3.

[0079] A mechanical drive system 62, such as a pusher 64 and / or lever 66, may be provided on the mating connector 60. The drive system 62 can be configured to engage with the mating element 68 of the electrical connector 2 and, when operated, to pull the electrical connector 2 and the mating connector 60 together until they are fully plugged in.

[0080] Figure 5 shows the electrical connector 2 and the mating connector 60 in a fully plugged-in state 70. However, the grommet 1 is not yet in the final position where the electrical connector 2 will be received by the housing 6. Once fully plugged, the electrical connector 2 can be plugged into the mating connector 60, or the mating connector 60 can be plugged into the electrical connector 2.

[0081] As soon as the full plug connection state 70 is reached, the grommet 1 is pushed toward the electrical connector 2 along the electrical cable 12, and then the housing portion 6 slides onto the connector 2 as shown by arrow 72 in Figure 5.

[0082] The mating connector 60 may include a sealing base 74, which is configured complementary to the seal 18 or its contour and may be configured, for example, as a circumferential recess or concave including a shoulder portion 75.

[0083] The sealing base 74 is configured such that the seal 18 of the housing portion 6 stops at the sealing base 74 when the grommet 1 is fully pulled onto the electrical connector. The seal 18 can contact the outside of the mating connector 60, particularly the sealing base 74, with a sealing force directed radially inward. In addition, the seal 18 can also be pressed against the shoulder portion 75 with a sealing force in the plug connection direction 35.

[0084] In particular, if the mating connector 60 is configured for wall mounting, the mating connector 60 may include a wall seal 76. The wall seal 76 is positioned between the housing 78 of the mating connector 60 that receives the electrical connector 2 and the wall 80, for example, the part of the vehicle body to which the mating connector 60 is mounted.

[0085] Figure 6 shows a fully installed grommet 1. The housing 6 seals the side 81 (Figure 5) of the mating connector 60 that opens toward the electrical connector 2, thus preventing dust or moisture from entering between the electrical connector 2 and the mating connector 60. The rear surface 46 (Figure 5) of the electrical connector 2 is received by the connector receptacle 14. The mechanical drive system 62 is located outside the housing 6, making sealing considerably easier. Here, the opening side 81 is positioned opposite the cover wall 42. The seal 18 contacts the mating connector 60, particularly the sealing base 74 surrounding the mating connector 60.

[0086] The following steps are optional. As shown in Figure 7, the housing cover 84 can be positioned on the housing portion 6 of the grommet 1 and attached to the mating connector 60, for example, by complementary latching devices 86 present on the housing cover 84 and the mating connector 60, or more specifically, latched.

[0087] Regardless of the type of mounting to the mating connector 60, the housing cover 84 is configured to apply a force that presses the housing portion 6 against the electrical connector 2 and / or the mating connector 60 in order to enhance or guarantee the sealing effect of the seal 18. Alternatively or in addition, the housing cover 84 protects the grommet 1 from damage and further secures the grommet 1 to the mating connector 60.

[0088] Instead of or in addition to the housing cover 84, the lever 66 can also function as a housing, at least partially, for this purpose, as shown by arrow 90 in Figure 7, the lever 66 can be folded onto the housing portion 6 of the grommet 1. If the housing cover 84 is absent, the lever 66 can perform the same function as the housing cover 84.

[0089] If a housing cover 84 is present, the lever 66 can be folded over the housing cover 84, thereby further securing and protecting the housing cover.

[0090] Figure 8 shows a schematic cross-section of a connector assembly 3 comprising two connectors 2, 60 plugged together, with the electrical cable 12 omitted.

[0091] In detail A of Figure 8, it can be seen that the seal 18 includes at least one seal lip 92, which preferably extends around the opening 16 and protrudes in the direction of the opening 16 or into the connector receptacle, i.e., inward. The seal lip 92 is supported in a sealed manner by the mating connector 60, and thus the seal 18 forms a radial seal.

[0092] Furthermore, as mentioned above, the seal 18 can seal against the shoulder portion 75 of the seal base 74 in the plug connection direction 35. For example, the peripheral surface 96 that faces the plug connection direction 35 and extends around the opening 16 can contact the shoulder portion 75.

[0093] Instead of or in addition to the shoulder portion 75, a further housing portion 94 of the mating connector 60 can abut against the housing portion 6 of the grommet 1, particularly within the opening 16. The collar 98 of the mating connector 60 protrudes into the housing portion 6 of the grommet 1 and may be pressed against the housing portion 6 or the cover wall 42, for example, by a lever 66 or a housing cover 84. The seal lip 94 is preferably positioned between the edge surface 96 and the collar 98. In this way, a type of labyrinth seal is formed, enhancing the sealing effect of the seal lip 92.

[0094] Figure 8 further shows that when the plug connection arrangement 3 (connector assembly 3) is completed, the latch device 108 can connect the housing portion 6 and the mating connector 60 to each other.

[0095] The reinforcement region 36 may include a latching device 108 configured to latch onto a complementary latching device 108 of the mating connector 60. The latching device 108 of the reinforcement region is located on the side wall 40 of the housing portion 6, for example, on the rear wall 112 and / or the front wall 110.

[0096] The latch device 108 can be positioned particularly on the rear wall 112 of the housing portion 6. The rear wall 112 is, for example, a side wall 40 facing the pipe portion 4.

[0097] In one configuration, the front wall 110 and / or the rear wall 112 can be formed solely by the seal 18 and / or the reinforcing region 36. In this case, the connector receptacle 14 is surrounded on four sides by the walls 40, 110, and 112. The distance between the front wall 110 and the rear wall 112 in the longitudinal direction 28 may be longer than the distance between two side walls that are separated from each other laterally with respect to the longitudinal direction 28, and thus the connector receptacle 14 is elongated in the longitudinal direction 28 of the pipe section 4.

[0098] Walls 40, 110, and 112 are connected by a cover wall 42. The seal 18 is preferably positioned at the ends of walls 40, 110, and 112 facing away from the cover wall 42. In particular, the seal 18 itself can form the edge surface 96 of the opening 16, facing away from the cover wall 42 in the plug connection direction 35.

[0099] The rear wall 112 can extend further away from the cover wall 42 than the front wall 110, and therefore the connector receptacle 14 is deeper on the side of the pipe section 4 than in the region facing away from the pipe section 4. This configuration facilitates the swivel motion 106, as the shorter front wall 110 can be more easily slid onto the mating connector 60 by the swivel motion. This is particularly useful when the drive system 62 is located on the front 110 side of the mating connector 60, and therefore the housing section 6 must terminate above the drive system 62, for example, above a pusher 64 that protrudes at this point through the mating connector 60.

[0100] Regardless of the presence of the latching device 108, the side wall 40 of the housing portion 6 can be inserted into a groove-like recess 100 of the mating connector. The recess 100 is located on the side surface 102 of the mating connector 60 facing the tube portion 4. The recess 100 is preferably linear, extending perpendicular to the longitudinal direction 28 of the tube portion and parallel to the plane to which the opening 16 extends or perpendicular to the plug connection direction 35. The recess 100 may be a groove or pocket that extends across the entire width of the side surface 102.

[0101] The recess 100 and / or latching device 108 serve as a starting point for attaching the housing portion 6 to the mating connector 60, after which the housing portion 6 slides over the connector 2 and the mating connector 60 around the recess 100 and / or latching device 108.

[0102] In particular, the seal 18 can be inserted into the recess 100 before sliding the housing portion 6 onto the connector 2 and the mating connector 60.

[0103] Figures 9 to 11 show further embodiments of grommet 1 and connector assembly 3, and the differences from grommet 1 and connector assembly 3 in Figures 1 to 8 are described below. For the remaining details, refer to the description of grommet 1 in Figures 1 to 8.

[0104] In the case of grommet 1, for example, the rib 30 extends along the entire length of the pipe section 4.

[0105] The reinforcing region 36 of the grommet 1 in Figure 9 is manufactured from a plastic material, such as polyester such as PBT. The remaining portion of the grommet 1 can also be manufactured, here again, preferably from a rubber elastic material, such as TPE and / or fiber-reinforced plastic material having a Shore hardness of about 40 to about 50 Shore. Here again, the grommet 1 can be manufactured integrally in a single manufacturing step, by a multi-part method, particularly a two-part method.

[0106] In the case of a very hard reinforcement region 36, such as a reinforcement region 36 formed from PBT, the seal 18 can be formed from the material of the non-reinforcement region, i.e., from the material of the rest of the housing, or from another material having a lower Shore hardness than the material from which the reinforcement region is formed. In the embodiment of Figure 1, this material is, for example, TPE for the housing 6. Since a radial seal facing the opening 16 or connector receptacle 14 is desirable for the grommet 1 in Figure 9, the seal 18 is positioned between the reinforcement region 36 and the opening 16 or connector receptacle 14, lateral to the plug connection direction 35. Similarly, the seal 18 can also exert an axial sealing effect by forming the edge surface of the opening 16 or connector receptacle 14 facing the plug connection direction 35.

[0107] Similar to the previous embodiment, the reinforcing region 36 preferably forms a frame that surrounds the opening 16 and ensures the dimensional stability of the seal 18. If a plastic material, such as PBT, is used, the reinforcing region 36 has sufficient strength and therefore the housing cover 84 can be omitted. In such a configuration, the grommet 1 can be held to the mating connector 60 by the reinforcing region alone.

[0108] For this purpose, the latch device 108 can be formed by a reinforcing region 36, as in the previous embodiment. The latch device 108 can be formed by the reinforcing region 36 on the front wall 110 and the rear wall 112 for securing and attaching the grommet 1 to the mating connector. The latch device 108 is preferably located at or near each corner of the housing portion 6. In the illustrated embodiment, the reinforcing region 36 on the front wall 110 forms a protruding flange portion 36 that can latch onto the latch device 108 of the mating connector 60. On the side of the mating connector 60 where the front wall 110 is also located, facing away from the pipe portion 4, the mating connector includes a latch device configured as a latch tab that engages with the flange portion 36.

[0109] Two pin-shaped latch protrusions are provided on the rear wall 112 as a latching device, which are inserted into the corresponding latching openings of the mating connector, and then the housing portion 6 slides over the connector 2 and the mating connector 60 in a pivoting motion 106. This is shown in Figure 10.

[0110] Figure 11 shows how the material of the housing cover 42 follows the seal 18 to form a seal lip 92, which protrudes inward toward the opening 16 and preferably extends continuously and closed around the opening 16. The seal 18 is located between the reinforcing region 36 and the opening 16. The latching device 108 of the mating connector is located on the front surface 110. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0111] 1 grommet 2 Electrical connectors 3. Connector Assembly 4 Pipe section 6 Housing section 7. No force applied 8 Arrows / Elastic expandability 10 Cable receptacles 12 Electrical Cables 14 Connector receptacles 16 Opening 18 stickers 20 Mounting position 22 Inner diameter at the mounting position 24. Inner diameter in a state where no force is applied. 26 Minimum base area of ​​connector 28 Longitudinal direction of the pipe section 30 Ribs 32 The end of the pipe facing away from the housing. 34 Opening direction 35 Plug connection direction 36 Reinforcement area of ​​the housing 38 Flange section 40 Walls of the housing section 42 Cover wall of the housing section 44 Contact area of ​​electrical connector 46 Rear view of an electrical connector 48 Direction of the cable exit of an electrical connector 52 Length of the pipe section at the mounting position 54. Length of the connector in the plug connection direction. 56 The end of the housing section facing away from the pipe section. 60. Mating connector 62 Drive System 64 Pusher 66 Lever 68 Mating elements 70. Fully plugged connection between connector and mating connector. 72. Slippage of grommets on connectors and mating connectors 74 Sticker stand 76 Wall seal of the mating connector 78 Housing of the mating connector that accepts the electrical connector 80 Wall 81 Opening side 82 The side of the mating connector that is open towards the connector 84 Housing Cover 86 Latch Device 90 Arrow 92 Seal Lip 94 Housing portion of the mating connector 96 Edge 98 Color of the mating connector 100 depressions / channels / grooves 102 Side of the mating connector 104 Swivel axis 106 Arrow 108 Latch Device 110 Front wall of the housing section 112 Rear wall of the housing section

Claims

1. A grommet (1) for an electrical connector (2), The grommet (1) is - An elastically expandable tube section (4), - Cap-shaped housing part (6) and Equipped with, The pipe section includes a cable receptacle (10) for passing an electrical cable (12) connected to the electrical connector, The housing portion (6) is a connector receptacle (14) for receiving the electrical connector which is connected to the cable receptacle, and includes a connector receptacle (14) which forms a seal (18) surrounding the opening (16) of the housing portion which is separated from the pipe portion. The aforementioned pipe portion (4) is configured to be elastically expandable in at least a portion thereof. The housing portion (6) is configured to be rotatable such that it does not overlap the pipe portion (4) in the longitudinal direction (28) of the pipe portion (4). Grommet (1).

2. The housing portion (6) includes a reinforcing region (36) that extends at least partially around the opening (16), The grommet (1) according to claim 1.

3. The seal (18) is formed by the reinforcing region (36). The grommet (1) according to claim 2.

4. The seal (18) is positioned between the reinforcing region (36) and the opening (16). The grommet (1) according to claim 2 or 3.

5. The seal (18) forms the edge surface (96) of the opening (16). A grommet (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

6. The part of the pipe is configured to have an inner diameter (22) that is at least twice the inner diameter (24) of the pipe when no force is applied (7), A grommet (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

7. The pipe portion (4) is configured to be elastically compressible to a length (52) shorter than the inner diameter (22) at the free end of the pipe portion. A grommet (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

8. The pipe portion (4) is provided with ribs (30) that extend in the circumferential direction, at least partially. A grommet (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

9. The housing portion (6) includes at least two side walls (40, 110, 112) connected to each other by a cover wall (42) positioned opposite to the opening (18), A grommet (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

10. The side wall (112) extends further away from the cover wall (42) than at least one other side wall. The grommet (1) according to claim 9.

11. Connector assembly (3), The connector assembly (3) is - A grommet (1) including a tubular section (4) and a cap-shaped housing section (6), - An electrical connector (2) that is at least partially covered by the housing portion (6) on the side facing away from the contact area (44), the housing portion includes a seal surrounding the electrical connector (2), - An electrical cable (12) connected to the electrical connector and extending through the pipe and enclosed in a sealed manner by the pipe, The housing portion (6) is configured to be rotatable such that it does not overlap the pipe portion (4) in the longitudinal direction (28) of the pipe portion (4). The electrical connector (2) can be inserted into the housing portion (6) through the pipe portion (4). Connector assembly (3).

12. The grommet (1) is configured according to claim 1. The connector assembly (3) according to claim 11.

13. The electrical connector (2) and the mating connector (60) are configured to be plug-connected to each other, When the electrical connector (2) and the mating connector (60) are plugged together, the seal (18) of the housing portion (6) makes sealing contact with the mating connector. The connector assembly (3) according to claim 11.

14. A method for manufacturing a connector assembly (3) comprising an electrical connector (2), an electrical cable (12), and a grommet (1) as described in claim 1, - The step of providing an electrical cable (12) to be connected to a pre-assembled electrical connector (2), - The step of inserting the electrical connector together with a portion of the electrical cable through the tubular portion (4) of the elastically expandable grommet, A method that includes this.

15. - The steps of plugging the electrical connector (2) inserted through the grommet (1) and the mating connector (60) complementary to the electrical connector (2), - The seal (18) of the housing portion of the mating connector (60) is sealed against the mating connector (60), including the step of The method according to claim 14.

16. The connector assembly (3) is a connector assembly (3) for a vehicle. The connector assembly (3) according to claim 11.

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