support element

Abstract

The invention relates to a support element (1) adapted to position a cable (2) in a hole, the support element (1) comprising a support part (4) and a retainer part (6), the support part (4) and the retainer part (6) being joined together and made of different materials, in particular different resin materials. The support element (1) further comprises a cable opening (8) extending through the support part (4) and the retainer part (6), such that the cable opening (8) is adapted to receive the cable (2). In order to fix the support element (1) within the hole (3), the retainer part (6) further comprises at least one retaining element (10).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a support element for positioning a cable in a hole. Background Art

[0002] Such a support element can be used to stabilize the position of a cable, particularly a single-wire cable, within a bore in a connector housing. The support element is adapted to at least fix the relative radial position of the cable within the bore. Typically, the support element is positioned around the cable's jacket and crimped onto the cable. However, in existing applications, cable movement, particularly axial and / or rotational movement, is directly transmitted to the crimping area, resulting in movement of the terminal. This can result in significant wear on both the terminal itself and the mating tabs connected to it.

[0003] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a support element which reduces the wear of the contact assembly. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present invention solves the aforementioned problems by providing a support element for positioning a cable in a hole. The support element includes a support member and a retainer member, which are connected together and made of different materials. The support element also includes a cable opening extending through the support member and the retainer member for receiving the cable. To secure the support element in the hole, the retainer member also includes at least one retaining element.

[0005] With the support element of the present invention, the support element is secured within the hole in at least one of a rotational position and an axial position via at least one retaining element. Thus, cable movement is transmitted to the hole via the support element, particularly the at least one retaining element. This stabilizes the crimping area, preventing movement of the terminal due to cable movement. Consequently, wear on the terminal and mating tab is reduced, increasing the life expectancy of the contact assembly even under stresses such as vibration.

[0006] The present invention can be further improved by the following features, which are independent of each other in terms of their respective technical effects and can be combined in any desired manner.

[0007] According to a first embodiment of the present invention, at least one of the retainer member and the support member may be generally cylindrical, and the cable opening may be coaxially arranged with the generally cylindrical retainer member and / or the support member, thereby determining the relative position of the cable within the hole. The cable may be coaxially arranged in the hole so that the distance from the cable to the hole wall is substantially equal in any radial direction, thereby preventing imbalance when the support member and the cable are inserted into the hole.

[0008] The support component and the retainer component can be formed from different materials, in particular different resin materials. Each component can be optimized according to its respective task. The retainer component may include a material having at least one of a higher stiffness and a higher hardness than the material of the support component. The higher stiffness can prevent the retainer component from being deformed due to the force applied to the retainer component when the cable moves. Compared to the support component, the retainer component can be quite rigid for transmitting the force applied to the retainer component due to the movement of the cable relative to the hole, such as pulling the cable along the longitudinal axis or rotating the cable around the longitudinal axis. The stiffness of the retainer component and the support component can be compared by Young's modulus, whereby the Young's modulus of the retainer component can be higher than the Young's modulus of the support component.

[0009] The support member may be an optimized sealing member for sealing cables, holes and / or terminals from moisture or other foreign particles, such as dust. The sealing member may comprise silicone, in particular a silicone composite material, which may provide an airtight seal.

[0010] On the other hand, the retainer component can be optimized for fixing the relative position of the support element within the bore, particularly in the axial and / or circumferential directions. The retainer component can comprise a thermoplastic material that can have a relatively high stiffness and / or hardness compared to the support component and can still be easily processed, for example, by injection molding. However, the retainer component can also comprise metal.

[0011] The support component and the retainer component can be integrally bonded to each other to form an integral unit. Therefore, due to stress, the retainer component and the support component may not easily separate from each other. The support element can, for example, be formed as a multi-component molded component, that is, two or more components are molded in at least two processing steps. The retainer component, preferably formed from a thermoplastic material or a composition containing a thermoplastic material, can be formed in a first processing step, and the support component can be subsequently molded in a second processing step. Therefore, the support element can be mass-produced in a cost-effective manner. Alternatively, the retainer component can comprise a metal with high rigidity.

[0012] The support component and the retainer component may be bonded to each other, thereby increasing the stiffness of the joint between the retainer component and the support component.The bond may be a chemical bond that may be established in a multi-component moulding process.

[0013] Alternatively or additionally, the support member and the holder member may engage each other in a form-fitting manner.Preferably, the support member and the holder member may be connected to each other along a longitudinal axis, and the form-fitting may prevent movement of the holder member relative to the support member along the longitudinal axis.

[0014] The retainer component may form an axial projection extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis. The axial projection may be generally circumferential and received in the support component. The support component may be molded onto the projection to ensure a tight sealing fit between the support component and the projection.

[0015] The protrusion can include a generally wavy profile that extends generally parallel to the longitudinal axis. The wavy shape creates radial protrusions and depressions. The support component can be nested into the wavy shape, further creating a form fit that hinders relative movement of the support component and the retainer component generally parallel to the longitudinal axis. This can further strengthen the engagement between the support component and the retainer component. It should be noted that the wavy shape is not limited to a so-called "sinusoidal" waveform. Any other waveform, such as a square wave, a triangular wave, and a sawtooth wave, can be implemented.

[0016] To further increase the strength of the engagement between the support component and the retainer component, at least one of the retainer component and the support component may include at least one radial protrusion extending into the respective other of the retainer component and the support component. The at least one radial protrusion may extend into an undercut formed in the respective other of the retainer component and the support component, the undercut also forming a form fit substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis. The at least one radial protrusion may extend radially further than the radial projection formed by the external shape, thereby increasing the overlap between the radial protrusion and the respective other of the support component and the retainer component.

[0017] In order to keep the support element compact, outer surfaces of the support part and the holder part arranged adjacent to each other substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis may be at least partially flush with each other. In other words, the support part and the holder part may at least partially comprise substantially the same outer diameter.

[0018] The at least one retaining element may be a peripheral feature of the retainer component. To secure the support element in the aperture, the at least one retaining element may be adapted to engage a complementary retaining element of the aperture. The at least one retaining element may be a recess adapted to receive the complementary retaining element. To facilitate assembly of the support element and the aperture, the at least one retaining element may be formed as a protruding, resiliently deflectable latch.

[0019] The at least one holding element and the holder component may be formed integrally with one another as a one-piece component, thereby allowing easy and cost-effective production of the support element.

[0020] In the case where the at least one retaining element is formed as a resiliently deflectable latch, the latch may be attached to the body of the support member at a distal end of the support member and extend obliquely towards the support member. Thus, after being inserted into the hole and once aligned with the retaining element (i.e., the recess) of the hole, the latch may be resiliently deflected radially inwards, returning to its initial position and abutting the wall of the recess in at least one direction.

[0021] In order to provide space for radially inward deflection of at least one retaining element, in particular a resiliently deflectable latch, the at least one retaining element may be aligned with at least one recess formed on the support member. The recess may be formed on an outer surface of the retainer component and extend from the point at which the at least one retaining element is attached to the body of the retainer component toward the support member.

[0022] To further stabilize the support element, at least two retaining elements are provided, spaced apart from one another along the circumference of the support element. If the number of retaining elements is even, a pair of retaining elements can be arranged diametrically relative to one another. The at least two retaining elements can be evenly distributed along the circumference of the retainer component body.

[0023] For each retaining element, a single recess may be provided on the outer surface of the body of the retainer component. The body of the retainer component may thus have a substantially circumferential cross-section in a plane substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, wherein the recess defines portions having a first radius connected by portions having a second radius, the second radius being greater than the first radius.

[0024] Preferably, three retaining elements can be provided, evenly distributed along the circumference of the retainer component's body. Thus, the central axis of each retaining element can be arranged at approximately 120° to the central axes of each adjacent retaining element. This arrangement can further optimize the stability of the support element within the hole in various radial directions. Forces can be evenly distributed across the three retaining elements.

[0025] To further simplify the structure of the retainer component, the arc lengths of each recess can be substantially equal, and the arc lengths of each connecting portion can be substantially the same length, thereby forming a rotationally symmetrical retainer body. In this case, the retainer component is rotationally symmetrical for at least every 120°, thereby allowing the user to insert the support element into the hole in three different rotational positions.

[0026] The outer circumference of the retainer component can be defined by the connecting portion, whereby the at least one retaining element is adapted to deflect radially inwardly so as to be arranged along the circumference of the connecting portion. This further facilitates the formation of the aperture. The aperture can be at least partially adapted to fit snugly receive the outer circumference of the retainer component defined by the connecting portion.

[0027] The retainer component may include a neck formed at a distal end away from the support component. The diameter of the neck may be smaller than the diameter of the remainder of the retainer component. The wire crimping portion may be attached to the retainer component, particularly the neck portion of the retainer component. Because the retainer component may be comprised of a relatively rigid material compared to the support component, crimping of the support element to the cable and terminal may be further facilitated.

[0028] The neck can terminate in a radially projecting collar on a side facing away from the support member. Thus, the attached, in particular crimped, wire crimp portion can be prevented from sliding off the free end of the neck.

[0029] The support member may preferably be substantially cylindrical, with a diameter at least partially larger than a maximum diameter of the holder member.The support member may thus act as a plug sealing the hole.

[0030] To improve the sealing efficiency of the support member in sealing the aperture, the support member may include circumferentially extending ribs on its outer peripheral surface. Each rib can increase the retention force of the support member in the aperture and serve as an additional seal to prevent further ingress of moisture or dust into the aperture. Preferably, the extending ribs are integrally formed with the support member.

[0031] Furthermore, to further enhance the sealing efficiency of the support element for a cable inserted into the cable opening, at least the support member may include circumferentially extending ribs formed on the wall of the cable opening. Each rib can press against an inserted cable, thereby increasing the holding force exerted on the cable. Each rib can act as its own seal, so if moisture or dust manages to pass through one rib, subsequent ribs can prevent it from advancing further along the support element.

[0032] According to any of the above embodiments, a connector housing for receiving a cable can include a hole and a support element. The hole can include at least one complementary retaining element adapted to engage the at least one retaining element in a form-fitting manner in at least one direction. Preferably, the at least one retaining element and the at least one complementary retaining element can engage such that they prevent the support element from being removed from the hole along the longitudinal axis.

[0033] Additionally or alternatively, the at least one retaining element and the at least one complementarily formed retaining element may engage with one another in a form-fitting manner such that a rotational movement about the longitudinal axis is prevented.

[0034] Preferably, the retainer component can be pre-stressed in the direction toward the support component. This allows for compensation of axial play between the at least one retaining element and the at least one complementary retaining element. The support component can comprise a resilient material, such as silicone. When the support element is inserted into the hole, the retainer component is pulled further into the hole, causing the support component to stretch. Once the insertion force is removed, the support component recoils, pulling the retainer component toward itself.

[0035] According to an exemplary embodiment, the at least one retaining feature can be formed as a resiliently deflectable latch, and the complementary retaining element can be formed as a recess in the aperture. The recess can be circumferentially constrained such that the latch received in the recess abuts a side wall of the recess, thereby preventing rotational movement of the support element relative to the aperture about the longitudinal axis.

[0036] In the following, a support element according to the invention is explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments are shown.

[0037] In the figures, the same reference numerals are used for elements that correspond to one another in terms of function and / or structure.

[0038] According to the description of various aspects and embodiments, elements shown in the drawings may be omitted if the technical effects of those elements are not required for a particular application, and vice versa, that is, elements not shown or described with reference to the drawings but described above may be added if the technical effects of those particular elements are advantageous in a particular application. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0039] The present invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0040] Figure 1 a schematic perspective view showing a support element according to the invention; and

[0041] Figure 2 A schematic cross-sectional view of a support element mounted in a hole is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] Reference Figure 1 and 2 An exemplary embodiment of a supporting element 1 of the invention is explained. Figure 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a support element 1 , Figure 2 A schematic cross-sectional view of a support element 1 mounted in a hole 3 is shown.

[0043] The support element 1 is adapted to position the cable 2 in the hole, the support element 1 comprises a support part 4 and a holder part 6, which are combined together and made of different materials, in particular different resin materials. The support element 1 further comprises a cable opening 8 extending through the support part 4 and the holder part 6, such that the cable opening 8 is adapted to receive the cable 2. In order to fix the support element 1 within the hole 3, the holder part 6 further comprises at least one holding element 10.

[0044] The cable 2 can preferably be a single wire cable 12, which is inserted through the cable opening 8. Preferably, at least one of the support part 4 and the holder part 6 can be substantially cylindrical and the cable opening 8 can be arranged coaxially in the support element 1.

[0045] The support part 4 can be a sealing part 5, which is optimized for sealing the cable 2 received in the cable opening 8 and the hole 3. Thus, the support part can comprise an elastic material, in particular a silicone material, having good sealing properties. However, the holder part 6 can be optimized for fixing the support element 1 to the hole and / or for fixedly attaching the support element 1 to the cable 2, e.g. via crimping. Thus, the holder part 6 can comprise a material having at least one of a higher stiffness and a higher hardness than the material of the support part 4. The holder part 6 can preferably comprise a thermoplastic material, which can be relatively rigid compared to the support part 4.

[0046] The support part 4 can comprise a circumferentially extending rib 14 on the outer peripheral surface 15, which can be pressed against the wall of the hole to further improve the support reliability of the support element 1 supporting the hole. In order to further improve the support reliability of the support element 1 supporting the cable 2, the wall of the cable opening 8 can comprise a circumferentially extending rib 16. The circumferentially extending rib 16 on the wall of the cable opening 8 can be limited to the support part 4. However, the wall of the cable opening 8 at the holder part 6 can also have circumferentially extending ribs, which further stabilize the cable in the support element 1.

[0047] The support part 4 and the holder part 6 can be connected to each other along a longitudinal axis L. Preferably, the support part 4 and the holder part 6 can be integrally connected to each other as a unitary unit 18. The support element 1 can for example be a multi-part formed piece. The holder part 6 can be formed in a first injection molding step and in a second injection molding step, the support part 4 can be formed on the holder part 6.

[0048] During the addition of the support part 4, the materials of the support part 4 and the holder part 6 can form a chemical cross-linking, resulting in a firm bond between the support part 4 and the holder part 6.

[0049] Alternatively or additionally, the support member 4 and the retainer member 6 can be form-fittingly engaged with each other to prevent separation between the retainer member 6 and the support member 4 in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis L. The retainer member 6 can preferably comprise a substantially cylindrical axial protrusion 20 which can be received in the support member 4. The support member 4 can be formed on the axial protrusion 20 by molding the support member 4 on the axial protrusion 20 in a multi-component molding process.

[0050] The axial protrusion 20 can comprise a wave shape substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis L, thereby forming radial recesses 22 and protrusions 24. The radial recesses can receive portions of the support member 4 and the protrusions 24 can extend into the support member 4, thereby forming an overlap between the protrusions 24 and the portions of the support member 4 received in the recesses which prevents separation of the support member 4 from the retainer member 6.

[0051] As shown in Figure 2 The support member 4 can further comprise at least one radial protrusion 26 which extends into the retainer member 6 so as to be received in an undercut 30 formed in the retainer member 6. This can further improve the engagement between the support member 4 and the retainer member 6.

[0052] In this exemplary embodiment, the support member 4 can comprise three arms 32 arranged at 120° to each other which extend further in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis L compared to the rest of the support member 4. Each arm 32 can be provided with a radial protrusion 26.

[0053] The support member 4 can comprise a sealing portion 34 having a first diameter 36 defined by the circumferentially extending rib 14. The first diameter can be larger than a diameter of a receiving pocket 38 formed within the hole 3 for receiving the support member 4. In an intermediate portion 42 following the sealing portion 34, the support member 4 can comprise a second diameter 40 which is smaller than the first diameter 36. In the intermediate portion 42, the support member 4 and the retainer member 6 can be joined together, which means that in a cross-section substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L through the intermediate portion 42, both the retainer member 6 and the support member 4 can be present at the same time. The support member 4 can receive the axial protrusion 20 in the intermediate portion 42.

[0054] The second diameter 40 of the support member 4 can be dimensioned such that the intermediate portion 42 can be arranged in a constriction 44 formed in the hole 3 immediately following the receiving pocket 38. Thus, the constriction 44 can prevent the support element 1 from being inserted too deeply into the hole, thereby ensuring that the support member 4 seals the entrance of the hole 3.

[0055] The hole 3 can be tapered at the end of the receiving pocket 38 to form a constriction 44. The support element 1 can be slid along the tapered surface, thereby adjusting the position of the support element 1 within the hole 3.

[0056] At the intermediate portion 42, the support part 4 can have an outer surface 46 that is at least approximately flush with an adjoining outer surface 48 of the main body 50 of the holder part 6 at the arms 32, thereby preventing sharp edges that can damage the walls of the hole 3.

[0057] In this exemplary embodiment, the holder part 6 comprises a substantially cylindrical main body 50. Along the circumference of the main body 50, at an interval of 120°, there are provided retaining elements 10 in the form of resiliently deflectable latches 52. Thus, there are provided three resiliently deflectable latches 52, each of which is spaced apart in the circumferential direction from the other latches 52. The latches 52 can be formed integrally with the main body 50 as a one-piece component. The latches 52 can be attached to the main body 50 on one end and extend obliquely towards the support part 4, such that at least one tip 54 of the latches 52 can protrude from the outer circumference of the main body 50. The tip 54 can abut a wall 56 of a complementary formed retaining element 58 in the hole 3.

[0058] The main body 50 can comprise notches 60 formed on the outer surface 48 of each retaining element 10, i.e. the resiliently deflectable latches 52. Thus, three notches 60 can be formed, such that their central axes, which are approximately parallel to the longitudinal axis L, can be arranged at an angle of 120° to each other. The retaining elements 10 can be aligned with the respective notches 60, such that the notches 60 provide space for the retaining elements 10 to deflect radially inwards.

[0059] The notches 60 can comprise a substantially rectangular shape, with a base 62 of the latches 52 connecting to the distal end of the support part 4. The arms 32 can at least partially frame the notches 60, which are circumferentially adjoining. Furthermore, the front end of the notches 60 can be bounded by the support part 4.

[0060] The resiliently deflectable latches 52 can be slid along the tapered surface forming the constriction 44 in the hole 3 and be deflected radially inwards into the notches 60, such that the holder part 6 can be passed through the constriction 44. Thereafter, the complementary retaining elements 58 of the hole 3 can be provided by, for example, radial recesses 64, which allow the latches 52 to pivot back towards their initial position, such that the tips 54 can abut the walls 56 to prevent the support element 1 from moving in an axial direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis L from the holder part 6 towards the support part 4.

[0061] The support member 4 can preferably consist of a material with good elastic properties, such as silicone, so that by passing the retaining member 6 through the constriction 44, the support member 4 is at least partially stretched along the longitudinal axis L. Once the insertion force is removed, the stretched portion of the support member 4 recoils, pulling the retaining member 6 toward the support member 4 along the longitudinal axis L. Thus, the retaining member 6 is prestressed toward the support member 4, thereby eliminating any play in the axial direction between the at least one retaining element 10 and the complementary retaining element 58. As a result, the support element 1 can reliably transmit any pulling movement of the cable from the hole to the housing.

[0062] The recesses 64 may be separated from one another such that the retaining element 10 abuts the boundaries of the respective recess 64 , thereby preventing a rotational movement of the support element 1 within the hole 3 .

[0063] The hole 3 can be, for example, a hole 3 in a connector housing 68. Due to the fixing of the support element 1 in the hole 3, movements of the cable 2 extending from the hole 3, in particular pulling and / or rotational movements, will be transmitted directly to the housing 68 via the retaining element 10 and not to the terminal 69 which may be crimped onto the support element 1, in particular the retainer part 6.

[0064] like Figure 1 As shown, the terminal 69 can be crimped onto the retainer component 6. To this end, the retainer component 6 includes a neck 70 formed at a distal end 72 remote from the support component 4, the neck 70 having a substantially cylindrical shape with a diameter smaller than the diameter of the body 50 of the retainer component 6. The retaining element 10 can be formed on the body 50 and arranged at the neck 70 between the neck 70 and the support component 4.

[0065] The wire crimping portion 72 may be attached, in particular crimped, to the neck 70 . Thus, the support element 1 may be fixedly attached, in particular crimped, to the cable 2 at the neck 70 .

[0066] The metal wire crimping portion 72 may be formed by crimping the wings of the terminal 69, thereby simultaneously crimping the terminal 69 to the neck 70 and crimping the support element 1 to the cable 2. However, the metal crimping portion 72 and the terminal 69 may be separate parts.

[0067] To prevent the wire crimp 72 from sliding off the neck 70 , the neck 70 may terminate in a radially projecting collar 74 .

[0068] The hole 3 can be, for example, a hole 3 in a connector housing 68. Due to the fixation of the support element 1 in the hole 3, movements of the cable 2 extending out of the hole 3, in particular pulling and / or rotational movements, will be transmitted directly to the housing 68 via the retaining element 10 and not to the terminal 69 which may be crimped to the cable 2.

[0069] In the illustrated embodiment, the support element 1, and in particular the support member 4, has a sealing function that seals the connection between the cable and the support element 1, as well as the connection between the cable and the housing. However, within the scope of the present invention, the support member need not be a seal. The support member may include a notch or opening extending axially through the support member.

Claims

1. A support element (1) for positioning a cable (2) in a hole (3), the support element (1) comprising a support part (4) and a retainer part (6), the support part (4) and the retainer part (6) being connected together and made of different materials, the support element (1) further comprising a cable opening (8) extending through the support part (4) and the retainer part (6), the cable opening (8) being adapted to receive the cable (2), wherein The retainer component (6) further comprises at least one retaining element (10) for fixing the support component (1) in the hole (3), wherein an axial protrusion (20) is formed in the retainer component (6), the axial protrusion (20) being received in the support component (4), wherein the retainer component (6) comprises a neck (70) formed at a distal end away from the support component (4), the diameter of the neck (70) being smaller than the diameter of the rest of the retainer component (6), wherein the at least one retaining element (10) is arranged between the neck (70) and the support component (4).

2. The support element (1) according to claim 1, wherein The material of the holder member (6) has at least one of higher stiffness and higher hardness than the material of the support member (4).

3. The support element (1) according to claim 1, wherein The retainer member (6) and the support member (4) are integrally joined to each other to form an integral unit (18).

4. The support element (1) according to claim 1, wherein The support element (1) is a multi-component molding.

5. Support element (1) according to claim 1, wherein The support member (4) and the holder member (6) engage with each other in a form-fitting manner.

6. Support element (1) according to claim 1, wherein At least one of the retainer member (6) and the support member (4) comprises at least one radial projection (26) extending into the respective other of the retainer member (6) and the support member (4).

7. Support element (1) according to claim 1, wherein At least one retaining element (10) is one of a recessed portion and a protruding elastically deflectable latch (52).

8. Support element (1) according to claim 1, wherein At least two retaining elements (10) are provided, which are spaced apart from each other along the circumference of the support element (1).

9. Support element (1) according to claim 1, wherein A wire crimp (72) is attached to the retainer component (6).

10. Support element (1) according to claim 1, wherein The support element (1) includes circumferentially extending ribs (14, 16) formed by the support component (4) at at least one of an outer peripheral surface and a wall of the cable opening (8).

11. A connector housing (68) for receiving a cable (2), the housing (68) comprising a hole (3) and a support element (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, the support element being received in the hole (3), the hole (3) comprising a complementary retaining element (58) and the at least one retaining element (10) being engaged with each other in a shape-fitting manner in at least one direction.

12. The connector housing (68) of claim 11, wherein: The retainer member (6) is prestressed towards the support member (4).

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