Electrical contact for male electrical connector

Abstract

The invention relates to an electrical contact for a male electrical connector (100), the electrical contact (103a, 103b) comprising an electrical contact pin (107a, 107b) and an O-ring (109a, 109b), the pin (107a, 107b) comprising a first portion (201), a second portion (205) and a narrowing portion (203) between the first portion (201) and the second portion (205) adapted to receive the O-ring (109a, 109b), the O-ring (109a, 109b) being arranged at the pin (107a, 107b) so as to be received in the narrowing portion (203). The invention also relates to an electrical contact pin (107a, 107b), a connector housing (101) and a male electrical connector (100).

Description

Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to an electrical contact for a male electrical connector. The present invention also relates to an electrical contact pin, a connector housing, and a male electrical connector. Background Art

[0002] In the field of electrical connections, it is known to provide an electrical connector called a male electrical connector, which includes at least one electrical contact pin, and a homologous electrical connector called a female electrical connector, which includes at least one homologous electrical terminal, such as an electrical contact terminal. Generally, the electrical contact pin includes a first part and a second part. The first part is configured to establish electrical contact and is provided at the first end of the pin. The second part is configured to connect the pin to an electrical conductor and is provided at the second end of the pin. Generally, the first part may have a rectangular cross-section in a plane orthogonal to the elongation direction of the pin.

[0003] In order to seal the arrangement of the electrical contact pins in the housing of the male electrical connector, some solutions provide for providing a rectangular seal for the electrical contact pins. The rectangular seal is molded to have a specific shape homologous to the corresponding rectangular cross-section of the first part. Thus, each type of rectangular cross-section requires a corresponding rectangular seal. Other, even more expensive solutions provide potting of the pins in their male electrical connector housing.

[0004] In view of the above, the present invention aims to propose an improved solution for sealing a male electrical connector with electrical contact pins having a rectangular cross-section. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The object of the present invention is achieved by means of an electrical contact for a male electrical connector according to the present invention. The electrical contact according to the present invention includes an electrical contact pin and an O-ring. The pin includes a first part configured to establish electrical contact with a homologous electrical terminal. The first part is provided at the first end of the pin and has a rectangular cross-section in a plane orthogonal to the elongation direction of the pin. The pin also includes a second part configured to connect the pin to an electrical conductor. The second part is provided at the second end of the pin opposite the first end. In addition, the pin includes a narrowed portion between the first part and the second part adapted to receive the O-ring. The O-ring is arranged at the pin so as to be received in the narrowed portion.

[0006] By configuring the electrical contact pin to have a narrowed portion adapted to receive the O-ring, the electrical contact pin can be provided with an O-ring even though its first part has a rectangular cross-section. Thus, the risk associated with mounting the O-ring on the rectangular cross-section of the first part is reduced or even eliminated, in particular the risk of damage to the O-ring by the ridge of the pin with a rectangular cross-section, and the risk of loss of seal at the side faces of the pin with a rectangular cross-section.

[0007] Accordingly, the present invention provides a sealing solution for pins with a rectangular cross-section, which is cheaper compared to the sealing solutions known from the prior art, without the risk of reduced durability or loss of sealing performance. On the contrary, compared to the more expensive solutions of the prior art, the present invention is even capable of improving the sealing performance.

[0008] According to one aspect of the present invention, the narrowed portion may have a rounded cross-section in a plane orthogonal to the elongation direction of the pin, and the rounded cross-section has a shape configured to be fitted with an O-ring. In such a configuration, the narrowed portion is even better adapted to sealingly accommodate the O-ring.

[0009] According to one aspect of the present invention, the narrowed portion may have an oval cross-section or an elliptical cross-section or a cross-section having two parallel sides, with two arcs connected therebetween, and the two arcs are arranged at opposite ends of the parallel sides. In particular, the arcs may be two circular arcs, such as semi-circular. According to another aspect of the present invention, the narrowed portion may have a cross-section having four two-by-two parallel sides, with four arcs connected between the four two-by-two parallel sides, in particular four quarter-circular arcs, and the four arcs are arranged at the intersection points of the four two-by-two parallel sides. Thus, the O-ring received in the narrowed portion can even better fit the shape of the cross-section of the narrowed portion and improve the sealing of the housing of the O-ring in the narrowed portion.

[0010] According to one aspect of the present invention, a first notch corresponding to a first extension range of the rectangular cross-section of the first part may be included in the first side of the pin, and a second notch opposite to the first notch in the second side of the pin opposite to the first side, and the first notch and the second notch together form the narrowed portion. The first extension range of the rectangular part may correspond to the thickness of the first part of the electrical contact pin. By forming two opposite notches, a narrowed portion can be obtained, which can more reliably accommodate the O-ring than, for example, having a single notch. In particular, in this configuration, the movement of the O-ring along the elongation direction of the pin can be blocked.

[0011] According to one aspect of the present invention, the depth of the first notch and / or the second notch may be between 100% and 300% of the first extension range of the rectangular cross-section of the first part, preferably between 150% and 250%. With a notch of this depth, the housing of the O-ring can be sufficiently reliable so that there is no risk of its movement along the elongation direction of the pin without compromising the structural integrity of the pin and / or the elasticity of the O-ring.

[0012] According to one aspect of the present invention, the depth of the first notch and / or the second notch may be between 10% and 40% of the second extension range of the rectangular cross-section of the first part, preferably between 20% and 30%, and the second extension range is preferably orthogonal to the first extension range. The second extension range of the rectangular part may correspond to the width of the first part of the electrical contact pin. For example, when the electrical contact pin is of the tab type, the first extension range (i.e., the thickness) may be less than the second extension range (i.e., the width) orthogonal to the first extension range, especially less than 80%. Moreover, in such a configuration, the housing of the O-ring can be more reliable without compromising the integrity of the electrical contact.

[0013] According to one aspect of the present invention, the edges of the first notch and / or the second notch may be rounded, especially rounded along an oval or elliptical or circular arc. Thus, when the O-ring is mounted on the pin to be received in the narrowed portion, the risk of the O-ring being weakened can be reduced.

[0014] The present invention also relates to an electrical contact pin for an electrical contact according to one of the above aspects. The pin includes a first part, a second part, and a narrowed part between the first part and the second part. The first part is configured to establish electrical contact with a homologous electrical terminal. The first part is provided at the first end of the pin and has a rectangular cross-section in a plane orthogonal to the elongation direction of the pin. The second part is configured to connect the pin to an electrical conductor. The second part is provided at the second end of the pin opposite to the first end. The narrowed part is adapted to receive an O-ring. The pin can be implemented in an electrical contact according to one of the above aspects and thus benefits from the corresponding advantages of the aspects of the electrical contact.

[0015] The present invention also includes a connector housing for a male electrical connector. The housing forms a cavity configured to receive an electrical contact according to one of the above aspects and has a first face including an opening leading to the cavity. The opening has a rectangular cross-section configured to receive the electrical contact pin of the electrical contact. The connector housing includes a protruding portion that extends along the perimeter of the opening and has a shape configured to be engaged by an O-ring received in the narrowed portion of the pin to form a sealing seat. Due to the protruding portion and the sealing seat, the positioning of the O-ring received in the narrowed portion can be additionally ensured.

[0016] Furthermore, the object of the present invention is achieved by means of a male electrical connector including such a housing and an electrical contact according to one of the above aspects. The pin is received in the cavity such that the second part is disposed inside the housing and the first part is disposed outside the housing, and the O-ring is received in the sealing seat of the housing to engage the shape of the protruding portion extending along the perimeter of the opening.

[0017] Thus, relative to the solutions of the prior art, the installation of the electrical contact pins in the connector housing can be sealed in a faster and cheaper manner without loss of sealing performance.

[0018] According to one aspect of the present invention, a male electrical connector may include a retaining element that encapsulates the electrical contact pins and is fixed to a protruding member so as to enclose an internal space formed by the protruding member. This may further fix and seal the installation of the electrical contacts in the connector housing.

[0019] According to one aspect of the present invention, the retaining element may be fixed at an outer surface of the protruding member, in particular by a form-fitting device. This enables the electrical contacts to be manually locked by means of the retaining element and, in particular, the locking state to be visually verified. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] The objects, features and advantages of the present invention, such as those outlined above, will be more fully understood and appreciated by studying the following more detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention with the aid of the drawings.

[0021] Figure 1 An exploded view of a male electrical connector according to the present invention is shown.

[0022] Figure 2 A perspective view and a close-up view of the electrical contact pins for a Figure 1 connector are shown.

[0023] Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of the Figure 1 electrical connector in an assembled state is shown.

[0024] Figure 4 A cross-sectional view of a part of the Figure 1 electrical connector in an assembled state is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] The technical features and related advantages of the embodiments described below can be freely combined with each other, or applied to a specific embodiment, as long as the spirit of the present invention, such as that described above, is adhered to.

[0026] In the following, the same reference numerals in the drawings and the description are used to refer to elements of the same nature. Unless otherwise stated in the text, the objects shown in the drawings are not drawn to scale relative to each other, nor are they drawn to scale relative to each other.

[0027] Figure 1Shows an exploded view of a male electrical connector according to a first embodiment of the present invention. According to this first embodiment, the electrical connector 100 is a power connector for vehicle applications, particularly in the field of electric motor vehicles. The electrical connector 100 includes a connector housing 101, two identical electrical contacts 103a, 103b, and two identical retaining elements 105a, 105b. In this embodiment, the two electrical contacts 103a, 103b are identical to each other, and the two retaining elements 105a, 105b are also identical to each other. Therefore, only a single electrical contact 103a and a single retaining element 105a will be described below. Each of the electrical contacts 103a, 103b includes electrical contact pins 107a, 107b and O-rings 109a, 109b.

[0028] The connector housing 101, the electrical contacts 103a, 103b, and the electrical contact pins 107a, 107b will be described below as components of the electrical connector 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. However, it must be noted that the connector housing 101 is also the connector housing for a male electrical connector according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and each of the electrical contacts 103a, 103b is also the electrical contact for a male electrical connector according to a third embodiment of the present invention. Similarly, each of the electrical contact pins 107a, 107b is also the electrical contact pin according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] The connector housing 101 is made of an elastomer so as to form a cavity for each of the electrical contacts 103a, 103b, which cavity is configured to receive the respective electrical contact 103a, 103b, such as in particular as Figure 3 shown. The housing 101 has a first outer surface 111, which for each of the electrical contacts 103a, 103b includes an opening leading to the respective one of the cavities, such as Figure 3 shown. For each of the electrical contacts 103a, 103b, the housing 101 includes protruding portions 113a, 113b that project from the first surface 111 to the outside of the housing 101 in the connection direction 115 of the connector 100. Each of the protruding portions 113a, 113b extends along the periphery 117a, 117b of the respective one of the openings, thereby forming a closed boundary around each of the openings.

[0030] Each of the protrusions 113a, 113b includes a plurality (in this case two) of fixing elements for fixing a holding element (such as one of the holding elements 105a, 105b). In this embodiment, the fixing elements are protrusions 119a, 119b formed on the outer surfaces 121a, 121b of the respective protrusions 113a, 113b. The protrusions 119a, 119b are configured as form-fitting devices for fixing the holding elements 105a, 105b to the respective protrusions 113a, 113b. Specifically, each of the protrusions 119a, 119b is configured to elastically deflect the respective legs 123a, 123b, 123c, 123d of the holding elements 105a, 105b during the installation of the holding elements 105a, 105b until the hooks 125a, 125b of the legs 123a, 123b are forced into engagement behind the protrusions 119a, 119b. This forced engagement will be further described with reference to Figure 3 This forced engagement.

[0031] Now referring to Figure 2 Describe the electrical contact pin 107a for the connector 100. The pin 107a is a metal part extending along the elongation direction 200, preferably made of a copper alloy. The pin 107a includes a first part 201, a narrowed part 203, and a second part 205 in the elongation direction 200. The narrowed part 203 is arranged (i.e., inserted) between the first part 201 and the second part 203 and is adapted to accommodate the O-rings 109a, 109b. The first part 201 is provided at the first end 207 of the pin 107a, and the second part is provided at the second end 209 of the pin 107a, the second end 209 being opposite to the first end 207.

[0032] The electrical contact pin 107a is a tab-type pin stamped from a metal sheet (in this case a copper alloy). Alternatively, the pin 107a can also be manufactured by milling. The first part 201 of the pin 107a has a rectangular cross-section in a plane orthogonal to the elongation direction 200. The rectangular cross-section has a first extension range 211 and a second extension range 213 orthogonal to the first extension range. The first extension range 211 corresponds to the thickness of the pin 107a at the first part 201, and in particular, corresponds to the thickness of the metal sheet used. The second extension range 213 corresponds to the width of the pin 107a at the first part 201. In this embodiment, the second extension range 213 is at least 6 times larger than the first extension range corresponding to the thickness 211 of the pin 107a, preferably between 7 and 10 times.

[0033] In this embodiment, the thickness of the pin 107a is substantially uniform along the elongation direction 200. The width of the pin 107a is non-uniform, and in particular, the second extension range 213 (i.e., the width of the pin 107a at the first part 201) is 3% to 10% larger than the width of the pin 215 at the second part 205.

[0034] The first part 201 is configured to establish electrical contact with a homologous electrical terminal when the male electrical connector 100 is connected to a homologous female electrical connector. The second part 205 is configured to connect the pin 107a to an electrical conductor, in particular for crimping or soldering to the conductive core of a cable.

[0035] In addition, the second part 205 includes a central rectangular perforation 217. A part of the second part 205 adjacent to the central rectangular perforation 217 is partially cut and deflected relative to the rest of the second part 205 so as to produce a locking tab 219 for locking the pin 107a in the housing 101. Reference will be made to Figure 3 the locking of the pin 107a by means of the locking tab 219 will be further described.

[0036] A first notch 221 is formed in the first lateral side 223 of the pin 107a between the first part 201 and the second part 205. A second notch 225 is formed oppositely to the first notch 221 in the second lateral side 227 of the pin 107a opposite to the first lateral side 223, also between the first part 201 and the second part 205. The first lateral side 221 and the second lateral side 223 correspond to the lateral sides of the thickness of the pin 107a (i.e., the first extension range 211). The first notch 221 and the second notch 223 together form a narrowed portion 203. Thus, the narrowed portion 203 has a thickness corresponding to the first extension range 211 and a width 229 that is less than the width 213 of the first part 201 and the width 215 of the second part 205.

[0037] The edges of the notches 221, 225 are machined to be rounded. Thus, the narrowed portion 203 has a rounded cross-section in terms of the width 229 (i.e., in a plane orthogonal to the elongation direction 200). Reference will be made to Figure 4Further describe the shape of the rounded cross-section. The drawings include a close-up view of the pin 107a at the first notch 221, which shows that the edge 231 of the notch 221 extending in a direction parallel to the elongation direction 200 is rounded, and the edges 233, 235 of the notch 221 extending in a direction orthogonal to the elongation direction 200 are also rounded. Due to the rounded edge 231 of the narrowed portion 203, O-rings (such as seals 109a, 109b) can be accommodated in the narrowed portion 203 to fit the shape of the rounded cross-section of the narrowed portion 203. That is, the rounded shape of the cross-section of the narrowed portion 203 in the width 229 is configured to be assembled by the O-rings 109a, 109b.

[0038] In this embodiment, the edges 231, 233, 235 are elliptically rounded in this case. In a variant, the edges 231, 233, 235 can also be rounded in an oval or circular shape. Therefore, the rounding of the edges 231, 233, 235 corresponds to a separate or additional step of an optional chamfer of the ridge of the pin 107a, such as Figure 2 shown by means of the chamfer 237 in

[0039] In the present embodiment, the notches 221, 225 have a depth 237 in a direction orthogonal to the elongation direction 200, and the depth 237 is between 10% and 40% of the second extension range 213 of the first portion 201, preferably between 20% and 30%. In addition, similarly, the depth 237 of the notches 221, 225 is between 100% and 300% of the thickness of the first portion 201 (i.e., the first extension range 211), preferably between 150% and 250%.

[0040] Figure 3 Shows a cross-sectional view of the male electrical connector 100 in the assembled state along the Figure 1 section line 127 shown. The electrical contact 103a is mounted in the connector housing 101. Specifically, the electrical contact pin 107a is received in the cavity 301 and configured to receive the pin 107a such that the second portion 205 is disposed inside the cavity 301, and the first portion 201 is disposed outside the cavity 301 and the housing 101.

[0041] For this purpose, the pin 107a is inserted into the cavity 301 through the opening 303 in the first face 111 of the housing 107 along the insertion direction 300 parallel to the elongation direction 200 and opposite to the connection direction 115. In order to be able to accommodate the pin 107a in the insertion direction without losing the seal, the opening 303 has a rectangular cross-section that substantially has the dimensions of the second portion 205 of the pin 107a, in particular the thickness 211 and the width 215.

[0042] By inserting the pin 107a through the opening 303, the locking tab 219 deflects resiliently until it has passed beyond the opening 303 and then returns to its lateral rest state and thus positively engages the inner edge 305 of the housing 101.

[0043] The protrusion 113a extending along the periphery 117a of the opening 303 is formed such that the outer surface 121a of the protruding member 113 includes protrusions 119a, 119c. Further, the protrusion 113a is formed such that the inner surface 307 of the protrusion 113a defines an inner opening space 309. The space 309 is a sealing seat for the O-ring 109a, such as described below with reference to Figure 4 as described.

[0044] Figure 3 and Figure 1 The electrical contact 103a is shown in an assembled state, in which the electrical contact pin 107a is provided with an O-ring 109a. The O-ring 109a is received within the narrowed portion 203 of the pin 107a. For this purpose, the O-ring 109a extends resiliently and slides over the first portion 201 until the O-ring 109a returns to a more contracted rest state at the notches 221, 225. In this case, the O-ring 109a is a rubber O-ring, for example of the vinyl-methyl-siloxane (VMQ) type or the ethylene-propylene-diene monomer (EPDM) type.

[0045] such as Figure 3 The connector 100 in its assembled state as shown includes a retaining element 105a which includes a central portion 311 from which legs 123b, 123d extend. Each leg 123b, 123d includes hooks 125b, 125d disposed at the respective ends of the legs 123b, 123d. The central portion 311 includes a through slot 313 which has dimensions of substantially the rectangular cross-section of the first portion 201 of the electrical contact pin 107a, in particular a thickness 211 and a width 213. Thus, the retaining element 105a is configured to slide over the first portion 201 of the pin 107a through the through slot 313 of the central portion 311.

[0046] When the retaining element 105a slides onto the pin 107a, the legs 123b, 123d can move closer to the protrusion 113a and deflect resiliently over the protrusions 119a, 119c so as to create a forced engagement between the protrusions 119a, 119c and the hooks 125b, 125d once the protrusions 119a, 119c have been passed. The hooks 125b, 125d and the protrusions 119a, 119c are complementary elements of a form-fit device to fix the retaining element 105a at the connector housing 101.

[0047] Thus, the component 105a holds the encapsulating pin 107a, particularly the narrowed portion 203 of the pin 107, and is fixed to the protruding portion 113a. The central portion 311 encloses (particularly blocks) the inner space 309 of the opening of the sealing seat, thereby increasing the sealing of the installation of the electrical contact 103 and fixing the contact 103a.

[0048] Figure 4 A cross-sectional view of the male electrical connector 100 along Figure 3 the section line 315 is shown. Specifically, Figure 4 a cross-section of the connector 100 in the assembled state at its protruding portion 113a is shown. Thus, a cross-section of the O-ring 109a and a cross-section 400 of the pin 107a are shown. The cross-section 400 of the pin 107a is a cross-section in a plane orthogonal to the elongation direction 200 of the pin 107a.

[0049] Also as referred to in Figure 2 the narrowed portion 203 is machined to have a rounded cross-section 400. In particular, Figure 4 the rounded cross-section 400 is shown to be a stadium-shaped cross-section in this embodiment, i.e., a cross-section 400 having two parallel sides 401a, 401b, and two elliptical arcs 403a, 403b connecting between the two parallel sides 401a, 401b and arranged at opposite ends of the parallel sides 401a, 401b. In this case, the arc 403b corresponds to Figure 2 the edge 231. In a variant, the cross-section 400 may also have four two-by-two parallel sides, and four quarter-circular arcs are connected between the four two-by-two parallel sides and are arranged at the intersection points of the four two-by-two parallel sides.

[0050] Due to the rounded cross-section 400, the narrowed portion 203 is particularly suitable for accommodating the O-ring 109a. In particular, the cross-section 400 has a shape configured to be fitted by the O-ring 109. In this case, the pin 107a is provided with an O-ring 109a accommodated in the narrowed portion 203, and the O-ring 109a fits the cross-section 400, i.e., the contour of the narrowed portion 203.

[0051] In this configuration, the O-ring 109a can seal the insertion of the pin 107a into the opening 303a without losing the sealing performance or durability due to the rectangular cross-section of the first portion 201 of the pin 107a. In other words, the radial sealing performance and cost efficiency of the O-ring are applicable to male electrical connectors with pins having a rectangular cross-section. Thus, the present invention provides an improved solution for sealing the installation of pins with a rectangular cross-section in an electrical connector housing. As an example, a sealing performance up to IP54 can be achieved by means of a conventional O-ring.

[0052] The inner surface 307 of the protruding portion 113a that creates the inner space 309 of the opening has a shape configured to mate with the O-ring 109a. In particular, in a plane orthogonal to the insertion direction 300, the inner space 309 of the opening has a stadium-shaped cross-section that corresponds to the shape and thickness 405 of the seal 109a when it is received in the narrowed portion 203. That is, the protruding portion 113a is molded to encapsulate the O-ring 109a such that the O-ring 109a mates sealingly with the inner surface 307. Thus, as Figure 4 shown, the O-ring 109a is received in the sealing seat 309 of the housing 101 to conform to the shape of the protruding portion 113a. Thus, the sealing performance of the connector 100 is improved, and the O-ring 109a is protected from the external environment.

[0053] In a variant of the connector 100, the male electrical connector of the present invention may include only a single electrical contact. Alternatively, the male electrical connector may include multiple (e.g., 3, 6, or 8) electrical contacts. In other variants, the electrical connector does not include retaining elements such as the retaining elements 105a, 105b. In other variants, locking means for the contact pins 107a, 107b may be considered that are different from or additional to the present locking tab system 219.

[0054] Reference numerals

[0055] 100 Male electrical connector

[0056] 101 Connector housing

[0057] 103a, 103b Electrical contacts

[0058] 105a, 105b Retaining elements

[0059] 107a, 107b Contact pins

[0060] 109a, 109b O-rings

[0061] 111 First face of the housing

[0062] 113a, 113b Protruding portions on the first face

[0063] 115 Connection direction

[0064] 117a, 117b Peripheries of the opening

[0065] 119a, 119b, 119c Protrusions on the protruding portion

[0066] 121a, 121b Outer surfaces of the protruding portion

[0067] The legs of the 123a, 123b, 123c, 123d holding elements

[0068] The hooks of the 125a, 125b, 125c, 125d legs

[0069] 127 Figure 3 The cross - hatching of

[0070] The elongation direction of the 200 pins

[0071] 201 First part

[0072] 203 Narrowed part

[0073] 205 Second part

[0074] 207 First end

[0075] 209 Second end

[0076] The first extension range of the cross - section of the 211 first part

[0077] The second extension range of the cross - section of the 213 first part

[0078] The perforations in the 215 second part

[0079] 219 Locking tab

[0080] 221 First notch

[0081] 223 First lateral side

[0082] 225 Second notch

[0083] 227 Second lateral side

[0084] The width of the 229 narrowed part

[0085] The edge of the 231 longitudinal notch

[0086] The first edge of the 233 orthogonal notch

[0087] The second edge of the 235 orthogonal notch

[0088] The chamfer at the ridge of the 237 pin

[0089] The depth of the 239 notch

[0090] 300 Insertion direction

[0091] 301 The cavity in the housing

[0092] The opening in the first face of the 303 housing

[0093] 305 The inner edge in the housing

[0094] Inner surface of the protrusion 307

[0095] Inner opening space defined by the protrusion 309

[0096] Central portion of the retaining element 311

[0097] Through groove in the central portion 313

[0098] 315 Figure 4 Hatching in

[0099] Rounded cross-section of the narrowing portion 400

[0100] Parallel sides 401a, 401b

[0101] Arcs 403a, 403b connecting the parallel sides

[0102] Thickness of the O-ring 405

Claims

1. An electrical contact for a male electrical connector (100), the electrical contact (103a, 103b) comprising electrical contact pins (107a, 107b) and O-rings (109a, 109b), the pins (107a, 107b) comprising: a first portion (201) configured to establish electrical contact with a homologous electrical terminal, the first portion (201) being disposed at a first end (207) of the pin (107a, 107b) and having a rectangular cross-section in a plane orthogonal to the elongation direction (200) of the pin (107a, 107b), a second portion (205) configured to connect the pin (107a, 107b) to an electrical conductor, the second portion (205) being disposed at a second end (209) of the pin (107a, 107b) opposite the first end (207), a narrowed portion (203) between the first portion (201) and the second portion (205), the narrowed portion (203) being adapted to accommodate an O-ring (109a, 109b), The O-rings (109a, 109b) are arranged at the pins (107a, 107b) so as to be received in the narrowed portion (203).

2. The electrical contact according to claim 1, wherein the narrowed portion (203) has a rounded cross-section (400) in a plane orthogonal to the extension direction (200) of the pin (107a, 107b), and the rounded cross-section has a shape configured to be fitted by an O-ring (109a, 109b).

3. The electrical contact according to claim 2, the narrowed portion (203) having an oval cross-section or an elliptical cross-section or a cross-section (400) having two parallel sides, wherein the two parallel sides connect two arcs, in particular two circular arcs, arranged at opposite ends of the parallel sides.

4. The electrical contact according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising: A first notch (221) in a first side portion (223) of the pin (107a, 107b) corresponding to a first extension range (211) of the rectangular cross-section of the first portion (201), and a second notch (225) opposite to the first notch (221) in a second side portion (227) of the pin (107a, 107b) opposite to the first side portion (223), the first notch (221) and the second notch (225) together forming the narrowed portion (203).

5. The electrical contact according to claim 4, wherein the depth (239) of the first recess (221) and / or the second recess (225) is between 100% and 300%, preferably between 150% and 250%, of the first extension range (211) of the rectangular cross section of the first portion (201).

6. The electric contact according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the edges (231, 233, 235) of the first recess (221) and / or the second recess (225) are rounded, in particular, rounded along an oval or elliptical shape or an arc.

7. An electrical contact according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the depth of the first recess (221) and / or the second recess (225) is between 10% and 40%, preferably between 20% and 30%, of a second extension range (213) of the rectangular cross-section of the first part (201), and the second extension range (213) is preferably orthogonal to the first extension range (211).

8. An electrical contact pin for an electrical contact (103a, 103b) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, the pin (107a, 107b) comprising: A first portion (201) configured to establish electrical contact with a homologous electrical terminal, the first portion (201) being arranged at a first end (207) of the pin (107a, 107b) and having a rectangular cross-section in a plane orthogonal to the elongation direction (200) of the pin (107a, 107b); a second portion (205) configured to connect the pin (107a, 107b) to an electrical conductor, the second portion (205) being arranged at a second end (209) of the pin (107a, 107b) opposite to the first end (207), and a narrowed portion (203) between the first portion (201) and the second portion (205) and suitable for accommodating an O-ring (109a, 109b).

9. A connector housing for a male electrical connector (100), the housing (101) forming a cavity (301), the cavity being configured to accommodate an electrical contact (103a, 103b) according to any one of claims 1 to 7 and having a first face (111), the first face (111) comprising an opening (303) leading to the cavity (301), the opening (303) having a rectangular cross-section configured to receive the pin (107a, 107b), the connector housing (101) comprising a protruding portion (113a, 113b), the protruding portion (113a, 113b) extending along a periphery (117a, 117) of the opening (303) and having a shape configured to cooperate with an O-ring (109a, 109b) accommodated in the narrowed portion (203) of the pin (107a, 107b) to form a sealing seat (309).

10. A male electrical connector, comprising a housing (101) according to claim 9 and an electrical contact (103a, 103b) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, the pins (107a, 107b) being accommodated in the cavity (301) so that the second part (205) is arranged inside the housing (101) and the first part (201) is arranged outside the housing (101), and the O-ring (109a, 109b) is accommodated in the sealing seat (309) of the housing (101) so as to match the shape of the protruding part extending along the periphery (117a, 117b) of the opening (303).

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