Connectors, especially push-pull connectors, and the use of a connector

Abstract

Connectors (10), in particular push-pull connectors, for receiving a plug (12) connected to a cable (14) and for connecting to a connector socket, comprising: - a first housing element (16) which is designed to surround the cable (14) and the plug (12) at least section by section along an insertion direction (E) of the connector (10) into the connector socket; - a substantially hollow cylindrical sealing element (22) arranged within the first housing element (16), which is designed to surround the cable (14) at least section by section along the insertion direction (E), wherein a first contact surface (26) of the sealing element (22), which is formed at an end of the sealing element (22) opposite the insertion direction (E), has a first circumferential recess (48); - a locking device (24) connectable to the first housing element (16), which is designed to surround the cable (14) at least section by section along the insertion direction (E) and which can be inserted into the first housing element (16) at least section by section along the insertion direction (E), wherein the locking device (24) has a tapered end lying in the insertion direction (E); and - a stop element (28) arranged within the first housing element (16), which is designed to surround the cable (14) and / or the plug (12) at least section by section along the insertion direction (E), wherein by connecting the locking means (24) to the first housing element (16), the tapered end of the locking means (24) can be inserted into the first circumferential recess (48) such that an outer side (34) of a first sealing section (32) of the sealing element (22) contacts the inside of the first housing element (16) and an inner side (36) of the first sealing section (32) contacts the cable sheath (17) of the cable (14), and wherein by connecting the locking means (24) to the first housing element (16), the stop element (28) acts on a second contacting surface (30) of the sealing element (22) such that an outer side (40) of a second sealing section (38) contacts the inside of the first housing element (16).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a connector, in particular a push-pull connector, and to the use of a connector.

[0002] Connectors are designed to receive a plug attached to a cable and connect to a connector socket. The connector socket has a receptacle that matches the plug, so that by connecting the plug to the socket, the plug and socket can be electrically connected. Push-pull connectors are also known for allowing particularly easy connection and disconnection of the plug to the connector socket.

[0003] To ensure a secure (electrical) connection between the plug and the socket, it is necessary to protect the connector, or the connector connected to the socket, from the ingress of moisture and contaminants. Furthermore, the assembly of a connector should be as simple and quick as possible.

[0004] Furthermore, CN 2 094 128 U relates to an electrical underwater connector. Plug-in cards are each secured by plug-in card frames in a cavity located at the ends of the plug housing and the base housing of the underwater connector. A mating surface is provided with a seal. The mating surface of the plug and socket is pressed together to be connected by a threaded connection. The inner cavity of the other end of the plug housing is fitted, successively from the inside out, with the sealing head of a hermetically sealed cable, a cushioning block, and a compression screw.

[0005] JP 2004-342 415 A relates to a waterproof connector that excellently absorbs the vibrations of a wire. For this purpose, the connector provides a rubber grommet 30 with a through-hole 32 into which a socket terminal 10 and a wire W can be inserted.

[0006] DE 10 2013 205 666 A1 relates to a cable gland for a switch or device housing, comprising a housing stub that can be fixed to a wall section and extends in the direction of a central axis, with a sealing receptacle provided in the housing, a sealing element arranged in the sealing receptacle with a deformable sealing body and with a passage channel passing through the sealing body in the direction of the central axis, which has a larger passage cross-section in a first deformation state of the sealing body than in a second deformation state, and further comprising a pressure element for transferring the sealing body from the first deformation state to the second deformation state.The pressure element is guided axially displaceably on the housing nozzle and the pressure element is fixed in its pressure position, which holds the sealing body in the second deformation state, on the housing nozzle by at least one detent element.

[0007] DE 202 13 312 U1 relates to a connector for connecting an electrical cable, comprising a housing, a pre-assembled RJ45 plug which can be inserted therein together with the cable and a locking device for locking the housing in a receiving device containing an RJ45 coupling, characterized by a split seal which can be placed on the cable from the side, a split pressure ring which can be placed on the cable from the side and a two-part screw connection which can be placed over the cable and which can be screwed into the housing by pressing the pressure ring against the seal and thereby pressing the seal against a stop on the housing side.

[0008] DE 14 90 474 A relates to a protective device for electrical plug connections between plugs and sockets, characterized by a protective cap extending over the plug, preferably bell-shaped, which has a feed-through point adapted to the cross-section of the plug supply cable in a sealing manner and can be fixed to the socket or to a socket housing, in particular to an underfloor box, with a further sealing surface.

[0009] DE 600 15 014 T2 relates to a waterproof connector comprising: a connector housing with a plurality of chambers for each receiving an electrical cable; a rubber mat connector with a plurality of bores belonging to the chambers, wherein the rubber mat connector has a front that is attached to a rear end section of the connector housing; and a connector holder for pressing the rear of the rubber mat connector against the connector housing in order to hold the rubber mat connector thereon.

[0010] WO 2008 / 122 844 A1 relates to an electrical connector comprising: a housing, a grid, a seal, and electrical connection parts. The seal has a recess. The housing or the grid includes a compression feature. The grid includes retention features. The housing includes a first and a second set of retention features for mechanically connecting the grid to the housing. The housing is connected to the grid in a pre-assembled state, in which the compression feature cooperates with the recess to limit lateral displacement of the seal relative to the housing.

[0011] DE 10 2005 036 997 A1 relates to a waterproof connector comprising: a connector housing which is designed with one or more cavities into which one or more corresponding connection fittings, which can be secured to the ends of wires, can be at least partially received, and which has a receiving recess on an arrangement surface of the connector housing.

[0012] US 2011 / 0140364A1 describes a sealing arrangement. The sealing arrangement comprises a plurality of deformable annular seals, each having an annular recess at one end, and which are inserted one after the other, in a relaxed state, coaxially stacked into an annular bore and then axially compressed one after the other, so that an insert body enters the recess in each seal and radially compresses it.

[0013] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a connector which has a good seal and is easy to assemble.

[0014] This problem is solved by the subject matter of the independent claims. Preferred embodiments are defined in the dependent claims.

[0015] One aspect concerns a connector, in particular a push-pull connector, for receiving a plug connected to a cable and for connecting to a connector socket, comprising: - a first housing element designed to surround the cable and the plug at least section by section along one insertion direction of the connector into the connector socket; - a sealing element arranged within the first housing element, which is designed to surround the cable at least partially along the insertion direction; and - a locking device connectable to the first housing element, which is designed to surround the cable at least section by section along the insertion direction and which can be inserted into the first housing element at least section by section along the insertion direction, wherein by connecting the locking device to the first housing element, the locking device acts on a first contact surface of the sealing element in such a way that an outer side of a first sealing section of the sealing element contacts the inside of the first housing element and an inner side of the first sealing section contacts the cable sheath of the cable.

[0016] Advantageously, connecting the locking element to the first housing element allows the sealing element to seal against the cable or cable sheath and simultaneously seals against the first housing element, thus reliably preventing the ingress of moisture and dirt into the connector. Furthermore, the connector socket can have a plug socket which, by connecting the connector to the socket, can be connected to the plug.

[0017] Within the scope of this disclosure, the term "insertion direction" refers to the direction in which the connector is inserted into the connector socket for proper connection. The insertion direction also corresponds to the direction in which the plug is inserted to connect to the connector socket. Furthermore, the insertion direction is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the connector.

[0018] Preferably, the first housing element can be configured to surround a plug of a specific plug type, for example an RJ45, USB, or coaxial plug, at least partially along the insertion direction.

[0019] The first housing element can be designed, in particular, as an inner housing element of the connector, which is surrounded, at least partially, by a second housing element along the insertion direction. The second housing element can be designed as an outer housing element of the connector. Furthermore, the second housing element can be movable relative to the first housing element along the insertion direction.

[0020] Furthermore, the connector can have at least one connector-side locking element with which the connector can be locked to the connector socket to assume a locked state. In the locked state, the at least one connector-side locking element is specifically designed to be locked to a corresponding connector socket-side locking element. Furthermore, the at least one connector-side locking element can be arranged on an outer surface of the first housing element and / or be attachable and / or fixed to the outer surface of the first housing element.Furthermore, the connector can be designed such that, by a relative movement of the second housing element with respect to the first housing element along the insertion direction, at least one connector-side locking element can be locked to the connector socket-side locking element and / or at least one connector-side locking element can be released from the connector socket-side locking element.

[0021] To seal the connector, and in particular to seal the first housing element against the cable, the connector, as described above, has a sealing element arranged within the first housing element. The sealing element can extend at least partially along the insertion direction, with the first sealing section comprising a portion of the sealing element located at an end opposite the insertion direction. The outer side of the first sealing section refers to an outside surface of the sealing element that faces substantially towards the first housing element. Furthermore, the inner side of the first sealing section comprises an inside surface of the first sealing element that faces substantially towards the received cable and / or cable sheath.

[0022] Furthermore, the first housing element can have a first access opening and a second access opening, which are arranged opposite each other and spaced apart. The first and second access openings of the first housing element extend substantially perpendicular to the insertion direction and / or longitudinal axis of the connector. The first and second access openings can also be connected to each other by a wall of the first housing element. The first access opening, the second access opening, and the wall of the first housing element can also form a receiving space in which the first sealing element is arranged. Furthermore, the receiving space can accommodate the cable and the connector connected to the cable, at least partially, along the insertion direction. In other words, the cable and the connector can be arranged, at least partially, within the receiving space.The wall can extend in particular along the insertion direction or partially surround the longitudinal axis of the connector.

[0023] Furthermore, the first housing element can have a substantially hollow cylindrical section whose cylinder axis is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the connector and whose cylinder axis lies, in particular, on the longitudinal axis of the connector. Furthermore, the sealing element can be arranged in the hollow cylindrical section.

[0024] By connecting the locking element to the first housing element, the locking element can be moved relative to the first housing element in the insertion direction. In particular, the locking element can be screwed to the first housing element and / or screwed into the first housing element in the insertion direction. Specifically, by screwing and / or turning the locking element into the first housing element, the force acting on the first contact surface of the sealing element can be increased, thereby ensuring a particularly good seal between the outer side of the first sealing section and the first housing element, and a particularly good seal between the inner side of the first sealing section and the cable and / or cable sheath.

[0025] Preferably, the connector can have a further sealing element designed to seal the first housing element against the connector socket when connected. In particular, the further sealing element can be arranged on an outer surface of the first housing element and surround the outer surface at least partially along the insertion direction. When the connector and connector socket are connected, the further sealing element thus enables the first housing element to be sealed against the connector socket. Preferably, the further sealing element has at least one sealing lip surrounding the first housing element, which seals the first housing element against the connector socket when the connector and connector socket are connected. Preferably, the further sealing element has at least two, and particularly preferably three, sealing lips.Furthermore, the additional sealing element can be arranged at an end of the first housing element that lies in the insertion direction.

[0026] The sealing element and / or the further sealing element may preferably be made of an elastic material such as rubber and / or caoutchouc to ensure the highest possible deformability and / or adaptability to the first housing element, the cable, the cable sheath and / or the connector socket, thereby advantageously influencing the sealing effect.

[0027] The connector has a stop element arranged within the first housing element, which is designed to surround the cable and / or the plug at least section by section along the insertion direction, wherein by connecting the locking means to the first housing element, the stop element acts on a second contacting surface of the sealing element such that an outer side of a second sealing section contacts the inside of the first housing element, and wherein preferably an inner side of the second sealing section contacts or does not contact the cable sheath.

[0028] Advantageously, the provision of the stop element allows the sealing element to move towards the stop element when the locking device is connected to the first housing element, and in particular, to be compressed between the locking device and the stop element. Specifically, the locking device, the sealing element, and the stop element can be arranged sequentially within the first housing element in this order, in the insertion direction. The second sealing section of the sealing element can be located at an end of the sealing element that is in the insertion direction. Furthermore, the outer side of the second sealing section corresponds to the outside of the sealing element, and the inner side of the second sealing section corresponds to the inside of the sealing element.

[0029] When using the connector, it is possible to use a stripped cable in the area of ​​the stop element, meaning that the cable jacket is removed in this area, thus preventing the inner side of the second sealing section from contacting the cable or the cable jacket. By using this configuration, it is advantageous to increase the exposed cable jacket area, thereby exposing as much of the cable shielding as possible and facilitating a better connection between the shielding and the connector. Furthermore, the first sealing section and the outer side of the second sealing section provide a sufficient seal for the connector.

[0030] Preferably, the connector can be designed to prevent the stop element from shifting beyond a certain position within the first housing element in the insertion direction. Advantageously, this prevents the stop element from shifting in the insertion direction when the sealing element is pressed against it by the locking element. The sealing element can therefore be particularly well compressed between the stop element and the locking element to ensure a good seal for the connector. In particular, the first housing element can taper internally to prevent the stop element from shifting in the insertion direction. For example, the first housing element can have an internal shoulder or projection against which the stop element rests, preventing it from shifting in the insertion direction.

[0031] Preferably, by inserting the locking device into the first housing element, the sealing element between the stop element and the locking device can be compressed. This advantageously increases the sealing effect.

[0032] Preferably, the sealing element can be designed to be essentially rotationally symmetrical. Furthermore, the axis of rotation of the sealing element can essentially correspond to the longitudinal axis of the sealing element or the longitudinal axis of the first housing element. The rotationally symmetrical design offers the advantage that the orientation of the sealing element does not need to be considered during the assembly of the connector. This prevents incorrect insertion of the sealing element into the first housing element, which could cause a leak in the connector.

[0033] Preferably, the outer and inner surfaces of the sealing element can be arranged substantially opposite each other, and the inner surface is preferably longer than the outer surface. Furthermore, the outer surface of the sealing element can face the inner surface of the first housing element, and the inner surface of the sealing element can face the longitudinal axis of the connector. Additionally, the outer surface and the inner surface of the sealing element can be substantially parallel to each other.

[0034] Preferably, the sealing element can be substantially hollow-cylindrical, wherein the first contact surface faces substantially opposite to the insertion direction and / or wherein the second contact surface faces substantially in the insertion direction. The first contact surface can also be considered the first end face of the sealing element, which faces substantially opposite to the insertion direction. Furthermore, the second contact surface can be considered the second end face of the sealing element, which faces substantially in the insertion direction.

[0035] Preferably, the first contact surface can have a first circumferential recess, and the locking element can have a tapered end facing the insertion direction, which can be inserted into the first circumferential recess by connecting the locking element to the first housing element. Advantageously, the circumferential recess allows the locking element to be pressed into the recess when it is connected to the first housing element, thus ensuring that the outer and inner sides of the first sealing section are pressed particularly well against the inside of the first housing element and the cable, respectively.

[0036] In particular, the circumferential recess can extend into the sealing element in the insertion direction and be formed as a channel and / or groove on the first contact surface. The circumferential recess of the first contact surface can further comprise an outer contact section which is inclined relative to the longitudinal axis of the connector, with the outer contact section pointing in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the connector. Furthermore, the outer contact section can transition into an inner contact section of the first contact surface, with the inner contact section being inclined relative to the longitudinal axis of the connector and pointing away from the longitudinal axis. Accordingly, the groove-shaped recess can be formed as a substantially circumferential wedge-shaped cutout in the first contact surface.Furthermore, the outside of the sealing element and the inside of the sealing element can be connected to each other by the first contact surface and, in particular, by the outer and inner contact sections.

[0037] Furthermore, the locking element can be essentially hollow-cylindrical, with the end facing the insertion direction being frustoconical. This advantageously allows the frustoconical end of the locking element to press into the recess when it is connected to the first housing element, ensuring that the outer side and the inner side are pressed particularly firmly against the first housing element or the cable sheath, respectively, in the area of ​​the first sealing section.

[0038] Furthermore, the locking element, due to its frustoconical and hollow cylindrical design, can have a wall that tapers at the insertion end. In other words, the wall thickness decreases along the insertion direction at the insertion end. The wall can also have an outer circumferential section at the insertion end, inclined relative to and pointing away from the longitudinal axis of the connector. This outer section points essentially in the insertion direction. Alternatively, the wall can have an inner circumferential section at the insertion end, inclined relative to and pointing along the longitudinal axis. This inner section also points essentially in the insertion direction.The outer wall section and the inner wall section can be arranged opposite each other.

[0039] Advantageously, when the locking device is connected to the first housing element, the outer wall section of the locking device contacts and acts upon the outer contact section of the sealing element, pressing the outer side of the first sealing section against the first housing element. Furthermore, the inner wall section of the locking device presses against the inner contact section, pressing the inner side of the first sealing section against the cable or cable sheath.

[0040] Advantageously, the inclination of the outer wall section relative to the longitudinal axis of the connector can be greater than or equal to, or preferably greater than, the inclination of the outer contact section relative to the longitudinal axis of the connector. This allows the outer side of the first sealing section to be pressed more firmly against the first housing element.

[0041] Advantageously, the inclination of the inner wall section relative to the longitudinal axis of the connector can be greater than or equal to, or preferably greater than, the inclination of the inner contact section relative to the longitudinal axis of the connector. This allows the inner side of the first sealing section to be pressed more firmly against the cable or cable sheath.

[0042] Advantageously, the wall of the locking element is blunt at the end facing the insertion direction to prevent damage to the sealing element. In particular, the locking element can have an end wall section at the end facing the insertion direction that extends essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the connector or perpendicular to the insertion direction. Furthermore, the end wall section connects the outer wall section to the inner wall section.

[0043] Preferably, the second contact surface can have a second circumferential recess, and the stop element can have a tapered end facing away from the insertion direction, which can be inserted into the second circumferential recess by connecting the locking element to the first housing element. Advantageously, the second circumferential recess allows the stop element to be pressed into the second recess when the locking element is connected to the first housing element, thus enabling the outer side of the second sealing section to be pressed against the first housing element. Furthermore, the inner side of the second sealing section can be pressed particularly well against the cable or cable sheath.

[0044] In particular, the second circumferential recess can extend into the sealing element opposite the insertion direction and be channel-like and / or groove-shaped on the second contact surface. The circumferential recess of the second contact surface can further comprise an outer contact section that is inclined relative to the longitudinal axis of the connector, with the outer contact section pointing substantially in the direction of the connector's longitudinal axis. Furthermore, the outer contact section can transition into an inner contact section of the second contact surface, with the inner contact section being inclined relative to and pointing away from the longitudinal axis. Accordingly, the groove-shaped recess can be designed as a substantially circumferential wedge-shaped cutout in the second contact surface.Furthermore, the outside of the sealing element and the inside of the sealing element can be connected to each other by the second contact surface and in particular by the outer and inner contact sections.

[0045] Furthermore, the stop element can have a substantially hollow cylindrical section that extends, at least partially, along the longitudinal axis of the connector or along the insertion direction. The hollow cylindrical section can also form the tapered end of the stop element. In other words, the wall thickness of the stop element decreases at the end opposite the insertion direction. In particular, the tapered end can be rounded on the outside and have a rounded outer wall section. Furthermore, the wall of the stop element can have an inner circumferential wall section at the end opposite the insertion direction, which is inclined relative to the longitudinal axis and points in the direction of the longitudinal axis. This inner wall section also points substantially opposite to the insertion direction.

[0046] Advantageously, when the locking device is connected to the first housing element, the rounded outer wall section of the stop element contacts and acts upon the outer contact section of the sealing element, thus pressing the outer side of the second sealing section against the first housing element. Furthermore, the inner wall section of the stop element can press against the inner contact section, pressing the inner side of the second sealing section against the cable or cable sheath.

[0047] Advantageously, the inclination of the inner wall section relative to the longitudinal axis of the connector can be greater than or equal to, or preferably greater than, the inclination of the inner contact section relative to the longitudinal axis of the connector. This allows the inner side of the second sealing section to be pressed more firmly against the first housing element.

[0048] Advantageously, the wall of the stop element is blunt at the end opposite the insertion direction to prevent damage to the sealing element. In particular, the stop element can have an end wall section at the end opposite the insertion direction that extends essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the connector or perpendicular to the insertion direction. Furthermore, the end wall section connects the rounded outer wall section with the inner wall section of the stop element.

[0049] Preferably, the locking device is designed such that the locking device and / or the stop element do not contact the cable and / or the cable sheath. In particular, the locking device and the stop element, especially the hollow cylindrical section of the stop element, can each have an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the cable, so that the cable can be spaced apart from the stop element, especially the hollow cylindrical section of the stop element, and from the locking device. This advantageously simplifies the assembly of the connector, as the cable can be inserted more easily into the stop element and the locking device.

[0050] Preferably, the stop element can be designed to distance the connector from the sealing element. In particular, the stop element can have a spacer section that extends from the hollow cylindrical section of the stop element in the insertion direction. The spacer section allows the distance along the insertion direction between the connector and the sealing element to be increased, thus providing more installation space to, for example, accommodate the connection between the cable shielding and the connector shielding.

[0051] Preferably, the connector can be designed such that the plug connected to the cable is replaceable. In particular, the first housing element can be designed to allow the plug connected to the cable to be replaced. The first housing element can, in particular, be designed to accommodate the plug, at least partially. The replaceability of the plug ensures the reusability of the connector.

[0052] Another aspect concerns the use of a previously described connector, in particular a push-pull connector, featuring: - Receiving a plug connected to a cable in the first housing element; - Inserting the sealing element into the first housing element; and - Connecting the locking device to the first housing element.

[0053] Furthermore, the application may provide that, before inserting the sealing element, a stop element as described above is inserted into the first housing element.

[0054] Within the scope of the present disclosure, the longitudinal axis of the connector, the longitudinal axis of the first housing element and the axis of rotation of the sealing element are aligned. Character description

[0055] A preferred embodiment of the invention is explained below by way of example with reference to the accompanying figures. These show: Fig. Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a connector. Fig. Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the connector along the longitudinal axis of the connector. Fig. Figure 3 shows a detailed cross-sectional view of the connector along the longitudinal axis of the connector.

[0056] Fig. 1 and Fig. Figure 2 shows a connector 10, which at least partially surrounds a plug 12 arranged in the connector 10 and at least partially surrounds a cable 14 connected to the plug 12. The connector 10 is designed to be locked with a connector socket (not shown). To lock the plug connector 10 to the connector socket, the connector 10 is moved or pushed onto the connector socket in the direction of an insertion direction E. The insertion direction E is essentially parallel to a longitudinal axis L of the connector 10. Furthermore, the longitudinal axis L of the connector lies on the longitudinal axis of the cable received in the connector 10. The connector 10 also has a first housing element 16, which is arranged inside the connector 10. The first housing element 16 surrounds the plug 12 and the cable 14 at least partially along the insertion direction E.A second housing element 18 of the connector 10, which is arranged externally and surrounds the first housing element 18 at least partially along the insertion direction E, is movably arranged along the insertion direction E with respect to the first housing element 16. For locking the connector 10 to the connector socket, the connector 10 has at least one connector-side locking element 20, which is designed to be locked with a corresponding connector socket-side locking element (not shown). Furthermore, the at least one connector-side locking element 20 is arranged at least partially between the first housing element 16 and the second housing element 18.By moving the second housing element 18 relative to the first housing element 16 in the opposite direction to the insertion direction, the locking mechanism of the at least one connector-side locking element 20 and the connector socket-side locking element can be released. As shown in the... Fig. 1 and Fig. As shown in Figure 2, the connector 10 preferably has exactly two connector-side locking elements 20, which can be attached and / or fastened to the first housing element 16 opposite each other with respect to the longitudinal axis L.

[0057] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 2, the connector 10 has a sealing element 22 for sealing the connector 10. This sealing element 22 is arranged within the first housing element 16 and surrounds the cable 14 at least partially along the insertion direction E. The sealing element 22 is essentially hollow and cylindrical and can be rotationally symmetrical, particularly with respect to the longitudinal axis L of the connector 10. In other words, the axis of rotation of the sealing element lies on the longitudinal axis L of the connector 10 or on the longitudinal axis of the first housing element 15.

[0058] Furthermore, the connector 10 has a locking element 24 which can be connected to the first housing element 16. In particular, it can be provided that the locking element 24 can be screwed into the first housing element in the insertion direction E. When the locking element 24 is connected to the first housing element 16, the locking element 24 moves relative to the first housing element in the insertion direction E, whereby the locking element 24 acts on a first contact surface 26 of the sealing element 22 in order to seal the sealing element 22 against the first housing element 16 and the cable 14 or against the cable sheath 17 of the cable 14.

[0059] The first contact surface 26 is formed at an end of the sealing element 22 that lies opposite to the insertion direction E and points essentially opposite to the insertion direction E. The locking element 24 is further configured to surround the cable 14 at least section by section along the insertion direction E and is essentially hollow cylindrical.

[0060] Furthermore, the connector 10 has a stop element 28 arranged in the first housing element 16, which is positioned in front of the sealing element 22 in the insertion direction E. The stop element 28 is designed to surround the cable 14 at least partially along the insertion direction E. By connecting the locking element 24 to the first housing element 16, the sealing element 22 is squeezed between the stop element 28 and the locking element 24. In particular, by connecting the locking element 24 to the first housing element 16, the stop element is pressed onto a second contact surface 30 of the sealing element 22, the second contact surface 30 being oriented substantially in the insertion direction E.

[0061] By connecting the locking element 24 to the first housing element 16, the locking element 24 can act on the first contact surface 26 such that an outer side 34 of a first sealing section 32 of the sealing element 22 is pressed and / or pushed against the inner side of the first housing element 16. Furthermore, an inner side 36 of the first sealing section 32 is pressed and / or pushed against the cable 14 or the cable sheath of the cable 14. The first sealing section 32 is a section of the sealing element 22 that extends, at least partially, from the end of the sealing element 22 opposite the insertion direction E in the direction of insertion E. The first sealing section 32 surrounds the cable 14, at least partially, along the insertion direction E.

[0062] Furthermore, by connecting the locking element 24 to the first housing element 16, the stop element 28 can act on the second contact surface 30 such that an outer side 40 of a second sealing section 37 of the sealing element 22 is pressed and / or pushed against the inner side of the first housing element 16. Furthermore, an inner side 42 of the second sealing section 38 can be pressed and / or pushed against the cable 14 or the cable sheath of the cable 14. The second sealing section 38 is a section of the sealing element 22 which extends from the end of the sealing element 22 located in the insertion direction E, at least partially, in the opposite direction of insertion E. The second sealing section 38 surrounds the cable 14, at least partially, along the insertion direction E.

[0063] The sealing element 22 and the locking means 24 are arranged, in particular, in a substantially hollow cylindrical section 44 of the first housing element 16, which surrounds the cable 14 at least partially along the insertion direction E. The stop element 28 can be arranged at least partially in the hollow cylindrical section 44 of the first housing element 16. The first housing element 16 can furthermore have a shoulder and / or a constriction 46, which is arranged on the inside of the first housing element 16 and / or within the first housing element 16 and against which the stop element 28 rests to prevent displacement of the stop element 28 in the insertion direction E.

[0064] A detailed description of the first housing element 16, the sealing element 22, the securing device 24 and the stop element 28 is given below with reference to the Fig. 3. Fig.Figure 3 shows a state in which the sealing element 22 does not contact the stop element 28 and the locking element 24. The first contact surface 26 of the sealing element 22 has a first circumferential recess 48, which extends into the sealing element 22 in the insertion direction E, such that the first recess 48 is trough-shaped and / or channel-like on the first contact surface 26. The first recess 48 also has an outer contact section 50, which is inclined relative to the longitudinal axis L of the connector 10 (shown by the dashed line) and points in the direction of the longitudinal axis L of the connector. Furthermore, the outer contact section 50 transitions into an inner contact section 52, the inner contact section 52 being inclined relative to the longitudinal axis L and pointing away from the longitudinal axis L.Furthermore, the outer contact section 50 and the inner contact section 52 connect the outside and the inside of the sealing element.

[0065] Furthermore, the end of the locking element 24 located in the insertion direction E tapers so that it can be inserted into the first circumferential recess 48 by connecting the locking element 24 to the first housing element 16. In particular, the end of the locking element 24 located in the insertion direction E is frustoconical in order to engage in the first recess 48 when the locking element 24 is connected to the first housing element 16 and to spread the sealing element 22. Thus, it is advantageously possible for the locking element 24 to press and / or compress its outer side 34 in the area of ​​the first sealing section 32 and its inner side 36 in the area of ​​the first sealing section 32 particularly well against the inside of the first housing element 16 or against the cable sheath of the cable 14.

[0066] Furthermore, the locking element 24, due to its frustoconical and hollow cylindrical shape, has a wall 54 which tapers at an end located in the insertion direction E. In other words, the wall thickness of the wall 54 decreases at the end located in the insertion direction E. The wall 54 also has an outer circumferential wall section 56 at the end located in the insertion direction E, which is inclined relative to and points away from the longitudinal axis L. Furthermore, the outer wall section 56 extends substantially in the direction of insertion E. Finally, the wall 54 has an inner circumferential wall section 58 at the end located in the insertion direction E, which is inclined relative to and points in the direction of the longitudinal axis L. Furthermore, the inner wall section 58 extends substantially in the direction of insertion E.The outer wall section 56 and the inner wall section 58 can be arranged opposite each other.

[0067] Advantageously, when the locking element 24 is connected to the first housing element 16, the outer wall section 56 of the locking element 24 contacts and acts upon the outer contact section 50 of the sealing element 22, so that the outer side 34 of the first sealing section 32 is pressed against the first housing element 16. Furthermore, the inner wall section 58 of the locking element 24 presses against the inner contact section 52, so that the inner side 36 of the first sealing section 32 is pressed against the cable 14 or the cable sheath.

[0068] Advantageously, the inclination of the outer wall section 56 relative to the longitudinal axis L of the connector 10 can be greater than or equal to, or preferably greater than, the inclination of the outer contact section 50 relative to the longitudinal axis L of the connector 10. Accordingly, the outer side 34 of the first sealing section 32 can be pressed more firmly against the first housing element 16.

[0069] Advantageously, the inclination of the inner wall section 58 relative to the longitudinal axis L of the connector 10 can be greater than or equal to, or preferably greater than, the inclination of the inner contacting section 52 relative to the longitudinal axis L of the connector 10. Accordingly, the inner side 36 of the first sealing section 32 can be pressed more effectively against the cable 14 or the cable sheath 17.

[0070] Advantageously, the wall 54 of the locking element 24 is blunted at the end facing the insertion direction E to prevent damage to the sealing element 22. In particular, the wall 54 of the locking element 24 has an end wall section 60 at the end facing the insertion direction E, which extends substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L of the connector or perpendicular to the insertion direction E. Furthermore, the end wall section 60 connects the outer wall section 56 with the inner wall section 58.

[0071] Like the first contact surface 26, the second contact surface 30 of the sealing element 22 has a second circumferential recess 62, which extends into the sealing element 22 in the opposite direction to the insertion direction E. The second recess 62 is, in particular, trough-shaped and / or channel-shaped on the second contact surface 30. The second recess 62 also has an outer contact section 64, which is inclined relative to the longitudinal axis L of the connector 10, the outer contact section 64 pointing substantially in the direction of the longitudinal axis L of the connector 10. Furthermore, the outer contact section 64 can transition into an inner contact section 66 of the second contact surface 30, the inner contact section 64 being inclined relative to the longitudinal axis L and pointing away from the longitudinal axis L.Furthermore, the outside of the sealing element 22 and the inside of the sealing element 22 are connected to each other by the second contacting surface 30 and in particular by the outer contacting section 64 and the inner contacting section 66.

[0072] The stop element 28 has a tapered end facing away from the insertion direction E, which can be inserted into the second recess 62 by connecting the locking element 24 to the first housing element 16. Advantageously, the second recess 62 allows the stop element 28 to be pressed into the second recess 62 when the locking element 24 is connected to the first housing element 16, thus enabling the outer side 40 of the second sealing section 38 to be pressed against the first housing element 16. Furthermore, the inner side 42 of the second sealing section 38 can be pressed particularly well against the cable 14 or the cable sheath 17.

[0073] Furthermore, the stop element 28 has a substantially hollow cylindrical section 68, which extends at least partially along the longitudinal axis L of the connector 10 and / or along the insertion direction E. The hollow cylindrical section 68 also has the tapered end of the stop element 28. In other words, the wall thickness of the wall 70 of the stop element 28 decreases at the end opposite the insertion direction E. In particular, the tapered end of the stop element 28 has a rounded outer wall section 72. Furthermore, the wall 70 of the stop element 28 has an inner circumferential wall section 74 at the end opposite the insertion direction E, which is inclined relative to the longitudinal axis L of the connector 10 and points substantially in the direction of the longitudinal axis L.Furthermore, the inner wall section 74 essentially opposes the insertion direction E.

[0074] Advantageously, when the locking element 24 is connected to the first housing element 16, the rounded outer wall section 72 of the stop element 28 contacts and acts upon the outer contact section 64 of the sealing element, so that the outer side 40 of the second sealing section 38 is pressed against the first housing element 16. Furthermore, the inner wall section 74 of the stop element 28 can press against the inner contact section 66, so that the inner side 42 of the second sealing section 38 is pressed against the cable 14 or the cable sheath.

[0075] Advantageously, the inclination of the inner wall section 74 relative to the longitudinal axis L of the connector 10 can be greater than or equal to, or preferably greater than, the inclination of the inner contacting section 66 relative to the longitudinal axis L of the connector 10. Accordingly, the inner side 42 of the second sealing section 38 can be pressed more firmly against the first housing element 16.

[0076] Advantageously, the wall 70 of the stop element 28 is blunt at the end opposite the insertion direction E to prevent damage to the sealing element 22. In particular, the stop element 28 has an end wall section 76 at the end opposite the insertion direction E, which extends essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L of the connector 10 or perpendicular to the insertion direction E. Furthermore, the end wall section 76 connects the rounded outer wall section 72 with the inner wall section 74 of the stop element 28.

[0077] Furthermore, the stop element 28 and the securing device 24 have an inner diameter that is larger than the outer diameter of the cable 14, so that the cable 14 and / or the cable sheath 17 can be spaced apart from the stop element 28, in particular from the hollow cylindrical section 68 of the stop element 28, and from the securing device 24.

[0078] Furthermore, the stop element 28 has a spacer section 78 which extends from the hollow cylindrical section 68 of the stop element 28 in the insertion direction E. The spacer section 78 allows the distance along the insertion direction E between the plug 12 and the sealing element 22 to be increased.

[0079] Furthermore, the connector 10 has an additional sealing element 80, which is designed to seal the first housing element 16 against the connector socket when the connector 10 and the connector socket are connected. In particular, the additional sealing element 80 is arranged on an outer surface of the first housing element 16. The additional sealing element 80 has three sealing lips, which are arranged circumferentially on the outer surface of the first housing element 16.

[0080] The sealing element 22 and / or the further sealing element 80 may preferably be made of an elastic material such as rubber and / or latex to ensure the highest possible deformability and / or adaptability to the first housing element 16, the cable 15, the cable sheath 17 and / or the connector socket, thereby advantageously influencing the sealing effect. Reference symbol list 10 connectors 12 plugs 14 cables 16 first housing element 17 Cable sheath 18 second housing element 20 connector-side locking element 22 Sealing element 24 safety devices 26 first contact surface 28 Stop element 30 second contact surface 32 first sealing section 34 outer side first sealing section 36 inner side first sealing section 38 second sealing section 40 outer side second sealing section 42 inner side second sealing section 44 hollow cylindrical section first housing element 46 Paragraph / Narrowing 48 first in-depth study 50 external contact section first recess 52 internal contact section first recess 54 Wall securing devices 56 external wall section 58 interior wall section 60 End wall section 62 second in-depth study 64 external contact section second recess 66 internal contact section second recess 68 hollow cylindrical section stop element 70 Wall stop element 72 external wall section stop element 74 internal wall section stop element 76 End wall section Stop element 78 Distance section Stop element 80 additional sealing elements E Insertion direction L Longitudinal axis

Claims

[1] Connectors (10), in particular push-pull connectors, for receiving a plug (12) connected to a cable (14) and for connecting to a connector socket, comprising: - a first housing element (16) which is designed to surround the cable (14) and the plug (12) at least section by section along an insertion direction (E) of the connector (10) into the connector socket; - a substantially hollow cylindrical sealing element (22) arranged within the first housing element (16), which is designed to surround the cable (14) at least section by section along the insertion direction (E), wherein a first contact surface (26) of the sealing element (22), which is formed at an end of the sealing element (22) opposite the insertion direction (E), has a first circumferential recess (48); - a locking device (24) connectable to the first housing element (16), which is designed to surround the cable (14) at least section by section along the insertion direction (E) and which can be inserted into the first housing element (16) at least section by section along the insertion direction (E), wherein the locking device (24) has a tapered end lying in the insertion direction (E); and - a stop element (28) arranged within the first housing element (16), which is designed to surround the cable (14) and / or the plug (12) at least section by section along the insertion direction (E), wherein by connecting the locking means (24) to the first housing element (16), the tapered end of the locking means (24) can be inserted into the first circumferential recess (48) such that an outer side (34) of a first sealing section (32) of the sealing element (22) contacts the inside of the first housing element (16) and an inner side (36) of the first sealing section (32) contacts the cable sheath (17) of the cable (14), and wherein by connecting the locking means (24) to the first housing element (16), the stop element (28) acts on a second contacting surface (30) of the sealing element (22) such that an outer side (40) of a second sealing section (38) contacts the inside of the first housing element (16). [2] Connector (10) according to claim 1, wherein an inner side (42) of the second sealing section (38) contacts or does not contact the cable sheath (17). [3] Connector (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein by inserting the locking means (24) into the first housing element (16), the sealing element (22) can be squeezed between the stop element (28) and the locking means (24). [4] Connector (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sealing element (22) is rotationally symmetric. [5] Connector (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the outside and the inside of the sealing element (22) are arranged substantially opposite each other, and wherein preferably the inside is longer than the outside. [6] Connector (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first contact surface (26) is substantially opposite to the insertion direction (E) and / or wherein the second contact surface (30) is substantially in the insertion direction (E). [7] Connector (10) according to one of claims 2-6, wherein the second contact surface (30) has a second circumferential recess (62) and the stop element (28) has a tapered end opposite to the insertion direction (E), which acts on the second contact surface (30) by connecting the locking means (24) to the first housing element (16). [8] Connector (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the locking means (24) and / or the stop element (28) does not contact the cable (14) and / or the cable sheath (17). [9] Connector (10) according to one of claims 2-8, wherein the connector (10) is configured to prevent the stop element (28) from shifting within the first housing element (16) in the insertion direction (E) beyond an arrangement position. [10] Connector (10) according to one of claims 2-9, wherein the stop element (18) is designed to space the plug (12) away from the sealing element (22). [11] Connector (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the plug (12) connected to the cable (14) is replaceable. [12] Connector (10) according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a further sealing element (80) for sealing the first housing element (16) against the connector socket. [13] Using a connector (10) according to any one of claims 1-12, comprising: - Receiving a plug (12) connected to a cable (14) into the first housing element (16); - Inserting the sealing element (22) into the first housing element (16); and - Connecting the locking device (24) to the first housing element (16).

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