Connector device

Abstract

The invention relates to a connector device (10) comprising: a housing (12) with a housing section (14); a connector (20) with a connector section (24) and at least one plug contact (21) designed for plugging onto a mating connector, wherein the connector section (24) is attached to the housing section (12) for securing the connector (20) to the housing (12); and a connector cap (26) which is plugged onto the connector (20) and designed to protect the connector (20) from environmental influences, wherein the plugged-on connector cap (26) covers an area in which the housing section (14) and the connector section (24) contact each other for protection against environmental influences, and the plugged-on connector cap (26) does not cover the at least one plug contact (21), so that the plug contact (21) is freely accessible.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector device, in particular a connector device for protecting the device from environmental influences.

[0002] Connectors typically have one or more contacts for inserting a mating connector. The problem is that these contacts need to be protected from environmental influences. There are numerous examples of this.

[0003] However, it is often insufficient to protect only the plug contacts from environmental influences. This is because connectors are typically attached to housings. The housing-connector interface should also be protected from environmental influences.

[0004] The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a connector device that offers improved protection against environmental influences.

[0005] The problem is solved by a connector device according to claim 1. Further embodiments of the connector device according to the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, a connector device is provided. This connector device is particularly suitable for plug-in systems for power and / or signal transmission in the automotive sector. These systems are frequently exposed to environmental influences, especially when the connectors are subjected to external influences.

[0007] The connector device according to the invention comprises: a housing with a housing section; a connector with a connector section and at least one plug contact designed for plugging onto a mating connector, wherein the connector section is attached to the housing section for fastening the connector to the housing; and a connector cap which is plugged onto the connector and designed to protect the connector at least partially from environmental influences, wherein the plugged-on connector cap covers an area in which the housing section and connector section contact each other for protection against environmental influences, and the plugged-on connector cap does not cover the at least one plug contact, so that the plug contact is freely accessible, e.g. for plugging on a mating connector.

[0008] The present invention is based, at least in part, on the understanding that the interface between the housing section and the connector section—that is, the area where the housing section and connector section make contact—can be affected by environmental influences. In particular, a small gap may be present at this interface and / or develop over the lifespan of the device. Water, for example, can penetrate through this gap, potentially leading to corrosion of the connector and / or adjacent components. The idea of ​​the invention is to cover this interface, which is exposed to environmental influences, by means of a specially designed connector cap in order to protect the interface from these influences. Furthermore, the idea is that the connector cap does not cover or allow access to the plug contacts of the connector.This means that even with the connector cap attached, the contacts can still be plugged into a mating connector. In other words, the connector cap can remain on the connector. Numerous protective caps exist in the prior art to shield connectors from environmental influences. However, these either only protect the contacts themselves or are fitted over the entire connector as assembly / shipping protection and must be removed to mount the mating connector. The present connector device takes a different approach and proposes that the connector cap can remain attached to the connector even during operation, as the contacts are explicitly not covered. This allows the interface to be protected from environmental influences, particularly during operation or while the mating connector is attached.

[0009] Preferably, the housing section has an opening leading into the interior of the housing, the connector has at least one electrical conductor connected to the at least one plug contact, the connector is attached to the housing in such a way that, when the connector is attached to the housing, the electrical conductor is led through the opening into the interior of the housing, and the attached connector cap covers the opening in the housing section.

[0010] Preferably, the connector device further comprises: a plug contact cover, which is a separate component from the connector cap, wherein the plug contact cover is designed to protect the at least one plug contact from environmental influences when plugged in and to expose the at least one plug contact in such a way that it can be plugged into the mating connector when not plugged in. This design is based on the understanding that the plug contacts can be protected separately for assembly and / or delivery purposes. The plug contact cover is removed when the mating connector is plugged in. The connector cap can remain in the plugged-in position, as it does not cover the plug contacts, as described above.

[0011] Preferably, the connector cap is attached or attachable to the housing and / or the connector.

[0012] Preferably, the connector cap can be slid onto the connector.

[0013] Preferably, the connector cap is designed as a single piece or in multiple parts. In the multi-part embodiment, the connector cap can, for example, be made in two parts and be attached or slid onto the connector from both sides. Both parts can then be locked together or otherwise engaged in a manner known to those skilled in the art.

[0014] Preferably, the housing is made of a metallic material and the connector cap is made of plastic. Housings in the automotive sector are typically made of a metallic material. However, the connector cap can be made of plastic, which is more cost-effective and easier to assemble.

[0015] Preferably, the connector cap is further designed to protect any sealant optionally applied to the housing section and connector section from environmental influences or accidental contact. In other words, the area where the housing section and connector section contact may be surrounded by a sealant. In such cases, the attached connector cap is designed to protect the sealant from accidental contact and / or environmental influences, for example, by covering the sealant.

[0016] Further features and functions of the present invention will become apparent to the person skilled in the art by carrying out the teaching presented here and by examining the accompanying drawings. These show: Fig. 1 a photograph of a housing section of a housing to which a connector can be attached, Fig. 2 a photograph of a connector attached to the housing, wherein the area where the housing section and connector section contact represents an interface to be protected against environmental influences, Fig. 3 an embodiment of a connector device according to the invention with a plug-in connector cap for protecting the interface, and a plug contact cover separately plugged onto plug contacts, Fig. 4. A photo showing additional sealant applied to the interface, and Fig. 5A-B a schematic view of a further embodiment of the connector device according to the invention, wherein the connector cap is made in two parts.

[0017] Elements of the same construction or function are provided with the same reference symbols across all figures.

[0018] It should first be on Fig. Reference is made to Figure 1, which shows a photograph of a housing 12 of a connector device 10. The housing 12 serves to mount a connector as described in more detail in connection with Fig. Figure 2 shows that the housing 12 is a metallic housing in this example, but it can be made of any suitable material. The housing 12 has a housing section 14. The housing section 14 is part of a mounting interface between the housing 12 and the connector, as described in more detail in Figure 2. Fig. 2 is explained. In this example, housing section 14 has threaded blind holes 16 for fastening the connector using threaded screws. Other fastening options between housing 12 and the connector are conceivable.

[0019] Housing section 14 also has an opening 18. The opening 18 can project into or lead into the interior of the housing 12. The opening 18 can, in particular, be used as a feedthrough for the electrical conductors of the connector. Other suitable uses are conceivable.

[0020] The housing 12 can be part of a larger housing component and / or a larger device, for example a battery management unit, a high-voltage unit or another component that can be used or utilized in the automotive sector, for example.

[0021] It was now on Fig. Reference is made to Figure 2, which shows a photograph of a connector 20 attached to the housing 12. The connector 20 has several plug contacts 21, which serve to plug in a mating connector, as is familiar to those skilled in the art of connectors.

[0022] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 2, the connector 20 is attached to the housing 12 by means of threaded screws 22. The area where the housing section 14 and a connector section 24 intended for attaching the connector 20 make contact can also be referred to as the interface or mounting interface. This area or interface is exposed to environmental influences. For example, water can penetrate through a gap between sections 14 and 24 and cause corrosion inside the connector 20 and / or the housing 12. This area should therefore be protected against environmental influences.

[0023] It was now on Fig. Reference is made to Figure 3, which shows an embodiment of a connector device 10 according to the invention. The connector device 10 comprises the housing 12 and the connector 20. Furthermore, the connector device 10 has a connector cap 26, which in the present example is a single piece and is plugged onto the connector 20. As can be seen, when the connector cap 26 is plugged in, the area where the housing section and the connector section (not shown, as both are inside the cap 26) make contact is covered by the connector cap 26. The cap 26 thus protects the interface, or the area where the housing section and the connector section make contact, from environmental influences such as water ingress. The cap 26, however, does not cover the plug contacts.

[0024] In this example, the plug contacts are covered by a plug contact cover 28. When in place, the plug contact cover 28 protects the plug contacts from environmental influences. The plug contact cover 28 can be removed, so that the plug contacts are available for mating with a mating connector. The cap 26 does not need to be removed to connect the connector 20 and mating connector. It therefore protects the interface regardless of whether the plug contact cover 28 is in place or removed.

[0025] The connector cover 28 is a separate component from the connector cap 26. In other words, they are two components that are not connected to each other and can be attached to the connector 20 independently. The connector cap 26 preferably remains permanently attached to the connector 20 (to protect the interface), while the connector cover 28, for example, only remains attached during delivery and / or assembly until the mating connector is mounted.

[0026] It was now on Fig. Reference is made to Figure 4, which shows a photograph of the connector device 10 with the connector cap removed. As can be seen, there is a sealant 30 beneath the connector cap 26. The attached connector cap is designed so that, if sealant 30 is used, it is covered to protect the sealant 30 from environmental influences and / or accidental contact.

[0027] Fig. Figures 5A-B show schematic views of another embodiment of the connector device 20. In this embodiment, the connector cap 26 is made in two parts. The two-part connector cap 26 has a first part 32 and a second part 34. Both parts 32, 34 can be plugged or slid onto the connector 20 and can be locked together or otherwise engaged. Fig. In Figure 5A, the two parts 32 and 34 are shown separately. An arrow 36 indicates a possible insertion direction for the second part 34 in this case. Fig. In 5B, both parts 32 and 34 are plugged onto connector 20 and, if necessary, locked together. As can be seen, even when the connector cap 26 is plugged in, the plug contacts 21 are not covered or are freely accessible, e.g., for plugging in the mating connector (not shown).

Claims

[1] comprising a connector device (10): - a housing (12) with a housing section (14), - a connector (20) with a connector section (24) and at least one plug contact (21) designed for plugging onto a mating connector, wherein the connector section (24) is attached to the housing section (12) for fastening the connector (20) to the housing (12), and - a connector cap (26) which is fitted onto the connector (20) and is designed to protect the connector (20) from environmental influences, wherein - the attached connector cap (26) covers an area where housing section (14) and connector section (24) contact, to protect against environmental influences and - the attached connector cap (26) does not cover at least one plug contact (21), so that the plug contact (21) is freely accessible. [2] Connector device (10) according to claim 1, wherein - the housing section (14) has an opening (18) that leads into an interior of the housing (12), - the connector (20) has at least one electrical conductor which is connected to the at least one plug contact (21), - the connector (20) is attached to the housing (12) in such a way that, when the connector (20) is attached, at least one electrical conductor is led through the opening (18) into the interior of the housing, and - the attached connector cap (26) covers the opening (18). [3] Connector device (10) according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: - a plug contact cover (28) which is a component separate from the connector cap (26), wherein the plug contact cover (28) is designed to protect the at least one plug contact (21) from environmental influences when plugged in and to release the at least one plug contact (21) when not plugged in such a way that the at least one plug contact (21) can be plugged onto the mating plug. [4] Connector device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the connector cap (26) is attached or attachable to the housing (12) and / or the connector (20). [5] Connector device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the connector cap (26) can be slid onto the connector (20). [6] Connector device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the connector cap (26) is made in one piece or in multiple pieces. [7] Connector device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing (12) is made of a metallic material and the connector cap (26) is made of a plastic. [8] Connector device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the connector cap (26) is designed to protect a sealing compound (30) additionally applied to the housing section (14) and connector section (24) from environmental influences and / or accidental contact.

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