Electrical vehicle connector with multiple fastening of an electrical contact in a connector housing, electrical connector device, and method
The electrical connector design with a plastic housing and dual retention system addresses the challenge of precise and stable contact positioning, ensuring reliable connection and efficient assembly by combining axial locking and anchoring compounds.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- DE · DE
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- VOLKSWAGEN AG
- Filing Date
- 2025-02-12
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-03
AI Technical Summary
Existing electrical connectors in vehicles face challenges in precisely positioning and mechanically stabilizing electrical contacts within plastic housings, particularly for small contacts with thin profiles, due to issues like deformation during injection molding and insufficient holding forces, leading to slippage and unreliable connections.
An electrical connector design featuring a plastic housing with a contact channel that uses a combination of axial locking via a first channel section and an anchoring compound to secure electrical contacts, ensuring precise positioning and high holding forces, allowing for both fast and automated production.
The solution provides a mechanically stable and precise arrangement of electrical contacts within the connector, preventing displacement during insertion into an electronic module, while enabling space-efficient design and reducing the need for complex injection molding processes.
Smart Images

Figure 00000000_0000_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] One aspect of the invention relates to an electrical connector with a plastic housing. At least one electrical contact is arranged in the plastic housing. Another aspect of the invention relates to an electrical connector device with an electrical connector and a separate electronic module. A further aspect relates to a method.
[0002] Vehicles have a variety of electrical interfaces, including electrical connectors. These typically consist of an electrical plug that is connected to a separate electronic module, thus creating a mechanical link. This electrical connector enables the transmission of electrical signals.
[0003] Electrical connector devices are used both in the area of a vehicle's on-board electrical system and, for example, in electric vehicles for the electric drive unit or the electric drive system.
[0004] DE 10 2022 207 996 A1 relates to a connector element for contacting electronic assemblies, in particular printed circuit boards, with a connector body in which several press-fit pins are arranged, each of which is individually guided in a pin guide channel of the connector body and held in a frictionally locking manner in a retaining section of the pin guide channel, wherein the pin guide channel has a guide section on the side facing a press-fit section of the press-fit pins, in the area of which the press-fit pin has a compensation section, wherein a gap is formed at least partially between the compensation section and the guide section.
[0005] DE 10 2023 115 504 A1 discloses a plug-in contact pin for connecting electrical contact holes of at least two printed circuit boards of a printed circuit board unit, a printed circuit board unit, an electronic device, an intermediate body and a method for assembling a printed circuit board unit.
[0006] Possible methods for securing an electrical contact within the housing of an electrical connector include, for example, fixing a portion of the electrical contact within the plastic component by overmolding it with plastic. Depending on the number and size of the required terminals of these electrical contacts, they can be damaged or deformed due to the high injection pressures during injection molding. Therefore, achieving the necessary precise tolerances for the positions and orientations is not entirely feasible. This is particularly problematic with small electrical contacts, especially those with a relatively thin profile, particularly less than 0.6 mm.
[0007] It is possible to pre-inject the electrical contacts at lower injection pressures using an auxiliary component before assembly. However, this requires an additional injection mold. Furthermore, such a separate process introduces the possibility of additional tolerance influences, which also negatively impacts the position and orientation of the electrical contacts themselves, as well as their connection to the electronic module.
[0008] Furthermore, insertion, or so-called stitching, and force transfer via shoulders of the electrical contacts into the crimping tool are possible. Since inserting the electrical contacts into the plastic with the required barb geometry can also lead to plastic deformation of the plastic, the holding force of the pins or electrical contacts in the plastic is very limited and often insufficient to reliably withstand the insertion forces when crimping an electrical contact into an electronic module. This leads to unwanted slippage of the electrical contacts within the component, i.e., within the housing of the electrical connector, during the crimping process into the electronic module. Consequently, reliable, tight contact of the electrical contacts in the target area of the electronic module, especially in a target area of a printed circuit board, cannot be reliably achieved.Inserting the contact all the way in, against the direction of the subsequent force application, is disadvantageous for longer electrical contacts, as the entire length of the contact must be inserted through the plastic of the housing during assembly. Inserting the contact in a stitching manner and transferring the force via shoulders requires that the contact shoulders be designed with a sufficiently high surface pressure to reliably dissipate the forces without damaging the component. This, however, requires a sufficiently large installation space for the shoulders to be designed accordingly. With a correspondingly high number of required electrical contacts, this is not possible with a space-efficient design, and thus space reduction is very limited.
[0009] Therefore, the described disadvantage is particularly relevant in situations where the electrical contacts are to be inserted and connected into target zones of the electronic module by means of a press fitting, and where the aforementioned fastenings of the electrical contacts take place in the housing of the electrical connector.
[0010] The object of the present invention is to provide an electrical connector for a vehicle and an electrical connector device for a vehicle in which an electrical contact can be arranged precisely and in a mechanically stable manner in the plastic housing of the electrical connector, and in particular this precision of position and orientation is maintained when connecting the electrical connector to the electronic module.
[0011] This problem is solved by an electrical plug, an electrical plug device and a method according to the independent claims.
[0012] One aspect of the invention relates to an electrical connector for a vehicle. The electrical connector can also be referred to as an electrical vehicle connector. The electrical connector has a housing which is at least partially made of plastic. The housing is hereinafter referred to as the plastic housing. The housing is thus at least partially made of plastic. It is made of at least 50 percent, in particular at least 60 percent, in particular at least 70 percent, in particular at least 80 percent, in particular at least 90 percent, and in particular at least 100 percent plastic. It can, for example, be made partially of plastic and metal. The plastic housing has at least one contact channel. The contact channel is thus designed to receive an electrical contact of the electrical connector. The electrical connector also has at least one pin-like electrical contact.This extends partially within the contact channel. The electrical contact has a tip, which is a press-fit tip. This tip is designed for connection to a separate electronic module (the electrical connector) using a press-fit technique. Therefore, the electrical contact is a press-fit contact. It is thus formed at one end of its pin-like shape with this press-fit tip. This tip can, and indeed should, only be positioned and permanently held in place by pressing it into a target area of the electronic module.
[0013] The electrical contact is axially locked into a first channel section of the contact channel with a first contact section that differs from the insertion tip. This forms a first retaining connection, at least axially, between the electrical contact and the first channel section. The electrical contact is immersed with a further contact section in an anchoring compound located within the plastic housing, and is thus axially locked in place as a second retaining connection. The anchoring compound can also be referred to as a retaining compound.
[0014] This pressing-in process, which locks the connection axially, can also be called stitching. It differs from pressing in or a press-fit, as used in press-fit technology for mechanical connections. Pressing in achieves lower holding forces, particularly axial ones, compared to pressing in or a press-fit.
[0015] The first contact section is therefore not secured in the first channel section of the plastic housing of the electrical connector by a press-fit technique, nor is it intended to be secured in it.
[0016] It is therefore designed that an electrical contact within the connector itself is held in place by at least two different retaining connections. This creates a retention system that generates high axial holding forces and, particularly advantageously, ensures that the electrical contact remains precisely positioned, especially axially, when the insertion tip is pressed into the electronic module. Such a combined retention system allows the advantages of stitching to be retained, thus enabling fast and highly automated production. Furthermore, the holding forces can be increased very easily and precisely by adding the anchoring compound.
[0017] In one embodiment, the at least two different retaining connections differ materially and / or spatially within the housing and / or from the respective, in particular axial, retaining forces generated by them.
[0018] A compound allows for very precise dosing in terms of quantity and location, and accurate local placement within the housing. Therefore, when introduced into the housing in its uncured state, the compound is distributed homogeneously and precisely coats or surrounds the contact area of the electrical contact.
[0019] In such an electrical connector, where the housing is made of a specified plastic material, a multi-site and multi-differentiated fastening of the electrical contact is now employed. Thus, the electrical connector and the plastic housing itself are designed so that the electrical contact is held and, in particular, fastened at its various contact sections using different materials and in different ways within the plastic housing. This includes, on the one hand, the mechanical press-fit or stitch connection, and on the other hand, the additional immersion of another contact section into this anchoring compound. This results in an electrical connector that can be manufactured with both high precision and speed.On the other hand, this creates the possibility of positioning and precisely orienting the press-fit electrical contact within the electrical connector in such a mechanically stable manner that, even when the press-fit tip is subsequently pressed into a target zone of the electronic module, this electrical contact within the electrical connector is not undesirably displaced, bent, or altered in its orientation. This securing of the electrical contact within the plastic housing of the electrical connector also ensures that the pressing forces occurring during the subsequent insertion of the press-fit tip into the target zone of the electronic module can be robustly absorbed without the electrical contact within the electrical housing shifting positionally, bending, or being permanently and undesirably altered in any other way.
[0020] The connector shown allows the maximum achievable holding forces of the insertion process alone, which are lower than the insertion forces in press-fit technology, to be increased by the added first holding connection to such an extent that they withstand the insertion forces during the insertion process of the insertion tip into the insertion recess. The sum of the holding forces, particularly the axial forces, of the first and second holding connections is preferably greater than the known maximum insertion forces that occur when pressing in the insertion tips.
[0021] In one embodiment, the anchoring compound is located on the side of the first channel section in the plastic housing that faces away from the press-fit tip. Therefore, the zone in the plastic housing where the anchoring compound is located is, in effect, further away from the press-fit tip than the press-fit connection itself—that is, the first retaining connection in which the corresponding contact section is positioned in the corresponding channel section by this pressing or stitching action. This positioning of the different fastening configurations of the electrical contact in the plastic housing also supports the aforementioned advantages.
[0022] In one embodiment, the electrical contact is arranged to rest against a stop element of the plastic housing in the axial direction of its longitudinal axis. This defines the insertion depth of the electrical contact into the plastic housing. This also advantageously supports determining where and over what length the electrical contact is inserted into a channel section with a corresponding contact section, and / or with which contact section and over what length the electrical contact is arranged in or immersed in the anchoring compound. Furthermore, such a stop element can also provide additional axial support, as this further hinders, and in particular prevents, any unwanted axial displacement of the electrical contact.
[0023] In one embodiment, the first contact section has a radially generated barb structure on its outer side, which is pressed into a radially generated counter-barb structure on an inner side of the first channel section, so that, in particular, the axially locking first retaining connection is formed by plastic deformation of the structures during pressing.
[0024] In one embodiment, this barbed structure is formed on the outer side of the first contact section of the electrical contact over a defined length. A further barbed structure, or counter-barbed structure, can be formed on the inner side of this channel section of the contact channel in which this contact section of the electrical contact is located. These two barbed structures can then interact mechanically with each other, interlocking and thus interlocking. This further improves the axial positioning of the electrical contact within the plastic housing of the electrical connector. If the barbed system is not present, retention can also be achieved, for example, solely with potting compound. This can then be formed in the respective sections mentioned.The same potting compound or different potting compounds can be used in each section.
[0025] In one embodiment, this barbed structure is formed on the first contact section and / or the counter-barbed structure is formed on the inside of the channel section in an axial direction without overlapping with the anchoring compound.
[0026] The barbed structure can be shaped like a Christmas tree. The counter-barbed structure can also be shaped like a Christmas tree.
[0027] In one embodiment, the plastic housing of the electrical connector has a basin for the anchoring compound. This basin is therefore predefined in terms of position and size. The anchoring compound basin is thus designed to hold the anchoring compound. In one embodiment, the anchoring compound is initially a non-rigid mass. Particularly during the assembly of the electrical connector, it is a liquid, gel-like, or otherwise unstable mass. Therefore, this mass is especially advantageous for filling the anchoring compound basin as completely as possible. This creates a mass area that is inherently stable and securely holds the contact section immersed in this anchoring compound.In particular, when the final state of the electrical connector is reached and this anchoring compound is also rigid and hardened, the contact section running within it is then held mechanically stable.
[0028] In one embodiment, the anchoring basin is formed between the first channel section and a separate further channel section of the contact channel, viewed in the axial direction of the electrical contact. Thus, the anchoring basin is formed in series between two further channel sections of the contact channel in this direction of the longitudinal axis of the electrical contact. Therefore, in the direction of this longitudinal axis, a channel section is formed both before and after the anchoring basin, in each of which an individual contact section of the electrical contact extends.
[0029] In one embodiment, the electrical contact extends into this further channel section of the contact channel with a further contact segment. In particular, this electrical contact is also mechanically held in this further channel section, especially radially, i.e., perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the electrical contact. Specifically, this may involve either a sliding insertion with tolerances or a precise insertion. An axially locking hold of the electrical contact in this further channel section is specifically not provided.
[0030] In one embodiment, the plastic housing comprises a first housing part and a separate second housing part. These at least two separate housing parts of the plastic housing are arranged sequentially along a longitudinal axis of the electrical connector and are connected to each other. This multi-part design of the plastic housing allows for more customized and targeted assembly. In particular, it simplifies the installation of the electrical contact and / or the application of the anchoring compound. Preparatory work can then be carried out individually, using only the required housing part, independently of the other housing part. Pre-assembly of the housing parts can therefore be carried out in a more targeted and needs-based manner. The two housing parts can then be joined together subsequently.The connection between the housing parts can be mechanically detachable. This allows the housing parts to be reversibly assembled and disassembled. For example, these housing parts can be connected by a snap-fit connection and / or a screw connection. However, it is also possible for the connection between the two housing parts to be permanent. In such a case, the housing parts can only be separated by destroying the connection. For example, the housing parts can be permanently joined by gluing or thermal welding.
[0031] In one embodiment, the first channel section and the anchoring compound basin are formed in the first housing part. In another embodiment, the further channel section of the contact channel is formed in the second housing part. This supports the aforementioned advantages with regard to the individual configuration of the respective components of the plastic housing and, in the assembled final state of the housing parts, ensures that the electrical contact in both housing parts is preferably mechanically maintained.
[0032] In one embodiment, the two housing parts are arranged such that the first channel section and the subsequent channel section of the contact channel are aligned axially. However, they do not overlap in this axial direction. In particular, the anchoring compound basin is formed between this first channel section and the subsequent channel section in this axial direction. By aligning the aforementioned channel sections accordingly, a straight, pin-like electrical contact can be precisely inserted, positioned, and held within the entire plastic housing.
[0033] In one embodiment, the housing parts are arranged to overlap in certain areas along the longitudinal axis of the electrical connector. In particular, the first housing part is arranged to extend axially into the second housing part in certain areas. In one embodiment, the second housing part surrounds the first housing part like a shell over a certain axial portion of the first housing part.
[0034] In one embodiment, the second housing part has a coupling structure with which it engages in the anchoring compound in the first housing part. This provides further mechanically stable coupling and achieves positional fixation of the housing parts relative to each other. The coupling structure can, in this context, have several cantilevered webs that engage in this anchoring compound.
[0035] The anchoring compound can be, for example, a potting compound. A potting compound can be made of a thermoplastic or thermoset material, or of silicone rubber or another type of rubber, or it can be an adhesive, particularly epoxy resin, polyurethane, etc. However, a material with a low glass transition temperature, such as polyurethane or silicone, can also be used as the potting compound.
[0036] Unlike a potting compound, a hardening adhesive can also be used as an anchoring compound. It is also possible for the plastic housing to be manufactured as a two-component injection-molded part. In this case, the actual body of the plastic housing or a housing component may be injection-molded from one plastic, while the anchoring compound within it may be injection-molded from a different second plastic.
[0037] The anchoring compound can be a moisture-curing compound, a light-curing compound, or a heat-curing compound.
[0038] The anchoring compound is introduced into the anchoring compound basin, particularly in a non-solid state, i.e., liquid, gel-like, or viscous. It can distribute itself within the basin, for example, through capillary action or evenly due to vacuum. The anchoring compound is particularly self-leveling. This facilitates a uniform distribution, even filling niches, within the anchoring compound basin.
[0039] The anchoring compound can also be a molding compound.
[0040] In particular, the anchoring compound is designed to be electrically insulating.
[0041] The electrical connector described above is particularly advantageous when it features longer and very delicate electrical contacts with a thickness of 0.8 mm or less, especially 0.6 mm or less, and which are designed as press-fit contacts and are thus intended to be attached to a target area of the electronic module using press-fitting technology. The combination of inserting, or in particular stitching, an electrical contact into a plastic channel section of the plastic housing's contact channel, and an additional, especially subsequent and component-friendly, anchoring of this electrical contact in an anchoring compound, such as a potting compound or an anchoring adhesive, makes this type of press-fit contact particularly advantageous.In particular, this achieves the highest possible positive fit between the plastic and the electrical contact within the plastic housing, especially without the need for overmolding the electrical contact using plastic injection molding. This is particularly advantageous when using electrical contacts with a thickness of less than 0.6 mm (i.e., a sheet thickness of less than 0.6 mm) or in installation spaces that do not allow for sufficiently large press-fit shoulders of the electrical contact. Depending on the length of the electrical contact, an additional component can be used, into which liquid anchoring compound is applied during connector manufacturing. This component may feature an additional alignment geometry at the end of the electrical contact, such as a funnel-shaped feature, for the contact tip.This additional component is preferably the second housing part with the coupling structure when such a plastic housing is multi-part. This design enables a particularly effective, positive-locking fixation of an electrical contact within the plastic housing of the electrical connector. This ensures that the insertion forces, which occur when the insertion tip of the electrical contact is pressed into a target area of the electronic module, are reliably absorbed without component damage. In particular, this eliminates the need for a complex injection molding process to encapsulate the electrical contacts with an injection-molded material. It also ensures reliable force transmission without the risk of the electrical contact slipping within the electrical connector during the insertion process, in which the insertion tip is pressed into the target area of the electronic module.Furthermore, the assembly tools for pressing can be simplified. This also prevents erosion of tools used to support shoulders.
[0042] Another aspect of the invention relates to an electrical connector device for a vehicle. The electrical connector device can therefore also be referred to as an electrical vehicle connector device. In particular, it is intended for installation and use in a vehicle. A low-voltage interface between the power electronics and the vehicle connector is especially advantageously configured. The electrical connector device has at least one electrical connector as designed according to the aforementioned aspect of the invention or an advantageous embodiment. Furthermore, the electrical connector device has an electronic module separate from the electrical connector. The press-fit tip of the electrical contact is secured in a press-fit recess, i.e., a target zone, in the electronic module by means of a press-fit connection.In particular, several electrical contacts of the electrical plug are each attached to a press-fit recess in the electronic module by means of a press-fit connection.
[0043] A further aspect of the invention relates to a method for manufacturing an electrical connector, particularly according to the aspect mentioned above or an advantageous embodiment thereof. In this method, a housing, at least partially made of plastic, with at least one contact channel is provided. At least one pin-like electrical contact of the electrical connector is inserted, at least partially, into the contact channel. The electrical contact has a press-fit tip, which is formed by press-fit technology for connection to an electronic module separate from the electrical connector. The electrical contact is axially pressed into a first channel section of the contact channel with a first contact section that is distinct from the press-fit tip and is held in the first channel section by this first retaining connection.The electrical contact is arranged immersed in an anchoring compound located in the housing with a further contact section and is thereby held axially in place as a second retaining connection.
[0044] In particular, the process can begin with pressing the contact in. A barbed structure of the electrical contact can be locked into place with a barbed structure of the channel section. Specifically, at least one barbed structure is plastically deformed. This improves the axial locking. Subsequently, the other contact section is immersed in the still-uncured anchoring compound. The anchoring compound is then cured after the contact section has been immersed.
[0045] Advantageous embodiments of the electrical connector are to be regarded as advantageous embodiments of the method, wherein the features of the connector are provided in the method and are positioned accordingly during manufacture and / or arranged to interact with each other.
[0046] A further aspect of the invention relates to a method for manufacturing an electrical connector device, in particular an electrical connector device according to the aspect mentioned above or an advantageous embodiment thereof. In this method, an electrical connector, particularly in its finished state, is provided. Furthermore, a separate electronic module is provided. The press-fit tip of the connector-side electrical contact is then pressed into a press-fit recess of the electronic module using press-fit technology. In particular, a counter-tool, especially a counter-tool that is only in contact with a second housing part of the connector facing away from the electronic module, can be used to counteract this action on the side of the electrical connector facing away from the electronic module.
[0047] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to schematic drawings. These show: Fig. 1 a schematic representation of an embodiment of a vehicle according to the invention with an embodiment of an electrical connector device according to the invention; and Fig. 2 a schematic sectional view through an embodiment of an electrical connector device with an embodiment of an electrical connector according to the invention.
[0048] In the figures, identical or functionally equivalent elements are given the same reference symbols.
[0049] In Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a vehicle 1. The vehicle 1 is, in particular, a passenger car, a truck, or a bus. The vehicle 1 has a drive unit 2. Furthermore, the vehicle 1 also has an electrical system 3. The vehicle 1 has an electrical connector 4. The electrical connector 4 can be part of the drive unit 2. The electrical connector 4 can also be part of the electrical system 3.
[0050] In Fig. Figure 2 shows a sectional view of an embodiment of an electrical connector device 4. The electrical connector device 4 includes an electronic module 5. The electronic module 5 can, for example, be a printed circuit board (PCB) or comprise such a PCB. In this embodiment, the PCB has press-fit recesses 6 into which electrical contacts of an electrical connector 7 of the electrical connector device 4, designed as press-fit contacts, are pressed in by press-fit technology. The press-fit recesses 6 can also be referred to as target zones.
[0051] The electrical connector 7 has a plastic housing 8. In this embodiment, the plastic housing 8 is formed from several separate housing parts, in this case two. A first housing part 9 and a separate second housing part 10 are provided for this purpose. The electrical connector 7 has a longitudinal axis A. This axis is oriented in the direction in which the electrical connector 7 is joined to the electronic module 5.
[0052] The plastic housing 8 has several contact channels which are designed to each receive an electrical contact of the electrical plug 7.
[0053] For the sake of clarity, only one of the contact channels 11, which are exemplary and not exhaustive in number or orientation, is shown here with the corresponding reference symbol. Fig. Figure 2 shows four electrical pin-like contacts 12, which are not exhaustive in number or geometry and are only to be understood as examples. Each of these is arranged and held in a previously mentioned contact channel 11. The electrical contacts 12 are designed here as press-fit contacts. This means that they are intended to be pressed into the press-fit recesses 6 of the electronic module 5 using press-fit technology. For this purpose, the electrical contacts, of which only one is explained in more detail below as a representative example of the other electrical contacts 12, have a press-fit tip 13.
[0054] The contact channel 11 has a first channel section 11a. In this first channel section 11a, a first contact section 12a of the electrical contact 12 is pressed in via a press-fit connection and held axially, i.e., in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the electrical contact 12, in a locking manner. This forms a first retaining connection of a retaining system. The pressing in is a stitching process. In particular, in one embodiment, a barbed structure can be formed on an inner surface 14 of the channel section 11a as a counter-barbed structure 15a. A barbed structure 15b can also be formed on an outer surface 16 of the contact section 12a. In one embodiment, this press-fit connection formed in this area can thus be additionally held by the radial interlocking of the barbed structures 15a, 15b, in particular in the axial direction of a longitudinal axis B of the electrical contact 12.
[0055] It can be provided that the electrical contact 12, particularly in this contact section 12a, has a radially projecting stop element 17. In one embodiment, this stop element 17 can be formed completely circumferentially around the longitudinal axis B. This stop element 17 can interact with a counter-stop element of the first channel section 11a, so that the axial insertion depth of the electrical contact 12 is defined and limited by the abutting of the stop element 17 and the counter-stop element.
[0056] Furthermore, the electrical contact 12 is held in a second contact section 12b, which is distinct from the first contact section 12a, by means of an anchoring compound 18 formed in the plastic housing 8 and, in particular, separate from it, and is held in an axially locking manner. This creates a second holding connection of the holding system, distinct from the first holding connection. The anchoring compound 18 can, for example, be a potting compound. The anchoring compound 18 is only partially or locally formed in the axial direction. In the exemplary embodiment, the first housing part 9 has wall sections 19 that extend upwards in the axial direction. These wall sections 19 also laterally delimit an anchoring compound basin 20 in the first housing part 9.As can be seen, this locally limited anchoring mass 18 is formed in an axial section which is further away from the electronic module 5 and thus also from a press-in tip 13 than the first contact section 12a and the first channel section 11a.
[0057] Furthermore, in Fig. As can also be seen in Figure 2, an electrical contact 12 extends with a further, here third, contact section 12c in a further channel section 11b of the contact channel 11. The further channel section 11b is not formed in the first housing part 9. It is only formed in the second housing part 10. The further channel section 11b is thus further away from the press-fit tip 13 in the direction of the longitudinal axis B of the electrical contact 12 than the first channel section 12b. In particular, it can be seen that the anchoring compound 18 and thus also the anchoring compound basin 20 are formed between these two channel sections 11a and 11b. The electrical contact 12 is thus inserted into this further channel section 11b with this further contact section 12c. It is possible that a loose insertion is formed here. However, it is also possible that an axially precise insertion is provided here.In particular, a radially locking insertion is provided here via at least one axial subsection of the third channel section 11b. Specifically, this radial support is provided at an end of channel section 11b facing away from the anchoring mass basin 20.
[0058] In particular, the electrical contact 12, as described here, has a thickness or sheet thickness of less than or equal to 0.6 mm. The following are shown only as examples and in a sketchy manner. Fig. 2 Two further contacts 12 are also shown on the right side, which are larger and thus have a sheet thickness of, in particular, greater than 0.6 mm. They are also longer than the two exemplary contacts 12 on the left side. These further larger contacts 12 can also be arranged in the plastic housing 8 according to the described scenario. As further shown in Fig. As schematically indicated in Figure 2, the second housing part 10, made of plastic, can have a coupling structure 21. The coupling structure 21 is designed to be immersed in the potting compound 18 and to couple accordingly within it. This provides an additional retention option.
[0059] In the manufacturing process, the first housing part 9 is prepared. The required electrical contacts 12 are then inserted into the existing contact channels 11. Specifically, they are inserted into the first two channel sections 12a, ensuring a precise fit. This is achieved through a process called stitching. Subsequently, or perhaps beforehand, the anchoring compound basin 20 is filled with the anchoring compound 18, which is still liquid or gel-like but not yet solid. This ensures that the contact sections 12b are completely surrounded by the anchoring compound. While the anchoring compound 18 is still liquid and therefore not yet hardened, the second housing part 10 is placed onto the first housing part 9, and the two housing parts 9 and 10 are then axially joined to their final position relative to each other.The elements of the coupling structure 21 also engage with the still uncured anchoring compound 18. This intermediate manufacturing state is then maintained until the anchoring compound 18 has cured. This ensures a reliable positive fit between the aforementioned components. Subsequently, the completed connector 7 is inserted into the press-fit recesses 6 of the electronic module 5 by pressing the press-fit tips 13 of the electrical contacts 12 into the press-fit recesses 6, so that the resulting [connection] is then... Fig. The final state shown in Figure 2 is reached and the electrical connector device 4 is formed. During this pressing of the press-fit tips 13 into the press-fit recesses 6, it is preferably provided that a counter-holding tool is used on the second housing part 10, which is positioned, in particular, from behind and thus on the side of the connector 7 facing away from the electronic module 5, and thus presses in the direction of the electronic module 5.
[0060] In particular, this counter-tool or counter-holding tool has contact exclusively with the second housing part 10 and therefore not with the first housing part 9 when the pressing in of the press-in tips 13 into the press-in receptacles 6 is carried out.
[0061] Electrical conductors can be inserted into the further openings in the plastic housing 8, in particular the second housing part 10, on the side facing away from the first housing part 9, in particular to the electrical contacts 12 in the plastic housing 8, which are shown symbolically here. Reference symbol list 1 vehicle 2 Drive unit 3 On-board electrical system 4 Plug device 5 Electronic module 6 press-fit sockets 7 electrical plugs 8 plastic housings 9 first housing part 10 second housing part 11 Contact channel 11a Canal section 11b Canal section 12 electrical contacts 12a first contact section 12b second contact section 12c third contact section 13 Press-in tip 14 Inside 15a Counter-barb structure 15b Barbed structure 16 Outside 17 Stop element 18 Anchoring compound 19 wall areas 20 anchoring mass basins 21 Coupling structure
Claims
Electrical connector (7) with a housing (8) made at least partially of plastic, which has at least one contact channel (11), and with at least one pin-like electrical contact (12) which extends partially into the contact channel (11), wherein the electrical contact (12) has a press-fit tip (13) which is formed by press-fit technology for connection to an electronic module (5) separate from the electrical connector (7), wherein the electrical contact (12) is axially pressed into a first channel section (11a) of the contact channel (11) with a first contact section (12a) different from the press-fit tip (13) and is held in the first channel section (11a) with this first retaining connection, and the electrical contact (12) is arranged with a further contact section (12b) immersed in an anchoring compound (18) arranged in the housing (8) and is held therein axially as a second retaining connection. Electrical plug (7) according to claim 1, wherein the anchoring mass (18) is arranged on a side of the first channel section (11a) in the housing (8) facing away from the press-fit tip (13). Electrical connector (7) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the electrical contact (12) is arranged in axial direction of its longitudinal axis (B) against a stop element (17) of the housing (8) and / or the first contact section (12a) has a barbed structure (15b) on its outer side (16) which is pressed into a counter-barbed structure (15a) on an inner side of the first channel section (11a) so that the axially locking first retaining connection is formed or supported. Electrical plug (7) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the anchoring compound (18) is arranged in an anchoring compound basin (20) of the housing (8), wherein in the axial direction of the electrical contact (12) the anchoring compound basin (20) is formed between the first channel section (11a) and a further channel section (11b) separate from it of the contact channel (11), in particular the electrical contact (12) with a further contact section (12c) extends into the further channel section (11b), in particular is held radially fixed therein. Electrical plug (7) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing (8) comprises a first housing part (9) and a separate second housing part (10) which are arranged in the axial direction of a longitudinal axis (A) of the plug (7) and are connected to each other. Electrical plug (7) according to claim 4 and claim 5, wherein the channel section (11a) and the anchoring mass basin (20) are formed in the first housing part (9) and the further channel section (11b) is formed in the second housing part (10). Electrical connector (7) according to one of the preceding claims 4 or 6, wherein the housing parts (9, 10) are arranged such that the channel section (11a) and the further channel section (11b) are aligned in the axial direction. Electrical connector (7) according to one of the preceding claims 5 to 7, wherein the second housing part (10) has a coupling structure (21) with which it immerses in the anchoring compound (18) in the first housing part (9). Electrical connector device (4) with an electrical connector (7) according to one of the preceding claims and with a separate electronic module (5), in particular a printed circuit board, wherein the press-fit tip (13) is secured by a press-fit connection in a press-fit receptacle (6) in the electronic module (5). Method for manufacturing an electrical connector (7), in particular according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 8, in which a housing (8) made at least partially of plastic with at least one contact channel (11) is provided and at least one pin-like electrical contact (12) is inserted at least partially into the contact channel (11), wherein the electrical contact (12) has a press-fit tip (13) which is formed by press-fit technology for connecting to an electronic module (5) separate from the electrical connector (7), wherein the electrical contact (12) is pressed axially into a first channel section (11a) of the contact channel (11) with a first contact section (12a) different from the press-fit tip (13) and is held in the first channel section (11a) by this first retaining connection,and the electrical contact (12) is arranged immersed in a further contact section (12b) in an anchoring compound (18) arranged in the housing (8) and is held axially locked therein as a second retaining connection.