Connector assembly, connector for such a connector assembly, and method for installing the connector assembly

Abstract

The invention relates to a connector assembly which comprises a housing 10; a connector 20, at least portions of which are arranged in the housing 10 and which has a longitudinal axis L20 in a connection direction to a mating connector, wherein at least portions of an outer face 21 of the connector 20, which outer face is axial in relation to the longitudinal axis L20, are radially spaced apart from an opposite axial inner face 11 of the housing; and a sealing element 30, wherein the sealing element 30 is arranged in the radial clearance formed between the axial outer face 21 of the connector 20 and the opposite axial inner face 11 of the housing 10 and forms a sealing surface with each of the axial outer face 21 of the connector 20 and the opposite axial inner face 11 of the housing 10.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a connector assembly, a connector for connection to a mating connector for such a connector assembly and a method for assembling the connector assembly.

[0002] For a variety of assemblies, particularly pneumatic assemblies for trucks, containing electrical components, a power supply and / or signal transmission, such as sensor signals or other signals, is provided via a CAN interface by connecting a connector on the assembly side to a mating connector, which often represents a wired part of a plug connection. Conversely, external devices can also be supplied with power and / or signals can be read and / or input via the assembly. Various components of the assembly, such as electrical contacts or break-sensitive elements, must be protected from external forces and other environmental influences, such as moisture or dirt.Particularly for assemblies installed in commercial vehicles or similar applications, the environmental conditions inherent in the application place high demands on the protection of vulnerable components or parts thereof. Such protection is achieved via a housing that accommodates the components to be protected. A connector also housed within this housing requires a seal between the connector and the housing to protect the interior of the housing from the aforementioned environmental influences, such as moisture or dirt.

[0003] With regard to sealing the interior of the housing, it is known from the prior art to use sealing elements which form axial sealing surfaces with respect to a longitudinal axis of the plug, which extends in the direction of connection of the plug to a mating plug. For example, a plug has a projection extending radially outwards to the longitudinal axis and having a receptacle, such as a groove, for a sealing element. The groove is open in the assembly direction, i.e. in the axial direction. During assembly, the plug is pushed towards the interior of the housing into a plug receptacle of the housing, wherein the receptacle and thus a sealing element located therein faces a likewise radially extending surface of the housing.In the final assembly position, the sealing element between the radial receiving surface of the plug and the radial housing surface is subjected to a compressive force, so that an axial seal is formed by the radial sealing surface of the sealing element with the receptacle for the sealing element and the radial sealing surface of the sealing element with the radial housing surface. In an alternative embodiment, the plug is pushed through the housing interior into a plug receptacle of the housing, i.e. in the opposite assembly direction to the aforementioned example. The plug similarly has a radial projection with a receptacle for a sealing element. During assembly, the plug is pushed through the housing interior into a plug receptacle of the housing, wherein the receptacle and thus a sealing element located therein faces a likewise radially extending surface of the housing.In the final assembly position, the sealing element between the radial receiving surface of the plug and the radial housing surface is subjected to a compressive force, so that an axial seal is also formed here.

[0004] These types of connector sealing require a relatively large installation space in the radial direction. Furthermore, a corresponding radial projection must be realized on the connector side. From a manufacturing perspective, the sealing surfaces on the housing side must also be taken into account, which require a comparatively high surface quality. Especially in the case of a cast housing, this is ensured by tool inserts in the casting tool when the connector is mounted toward the housing interior, which is associated with corresponding costs.

[0005] In addition, US 2002 / 0125651 A1 discloses a fluid-blocking connector having an O-ring on an outer peripheral surface of a connector housing.

[0006] DE 10 2006 019 174 A1 relates to a housing with a liquid chamber and at least one electronic component in the liquid chamber, wherein the liquid chamber can be filled with a liquid and is sealed from the outside. At least one plug with electrical connecting elements is plugged into or onto the housing. Furthermore, at least one electrical line is provided, by which the electronic component is electrically connected to the electrical connecting elements of the plug when the plug is plugged in. According to the invention, a plug-area chamber is provided, which is sealed from the liquid chamber by at least one first sealing element and from the outside by at least one second sealing element.

[0007] EP 2 947 723 A1 discloses a plug connector for a single- or multi-core electrical cable, comprising a plug which comprises a plug body with an end face and at least one connecting pin protruding from the end face, a coupling which comprises a coupling body with an end face, wherein at least one receiving opening for inserting the at least one connecting pin of the plug is arranged in the end face of the coupling body to establish the connection, an actuatable closure for holding the plug body on the coupling body when the connecting pin is inserted into the receiving opening, and at least one sealing element made of an elastically deformable material for sealing the connection between the plug and the coupling.The at least one sealing element is clamped under deformation between the end face of the plug body and the end face of the coupling body when the closure holds the plug body to the coupling body.

[0008] DE 10 2011 089 081 A1 relates to an electrical connector. The connector housing has an outer wall opposite the inner wall. A receiving element for receiving a circumferential first sealing element is formed on the outer wall.

[0009] DE 21 2010 000 212 U1 discloses a sealed electrical connector assembly, comprising: a socket having at least two receiving chambers and two electrical contacts accommodated in the socket, each contact being aligned with a corresponding receiving chamber, a plug having a housing that accommodates the connection end of at least two electrical cables, each cable connection end being arranged in an insulated chamber of the housing, each having a connection exit opening, the insulated chambers being able to be sealed in a corresponding receiving chamber of the socket, thus establishing insulated electrical contact between the electrical contacts accommodated in the socket and the electrical cables, characterized in that the plug has at least two metallic pins, each having: a body with at least one outer recess for accommodating a sealing ring,and at least one segment having a larger diameter than the opening of the insulated chambers, the segment being arranged near the connection exit opening of the housing, a projection of the body having a smaller diameter than the exit opening, the projection passing through the exit opening and being connected to one of the connection ends of the electrical cable in one of the insulated chambers of the housing, and at least one sealing ring mounted in each recess of the body of the pin by a press fit, a pressure contact being established on the inside of a receiving chamber of the socket.

[0010] GB2492497A also discloses a connector assembly.

[0011] In view of the above statements, it is therefore an object of the invention to provide a plug assembly which enables a more compact seal at least in the radial direction with respect to a longitudinal axis of the plug and which is simpler and thus more cost-effective to manufacture.

[0012] This object is achieved by a connector assembly, a connector, and a method for assembling a connector assembly according to the independent claims. Advantageous developments of the invention are contained in the dependent claims.

[0013] According to the invention, the connector assembly comprises a housing, a connector arranged at least in sections in the housing with a longitudinal axis in a connection direction with a mating connector, wherein an axial outer surface of the connector with respect to the longitudinal axis is at least partially radially spaced from an opposite axial inner surface of the housing, and a sealing element, wherein the sealing element is arranged in the radial distance formed between the axial outer surface of the connector and the opposite axial inner surface of the housing and forms a sealing surface with the axial outer surface of the connector and the opposite axial inner surface of the housing.

[0014] An axial outer surface or an axial inner surface is understood here as a surface that extends in the axial direction. In the case of a cylinder, this would be, for example, the cylinder surface. Alternatively, such an axial surface can also be understood as a circumferential surface in the direction of the longitudinal axis. Both the connector and the housing can be rotationally symmetrical in this context. However, the design specifications often stipulate deviating geometries. It should also be noted that the terms "radial" and "axial" in the following, unless explicitly defined otherwise, refer to the longitudinal axis of the connector in the receiving direction or the connection direction with a mating connector, respectively, so that a corresponding reference is not mandatory.

[0015] According to the above configuration, the sealing element thus forms a radial seal with respect to the longitudinal axis of the plug, comprising an axial outer surface of the plug and an axial inner surface of the housing. In contrast to an axial seal as described in the prior art, such a radial seal requires less installation space in the radial direction, allowing the plug assembly to be designed more compactly, at least in this direction. In addition, the space required in the axial direction to accommodate the sealing element components displaced by the pressing force when installed is in most cases determined by the receiving length in the housing for the plug. This accordingly results in an overall compact design.

[0016] In addition, a radial seal requires less axial positioning accuracy of the connector relative to the housing. For example, if there is a radial distance between the axial outer surface of the connector and the axial inner surface of the housing to form a radial seal, it is possible to form the seal via the sealing element in any portion of this radial distance. In other words, the sealing element arranged at this radial distance can move along the axial surfaces during the relative movement between the connector and the housing during assembly of the connector without this impairing the sealing capacity. Likewise, the connector does not have to assume a precise final position, at least with regard to the radial seal.

[0017] The simple design of the radial seal also enables the use of O-rings, which have a low degree of complexity and thus high availability.

[0018] However, the radial seal can also offer advantages over an axial seal with regard to the manufacturing of the housing and the connector. For example, in casting processes, comparatively good surface qualities must be ensured in the area of ​​the sealing surfaces. With an axial seal, for example, the subsequent assembly of the connector from the outside of the housing requires the use of interchangeable inserts for the housing in order to ensure an appropriate surface quality. With a radial seal, the sealing surfaces can be relocated to an area that already requires the use of corresponding interchangeable inserts due to additional functional requirements.In addition, with a radial seal, no insertion chamfer for the sealing element on the outside of the housing is required during assembly, which must be taken into account during production and cannot be produced in the commonly used casting processes or can only be produced with great effort.

[0019] In addition, the connector has a chamfer on the axial outer surface of the connector at an end facing the housing interior in the connection direction with a mating connector. Additionally, or according to an alternative not covered by the wording of claim 1, the housing can have a chamfer on the axial inner surface of the housing at an end facing away from the housing interior in the connection direction with a mating connector.

[0020] The bevel of the plug tapers from an axial outer surface towards the end facing the housing interior in the connection direction with a mating plug. In other words, in the region of the bevel at the end facing the housing interior in the connection direction with a mating plug, the plug has a shape that tapers in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the extender. In the case of a bevel on the housing, the bevel tapers from an axial inner surface towards the end of the housing facing away from the housing interior in the connection direction with a mating plug. In other words, in the region of the bevel at the end facing away from the housing interior in the connection direction with a mating plug, the housing has a shape that tapers outwards with respect to the longitudinal axis.

[0021] The term "chamfer" is not limited to a straight bevel, but can also have other contours, for example, concave or convex, although a straight bevel can often be easily realized in manufacturing. The chamfer thus comprises at least one inclined section in the axial direction, although, as explained above, this does not necessarily have to be straight in the sense of a straight bevel. For the aforementioned manufacturing reason, however, a inclined section as a straight bevel is often advantageous.

[0022] The sealing element is initially gripped by the plug and / or housing via the axial chamfer and is then clamped and / or pressed in a guided manner along the further course of the chamfer. If, for example, the housing has a housing projection, as described above, with a sealing element arranged on the side thereof facing the housing interior, and the plug is inserted into the housing during assembly from a side of the projection facing away from the housing interior, a chamfer formed on the end facing the housing interior in the connection direction with a mating plug engages a side surface of the sealing element facing away from the axial inner surface of the housing.In particular, the chamfer is designed such that the foremost end of the end facing the housing interior in the connection direction with a mating connector on the axial outer surface of the connector is at a distance from the axial inner surface of the housing in the region in which the sealing element is arranged that is no less than the distance between the side surface of the sealing element facing away from the axial inner surface of the housing and the axial inner surface of the housing in this region. This prevents damage to the sealing element by the connector. It can also be avoided that the sealing element, resting on the end of the connector, is pushed further towards the housing interior without being clamped between the axial outer surface of the connector and the axial inner surface of the housing in order to form the respective sealing surfaces. The sealing element is therefore clamped over the chamfer of the connector and pressed in.The clamping process refers to a radial expansion of the sealing element, while pressing refers to the formation of the sealing surfaces.

[0023] If the housing has the protruding chamfer, the sealing element is not clamped over it, but this chamfer engages the sealing element in order to then press it in the positioning direction during further relative movement between the plug and the housing.

[0024] In addition, the chamfer comprises at least two gradient sections.

[0025] Here, too, the term "pitch section" is not limited to a section with a straight bevel, but can also include sections with contours, such as a concave or convex design. However, from a manufacturing perspective, a straight bevel can also prove advantageous.

[0026] The slope sections may have a different contour, a different surface finish, and / or, as will be described below, a different slope and / or be separated from each other by an intermediate section.

[0027] The at least two pitch sections allow for a different guiding behavior of the chamfer to be specifically adjusted.

[0028] In one embodiment of the plug assembly, the housing has a housing projection which points in the radial direction with respect to the longitudinal axis of the plug in the direction of the plug, and the sealing element is arranged on a side of the housing projection facing a housing interior in the connection direction with a mating plug.

[0029] The projection forms a receptacle for the sealing element, allowing it to be held in its installed position without the need for additional tools. Furthermore, the projection also protects the sealing element against external influences. In this regard, it may be advantageous to design the projection so that the distance between the axial inner surface of the projection and an axial outer surface of the connector is as small as possible in this area when installed.

[0030] Alternatively or additionally, the plug has a plug projection which points in the radial direction with respect to the longitudinal axis of the plug in the direction of the housing, and the sealing element is arranged on a side of the plug projection facing a housing interior in the connection direction with a mating plug.

[0031] The connector protrusion functions in a similar way to the housing protrusion. If both protrusions are provided, the sealing element can be arranged either on the connector protrusion or the housing protrusion during assembly. This allows for the arrangement to be selected according to the installation conditions.

[0032] With regard to a housing projection, a connector projection or a combination of both projections, advantages in the sense of a modular system can also arise, since standard components or assemblies can be combined with variants.

[0033] In one embodiment, the gradient sections are separated by an intermediate section running substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis and / or have different gradients.

[0034] By separating the pitch sections via an intermediate section, the sealing element can initially be gripped via a first pitch section and held in the intermediate section, for example, to be moved along with the chamfer without further clamping. Only then does it undergo further clamping via the second pitch section.

[0035] By varying the pitch of the pitch sections, the sealing element can be clamped and / or compressed at different speeds. For example, in a first section with a comparatively large pitch, the sealing element can be gripped and then clamped and / or compressed relatively quickly by a first amount. In a second section with a smaller pitch, the further clamping and / or compression takes place more slowly or over a larger section of movement of the plug towards the housing interior. By clamping and / or compressing the sealing element more slowly in an area in which initial pressures occur between the sealing element and the axial inner surface of the housing or the axial outer surface of the plug as a result of the clamping and / or compression, the risk of damage to the sealing element is reduced.

[0036] In particular, the connector assembly comprises a strip which is arranged in the connection direction with a mating connector on a side of the connector facing the housing interior and at least partially covers the radial distance formed between the axial outer surface of the connector and the opposite axial inner surface of the housing.

[0037] The strip thus forms a boundary for the sealing element on the side facing the housing interior in the longitudinal direction of the connector. This boundary can be used to limit the area of ​​the radial seal accordingly. Likewise, the axial boundary for the sealing element formed by the strip can be used to hold the sealing element at least in the appropriate direction before the connector is installed.

[0038] In one embodiment, the strip forms a strip projection which projects into the radial distance formed between the axial outer surface of the plug and the opposite axial inner surface of the housing.

[0039] The length of the strip projection extending into the radial distance at which the sealing element is arranged in the longitudinal direction of the plug allows the possible axial movement of the sealing element to be adjusted accordingly. In addition, the strip projection can also be used to guide and / or center the plug in the housing. For the purpose of centering, the strip can also have a chamfer on an inner side facing the plug, starting from the strip projection in the direction of the longitudinal axis. This chamfer, i.e. the strip chamfer, in particular has a contour that corresponds to the negative of the chamfer of the plug, i.e. to the plug chamfer, if one is provided. The plug chamfer, in particular the described chamfer, can be provided on an end facing the housing interior in the connection direction with a mating plug on the axial outer surface of the plug, but also in another area of ​​the axial outer surface of the plug.In addition to the centering function, a stop can also be implemented to securely position the connector in a final assembly position.

[0040] In particular, the plug comprises electrical contact pins and the strip is designed as a plug strip for passing through the electrical contact pins.

[0041] The connector strip provides additional functionality as a connector strip for the electrical contact pins. In addition to guiding the electrical contact pins, a section of the housing's interior on the side of the strip facing away from the connectors is additionally shielded. The connector strip can also incorporate other functional elements.

[0042] In a further development, the plug-in strip has through-holes for the passage of the electrical contact pins, which are designed with a diameter that tapers, in particular funnel-shaped, starting on the side facing the plug, at least over a predetermined section.

[0043] The tapered receptacle allows the electrical contact pins of the connector to be inserted and guided through the connector strip more easily. In this sense, the connector strip, with its appropriately designed through holes, also serves as a centering and / or positioning aid.

[0044] In one embodiment, the axial outer surface of the plug and / or the axial inner surface of the housing has a tangential groove in which the sealing element is at least partially arranged.

[0045] For pre-assembly positioning or, alternatively or in addition to pre-positioning the sealing element via a housing and / or connector projection, if necessary in combination with the strip described above, a corresponding tangential groove can also be provided in the axial outer surface of the connector and / or in the axial inner surface of the housing. In addition to being used for pre-assembly positioning, such a groove can also be provided to form the radial distance between the axial outer surface of the connector and the axial inner surface of the housing. For example, such a groove forms a chamber in an axial inner surface of the housing, which could alternatively also be formed via a housing projection in conjunction with a strip or with a strip projection of the strip. This can reduce the number of components to be installed, if, for example, a strip would not be provided anyway.

[0046] In particular, the sealing element is formed integrally with the strip, the plug and / or the housing.

[0047] The sealing element can, for example, be injection-molded directly onto the strip or the end face of a strip projection formed by the strip, or onto an axial outer surface of the plug, or onto an axial inner surface of the housing. This eliminates the need for means for pre-positioning the sealing element. In addition to injection-molded sealing elements made of, for example, NBR (acrylonitrile butadiene rubber), HNBR (hydrogenated acrylonitrile butadiene rubber), silicone, or Viton, the strip, the plug, and / or the housing can also have integrally formed sections that form the sealing element on their own or in conjunction with another section of the aforementioned components. In the latter case, the sealing element is formed from two sections, for example, a section of the plug and a section of the housing.

[0048] The present invention is also directed to a connector for connection to a mating connector for a connector assembly according to the previous embodiments.

[0049] The connector therefore has the features of the connector already described for the connector assembly, along with the advantages also mentioned.

[0050] In particular, the connector can have a connector projection projecting outward from an axial outer surface. This projection is dimensioned such that a sealing element can be arranged at least in sections on a side of the housing projection facing the housing interior in the direction of connection with a mating connector when the connector is installed in a housing. The sealing element is thus held by the connector even when not clamped.

[0051] In an alternative or additional embodiment, the connector has a chamfer on the axial outer surface of the connector at an end facing the housing interior in the connection direction with a mating connector. The chamfer can be designed according to the above statements regarding the connector assembly.

[0052] Further advantageous embodiments of the plug result from the description of the plug assembly and the description of the figures.

[0053] The invention further relates to a method for assembling a connector assembly according to the preceding embodiments, comprising the steps of: arranging a sealing element in a housing or around a connector and positioning the connector in the housing along a connection direction of the connector with a mating connector, wherein the sealing element is clamped and pressed radially to a longitudinal axis of the connector extending in the connection direction during the positioning step.

[0054] The process is explained in more detail below using a sealing ring as an example. The term "ring" is not limited to a circular shape. The explanations are analogously applicable to other sealing elements, provided that this is not precluded by a specific design.

[0055] First, the sealing ring is arranged in the housing intended for the plug. This is done by resting it on a side of a housing projection facing the housing interior. However, the sealing ring can also have a slight preload against an axial inner surface of the housing, so that the sealing ring can be held in the housing even without a housing projection. The sealing ring can be arranged around the plug in a similar way, whereby a plug projection described for the plug assembly can be used or the sealing ring is already slightly stretched by the stretcher so that it is held by the plug. As already described, further arrangement options arise in terms of holding the sealing element in such an arrangement by using a strip or providing a corresponding groove.

[0056] The connector is positioned in the housing after the sealing ring has been positioned. For this purpose, the connector is moved, for example, from the outside of the housing into a connector receptacle formed within the housing. Alternatively, the housing can also be moved in a reversible motion.

[0057] In the case where the sealing ring has been previously arranged in the housing, the sealing ring is clamped over the connector and pressed into place during the positioning of the connector. For this purpose, the connector has, for example, the chamfer described above. This chamfer is formed, as previously explained, on the axial outer surface of the connector at an end facing the housing interior in the connection direction with a mating connector. Alternatively, the chamfer can also be formed in another area of ​​the axial outer surface of the connector.

[0058] In the case where the sealing ring has been previously arranged around the connector, the sealing ring is compressed during the positioning of the connector over the housing. The chamfer of the housing engages the sealing ring and compresses it radially upon further relative movement between the housing and connector to position the connector in the housing. This compresses the sealing ring between the axial inner surface of the housing and the axial outer surface of the connector to form a radial seal.

[0059] In one embodiment of the method, the plug is positioned in the housing from a side facing away from the housing interior.

[0060] The connector is thus inserted from the easily accessible exterior of the housing toward the interior of the housing into a connector receptacle provided by the housing. To reverse the movement, the housing can also be moved toward the connector.

[0061] The invention is explained in more detail below using an embodiment with reference to the attached figure. The figure shows: Figure 1 shows a connector assembly with a connector arranged in a housing and a radial seal according to a first embodiment to which the invention is applicable.

[0062] Figure 1shows a connector assembly 1 with a connector 20 arranged in a housing 10 and a radial seal according to a first embodiment of the invention. The radial seal is formed by a sealing element 30, here a sealing ring, which is pressed at a radial distance between an axial outer surface 21 of the connector 20 and an axial inner surface 11 of the housing 10. The sealing element forms a sealing surface with the axial outer surface 21 of the connector 20 and a sealing surface with the axial inner surface 11 of the housing 10. The terms "axial" and "radial" refer to the longitudinal axis L20 of the connector 20. The housing 10 is only shown in detail here and extends further around the area of ​​the housing interior I in an application-specific form. The connector assembly of the present embodiment is part of a pneumatic assembly for trucks.

[0063] In the exemplary embodiment shown, the housing 10 has a radially extending housing projection 12 in the opening area of ​​the plug receptacle and pointing in the direction of the plug. For mounting the plug assembly 1, the sealing element 30 is placed on a side of the housing projection facing the housing interior in the later mounting direction of the plug, as shown by the arrow. The sealing element 30 is designed such that, when resting on the housing projection 12, it is slightly prestressed relative to the axial inner surface 11 of the housing 10 in order to be easily held in the housing 10. Accordingly, the sealing element 30 is designed to be insignificantly larger in its radial outer dimensions than the radial surface formed by the axial inner surface 11 of the housing 10.

[0064] Surface. Alternatively, the sealing element 30 can also be designed to be only large enough to rest on the housing projection 12. Securing in the assembly position can then be achieved using the strip 40 described below. In particular, the sealing element 30 is dimensioned such that a surface facing the axial outer surface 21 of the connector 20 to be installed protrudes radially beyond the housing projection 12 in order to be pressed onto the connector 20.

[0065] After the sealing element 30 has been placed on the projection, a strip 40, in this case a plug strip, is inserted into the housing 10 through the housing interior I in the direction of the receiving opening for the plug 20. The strip 40 has a radial circumference that is adapted to the contour of the axial inner surface 11 of the housing 10, so that the strip 40, in the installed state, at least partially covers the radial distance provided for radial sealing between the axial inner surface 11 of the housing 10 and the radial outer surface 21 of the plug 20. In the illustrated embodiment, the radial circumference of the strip 40 is smaller than the radial circumference of the axial inner surface 11 of the housing 10 in order to enable appropriate insertion. The resulting gap can be kept small to ensure maximum centering. Likewise, too tight a fit can lead to restricted movement and / or jamming.By means of the built-in strip 40, the sealing element 30 is chambered between the strip 40 and the housing projection 12 and is thus held in an area in which the radial seal is to be formed.

[0066] In the present embodiment, the strip 40 not only serves to chamber the sealing element 30, but also, in the installed state, has a plug receptacle on a side facing the receiving opening of the housing 10 for the plug 20. This receptacle is formed by a circumferential strip projection 41 extending in the direction of the receiving opening of the housing 10. The receptacle is designed, at least in sections, here in the region of the outer plug circumference, to complement the plug contour to be received. Consequently, the strip 40 can be used to center and position the plug 20 in the housing 10. For centering purposes, the strip 40 here has two chamfers tapering in the direction of the longitudinal axis L20, which correspond to the chamfers 22 of the plug ends. An end position of the plug 20 in the housing 10 can be defined by the chamfers of the strip or by a stop formed between the chamfers of the strip 40.

[0067] The Figure 1 shown strip 40 as a feed-through and positioning aid for the electrical contact pins 50 of the plug 20. For this purpose, the strip 40 has at least a number of through-holes 42 corresponding to the number of electrical contact pins 50, which extend from a side of the strip 40 facing the plug 20 or the receiving opening of the housing 10 for the plug 20 in the installed state to the opposite side of the strip 40. To facilitate the insertion of the electrical contact pins 50 into the through-holes 42, the through-holes are funnel-shaped at least on the side facing the plug 20 or the receiving opening of the housing 10 for the plug 20 in the installed state.

[0068] After positioning the strip 40, the plug 20 is inserted through the receiving opening of the housing 10 from an outside of the housing into the housing 10, as shown by the arrow in Figure 1is illustrated. The plug 20 has a chamfer 22 on the axial outer surface 21 of the plug 20 at an end facing the housing interior I in the connection direction with a mating plug. The end facing the housing interior I in the connection direction with a mating plug, with the chamfer 22, is annular in this case, wherein the ring extends further in the direction of the housing interior I with its inner circumference than with its outer circumference due to the chamfer 22. In other words, the end of the plug 20 facing the housing interior I in the connection direction with a mating plug tapers from the outer circumference of the ring to the inner circumference or runs in the direction of the longitudinal axis L20. The chamfer 22 has an angle of 45°. In particular, angles between 30° and 45° are often provided, wherein the angle fundamentally depends on the space required and the required degree of compression of the sealing element 30.

[0069] As a result of the insertion of the plug 20 into the housing 10, the chamfer 22 engages the sealing element 30 and clamps the sealing element over the enlargement of the outer circumferential surface of the plug associated with the chamfer 22. As a result, the sealing element is pressed into the radial distance formed between the axial outer surface 21 of the plug 20 and the axial inner surface 11 of the housing 10 and forms a sealing surface with the axial outer surface 21 of the plug 20 and the axial inner surface 11 of the housing 10. As a result, the housing interior I and the housing interior II formed by the plug 20 with the strip 40 are radially sealed from the exterior space III. The housing interior II can be further sealed from the housing interior I by a tight fit or by using additional sealing elements and represents a sub-area of ​​the housing interior I.A separate seal of the housing interior II can be provided, for example, in the case of unprotected contact pins 50 or unprotected areas of the contact pins 50 if these can be influenced via the housing interior I or if they must be secured redundantly in addition to the radial seal.

[0070] The invention is not limited to the described embodiments. Even if, for example, according to Figure 1is directed to a rotationally symmetrical design of the connector assembly, this is to be understood as an example. Due to application specifications, such a design is often deviated from. In addition, for example, projections do not have to be circumferential, but can also be provided in sections. Accordingly, the end with the chamfer 22 facing the housing interior I in the direction of connection to a mating connector does not have to be a continuous ring, but can be formed from individual projections with the same effect. It is also possible in this regard for this end to be flat, so that no housing interior II is formed. LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

[0071] 1Connector assembly 10Housing 11Axial inner surface (of the housing) 12Housing projection 20Connector 21Axial outer surface (of the connector) 22Bevel 30Sealing element 40(Connector) strip 41Strip projection 42Through hole 50Contact pin I, IIHousing interior IIIExterior L20Longitudinal axis (of the connector)

Claims

1. Connector assembly (1), comprising: a housing (10), a connector (20), which is arranged in the housing (10), at least in part, and which has a longitudinal axis (L20) in a connecting direction to a mating connector, wherein an axial outer face (21) of the connector (20), with respect to the longitudinal axis (L20), is radially spaced from an opposing axial inner face (11) of the housing (10), at least in part, and a sealing element (30), wherein the sealing element (30) is arranged in the radial space formed between the axial outer face (21) of the connector (20) and the opposite axial inner face (11) of the housing (10) and forms a sealing face with the axial outer face (21) of the connector (20) and the opposite axial inner face (11) of the housing (10), characterized in that the connector (20) has a chamfer (22) on the axial outer face (21) of the connector (20) at one end facing the interior of the housing (I, II) in the direction of connection with a mating connector, which chamfer is configured to engage the sealing element (30) and then guide it along the chamfer (22) to clamp and press it into place, wherein the chamfer (22) comprises at least two sloping sections.

2. Connector assembly (1) according to claim 1, wherein the housing (10) has a housing projection (12), which points in the direction of the connector (20) in radial direction with respect to the longitudinal axis (L20) of the connector (20), and the sealing element (30) is arranged on a side of the housing projection (12) which faces an interior of the housing (I, II) in connecting direction to a mating connector.

3. Connector assembly (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the connector (20) has a connector projection, which points in the direction of the housing (10) in radial direction with respect to the longitudinal axis (L20) of the connector (20), and the sealing element (30) is arranged on a side of the connector projection which faces an interior of the housing (I, II) in connecting direction to a mating connector.

4. Connector assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sloping sections are separated by an intermediate section extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis (L20) and / or have different inclines.

5. Connector assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the connector assembly (1) comprises a strip (40) which is arranged in connection direction with a mating connector on a side of the connector (20) facing the interior of the housing (I, II) and at least partially covers the radial distance formed between the axial outer face (21) of the connector (20) and the opposite axial inner face (11) of the housing (10).

6. Connector assembly (1) according to claim 5, wherein the strip (40) forms a strip projection (41) which projects into the radial space formed between the axial outer face (21) of the connector (20) and the opposite axial inner face (11) of the housing (10).

7. Connector assembly (1) according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the connector (20) comprises electrical contact pins (50) and the strip (40) is configured as a connector strip for feeding through the electrical contact pins (50).

8. Connector assembly (1) according to claim 7, wherein the connector strip for passing through the electrical contact pins (50) has through-bores (42) which are configured to have a diameter that tapers, starting on the side facing the connector (20), at least over a predetermined section, in particular in a funnel shape.

9. Connector assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the axial outer face (21) of the connector (20) and / or the axial inner face (11) of the housing (10) has a tangential groove in which the sealing element (30) is at least partially arranged.

10. Connector assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sealing element (30) is formed to be integral with the strip (40) according to claims 7 to 10, the connector (20) and / or the housing (30).

11. Connector (20) for connecting to a mating connector for a connector assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. Method for installing a connector assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, comprising the steps of: - arranging a sealing element (30) in a housing (10) or around a connector (20) and - positioning the connector (20) in the housing (10) along a connecting direction of the connector (20) to a mating connector, wherein the sealing element (30), during the positioning step, is stretched and compressed radially with respect to a longitudinal axis (L20) of the connector (20) which extends in the connecting direction.

13. Method according to claim 12, wherein the positioning of the connector (20) in the housing (10) takes place from a side which faces away from the interior of the housing (I, II).

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