Connector with improved sealing gasket, sealing assembly and method of mounting a cable with this sealing assembly

Abstract

Electrical connector (1) comprising a housing (3) in which a sealing zone (6) is provided. An electrical contact (5), connected to an electrical cable (8), is housed in the housing (3). A wire seal (9) which comprises at least one circular sealing rib (11) is mounted on the cable (8). A ring (20) is removably mounted on the wire seal (9). It comprises a plurality of spacer portions (21) interposed between the cable (8) and the internal surface (12) of the sealing zone (6). Each spacer portion (21) having a radial dimension substantially equal to the distance, considered perpendicular to a central axis (AC), between the cable (8) and the internal surface (12) of the sealing zone (6). Sealing assembly for connector (1) comprising a wire seal (9) and at least one ring (20).Method of mounting a cable (8) in a connector (1) with placement of such an assembly on the cable (8). Figure 2.

Description

Title of the invention: Connector with improved sealing gasket, sealing assembly and method of mounting a cable with this sealing assembly Technical field

[0001] The invention relates to the field of connectors for motor vehicles and in particular to that of connectors comprising at least one wire seal. State of the art

[0002] Electrical connectors are known comprising a housing configured to house one or more electrical contacts. An example of a connector 1 of the prior art is shown schematically in [Fig.l]. In such a connector 1, at least one cavity 2 (or cell) is provided in a housing 3. Each cavity 2 comprises for example at least one zone 4 configured to receive a contact 5 and at least one sealing zone 6. Each sealing zone 6 extends for example longitudinally parallel to a central axis AC. At least one electrical contact 5 is housed in a cavity 2. This contact 5 has a fixing portion 7 connected to an electrical cable 8. In addition, a wire seal 9 is placed in the sealing zone 6 around the cable 8 connected to the contact 5. This wire seal 9 comprises an internal passage 10 through which the cable 8 passes.This wired seal 9 comprises at least one circular sealing rib 11 extending around a central axis AC and configured to interfere with an internal surface 12 of the sealing zone 6. Such a connector 1 may optionally comprise a cover 13 at least partially closing the cavity 2. This cover 13 then has an opening through which the cable 8 passes. Advantageously, this cover 13 is configured to retain the wired seal 9 in the sealing zone 6.

[0003] As shown in [Fig.l], it may happen that the cable 8 is deformed at the outlet of the connector 1 and that it causes, even inside the cavity 2, the wired sealing joint 9 to deform. However, a deformation of the wired sealing joint 9 can cause detachment and a space G between the sealing rib 11 and the internal surface 12 of the sealing zone 6. This is likely to impair the effectiveness of the wired sealing joint 9 in its sealing function. Statement of the invention

[0004] There is proposed below an at least partial solution to the above problem. More particularly, there is proposed a connector as mentioned above which further comprises a ring extending circularly around the central axis. This ring is removably mounted on the joint. This ring comprises a plurality of spacer portions interposed between the cable and the internal surface of the cavity. Each spacer portion has a radial dimension substantially equal to the distance between the cable and the internal surface of the sealing zone, this distance being considered perpendicular to the central axis.

[0005] In this document, a spacer portion is a portion of the ring that limits the radial displacement of the cable, on either side of this spacer portion. In other words, the ring has a relative rigidity compared to the elasticity of the seal and it is at least partly interposed between the cable and the internal surface of the sealing zone in which the seal is housed, and therefore each spacer portion limits the radial displacement of the cable compared to what this same displacement could have been with a seal of the prior art (i.e. without a ring).

[0006] It is conceivable that the ring does not have spacer zones distributed all around the wire seal, if for example, the movement of the cable in other radial directions is limited by other elements (connector environment, shape of the cover or cavity, etc.). However, a ring having a certain axial symmetry has the advantage of not having to choose a particular orientation when mounting the seal on the cable and / or in the connector.

[0007] The connector mentioned above also optionally comprises one and / or the other of the following characteristics, each considered independently of the other or in combination with one or more others: - each spacer portion has an internal bearing zone and an external bearing zone; the internal bearing zone extends radially towards the central axis and closely guides, i.e. in a fitted manner, the cable inside the ring; the external bearing zone closely limits at least one radial displacement of the ring in the cavity; - the wire seal comprises at least one groove extending circularly around the central axis, open on an external cylindrical surface of the wire seal, in which the ring is at least partially housed and at the bottom of which at least one opening is provided for the passage of an internal support zone, up to the cable; - it comprises a cover at least partially closing the cavity, this cover having an opening through which the cable passes and retaining the wire seal in the sealing zone; - the wire seal has two circular sealing ribs extending around the central axis; each rib is configured to interfere with the inner surface of the sealing area; and a ring is placed between the two sealing ribs; - the wire seal comprises at least one circular rib extending around the central axis; this rib is configured to interfere with the internal surface of the sealing zone; and the connector comprises two rings, each placed on either side of the rib.

[0008] A sealing assembly for a connector is also provided, this assembly comprising a wire-type seal made of elastomer. In this assembly, the wire-type seal has an inner surface extending circularly around a central axis. This inner surface delimits radially, towards the central axis, a region inside the wire-type seal. The wire-type seal also has an outer surface extending circularly around the central axis. This outer surface delimits radially, away from the central axis, a region outside the wire-type seal. In addition, the wire-type seal has at least one groove extending circularly around the central axis, open on the outer surface and a ring made of plastic. The ring is removably mounted on the wire-type seal, so as to be at least partially housed in the groove.This ring includes a plurality of spacer portions. Each spacer portion passes through the wire seal from the inner region to the outer region.

[0009] This ring also optionally comprises at least two parts with a hinge between the two parts, this hinge making it possible to separate the two parts from each other to mount the ring on the wire seal.

[0010] Also provided is a method of mounting a cable in a connector. This method comprises the following steps: - a step of supplying a cable, - a step of providing a wire seal, this wire seal comprising an internal surface extending circularly around a central axis and delimiting radially, towards the central axis, a region inside the wire seal, and an external surface extending circularly around the central axis and delimiting radially, away from the central axis, a region outside the wire seal, the wire seal comprising at least one groove extending circularly around the central axis, open on the external surface, - a step of providing a connector housing, this housing comprising a cavity, - a step of mounting the wired seal on the cable by threading the wired seal onto the cable, from a free end of the cable, - a step of inserting the wired seal mounted on the cable into the cavity.

[0011] This method further comprises a step of providing a ring comprising a plurality of spacer portions and, prior to the step of inserting the seal wired seal in the cavity, a step of mounting the ring, removably on the wired seal, so as to at least partially house the ring in the groove, and so that each spacer portion passes through the wired seal, from the inner region, to the outer region.

[0012] In this method, the step of mounting the ring on the wire seal optionally comprises an operation consisting of bringing at least two parts of this ring towards each other, to close the ring placed in the groove. Brief description of the drawings

[0013] Other features and advantages will become apparent in the detailed description of different embodiments of the invention, the description being accompanied by examples and references to the attached drawings.

[0014] [Fig-1] schematically represents in longitudinal section a cavity of an example embodiment of a prior art connector;

[0015] [Fig.2] schematically represents in a manner similar to [Fig.l], a cavity of an exemplary embodiment of a connector as described below;

[0016] [Fig.3] schematically represents in perspective the free end of a cable provided with a contact and an example of a sealing assembly for a connector as represented in [Fig.2];

[0017] [Fig.4] schematically represents in perspective the sealing gasket of the sealing assembly of [Fig.3];

[0018] [Fig.5] schematically represents in elevation a ring such as that mounted on the sealing gasket of the sealing assembly of [Fig.3]; this ring being closed;

[0019] [Fig.6] schematically represents in perspective the ring of [Fig.5], the latter being open;

[0020] [Fig.7] schematically represents in perspective the ring of figures 5 and 6, open on the sealing joint of [Fig.4];

[0021] [Fig.8] schematically represents in perspective the ring of figures 5 and 6, mounted and closed on the sealing joint of [Fig.4], thus forming a sealing assembly such as that of [Fig.3];

[0022] [Fig.9] schematically represents in perspective two rings such as that of [Fig.5], these being open to be mounted on another exemplary embodiment of a sealing joint for a connector such as represented in [Fig.2]; And

[0023] [Fig. 10] schematically represents in perspective a sealing assembly formed from the elements shown in [Fig.9]. Detailed description of the implementation methods

[0024] According to an exemplary embodiment of a connector 1 shown in [Fig. 2], the latter comprises a housing 3, for example made of molded plastic. Although a single cavity 2 is shown in [Fig. 2], this type of housing 3 generally comprises several cavities 2. In the case shown in [Fig. 2], the cavity 2 extends in a single direction L (e.g.: straight connector), but in other cases, the cavity 2 may be angled (e.g.: right-angle connector). In all cases, a metallic electrical contact 5 may be housed in the cavity 2. As shown in [Fig. 3], such a contact 5 generally comprises a connection portion 14 and a fixing portion 7. The connection portion 14 is intended to establish a connection with another contact housed in a counter-connector coupled to the connector 1.The fixing portion 7 is connected, for example by welding or crimping, to an electric cable 8. This electric cable 8 may be single-strand or multi-strand. It may consist of one or more wires which may themselves be single-strand or multi-strand. In all cases, it is coated with an external sheath 15 made of an electrically insulating plastic material. The cavity 2 may optionally comprise a portion open onto one or more other cavities 2 intended to also receive each respectively a contact 5. The cavity 2 comprises at least one sealing zone 6. This sealing zone 6 is configured to receive a wire seal 9 forming a sealed barrier between the housing 3 and the sheath 15 of the cable 8 connected to the contact 5. This sealing zone 6 is therefore located beyond the fixing portion 7 of the contact 5 housed in the corresponding cavity 2.The housing 3, and more particularly the sealing zone 6, is possibly closed by a cover 13, or lid, which can retain the wire seal 9 in the sealing zone 6. This cover 13 has at least one opening 16 for the passage of the cable 8.

[0025] As shown in Figures 2 to 4, the wire seal 9 is generally annular in shape. For example, it is formed from an elastomeric material. The wire seal 9 comprises an internal passage 10 through which the cable 8 passes. It has an internal surface 12 extending circularly around a central axis AC. This internal surface 12 radially delimits an internal region which corresponds to the internal passage 10. This internal surface 12 optionally comprises one or more internal annular structures extending radially in the internal passage 10. This internal surface 12 ensures, optionally with the aid of the internal annular structure(s), the seal between the wire seal 9 and the cable 8.

[0026] It also comprises an external surface 17 extending circularly around the central axis AC. This external surface 17 radially delimits a region external to the wire seal 9. The external surface 17 comprises one or more sealing ribs 11. In the example shown in [Fig. 3], the wire seal 9 comprises two sealing ribs 11. In the example shown in Figures 8 and 9, the wire seal 9 comprises a single sealing rib 11. Each sealing rib 11 forms, on the external surface 17, an annular bead extending circularly around the central axis AC. Each sealing rib 11 is configured to interact with the internal surface 12 of the sealing zone 6 and to possibly deform upon contact with the latter. The external surface 17 ensures, with the aid of the sealing rib(s) 11, the seal between the wire seal 9 and the sealing zone 6 of the housing 3.

[0027] The wire seal 9 also comprises at least one groove 18, or throat, extending circularly around the central axis AC, open on the external surface 17. In the example shown in Figures 4, 7 and 8, this groove 18 is interposed between two sealing ribs 11. In the example shown in Figures 9 and 10, the wire seal 9 comprises two grooves 18, each placed respectively on one side and the other of a single sealing rib 11.

[0028] In all cases, each groove 18 comprises a plurality of openings 19 (for example five in number, in the examples shown in the figures). Each opening 19 passes through the wire seal 9 between the internal surface 12 and the external surface 17 (and more particularly between the internal surface 12 and the bottom of the groove forming the groove 18).

[0029] As shown in Figures 3 and 7 to 10, at least one ring 20 of rigid plastic material is mounted on the wire seal 9, in a groove 18. In the example of ring 20 shown in Figures 5 to 10, this ring 20 comprises five spacer portions 21. Each spacer portion 21 has a radial dimension DR substantially equal to the distance, considered perpendicular to the central axis AC, between the cable 8 and the internal surface 12 of the sealing zone 6. Each spacer portion 21 comprises an internal bearing zone 22 extending radially towards the inside of the ring 20, towards the central axis AC and an external bearing zone 23 extending radially away from the central axis AC. The internal support zones 22 tightly guide the cable 8 inside the ring 20. They each respectively comprise a concave surface configured to come into contact with the external surface of the external sheath 15 of the cable 8.The internal support zones 22 extend circularly over an arc of a circle corresponding to approximately 30°. The external support zones 23 limit the movement of the ring 20, perpendicular to the central axis AC, in the sealing zone 6 of the cavity 2. They each respectively comprise a convex surface configured to come to bear on the internal surface 12 of the sealing zone 6 of the cavity 2. The internal 22 and external 23 support zones are essentially uniformly distributed all around the ring 20. The support zones . internal 22 and external 23 are therefore configured to closely limit the radial movements of the ring 20 in the sealing zone 6 of the cavity 2, towards or away from the central axis AC.

[0030] In the example of ring 20 shown in Figures 5 to 10, the ring 20 comprises a hinge 24 connecting two ring parts 25 in an articulated manner. In this example, each of these two ring parts 25 essentially corresponds to one half of the ring 20 and extends angularly over approximately 180°. The hinge 24 is configured so as to allow the two ring parts 25 to be separated from each other in a plane parallel to that of the ring 20 and therefore of the two ring parts 25. The opening of the hinge 24 allows the two ring parts 25 to be separated sufficiently from each other to be able to mount the ring 20 on the wire seal 9. In the example shown, the hinge 24 is arranged between the two ring parts 25 at an internal support zone 22.In other words, each of the two ring parts 25 comprises a segment 26, each segment 26 reforming when the ring 20 is closed the functional equivalent of an internal support zone 22. Opposite the hinge 24, in what corresponds to an external support zone 23, the ring 20 comprises closing means 27. For example, these closing means 27 consist of a clasp with protuberance 28, located at the free end of one ring part 25, engaging in a fitted manner in a groove 29 or a cavity, located at the free end of the other ring part 25.

[0031] The ring 20 shown in Figures 5 and 6 is mounted on a wire seal 9 as shown in Figures 4, 7 and 8, by separating the two ring parts 25, then inserting a ring part 25 into the groove 18 by making openings 19 coincide with internal support zones 22, and finally by closing the two ring parts 25 by bringing them towards each other until the clasp is closed.

[0032] Similarly, in the case of the exemplary embodiment shown in Figures 9 and 10, two rings 20 such as those described above are placed and closed as described in the previous paragraph, each in a respective groove 18.

[0033] When wiring a connector 1, the wire seal 9 is slipped onto a free end of the cable 8 before attaching and connecting (for example by crimping) a contact 5 to this free end. The ring(s) 20 may be mounted on the wire seal 9 before or after slipping this wire seal 9 onto the free end of the cable 8. Similarly, the ring(s) 20 may be mounted on the wire seal 9 before or after attaching the contact 5 to this free end. In all cases, the ring(s) 20 are mounted on the wire seal 9 before introducing the free end of the cable 8 provided with its contact 5 and its wire seal 9 into a cavity 2, and more particularly before introducing the assembly comprising the wire seal 9 and the ring(s) 20, into the sealing zone 6.

Claims

Claims

1. Electrical connector (1) comprising - a housing (3) in which at least one cavity (2) is provided, at least one sealing zone (6) of which extends longitudinally parallel to a central axis (AC), - at least one electrical contact (5) housed in the cavity (2), this contact (5) having a fixing portion (7) connected to an electrical cable (8), - a wired seal (9) comprising * an internal passage (10) through which the cable (8) passes, * an external surface (17) extending circularly around the central axis (AC) and radially delimiting an external surface of the wire seal (9), * at least one groove (18) extending around the central axis (AC) and open on the external surface (17), * at least one circular sealing rib (11) extending around the central axis (AC) and configured to interfere with an internal surface (12) of the sealing zone (6), - at least one ring (20) extending circularly around the central axis (AC), removably mounted on the wire seal (9) and comprising a plurality of spacer portions (21) interposed between the cable (8) and the internal surface (12) of the sealing zone (6), each spacer portion (21) having a radial dimension substantially equal to the distance, considered perpendicular to the central axis (AC), between the cable (8) and the internal surface (12) of the sealing zone (6), characterized - by the fact that the wired seal (9) comprises - either a groove (18) inserted between two sealing ribs (11), the ring (20) being placed in this groove (18), - either two grooves (18) each respectively placed on one side and the other of a single sealing rib (11), a ring (20) being placed in each of the two grooves (18), - by the fact that each spacer portion (21) comprises * an internal support zone (22) extending radially towards the central axis (AC) from the outer region to the inner region, and tightly guiding the cable (8) inside the ring (20), and * an external support zone (23) closely limiting at least one die radial placement of the ring (20) in the cavity (2), and by the fact that the groove(s) (18) in each of which a ring (20) is at least partially housed comprises at least one opening for the passage of an internal support zone (22), up to the cable (8).

2. Connector (1) according to claim 1, comprising a cover (13) at least partially closing the cavity (2), this cover (13) having an opening through which the cable (8) passes and retaining the wire seal (9) in the sealing zone (6).

3. Sealing assembly for a connector (1), this assembly comprising a wire seal (9) made of elastomer, in which the wire seal (9) is configured to be mounted on a cable (8) and comprises an inner surface extending circularly around a central axis (AC) and radially delimiting a region inside the wire seal (9), an outer surface extending circularly around the central axis (AC) and radially delimiting a region outside the wire seal (9), in which the wire seal (9) comprises at least one groove (18) extending circularly around the central axis (AC), open on the outer surface, the assembly further comprising at least one ring (20) made of plastic material, removably mounted on the wire seal (9), this ring (20) comprising a plurality of spacer portions (21),each spacer portion (21) passing through the characterized wire seal (9), - by the fact that the wire seal (9) comprises - either a groove (18) interposed between two sealing ribs (11), the ring (20) being placed in this groove (18), - either two grooves (18) each respectively placed on one side and the other of a single sealing rib (11), a ring (20) being placed in each of the two grooves (18) - by the fact that each spacer portion (21) comprises * an internal support zone (22) extending radially towards the central axis (AC) from the outer region to the inner region, and * an external support zone (23), and by the fact that the groove(s) (18) in each of which is at least partially housed a ring (20) comprises at least one opening for the passage of an internal support zone (22), up to the internal surface.

4. Assembly according to claim 3, in which the ring (20) comprises at least one hinge (24) between two parts, this hinge (24) making it possible to separate the two parts from each other to mount the ring (20) on the wire seal (9).

5. Method for mounting a cable (8) in a connector (1), comprising - a step of providing a cable (8), - a step of providing a wire seal (9), this wire seal (9) comprising an inner surface extending circularly around a central axis (AC) and delimiting radially, towards the central axis (AC), a region inside the wire seal (9), and an outer surface extending circularly around the central axis (AC) and delimiting radially, away from the central axis (AC), a region outside the wire seal (9), the wire seal (9) comprising at least one groove (18) extending circularly around the central axis (AC), open on the outer surface, - a step of providing a connector housing (3), this housing (3) comprising a cavity (2),- a step of mounting the wire seal (9) on the cable (8) by threading the wire seal (9) onto the cable (8), from a free end of the cable (8), - a step of inserting the wire seal (9) mounted on the cable (8) into the cavity (2), - a step of providing at least one ring (20) comprising a plurality of spacer portions (21), characterized in that - by the fact that the wire seal (9) comprises - either a groove (18) interposed between two sealing ribs (11), configured to place the ring (20) therein - or two grooves (18) each respectively placed on one side and the other of a single sealing rib (11), each groove (18) being configured to place a ring (20) therein, - by the fact that each spacer portion (21) comprises - an internal support zone (22) extending radially towards the central axis (AC) from the outer region to the inner region,and tightly guiding the cable (8) inside each ring (20), and, - an external support zone (23) narrowly limiting at least one radial displacement of each ring (20) in the cavity (2), by the fact that the groove(s) (18) in each of which is at least partially housed a ring (20) comprises at least one opening for the passage of an internal support zone (22), up to the cable (8), and by the fact that prior to the step of inserting the wire seal (9) into the cavity (2), it comprises a step of mounting each ring (20), in a removable manner on the wire seal (9), so as to at least partially house each ring (20) in a groove (18), and so that each spacer portion (21) passes through the wire seal (9), from the external region to the internal region.

6. Method according to claim 5, in which the step of mounting each ring (20) on the wire seal (9) comprises an operation consisting of bringing towards each other at least two parts of this ring (20), to close the ring (20) placed in the groove (18).

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