High-voltage connector device

Abstract

To provide a connector device that can be manufactured at low cost and is suitable for aviation and automobile applications.SOLUTION: In a connector device 600, a housing comprises: a cover 50 including a dielectric cover wall material 54 and a base 55 including a dielectric base wall material 59, the cover and the base being fitted to each other in a closed state of the housing and receiving an end part of at least one electric cable 61, 62 having conductive parts (internal conductive jackets 61b, 62b); and contact means 53 for making electrical contact with the conductive part of the at least one electric cable in the closed state of the housing. In the closed state of the housing, the cover and the base are such that the housing substantially does not contain gas between the conductive part of the at least one electric cable and the dielectric cover wall material, between the conductive part of the at least one electric cable and the dielectric base wall material, between the contact means and the dielectric cover wall material, and between the contact means and the dielectric base wall material.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector device configured for connecting electrical cables, especially in high voltage applications. The connector device may be configured for connecting individual cables to each other or may be a connector termination for connection to some equipment. [Background technology]

[0002] Connectors for connecting electrical cables for carrying electric current are widespread. Reliably connecting one or more electrical cables to a connector or to one or more other electrical cables, especially in harsh environments and high voltage applications, poses demanding challenges in a variety of applications, including, for example, aviation and automotive applications.

[0003] A particular challenge that arises in connection with the connection of electric cables is the occurrence of so-called triple contact points or triple junctions. A triple contact point is a junction between a conductor, a solid dielectric and a gas dielectric, and such triple contact points pose a high risk of connection failure. A notable example is shown in FIG. 1, which shows an electric cable with an inner electric conductor or conductor strand 1010 insulated by a dielectric material 1020. A conductive braid 1030 is formed in the dielectric material 1020. The presence of air 1040 with the conductor 1010 and the braid 1030, respectively, and with the dielectric material 1020 leads to the formation of a triple contact point 1050. Particularly in high voltage applications, discharge events may occur at the triple contact points, leading to operational failures. Therefore, triple contact points need to be avoided in electrical connections, especially in connector interfaces. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] As a result, there is a need for a connector device for connecting electrical cables without or substantially without triple contact points, in particular a connector device that can be manufactured at low cost and is suitable for aviation and automotive applications. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In order to address the above needs, the present invention provides a connector device for connecting at least one electric cable, comprising a housing. The housing comprises a cover comprising a dielectric cover wall material (e.g. comprising or consisting of any plastic material) and a base comprising a dielectric base wall material (e.g. comprising or consisting of any plastic material). The cover and the base are configured to mate (overlap) with each other before closing the housing and in the closed state of the housing, and to receive an end of at least one electric cable comprising a conductive portion. Furthermore, the housing of the connector device comprises contact means for electrically contacting the conductive portion of the at least one electric cable in the closed state of the housing. The cover and base are configured such that in a closed state of the housing (of the device), the housing is substantially gas-free a) between the conductive portion of the at least one electrical cable and the dielectric cover wall material, b) between the conductive portion of the at least one electrical cable and the dielectric base wall material, c) between the contact means and the dielectric cover wall material, and d) between the contact means and the dielectric base wall material. Alternatively, the cover and base are configured such that in a closed state of the housing (of the device), the housing is substantially gas-free between the electrical contact means and the dielectric cover wall material, and between the electrical contact means and the dielectric base wall material.

[0006] The connector device may be a connector device configured to connect one or more electrical cables to one or more other electrical cables, or may be a termination connector for connecting one or more electrical cables to an appliance, such as a power source.

[0007] According to the invention, the interface between the conductive elements in the housing and the dielectric material of the housing is substantially gas-free, e.g. air-free, so that in the connector device all conductive elements can be held at the same potential in the closed state of the housing. Thereby triple contact points can be advantageously avoided. The conductive elements are in part part of at least one electric cable (above-mentioned conductive part of at least one electric cable) which is connected by the connector device, e.g. to one or more other electric cables or connectors. The connector device allows the connection of various electric cables. For example, the electric cable comprises an inner conductor (inner conductor strand) which is in electrical contact with the contact means of the housing in the closed state of the housing. For example, an electric cable comprises, as a conductive part, an inner conductive jacket surrounding an inner conductor. For example, contacts (socket contacts or pin contacts) may be fixed (e.g. crimped) to the inner conductor. In this case, the contact means may be configured to engage and thereby electrically contact at least one contact of the cable and, if present, a part of the inner conductive jacket.

[0008] Thus, in one embodiment, the contact means is configured to electrically contact the conductive jacket of the at least one electric cable surrounding the inner conductor of the at least one electric cable in the closed state of the housing, and the cover and base are configured such that in the closed state of the housing, the housing is substantially gas-free between the conductive jacket of the at least one electric cable and the dielectric cover wall material, and between the conductive jacket of the at least one electric cable and the dielectric base wall material. An electric cable comprising an (inner) conductive jacket surrounding the inner conductor may comprise a dielectric jacket surrounding the inner conductive jacket, and a conductive braid. An outer conductive jacket may be provided between the dielectric jacket and the braid, and the conductive braid may be surrounded by an insulating jacket. The housing may be configured to electrically contact the braid at a conductive portion of the outer surface of the housing (i.e. the cover and base).

[0009] According to one embodiment, the housing further comprises a reservoir of dielectric grease material, the reservoir being provided in the housing and arranged such that in the closed state of the housing, the dielectric grease material is quenched into the gaps formed between the conductive parts of the at least one electric cable and the dielectric cover wall material and / or between the conductive parts of the at least one electric cable and the dielectric base wall material before the closed state of the housing is reached. In other words, it may happen that when the cover and the base are fitted together, some gaps are still present, especially in the region of the housing where some dielectric jacket of the otherwise exposed end of the at least one electric cable is present. During the process of closing the housing, the grease can be dispersed into the gaps, thereby ensuring that in the closed state of the housing, substantially no triple contact points remain on the housing.

[0010] According to one embodiment, the cover comprises a first (cover) finger element and the base comprises a second (base) finger element, the first and second finger elements being arranged such that in the closed state of the housing, the first and second finger elements engage with each other. Thus, the first and second finger elements are arranged geometrically complementary to each other. In particular, these finger elements are arranged near the longitudinal ends of the cover and the base, facilitating mating and closing of the cover and the base with each other. If a dielectric grease material is provided for sealing, a reservoir of dielectric grease material may be disposed between at least some of the first finger elements and / or some of the second finger elements, the first and second finger elements being arranged such that in a closed state of the housing, at least some of the first and / or second finger elements force the dielectric grease into the gaps, the action of the finger elements dispersing the dielectric grease in the housing to fill pre-formed gaps that might otherwise result in triple contact points.

[0011] According to the invention, contact means are provided for contacting conductive parts of the electric cables to be connected by the connector device, such as the inner conductor and / or the inner conductive jacket surrounding the inner conductor. The contact means may comprise a conductive area, such as a conductive plating or paint, formed on the inner surface of the dielectric cover wall material and the dielectric base wall material. Alternatively, the contact means may comprise a conductive insert arranged between the cover and the base (dielectric cover wall material and dielectric base wall material) or may be a conductive insert. According to a particular embodiment, the contact means comprises a distal portion of the end of the at least one electric cable, in particular a conductive insert or sleeve configured to receive a contact, such as a pin contact or a socket contact, formed and for example crimped on the end of the at least one electric cable.

[0012] As previously mentioned, the connector device may be configured to connect one or more electrical cables to one or more other electrical cables. Thus, according to one embodiment, the housing of the connector device includes a first (combined cover and base) port for receiving a first electrical cable for electrically connecting the first and second electrical cables to one another, and a second (combined cover and base) port different from the first port (i.e., on the opposite side of the cover / base / housing lengthwise from the first port) for receiving a second electrical cable different from the first cable.

[0013] In particular, the cover may include a cover conductive portion formed on or within a dielectric cover wall material that faces only the exterior of the cover, and the base may include a base conductive portion formed on or within a dielectric base wall material that faces only the exterior of the base. For example, the lower surface of the base and the upper surface of the cover may be partially or completely made from or include a conductive material. The braid of the electrical cable connected by the connector device may be connected to both the cover conductive portion and the base conductive portion.

[0014] Further, to address the above needs, a system is provided that includes a connector device according to one of the above-mentioned embodiments and an end of an electric cable that includes a conductive part that is in electrical contact with the contact means of the housing of the connector device in the closed state of the housing. The conductive part may include at least one of an inner conductor, a conductive jacket surrounding the inner conductor, and a contact fixed to a tip of the inner conductor. Furthermore, the electric cable may include a conductive braid that is formed on the inner conductor of the electric cable (e.g., formed on an outer conductive jacket, which is formed on a dielectric jacket, which is also formed on the inner conductor, e.g., on an inner conductive jacket formed on the inner conductor) and that is electrically connected with the cover conductive part and the base conductive part in the closed state of the housing.

[0015] According to a particular embodiment, the conductive braid has a notch or flange and the housing comprises a port for receiving the cable, the port comprising a receptacle for fitting into the notch or flange of the braid, so that on the one hand a reliable contact between the inner conductor / conductive jacket and the contact means can be achieved in the housing after closing the housing, and on the other hand the braid can be brought into reliable contact with the housing at conductive parts provided on the outer surfaces of the cover and base of the housing of the connector device.

[0016] According to a further embodiment, the system further comprises another end of a further electrical cable comprising a conductive portion (e.g. a further contact or a further contact and an inner conductive jacket) in electrical contact with the contact means of the housing of the connector device.

[0017] Further to address the above needs, there is provided a method for connecting an electrical cable to a connector device, comprising the steps of providing a cover for a housing of a connector device and a base for a housing of the connector device, the cover comprising a dielectric cover wall material, the base comprising a dielectric base wall material, and the housing comprising contact means for electrically contacting a conductive portion of at least one electrical cable (e.g., an inner conductor, or the inner conductor and a conductive jacket surrounding the inner conductor), and inserting the electrical cable between the cover and the base. The method further includes closing the housing by pressing the cover and base toward one another such that in the closed state of the housing, the housing is substantially gas-free between a) the conductive portion of the at least one electrical cable and the dielectric cover wall material, b) the conductive portion of the at least one electrical cable and the dielectric base wall material, c) the contact means and the dielectric cover wall material, and d) the contact means and the dielectric base wall material, and closing the housing to bring the contact means and the conductive portion into electrical contact with one another. Alternatively, the housing is closed by pressing the cover and base toward one another such that in the closed state of the housing, the housing is substantially gas-free between the contact means and the dielectric cover wall material, and between the contact means and the dielectric base wall material.

[0018] The connector device used in the method may be a connector device according to any of the embodiments described above.

[0019] In particular, the housing may further comprise a dielectric grease material, in which case the method includes quenching / dispersing the dielectric grease material into gaps formed between the conductive portion of the at least one electrical cable and the dielectric cover wall material and / or between the conductive portion of the at least one electrical cable and the dielectric base wall material by closing the housing before fully closing the housing.

[0020] According to one embodiment of the method of the invention, the electric cable comprises a conductive braid formed on an inner conductor, e.g., on a conductive jacket surrounding the inner conductor, the cover comprises a first conductive portion formed on or within a dielectric cover wall material facing only the outside of the cover, and the base comprises a second conductive portion formed on or within a dielectric base wall material facing only the outside of the base, the method further comprising the step of contacting the conductive braid with the first conductive portion and the second conductive portion after or during closing of the housing.

[0021] According to one embodiment, at least one of the electrical cables includes a contact, and the method further includes inserting another electrical cable including another contact between the cover and the base of the housing and closing the housing to bring the contact of the at least one cable into contact with the other contact of the other electrical cable.

[0022] Further features and exemplary embodiments and advantages of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. It should be understood that the present disclosure should not be interpreted as being limited by the following description of the embodiments. It should be further understood that some or all of the features described below may be combined in alternative ways. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0023] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 illustrates the triple contact point problem to be addressed in this application. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of an electrical cable that can be reliably connected by the electrical connector device presented herein. [Diagram 3] 3A and 3B show a cover and base of a housing of a connector device according to one embodiment in a mated, open and closed state, respectively, for connecting two electrical cables. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 shows a terminating connector device for connecting an electrical cable to a connector. [Figure 5A] FIG. 5A shows a detail of a cover of a housing of a connector device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5B] FIG. 5B shows a detail of the base of the housing of a connector device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 5C is a side view of the configuration in which two cables are inserted into the cover and base shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B. [Figure 7] 7A and 7B show details of the arrangement shown in FIG. 6 with respect to the latching connection of the contacts. [Figure 8] 1 illustrates an electrical insert or sleeve for a housing of a connector device according to one embodiment. [Figure 9] 9 shows a configuration of a housing of a connector device according to one embodiment, with two electrical cables inserted into the cover and base with the electrical insert shown in FIG. 8. [Figure 10] FIG. 7 shows electrical contacts within the housing shown in FIG. 6 in a closed state. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 shows electrical contacts within the housing shown in FIG. 9 in a closed state. [Figure 12] 7 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a connector device having a housing similar to that shown in FIG. 6 in a closed state. [Figure 13] 13A and 13B are diagrams illustrating grease reservoirs provided in the cover and base of the housing of a connector device according to one embodiment. [Figure 14] 14A and 14B are diagrams illustrating replacement of air with grease supplied by the grease reservoir shown in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0024] The present invention provides a connector device configured to connect one or more electrical cables, the connector device comprising a housing designed to substantially avoid the occurrence of triple contact points, in particular, in a closed state of the connector device housing, air is removed from the interface between the conductive portions of the cables to be connected by the connector device and the insulating portion of the connector device.

[0025] A typical example of an electrical cable that may be suitably connected by the connector device provided herein is shown in FIG. 2. The electrical cable 20 shown in FIG. 2 has an inner connector or connector strand 21 surrounded by a (first, inner) conductive jacket 22 that is insulated by a dielectric jacket 23. A (second, outer) conductive jacket 24 is formed on top of the dielectric jacket 23. A conductive braid 25 is formed on top of the other conductive jacket 24 and is covered by an outer insulating jacket 26. The configuration shown in FIG. 2 allows for the avoidance of triple contact points in the electrical cable 20. The first (inner) conductive jacket 22 is not required, but will be assumed for illustrative purposes in the following description. Similarly, the second (outer) conductive jacket 24 is not required, but will be assumed for illustrative purposes in the following description.

[0026] The electrical connector devices provided herein may be configured to connect one or more electrical cables to one or more other electrical cables, or may be configured as, for example, a termination connector. An exemplary jiffy junction connector device 30 is shown in Figures 3A and 3B. Figure 3A shows a cover (top) 31 of the housing of the connector device 30 and a base (bottom) 32 of the housing of the connector device 30 in an open state prior to insertion of electrical cables 33 and 33', and Figure 3B shows the cover 31 and base 32 in a closed state. The housing is closed by forcing the cover 31 and base 32 against each other. Cover 31 includes a cover port 31a and base 32 includes a base port 32a for receiving electrical cables to be connected together by connector device 30. Cover port 31a, base port 32a, at least a portion 31b of the upper surface of cover 31, and at least a portion of the lower surface of base 32 are conductive for electrically contacting braids 38a, 38b of cables 33 and 33'.

[0027] In the example shown in FIG. 3A, a cable 33 including an insulating jacket 33a, a first conductive jacket 34a, a dielectric jacket 35a, a second conductive jacket 36a, a braid 38a, and a socket contact 37a, and a cable 33' including an insulating jacket 33b, a first conductive jacket 34b, a dielectric jacket 35b, a second conductive jacket 36b, a braid 38b, and a pin contact 37b are connected to each other by a connector device 30. The socket contact 37a may be crimped to a distal end of the electrical cable 33, and the pin contact 37b may be crimped to a distal end of the electrical cable 33'. The braid 38a may include a notch or flange 38an, the braid 38b may include a notch or flange 38bn, and the ports 31a, 32a may include receptacles for mating with the notches or flanges 38an, 38bn of the braids 38a, 38b.

[0028] 4 shows a termination connector 40 that includes a backshell in a receptacle 41. The termination connector 40 may provide electrical contact to some equipment, such as a power source, via a conductor / cable 42. The termination connector 40 includes a housing 43 for connecting the backshell conductor / cable 42 with an electrical cable 44.

[0029] Details of a connector device similar to connector device 30 shown in Figures 3A and 3B, and a procedure for connecting two electrical cables together with such a connector device, are described below for illustrative purposes.

[0030] Details of the cover and base of a particular embodiment of the connector device of the present invention are shown in Figures 5A and 5B. The cover 50 shown in Figure 5A comprises two conductive cover ports 51a and 51b for contacting the braid of an electric cable (see also Figure 3B). Furthermore, the cover 50 comprises a cover finger element 52 for mechanically interacting with the base 55 shown in Figure 5B. Furthermore, the cover 50 comprises a cover conductive portion 53 (e.g. some conductive paint or plating) formed on the inner surface of the dielectric cover wall material 54 of the cover 50. The cover conductive portion 53 is configured to electrically contact a conductive portion of an electric cable to be connected by a connector device comprising the cover 50, such as a central inner conductor or an (inner) conductive jacket surrounding the strands. Corresponding to the cover 50, the base 55 shown in FIG. 5B comprises two conductive base ports 56a and 56b for contacting the braid of an electrical cable. Furthermore, the base 55 comprises base finger elements 57 for mechanically interacting with the finger elements 52 of the cover 50. Furthermore, the base 55 comprises a base conductive portion 58 (e.g., some conductive paint or plating) formed on the inner surface of the dielectric base wall material 59 of the base 55. It should be noted that according to other embodiments, rather than the conductive portions 53 and 58, some conductive insert or sleeve for receiving the ends of the cables 33 and 33' may be provided.

[0031] 6 shows a configuration of a connector device 600 in which two electric cables 61 and 62 are inserted into the cover 50 and base 55 shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, which are already mated with each other but not yet closed with respect to each other. The cable 61 comprises an inner conductor or conductor strand 61a, a (first, inner) conductive jacket 61b, a dielectric jacket 61c, another (second, outer) conductive jacket 61d, a conductive braid 61e, and an insulating jacket 61f. Furthermore, a socket contact 61g is fixed to the distal end of the inner conductor 61a. The cable 62 comprises an inner conductor or conductor strand 62a, a (first, inner) conductive jacket 62b, a dielectric jacket 62c, another (second, outer) conductive jacket 62d, a conductive braid 62e, and an insulating jacket 62f. Furthermore, the pin contact 62g is fixed to the tip of the inner conductor 62a. The cables 61 and 62 are inserted into the covers 50 and 55 until the collar 61ga of the socket contact 61g is latched with the cover latch member 50a included in the cover 50 and the base latch member 55a included in the base 55, and until the collar 62g of the pin contact 62g is latched with another cover latch member 50b included in the cover 50 and another base latch member 55b included in the base 55. In this state, according to the example shown in FIG. 6, the socket contact 61g and the pin contact 62g may be in contact with each other, but the pin contact 62g is not yet inserted into the socket contact 61g (this only occurs by closing the cover 50 against the base 55 in a later procedural step of the connection procedure). This insertion is only realized when the cover 50 is closed against the base 55.

[0032] Details regarding the latching connection of the contacts to the latch members are shown in Figures 7A and 7B. The collar 61ga of the socket contact 61g abuts the base latch member 55a of the base 55. The base latch member 55a may include a chamfered edge 55aa to facilitate operation. As can be seen in Figure 7B, the finger elements 52 included in the cover 50 and the finger elements 57 included in the base 55 may already be in contact with each other, but are not yet interlocked with each other in the state shown in Figures 6, 7A and 7B (this will only occur by closing the cover 50 against the base 55 in a later procedural step of the connection procedure).

[0033] As already mentioned, according to an alternative embodiment, a conductive insert may be provided instead of the conductive portions 53 and 58. Figure 8 shows an example of such a conductive insert (sleeve) 80 configured to receive the ends of electrical cables to be connected together. The conductive insert 80 may be integrally formed as one piece and comprises a port for the insertion of the ends of the electrical cables.

[0034] FIG. 9 shows the configuration of a connector device 900 using the insert 80 shown in FIG. 8. The same electrical cables as described with respect to FIGS. 2 and 6 can be connected together by the connector device shown in FIG. 9. The cover 90 of the housing of the connector device includes a dielectric cover wall material 91 and the base 95 of the housing includes a dielectric base wall material 92. The outer surface of the cover 90 includes a conductive portion for electrically contacting the braid of the cable. Electrical contact to the conductive jacket of the electrical cable is provided by the insert 80. Additionally, latching connection of the collars of the pin contacts and the socket contacts is provided by latch members 81a, 81b, 82a and 82b formed inside the conductive insert 80.

[0035] In both the configuration shown in Figure 6 and the configuration shown in Figure 9, the housing is closed by forcing the cover 50, 90 and base 55, 95 against each other. The housing is configured such that the closing procedure causes the conductive parts within the housing (which are part of the housing and the electrical cable, respectively) to contact each other and thereby be at the same electrical potential. There is substantially no air between the conductive parts of the cover and base and the dielectric wall material.

[0036] Figure 10 shows the electrical contacts in the closed housing for the configuration shown in Figure 6, and Figure 11 shows the electrical contacts in the closed housing for the configuration shown in Figure 9. As shown in Figure 10, the conductive jacket 61b in the closed state of the housing contacts (engages) the conductive portion 53 of the cover 50 and the conductive portion 58 of the base 55 without air between the potentials of the cover 50 and the base 55 and the dielectric material. Similarly, Figure 11 shows that the conductive jacket 61b in the closed state of the housing contacts (engages) the conductive insert 80 without air between the potentials of the cover 90 and the base 95 and the dielectric material.

[0037] FIG. 12 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a connector device having a housing similar to that shown in FIG. 6 in a closed state. In the closed state, the pin contact 62g is at least partially or completely inserted into the socket contact 61g. The inner conductor 61a, the first conductive jacket 61b, the socket contact 61g, the inner conductor 62a, the first conductive jacket 62b, the socket contact 62g, the conductive portion 53 of the cover 50 and the conductive portion 58 of the base 55 are all at the same first potential in the closed state of the housing. Meanwhile, the braid 61e, the braid 62e, the port 51a, the port 51b, the port 56a, the port 56b, the outer conductive portion 50a of the cover and the outer conductive portion of the base 55 (not shown in FIG. 11) are at the same second potential, different from the first potential, and there is substantially no air between all of the first potential and the second potential and the dielectric material. Triple contact points can thereby be avoided.

[0038] It should be noted that all of the above embodiments also work for connecting electrical cables that do not have a first (inner) conductive jacket surrounding the inner conductor (strands), in which case the inner conductor and inner conductive portions of the cover and base are in electrical contact with each other (and therefore at the same potential) only by the pin and socket contacts.

[0039] However, even when the cover and base are designed to eliminate air between the potential and the dielectric material, some voids may occur where some air may be trapped and a fluid connection between the air and the potential may occur. This can be seen, for example, in the configurations shown in Figures 10 and 11. Some air may be trapped in the voids A between the conductive jacket 61b (or inner conductor 61a, if not present), the dielectric jacket 61c, and the (dielectric material of) the cover 50, and between the conductive jacket 61b (or inner conductor 61a, if not present), the dielectric jacket 61c, and the (dielectric material of) the base 55. This air may be in fluid communication with the second conductive jacket 61d directly or through air flow paths AW that are unintentionally formed between the dielectric jacket 61c and the dielectric wall material of the cover and / or base, which may result in the formation of triple contact points. To avoid the formation of such triple contact points, according to an embodiment, some grease material is provided in the cover 50 and / or base 55 in the configurations shown in Figures 6, 10, 11 and 12. Of course, such grease material may be provided in any of the configurations provided herein. Reservoirs of grease may be placed in suitable locations in the cover and / or base of the housing and may be suitably dispersed / distributed during closure of the housing to eliminate voids such as void A shown in Figures 10 and 11.

[0040] FIG 13A illustrates a cover 130 of a housing of a connector device according to an embodiment, and correspondingly, a base 135 of the housing of the connector device according to an embodiment. The cover 130 includes finger elements 131 and the base 135 includes complementary finger elements 136. A reservoir of grease R is disposed between the finger elements 131 and 136, respectively. FIG 13B illustrates the housing with the cover 130 and base 135 shown in FIG 13A in an engaged but not yet closed state. When the housing is closed by pressing the cover 130 against the base 135 (indicated by the arrow in FIG 13B), the respective finger elements 131 and 136 are pressed against the respective reservoirs of grease R.

[0041] When the housing is closed, the grease is forced out of the reservoir shown in Figures 13A and 13B and distributed in any voids that may exist as shown in Figures 14A and 14B. The distributed grease DG pushes out any air between the dielectric material of the housing and the conductive parts of the electric cable. In particular, the action of the finger elements 131 and 136 on the reservoir R allows the grease to fill the voids A that form between the potential and the dielectric material of the cover and base shown in Figures 10 and 11 in the closed state of the housing (see Figure 14B).

[0042] All of the above described embodiments allow for quick and easy connection of electrical cables without significant formation of substantially triple contact points. [Explanation of symbols]

[0043] 20, 33, 33', 44, 61, 62, 1000 Electrical Cable 21, 61a, 62a, 1010 Inner conductor 22, 36a, 36b, 61b, 62b Inner conductive jacket 23, 35a, 35b, 61c, 62c Dielectric jacket 24, 34a, 34b, 61d, 62d Second conductive jacket 25, 1030, 61e, 62e braided body 26, 61f, 62f Outer insulation jacket 30, 600, 900 Connector Devices 31, 50, 90, 130 Cover 31a, 51a, 51b Cover port 31b Conductive part 32a, 56a, 56b base ports 32, 55, 95, 135 base 37a, 61g socket contact 37b, 62g pin contact 38an, 38bn Braid Notch or Flange 40 Termination Connector 41 Backshell 42 Backshell Cable 50a, 50b Cover latch member 52, 131 Cover finger element 53 Cover conductive part 54, 91 Dielectric cover wall material 55a, 55b Base latch member 55aa Chamfered edge of base latch member 57, 136 Base finger element 58 Base conductive part 59, 92 Dielectric base wall material 61ga socket contact color 62ga pin contact color 80 Conductive Insert 81a, 81b, 82a, 82b Latch members 1040 Air 1050 Triple contact point A void AW Air passage Grease storage area DG Distributed Grease

Claims

1. A connector device (30, 600, 900) comprising a housing for connecting at least one electrical cable (20, 33, 33', 44, 61, 62), wherein the housing is A cover (31, 50, 90, 130) comprising dielectric cover wall material (54, 91) and a base (32, 55, 95, 135) comprising dielectric base wall material (59, 92), wherein the cover (31, 50, 90, 130) and base (32, 55, 95, 135) are fitted together in the closed state of the housing and configured to receive the ends of at least one electrical cable (20, 33, 33', 44, 61, 62) having conductive portions, Contact means (53, 80) for electrically contacting the conductive portion of the at least one electrical cable (20, 33, 33', 44, 61, 62) in the closed state of the housing, Equipped with, The cover (31, 50, 90, 130) and the base (32, 55, 95, 135) are configured such that, in the closed state of the housing, the housing is substantially gas-free in the following places: a) between the conductive portion of the at least one electrical cable (20, 33, 33', 44, 61, 62) and the dielectric cover wall material (54, 91); b) between the conductive portion of the at least one electrical cable (20, 33, 33', 44, 61, 62) and the dielectric base wall material (59, 92); c) between the contact means (53, 80) and the dielectric cover wall material (54, 91); and d) between the contact means (53, 80) and the dielectric base wall material (59, 92). Connector devices (30, 600, 900).

2. The contact means (53, 80) is configured to engage with the contacts (37a, 37b, 61g, 62g) of the at least one electrical cable (20, 33, 33', 44, 61, 62). The connector device (30, 600, 900) according to claim 1.

3. The contact means (53, 80) are configured to electrically contact the conductive jacket (22, 36a, 36b, 61b, 62b) of the at least one electrical cable (20, 33, 33', 44, 61, 62) surrounding the inner conductor (21, 61a, 62) of the at least one electrical cable (20, 33, 33', 44, 61, 62) when the housing is closed. The covers (31, 50, 90, 130) and the bases (32, 55, 95, 135) are configured such that, in the closed state of the housing, the housing is substantially gas-free between the conductive jackets (22, 36a, 36b, 61b, 62b) of the at least one electrical cable (20, 33, 33', 44, 61, 62) and the dielectric cover wall material (54, 91), and between the conductive jackets (22, 36a, 36b, 61b, 62b) of the at least one electrical cable (20, 33, 33', 44, 61, 62) and the dielectric base wall material (59, 92). The connector device (30, 600, 900) according to claim 1.

4. The housing further comprises a dielectric grease material reservoir (R), the reservoir (R) provided in the housing and arranged such that, in the closed state of the housing, the dielectric grease material is pressed into a gap (A) formed between the conductive portion of the at least one electrical cable (20, 33, 33', 44, 61, 62) and the dielectric cover wall material (54, 91) and / or between the conductive portion of the at least one electrical cable (20, 33, 33', 44, 61, 62) and the dielectric base wall material (59, 92) before the housing reaches the closed state. The connector device (30, 600, 900) according to claim 1.

5. The cover (31, 50, 90, 130) comprises a first finger element (52, 131), and the base (32, 55, 95, 135) comprises a second finger element (57, 136), and in the closed state of the housing, the first finger element and the second finger element (57, 136) are arranged to engage with each other. The connector device (30, 600, 900) according to claim 1.

6. The housing further comprises a reservoir (R) for dielectric grease material, the reservoir (R) provided in the housing and arranged such that, in the closed state of the housing, the dielectric grease material is pressed into a gap (A) formed between the conductive portion of the at least one electrical cable (20, 33, 33', 44, 61, 62) and the dielectric cover wall material (54, 91) and / or between the conductive portion of the at least one electrical cable (20, 33, 33', 44, 61, 62) and the dielectric base wall material (59, 92) before the housing reaches the closed state. The dielectric grease material reservoir (R) is positioned between at least some of the first finger elements (52, 131) and / or some of the second finger elements (57, 136), and the first finger elements (52, 131) and the second finger elements (57, 136) are positioned such that, in the closed state of the housing, at least some of the first finger elements (52, 131) and / or the second finger elements (57, 136) press the dielectric grease material into the gap (A). The connector device (30, 600, 900) according to claim 5.

7. The aforementioned contact means (53, 80) a) Conductive plating or coating (53) which is a conductive region formed on the inner surface of the dielectric cover wall material (54, 91) and the dielectric base wall material (59, 92), b) comprising a conductive insert (80) positioned between the cover (31, 50, 90, 130) and the base (32, 55, 95, 135), or, The conductive plating or coating (53) or the conductive insert (80) is composed of the above, The connector device (30, 600, 900) according to claim 1.

8. The contact means (53, 80) comprises a conductive insert (80) or conductive sleeve (80) configured to accommodate the tip of the end of at least one electrical cable (20, 33, 33', 44, 61, 62), particularly the contacts (37a, 37b, 61g, 62g) formed at the end. The connector device (30, 600, 900) according to claim 7.

9. The housing comprises first ports (31a, 32a, 51a, 56a) for receiving first electrical cables (20, 33, 33', 44, 61, 62) and second ports (51b, 56b) different from the first ports (31a, 32a, 51a, 56a) for receiving second electrical cables (20, 33, 33', 44, 61, 62) different from the first electrical cables (20, 33, 33', 44, 61, 62). The connector device (30, 600, 900) according to claim 1.

10. The cover (31, 50, 90, 130) includes a cover conductive portion (31b) formed on or inside the dielectric cover wall material (54, 91) that faces only the outside of the cover (31, 50, 90, 130), The base (32, 55, 95, 135) includes a base conductive portion formed on or inside the dielectric base wall material (59, 92) that faces only the outside of the base (32, 55, 95, 135). The connector device (30, 600, 900) according to claim 1.

11. The connector device (30, 600, 900) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, In the closed state of the housing, the ends of the electrical cables (20, 33, 33', 44, 61, 62) have conductive parts that electrically contact the contact means (53, 80) of the housing of the connector device (30, 600, 900), A system equipped with these features.

12. The conductive portion comprises at least one of the following: an internal conductor (21, 61a, 62), a conductive jacket (22, 36a, 36b, 61b, 62b) surrounding the internal conductor (21, 61a, 62), and contacts (37a, 37b, 61g, 62g) fixed to the tip of the internal conductor (21, 61a, 62). The system according to claim 11.

13. The cover (31, 50, 90, 130) comprises a cover conductive portion (31b) formed on or inside the dielectric cover wall material (54, 91) that faces only the outside of the cover (31, 50, 90, 130), The base (32, 55, 95, 135) includes a base conductive portion formed on or inside the dielectric base wall material (59, 92) that faces only the outside of the base (32, 55, 95, 135), The aforementioned electrical cables (20, 33, 33', 44, 61, 62) are equipped with conductive braided bodies (25, 1030, 61e, 62e), The conductive braided body (25, 1030, 61e, 62e) is formed on the internal conductors (21, 61a, 62) of the electrical cable (20, 33, 33', 44, 61, 62) and is electrically connected to the cover conductive part (31b) and the base conductive part when the housing is closed. The system according to claim 11.

14. The conductive braided body (25, 1030, 61e, 62e) has notches or flanges (38an, 38bn), The housing is provided with ports (31a, 32a, 51a, 56a, 51b, 56b) for receiving the electrical cable, and the ports (31a, 32a, 51a, 56a, 51b, 56b) are provided with receptacles for fitting into the notches or flanges (38an, 38bn) of the conductive braided body (25, 1030, 61e, 62e). The system according to claim 13.

15. A method for connecting at least one electrical cable (20, 33, 33', 44, 61, 62) to a connector device (30, 600, 900), The step of providing a cover (31, 50, 90, 130) for the housing of the connector device (30, 600, 900) and a base (32, 55, 95, 135) for the housing of the connector device (30, 600, 900), The cover (31, 50, 90, 130) comprises a dielectric cover wall material (54, 91), the base (32, 55, 95, 135) comprises a dielectric base wall material (59, 92), and the housing is provided with contact means (53, 80) for electrically contacting the conductive portion of the at least one electrical cable (20, 33, 33', 44, 61, 62). The steps include inserting the aforementioned electrical cables (20, 33, 33', 44, 61, 62) between the cover (31, 50, 90, 130) and the base (32, 55, 95, 135), In the closed state of the housing, the housing is a) Between the conductive portion of at least one electrical cable (20, 33, 33', 44, 61, 62) and the dielectric cover wall material (54, 91), b) Between the conductive portion of at least one electrical cable (20, 33, 33', 44, 61, 62) and the dielectric base wall material (59, 92), c) Between the contact means (53, 80) and the dielectric cover wall material (54, 91), and d) Between the contact means (53, 80) and the dielectric base wall material (59, 92), The steps include closing the housing by pressing the cover (31, 50, 90, 130) and the base (32, 55, 95, 135) toward each other so that they are substantially free of gas, The steps include: closing the housing to bring the contact means (53, 80) and the conductive part into electrical contact with each other; A method that includes this.

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