Cable seal with sustained sealing effect, seal assembly, and electrical plug connector

Abstract

To provide a seal for a cable having a relaxing insulator, in which a sealing effect of the seal decreases over time by at least a lesser degree.SOLUTION: A cable having a relaxing insulator comprises: a cable receptacle (2) extending through a seal in an axial direction (12) for at least partially receiving the cable; a first inner sealing lip (4) arranged in the cable receptacle and projecting radially inwardly and comprising a first sealing lip inner diameter (16); a second inner sealing lip (6) separated from the first inner sealing lip in the axial direction and arranged in the cable receptacle and projecting radially inwardly and comprising a second sealing lip inner diameter (18); and an inner auxiliary sealing lip (8) arranged between the first inner sealing lip and the second inner sealing lip in the axial direction and projecting radially inwards with a third sealing lip inner diameter (20). The third sealing lip inner diameter is greater than the first sealing lip inner diameter and the second sealing lip inner diameter.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a seal for cables, in particular cables having relaxation isolation, and to a seal assembly having such a seal. The present invention further relates to an electrical plug connector having a seal and / or seal assembly according to the invention. [Background technology]

[0002] Cable seals are known. In many cases, the cable seal has a sealing lip that can be brought into sealing contact with the cable sheath. In this case, the sealing effect of the cable seal depends heavily on the sealing lip abutting against the cable sheath and being pressed against the cable sheath sufficiently strongly.

[0003] The cable aging process, which may be accelerated by environmental influences such as high temperatures, can lead to plastic deformation of the cable sheath over time, resulting in less reliable sealing of the cable sheath against the sealing lip and a reduced sealing effect of the seal. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The problem underlying the present invention is therefore to provide a cable seal whose sealing effect decreases over time, at least to a lesser extent. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The object is achieved by a seal for a cable, particularly a cable having a compliant insulation, comprising: a cable receptacle extending axially through the seal and configured to at least partially receive the cable; a first inner sealing lip disposed on the cable receptacle, protruding radially inward, and having a first sealing lip inner diameter; a second inner sealing lip disposed on the cable receptacle, spaced axially from the first inner sealing lip, protruding radially inward, and having a second sealing lip inner diameter; and at least one inner auxiliary sealing lip disposed on the cable receptacle, protruding radially inward, and having a third sealing lip inner diameter, the third sealing lip inner diameter being larger than the first and second sealing lip inner diameters.

[0006] The sealing effectiveness of a cable seal depends, among other things, on the surface pressure between the cable sheath and the sealing lip in contact with it. Over time and under the influence of environmental factors such as high temperatures, the cable sheath material can shrink. In particular, the cable diameter at the contact surface between the cable sheath and the sealing lip can become smaller, resulting in a reduction in the surface pressure at these points. In addition to a direct reduction in sealing effectiveness, the cable sheath material may not be retained within the seal and may be extruded or escape from the seal. Over time, the amount of cable sheath material in the seal decreases, thereby reducing the sealing effectiveness.

[0007] To address this issue, the first and second inner sealing lips of the seal according to the present invention have smaller sealing lip inner diameters than the inner auxiliary sealing lip. This ensures that the force exerted by the first and second inner sealing lips on the cable sheath exceeds the force exerted by the inner auxiliary sealing lip on the cable sheath in the opposite direction. As a result, the material of the cable sheath is pressed axially inward of the seal. Over time, more sheath material remains in the seal, which means that the sealing effectiveness of the seal according to the present invention decreases, at least to a lesser extent, over time.

[0008] The above invention can be further improved by the following features, each of which is preferable individually and which can be combined with one another as needed.

[0009] The sealing lip inner diameter may correspond to the effective inner diameter of the seal or the seal's cable receptacle. Additionally, the sealing lip inner diameter may be measured at the point of the sealing lip that protrudes most radially inward or most radially into the cable receptacle.

[0010] The first inner sealing lip and the second inner sealing lip may have the same inner sealing lip diameter, such that the first inner sealing lip diameter corresponds to the second inner sealing lip diameter.

[0011] In one configuration, the inner sealing lip and / or the inner auxiliary sealing lip are equally spaced apart from one another in the axial direction. However, it is also conceivable that the axial distance between the inner sealing lip and / or the inner auxiliary sealing lip varies along the axial direction. Thus, for example, the axial distance between two adjacent inner sealing lips may vary in an increasing, linear, or decreasing manner.

[0012] The term "inner sealing lip" may refer to a first inner sealing lip, a second inner sealing lip, or an inner auxiliary sealing lip. In particular, "inner auxiliary sealing lip" in this document may also be referred to as "inner sealing lip," and "inner sealing lip" may refer to "inner auxiliary sealing lip."

[0013] The seal may be made at least partially, but preferably completely, i.e., integrally, from silicone. In this case, for example, solid silicone or liquid silicone may be considered. Of course, it is also conceivable that at least one part of the seal is made from solid silicone and at least one other part of the seal is made from liquid silicone. Regardless of the material used, the seal may be at least partially, but preferably completely, injection molded.

[0014] To improve the sealing effect of the seal, according to a preferred configuration, a plurality of inner auxiliary sealing lips may be provided, at least one of which is part of the plurality, and the inner sealing lip diameters of the plurality of inner auxiliary sealing lips are each larger than the first and second sealing lip inner diameters. A plurality of inner auxiliary sealing lips may be understood to mean at least two, but preferably more than two, inner auxiliary sealing lips.

[0015] According to a further embodiment, the inner sealing lip diameters of the plurality of inner auxiliary sealing lips may increase, in particular continuously increase, in the direction of the axial center of the seal, which reduces the force that the inner auxiliary sealing lips exert on the cable sheath in the axial outward direction, thereby preventing material of the cable sheath from being extruded from the seal.

[0016] The axial centre of the seal may be understood as the point on the seal at half the axial width of the seal. The seal may be configured symmetrically with respect to a radial plane extending through the axial centre of the seal.

[0017] In a further configuration, the inner diameters of the first and second inner sealing lips and at least one of the plurality of inner auxiliary sealing lips may gradually increase in a direction toward the axial center of the seal, such a progression of the inner diameters more effectively preventing material of the cable sheath from escaping the seal, thereby further improving the sealing effect.

[0018] The cable receptacle, or the volume enclosed by the first and second inner sealing lips and the at least one inner auxiliary sealing lip, may be substantially convex, concave, barrel-shaped, or cylindrical. Furthermore, the radially most protruding point of the inner sealing lip, i.e., the point that protrudes most into the receptacle, may be on or border the convex, concave, barrel-shaped, or cylindrical surface.

[0019] To further improve the sealing effect of the seal, according to a further aspect of the invention, the first inner sealing lip and / or the second inner sealing lip may be stiffened. To allow the degree of stiffness to be flexibly adapted to the respective application of the seal and to achieve structural stiffening in a simple manner, according to one embodiment, at least one inner sealing lip may be stiffened by a stiffening element. The stiffening element may therefore be configured as a particularly cost-effective plastic ring arranged at at least one axial end of the seal. In a simple, and therefore particularly cost-effective, configuration, the plastic ring may be injection-molded onto the seal. The axial end of the seal on which the plastic ring is arranged may be the end of the inner sealing lip axially facing away from the axial center of the seal, which may in particular correspond to the first or second inner sealing lip to be stiffened by the plastic ring.

[0020] To make the seal more stable overall, the plastic ring may, according to a further embodiment, comprise a collar portion that projects perpendicularly from the rest of the plastic ring and axially into the seal. This collar portion may at least partially penetrate and / or pass through the seal. The plastic ring may be made of one piece or of at least two different materials. For example, the collar portion may be made of a different material than the rest of the plastic ring.

[0021] To prevent cutting or indenting of the cable sheath, at least one insert may be provided at at least one axial end of the seal, and the inner diameter of the at least one insert may be constant in the axial direction. The insert and / or the portion of the cable receptacle surrounded by the insert may be substantially or completely cylindrical. Thus, the insert and / or the portion of the cable receptacle surrounded by the insert may, for example, substantially or completely have the shape of a tube, sleeve, or pipe.

[0022] To facilitate insertion of a cable into the seal, at least one lead-in chamfer may be provided at at least one axial end of the seal, the inner diameter of which increases in a direction axially away from the axial center of the seal. The inner diameter of the lead-in chamfer may vary linearly along the axial direction of the seal. In this case, the lead-in chamfer may be linear. In a further configuration, the lead-in chamfer may be curved or rounded, in that the inner diameter of the seal varies, for example, in an increasing or decreasing manner, in an axial direction away from the axial center of the seal. Of course, the lead-in chamfer may also be configured to be at least partially spherical, toroidal, or oval.

[0023] If at least one chamfer or at least one insert is integrated into an inner sealing lip that is arranged at the axial end of the seal on which the chamfer or insert is provided, a compact design of the seal, particularly in the axial direction, is achieved, thereby saving installation space. The inner sealing lip with which the chamfer or insert is integrated or which is integrated into the chamfer or insert may be thickened, for example in the form of an annular or ridged shape. Furthermore, the chamfer or insert may be formed by at least a portion of the inner sealing lip. Thus, the flank of the sealing lip that is joined to the axial end of the seal may form or be provided with the chamfer or insert.

[0024] In a particularly preferred configuration, the at least one insert or the at least one lead-in chamfer seamlessly integrates into the inner sealing lip, in particular into the apex of the inner sealing lip. The inner diameter of the at least one insert may correspond to the inner sealing lip diameter of the inner sealing lip with which the insert is integrated. However, the inner diameter of the at least one insert may of course be smaller or larger than the inner sealing lip diameter of the inner sealing lip with which the at least one insert is integrated.

[0025] The inner diameter of the at least one insert may be selected depending on cable parameters, such as geometric parameters and / or parameters related to the material of the cable sheath. In particular, the slipperiness of the cable sheath may be taken into account when determining the dimensions of the insert of the seal.

[0026] According to a further preferred configuration, the seal may be at least symmetrical with respect to a radial plane extending through the seal over at least half of its axial width. Such a symmetrical configuration of the seal has the effect that the force exerted by the sealing lips arranged at the axial ends of the sealing parts also acts symmetrically inwards, which presses more cable sheath material axially inwards of the seal, further improving the sealing effect.

[0027] Half the axial width of the seal may be understood to mean the axial centre of the seal.

[0028] In a further configuration, the outer shape of the at least one inner sealing lip protruding into the cable receptacle may be asymmetric with respect to a radial plane extending through the apex of the at least one inner sealing lip. An inner sealing lip having such an asymmetric configuration can exert a greater pressure on the cable sheath in the direction of the axial center of the seal. This more effectively prevents the cable sheath material from being extruded from the seal over time, thereby preventing or limiting a decrease in sealing effectiveness over time. The apex of the inner sealing lip may be understood as the point at which the sealing lip has the smallest sealing lip inner diameter or the point at which the inner sealing lip protrudes, bulges, or projects most radially inward of the cable receptacle.

[0029] At least one inner sealing lip having an asymmetrical profile may be inclined at an acute angle relative to the radial direction toward the axial center of the seal. In one configuration, the inclination angle of the inner sealing lip may become more acute, preferably continuously, toward the axial center of the seal. Such a progression of the inclination angle may be, for example, decreasing, increasing, or linear.

[0030] The sealing lip located at the axial center of the seal preferably has a symmetrical rather than asymmetrical profile, and the inclination angle of this sealing lip may have an inclination angle of 0° relative to the radial direction.

[0031] To make the seal even more flexible for use in other applications, the seal may have at least one outer sealing lip that protrudes radially outward on the outer surface of the seal that faces radially away from the cable receptacle.

[0032] The outer surface of the seal may be understood to mean the circumferential surface or outer periphery of the seal. In a preferred configuration, the seal may have multiple outer sealing lips spaced apart from one another in the axial direction of the seal. The axial distance between adjacent outer sealing lips may be the same as or different from the axial distance between adjacent inner sealing lips or inner auxiliary sealing lips. The outer and inner sealing lips may be offset from one another in the axial direction, for example, so that at least one peak of the outer sealing lip is axially positioned at the same height as one valley of the inner sealing lip. Of course, the outer and inner sealing lips may be axially positioned at the same height. For example, the crest of at least one outer sealing lip may be the same height as the crest of the inner sealing lip in the axial direction. Similarly, the valley of at least one outer sealing lip may be the same height as the valley of the inner sealing lip in the axial direction. In one configuration, there may be the same number of outer sealing lips as inner sealing lips.

[0033] The at least one outer sealing lip may be located at the same axial height as the at least one lead-in chamfer and / or the at least one insert.

[0034] The outer sealing lip may be configured similarly to the inner sealing lip, for example, a first outer sealing lip having a first outer sealing lip diameter, a second outer sealing lip having a second outer sealing lip diameter, and at least one auxiliary outer sealing lip having a third outer sealing lip diameter, the first outer sealing lip diameter and the second outer sealing lip diameter being larger than the third outer sealing lip diameter.

[0035] Relaxable insulation of a cable may be understood to mean, for example, thermally relaxable insulation or insulation that relaxes under the influence of other environmental factors.

[0036] The present invention also includes a seal assembly comprising a seal according to the present invention and a cable at least partially received in a cable receptacle, the cable sheath having a new state and an aged state in which the cable sheath has been plastically deformed relative to the new state, the material of the cable sheath in the aged state being at least partially pressed toward the axial center of the seal, so that the auxiliary sealing lip sealingly abuts against the cable sheath. Such a seal assembly has a stable sealing effect over time and is therefore particularly reliable and safe.

[0037] The material of the cable sheath may, upon aging, at least partially displace, be pushed, pressed and / or crushed in the direction of the axial center of the seal, or alternatively or additionally, may flow or relax in the direction of the axial center of the seal.

[0038] In both the new and aged state of the cable sheath, all of the inner sealing lips, i.e. the first inner sealing lip, the second inner sealing lip and the at least one inner auxiliary sealing lip, may sealingly abut the sheath of the cable.

[0039] Over time, the cable sheath may undergo plastic deformation in parts, particularly at the locations where the first and / or second inner sealing lip sealingly abut the cable sheath. This plastic deformation may, for example, be at least partially ridge-shaped, ring-shaped, or toroid-shaped. The plastic deformation of the cable sheath may be located on the side of the first or second inner sealing lip facing the axial center of the seal. As the first and second inner sealing lips exert pressure on the cable sheath, the cable sheath may become depressed at the locations where the first and second inner sealing lips abut the sheath. Thus, the cable may have a smaller diameter at this point than at a point where the cable is not in contact with the first and second inner sealing lips. At the points where the first and second inner sealing lips contact the sheath and may result in a recess, the plastically deformed portions cannot expand axially outward. As a result, more material of the cable sheath remains axially between the first and second inner sealing lips.

[0040] The first and second inner sealing lips may exert a force on the cable sheath that presses the sheath, particularly the sheath material, toward the axial center of the seal. The inner auxiliary sealing lip may exert a force on the cable sheath that is opposite to the force that the first and second inner sealing lips exert on the cable sheath. The force that the first and second inner sealing lips exert on the cable sheath may, in particular, be greater than the force that the inner auxiliary sealing lip exerts on the cable sheath in the opposite direction. This allows the force acting on the cable sheath in the direction of the axial center of the seal to be overcome, thereby retaining the cable sheath material within the seal. "Inside the seal" may refer to the portion of the cable receptacle that is axially disposed between the first and second sealing lips, or the portion of the cable receptacle that extends between the axial ends of the seal, i.e., across the entire axial width of the seal. The above description may apply to cables in both new and aged conditions. The term "opposite" need not be used or understood in a mathematically precise sense. For example, force vectors referred to as opposite in the context of this application need not necessarily extend along a straight line. Furthermore, opposite forces may be understood to refer only to the individual directional components of the forces that are opposite to each other.

[0041] The first and second inner sealing lips may function as limiters to keep the cable sheath material in an area of ​​the cable receptacle axially located between the first and second inner sealing lips. The term "limiter" may be understood to mean that the first and second inner sealing lips prevent or at least impede the cable sheath material from passing beyond or passing through the axial point at which the first and second inner sealing lips are located. Preferably, there is substantially no relative movement between the point of the cable sheath that contacts the first or second inner sealing lip and the first or second inner sealing lip.

[0042] The absolute amount of material of the cable sheath that is within the seal may be the same or at least substantially the same in the new and aged state of the cable. The amount of material may be understood to mean both the mass and the volume of the material.

[0043] The present invention also relates to an electrical plug connector having at least one seal and / or at least one seal assembly according to the present invention, which seals particularly well and consistently and is therefore reliable, durable and safe.

[0044] The present invention will be described in more detail below using embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, whereby individual features present in the following embodiments may be omitted if the technical effect associated with the feature according to the above embodiment is not important, and conversely, features described above but not present in the following embodiment may be added to the embodiment if the technical effect associated with the feature is important for a specific application.

[0045] In the following, elements that correspond to one another in terms of structure and / or function will be given the same reference numerals.

[0046] This is shown by the following: [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0047] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a seal according to a possible embodiment; [Figure 2] 10 is a schematic perspective view of a seal according to a further possible embodiment; FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the seal according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a detailed view of the seal shown in FIG. 3. [Figure 5] 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a seal according to a further possible embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a detailed view of an asymmetric inner auxiliary sealing lip according to a further possible embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a seal assembly with a cable in a new condition. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a seal assembly with a cable in an aged state. [Figure 9] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an electrical plug connector according to the present invention in accordance with a possible embodiment; [Figure 10] 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a seal according to a further possible embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0048] The structure of the seal according to the present invention will be described below as an example with reference to FIGS.

[0049] The seal shown in Figure 1 includes a cable receptacle 2, a first inner sealing lip 4, a second inner sealing lip 6, and an inner auxiliary sealing lip 8. The cable receptacle 2 is configured to receive a cable 10, which is shown simply by a dashed line in Figure 1, and extends through the seal 1 in an axial direction 12. The first inner sealing lip 4 and the second inner sealing lip 6 are spaced apart from each other in the axial direction 12 and protrude inwardly of the cable receptacle 2 in a radial direction 14 perpendicular to the axial direction 12. The inner auxiliary sealing lip 8 is located between the first inner sealing lip 4 and the second inner sealing lip 6 with respect to the axial direction 12 and similarly protrudes inwardly of the cable receptacle 2 in the radial direction 14. The first inner sealing lip 4 and the second inner sealing lip 6 have a first sealing lip inner diameter 16 or a second sealing lip inner diameter 18, and the inner auxiliary sealing lip 8 has a third sealing lip inner diameter 20. The third sealing lip inner diameter 20 of the inner auxiliary sealing lip 8 is larger than the first sealing lip inner diameter 16 of the first inner sealing lip 4 and the second sealing lip inner diameter 18 of the second inner sealing lip 6. The sealing lip inner diameters 16, 18, 20 of all inner sealing lips 4, 6, 8, i.e., the first inner sealing lip 4, the second inner sealing lip 6, and the at least one inner auxiliary sealing lip 8, may be measured at an apex 22 of the respective inner sealing lip 4, 6, 8. The apex 22 may be understood as the point of the inner sealing lip 4, 6, 8 that is disposed furthest inward in the radial direction 14.

[0050] As can be seen from the perspective cross-sectional view of the seal 1 in Figure 2, the seal 1 may have more than one inner auxiliary sealing lip 8, i.e., a plurality 24 of inner auxiliary sealing lips 8. In the embodiment shown in Figure 3, the seal 1 has a total of three inner auxiliary sealing lips 8, i.e., a plurality 24, disposed between the first inner sealing lip 4 and the second inner sealing lip 6 in the axial direction 12. In the embodiment shown here, each inner auxiliary sealing lip 8 of the plurality 24 inner auxiliary sealing lips 8 also has a third sealing lip inner diameter 20 that is larger than the first sealing lip inner diameter 16 of the first inner auxiliary sealing lip 4 and the second sealing lip inner diameter 18 of the second inner sealing lip 6, respectively.

[0051] 3 , the third sealing lip inner diameters 20 of the plurality 24 of inner secondary sealing lips 8 may increase toward the axial center 26 of the seal 1. Thus, the central one of the three inner secondary sealing lips 8 in the axial direction 12 may have a larger third sealing lip inner diameter 20 than the other two inner secondary sealing lips 8 of the plurality 24 of inner secondary sealing lips 8.

[0052] 3, it is particularly preferred if the sealing lip inner diameter 16 of the first inner sealing lip 4, the sealing lip inner diameter 18 of the second inner sealing lip 6, and the sealing lip inner diameter 20 of at least one inner auxiliary sealing lip 8 of the plurality 24 inner auxiliary sealing lips 8 increase in a decreasing manner in the direction toward the axial center 26 of the seal 1. The axial center 26 may be understood as a point on the seal 1 located at half the axial width 28 of the seal 1. However, according to other configurations, the progression of the sealing lip inner diameters 16, 18, 20 may be linear or increasing, as long as the third sealing lip inner diameter 20 of the plurality 24 inner auxiliary sealing lips 8 increases in the direction toward the axial center 26 of the seal 1.

[0053] The exemplary seal 1 shown in Figure 3 is symmetrical about a radial plane 30 that extends through the seal 1 at half the axial width 28 of the seal 1. In the embodiment shown in Figure 3, the radial plane 30 extends through the apex 22 of the inner auxiliary sealing lip 8 having the largest sealing lip inner diameter 20 of all of the inner auxiliary sealing lips 8 of the plurality 24 of inner auxiliary sealing lips 8. However, in other configurations, the radial plane 30 may extend axially centered between two inner auxiliary sealing lips 8 that both have the same third sealing lip inner diameter 20. Of course, it is conceivable that the seal 1 could be configured symmetrical about another plane, or not symmetrical at all.

[0054] As can be particularly clearly seen in FIG. 3 and in the detailed view of FIG. 4 , the seal 1 may, in one possible configuration, include a lead-in chamfer 32 at at least one axial end 34 of the seal 1. In the configuration shown in FIG. 3 , the seal 1 is provided with a lead-in chamfer 32 at both axial ends 34 of the seal 1. The lead-in chamfer 32 has an inner diameter 36, measured along the radial direction 14, that increases in the axially outward direction, and thus away from the axial center 26 of the seal 1. The progression of the inner diameter of the lead-in chamfer 32 need not be increasing, as in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 , but may be decreasing or linear, for example. Furthermore, the lead-in chamfer 32 need not extend around the entire circumference of the seal 1; therefore, the seal 1 may be provided with the lead-in chamfer 32 only on a portion of its circumference.

[0055] The lead-in chamfers 32 may be integral with the inner sealing lips 4, 6, 8 located at the axial end 34 of the seal 1 to which they are provided, as shown in the configurations of Figures 3 and 4. In the embodiment shown in Figure 3, one lead-in chamfer 32 is integral with the first inner sealing lip 4 and the other lead-in chamfer 32 is integral with the second inner sealing lip 6. However, it should be appreciated that at least one lead-in chamfer 32 may also be integral with or formed by the inner auxiliary sealing lip 8.

[0056] As shown in Figure 10, the seal 1 may, according to a further configuration, include an insert 33 at at least one axial end 34 of the seal 1, which in the illustrated embodiment is cylindrical or tubular. The insert 33 shown in Figure 10 has an inner diameter 37 measured along the radial direction 14 that remains the same or constant along the axial direction 12, in contrast to the inner diameter 36 of the at least one lead-in chamfer 32 (see Figures 3 and 4). The seal 1 does not have to be provided with an insert 33 at both axial ends 34, as in the embodiment shown in Figure 10. It is also conceivable that one axial end 34 is provided with a lead-in chamfer 32 and the other axial end 34 is provided with an insert 33. Similarly, the lead-in chamfer 32 or the insert 33 may not be present at all. Similar to the lead-in chamfer 32 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 , at least one insert 33 may be integral with an inner sealing lip 4, 6, 8 located at an axial end 34 of the seal 1 with which the insert 33 is provided. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 10 , one insert 33 is integral with the first inner sealing lip 4 and another insert 33 is integral with the second inner sealing lip 6. The inner diameter 37 of the insert 33 may not correspond to the inner sealing lip diameter 16 of the first inner sealing lip 4 or the inner sealing lip diameter 18 of the second inner sealing lip 6, as shown in FIG. 10 . Thus, the inner diameter 37 of the at least one insert 33 may be smaller or larger than the inner sealing lip diameters 16, 18 of the inner sealing lips 4, 6 with which the insert 33 is integral.

[0057] As can be seen in Figure 5, the first inner sealing lip 4 and / or the second inner sealing lip 6 may be stiffened. In the illustrated embodiment, both the first inner sealing lip 4 and the second inner sealing lip 6 are stiffened, for example, by stiffening elements 38. In the embodiment shown in Figure 5, the first inner sealing lip 4 and the second inner sealing lip 6 are each stiffened by stiffening elements 38 in the form of plastic rings 40. The plastic rings 40 may be disposed or attached to the axial end 34 of the seal 1 and may be, for example, injection molded. Of course, at least one stiffening element 38 or plastic ring 40 may be removably, and thus replaceably, attached or attachable to the axial end 34 of the seal 1.

[0058] 5, the plastic ring 40 may have a collar portion 42 that projects perpendicularly from the rest of the plastic ring 40 and projects in the axial direction 12 onto the seal 1, and in particular onto the inner sealing lips 4, 6 that are intended to be reinforced or stiffened by the collar portion 42. The collar portion 42 may not extend around the entire circumference of the plastic ring 40, and therefore the inner sealing lips 4, 6 on which the plastic ring 40 is disposed may be penetrated by the collar portion 42 only over a portion of their circumference.

[0059] 2, 3 and 5, the seal 1 may have at least one, but preferably multiple, outer sealing lips 46 on its outer surface 44 that protrude outward in the radial direction 14. The outer surface 44 of the seal 1 may be the face of the seal 1 that faces away from the cable receptacle 2 in the radial direction 14.

[0060] 3 and 5, the outer sealing lip 46 is larger than the inner sealing lips 4, 6, 8. Furthermore, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the peaks 48 of the outer sealing lip 46 are not all the same height as the valleys 50 of the inner sealing lips 4, 6, 8 in the axial direction 12. However, in a preferred configuration, the number and / or shape of the outer sealing lips 46 may correspond to the number and / or shape of the inner sealing lips 4, 6, 8. In a particularly stable configuration of the seal 1, each peak 48 of the outer sealing lip 46 is also the same height as the valleys 50 of the inner sealing lips 4, 6, 8 in the axial direction 12.

[0061] FIG. 6 shows a detailed view of the inner sealing lips 4, 6, 8 according to a further possible configuration of the seal 1 of the present invention. Similar to the inner sealing lips 4, 6, 8 of the configurations described above, the inner sealing lips 4, 6, 8 shown in FIG. 6 are disposed in the cable receptacle 2 and project radially inward in the radial direction 14. The inner sealing lips 4, 6, 8 may have an outer shape 52 that projects into the cable receptacle 2 and is asymmetrical with respect to the radial plane 30 that extends through the apex 22 of the inner sealing lips 4, 6, 8. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the inner sealing lips 4, 6, 8 have first and second flanks 54, 56 that are inclined at the same angle 58 relative to the radial direction 14 but have different widths relative to the axial direction 12. Of course, in other configurations, the flanks 54, 56 may have different angles 58 relative to the radial direction 14 and / or have the same width in the axial direction 12.

[0062] The structure and function of a seal assembly (60) according to the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to Figures 7 and 8.

[0063] Figure 7 shows a seal assembly 60 having a seal 1 according to the present invention in a cable receptacle 2 in which a cable 10 is at least partially received. In the illustrated embodiment, the sheath 62 of the cable 10 is in a new condition 64, in which the sheath 62 of the cable 10 has not yet been plastically deformed. As can be seen from Figure 7, the first inner sealing lip 4 and the second inner sealing lip 6 and all inner auxiliary sealing lips 8 of the plurality 24 of inner auxiliary sealing lips 8 sealingly abut the sheath 62 of the cable 10, which is in a new condition 64 and is still particularly smooth in the illustrated embodiment.

[0064] Over time, the aging process of the cable 10, environmental influences such as increased temperature, pressure exerted on the cable 10 by the inner sealing lips 4, 6 or inner auxiliary sealing lip 8, or other influences, will cause the sheath 62 of the cable 10 to reach an aged state 66 (see FIG. 8 ). In this aged state 66, the sheath 62 of the cable 10 is plastically deformed compared to its new state 64. The plastic deformation 68 of the sheath 62 of the cable 10 may be, for example, a bulge of material in the sheath 62 of the cable 10, which may be formed between two adjacent inner sealing lips 4, 6 or inner auxiliary sealing lips 8, as can be seen in FIG. 8 .

[0065] The first inner sealing lip 4 and the second inner sealing lip 6 press the material of the sheath 62 of the cable 10 toward the axial center 26 of the seal 1, thereby preventing the material of the sheath 62 from slipping or bulging out of the seal 1. As a result, the material of the sheath 62 of the cable 10 remains between the first inner sealing lip 4 and the second inner sealing lip 6 in the axial direction 12, preventing a reduction in the cable diameter 72 in this region. Thus, the sheath 62 of the cable 10 still sealingly abuts the inner auxiliary sealing lip 8 when the cable sheath 62 is in the aged state 66.

[0066] Finally, with reference to Figure 9, an electrical plug connector 74 will be described, by way of example only. The electrical plug connector 74 comprises a seal assembly 60 having a cable 10 partially received in a cable receptacle 2 of the seal 1. The structure of the seal 1 shown in the embodiment of the electrical plug connector 74 shown in Figure 9 corresponds, by way of example only, to the configuration of the seal 1 shown in Figure 3. The exemplary electrical plug connector 74 has a housing 76, at a rear face 78 of which the cable 10 leads into the electrical plug connector 74. The outer sealing lip 46 of the seal 1 contacts an inner surface 80 of the housing 76, and the inner sealing lips 4, 6 or inner auxiliary sealing lip 8 of the seal 1 sealingly contact the sheath 62 of the cable 10, thereby ensuring that the electrical plug connector 74 is protected from the ingress of liquids. [Explanation of symbols]

[0067] 1 sticker 2 Cable Receptacles 4 First inner sealing lip 6 Second inner sealing lip 8 Inner auxiliary sealing lip 10 Cable 12 Axial Direction 14 Radial 16 First sealing lip inner diameter 18 Second sealing lip inner diameter 20 Third sealing lip inner diameter 22 Vertex 24 Multiple 26 Axial center of seal 28 Axial width of seal 30 Radial plane 32 Retracted chamfer 33 Insertion section 34 Axial end of seal 36 Inner diameter of the lead-in chamfer 37 Inner diameter of insertion part 38 Stiffening elements 40 plastic rings 42 Color Section 44 Outer surface of seal 46 Outer sealing lip 48 Outer sealing lip ridge 50 Inner sealing lip valley 52 External shape 54 First Frank 56 Second Frank 58 angle 60 Seal Assembly 62 Sheath 64 Brand new condition 66 Aging condition 68 Plastic Deformation 72 cable diameter 74 Electrical Plug Connector 76 Housing 78 Rear of housing 80 Inner surface of housing

Claims

1. A seal (1) for a cable (10), in particular a cable (10) having a flexible insulation, comprising: a cable receptacle (2) extending axially (12) through the seal (1) and configured to at least partially receive the cable (10); a first inner sealing lip (4) disposed in the cable receptacle (2), protruding radially inward, and having a first sealing lip inner diameter (16); a second inner sealing lip (6) disposed in the cable receptacle (2), spaced apart from the first inner sealing lip (4) in the axial direction (12), protruding radially inward, and having a second inner sealing lip diameter (18); at least one inner auxiliary sealing lip (8) disposed between the first inner sealing lip (4) and the second inner sealing lip (6) in the axial direction (12), the inner auxiliary sealing lip (8) having a third sealing lip inner diameter (20), and disposed on the cable receptacle (2) and protruding radially inward; and the third sealing lip inner diameter (20) is larger than the first sealing lip inner diameter (16) and the second sealing lip inner diameter (18); Seal (1).

2. a plurality (24) of inner auxiliary sealing lips (8), the at least one inner auxiliary sealing lip (8) being part of the plurality (24), and the sealing lip inner diameters (20) of the plurality (24) of inner auxiliary sealing lips (8) are each larger than the first sealing lip inner diameter (16) and the second sealing lip inner diameter (18); The seal (1) according to claim 1.

3. the sealing lip inner diameters (20) of the plurality (24) of inner auxiliary sealing lips (8) increasing in the direction of the axial center (26) of the seal (1); The seal (1) according to claim 2.

4. the sealing lip inner diameters (16, 18) of the first inner sealing lip (4), the second inner sealing lip (6), and the at least one inner auxiliary sealing lip (8) of the plurality (24) of inner auxiliary sealing lips (8) decrease in size in a direction toward the axial center (26) of the seal (1); A seal (1) according to claim 2 or 3.

5. the first inner sealing lip (4) and / or the second inner sealing lip (6) are stiffened; A seal (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. At least one of the inner sealing lips (4, 6) is stiffened by a stiffening element (38). A seal (1) according to claim 5.

7. the stiffening element (38) is configured as a plastic ring (40) arranged on at least one axial end (34) of the seal (1); The seal (1) according to claim 6.

8. At least one insert (33) is provided at at least one axial end (34) of the seal (1), and an inner diameter (37) of the at least one insert (33) is constant in the axial direction (12). A seal (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. At least one lead-in chamfer (32) is provided at at least one axial end (34) of the seal (1), and an inner diameter (36) of the at least one lead-in chamfer (32) increases in a direction pointing axially away from the axial center (26) of the seal (1). A seal (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. the at least one chamfered portion (32) or the at least one insert (33) is integral with the inner sealing lip (4, 6, 8) arranged at the axial end (34) of the seal (1) on which the chamfered portion (32) or the at least one insert (33) is provided; A seal (1) according to claim 8 or 9.

11. The seal (1) is symmetrical about a radial plane (30) extending through the seal (1) across at least half of the axial width (28) of the seal (1); A seal (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. an outer shape (52) of the at least one inner sealing lip (4, 6, 8) projecting into the cable receptacle (2) is asymmetrical with respect to a radial plane (30) extending through an apex (22) of the at least one inner sealing lip (4, 6, 8); A seal (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

13. The seal (1) comprises at least one outer sealing lip (46) projecting radially outward on an outer surface (44) of the seal (1) facing away from the cable receptacle (2) in the radial direction (14). A seal (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

14. A seal assembly (60) comprising: A seal (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 13 and a cable (10) at least partially received in the cable receptacle (2), The sheath (62) of the cable (10) has a new state (64) and an aged state (66) in which the sheath (62) of the cable (10) has been plastically deformed relative to the new state (64); the material of the sheath (62) of the cable (10) in the aged state (66) is at least partially pressed towards the axial centre (26) of the seal (1), so that the inner auxiliary sealing lip (8) sealingly abuts the sheath (62) of the cable (10); A seal assembly (60).

15. An electrical plug connector (74) comprising at least one seal (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 13 and / or at least one seal assembly (60) according to claim 14.

Images