Seal and connector

Abstract

To provide a seal capable of suppressing deterioration of sealing performance, and a connector including the seal.SOLUTION: The seal includes an elastic body 10 formed with a through hole 11 allowing a rectangular terminal 22 having a cable 21 to pass through, and at least one circumferential inner sealing rib formed in the through hole 11 for interference fit with the cable 21 to realize sealing between the cable 21 and the seal. An inner contour line of the inner sealing rib is elliptical, and a major axis and a minor axis of the elliptical inner contour line respectively correspond to a long side and a short side of a rectangular cross section of the terminal 22, so as to prevent the inner sealing rib from being damaged when the terminal 22 passes through the through hole 11.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims the benefit of Chinese Patent Application No. CN202421603079.2, filed with the State Intellectual Property Office of China on July 8, 2024, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to a seal and a connector including the seal. [Background technology]

[0003] In the prior art, the cable hole of a seal is typically designed as a circular hole, and raw materials are selected from low-hardness silicones, such as silicones with a Shore A hardness of approximately 20 degrees. However, in the new oil-resistant application environment, seal raw materials must be replaced with oil-resistant materials. However, these materials also have obvious performance drawbacks, such as high hardness and low toughness. This can require excessive force to insert the terminal and cable into the cable hole. Furthermore, when a rectangular terminal is inserted into the cable hole, the long sides of the terminal tend to rub against the edge of the cable hole, leading to poor sealing. To solve these problems, the prior art typically directly increases the inner diameter of the cable hole. However, this results in an excessively small interference (i.e., interference fit) between the cable hole and the cable, reducing contact pressure and significantly reducing sealing ability, which in turn significantly reduces sealing performance and sealing reliability. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The present invention has been made to overcome or mitigate at least one aspect of the above-mentioned disadvantages. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] According to one aspect of the present invention, a seal is provided. The seal includes an elastomer body having a through hole formed therein to allow passage of a rectangular terminal having a cable therethrough, and at least one circumferential inner seal rib formed in the through hole to provide an interference fit with the cable and a seal therebetween. The inner seal rib has an elliptical inner contour line with major and minor axes corresponding to the major and minor sides of the rectangular cross section of the terminal to prevent damage to the inner seal rib when the terminal passes through the through hole.

[0006] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the major axis of the elliptical inner contour of the inner seal rib has a dimension that is smaller than the diameter of the cable by a first value to ensure an interference fit between the inner seal rib and the cable.

[0007] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the dimension of the major axis of the elliptical inner contour of the inner sealing rib is smaller than the dimension of the long side of the rectangular cross section of the terminal by a second value, which is smaller than the first value.

[0008] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the minor axis of the elliptical inner contour of the inner sealing rib has a dimension equal to, slightly smaller than, or slightly larger than the dimension of the short side of the rectangular cross section of the terminal.

[0009] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, to improve sealing performance and sealing reliability, a plurality of circumferential inner seal ribs are formed in the through hole of the elastic body, the plurality of circumferential inner seal ribs are spaced apart in the axial direction of the through hole, and all of the plurality of circumferential inner seal ribs have an interference fit with the cable.

[0010] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the through hole includes an inlet portion, an outlet portion, and an intermediate portion between the inlet portion and the outlet portion, and the inner sealing rib is formed on an inner circumferential surface of the intermediate portion of the through hole.

[0011] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the entrance portion of the through hole flares outward in a trumpet shape to guide the insertion of the terminal and cable into the through hole.

[0012] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the inlet and outlet portions of the through-hole are identical and both flare outward in a trumpet-like manner so that there is no need to distinguish between the front and rear sides of the seal during use.

[0013] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of through holes are formed in the elastic body of the seal to allow passage of a plurality of cables, respectively.

[0014] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the elastic body of the seal has a rectangular parallelepiped shape, the length and width directions of the elastic body are parallel to the minor and major axes of the elliptical inner contour line of the inner seal rib, respectively, and the thickness direction of the elastic body is parallel to the axial direction of the through hole.

[0015] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of through holes are arranged in a matrix in the length and width directions of the elastic body.

[0016] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the seal further includes at least one circumferential outer sealing rib formed on the outer peripheral surface of the elastomer for providing an interference fit with the inner peripheral surface of the rear port of the insulating housing of the connector to achieve a seal between the insulating housing and the elastomer.

[0017] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of circumferential outer sealing ribs are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the elastomeric body, the plurality of circumferential outer sealing ribs being spaced apart across the thickness of the elastomeric body and all having an interference fit with the inner peripheral surface of the rear port of the insulating housing.

[0018] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the seal is a one-piece injection molded part.

[0019] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a connector. The connector includes an insulating housing having a rear port, the aforementioned seal inserted into the rear port of the insulating housing and a cable assembly including a cable and a terminal secured to an end of the cable. The terminal and cable pass through a through hole in the seal so that the seal is fitted over the cable. An inner seal rib of the seal forms an interference fit with the outer circumferential surface of the cable to achieve a seal between the seal and the cable. An outer seal rib of the seal forms an interference fit with the inner circumferential surface of the rear port of the insulating housing to achieve a seal between the seal and the insulating housing.

[0020] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the connector includes a plurality of cable assemblies that pass through a plurality of respective through-holes in the seal.

[0021] In the above-described exemplary embodiment according to the present invention, the inner contour line of the inner sealing rib of the seal through-hole has an elliptical shape with its major and minor axes corresponding to the long and short sides of the terminal with a rectangular cross section, which not only prevents the seal from being damaged when the terminal passes through the seal through-hole, but also ensures a sufficient interference between the seal and the cable, thereby greatly improving the sealing performance and sealing reliability of the seal.

[0022] These and other features of the present invention will become more apparent from the detailed description of illustrative embodiments thereof, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0023] [Figure 1] 1 is an exemplary perspective view of a connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] 1 is an exemplary exploded view of a connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] 2 is an exemplary exploded view of a seal and cable assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 4]1 is an exemplary perspective view of a seal and a terminal inserted into a through-hole in the seal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 5] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a seal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] 2 is an exemplary schematic plan view of a seal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 7] 1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a seal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a seal in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 9] 2 is a cross-sectional view of a terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Like reference numerals refer to like elements. However, the present disclosure may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the concept of the disclosure to those skilled in the art.

[0025] In the following detailed description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the disclosed embodiments. It will be apparent, however, that one or more embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are diagrammatically shown to simplify the drawings.

[0026] In accordance with a general aspect of the present invention, a seal is provided. The seal includes an elastomer body having a through hole formed therein to allow passage of a rectangular terminal having a cable therethrough, and at least one circumferential inner seal rib formed in the through hole for providing an interference fit with the cable to achieve a seal therebetween. The inner seal rib has an elliptical inner contour line with major and minor axes corresponding to the long and short sides, respectively, of the rectangular cross section of the terminal to prevent damage to the inner seal rib when the terminal passes through the through hole.

[0027] According to another general aspect of the present invention, there is provided a connector including an insulating housing having a rear port, the aforementioned seal inserted into the rear port of the insulating housing, and a cable assembly including a cable and a terminal secured to an end of the cable. The terminal and cable pass through a through hole in the seal so that the seal is fitted over the cable. An inner seal rib of the seal forms an interference fit with the outer circumferential surface of the cable to achieve a seal between the seal and the cable. An outer seal rib of the seal forms an interference fit with the inner circumferential surface of the rear port of the insulating housing to achieve a seal between the seal and the insulating housing.

[0028] FIG. 1 shows an exemplary perspective view of a connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 shows an exemplary exploded view of a connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 shows an exemplary exploded view of a seal 1 and a cable assembly 2 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 shows an exemplary perspective view of a seal 1 and a terminal 22 inserted into a through hole 11 of the seal 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of the seal 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 shows an exemplary schematic plan view of the seal 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the seal 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 shows a width-wise cross-sectional view of the seal 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 shows a cross-sectional view of a terminal 22 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] As shown in Figures 1 to 9, an exemplary embodiment of the present invention discloses a seal 1. The seal 1 includes an elastic body 10 and at least one circumferential inner seal rib 12. The elastic body 10 is formed with a through hole 11 that allows a rectangular terminal 22 having a cable 21 to pass therethrough. The at least one circumferential inner seal rib 12 is formed in the through hole 11 to provide an interference fit with the cable 21 and achieve sealing between the cable 21 and the through hole 11.

[0030] As shown in Figures 1 to 9, in the illustrated embodiment, the inner contour line 12a of the inner seal rib 12 is elliptical so as to prevent the inner seal rib 12 from being damaged when the terminal 22 passes through the through hole 11, and the long axis A1 and short axis A2 of the elliptical inner contour line 12a correspond to the long side L and short side W, respectively, of the rectangular cross section of the terminal 22 fixed to the end of the cable 21.

[0031] As shown in Figures 1 to 9, in the illustrated embodiment, the major axis A1 of the elliptical inner contour 12a of the inner seal rib 12 has a dimension that is smaller than the diameter of the cable 21 by a first value to ensure a tight fit between the inner seal rib 12 and the cable 21.

[0032] As shown in Figures 1 to 9, in the illustrated embodiment, the dimension of the major axis A1 of the elliptical inner contour 12a of the inner seal rib 12 is smaller than the dimension of the long side L of the rectangular cross section of the terminal 22 by a second value, which is smaller than the first value.

[0033] As shown in Figures 1 to 9, in the illustrated embodiment, the minor axis A2 of the elliptical inner contour 12a of the inner seal rib 12 has a dimension equal to the dimension of the short side W of the rectangular cross section of the terminal 22, or slightly smaller than the dimension of the short side W, or slightly larger than the dimension of the short side W.

[0034] As shown in Figures 1 to 9, in the illustrated embodiment, in order to improve sealing performance and sealing reliability, a plurality of circumferential inner seal ribs 12 are formed in the through hole 11 of the elastic body 10, the plurality of circumferential inner seal ribs 12 are spaced apart in the axial direction of the through hole 11, and all of the plurality of circumferential inner seal ribs 12 are tightly fitted with the cable 21.

[0035] As shown in Figures 1 to 9, in the illustrated embodiment, the through hole 11 includes an inlet portion, an outlet portion, and an intermediate portion between the inlet portion and the outlet portion, and the inner seal rib 12 is formed on the inner surface of the intermediate portion of the through hole 11.

[0036] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 9, in the illustrated embodiment, the entrance portion of the through hole 11 flares outward in a trumpet shape so as to guide the insertion of the terminal 22 and the cable 21 into the through hole 11.

[0037] As shown in Figures 1 to 9, in the illustrated embodiment, the inlet and outlet portions of the through hole 11 are identical and both flare outward in a trumpet shape so that there is no need to distinguish between the front and rear sides of the seal 1 during use.

[0038] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 9, in the illustrated embodiment, a plurality of through holes 11 are formed in the elastic body 10 of the seal 1 so as to allow a plurality of cables 21 to pass therethrough, respectively.

[0039] As shown in Figures 1 to 9, in the illustrated embodiment, the elastic body 10 of the seal 1 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape, and the length and width directions of the elastic body 10 are parallel to the minor axis A2 and major axis A1, respectively, of the elliptical inner contour line 12a of the inner seal rib 12, and the thickness direction of the elastic body 10 is parallel to the axial direction of the through hole 11.

[0040] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 9, in the illustrated embodiment, the plurality of through holes 11 are arranged in a matrix in the length and width directions of the elastic body 10.

[0041] As shown in Figures 1 to 9, in the illustrated embodiment, the seal 1 further includes at least one circumferential outer seal rib 13 formed on the outer peripheral surface of the elastomer 10 to form a tight fit with the inner peripheral surface of the rear port 30 of the insulating housing 3 of the connector to achieve sealing between the insulating housing 3.

[0042] As shown in Figures 1 to 9, in the illustrated embodiment, a plurality of circumferential outer seal ribs 13 are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the elastic body 10, and the plurality of circumferential outer seal ribs 13 are spaced apart in the thickness direction of the elastic body 10, and all of them are tightly fitted with the inner peripheral surface of the rear port 30 of the insulating housing 3.

[0043] As shown in Figures 1-9, in the illustrated embodiment, the seal 1 is a one-piece injection molded part.

[0044] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 9 , another exemplary embodiment of the present invention discloses a connector. The connector includes an insulating housing 3, a seal 1, and a cable assembly 2. The insulating housing 3 has a rear port 30. The seal 1 is inserted into and attached to the rear port 30 of the insulating housing 3. The cable assembly 2 includes a cable 21 and a terminal 22 fixed to an end of the cable 21. For example, the terminal 22 can be crimped to the end of the cable 21. The terminal 22 and the cable 21 pass through a through hole 11 of the seal 1 so that the seal 1 is fitted over the cable 21. An inner seal rib 12 of the seal 1 is interference-fit with the outer circumferential surface of the cable 21 to achieve a seal between the seal 1 and the cable 21. An outer seal rib 13 of the seal 1 is interference-fit with the inner circumferential surface of the rear port 30 of the insulating housing 3 to achieve a seal between the seal 1 and the insulating housing 3.

[0045] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 9, in the illustrated embodiment, the connector includes a plurality of cable assemblies 2, and the plurality of cable assemblies 2 pass through a plurality of through holes 11 of the seal 1, respectively.

[0046] Those skilled in the art should appreciate that the above embodiments are intended to be illustrative and not limiting. For example, many modifications to the above embodiments may be made by those skilled in the art, and various features described in different embodiments may be freely combined with each other without causing a discrepancy in structure or principle.

[0047] While several exemplary embodiments have been illustrated and described, it will be appreciated that various modifications or alterations may be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the present disclosure, the scope of which is defined in the claims and their equivalents.

[0048] As used herein, elements described in the singular and preceded by the words "a" or "an" should be understood as not excluding a plurality of such elements or steps, unless expressly stated otherwise. Furthermore, references to "one embodiment" of the invention are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features. Furthermore, unless expressly stated to the contrary, embodiments "comprising" or "having" an element or elements having a particular characteristic may include additional such elements that do not have that characteristic.

Claims

1. A seal, an elastic body (10) having a through hole (11) formed therein for allowing a rectangular terminal (22) having a cable (21) to pass therethrough; At least one circumferential inner sealing rib (12) formed in the through hole (11) for achieving a tight fit with the cable (21) and a seal between the cable (21) and the through hole (11); Equipped with The inner contour line (12a) of the inner seal rib (12) is elliptical so as to prevent the inner seal rib (12) from being damaged when the terminal (22) passes through the through hole (11), and the major axis (A1) and minor axis (A2) of the elliptical inner contour line (12a) correspond to the long side (L) and short side (W) of the rectangular cross section of the terminal (22), respectively. seal.

2. 2. The seal of claim 1, wherein the major axis (A1) of the elliptical inner contour (12a) of the inner sealing rib (12) has a dimension that is smaller than the diameter of the cable (21) by a first value to ensure an interference fit between the inner sealing rib (12) and the cable (21).

3. 3. The seal of claim 2, wherein the dimension of the major axis (A1) of the elliptical inner contour (12a) of the inner seal rib (12) is less than the dimension of the long side (L) of the rectangular cross section of the terminal (22) by a second value, the second value being less than the first value.

4. 2. The seal of claim 1, wherein the minor axis (A2) of the elliptical inner contour (12a) of the inner seal rib (12) has a dimension equal to, slightly smaller than, or slightly larger than the dimension of the short side (W) of the rectangular cross section of the terminal (22).

5. 2. The seal according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of circumferential inner seal ribs (12) are formed in the through hole (11) of the elastic body (10) to improve sealing performance and sealing reliability, the plurality of circumferential inner seal ribs (12) are spaced apart in the axial direction of the through hole (11), and all of the plurality of circumferential inner seal ribs (12) have an interference fit with the cable (21).

6. 2. The seal of claim 1, wherein the through hole (11) has an inlet portion, an outlet portion, and an intermediate portion between the inlet portion and the outlet portion, and the inner sealing rib (12) is formed on an inner peripheral surface of the intermediate portion of the through hole (11).

7. 7. The seal of claim 6, wherein the entrance portion of the through hole (11) flares outward in a trumpet shape to guide the insertion of the terminal (22) and the cable (21) into the through hole (11).

8. 8. A seal as claimed in claim 7, wherein the inlet and outlet portions of the through-hole (11) are identical and both flare outwards in a trumpet-like manner so that there is no need to distinguish between the front and rear sides of the seal (1) during use.

9. A seal according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein a plurality of the through holes (11) are formed in the elastic body (10) of the seal (1) so as to allow a plurality of cables (21) to pass through, respectively.

10. 10. The seal according to claim 9, wherein the elastic body (10) of the seal (1) has a rectangular parallelepiped shape, the length direction and width direction of the elastic body (10) are parallel to the minor axis (A2) and the major axis (A1), respectively, of the elliptical inner contour line (12a) of the inner seal rib (12), and the thickness direction of the elastic body (10) is parallel to the axial direction of the through hole (11).

11. The seal according to claim 10, wherein the plurality of through holes (11) are arranged in a matrix in the longitudinal and width directions of the elastic body (10).

12. 11. The seal of claim 10, further comprising at least one circumferential outer sealing rib (13) formed on the outer peripheral surface of the elastomer (10) for achieving a tight fit with the inner peripheral surface of a rear port (30) of an insulating housing (3) of the connector to achieve sealing between the insulating housing (3).

13. 13. The seal of claim 12, wherein a plurality of the circumferential outer sealing ribs (13) are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the elastomer body (10), the plurality of circumferential outer sealing ribs (13) are spaced apart in the thickness direction of the elastomer body (10), and all of the circumferential outer sealing ribs (13) are in an interference fit with the inner peripheral surface of the rear port (30) of the insulating housing (3).

14. The seal according to claim 1, wherein the seal (1) is a one-piece injection molded part.

15. A connector, an insulating housing (3) having a rear port (30); a seal (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 14, inserted into the rear port (30) of the insulating housing (3); a cable assembly (2) including a cable (21) and a terminal (22) fixed to an end of the cable (21); Equipped with The terminal (22) and the cable (21) pass through the through hole (11) of the seal (1) so that the seal (1) is wrapped around the cable (21); The inner sealing rib (12) of the seal (1) is in an interference fit with the outer circumferential surface of the cable (21) to achieve a seal between the seal (1) and the cable (21); The outer sealing rib (13) of the seal (1) is interference-fitted with the inner peripheral surface of the rear port (30) of the insulating housing (3) to achieve sealing between the seal (1) and the insulating housing (3). connector.

16. 16. The connector according to claim 15, wherein the connector comprises a plurality of cable assemblies (2), each of the cable assemblies (2) passing through the plurality of through holes (11) of the seal (1).

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