Miniaturized Connectors

Abstract

To provide a technology which enables miniaturization of a connector or plug-in system for high voltage application.SOLUTION: Related is a connector 1 having a housing 2 and a shield contact 4. The connector includes: the housing and the shield contact. A gap 10 extending in the circumferential direction U extends between the housing and the shield contact and allows a mating housing of a mating connector to be inserted into the gap in the insertion direction S. The gap opens into a sealing part 12 in the insertion direction, and a sealing ring 14 is held axially between the shield contact and the housing in the sealing part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector having a housing and a shield contact. [Background technology]

[0002] Connectors of the above-mentioned type are used for high-voltage applications, for example in electric vehicles. It is particularly important that the connector system reliably and safely withstands electrical, thermal, and mechanical loads. To avoid malfunctions or even short circuits in a plug-in system consisting of a connector and a mating connector, a sealing element is provided that seals the plugged-in system against fluids or at least liquids and is held in the housing by a locking ring. This increases the space requirements in the housing and thereby the dimensions of the connector. Particularly in the automotive field, it is desirable to keep the connector or plug-in system as small as possible. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0003] It is therefore an object of the present invention to create a connector that allows miniaturization of the connector or plug-in system, respectively. [Means for solving the problem]

[0004] This object is achieved by a connector according to the invention, which has a housing and a shield contact, a gap extending in the circumferential direction between the housing and the shield contact, into which a mating housing of a mating connector can be inserted in the plug-in direction, the gap opening in the plug-in direction to a seal, in which a sealing ring is held axially between the shield contact and the housing.

[0005] As a result of the solution according to the invention, the sealing ring is now fixed directly by the shield contact, making it possible to dispense with an additional locking ring. Therefore, less space needs to be provided inside the housing, as there is no longer a need to mount a locking ring inside the housing. The shield contact therefore not only ensures the electromagnetic compatibility of the plug-in system, but also simultaneously fixes the position of the sealing ring axially. Eliminating the locking ring reduces the space required in the housing, as well as the cost and weight of the connector.

[0006] Further developments are detailed below, which can be combined with one another independently if desired, and which are also advantageous on their own.

[0007] The connector may be particularly suitable for high voltage applications of about 300V or greater.

[0008] The shield contact can be configured to have substantially the shape of a sleeve, and thus can surround a plug contact, for example a single-terminal plug contact, preferably a multi-terminal plug contact, to isolate the plug contact from electric and / or magnetic fields or to protect the environment from the electric and / or magnetic fields emanating from the plug contact. Thus, the shield contact can be a shield sleeve.

[0009] The gap can extend along a radially outer surface of the shield contact. A housing wall of a mating housing of a mating connector can then be simply inserted into the gap, so that the shield contact is at least partially received in a receptacle within the mating housing. The gap can preferably extend coaxially with the shield contact, so that the width of the gap between the shield contact and the housing is the same in all radial directions of the gap.

[0010] To fix the sealing ring in the axial direction, the shield contact can have, for example, at least one radially protruding shoulder. The sealing portion can then extend into the undercut formed by the protruding shoulder and hold the sealing ring in the undercut. When subjected to a load in the direction opposite to the insertion direction, for example when the mating connector is pulled out, the sealing ring can be pulled together with the mating connector. In this case, the sealing ring can abut against the at least one radially protruding shoulder and be held there.

[0011] To hold the sealing ring axially in the sealing portion as securely as possible, the radially protruding shoulder can be arranged all around the circumference, so that the shoulder protrudes in all radial directions. The shoulder can be formed, for example, to widen the sleeve body of the shield contact. The shoulder can preferably form a free end of the shield contact that is open toward the connector face of the connector.

[0012] According to another advantageous embodiment, the sealing ring can project radially above the shield contact, in particular above the radially outer surface of the shield contact. As a result, the housing wall of the mating connector can be easily inserted through the gap over the shield contact and press the sealing ring against it without touching the shield contact. In this way, damage to the shield contact, for example due to friction, can be prevented, especially even with high insertion cycles.

[0013] When the sealing ring seals the plug connection radially and axially, a portion of the sealing ring can close the gap in the axial direction. The housing wall of the mating housing can be inserted into the gap until it abuts against the sealing ring in the axial direction, thereby establishing an axial seal between the housing and the housing wall. The sealing ring can, for example, have radially protruding arms that axially close the gap. The sealing ring can preferably be configured to be substantially L-shaped.

[0014] The housing may have a protrusion therein extending in the insertion direction, around which the sealing ring is held. The protrusion may form, together with the housing, a pocket for closing the seal, into which the sealing ring is inserted. The pocket may be formed, for example, such that the protrusion protrudes axially from a housing wall, the housing wall extending radially inward from the outer housing wall.

[0015] The protrusion can be preferably formed integrally with the housing as a unitary housing. The shield contact, or at least the radially protruding shoulder, can be axially directly adjacent to the protrusion, or even abut the protrusion and protrude radially beyond the radially outer surface of the protrusion. It can therefore be ensured that the sealing ring does not slip off the protrusion in the axial direction.

[0016] The protrusion may preferably be in the form of an axially extending hollow body, the opening of which is passed by the shield contact, and thus may be held at least radially between the sealing ring and the shield contact.

[0017] The shield contact can be radially inserted into the opening of the hollow body with a precise fit, and the shield contact can expand at the part that protrudes from the hollow body. As a result of the shoulder being created, not only can a sealing ring be axially mounted between the shield contact and the housing, but the shield contact can also be mounted within the housing. When the shield contact is pushed in, the shoulder can abut against the protrusion in the insertion direction, preventing further movement of the shield contact relative to the housing in the insertion direction.

[0018] The shield contact can preferably be integrally formed as a single component, so that the shield current can be conducted through it without additional boundary resistance, and the shield contact can then extend, for example by crimping, from a connection portion for connecting to the cable shield of the electrical conductor to a contact portion for contacting the shield of the mating connector.

[0019] In order to increase the rigidity of the shield contact and thereby avoid undesired deformation, in particular of the at least one radially projecting shoulder, the shield contact can be a deep-drawn component.

[0020] The connecting portion and the contact portion can preferably be arranged on different axial sides of the protrusion. Since the connecting portion is configured to crimp onto a cable shield of an electrical conductor, the shield contact can have a smaller positive width at the connecting portion than at the contact portion. In particular, the outer contour of the shield contact can taper from the contact portion to the connecting portion.

[0021] The shield contact preferably has an intermediate portion extending from the connection portion to the contact portion, where the intermediate portion has a positive width between the positive width of the contact portion and the positive width of the shield portion. For example, an electrical conductor can be terminated at a contact terminal held within the plug contact. The plug contact can have a connector interface that is plugged into a mating plug contact of a mating connector.

[0022] The plug contacts may be, for example, inner housing parts in which contact terminals of the electrical conductors are preferably held within the connector interface. The plug contacts may then protectively surround the contact terminals. The plug contacts may preferably be made of an electrically insulating material, for example a plastic material, so that the plug contacts may further provide contact protection for the contact terminals.

[0023] The shield contact can, for example, abut the plug contact at the intermediate portion and can be at least partially spaced from the plug contact at the contact portion. Therefore, the shield contact can be firmly connected to the plug contact at the intermediate portion, for example, by crimping. Therefore, the intermediate portion can correspond to an attachment portion for attaching the shield contact to the plug contact. Furthermore, a slot between the shield contact and the plug contact can create a receptacle for a mating connector at the contact portion. Therefore, the mating plug contact can be inserted into the receptacle together with its shield, so that the shield of the mating plug contact establishes contact with the inner surface of the shield contact.

[0024] To improve corrosion resistance, the shield contact can be coated, for example, with a silver and / or tin coating. The coating can be applied to the shield contact, in particular by electroplating. If the shield of the mating plug contact contacts the inner surface of the shield contact, the shield contact can preferably have a contact area at its free end facing the opening, since the coating can be applied better there and therefore a higher quality coating can be ensured.

[0025] The intermediate portion is preferably radially positionable within the passage opening of the protrusion with a precision fit, so that the shield contact is radially tightly held by the protrusion.

[0026] According to another advantageous embodiment, the shield contact can be crimped at its middle to the plug contact. For this purpose, the shield contact can be pressed radially inward at its corners in a circumferential direction into corresponding grooves in the plug contact. This prevents the plug contact from moving relative to the shield contact, in particular along the longitudinal axis.

[0027] A connector assembly may comprise a connector according to one of the above configurations and a mating connector.

[0028] The mating connector can have a mating housing that, when plugged in, protrudes at least partially through the gap in the plugging direction, and the mating housing is pressed at least radially into the sealing portion against the sealing ring. The mating housing can preferably be pressed further against the sealing ring in the plugging direction, thereby achieving sealing both radially and axially.

[0029] The mating housing may preferably be radially spaced apart from the radially outer surface of the shield contact within a gap, thereby preventing wear of the shield contact due to friction with the mating housing during insertion.

[0030] In the plugged state, the mating plug contact of the mating connector can be at least partially inserted into the receptacle of the shield contact, where the shield of the mating plug contact can contact the radially inner surface of the shield contact.

[0031] To ensure continuous contact even under strong vibration loads, the shield can be folded radially outward, with the contact areas for contacting the shield contacts being located at the folded ends, resulting in the formation of radially elastic contact springs preloaded against the shield contacts.

[0032] The invention will now be described in more detail, by way of example, using embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which elements in the figures that correspond to one another in terms of structure and / or function are provided with the same reference numerals.

[0033] The combinations of features shown and described in the individual embodiments are for illustrative purposes only. A feature of an embodiment may be omitted if, per the above description, its technical effect is not important for a particular application. Conversely, another feature may be added to an embodiment if, per the above description, its technical effect is advantageous or necessary for a particular application. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0034] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a connector according to the present invention. [Figure 2] 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a shield contact of the connector shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 3] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a plug assembly according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0035] First, an exemplary configuration of a connector 1 according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

[0036] The connector 1 according to the invention comprises a housing 2 and a shield contact 4 for shielding the electrical conductors 6 or the plug contacts 8, respectively, with a gap 10 extending in a circumferential direction U between the housing 2 and the shield contact 4, which gap 10 can be inserted into a mating housing of a mating connector in a plugging direction S. The gap 10 opens in the plugging direction S into a sealing part 12, in which a sealing ring 14 is held axially between the shield contact 4 and the housing 2.

[0037] As a result of the solution according to the invention, the sealing ring 14 can be held directly by the shield contact 4 in the plugging direction S, thereby preventing the sealing ring 14 from slipping off the seal 12. An additional locking ring is therefore not required, which allows the dimensions of the connector 1 to be further reduced.

[0038] As shown in Figure 1, the electrical conductor 6 may be a cable 16. The cable 16 may preferably be a multi-core cable, such that the connector 1 is a multi-terminal connector 1, with only one of the two cores 18 or two plug contacts 8, respectively, shown in the cross-sectional view of Figure 1. The connector 1 may be particularly suitable for high voltage applications of about 300V or greater.

[0039] The electrical conductor 6 may have an insulating portion 19 surrounding and protecting both cores 18, the free ends of which are free of the insulating portion 19 and each free end may be connected to a contact terminal 20, for example by a crimp connection.

[0040] The exposed core 18 and the contact terminals 20 can be held within the plug contact 8, which provides an interface for plugging into a mating plug contact of a mating connector. The plug contact 8 can thus form an inner housing that protectively surrounds at least the contact terminals 20. Thus, the contact terminals 20 and / or the exposed core 18 can be held by the plug contact 8, and as a result, are protected and surrounded by the plug contact 8, which is the inner housing.

[0041] The plug contact 8 may be provided with what is known as a TPA (Terminal Position Assurance), which is intended to act as a secondary lock 22 for the contact terminal 20 within the plug contact 8. In this exemplary configuration, the secondary lock 22 is configured as a radially deflectable tab 24 which, when the contact terminal 20 is fully inserted, can be pressed into an opening in the plug contact 8, providing a positive fit to prevent movement of the contact terminal 20 in the insertion direction S relative to the plug contact 8.

[0042] In order to keep the electrical conductor 6, in particular the exposed core 18 and at least the crimped area of ​​the contact terminal 20, away from electric and / or magnetic fields or to protect the surroundings from electric and / or magnetic fields arising from the system, the shield contact 4 can sleeve-like cover the plug contact 8 up to the insulating part 19 of the electrical conductor 6 in the crimped area of ​​the contact terminal 20.

[0043] The shield contact 4 is preferably integrally formed as a single component 26 to conduct the shield current therethrough without additional boundary resistance. As shown in Figure 2, the shield contact 4 can extend from a connection portion 28, where the shield contact 4 is crimped onto a cable shield 30 of the electrical conductor 6, to a contact portion 32 for contacting the shield of a mating connector.

[0044] The shield contact 4 can therefore comprise a sleeve diameter that tapers from the contact portion 32 towards the connection portion 28 in the plugging direction S. In particular, the sleeve diameter can taper in steps, and a functional area of ​​the shield contact 4 can be defined by each step.

[0045] A mounting portion 34 for mounting the shield contact 4 to the plug contact 8 may extend between the connecting portion 28 and the contact portion 32. The mounting portion 34 and / or the contact portion 32 may preferably have a polygonal cross-section so that the substantially polygonal plug contact 8 can be uniformly surrounded by the shield contact 4. Since the insulation 19 of the cable 16 is often substantially circular, the shield contact 4 of the connecting portion 28 may have a substantially circular cross-section transverse to the plug-in direction S.

[0046] The shield contact 4 can abut against the plug contact 8 at the mounting portion 34 and can be at least partially pressed radially inward at its corners arranged in the circumferential direction U into corresponding mounting grooves 36 of the plug contact 8, whereby the shield contact 4 is axially attached to the plug contact 8 by a positive fit.

[0047] The shield contact 4 may extend radially outward at the contact portion 32 relative to the remainder of the shield contact, thereby forming a radially protruding shoulder 38. In the exemplary configuration shown, the radially protruding shoulder 38 may extend circumferentially in the circumferential direction U, such that the shoulder protrudes radially in all radial directions relative to the remainder of the shield contact 4. However, multiple radially protruding shoulders spaced apart in the circumferential direction U may also be provided.

[0048] The widening at contact portion 32 increases the positive width of shield contact 4 at contact portion 32, so that radially inner surface 40 of shield contact 4 at contact portion 32 is at least partially radially spaced from plug contact 8. This forms a receptacle 42 into which a mating plug contact of a mating connector can be inserted, so that the shield of the mating connector can contact radially inner surface 40 of shield contact 4.

[0049] To avoid contact corrosion, the shield contact 4 can be coated, preferably with tin and / or silver. The coating can be applied, for example, by electroplating.

[0050] 1, the plug contacts 8 can be held together with the shield contacts 4 in the housing 2. For this purpose, protrusions 44 extending in the plugging direction S are provided, which are configured as hollow bodies, through passage openings 46 of which the shield contacts 4 and the plug contacts 8 extend. The shield contacts 4 are preferably at least partially inserted radially by means of their mounting portions 34 into the passage openings 46 with a close fit, so that the protrusions 44 radially mount the shield contacts 4 and the plug contacts 8 in the housing.

[0051] The connection portion 28 and the contact portion 32 may be arranged on different sides of the protrusion 44, with the contact portion 32 preferably being directly axially adjacent to the protrusion 44 and projecting radially beyond it by its radially projecting shoulder 38. A radially outer surface 48 of the contact portion 32 projects above a radially outer surface 50 of the protrusion, thus forming an undercut 52 in the insertion direction S, into which the sealing ring 14 is inserted.

[0052] The contact portion 32 is radially spaced from the outer housing wall 54 , thus forming a gap 10 between the shield contact 4 and the housing 2 .

[0053] The sealing ring 14 can slide around the protrusion 44 and thus abut against the radially outer surface 50 of the protrusion. The sealing ring preferably has a substantially L-shaped body with one arm 56 of the body abutting the radially outer surface 50 of the protrusion and the other arm 58 extending radially away from the radially outer surface 50 of the protrusion to close the seal 12 in the insertion direction S. To stabilize the arm 58 in the insertion direction S, the arm 58 can be supported by a radially extending housing wall 60 so that the arm 58 cannot flex in the insertion direction S. The arm 58 preferably extends radially from the radially outer surface 50 to the outer housing wall 54 and abuts against the inner surface thereof.

[0054] The protrusion 44 may preferably protrude axially from the housing wall 60 such that the protrusion 44, the outer housing wall 54, and the housing wall 60 form a pocket into which the sealing ring 14 is inserted.

[0055] Therefore, the sealing ring 14 is held axially within the sealing portion 12 between the housing wall 60 and the shield contact 4, thereby preventing the sealing ring 14 from being accidentally pulled out of the sealing portion 12 when the plugged-in mating connector is withdrawn.

[0056] The sealing ring 14, particularly the arms 56 of the sealing ring 14 that abut the protrusions, can protrude radially above the shield contacts, so that the mating housing of the mating connector can radially sealingly engage with the sealing ring 14 without touching the shield contacts. At this time, wear of the shield contacts 4 due to friction with the mating housing can be prevented, especially even with a high mating cycle.

[0057] In particular, to improve the stability of the shield contact 4 at the radially protruding shoulder 38, the shield contact 4 can be a deep-drawn component, which prevents the shield contact 4 from being deformed when subjected to load, for example when the sealing ring 14 is pressed axially against the shoulder 38.

[0058] An exemplary configuration of a plug assembly 62 according to the present invention will now be described below with reference to FIG.

[0059] An exemplary configuration of plug assembly 62 includes connector 1 shown in FIG. 1 and a mating connector 64 having a mating housing 66 and mating plug contacts 68 .

[0060] 3 shows plug assembly 62 in an inserted state 70. Mating housing 66 is at least partially inserted into housing 2 so that a wall 72 of the mating housing slides along outer housing wall 54 of housing 2 in insertion direction S, forcing a free end 74 of wall 72 through gap 10 and into sealing portion 12. Free end 74 of wall 72 can preferably abut sealing ring 14 in insertion direction S, thereby establishing an axial seal between free end 74 of wall 72 and arm 58 of sealing ring 14.

[0061] Furthermore, the arms 56 abutting the projections 44 can be pressed against the inner surface 76 of the wall to provide a radial seal.

[0062] The inner surface 76 of the wall 72 is preferably radially spaced from the radially outer surface 48 of the shield contact 4 so that the wall 72 and the shield contact 4 do not rub against each other during the insertion or extraction process.

[0063] The mating connector 64 is provided with a sleeve-shaped shield 78, which is crimped onto the cable shield of the mating connector 64 and extends axially alongside the mating plug contact 68. The free end of the shield 78 can be folded radially outward, thereby forming a radially outwardly pre-stressed resilient contact spring 80. In the plugged state, the mating plug contact is at least partially inserted into the receptacle 42 of the shield contact 4, so that the contact spring 80 establishes contact with the radially inner surface 40 of the shield contact 4.

[0064] The resilient contact springs 80 ensure reliable and permanent contact of the shield contacts 4 even when subjected to vibration loads.

[0065] The shield contact 4 has a contact area 82 on its radially inner surface 40, preferably located at its end point facing the opening. In this area, the shield contact 4 can be better coated, which can further improve its corrosion resistance.

[0066] By establishing contact with the shield contact 4 on the radially inner surface 40 of the shield contact 4, the dimensions of the plug assembly 62 can be further reduced since additional space is not required in the gap for the shield of the mating connector. [Explanation of symbols]

[0067] 1 connector 2. Housing 4 shield contacts 6 Electrical conductors 8 plug contacts 10 gap 12 Sealing part 14 Sealing ring 16 Cable 18 cores 19 Insulation section 20 Contact terminal 22 Secondary Lock 24 tabs 26 Single component 28 Connection 30 Cable Shield 32 Contact part 34 Mounting part 36 Mounting groove 38 Radial protruding shoulder 40 Radial inner surface 42 receptacle 44 Protrusion 46 Passage opening 48 Radial outer surface of contact part 50 Radial outer surface of protrusion 52 Undercut 54 outer housing wall 56 Arm of sealing ring abutting on protrusion 58 Arm of sealing ring that closes the seal in the insertion direction 60 Housing Wall 62 Plug Assembly 64 Mating Connector 66 Mating housing 68 Mating plug contact 70 Inserted 72 Wall 74 Free end of wall 76 Inner Wall 78 Shield 80 Contact spring 82 Contact Area S Insertion direction U Circumferential direction

Claims

1. A connector (1) having a housing (2) and a shield contact (4) mounted within the housing (2), a gap (10) extending in a circumferential direction (U) extends between the housing (2) and the shield contacts (4), and a mating housing (66) of a mating connector (64) is adapted to be inserted into the gap (10) in a plugging direction (S); The gap (10) opens in the insertion direction (S) to a sealing part (12) in which a sealing ring (14) is axially held between the shield contact (4) and the housing (2); a pocket for accommodating the sealing ring (14) inside the housing (2) is provided integrally with the housing (2); The shield contact (4) is integrally formed as a single component (26), the shield contact (4) has at least one radially protruding shoulder (38) that axially restricts the sealing portion (12) and the sealing ring (14) housed in the pocket, the at least one radially protruding shoulder (38) being located away from both axial ends of the shield contact (4); The shield contact (4) as the unitary component (26) is a deep-drawn component, the radially protruding shoulder of the shield contact (4) is adjacent to or abuts one end of the pocket in the axial direction; Connector (1).

2. 2. The connector (1) according to claim 1, wherein the gap (10) extends along a radially outer surface (48) of the shield contact (4).

3. The sealing ring (14) projects radially relative to the shield contact (4).

3. A connector (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein

4. 4. The connector (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a portion of the sealing ring (14) closes the gap (10) in the plug-in direction (S).

5. 5. The connector (1) according to claim 4, wherein the sealing ring (14) comprises at least one radially projecting arm (58) closing the gap (10) in the insertion direction (S).

6. 6. A connector (1) according to claim 1, wherein the shield contact (4) extends from a connection portion (28) for connecting to a shield braid of the electrical conductor (6) to a contact portion (32) for contacting a shield (78) of the mating connector (64).

7. 7. The connector (1) according to claim 6, wherein the shield contact (4) tapers from the contact portion (32) to the connection portion (28).

8. 8. The connector (1) according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the shield contact (4) comprises an attachment portion (34) extending between the connection portion (28) and the contact portion (32) for attaching the shield contact (4) to a plug contact (8).

9. In the shield contact (4), 9. The connector (1) according to claim 8, wherein the mounting portion (34) and / or the contact portion (32) have a polygonal cross section in a direction transverse to the insertion direction (S), and the connection portion (28) has a substantially circular cross section in a direction transverse to the insertion direction (S).

10. 10. A connector (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the sealing ring (14) is held around a protrusion (44) extending axially and forming part of the pocket.

11. 11. The connector (1) according to claim 10, wherein said at least one radially projecting shoulder (38) abuts said projection (44) in said plugging direction (S).

12. A plug assembly (62) comprising a connector (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11 and a mating connector (64) having a mating housing (66) adapted to be plugged into the housing (2), wherein the mating housing, in the plugged state (70), is at least partially pressed into the sealing portion (12) against the sealing ring (14).

13. The mating housing (66) is in the inserted state (70) in the insertion direction.

13. The plug assembly (62) of claim 12, wherein (S) abuts the sealing ring (14).

14. 14. The plug assembly (62) according to claim 12 or 13, wherein in the plugged state (70), a shield (78) of the mating connector (64) contacts a radially inner surface (40) of the shield contact (4).

Images