Plug Connector Locking Seal Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing plug connectors for sealed electrical connections through walls in vehicles face challenges in minimizing external dimensions while ensuring effective sealing, as the space taken up by traditional sealing elements widens the pass-through portion and allows liquid penetration.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves placing at least one sealing element between the protective housing and the locking device in the locked position, ensuring a tight seal without increasing the dimensions of the plug connector, and optionally integrating the sealing element into the opening or forming it around the locking device for enhanced reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a sealing element is placed between the plug element and the mating plug element to prevent liquid penetration, then sealing reliability is improved, but the pass-through portion width increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing function is extracted from the traditional location between plug element and mating plug element, and relocated to the locking device. The sealing element is integrated into the locking device structure, specifically arranged between the locking device and the protective housing, separating the sealing function from the connection interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking device is given multiple functions: it not only performs the locking function but also serves as a mounting structure for the sealing element, thereby providing both mechanical locking and sealing functions through a single component.
2Strength
If the hole size is reduced to minimize body weakening, then structural integrity is improved, but sealing effectiveness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing element is designed as a flexible component that can deform to conform to the locking device and protective housing surfaces, creating an effective seal in a compact space without requiring a large hole.
3Device complexity
If the sealing element is integrated into the locking device, then device complexity is reduced, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing element is pre-installed onto the locking device during the locking device manufacturing process, rather than being installed separately during final assembly. This preliminary action ensures precise positioning and reduces assembly complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a plug element (2, 2′) of a plug connector (1) for a sealed electrical plug-and-socket connection extending through a hole (4) in a wall (5), having a protective housing (9, 9′), which comprises an inner chamber (46), which at least in places forms a mating plug receptacle (45) for a mating plug element (3) complementary to the plug element (2, 2′), having a locking device (11, 11′), which is actuatable from outside the protective housing (9) and may be moved from an unlocked position (T) into a locked position (R), the locking device (11, 11′) extending at least in the locked position (R) into the inner chamber (46) and overlapping the mating plug receptacle (45) at least in places, and having at least one sealing element (18, 18′) resting against the protective housing (9, 9′) at least in a final plugged-together position of the plug connector (1), by means of which sealing element the mating plug receptacle (45) may be sealed relative to the external environment of the plug connector (1). In order to provide a sealed plug connector (1) with the smallest possible dimensions, provision is made according to the invention for at least one sealing element (18, 18′) to be arranged sealingly between the protective housing (9, 9′) and the locking device (11, 11′) at least in the locked position (R).