DE102018202743A1 - Connectors - Google Patents

Abstract

A connector (10) for use in a transmission forming an interface (11) with a plurality of electrical conductors (12), a first thermoset (20) electrically insulating the electrical conductors (12) from each other, a thermoplastic housing of the connector, a printed circuit board (34), which electrically contacts the electrical conductors (12), a second thermoset (22), which media-tightly seals a printed circuit board-side region (18), and a sealing element (32), which is a media-tight Ensure plug connection.

Description

The present invention relates to a connector for use in a transmission and a method of manufacturing a connector for use in a transmission.

Many vehicles include a transmission for controlling a speed range of an internal combustion engine. Such transmissions often include multiple components that are electrically connected together. Electrical connections are often ensured by means of connectors.

Connectors in a transmission require tightness against a surrounding medium to prevent moisture or other liquid from entering the electrical contacts of the connector or the electrical or electronic components contacted therewith, resulting in malfunctioning or malfunctioning as a result of resulting fault currents or short circuits can cause a failure of the transmission.

The DE 10 2014 223 644 A1 shows a connector for connection to a circuit board, wherein a main body of the connector is molded with thermoplastic and is electrically connected to the circuit board. An interface of the connector is overmolded with thermoset media-tight.

Against this background, the invention has for its object to provide an improved connector.

This object is achieved by a connector with the features of claim 1 and / or by a manufacturing method having the features of claim 13.

• - ein Steckverbinder zur Verwendung in einem Getriebe, welcher eine Schnittstelle bildet, mit mehreren elektrischen Leitern, einem ersten Duroplast, welches die elektrischen Leiter voneinander elektrisch isoliert, einem Thermoplast, welches eine Gehäuse des Steckverbinders bildet, einer Leiterplatte, welche die elektrischen Leiter elektrisch kontaktiert, einem zweiten Duroplast, welches einen Bereich der Leiterplatte mediendicht abdichtet, und einem Dichtelement, welches eingerichtet ist, welches eingerichtet ist, eine mediendichte Steckverbindung zu gewährleisten; sowie
• - ein Herstellungsverfahren für einen Steckverbinder zur Verwendung in einem Getriebe mit den folgenden Schritten: Herstellen eines Vorspritzlings, indem mehrere elektrische Leiter in einem ersten Bereich von einem Duroplast umspritzt werden; Herstellen eines Fertigspritzlings, indem der Vorspritzling in dem ersten Bereich und in einem Schnittstellenbereich von einem Thermoplast umspritzt wird, die elektrischen Leiter in einem Anschlussbereich mit einer Leiterplatte kontaktiert werden und die elektrischen Leiter in dem Anschlussbereich und die Leiterplatte von einem Duroplast umspritzt werden; Anbringen eines Dichtelements auf dem Steckverbinder, derart dass der Steckverbinder in einem gesteckten Zustand eine mediendichte, elektrische Verbindung zwischen einem ersten Umgebungsraum und einem zweiten Umgebungsraum gewährleistet.

Accordingly, it is provided:

• a connector for use in a gearbox interfacing with a plurality of electrical conductors, a first thermoset electrically insulating the electrical conductors from each other, a thermoplastic forming a housing of the connector, a printed circuit board electrically contacting the electrical conductors a second thermoset, which media-tightly seals a region of the printed circuit board, and a sealing element, which is set up, which is set up to ensure a media-tight plug connection; such as
• a manufacturing method for a connector for use in a transmission, comprising the steps of: preparing a pre-molded article by overmolding a plurality of electrical conductors in a first region by a thermoset; Producing a finished molded part by encapsulating the preform in the first region and in an interface region of a thermoplastic, contacting the electrical conductors in a connection region with a printed circuit board and encapsulating the electrical conductors in the connection region and the printed circuit board by a thermosetting plastic; Attaching a sealing element on the connector, such that the connector in a mated state ensures a media-tight, electrical connection between a first surrounding space and a second surrounding space.

Media density in this context means a seal against a surrounding medium. Typically, these are fluids, such as water, oil or the like.

The term "oil" is to be understood as meaning, in particular, not limiting mineral oils. Rather, an oil can also be understood to mean a fully synthetic or partially synthetic oil, as well as a silicone oil or other oily liquids, such as, for example, a hydraulic fluid or a cooling lubricant (KSS).

An oil pan forms a reservoir for such liquids.

Connectors are used to disconnect and connect electrical conductors. The connecting parts are aligned by a positive connection of the connector parts. Connectors often have latching and / or locking means for locking or latching a connector with a connector. It is conceivable connector by screwing in addition to secure against accidental loosening.

The connector according to the invention is designed for use in a motor vehicle transmission. It is understood, however, that the invention is not limited thereto and can also be used in other transmissions.

It is further understood that the first and the second thermoset can also be formed contiguous, corresponding to a first and second region, which is each encapsulated with thermosetting plastic.

Motor vehicles in the sense of this patent application are motor-driven land vehicles. This includes rail vehicles.

Thermoplastics, also called plastomers, are plastics that can be deformed in a temperature range. This process is reversible, that is, it can be repeated by cooling and reheating, as long as thermal decomposition of the material does not start due to overheating.

Thermosets, also called thermosets, are plastics that can not be deformed after being cured by heating or other measures. They contain hard, amorphous, insoluble polymers.

A printed circuit board, also called a printed circuit board, board or printed circuit board, printed circuit board or PCB, is a support for electronic components. A printed circuit board is used for mechanical fastening of the components and their electrical connection.

As a sealing element refers to elements or structures that have the task to prevent unwanted mass transfer from one environment space to another environment space.

A wire is a single wire of an electrical transmission means, e.g. a connector or a cable.

An interface of a connector, also referred to as a mating face or plug-in interface, forms a plug-side end of the connector and is adapted for contacting with a compatible interface.

The basic idea of the invention is to provide a media-tight connector by means of an inner thermoset, an outer thermoplastic and a sealing element.

The stratification of the thermoset and the thermoplastic ensures that the electrical conductors are temperature-independent sealed from the thermosetting plastic and that the thermoplastic housing of the connector has a suitable contour for secure insertion and sealing of the connector.

Advantageous embodiments and further developments will become apparent from the other dependent claims and from the description with reference to the figures of the drawing.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the first thermoset on a contour with a projection and / or with a recess and the thermoplastic has a corresponding to the projection and / or return recess and / or projection. Thus, sufficient adhesion of the thermosetting plastic to the thermoplastic is ensured.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the sealing element is designed as a radial seal and / or as an axial seal. Thus, a connector can be flexibly adapted to design-specific conditions. Depending on the design, it is conceivable that it is sufficient to seal a connector with an axial or radial seal. Alternatively, a seal that seals in both the axial and radial directions may prove advantageous.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the sealing element is designed as an O-ring. O-rings are particularly cost-effective and available in numerous designs. Depending on the dimensioning of an O-ring, it may have an axial and / or a radial sealing effect.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the sealing element is L-shaped. An L-shaped sealing element has a radial and an axial sealing effect.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the thermoplastic has a corresponding to the L-shaped sealing element recess. Thus, the sealing element can be particularly easily attached to the thermoplastic. In addition, an additional step in the thermoplastic on which the sealing element rests, not mandatory. Thus, a connector can be downsized or "slim".

According to a preferred development of the invention, the thermoplastic has a step on which the sealing element is arranged. One stage is particularly advantageous for sealing members of simple geometry, e.g. an O-ring to attach to the connector.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the electrical conductors are contacted by means of plated-through holes with the printed circuit board. Thus, numerous conductors can be contacted with the circuit board. For example, it can be provided that a connector 32 having electrical conductors. Alternatively, a smaller number of electrical conductors can be contacted to the printed circuit board by means of pads, eg solder pads.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the thermoplastic has a latching means for attaching the connector. Thus, a particularly simple connection to another interface is guaranteed. Thermoplastic is particularly advantageous for the production of locking means, such as locking lugs. Alternatively, the Connector also be secured by screwing a thread.

According to a preferred development of the invention, the thermoplastic has a means for defining an insertion force. The means may be formed, for example, as a radial nose. Thus, the insertion force of a connector can be set specifically. In this case, the means for defining the insertion force can be dimensioned depending on the spring properties of the thermoplastic.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the electrical conductors are formed in an interface region as plug contacts. Accordingly, it can be provided that the electrical conductors are formed outside the interface region as cores, in particular wire or the like. This reduces the material costs of a connector, since thus the electrical conductors are not formed over the entire length of the connector as plug contacts. Plug contacts are more dimensionally stable than electrical wires and accordingly more valuable than wires.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, a connector described above is formed in a vehicle transmission, in particular in an oil pan of the transmission.

• 1 eine schematische Schnittsicht einer Ausführungsform der Erfindung;
• 2 eine schematische Schnittsicht einer Ausführungsform der Erfindung;
• 3 ein schematisches Blockschaltbild eines Verfahrens gemäß einer Ausführungsform der Erfindung;

The present invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the exemplary embodiments indicated in the schematic figures of the drawings. It shows:

• 1 a schematic sectional view of an embodiment of the invention;
• 2 a schematic sectional view of an embodiment of the invention;
• 3 a schematic block diagram of a method according to an embodiment of the invention;

The accompanying drawings are intended to provide further understanding of the embodiments of the invention. They illustrate embodiments and, together with the description, serve to explain principles and concepts of the invention. Other embodiments and many of the stated advantages will become apparent with reference to the drawings. The elements of the drawings are not necessarily shown to scale to each other.

In the figures of the drawings are the same, functionally identical and equivalent elements, features and components - unless otherwise stated - each provided with the same reference numerals.

1 shows a connector 10 for use in a transmission. The connector 10 includes 32 electrical conductors 12 , which are designed as plug contacts. The ladder 12 have an interface area 14 , a central area 16 and a circuit board side area 18 on.

In the central area 16 are the leaders 12 from a first thermoset 20 molded. In the circuit board side area 18 are the leaders 12 from a second thermoset 22 molded. The thermosets 20 and 22 may be of the same composition and / or be contiguous. The thermosets 20 and 22 are applied in different manufacturing steps.

In the central area 16 is the first thermoset 20 from a thermoplastic 24 molded. The thermoplastic 24 also extends into the interface area 14 , The thermoplastic 24 forms a housing of the connector 10 , The thermoplastic 24 is in two parts with the parts 24a and 24b educated.

In the interface area 14 are the electrical conductors 12 not directly overmoulded, but surrounded by air. Thus, the ladder form 12 in the interface area 14 Contact pins. The thermoplastic 24 points in the interface area 14 a means 36 for the definition of the insertion force. The middle 36 is designed as a radial nose.

The first and the second thermoset 20 . 22 have several projections 26 and returns 28 on. The thermoplastic 24 has recesses and projections corresponding to an inwardly directed surface.

The first thermoset 20 and the thermoplastic 24 form a stage 30 on which a sealing element 32 is arranged. The sealing element 32 is designed as an O-ring.

In the circuit board side area 18 are the leaders 12 via vias with a printed circuit board 34 contacted. The circuit board 34 is from the second thermoset 22 molded.

2 shows a connector 10 according to 1 , which is an interface to an oil sump 38 a transmission seals. The oil pan 38 includes a recess in which the sealing element 32 of the connector 10 is used. The sealing element 32 is partially, namely on a laterally outwardly directed and directed to the oil pan side surface of the oil pan 32 enclosed. On one to the circuit board 34 directed side surface is the sealing element 32 from the stage 30 of the connector 10 enclosed.

The connector 10 thus ensures a media-tight electrical connection between a first environment space 101 and a second environment space 102 , The oil pan 38 separates the surrounding spaces 101 . 102 along the line 103 from each other. In the first environment room 101 For example, fluids, such as oils, may be present. The second environment space 102 is by means of the sealing element 32 of fluids of the first surrounding space 101 sealed.

3 shows a block diagram of a manufacturing method according to an embodiment of the invention.

In the step S1 a preform is made by the electrical conductors 12 in a first area of a thermoset 20 to be overmoulded.

In the step S2 a finished syringe is produced. The step S2 comprises overmoulding the pre-molded part of a thermoplastic 24 in the first area and in an interface area 14 , This intermediate step is with S2.1 designated.

The step S2 further comprises contacting the electrical conductors 12 in a connection area with the circuit board 34 , This intermediate step is with S2.2 designated.

The step S2 further comprises overmolding the conductors 12 in the connection area of the circuit board 34 and the overmolding of the circuit board 34 with thermoset 24 , This intermediate step is with S2.3 designated.

In the step S3 becomes the connector 10 by means of the sealing element 32 sealed so that that the connector 10 in a plugged state, a media-tight, electrical connection between the first environment space 101 and the second environment space 103 guaranteed.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

Connectors

11

interface

12

electrical conductors

14

Interface Area

16

central area

18

pcb side area

20

first thermoset

22

second thermoset

24

thermoplastic

26

head Start

28

return

30

step

32

sealing element

34

circuit board

36

Means for defining the insertion force

38

oil pan

101

first environment space

102

second ambient space

103

line

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 102014223644 A1 [0004]

Claims (13)

A connector (10) for use in a transmission forming an interface (11) several electrical conductors (12), a first thermoset (20) electrically insulating the electrical conductors (12) from each other, a thermoplastic, which forms a housing of the connector, a printed circuit board (34) which electrically contacts the electrical conductors (12), a second thermoset (22) which seals a printed circuit board side region (18) media-tight, and a sealing element (32) which is set up to ensure a media-tight plug connection. Connector (10) to Claim 1 wherein the first thermoset (20) has a contour with a projection (26) and / or with a recess (28) and the thermoplastic (24) corresponds to a return to the projection (26) and / or return (28) and / or or projection. Connector (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sealing element (32) is designed as a radial seal and / or axial seal. Connector (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sealing element (32) is formed as an O-ring. Connector (10) according to one of the preceding Claims 1 - 3 , wherein the sealing element is L-shaped. Connector (10) to Claim 5 wherein the thermoplastic (24) has a recess corresponding to the sealing element (32). Connector (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the thermoplastic (24) has a step (30) on which the sealing element (32) is arranged. Connector (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the electrical conductors (12) are contacted by means of plated-through holes with the printed circuit board (34). Connector (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the thermoplastic (24) comprises a locking means for securing the connector. Connector (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the thermoplastic (24) has a means for defining (36) an insertion force. Connector (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the electrical conductors (12) in an interface region (14) are designed as plug contacts and are formed outside the interface region as wires. Vehicle transmission with a connector (10) according to one of the preceding claims. A method of manufacturing a connector (10) for use in a transmission, comprising the steps of: - Producing a preform by electrical conductors (12) in a first region of a first thermosetting plastic (20) are encapsulated; - Making a finished syringe by the preform in the first area and in an interface area of a thermoplastic (24) is overmolded, the electrical conductors (12) are contacted in a connection region with a printed circuit board and the electrical conductors (12) in the connection region and the printed circuit board are encapsulated by a second thermoset (22); Attaching a sealing element (32) on the connector (10), such that the plug connector (10) in a plugged state ensures a media-tight, electrical connection between a first surrounding space (101) and a second surrounding space (103).

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