DE102019108628B4 - Connector housing - Google Patents

Abstract

Connector housing, comprising:- at least two housing parts (2, 3), wherein at least one bore (4) is provided in at least one of the housing parts (2, 3), wherein the bore (4) has a bore peripheral surface (5) which extends from an outer side (6) of the housing to an inner side (7) of the housing,- at least one retaining bolt (15) which comprises a pin (17) running through the bore (4) and a pin (16) protruding outwards from the outer side (6) of the housing,- at least one locking device (20) which can be coupled to the at least one retaining bolt (15) and is movable between a locking position and an opening position,wherein a material of the at least one retaining bolt (15) and a material in which the bore (4) is formed are or comprise different metals,characterized in that at least one spacer (9, 10, 10', 11, 11') is provided which is in contact with the retaining bolt (15), wherein the retaining bolt (15) is held at least partially spaced from the bore peripheral surface (5) by the spacer (9, 10, 10', 11, 11'), the spacer (9, 10, 10', 11, 11') has an inner ring (10, 10') through which the retaining bolt (15) runs, the inner ring (10, 10') is arranged on the housing inner side (7) and an inner end (18) of the retaining bolt (15) is deformed so as to hold it against the inner ring (10, 10').

Description

The invention is based on a connector housing according to the preamble of independent claim 1.

A connector housing can in particular accommodate electrical contact elements for energy and/or data transmission.

Such a connector housing comprises at least two housing parts. The second housing part can in particular be a so-called attachment housing, which is intended, for example, for attachment to a wall or housing wall of an electrical device. For this purpose, it can also have a screw-on flange. The second housing part can also form a base housing, to which a cable is usually connected. At least one bore is provided in at least one of the housing parts, wherein the bore has a bore peripheral surface that extends from an outside of the housing to an inside of the housing. The connector housing also comprises at least one retaining bolt, which has a pin running through the bore and a pin protruding outwards from the outside of the housing. The connector housing also comprises at least one locking device, which can be coupled to the at least one retaining bolt and can be moved between a locking position in which it presses the housing parts together, and an opening position in which the housing parts are unlocked from one another. A material of the at least one retaining bolt and a material in which the bore is formed are or comprise different metals.

Retaining bolts are often designed as rivet bolts. They can work together with the locking device as bearing pins and/or locking pins. Retaining bolts are often made of stainless steel, particularly for reasons of corrosion protection and to withstand the stresses caused by the locking device. The housing parts are often made of coated aluminum. When these different metals come into contact, contact corrosion gradually occurs. The metals in contact act as a galvanic element, between which an electron flow occurs, whereby an ion flow is possible via an electrolyte, for example air humidity or condensate. As a result, the anode, in this example areas of the aluminum housing part, gradually dissolves. To avoid this problem, the housing parts are usually provided with a protective layer, such as paint. However, the hole does not usually coat the peripheral surface of the hole. In addition, paint damage can occur when a retaining bolt is attached. In known connector housings, corrosion therefore gradually occurs in the area of the hole.

State of the art

The publication EP 0 731 534 B1 and the printed matter EN 10 2016 120 929 A1 each disclose a connector housing in which two housing parts are held together by a locking device. The locking device grips locking pins which are mounted in a respective hole in the associated housing part. The publication EP 3 105 370 A1 relates to another such connector housing, wherein retaining bolts serve as locking pins and bearing pins of the locking devices and comprise a metallic alloy. The connector housing is made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy. The metallic alloy of the retaining bolts reduces or prevents contact corrosion of the housing. It is important here that the layer providing corrosion protection should be very abrasion-resistant in order to avoid damage to the layer.

From the publication DE 20 2006 004 794 U1 A connector housing with a metallic housing wall is known, which has a through hole for inserting a bolt. The housing can be made of aluminum, while the bolt is made of steel.

The publication EN 10 2013 008 503 A1 describes a connection system with a mandrel that is inserted into a double sleeve. The double sleeve comprises an inner sleeve with which the mandrel is in contact and an outer sleeve that surrounds the inner sleeve. The inner and outer sleeves are inserted into a hole in a component and each have a collar, with the two collars resting next to the hole on opposite sides of the component.

From the publication EN 10 2007 003 276 A1 A connecting element is known with which CFRP components and metal components are held together in an aircraft or spacecraft. The connecting element is either made of an electrically non-conductive material or comprises a sleeve made of an electrically non-conductive material that surrounds a shaft of the connecting element. The sleeve keeps the shaft at a distance from the components to be connected.

The publication US 4 817 264 A describes another connecting element, which has a Has a collar which projects radially beyond the opening when the connecting element is inserted into the receiving opening. The connecting element has an opening for receiving a bolt.

From the publication GB 1 356 052 A A fastening element is known which is inserted into a sleeve, which in turn is inserted into an opening of a workpiece.

Task

An object of the invention is to provide a connector housing which efficiently provides the best possible corrosion resistance.

The object is achieved by the connector housing with the features of independent claim 1 or the independent claim 2.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the subclaims and the following description.

A connector housing according to the invention has: at least two housing parts, wherein at least one bore is provided in at least one of the housing parts, wherein the bore has a bore peripheral surface that extends from an outside of the housing to an inside of the housing; at least one retaining bolt that comprises a pin running through the bore and a pin protruding outward from the outside of the housing; and at least one locking device that can be coupled to the at least one retaining bolt and is movable between a locking position and an opening position, wherein a material of the at least one retaining bolt and a material in which the bore is formed are or comprise different metals. At least one spacer is provided on each bore, which is in contact with the retaining bolt, wherein the spacer holds the retaining bolt at least partially spaced from the bore peripheral surface. The spacer has an inner ring through which the retaining bolt runs. The inner ring is arranged on the inside of the housing. An inner end of the retaining bolt is deformed to hold it against the inner ring.

Another connector housing according to the invention has: at least two housing parts, wherein at least one bore is provided in at least one of the housing parts, wherein the bore has a bore peripheral surface that extends from an outside of the housing to an inside of the housing; at least one retaining bolt that comprises a pin running through the bore and a pin protruding outward from the outside of the housing; and at least one locking device that can be coupled to the at least one retaining bolt and is movable between a locking position and an opening position, wherein a material of the at least one retaining bolt and a material in which the bore is formed are or comprise different metals. At least one spacer is provided on each bore, which is in contact with the retaining bolt, wherein the spacer holds the retaining bolt at least partially spaced from the bore peripheral surface. The spacer has an outer ring that is arranged on the outside of the housing. A contact surface of the pin rests on the outer ring. The bore has a conical or truncated cone shape that widens towards the outside of the housing. The outer ring has a conical or truncated cone shape and is inserted into the bore.

Although a housing paint offers corrosion protection, the bore peripheral surfaces are typically not protected by paint or another coating. Without further measures, contact corrosion can therefore occur, particularly on the bore peripheral surfaces. This is prevented or at least reduced in the invention by keeping a retaining bolt at a distance from the bore peripheral surface. Depending on the type of fastening described in more detail later, the retaining bolt does not touch the bore peripheral surface anywhere or at least only in sections, i.e. over a smaller contact area than in the case where no spacer is used.

A retaining bolt can be designed in particular as a rivet bolt, although other types of connection are also possible.

The pin is the section of the retaining bolt that runs through the bore. The shape and surface of the pin can in principle be designed as desired. The pin preferably has a smaller diameter than the bore, so that a galvanically insulating gap is provided between the pin and the bore peripheral surface. For example, the diameter of the pin can be at least 5% or 10% smaller than a bore diameter. This prevents contact between the unpainted bore peripheral surface and the retaining bolt, which means that no contact corrosion can occur in this area. The gap created can either be filled with air or partially or completely filled by a sleeve or other component, as described in more detail later.

In a variant of the invention, the spacer comprises an inner ring or is formed as an inner ring, which is arranged in particular on the inside of the housing. The retaining bolt runs through the inner ring. An inner end of the retaining bolt, i.e. the end of the retaining bolt located inside the connector housing, is connected to the inner ring in a retaining manner. For example, it can be bent, flanged or riveted against the inner ring. The retaining bolt thus engages behind the inner ring and presses it against the housing wall in which the bore is formed. This design separates the retaining bolt from the inside of the housing. If the retaining bolt were to touch the inside of the housing directly, there would be a high risk of paint damage to the inside of the housing when fastening it. It is also possible that the bore creates paint-free areas on the inside of the housing, which the retaining bolt would touch without the inner ring. This contact and the associated contact corrosion can advantageously be avoided by the inner ring.

The inner ring and the reduced diameter of the pin described above ensure that the retaining bolt does not touch the circumference of the bore or the inside of the housing. This provides particularly good protection against contact corrosion. Paint damage is less likely on the outside of the housing, and in particular paint damage is less common due to the retaining bolt. The retaining bolt can therefore lie directly against the outside of the housing or alternatively be held at a distance from the outside of the housing, as will be described in more detail later.

The inner ring can have an inner diameter that is smaller than a bore diameter and corresponds to the diameter of the pin. This means that the inner diameter can be essentially the same or only slightly larger, for example at most 5% or 10% larger than the diameter of the pin. This strengthens the connection between the retaining bolt and the inner ring.

The inner ring can have a flat side that rests against the inner wall of the housing. A flat side means that the contact surface is large and the risk of paint damage due to the pressure exerted by the retaining bolt is low.

The inner ring can be formed as a perforated disk, which comprises two flat parallel sides. One side rests against the inside of the housing, while the other side is connected to the retaining bolt, in particular is pressed by the bolt against the inside of the housing.

In alternative designs, the bore may be widened and the inner ring is at least partially located in the bore. This fixes the position of the retaining bolt in a desired position transverse to the longitudinal axis of the bore, ensuring effective separation of the retaining bolt from the peripheral surface of the bore. The widening of the bore can form a seat against which the inner ring rests. In particular, the bore can have a conical or truncated cone shape that widens towards the inside of the housing. The inner ring can have a corresponding conical or truncated cone shape. This shape can support reliable fastening of the retaining bolt because the conical or truncated cone shape gives the inner ring sufficient strength to connect to the retaining bolt, but at the same time the wall thickness around the bore is not excessively reduced.

The dimensions of the inner ring and the bore can be selected so that the inner ring inserted into the bore is flush with the inside of the housing. The inner ring therefore does not protrude from the housing wall into the housing. This means that the position and dimensions of the retaining bolt and associated components do not need to be taken into account when using the interior of the housing.

In a further design variant, the spacer can comprise a sleeve which is inserted into the bore. The pin of the retaining bolt thus runs through the sleeve and is thus separated from the circumferential surface of the bore. The sleeve can be a separate component in addition to the inner ring or can be connected in one piece with the inner ring. In the latter case, the sleeve extends from the inside of the housing into the bore. If designed as a separate component, the sleeve can comprise a collar or flange which rests on the outside of the housing. In this case, the sleeve protrudes from the outside of the housing into the bore. The pin of the retaining bolt can now rest against the flange and thus be spaced from the outside of the housing. This can also prevent contact corrosion on the outside of the housing.

As an alternative or in addition to the inner ring, an outer ring can also be provided as a spacer, which is arranged on the outside of the housing. A contact surface of the pin then rests on the outer ring, so that the outside of the housing is not touched by the retaining bolt. Designs of the outer ring can be designed in a similar way to that described for the inner ring. Descriptions of the inner ring with reference to the inside of the housing result in variants of the outer ring with Reference to the outside of the housing. An inner ring and an outer ring of the same shape or a differently shaped outer ring can be used at the same time. In particular, the bore can also have a conical or truncated cone shape that widens towards the outside of the housing, with the outer ring having a corresponding conical or truncated cone shape and being inserted into the bore from the outside.

In general, the term pin refers to the section of the retaining bolt that is located outside the housing when assembled. The pin can form a contact surface that is larger than the bore cross-section and thus prevents the pin from being inserted into the bore. At least the section of the pin that forms the contact surface has a larger diameter than the pin of the retaining bolt, while other sections of the pin do not have to have a larger diameter than the bore or the pin.

The spacer can be made of a non-metallic material or at least have a non-metallic outer layer. Alternatively, the spacer can also be made of metal or have a metallic outer layer, but the metal is selected such that a potential difference between the metallic spacer and the housing part is smaller than a potential difference between the materials of the housing part and the retaining bolt. This also prevents or at least reduces contact corrosion.

In an alternative embodiment, the spacer comprises an adhesive which is inserted between the peripheral surface of the bore and the retaining bolt. The adhesive is made of an electrically insulating material and thus reduces the risk of corrosion on the peripheral surface of the bore. The adhesive means that no deformation of the inner end of the retaining bolt is required to fasten the retaining bolt. In particular, the pin can have an external thread which is screwed to an internal thread of the bore. The adhesive is located on the thread and thus reduces the contact area between the retaining bolt and the housing part. In the previous variants without adhesive, however, the pin can be designed without a thread or optionally also have a thread for screwing to the inner ring.

Examples of implementation

• 1 einen Ausschnitt eines Steckverbindergehäuses;
• 2 einen Querschnitt eines Teils eines Steckverbindergehäuses mit einem kegelstumpfförmigen Abstandshalter;
• 3 einen Querschnitt eines Teils eines Steckverbindergehäuses, wobei als Abstandshalter ein Innenring und eine Kragenhülse vorgesehen sind;
• 4 einen Querschnitt eines Teils eines Steckverbindergehäuses, wobei als Abstandshalter ein Innenring und ein kegelstumpfförmiger Ring vorgesehen sind und
• 5 einen Querschnitt eines Teils eines nicht erfindungsgemäßen Steckverbindergehäuses mit einem Klebstoff als Abstandshalter.

Embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings and are explained in more detail below. They show:

• 1 a section of a connector housing;
• 2 a cross-section of a portion of a connector housing with a frustoconical spacer;
• 3 a cross-section of a part of a connector housing, wherein an inner ring and a collar sleeve are provided as spacers;
• 4 a cross-section of a part of a connector housing, wherein an inner ring and a frustoconical ring are provided as spacers and
• 5 a cross-section of a part of a connector housing not according to the invention with an adhesive as a spacer.

The figures contain partially simplified, schematic representations. Identical elements are generally identified with the same reference symbols.

An embodiment of a connector housing 1 according to the invention is first described with reference to 1 described. The 1 shows a detail of two housing parts 2 and 3, which, when placed together, form a housing. The housing parts 2 and 3 are held together by locking devices 20, which are only partially shown here. Each locking device 20 is pivotally mounted about a bearing pin 21 on one of the housing parts 3. Depending on the pivot position, a part of the locking device 20 engages around a locking pin 22 on the other housing part 2. In such a closed position, the housing parts 2, 3 are pressed against one another and are protected by the locking device 20 from unintentional release. If the locking device 20 is pivoted to release, it no longer contacts the locking pin 22 and the housing parts 2, 3 can be released from one another. Optionally, a spring 23 can be used to exert tension on the locking device 20.

The locking pins 22 and/or bearing pins 21 are each inserted into a bore in the respective housing part 2, 3. The term retaining bolt is used below, which can refer to a bearing pin 21 and/or a locking pin 22.

In this example, housing parts 2 and 3 are made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy, while the retaining bolts are made of stainless steel. A layer of paint on housing parts 2 and 3 protects against direct contact between Aluminum and stainless steel parts. This reduces the risk of contact corrosion between aluminum and stainless steel parts. More generally, other materials can also be used, whereby the housing parts 2, 3 are made of a different metal than the retaining bolts.

Various embodiments of the invention are described below, in which additional measures are provided for preventing contact corrosion. The embodiments have in common that a spacer is used to avoid or reduce direct contact between a retaining bolt and the housing part in which the bore is formed.

2 shows a cross section through a wall of the housing part 2, in which a bore 4 is provided. The retaining bolt 15 extends through the bore 4 and is fastened to the housing part 2 via this. The retaining bolt 15 comprises a pin 16, which extends outwards from an outer side 6 of the housing part 2, and a pin 17, which runs through the bore 4. The pin 16 has a larger cross section than the pin 17, whereby a contact surface 19 is formed. In the example of 2 the contact surface 19 rests on the outside of the housing 6.

An inner ring 10 is used as a spacer, which is arranged on an inner side 7 of the housing. The bore 4 has a cross-section that widens towards the inner side 7 of the housing, with the inner ring 10 being inserted into the widened area of the bore 4. The inner diameter of the inner ring 10 is smaller than a diameter of the bore 4. The pin 17 of the retaining bolt 15 has a diameter that can correspond to the inner diameter of the inner ring 10 and is in any case smaller than the diameter of the bore 4. This results in a distance between the pin 17 and the bore peripheral surface 5, that is to say the outer surface of the bore 4. An inner end 18 of the retaining bolt 15 is pressed against the inner ring 10 from the inside, that is to say from the inside of the connector housing, for example by being flanged and/or riveted. In this way, the inner ring 10 and the housing wall in which the bore 4 is formed are pressed between the inner end 18 and the contact surface 19 so that the retaining bolt is secured. In principle, other types of connection to the inner ring 10 are also possible.

The inner ring 10 prevents contact between the inner end 18 and the housing part 2. Even in the event of paint damage to the inside of the housing 7, contact corrosion on the inside of the housing 7 can therefore be reliably prevented. The gap to the bore peripheral surface 5, which is generally neither painted nor otherwise protected against corrosion, also reliably prevents contact corrosion on the bore peripheral surface 5. Contact on the support surface 19 is less risky in terms of corrosion because paint damage is less likely here.

3 shows a modified embodiment of the invention, which differs in the design of the spacer from the previous embodiment. 4 the spacer comprises an inner ring 10` and a separate sleeve or collar sleeve 11. The bore 4 has no widening, so that the inner ring 10` rests against the housing inner side 7 and is pressed against the housing inner side 7 by the inner end 18 of the retaining bolt 15. In contrast to the previous figure, the inner ring 10` is formed as a flat disk.

The sleeve 11 comprises a collar or flange and is inserted into the bore 4 from the outside of the housing 6. The collar rests against the outside of the housing 6, so that the bearing surface of the pin 16 does not contact the outside of the housing 6, but the collar. This can prevent contact corrosion on the outside of the housing 6, even in the event of paint damage. The sleeve 11 can extend over part of the bore 4, or, as shown, over the entire bore, in particular up to the inner ring 10'. This design means that there are no contact points between the retaining bolt 15 and the housing part 2.

The embodiment of the 4 uses an inner ring 10' so that the retaining bolt 15 does not contact the inside of the housing 7. 3 This embodiment differs in that a truncated cone-shaped outer ring 11' is used instead of a collar sleeve. This can be made of 2 designed. The bore 4 has a shape that widens towards the outside of the housing 6. The outer ring 11' is inserted into this widened area of the bore 4 from the outside. It has a flat front side that is flush with the outside of the housing 6. A hole diameter of the outer ring 11' corresponds to the diameter of the pin 17. This keeps the pin 17 at a distance from the bore's peripheral surface 5. By using two components, namely the inner ring 10' and the outer ring 11', to hold the distance, contact between the retaining bolt 15 and the housing part 2 can advantageously be completely avoided.

An embodiment not according to the invention is described with reference to 5 described. Here, the spacer is formed by an adhesive 9. The pin 17 is a threaded bolt which engages in a corresponding internal thread on the bore 4. The adhesive 9 is located between the threads and thus reduces the contact area between the pin 17 and the bore peripheral surface provided with the internal thread. This reduces contact corrosion on the bore peripheral surface. The thread and the adhesive 9 ensure a secure hold without the retaining bolt 15 having to touch the inside of the housing 7. This also prevents corrosion contact on the inside of the housing 7.

The aforementioned embodiments are described with reference to the housing part 2, but a retaining bolt can also be held in a bore of the housing part 3 in the manner described additionally or alternatively.

List of reference symbols

1

Connector housing

2

Housing part

3

Housing part

4

drilling

5

Bore circumference

6

Housing exterior

7

Inside of the housing

9

Spacers, adhesive

10

Spacer, frustoconical inner ring

10'

Spacer, inner ring

11

Spacer, collar sleeve, sleeve

11'

Spacer, frustoconical outer ring

15

Retaining bolt

16

Pin of the retaining bolt

17

Pin of the retaining bolt

18

Inner end of the retaining bolt

19

Contact surface of the retaining bolt

20

Locking device

21

Bearing journal

22

Locking pin

23

Feather

Claims (10)

Connector housing, comprising: - at least two housing parts (2, 3), wherein at least one bore (4) is provided in at least one of the housing parts (2, 3), wherein the bore (4) has a bore peripheral surface (5) which extends from a housing outer side (6) to a housing inner side (7), - at least one retaining bolt (15) which comprises a pin (17) running through the bore (4) and a pin (16) protruding outwards from the housing outer side (6), - at least one locking device (20) which can be coupled to the at least one retaining bolt (15) and is movable between a locking position and an opening position, wherein a material of the at least one retaining bolt (15) and a material in which the bore (4) is formed are or comprise different metals, characterized in that at least one spacer (9, 10, 10', 11, 11') is provided on each bore (4). is provided which is in contact with the retaining bolt (15), wherein the retaining bolt (15) is held at least partially spaced from the bore peripheral surface (5) by the spacer (9, 10, 10', 11, 11'), the spacer (9, 10, 10', 11, 11') has an inner ring (10, 10') through which the retaining bolt (15) runs, the inner ring (10, 10') is arranged on the housing inner side (7) and an inner end (18) of the retaining bolt (15) is deformed so as to hold it against the inner ring (10, 10'). Connector housing, comprising: - at least two housing parts (2, 3), wherein at least one bore (4) is provided in at least one of the housing parts (2, 3), wherein the bore (4) has a bore peripheral surface (5) which extends from a housing outer side (6) to a housing inner side (7), - at least one retaining bolt (15) which comprises a pin (17) running through the bore (4) and a pin (16) protruding outwards from the housing outer side (6), - at least one locking device (20) which can be coupled to the at least one retaining bolt (15) and is movable between a locking position and an opening position, wherein a material of the at least one retaining bolt (15) and a material in which the bore (4) is formed are or comprise different metals, characterized in that at least one spacer (9, 10, 10', 11, 11') is provided on each bore (4). which is in contact with the retaining bolt (15), whereby the retaining bolt is zen (15) is held at least partially spaced from the bore peripheral surface (5), the spacer (9, 10, 10', 11, 11') has an outer ring (11 `) which is arranged on the housing outer side (6), a contact surface (19) of the pin (16) rests on the outer ring (11'), the bore (4) has a conical or truncated cone shape which widens towards the housing outer side (7) and the outer ring (11') has a conical or truncated cone shape and is inserted into the bore (4). Connector housing according to Claim 2 , characterized in that the spacer (9, 10, 10', 11, 11') has an inner ring (10, 10') through which the retaining bolt (15) runs, the inner ring (10, 10') is arranged on the housing inner side (7) and an inner end (18) of the retaining bolt (15) is deformed so as to hold it against the inner ring (10, 10'). Connector housing according to Claim 1 or 3 , characterized in that the bore (4) has a conical or truncated cone shape widening towards the housing inner side (7) and the inner ring (10) has a conical or truncated cone shape and is inserted into the bore (4). Connector housing according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the inner ring (10) inserted into the bore (4) is flush with the housing inner side (7). Connector housing according to one of the Claims 1 , 3 , 4 or 5 , characterized in that the inner ring (10) has an inner diameter which is smaller than a diameter of the bore (4) and corresponds to the diameter of the pin (17). Connector housing according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the spacer (9, 10, 10', 11, 11') has a sleeve (11) which extends along the bore (4), and the pin (17) of the retaining bolt (15) in the bore (4) runs through the sleeve (11). Connector housing according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the sleeve (11) has a flange which rests on the housing outer side (6) and the pin (16) is separated from the housing outer side (6) by the flange of the sleeve (11). Connector housing according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pin (17) of the retaining pin (15) has a smaller diameter than the bore (4) for providing a galvanically insulating gap between the pin (17) and the bore peripheral surface (5). Connector housing according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the spacer (9, 10, 10', 11, 11') has an adhesive (9), wherein the adhesive (9) is located between the bore peripheral surface (5) and the retaining bolt (15).

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