DE102022113974A1 - Connection device - Google Patents

Abstract

A connection device (1) comprises a housing (10) with a housing wall (100) and an opening (101) formed therein, a circuit carrier (11A-11C) arranged in the housing (10) and a connection element (12A-12C) to which a mating connection element (2) can be connected in order to establish a conductive connection with the circuit carrier (11A-11C), the connection element (12A-12C) being arranged in the opening (101). It is provided that an outer surface (120) of the connection element (12A-12C) forms a press fit with an inner surface (102) of the opening (101) and on the outer surface (120) of the connection element (12A-12C) and/or on the A circumferential groove (121) is formed on the inner surface (102) of the opening (101), with a sealing ring (13) arranged in the groove (121) sealing the connecting element (12A-12C) from the opening (101).

Description

The invention relates to a connection device according to claim 1, a connection device according to claim 12 and a method for producing a connection device according to claim 14.

Connection devices with a housing are used in many areas of application. It is often necessary to seal the inside of the housing against environmental influences such as dust and water. Connection elements, for example in the form of plug connector parts, are typically provided on such housings, to which a mating connection element, for example in the form of a mating plug connector part, can be connected. In order to achieve tightness of the housing, the connection elements typically have to be sealed from the housing.

It would be conceivable to form part of the respective connection element in one piece with the housing. However, this would be particularly complex to produce and, for reasons of strength, cannot be implemented with many housing geometries.

Furthermore, it is known to mount a connecting element to a wall using screw connections, such as in DE 60 2005 001 035 T2 described. In this way, good sealing can be achieved, but the manufacturing effort is also particularly high.

The DE 10 2014 100 492 A1 describes an adapter sleeve that is screwed into a wall opening and thus presses conical clamping surfaces together. However, such solutions also require a lot of assembly effort and the adapter sleeve also takes up a relatively large amount of space. This space requirement is typically increased by a tool that needs to be used for assembly.

A connection device with a housing in the form of a control cabinet and a connection element in the form of a plug connector part is in the DE 20 2011 051 839 U1 described. There the connection element is in turn attached to a wall of the control cabinet using a screw connection.

The object of the present invention is to provide a connection device that is as easy to produce as possible.

This task is solved by an object with the features of claim 1.

Accordingly, a connection device is specified, comprising a housing with a housing wall and an opening formed therein, a circuit carrier arranged in the housing and a connection element to which a mating connection element can be connected in order to produce a (e.g. electrically or optically) conductive connection with the circuit carrier, wherein the connecting element is arranged in the opening. It is provided that an outer surface of the connecting element forms a press fit with an inner surface of the opening and a circumferential groove is formed on the outer surface of the connecting element and/or on the inner surface of the opening, with a sealing ring arranged in the groove sealing the connecting element from the opening .

This is based on the knowledge that due to the circumferential seal arranged in the groove, tightness can be easily ensured during assembly, whereby relatively large manufacturing tolerances can also be compensated for. This is because the seal running between the outer surface and the inner surface acts radially and not axially. A connection device that is particularly easy to produce is thus specified. By arranging the sealing ring in the groove, the connecting element can be easily pushed into the opening during assembly without the seal slipping. This makes it possible to create a particularly secure seal.

At least the housing wall of the housing (in particular the entire housing) can comprise or consist of at least one metal. Alternatively or additionally, the connection element can comprise or consist of at least one metal part. This enables particularly high stability and, if necessary, electrical shielding.

For example, at least the housing wall of the housing (in particular an entire housing part which forms the housing wall) is manufactured by a die-cast component. This allows complex shaping despite being simple and quick to manufacture.

At least the housing wall of the housing (in particular an entire housing part which forms the housing wall) can comprise or consist of a die-cast zinc. This allows for high precision, hardness and strength while being easy to manufacture.

Optionally, at least the housing wall of the housing (in particular an entire housing part which forms the housing wall) and/or the connection element is/are with a galvanized chemical surface coating. This allows different surface finishes to be set so that the connection device can be easily adapted to the requirements of different applications.

At least part of the connection element can be designed as a turned part. At least the part (also referred to below as the body) can have been processed using the turning manufacturing process. At least the part has, for example, a rotationally symmetrical outer shape. This enables simple and particularly precise production.

The press fit can in particular have a twisting torque greater than 10 Nm, in particular greater than 14 Nm. A larger moment must therefore be applied to the connecting element with the housing held in place (or vice versa) in order to cause a relative rotation of the two components. Alternatively or additionally, the press fit has a pull-out force greater than 500 N, in particular greater than 900 N. A greater force must therefore be applied to the connecting element with the housing held in place (or vice versa) in order to cause a relative translation of the two components. This enables the connection element to be held securely.

The sealing ring between the connection element and the opening can be elastically tensioned in such a way that a seal is achieved at least in accordance with IP65, IP67 or IP68. These tightnesses are possible thanks to the specified design.

The connection element can comprise a body having and forming the outer surface, in which a plug connector component of the connection element is arranged or can be arranged. The mating connection element is then designed, for example, in the form of a mating connector component and can be plugged onto the connector component. The mating connection element is, for example, mounted on the body and/or sealed against it. This allows for a fast and secure connection. The connector component has, for example, electrical and/or optical lines.

It can be provided that the body of the connecting element is held at the opening exclusively by the press fit. In particular, no further fastening means such as screws or the like are provided or necessary.

Furthermore, the body of the connecting element can have a thread, in particular an internal thread. This enables a particularly secure and robust connection with the mating connection element. For example, it is a type M12 thread.

According to one aspect, a connection device is provided, which can in particular be designed according to any embodiment described herein. The connection device comprises a housing with a housing wall and an opening formed therein, a circuit carrier arranged in the housing and a connection element to which a mating connection element can be connected in order to establish a conductive connection with the circuit carrier, wherein the connection element can be arranged in the opening. It is provided that the connecting element on an outer surface has a larger diameter (and correspondingly a larger outer circumference) than the opening on an inner surface, so that when the connecting element is arranged in the opening, a press fit is formed, with the outer surface of the connecting element and/or or a circumferential groove is formed on the inner surface of the opening and a sealing ring of the connecting device can be arranged or is arranged in the groove in order to seal the connecting element from the opening.

Regarding the advantages of the solution, reference is made to the information above.

It can be provided that the connection element has an excess size of 30 to 150 µm compared to the opening. The connecting element has, for example, a diameter on the outer surface that is 30 to 150 μm larger than a diameter of the opening. With an excess in this area, a secure seal and holder is possible with the solution described. Since the area is relatively large, the manufacturing requirements are relatively low, which simplifies the manufacturing process.

According to one aspect, a method for producing a connection device is specified, wherein the connection device has a housing with a housing wall and an opening formed therein, a circuit carrier arranged in the housing and a connection element to which a mating connection element can be connected in order to establish a conductive connection with the circuit carrier , includes. The connection device can in particular be the connection device according to any embodiment described herein. It is provided that the connecting element on an outer surface has a larger diameter than the opening on an inner surface. The procedure includes the following step: Arranging the Connecting element in the opening to form a press fit between the outer surface of the connecting element and the inner surface of the opening, a circumferential groove being formed on the outer surface of the connecting element and/or on the inner surface of the opening and a sealing ring arranged in the groove holding the connecting element opposite the opening seals.

Regarding the advantages of the solution, reference is made to the information above.

• 1 eine perspektivische Ansicht einer Anschlussvorrichtung zum elektrischen Anschließen mehrerer Gegenanschlusselemente in Form von Steckverbindern;
• 2 eine Seitenansicht der Anschlussvorrichtung gemäß 1;
• 3 eine Draufsicht auf die Anschlussvorrichtung gemäß 1;
• 4 eine Schnittansicht der Anschlussvorrichtung gemäß 1 entlang der in 3 eingezeichneten Schnittebene A-A;
• 5 eine in 4 mit D1 bezeichnete Detailansicht der Anschlussvorrichtung gemäß 1;
• 6 eine in 4 mit D2 bezeichnete Detailansicht der Anschlussvorrichtung gemäß 1;
• 7 eine in 4 mit D3 bezeichnete Detailansicht der Anschlussvorrichtung gemäß 1;
• 8 eine Schnittansicht eines Anschlusselements für die Anschlussvorrichtung gemäß 1;
• 9A-9C verschiedene Ansichten des Anschlusselements gemäß 8; und
• 10 eine Schnittansicht eines Anschlusselements für die Anschlussvorrichtung gemäß 1.

The idea underlying the invention will be explained in more detail below using the exemplary embodiments shown in the figures. Show it:

• 1 a perspective view of a connection device for electrically connecting a plurality of mating connection elements in the form of plug connectors;
• 2 a side view of the connection device according to 1 ;
• 3 a top view of the connection device according to 1 ;
• 4 a sectional view of the connection device according to 1 along the in 3 drawn section plane AA;
• 5 one in 4 Detailed view of the connection device marked D1 1 ;
• 6 one in 4 Detailed view of the connection device marked D2 1 ;
• 7 one in 4 Detailed view of the connection device marked D3 1 ;
• 8th a sectional view of a connection element for the connection device according to 1 ;
• 9A-9C different views of the connection element according to 8th ; and
• 10 a sectional view of a connection element for the connection device according to 1 .

1-3 show various views of a connection device 1 with a housing 10 and several connection elements 12A for connecting several mating connection elements 2. In the example shown, the housing 10 has a rectangular basic shape, although other shapes are of course also conceivable. The housing 10 comprises a housing part, here in the form of a housing shell 103, which defines an interior together with a further housing part, here in the form of a cover 104. In the present case, the housing shell 103 is closed by the cover 104.

One housing part, here the housing shell 103, and in this case also the cover 104, are made of die-cast zinc and provided with a galvanically applied surface coating.

One housing part, here the housing shell 103, has a housing wall 100. The housing wall 100 is flat in the example shown. The connection elements 12A are mounted on the housing wall 100, here for example in two rows. In the present case, ten connection elements 12A can be mounted on the housing wall 100. One or more optional caps 126 each close a (e.g. unused) connection element 12A.

4 illustrates in the sectional view of the connection device 1 how the connection elements 12A are mounted on the housing wall, with three detailed views D1, D2 and D3 in the for ease of illustration 5-7 are shown enlarged.

Especially based on the 4 It can be seen that generally at least one, here several circuit carriers 11A-11C are arranged in the housing 10. The housing 10 is an electronics housing. Each of the circuit carriers 11A-11C has electrical conductor tracks and/or components. In the present case, the circuit carriers 11A-11C are each designed in the form of a circuit board.

Each connection element 12A includes a body 123A and a connector component 124. These components are shown separately in the detailed view D1 5 shown. The body 123A forms a wall feedthrough for the connector component 124.

The body 123A is formed in one piece. In the present case, the body 123A is made as a turned part, namely from a metal alloy, for example brass. Furthermore, the body is provided with a galvanically applied surface coating. The body 123A is essentially rotationally symmetrical.

The body 123A has an outer surface 120 which includes a circular cylindrical section (with a cylinder axis). A radial groove 121 is formed thereon. The groove 121 runs in a self-contained manner around the body 123A on the outer surface 120. The groove 121 is annular. The groove 121 has a greater width (parallel to the cylinder axis) than its depth (along the radius of the cylinder axis).

Furthermore, the body 123A has a flange 122 and a thread, in this case an internal thread 125 on. This is specifically an M12 thread.

The housing wall 100 has an opening 101 for each of the connection elements 12A. 5 shows the opening 101 for the connection element 12A shown there. The opening 101 forms an inner surface 102. In the present case, the inner surface 102 is circular cylindrical, alternatively conically narrowed towards the inside of the housing 10. The body 123A can be inserted, specifically pushed, into the opening. If the body 123A is arranged in the opening 101, then its (circular cylindrical) outer surface 120 lies flat against the inner surface 102 of the opening 101.

Im in 5 In the not yet assembled state shown, the outer surface 120 (adjacent to the groove 121) is oversized compared to the opening 101. In the present case, the outer surface 120 has a diameter that is between 30 and 150 μm larger than the diameter of the inner surface 102 (in each case perpendicular to the cylinder axis). If the body 123A is pushed into the opening 101, a press fit is created. To facilitate insertion, the body 123A is tapered at the end adjacent to the outer surface 120. An insertion bevel is also provided at the opening 101. The flange 122 of the body 123A defines a stop up to which the body 123A can be inserted into the opening 101.

Before inserting, a sealing ring 13 of the connecting device 1 is placed in the groove 121. The sealing ring 13 is made of an elastic plastic, for example, the sealing ring 13 is made of rubber. The sealing ring 13 is self-contained. By arranging the sealing ring 13 in the groove 121, the sealing ring 13 does not slip relative to the body 123A during insertion of the body 123A into the opening 101. The sealing ring 13 is thus inserted together with the body 123A and thus seals the connecting element 12A from the opening 101. Specifically, the seal ring 13 seals the inner surface 102 of the opening 101 against the body 123A. An annular area between the inner surface 102 of the opening 101 and the body 123A is thus sealed. The housing wall 100 is thus sealed at the edge of the opening 101. The interior of the housing 10 is thus sealed from the outside environment at the edge of the opening 101. Any gap that may exist between the opening 101 and the body 123A despite a press fit is thus closed and sealed (against dust and water) by the sealing ring 13. This state is shown, for example, in the detailed view D3 7 shown.

The body 123A is hollow inside. The body 123A has a through hole for receiving the already mentioned connector component 124.

The plug connector component 124 has one or more plug-in sections, which can be connected in a plug-in manner to matching mating plug-in sections of the mating connection element 2. The connector component 124 is electrically (alternatively or additionally optically) connected to the circuit carrier 11A. The plug connector component 124 can thus establish an electrical (and/or optical) connection between the circuit carrier 11A and the connected mating connection element 2.

According to 5 the connector component 124 is already mounted on the circuit carrier 11A and soldered thereto and the body 123A can then be inserted into the opening 101. Alternatively, the connection element 12A can be pre-assembled and inserted into the opening 101 together with the body 123A and the plug connector component 124. The connector component 124 is supported on the body 123A. However, the body 123A is only secured against removal by the press fit on the housing wall 100.

Like especially in the 5 and 6 As can be seen, the connection element 12A has a sealing ring 127A between the body 123A and the plug connector component 124, which seals the body 123A against the plug connector component 124. Furthermore, the connecting element 12A has a sealing ring 127B, which rests on a stop surface at the inner end of the internal thread 125. If the mating connection element 2 is connected to the connection element 123A, this sealing ring 127B seals the mating connection element 2 against the connection element 123A. Here, the mating connection element 2 has an external thread that matches the internal thread 125, with which it can be screwed to the body 123A. An axial end surface of the mating connection element 2 then comes into contact with the sealing ring 127B.

In the case of the connecting element 12A, the groove 121, viewed in the axial direction, is arranged so that in the assembled state it rests on a central region of the housing wall 10 (with respect to the thickness of the housing wall 10). On both sides (viewed in the axial direction) of the groove 121, the body 123A has a circular cylindrical section of the outer surface 120.

The press fit has a torsional torque of more than 14 Nm and a pull-out force of more than 900 N. Furthermore, the sealing ring 13 is between the Connection element 12A and the opening 101 are elastically tensioned in such a way that a seal between the connection element 12A and the opening 101 is achieved at least in accordance with IP65, IP67 or IP68. For this purpose, the sealing ring 13 has a thickness that is greater than the depth of the groove 121. When the body 123A is not inserted, in which the sealing ring 13 is relaxed, it protrudes from the groove 121 when it is at the bottom of the groove 121 applied.

The body 123A of the connecting element 12A is held non-positively on the housing wall 100 by the press fit.

By using the sealing ring 13, a comparatively large oversize can be provided in order to produce a particularly tight press fit. Any grooves that may be formed as a result can be sealed by the sealing ring. This also applies to manufacturing tolerances, so that tightness according to IP65, IP67 or even IP68 is possible even with normal precision manufacturing processes. For example, zinc die casting with electroplated surfaces is used for the housing 10 in combination with turning and electroplated surfaces for the body 123A. Alternatively, the body 123A can (also) be manufactured by means of casting, in particular by means of zinc die-casting. For zinc die casting with subsequent electroplating, only a limited manufacturing precision is possible, with which the tightness achieved here could usually not be achieved. Microchannels can form in the crystalline structure of the cast material, which could usually direct liquid into the housing 10, which could lead to a leak in a press-fit connection. The described arrangement of the seal 13 enables a secure seal even with such materials and thus the use of appropriate manufacturing processes.

The connection element 12A (in particular the body 123A) can be inserted into the opening 101 of the housing wall 10 from the outside (with respect to the housing 10).

The outer surface 120 and the inner surface 102 are smooth.

The sealing ring 13 seals in the radial direction. The sealing ring 13 is designed in the form of an O-ring.

8th and 9A-9C In comparison, show a connection element 12B for the connection device 1, in which the groove 121 of the body 123B directly adjoins the flange 122. Accordingly, the seal 13 lies there adjacent to the outer surface of the housing wall 100 on the inner surface 102 of the opening 101 (and closer to the outer surface of the housing wall 100 than to its inner surface).

The outer surface 120 of the connection element 12B has only a single, continuous circular cylindrical area.

10 further shows a connection element 12C for the connection device 1, in which the groove 121 of the body 123C (and correspondingly the seal 13) adjacent to the inner surface of the housing wall 100 on the inner surface 102 of the opening 101 (and closer to the inner surface of the housing wall 100 than to its outer surface).

Reference symbol list

1

Connection device

10

Housing

100

housing wall

101

opening

102

Interior surface

103

Housing shell

104

Lid

11A-11C

Circuit carrier

12A-12C

Connection element

120

external surface

121

Nut

122

flange

123A-123C

Body

124

Connector component

125

inner thread

126

cap

127A, 127B

sealing ring

13

sealing ring

2

Counter connection element

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of documents listed by the applicant was 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 602005001035 T2 [0004]
• DE 102014100492 A1 [0005]
• DE 202011051839 U1 [0006]

Claims (14)

Connection device (1), comprising: - a housing (10) with a housing wall (100) and an opening (101) formed therein, - a circuit carrier (11A-11C) arranged in the housing (10) and - a connection element (12A-12C ), to which a mating connection element (2) can be connected in order to establish a conductive connection with the circuit carrier (11A-11C), the connection element (12A-12C) being arranged in the opening (101), characterized in that an outer surface ( 120) of the connection element (12A-12C) forms a press fit with an inner surface (102) of the opening (101) and on the outer surface (120) of the connection element (12A-12C) and / or on the inner surface (102) of the opening (101 ) a circumferential groove (121) is formed, with a sealing ring (13) arranged in the groove (121) sealing the connecting element (12A-12C) from the opening (101). Connection device (1). Claim 1 , characterized in that at least the housing wall (100) of the housing (10) comprises or consists of at least one metal and / or the connection element (12A-12C) comprises or consists of at least one metal. Connection device (1). Claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that at least the housing wall (100) of the housing (10) is made by a die-cast component. Connection device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least the housing wall (100) of the housing (10) comprises or consists of a die-cast zinc. Connection device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least the housing wall (100) of the housing (10) and/or the connection element (12A-12C) is/are provided with a galvanic surface coating. Connection device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least part of the connection element (12A-12C) is designed as a turned part. Connection device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the press fit has a twisting torque greater than 10 Nm, in particular greater than 14 Nm, and a pull-out force greater than 500 N, in particular greater than 900 N. Connection device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sealing ring (13) between the connection element (12A-12C) and the opening (101) is elastically tensioned in such a way that a seal is achieved at least according to IP65, IP67 or IP68 . Connection device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connection element (12A-12C) comprises a body (123A-123C) having the outer surface (120), in which a plug connector component (124) of the connection element (12A-12C) is arranged. Connection device (1). Claim 9 , characterized in that the body (123A-123C) of the connecting element (12A-12C) is held exclusively by the press fit on the opening (101). Connection device (1). Claim 9 or 10 , characterized in that the body (123A-123C) of the connecting element (12A-12C) has an internal thread (125). Connection device (1), in particular according to one of the preceding claims, comprising: - a housing (10) with a housing wall (100) and an opening (101) formed therein, - a circuit carrier (11A-11C) arranged in the housing (10) and - a connection element (12A-12C), to which a mating connection element (2) can be connected in order to establish a conductive connection with the circuit carrier (11A-11C), the connection element (12A-12C) being able to be arranged in the opening (101), characterized in that the connecting element (12A-12C) on an outer surface (120) has a larger diameter than the opening (101) on an inner surface (102) and when the connecting element (12A-12C) is arranged in the opening (101) forms a press fit, wherein a circumferential groove (121) is formed on the outer surface (120) of the connecting element (12A-12C) and/or on the inner surface (102) of the opening (101) and a sealing ring (121) is formed in the groove (121). 13) of the connection device (1) can be arranged or arranged to seal the connection element (12A-12C) from the opening (101). Connection device (1). Claim 12 , characterized in that the connecting element (12A-12C) has an excess size of 30 to 150 µm compared to the opening (101). Method for producing a connection device (1) comprising a housing (10) with a housing wall (100) and an opening (101) formed therein, a circuit carrier (11A-11C) arranged in the housing (10) and a connection element (12A-12C) , to which a mating connection element (2) can be connected in order to establish a conductive connection with the circuit carrier (11A-11C), in particular the connection device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connection element (12A-12C) on a Outer surface (120) has a larger diameter than the opening (101) on an inner surface (102), and the method comprises the following step: - arranging the connection element (12A-12C) in the opening (101) to form a press fit between the Outer surface (120) of the connection element (12A-12C) and the inner surface (102) of the opening (101), being on the outer surface (120) of the connection element (12A-12C) and/or on the inner surface (102) of the opening (101 ) a circumferential groove (121) is formed and a sealing ring (13) arranged in the groove (121) seals the connecting element (12A-12C) from the opening (101).

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