EP0525171B1 - Electrical connector with sealing feed-through - Google Patents

Abstract

An electrical connector for use in automobiles comprises an insulating body (12) with passages to house contacts, each fitted with a connecting wire (18). It also comprises a rear feed-through (36) made from an elastomer with at least two rows of individual passages for the wires, and held by a perforated plate which can be removably secured to the body. Each passage in the feed-through incorporates at least one sealing lip shaped to close the corresponding individual passage when unused with no wire fitted, the feed-through being held in place by the perforated plate.

Description

The present invention relates to electrical connectors of the type comprising an insulating body pierced with contact receiving passages each provided with a connecting wire and a rear grommet, made of elastomeric material, pierced with at least one row of individual passages of the son (and generally at least two parallel rows) and held by a plate which can be joined to the body in a removable manner.

Such connectors are currently widely used. Many applications, for example in the automotive field, require that the connectors be waterproof, which implies that there can be no entry of polluting liquid between the grommet on the one hand, the wires and the insulating body on the other hand.

A solution widely used at present for sealing consists in pouring a polymerizable material on the wires, at the back of the grommet or in replacement of the grommet. This solution has the drawback of making the connector non-removable.

One solution which makes it possible to remove and return a contact provided with its insulated wire consists in providing, in the wall of the individual passages, a circular sealing lip or lips each resting on a wire. But in current grommets sealing is only obtained if all the passages are actually occupied by wires of sufficient diameter. However, in particular in the automotive field, where it is desired to use the same connectors on a whole range of vehicles, certain contact locations are not occupied, in all cases.

Also known (GB-A-2168548) is a connector intended to receive a wire, having a grommet which at rest has a hole for the passage of a wire. When compressed by a cap, the grommet, V-shaped section, folds around a thin part, defined by a circumferential groove and is applied to the wire.

The present invention aims in particular to provide a electrical connector of the type defined above, meeting better than those previously known the requirements of practice, in particular in that it allows both disassembly and sealing, even when certain locations are devoid of contacts and wires.

To solve this problem, the invention starts from the observation that there are now contacts having a non-aggressive front end, therefore capable of being inserted in the orifices of a grommet having a section at rest markedly less than that of the contact. Mention may in particular be made, as female contact of this type, that described in document EP-AO 310487, where the front end has two sides formed by folds and where the edges of the two remaining sides are set back relative to the folds, which prevents tearing of the grommet. As a male contact, it is possible to indicate the blades intended to be inserted into a female contact of the kind shown in document EP-A-310487, having a front bevel.

The invention therefore provides a connector of the type defined by claim 1 or 2.

The recesses reserved in the grommet will generally include indentations or empty zones each formed between two successive passages, on each side of the corresponding row or, less frequently, single. In the case of several rows, these notches will be found in particular in the center of the rectangle whose corners correspond to the axes of four neighboring passges.

The elastomeric material will be chosen to be sufficiently deformable so that the mutual support of opposite portions of the lips is sealed and so that the material deformed by the presence of a large diameter wire can move towards the recesses. In practice, the elastomer will generally have a hardness of less than 40 Shore.

Such an arrangement makes it possible to reconcile the apparently contradictory requirements of sealing and dismantling; if an increase in the contact distribution pitch is necessary, it is small and in one direction only. In practice, it is thus possible to form connectors having up to six rows of contacts without particular difficulty.

In the case where the plate constitutes a perforated flat piece, the grommet can be provided so that the contacts equipped with their wires are introduced after the grommet has been placed in the body, but before the grout is installed and fixed. perforated plate. It can also be provided so that the contacts can be introduced after fitting the grommet and the plate.

The recesses reserved in the grommet can have various natures. They may include zones between several successive lips of the same passage. They can also be formed by recesses inside the lips. They may still include notches of the reserved elastomer between the rows and, on either side of the rows, in the side wall of the grommet.

The seal between the grommet and the body can in any case be obtained in a simple manner. It can, in a conventional manner, be ensured by the support of the lateral faces of the grommet against the internal face of the body, that is to say by a radial support. The plate, when it constitutes a simple flat perforated part can be provided to maintain the grommet under a compression guaranteeing sealing. When recesses constituting recesses are formed in the side walls of the grommet, the seal can be produced by pressing one or more lips, provided on the grommet around all of the passages, against the body.

The seal between the grommet and the body can also be obtained by pressing one or more lips provided on the grommet, around all of the passages, against the body. Maintaining the pressure of the lips can be ensured by a bottom of the plate, provided with means for attachment to the body.

• la figure 1 est une vue en coupe simplifiée d'un connecteur à deux rangées d'emplacements de contacts, suivant un plan longitudinal et orthogonal aux rangées, le connecteur étant muni d'un passe-fils suivant l'invention ;
• la figure 2 est une vue d'arrière d'un passe-fils conforme à un mode particulier de réalisation de l'invention, utilisable dans le connecteur de la figure 1, à deux rangées de deux passages, représenté à l'état libre ;
• la figure 3 montre le passe-fils de la figure 2 et une plaque rigide associée, en coupe suivant la ligne III-III de la figure 2 ;
• la figure 4 montre le passe-fils de la figure 2 en coupe suivant la ligne IV-IV de la figure 2 ;
• la figure 5, similaire à la figure 3, montre un passe-fils suivant une variante de réalisation, où les lèvres ferment les passages, même à l'état libre ;
• les figures 6 et 7, similaires à la figure 3, montrent des variantes de réalisation du passe-fils ;
• la figure 8 est une vue d'arrière du passe-fils de la figure 6 ;
• les figures 9 et 10, similaires à la figure 2 et en coupe suivant X-X, montrent une autre variante de réalisation encore ;
• la figure 11 est une vue en coupe simplifiée d'un connecteur à deux rangées d'emplacements de contacts, suivant un plan orthogonal aux rangées, le connecteur étant muni d'un passe-fils suivant un autre mode encore de réalisation de l'invention ;
• la figure 12 est une vue d'arrière d'un passe-fils conforme à un mode particulier de réalisation de l'invention, utilisable dans le connecteur de la figure 11, à deux rangées de deux passages, représenté à l'état libre ;
• la figure 13 montre le passe-fils de la figure 12 et une pièce rigide associée, en coupe suivant la ligne XIII-XIII de la figure 12 ;
• la figure 14 montre le passe-fils de la figure 12 en coupe suivant la ligne XIV-XIV de la figure 12 ;
• la figure 15, similaire à la figure 13, montre la forme prise par le passe-fils lorsque la pièce rigide est insérée dans le connecteur ;
• les figures 16 et 17, similaires à la figure 13, montrent des variantes de réalisation du passe-fils ;
• la figure 18 est une vue d'arrière du passe-fils de la figure 16 ;
• les figures 19 et 20, similaires à la figure 12 et en coupe suivant XX-XX, montrent une autre variante de réalisation encore.

The invention will be better understood on reading the following description of particular embodiments of the invention given by way of nonlimiting examples. The description refers to the accompanying drawings, in which:

• Figure 1 is a simplified sectional view of a connector with two rows of contact locations, along a longitudinal plane and orthogonal to the rows, the connector being provided with a grommet according to the invention;
• Figure 2 is a rear view of a grommet according to a particular embodiment of the invention, usable in the connector of Figure 1, in two rows of two passages, shown in the free state;
• Figure 3 shows the grommet of Figure 2 and an associated rigid plate, in section along line III-III of Figure 2;
• Figure 4 shows the grommet of Figure 2 in section along the line IV-IV of Figure 2;
• Figure 5, similar to Figure 3, shows a grommet according to an alternative embodiment, where the lips close the passages, even in the free state;
• Figures 6 and 7, similar to Figure 3, show alternative embodiments of the grommet;
• Figure 8 is a rear view of the grommet of Figure 6;
• Figures 9 and 10, similar to Figure 2 and in section along XX, show yet another alternative embodiment;
• Figure 11 is a simplified sectional view of a connector with two rows of contact locations, along a plane orthogonal to the rows, the connector being provided with a grommet according to yet another embodiment of the invention ;
• Figure 12 is a rear view of a grommet according to a particular embodiment of the invention, usable in the connector of Figure 11, in two rows of two passages, shown in the free state;
• Figure 13 shows the grommet of Figure 12 and an associated rigid part, in section along line XIII-XIII of Figure 12;
• Figure 14 shows the grommet of Figure 12 in section along the line XIV-XIV of Figure 12;
• Figure 15, similar to Figure 13, shows the shape taken by the grommet when the rigid part is inserted into the connector;
• Figures 16 and 17, similar to Figure 13, show alternative embodiments of the grommet;
• Figure 18 is a rear view of the grommet of Figure 16;
• Figures 19 and 20, similar to Figure 12 and in section along XX-XX, show yet another alternative embodiment.

The connector shown in Figure 1 has a conventional general constitution. It is intended to be coupled to a complementary connector, the terminal part of which is shown in phantom.

This connector 10 comprises a body 12 of electrically insulating material pierced with passages 14 for receiving contacts 16 each provided with a connecting wire 18. In the case illustrated in FIG. 1, the body of the connector comprises two rows of passages 14, this number is not limiting. These passages are designed to receive contacts with a non-aggressive front end, devoid of sharp projecting edges. The contacts shown are female contacts having the constitution described in document EP-A-0 310487. These contacts are in the form of a cage and have windows for receiving a retaining lug 20 carried by an elastic finger belonging to the body, held in place by a front locking plate 22. The contacts could also be of the male type and consist of tongues or blades having a beveled front end, such as that shown in the left part of FIG. 1.

The invention would also be applicable to other types of contacts and to other types of connectors, in particular to connectors in which the insulating body is contained in a shell of a nature different from that of the body.

The rear part of the body, which in the illustrated case has a reduced thickness compared to that of the part containing the contacts and the connection between the wires 18 and the contacts 16, contains a sealing wire pass 24, pierced with passages each intended for a wire 18, also distributed in rows, each corresponding to one of the passages of the insulating body.

The grommet according to the embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 2 to 5 is particularly usable when the contacts have a front face of approximately square shape. It consists of a piece in flexible elastomer, generally less than 40 Shore hardness, produced by molding. Each of the passages intended to receive a wire has a shape of revolution or a shape with an elongated cross section, with undulations constituting lips 26, two in number in the case illustrated. These lips have a depth h significantly greater than that used on the usual grommets, for a given distribution pitch between the passages. At rest, each lip delimits an orifice with a diameter d small enough for the lip to close on itself and provides sealing in the absence of wire when the grommet is deformed by insertion of a rigid back plate 28 which will be described later.

To allow the insertion, in at least some of the passages, of wires having a diameter much greater than the diameter d at rest of the orifices, recesses are provided in the grommet. In the case illustrated in Figures 2 to 4, these recesses comprise on the one hand the recessed areas between the lips 26, on the other hand large notches 32 formed in the insulation between the successive passages of the same row.

The seal between the body 12 and the grommet 24 can be ensured in various ways. In the case of FIG. 3, it is a flat support: the grommet 28 includes a circumferential lip 38 (this number not being limiting) intended to bear against a shoulder 36 of the body.

Sealing can be ensured as well by simple lateral support of the grommet.

By itself, the grommet having the shape shown in section in FIG. 3 would be sufficient to guarantee the seal between a grommet and wires of diameter at least equal to d . On the other hand, the passages without wires would give access to pollutants. These passages are closed when a rigid plate 28 for axial compression of the grommet and lip delivery is inserted into the body 12. This plate 28 is provided with means making it possible to hang it on the body. In the case illustrated in Figures 3 and 5, these means consist of one or more lugs 42 which snap into holes in the body. The location of the holes is such that, when the part 28 is locked, it presses the lip 38 against the shoulder of the body and provides sealing between the body and the grommet. This location is also such that the elastomer is pushed back and closes the orifices in the absence of wire.

The recesses in the grommet allow, when a wire 18 occupies a passage, to allow the elastomer to deform, by filling the recesses, so as to release the necessary section, as shown in FIG. 1.

In practice, it is generally possible to accept wires the diameter of which is at most equal to the diameter D at mid-height of the lips 26.

The distribution pitch of the passages in the same row can be equal to that usually used in lip grommets. On the other hand, it may be preferable to adopt a slightly larger spacing between the rows.

By way of example, it can be indicated that a grommet of the kind shown in FIGS. 2 to 4 can be provided to be crossed by contacts of maximum cross section 1 x 3 mm and to receive wires with a maximum diameter of 2, 7 mm with a passage distribution pitch which is equal to 5 mm in a row, to 6 mm between rows, with a hole diameter at rest of 1 mm, when the contacts are inserted before the rigid plate is put in place .

A grommet of the kind shown in Figures 2 to 4 can be made without difficulty by molding with longitudinal release.

The variant shown in FIG. 5 differs practically from that of FIG. 2 only by the shape at rest of the sealing lips; these lips define a simple narrow slit. This arrangement is particularly advantageous in the case of male contacts in the form of tongues or blades or of female contacts of elongated rectangular section.

The variant embodiment shown in FIG. 6 (where the elements corresponding to those already represented bear the same reference number assigned to the index a) differs from that of FIGS. 2 to 4 in that it comprises, in front of each lip, a recess 46 forming part of the elastomer receiving recesses. Similarly, recesses 48 are formed in the lateral faces of the grommet, on either side of the rows. A drawback of this grommet, unless a middle slit is left in it, is that it can only be made in a mold having transverse drawers.

In the variant embodiment shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the semi-circular recesses 46 and 48 in FIG. 6 are replaced by wedge-shaped recesses, giving a substantially constant thickness to the elastomer in a plane perpendicular to the rows.

While all the embodiments described so far are intended to receive contacts 16 all identical, that of Figures 9 and 10 allows to have, in the same connector, contacts having two different widths. The grommet 24c shown in Figures 9 and 10 (where the elements corresponding to those already described have the same reference number assigned to the index c ) has two rows of each three passages. In each row, two of the passages are separated by a greater step than that which separates the third passage, which is narrower than the others, from the second. This arrangement shown in Figures 9 and 10 can be extended to a greater number of passages in each row or to a number of increased rows. The width of the connector being much greater than the size of the wires, the grommet is provided with a flange 34 against which can bear a tubular chimney extending the rigid plate.

The connector shown in FIG. 11 has a general constitution comparable to that of FIG. 1 and the corresponding elements will be designated by the same reference numbers, increased by 100.

The grommet according to the embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 12 to 15 is also constituted by a piece of flexible elastomer. Each of the passages intended to receive a wire has a form of revolution, with undulations constituting lips 126, two in number in the case illustrated. These lips still have a depth h significantly greater than that used on the usual grommets, for a given distribution pitch between the passages. At rest, each lip delimits an orifice with a diameter d small enough for the lip to close on itself and provides sealing in the absence of wire when the grommet is deformed by insertion of a rigid plate 128 of which form and function will be described later.

In the elastomer is provided a notch 130 of substantially constant thickness, in the middle of each interval separating two rows of passages. To allow the insertion, in at least some of the passages, of wires having a diameter greater than the diameter d at rest of the orifices, recesses are provided in the grommet. In the case illustrated in Figures 12 to 15, these recesses comprise on the one hand the recessed areas between the lips 126, on the other hand large notches 132 formed in the insulation between the successive passages of the same row.

The seal between the body 112 and the grommet 124 is ensured by a flat support. For this purpose, the grommet 128 has a collar 134 intended to bear against a shoulder 136 of the body and provided with a circumferential lip 138 (this number not being limiting).

By itself, the grommet having the shape shown in section in FIG. 13 would be sufficient to guarantee the seal between a grommet and wires of diameter greater than d . On the other hand, the passages without wires would give access to pollutants. According to the invention, these passages are closed when a rigid piece 128 for discharging the lips is inserted into the body 112. This piece has a bottom carrying two parallel sides 140 intended to be inserted on either side of the rows, between the body 112 and the grommet 124. The part 128 is provided with means making it possible to hang it on the body. In the case illustrated in Figures 13 and 15, these means are constituted by one or more lugs 142 which snap into holes in the body. The location of the holes is such that, when the part 128 is locked, it presses the flange 134 against the shoulder of the body and provides sealing between the body and the grommet.

The part 128 also includes a partition 144 parallel to the sides and intended to be inserted in each notch 130. The thickness of the partition is greater than the thickness at rest of the notch 130. The thickness of the sides and the partition is proportional to the thickness of the notch 130 and has the shape of the lips 126 so that the elastomer is forced back and closes the orifices in the absence of wire, as illustrated in the upper part of FIG. 15 .

The recesses in the grommet allow, when a wire 118 occupies a passage, to allow the elastomer to be deformed, by filling the recesses, so as to release the necessary section, as shown in the lower part in Figure 15.

In practice, the presence of the recesses or recesses makes it possible to accept wires whose diameter is greater than the diameter D at mid-height of the lips 126, as shown in FIG. 13, but does not exceed the diameter at the base lips.

The distribution pitch of the passages in the same row can be equal to that usually used in lip grommets. However, it is necessary to adopt a slightly larger spacing pitch between the rows.

By way of example, it can be indicated that a grommet of the kind shown in FIGS. 12 to 15 can be provided to receive wires with a maximum diameter of 2.7 mm with a passage distribution pitch which is equal to 5 mm in a row, 6 mm between rows, with a diameter of orifice at rest of 1 mm.

A grommet of the kind shown in FIGS. 12 to 14 can be produced without difficulty by molding with longitudinal demolding.

The variant embodiment shown in FIG. 16 (where the elements corresponding to those already represented bear the same reference number assigned with the index a) differs from that of FIGS. 12 to 14 in that the notch 130a is not of constant thickness, but has, at the right of each lip, a recess 146 forming part of the elastomer receiving recesses. Similarly, recesses 148 are formed in the lateral faces of the grommet, on either side of the rows.

In the alternative embodiment shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, the semicircular recesses 146 and 148 of FIG. 16 are replaced by wedge-shaped recesses, giving a substantially constant thickness to the elastomer in a plane perpendicular to the rows.

While all the embodiments described so far are intended to receive contacts 116 which are all identical, that of FIGS. 19 and 20 makes it possible to have, in the same connector, contacts having two different widths. The grommet 124c shown in Figures 19 and 20 (where the elements corresponding to those already described have the same reference number assigned to the index c ) has two rows of each three passages. In each row, two of the passages are separated by a greater step than that which separates the third passage, which is narrower than the others, from the second. This arrangement shown in Figures 19 and 20 can be extended to a greater number of passages in each row or to an increased number of rows.

Claims (10)

1. Electrical connector comprising an insulating body (12,112), formed with at least two rows of passages for receiving contacts (16,116) each provided with a connection wire (189,118) and comprising a rear grommet (24,124) of elastomer material formed with at least two rows of individual passages for the wires, in alignment with the passages of the body and maintained under compression against a shoulder in the body by a plate (28,128) removably fastenable to the body, each passage of the grommet (24,124) comprising at least one sealing lip whose shape at rest is such that it closes the corresponding individual passage in the absence of a wire when the grommet is maintained under compression by the perforated plate (28,128), voids (32,46,48,132,146) being left in the grommet to receive the elastomer pushed back from the zones surrounding the lips (26,26a,26b,26c,126,126b,126c) when the latter press against a wire.
2. Electrical connector comprising an insulating body formed with passages for receiving contacts each fitted with a connection wire and comprising a rear grommet of elastomer material formed with at least one row of individual passages for the wires and held by a plate that is removably fastenable to the body, characterized in that the plate is constituted by a rigid part (128) having flanks (140) designed to be laterally inserted on either side of the rows or of the row and to push back said elastomer material transversely, and a partition (144) for each gap between the rows, the partition being designated to be inserted in a notch (130,130a,130b) formed in the grommett halfway between the two rows, the thickness of the flanks (140) and of any partitions (144) being proportioned to the gap defined by sealing lips (126,126a,126b,126c) provided in the passages and to the width of the notch so as to cause the lips to close onto themselves in the absence of wires, voids being left in the grommett to receive the elastomer pushed back from the zones surrounding the lips when the lips press against a wire and the rigid part is inserted.
3. Connector according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the elastomer material has a hardness of less than 40 on the Shore scale.
4. Connector according to claim 1, characterized in that the grommet includes at least one lip (38,38a,38b,38c) for planar contact against a shoulder of the body around all passages.
5. Connector according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by fastening means (42) for fastening the rigid plate (28) to the body in a position where it provides sufficient compression to close all of the lips.
6. Connector according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the voids left in the grommet comprise zones between the lips of a same passage and notches (32) between the rows.
7. Connector according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the voids comprise zones or notches (32) between two consecutive passages, on each side of the corresponding row.
8. Connector according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the voids comprise recesses (46) formed between the passages in a same row.
9. Connector according to claim 8, characterized in that the recesses (46) are of a shape such that the thickness of the grommet is substantially constant in a plane perpendicular to the rows.
10. Connector according to claim 2, characterized in that the voids comprise recesses (46) formed in the wall of the notch or of the notches.

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