EP0691709A2 - Elektrischer Hochspannungsverbinder mit sekundärem Verriegelungsvorrichtung - Google Patents

Elektrischer Hochspannungsverbinder mit sekundärem Verriegelungsvorrichtung Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0691709A2
EP0691709A2 EP95110580A EP95110580A EP0691709A2 EP 0691709 A2 EP0691709 A2 EP 0691709A2 EP 95110580 A EP95110580 A EP 95110580A EP 95110580 A EP95110580 A EP 95110580A EP 0691709 A2 EP0691709 A2 EP 0691709A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
channel
electrical connector
locking member
secondary locking
terminal
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP95110580A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0691709A3 (de
Inventor
Dietrich Wilhelm Kümpel
Jörg Thomas
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Whitaker LLC
Original Assignee
Whitaker LLC
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Whitaker LLC filed Critical Whitaker LLC
Publication of EP0691709A2 publication Critical patent/EP0691709A2/de
Publication of EP0691709A3 publication Critical patent/EP0691709A3/de
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
    • H01R13/40—Securing contact members in or to a base or case; Insulating of contact members
    • H01R13/42—Securing in a demountable manner
    • H01R13/436—Securing a plurality of contact members by one locking piece or operation
    • H01R13/4361—Insertion of locking piece perpendicular to direction of contact insertion
    • H01R13/4362—Insertion of locking piece perpendicular to direction of contact insertion comprising a temporary and a final locking position
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
    • H01R13/62—Means for facilitating engagement or disengagement of coupling parts or for holding them in engagement
    • H01R13/639—Additional means for holding or locking coupling parts together, after engagement, e.g. separate keylock, retainer strap
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
    • H01R13/46—Bases; Cases
    • H01R13/53—Bases or cases for heavy duty; Bases or cases for high voltage with means for preventing corona or arcing

Definitions

  • This invention relates to electrical connectors, and in particular electrical connectors for high voltage requiring a secondary locking.
  • mating electrical connectors interconnect multiple electrical lines.
  • at least one of the lines will be carrying a high voltage signal.
  • the voltage In cases where the line is not adequately isolated from the adjacent lines, it is possible for the voltage to "jump" from one line to the other. The worst case for jump over being when one of the adjacent lines carries a high voltage and the other runs directly to ground. Once a "jump" has occurred, a line will be carrying more voltage than it should while the intended line is carrying less, possibly leading to improper functioning of the device or damage thereto.
  • Secondary locks involve a member that is movable between an unlocked position outside of the contact channel so that the contact may be inserted or removed and a locked position where the secondary locking member is positioned in the channel to interfere with a part of the contact to prevent inadvertent dislodgement.
  • the objects of this invention are accomplished by providing a housing having a plurality of terminal receiving channels extending therethrough where each channel includes an opening into the channel and each channel includes an electrical terminal.
  • a secondary locking member having an unlocked position outside of said channel, and a locked position extending through the opening into the channel is provided so that the terminal is prevented from being dislodged from the channel.
  • the connector being characterized in that the terminal receiving channel, with the locking member within the opening in the locked position forms a continuous longitudinal channel longitudinally surrounding the terminal therein, whereby voltage carried between adjacent terminals is prevented from jumping laterally therebetween.
  • the connector 2 includes an outer housing 4 having resilient latching arms 6 that engage a mating component 8 in order to keep the electrical connector 2 engaged therewith.
  • the outer housing 4 further includes a forwardly extending circumferential wall 10 that forms a shroud for receiving a mating portion of the mating component 8 therein.
  • Contained within the outer housing 4 is an inner housing 12, shown in this embodiment as being of snapped-in construction with the outer housing 4.
  • the inner housing 12 includes a front mating end 14 and a rear cable exit end 16. The cable exit end 16 being adapted to receive a boot (not shown) for strain relief and environmental sealing.
  • a elastic seal 18 Disposed upon the inner housing 12 is a elastic seal 18, so that an environmentally sealed electrical connection may be formed between the mating components 2, 8. Forward of the seal 18 are a plurality of openings 20 that correspond to terminal receiving channels 22 extending through the inner housing 12 from the mating end 14 to the cable exit end 16 wherein the contact 24 is disposed, as seen in Figure 2.
  • a comb-like secondary locking member 26 is constructed such that a pair of teeth 28a, 28b will extend through each of the openings 20 in order to surround the contact 24.
  • Figure 2 shows the secondary lock member 26 in an unlocked position outside of the channels 22.
  • Each tooth 28 includes a free end 30.
  • the free ends 30 of adjacent pairs of teeth 28a, 28b are spaced apart such that in the unlocked position the teeth do not enter into the cavity.
  • Each tooth 28a, 28b includes opposingly facing relieved surfaces 31 separated so that the opposing surfaces 31 span the channel 22.
  • the relieved surfaces 31 intersect shoulders 32 which extend towards each other until reaching locking shoulder 34 to define a slot having a base 36.
  • the surfaces 34 form shoulders fitting about the contact 24 in order to retain the contact.
  • Each channel 22 at the location of the secondary locking member 26 include open side surfaces 38 an upper surface 40 and lower surface 42, designated with respect to Figure 2.
  • shoulders 32 correspond to lower surface 42 and the base 36 corresponds to the upper surface 40.
  • the free ends 30 may be received in indented seats (not shown) to assure that a voltage path des not exist under tooth 28.
  • the side surfaces 34 extend into the channel 22 to prevent inadvertent dislodgement of the electrical connector 22 and in doing so, complete the channel 22 at open sides 38, the top 40 being closed by the locking member 26.
  • the width of the secondary lock member 26 is such that the teeth 28 are closely received in the opening 20. It is readily apparent that by doing so, the openings 20, required for insertion of a secondary locking member 26 into the housing 12 and the openings 38, 40 are sealed, thereby forming essentially a continuous channel fully surrounding the terminal.
  • the electrical connector 102 is similar to that described above and includes an outer housing 104 for mating with a mating component 108.
  • the outer housing 104 including forwardly extending arms 110 to form a shroud wherein the mating component 108 is received in order to form a sealed fit as described above.
  • the electrical connector 102 further includes an internal housing 112 having a forward end 114 and a rearward end 116.
  • the inner housing 112 is retained within the outer housing 104 by resilient retention arms 117 which engage the inner housing 112 and further act to abut a resilient seal 118 seated on the inner housing and configured to interact with the mating component 108 to form an environmentally sealed electrical connection at the front end 114 of the housing 112. Disposed toward the front end 114 of the inner housing 112 is a secondary locking member 126.
  • the secondary locking member 126 is also a comb-like structure having teeth 128 extending to a free end 130. Along each of the teeth 128 is a relieved portion 131 constructed so that when the secondary locking member is in an unlocked position, terminals (not shown) may be inserted or removed from the cavity 122. Inward along the tooth 128 is a locking shoulder 134. Locking shoulder 134 is constructed to extend into the channel 122 when the locking member 126 is in the fully latched position, as described below.
  • the channels 122 are cylindrical in nature in order to receive a cylindrical contact.
  • the channel 122 has an inner wall 138 that is open at 140 in order for the locking shoulder 134 of teeth 128 of the secondary locking member 126 to enter the channel 122.
  • Opposite the opening 140 is an opposing wall 144 that backs-up the tooth 126 to retain the tooth 128 in proper position.
  • the secondary locking member 126 includes latching members 146 having a latch 148 at the free end for selectively engaging notches 150 in end walls 152 in order to define the unlocked and the locked positions.
  • the secondary locking member 126 is shown between the locked and unlocked position.
  • the locking shoulder 134 When in the locked position, the locking shoulder 134 will extend completely across the opening 140.
  • the opening 140 is completely filled, thereby blocking any path for voltage "jump-over" that would have a lower effective distance than through the wall 138 of the channel 122.
  • this connector 202 includes an outer housing 204 having a shroud portion 210 for receiving a mating component (not shown). Contained within the outer housing 204 is an inner housing 212 having a cable receiving end 216. The inner housing 212 has a elastic seal member 218 disposed thereupon.
  • the shroud portion 210 includes engaging channels 211 for receipt of the mating component.
  • the inner housing 212 includes terminal receiving channels 222 extending therethrough for receiving terminals 224 therein.
  • Figure 6 discloses an embodiment constructed for the receipt of terminals 224 having a rectangular cross-section
  • Figure 7 discloses similar structure for channels 222a constructed to receive terminals 224a having a circular cross-section. Due to the similarity between these two embodiments, only the embodiment of Figure 6 will be described in detail. However, these embodiments are illustrative of construction of a multiple row, high voltage electrical connector, which while only showing two rows, one row of which includes only a single position, it is fully envisioned that more rows, having greater or lesser numbers of terminal receiving channels, could easily be constructed.
  • each of the channels 222 has an inner surface 238 generally surrounding the electrical terminal 224 therein along its longitudinal axis.
  • the channel 224 is open on one side 240 to expose the terminal 224 to the secondary locking member 226.
  • the secondary locking member 226 includes teeth 228 having relieved portions 231 that are constructed to correspond to the channels 222 when the secondary lock member 226 is in the unlocked position (as shown in Figure 6). In this position, the terminals 224 may be inserted or removed from the high voltage electrical connector 202.
  • Adjacent to the relieved portions 231 are secondary locking shoulders 234 constructed to extend into the channels 222 so that the terminals 224 are prevented from being dislodged therefrom. Between the relieved portion 231 and the locking shoulder 234 is a shoulder 232, that when the secondary locking member 226 in the locked position, has passed across the open side 240 of the channel 224 such that the locking shoulder 234 extends completely across the open side 240 in order to seal the channel 222, thereby sealing any opening 240 in the channel 222 that would provide a lower effective distance between adjacent terminals 224.
  • the locked and unlocked positions of the secondary locking member 226 are established in a manner similar to that described with reference to Figures 3 and 4. However, in this instance the structure is reversed.
  • a latch 248 is disposed upon one of a plurality of guide rails 249 to engage notches 250 in the teeth 228 of the secondary locking member 226.
  • the guide rails 249 add structural integrity to the secondary locking member 226 similar to the back-up surface 144 of the embodiment of Figure 4 by maintaining the position of the teeth 228.
  • the embodiment shown in Figure 7 is similar to that just described.
  • the important features of Figure 7 have been indicated by reference numbers that correspond to the above description with the addition of designation "a". The primary difference being the incorporation of radial relieved portions 231a to accommodate the radial contact channel 222a.
  • the high voltage electrical connector 302 includes an outer shell 304 constructed to receive a mating component 308 within a shroud portion 310.
  • An inner housing 312 having a front end 314 and a rear end 316 is retained therein.
  • An elastic seal member 318 is disposed about the inner housing 312 in order to form an environmental seal with the mating component 308.
  • Terminal receiving channels 322 extend between the front end 314 and the rear end 316 of the inner housing 312. In the embodiment shown, these channels 322 are constructed for the receipt of cylindrical contacts 224.
  • a secondary locking member 326 is disposed upon the front end 314 of the inner housing 312.
  • this embodiment includes 3 terminal receiving channels 322 having internal walls 338 with cylindrical contacts 324 disposed therein, an opening 340 is disposed along the channel 322.
  • the secondary locking member 326 is of sleeve-like construction and contains a plurality of inwardly directed teeth 328. Each tooth 328 includes a locking shoulder 334 that when the secondary locking member 326 is in the unlocked position, is disposed outside of the channel 322 so that the electrical terminals 324 may be moved into and out of the channel 322 freely.
  • the secondary locking member 326 further includes latches 348 that are retained in notches 350 when in the unlocked position.
  • the latches 348 disengaged from the notches 350 and sit against back-up shoulder 351 to establish the locked position.
  • the locking shoulder 344 extends through an opening 340 into the channel 322 in order to close the opening 340 and prevent inadvertent dislodgement of the electrical terminal 324 therein.
  • the open portion 340 of the channel 322 extends only partially around, the secondary locking member is prevented from further rotation in the direction of arrow A.
  • the individual channels 222 are effectively sealed to form basically a continuous sleeve of dielectric material therealong in order to prevent "jump-over".
  • the electrical connector 402 includes an outer housing 404 having a shroud portion 410 for receiving a mating component 408.
  • the outer housing 404 is integrally moulded to a rear end portion 416 of the inner housing 412.
  • the integrally moulded rear end portion 416 carries a resilient sealing member 418 for forming an environmentally sealed fit between the electrical connector 402 and a mating component 408.
  • Extending forwardly from the rearward portion 416 is a post 413. Disposed upon the post 413 is a second forward portion 414 of the inner housing 412.
  • the second forward portion 414 includes the terminal receiving channels 422a, which in conjunction with those of the rearward portion 416 extend between the rear receiving end 416 and the front end of the inner housing 414.
  • the channel 422 is made up of both a portion 422b within the integrally moulded rear section 412 and a forward portion 422a.
  • a space 440 across the channel 422 is defined by a shoulder 425.
  • Sandwiched between the two portions of the inner housing 412, 412a is the secondary locking member 426.
  • the secondary locking member 426 is to be received within the space 440.
  • the secondary locking member 426 is constructed such that radial openings 447 therein are received upon guide members 449.
  • the front portion 414 of the inner housing 412 may be locked in place. This may be accomplished by any number of conventional techniques for interlocking dielectric material, for example an adhesive or epoxy bonding agent, ultrasonic welding, or heat staking.
  • the secondary locking member includes a relieved portion 431 or opening constructed so that in the unlocked position, as shown, a locking shoulder 434 is disposed outside of the channel 422 enabling insertion and removal of the electrical terminal 424 therefrom.
  • this locking shoulder enters the channel 422 in order to prevent inadvertent dislodgement of the electrical terminal 424 therein.
  • the locked and unlocked positions are established by a latch 448 on the secondary locking member 426 that is movable between notches 450 in the front portion 412a of the inner housing 412.
  • the opening 440 between the integrally moulded inner housing portion 412 and the attached front portion 412a is completely closed, whereby the secondary locking member 426 effectively blocks any opening which could provide a lower resistance path to ground for voltage "jump-over".
  • the electrical connector is of a familiar configuration. It is another advantage of this invention that the electrical connector amy be constructed in a variety of configurations using various contact styles. It is yet another advantage of this invention that it is simple to produce, compact and user friendly. It is still another advantage of this invention that it is possible to create environmentally sealed versions. It is yet another advantage that voltage "jump-over" may be prevented in a connector using a secondary locking member without the need to incorporate additional structure into the connector housing, such as maze-like fingers or a separate shroud. It is also an advantage that the secondary locking member provides a lateral partition across the channel to block voltage jump in that direction.

Landscapes

  • Connector Housings Or Holding Contact Members (AREA)
  • Details Of Connecting Devices For Male And Female Coupling (AREA)
EP95110580A 1994-07-07 1995-07-06 Elektrischer Hochspannungsverbinder mit sekundärem Verriegelungsvorrichtung Withdrawn EP0691709A3 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9413755 1994-07-07
GB9413755A GB9413755D0 (en) 1994-07-07 1994-07-07 Electrical connector for high voltage having secondary locking

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0691709A2 true EP0691709A2 (de) 1996-01-10
EP0691709A3 EP0691709A3 (de) 1996-08-14

Family

ID=10758009

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP95110580A Withdrawn EP0691709A3 (de) 1994-07-07 1995-07-06 Elektrischer Hochspannungsverbinder mit sekundärem Verriegelungsvorrichtung

Country Status (5)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0691709A3 (de)
JP (1) JPH0845614A (de)
KR (1) KR960006159A (de)
BR (1) BR9503096A (de)
GB (1) GB9413755D0 (de)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE19609873A1 (de) * 1996-03-13 1997-09-18 Whitaker Corp Anordnung zur Sicherung von elektrischen Kontakten in einem Gehäuse
WO1999001911A1 (en) * 1997-06-30 1999-01-14 The Whitaker Corporation Electrical connector having a secondary locking member
US20220085546A1 (en) * 2020-09-17 2022-03-17 Amphenol Corporation Sealed electrical connector

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3573720A (en) * 1969-01-07 1971-04-06 Amp Inc Electrical connector
DE3330151A1 (de) * 1983-08-20 1985-03-07 Stocko Metallwarenfabriken Henkels Und Sohn Gmbh & Co, 5600 Wuppertal Gehaeuse fuer elektrische steckkontakte
DE3441559A1 (de) * 1984-11-14 1986-05-22 Adam Opel AG, 6090 Rüsselsheim Steckverbindung
EP0373498A2 (de) * 1988-12-15 1990-06-20 Gebhard, Dietrich Steckdose für eine mehrpolige Steckverbindung für den elektrischen Anschluss von Kraftfahrzeuganhängern
EP0511649A2 (de) * 1991-04-30 1992-11-04 Yazaki Corporation Steckverbinder
GB2255864A (en) * 1991-05-13 1992-11-18 Sumitomo Wiring Systems Retaining terminals in a connector

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3573720A (en) * 1969-01-07 1971-04-06 Amp Inc Electrical connector
DE3330151A1 (de) * 1983-08-20 1985-03-07 Stocko Metallwarenfabriken Henkels Und Sohn Gmbh & Co, 5600 Wuppertal Gehaeuse fuer elektrische steckkontakte
DE3441559A1 (de) * 1984-11-14 1986-05-22 Adam Opel AG, 6090 Rüsselsheim Steckverbindung
EP0373498A2 (de) * 1988-12-15 1990-06-20 Gebhard, Dietrich Steckdose für eine mehrpolige Steckverbindung für den elektrischen Anschluss von Kraftfahrzeuganhängern
EP0511649A2 (de) * 1991-04-30 1992-11-04 Yazaki Corporation Steckverbinder
GB2255864A (en) * 1991-05-13 1992-11-18 Sumitomo Wiring Systems Retaining terminals in a connector

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE19609873A1 (de) * 1996-03-13 1997-09-18 Whitaker Corp Anordnung zur Sicherung von elektrischen Kontakten in einem Gehäuse
US5800217A (en) * 1996-03-13 1998-09-01 The Whitaker Corporation Electrical connector including an apparatus therein
DE19609873B4 (de) * 1996-03-13 2005-11-10 The Whitaker Corp., Wilmington Anordnung zur Sicherung von elektrischen Kontakten in einem Gehäuse
WO1999001911A1 (en) * 1997-06-30 1999-01-14 The Whitaker Corporation Electrical connector having a secondary locking member
US20220085546A1 (en) * 2020-09-17 2022-03-17 Amphenol Corporation Sealed electrical connector
US11936131B2 (en) * 2020-09-17 2024-03-19 Amphenol Corporation Sealed electrical connector

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JPH0845614A (ja) 1996-02-16
GB9413755D0 (en) 1994-08-24
EP0691709A3 (de) 1996-08-14
KR960006159A (ko) 1996-02-23
BR9503096A (pt) 1996-07-09

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