EP1992049B1

EP1992049B1 - Connector assembly with grommet

Info

Publication number: EP1992049B1
Application number: EP06724222A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Rainer Schmidt; Michael Hopf
Original assignee: FCI Automotive Holding SAS
Current assignee: Delphi Connection Systems Holding France SAS
Priority date: 2006-02-24
Filing date: 2006-02-24
Publication date: 2012-04-25
Anticipated expiration: 2026-02-24
Also published as: CN101405919A; EP1992049A1; WO2007095975A1; ATE555526T1; CN101405919B

Abstract

The invention relates to a connector arrangement for mounting an electrical connector (2) in a cutout (39) of a support panel (1), wherein the support panel (1) comprises a first section (45c, 45d, 47) and a second section (48) that are adjacent to said cutout (39), said cutout (39) being reachable from both sides of the support panel (1), the electrical connector (2) comprises jamming means (3c, 3d) for engaging said first section (45c, 45d, 47) of said support panel from a first side of said support panel (1), and at least a first abutment portion (5a, 5b), and a grommet (7) comprises supporting means (10) for engaging said first section of said support panel (45c, 45d, 47) from a second side of said support panel (1), latching means (11, 11') for making a snap fit with said second section (48) of said support panel, and at least a second abutment portion (16, 16')- The second abutment portion (16, 16' ) is adapted to interact with said first abutment portion (5a, 5b) of said electrical connector (2) to prevent the jamming means (3c, 3d) of said electrical connector (2) from disengaging from said first section (45c, 45d, 47). Buffers (12, 90) are further formed between the grommet frame (8) and said second abutment portion (16, 16' ).

Description

The present invention generally relates to the art of electrical connectors and, particularly, to electrical connectors for mounting to a support or panel.
Electrical connectors consisting of two mating plug ("male") and receptacle ("female") connectors which comprise mating electrical terminals are often mounted in or on a support structure, like a planar panel. Thus, it is necessary to securely fix or mount one of the two mating connectors to the panel. This typically will be accomplished by fasteners such as bolts, screws or the like. Such fastening mechanism is however for cost reasons not well adapted to the mounting of a series of electrical connectors because it involves an additional element specially designed to maintain the connector on the panel.
Other prior art solutions have been proposed, according to which one of the mating plug or receptacle of the electrical connector is fixed directly to a support without additional fixing elements. One known solution consists in mounting one part of the electrical connector to the support panel by means of a snap-on or click-in connection. However, upon completion of the snap fit at least a small clearance will remain between the frame of the mating connector and the support panel.
The mating connector part that makes snap fit engagement with the support panel usually comprises a circumferential sealing joint. This sealing joint is fixed on a front surface of said mating connector part that abuts against the panel upon engagement. Even if the sealing joint can slightly cushion movements of the electrical connector with respect to the panel in the insertion direction of the mating connector, it has to be noted that vibrations occurring owing to the clearance between connector and panel cannot be eliminated by means of said sealing joint.
US Patent 5660564 describes a connector arrangement corresponding to the non-characterising portion of claim 1.
It is in view of the foregoing an object of the present invention to provide for a connector to panel assembly that is able to absorb and eliminate vibrations caused by a clearance between the connector and the panel. It is also an object of the invention to prevent these vibrations from generating disturbing noise and from deteriorating mechanical elements. This applies particularly to the automotive industry where vibrations may create noise bothering the passengers, and where vibrations may also deteriorate other mechanical pieces of the car.
This object is achieved by means of the features of the independent claim. Advantageous features are defined in the dependent claims. Further objects and advantages of the invention are apparent in the following detailed description.
The present invention provides a connector arrangement according to claim 1.
The support panel comprises a first section and a second section that are adjacent to said cutout. The electrical connector comprises jamming means adapted for engaging said first section of said panel from a first side of said panel, and a first abutment portion.
A grommet that is adapted to be mounted on the support panel from a second side of said panel comprises a grommet frame, first latching means for engaging said first
section of said panel, second latching means, and a second abutment portion for interacting with said first abutment portion of the electrical connector to prevent the jamming means of the electrical connector from disengaging from said first section.
Said second latching means of the grommet is adapted to enter a gap between the support panel and the electrical connector, and to make a snap fit with said second section of said panel when assembled. Additionally in case the jamming means of the electrical connector do not fully engage said first section of said panel, the completion of the snap fit of said second latching means is causing the jamming means to fully engage said first section.
This second latching means is firmly fixed to the grommet by means of support means. Said support means can be conically-shaped to guide said second latching means through the cutout. Said support means can be further bended or turned in order to compensate for tolerances in the mounted assembly.
The absorption of vibrations caused by clearance between the connector and the panel is achieved by means of one or a plurality of buffers that are formed between the grommet frame and said second abutment portion of the grommet. The buffers can be made of soft rubber material or alternatively of a material having absorption properties. The grommet frame and the buffer can be one piece.
The features, objects, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments when taken in conjunction with the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective-view of a support panel and a first part of the electrical connector according to a first embodiment of the invention,
Fig. 2 is a perspective-view of the first part of the electrical connector while mounting on said support panel,
Fig. 3 is a perspective-view of the first part of the electrical connector mounted on said support panel,
Fig. 4 is a detailed perspective-view of the first part of the electrical connector mounted on said support panel,
Figs. 5 to 8 are perspective-views of a grommet according to the first embodiment of the invention,
Fig. 9 is a simplified side-view of the grommet according to the first embodiment of the invention,
Fig. 10 is a simplified side-view of the assembly of grommet, support panel and first part of the electrical connector,
Figs. 11 to 14 are perspective-views of the connector assembly according to the first embodiment of the invention during mounting of the grommet,
Figs. 15 and 16 are perspective-views of a grommet comprising a grommet frame, a grommet sealing and a grommet cover according to a second embodiment of the invention,
Fig. 17 is a perspective-view of the grommet cover of the grommet according to the second embodiment of the invention,
Fig. 18 is a perspective-view of the assembly of grommet frame and grommet sealing without grommet cover according to the second embodiment of the invention,
Figs. 19 to 22 are perspective-views of the grommet frame according to the second embodiment of the invention,
Figs. 23 and 24 are perspective-views of the grommet sealing according to the second embodiment of the invention,
Figs. 25 to 27 are views of the connector assembly according to the second embodiment of the invention during mounting on the support panel,
Figs. 28 is a sectional-view of the connector mounted on the support panel, and
Figs. 29 is a sectional-view of the connector and the grommet mounted on the support panel, and

Referring to the drawings in greater detail, and first to Figs. 1 to 14, an electrical connector according to a first embodiment of the invention will be described.
The electrical connector arrangement of the invention generally involves three main components, i.e. an electrical connector 2, a support panel 1, board or frame to which the connector 2 is to be mounted, and a grommet 7 which is adapted to serve as a fastening element to maintain the connector 2 securely mounted on, to or into the support panel 1.
The electrical connector 2 to be fixed to the support panel 1 is comprised of a first connector 68 or receptacle mountable on the support panel 1 e.g. of a door or a body of an automotive vehicle, and a second connector 66 or plug that is mateable with said first connector 68. The second connector 66, see Fig. 13, is in the embodiment the removable portion of the electrical connector 2.
The first connector 68, as shown in Fig. 1, comprises first cavities 69 and first terminal fittings (not shown) to be accommodated in said first cavities 68 such that, on mating said second connector 66 with said first connector 68, leading ends of the first terminal fittings can be connected to second terminal fittings (not shown) accommodated in second cavities 70, see Fig. 13 of the second connector 66.
with reference to Figs. 1 to 4, the first connector 68 comprises a casing 20. In the shown embodiment said casing 20 has essentially a parallelepipedic shape. However the invention is not limited to the embodiment according to Figs. 1 to 4 and other forms of the casing 20 are possible, e.g. oval or rounded shapes.
The casing 20 of the first connector 68 has a basis or rear surface 21 contained in a plane defined by axes X and Y. Two parallel longitudinal surfaces 22, 23 and two parallel transversal surfaces 24, 25 extends from the edges of the rear surface 21 perpendicularly to the plane of the rear surface 21 along an axis Z.
A front edge 26 of the casing 20 is defined by the free ends 27, 28 of the two longitudinal surfaces 22, 23 and by the free ends 29, 30 of the two transversal surfaces 24, 25. The front edge 26 is comprised in a plane parallel to the rear surface 21 and constitutes the external boundary of a front opening 31 of the casing 20 through which the second connector 66 can be inserted in the first connector 68. On installing the electrical connector 2 in the support panel 1, the front edge 26 is designed to abut at least partially against the support panel 1.
A first or top one of the parallel transversal surfaces, or top surface 24, is essentially plane and comprises at least one and preferably two top inclines 5a, 5b being located at each side of the top surface 24 adjacent to the two parallel longitudinal surfaces 22, 23. While the top surface 24 extends along axis Z up to corresponding free end 29 of the front edge 26, each top incline 5a, 5b extends up to the front edge 26 with an angle a with respect to axis Z towards the internal part of the casing 20, see Fig. 2. Said angle α is preferably small and preferably below 20° such that, if the casing 20 is only allowed to move along axis X, a mechanical piece translating parallel to the top surface 24 may cause, on abutting against the top inclines 5a, 5b, a movement of the casing 20 along said axis X perpendicularly to the translation movement of said mechanical piece. The other or bottom one of the parallel transversal surfaces 24, 25 is also referred to as bottom surface 25 in the following description.
Jamming items of a first type 3a, 3b and jamming items of a second type 3c, 3d are formed on the casing 20 of the electrical connector 2 in order to guide said electrical connector 2 while mounting it to the support panel 1. The first embodiment shown in Figs. 1 to 14 comprises four such jamming items, each of which is located in the vicinity of a corner of the front edge 26 of the casing 20. According to the invention, a stable mounting of the electrical connector 2 generally requires at least two jamming items.
As shown in Fig. 4 with jamming items of the second type 3c and 3d, each jamming item 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d comprises an abutment portion 36, a supporting portion 37, and a jamming slot 38. The jamming item 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d is supported and maintained to the casing 20 by the supporting portion 37. The abutment portion 36 is a protrusion of the casing 20 beyond the surface defined by the front edge 26. Each jamming slot 38 opens in the same direction that is the direction opposite to direction X. The opening width of the jamming slot 38 is equal or slightly superior to the thickness of the support panel 1, and is such that the support panel 1 can be inserted in said slot 38.
Two locking latches 4a, 4b are formed on the front edge 26 of the casing 20, each one being formed on one of the two longitudinal surfaces 22, 23. Each locking latch 4a, 4b comprises a locking arm 42 and a locking projection 43. The locking arm 42 extends from the first connector 68 essentially parallel to the front edge 26 according to the direction opposite to direction X. Behind each locking arm 42, i.e. between each locking arm 42 and the longitudinal surface 22, 23 on which it is disposed, a slot 44 is formed to allow a deflection of said locking arm 42 towards the rear surface 21 of the first connector 68.
The fist connector 68 is thus adapted to be inserted in a cutout 39 of the support panel 1 according to a first insertion direction defined by first arrow 40, said first insertion direction being preferably perpendicular to the support panel 1 in a direction opposite to direction Z, see Figs. 1 and 2. The support panel 1 is preferably made of sheet metal and may be part of the car body of an automobile.
The cutout 39 is defined by an opening adapted to the form of the casing 20 of first connector 68. In the shown first embodiment said cutout 39 accordingly has a substantially rectangular opening along the longitudinal axis X having a circumference that is interrupted by two jamming tabs 45a, 45b and two locking tabs 46a, 46b. The jamming tabs 45a, 45b and the locking tabs 46a, 46b, respectively, are longitudinally opposed and are projecting inwardly of the cutout 39.
The support panel 1 comprises jamming sections 45c, 45d defined in that upon insertion of the first connector 68 in said cutout 39 along arrow 40, the jamming items of the second type 3c, 3d protrude from the support panel 1 and the jamming slots 38 thereof open towards said corresponding jamming sections 45c, 45d. Likewise upon said insertion, the jamming items of the first type 3a, 3b protrude from the support panel 1 and the jamming slots 38 thereof open towards corresponding jamming tabs 45a, 45b.
Further the support panel 1 comprises a first locking section 47 and a second locking section 48 that communicate with the cutout 39. The first locking section 47 is preferably located between the two jamming sections 45c, 45d.
The grommet 7 according to the first embodiment of the invention is shown in Figs. 5 to 9. The grommet 7 comprises a grommet frame 8 and a grommet sealing 9.
The grommet frame 8 is substantially adapted to the form of the cutout 39. For the described embodiment the grommet frame 8 thus is substantially a rectangular frame having two parallel longitudinal arms 51, 52 and two parallel transversal arms 53, 54 i.e. a first or top arm 53 and a second or bottom arm 54. As shown in Fig. 9, the grommet frame 8 has a first or front surface 55 and a second of rear surface 56.
The bottom arm 54 of the grommet frame 8 comprises a first locking latch 10 in form of a hook that is engageable with the support panel 1 and more particularly with the first locking section 47 of said support panel 1 that is comprised between the two jamming sections 45c, 45d collaborating with the two jamming items of the second type 3c, 3d of the first connector 68.
A second locking latch 18 is formed on a top section of the grommet frame 8 at the side of the top arm 53. The second locking latch 18 is composed of two rear support sections 58, two intermediate support sections 17, two front support sections 15, a transversal section 60 and an elastic arm 14.
The two rear support sections 58 are respective protrusions of the longitudinal arms 51, 52 extending inwardly of the grommet frame 8 and in the plane of the grommet frame 8. The two intermediate support sections 17 are formed on the respective two rear support sections 58 and extend from the front surface 55 of the grommet frame 8 preferably perpendicularly to said grommet frame 8.
As shown in Fig. 9, the front support sections 15 are extensions of the intermediate support sections 17 away from the grommet frame 8 and in the direction of the bottom arm 54 such that a first surface 59 of the front support section 15 can face the front surface 55 of the grommet frame 8 at a distance equal to the length of the intermediate support section 17. Therefore a gap 61 exists between said first surface 59 of the second locking latch 18 and said front surface of the grommet 7 or grommet frame 8.
The transversal section 60 is formed between the two front support sections 15. In the shown embodiments the transversal section 60 supports the elastic arm 14 that extends towards the grommet frame 8 up to an arm end 14a. A projection 11 formed on the elastic arm 14 is adapted to collaborate with the second locking section 48 of the support panel 1, see Fig. 1. The projection 11 has a rear surface 11b towards the arm end 14a that extends substantially normal to the elastic arm 14, and a slanted front surface 11a that slope moderately from the elastic arm 14 up to the rear surface 11b.
Each front support section 15 extends substantially perpendicular to the grommet frame 8 and comprises, as shown in Figs. 6, 7, a first or top incline 13 in the direction of the top arm 53 of the grommet frame 8, a second or bottom incline 16 in the direction of the bottom arm 54, and a third or lateral incline 19 in the direction of the longitudinal arm 51, 52 on which it is formed.
With reference to Figs. 6 and 7, the bottom incline 16 is adapted to communicate with the intermediate support section 17 of the second locking latch 18. On the other hand the top incline 13 and lateral incline 19 do not communicate with said intermediate support section 17, but rather end on the first surface 59 of the front support section 15 and are separated from the plane of the grommet frame 8 by said gap 61.
Because of the gap 61 between the plane of the grommet frame 8 and said top incline 13 and lateral incline 19, the second locking latch 18 can turn around an axis defined by the rear support sections 58 or around an axis defined by the intermediate support sections 17. The amplitude of this movement of the second locking latch 18 depends on the flexibility of said rear support section 58 or said intermediate support section 17.
In the alternate embodiment of Fig. 9, the structure of the second locking latch 18 differs in that it is the top incline 13, instead of the bottom incline 16 as in the embodiment shown in Figs. 6 and 7, that is adapted to communicate with the intermediate support section 17. The second locking latch 18 is nevertheless also able to turn around an axis defined by the rear support sections 58 and/or the intermediate support sections 17.
The grommet sealing 9 is assembled with the grommet frame 8 on the front surface 55 thereof. The grommet sealing 9 accordingly has a shape corresponding to the shape of grommet frame 8, i.e. a rectangular shape with the described embodiment having four arms namely two longitudinal arms 62, 63 and two transversal arms 64, 65.
Furthermore the grommet sealing 9 comprises two buffers 12 formed on the longitudinal arms 62, 63 and being adapted to fill the gap 61 between the front support section 15 and the grommet frame 8. The buffers 12 alternatively may be formed as separate pieces.
In the following the different steps of the mounting of the electrical connector 2 will be described.
With reference to Fig. 1, the first connector 68 is at first inserted in the cutout 39 according to first insertion direction 40. As defined above, this first insertion direction 40 is opposite to direction Z and thus is essentially perpendicular to the support panel 1. Upon said insertion the front edge 26 of the first connector 68 abuts against the support panel 1 and particularly against the jamming tabs 45a, 45b and the locking tabs 46a, 46b. Further, the jamming slots 38 of said jamming items 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d opens towards corresponding jamming tabs 45a, 45b and jamming sections 45c, 45d of the support panel 1. Upon said first insertion step according to said first insertion direction 40 the locking latches 4a, 4b of the first connector 68 strikes against the locking tabs 46a, 46b of the support panel 1, see Fig. 2. On completion of the first insertion step, which is defined by the front edge 26 abutting against the support panel 1, the locking arm 42 of said locking latches 4a, 4b is thereby deflected towards the rear surface 21 of the first connector 68 in the slot 44 behind the locking arm 42.
After this first insertion step of the first connector 68 in the cutout 39 of the support panel 1, the first connector 68 is to be translated in a second insertion step according to a second insertion direction defined by second arrow 41, see Fig. 3. This second insertion direction 41 is defined by the direction opposite to the direction X and thus is essentially parallel to the support panel 1.
On moving the first connector 68 according to second direction 41, the jamming slots 38 of the jamming items of the first type 3a, 3b are engaged by the jamming tabs 45a, 45b and the jamming slots 38 of the jamming items of the second type 3c, 3d are engaged by the jamming sections 45c, 45d. As a result the first connector 68 cannot be dismounted from the support panel 1 by only pulling back According to direction Z perpendicularly to the support panel 1.
The locking latches 4a, 4b that are initially deflected by the locking tabs 46a, 46b slide along the support panel 1 and spring back into their non-deflected state when the locking projection 43 thereof passes the corresponding locking tabs 46a, 46b.
As can be seen in Fig. 3 and in detail in Fig. 4, after said second insertion step the first connector 68 is prevented from being translated back by the abutment of the locking projections 43 against the locking tabs 46a, 46b. The electrical connector 2 can nevertheless be released from the support panel 1 by pushing the locking projections 43 towards the slot 44 and by simultaneously translating the electrical connector 2 in a direction opposite to the direction of arrow 41.
In the inserted condition of the first connector 68, there are two gaps between the support panel 1 and the first connector 68. A first gap 49 communicates with the first locking section 47 of the support panel 1 to enable the first locking latch 10 engaging said first locking section 47. A second gap 50 communicates with the second locking section 48 of the support panel 1 such that the second locking latch 18 may engage said second locking section 48.
Figs. 10 to 14 illustrate the completion of the mounting of the electrical connector 2 on the support panel 1 after the two first steps described above in detail. Fig. 11 shows the first connector 68 mated with the second connector 66. The mating is secured and locked by means of a lever 67 as known per se in the art.
The first connector 68 having been installed on one side of the support panel 1, the grommet 7 is mounted on or to the support panel 1 from the other side. The step of mating the first and second connectors 68, 66 is preferably performed previously to the mounting of the grommet 7. According to alternate embodiments, the first and second connectors 68, 66 may be mated together after the grommet 7 has been mounted on the support panel 1.
As shown in Fig. 11 firstly the hook-like first locking latch 10 is engaged with the first locking section 47 of the support panel 1. The grommet 7 is then turned around the engaged first locking latch 10 such that the second locking latch 18 of the grommet 7 enters the cutout 39 of the support panel 1 corresponding to the gap 50 between the first connector 68 and the second locking section 48 of said support panel 1.
Upon turning the grommet 7 around the engaged first locking latch 10, the front surface 11a of the projection 11 first contacts the second locking section 48 of the support panel 1. Then, the projection 11 is pressed by the edge of the second locking section 48 and, as the grommet is turned further, the elastic arm 14 deforms resiliently and deflects towards the transversal sections 60 supporting the elastic arm 14. The projection 11 further passes the edge of the second locking section 48 when the grommet 7 is fully mounted on the support panel 1 and the elastic arm 14 return resiliently so that the rear surface of the projection 11 engages said second locking section 48.
Because of the front incline 13, the bottom incline 16 and the lateral incline 19, the second locking latch 18 is conically-shaped such that its insertion in the cutout 39 is facilitated.
The bottom inclines 16 of the second locking latch 18 are positioned so as to slide against the top inclines 5a, 5b of the first connector 68 on inserting said second locking latch 18 in the cutout 39. Therefore, even if the electrical connector 2 has not been entirely and completely mounted on the support panel 1 in a previous step, the abutment of the bottom inclines 16 of the grommet 7 against the top inclines 5a, 5b will cause the first connector 68 to be moved according to arrow 41 until the locking projections 43 fully latch behind the corresponding locking tabs 46a, 46b.
A dismounting of the grommet 7 from the support panel 1 is achieved by pressing down the projection 11 so that the snap fit of said projection 11 with the support panel 1 can be released. Then the secondary locking latch 18 has to be pulled out of the cutout 39. Finally the first locking latch 10 needs be disengaged from the support panel 1.
The buffers 12 of the grommet 7 comprises edges 12a, 12b that surround at least partially the top incline 13 and lateral incline 19, see Figs. 6, 7, such that said buffers 12 prevents vibration load in the X and Y directions for the electrical connector arrangement. Accordingly noise reduction is achieved.
A second embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to Figs. 15 to 28.
An electrical connector arrangement according to the second embodiment of the invention comprises an electrical connector 2, a support panel 1 and a grommet 7'. The electrical connector 2 and the support panel 1 of this second embodiment correspond to the same elements of the first embodiment and are described above in detail with reference to said first embodiment.
The grommet 7' according to the second embodiment of the invention is composed of a grommet frame 8', a grommet sealing 9', and a grommet cover 80.
As shown in Figs. 19 to 22, the structure of the grommet frame 8' is similar to that of the grommet frame 8 of the first embodiment. Accordingly, the grommet frame 8' comprises two parallel longitudinal arms 51, 52, and a first or top arm 53 and a second or bottom arm 54 that are also parallel to each other. The grommet frame 8' has a first or front surface 55 for abutting against the support panel and a second or rear surface 56.
A first locking latch 10 or hook is formed on the bottom arm 54 and protrudes from the front surface 55 according to a curved or bent shape such that said first locking latch 10 is adapted to engage the first locking section 47 of the support panel 1.
The grommet frame 8' further shows a second locking latch 18' that comprises an elastic arm 14' with a projection 11' for making a snap-fit with the second locking section 48 of the support panel 1. The elastic arm 14' has an arm end 14a' that is free and an arm base 14b' that is maintained and hold by a transversal section 60'.
Said transversal section 60' is firmly fixed perpendicularly to and within the grommet frame 8' by means of two supporting arms 81a, 81b that extend from the top arm 53 inwardly of the grommet frame 8' without protruding from the front surface 55.
The transversal section 60' extends rearwardly of the grommet frame 8' up to a bending section 82 that bends towards the top arm 53 and that supports the arm base 14b' of the elastic arm 14' such that said elastic arm 14' may extend perpendicularly to the grommet frame 8' from the arm base 14b' rearwardly of said grommet frame 8' up to the arm end 14a' through the front surface 55. The elastic arm 14' crosses a gap 83 defined by the top arm 53 and the transversal section 60'.
The projection 11' is formed on the portion of the elastic arm 14' that protrudes from the front surface 55 such that on mounting the grommet 7' said projection 11' may engage the support panel 1. A first or front surface 11a' of the projection 11' is a sloping surface with respect to the elastic arm 14', while a second or rear surface 11b' thereof is substantially normal to the elastic arm 14'.
On each longitudinal arm 51, 52 is formed a rear support section 58' inwardly of the grommet frame 8'. Each rear support section 58' supports a bottom incline 16' of a front support section 15'. Said front support section 15' is wedge-shaped along a longitudinal axis of the grommet frame 8'. Said wedge is defined by the bottom incline 16' protruding from the top surface 55 of the grommet frame 8' towards the top arm 53, and by a top incline 13' extending from the bottom incline 16' back to the grommet frame 8'.
The bottom incline 16' and the top incline 13' are slightly inclined with respect to the normal of the grommet frame 8'. The introduction of the grommet 7' in the cutout 39 according to the longitudinal axis of the grommet frame 8' thus is facilitated as upon said introduction the wedge-shaped bottom inclines 16' and top inclines 13' of the grommet 7' may interact with the top inclines 5a-b of the electrical connector 2 and the edge of the support panel 1 respectively to guide the front support section 15' into the gap 50 of the cutout 39.
The bottom incline 16' is bendable and has preferably the form of a rail. One extremity of the top incline 13' communicates with the bottom incline 16' and the other extremity thereof ends freely such that the whole front support section 15' may be at least slightly bent or turned according to arrow 84 around the rear support section 58', see Fig. 20.
The preferably two front support section 15' are formed on each longitudinal arm 51, 52 and face each other via an inner face 85. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 20, said inner face 85 communicates with and is firmly fixed to the transversal section 60'. According to alternate embodiments, said inner face 85 is separated from and does not communicate with the transversal section 60' so as to enable an easier and/or a wider movement of the front support section 15' around the rear support section 58'.
Each front support section 15' has a gap 86 between the top incline 13' and the bottom incline 16' that opens rearwardly of the grommet frame 8' at an opening 87 such that the gap 86 is accessible from the rear surface 56 of the grommet frame 8'. The gap 86 is preferably wedge-shaped.
With reference to Figs. 23 and 24, the grommet sealing 9' comprises sealing lips 88, an envelope 89, and buffers 90. The sealing lips 88 are adapted to abut against the support panel 1 when the connector assembly is fully mounted thereon.
The envelope 89 has a form corresponding to the grommet frame 8' so as to cover or surround said grommet frame 8' either partially or totally. The sealing lips 88 are formed on a front portion 91 of the envelope 89 that is designed to cover the front surface 55 of the grommet frame 8'.
The envelope 89 also comprises a rear portion 92 designed to cover the rear surface 56 of the grommet frame 8'. Buffers 90 are formed on the rear portion 92 inside of the envelope 89. The buffers 90, which are preferably made of soft rubber, are supported by a base 93 and extend substantially perpendicularly to the rear portion 92 to protrude from the sealing lips 88 and the front portion 91. The shape of the buffers 90 corresponds to that of the gap 86 defined by the front support sections 15' of the grommet frame 8'.
The buffers 90 are designed to be inserted in the gaps 86 of the grommet frame 8'. Therefore preferably two buffers are formed on the envelope 89 to be fitted in the two gaps 86 of the shown embodiment. Alternatively, only one buffer 90 or even a plurality thereof may be part of the envelope 89.
The grommet cover 80, see Figs. 15 to 17, is preferably made of rubber and is designed to be fixed to the envelope 89 to protect the electrical terminals and wires (not shown) of the electrical connector 2 against dirt or water projections. A fixing section 94 of the grommet cover 80 thus is to be welded or bounded on the rear portion 92 of the envelope 89. The grommet cover 80 comprises also an opening 95 for the electrical wires. A protecting wire (not shown) can be further fixed to the grommet cover 80 around said opening 95 to protect said wires.
As described above, the grommet sealing 9' covers or surrounds the grommet frame 8'. Accordingly, the grommet frame 8' is preferably a pre-moulded plastic part that is over-moulded with the grommet sealing 9' either completely or partially, said grommet sealing 9' being preferably made of rubber.
Figs. 25 to 29 show the different steps of mounting the connector assembly according to the second embodiment on the support panel 1.
The first connector 68 is at first mounted on the cutout 39 of the support panel 1 similarly to the first embodiment, see Figs. 25 and 26. This first step is completed as soon as the first connector 68 is fully inserted, i.e. when the jamming items 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d respectively have engaged the jamming tabs 45a, 45b and the jamming sections 45c, 45d, and when the locking latches 4a, 4b have snapped behind the locking tabs 46a, 46b.
Then the second connector 66 mates with the first connector 68 preferably by means of a lever 67. Fig. 28 shows a section of the mated electrical connector 2 mounted on the support panel 1. In this state, first cavities 69 of the first connector 66 communicate with second cavities 70 of the second connector 68 such that corresponding terminals (not shown) can be connected.
In a next step the grommet 7' is approached from the other side of the support panel 1 and the first locking latch 10 is engaged with the first locking section of the support panel 1 through the first gap 49. The grommet 7' is next turned around this engagement towards the support panel 1 in order to insert the front support section 15' in the gap 50 and to let the projection 11' make a snap fit with the second locking section 48 of the support panel 1, see Figs. 26 and 27.
During the mounting of the grommet 7', the front incline 13' and the bottom incline 16' of said grommet 7' may slide against the support panel 1 and the top inclines 5a, 5b of the electrical connector 2. Therefore the grommet 7' can be smoothly guided through the support panel 1, see Fig. 29.
Dismounting the grommet 7' from the support panel 1 and the electrical connector 2 may be achieved as for the first embodiment by first releasing the snap fit of the projection 11' of the second locking latch 18' and next unhooking the first locking latch 10.

Claims

A connector arrangement comprising an electrical connector (2), a panel (1) to which the connector is to be mounted in a cutout (39) of the panel and a grommet (7), wherein:
- the panel (1) comprises a first section (45c, 45d, 47) and a second section (48) that are adjacent to said cutout (39);

- the electrical connector (2) comprises jamming means (3c, 3d) adapted for engaging said first section (45c, 45d, 47) of said panel (1) from a first side of said panel (1), and at least a first abutment portion (5a, 5b); and

- the grommet (7) comprises a grommet frame (8), and at least a second abutment portion (16) for interacting with said first abutment portion (5a, 5b) of said electrical connector (2); characterised
in that interaction of first (5a, 5b) and second (16) abutment portions causes the electrical connector (2) to be moved in a direction (41) essentially parallel to the panel (1) to prevent the jamming means (3c, 3d) of said electrical connector (2) from disengaging from said first section (45c, 45d, 47),
and in that at least one buffer (12, 90) is formed between the grommet frame (8) and said second abutment portion (16).
The connector arrangement according to the preceding claim,
Wherein the grommet (7) comprises first latching means (10) for engaging said first section (45c, 45d, 47) of said panel from a second side of said panel (1).
The connector arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, Wherein the grommet (7) comprises second latching means (11, 14) for making a snap fit with said second section (48) of said panel (1) when assembled and support means (15) for supporting said second latching means (11, 14).
The connector arrangement according to any of the preceding claims,
wherein said snap fit of said second latching means (11, 14) is causing the jamming means (3c, 3d) to engage said first section (45c, 45d, 47) of said support panel (1).
The connector arrangement according to any of the preceding claims,
wherein said support means (15) is conically-shaped to ease the introduction of said second latching means (11, 14) in the cutout (39) and the snap fit thereof with the support panel (1).
The connector arrangement according to any of the preceding claims,
wherein the buffer (12, 90) is made of soft rubber material.
The connector arrangement according to any of the preceding claims,
wherein the grommet frame (8) and the buffer (12, 90) are one piece.
The connector arrangement according to any of the preceding claims,
wherein a grommet sealing (9) is arranged between the grommet frame (8) and panel (1).
The connector arrangement according to claim 8,
wherein the grommet sealing (9) is over-moulded around the grommet frame (8).
The connector arrangement according to any of the preceding claims,
wherein a grommet cover (80) is arranged to cover the wires crossing the cutout (39).
The connector arrangement according to any of the preceding claims,
wherein said support means (15) is arranged such that it compensates for tolerances in the mounted assembly.