EP2139077A1 - Bipolar connector with slide sealing element - Google Patents

Abstract

The connector (2) has a housing (4) integrally formed from a contact body (5), a housing middle body (4a) and a connection body (12). A sealing body is provided for sealing the connector in an area of the connection body. The sealing body is formed as a separate elastic slide sealing element (14), which is reciprocatingly arranged along connecting lines such that the slide sealing element is moved from an assembly position to a sealing position. The sealing element has a sealing space for retaining the connection body, and completely surrounds the connection body in the sealing position.

Description

The invention relates to a connector consisting of two connectors, of which preferably the first is a plug-side connector (plug) and the second connector is preferably called a jack-side connector (socket), according to the preamble of claim 1.

The connector according to the invention is particularly suitable for use in photovoltaic systems. The plug has a contact body with contact pins in the respective socket body or pen body. In particular, in the field of photovoltaic connected to a photovoltaic system or to a corresponding device connectors are regularly under electrical load or under electrical voltage. It is therefore usually difficult and dangerous for a fitter or for persons who typically maintain the system to replace or install such connectors. A special claim on the safety of such connectors is given by a VDE requirement, namely the finger safety, which is checked with the VDE test finger. When touching the connector in the area of the contacts, the VDE test finger must not touch it in an electrically conductive manner. It is therefore necessary to choose a design that meets this requirement.

In the prior art, for example, the DE 10 2005 016 266 which discloses a finger-safe connector for solar applications. However, this connector is expensive to manufacture. In addition, there are more on the market connector systems, which, however, due to the aforementioned requirement usually have relatively long contact chambers.

If the contact pins with the length L reach to the front end of the plug, they can be touched very easily, if due to the size of the socket with a length Lb and a diameter Db the opening diameter Ds is then so large and the aforementioned VDE Test finger can come into contact with the tip of the contact pin. However, if the contact pin is to have the length Ls of the socket length Lb, contact with the VDE test fingers can only be prevented when the enclosing Plug body or contact body is constructed longer, namely greater than Ls plus the penetration depth of the test finger. Alternatively, although the contact pin could also be chosen shorter, so that it lies with its reachable end deep enough in the contact body; but then the effective contact surface would be reduced and this is to avoid it.

Another disadvantage of generic connectors is that they are to be attached either by the fitter at the installation site to an electrical cable of the photovoltaic system or that the connector with already connected cables usually overmolded cables at the cable end to the mounting system or to the photovoltaic system is to be mounted. In both cases, this requires a relatively large construction design and when using crimp contacts beyond special tools, If a connection technique such as the screw is used back, the technical disadvantage is that the screw must be sealed against the environment, which in particular problems with the handling and the reproducibility of tight connectors with it brings. An alternative embodiment, however, is the factory assembly with encapsulation of the screw, so that they are formed close to the environment. The disadvantage here is that when replacing the connector usually the entire cable must be replaced with.

The invention is therefore based on the task of creating a finger-proof and sealed connector, which on the one hand on site or on site can be assembled, with conventional tools without the use of special tools, while requesting the tightness of the connector, which without much effort in plugged and unplugged state is to be produced.

• Fig. 1 eine schematische, dreidimensionale Ansicht der erfindungsgemäßen Steckverbindung aus zwei Steckverbindern;
• Fig. 2 die zu Fig. 1 perspektivisch gespiegelte Ansicht der Steckverbindung von unten;
• Fig. 3 zeigt einen Schnitt durch die Steckverbindung gemäß Fig. 1 im gesteckten Zustand.

According to the invention, this is done by the features specified in the claim 1. Preferred embodiments will be apparent from the dependent claims. Further advantages, objects and details of the invention are described below with reference to the drawing. In the drawings shows:

• Fig. 1 a schematic, three-dimensional view of the connector according to the invention of two connectors;
• Fig. 2 the too Fig. 1 perspective mirrored view of the connector from below;
• Fig. 3 shows a section through the connector according to Fig. 1 in mated condition.

The following is the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 described collectively, since it is merely a mirrored views for a better understanding of the invention.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a connector 1 according to the invention, formed by the connector 2, 3. In the present case, the connector 2 is formed as a socket and the connector 3 as a plug. Since the connector 1 consists essentially of two corresponding connectors 2, 3, in the following the connector 2 (socket) is described as an embodiment of the invention.

The connector (2) is formed from a housing (4) in which contacts (19) are arranged. The housing (4) is integrally formed from a socket body (6) a housing center body (4a) and a connection body (12), which are formed from any non-conductive insulating material. The socket body (6) has contact openings (8) which extend substantially as cylindrical passages through the entire connector housing (4) therethrough. In the present case two pairs spaced contact openings (8) in the connector (2) are formed, to which from the opposite side each electrical lines can be attached connected. On the housing center body (4a) by means of a connecting element (10) which is integrally connected to the housing (4), a lid (9) attached. The connecting element (10) is formed by means of film hinge (11a) on the housing center body (4). As a result, the lid is captively connected to the connector (2). The lid geometry and the receiving geometry of the lid (9) is adapted to the geometry of the socket body (6). The socket body (6) protrudes from the housing middle body (4a) as a plug contour out with a length which is geometrically designed so that the socket contacts therein (19) with the VDE-contact fingers are no longer touchable.

Analog applies to the plug (3) that there corresponding dome, the pin contacts (20), against the VDE test finger Sichem, as it turns out Fig. 3 is apparent. Not shown in Fig. 3 is however the test finger.

However, it can be seen that the distance between the two domes (21a, 21b) is chosen geometrically such that the VDE test finger can not penetrate as far as the pin contact (20).

On the pin body (6) opposite side of the housing center body (4a), the connection body (12) integrally connects as part of the housing (4). Between the housing center body (4a) and the connecting body (12) is a circumferential locking groove (22). The locking groove (22) is formed as a recess or as a groove in the housing (4).

The task of the locking groove (22) is on the one hand the locking of the still to be described Gleitdichtelementes (14) and at the same time Dicht.- and Fixiemut or receiving contour for the sealing contour (15) of the Gleitdichtelementes (14). In the connection body (12) there are two screw terminals (13a, 13b), which are arranged accessible from the outside and protrude into the receiving space (23) of the connection body (12). The receiving space (23) is designed so that a conventional stripped cable at its end or a suitably prepared line can be accommodated therein.
This can then be connected with conventional screwdriver on the female contact (19) or the connector (3) to the pin contacts (20) accordingly.

According to the invention, a sliding, elastic sealing element (14) is used as the sliding sealing element (14), which has cable passages (18a, 18b) through which the cable to be connected passes, as in FIG Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 clearly visible.
The cable passages (18a, 18b) are adapted to the line to be connected in accordance with their diameter and seal in consequence of the selection of the material of the Gleitdichtelementes (14) radially on the line (24). By the corresponding variability and thus possible selection of different cable cross-sections and non-circular cable shapes, in particular flat cable can be used by accordingly the cable passages (18a, 18b) to be connected lines (24) or their outer contour are adjusted. The sliding seal element (14) has a sealing space (25), which is formed corresponding to the outer geometry of the connection body (12). In this respect, the connection body (12) has an approximately cap-like construction in that the two passage openings or cable passages (18a, 18b) are located at the substantially closed end.

For installation, the elastic sliding sealing element (14) is in a mounting position, which is accomplished by sliding the sliding sealing element against the direction of insertion, as it were, to the rear over the lines (24) to be mounted.
In a next step, the fitter can insert the cables into the recesses (23) of the optional socket contacts (19) or pin contacts (20). Since the sliding sealing element (14) has a sealing contour (15), which is arranged circumferentially at the inner opening end to the sealing space (25), after connecting the lines (24) to the screw connections (13a, 13b), the sliding sealing element can be placed over the outer contour of the Connection body (12) are pushed. When the sealing position is completely reached, the sealing contour (15) slides with its fixing lip (16) into the latching groove (22). It comes insofar to the radial sealing of the aforementioned screw terminals (13a, 13b) and the cable entries and recesses (23) of the connector (2, 3).

Preferably, the sliding sealing element (14) with its sealing space (25) is formed so that a displacement along the connecting body (12) is easily possible. In particular, for this purpose, a relatively soft, elastic material for the sealing contour (15) is used, so that this can dive easily with its fixing lip (16) in the locking groove (22). As in Fig. 3 clearly shown, the sealing and insulation is based on the one hand in the area of the plug contour via a likewise attached sealing contour (15) and in the region of the connection body (12) exclusively upper the Gleitdichtelement (14) in conjunction with the locking groove (22).

The embodiment of the invention shown here is only exemplary and not limited by its geometric arrangement. Thus, for example, a plurality of sealing lips in the region of the sliding sealing element (14) in the sealing space (25) may be arranged, which are spaced in pairs. For example, in addition, a second sealing lip in the sealing space (25) could be arranged so that this water inlet between the cable and the cable passages (18a, 18b) which would enter into the gap towards the screw terminals (13a, 13b), keeps away from them ,

It could also be pushed beyond the first sliding sealing element (14) also a further second sliding seal, designed as a sliding element, so that substantially the entire connector would find space in a second surrounding sliding seal.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS Two-pole connector with sliding sealing element

1

connector

2, 3

Connectors

4

casing

4a

Housing central body

5

Contact body

6

pen body

7

bush body

8th

contact openings

9

cover

10

connecting element

11a, 11b

film hinge

12

connection body

13a, 13b

screw

14

floating seal

15

Sealing contour (circumferential)

16

fixing lip

18a, 18b

Fairleads

19

female contacts

20

pin contacts

21a, 21b

Dome

22

locking groove

23

Recordings

24

cables

25

tight space

Claims (11)

Connector (2, 3) comprising a housing (4) integrally formed of a contact body (5), an adjoining housing center body (4a) and a connection body (12), and a movable sealing body for sealing the connector (2, 3 ) in the region of the connecting body (12), characterized in that the sealing body is designed as a separate sliding sealing element (14) which is arranged along one or more connectable lines (24) movable back and forth so that the sliding sealing element (14) of a Mounting position can be moved to a sealing position. Connector (2, 3) according to claim 1, characterized in that the sliding sealing element (14) has a sealing space (25) for receiving the connecting body (12). Connector (2, 3) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sliding sealing element (14) completely surrounds the connection body (12) in its sealing position and at least partially releases the connection body (12) in its mounting position. Plug connector (2, 3) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sliding sealing element (14) has at least one cable passage (18a, 18b) for a line (24) to be connected and the at least one cable passage (18a, 18b) is formed in that it radially seals the conduit (24) while the sliding sealing member (14) is displaced from its mounting position to its sealing position. Connector (2, 3) according to claim 4, characterized in that a connected line (24) in both the mounting position and in the sealing position of the sliding seal member (14) on the cable passages (18 a, 18 b) and against these are sealed. Connector (2, 3) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the contact body (5) forms a pin body (6), which is formed so that the pin contacts (20) are not touchable with the VDE contact finger. Connector (2, 3) according to claim 1 to 5, characterized in that the contact body (5) is a socket body (7) which is formed so that the socket contacts therein (19) are not touchable with the VDE test finger. Connector (2, 3) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that between the housing center body (4a) and the connection body (12) has a circumferential latching groove (22) for the sliding seal member (14) in the housing (4) is formed. Connector (2, 3) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sliding sealing element (14) has at its opening to the sealing space (25) via an inner circumferential sealing contour (15) with a fixing rib (16) which is suitable for engagement in the locking groove (22) Connector (2, 3) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the region of the connecting body (12) screw terminals (13a, 13b) are formed for the lines to be connected (24). Connector (2, 3) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a cover (9) in one piece by means of a film hinge (11a, 11b) and by means of a connecting element (10) on the housing center body (4a) and thus on the housing (4) captive is formed.

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