EP2245705A1

EP2245705A1 - Plug-in connector element having a seal in the cable connection region

Info

Publication number: EP2245705A1
Application number: EP09713263A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Johann Krech; Markus Bihrer
Original assignee: Lapp Engineering AG
Current assignee: Lapp Engineering AG
Priority date: 2008-02-18
Filing date: 2009-02-12
Publication date: 2010-11-03
Anticipated expiration: 2029-02-12
Also published as: EP2245705B1; WO2009103456A1; DE102008009620A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a plug-in connector element, comprising a sleeve which is to be disposed about a cable having at least one sheathing and which can be connected to the exterior sheathing of the cable, a plug-in contact to be electrically connected to at least one cable conductor within the sleeve, and a housing element, which encompasses the plug-in contact and abuts the sleeve. At least part of the housing element abutting the sleeve, the sleeve itself, and at least part of the cable leading away from the housing element, or from the sleeve, are surrounded by a plastic material. The plug-in connector element further comprises a heat shrink tube creating a seal between the plastic material and the cable sheathing.

Description

Connector element with sealing in the cable connection area

Area

In the following, a connector element will be described. This comprises a sleeve to be arranged around a cable, a plug-in contact, a housing and sealing elements, with which a seal can be produced in the region of the transitions cable sleeve and sleeve housing.

Technical background

A connector element is already known from the document DE 10 2005 030 554 A1, in which the seal in the region of the cable connection is realized in the form of a two-part sealing element. Each of the sealing element parts has a sealing body which forms a sealing surface which can be applied to the cable. In addition, each of the sealing element parts comprises a separating surface with a sealing body which forms a contact surface which can be applied to the respective other sealing body. When assembled, the sealing element seals the cable connection area between a connector element housing and a cable to be connected.

Also known are connector elements in which the cable connection region of the housing and a part of the cable to be connected are encapsulated. In this case, the encapsulation binds to the cable and the cable connection area of the housing of the connector element and serves for insulation, tension / pressure relief and tightness. In this case, the cable sheath is not cross-linked.

issues

When connector elements, the cable connection area with a weather-resistant Materia) is surrounded, the seal to the interior of the connector elements, ie the respective plug contact, for example during a Umspritzungsprozesses, problematic.

Another problem is the sealing of one with a weather-resistant, e.g. If there is no tight connection between the material and the cable sheathing, because of the cross-linking of the cable sheathing, the cable sheath does not close tightly with the material.

Task It is necessary to provide a connector element which ensures the strain relief during axial tension and bending cycles, which is protected against cable torsion and which solves the problems mentioned above. Furthermore, requirements such as cost-effective, simple che production can be met and the connector element should be quickly and easily connected to a cable.

Solution To solve this problem, a connector element is proposed, the structure of which will be described in detail below. It may comprise a sleeve to be arranged around a cable having at least one sheath and to be firmly connected to the outer sheath of the cable. Within this sleeve, a plug contact may be located, which is to be electrically connected to at least one cable conductor. In addition, the connector element may comprise a housing element. This can embrace the plug contact and rest against the sleeve. At least a part of the housing element lying against the sleeve, the sleeve itself and at least part of the cable leading away from the housing element or from the sleeve may be surrounded by a plastic material. Furthermore, the connector element may comprise a heat-shrinkable tube, which can produce a seal between the sleeve and the cable sheath.

Thus, a manufacturing of connector elements can be made possible, which the tightness in the transition region between the housing of the connector element and a cable with weather-resistant, e.g. can ensure networked sheathing. By applying plastic material and using crosslinked cables, high weather resistance can be achieved.

The material pairings plastic material housing element, plastic material sleeve and plastic material shrink tube are to be chosen so that the plastic material at least with the surrounding part of the housing member, the sleeve, or the shrink tube, a tight connection (e.g., IP 45 or better) received.

As a plastic material, polyurethanes or thermoplastic elastomers can be used. Preferably, polyolefin can be used.

The sleeve may be formed from a crimpable or crushable metal. As a sleeve material, for example, copper or a copper alloy can be used. Preferably, a coated, e.g. tinned sleeve inserted.

The housing element may be made of reinforced polyamide or polypropylene. Likewise, it can be made of a thermosetting plastic. The shrink tube is preferably made of Polyolefϊn.

A tight connection between a cable with networked sheathing and the plastic material could not be achieved so far. The term crosslinking is to be understood here as meaning a production process of elastomers, thermoplastics and thermosets. In this case, originally chemically aligned macromolecules can be changed to flat, spatial structures using certain chemicals or by irradiation. The crosslinking is irreversible and decisive for the actual material properties. For example, since the mating may not be able to seal cross-linked cable sheath plastics material and the sleeve, which may be crimped or crimped onto the cable sheath, can not seal tightly with the cable sheath, water may penetrate to the male contact. By introducing the shrink tube, which can seal between sleeve and cable, this can be remedied.

Here, the material pairing cable sheath shrink tube can be chosen so that the cable sheath and the shrink tube can form a tight connection.

The cable sheath can be made of a cross-linked copolymer. It may preferably be made of radiation cross-linked polyolefin or chemically, with the aid of an additive, e.g. Silane, cross-linked polyolefin.

In addition, the material pairing shrink sleeve can be chosen so that the shrink tube and the sleeve can form a tight connection.

The basic structure of a claimed connector element may comprise the housing element, the plug contact and the sleeve. If the connector element is to be a plug, the plug contact can be designed as an electrically conductive contact pin. If the plug connector element is to be a coupler, the plug contact can be designed as an electrically conductive contact sleeve. If the connector element is designed as a coupler, a protective cap can be applied to the contact sleeve as protection against contact. This can be made of plastic and as a hollow or solid body. Their outer diameter may coincide with an outer diameter of the contact pin and it may have a suitable diameter step, with which the protective cap is accurately applied to the contact pin. For better attachment, a suitable adhesive may be applied to a contact pin inner surface adjoining a free contact pin end - A -

can interact with a circumferential surface of the diameter step of the applied protective cap.

One end of the plug contact can be crimped onto at least one electrical conductor of a cable and thus electrically connected thereto. For this purpose, a cable end can be stripped. To crimp or pinch the plug contact on the electrical conductor (s), a suitable crimping tool and suitable crimping jaws may be used. An electrical connection of the plug contact with the at least one electrical conductor of the cable can also be achieved by a push-in connection or a welding connection.

On the cable, the sleeve can be applied, which can protrude at least partially over the stripped cable end and at least the cable sheath surrounding a cable end connected to the stripped cable end can surround. This sleeve may be crimped or crimped to the portion of cable that surrounds it.

The housing member may be formed so that it can be guided over the plug contact until it can rest against the non-crimped sleeve end. In order to lock the housing element in this position, the plug contact may have at least one latching hook which can engage behind an associated shoulder or an annular shoulder in the housing element. The at least one latching hook and the associated shoulder or annular shoulder can be formed from the respective material of the plug-in contact or be formed on the housing element. It is also conceivable to attach corresponding threads to the plug contact and in the housing element and to screw the housing element onto the plug contact for locking, or to use other possible fastening methods.

In a variant, the housing element can be designed as two housing halves to be assembled. Here, the cable end with the plug contact in one of the two housing halves, which can be made as half-shells, are put into it and then the second housing half are applied. Then the two housing halves can be pressed together and welded watertight, for example by means of ultrasonic welding, to produce a tight insulation. The aufeinanderzupressenden surfaces of the two housing halves may have web and groove profiles to improve the weld. In this variant, the plug contacts may have a cylindrical annular projection instead of latching hooks. The two housing half-shells may have a cylindrical recess, which may be suitable for the cylindrical annular projection of Plug in contact. In the welded housing halves of the plug contact can thus be held against axial displacement in the plug and pull direction.

An advantage of the claimed connector element is that the housing elements can be constructed so that the overmold for male and female couplers is the same. As a result, considerable set-up times and investment costs can be saved. In addition, costs can be saved in the storage because of the common part effect.

The sleeve may be shaped so that one or both ends have a funnel-shaped extension. It is also possible that one or both sleeve ends have a round or inner bevel. Consequently, a sleeve can also have two differently shaped ends.

The funnel-shaped extension or the rounded or inner bevel on the sleeve end can facilitate the insertion of the cable during automatic assembly.

Another advantage of the claimed connector element is that the only assembly operation is limited to the connection of a free cable end.

After the cable entry, the crimping or crimping of the sleeve on the cable sheath can be carried out automatically.

By crimping or crimping, a crimping profile or crimping profile can form in a crimping region or crimping region of the sleeve. In the form of this crimp profile or crimp profile, the sleeve can impress in the cable sheath without injuring them.

Depending on the shape of the sleeve end, against which the housing element rests, the housing element may have a suitable stop surface in the position lying on the sleeve.

If the sleeve end lying against the housing element has a funnel-shaped enlargement, the stop surface of the housing element can be formed as a diameter step in the housing element, the diameter of which may be suitable for receiving the funnel-shaped widened sleeve end. During an encapsulation process, this funnel-shaped sleeve end can be pressed against the diameter step. Penetration of the plastic material can in this case be prevented, assisted by a suitable choice of spray parameters which determine the viscosity of the plastic material. In the case of the the funnel-shaped extended sleeve end may be a clearance fit in the diameter step. This can allow easy automation of assembly. In addition, in the variant of the sleeve with attached funnel-shaped enlargement, an increased pressure in the encapsulation process can be made possible without the sleeve being compressed. This depends on the fact that the sleeve shape in longitudinal section can have different curvatures, which can increase the stability of the sleeve.

In another variant, in which the adjacent sleeve end may have a rounding or Innenfase, however, a fit may be necessary, which can prevent the penetration of the plastic material into the interior of the housing member. In this variant, the penetration of the plastic material can not be prevented solely by the pressing of the sleeve to the stop surface of the housing element, since this sleeve shape can not be pressed with sufficient pressure against the stop surface without bending.

Through the encapsulation process, the assembly time compared to connector elements with screw can be significantly reduced.

The shrink tubing can be mounted between the cable jacket and the sleeve. It can also surround at least the crimping region or crimping region of the sleeve and a portion of the cable leading away from the sleeve or the housing element. In both cases, the shrink tube seals with the cable sheath and sleeve.

In another variant, an inner shell of the shrink tube may be covered with an adhesive. In this case, the material pairings heat-shrinkable adhesive and adhesive cable sheathing may be suitable for allowing the adhesive to form a tight connection with the heat-shrinkable hose and the cable sheathing. The resistance of the adhesive can be chosen so that no adhesive exits even after thermal continuous loading during Umspritzungsprozesses.

The adhesive may be an ethylene-vinyl-acetate rubber or a polyamide adhesive.

If the heat-shrinkable tube covers at least the crimping region of the sleeve and a subsequent subsection of the cable, it should be noted that the adhesive also seals with the sleeve. After application of the plastic material to the connector element, slipping of the cable in the plastic material can be prevented by the notch of the crimping or crimping profile in the cable sheathing. As already mentioned, the cable sheathing can not bind tightly to the plastic material, but the sleeve and the shrink hose already bind. On the applied plastic material can therefore be given a Zug- / Druckentlastυng; between sleeve and cable on the one hand and housing element on the other. In order to ensure sufficient tension / pressure relief, the plastic material can be applied correspondingly thick. In addition, in a region in which it is surrounded by the plastic material, the housing element can have a surface structure which can support the tension / pressure relief. However, the surrounding plastic material must not be too thin in this area.

Further advantages of the claimed connector element can be the possibility of automated production with high quality, shorter throughput times and lower manufacturing costs, for example in comparison to connector elements with screw connection.

As already mentioned, the connector element can be manufactured as a plug and as a coupler. For an application, eg for the electrical connection of solar panels, it may be necessary to merge the plug and the coupler into a plug connection. It is important to ensure that the two connector elements are at least partially inserted into one another, so that the two plug contacts can come into electrical contact with each other. Here it is important to provide a tight connector. For this purpose, an advantageous embodiment of the connector element can provide that at least one sealing element can be provided in at least one of the two connector elements, plug and coupler, circumferentially around a housing element contact surface, which can come into contact with a housing element contact surface of the other of the two connector elements when merging. For example, the housing element of the plug can engage around the housing element of the coupler when merging. In this case, the housing element contact surface of the plug may be located in a housing element interior and may be in contact after mating with the corresponding housing element contact surface of the coupler, which may occupy part of a housing element outer surface. In the housing element contact surface of the plug or the coupler can be introduced at least one annular groove in which at least one sealing ring can be held. This sealing ring can seal after merging with the housing element contact surface of the coupler or the plug. A further advantageous embodiment of the connector element may provide that the plug and the coupler can cooperate lockingly after merging. For this purpose, the connector element, which engages around the other connector element during the merging, have at least one locking element at its free end facing away from the sleeve. This at least one locking element can cooperate lockingly after the merging of the two connector elements with at least one corresponding locking element on the housing outer surface of the other connector element. For example, the housing element of the plug can engage around the housing element of the coupler when merging. In this case, at least one latching eye can be arranged as a locking element at the free end of the housing element of the plug. This at least one latching eye can cooperate lockingly with at least one latching lug, which can be arranged as a corresponding locking element on the housing outer surface of the coupler. The at least one latching eye can be made free-standing at the free end of the plug housing element. It can be resilient and allow a slight Verrieglung and unlocking with the corresponding locking lug. In this case, the unlocking can be done without tools, eg by turning or pulling. However, the lock can also be designed so that at least unlocking can be done only with the aid of a tool. If the material of the housing element is not elastically yielding, then other locking arrangements are conceivable, such as, for example, a bayonet closure, a screw cap or a push-pull closure.

As already mentioned, it may be a variant to apply the plastic material that can surround a part of the housing, the sleeve, the heat-shrinkable tube and a cable section by means of an encapsulation process. As a further variant, the plastic material can be preformed so that it can be pushed onto the cable section, the shrink tube, the sleeve and the housing part and can seal at least with the shrink tube, the sleeve and the housing part. For this purpose, the correspondingly preformed plastic material can be pushed onto a cable end, then the Steckind- inductive element, as described above, be prefabricated exclusively of Umspritzungsprozesses to finally postpone the preformed plastic material in the direction of prefabricated connector element on this.

By networking the sheath, cables can be made weather-resistant. However, as cables with cross-linked sheath have the problem that they can not connect tightly to the applied plastic material, it may be helpful to finish the connector element with a non-cross-linked cable. to apply the plastic material and then to cross-link. For example, the fully assembled and surrounded by the plastic material connector ^¬ elements could be driven by a radiation crosslinking system, the parameters could correspond to those of networking in cable production. In this way, the heat shrink tubing and its installation could be saved. As a result, the material and manufacturing costs can be further reduced.

Brief description of the figures

The claimed connector element is explained below with reference to two figures.

Fig. 1 shows a longitudinal sectional view of an embodiment of a connector made as a connector element.

Fig. 2 shows a longitudinal sectional view of an embodiment of a connector manufactured as a coupler element.

Detailed Fiqurenbeschreibung

Fig. 1 shows a manufactured as a connector 1 connector element. The plug 1 comprises a plug housing element 2, a cable section 3 with stripped cable end, a molded as a contact pin 4 plug contact with protective cap 15, a sleeve 5, a shrink ^¬ hose 6 and is partially surrounded by a plastic material 7.

At the stripped cable end of the cable section 3, a conductor 8 is exposed. By means of this conductor 8, the contact pin 4 is electrically conductively connected to the conductor 8 by crimping, welding or push-in of a connection region of the contact pin 4.

In the adjacent to the stripped end cable section 3 of the conductor 8 is surrounded by a cable sheath 9. This cable sheath 9 is made of a crosslinked copolymer. The crosslinking is caused by radiation crosslinking or chemical crosslinking. The cable sheathing 9 preferably consists of a weather-resistant, radiation-crosslinked polyolefin or chemically, with the aid of silane, crosslinked polyolefin.

In Fig. 1, the sleeve 5 surrounds the cable sheath 9 and lies circumferentially on this. The sleeve 5 is shaped as a hollow cylinder and the left in Fig. 1 sleeve end has a funnel-shaped extension. It is also possible not to expand the left end of the shaped as a hollow cylinder sleeve 5, but this with a rounding or a Innenfase (here not shown) to provide. Both variants facilitate the application of the sleeve 5 on the stripped cable end on the cable section. 3

The sleeve 5 is pushed about halfway on the cable section 3 and surrounds with the other half of the stripped cable end. In this position, the sleeve 5 is fixed to the cable jacket 9 by crimping the half pushed onto the cable section 3. The resulting crimp profile (not shown) is impressed in the cable sheath 9 without injuring them.

As a material for the sleeve 5, a good kaltverformbares crimp, temperature-resistant metal or a metal alloy or other material with the properties mentioned is used. In the choice of material, it is particularly important that the material of the sleeve 5 with the applied plastic material 7 connects tightly. This tight connection is achieved for example by the use of a sleeve 5 made of copper or a copper alloy as a sleeve material. Preferably, a coated, e.g. tinned sleeve 5 is inserted.

By crimping the sleeve 5, this does not seal with the cable sheath 9 yet. In FIG. 1, therefore, the shrinking tube 6 covers the half of the sleeve 5 crimped onto the cable jacket 9 and the cable jacket 9 of a section of the cable section 3 continuing to the left of the crimped half of the sleeve. In another variant, the shrinking tube 6 can also be between the sleeve 5 and extend the cable. For example, then the shrink tube extends from the stripped cable end to at least in the crimping of the sleeve 5 or even surrounds a portion of the adjoining the crimping cable section. This variant is explained in more detail with reference to FIG. 2.

In Fig. 1, the left sleeve end has a funnel-shaped extension and the shrink tube 6 covers, inter alia, this extension. Therefore, here forms a hollow collar. It is important to ensure that the extended left sleeve end does not have a sharp-edged termination, since in this case the shrink sleeve 6 may be injured and leaked during a shrinking process. This is also to be considered if the left sleeve end has an inner bevel.

The shrink tube 6 is preferably made of crosslinked, temperature-resistant polyolefin. So that the shrink tube 6 terminates tightly with the cable jacket 9, a coating of the inner jacket of the shrink tube 6 with an adhesive be provided. The adhesive used is, for example, temperature-resistant ethylene-vinyl-acetate rubber. However, temperature resistant polyamide adhesive can also be used. The shrink tubing 6 thus seals between the cable jacket 9 and the crimped portion of the sleeve 5.

The housing element 2 is shaped as a hollow cylinder. At its left end in Rg.1, the housing element 2 has a funnel-shaped recess 11, which has a diameter step

12 completes. The diameter stage 12 is adjoined by a cylindrical cavity adjoining another cylindrical cavity of larger diameter. The transition between the two cylindrical cavities is also through a diameter step

13 formed. On an outer surface of the hollow cylinder two rings 14 are circumferentially formed in a short distance. These two rings 14 provide an additional adhesion surface for the plastic material 7 and support in axial tension and bending cycles a load transfer between the housing element 2 and the plastic material 7. Between the rings 14 at least one connecting web (not shown) is formed to the cable twisting the To ensure adhesion between plastic material 7 and housing element 2.

If a locking (not shown here) between plug and coupler via latching eyelets and locking lugs, the housing element 2 is preferably formed of reinforced, tempera ture- and weather-resistant polyamide or polypropylene. The housing element 2 can also be realized from a suitable thermosets, this is useful, for example, in a screw or bayonet lock.

The right in Rg. 1 sleeve end is provided with a Innenfase 10. This sleeve end abuts against the diameter step 12 of the housing element 2. The funnel-shaped recess 11 allows easy insertion of the right sleeve end until it rests against the diameter stage 12. The diameter of the diameter step 12 corresponds exactly to the diameter of the right sleeve end. This ensures that the penetration of plastic material during the encapsulation process into the housing element interior is avoided.

In a variant, the right sleeve end may also have a funnel-shaped extension (not shown here). In this case, the contact surface in the housing element 2 is not an exact fit. This variant will be explained in detail with reference to Rg. 2. The contact pin 4, which is crimped on the conductor 8, pushed (push-in) or welded, is surrounded in its connection area of the right half of the sleeve. It continues in the two cylindrical cavities of the voltage applied to the right sleeve end housing element 2 and extends beyond the right end of the housing member 2 also. At its right in Rg. 1 end, a protective cap 15 made of plastic, preferably with CYl ≥ 600, applied to the contact pin 4, which serves as a contact protection. It is manufactured as a solid plastic body, which has a diameter step whose outside diameter corresponds exactly to the inner diameter of the contact pin 4. With this diameter stage, the protective cap 15 is inserted into the right end of the contact pin 4.

Outwardly, the plastic material 7 is applied in Fig. 1. This covers the outer surface of the housing member 2, penetrates into a part of the funnel-shaped recess 11, which is not sealed by the voltage applied to the diameter step 12 right sleeve half, consequently also surrounds this right sleeve half, and extends almost to that in Fig. 1st In this case, the plastic material 7 also covers the shrink tubing 6 and the cable sheath 9 of a cable section which extends to the left of the shrink tube 6.

The circumferentially applied plastic material 7 closes in the area between the right end of the housing member 2 and the left sleeve end outward cylindrically, tapers from the left end of the sleeve and closes left in Fig. 1 again cylindrical, but therefore with a thinner layer of the plastic material. 7 The diameter of the right-hand cylindrical end of plastic material 7 in the region of the housing element 2 is greater than the diameter of the housing element 2 including the molded-on rings 14 with the at least one connecting web in order to ensure good tension / pressure relief and to protect against cable torsion.

As a weather and temperature-resistant plastic material 7 preferably polyurethanes or thermoplastic elastomers are used. In the choice of material, it is particularly important that the plastic material 7 with the shrink tube 6, the sleeve 5 and the housing member 2 connects tightly.

Fig. 2 shows a manufactured as a coupler 101 connector element. The coupler 101 comprises a plug housing element 102, a cable section 103 with a stripped cable end, a plug contact shaped as a contact sleeve 104, a sleeve 105, a shrink tubing 106 and is partially surrounded by a plastic material 107. At the stripped cable end of the cable section 103, a conductor 108 is exposed. With this conductor 108, the contact sleeve 104 is electrically conductively connected to the conductor 108 by crimping, welding or push-in of the connection region of the contact sleeve 104.

In the cable section 103 adjoining the stripped end, the conductor 108 is surrounded by a cable sheathing 109. This cable sheath 109 is made of a crosslinked copolymer. The crosslinking is caused by radiation crosslinking or chemical crosslinking. Preferably, the cable sheath 109 of weather-resistant, radiation crosslinked polyolefin or chemically, with the aid of the additive silane, crosslinked polyolefin.

In Fig. 2, a shrink tube 106 is inserted between the sleeve 105 and the cable sheath 109, wherein the shrink tube 106 starts at the stripped cable end and the cable sheath 109 of a portion of the right of the sleeve 105 continuing cable section 103 covers.

The shrink tube 106 is preferably made of crosslinked, temperature-resistant polyolefin. In order for the heat-shrinkable tube 106 to seal tightly with the cable sheath 109, a coating of the inner sheath of the heat-shrinkable tube 106 may be provided with an adhesive. As an adhesive, e.g. temperature-resistant ethylene-vinyl-acetate

Rubber used. However, temperature resistant polyamide adhesive can also be used.

In another variant, the shrink tube covers at least the crimping region of the sleeve 105 and a subsequent section of the cable (see description to Hg. 1). It should be noted that the adhesive also seals with the sleeve.

The right in Rg. 2 sleeve end is funnel-shaped. This facilitates the application of the sleeve 105 via the stripped cable end to the cable section 103. The sleeve 105 is pushed about halfway onto the part of the cable section 103 coated with the shrink tube 106 and surrounds the stripped cable end with the other half. In this position, the sleeve 105 is attached to the shrink tube 109 by crimping the half pushed onto the cable section 103. The resulting crimp profile (not shown) is impressed into the shrink tubing 106 without injuring it and the sleeve 105 thus seals with the shrink tubing 106. Consequently, the shrink tubing 106 seals between cable sheath 109 and sleeve 105. If the heat-shrinkable tube covers at least the crimping region of the sleeve 105 and a subsequent section of the cable, a hollow annular collar is formed in a right sleeve end with a funnel-shaped enlargement (see FIG. 1). In this case, it should be noted that the right sleeve end has no sharp edges, as with sharp sleeve edges, the tightness of the shrink tube is not guaranteed. This is also to be considered with a right sleeve end with inner bevel.

As material for the sleeve 105, a good cold-formable, crimp-capable, temperature-resistant metal or a metal alloy or another material with the properties mentioned is also used here. In the choice of material, as in the previous embodiment, it is primarily important that the material of the sleeve 105 with the plastic material 107 connects tightly. This tight connection is achieved for example by the use of a sleeve 105 made of copper or a copper alloy as a sleeve material. Preferably, a coated, e.g. tinned sleeve 105 used.

The housing element 102 is shaped as a hollow cylinder. At its right-hand end in FIG. 2, the housing element 102 has a cylindrical recess 111 which terminates with a diameter step 112. The diameter stage 112 is followed by a cylindrical cavity. On an outer surface of the hollow cylinder two rings 114 are formed circumferentially in a short distance. These two rings 114 provide an additional attachment surface for the

Plastic material 107 and support in axial tension and bending cycles a load transfer between the housing member 102 and the plastic material 107. Between the rings 14 at least one connecting web (not shown) is formed in order to ensure the adhesion between the plastic material 7 and the housing element 2 even with cable torsion ,

The housing element 102 is also formed in this embodiment preferably made of reinforced, temperature and weather-resistant polyamide or polypropylene. If a locking (not shown here) between plug and coupler does not take place via detent eyes and locking lugs, the housing member 102 may be realized with the molded-on lock of a suitable thermosets.

The left in Fig. 2 sleeve end has a funnel-shaped extension 110. This sleeve end abuts against a diameter step 112 of the housing element 102. In this embodiment, the diameter of the diameter step 112 corresponds to the diameter of the adjacent funnel end. However, if the diameter step 112 is formed as a clearance fit, this allows easier insertion of the left end of the sleeve until it reaches the end of the sleeve. level 112 is applied. The diameter of the diameter stage 112 in this case is greater than the diameter of the funnel.

In another variant, the left sleeve end has a rounding or inner bevel. In this case, the abutment surface of the housing member 102 is an accurate fit. This case has already been explained in more detail with reference to FIG. 1.

During the encapsulation process, the sleeve 105 is pressed with the hopper 110 to the diameter stage 112. This ensures that the penetration of plastic material into the interior of the housing element is avoided.

On the outer surface of the housing element 102, a diameter step 113 is formed, towards the left end in FIG. 2.

The contact sleeve 104, which is crimped, plugged (push-in) or welded onto the conductor 108, is surrounded in its connection region by the left sleeve half. It continues into the cylindrical cavity of the housing element 102 bearing against the left-hand end of the sleeve and extends up to the level of the diameter step 113 in the outer surface of the housing element 102.

Completing the outside, in Fig. 2, the plastic material 107 is applied. This covers the right in Fig. 2 part of the outer surface of the housing member 102 to the diameter stage 113 and penetrates into a part of the cylindrical recess 111, which is not sealed by the voltage applied to the diameter stage 112 left half sleeve. The plastic material 107 also surrounds the sleeve 105 and extends almost to the right in Fig. 2 end of the cable portion 103. In this case, the plastic material 107 also covers the shrink tubing 106 and the cable sheath 109 a cable portion which extends to the right of the shrink tubing 106.

The circumferentially applied plastic material 107 closes in the range from the diameter step 113 of the housing member 2 to the right sleeve end outward cylindrically, tapers from the right end of the sleeve and closes right in Fig. 2 again cylindrical, but therefore with a thinner layer of the plastic material 107. The diameter of the left cylindrical end of plastic material 107 in the region of the housing member 102 is greater than the diameter of the housing member 102 including the molded rings 114 with the at least one connecting web to ensure a good pull / pressure relief and protect against cable twist. As in the previous exemplary embodiment, polyurethanes or thermoplastic elastomers are preferably used as the weatherproof and temperature-resistant plastic material 107. When selecting the material, it is important, as already stated, above all that the plastic material 107 connects tightly to the heat-shrinkable tube 106, the sleeve 105 and the housing element 102.

In a production series of course, for each of the two connector elements, connectors and couplers, uniformly shaped sleeves are used and the shrink tube is in a uniform manner between or on sleeve and cable sheath on or applied. The housing elements for plug and coupler differ only at the ends, which must seal against each other.

In FIGS. 1 and 2, the plug engages around the coupler when the two connector elements are brought together to form a plug connection. For this purpose, the housing element 2 of the plug has an inner diameter step 13 and the housing element 102 of the coupler has an outer diameter step 113, wherein the outer diameter of the diameter step 13 exactly matches the inner diameter of the diameter step 113. If the two connector elements are brought together, the contact sleeve 104 and the contact pin 4 touch and are therefore in an electrically conductive connection.

Claims

claims

1) comprises connector element (1, 101)

a sleeve (5, 5) to be arranged around a cable with at least one cable sheathing (9, 109) and to be firmly connected to the outer sheath (9, 109) of the cable

105)

- A within the sleeve (5, 105) with at least one cable conductor (8, 108) to be electrically connected to the plug contact (4, 104), and

- A housing member (2, 102) which engages around the plug contact (4, 104) and on the sleeve (5, 105) is applied, wherein at least a part of the sleeve (5, 105) adjacent the housing element (2, 102), the sleeve (5, 105) itself and at least part of the cable leading away from the housing element (2, 102) or from the sleeve (5, 105) are surrounded by a plastic material (7, 107) and a heat-shrinkable tube (6, 106) is provided, which establishes a seal between the sleeve (5, 105) and the cable sheath (9, 109).

2) connector element (1, 101) according to claim 1, wherein at least the material pairings plastic material (7, 107) housing element (2, 102), plastic material (7, 107) sleeve (5,

105) and plastic material (7, 107) shrink tubing (6, 106) are selected so that the plastic material (7, 107) at least with the surrounding part of the housing member (2, 102), the sleeve (5, 105), or the shrink tube (6, 106) enters a tight connection.

3) connector element (1, 101) according to claim 2, wherein as a plastic material (7, 107) polyurethanes or thermoplastic elastomers are used.

4) connector element (1, 101) according to claim 3, wherein as a plastic material (7, 107) is preferably used polyolefin.

5) connector element (1, 101) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sleeve (5, 105) is made of a crimpable or crimpable metal.

6) connector element (1, 101) according to claim 2, wherein the sleeve (5, 105) is formed of copper or of a copper alloy. 7) connector element (1, 101) according to claim 6, wherein the sleeve (5, 105) is preferably tinned.

8) connector element (1, 101) according to claim 2, wherein the housing (2, 102) is formed of reinforced polyamide or polypropylene or of a thermosetting plastic.

9) connector element (1, 101) according to claim 2, wherein the shrink tube (6, 106) is preferably made of polyolefin.

10) connector element (1, 101) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the material pairings cable sheathing (9, 109) shrink tubing (6, 106) are selected so that the cable sheath (9, 109) and the shrink tube (6, 106). make a tight connection.

11) connector element (1, 101) according to claim 10, wherein the cable sheath (6, 106) is made of a crosslinked copolymer.

12) connector element (1, 101) according to claim 11, wherein the cable sheath (9, 109) is preferably made of radiation cross-linked polyolefin or chemically, with the aid of an additive such as silane, crosslinked polyolefin.

13) connector element (1, 101) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the material pairings heat shrink tubing (6, 106) sleeve (5, 105) are adapted to the shrink tubing (6, 106) and the sleeve (5, 105) make a tight connection.

14) connector element (1, 101) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sleeve (5, 105) has at least one funnel-shaped end and / or at least one end with a rounded or Innenfase (10, 110).

15) connector element (1, 101) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sleeve (5, 105) on the sheath (9, 109) of the cable to crimp or squeeze.

16) connector element (1, 101) according to claim 15, wherein a by crimping or squeezing of the sleeve (5, 105) incurred crimping profile or squeezing! prevents slippage of the cable in the applied plastic material (7, 107). 17) connector element (1, 101) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the shrink tubing (6, 106) between the cable sheath (9, 109) and the sleeve (5, 105) is to be attached.

18). Connector element (1, 101) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least the crimping region or the crimping region of the sleeve (5, 105) and of the sleeve (5, 105) and the housing element (2, 102) wegführender cable section of the heat shrink tubing (6, 106) are to be coated.

19) connector element (1, 101) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein an inner jacket of the shrink tube (6, 106) is afflicted with an adhesive.

20) connector element (1, 101) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the material pairings heat shrink tubing (6, 106) adhesive and adhesive cable sheathing (9, 109) are selected so that the adhesive with the shrink tubing (6, 106) and the cable sheath (9, 109) enters a tight connection.

21) connector element (1, 101) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing element (2, 102) on the plug contact (4, 104) can be locked.

22) connector element (1, 101) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing element (2, 102) has a stop surface for the sleeve (5, 105).

23) connector element (1, 101) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the abutment surface of the housing element (2, 102) as a diameter step (12, 112) is formed.

24) connector element (1, 101) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the stop surface of the housing member (2, 102) is formed as a fit.

25) connector element (1, 101) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sleeve (5, 105) during an encapsulation process to the abutment surface of the housing element (2, 102) is pressed.