EP2277239A1 - Electrical connector, mat sealing joint, housing and grid for such a connector - Google Patents

Electrical connector, mat sealing joint, housing and grid for such a connector

Info

Publication number
EP2277239A1
EP2277239A1 EP08807072A EP08807072A EP2277239A1 EP 2277239 A1 EP2277239 A1 EP 2277239A1 EP 08807072 A EP08807072 A EP 08807072A EP 08807072 A EP08807072 A EP 08807072A EP 2277239 A1 EP2277239 A1 EP 2277239A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
housing
grid
longitudinal direction
peripheral portion
sealing joint
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP08807072A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP2277239B1 (en
Inventor
Jean François MICHEL
Paulo De Matos
François LAVERTU
Christian Campfort
Thierry Leguay
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Delphi International Operations Luxembourg SARL
Original Assignee
FCI SA
Framatome Connectors International SAS
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by FCI SA, Framatome Connectors International SAS filed Critical FCI SA
Publication of EP2277239A1 publication Critical patent/EP2277239A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP2277239B1 publication Critical patent/EP2277239B1/en
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
    • H01R13/46—Bases; Cases
    • H01R13/52—Dustproof, splashproof, drip-proof, waterproof, or flameproof cases
    • H01R13/5205—Sealing means between cable and housing, e.g. grommet
    • H01R13/5208—Sealing means between cable and housing, e.g. grommet having at least two cable receiving openings
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
    • H01R13/46—Bases; Cases
    • H01R13/502—Bases; Cases composed of different pieces
    • H01R13/506—Bases; Cases composed of different pieces assembled by snap action of the parts

Definitions

  • the instant invention relates to electrical connectors and mat sealing joints, housings and grids for such connectors.
  • Electrical connectors are notably used for connecting an electrical apparatus to another, and can be found in any kind of electrical devices.
  • Such connectors may for example be of the type comprising an electrically insulative housing in which electrical wires having electrical terminals are inserted.
  • a given class of connectors therefore comprise a sealing joint disposed between a housing (front part of the connector) and a grid (back part of the connector) . Sealing is performed peripherally, by the sealing joint being compressed between the housing and the grid. Further, the sealing joint exerts sealing on each wire.
  • WO 2005/88,773 already describes an electrical connector comprising: a housing having a mating face to be mated with a complementary electrical connector, and a back face, the housing comprising a plurality of pathways extending between the mating face and the back face, each designed for receiving an electrical terminal, a grid comprising a plurality of pathways, and adapted to be mechanically connected to the housing, a mat sealing joint maintained between the housing and the grid, the mat sealing joint comprising a peripheral portion and a central body comprising a plurality of pathways each designed to seal a respective electrical wire extending through an aperture of the grid, a pathway of the mat sealing joint and a pathway of the housing along a longitudinal direction, wherein the housing and the grid each comprise a sealing portion, wherein the peripheral portion is compressed between the sealing portions of the housing and the grid so as to achieve sealing between the housing and the grid along a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction.
  • the peripheral sealing is performed "longitudinally", in that the seal is compressed between the housing and the grid mainly parallel to the longitudinal direction of the wires.
  • the instant invention has notably for object to provide such an improved connector.
  • an electrical connector comprising:
  • a housing having a mating face to be mated with a complementary electrical connector, and a back face, the housing comprising a plurality of pathways extending between the mating face and the back face, each for receiving an electrical terminal, a grid comprising a plurality of pathways, and adapted to be mechanically connected to the housing, a mat sealing joint pressed between the housing and the grid, the mat sealing joint comprising a peripheral portion and a central body comprising a plurality of pathways each designed to seal a respective electrical wire extending through a pathway of the mat sealing joint along a longitudinal direction, a pathway of the grid, and a pathway of the housing, wherein the housing and the grid each comprise a sealing portion, wherein the peripheral portion of the joint is compressed between the sealing portions of the housing and the grid so as to achieve sealing between the housing and the grid along a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction, wherein the peripheral portion and at least one of the housing and the grid further each comprise an abutting surface oriented transverse to the longitudinal direction, wherein the abutting
  • peripheral portion is secured, in particular during the insertion and/or the removal of the wires through the sealing joint.
  • the invention also relates to the individual housing, mat sealing joint, and grid, taken individually, of the electrical connector.
  • FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an electrical connector
  • Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the electrical connector of Fig. 1 along line II-II of Figure 1,
  • Fig. 3 is an enlarged view of a part of Fig. 2
  • Fig. 4 is a sectional view of the electrical connector of Fig. 1 along line IV-IV on Fig. 2
  • Fig. 5 is a perspective top view of a mat sealing joint
  • Fig. 6 is a schematic view of a step of an assembly process for the above connector.
  • Fig. 1 shows an electrical connector 1 to be connected to a mating a front grid 2.
  • An interfacial joint 3 of any suitable shape and material is interposed between the connectors 1 and a counterpart connector (not shown) for sealing this connection.
  • the electrical connector 1 comprises a housing 4, usually made of a dielectric material, comprising a front connection portion 5 and a back portion 6.
  • the connection portion comprises a plurality of pathways 7 (see in particular Fig. 2) extending along a longitudinal direction X between a front face 8, which engages a front grid 2, and a back face 9.
  • the pathways 7 are shaped to receive electrical members 13 which will be described in more details below.
  • the back portion 6 is somehow cylindrical of rectangular cross-section and comprises two opposite longitudinal walls 10 connected to one another by two opposite lateral walls 12.
  • the inner faces 10a, 12a of these walls surround a reception space for a joint.
  • the walls 10, 12 may further comprise locking features 11 such as through slots formed in the two longitudinal walls 10, for cooperation with complementary locking features 14 of a grid 15.
  • the sealing portion may further comprise guiding features 16 such as, for example, longitudinal grooves extending along the longitudinal direction in the lateral walls 12, for cooperation with complementary guiding features 17 of the grid 15 to be described in more details below.
  • the back portion 6 further comprises a lower edge 18 extending along the periphery of the back portion 6, above the back face 9, and facing upward. Alignment parts 41 project upwardly from the lower edge 18 at suitable locations of the housing (See Fig. 4) .
  • the back portion further comprises a sealing portion 19 located upward and laterally offset outwardly with respect to the lower edge 18.
  • the geometry and use of the sealing portion 19 will be described in more details below.
  • the connector 1 further comprises a mat sealing joint 20, or "grommet", which will now be described in more detail in relation to Figure 5.
  • a mat sealing joint is made of a material suitable for sealing the connector against water and/or dust such as, for example a deformable quasi-incompressible material such as some suitable silicones.
  • the mat sealing joint comprises a central portion 21 which comprises a plurality of pathways 22 extending along the longitudinal direction X, from an upper surface 22a to a lower surface 22b.
  • the thickness of the joint is about 4.8 mm, measured between the upper and lower surfaces 22a, 22b.
  • Each of the pathways corresponds to a pathway 7 of the housing, for receiving an electrical member 13 (not shown on Figure 5) .
  • the pathways 22 have an internal cross- sectional shape designed for sealing electrical wires attached to the electrical members 13, comprising for example two ribs 23 of reduced diameter and of suitable geometry.
  • the central portion 21 is mechanically connected to (integral with) an external portion 24 by way of a central peripheral rib 27 (Fig. 2) and flexible ribs 25 extending in recesses 26 of the joint.
  • the flexible ribs 25 extend, along the longitudinal direction, from the central rib 27 to the upper or lower surface of the joint and, in a transverse direction, from an internal face of the external portion to an external face of the central portion.
  • the external portion 24 defines a sensibly parallelepiped- shaped ring having an upper surface 24a and a lower surface 24b.
  • the ribs 25 are designed to allow a play between the central portion 21 and the external portion 24.
  • the upper surface 22a of the central portion project upward with respect to the upper surface 24a of the external portion 24.
  • the ribs 25 may extend sensibly upward from the upper surface 24a of the external portion to the upper surface 22a of the central portion 21.
  • the ribs may be angled (not orthogonal, for example by 20°-70°) with respect to the internal faces of these portions, so as to adjust the flexibility of the ribs.
  • the recesses 26 also enable to manufacture a mat sealing joint with less material and thus ultimately cheaper.
  • the external portion 24, the ribs 25 and 27, the recesses 26 and the central portion 21 together define the central body 28 of the joint (See Fig. 6) .
  • a peripheral portion 29 of the mat sealing joint extends from the central body 28 and, in particular in the present example, from the external portion 24, in the upper half of the mat sealing joint 20.
  • the peripheral portion 29 will be described in more details below.
  • the connector 1 further comprises a grid 15 which has been already partially- described above.
  • the grid 15 comprises a plurality of pathways 30; each one extends along the longitudinal direction X between an upper face 15a and a lower face 15b, and corresponds to a corresponding pathway 22 of the mat sealing joint 20 and a corresponding pathway 7 of the housing.
  • the grid 15 may further comprise guiding features 17 such as ribs complementary to the grooves 16 of the housing.
  • Alignment lances 35 project downwardly from the lower face 15b at suitable locations of the grid.
  • the grid 15 may further comprise locking features 14 such as elastic tongues complementary to the openings 11 of the housing and adapted to be deformed upon insertion of the grid in the housing, and to spring back into the openings 11 to lock the grid to the housing.
  • locking features 14 such as elastic tongues complementary to the openings 11 of the housing and adapted to be deformed upon insertion of the grid in the housing, and to spring back into the openings 11 to lock the grid to the housing.
  • the bottom portion of the grid further comprises a sealing portion 31 (See Fig. 2) projecting downward from the lower face 15b.
  • a sealing portion 31 See Fig. 2 projecting downward from the lower face 15b.
  • the connector 1 is shaped to receive electrical members 13 which are classically comprised of an electrical terminal member 32 connected to, for example by crimping, a wire 33. Only one such terminal is shown on Fig. 1.
  • the electrical terminal member 32 In the assembled state, the electrical terminal member 32 is located in a corresponding pathway 7 of the housing, while the wire 33 extends through the corresponding pathway 22 of the mat sealing joint 20 and through the corresponding pathway 30 of the grid, as shown in detail on Figure 2.
  • the longitudinal direction X referred to above and below is defined as the longitudinal direction of extension of the tubular wire 33 at least in the mat sealing joint 20, from the grid side to the housing side. The expressions upward, downward, upper, lower, transverse, etc...
  • the grid is mechanically connected to the housing by way of the cooperation of the locking features 14 of the grid and the locking features 11 of the housing.
  • the two locating lances 35 projecting from the bottom face of the grid, are introduced in corresponding recesses 26 of the mat sealing joint, however without applying much transverse compression to the material of the mat sealing joint.
  • the locating lances 35 may, as shown, not be facing the alignment lances 41 of the housing.
  • a play along the longitudinal direction between the grid and the mat sealing joint 20 is defined by a gap 42 between the lower face 15b of the grid and the upper face 22a of the joint.
  • the peripheral portion 29 of the mat sealing joint has a T-shaped cross-section.
  • the T comprises a foot 36 extending in a plane transverse to the longitudinal direction and a head 37 extending along the longitudinal direction.
  • the foot 36 has upper 36a and lower 36b surfaces normal to the longitudinal direction.
  • the head 37 of the T comprises an external surface 37a facing toward the internal face of the housing, and two opposite inwardly-facing abutting faces 37b, 37c.
  • the housing comprises a sealing portion 19 which has a surface normal to the longitudinal direction and facing upward, facing the lower surface 36b of the foot 36.
  • the housing further comprises a lateral abutting surface 38 facing the abutting face 37b of the joint.
  • the grid comprises a sealing portion 31 which has a surface normal to the longitudinal direction and facing downward, facing the upper surface 36a of the foot 36.
  • the grid further comprises a lateral abutting surface 39 facing the abutting face 38c of the joint.
  • the mat sealing joint is pressed between the housing and the grid. More specifically, the foot 36 of the T is pressed between the sealing portion 19 of the housing and the sealing portion 31 of the grid all along the periphery of the joint.
  • the pressing surfaces of these sealing portions 19, 31 compress the foot 36 sensibly along a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction (so- called “longitudinal peripheral sealing") , so as to achieve the desired degree of sealing.
  • the degree of compression of the foot 36 is at least 20%, preferably at least 25%.
  • No transverse sealing compression is performed by the housing on the external surface 37a of the joint.
  • the terms “compression” or “sealing compression” are used here to designate a compression of the material sufficient to achieve the sealing requirements. The mere fact that a face of the joint is in contact with a face of the housing, insufficiently to attain the sealing requirements, is not considered as “compression".
  • the central portion is allowed a certain degree of freedom, without adversely affecting the peripheral sealing, thanks to the above described recesses 26 and gaps 34, 42.
  • the plays respectively between the housing and the mat sealing joint or the mat sealing joint and the grid also allow a certain degree of freedom, but the alignment lances 41 and 35 of the housing and the grid participate to maintain the mat sealing joint in place during insertion. If, however, the insertion effort is so intense so as to tend to cause a transverse movement inward of the peripheral portion, the abutting surfaces 37b and 37c will abut on the abutting surfaces 38, 39, respectively, of the housing and grid, so as to maintain the peripheral sealing portion of the joint in place. The same applies to electrical members extraction efforts and bending efforts.
  • the recesses 26 in the mat sealing joint, and the gaps 34, 42 between the mat sealing joint and the housing or the grid allow the mat sealing joint to expand more than the housing and the grid without deforming them.
  • FIG. 6 an example of a connector assembly method is described.
  • the grid 15 is placed upside-down on a conveyor belt AO, which moves it to a number of stations.
  • the mat sealing joint 20 (schematically shown with a single pathway) is placed onto the grid 15, as shown on Figure 6.
  • the mat sealing joint is placed accurately thanks to the cooperation of the locating lances 35 of the grid (Fig. 4) with the corresponding recesses 36 of the joint and/or the illustrated complementary shapes of the sealing portion 31 of the grid and the grid-facing half of the T-profile of the joint.
  • the housing is moved along the longitudinal direction to the grid until it is locked to the grid as explained above, in a state where peripheral sealing is achieved. There is no forceful insertion of the housing on the grommet, since there is no transverse (or radial) sealing. In this state, the correct alignment of the pathways of the grid, the joint and the housing is guaranteed, since there is no transverse (or radial) sealing which might cause a mis-alignment of the pathways of the relative components of the connector.

Landscapes

  • Connector Housings Or Holding Contact Members (AREA)

Abstract

The electrical connector comprises: a housing (4) having a plurality of pathways receiving electrical terminals (13), a grid (15) mechanically connected to the housing, a mat sealing joint (20) pressed between the housing and the grid. The peripheral portion (29) of the joint is compressed between sealing portions (19, 31) of the housing and the grid along a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction. The peripheral portion and the housing or the grid further each comprise an abutting surface (37b, 37c, 38, 39) oriented transverse to the longitudinal direction.

Description

ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR, MAT SEALING JOINT, HOUSING AND GRID
FOR SUCH A CONNECTOR.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The instant invention relates to electrical connectors and mat sealing joints, housings and grids for such connectors.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Electrical connectors are notably used for connecting an electrical apparatus to another, and can be found in any kind of electrical devices. Such connectors may for example be of the type comprising an electrically insulative housing in which electrical wires having electrical terminals are inserted.
Since it is undesirable that foreign bodies, such as dust and liquids, penetrate the inside of the connectors, it is preferable to seal the connectors against such foreign bodies. A given class of connectors therefore comprise a sealing joint disposed between a housing (front part of the connector) and a grid (back part of the connector) . Sealing is performed peripherally, by the sealing joint being compressed between the housing and the grid. Further, the sealing joint exerts sealing on each wire.
WO 2005/88,773 already describes an electrical connector comprising: a housing having a mating face to be mated with a complementary electrical connector, and a back face, the housing comprising a plurality of pathways extending between the mating face and the back face, each designed for receiving an electrical terminal, a grid comprising a plurality of pathways, and adapted to be mechanically connected to the housing, a mat sealing joint maintained between the housing and the grid, the mat sealing joint comprising a peripheral portion and a central body comprising a plurality of pathways each designed to seal a respective electrical wire extending through an aperture of the grid, a pathway of the mat sealing joint and a pathway of the housing along a longitudinal direction, wherein the housing and the grid each comprise a sealing portion, wherein the peripheral portion is compressed between the sealing portions of the housing and the grid so as to achieve sealing between the housing and the grid along a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction.
In such a connector, the peripheral sealing is performed "longitudinally", in that the seal is compressed between the housing and the grid mainly parallel to the longitudinal direction of the wires. This differs from other types of electrical connectors, in which the peripheral sealing is performed "transversely", i.e. the seal is compressed between the housing and the grid mainly transverse to the longitudinal direction of the wires.
An electrical connector such as described above has proven satisfactory up to now. Yet, there is a constant need to improve the sealing efficiency of the electrical connectors, for at least one of the following reasons: to cope with ever more aggressive operating conditions, and/or to enable suitable miniaturisation.
The instant invention has notably for object to provide such an improved connector.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
To this aim, the invention provides an electrical connector comprising:
- a housing having a mating face to be mated with a complementary electrical connector, and a back face, the housing comprising a plurality of pathways extending between the mating face and the back face, each for receiving an electrical terminal, a grid comprising a plurality of pathways, and adapted to be mechanically connected to the housing, a mat sealing joint pressed between the housing and the grid, the mat sealing joint comprising a peripheral portion and a central body comprising a plurality of pathways each designed to seal a respective electrical wire extending through a pathway of the mat sealing joint along a longitudinal direction, a pathway of the grid, and a pathway of the housing, wherein the housing and the grid each comprise a sealing portion, wherein the peripheral portion of the joint is compressed between the sealing portions of the housing and the grid so as to achieve sealing between the housing and the grid along a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction, wherein the peripheral portion and at least one of the housing and the grid further each comprise an abutting surface oriented transverse to the longitudinal direction, wherein the abutting surfaces abut on one another to prevent a movement of the peripheral portion relative to said one of the housing and the grid transverse to the longitudinal direction.
With these features, the peripheral portion is secured, in particular during the insertion and/or the removal of the wires through the sealing joint.
In some embodiments, one might also use one or more of the features defined in the dependent claims.
The invention also relates to the individual housing, mat sealing joint, and grid, taken individually, of the electrical connector.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will readily appear from the following description of one of its embodiments, provided as a non- limitative example, and of the accompanying drawings. On the drawings :
- Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an electrical connector,
Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the electrical connector of Fig. 1 along line II-II of Figure 1,
- Fig. 3 is an enlarged view of a part of Fig. 2, Fig. 4 is a sectional view of the electrical connector of Fig. 1 along line IV-IV on Fig. 2,
Fig. 5 is a perspective top view of a mat sealing joint, and
Fig. 6 is a schematic view of a step of an assembly process for the above connector.
On the different Figures, the same reference signs designate like or similar elements.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Fig. 1 shows an electrical connector 1 to be connected to a mating a front grid 2. An interfacial joint 3 of any suitable shape and material is interposed between the connectors 1 and a counterpart connector (not shown) for sealing this connection.
The electrical connector 1 comprises a housing 4, usually made of a dielectric material, comprising a front connection portion 5 and a back portion 6. The connection portion comprises a plurality of pathways 7 (see in particular Fig. 2) extending along a longitudinal direction X between a front face 8, which engages a front grid 2, and a back face 9. The pathways 7 are shaped to receive electrical members 13 which will be described in more details below.
The back portion 6 is somehow cylindrical of rectangular cross-section and comprises two opposite longitudinal walls 10 connected to one another by two opposite lateral walls 12. The inner faces 10a, 12a of these walls surround a reception space for a joint. The walls 10, 12 may further comprise locking features 11 such as through slots formed in the two longitudinal walls 10, for cooperation with complementary locking features 14 of a grid 15. The sealing portion may further comprise guiding features 16 such as, for example, longitudinal grooves extending along the longitudinal direction in the lateral walls 12, for cooperation with complementary guiding features 17 of the grid 15 to be described in more details below.
The back portion 6 further comprises a lower edge 18 extending along the periphery of the back portion 6, above the back face 9, and facing upward. Alignment parts 41 project upwardly from the lower edge 18 at suitable locations of the housing (See Fig. 4) .
The back portion further comprises a sealing portion 19 located upward and laterally offset outwardly with respect to the lower edge 18. The geometry and use of the sealing portion 19 will be described in more details below.
The connector 1 further comprises a mat sealing joint 20, or "grommet", which will now be described in more detail in relation to Figure 5. Such a mat sealing joint is made of a material suitable for sealing the connector against water and/or dust such as, for example a deformable quasi-incompressible material such as some suitable silicones.
The mat sealing joint comprises a central portion 21 which comprises a plurality of pathways 22 extending along the longitudinal direction X, from an upper surface 22a to a lower surface 22b. For example, the thickness of the joint is about 4.8 mm, measured between the upper and lower surfaces 22a, 22b. Each of the pathways corresponds to a pathway 7 of the housing, for receiving an electrical member 13 (not shown on Figure 5) . As it is visible for example on Fig. 2, the pathways 22 have an internal cross- sectional shape designed for sealing electrical wires attached to the electrical members 13, comprising for example two ribs 23 of reduced diameter and of suitable geometry.
The central portion 21 is mechanically connected to (integral with) an external portion 24 by way of a central peripheral rib 27 (Fig. 2) and flexible ribs 25 extending in recesses 26 of the joint. The flexible ribs 25 extend, along the longitudinal direction, from the central rib 27 to the upper or lower surface of the joint and, in a transverse direction, from an internal face of the external portion to an external face of the central portion. The external portion 24 defines a sensibly parallelepiped- shaped ring having an upper surface 24a and a lower surface 24b. The ribs 25 are designed to allow a play between the central portion 21 and the external portion 24. It should be noted that, in the described embodiment, the upper surface 22a of the central portion project upward with respect to the upper surface 24a of the external portion 24. Hence, the ribs 25 may extend sensibly upward from the upper surface 24a of the external portion to the upper surface 22a of the central portion 21. Further, the ribs may be angled (not orthogonal, for example by 20°-70°) with respect to the internal faces of these portions, so as to adjust the flexibility of the ribs. The recesses 26 also enable to manufacture a mat sealing joint with less material and thus ultimately cheaper.
The external portion 24, the ribs 25 and 27, the recesses 26 and the central portion 21 together define the central body 28 of the joint (See Fig. 6) .
A peripheral portion 29 of the mat sealing joint extends from the central body 28 and, in particular in the present example, from the external portion 24, in the upper half of the mat sealing joint 20. The peripheral portion 29 will be described in more details below. Referring back to Fig. 1, the connector 1 further comprises a grid 15 which has been already partially- described above. The grid 15 comprises a plurality of pathways 30; each one extends along the longitudinal direction X between an upper face 15a and a lower face 15b, and corresponds to a corresponding pathway 22 of the mat sealing joint 20 and a corresponding pathway 7 of the housing.
The grid 15 may further comprise guiding features 17 such as ribs complementary to the grooves 16 of the housing.
Alignment lances 35 project downwardly from the lower face 15b at suitable locations of the grid.
The grid 15 may further comprise locking features 14 such as elastic tongues complementary to the openings 11 of the housing and adapted to be deformed upon insertion of the grid in the housing, and to spring back into the openings 11 to lock the grid to the housing.
The bottom portion of the grid further comprises a sealing portion 31 (See Fig. 2) projecting downward from the lower face 15b. The geometry and use of the sealing portion 31 will be described in more details below.
The connector 1 is shaped to receive electrical members 13 which are classically comprised of an electrical terminal member 32 connected to, for example by crimping, a wire 33. Only one such terminal is shown on Fig. 1. In the assembled state, the electrical terminal member 32 is located in a corresponding pathway 7 of the housing, while the wire 33 extends through the corresponding pathway 22 of the mat sealing joint 20 and through the corresponding pathway 30 of the grid, as shown in detail on Figure 2. The longitudinal direction X referred to above and below is defined as the longitudinal direction of extension of the tubular wire 33 at least in the mat sealing joint 20, from the grid side to the housing side. The expressions upward, downward, upper, lower, transverse, etc... are defined with respect to this longitudinal direction X, unless it is obvious from the description that these terms locally have another meaning. On the right side of Figure 2, where the electrical member 13 is shown introduced into the connector 1, the sealing ribs 23 are compressed onto the external surface of the wire 33 so as to achieve efficient sealing of the wire.
In the assembled state of the connector 1, as shown in particular on Figure 2, the lower face 22b of the central body of the mat sealing joint 20 rests on the lower edge 18 of the housing. As is visible on Figure 4, two alignment lances 41 of the housing are introduced in corresponding recesses 26 of the mat sealing joint, however without applying much transverse compression (in particular no transverse compression usable to attain the sealing requirements), to the material of the mat sealing joint. Transverse compression is compression exerted in a plane transverse to the longitudinal direction X. A play along the longitudinal direction between the connection portion 5 of the housing and the mat sealing joint 20 is defined by a gap 34 between the upper face 9 of the connection portion 5 of the housing and the lower face 22b of the joint.
With this localisation, no sealing transverse compression is exerted on the mat sealing joint by the internal faces 10a, 12a of the housing, but a mere contact may exist here or there.
The grid is mechanically connected to the housing by way of the cooperation of the locking features 14 of the grid and the locking features 11 of the housing. As is visible on Figure 4, the two locating lances 35, projecting from the bottom face of the grid, are introduced in corresponding recesses 26 of the mat sealing joint, however without applying much transverse compression to the material of the mat sealing joint. The locating lances 35 may, as shown, not be facing the alignment lances 41 of the housing. A play along the longitudinal direction between the grid and the mat sealing joint 20 is defined by a gap 42 between the lower face 15b of the grid and the upper face 22a of the joint.
The sealing between the grid 15 and the housing 4 is performed peripherally as detailed below in relation to Figure 3.
The peripheral portion 29 of the mat sealing joint has a T-shaped cross-section. The T comprises a foot 36 extending in a plane transverse to the longitudinal direction and a head 37 extending along the longitudinal direction. The foot 36 has upper 36a and lower 36b surfaces normal to the longitudinal direction.
The head 37 of the T comprises an external surface 37a facing toward the internal face of the housing, and two opposite inwardly-facing abutting faces 37b, 37c.
Locally, the housing comprises a sealing portion 19 which has a surface normal to the longitudinal direction and facing upward, facing the lower surface 36b of the foot 36. The housing further comprises a lateral abutting surface 38 facing the abutting face 37b of the joint.
Locally, the grid comprises a sealing portion 31 which has a surface normal to the longitudinal direction and facing downward, facing the upper surface 36a of the foot 36. The grid further comprises a lateral abutting surface 39 facing the abutting face 38c of the joint.
When the grid is mechanically connected to the housing, the mat sealing joint is pressed between the housing and the grid. More specifically, the foot 36 of the T is pressed between the sealing portion 19 of the housing and the sealing portion 31 of the grid all along the periphery of the joint. The pressing surfaces of these sealing portions 19, 31 compress the foot 36 sensibly along a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction (so- called "longitudinal peripheral sealing") , so as to achieve the desired degree of sealing. For example, the degree of compression of the foot 36 is at least 20%, preferably at least 25%. No transverse sealing compression is performed by the housing on the external surface 37a of the joint. Indeed, the terms "compression" or "sealing compression" are used here to designate a compression of the material sufficient to achieve the sealing requirements. The mere fact that a face of the joint is in contact with a face of the housing, insufficiently to attain the sealing requirements, is not considered as "compression".
When an electrical member 13 is inserted into the assembled connector 1 along the longitudinal direction, the central portion is allowed a certain degree of freedom, without adversely affecting the peripheral sealing, thanks to the above described recesses 26 and gaps 34, 42. The plays respectively between the housing and the mat sealing joint or the mat sealing joint and the grid also allow a certain degree of freedom, but the alignment lances 41 and 35 of the housing and the grid participate to maintain the mat sealing joint in place during insertion. If, however, the insertion effort is so intense so as to tend to cause a transverse movement inward of the peripheral portion, the abutting surfaces 37b and 37c will abut on the abutting surfaces 38, 39, respectively, of the housing and grid, so as to maintain the peripheral sealing portion of the joint in place. The same applies to electrical members extraction efforts and bending efforts.
When submitted to thermal tests (for example heating at 175 0C for 240 hours), the recesses 26 in the mat sealing joint, and the gaps 34, 42 between the mat sealing joint and the housing or the grid, allow the mat sealing joint to expand more than the housing and the grid without deforming them.
On Figure 6, an example of a connector assembly method is described. The grid 15 is placed upside-down on a conveyor belt AO, which moves it to a number of stations. At a station, the mat sealing joint 20 (schematically shown with a single pathway) is placed onto the grid 15, as shown on Figure 6. The mat sealing joint is placed accurately thanks to the cooperation of the locating lances 35 of the grid (Fig. 4) with the corresponding recesses 36 of the joint and/or the illustrated complementary shapes of the sealing portion 31 of the grid and the grid-facing half of the T-profile of the joint.
At another station (not shown) , the housing is moved along the longitudinal direction to the grid until it is locked to the grid as explained above, in a state where peripheral sealing is achieved. There is no forceful insertion of the housing on the grommet, since there is no transverse (or radial) sealing. In this state, the correct alignment of the pathways of the grid, the joint and the housing is guaranteed, since there is no transverse (or radial) sealing which might cause a mis-alignment of the pathways of the relative components of the connector.

Claims

1. Electrical connector comprising: a housing (4) having a mating face (8) to be mated with a complementary electrical connector, and a back face (9), the housing comprising a plurality of pathways
(7) extending between the mating face and the back face, each designed for receiving an electrical terminal, a grid (15) comprising a plurality of pathways (30) , and adapted to be mechanically connected to the housing,
- a mat sealing joint (20) maintained between the housing and the grid, the mat sealing joint comprising a peripheral portion (29) and a central body (28) comprising a plurality of pathways (22) each designed to seal a respective electrical wire extending through a pathway of the mat sealing joint along a longitudinal direction (X) , a pathway of the grid, and a pathway of the housing, wherein the housing and the grid each comprise a sealing portion (19, 31) , wherein the peripheral portion (29) of the joint is compressed between the sealing portions of the housing and the grid so as to achieve sealing between the housing and the grid along a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction (X) , wherein the peripheral portion (29) and at least one of the housing and the grid further each comprise an abutting surface (37b, 37c, 38, 39) oriented transverse to the longitudinal direction (X) , wherein the abutting surfaces abut on one another to prevent a movement of the peripheral portion relative to said one of the housing and the grid transverse to the longitudinal direction.
2. Electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein both the housing and the grid comprise an abutting surface (37b, 37c, 38, 39) oriented transverse to the longitudinal direction, wherein the abutting surfaces of the peripheral portion abut on the abutting surfaces of the grid (15) and of the housing to prevent a movement of the peripheral portion (29) relative to both the housing and the grid transverse to the longitudinal direction.
3. Electrical connector according to claim 1 or 2 wherein, before compressing the mat sealing joint between the housing and the grid, the grid (15) and the peripheral portion (29) are shaped to cooperate by shape engagement.
4. Electrical connector according to any preceding claim, wherein the central body (28) comprises a central portion (21) through which the pathways extend, and an external portion (24) to which the peripheral portion of the mat sealing joint is connected, and wherein the central body has at least one recess (26) between the central portion (21) and the external portion (24).
5. Electrical connector comprising: a housing (4) having a mating face to be mated with a complementary electrical connector, and a back face, the housing comprising a plurality of pathways extending between the mating face and the back face, each designed for receiving an electrical terminal, a grid (15) comprising a plurality of pathways, and adapted to be mechanically connected to the housing,
- a mat sealing joint (20) maintained between the housing and the grid, the mat sealing joint comprising a peripheral portion (29) and a central body (28), the central body comprising:
- a central portion (21) through which a plurality of pathways (22) extend, each pathway being designed to seal a respective electrical wire extending through a pathway of the grid, a pathway of the mat sealing joint along a longitudinal direction (X) and a pathway of the housing, an external portion (24) to which the peripheral portion (29) of the mat sealing joint is connected, at least one recess (26) between the central portion and the external portion, wherein the housing and the grid each comprise a sealing portion (19, 31) , wherein the peripheral portion (29) is compressed between the sealing portions (19, 31) of the housing and the grid so as to achieve sealing between the housing and the grid along a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction (X) , wherein the peripheral portion and at least one of the housing and the grid further each comprise an abutting surface (37b, 37c, 38, 39) oriented transverse to the longitudinal direction, wherein the abutting surfaces abut on one another to prevent a movement of the peripheral portion relative to said one of the housing and the grid transverse to the longitudinal direction. β. Electrical connector according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the mat sealing joint has an external face (22a, 22b) facing at least one of the grid and the housing, wherein the recess (26) extends from the external face along the longitudinal direction (X) , and wherein said at least one of the grid and the housing comprises an alignment member (35, 41) inserted in the recess.
7. Electrical connector according to claim 6, wherein the mat sealing joint has external faces (22a, 22b) facing both the grid and the housing, recesses extending from the respective external faces along the longitudinal direction, and wherein both the grid and the housing comprise an alignment member (35, 41) inserted in a respective recess.
8. Electrical connector comprising: a housing (4) having a mating face to be mated with a complementary electrical connector, and a back face, the housing comprising a plurality of pathways extending between the mating face and the back face, each designed for receiving an electrical terminal, a grid (15) comprising a plurality of pathways, and adapted to be mechanically connected to the housing, a mat sealing joint (20) having external faces facing both the housing and the grid, the mat sealing joint being maintained between the housing and the grid, the mat sealing joint comprising a peripheral portion (29) and a central body (28), the central body comprising: a central portion (21) through which a plurality of pathways extend, each pathway being designed to seal a respective electrical wire extending through a pathway of the grid, a pathway of the mat sealing joint along a longitudinal direction (X) and a pathway of the housing, an external portion (24) to which the peripheral portion (29) of the mat sealing joint is connected, recesses (26) located between the central portion and the external portion and extending from the respective external faces along the longitudinal direction, wherein the housing and the grid each comprise a sealing portion (19, 31), wherein the peripheral portion (29) is compressed between the sealing portions (19, 31) of the housing and the grid so as to achieve sealing between the housing and the grid along a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction (X) , wherein both the grid and the housing comprise an alignment member (35, 41) inserted in a respective recess (26), wherein the peripheral portion and both the housing and the grid further each comprise an abutting surface (37b, 37c, 38, 39) oriented transverse to the longitudinal direction, wherein the abutting surfaces abut on one another to prevent a movement of the peripheral portion relative to both the housing and the grid transverse to the longitudinal direction.
9. Electrical connector according to any of claims 4 to 8, wherein the central portion (21) is connected to the external portion (24) by a plurality of flexible organs (25).
10. Electrical connector according to any preceding claim, wherein the mat sealing joint (20) has a grid-facing half and a housing-facing half, and wherein the peripheral portion (29) extends from the grid-facing half.
11. Electrical connector according to any preceding claim, wherein the peripheral portion (29) has a cross- section shaped as a T, said T comprising a foot (36) and a head (37), the foot extending in a plane transverse to the longitudinal direction (X) , and the head extending along the longitudinal direction (X) , wherein the foot is compressed between the sealing portions (19, 31) of the housing and of the grid.
12. A mat sealing joint for an electrical connector according to any of the preceding claims, comprising a peripheral portion (29) and a central body (28) comprising a plurality of pathways (22) each designed to seal a respective electrical wire extending through a pathway along a longitudinal direction (X) , wherein the peripheral portion (29) is adapted to be compressed between sealing portions (19, 31) of a housing and a grid so as to achieve sealing between the housing and the grid along a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction (X) , wherein the peripheral portion further comprises an abutting surface (37b, 37c) oriented transverse to the longitudinal direction (X) , and adapted to abut on a corresponding abutting surface of at least one of the housing and the grid to prevent a movement of the peripheral portion relative to said one of the housing and the grid transverse to the longitudinal direction.
13. A mat sealing joint according to claim 12, wherein the central body (28) comprises a central portion
(21) through which extend the pathways (22), and an external portion (24) to which the peripheral portion (29) of the mat sealing joint is connected, and wherein the central body has at least one recess (26) between the central portion (21) and the external portion (24) .
14. A housing for an electrical connector according to any of claims 1 to 11, the housing having a mating face (8) to be mated with a complementary electrical connector, and a back face (9), the housing comprising a plurality of pathways (7) extending between the mating face and the back face, each for receiving an electrical terminal extending along a longitudinal direction (X) , the housing being adapted to be mechanically connected to a grid comprising a plurality of pathways, so as to compress a mat sealing joint between the housing and the grid, the housing comprising a sealing portion (19) adapted, together with a sealing portion of the grid, to press a peripheral portion of the mat sealing joint so as to achieve sealing between the housing and the grid along a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction (X) , the housing further comprising an abutting surface (38) oriented transverse to the longitudinal direction (X) , and adapted to abut on an abutting surface of the mat sealing joint to prevent a movement of the peripheral portion relative to the housing transverse to the longitudinal direction.
15. A grid for an electrical connector according to any of claims 1 to 11, comprising a plurality of pathways (30) for receiving therethrough wires extending along a longitudinal direction (X) , and adapted to be mechanically connected to a housing, so as to compress a mat sealing joint between the housing and the grid, the grid comprising a sealing portion (31) adapted, together with a sealing portion of the housing, to press a peripheral portion of the mat sealing joint so as to achieve sealing between the housing and the grid along a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction, the grid further comprising an abutting surface
(39) oriented transverse to the longitudinal direction, and adapted to abut on an abutting surface of the mat sealing joint to prevent a movement of the peripheral portion relative to the grid transverse to the longitudinal direction.
16. A housing according to claim 14 or a grid according to claim 15, further comprising an alignment member (35, 41) adapted to inserted in a recess of the mat sealing joint located between the pathways and the peripheral portion.
EP08807072.7A 2008-05-07 2008-05-07 Electrical connector, mat sealing joint, housing and grid for such a connector Active EP2277239B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/IB2008/002386 WO2009136221A1 (en) 2008-05-07 2008-05-07 Electrical connector, mat sealing joint, housing and grid for such a connector

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2277239A1 true EP2277239A1 (en) 2011-01-26
EP2277239B1 EP2277239B1 (en) 2018-04-18

Family

ID=40039819

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP08807072.7A Active EP2277239B1 (en) 2008-05-07 2008-05-07 Electrical connector, mat sealing joint, housing and grid for such a connector

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (1) EP2277239B1 (en)
CN (1) CN102057538B (en)
WO (1) WO2009136221A1 (en)

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2011064628A1 (en) * 2009-11-30 2011-06-03 Fci Automotive Holding Seal, system and connector assembly comprising such a seal, methods of assembly and of manufacture

Family Cites Families (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPH01146478U (en) * 1988-03-31 1989-10-09
JP2921641B2 (en) * 1994-05-23 1999-07-19 矢崎総業株式会社 Waterproof connector
EP1010215B1 (en) * 1997-02-19 2002-04-24 The Whitaker Corporation Electrical connector with a family seal
DE10045706B4 (en) * 1999-09-16 2004-08-19 Yazaki Corp. Waterproof connector, sealing member and method of assembling the waterproof connector
JP2005317385A (en) * 2004-04-28 2005-11-10 Tyco Electronics Amp Kk Waterproof connector and sealing member therefor
WO2006108442A1 (en) * 2005-04-11 2006-10-19 Fci Improved grommet-type joint for electrical connector, and electrical connector comprising such a joint

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See references of WO2009136221A1 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CN102057538B (en) 2013-07-24
CN102057538A (en) 2011-05-11
EP2277239B1 (en) 2018-04-18
WO2009136221A1 (en) 2009-11-12

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US8454388B2 (en) Micro-USB connector
CN100511849C (en) Board-to-board electrical connector assembly
US8267698B2 (en) Connector unit with a clicking feeling
EP1891664B1 (en) Electrical connector with load bearing features
US7946888B2 (en) Electrical connector with improved contacts
KR100607003B1 (en) Low profile electrical connectors
EP1562262B1 (en) A connector and a method of mounting it to an electric device
EP2522054B1 (en) Seal, system and connector assembly comprising such a seal, methods of assembly and of manufacture
US20120184144A1 (en) Joint connector and busbar
WO2006102452A1 (en) Board to board connector
CN105591220A (en) Printed Circuit Board Terminal
JPH1126108A (en) Movable connector
WO2018215891A1 (en) Electrical connector
CN105932473A (en) Fitting Structure Of Connector
WO2014047547A1 (en) Floating low profile modular electrical connector system
EP2277239B1 (en) Electrical connector, mat sealing joint, housing and grid for such a connector
US6220892B1 (en) Low profile electrical connectors for microphones
US6176731B1 (en) Electrical connector housing with cavity and terminal fitting with insulation displacement contact blades and method of attaching a wire thereto
KR101931094B1 (en) Direct plug-in element with integrated locking mechanism
CN110858686B (en) Contact assembly
JPH0896880A (en) Electrical connector structure
US20250038440A1 (en) Electrical connector for circuit boards
US20250038451A1 (en) Electrical connector for circuit boards
JP7772309B2 (en) Conductive contact with perimeter seal
JP7068512B2 (en) Contacts for direct plug connectors and direct plug connectors

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20101207

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MT NL NO PL PT RO SE SI SK TR

AX Request for extension of the european patent

Extension state: AL BA MK RS

RAP1 Party data changed (applicant data changed or rights of an application transferred)

Owner name: FCI AUTOMOTIVE HOLDING

DAX Request for extension of the european patent (deleted)
17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 20120830

RAP1 Party data changed (applicant data changed or rights of an application transferred)

Owner name: DELPHI INTERNATIONAL OPERATIONS LUXEMBOURG S.A R.L

GRAP Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1

INTG Intention to grant announced

Effective date: 20171122

GRAS Grant fee paid

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MT NL NO PL PT RO SE SI SK TR

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: FG4D

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: EP

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: AT

Ref legal event code: REF

Ref document number: 991416

Country of ref document: AT

Kind code of ref document: T

Effective date: 20180515

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: FG4D

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R096

Ref document number: 602008054919

Country of ref document: DE

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: PLFP

Year of fee payment: 11

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: NL

Ref legal event code: MP

Effective date: 20180418

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: LT

Ref legal event code: MG4D

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: NL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20180418

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: ES

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20180418

Ref country code: SE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20180418

Ref country code: FI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20180418

Ref country code: BG

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20180718

Ref country code: NO

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20180718

Ref country code: PL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20180418

Ref country code: LT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20180418

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20180719

Ref country code: HR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20180418

Ref country code: LV

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20180418

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R081

Ref document number: 602008054919

Country of ref document: DE

Owner name: APTIV TECHNOLOGIES LIMITED, BB

Free format text: FORMER OWNER: DELPHI INTERNATIONAL OPERATIONS LUXEMBOURG S.A R.L., BASCHARAGE, LU

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: PL

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: AT

Ref legal event code: MK05

Ref document number: 991416

Country of ref document: AT

Kind code of ref document: T

Effective date: 20180418

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: PT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20180820

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: 732E

Free format text: REGISTERED BETWEEN 20181213 AND 20181219

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R097

Ref document number: 602008054919

Country of ref document: DE

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: BE

Ref legal event code: MM

Effective date: 20180531

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: CZ

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20180418

Ref country code: AT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20180418

Ref country code: RO

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20180418

Ref country code: EE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20180418

Ref country code: DK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20180418

Ref country code: SK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20180418

Ref country code: MC

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20180418

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: MM4A

PLBE No opposition filed within time limit

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: LI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20180531

Ref country code: IT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20180418

Ref country code: CH

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20180531

26N No opposition filed

Effective date: 20190121

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: LU

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20180507

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20180507

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: BE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20180531

Ref country code: SI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20180418

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: MT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20180507

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: TR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20180418

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: HU

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT; INVALID AB INITIO

Effective date: 20080507

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: CY

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20180418

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IS

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20180818

P01 Opt-out of the competence of the unified patent court (upc) registered

Effective date: 20230425

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R081

Ref document number: 602008054919

Country of ref document: DE

Owner name: APTIV TECHNOLOGIES AG, CH

Free format text: FORMER OWNER: APTIV TECHNOLOGIES LIMITED, ST. MICHAEL, BB

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20250422

Year of fee payment: 18

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Payment date: 20250404

Year of fee payment: 18

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Payment date: 20260313

Year of fee payment: 19