EP2555338B1 - Sealed sealing mat - Google Patents

Description

State of the art

Seals for multiple connections can be designed as integral seals, also referred to as collective seals or sealing mats. Such a seal can seal several ports simultaneously. In this case, the sealing mat may have a plurality of cable bushings, can be passed through the cable or contact plug to a plug contact receiver. However, if connections are not made at all positions of the sealing mat, an open cable feed-through can remain at these points, through which dirt and moisture can reach the plug-in contact receiver.

To avoid this, the open positions of the sealing mat must be closed afterwards. This can lead to a high cost, labor and material costs.

For example DE 10 2007 012 755 B3 are sealing mats with partitions known. The partitions are arranged in the middle of the connector passage and seal the sealing mat in an intact state. However, the piercing of the partition may cause on the one hand parts of the torn partition in the contact path and interfere with an electrical connection and on the other hand, parts of the torn partition in the line feedthrough so that they prevent a seal. Furthermore, in the case of a central arrangement of the dividing wall in the connector passage, there is the risk that the sealing fins located in close proximity to the dividing wall will be damaged as well. For example, the sealing blades can be damaged by the fact that when tearing the partition wall, a crack up to the nearby lamellas continues running and tear the lamella then or parts of Lammelen be torn out.

US Pat. No. 6,176,739 B1 . FR 2 844 645 A1 . DE 10 2007 012755 B3 . EP 1 710 867 A2 show sealing mats according to the preamble of claim 1.

Disclosure of the invention

There may therefore be a need to provide an improved sealing mat which, on the one hand, makes it possible to seal unused contact points and, on the other hand, at the same time enables secure sealing and contacting of the contact receiver when a contact plug is made.

This object is achieved by the subject matter of the present invention according to the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments of the present invention are described in the dependent claims.

In the following, features, details and possible advantages of a device according to embodiments of the invention will be discussed in detail.

According to a first aspect of the invention, a sealing mat for the tight passage of pipes is presented. The sealing mat has a first outer side and a second outer side opposite the first outer side. Furthermore, the sealing mat has at least one line leadthrough which connects the first outer side to the second outer side. In this case, the line leadthrough has a first end region, which adjoins the first outer side of the sealing mat, and a second end region, which adjoins the second outer side of the sealing mat. A protective skin is arranged on the cable feedthrough. The protective skin is arranged in the first end region or in the second end region of the conduit bushing and seals the first outer side from the second outer side in an intact state.

In other words, the idea of the invention is based on providing a sealing mat which, after its manufacture, is initially tightly closed by means of protective skins. Furthermore, the protective skins are arranged in the line bushings so that they are located near the surface of the sealing mat and in this way a controlled removal or opening of the protective skin is possible without that parts of the protective skin inside the Passing cable entry and there prevent electrical contact or optimal sealing.

Thus, the sealing mat of the invention can prevent entrainment of particles in the sealing area, which can provoke a leak. At the same time, the sealing mat according to the invention offers protection against dirt and moisture both on occupied and unoccupied contact points. Furthermore, the sealing mat can ensure electrical insulation of the lines performed.

The sealing mat can be used in a connector structure. For example, can be passed through the sealing mat lines to a connector receiver. In motor vehicles, the sealing mat may be arranged, for example, at an interface of a measuring unit and a harness connector. The lines can be, for example, electrical lines that have, for example, a contact plug and cable.

The sealing mat has a first outer side and a second outer side opposite this side. The sealing mat can be designed symmetrically, so that the first outer side can be converted by reflection on an axis of symmetry in the second outer side. Alternatively, the first outer side can be designed as a contact insertion side, through which, for example, a contact plug penetrates into the sealing mat. The second outer side can be designed as the side facing away from the contact plug and the contact receiver facing side.

By provided in the sealing mat cable feedthrough, a line or a plug contact can be performed from the first outer side to the second outer side. The sealing mat can have a plurality of cable bushings. In the line bushing sealing elements, such as lamellae may be provided, which bear when performing a contact plug through the cable bushing on the contact plug and thus produce a seal after the protective skin is broken.

The arrangement of the protective skin in the vicinity of the outer sides or walls of the sealing mat a maximum distance to the sealing elements, is achieved in the interior of the cable feedthrough. This ensures that the split or torn protective skin does not reach the area of the sealing elements.

The lead bushing has first and second end portions disposed at opposite ends of the lead bushing. The end regions can each amount to 30%, 20% or 10% of the total length of the cable bushing.

The protective skin is arranged on or in the line bushing in the first or second end region. In this way, the protective skin is in the vicinity of the surface of the sealing mat and can be manually or automatically removed before inserting contact plugs into the cable feedthrough in an additional step. Alternatively, the protective skin can be easily pierced by means of the contact plug.

The protective skin is preferably arranged in the vicinity of that outer side which faces the contact plug and faces away from the contact plug receiver.

The protective skin may for example be designed as a partition or foil, which consists of the same material as the mat. The sealing mat and the protective skin can be made of silicone, for example. The protective skin can be made so thin that it can be pierced by a contact plug with little force.

In the intact condition, ie if no contact plug has severed the protective skin, the protective skin provides, for example, an airtight or hermetic seal from the first to the second outer side. In the pierced or perforated state of the outer skin, a seal from the first to the second outer side is ensured by sealing elements located in the conduit passage, for example sealing blades, in cooperation with the contact plug.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the protective skin is arranged in a plane which is formed by the first outer side or which is formed by the second outer side.

In other words, the protective skin lies in the plane of the outer contour or on the outer side of the sealing mat. In this way, the protective skin for removal before passing through the plug contacts can be easily accessible.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the protective skin is made in one piece with the sealing mat. In other words, the protective skin is made integral with the sealing mat. For example, the protective skin can be formed in a casting process as part of the sealing mat. For this purpose, a mold may be provided which consists of two halves and in which one of the halves pins or stamps are arranged. When assembling the two halves, the pins are slightly spaced from the bottom of the second half of the mold. After pouring a Gussmaße forms between the punches and the bottom of the second half of the protective skin.

According to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, the protective skin has the same material as the sealing mat. In particular, the protective skin may consist of the same material as the sealing mat.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the material which is contained in both the sealing mat and in the protective skin is an elastomer. The elastomer may be, for example, a plastic which is elastically deformable and deformed, for example, when a force is exerted and then returns to its original shape. For example, the material may be silicone or rubber. The sealing mat and the protective skin can be made entirely of silicone or rubber or combinations of these materials.

According to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, the protective skin has a first region with a first material thickness and a second region with a second material thickness. The second material thickness is smaller than the first material thickness.

In other words, predetermined breaking points or notches can be provided in the protective skin, which ensure a controlled puncture of the protective skin by a line or a contact plug.

The first and second material thicknesses may correspond to different thicknesses of the protective skin. In the second area, the protective skin is thinner or more fragile than in the first area. Furthermore, perforations may be provided in the second region, which predetermine a predetermined breaking point, but which does not completely penetrate the protective skin.

The protective skin on a cable feedthrough may have a plurality of first and a plurality of second regions. For example, the second region may be implemented as a perforated line or notch or as two intersecting perforated lines.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the protective skin is designed to be broken in the second area by a line or a contact plug. For this purpose, the second region is designed as a predetermined breaking point. Furthermore, the protective skin is thin compared to the dimension of the longitudinal axis of the line feedthrough.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the sealing mat on a sealing blade. The sealing blade is arranged between the first end region and the second end region.

In other words, the sealing lamella, for example, is arranged centrally in the cable feedthrough and thus as far away as possible from the protective skin. In this way, a success of the severed protective skin can be prevented in the region of the sealing blades and in this way a possible deterioration of the sealing function of the sealing blades can be prevented.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the protective skin has a first diameter. The protective skin is arranged at a first distance from the sealing blade. The first distance is greater than the diameter of the protective skin.

The protective skin may for example be circular and have a diameter. The distance between the arranged in the middle of the line bushing sealing blade to the protective skin can be a multiple of the diameter or a radius of the protective skin. In this way it can be ensured that the protective skin 19 does not get into the area of the sealing lamella when tearing.

The sealing mat may have one or more sealing blades, which are arranged in the line bushing in a central region. The sealing fins can be designed as elevations to the longitudinal axis of the cable feedthrough out. In the area of the fins, the diameter of the cable feedthrough is reduced in comparison to the locations of the cable feedthrough without fins.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the sealing mat on a plurality of line bushings.

According to a second aspect of the invention, a method for producing a sealing mat described above is described. The method comprises the steps of: providing a mold having a first and a second half; In this case, one or more punches is provided only on the first half of the mold, which correspond in shape to the line feedthrough of the sealing mat; Filling the mold with a material comprising elastomers.

In other words, the idea of the invention according to the second aspect is based on using, for the production of the above-described sealing mat, a mold on which pins or stamps are provided on only one side. In contrast to conventional production methods for sealing mats, the number of pins can be halved in this way. Furthermore, less precision is necessary because now no pins are used on opposite sides, which must meet exactly.

The mold is designed so that in the closed state of the mold, a distance between the bottom of the mold and the pins is formed, which corresponds to the thickness of the protective skin.

The mold can therefore be simplified and made more robust. In contrast, in known processes stamps have to be provided in both halves of a casting mold which prevent a filling of the filling compound over a certain contact pressure. With the method according to the invention, it is no longer necessary to touch or touch tool elements.

Fig. 1

zeigt einen Querschnitt durch ein Kontaktstecker-System mit einer Dichtmatte gemäß einem Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung

Fig. 2

zeigt eine Draufsicht auf eine erste Außenseite einer Dichtmatte gemäß einem Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung

Fig. 3

zeigt ein einen Querschnitt entlang der Linie A-A in Fig. 2 durch eine Dichtmatte mit einer Schutzhaut gemäß einem Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung

Fig. 4

zweigt einen Querschnitt entlang der Linie A-A in Fig. 2 durch eine Dichtmatte mit einer Schutzhaut gemäß einem weiteren Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung

Fig. 5

zeigt Draufsichten auf Leitungsdurchführungen mit unterschiedlichen Ausführungsformen von Sollbruchstellen der Schutzhaut gemäß einem Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung

Fig. 6

zeigt drei Schritte eines automatisierten Verfahrens zum Öffnen der Schutzhaut

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description of exemplary embodiments, which are not to be construed as limiting the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1

shows a cross section through a contact plug system with a sealing mat according to an embodiment of the invention

Fig. 2

shows a plan view of a first outer side of a sealing mat according to an embodiment of the invention

Fig. 3

shows a cross section along the line AA in Fig. 2 by a sealing mat with a protective skin according to an embodiment of the invention

Fig. 4

branches in a cross section along the line AA in Fig. 2 by a sealing mat with a protective skin according to a further embodiment of the invention

Fig. 5

shows top views of cable bushings with different embodiments of predetermined breaking points of the protective skin according to an embodiment of the invention

Fig. 6

shows three steps of an automated procedure for opening the protective skin

All figures are merely schematic representations of devices according to the invention or of their components according to embodiments of the invention. In particular distances and size relations are in the figures not reproduced to scale. In the various figures, corresponding elements are provided with the same reference numbers.

In Fig. 1 is a contact plug system consisting of contact plugs 3, a sealing mat 1 and a contact plug receiver 5 shown. It shows Fig. 1A a representation of the system before performing the contact plug 3 through the sealing mat 1. In Fig. 1B the system is shown by passing the contact plug 3 through the sealing mat 1.

The system in Fig. 1 For example, it may represent an interface of a measuring unit to a harness connector. The contact plug receiver 5 has chambers 7 which can receive the contact plug 3. The sealing mat 1 can be positioned above the contact plug receiver 5 such that the cable feedthroughs 13 provided in the sealing mat 1 lie directly in front of the chambers 7.

The sealing mat 1 in this case has a first outer side 9, which faces the contact plugs 3. Furthermore, the sealing mat 1 has a second outer side 11, which faces the contact plug receiver 5. The first outer side 9 is connected to the second outer side 11 by a plurality of line bushings 13. The leadthroughs 13 have a first end portion 15 and a second end portion 17, which in connection with the 3 and 4 be explained in more detail. A protective skin 19 is arranged in one of the end regions 15, 17 of the conduit bushing 13, that is to say in the immediate vicinity of an outer side 9, 11. Im in Fig. 1 illustrated embodiment, the protective skin 19 is arranged in the immediate vicinity or directly on the first outer side 9. The protective skin 19 may also lie directly in the plane of the first outer side 9.

In the intact state after the preparation of the sealing mat 1, the protective skins 19 are intact and the first outer side 9 is sealed by the second outer side 11 in this way.

As in Fig. 1B shown, the protective skins 19 can be broken through, for example, by contact plug 3 and reach through the cable feedthrough 13 of the sealing mat 1 into the chambers 7 of the contact plug receiver 5. In Fig. 1B are not all chambers 7 of the contact plug receiver 5 with contact plugs 3 occupied. Nevertheless, the contact plug receiver 5 and in particular the chambers 7 are protected from dirt and moisture by the sealing mat 1, since the protective skins 19 are intact at the unoccupied points. This saves a subsequent fitting of the unoccupied positions with separate sealing pins or holding plates, which is necessary with conventional open sealing mats. This can save costs and labor.

In. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the first outer side 9 of the sealing mat 1 is shown. The sealing mat 1 may have a plurality of line feedthroughs 13, which are arranged for example in rows and columns.

In Fig. 3 is a cross section through a sealing mat 1 along the line AA in Fig. 2 shown. Fig. 3 illustrates the arrangement of the first end portion 15 and the second end portion 17 in the line feedthrough 13. The first end 15 adjacent directly to the first outer side 9. The second end portion 17 directly adjacent to the second outer side 11 of the sealing mat 1. In these areas, the Protective skin 19 may be arranged. In the embodiment in Fig. 3 the protective skin 19 is arranged directly in the plane of the first outer side 9.

Between the first end portion 15 and the second end portion 17 sealing lamellae 25 are arranged. The sealing blades 25 form after piercing the protective skin 19 together with the contact plug 3, a seal from the first outer side 9 to the second outer side 11. The fins 25 form a sealing region, for example, in Fig. 4 as a sealing blade area 27 is indicated.

By arranging the protective skin 19 at the edge of the leadthrough 13, a damage of the lamellae 25 or carry-over of particles and parts of the protective skin 19 into the region of the lamellae 25 can be avoided when a contact plug 3 is inserted through the leadthrough 13 and the protective skin 19 is ruptured ,

In Fig. 4A another embodiment of the sealing mat 1 is shown. It is Fig. 4A also a cross section along the line AA in Fig. 2 , The Protective skin 19 in the embodiment in Fig. 4 is arranged at a very small distance from the first outer side 9 of the sealing mat 1 in the first end region 15. For example, the protective skin 19 may be spaced a few millimeters from the first outer side 9. The distance of the protective skin 19 from the sealing blade region 27, however, is sufficiently large and may be, for example, a multiple of the diameter of the protective skin. If the protective skin 19 is severed, for example, by a contact plug 3 in the middle and hangs or protrudes partially into the conduit bushing 13, it does not extend to the sealing lamella area 27 Fig. 4 the distance between the protective skin 19 and the sealing blade region 27 is denoted by B. Further, the half diameter of the line bushing 13 and the radius of the circular protective skin 19 is designated by A.

The distance B between the sealing blade region 27 and the protective skin 19 is several times greater than a radius A or a diameter of the protective skin 19, i. B >> A. In this way it can be ensured that the torn protective skin 19 does not enter the sealing lamella region 27.

In Fig. 4B an embodiment is shown in which the protective skin 19 is flush with the first outside. Furthermore, the sealing fins 25 are not arranged centrally in the line bushing 13, but closer to the second end region 17 than at the first end region 15. In this way, the distance B between the sealing blades 25 and the protective skin 19 is even greater than that in Fig. 4A ,

Is the protective skin 19, as in Figs. 3 and 4B shown executed flush with the first outer side 9, it can be cut in a controlled manner before performing the contact plug 3 through the sealing mat 1 in an additional step. For example, the cutting of the protective skin 19 can be carried out mechanically and / or automatically. An automated method for opening the partition is eg in FIGS. 6A to 6C shown. In this case, a tool 29 with sharp edges 31 on the partition in a first step ( Fig. 6A ) are placed on the partition 19. The tool 29 has in its interior a cavity 33 in which a negative pressure can be generated. The negative pressure can be generated for example by means of a pump 35. By generating the negative pressure, the partition is sucked and to the sharp edges 31 cut off ( Fig. 6B ). In this way, the partition 19 is opened in a controlled manner. Subsequently, the superfluous cutout 37 of the partition wall 19 is removed or sucked off ( Fig. 6C ). For collecting the cutouts 37, a collecting container 39 can be provided in the tool 29.

Furthermore, as in Fig. 5 shown, the protective skin 19 be carried out with predetermined breaking points 23, so that the contact plug 3, the protective skin 19 controlled break. For this purpose, for example, first regions 21 and second regions 23 may be provided in the protective skin, which have different material thicknesses. The second regions 23 have a smaller material thickness than the first regions 21.

In Fig. 5 four different embodiments of the second regions or predetermined breaking points 23 are shown. Fig. 5A represents the execution of the predetermined breaking points as a curved cross, so that after piercing the protective skin 19 by a contact plug 3 four separate first regions 21 may arise. In Fig. 5B the predetermined breaking point is designed as a central line, so that after piercing by means of a contact plug 3, two separate first regions 21 are formed. In the execution in Fig. 5C arise after the implementation of the contact plug 3 three separate areas. In Fig. 5D are the predetermined breaking points 23 executed curved and after piercing by means of a contact plug 3, four differently shaped regions 21.

Claims (9)

1. Sealing mat (1) for the sealed feedthrough of electric cables (3) in a plug-in connector structure, the sealing mat (3)
   comprising
   a first outer side (9);
   a second outer side (11), which is opposite from the first outer side (9),
   a cable bushing (13), which connects the first outer side (9) to the second outer side (11);
   the cable bushing (13) comprising a first end region (15), which adjoins the first outer side (9) of the sealing mat (1);
   the cable bushing (13) comprising a second end region (17), which adjoins the second outer side (11) of the sealing mat (1);
   a protective skin (19) being arranged on the cable bushing (13);
   the protective skin (19) in an intact state sealing the first outer side (9) from the second outer side (9);
   the protective skin (19) being arranged in the first end region (15) or in the second end region (17) of the cable bushing (13),
   characterized in that
   the protective skin (19) is arranged in a plane that is formed by the first outer side (9) or is arranged in a plane that is formed by the second outer side (11).
2. Sealing mat (1) according to Claim 1,
   the protective skin (19) being made in one piece with the sealing mat (1).
3. Sealing mat (1) according to either of Claims 1 and 2,
   the protective skin (19) comprising the same material as the sealing mat (1).
4. Sealing mat (1) according to Claim 3,
   the material being an elastomer.
5. Sealing mat (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 4,
   the protective skin (19) comprising a first region (21) with a first material thickness and a second region (23) with a second material thickness;
   the second material thickness being less than the first material thickness.
6. Sealing mat (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 5, also comprising a sealing lamella (25);
   the sealing lamella (25) being arranged in the cable bushing (13) between the first end region (15) and the second end region (17).
7. Sealing mat according to Claim 6,
   the protective skin (19) having a diameter (A);
   the protective skin being arranged at a first distance (B) from the sealing lamella (25);
   the first distance (B) being greater than the diameter (A) of the protective skin (19).
8. Sealing mat (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 7, also comprising a multiplicity of cable bushings (13).
9. Method for producing a sealing mat (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 8, the method comprising the following steps:

   providing a casting mould having a first and a second half;

   a male die that corresponds in its form to the cable bushing (13) of the sealing mat (1) being provided on the first half of the casting mould;

   filling the casting mould with a material which comprises elastomers.

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