EP2775569B1 - Connector and use thereof - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a connector and a use of the connector.

In many areas of technology, electrical connectors are required which enable a moisture-proof and / or dust-proof connection. For example, in electrical devices used in the field, in chemical or medical laboratories, in industry and in general in dusty and / or humid environments, moisture and / or dust must be prevented from penetrating into the housing of the electrical device. The electrical devices are usually connected to other electrical devices with the aid of cables. For this purpose, it is necessary in the abovementioned areas of application to also make these electrical connections moisture-tight and / or dust-tight in order to enable safe operation. Moisture-proof connectors are generally known. For example, connectors are known which are screwed together or connected to one another by means of a bayonet lock, at least one sealing ring or O-ring serving to keep moisture and / or dust away from the electrical contacts of the connectors connected to one another.

Both types of connectors have in common that the insertion or assembly of the complementary connector with the connector requires increased attention in order to correctly close the bayonet lock or the screw connection, and that the connector is covered by a cover against the ingress of dust and Moisture must be protected if the connector is not connected to a complementary connector.

document FR 2 884 363 relates to an electrical connector that can be used in camping vehicles. The connector has a housing electrical pins on. The pins protrude from the bottom of the connector into the inside of a cylinder. The opening of the cylinder opposite the bottom is closed with a seal. When a complementary plug is inserted into the cylinder, the seal is pressed over the pins, thereby releasing the free ends of the pins for contacting complementary contact elements of the plug.

document EP 1 289 074 A2 relates to a socket for a plug connection, with a socket housing which has a contact chamber in which a plurality of socket contacts are arranged. A protective seal can be adjusted between a cover position in which it essentially closes the contact chamber flush with the outside and a contact position in which access to the socket contacts is possible. The protective seal can be transferred from a complementary plug from the cover position to the contact position.

It is therefore an object to provide a connector and use of the connector to enable simplified assembly or electrical connection.

This object is achieved by a connector with the features of claim 1 and a use of the connector with the features of claim 10. Preferred embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims.

Connector according to one aspect

• ein Verbindergehäuse, wobei das Verbindergehäuse eine Kontaktelementaufnahme und eine Mehrzahl an Kontaktelementaufnahmeöffnungen aufweist, welche voneinander durch zumindest einen Steg getrennt sind,
• zumindest ein elektrisches Kontaktelement, welches in der Kontaktelementaufnahme angeordnet ist und welches mit einem Endbereich in zumindest einem Kontaktelementlagerbereich gelagert ist, wobei der Kontaktelementlagerbereich in dem der Kontaktelementaufnahme zugewandten Steg ausgebildet ist, und der Steg als Randbereich des Verbindergehäuses und der Kontaktelementlagerbereich um zumindest eine der Kontaktelementaufnahmeöffnungen ausgebildet ist, und wobei zumindest ein komplementäres Kontaktelement zumindest bereichsweise entlang einer Einführrichtung E durch die Kontaktelementaufnahmeöffnung in die Kontaktelementaufnahme einführbar ist, wodurch ein elektrischer Kontakt zwischen dem zumindest einen Kontaktelement und dem zumindest einen, zugeordneten komplementären Kontaktelement herstellbar ist;
• ein Verschließelement, welches zumindest bereichsweise in der Kontaktelementaufnahme relativ zum Verbindergehäuse entlang der Einführrichtung E verschiebbar angeordnet ist und in einer Initialposition die zumindest eine Kontaktelementaufnahmeöffnung verschließt.

One aspect of the invention relates to a connector comprising:

• a connector housing, the connector housing having a contact element receptacle and a plurality of contact element receptacle openings which are separated from one another by at least one web,
• at least one electrical contact element, which in the Contact element receptacle is arranged and which is supported with an end region in at least one contact element bearing area, the contact element bearing area being formed in the web facing the contact element receptacle, and the web being formed as an edge region of the connector housing and the contact element bearing area around at least one of the contact element receptacle openings, and wherein at least one complementary one Contact element can be inserted into the contact element receptacle at least in regions along an insertion direction E through the contact element receiving opening, as a result of which electrical contact can be established between the at least one contact element and the at least one associated complementary contact element;
• a closing element, which is arranged at least partially in the contact element receptacle relative to the connector housing along the insertion direction E and closes the at least one contact element receiving opening in an initial position.

The contact element receiving opening is advantageously closed in the initial position by the closing element, so that the contact elements advantageously in the initial position from external influences and from contact are protected. Further advantageously, the closing element can be transferred from the initial position into a contacting position in a simple manner by a displacement along the insertion direction E, in which contact elements can be contacted by associated complementary contact elements.

The connector comprises a connector housing, which preferably consists of an electrically non-conductive material. For example, the connector housing can consist of a polymer, for example of polyamide. The connector housing can be formed in one part, two parts, three parts or several parts. In particular, the connector housing can be designed to be arranged and fastened in an opening in a housing wall of an electrical device. The connector housing can preferably be essentially cylindrical or rotationally symmetrical in order to be guided through the housing wall in a bore. More preferably, the connector housing can close the opening in the housing wall in a fluid-tight manner, in particular in a moisture-tight and / or dust-tight manner. The term fluid-tight or dust-tight relates in particular to a seal that meets the requirements of the IP67 or IP64 standard. A fluid is understood to mean both a gas, a liquid and a mixture thereof.

A contact element receptacle is formed in the connector housing and is separated from the outside or the surroundings of the connector by the connector housing. The contact element receptacle is preferably only accessible through the at least one contact element receptacle opening. The contact element receiving opening is arranged on the side of the connector to which a complementary connector can be arranged or attached to the connector. In the event that the connector is attached to a housing wall, the contact element receiving opening is arranged on the operator side of the housing wall.

At least one electrical contact element is arranged in the contact element receptacle and fastened in at least one contact element bearing area. The one Contact element bearing area assigned to contact element is formed in an edge area of the contact element receiving opening. The edge region of the contact element receiving opening can be a region of the connector housing or can be formed in one piece with the connector housing. Alternatively, the edge region of the contact element receiving opening can be a separate part of the connector which is connected to the connector housing. Since the contact element bearing area is formed on the edge area of the contact element receiving opening facing the contact element receptacle, a contact element which is mounted or fastened in the contact element bearing area can extend from the contact element bearing area into the contact element receptacle, in particular along the insertion direction E. A contact element bearing area can be designed, for example, as a recess or blind hole, into which an associated contact element can be inserted at least in some areas in order to be clamped, glued, welded, cast or otherwise secured in the contact element bearing area.

Exactly one of the at least one contact element can be assigned to each contact element storage area. The edge region of each of the at least one contact element receiving opening can have exactly one, two, three, four, five or more associated contact element bearing regions. In particular, the connector can have exactly one contact element receiving opening or two, three, four, five, six or more contact element receiving openings.

The connector has a closing element which is arranged at least in regions in the contact element receptacle. The closing element is displaceable along the insertion direction E relative to the connector housing and thus relative to the contact element receiving opening. In other words, the closing element can in particular only be displaced linearly or translationally and thus in particular cannot be rotated, rotated or pivoted. In the initial position, the closing element closes the at least one contact element receiving opening. The initial position is distinguished by the fact that the connector in the initial position is not electrically and / or with a complementary connector is mechanically contacted. Rather, the initial position of the connector or the closure element is a stable state or a stable position into which the connector or the closure element remains or returns when no external force, for example due to the complementary connector, acts on the connector or the closure element . In the initial position, the closing element in particular closes all contact element receiving openings at the same time. In the context of the application, the term “closing” means that the closing element seals or seals the at least one contact element receiving opening in a touch-proof, dust-tight, moisture-tight and / or gas-tight manner. In other words, the contact element receptacle in the initial position is separated from the outside or the surroundings of the connector by the closing element in such a way that a user cannot touch the contact elements located in the contact element receptacle that no dust with a grain size smaller than 1 mm, preferably smaller than 0.1 mm and in particular less than 0.01 mm can penetrate into the contact element receptacle so that no moisture in the sense of a liquid, for example water, and / or a gas, for example also water vapor, can penetrate into the contact element receptacle from the outside of the connector.

The closing element can preferably also be formed from a rigid polymer. The closing element can alternatively also be formed from a material which is softer than the material of the connector housing, for example from an elastomer.

The closing element can be transferred from the initial position into the contacting position by moving it along the insertion direction E. For this purpose, a force must be applied to the closing element along the insertion direction E in order to displace the closing element along the insertion direction E. This force can be applied to the closing element, for example, through the complementary connector. At the same time as or after the displacement of the closing element from the initial position into the contacting position, at least one complementary contact element of the complementary connector can are inserted into the contact element receptacle along the insertion direction E through an associated one of the at least one contact element receiving opening in order to make electrical contact with the associated contact element in the contact element receiving member. Advantageously, the closing element is only shifted from the initial position into the contacting position when the complementary connector is arranged on the connector and contacted with it. It is thus advantageously achieved that the connector is touch-proof, dust-tight, liquid-tight and / or gas-tight, so that further advantageously the contact elements of the connector or the interior of a housing or device, in the event that the connector is arranged in a housing wall , is protected from the ingress of moisture, dust and similar harmful influences.

The contact element bearing area is preferably thicker along a thickness direction H, which is oriented perpendicular to the insertion direction E, than the contact element mounted thereon. In other words, the contact element is spaced apart from the associated contact element receiving opening along the thickness direction H, the material between the contact element and the contact element receiving opening consisting of an electrical insulator which forms the edge region of the contact element receiving opening. This geometric arrangement has the effect that a complementary contact element, which is inserted into the contact element receiving opening along the insertion direction E, must be deformed or displaced along the thickness direction H, ie perpendicular to the insertion direction E, in order to electrically connect the associated contact element in the contact element receiving means to contact. In particular, a first end region of the contact element is surrounded or enclosed by the material of the edge region of the contact element receiving opening or is welded or melted firmly therein. As a result, this first end region of the contact element can be securely held or fixed in a predetermined position. In particular, a predetermined distance between the contact element and the associated contact element receiving opening can be maintained in a simple manner. It is understood that the contact element also at other points or

Areas can be fixed. For example, the contact element can have a second end region which is opposite or opposite to the first end region and which is fixed at least in regions by a second contact element bearing region.

The contact element bearing area can be designed, for example, as a recess or blind hole, into which or into which the first end area of the contact element is at least partially inserted, in order to be glued, cast, welded, clamped or melted therein. In particular, the at least one contact element can be provided in the manufacture of the connector in an injection mold in which the connector housing including the contact element bearing area is formed by injection molding with a thermoplastic. As a result, the contact element can be encompassed and cast in by the thermoplastic at least in regions, in particular with its first end region, during injection molding.

The contact element bearing area preferably has an elastomer layer or is formed from an elastomer. An elastomer can advantageously be softer than the essentially rigid connector housing. The term "softer" describes that the modulus of elasticity and / or the shear modulus of the elastomer is smaller than the modulus of elasticity and / or the shear modulus of the connector housing. A thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) can expediently be used as the elastomer, as a result of which the elastomer layer, which at least partially covers the rigid part of the contact element bearing area, or the contact element bearing area, if this is formed from the elastomer, is formed in a simple manner, for example by injection molding can leave. Further advantageously, elastomers have an improved sealing effect against fluids or against dust than the rigid material of the connector housing.

The connector housing is preferably at least in the area of the in the initial state formed contact surface between the connector housing and the closing element made of an elastomer. Alternatively or additionally, the closing element is made of an elastomer, at least in the area of the contact surface formed in the initial state between the connector housing and the closing element. By arranging an elastomer on the support surface between the connector housing and the closing element, an improved sealing effect of the closing element can advantageously be achieved in order to prevent the penetration of moisture and / or dust from the surroundings of the connector into the contact element receptacle. In particular, a small contact pressure between the closing element and the connector housing is sufficient to keep the contact surface between the closing element and the connector housing moisture-tight and / or dust-tight. In particular, the tightness of the contact element receptacle or the connector can be achieved in a simple manner with the requirements of the IP67 standard.

The closing element is preferably held in the initial state by a prestressing element. In other words, the prestressing element can apply a pressing force on the closing element against the insertion direction E, so that a predetermined contact pressure is maintained between the closing element and the connector housing. As a result, the contact surface on which the closing element mechanically contacts the connector housing is subjected to a predetermined contact pressure, so that the ingress of dust particles, for example with a size of less than 1 mm, preferably less than about 100 µm, in particular less than about 10 µm, and / or the ingress of liquids, such as water, and / or the ingress of gases, such as water vapor, is inhibited or prevented.

The prestressing element can comprise at least one resilient element which is resiliently deformable by the application of an external force along the insertion direction E, so that the resilient element returns to its original shape or position due to its resilience when the external force no longer acts. This can be done in a simple manner Closure element, which is connected to the biasing element, is displaced or displaced counter to the insertion direction E in order to close the at least one contact element receiving opening. The term "resilient" includes in particular an essentially elastic deformability of the prestressing element. For example, the prestressing element can have a spring, in particular a spiral spring or a leaf spring, a resilient foam or another resilient deformable element.

The closing element can preferably be displaced along the insertion direction E in the contact element receptacle of the connector by inserting the complementary connector along the insertion direction E. In particular, the closing element can protrude at least in regions through at least one of the at least one contact element receiving opening of the connector against the insertion direction E, so that the complementary connector preferably first mechanically contacts the closing element of the connector in order to displace it along the insertion direction E into the contact element receptacle. Advantageously, the closing element is actuated or displaced only by arranging or contacting a complementary connector, so that the connector is in the initial position until the complementary connector is arranged, in which the connector or the contact element receptacle of the connector is fluid-tight and / or dust-tight is closed from the outside or the surroundings of the connector.

The closing element preferably has at least one continuous contact feed-through opening, through which an associated contact element is passed. In particular, the contact lead-through opening and the contact element extend essentially along the insertion direction E, so that the contact element is displaced relative to the closing element when the connector transitions from the initial position into the contacting position. In order to enable this relative displacement, the at least one contact element can be passed through the continuous contact feedthrough opening of the closing element or the contact element can be encompassed by the closing element. This advantageously means that the closing element cannot be displaced along a direction perpendicular to the insertion direction E, since otherwise a mechanical contact between the at least one contact element and the wall of the associated continuous contact bushing opening would inhibit a further displacement perpendicular to the insertion direction E. The contact lead-through opening can in particular be designed as a continuous bore through the closing element.

The connector preferably has a latching device which can be latched by inserting the complementary connector along the insertion direction with a complementary latching device.

Advantageously, the connector can be locked to the complementary connector simply by plugging the complementary connector along the insertion direction E. In other words, the connector or the complementary one does not form a bayonet lock or screw lock in order to mechanically fasten the complementary connector to the connector.

If the complementary connector engages with the locking device of the connector, accidental removal of the complementary connector from the connector is prevented. The complementary connector can only be released from the connector when a predetermined pulling force is applied to the complementary connector in order to detach or remove the complementary connector from the connector. In particular, a pull-off force of more than about 5 N, preferably more than about 10 N, more preferably more than about 50 N may be necessary to detach the complementary connector from the connector. Particularly advantageously, the connection or disconnection of the complementary connector with or from the connector can be carried out with one hand, so that the user advantageously has his second hand free to carry out further activities.

In alternative embodiments, ie instead of a latching device, the Connector a thread. The complementary connector advantageously has a complementary thread. The thread of the connector can preferably be screwed to the complementary thread of the complementary connector. If the thread of the connector is screwed to the complementary thread of the complementary connector, there is the advantage that accidental removal of the complementary connector from the connector is prevented.

Alternatively, the connector can also have a part of a bayonet catch instead of the thread. Advantageously, the complementary connector has a complementary part of a bayonet catch. The part of the bayonet fitting of the connector can preferably be connected to the complementary part of the bayonet fitting of the complementary connector. If the part of the bayonet catch of the connector is connected to the complementary part of the bayonet catch of the complementary connector, there is the advantage that accidental removal of the complementary connector from the connector is prevented.

Alternatively, the connector can also have a part of a clip lock instead of the thread. Advantageously, the complementary connector has a complementary part of a clip lock. The part of the clip lock of the connector can preferably be connected to the complementary part of the clip lock of the complementary connector. If the part of the clip lock of the connector is connected to the complementary part of the clip lock of the complementary connector, there is the advantage that accidental removal of the complementary connector from the connector is excluded.

Use according to one aspect

One aspect of the invention relates to the use of a connector according to the invention as a housing connector, the connector being arranged in a fluid-tight manner in an opening in a housing wall.

Advantageously, the use of the connector as a housing connector improves the tightness of the housing against moisture and / or dust particles. In particular, moisture and / or dust particles cannot get into the interior of the housing via the connector, even if the connector is not in contact with a complementary connector. It is further advantageously not necessary to provide a connector cover and to place it on the connector when it is not in use in order to close the connector or the housing in a fluid-tight and / or dust-tight manner. In particular, an embodiment of the connector can be used, which can be electrically contacted by simply plugging the complementary connector along the insertion direction E onto the connector. In other words, the connector has no bayonet lock or screw lock to mechanically contact or attach the complementary connector to the connector. Rather, it is advantageous if the complementary connector latches with a latching device of the connector, so that accidental removal of the complementary connector from the connector, which is fastened to the housing, can be avoided. The complementary connector can advantageously be released from the connector only when a predetermined pulling force is applied to the complementary connector in order to detach or remove the complementary connector from the connector. In particular, a pull-out force of more than about 5 N, preferably more than about 10 N, more preferably more than about 50 N may be necessary to detach the complementary connector from the connector. Particularly advantageously, the connection or disconnection of the complementary connector with or from the connector can be carried out with one hand, so that the user advantageously has his second hand free to carry out further activities.

Figure description

Figur 1:

eine perspektivische Ansicht eines Verbinders, der in einer Gehäusewandung montiert ist, in einer Initialposition;

Figur 2:

eine perspektivische Ansicht eines komplementären Verbinders;

Figur 3:

eine perspektivische Ansicht einer Anordnung des Verbinders und dem damit kontaktierten komplementäre Verbinder;

Figur 4:

eine Schnittansicht durch den Verbinder und den davon getrennten komplementären Verbinder in der Initialposition;

Figur 5:

eine Schnittansicht durch den Verbinder in der Kontaktierungsposition und den damit kontaktierten komplementären Verbinder;

Figur 6:

eine detaillierte Schnittansicht durch den in Figur 5 gezeigten Verbinder;

Figur 7:

eine perspektivische Ansicht einer weiteren Ausführungsform des Verbinders;

Figur 8:

eine Schnittansicht durch den in Figur 7 gezeigten Verbinder und den davon getrennten komplementären Verbinder.

In the following, preferred embodiments of the present invention are explained by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, individual features being able to be combined as desired to form new embodiments, detached from one another. It shows:

Figure 1:

a perspective view of a connector which is mounted in a housing wall, in an initial position;

Figure 2:

a perspective view of a complementary connector;

Figure 3:

a perspective view of an arrangement of the connector and the complementary connector contacted therewith;

Figure 4:

a sectional view through the connector and the complementary connector separated from it in the initial position;

Figure 5:

a sectional view through the connector in the contacting position and the complementary connector contacted therewith;

Figure 6:

a detailed sectional view through the in Figure 5 shown connector;

Figure 7:

a perspective view of another embodiment of the connector;

Figure 8:

a sectional view through the in Figure 7 shown connector and the separate complementary connector.

The Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a connector 1, which is mounted in a housing wall 3 of a device. In this case, a connector housing 11 of the connector 3 penetrates an opening 5 in the housing wall 3 of the device which is essentially the same shape as the connector housing 11. The connector 1 can be fastened to the housing wall 3 by at least one fastening means 7, for example at least one screw 7. The gap between the connector housing 11 and the housing wall opening 5 can be closed in a fluid-tight and / or dust-tight manner by means of a sealing means (not shown).

The Indian Figure 1 The connector 1 shown is in an initial position, in which closes a closing element 13 at least one contact element receiving opening 15 such that contact elements (not shown) arranged in the interior of the connector 1 are not accessible. The closing element 13 preferably closes the at least one contact element receiving opening 15 in a fluid-tight and / or dust-tight manner. In particular, the fluid tightness or dust tightness meets the requirements of the standards IP64 or IP67.

As in Figure 1 shown, the connector housing 11 can have a plurality of contact element receiving openings 15, for example 2, 3, 4 or more contact element receiving openings 15, which are separated from one another by a web 11a. The at least one web 11a can in particular be designed to be essentially straight. The web 11a is preferably formed in one piece with the connector housing 11. The Figure 1 shows a preferred embodiment, wherein a plurality of webs 11a are oriented substantially parallel to one another in order to space a plurality of contact element receiving openings 15 from one another.

The connector 1 is designed to be a complementary connector (in Figure 2 shown) along an insertion direction E.

The Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the complementary connector 9, which is designed to be inserted at least in regions into the interior of the connector 1 along the insertion direction E and to be contacted with the connector 1.

The complementary connector 9 has a multiplicity of complementary contact elements 17, which are designed to be inserted along the insertion direction E into an associated contact element receiving opening 15 of the connector 1 in order to insert an associated contact element (into the inside of the connector 1) Figures 4 to 8 shown) to make electrical contact. The complementary contact elements are each arranged on an associated support body 19 which, together with the complementary contact elements 17, conforms in shape is formed for each associated contact element receiving opening 15 so that each of the support bodies 19 can be inserted at least in regions along the insertion direction E into the associated contact element receiving opening 15. The support bodies are rigid relative to the complementary contact elements 17 and made of an electrically non-conductive material. When the complementary connector 9 is inserted into the connector 1, the end faces 19a of the support body 19 first mechanically contact the closing element 13, which closes the at least one contact element receiving opening 15. About the mechanically rigid support body 19 can be applied by a further insertion or displacement of the complementary connector 9 along the insertion direction E, a pressing force along the insertion direction E to the closing element 13, so that the closing element 13 is linearly displaced along the insertion direction E to the To release contact element receiving openings 15. The support body 19 and the complementary contact elements 17 arranged thereon are then inserted together through an associated contact element receiving opening 15 into the interior of the connector 1 until the complementary connector 9 and the connector 1 have reached a contacting position in which the complementary connector is electrically or mechanically connected the connector 1 is contacted.

The Figure 3 shows the complementary connector 9 and the connector 1 in the contacting position. By means of a connecting cable 21, which is attached to the complementary connector 9, the device can be electrically connected to other devices. In the contacting position, the complementary connector 9 can preferably the part of the connector 1 (in Figure 1 shown) substantially completely enclose. For this purpose, the complementary connector 9 can in particular have a connector receptacle 23, into which the connector 1 can be received at least in regions counter to the insertion direction E. The wall of the connector receptacle 23 can be designed to match a circumferential surface 11b of the connector housing 11, the wall of the connector receptacle 23 in the contacting position in particular with the circumferential surface 11b of the connector housing 11 in a form-fitting manner or frictional engagement may have occurred. This positive or frictional engagement means that a predetermined pulling force must be applied to the complementary connector 9 against the insertion direction E in order to detach it from the connector 1 against the insertion direction E. The connection between the wall of the connector receptacle 23 and the peripheral surface 11b of the connector housing 11 is particularly preferably fluid-tight or dust-tight. For this purpose, in particular a seal, such as an O-ring or a sealing lip, can be provided, which is designed to be resilient or elastic, around a possibly existing gap between the wall of the connector receptacle 23 and the peripheral surface 11b of the connector housing 11 with respect to a fluid and / or to seal against dust particles. This seal preferably fulfills the requirements of the IP64 or IP67 standards.

The peripheral surface 11b of the connector housing 11 can be substantially circular, preferably a chamfer 11c can be provided so that the complementary connector 9, which has a corresponding complementary chamfer 23a, can be arranged on the connector 1 in only one orientation. This advantageously ensures that the correct assigned contact elements of the connector 1 are contacted with the associated complementary contact elements 17 of the complementary connector 9.

Figure 4 shows a sectional view through the connector 1 and the complementary connector 9 separated therefrom in the initial position. The connector 1 is arranged in a housing wall opening 5 of a housing wall 3 of an electrical device and fastened therein. The connector 1 closes the housing wall opening 5 in a fluid-tight and / or dust-tight manner. Since in the initial position the closing element 13 closes the contact element receiving openings 15 of the connector 1 in a fluid-tight and / or dust-tight manner and the connector 1 next to the contact element receiving openings 15 has no further openings on the user side 3a of the housing wall 3, the use of the connector 1 as a housing connector enables the To close the housing wall opening 5, an improved tightness of the housing against moisture and / or dust particles. This applies in particular to the case when no complementary connector 9 is connected to connector 1.

The connector 1 comprises a contact element receptacle 25 which is formed in the connector housing 11. The contact element receptacle 25 is accessible from the outside through the at least one contact element receptacle opening 15, provided that the at least one contact element receptacle opening 15 is not closed by the closing element 13.

At least one electrical contact element 27 is arranged in the contact element receptacle 25. The at least one contact element 27 is mounted with an end region 27a in a first contact element bearing region 29a or fastened therein. In the in Figure 4 In the embodiment shown, the first contact element bearing area is formed in a web 11a of the connector housing 11, the web 11a forming an edge area of the contact element receiving opening 15 which faces the contact element receiving 25. The at least one contact element 27 is supported with a second end region 27b in a second contact element bearing region 29b. The second contact element bearing area can in particular be designed as a continuous bore in the connector housing 11 through which the contact element 27 projects. In particular, one end or a tip of the contact element 27 or of the second end region 27b can protrude through the connector housing 11 in order to be able to make electrical contact with a further element. The contact element 27 can in particular be cast or glued to the second contact element bearing area 29b. The at least one second contact element bearing region 29b, to which the at least one contact element 27 is fastened, can preferably be designed as a cover 11d or be formed in or on a cover 11d, the cover 11d being designed to be detachable from the rest of the connector housing 11. In particular, a further opening can be closed by the cover 11d, through which the contact element receptacle 25 is accessible. To form the connector 1 can in particular the at least one contact element 27 is arranged in advance in the second contact element bearing region 29b of the cover 11d or is fastened therein, in order then to arrange the cover 11d together with the at least one contact element 27 on the connector housing 11, the at least one contact element 27 in the contact element receptacle 25 is inserted in such a way that the first end region 27a of the contact element 27 is mounted in the first contact element bearing region 29a. The first end region 27a of the at least one contact element 27 is preferably only pushed into the first contact element bearing region 29a. The first contact element bearing region 29a is further preferably designed as a blind hole. The cover 11d can, for example, be fastened to the remaining connector housing 11 by means of at least one fastening element 11e, for example at least one screw 11e.

In the contact element receptacle 25, the closing element 13 is accommodated in a linearly displaceable or displaceable manner along the insertion direction E. In the in Figure 4 In the preferred embodiment of the connector 1 shown, exactly one closure element 13 is provided which simultaneously opens or closes the four contact element receiving openings 15 of the connector 1. The closing element 13 can in particular only be displaced linearly or translationally within the contact element receptacle 25 relative to the connector housing 11 and thus in particular cannot be rotated, rotated or pivoted. In the in Figure 4 Initial position shown closes the closing element 13, the contact element receiving openings 15. By closing the contact element receiving openings 15 of the connector 1 by the closing element 13, the contact element receiving 25 is closed or sealed in a fluid-tight and / or dust-tight manner. In other words, the closing element 13 separates the contact element receptacle 25 (the inside of the connector 1) from the outside of the connector 1 in such a way that no fluid or dust can penetrate into the contact element receptacle 25 from the outside through the contact element receiving openings 15. Furthermore, the contact elements 27 are accessible from the outside through the Contact element receiving openings 15 protected. In other words, the contact elements 27 are arranged in the initial position of the connector 1 in a contact-safe manner in the contact element receptacle 25.

The closure element 13 can have an associated contact feed-through opening 31 for each contact element 27, which extends along the insertion direction E. An assigned contact element 27 can pass through the contact lead-through opening 31. In particular, the closing element can be moved relative to the contact elements 27 during the displacement along the insertion direction. Like in the Figure 4 shown, the at least one contact lead-through opening 31 of the closing element 13 is arranged in the initial position of the connector 1 in the vicinity of the first end region 27a of the contact element. By actuating or displacing the closing element 13 along the insertion direction E, the contact lead-through opening 31 moves in the direction of the second end region 27b of the contact element 27. The contact lead-through opening 31 is preferably designed with a diameter that provides mechanical contact between the closing element 13 and the contact element 27 prevented. The closing element 13 is expediently formed from an electrically non-conductive material, so that two different contact elements 27 cannot be electrically connected by means of the closing element 13. The closing element 13 is mechanically pretensioned in such a way that it remains in the initial position without external force. For this purpose, the connector can have a biasing element 33 (in Figure 6 shown), which exerts a force against the insertion direction E on the closing element 13, so that the closing element 13 is pressed against a bearing surface 35 of the connector housing 11.

The closing element 13 can have a projection 13a, which protrudes at least in regions through at least one of the at least one contact element receiving openings 15 of the connector 1 in the initial position against the insertion direction E.

A complementary connector 9 can preferably first make mechanical contact with the closure element 13, in particular in the region of the projection 13a, in order to displace the closure element 13 into the contact element receptacle 25 along the insertion direction E. Advantageously, the closing element 13 is actuated or displaced only by arranging the complementary connector 9, so that the connector 1 remains in the initial position until the complementary connector 9 is arranged. By arranging the complementary connector 9, the support body 19 of the complementary connector 9 can mechanically contact the closure element 13 and thus apply a force to the closure element 13, which acts along the insertion direction E, so that the closure element 13 shifts along the insertion direction E. becomes. In this case, the support bodies 19 are received at least in regions through the contact element receiving openings 15 into the contact element receiving 25, the complementary contact elements 17 also being inserted through the associated contact element receiving openings 15 into the contact element receiving 25 in order to make electrical contact with the associated contact elements 27 of the connector 1.

The Figure 5 shows a sectional view through the connector 1 and the complementary connector 9 in the contacting position. The Figure 6 shows a detailed sectional view through the in the Figure 5 shown connector 1.

As especially in the Figure 6 shown, the complementary contact elements 17 are designed to be resiliently deformable, so that the complementary contact elements can be resiliently displaced during insertion into the connector 1 along a displacement direction V, which is oriented perpendicular to the insertion direction E. Like in the Figure 6 shown, the first contact element bearing area 29a or the web 11a, which comprise the first contact element bearing area 29a, is formed thicker or more powerful than the contact element 27, which is mounted in the first contact element bearing area 29a, along a thickness direction H, which is oriented perpendicular to the insertion direction E. inserting the complementary connector 9 into the connector 1 each of the complementary contact elements 17, which is inserted along the insertion direction E through the associated contact element receiving opening 15, first mechanically contact the web 11a, so that each complementary contact element 17 during insertion due to the rigidity of the web 11a or the contact element bearing area 29a at least in regions along the Direction of displacement V or along the thickness direction H is deformed or shifted. The complementary contact elements 17 are bent in such a way that by further insertion of the contact elements 17 along the insertion direction into the connector 1, the web 11a or the first contact element bearing region 29a is arranged in the region of a recess 17b of the complementary contact element 17, one further along the insertion direction E arranged projection 17a of the complementary contact element 17 engages behind the web 11a or the first contact element bearing area 29a along the thickness direction H and can thus make electrical contact with the associated contact element 27. In particular, due to the resilient or elastic deformability of the complementary contact element 17, a pressing force can be applied to the contact element 27 by the complementary contact element 17, in particular in the region of the projection 17a, which advantageously minimizes the electrical contact resistance between the complementary contact element 17 and the contact element 27 becomes. It is therefore advantageously not possible to make electrical contact with one of the contact elements 27 simply by inserting a straight object or contact into the contact element receiving opening 15. As a result, increased protection against contact of the contact elements 27 is advantageously achieved.

Figure 6 shows a coil spring 33 as a preferred biasing element, which is held in a biasing element receptacle 13b of the closing element 13. The coil spring 33 is supported on the one hand on the closing element 13 and on the other hand on the connector housing 11 or the cover 11 d. As a result, a mechanical pretension is applied to the closing element 13, so that it is pressed against a contact surface 35 of the connector housing against the insertion direction E. The connector housing 11 can at least in Area of the contact surface 35 formed in the initial state between the connector housing 11 and the closing element 13 can be formed from an elastomer. For example, a layer 37 made of an elastomer can be arranged or formed on the connector housing 11 or on the webs 11a, in particular in the region of the first contact element bearing area 29a, so that the closing element 13 is pressed against the elastomer layer 37, which improves the sealing effect of the Shooting element can achieve. It goes without saying that, alternatively or additionally, the end face 13b of the closing element, which in the initial state is pressed against the connector housing 11, can be provided with an elastomer layer.

The Figure 7 shows a perspective view of a further embodiment of the connector 1 and FIG Figure 8 a sectional view through the in Figure 7 shown connector 1 and the separate complementary connector 9. The individual elements of the in the Figures 7 and 8th Embodiment shown correspond essentially to the elements which with respect to the Figures 1 to 6 are described, and are therefore identified by the same reference numerals. In addition, the connector 1 has a latching device 39 which is designed to engage with a complementary latching device 41 of the complementary connector 9 when the complementary connector 9 is arranged on the connector 1 along the insertion direction E. By means of the latching device, the complementary connector 9 can latch with the connector 1 in such a way that the complementary connector 9 can be released either by exceeding a predetermined withdrawal force against the insertion direction E or by actuating an unlocking device. The latching device 39 may have a first flank which is inclined relative to the insertion direction E by an angle α of approximately 10 to approximately 40 °, in particular approximately 30 °, so that the complementary latching device 41 when the complementary connector 9 is arranged on the connector 1, that is to say by a displacement of the latching device 41 along the insertion direction E, along a displacement direction V which is oriented perpendicular to the insertion direction E. Furthermore, the at least one latching device 39 has a second flank 39b, which is opposite of the insertion direction E is inclined by an angle β of approximately 40 ° to approximately 60 °, so that the complementary locking device 41 deforms or displaces against the displacement direction V during further displacement along the insertion direction E along the second flank 39b due to the resilience of the complementary locking device 41 is shifted and engages behind the locking device 39 and thus locked. Since the edge steepness of the first flank 39a is preferably smaller than the edge steepness of the second flank 39b of the latching device 39, the complementary connector 9 can preferably be plugged on more easily or with less effort than removing the complementary connector 9. The choice of the angle of inclination of the first flank or the second flank determines the force to be applied when plugging in the complementary connector or when removing the complementary connector 9.

Reference list

1

Interconnects

3rd

Housing wall

5

Housing wall opening of the housing wall 3

7

Fasteners

9

complementary connector

11

Connector housing

11a

Web of the connector housing 11

11b

Circumferential surface of the connector housing 11

11c

chamfer

11d

cover

11e

Fasteners

13

Closing element

13a

head Start

13b

Preload element holder

15

Contact element receiving opening

17th

complementary contact elements

19th

Support body

19a

End face of the support body 19

21

Connecting cable

23

Connector receptacle

23a

complementary bevel

25th

Contact element holder

27

electrical contact element

27a

first end region of the electrical contact element 27

27b

second end region of the electrical contact element 27

29a

first contact element storage area

29b

second contact element storage area

31

Contact bushing

33

Preload element

35

Contact surface

37

Elastomer layer

39

Locking device

41

complementary locking device

E

Direction of insertion

H

Thickness direction

V

Direction of displacement

Claims (10)

1. A connector (1) having:

   - a connector housing (11), wherein the connector housing (11) has a contact element receptacle (25) and a plurality of contact element receiving openings (15) which are separated from each other by at least one crosspiece (11a),

   - at least one electrical contact element (27) which is arranged in the contact element receptacle (25) and which is mounted with an end region (27a) in at least one contact element bearing region (29a), wherein the contact element bearing region (29a) is configured in the crosspiece (11a) facing the contact element receptacle (25),
   the crosspiece (11a) is configured as an edge region of the connector housing (11) and the contact element bearing region (29a) is configured around at least one of the contact element receiving openings (15), and wherein at least one complementary contact element (17) can be inserted through the contact element receiving opening (15) into the contact element receptacle (25) at least in certain areas along an insertion direction (E), whereby an electrical contact can be produced between the at least one contact element (27) and the at least one complementary contact element (17);

   - a closing element (13) which is displaceably arranged relative to the connector housing (11) along the insertion direction (E) at least in certain areas in the contact element receptacle (25) and, in an initial position, closes the at least one contact element receiving opening (15).
2. The connector (1) according to Claim 1, wherein the contact element bearing region (29a) is configured to be thicker along a thickness direction (H), which is oriented vertically to the insertion direction (E), than the contact element (27) mounted thereon.
3. The connector (1) according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the contact element bearing region (29a) is configured from an elastomer or has an elastomer layer (35).
4. The connector (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the connector housing (11) and/or the closing element (13) is or are configured from an elastomer at least in the region of the support surface which is configured in the initial condition between the connector housing (11) and the closing element (13).
5. The connector (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the closing element (13) is held by a bias element (33) in the initial condition.
6. The connector (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the closing element (13) can be moved along the insertion direction (E) by the insertion, at least in certain areas, of a complementary connector (9) along the insertion direction (E) into the contact element receptacle (25) of the connector (1).
7. The connector (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the closing element (13) protrudes from the contact element receiving opening (15) at least in certain areas in the opposite direction to the insertion direction (E).
8. The connector (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the closing element (13) has at least one continuous contact through-opening (31), through which an associated one of the at least one contact element (27) is guided through.
9. The connector (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the connector has a latching apparatus (39) which is latched with a complementary latching apparatus (41) by the insertion of the complementary connector (9) along the insertion direction (E).
10. Use of a connector (1) according to any one of the preceding claims as a housing connector, wherein the connector (1) is arranged in a fluid-tight manner in a housing wall opening (5) of a housing wall (3).

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