EP2947723B1 - Electrical connector - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a connector for a single- or multi-wire electrical cable, comprising a plug comprising a plug body with an end face and at least one protruding from the end face pin, a coupling comprising a coupling body with an end face, wherein in the end face at least one receiving opening for inserting the at least one connecting pin of the connector for connecting is arranged, an operable closure for holding the plug body to the coupling body with inserted in the receiving port pin, and at least one sealing element made of an elastically deformable material for sealing the connection between the Plug and the coupling.

Such connectors are used for example for connecting actuators and sensors to safety controllers. The plug can be designed in particular as a built-in plug, which is integrated in a sensor housing or actuator housing. Due to the closure, inadvertent disconnection of the connector during operation of the associated device is avoided. Especially in the environment of industrial plants, it is important to protect the connector from contamination and moisture from entering.

This is usually done by a sealing element in the form of an O-ring, which is arranged in a coupling-side closure sleeve and, when the closure is closed, by a plug-side inserted into the coupling-side closure sleeve Closing sleeve is pressed against the sleeve base. However, the sealing surface is relatively narrow in this embodiment, so that the sealing effect is often inadequate in practice. In addition, it may cause damage to the O-ring due to the narrow sealing surface, especially with frequent connection and disconnection of the connector.

The WO 2013/161341 A1 discloses a connector with a plug, a coupling, a plastic sealing plate and a snap lock. The sealing plate is arranged between the mutually facing end faces of the plug and the coupling.

In the US 6 142 805 A discloses a connector for geophysical gauges whose coupling has a base body, an insert and a closure sleeve with internal thread. In a recess of the insert is a seal made of plastic.

The US Pat. No. 6,475,008 B1 discloses a submersible connector equipped with a compressible sealing element and an elastomeric material insulating washer. The insulating disk has in the area of the pin penetrations forward and rearwardly projecting beveled projections.

It is an object of the invention to provide a more reliable sealing of connectors with simple means.

The object is achieved by a connector with the features of claim 1.

In a connector according to the invention, the closure has a connector-side provided on the plug-side closure sleeve and one on the coupling body provided on the coupling side closure sleeve, which are screwed together. The sealing element can thus be integrated in a simple manner in the plug. In addition, the plug-side closure sleeve and the coupling-side closure sleeve can also be locked together. Furthermore, in a connector according to the invention, the at least one sealing element made of a soft plastic.

According to the invention, the at least one sealing element is further clamped under deformation between the end face of the plug body and the end face of the coupling body when the closure holds the plug body to the coupling body. The seal thus takes place directly between the plug body and the coupling body. This is advantageous in that the sealing surface is enlarged relative to an outer seal by means of an O-ring. In addition, in the region of the - generally flat - end faces effective clamping force is evenly distributed, so that damage to the sealing element can be avoided. The susceptibility of the seal to component tolerances can be reduced, since the end faces of the plug body and the coupling body abut each other even with toleranced components. By arranging the sealing element between these end faces thus the sealing of a connector of the type mentioned can be substantially improved. Another advantage is increased resistance to electrostatic discharge (ESD).

The invention further provides for fastening the sealing element to the end face of the plug body - the so-called plug base - since in this case a frictional engagement between the connecting pin and a feedthrough of the sealing element provided for the connecting pin can ensure a correct seating of the sealing element. If necessary, the sealing element can be glued to the end face of the plug body.

As a rule, such plug connectors have a plurality of (for example three or more) connecting pins in the plug and a corresponding number of receiving openings in the coupling, which then advantageously results in a particularly good adjustment of the sealing element.

In a connector according to the invention are at least two spaced apart pins from the end face of the plug body, which are insertable into respective receiving openings of the end face of the coupling body, wherein extending around each of the pins an annular buffer member made of an elastically deformable material. Such buffer elements provide z. B. if necessary for a tolerance compensation.

The invention provides that the annular buffer elements are attached to a plate-shaped or disk-shaped base body of the sealing element. The handling of the sealing element in the manufacture of the connector is facilitated.

An embodiment of the invention provides that, in a radial direction with respect to the longitudinal axis of the at least one connecting pin, the sealing element does not project beyond the edge of the end face of the plug body and / or the edge of the end face of the coupling body. The sealing element is thus arranged completely between the two end faces in this embodiment. This allows a uniform distribution of the clamping force and thus a reduction of the mechanical load of the sealing element. In addition, no space for the sealing element must be provided in the radial region surrounding the plug body and the coupling body.

A further embodiment of the invention provides that the connector-side closure sleeve provided on the plug body is designed for the lateral gripping around of the coupling body, the sealing element being in a coupling receptacle is arranged, which is formed by the end face of the plug body and an inner wall of the plug-side closure sleeve. Such closures are z. B. in the form of screw caps for many connectors used to ensure a secure fit of the plug body on the coupling body. As mentioned above, in such connectors, an O-ring is often placed as a sealing member at the bottom of the coupling-side locking sleeve, so that when closing the closure, the plug-side locking sleeve screwed into the coupling-side locking sleeve presses against the O-ring with its front edge. The sealing effect in this configuration depends on the torque with which the two closure sleeves are tightened against each other. If the torque is too low, the O-ring will not be sufficiently clamped so that dirt and moisture can penetrate into the connector. If the torque is too high, the O-ring will be damaged, which in turn will reduce the sealing effect. A particular problem in this case are the shearing forces exerted on the O-ring in the course of screwing the closure sleeves. In addition, it is common in practice due to component tolerances that the end face of the plug body and the end face of the coupling body already abut against each other before the O-ring between the closure sleeves in sufficient Dimensions compressed. Also in this case, no sufficient sealing effect is given. With the inventive arrangement of the sealing element between the end faces of the plug body and the coupling body, the above-mentioned problems can be avoided even in embodiments with a provided on the plug body and the coupling body embracing sleeve. In particular, because the end faces of the plug body and the coupling body do not rotate against each other during the screwing of the closure sleeves, no shear forces are exerted on the sealing element arranged according to the invention. Preferably, the sealing element completely covers the bottom of the coupling receptacle.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the sealing element comprises a base plate designed as a flat plate or disk whose one flat side rests against the end face of the plug body and the other flat side is designed for application to the end face of the coupling body, or vice versa, wherein the base body at least one passage for performing the at least one connection pin. Such a flat base body provides a large sealing surface. Depending on the application, a flat side of the base body abut the plug body or the coupling body, for example, be attached to this, while the other flat side is exposed and rests only in the connected state of the plug and coupling on the end face of the other component.

The at least one pin can sit without play in the implementation. As a result, a particularly secure sealing effect can be achieved. In addition, there is the possibility that the sealing element is held exclusively on the frictional engagement between the pin and the inner wall of the bushing on the connector body.

In each case, there is a free space between two of the buffer elements, in which material can escape when a tolerance compensation is required. If necessary, between the outer surfaces of the pins and the inner surfaces of the associated annular buffer elements may be free spaces.

The at least one sealing element may be made of a silicone and / or an elastomer. Such sealing materials are inexpensive and easy to handle.

The at least one sealing element may also be made of a curable, in particular silicone-based, polyurethane-based or epoxy-based potting compound. As a result, a high sealing effect can be achieved.

A special embodiment provides that the at least one sealing element is designed as an injection-molded component, in particular as a multi-component injection-molded component. An injection molding construction is manufacturing technology advantageous. In the context of multi-component injection molding, such as 2K injection molding, the sealing effect and the mechanical stability of the sealing element can be optimized by combining different materials.

The at least one sealing element can be molded directly onto the end face of the plug body or to the end face of the coupling body. This allows a particularly quick and easy production.

Further developments of the invention are set forth in the dependent claims, the description and the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1A

zeigt einen gemäß dem Stand der Technik gestalteten Steckverbinder mit einem Stecker und einer Kupplung in getrenntem Zustand in einer teilweise aufgeschnittenen Darstellung.

Fig. 1B

zeigt den Steckverbinder gemäß Fig. 1A, wobei der Stecker in die Kupplung eingesteckt ist.

Fig. 2A

zeigt einen Steckverbinder gemäß einer ersten Ausführungsform der Erfindung mit einem Stecker und einer Kupplung in getrenntem Zustand.

Fig. 2B

zeigt den Steckverbinder gemäß Fig. 2A, wobei der Stecker in die Kupplung eingesteckt ist.

Fig. 2C

zeigt ein Dichtelement des in Fig. 2A gezeigten Steckverbinders in einer Draufsicht.

Fig. 2D

zeigt das Dichtelement gemäß Fig. 2C in einer Seitenansicht.

Fig. 3A

zeigt einen Steckverbinder gemäß einer zweiten Ausführungsform der Erfindung mit einem Stecker und einer Kupplung in getrenntem Zustand.

Fig. 3B

zeigt den Steckverbinder gemäß Fig. 3A, wobei der Stecker in die Kupplung eingesteckt ist.

Fig. 3C

zeigt ein Dichtelement des in Fig. 3A gezeigten Steckverbinders in einer Draufsicht.

Fig. 3D

zeigt das Dichtelement gemäß Fig. 3C in einer Seitenansicht.

Fig. 3E

zeigt das in Fig. 3D dargestellte Dichtelement in einem komprimierten Zustand.

Fig. 4A

zeigt eine Anordnung von drei Dichtelementen für einen Steckverbinder gemäß einer dritten Ausführungsform der Erfindung.

Fig. 4B

zeigt die in Fig. 4A dargestellten Dichtelemente in einer Seitenansicht.

The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the drawings.

Fig. 1A

shows a connector designed according to the prior art with a plug and a coupling in a separate state in a partially cutaway view.

Fig. 1B

shows the connector according to Fig. 1A with the plug plugged into the coupling.

Fig. 2A

shows a connector according to a first embodiment of the invention with a plug and a coupling in a disconnected state.

Fig. 2B

shows the connector according to Fig. 2A with the plug plugged into the coupling.

Fig. 2C

shows a sealing element of the in Fig. 2A shown connector in a plan view.

Fig. 2D

shows the sealing element according to Fig. 2C in a side view.

Fig. 3A

shows a connector according to a second embodiment of the invention with a plug and a coupling in a disconnected state.

Fig. 3B

shows the connector according to Fig. 3A with the plug plugged into the coupling.

Fig. 3C

shows a sealing element of the in Fig. 3A shown connector in a plan view.

Fig. 3D

shows the sealing element according to Fig. 3C in a side view.

Fig. 3E

shows that in Fig. 3D illustrated sealing element in a compressed state.

Fig. 4A

shows an arrangement of three sealing elements for a connector according to a third embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 4B

shows the in Fig. 4A illustrated sealing elements in a side view.

The in Fig. 1 A and 1 B illustrated, designed according to the prior art connector is used for selectively connecting and disconnecting a multicore electrical line here and includes a plug 11 and a coupling 13. The plug 11 can be designed as a built-in plug and z. B. in a sensor housing be integrated. The clutch 13 may accordingly be located at one end of a connection cable for the corresponding sensor. The connector 11 comprises a plug body 15 with a flat end face 17 and three protruding from the end face 17 pins 19. The coupling 13 comprises a coupling body 21 with a - also flat here - face 23 in which three receiving openings 25 for inserting the pins 19 of Plug 11 are arranged. To make the electrical connection, the plug 11 and the coupling 13 are put together by inserting the connecting pins 19 into the receiving openings 25. It is understood that the number, arrangement and shape of the pins 19 may vary depending on the application.

To secure the connection, a closure 27 is provided which is designed here as a screw cap and comprises a plug-side closure sleeve 29 and a coupling-side closure sleeve 31. The plug-side closure sleeve 29 has an external thread 33 and is secured against rotation on the plug body 15. Furthermore, the plug-side closure sleeve 29 for lateral gripping the -. B. cylindrical - coupling body 21 is formed. The coupling-side closure sleeve 31 has an internal thread 37 and is rotatably mounted on the coupling body 21 about a longitudinal axis L of the electrical line. Between an outer wall 39 of the coupling body 21 and an inner wall 40 of the coupling-side closure sleeve 31 is a sealing element 45 in the form of an O-ring, which is made of an elastically deformable material. As shown, the sealing element 45 bears against a bottom 47 of the coupling-side closure sleeve 31.

When mating the plug 11 and the clutch 13, the plug-side closure sleeve 29 passes into the coupling-side closure sleeve 31. The coupling-side closure sleeve 31 is then screwed onto the plug-side closure sleeve 29 until the in Fig. 1 B reached shown connection state is. In this connection state, the connection pins 19 make contact with the receiving openings 25 in a contacting manner. Furthermore, the front border 49 of the plug-side closure sleeve 29 presses in the connection state against the sealing element 45, so that it is clamped between the plug-side closure sleeve 29 and the coupling-side closure sleeve 31. Out Fig. 1 B shows that the clamping surface is only relatively small and the sealing element 45 is also unevenly loaded. Furthermore, comparatively strong shearing forces are exerted on the sealing element 45 when the closure sleeves 29, 31 are screwed together.

At the in Fig. 2A to 2D illustrated first embodiment of the invention, these problems are solved in that a sealing element 55 is arranged in the form of a flat disc on the end face 17 of the plug body 15. As from the individual presentations according to Fig. 2C and 2D As can be seen, the sealing element 55 is circular and has two flat sides 57A, 57B and a circumferential narrow side 59. Three bushings 60 serve to pass through the connecting pins 19 and are adapted to their diameter. The sealing element 55 may be made of a soft plastic, silicone and / or of an elastomer. As in Fig. 2A it can be seen that the sealing element 55 is arranged in a coupling receptacle 61, which is formed by the end face 17 of the plug body 15 and an inner wall 63 of the plug-side closure sleeve 29. As an additional sealing member 45, as in the conventional connector described above, an O-ring is disposed on the bottom 47 of the coupling-side shutter sleeve 31, but this is not mandatory.

When plugging the plug 11 and the coupling 13, the sealing element 55 is clamped between the end face 17 of the plug body 15 and the end face 23 of the coupling body 21 and thereby uniformly compressed. This ensures a secure seal of the connection - regardless of the torque with which the coupling-side locking sleeve 31 is screwed onto the plug-side closure sleeve 29. Since only axial forces acting on the sealing element 55 and these are also distributed over a comparatively large area, is unlikely to damage the sealing element 55. This is especially true because no shear forces are exerted on that sealing element 55. Namely, during the screwing operation, the end face 17 of the plug body 15 and the end face 23 of the coupling body 21 remain in their untwisted initial state.

The in FIGS. 3A to 3E shown, designed according to a second embodiment of the invention connector is designed similar to that in connection with above Fig. 2A to 2D described connectors, wherein like-acting components are designated by the same reference numerals. However, the sealing element 55 'here has a disc-shaped base body 65 and additionally three attached to the base body 65, annular buffer elements 67, which extend around the passages 60 around. The annular buffer elements 67 are spaced apart, so that there are 67 clearances 69 between all the buffer elements. Upon compression of the buffer elements 67, these can escape radially outward due to the free spaces 69, as shown in FIG Fig. 3E is shown. This allows tolerance compensation.

The annular buffer elements 67 may be attached to the base body 65 or attached to the terminal pins 19 after attachment of the base body 65 to the plug body 15. In certain applications, it may also be sufficient to use only the annular buffer elements 67 as sealing elements. Such a configuration is in FIGS. 4A and 4B shown.

In the Figs. 2C, 2D, 3C-3E and 4A and 4B the sealing elements 55, 55 ', 67 are shown as separate components. However, it is possible if necessary, such sealing elements 55, 55 ', 67 directly to the end face 17 of the plug body 15 or also to the end face 23 of the coupling body 21 pour or inject.

The seal according to the invention can be used in principle for any type of connector. The sealing material present around the connecting pins 19 not only improves the sealing effect, but also improves the resistance to electrostatic discharge (ESD). In principle, sealing elements, as used in the Figs. 2A-2D, 3A-3E, 4A and 4B are shown, also be arranged on the end face 23 of the coupling body 21. However, an arrangement on the plug base has the advantage of a cheaper housing. Overall, the invention allows a particularly reliable sealing of connectors even with comparatively large component tolerances.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

11

plug

13

clutch

15

plug body

17

face

19

pin

21

clutch body

23

face

25

receiving opening

27

shutter

29

plug-side locking sleeve

31

Clutch-side locking sleeve

33

external thread

37

inner thread

39

outer wall

40

inner wall

45

sealing element

47

ground

49

border

55, 55 '

sealing element

57A

flat side

57B

flat side

59

narrow side

60

execution

61

Kupplungsaufnahme

63

inner wall

65

base body

67

annular buffer element

69

free space

L

longitudinal axis

Claims (9)

1. A plug connector for a single-core or multi-core electrical line, comprising:

   a plug (11) which comprises a plug body (15) having an end face (17) and at least one connector pin (19) projecting from the end face (17);

   a coupling (13) which comprises a coupling body (21) having an end face (23), wherein at least one reception opening (25) is arranged in the end face (23) of the coupling body (21) for plugging in the at least one connector pin (19) of the plug (11) for establishing a connection;

   an actuable closure (27) for holding the plug body (15) at the coupling body (21) with a connector pin (19) plugged into the reception opening (25); and

   at least one sealing element (55') composed of an elastically deformable material for sealing the connection between the plug (11) and the coupling (13),

   wherein the closure (27) has a closure sleeve (31) at the coupling side which is provided at the coupling body (21) and wherein the at least one sealing element (55') is manufactured from a soft plastic, wherein a closure sleeve (29) at the plug side is provided at the plug body (15) and is able to be screwed to the closure sleeve (31) at the coupling side; wherein
   the at least one sealing element (55') is fastened to the end face (17) of the plug body (15) and is clamped between the end face (17) of the plug body (15) and the end face (23) of the coupling body (21) while deforming when the closure (27) holds the plug body (15) at the coupling body (21); and wherein
   at least two mutually spaced apart connector pins (19) project from the end face (17) of the plug body (15) and can be plugged into respective reception openings (25) of the end face (23) of the coupling body (21), with a ring-shaped buffer element (67) composed of an elastically deformable material extending around each of the connector pins (19), characterized in that
   the ring-shaped buffer elements (67) are attached to a plate-like or disk-like base body (65) of the sealing element (55'); and in that the plate-like or disk-like base body (65) of the sealing element (55') has a flat side (57A) which is remote from the ring-shaped buffer elements (67) and which contacts the end face (17) of the plug body (15).
2. A plug connector in accordance with claim 1,
   characterized in that
   the sealing element (55') does not project beyond the margin of the end face (17) of the plug body (15) and/or beyond the margin of the end face (23) of the coupling body (21) in a radial direction with respect to the longitudinal axis (L) of the at least one connector pin (19).
3. A plug connector in accordance with one of the preceding claims, characterized in that
   the closure sleeve (29) at the plug side which is provided at the plug body (15) is configured to laterally engage about the coupling body (21), wherein the sealing element (55') is arranged in a coupling receiver (61) which is formed by the end face (17) of the plug body (15) and by an inner wall (63) of the closure sleeve (29) at the plug side.
4. A plug connector in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that
   there is a respective free space (69) between two of the buffer elements (67).
5. A plug connector in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that
   the buffer elements (67) themselves form sealing elements and, with the exception of the buffer elements (67), no further sealing elements are provided between the end face (17) of the plug body (15) and the end face (23) of the coupling body (21).
6. A plug connector in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that
   the at least one sealing element (55') is manufactured from silicone and/or from an elastomer.
7. A plug connector in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that
   the at least one sealing element (55') is manufactured from a hardenable, in particular silicone-based, polyurethane-based or epoxy-based sealing compound.
8. A plug connector in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that
   the at least one sealing element (55, 55', 67) is configured as an injection molded component, in particular as a multi-component injection molded component.
9. A plug connector in accordance with claim 8,
   characterized in that
   the at least one sealing element (55, 55', 67) is injected directly to the end face (17) of the plug body (15) or to the end face (23) of the coupling body (21).

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