EP3763000A1

EP3763000A1 - Sealing unit for a conductor and electrical connector

Info

Publication number: EP3763000A1
Application number: EP19708526.9A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Carsten Buck
Original assignee: TE Connectivity Germany GmbH
Current assignee: TE Connectivity Germany GmbH
Priority date: 2018-03-05
Filing date: 2019-03-01
Publication date: 2021-01-13
Also published as: WO2019170558A1; DE102018104915A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a sealing unit (5) preferably for a connector (2) having precisely or at least one conductor (50), in particular an electrical connector (2) with precisely or at least one electrical conductor (50) preferably for the motor vehicle industry, comprising an installing section (10, 11) and an elastic conductor seal (20; 21, 22), mountable at/in the installing section (10, 11), for precisely or at least one conductor (50), for sealing off the installing section (10, 11) with regard to the conductor (50), wherein a compressive force can be introduced into the conductor seal (20; 21, 22) by means of the installing section (10, 11), whereby an elastomechanical sealing force can be exerted from the conductor seal (20; 21, 22) onto the conductor (50) in a distributed manner in circumferential direction (U).

Description

Sealing unit for a conductor and electrical connector

The invention relates to a sealing unit preferably for a connector having at least one conductor, in particular an electrical connector with at least one electrical conductor preferably for the motor vehicle industry. Furthermore, the invention relates to a sealing arrangement, a connector, in particular an electrical connector, preferably an electrical charging socket for the motor vehicle industry, and a device, a unit, a module, an appliance, an apparatus, an assembly, a mechanism, a system, etc.

In the electrical sector (electronics, electrical

engineering, electrics, power engineering etc.) a large number of electrical connecting devices or connector units, bushing, pin and/or hybrid connectors, etc. - designated hereinbelow as (electrical) connectors (also: mating

connectors) - are known, which serve to transmit electrical currents, voltages, signals and/or data using a large

spectrum of currents, voltages, frequencies and/or data rates. In the low-, middle- or high-voltage and/or -current range, and in particular in the vehicle industry, such connectors must ensure, at short notice, a transmission of electrical power, signals and/or data in warm, possibly hot, unclean, damp and/or chemically aggressive environments permanently, repeatedly and/or after a comparatively long period of inactivity. On account of there being a large spectrum of applications, a large number of specially

designed connectors is known.

Such a connector and possibly its housing which is associated with it (e.g. in the case of a connector device) or arranged over it (e.g. in the case of a connector unit) can be fitted on an electrical cable, a conductor, a cable harness, etc. (ready-made electrical cable assembly), or to/in an

electrical unit or device, such as e.g. to/in a housing, to/on a pressed frame, to/on a printed circuit board etc., a (power) electrical, electro-optical or electronic component or a corresponding assembly, etc. If a connector

(with/without housing) is located on a cable, a conductor or a cable harness, this is also known as a (flying) (plug-in) connector or a plug or a coupling; if it is located on/in an electrical, electro-optical or electronic component,

assembly, etc., then this is also known as a (mating) connector unit such as e.g. a (built-in) connector, a (built- in) plug or a (built-in) bushing. Furthermore, a connector on such a unit is often also identified as a (plug) receptacle or header.

Such a connector must ensure flawless transmission of

electricity, wherein connectors corresponding and partly complementary to each other (connectors and mating

connectors) mostly have fastening and/or locking devices for the permanent but generally releasable fastening and/or locking of the connector to/in the mating connector or vice versa. Furthermore, an electrical connecting unit, e.g. for a connector, e.g. having or comprising an actual contact device (usually configured integrally, e.g. a contact element, a terminal, etc.) or a contact unit (usually configured in multiple parts, in two parts, in one piece, materially in one piece or integrally, for example a crimp contact unit in one part or in multiple parts) , must be received securely

therein. - In the case of a ready-made electrical cable assembly, such a connecting device can be provided as a connector (cf. above), therefore without a housing, e.g.

flying .

WO 2009/005472 A1 discloses a cable-mounting arrangement for attaching one or a multiplicity of electrical cables in and to a unit, the cable-mounting arrangement itself being fastenable to the unit via a sealing ring in a water-tight manner. The cable-mounting arrangement has three retaining means, which are provided for fastening and subsequently sealing-off the cable (s) and optionally one or a plurality of blind plugs. In this case, two grooves, which are associated with one another and which, in the mounted state of the cable-mounting arrangement, form a feed-through channel for the cable, are installed for a respective cable in one of two related retaining means covers and in one side, facing this retaining means cover, of a middle retaining means mountable between the retaining means covers. In the circumferential direction of the retaining means, there are installed, radially inwards in the retaining means covers and radially outwards in the middle retaining means, mutually associated grooves, which, when the cable-mounting arrangement is in the mounted state, form a seal channel for the cable-mounting arrangement itself, into which seal channel it is possible to introduce a liquid sealing material.

Constant efforts are being made to improve connectors, in particular electrical connectors and/or ready-made electrical cable assemblies, in particular to design them to be more robust, to make them smaller and to form and/or to

manufacture them in a less expensive manner. Furthermore, water-tight (mating) connectors are required in particular in the motor vehicle industry. - A problem of the invention is to specify an alternative or appropriately improved

connector, in particular an electrical connector having at least one electrical conductor preferably for the motor vehicle industry. In this case, the connector should pass a spray-water (IP X4) or water-jet (IP X5) test, if necessary be of small construction, of simple design and/or easy to handle, with its manufacture and also its subsequent mounting also being intended to be inexpensive.

The problem of the invention is solved in accordance with the independent claims by means of a sealing unit preferably for a connector with precisely or at least one conductor, in particular an electrical connector with precisely or at least one electrical conductor preferably for the motor vehicle industry; by means of a sealing arrangement preferably for a connector with a plurality of conductors, in particular an electrical connector with a plurality of electrical

conductors; by means of a connector, in particular an

electrical connector, preferably an electrical charging socket for the motor vehicle industry; and by means of a device, a unit, a module, an appliance, an apparatus, an assembly, a mechanism or a system.- Advantageous

developments, additional features and/or advantages of the invention are set forth in the dependent claims and the following description.

The sealing unit according to the invention comprises an installing section, e.g. of the connector or a housing thereof, and an elastic conductor seal, mountable at/in the installing section, for precisely or at least one conductor, for sealing off the installing section with regard to the conductor, wherein a compressive force can be introduced into the conductor seal by means of the installing section, whereby an elastomechanical sealing force may be exerted from the conductor seal onto the conductor in a distributed manner in the circumferential direction. The related conductor, e.g. a single, or one of two or a multiplicity of conductors, can be configured in this case as an electrical conductor, an optical conductor, a fluid conductor, etc.

The conductor seal is installed in this case to seal the conductor with regard to particles, a fluid (liquid and/or gas), etc. Furthermore, the conductor seal can be configured for further sealing purposes (cf . annular sealing section) . According to the invention, the conductor seal can be

configured as an at least partly elastically deformable conductor seal. The sealing force in this case originates from an elastic deformation of the conductor seal itself due to the installing section. Furthermore, the conductor seal mountable at/in the installing section can be installed at least in sections at/in the installing section. Furthermore, the elastomechanical sealing force can be referred to as a compressive force distributed in the circumferential

direction at least in sections.

According to the invention, an elastomechanical sealing force from the conductor seal onto the conductor, which force is averaged with regard to a complete circumference (360°) and where applicable a sealing length (effective axial length of the conductor seal) of the related conductor, originates substantially or mainly not exclusively from the conductor seal itself. A significant contribution of the averaged elastomechanical sealing force from the conductor seal onto the conductor - e.g.: approx. 30%, approx. 40%, approx. 50%, approx. 60%, approx. 70%, approx. 80%, approx. 90% or approx. 100% - originates from the installing section, which acts mechanically onto the conductor seal (compressive force) .

In other words, a certain amount of force from the installing section acts preferably radially into the conductor seal, which for its part applies the significant contribution (see above) obtained therefrom onto the conductor seal in a distributed manner in the circumferential direction

(elastomechanical sealing force) . A distribution of the elastomechanical sealing force onto the conductor in the circumferential direction is in this case not necessarily constant, which means that a sealing force gradient can be installed onto the conductor with regard to a complete circumference around the conductor. A similar situation may arise for a sealing length. This depends on the present, e.g. geometric, conditions.

In embodiments, the compressive force (cf. Fig. 6, arrow) itself, which is introduced into the conductor seal by means of the installing section, can be a compressive force

distributed in the circumferential direction. The resulting elastomechanical sealing force of the conductor seal can then likewise be exerted onto, and introduced into, the precisely or at least one conductor in a distributed manner in the circumferential direction (cf. Fig. 6 once again, arrows), with the forces being cancelled out inside the conductor, which naturally also applies to the situation above.

The sealing unit can be configured such that an interference fit can be installed, at least partly or in sections, between the installing section and the conductor seal. In this case, within an installed sealing unit, preferably a press-fit can be installed, at least partly or in sections, between the installing section and the conductor seal. In this case, the interference fit can be installed over part of the

circumference or over the full circumference between the installing section and the conductor seal.

To generate the elastomechanical sealing force, the

installing section and the conductor seal can possess a corresponding mutual geometrical design. Furthermore, it can be possible to generate the elastomechanical sealing force by means of a geometrically similar design, at least in

sections, of the installing section with regard to the conductor seal or vice versa. Furthermore, at least one profile section of the installing section can possess a longer or shorter profile dimension than a respective profile section of a relaxed conductor seal. Moreover, at least one inner profile section of the installing section can possess smaller dimensions than a respective outer profile section of a relaxed conductor seal.

This means, for example, that the installing section and the conductor seal are mutually designed at least in sections such that, during and chronologically after the mounting of the installing section to/on the conductor seal or vice versa, a mechanical force from the installing section can, from outside the conductor seal, be applied onto or introduced into the conductor seal (compressive force) and can be shifted through this. In this case, the mechanical force is present via a material of the conductor seal as a compressive force within the conductor seal, which presses the conductor seal from the exterior onto the respective conductor as an elastomechanical sealing force from the conductor seal, said elastomechanical sealing force being distributed in the peripheral direction. In this case, sections of the conductor seal and of the installing section can be designed to be mainly complementary in sections.

The installing section can have a seal receptacle, at/in which the conductor seal can be at least partly mounted, wherein when the conductor seal is being mounted at/in the seal receptacle, the compressive force of the installing section can be introduced successively into the conductor seal. This means that, substantially through a linear

movement and/or a pivoting movement of the installing section onto the conductor seal and/or vice versa, the compressive force from the installing section can be introduced into the conductor seal as the elastomechanical sealing force. The generation of the compressive force takes place, for example, by the seal receptacle being undersized compared to the conductor seal, at least in sections. It is preferred here that both the compressive force and the elastomechanical sealing force increase successively.

In embodiments, on the one hand the installing section can have two flanks, in particular two inner flanks, and on the other hand the conductor seal can have two flanks, in

particular two outer flanks, wherein, when the sealing unit is being installed, an acute intermediate angle present between flanks which relate to one another substantially disappears, as a result of which the compressive force can be successively introduced into the conductor seal. In this case, the seal receptacle of the installing section

preferably has the two flanks, in particular the two inner flanks. An intermediate angle installable between flanks which relate to one another, chronologically directly before the mutual mounting of the installing section with the conductor seal (cf. Fig. 5) is preferably: approx. 2.5-5°, approx. 5-7.5°, approx. 7.5-10°, approx. 10-12.5°, approx. 12.5-15°, approx. 15-17.5°, approx. 17.5-20°, approx. 20- 22.5°, approx. 22.5-25°, approx. 25-27.5° or approx. 27.5- 30° .

The installing section can have a seal recess or the seal receptacle can be configured as a seal recess. In this case, the seal recess can have two mutually opposing inner flanks, the imaginary extensions of which form an acute recess angle to one another. The seal recess (apart from rounded corner regions) in this case takes the shape of an isosceles trapezium, the longer base side (base) of which coincides with the opening of the installing section for the seal recess. The shorter base side of the trapezium inside the installing section is only slightly shorter than the base, which means that the trapezium approximates the shape of a rectangle or square.

Furthermore, the conductor seal can have two mutually opposing outer flanks, the imaginary extensions of which form an acute seal angle to one another. The comments made above regarding the trapezoidal seal recess applies analogously to the conductor seal, wherein the conductor seal furthermore can be attached in another manner or has a further unit (cf. annular sealing section) . Here, the seal angle of the mutually opposing outer flanks of the conductor seal can be larger than the recess angle of the mutually opposing inner flanks of the installing section.

The conductor seal can have two seal parts, wherein the conductor can be received in a sealed-off manner between the two seal parts. In this case, the conductor seal can, of course, comprise more than two seal parts. In a premounting position, a first seal part of the two seal parts can be premounted at/in the installing section. Furthermore, in the premounting position, the first seal part can be (pre) locked at/in the installing section. Furthermore, in a final

mounting position, the first seal part can be finally mounted at/in the installing section, wherein the first seal part has moved further compared to its premounting position at/in the installing section. In the final mounting position, the first seal part can be (finally) locked, i.e. a second time, at/in the installing section.

The conductor seal possesses e.g. in such an embodiment preferably two seal parts, e.g. an upper and e.g. a lower seal part (cf. Figs. 1, 13) . When the sealing unit is

installed, the lower seal part sits, for example, on a lower region of the conductor (cf. Fig. 2) and can be (finally) mounted in a lower housing part (floor), for example (cf.

Fig. 13) . The upper seal part, in a premounting position, for example, is received in an upper housing part (installing section) (cf . Fig. 1 with 2, 13) . When installing the sealing unit, i.e. when the upper housing part and the lower housing part are moving towards one another, the upper seal part moves towards the conductor (cf. Fig. 1) and comes to sit on this (cf . Fig. 1 after 2) . The upper seal part is preferably still located in its premounting position in the upper housing part.

As a result of the upper housing part and the lower housing part continuing to move towards one another (cf. Fig. 2 after 3 after 4) up to an end position of the upper housing part with regard to the lower housing part, the conductor seal is compressed by the flanks which relate to one another (cf.

Fig. 5, sloping surfaces) (cf. Fig. 6), with the upper seal part being received between the flanks of the upper housing part at/in the upper housing part (cf. Fig. 4) . Through such a movement process of, where applicable, only two parts

(upper housing part and upper seal part) , a material compaction (compression) of the conductor seal is obtained, wherein the upper seal part is shifted out of its premounting position (installed) into its final mounting position in the upper housing part.

The sealing unit can be configured such that, in the final mounting position, a compressive force can be introduced into the first seal part by means of the installing section.

Furthermore, a compressive force can be introduced into the second seal part by means of the installing section.

Furthermore, a sealing force can be transmittable onto the second seal part by means of the first seal part. In this case, the sealing force onto the second seal part is

preferably a normal force (compression force) from the first seal part. Moreover, it can be possible to introduce a compressive force into the second seal part by means of a floor for the installing section. In this case, the floor and the installing section are preferably mechanically braced against one another.

In embodiments, a distribution of the elastomechanical sealing force in the circumferential direction of the

conductor can cover a range of approx. 180°, approx. 225°, approx. 210°, approx. 315°, or approx. 360°. Furthermore, alongside its sealing function in the sealing unit, the conductor seal can have a second sealing function. Moreover, the conductor seal, preferably the second seal part, further comprises an annular sealing section. - The sealing

arrangement according to the invention has a plurality of sealing units, wherein the sealing units preferably each seal off precisely one conductor, and the sealing units are preferably installed in series in the sealing arrangement, and a single common second seal part is preferably installed for the conductors.

The connector according to the invention has a sealing unit according to the invention or a sealing arrangement according to the invention. The connector here can have precisely or at least one conductor linked to/in the connector. The conductor can be configured as an electrical conductor, an optical conductor, a fluid conductor, etc. The connector can comprise a housing with a first housing part and a second housing part, wherein the installing section is installed with the first seal part in the first housing part, and the second seal part is installed in the second housing part. For this purpose, the housing or a respective housing part can have a corresponding receptacle. Furthermore, the first housing part and/or the second housing part can further have a receptacle for a further installation of the conductor seal (cf. annular sealing section) .

In embodiments, the first housing part can have at least one locking unit and, correspondingly to this, the second housing part can have a locking unit complementary thereto at least in sections, wherein the housing is preferably configured such that, by means of the locking units, a mechanical force can be introduced into the installing section, which

mechanical force can be introduced from the installing section into the conductor seal partly as the compressive force. The case is similar with the floor for the installing section, which is constituted by the second housing part. - Furthermore, the connector does not require any additional protective cover (anti-spray protection) or such a function can be integrated simply at/in the housing of the connector.

The device according to the invention, the unit according to the invention, the module according to the invention, the appliance according to the invention, the apparatus according to the invention, the assembly according to the invention, the mechanism according to the invention or the system according to the invention comprises a sealing unit according to the invention or a sealing arrangement according to the invention. In this case, the device or the unit can be, for example, a section or a part at/in a module, an appliance, an apparatus, an assembly, a mechanism, a system, etc.

Furthermore, a device or a unit should also be understood to mean a ready-made electrical cable assembly.

The invention is explained in greater detail below using exemplary embodiments with reference to the attached

schematic drawings, which are not true to scale. Sections, elements, structural parts, units, diagrams and/or components which possess an identical, univocal or similar configuration and/or function are identified by the same reference numbers in the description of the figures (see below) , the list of reference numbers, the claims and in the figures (Figs.) of the drawings. A possible alternative which is not explained in the description of the invention (see above) and which is not illustrated in the drawings and/or which is not

exclusive, a steady-state and/or kinematic reversal, a combination, etc. to the exemplary embodiments of the

invention or a component, a diagram, a unit, a structural part, an element or a section thereof, can further be

inferred from the list of reference numbers and/or the description of the figures.

In the invention, a feature (section, element, structural part, unit, component, function, size, etc.) can be designed to be positive, i.e. present, or negative, i.e. absent, with a negative feature not being explicitly explained as a feature if the fact that it is absent is not deemed to be significant according to the invention, i.e. if the invention consists in omitting this feature. A feature of this

specification (description, list of reference numbers, claims, drawings) can be applied not only in a specified manner but rather can also be applied in a different manner (isolation, combination, replacement, addition, uniqueness, omission, etc.) . In particular, by using a reference number and an associated feature, or vice versa, in the description, the list of reference numbers, the claims and/or the

drawings, it is possible to replace, add or omit a feature in the claims and/or the description. Moreover, a feature in a claim can be interpreted and/or specified in greater detail as a result.

The features of this description can (in view of the (largely unknown) prior art) also be interpreted as optional features; i.e. every feature can be understood as a facultative, arbitrary or preferred feature, i.e. as a non-binding

feature. It is thus possible to detach a feature, optionally including its periphery, from an exemplary embodiment, with this feature then being transferable to a generalised

inventive concept. The lack of a feature (negative feature) in an exemplary embodiment shows that the feature is optional with regard to the invention. Furthermore, in the case of a type term for a feature, a generic term for the feature can also be read alongside this, (optionally further hierarchical classification into subgenus, section, etc.), as a result of which it is possible to generalise a, or this, feature, e.g. taking into account identical effect and/or equivalence.

In the drawings, which are merely exemplary, Figs. 1 to 4 show, in each case in perspective views, the installation of a sealing unit according to the invention between a one-part installing section and a two-part conductor seal, according to one variant of the invention; Figs. 5 and 6 illustrate, likewise in perspective views, a mutual geometric design of the installing section and of the conductor seal, and, in a conceptualised manner, a mechanical stress progression within the sealing unit, according to the variant of the invention; Figs. 7 to 9 show three alternative embodiments of the sealing unit, according to the variant of the invention;

Figs. 10 to 12, once again in perspective views, illustrate a design and a mechanical interaction of two seal parts (Figs. 10 and 11) of the two-part conductor seal with the installing section (only Fig. 12), according to an embodiment of the variant of the invention; Figs. 13 and 14, likewise in perspective views and slightly modified, show the application of the sealing unit according to the invention from Figs. 10 to 12 to a charging socket preferably for the motor vehicle industry; and Figs. 15 and 16, again in perspective views, show an embodiment of the invention with two sealing units, in accordance with the variant of the invention.

The invention is explained in greater detail below using exemplary embodiments of six embodiments (one: Figs. 1-6, two: Fig. 7, three: Fig. 8, four: Fig. 9, five: Figs. 10-14, six: Figs. 15 and 16) of a variant of a sealing unit for a connector having at least one conductor, in particular an electrical connector with precisely or at least one

electrical conductor preferably for the motor vehicle

industry (charging socket) . Only those spatial sections of a subject-matter of the invention which are necessary for understanding the invention are depicted in the drawings.

Although the invention is more closely described and

illustrated in more detail by preferred exemplary

embodiments, the invention is not restricted by the disclosed exemplary embodiments, but instead is of a more fundamental nature. Other variations can be derived from this and/or from the above (description of the invention) without departing from the scope of protection of the invention. The invention is thus applicable to other connectors in the motor vehicle industry or to an industry outside the motor vehicle

industry, such as a fluid-technology industry or an

electrical engineering industry, and very generally in technology .

References such as connector and mating connector, connecting unit and mating connecting unit, etc. are to be interpreted as synonymous, i.e. interchangeable in each case, where appropriate. - The explanation of the invention below using the drawings refers to a longitudinal direction L, a

transverse direction Q and a circumferential direction U of an inventive sealing unit 5 or sealing arrangement 5 for a conductor 50, having an installing section 10, (11) (where appropriate including a floor 11) and a conductor seal 20;

21, 22 (cf. Figs. 1 to 4) . The installing section 10 can be configured hereafter by a first housing part 410 and the floor 11 of the installing section 10, 11 can be configured as a second housing part 420.

The conductor 50 can be configured as an electrical conductor 50 (stranded conductor, cable, cable harness, etc.), an optical conductor, a fluid conductor for a liquid and/or a gas, etc., for example. The conductor 50 is preferably an electrical conductor 50. The Figs, of the drawings each depict merely a single conductor 50. It is, however, possible to employ a plurality or multiplicity of conductors 50, which can be sealed off according to the invention, for each sealing unit 5. In this case it is also possible to employ different conductors 50, e.g. an electrical conductor 50 and a fluid conductor 50.

The sealing unit 5 can be configured as a sealing unit 5 for a connector 2, a device 1, a unit 1, a module 0, an appliance 0, an apparatus 0, a mechanism 0, a system 0, etc. In this case, the connector 2 can be configured as an electrical, optical, electro-optical, fluidic (liquid and/or gas), etc. connector 2. A flying coupling, a coupling (charging socket), a (built-in) plug, a (built-in) bushing, a bushing receptacle and/or plug receptacle, a header, an interface, etc. is preferably used as an electrical connector 2.

The sealing unit 5 comprises at least the one-part, two-part (cf. drawings) or multi-part installing section 10, (11), which can also be named a unit region 10, (11) and is, for example, a region, part or section of a first housing part 410. The unit region 10, 11 can include a floor 11, which is a region, part or section of a second housing part 420, for example. The sealing unit 5 further comprises the one-part (cf. Figs. 7 to 9), two-part (cf. Figs. 1 to 6 and 10-14) or multi-part conductor seal 20.

In this case, the term installing section 10, (11) is

intended to make clear that this installs a sealing function of the sealing unit 5 in an interaction with the conductor seal 20; 21, 22 (mounting) . According to the invention, by means of the installing section 10, (11), a partly radial compressive force from a rigidity of the installing section

10, (11) via the conductor seal 20; 21, 22 and from the conductor seal 20; 21, 22 as a radial elastomechanical sealing force (cf. above) can be exerted onto the precisely or at least one conductor 50 in a distributed manner in circumferential direction U of the conductor 50.

Figs. 1 to 4 show an embodiment of the inventive sealing unit 5 of a connector 2, e.g. of a charging socket 2, and

illustrate a method according to the invention for installing the sealing unit 5. Here, the at least two-part conductor seal 20 possesses a first, or upper, seal part 21 and a second, or lower, seal part 22. Furthermore, a housing (4) of the connector 2 is at least divided into two, and it

comprises a first, or upper, housing part 410 (installing section 10) and a second, or lower, housing part 420 (floor

11, not depicted, cf. Figs. 12-14) . The first seal part 21 is associated with the first housing part 410 and the second seal part 22 is associated with the second housing part 420. For the first seal part 21, the first housing part 410 has a seal receptacle 110 preferably designed as a seal recess 110.

When installing the sealing unit 5, precisely or at least one conductor 50 is inlaid (placed) into the second seal part 22 in an optional first step I (Fig. 1), for which purpose the second seal part 22 preferably has a corresponding seal shell, e.g. a 180° seal shell. Here, the second seal part 22 is preferably fully mounted in the second housing part 420 (cf . Fig. 12, 13) . Furthermore, in this case the conductor 50 sits on the seal part 22, preferably in the seal shell. For the first step I, the first seal part 21 is preferably situated in a premounting position V at/in the first housing part 410 (cf. in Fig. 1 the gap between the first seal part 21 and the first housing part 410) . The premounting position V distinguishes itself in that the first seal part 21, during mounting at/in the first housing part 410, can be moved in the direction of its final mounting position E or can be moved further into the first housing part 410 in the

direction of its final mounting position E.

In an optional second step II (Fig. 2) which chronologically follows the first step I, the two housing parts 410, 420 are moved towards one another, with merely the first housing part 410 having been moved towards the second housing part 420 in the depiction of Fig. 2. Of course, this can also be carried out in a different manner. During the initial installation of the sealing unit 5, i.e. when the two housing parts 410, 420 move towards one another, the first seal part 21 moves towards the conductor 50 and sits, preferably analogously to the second seal part 21 (seal shell, 180° seal shell), on this conductor (placement of the conductor 50 at/in the conductor seal 20; 21, 22) . Here, the upper seal part 21 is preferably still in its premounting position V at/in the upper housing part 410. Here, at profiles of the conductor seal 20; 21, 22 which relate to one another, there

substantially emerges a form fit, wherein centering steps present in the seal parts 21, 22, for example, are closed.

In a third step III (Fig. 2 after 3 and 4) which

chronologically follows the second step II, the sealing unit 5 according to the invention is installed through a continued moving of the first housing part 410 and the second housing part 420 towards one another up to an end position of the two housing parts 410, 420. Here, the first seal part 21 is shifted into its final mounting position E at/in the first housing part 410, wherein the first seal part 21 is received further and further at/in the seal receptacle 110 or at/in the seal recess 110. Furthermore, the at least partly

radially orientated elastomechanical sealing force is applied in a manner distributed at least partly in the

circumferential direction U onto the conductor 50 (cf. Fig.

6, arrows) .

In the present case, this takes place e.g. by means of a corresponding design of the conductor seal 20 or of the first seal part 21 and where appropriate also of the second seal part 22, and a corresponding design of the seal receptacle 110 or of the seal recess 110. In this case, an outer profile of the conductor seal 20 or of the first seal part 21 and optionally also of the second seal part 22, and an inner profile of the seal receptacle 110 or of the seal recess 110 are preferably geometrically matched to one another, e.g. by means of a mutual oversize, such that the elastomechanical sealing force can be generated on account of a compression of the conductor seal 20 or of the first seal part 21 and optionally also of the second seal part 22.

This can be kinematically reversed, with the first housing part 410 then penetrating into the conductor seal 20 or the first seal part 21 and, where appropriate, the second seal part 22. - Both in the premounting position V and in the final mounting position E at/in the first housing part 410, the first seal part 21 can be locked at/in the first housing part 410. Here, it is prelocked in the premounting position V at/in the first housing part 410, and is moved when the sealing unit 5 is installed into its final catching position at/in the first housing part 410.

The sealing force (cf. above) originates from an elastic deformation of the conductor seal 20 (in the radial direction and at least partly in the circumferential direction U) or of the first seal part 21 and, where appropriate, also of the second seal part 22 due to the seal receptacle 110 / the seal recess 110 or of the first housing part 410. In the present case, the elastic deformation takes place, e.g., by means of flanks 111/211, 112/212, which relate to one another, of the conductor seal 20 and of the first seal part 21 respectively and optionally also of the second seal part 22, and of the seal receptacle 110 or of the seal recess 110 (cf. Figs. 1 to 4 and 5 and 6) . An initially present acute intermediate angle between the flanks 111/211, 112/212, which relate to one another, disappears substantially due to an elasticity of the conductor seal 20, as a result of which the compressive force is successively introduced into the conductor seal 20 or the first seal part 21 and optionally also the second seal part 22 (cf . Fig . 6) .

In the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 to 6, on the one hand the seal recess 110 has two inner flanks 111, 112 and on the other hand the conductor seal 20; 21, 22 has two outer flanks 111, 112. An acute intermediate angle ano of the inner flanks 111, 112 is referred to as a recess angle ano. An acute intermediate angle a2o of the outer flanks 111, 112 is referred to as a seal angle a2o. In this case, the recess angle ano is preferably smaller than the seal angle a₂o· - It is furthermore possible to employ mainly or substantially identical intermediate angles ano, a₂o. In such a case, it is preferred that, in the transverse direction Q, the seal recess 110 (respective inner dimensions) is configured somewhat shorter than the conductor seal 20 (respective outer dimensions) .

Figs. 7 to 9 show the application of the invention to a one- part conductor seal 20. In this case, during installation of the sealing unit 5, the conductor 50 is fed through the conductor seal 20 and in this manner is placed at/in the conductor seal 20. In Fig. 7, analogously to Figs. 1 to 6, flanks 111/211, 112/212 which relate to one another are used to generate the elastomechanical sealing force. In Figs. 8 and 9, this no longer mainly takes place with corresponding flanks 111/211, 112/212, but rather via appropriate

geometries. For this purpose, the installing section 10, 11 or the first housing part 410 has an oval seal recess 110, the dimensions of which are somewhat smaller than the

dimensions of the conductor seal 20 which are mainly or substantially complementary thereto.

Figs. 10 to 14 show the application of the invention to an embodiment of an electrical charging socket 2 for the motor vehicle industry. A first housing part 410 of the charging socket 2 has the installing section 10 (also referred to above as housing part 410) with the first seal part 21, and a second housing part 420 of the charging socket 2 has the second seal part 22 embedded therein. In this case, the second seal part 22 further comprises an annular sealing section 24 for mutually sealing off the two housing parts 410, 420. The first seal part 21 is, as described above, installed in the first housing part 410 (premounting position V, final mounting position E) . The two housing parts 410, 420 have catching units, which correspond to one another and which are complementary amongst one another at least in sections, for mutual fixing of the two housing parts 410,

420.

The sealing principle according to the invention can also be applied to several conductors 50 to be sealed off which are guided separately from one another e.g. into a housing 4 of an appliance 0. In this case, several conductors 50 can be guided in a parallel manner into the appliance 0, which have a common first housing part 410 and a common second housing part 420, and in each case have a separate first seal part 21 and preferably a single, common lower seal part 22. Figs. 15 and 16 show, by way of example, such an application of the invention. In this case, the sealing units 5 are arranged in series in the seal arrangement. Of course, other arrangements can be applied. List of reference symbols

0 module, appliance, apparatus, mechanism, system, etc.

1 device, unit, etc.

2 connector (electrical, optical, electro-optical,

fluidic (liquid and/or gas))

3 contact region of the connector 2

4 housing

5 sealing unit

10 (one-part, two-part or multipart) installing section

11 floor of the installing section 10

20 (one-part, two-part or multipart) conductor seal

21 first seal part of the conductor seal 20

22 second seal part of the conductor seal 20

24 annular sealing section of the conductor seal 20

50 conductor

110 seal receptacle, seal recess

111 (first) flank, inner flank

112 (second) flank, inner flank

211 (first) flank, outer flank

212 (second) flank, outer flank

410 (first) housing part

420 (second) housing part

a.20 (acute) seal angle

a,ho (acute) recess angle

L longitudinal direction of the sealing unit 5, axial Q transverse direction of the sealing unit 5

U circumferential direction of the sealing unit 5,

tangential

E final mounting position of the conductor seal 20 or first seal part 21 at/in the installing section 10, 11

E premounting position of the conductor seal 20 or first seal part 21 at/in the installing section 10, 11

Claims

1. A sealing unit (5) preferably for a connector (2) having precisely or at least one conductor (50), in particular an electrical connector (2) with precisely or at least one electrical conductor (50) preferably for the motor vehicle industry, comprising

an installing section (10, 11) and an elastic conductor seal (20; 21, 22), mountable at/in the installing section (10, 11), for precisely or at least one conductor (50), for sealing off the installing section (10, 11) with regard to the conductor (50), characterised in that

a compressive force can be introduced into the conductor seal (20; 21, 22) by means of the installing section (10,

11), whereby an elastomechanical sealing force can be exerted from the conductor seal (20; 21, 22) onto the conductor (50) in a distributed manner in circumferential direction (U) .

2. The sealing unit (5) according to any one of the

preceding claims, characterised in that the compressive force itself, which can be introduced into the conductor seal (20; 21, 22) by means of the installing section (10, 11), is a compressive force distributed in circumferential direction (U) .

3. The sealing unit (5) according to any one of the

preceding claims, characterised in that an interference fit can be installed between the installing section (10, 11) and the conductor seal (20; 21, 22), wherein

within an installed sealing unit (5) , preferably a press-fit is installed between the installing section (10,

11) and the conductor seal (20; 21, 22) .

4. The sealing unit (5) according to any one of the

preceding claims, characterised in that: • to generate the elastomechanical sealing force, the installing section (10, 11) and the conductor seal (20;

21, 22) possess a corresponding mutual geometrical design,

• the elastomechanical sealing force can be generated by means of a geometrically similar design, at least in sections, of the installing section (10, 11) with regard to the conductor seal (20; 21, 22),

• at least one profile section of the installing section

(10, 11) possesses a longer or shorter profile dimension than a respective profile section of a relaxed conductor seal (20; 21, 22), and/or

• at least one inner profile section of the installing

section (10, 11) possesses smaller dimensions than a respective outer profile section of a relaxed conductor seal (20; 21, 22 ) .

5. The sealing unit (5) according to any one of the

preceding claims, characterised in that the installing section (10, 11) has a seal receptacle (110), at/in which the conductor seal (20; 21, 22) can be at least partly mounted, wherein

when the conductor seal (20; 21, 22) is being mounted at/in the seal receptacle (110), the compressive force of the installing section (10, 11) can be introduced successively into the conductor seal (20; 21, 22) .

6. The sealing unit (5) according to any one of the

preceding claims, characterised in that on the one hand the installing section (10, 11) has two flanks (111, 112), and on the other hand the conductor seal (20; 21, 22) has two flanks (211, 212), wherein

when the sealing unit (5) is being installed, an acute intermediate angle present between flanks (111/211, 112/212) which relate to one another substantially disappears, as a result of which the compressive force can be successively introduced into the conductor seal (20; 21, 22) .

7. The sealing unit (5) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the installing section (10, 11) has a seal recess (110) or the seal

receptacle (110) is configured as a seal recess (110), wherein :

• the seal recess (110) has two mutually opposing inner flanks (111, 112), the imaginary extensions of which form an acute recess angle (ano) to one another,

• the conductor seal (20; 21, 22) has two mutually

opposing outer flanks (211, 212), the imaginary

extensions of which form an acute seal angle (a₂o) to one another, and/or

• the seal angle (a₂o) of the mutually opposing outer

flanks (211, 212) of the conductor seal (20; 21, 22) is larger than the recess angle (ano) of the mutually opposing inner flanks (111, 112) of the installing section (10, 11).

8. The sealing unit (5) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that:

• the conductor seal (20; 21, 22) has two seal parts (21, 22) and the conductor (50) can be received between the two seal parts (21, 22) in a sealed-off manner,

• in a premounting position (V) a first seal part (21) of the two seal parts (21, 22) is pre-mounted at/in the installing section (10, 11), and/or

• in a final mounting position (E) the first seal part

(21) is finally mounted at/in the installing section (10, 11), wherein the first seal part (21) has moved further with regard to its premounting position (V) at/in the installing section (10, 11) .

9. The sealing unit (5) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the sealing unit (5) is configured such that, in the final mounting position (E) : • a compressive force can be introduced into the first seal part (21) by means of the installing section (10,

11) ,

• a compressive force can be introduced into the second seal part (22) by means of the installing section (10,

11) ,

• a sealing force can be transmitted onto the second seal part (22) by means of the first seal part (21), and/or

• a compressive force can be introduced into the second seal part (22) by means of a floor (11) for the

installing section (10, 11).

10. The sealing unit (5) according to any one of the

preceding claims, characterised in that:

• a distribution of the elastomechanical sealing force in circumferential direction (U) of the conductor (50) covers a range of approx. 180°, approx. 225°, approx. 270°, approx. 315°, or approx. 360°,

• alongside its sealing function in the sealing unit (5) , the conductor seal (20; 21, 22) has a second sealing function, and/or

• the conductor seal (20), preferably the second seal part (22), further comprises an annular sealing section (24).

11. A sealing arrangement preferably for a connector (2) having a plurality of conductors (50), in particular an electrical connector (2) with a plurality of electrical conductors (50) preferably for the motor vehicle industry, characterised in that

the sealing arrangement comprises a plurality of sealing units (5) , wherein the sealing units (5) preferably each seal off precisely one conductor (50), the sealing units (5) are preferably installed in series in the sealing arrangement, and a single common second seal part (22) is preferably installed for the conductors (50) .

12. A connector (2), in particular an electrical connector (1), preferably an electrical charging socket (1) for the motor vehicle industry, characterised in that

the connector (2) has a sealing unit (5) or a sealing arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims.

13. The connector (2) according to the preceding claim, characterised in that the connector (2) comprises a housing (4) with a first housing part (410) and a second housing part (420) , wherein

the installing section (10, 11) is installed with the first seal part (21) in the first housing part (410), and the second seal part (22) is installed in the second housing part (420) .

14. The connector (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the first housing part (410) has at least one locking unit and, correspondingly to this, the second housing part (420) has a locking unit

complementary thereto at least in sections, wherein

the housing (4) is configured such that, by means of the locking units, a mechanical force can be introduced into the installing section (10, 11), which mechanical force can be introduced from the installing section (10, 11) into the conductor seal (20; 21, 22) partly as the compressive force.

15. A device (1), unit (1), module (0), appliance (0), apparatus (0), assembly (0), mechanism (0) or system (0), characterised in that

the device (1), the unit (1), the module (0), the appliance (0), the apparatus (0), the assembly (0), the mechanism (0) or the system (0) has a sealing unit (5) or a sealing arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims .