EP4147306A1

EP4147306A1 - Sealing housing, cable shoe and system

Info

Publication number: EP4147306A1
Application number: EP21720427.0A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Franz-Heinz Kaszubowski; Amir Hossein ATTARZADEH
Original assignee: Auto Kabel Management GmbH
Current assignee: Auto Kabel Management GmbH
Priority date: 2020-05-06
Filing date: 2021-04-19
Publication date: 2023-03-15
Anticipated expiration: 2041-04-19
Also published as: EP4147306B1; US20230198196A1; CN115917883A; ES2961476T3; DE102020002701A1; US11721933B2; DE102020002701B4; MX2022013908A; WO2021223993A1

Abstract

Sealing housing for a cable shoe having a cable entry which runs in the longitudinal direction and having a dome which extends in a transverse direction, transversely to the longitudinal direction, wherein the cable entry runs towards the dome in the longitudinal direction and ends in the dome, the dome has a receptacle for the cable shoe, and the dome has a through-passage which runs in the transverse direction and extends, in the transverse direction, on either side of the receptacle into a base region and a cover region, characterized in that the receptacle has latching means for mechanically receiving the cable shoe.

Description

Sealing housing, cable lug and system

The subject matter relates to a sealing housing for a cable lug, a cable lug for such a sealing housing and a system with a sealing housing and a cable lug.

In the field of automotive engineering, electrical cabling is safety-relevant. Since vehicles are usually exposed to changing environmental conditions, such as rain, spray water, road salt, strong temperature fluctuations and the like, electrical connections are always sources of error with regard to corrosion. Contact corrosion can be promoted by the voltage applied to the line, in particular in the case of battery lines, which may also have permanent battery positive potential.

Connections between two electrical lines are usually implemented using a cable lug and appropriate screw connections. It is important here that the connection point is protected against moisture penetration. Nowadays, this is usually achieved by means of a shrink tube that is placed over the connection point and then shrunk. Such a shrink tube, especially in connection with silicone-sheathed cables, is problematic in terms of longitudinal water that creeps between the shrink tube and the cable insulation. A complete seal can hardly be achieved here.

Various types of cable lugs are known from the prior art, with which a cable can be connected to a connection part of an electrical system. For this purpose, the cable lug is typically connected to one end of a cable, in particular by welding, soldering or crimping in the connection area of the cable lug. Then the cable lug can with its Fastening area are connected to a connection part, for example by passing a threaded bolt of the connection part through a contact opening and secured with a nut or by passing a screw through the contact opening and screwing it into a threaded hole in the connection part. In this way, a reliable and low-resistance electrical connection can be established between a cable and a connection part of an electrical system.

In humid or otherwise corrosive environmental conditions, such as those found in a motor vehicle, especially in its engine compartment, the cable lugs are usually provided with a housing to protect the connection of the cable lug with the cable and with the connector of the electrical system from corrosion to protect. Such housings are also used for safety reasons in order to prevent accidental contact with live parts.

Such a contact element with a cable lug, a conductor connected to it and a housing is known, for example, from DE 10 2013 021409 A1.

The housing is often formed from a plastic and can be produced, for example, by injection molding. Since high mechanical loads can act on the cable lug when connecting the cable lug to a contact element of an electrical system, in particular when tightening a nut or screw, secure embedding of the cable lug in the housing is desirable so that the cable lug does not move even when a force is applied the housing and permanent protection against moisture penetration is guaranteed.

For this reason, the object of the object was to enable a stable, easy-to-produce connection between a cable lug and a housing, which connection is protected against moisture.

In the subject matter, a sealing housing for a cable lug is proposed. The material of the sealing housing is, for example, such a hard material that it enables the cable lug to be anchored particularly firmly in the housing. This can be a thermoplastic material, for example. This can be a glass fiber reinforced plastic, for example PA 6 GF15.

The housing is preferably injection molded.

The housing has a cable entry running in a longitudinal direction. A cable entry can be an opening in the housing, which allows a sealed insertion of a cable into the housing. The cable entry can be formed as a channel that extends in the longitudinal direction. A cable lug, which is installed in the sealing housing in the connected state, also preferably extends in the longitudinal direction.

In addition to the duct for the cable entry, the seal housing includes a dome. The cathedral also has a longitudinal extension. The direction of the longitudinal extension of the dome is referred to here as the transverse direction. The transverse direction is preferably transverse to the longitudinal direction, in particular perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The transverse direction can be a surface normal to an insertion plane in which a cable lug can be inserted into the cable entry. This plane lies in particular in the axis of the longitudinal direction.

In order to avoid misunderstandings, it should be noted at this point that the term “direction” can also mean the term “axis”. An axis extends in one direction. An axis defines a straight line along a direction. The longitudinal direction can in particular run through the center point of the cable entry and extend in the longitudinal direction of the cable entry. The transverse direction can in particular run through a center point of the through channel. The transverse direction runs in the longitudinal direction of the through-channel. To avoid misunderstandings, it should be noted that the term "slide-in plane" does not just mean a plane in the mathematical sense. A slide-in plane can also have a height extension. This height extension is in particular equal to the material thickness of the cable lug, in particular a fastening area of the cable lug.

The cable entry extends as a channel starting from an outer jacket surface of the housing towards the dome and ends in the receptacle of the dome. With the help of the cable entry it is possible to insert a cable including a cable lug into the housing and the receptacle. A cable lug, in particular a flat area of a cable lug, can be pushed into the dome in the insertion plane along the cable entry.

The cathedral has a recording. A contact element with which the cable lug can be fastened in this receptacle. For this purpose, the dome has a through-channel running in the transverse direction, through which the contact element can be pushed into the dome. The through channel extends on both sides of the receptacle into a base area on the one hand and a cover area on the other.

This means that when installed, the cable lug is in the slot in the slot. On one side of the insertion level, the through-channel extends into a cover area and on the other side of the insertion level, the through-channel extends into a base area.

The through channel and / or the cable entry can be formed by a tubular part of the sealing housing.

For secure fastening of the cable lug in the sealing housing, it is now proposed that the receptacle have latching means for mechanically receiving the cable lug. This locking means is particularly suitable for non-destructive fastening of the cable lug in the receptacle. The locking means are used in particular for mechanical locking of the cable lug. Will the If the cable lug is pushed into the cable entry and the receptacle in the insertion level, the locking means are used to mechanically lock the cable lug. This locking is in particular a form fit.

The latching means can be formed as resilient elements which can resiliently latch behind a recess in the cable lug. The locking means can be pivoted essentially transversely to the longitudinal direction, in particular elastically deformable radially outward, so that the locking means can bend radially outward when the cable lug is inserted, the cable lug can slide past the locking means and the locking means can then slide behind the recess in the cable lug can spring back. Thus, the locking means are not destroyed during the assembly of the cable lug.

Non-destructive unlocking is also possible with suitable tools in order to replace the housing and / or cable lug in the event of damage or service. For this purpose, it is proposed that the latching means have a receptacle running in the transverse direction for an expanding tool. With the spreading tool, spreading force acting radially outward can be exerted on the locking means. As a result, the latching means can be removed from the recess on the cable lug and the cable lug can be removed from the housing against the insertion direction. The receptacle may be in the form of an arc extending radially outward. The locking means runs in its longitudinal extension, e.g. omega-shaped.

A free space for receiving the latching means can be arranged in the receptacle. In this receptacle, the locking means can bend radially outward, be it when inserting the cable lug or when spreading the locking means with the expanding tool.

According to one exemplary embodiment, it is proposed that the latching means are formed for latching with the cable lug in a form-fitting manner in the longitudinal direction. The cable lug is pushed lengthways into the cable entry. While During this insertion movement, the cable lug is preferably inserted into the receptacle in the insertion plane. During this movement, there is a locking between the cable lug and the locking means. After locking, the cable lug can no longer be pulled out of the seal housing in the opposite direction to the insertion direction. The cable lug is fixed in its degree of freedom counter to the direction of insertion by the locking means. In order to pull the cable lug out of the seal housing, the locking means must be spread radially outward.

In order to further fix the cable lug, in particular to guide the cable lug in the insertion plane, it is proposed that the receptacle have guide rails running on both sides of the longitudinal direction. The cable lug is guided in these guide rails during insertion into the receptacle. The guide rails can also be L-shaped in cross section and the cable lug can rest on one of the legs in the insertion direction. One leg can guide the cable lug in the transverse direction and one leg can guide the cable lug in a direction perpendicular to the transverse direction and perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The guide rails can also be groove-shaped with a groove bottom and groove walls, the cable lug being guided in the groove.

With the help of the guide rails, which are provided in particular on both sides of the receptacle, the cable lug is fixed in its degrees of freedom when it is pushed in, at least in the direction of the transverse direction.

In order to ensure that the cable lug latches with the latching means, it is also proposed that the latching means are arranged in the region of one leg of the guide rails. The guide rails are characterized in particular by two legs, a groove base and a groove wall, and possibly two groove walls. The locking means can be on the groove bottom and / or the groove walls on at least one guide rail. It is possible that one or more latching means are provided per guide rail. The locking means on the two guide rails are preferred, in particular the groove bottoms of the guide grooves are provided. The locking means are projections or recesses. The locking means on the guide rail extend radially in the direction of the transverse direction of the through channel. This means that the locking means run radially to the center of the receptacle. An inserted cable lug can lock into these locking means.

According to one exemplary embodiment, it is proposed that the receptacle have an anti-rotation device which is arranged in the longitudinal direction opposite the cable entry. The anti-twist protection is preferably located in the insertion level. The anti-twist protection is in particular one that points in the direction of the cable lug

Projection which engages in an end recess of the cable lug or a recess pointing away from the cable lug, in which an end projection of the cable lug engages. The cable lug is pushed into the receptacle along the cable entry. When the cable lug is pushed into the receptacle, it comes into engagement with the anti-rotation device. The anti-twist protection is used in particular to twist the cable lug about the transverse direction. The anti-twist protection can be formed in accordance with the latching means or run as a projection or recess radially to the center of the receptacle. According to one exemplary embodiment, it is proposed that the anti-rotation device have a projection extending in the longitudinal direction in the direction of the cable entry or a recess pointing away from the cable entry. This is directed in particular in the radial direction to the center of the receptacle. Such a projection engages in a locking groove of the cable lug in the pushed-in state. In the pushed-in state, such a recess takes on a latching lug of the cable lug.

When the cable lug is pushed into the receptacle, it can no longer be pulled out of the exception by the locking means against the insertion direction. At the same time, the cable lug engages with the anti-twist protection. Of the

The cable lug can no longer be removed from the anti-twist protection because it cannot more can be pulled out of the housing against the direction of insertion. This prevents the cable lug from twisting around the transverse direction in the receptacle.

In order to also prevent the cable lug from twisting about the longitudinal direction, a groove for receiving an end edge of a fastening area of the cable lug can be provided in the receptacle as an alternative or in addition to the guide rails. Like the anti-twist protection, this groove is on the side of the receptacle opposite the cable entry. The groove preferably has a groove base and groove walls.

The anti-rotation device is preferably arranged in the groove base and / or the groove walls. The groove for receiving the front edge preferably runs in the same plane as the guide rails. When the cable lug is pushed in, it is preferably pushed into the receptacle along the guide rails in the insertion plane. At the end of the insertion movement, the cable lug is also pushed into the groove for receiving its front edge. The cable lug, in particular the fastening area of the cable lug, is thus held in the guide rails and / or the groove for receiving the front edge.

According to one exemplary embodiment, it is proposed that the through-channel be aligned with the receptacle in such a way that a central axis of the dome runs through a center point of a contact opening of a cable lug locked in the receptacle. In the cable lug, in particular in the fastening area of the cable lug, a contact opening for receiving a contact element, such as a bolt, screw, pin or the like, is provided. After the cable lug with its fastening area has been pushed into the seal housing and is locked with the seal housing, as described above, the cable lug with its fastening area is located inside the dome. The contact element described above can be inserted into the dome through the passage channel from the cover area in the direction of the base area or vice versa. In order to ensure that the contact element is also pushed through the cable lug when it is inserted, in particular the contact opening of the cable lug, this is locked in the seal housing in the locked state in such a way that the center of the contact opening is aligned with the center axis of the dome, in particular the center axis of the dome runs through the center of the contact opening. The contact element is then held centrally in the through-channel of the dome through the contact opening.

The contact element can then be screwed into the through-channel starting from the cover area to the cable lug, in particular the fastening area of the cable lug. Another type of attachment, such as latching, clipping or the like, is also possible.

Starting from the cover area, for example, the contact element can be screwed onto the cable lug. For this it is necessary that the cover area is freely accessible through an opening. On the other hand, however, sealing of this opening is necessary for sealing the connection between the contact element and the cable lug. A cover can therefore be fastened to the cover area.

In order to seal the cover with respect to the through-channel, it is proposed according to one exemplary embodiment that a sealing ring extending around the end face and extending in the transverse direction is arranged in the cover area. This sealing ring protrudes from the end face in particular in the transverse direction, that is to say along the direction of propagation of the through-channel. The sealing ring can be formed as part of the sealing housing from a hard component or from a soft component. The cover can be designed as a screw cover. A cover wall can encompass the cover area. A screw thread can be provided on the cover wall. The cover wall can extend axially over the screw thread in the direction of the receptacle. The cover wall can be sealed against the outer jacket surface of the cover area with a circumferential seal. A sealing ring can be arranged in a circumferential groove on the outer jacket surface of the cover area or in a circumferential groove on the inner jacket surface of the cover edge.

The cover can be designed as a securing cover with a spring element, the spring element preventing the cover from rotating in the opening direction and only allowing the cover to rotate in the opening direction when there is a contact pressure acting radially inward. This can act as a protection against jolting / shaking loose the cover due to vibration.

As already explained at the beginning, the seal housing itself can be made of a harder material than a sealing material. In particular, the sealing housing can be formed from a hard component and sealing material from a soft component.

For a particularly process-optimized production, it is proposed that the soft components be injection-molded together with the hard component. In a common injection molding process, two different materials are preferably injected into a common injection mold. For particularly good recycling, it is suggested that the soft component and hard component are manufactured separately from one another and that the soft component is arranged as a seal on the hard component during assembly.

It is also possible, and particularly preferred, to produce the hard component and the soft component separately from one another and to join them together in a detachable manner. This leads to an increased recycling rate, since after Dismantling the hard component can be separated from the soft component easily and the components can be made available by type.

A seal can be injection-molded from a crosslinking silicone. The hard component is preferably injected from another plastic, for example PA with or without a glass fiber content or the like.

The hard as well as the soft component can preferably be designed in such a way that their materials have the required strength requirements in a large temperature range, in particular between -40.degree. C. and + 180.degree. This enables the cable seal to be used in automotive applications.

As already explained, both hard and soft components can be injected into a common injection-molded housing. In this respect, it is suggested that the

Soft component is produced together with the hard component together in a two-component injection molding process. The two-component injection molding creates a one-piece component which, however, is formed from two different materials, in the present case in particular silicone and another plastic, in particular PBT. The transition between the hard and the

Soft components are created during production and the materials form a cross-linked transition. The materials can adhere to one another through adhesion. However, it is also particularly preferred to produce hard and soft components separately from one another. These are, in particular, covers, seal housings, seals, receiving areas, housing receptacles, etc.

The hard component is preferably stiffer than the soft component. For applications at high temperatures, especially above 125 ° C, silicone is usually used as an insulation material for cables. Shrink tubing does not seal successfully against silicone. In order to provide a successful seal, it is proposed that the soft component be formed from a silicone.

Any seal described here can be formed from the soft component. The seal housing is made from the hard component.

The sealing ring, which preferably runs around the end face of the cover area, comes into contact with the cover when a cover is placed on the end face of the cover area. In this way, the sealing ring can seal the passage channel. However, it is also conceivable that the sealing ring is formed from a hard material and comes into contact with a seal made from a soft material which is arranged on the underside of the cover. A sealing ring made of a soft material can also be provided in the area of an annular space between the inner jacket surface of a cover wall and an outer jacket surface of the cover receptacle.

According to one exemplary embodiment, it is proposed that a flange extending radially outward is arranged in the cover area on a front edge. This flange is used to fasten the cover to the cover area, in particular the end face of the cover area. The cover can grip behind the flange. The cover can for example be screwed to the flange. Then the flange can be formed as an external thread. It is also possible that the flange is engaged from behind by clips arranged on the cover. The cover can thus be fastened to the sealing housing in a latching manner on the flange. According to one exemplary embodiment, it is proposed that the cover area is formed to receive a cover. In the fastened state, the cover is fastened to the cover area in a form-fitting manner in the transverse direction. For this purpose, the cover can be fixed facing away from the seal housing in its degree of freedom in the transverse direction, in particular by latching the cover or the circumferential side walls of the cover onto the flange or screwing the cover wall onto the outer surface of the cover receptacle.

The cover can be permanently connected to the sealing housing, e.g. by a hinge, a film hinge, a thread-like retaining element or the like.

To seal the passage area, it is proposed that a sealing ring be arranged between an inner side of the lid edge and an outer jacket surface of the lid area. This sealing ring can be in addition or as an alternative to the seal arranged on the end face.

The cover area can be formed in the manner of a connecting piece for the cover.

According to one embodiment, it is proposed that the cover engages behind the flange. This reaching behind ensures that the cover is fastened to the cover area and, in particular, is fixed away from the housing in the degree of freedom in the direction of propagation of the through-channel. A circumferential wall can be provided on the cover. This circumferential wall can be formed from sections that are separated from one another by interruptions. This allows the wall to move outwards when the cover is pressed onto the flange. The cover is fixed to the housing by the wall springing back elastically to reach behind the flange.

According to one embodiment, it is proposed that the cable entry is separated by a wall from the receptacle of the dome, the wall being a

Has opening for the cable lug. The wall is in particular slot-shaped in the Shelf level opened to accommodate the fastening area of the cable lug. A separation between the area of the cable entry on the one hand and the area of the receptacle on the other hand is achieved by the wall.

According to one embodiment, it is proposed that the cable entry has a receiving area for a cable attached to the cable lug.

The cable lug is in particular metallic. The cable lug, in particular the connection area and the fastening area, are formed from an aluminum material or a copper material. It is also possible for the connection area to be made of a metal different from the fastening area. In particular, the cable lug can be bimetallic. The connection area can be formed from an aluminum material, for example, and the fastening area can be formed from a copper material. This can also be exactly the other way around.

A material can comprise the pure metal or an alloy with other metals.

An electrical cable, in particular a stranded cable, is attached to the connection area. The stranded cable is formed from a cable core with one or a plurality of strands and an insulation surrounding them. The strands can be made of aluminum material or copper material. The connection area is preferably made of the same material as the strands.

The strands can be materially soldered or welded onto the connection area and / or crimped or screwed in a form-fitting manner or fastened in some other way. In particular, the strands can be welded onto the connection area by means of ultrasound. Instead of a stranded cable, a flat cable (busbar) made of aluminum or copper can be used. The contacting of the cable lug to the busbar can be realized in a materially bonded manner, for example by pressure butt welding / ultrasonic welding, or in a form-fitting manner, for example by riveting or screwing.

Starting from the connection area, the cable extends away from the cable lug and the cable with the insulation is formed in an area remote from the cable lug. The insulation preferably engages in the receiving area of the seal housing. The seal housing can be sealed there. The receiving area receives the cable fastened to the cable lug, in particular the insulation, in a sealed manner.

According to one exemplary embodiment, it is proposed that a circumferential sealing ring be arranged on the inner wall of the sealing housing in the receiving area.

When the cable lug is pushed into the sealing housing, it can be pushed through the sealing ring into the receiving area. In the pushed-in position, the sealing ring rests tightly on the cable insulator. Furthermore, the sealing ring rests against the inner wall of the seal housing. The sealing ring is elastically compressed between the insulator of the cable and the inner wall of the housing, in particular the inner wall of the receiving area.

According to one exemplary embodiment, it is proposed that the sealing ring have ribs which are spaced apart from one another in the longitudinal direction and point radially outward. In this context, radially outwards means radial to the cable lug and / or to the cable attached to the cable lug. With these ribs pointing radially outward, the sealing ring can be fastened to the inner wall of the sealing housing. A correspondingly complementary structure for the ribs can be provided on the inner wall of the seal housing, so that the ribs can engage in grooves complementary thereto on the inner wall of the seal housing. If in this context of When talking about the inner wall of the sealing housing, this also always means the inner wall of the receiving area.

The interlocking of the ribs on the one hand and the circumferential grooves on the inner wall of the seal housing on the other hand achieve a particularly good sealing effect.

According to one exemplary embodiment, it is proposed that the sealing ring have ribs which are spaced apart from one another in the longitudinal direction and point radially inward. These ribs pointing radially inward rest on the insulation of the cable. In the pushed-in position, the cable presses the adjacent ribs radially outwards and compresses them. This creates contact pressure between the ribs and the insulation, which improves the sealing effect.

According to one exemplary embodiment, it is proposed that the sealing ring have a sealing lip extending in the longitudinal direction on its end face pointing away from the dome. The sealing ring preferably has a longitudinal extension which runs in the longitudinal direction. On the side opposite the dome in the longitudinal direction, the sealing ring can have a sealing lip which extends axially on its end face. The sealing lip can come into engagement with an end cover in order to achieve a good sealing effect.

According to one exemplary embodiment, it is proposed that a cover (grommet) be arranged on the receiving area. The end cover is slipped over the cable, in particular with a receptacle, before the cable is inserted into the sealing housing. The end cover can then be pressed against the seal housing in the area of the cable entry, in particular the end face in the area of the cable entry. It is proposed that the end cover encompasses the receiving area on an outer jacket surface. According to one exemplary embodiment, it is proposed that the end cover have a receptacle for a cable. From the side of the cable facing away from the cable lug, the end cover with the receptacle can be pushed onto the cable, or the end cover with its receptacle can be pushed onto the cable before the cable lug is attached to the cable. After the cable lug has been pushed into the sealing housing in the direction of insertion, the insulation of the cable is preferably located within the cable entry and is preferably sealed against longitudinal water by the sealing ring. The end cover can then be pushed onto the housing and fastened to it.

Radially penetrating water is preferably sealed by the sealing lip which rests on the end cover.

In order to optimize this seal, it is proposed that the cover, in the assembled state, have groove webs pointing in the longitudinal direction in the direction of the dome within the cable entry. These groove webs span a groove with a groove base and groove walls. In the fastened state, the sealing lip is received within the groove and is preferably pressed elastically against the groove base. Radially penetrating water is sealed off by the sealing lip.

It can also be provided that the cover is formed as a grommet. As such, the filling can encompass the outer jacket surface of the receiving area. Radially outwardly pointing, preferably circumferential projections can be provided on the outer jacket surface of the receiving area. The inner wall of the grommet can have corresponding recesses for this purpose, so that the projections and recesses interlock and a seal is thus achieved. The grommet can engage behind a projection in the direction of the dome.

To fasten the end cover to the seal housing, it is proposed that the end cover be latched with latching means on an outer jacket surface of the receiving area. In particular, this can be done by engaging behind locking lugs. In particular, the latching means can be a clip closure. In addition to sealing the cover area and the cable entry, the bottom area must also be sealed so that the connection between the contact element and the cable lug is protected from moisture. For this reason, it is proposed that the bottom area be designed to accommodate a housing receptacle. This housing receptacle serves to seal the passage channel in the floor area.

According to one exemplary embodiment, it is proposed that the housing receptacle be part of a housing dome of an electrical attachment. For example, it is conceivable that a contact element protrudes from a surface on an electrical component, in particular protrudes perpendicularly. Such a contact element can be provided with a thread at its front end. The contact element can be formed to be connected to the cable lug. Now it is possible to put the sealing housing with the passage channel over the contact element so that it comes into engagement with the cable lug in the dome. To seal the bottom area, a housing element can also protrude in the direction of the contact element on the attachment from which the contact element protrudes. This can be a housing dome, which is formed in the form of a housing receptacle for the bottom area. Thus, with the aid of the sealing housing in question, a connection of a cable to a contact element of an electrical installation or an electrical attachment can be implemented in a particularly simple manner. A housing dome with a contact element is provided on the add-on part, the housing dome surrounding the contact element and the housing dome being formed for engagement in the bottom area of the sealing housing. It is also possible that the housing receptacle is independent of a housing of an attachment.

According to one exemplary embodiment, it is proposed that the housing receptacle have a through channel for receiving a contact element. According to one exemplary embodiment, it is proposed that a seal be arranged between the contact element and the inner wall of the through channel of the housing receptacle. This seal can also be circumferential and be elastically compressed between the contact part and the inner wall of the through-channel. With the help of this seal entry of longitudinal water is prevented.

The through-channel of the housing receptacle extends in the transverse direction into the dome. Thus, in the transverse direction, an annular space is formed between the outer wall of the through channel of the housing receptacle and the inner wall of the dome, in which the seal can lie.

According to one exemplary embodiment, it is proposed that a seal be arranged on an end face of the base region. This seal is in particular such that it encompasses the front edges of the base area on both sides, that is to say on the inside and outside. The housing receptacle can rest with its through-channel on the inner side of the seal and with outer, circumferential walls it can rest on the outside of the seal.

For this reason, it is proposed that the seal be arranged on the end face of the bottom area between the seal housing and the housing receptacle.

According to one exemplary embodiment, it is proposed that the seal on the end face of the base area have ribs which are spaced apart from one another in the transverse direction and point radially inward. This is to be understood as being radial in relation to the contact element. These inwardly pointing ribs can rest against the contact element. It is also possible for the inwardly pointing ribs to rest on complementary circumferential grooves on the outer jacket surface of the through-channel of the housing receptacle. In this way, a particularly good seal against longitudinal water is achieved. Another aspect is a cable lug for a sealing housing described here.

As already explained above, this cable lug is formed from a connection area and a fastening area. In the connection area, an electrical cable, in particular one or more. Electrical contact can be made with strands of an electrical cable. For this purpose, for example, a crimp connection, screw connection, solder connection, weld connection or the like can be provided. In particular, welding the strands of the cable on the surface of the connection area is preferred.

The connection area, in particular at least partially, the fastening area, in particular completely, is formed as a flat part its outer edges at least one latching means which comes into mechanical contact with latching means of the sealing housing. When the locking means of the sealing housing and the cable lug are locked, the cable lug is fixed at least in the degree of freedom in the direction of the connection area of the cable lug. This direction is in particular the longitudinal direction of the cable entry, pointing out of the seal housing.

The locking means can be formed by mutually complementary recesses and projections. It is thus possible that a projection is formed in the seal housing and a recess is formed on the flat part, or vice versa. If this application refers to a recess or a projection in connection with the locking means, the other can be meant in each case.

The flat part or the cable lug is pushed into the sealing housing with the fastening area, which is formed as a flat part, with its end face first. If the locking means is a setback, then this has one in the direction of one The face of the flat part has a steeper flank than in the direction of the fastening area. If the locking means is a projection, this has a flank that is flatter in the direction of an end face of the flat part than in the direction of the fastening area. When inserting the locking means of the sealing housing and the cable lug slide past each other and engage behind each other when the cable lug locks in its end position.

According to one exemplary embodiment, it is proposed that the fastening area have a locking means as a groove or nose that extends in the longitudinal direction starting from the end face of the flat part. When the locking groove is described below, the mechanical reversal is of course always also meant. Either a latching lug of the seal housing engages in a latching groove in the fastening area or a latching lug of the fastening area engages in a latching groove in the sealing housing. The locking in the area of the end face prevents the cable lug from rotating about the transverse direction in the seal housing.

The fastening area is formed as a flat part and has a contact opening for a contact element. The contact element can be pushed into the contact opening through the through-channel.

According to one exemplary embodiment, it is proposed that the fastening area be guided in the guide rails of the receptacle, which run in the longitudinal direction. In particular, the material thickness of the fastening area corresponds to the distance between the groove walls of the guide rails, so that the cable lug can be pushed into the grooves with a loose fit.

Another aspect is a system with a previously described sealing housing and a previously described cable lug.

The subject matter is explained in more detail below with the aid of a drawing showing exemplary embodiments. In the drawing show: La is a plan view of a cable lug according to an embodiment; FIG. 1b shows a view of a cable lug according to FIG. La;

Fig. Lc a plan view of a cable lug according to an embodiment; Fig. 2 is a schematic view of a seal housing with a

Cable lug according to an embodiment;

3 shows a further schematic view of a seal housing according to an exemplary embodiment;

4 shows a partial section through a sealing housing with a cable lug according to an exemplary embodiment;

5 shows a longitudinal section through a seal housing with a cable lug according to exemplary embodiments;

6 shows a schematic view of a cable lug with a sealing housing according to an exemplary embodiment; 7 shows a schematic view of a cable lug with a sealing housing according to an exemplary embodiment.

Fig. La shows a cable lug 2 with a cable 4 attached to it. The cable lug 2 has a connection area 2a and an attachment area 2b. The connection area 2a can, as shown, be formed as a flat part on which the cable can be soldered or welded. However, it is also possible that the Connection area 2a has a screw-on surface, a crimp connection or the like.

A braid 4a of the cable is fastened in the connection area 2a, in particular fastened in a materially bonded manner. The strand 4a of the cable is surrounded by an insulator 4b.

The material of the strand 4a, which can be formed as a single strand or as a multi-strand, can be an aluminum material or a copper material. Accordingly, at least the surface of the connection region 2a, be it through the material of the cable lug 2 itself or through a coating, can be formed from the same or a similar material.

The cable lug 2 can be formed from a first material, for example aluminum material or copper material, and can be coated with nickel material and / or tin material and / or other materials over the entire surface or in particular only in the area of the connection area 2a or only in the area of the fastening area. It is also possible for the cable lug 2 to be bimetallic, the connection area 2a being formed from a copper material and the fastening area 2b being formed from an aluminum material. The material combination can also be exactly the other way around.

The cable lug 2 extends in the longitudinal direction starting from the connection area 2a into the fastening area 2b. The fastening area 2b is formed in particular as a flat part.

A contact opening 6 for receiving a contact element, as will be described below, is formed in the fastening region 2b. The contact opening 6 can be drilled, milled, punched, cut or the like. The contact opening 6 is in particular in the center of the fastening area 2b. The fastening area 2b is delimited by a circumferential outer edge 8. The outer edge 8 extends to the side of the contact opening 6 and merges into an end edge 8 '.

On the lateral outer edges 8, the fastening area 2b has a recess 10b formed as a recess. The recess 10b is on both sides of the contact opening 6 in the example shown.

It can be seen that the recess 10b, starting from the front edge 8 ′, jumps inward with a steep flank and runs in the direction of the connecting area 2a with a flatter flank towards the outer edge 8.

The steep edge facing the front edge 8 'enables the cable lug 2 to latch in a sealing housing, as will be described below.

At the front edge 8 ', the cable lug 2 has a further anti-rotation device 12 formed as a recess. A latching lug can engage in this, as will be described below.

Fig. Lb shows the cable lug 2 in a view. It can be seen that the contact opening 6 is a bore. The strands 4a of the cable 4 are welded to the connection area 2a, in particular by means of friction welding, e.g. ultrasonic welding, in which the strands 4a are compacted when they are welded to the cable lug 2.

Fig. Lc shows an embodiment of a cable lug 2 according to Fig. La, in contrast to Fig. La, a projection 10b is provided and the anti-rotation device 12 is also formed as a projection. These can interact with corresponding recesses in the seal housing. It can be seen that on the projections 10b, starting from the front edge 8 ', initially a flat flank runs outwards and then a steep flank runs in the direction of the outer edge 8 '. Due to the flat flank, the cable lug 2 can slide into the receptacle of the sealing housing. Due to the steep flank, the cable lug 2 can snap into a recess in the seal housing.

2 shows the cable lug 2 installed in a sealing housing 14. It can be seen that the sealing housing 14 has a cable inlet 16 running in the longitudinal direction 18. The longitudinal direction 18 can also be understood as a longitudinal axis and runs in particular coaxially to the longitudinal axis of the cable 4. A through-channel 20 of a dome 22 runs in a transverse direction 24 transversely to the longitudinal direction 18. The transverse direction 24 can also be understood as a vertical axis or transverse axis. The dome 22 has a bottom area 22a and a cover area 22b.

It can be seen that the cable 4 is inserted into the cable entry 16 through an end cover 26. The end cover 26 is fastened to a receiving area 16a of the cable entry 16.

A seal 28 is arranged on the inner surface of the receiving area 16a and the outer surface of the insulator 4b.

Starting from the cable entry 16, the cable lug 2 is pushed into the cable entry 16 and the dome 22 along the longitudinal direction 18, which represents the insertion direction. The cable lug 2 latches, as will be described below, with its fastening area 2b within the receptacle of the dome 22.

As will be described in detail below, the base area 22a is sealed by a sealing ring 30. The cover region 22b is also sealed by a sealing ring 32, as will be described below. The seal 28 and the sealing rings 30, 32 can be provided from soft components and as components that are separate from the seal housing 14. As a result, the seals 28, 30, 32 can be removed from the seal housing 14 and, if necessary, the material can be genuinely recycled when it is replaced.

3 shows the sealing housing 14, in which the end cover 26 is pushed onto the receiving area 16a. It can be seen that the end cover 26 latches with a clip fastener 26a with respect to the sealing housing 14. The clip fastener 26a is formed in such a way that the end cover 26 is pressed against the receiving area 16a with a force.

It can also be seen that a cover 34 is arranged on the cover region 22b of the dome 22. The cover 34 latches with respect to the seal housing 14 and is pressed with a force against the cover area 22b. A housing receptacle 36 is provided on the bottom area 22a. The housing receptacle 36 is screwed to the dome 22 or the bottom area 22a, so that the housing receptacle 26 is pressed with a force against the bottom area 22a.

In this assembled state, the sealing housing 14 is tight and a connection between a contact element and the cable lug 2 within the receptacle of the dome 22 is protected from water.

The manner in which the cable lug 2 latches in the sealing housing 14 is shown schematically in FIG. 4. Fig. 4 shows a plan view of a seal housing 14 with a partial longitudinal section. It can be seen that the cable lug 2 with its fastening area 2b is pushed into the receptacle of the dome 22. The resilient elements 10a on the guide rails 38 latch with recesses 10b of the cable lug 10.

It can also be seen that receptacles 11 extending in the transverse direction are formed on the resilient elements 10a. In the recordings 11 can be a Engage the spreading tool and thus spread the resilient elements 10a radially outward. The resilient elements 10b thus release the recess 10b and the cable lug 2 can be pulled out of the housing.

In order to prevent the housing from rotating, webs 13 pointing radially outward are provided which can engage in a housing dome.

Part of a guide rail 38 is shown. Inside this guide rail 38, on the groove base, there is a projection 40 which engages in the anti-rotation device 12.

It can also be seen that the end cover 26 engages behind a projection 42 of the sealing housing 14.

5 shows a longitudinal section through a sealing housing 14 with a cable lug 2. At the receiving area 16a, the cable 4 with the insulator 4a is pushed into the cable entry 16. The seal 28 encompasses the cable 4 all the way round.

It can be seen that the seal 28 has ribs 28a pointing radially outward. The ribs 28a are spaced apart from one another in the longitudinal direction 18. The ribs 28a engage in optional grooves 16b of the receiving area 16a or rest on the inner circumferential surface of the receiving area 16a. The grooves 16b are arranged circumferentially on the inner circumferential surface of the receiving area 16a and are in particular complementary to the ribs 28.

In addition to the ribs 28a, ribs 28b pointing radially inward are also arranged on the seal 28, which ribs are also spaced apart from one another in the longitudinal direction 18. The ribs 28b pointing radially inward are also preferably circumferential. The inserted cable 4 compresses the seal 28, the ribs 28a are pressed against the inner jacket surface of the receiving area 16a and the ribs 28b are pressed against the insulator 4b of the cable 4. A sealing lip 28c is provided on the seal 28, pointing away from the dome 22 in the longitudinal direction 18. The sealing lip 28c is also preferably circumferential. The sealing lip 28c is received by a groove 26a arranged on the cover plate 26. In the connected state, the groove 26a of the end cover 26 points into the interior of the receiving area 16a. The end cover 26 also encompasses an end edge of the receiving area 16a all the way round.

The inserted cable lug 2 runs through a wall 44 between the cable entry 16 and the through-channel 20. In the through-channel 20, the cable lug 2 is locked with its fastening area 2b, as shown in FIG. A housing receptacle 36 is plugged onto the dome 22 at the bottom area 22a. The housing receptacle 36 has a through-channel 36a for receiving a contact element 46. In the present case, the contact element 46 is a bolt. The contact element 46 can be pushed into the dome 22 in the transverse direction 24 through the through-channel 36. A seal 46a arranged on the contact element 46, in particular a sealing ring, comes into engagement with a groove 36b running around the inner wall of the through-channel 36a. The seal 46a thus seals off the through-channel 36a. The contact element 46 can also be encapsulated with the housing receptacle 36. The seal 46a can then be omitted. In this case, the contact surface is much closer to the contact element.

The contact element 46 is pushed through the contact opening 6 of the cable lug 2 in the transverse direction 24 during insertion. On the side of the cable lug 2 opposite the bottom area 22a, the contact element 46 is fixed, in particular screwed, to the cable lug with a nut 48.

To seal off the base area 22a, the seal 30 runs circumferentially along an end edge of the base area 22a. In this case, the seal 30 can be provided on the inside of the bottom region 22a with ribs 30a which are spaced apart from one another and which point radially inward. These ribs 30a engage in circumferential grooves 36c on the outer jacket surface of the through-channel 36a. The outer jacket surface of the through-channel 36a can also be smooth.

The housing receptacle 36 encompasses the seal 30 circumferentially on the end face.

The housing receptacle 36 can have a circumferential collar pointing in the direction of the cover region 22b. This collar can protrude beyond the seal 30 in the transverse direction 24. This protects the seal 30 from splashing water.

In the cover area 22b, after the nut 48 has been tightened, a cover 34 is placed on the seal housing 14. The seal 24 is pressed by the cover 34 against the end face of the dome 22. The housing 14 is thus sealed. The cover can also be screwed on. This is shown in FIG. 7

FIG. 6 schematically shows a seal of the seal housing 14, as described in connection with FIG. 5. It can be seen that a projection 52 pointing outward in the transverse direction 24 is provided on an end face 50 of the cover region 22b. This projection 52 comes into engagement with the seal 28 and thus seals the cover 34 with respect to the dome 22.

In FIG. 6 it can also be seen that the seal 30 on the outer jacket surface of the bottom area 22a has a circumferential, radially inwardly pointing projection 30a which engages in a recess 22a 'on the outer jacket surface of the bottom area 22a. The housing receptacle 36 presses the seal 30 against the outer circumferential surface of the base region 22a. Furthermore, in the area of the inner jacket surface of the bottom area 22, the seal 30 also has ribs 30c which are spaced apart from one another and which are pressed against the inner jacket surface of the bottom area 22. 7 shows a further alternative of a sealing housing 14. It can be seen that the cover 34 is designed as a screw cover. The cover 34 has a circumferential cover edge 34a. The lid edge 34a extends in the transverse direction 24 over the thread 34b. A sealing ring 35 is provided between the cover ran d 34a and the cover area 22b.

In the area of the cable entry 16 there is a grommet 29 around the outer surface of the cable entry 16. The grommet 29 latches with a circumferential groove 16c on the outer surface of the cable entry 16. The grommet 29 can be formed as a bellows. The grommet 29 rests against the insulator 4b of the cable 4.

In the bottom area 22a, the seal 30, as shown in FIG. 6, encompasses the front edge of the sealing housing 14 all the way round. In contrast to FIG. 6, the seal 30 does not lie against the contact element 46. Rather, the contact element 46 is guided in a sealed manner in the housing receptacle 36. The seal 30 rests circumferentially on the outer jacket surface of the housing receptacle 36. The housing receptacle 36 has an outer collar 36b, which preferably engages circumferentially around the seal 30.

With the aid of the arrangement shown, it is possible to protect a cable connection between a cable lug and a contact element against moisture.

List of reference symbols

2 cable lug 2 connection area

2b fastening area 4 cable 4a stranded wire 4b insulator 6 contact opening

8 outer edge 8 'front edge 10 locking means 12 anti-twist protection 14 sealing housing 16 cable entry 18 longitudinal direction 20 passage channel 22 dome 22a bottom area 22a' recess 22b cover area 24 transverse direction 26 end cover 26a clip fastener

28 Seal 28a, b ribs

29 Grommet 30, 32 Seal 34 Lid 34a Lid rim 34b Thread 36b collar 36 housing support

36a through channel 36b groove 38 guide groove 40 projection 42 projection 44 wall 46 contact element 46a seal 48 nut 50 end face 52 projection

Claims

Patent claims

1. Sealing housing for a cable lug with a cable inlet running in the longitudinal direction, and a dome extending in a transverse direction transversely to the longitudinal direction, the cable inlet running in the longitudinal direction towards the dome and ending in the dome, the dome having a receptacle for the cable lug, and the dome has a through-channel running in the transverse direction, which extends in the transverse direction, on both sides of the receptacle in a base area and a

Cover area, characterized in that the receptacle has latching means for mechanically receiving the cable lug.

2. Sealing housing according to claim 1, characterized in that the locking means are formed for locking in the longitudinal direction positively locking with the cable lug.

3. Sealing housing according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the latching means are pivotable transversely to the longitudinal direction, in particular are resiliently pivotable, in particular that a free space for receiving the latching means is arranged in the receptacle and / or that the latching means has receptacles for an expanding tool, to absorb a spreading force acting radially outwards.

4. Sealing housing according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the receptacle has an anti-rotation device which is arranged in the longitudinal direction opposite the cable entry.

5. Sealing housing according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the anti-rotation device has a projection extending in the longitudinal direction in the direction of the cable entry, the projection engaging in a locking groove of the cable lug.

6. Sealing housing according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the anti-rotation device has a groove for receiving an end edge of a fastening area of the cable lug.

7. Sealing housing according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the through-channel is aligned with the receptacle in such a way that a central axis of the dome extends through a center point of a contact opening of a cable lug locked in the receptacle.

8. Sealing housing according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a sealing ring extending around the end face and extending in the transverse direction is arranged in the cover area.

9. Sealing housing according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a radially outwardly extending flange is arranged in the cover area on a front edge.

10. Sealing housing according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cover area is formed for receiving a cover, wherein the cover in the attached state is positively attached to the cover area in the transverse direction and / or between an inside of the cover and an end face of the cover area and / or a seal is arranged between a cover wall and an outer jacket surface of the cover area

11. Sealing housing according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cable entry is separated from the through-channel of the dome by a wall, the wall having an opening for the cable lug.

12. Sealing housing according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cable entry has a receiving area for a cable attached to the cable lug

13. Sealing housing according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a circumferential sealing ring is arranged on the inner wall of the sealing housing in the receiving area or that a grommet arranged on the outer surface of the receiving area is provided on the receiving area.

14. Sealing housing according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sealing ring has radially outwardly pointing ribs spaced apart from one another in the longitudinal direction and / or the sealing ring has radially inwardly pointing ribs spaced apart from one another in the longitudinal direction.

15. Sealing housing according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sealing ring has a sealing lip extending in the longitudinal direction on its end face facing away from the dome.

16. Sealing housing according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an end cover is arranged on the receiving area, the end cover engaging around the receiving area on an outer jacket surface.

17. Sealing housing according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the end cover has a receptacle for a cable.

18. Sealing housing according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the end cover within the cable entry has groove webs which point in the longitudinal direction in the direction of the dome and which span a groove in which the sealing lip is received.

19. Sealing housing according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the end cover latches with latching means on an outer jacket surface of the receiving area.

20. Sealing housing according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bottom area is formed for receiving a housing receptacle.

21. Sealing housing according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing receptacle is part of a housing dome of an electrical attachment.

22. Sealing housing according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing receptacle has a through channel for receiving a contact element.

23. Sealing housing according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a seal is arranged between the contact element and the inner wall of the through channel.

24. Sealing housing according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the through channel extends in the transverse direction into the dome.

25. Sealing housing according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a seal is arranged on an end face of the base area, in particular that a seal arranged on an end face of the base area encompasses the front edges of the base area on both sides.

26. Sealing housing according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the seal is arranged on the end face of the bottom region between the sealing housing and the housing receptacle.

27. Di chtungsgehäu se according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that that the seal on the end face of the base area has ribs which are spaced apart from one another in the transverse direction and point radially inward.

28. Cable lug for a sealing housing according to one of the preceding claims with a connection area for an electrical cable and a fastening area for fastening in a receptacle of a Dichtungsgehäu se, characterized in that the fastening b er ei ch is formed as a flat part and at its outer edge at least one Latching means is formed.

29. Cable lug according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the latching means has a steeper flank in the direction of an end face of the flat part than in the direction of the fastening area or that the latching means has a flank that is flatter towards an end face of the flat part than in the direction of the fastening area.

30. Cable lug according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fastening area has a locking groove extending in the longitudinal direction starting from the end face of the flat part.

31. Cable lug according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fastening area has a contact opening.

32. Cable lug according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fastening area is guided in the guide rails of the receptacle, which run in the longitudinal direction.

33. System with a sealing housing according to one of claims 1 to 28 and a cable lug according to one of claims 29 to 32.