WO2007128337A1 - Electrical connector - Google Patents

Electrical connector Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2007128337A1
WO2007128337A1 PCT/EP2006/005326 EP2006005326W WO2007128337A1 WO 2007128337 A1 WO2007128337 A1 WO 2007128337A1 EP 2006005326 W EP2006005326 W EP 2006005326W WO 2007128337 A1 WO2007128337 A1 WO 2007128337A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
grommet
type joint
grid
electrical connector
connector according
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/EP2006/005326
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Christian Campfort
Frédéric CHAZOTTES
Original Assignee
Fci
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Fci filed Critical Fci
Priority to PCT/EP2006/005326 priority Critical patent/WO2007128337A1/en
Publication of WO2007128337A1 publication Critical patent/WO2007128337A1/en

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
    • H01R13/46—Bases; Cases
    • H01R13/52—Dustproof, splashproof, drip-proof, waterproof, or flameproof cases
    • H01R13/5205—Sealing means between cable and housing, e.g. grommet
    • H01R13/5208—Sealing means between cable and housing, e.g. grommet having at least two cable receiving openings

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to electrical connectors comprising:
  • an insulating housing for receiving at least one terminal connected to a wire, said housing comprising :
  • a body wherein at least one terminal accommodating chamber is formed, said body comprising a front face intended to mate with a counterpart connector, and a rear face provided with a chamber entrance for each chamber, and
  • the rear grid is attached to the body and delimits with the rear face a socket intended to receive the grommet-type joint, and
  • the housing delimits a lateral opening for introducing the grommet-type joint into the socket.
  • the grid is attached by means of two opposite walls, delimiting upper and lower openings for introducing the grommet-type joint.
  • the joint comprises two slots, each connecting a plurality of grid holes to corresponding chamber entrances.
  • the joint is introduced by either one of the upper and lower openings.
  • Two pressing elements are then introduced in a respective opening to pinch the joint, in order to close the slots and obtain a sealing effect with inserted wires.
  • the invention provides a connector of the above- mentioned type, characterized in that the relative dimensions of the grommet-type joint and socket are such that, once introduced into the socket, the grommet-type joint is compressed axially between the rear face and the rear grid. According to the invention, a good sealing effect can be obtained without using mobile elements.
  • FIG.1 is an exploded perspective view of an electrical connector according to the invention.
  • FIG.2 is a cross sectional view of a grommet-type joint according to one embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG.3 is a cross sectional view of the electrical connector of FIG. 1.
  • FIGS.4 and 5 are cross sectional views of a grommet-type joint according to other embodiments of the invention.
  • An electrical connector 10 comprising a grommet-type joint 12
  • FIGS.1 and 3 This connector 10 is of a type used in an automotive application, and is intended to mate with a counterpart connector (not shown).
  • the mating direction is referenced as XX' axis, which is oriented from the connector 10 towards the counterpart.
  • orientation or position terms used in the present description refer to this mating axis XX'.
  • the terms "forward” or “front” read as oriented in the mating direction.
  • the multi-way connector 10 shown comprises a grommet 12 and an insulating housing 13 having a body 14, wherein a plurality of terminal accommodating chambers 16 are formed, and a rear grid 18 attached to the body 14.
  • the connector 10 is efficient with only two separate parts, namely the grommet 12 and the housing 13, thus facilitating transporting and assembling the connector.
  • "attached” means either that the grid 18 and the body 14 are firmly joined together, or that the grid 18 and the body 14 are moulded in a single piece. In both situations, the grid 18 stands at a fixed position and orientation relative to the body 14. In the example described, they are moulded in a single piece.
  • the housing 13 further comprises a rear skirt 20 for attaching the rear grid 18 to the insulating body 14.
  • the connector also comprises a plurality of terminals 22 connected at an end of respective wires 24, and intended to be fixedly arranged in respective accommodating chambers 16 of the insulating body 14.
  • the wires are substantially cylindrical in the described examples.
  • the body 14 comprises a front part 26 and a rear part 28, intended to sealingly engage with each other with the help of an interspaced ring joint 29.
  • the front part 26 delimits a front face 30 intended to mate with the complementary connector (not shown).
  • the accommodating chambers 16 are delimited by both the rear part 28 and the front part 26.
  • the rear part 28 delimits a rear face 34 provided with a plurality of chamber entrances 36 (FIG. 3), each leading to one associated accommodating chamber 16.
  • the rear grid 18 is located at a distance d from the rear face 34 of the body 14. It extends parallel to the rear face 34.
  • a plurality of grid holes 38 are provided in the rear grid 18. Each grid hole 38 faces and is axially aligned with one associated chamber entrance 36.
  • the rear grid 18 and the rear face 34 delimit together a socket 39 for receiving the grommet 12, which comprises the space separating the rear grid 18 from the rear face 34.
  • the rear skirt 20 extends rearward from a part of the periphery of the rear face 34. More precisely, the rear skirt 20 is U-shaped and comprises two opposed side walls 40 and a bottom wall 42 (FIG. 3) connecting the two side walls 40. Each bottom 40 and side walls 40, 42 connect the rear grid 18 to the rear face 34 of the body 14.
  • the rear part 28 of the body 14, the rear grid 18 and the rear skirt 20 are of unitary construction, constituted of the same material, preferably of plastic material. They are fabricated as a single entity from one single mould.
  • the two side walls 40 delimit a lateral opening 44 facing the bottom wall 42 for introducing the grommet 12 into the socket 39.
  • the grommet 12 has an axial length cf greater than the distance d between the rear face 34 and the rear grid 18, such that, once introduced into the space between the body 14 and the rear grid 18, the grommet 12 is compressed axially between the rear grid 18 and the rear face 34, while being free of transversal constraint.
  • the grommet 12 comprises a plug member 46 through which a plurality of axial through passage 48 are provided, and two sealing ribs 50, 52. Each sealing rib 50, 52 is "doubled", i.e. formed by two parallel projections.
  • the plug member 46 is generally parallelepiped-shaped so as to fit in the socket 39. The plug member 46 lies on the bottom wall 40, i.e. is supported by the bottom wall 40.
  • a first sealing rib 50 extends frontward from a front face 54 of the plug member 46 and encircles all the openings of the through passages 48 which face the chamber entrances 36.
  • the other sealing rib 52 (FIG.2) is symmetrically disposed, on a rear face 55 of the plug member 46. It extends rearward from this rear face 55 and encircles all the openings of the through passages 48 which face the grid holes 42. With the symmetrical other sealing rib 52, the grommet 12 may be inserted indifferently in both ways, i.e. with either one of the sealing ribs 50, 52 oriented frontward.
  • the axial length d ⁇ of the grommet-type joint 20, including the sealing ribs 50, 52, is greater than the distance d between the insulating body 14 and the rear grid 18.
  • Each rib 50, 52 is flattened out respectively against the rear face 34 of the body 14 or the rear grid 18 in order to seal the grommet 12 to the grid 18, around the through passages 48. This prevents dust, water and the like from entering the insulating body 14 along the grommet 12, without the need of any transversal force applied on the grommet 12.
  • the sealing ribs 50, 52 further provide high friction between the grommet 12 and the body 14 and the rear grid 18 preventing unwanted release of the grommet 12. In an alternative embodiment represented on FIG. 4, there is no rearward rib 50.
  • the axial length cT of the grommet 12, including the frontward rib 50, is still greater than the distance d between the body 14 and the rear grid 18. Sealing is therefore obtained between the grommet 12 and the rear face 34. As before, such a sealing prevents dust, water and the like from entering the insulating body 14.
  • the grommet 12 comprises none of the sealing ribs 50, 52.
  • the axial length cT of the grommet 12 corresponds to the axial length of the plug member 46.
  • each through passage 48 comprises a seal portion 56 having a cross-sectional opening 58 smaller than the associated grid hole 48 in all directions of the cross-sectional plane.
  • the cross-sectional opening 58 is substantially circular in the described examples.
  • the seal portion 56 comprises a central shrinking 59 located substantially in the middle of the through passages 48.
  • the seal portion 56 further comprises two inner ribs 60 extending from and located at each end of the shrinking 59, the inner ribs 60 delimitating the cross-sectional opening 58.
  • the wire 24 passes through associated grid hole 32, through passage 48 and chamber entrance 36.
  • the wire 24 has a width greater than the openings delimited by each inner rib 60.
  • the inner ribs 60 are consequently flattened out by the inserted wire 24, which provides contact pression between the inner ribs 60 and the wire 24 in order to seal the grommet

Abstract

The electrical connector comprises a grommet-type joint (12), an insulating housing (13), for receiving at least one terminal (22) connected to a wire (24). The housing (13) comprises a body wherein at least one terminal accommodating chamber (16) is formed, said body comprising a front face intended to mate with a counterpart connector and a rear face (34) provided with a chamber entrance (36) for each chamber (16). The housing (13) further comprises a rear grid (18) located at a distance from the rear face (34) of the body and provided with a grid hole (38) for each chamber entrance (36). The rear grid (18) is attached to the body and delimits with the rear face (34) a socket (39) intended to receive the grommet-type joint (12), and the housing (13) delimits a lateral opening (44) for introducing the grommet-type joint (12) into the socket (39). The relative dimensions of the grommet-type joint (12) and socket (39) are such that, once introduced into the socket (39), the grommet-type joint (12) is compressed axially between the rear face (34) and the rear grid (18).

Description

Electrical connector
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to electrical connectors comprising:
- a grommet-type joint,
- an insulating housing, for receiving at least one terminal connected to a wire, said housing comprising :
- a body wherein at least one terminal accommodating chamber is formed, said body comprising a front face intended to mate with a counterpart connector, and a rear face provided with a chamber entrance for each chamber, and
- a rear grid located at a distance from the rear face of the body and provided with a grid hole for each chamber entrance, wherein:
- the rear grid is attached to the body and delimits with the rear face a socket intended to receive the grommet-type joint, and
- the housing delimits a lateral opening for introducing the grommet-type joint into the socket. Such an electrical connector is described in EP 0 948 092 A1.
In this document, the grid is attached by means of two opposite walls, delimiting upper and lower openings for introducing the grommet-type joint.
The joint comprises two slots, each connecting a plurality of grid holes to corresponding chamber entrances. The joint is introduced by either one of the upper and lower openings.
Two pressing elements are then introduced in a respective opening to pinch the joint, in order to close the slots and obtain a sealing effect with inserted wires.
In such a known electrical connector, mobile elements are imperative in order to obtain a good sealing effect. However, these mobile elements increase design complexity, number of assembly steps and therefore costs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the invention to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks. Accordingly, the invention provides a connector of the above- mentioned type, characterized in that the relative dimensions of the grommet-type joint and socket are such that, once introduced into the socket, the grommet-type joint is compressed axially between the rear face and the rear grid. According to the invention, a good sealing effect can be obtained without using mobile elements.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG.1 is an exploded perspective view of an electrical connector according to the invention.
FIG.2 is a cross sectional view of a grommet-type joint according to one embodiment of the invention.
FIG.3 is a cross sectional view of the electrical connector of FIG. 1. FIGS.4 and 5 are cross sectional views of a grommet-type joint according to other embodiments of the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERED EMBODIMENTS
An electrical connector 10 comprising a grommet-type joint 12
(hereafter "grommet") according to the invention is illustrated on FIGS.1 and 3. This connector 10 is of a type used in an automotive application, and is intended to mate with a counterpart connector (not shown).
The mating direction is referenced as XX' axis, which is oriented from the connector 10 towards the counterpart.
The orientation or position terms used in the present description refer to this mating axis XX'. In particular, the terms "forward" or "front" read as oriented in the mating direction.
The multi-way connector 10 shown comprises a grommet 12 and an insulating housing 13 having a body 14, wherein a plurality of terminal accommodating chambers 16 are formed, and a rear grid 18 attached to the body 14. As will be explained, the connector 10 is efficient with only two separate parts, namely the grommet 12 and the housing 13, thus facilitating transporting and assembling the connector. In this invention, "attached" means either that the grid 18 and the body 14 are firmly joined together, or that the grid 18 and the body 14 are moulded in a single piece. In both situations, the grid 18 stands at a fixed position and orientation relative to the body 14. In the example described, they are moulded in a single piece.
The housing 13 further comprises a rear skirt 20 for attaching the rear grid 18 to the insulating body 14.
The connector also comprises a plurality of terminals 22 connected at an end of respective wires 24, and intended to be fixedly arranged in respective accommodating chambers 16 of the insulating body 14. The wires are substantially cylindrical in the described examples.
Only one of the terminals is shown on the FIGS.1 and 3. The body 14 comprises a front part 26 and a rear part 28, intended to sealingly engage with each other with the help of an interspaced ring joint 29. The front part 26 delimits a front face 30 intended to mate with the complementary connector (not shown).
The accommodating chambers 16 are delimited by both the rear part 28 and the front part 26.
The rear part 28 delimits a rear face 34 provided with a plurality of chamber entrances 36 (FIG. 3), each leading to one associated accommodating chamber 16.
The rear grid 18 is located at a distance d from the rear face 34 of the body 14. It extends parallel to the rear face 34. A plurality of grid holes 38 are provided in the rear grid 18. Each grid hole 38 faces and is axially aligned with one associated chamber entrance 36.
The rear grid 18 and the rear face 34 delimit together a socket 39 for receiving the grommet 12, which comprises the space separating the rear grid 18 from the rear face 34.
The rear skirt 20 extends rearward from a part of the periphery of the rear face 34. More precisely, the rear skirt 20 is U-shaped and comprises two opposed side walls 40 and a bottom wall 42 (FIG. 3) connecting the two side walls 40. Each bottom 40 and side walls 40, 42 connect the rear grid 18 to the rear face 34 of the body 14. The rear part 28 of the body 14, the rear grid 18 and the rear skirt 20 are of unitary construction, constituted of the same material, preferably of plastic material. They are fabricated as a single entity from one single mould.
The two side walls 40 delimit a lateral opening 44 facing the bottom wall 42 for introducing the grommet 12 into the socket 39.
The grommet 12 has an axial length cf greater than the distance d between the rear face 34 and the rear grid 18, such that, once introduced into the space between the body 14 and the rear grid 18, the grommet 12 is compressed axially between the rear grid 18 and the rear face 34, while being free of transversal constraint.
In a first embodiment (FIGS. 1 , 2 and 3) the grommet 12 comprises a plug member 46 through which a plurality of axial through passage 48 are provided, and two sealing ribs 50, 52. Each sealing rib 50, 52 is "doubled", i.e. formed by two parallel projections. The plug member 46 is generally parallelepiped-shaped so as to fit in the socket 39. The plug member 46 lies on the bottom wall 40, i.e. is supported by the bottom wall 40.
A first sealing rib 50 extends frontward from a front face 54 of the plug member 46 and encircles all the openings of the through passages 48 which face the chamber entrances 36.
The other sealing rib 52 (FIG.2) is symmetrically disposed, on a rear face 55 of the plug member 46. It extends rearward from this rear face 55 and encircles all the openings of the through passages 48 which face the grid holes 42. With the symmetrical other sealing rib 52, the grommet 12 may be inserted indifferently in both ways, i.e. with either one of the sealing ribs 50, 52 oriented frontward.
The axial length d^ of the grommet-type joint 20, including the sealing ribs 50, 52, is greater than the distance d between the insulating body 14 and the rear grid 18. Each rib 50, 52 is flattened out respectively against the rear face 34 of the body 14 or the rear grid 18 in order to seal the grommet 12 to the grid 18, around the through passages 48. This prevents dust, water and the like from entering the insulating body 14 along the grommet 12, without the need of any transversal force applied on the grommet 12. The sealing ribs 50, 52 further provide high friction between the grommet 12 and the body 14 and the rear grid 18 preventing unwanted release of the grommet 12. In an alternative embodiment represented on FIG. 4, there is no rearward rib 50. In that case, the axial length cT of the grommet 12, including the frontward rib 50, is still greater than the distance d between the body 14 and the rear grid 18. Sealing is therefore obtained between the grommet 12 and the rear face 34. As before, such a sealing prevents dust, water and the like from entering the insulating body 14.
In still an other embodiment represented on FIG 5, the grommet 12 comprises none of the sealing ribs 50, 52. In this case, the axial length cT of the grommet 12 corresponds to the axial length of the plug member 46. Independently of the presence or not of the ribs 50, 52, each through passage 48 comprises a seal portion 56 having a cross-sectional opening 58 smaller than the associated grid hole 48 in all directions of the cross-sectional plane. The cross-sectional opening 58 is substantially circular in the described examples. More precisely, the seal portion 56 comprises a central shrinking 59 located substantially in the middle of the through passages 48. The seal portion 56 further comprises two inner ribs 60 extending from and located at each end of the shrinking 59, the inner ribs 60 delimitating the cross-sectional opening 58.
As it can be seen on FIG.3, the wire 24 passes through associated grid hole 32, through passage 48 and chamber entrance 36. The wire 24 has a width greater than the openings delimited by each inner rib 60. The inner ribs 60 are consequently flattened out by the inserted wire 24, which provides contact pression between the inner ribs 60 and the wire 24 in order to seal the grommet
12 and the wire 24 together, preventing dust, water and the like from entering the body 14 along the wire 24.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Electrical connector comprising:
- a grommet-type joint (12),
- an insulating housing (13), for receiving at least one terminal (22) connected to a wire (24), said housing (13) comprising :
- a body (14) wherein at least one terminal accommodating chamber (16) is formed, said body comprising a front face (30) intended to mate with a counterpart connector, and a rear face (34) provided with a chamber entrance (36) for each chamber (16), and - a rear grid (18) located at a distance from the rear face (34) of the body (14) and provided with a grid hole (38) for each chamber entrance (36), wherein:
- the rear grid (18) is attached to the body (14) and delimits with the rear face (34) a socket (39) intended to receive the grommet-type joint (12), and - the housing (13) delimits a lateral opening (44) for introducing the grommet-type joint (12) into the socket (39), characterized in that the relative dimensions of the grommet-type joint (12) and socket (39) are such that, once introduced into the socket (39), the grommet-type joint (12) is compressed axially between the rear face (34) and the rear grid (18).
2. Electrical connector according to claim 1 , characterized in that the housing (13) comprises a peripheral partial rear skirt (20) extending rearward from the rear face (34) of the body (14), wherein said rear skirt (20) comprises two opposed side walls (42) each connecting the rear grid (18) to the rear face (34) of the body (14), said side walls (42) delimiting the lateral introducing opening (44).
3. Electrical connector according to claim 2, characterized in that the rear skirt (20) is U-shaped and further comprises a bottom wall (40) connecting the two side walls (42).
4. Electrical connector according to claim 3, characterized in that the bottom wall (40) is intended to support the grommet-type joint (12).
5. Electrical connector according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the insulating body (14), the rear grid (18) and the partial rear skirt (20) are of unitary construction.
6. Electrical connector according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the grommet-type joint (20) is provided with an axial length greater than the distance between the rear face (34) and the rear grid (18).
7. Electrical connector according to claim 6, characterized in that the grommet-type joint (20) comprises:
- a plug member (42) through which each through passage (48) is provided, and
- a sealing rib (50) extending frontward from the plug member (42) and encircling all the through passages (48), wherein the axial length of the grommet type joint (20), including said frontward rib (50), is greater than the distance between the rear face (34) and the rear grid (18).
8. Electrical connector according to claim 7, characterized in that the grommet-type joint (20) comprises a sealing rib (52) extending rearward from the plug member (42) and encircling all the through passages (48), the frontward and rearward sealing ribs (50, 52) being symmetrically disposed.
9. Electrical connector according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the grommet-type joint (20) is free of transversal constraint.
10. Electrical connector according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the grommet-type joint (12) is provided with a through passage (48) for each associated chamber entrance (36) and grid hole (38), connecting said associated chamber entrance (36) and grid hole (38), wherein each through passage (48) comprises a seal portion (56) delimiting a cross- sectional opening smaller than the grid hole (38) in all directions of the cross- sectional plane.
11. Electrical connector according to claim 10, characterized in that it comprises a terminal (22) received in the accommodating chamber (16) and crimped to a wire (24), said wire (24) passing through the associated grid hole (38), through passage (48) and chamber entrance (36), wherein the wire (24) has a width greater than the opening of the seal portion (56).
PCT/EP2006/005326 2006-05-10 2006-05-10 Electrical connector WO2007128337A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/EP2006/005326 WO2007128337A1 (en) 2006-05-10 2006-05-10 Electrical connector

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/EP2006/005326 WO2007128337A1 (en) 2006-05-10 2006-05-10 Electrical connector

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2007128337A1 true WO2007128337A1 (en) 2007-11-15

Family

ID=37520291

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/EP2006/005326 WO2007128337A1 (en) 2006-05-10 2006-05-10 Electrical connector

Country Status (1)

Country Link
WO (1) WO2007128337A1 (en)

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0948092A1 (en) * 1998-03-31 1999-10-06 Yazaki Corporation Waterproof connector and waterproofing method
EP0932918B1 (en) * 1996-10-16 2002-02-06 The Whitaker Corporation Sealed electrical connector

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0932918B1 (en) * 1996-10-16 2002-02-06 The Whitaker Corporation Sealed electrical connector
EP0948092A1 (en) * 1998-03-31 1999-10-06 Yazaki Corporation Waterproof connector and waterproofing method

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