Electrical connector

[0001] The invention relates to a connector with a housing, with terminals, with wires that are connected to the terminals, with a guide element for wires according to claim 1.

[0002] In the current state of the art, several types of joints are known. US Patent 5,244,407 discloses a multi-component connector housing assembly with internal brackets. There is a connector housing assembly for crackshell wires or cables in which the body and sheath define the housing. The internal support member is mounted in the housing in the form of a split support that protects the wires or cables between them. The connector is mounted to the housing at its front end, while the connector electrically connects wires or crackshell cables. The output terminal member is mounted to such a body at its rear end which creates a wide-exit window and is intended for further wiring of such wires or crackshell cables at their exit from the housing, thus providing support for the double conductive member and protection against stress in place , where such conductive member or members connect to the connector, for example, when the conductive member or members are bent or twisted relative to the rear connector housing assembly.

[0003] US Patent 4,832,616 discloses an electrical connector with a sealed wire closure. The electrical connector includes a connector body with a plurality of longitudinal recesses that include rear sealing elements, clamps located in the recesses and attached to wires that exit from the rear elements of the recesses, and elastomeric sealing sleeves for sealing the wire and electrical connectors. The sealed cable closure attached to the end of the connector body conductor has columns placed concentrically on the wires, squeezing the elastomer sealing sleeve to ensure complete insertion of the clamps and accurate positioning of the clamps in the cavities.

[0004] German patent application DE 4015793 A1 discloses a connector with a double sealing arrangement against dust and water, wherein the connector comprises two parts of a sealing sleeve which are disposed on at least two connector terminals to seal the terminals. The connectors additionally include a sealing cover located on the cable mounts that secures the cables connected to the terminals to double-seal the cables. EP 652607A2 is considered to be the method closest to the invention known in the art.

[0005] The object of the invention is to provide an improved connector with improved cable fastening.

[0006] The object of the invention is achieved through a connector according to claim 1. One advantage of the connector is to provide improved wire fastening, which results in less transmission of movement and force to the terminals that are connected to the wires.

[0007] Another advantage of the invention is to provide a simple connector structure with improved cable routing. The objects of this invention are achieved by using a flexible element between the wires and the guide element. Guiding elements provide a guiding function, and a flexible element provides flexible cable fastening. Flexible cable fastening results in improved terminal protection against forces acting on the cables.

[0008] Further advantages of the invention are disclosed in the dependent claims.

[0009] Implementation of the invention relates to a separate flexible element. The flexible element is made as a separate element and can therefore be made of a different material than the guide element.

[0010] The simplicity of implementing the flexible element is obtained by using an elastic O-ring as an elastic element. The flexible O-ring is cheap and can easily be placed in the housing.

[0011] In a further embodiment, the flexible element may be part of the guide element. The advantage of this is that the position of the flexible element relative to the guide element is precisely defined and fewer elements can be used when assembling the connector.

[0012] In a further embodiment, the guide element comprises recesses in which the wires are arranged so that the wires are guided in a predefined direction. Due to the guidance in the predefined direction, cable fastening has been improved. Combined with the flexible element, this results in less power transfer to the clamps.

[0013] In a further embodiment, the guide element comprises two rows of depressions from opposite sides, where rows of conduits are arranged on opposite sides, which are guided through the depressions. This is the guide element for many cables that must be routed in a small space.

[0014] In a further embodiment, the O-ring is placed on one side of the guide member, while at least one conductor is in contact with the two O-ring sections. Thus, the wire contacts two segments of the O-ring, which improves the flexible fastening of the wire.

In a further embodiment, the guide element comprises two protruding parts to which an O-ring is attached. This ensures a simple and reliable fastening of the O-ring with the guide element.

[0016] In a further embodiment, sealing elements are arranged between the wires and the connector housing to seal the connector against dust and water. This improves joint sealing.

[0017] In a further embodiment, the retainer comprises two arms which bypass the guide element from two sides. In this way it is possible to grip two series of wires from opposite sides of the guide element by means of a retainer element. In addition, the two arms provide a strong and reliable attachment of the retainer with the housing.

[0018] In a further embodiment, the retainer comprises only one arm, which is arranged on one side of the guide element and which presses one series of wires against the flexible element. This design of the retainer is simple and useful if there is only one series of wires on one side of the guide.

[0019] In a further embodiment, there are additional sealing elements arranged on the lines, the additional sealing elements closing the free space between the housing and the lines to prevent liquid infiltration into the line. Additional sealing elements improve joint sealing.

[0020] In a further embodiment, there are latch members for attaching the retainer to the housing.

[0021] Embodiments of the joint have been described with reference to the following figures, where Figure 1 is a perspective view of the joint,

Figure 2 shows a cross section of a connector part,

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a guide element with an O-ring,

Figure 4 shows a side view of the guide element,

Figure 5 shows a cross section of the guide element,

Figure 6 shows a first perspective view of the retainer,

Figure 7 shows a second perspective view of the retainer,

Figure 8 is a top view of the second guide element,

Figure 9 shows a side view of a second guide element,

Figure 10 shows a cross section of a second guiding element,

Figure 11 shows a top view of a second guide element,

Figure 12 is a top view of the second retainer, Figure 13 is a side view of the second retainer and Figure 14 is a second connector.

[0022] Figure 1 discloses a connector 1 with a housing 2, with several terminals 3 that have been connected to the wires 6. The terminals 3 are located in the terminal chambers 8 of the housing 2 and are intended to be connected to further terminals. The terminal chambers 8 are open to the front 50 of the connector 1 for additional terminals. For example, one terminal chamber 8 may be provided for each connector 3. Housing 2 has a z

- 4 at the rear 9, opening 11 through which the cables 6 are routed. In the embodiment shown there are two series of cables 6, where each series includes three cables 6. The cables 6 are guided by means of a guide 4, while for each cable 6 there are two indentations guide 17. Figure 1 shows the guide element 4 in a position in which the guide element 4 is drawn through the opening 11 at the rear end of the housing 2. The opening 11 of the rear end 9 of the housing 2 has an oval cross-section in which the guide element 4 is inserted. From two opposite sides the rear end 9 includes the first indentations 12 in which the latches 13 of the guide element 4 are inserted.

[0023] The guide element 4 comprises a bottom plate 14 and an upper plate 15 which are connected by means of a connecting part which is not shown in figure 1, while between the lower plate 14 and the upper plate 15 there is a circular groove 16. The lower plate 14 and the top plate have the same dimensions on May 15 and are placed parallel to each other. The lower plate 14 and the upper plate 15 have guide recesses 17, wherein the guide recess 17 of the lower plate 14 is located under the guide recess 17 of the upper plate 15. The guide recesses 17 of the lower plate 14 and the upper plate 15 define guide channels 18 for conductors 6. Each of 6 is guided by a guide recess 17 of the bottom plate 14 and through the guide recess 17 of the top plate 15 along the guide channel 18. The elastic element 5 is arranged in a groove 16 surrounding the connecting part. The flexible element 5 can be made in the form of one element with the guide element 4. In a further embodiment, the flexible element 5 is constructed in the form of an O-ring, the O-ring being placed between the conductors 6 and the guide element 4. Therefore, the conductors 6 adjoin for the O-ring 5.

In the illustrated embodiment of the guide element 4, on the opposite sides of the guide element 4 there are two series of guide channels 18, while on each side of the guide element 4 there are three guide channels 18, arranged parallel to each other.

[0025] The guide recesses 17 have the shape of elongated openings on the periphery of the first and second plates 14, 15. The length of the guide recess in the shape of the elongated hole 17 is greater than the diameter of the duct 6. This means that the first and second plates 14, 15 include the projections 19, which define the guide recesses 17 and which pass through the wires 6 in the transverse direction. That is, in the mounted position of the guide element 4, two additional guide channels 20 are located on both sides of the flexible element, which is defined by the protrusions 19 of the lower and upper plates 14, 15, housing 2 and wires 6.

[0026] The rear end 9 of the housing 2 has the shape of an oval flange 22, while four additional holes 21 are arranged on the flange at one level, forming the insertion holes for the retainer 7 with two parallel arms 23. In the mounted position the retainer 7 is inserted in the first side of the collar 22 with two additional holes 21, while each arm 23 is placed in a different hole

21. Then the arms 23 are inserted into the additional guide channels 20. Mounted

- the retainer 7 fixes the guide element 4 with the housing 2 and presses the wires 6 to the flexible element 5. In the mounted position of the retainer 7, the wires 6 lie on the inner sides of the arms 23 and on the flexible element 5. The wire 6 comprises an electric line 24, which is surrounded by an insulation cover 25.

[0027] At least one arm 23 of the retainer 7 includes on the outer side a protruding part 26 that latches with a cut-out located on the inner plane of the flange 22. The two arms 23 of the retainer 7 are connected by a chimney 27, which may have a greater height, than arms 23.

[0028] Figure 2 shows a cross section of a portion of the mounted connector 1, where the wires 6 are held by the two arms 23 of the retainer 7 and pressed against the circular cross-section ring 5 surrounding the connecting element 28 of the guide element 4. The arms 23 are arranged in additional guide channels 20 , which are defined by the projections 18 of the upper and lower plates 14, 15, housing flange 22 and joints 6. As can be seen in Figure 2, the O-ring 5 is pressed by the wires 6. This causes the wires 6 to be flexibly fastened by the guide element 4 and the retainer 7. Under the guide element 4, first sealing elements 51 sealing the wires with housing 2 and / or relative to each other.

[0029] Figure 3 is a perspective view of a guide element 4 with an O-ring 5 that surrounds a connecting element 28 having the shape of a longitudinal plate and which connects the upper and lower plate 15, 14. Instead of one O-ring 5 there may also be more rings with circular cross section5 placed as flexible elements. Instead of an o-ring, you can also use an elastic band.

[0030] Figure 4 is a side view of the guide element 4 without the elastic element 5 in the circular groove 16.

[0031] Figure 5 shows a cross-section of the guide element 4 with the flexible element 5 which forms part of the connecting element 28. In this embodiment the connecting element 28 can be made of a flexible material, for example flexible silicone. In a further embodiment, the connecting element 28 can be made of a central plate of rigid plate 53, which is surrounded by an elastic band 54 in one or two elements.

[0032] Figure 6 is a top view of the retaining element 7 comprising two arms 23 arranged in parallel and connected by a chimney 27. The inner sides 31, 32 of the two arms 23 form flat surfaces for pressing the wires 6 against the flexible element 5. Two arms 23 have on the upper and bottom side of the slat 42 arranged parallel to the longitudinal direction of the arms 23. The slats 42 are used to guide the arms in the respective grooves of the housing 2.

[0033] Figure 7 is a bottom view of the retainer 7.

[0034] Figure 8 is a plan view of the second guide element. The second guide element 36 only has one side in the bottom plate 15 and the top plate 15

- 6 guide recesses 17 to provide guide channels 18 for one series of five wires 6 arranged in parallel.

[0035] Figure 9 is a side view of the second guide element 36 with a projection 19 defining the guide channels 18 for the wires 6. The second guide element 36 has two plugs 37, 38 at its two ends, which are located in the middle between the upper plate 15 and the lower plate 14.

[0036] In figure 9, an additional ring with a circular cross section 5 is attached, secured by means of the first and second plugs 37, 38. Depending on the embodiment used, there may also be additional plugs 39, 40 between the first and second plugs 37, 38. Instead of of one O-ring may also be more O-rings arranged as elastic elements. Instead of an O-ring, you can also use an elastic band.

[0037] Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of the first plug 37, which is arranged parallel to the upper and lower plates 14, 15. The second plug 38 is arranged parallel to the first plug 37.

[0038] Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view of the second guide member 36 with the O-ring mounted 5. As seen in the figure, the O-ring is positioned in all the guide recesses 17 of the second guide member 36 and is held by the first and second plugs 37, 38 at opposite ends of the second guide element 36.

[0039] The O-ring can be made of any type of flexible material, for example elastomer, in this example silicone elastomer.

[0040] Figure 12 shows a second retainer 35 that can be used with the second guide member 36 as shown in figures 8-11. The second retainer 35 comprises only one arm 23 with a hamster 27. The second retainer 35 includes on the outside of the arm 23 protruding part 26 for snap-in with collar cutout

22.

[0041] Figure 13 is a side view of the second retainer 35, where the latch 27 extends from the arm 23 a predetermined distance. Thus, the hammer 27 can be used to operate the second retainer 35. In the mounted position, the second retainer 35 is inserted into the second guide channel 20, which is defined by the second guide element 36 and the wall of the flange 22.

[0042] Figure 14 shows a further embodiment of the joint 1 with the second retainer 35 as shown in figures 12 and 13 and with the second guide element 36 and the flexible element 5 as shown in figures 9, 10, 11.

[0043] In a further embodiment, there are sealing elements 51, for example a sealing ring, which bypasses the wires 6 and is arranged between the housing 2 and the wires 6. In a further embodiment, the wires 6 may comprise additional elements

- sealing seals that bypass the wires 6 and which seal the wires 6 relative to each other and to the housing 2.

[0044] The flexible element 5 therefore has no function of sealing the conduits 6 and / or the housing 2 against the ingress of dust or water. The flexible elements 5 are designed to flexibly fasten wires 6 to prevent movement of movement and / or forces through wires 6 to terminals 3.

Prepared and verified

Sławomir Budziński Patent Attorney