CONNECTOR HOUSING AND CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY FOR SEALED RING TERMINAL

Abstract

A connector housing for an electrical connector includes a receiving portion arranged inside a cavity of the connector housing. The receiving portion is adapted to receive an electrical contact terminal. The receiving portion further comprises at least one latching nose adapted to block a release movement of the electrical contact terminal upon insertion of the electrical contact terminal into the connector housing. The connector housing comprises a reinforcement element made of a material different than the material of the connector housing. Said reinforcement element is arranged on a surface of the connector housing and adapted to reinforce at least a part of the connector housing in a region around the at least one latching nose. The present disclosure further relates to a connector assembly for an electrical connector.

Claims

1. A connector housing, comprising: a receiving portion arranged inside a cavity of the connector housing, configured to receive an electrical contact terminal, wherein the receiving portion comprises at least one latching nose configured to block a release movement of the electrical contact terminal upon insertion of the electrical contact terminal into the connector housing and wherein the connector housing comprises a reinforcement element made of a material different than the material of the connector housing, wherein the reinforcement element is arranged on a surface of the connector housing and configured to reinforce at least a part of the connector housing in a region around the at least one latching nose.

2. The connector housing according to claim 1, wherein the connector housing is configured to elastically deflect in the region around the at least one latching nose in a direction perpendicular to an insertion direction of the electrical contact terminal into the connector housing.

3. The connector housing according to claim 1, wherein an average wall thickness of the connector housing in the region around the at least one latching nose is less than an average wall thickness of the connector housing.

4. The connector housing according to claim 1, wherein an average wall thickness of the connector housing in the region around the at least one latching nose ranges between 0.5 mm and 1.0 mm.

5. The connector housing according to claim 1, wherein an average wall thickness of the connector housing ranges between 1.5 mm and 2.5 mm.

6. The connector housing according to claim 1, wherein the connector housing comprises a T-shape having an opening at each of its three ends, the T-shape comprising a stem portion and a crossbar portion, wherein the one opening of the stem portion, having no opposite opening, is configured to receive the electrical contact terminal defining an insertion direction, and wherein the crossbar portion, having two opposite openings, provides an essentially cylindrical through hole.

7. The connector housing according to claim 6, wherein the receiving portion of the connector housing is arranged in an overlapping volume of the stem portion and the essentially cylindrical through hole.

8. The connector housing according to claim 7, wherein the connector housing further comprises a cover, and wherein one opening of the essentially cylindrical through hole is configured to be closed by the cover and wherein the opposite opening of the essentially cylindrical through hole is configured to be connected to a counter connector, so that the electrical contact terminal is arranged in electrical contact with the counter connector inside the receiving portion of the connector housing in a fully mated condition.

9. The connector housing according to claim 8, wherein both openings of the essentially cylindrical through hole comprise a seal, so that the receiving portion of the connector housing is protected against spray water ingress in fully mated condition.

10. The connector housing according to claim 7, wherein the connector housing further comprises a cover, and wherein one opening of the essentially cylindrical through hole is configured to be closed by the cover and wherein the opposite opening of the essentially cylindrical through hole is configured to be connected to an interface, so that the electrical contact terminal is arranged in electrical contact with the interface inside the receiving portion of the connector housing in a fully mated condition.

11. The connector housing according to claim 10, wherein both openings of the essentially cylindrical through hole comprise a seal, so that the receiving portion of the connector housing is protected against spray water ingress in fully mated condition.

12. The connector housing according to claim 11, wherein the reinforcement element is arranged on an outer surface of the connector housing, optionally via overmolding.

13. The connector housing according to claim 12, wherein the reinforcement element is at least arranged on a portion of both lateral surfaces of the connector housing and/or a portion of the essentially cylindrical through hole.

14. The connector housing according to claim 1, wherein the reinforcement element comprises silicone.

15. The connector housing according to claim 1, wherein a thickness of the reinforcement element ranges between 0.5 mm and 2.0, and/or wherein the thickness of the reinforcement element is configured to fill indentations of the connector housing arising from a reduced wall thickness of the connector housing to provide a smooth surface of the connector housing.

16. The connector housing according to claim 1, wherein a thickness of the reinforcement element is configured to fill indentations of the connector housing arising from a reduced wall thickness of the connector housing to provide a smooth surface of the connector housing.

17. The connector housing according to claim 1, wherein the reinforcement element is configured to reduce a likelihood of a cracking of the connector housing during insertion of the electrical contact terminal compared to an connector housing without the reinforcement element.

18. The connector housing according to claim 1, wherein the reinforcement element is configured to seal a crack in the connector housing caused by the insertion of the electrical contact terminal.

19. An electrical connector assembly, comprising: a connector housing according to claim 1; and an electrical contact terminal, wherein a part of an outer surface of the electrical contact terminal is configured to be in contact with an inner surface of the connector housing at the receiving portion upon insertion, and wherein the electrical contact terminal comprises a recess configured to receive the at least one latching nose of the receiving portion.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] The present invention will now be described, by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0029] FIG. 1 schematically shows a connector housing, in a three-dimensional view;

[0030] FIG. 2 schematically shows an enlarged section of the connector housing of FIG. 1 in a partly translucent view;

[0031] FIG. 3a schematically shows a connector assembly in a disassembled condition;

[0032] FIG. 3b schematically shows the connector assembly of FIG. 3a including a seal holder in an assembled condition; and

[0033] FIG. 4 schematically shows a horizontal section of a plane through a region around the latching noses of the connector assembly of FIG. 3b.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a connector housing 10 for an electrical connector. The connector housing 10 may be referred to as a female housing. The connector housing 10 is essentially “T”-shaped including a stem portion 100 and a crossbar portion 108 providing a cavity. The stem portion 100 is configured to receive an electrical contact terminal 30 (cf. FIG. 3a-b), wherein a direction of insertion of the electrical contact terminal 30 defines the insertion direction 200 as used in the present disclosure. The crossbar portion 108 defines an essentially circular through hole 110. The term “essentially” is intended to indicate that small deviations from a circular shape, e.g., based on manufacturing deviations or similar factors are also possible.

[0035] The connector housing 10 further includes a cover 150 configured to cover one opening of the essentially vertical through hole. The cover 150 includes a hinge 151 to enable a facilitated opening/closing. The cover 150 further includes a sealing 152, preferably made from a soft and elastic material; such as silicone or ELASTOSIL®. The sealing 152 is configured to extend between an inner ring of the cover 150 and the inner surface of the essentially crossbar portion 108 in closed condition. The other opening of the essentially circular through hole 110, opposite to the opening configured to be covered by the cover 150, is further configured to be mated with a corresponding counter connector. Based on the “T”-shape, the mating direction 210 may be aligned essentially perpendicular to the insertion direction 200. To prevent unintended rotations of the connector housing 10 after mating, guiding bars 111 are arranged on the outer surface of the crossbar portion 108, in parallel to the mating direction 210 configured to be inserted in corresponding indentations of the counter connector.

[0036] The connector housing 10 further includes a securing hole 130 and guiding slot 131 to enable a fixation of a seal holder 40. The guiding rib 410 of seal holder 40 is guided into the guiding slot 131 of connector housing 10. The securing means 420 of seal holder 40 is secured into securing hole 130 of the connector housing 10. The seal holder 40 is configured to fixate the seal 320 into connector housing 10. The seal holder 40 is further configured to prevent accidental dislocation of seal 320 in the connector housing 10 which leads to sealing failure.

[0037] The connector housing 10 further includes a reinforcement element 120 attached to an outer lateral side 102 of the connector housing 10, preferably via overmolding. Details about the reinforcement element 120 are further discussed with respect to FIGS. 3a-4 below.

[0038] FIG. 2 shows an enlarged section 140 of the essentially circular through hole 110 in a partly translucent illustration. A sealing 112 is arranged on the opening configured to be mated with a counter connector or an interface. In this manner, an overlapping volume of the stem portion 100 and crossbar portion 108 of the connector housing 10 can be fully protected from spray water ingress or dirt in fully mated condition. This protected overlapping volume includes a receiving portion, in which the electrical contact between the electrical contact terminal 30 and the corresponding contact of the counter connector or an interface is intended to be arranged. The sealing 112 includes circular protrusions, which after latching into corresponding indentations of the counter connector or an interface provide the described sealing property. The receiving portion further includes two latching noses 103, configured to block a release movement of the electrical contact terminal 30 after insertion.

[0039] FIG. 3a shows an embodiment of a connector assembly 20 in a disassembled condition and FIG. 3b shows the connector assembly 20 in a completely assembled condition. The connector assembly 20 includes a connector housing 10, similar as described above with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 and an electrical contact terminal 30. The electrical contact terminal 30 includes a ring terminal portion 330 attached to a cable 300 via a crimp connection 333. The cable 300 includes a core 310 for transmitting electrical power and a shielding 311. A cross section of the core 310 may range between 16 mm.sup.2 and 85 mm.sup.2. The ring terminal portion 330 further includes a through hole 331, configured to be pierced through by a pin or cable of a corresponding counter connector or an interface to provide electrical contact between both components. In this context, the electrical contact terminal 30 can be inserted into the connector housing 10. By pressing the electrical contact terminal 30 into the connector housing 10 the ring terminal portion 330 may slip into the receiving portion of the connector housing 10. The slipping may cause the latching noses 103 of the connector housing 10 to elastically deflect in a direction perpendicular to the insertion direction 200. Accordingly, the front part of the ring terminal portion 330 can be pushed past the latching noses 103, which thereupon latch into the recess 332 of the ring terminal portion 330. As a result, the ring terminal portion 330 may be firmly arranged inside the receiving portion of the connector housing 10. To enable a facilitated and improved insertion of the electrical contact terminal 30, a wall thickness 104 of the connector housing 10 may be reduced in the region around the latching noses 101 in comparison to a remainder or an average wall thickness of the connector housing 10. This results in an increased elasticity of the connector housing 10 in the region around the latching noses 101. In order to reduce the likelihood of cracks in the region around the latching noses 101, a reinforcement element 120 can be attached, in particular overmolded.

[0040] The reinforcement element 120 may be made from silicone, which provides a higher tear resistance while being more flexible compared to the plastic material used for the connector housing. A thickness of the reinforcement element 120 may range between 0.5 mm and 1.5 mm. Additionally, or alternatively, the thickness of the reinforcement element 120 can be configured to fill indentations of the connector housing 10. The indentations may be based on the reduced wall thickness 104 of the connector housing 10. In this manner, the present embodiment provides an effective solution to maintain the flexibility of the connector housing 10 essentially unaltered but decreases the chance of cracks by introducing a reinforcement element 120 in the regions around the latching noses 101. The reinforcement element 120 can be arranged on a lateral side 102 of the stem portion 100 and at least a portion of the essentially circular through hole 110, to reinforce the areas of the connector housing 10 most prone to cracks. In addition, if for a small percentage of up to 5% to 10% of the connector assemblies 20 including the reinforcement element 120 a small crack still emerges during insertion of the electrical contact terminal 30, the reinforcement element 120 may be able to maintain a protection of sensitive electrical contact areas from spray water ingress or dirt within the receiving portion by providing a sealing of the crack. In this manner, the reinforcement element 120 may directly cover the small crack during its occurrence.

[0041] FIG. 4 shows an enlarged section of an embodiment of a region around the latching noses 101, in which an arrangement of the various components of an electrical contact terminal 30 and a connector housing 10 are presented in more detail. Moreover, a latching process as described with reference to FIGS. 3a and 3b can be understood in more detail, by aid of the enlarged section.

LISTING OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

[0042] 10 connector housing

[0043] 20 connector assembly

[0044] 30 electrical contact terminal

[0045] 100 stem portion

[0046] 101 region around latching noses

[0047] 102 lateral side

[0048] 103 latching nose

[0049] 104 wall thickness

[0050] 108 crossbar portion

[0051] 110 essentially circular through hole

[0052] 111 guiding bar

[0053] 112 sealing

[0054] 120 reinforcement element

[0055] 121 thickness of reinforcement element

[0056] 130 securing hole

[0057] 131 guiding slot

[0058] 140 enlarged section

[0059] 150 cover

[0060] 151 hinge

[0061] 152 sealing

[0062] 160 fixation means

[0063] 200 insertion direction

[0064] 210 mating direction

[0065] 300 cable

[0066] 310 cable core

[0067] 311 cable shielding

[0068] 320 seal

[0069] 330 ring terminal portion

[0070] 331 through hole

[0071] 332 recess

[0072] 333 crimp connection

[0073] 40 seal holder

[0074] 410 guiding rib

[0075] 420 securing means