Connector for Watertight Connection

Abstract

A connector is disclosed for mating with a counter-connector. The connector comprises a sleeve defining a recess and being adapted to receive the counter-connector at least partially. The connector further comprises one or more contact pins located in the recess and extending along a mating direction of the connector. Further, a connector system is discloses comprising a connector and a counter-connector. Further, a retainer is disclosure for use in a connector or a connector system.

Claims

1. A connector for mating with a counter-connector, the connector comprising: a sleeve defining a recess and adapted to receive the counter-connector at least partially, an inner surface of the sleeve being essentially smooth; one or more contact pins located in the recess and extending along a mating direction of the connector; and a securing element located in the recess away from the sleeve and comprising securing means for securing the connector to the counter-connector.

2. The connector of claim 1, wherein the sleeve extends farther along the mating direction of the connector than the one or more contact pins or the securing element.

3. The connector of claim 1, wherein the one or more contact pins are encompassed by the securing element at least partially, and wherein the securing element extends farther than the one or more contact pins along the mating direction of the connector.

4. The connector of claim 1, wherein a length of the one or more contact pins is in a range of 3.4-6.4 mm.

5. The connector of claim 1, wherein the securing element has an essentially U-shaped cross section with two elongated members extending along the mating direction, and wherein the one or more contact pins are provided between the two elongated members of the securing element.

6. The connector of claim 1, wherein the securing means comprise a first undercut adapted to secure the connector to the counter-connector.

7. The connector of claim 6, wherein the securing means comprise a second undercut adapted to secure the connector to the counter-connector, wherein the second undercut is located at a different position along the mating direction than the first undercut.

8. The connector of claim 1, wherein the connector comprises a coded surface at a base of the recess, the coded surface being adapted to receive torques applied to the counter-connector when connected to the connectors.

9. The connector of claim 8, wherein the coded surface comprises one or more stepped portions.

10. The connector of claim 1, further comprising a retainer locked to the securing element and adapted to secure the connector to the counter-connector.

11. The connector of claim 10, wherein: the securing means comprise a first undercut adapted to secure the connector to the counter-connector; and the retainer comprises a locking lance adapted to lock the retainer to an undercut of the securing element.

12. The connector of claim 10, wherein the securing element comprises at least two elongated members extending along the mating direction, wherein a notch is provided at each end of the elongated members facing into the mating direction, and wherein the retainer comprises at least two protrusions engaging the notches.

13. The connector of claim 10, wherein: the connector comprises a coded surface at a base of the recess, the coded surface adapted receive torques applied to the counter-connector when connected to the connector; and the retainer comprises a ring-shaped base element with a coded structure, adapted to match the coded surface of the base of the recess.

14. A system comprising: a counter-connector; and a connector comprising: a sleeve defining a recess and adapted to receive the counter-connector at least partially, an inner surface of the sleeve being essentially smooth; one or more contact pins located in the recess and extending along a mating direction of the connector; and a securing element located in the recess away from the sleeve and comprising securing means for securing the connector to the counter-connector; and the counter-connector comprising: a body adapted to be receivable by the recess of the connector; and one or more mating contacts for receiving the one or more contact pins of the connector.

15. The system of claim 14, further comprising sealing means provided in the recess between the body of the counter-connector and the sleeve of the connector.

16. The system of claim 14, further comprising: a retainer adapted to provide a retaining function for the counter-connector connected to the connector, comprising: two opposite base elements having at least one opening; one or more ribs supporting and linking the two base elements with each other, wherein the base elements and ribs define a hollow area in the retainer; and at least one locking lance oriented at least partially towards the hollow area.

17. A retainer adapted to provide a retaining function for a counter-connector configured to connect to a connector that comprises: a sleeve defining a recess and adapted to receive the counter-connector at least partially, an inner surface of the sleeve being essentially smooth; one or more contact pins located in the recess and extending along a mating direction of the connector; and a securing element located in the recess away from the sleeve and comprising securing means for securing the connector to the counter-connector, the retainer comprising: two opposite base elements having at least one opening; one or more ribs supporting and linking the two base elements with each other, the base elements and ribs defining a hollow area in the retainer; and at least one locking lance oriented at least partially towards the hollow area.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0030] In the following, the present disclosure will be described by means of example embodiments with reference to the accompanying figures. Similar features are provided with same reference signs.

[0031] FIG. 1 illustrates a connector according to the prior art.

[0032] FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a connector 10 according to an embodiment, comprising a housing or body 11, and a securing element 20.

[0033] FIG. 3 illustrates the connector 10 of FIG. 2 in a different perspective.

[0034] FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a connector 10 according to a further embodiment, comprising a housing or body 11, a securing element 20 and a retainer 30.

[0035] FIG. 5 illustrates the connector 10 of FIG. 4 in a different perspective.

[0036] FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate different views of a retainer 30 according to a further embodiment, which retainer 30 may secure a connection of a connector to a counter-connector.

[0037] FIG. 8 illustrates a connector 10 according to a further embodiment, wherein a body or housing 11 and a securing element 20 are integrally formed.

EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

[0038] FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional-view of a connector 10 according to an embodiment. FIG. 3 illustrates a different perspective of the same connector 10. The connector 10 is generally adapted to receive a respective counter-connector for establishing an electrical connection, when connecting or mating the counter-connector along the mating direction with the connector 10. As can be seen from FIGS. 2 and 3, the general setup of the connector 10 is axis-symmetrical, or even mirror symmetrical. The axis of symmetry may be orthogonal or parallel to the mating direction. The mirror plane of symmetry may also be parallel to the mating direction, as will be appreciated by the person skilled in the art.

[0039] The connector 10 comprises a housing or body 11 with a sleeve 12. The body 11 may be injection molded, for example, and may be of a plastic material. The sleeve 12 has a round shape, with an inner diameter of 11 mm. The sleeve 12 is for receiving a respective part (e.g. plug-in projection) of the counter-connector upon mating. The inner side of the sleeve 12 is essentially flat, besides the curvature which is a result of the round shape of the sleeve 12, so that a smooth surface is provided on the inner side of the sleeve 12. In particular, contrary to the prior art connector illustrated in FIG. 1, no undercut or the like is provided on the inside of the sleeve 12 for locking or securing the counter-connector. Thus, the inner surface of the sleeve 12 can be used as a sealing surface to provide a watertight connection.

[0040] The sleeve 12 defines a recess 13, which can be understood as the space encompassed by the sleeve 12. The recess 13 is thus bounded by the sleeve 12 and a base side of the housing 11. The recess 13 is open to the mating direction, allowing for receiving a respective part of the counter-connector. Also a retainer can be provided within the recess 13, as described herein.

[0041] The body 11 of the connector 10 features a coded surface 15 at a base side facing the counter-connector when mated. The coded surface 15 is formed at the base of the recess 13 defined by the sleeve 12. The coded surface 15 comprises stepped portions 16 and 17, wherein the stepped portion 17 extend further into the recess 13 than the other stepped portion 16. The stepped portions 16, 17 are provided at different parts of the base, each occupying a particular area thereof. Thus, by means of the difference in height of the stepped portions 16, 17, and by means of the particular arrangement of the stepped portions 16,17, a coding is provided requiring a respective counter-coding of the retainer or counter-connector to match said coding of the coded surface 15 for a proper connection. This prevents a mis-orientation of the retainer or counter-connector when inserted into the connector 10. The coded surface 15 allows for a form-fit connection with a respective counter-part, for example of the counter-connector or retainer, so that the connection is more resistive against torsional forces acting on the counter-connector, for example.

[0042] The connector 10 further comprises two contact pins 14. The contact pins 14 are provided at a rather central position of the recess 13. The contact pins 14 are gold-plated and extend along the mating direction to establish the electrical connection when the connector 10 is mated with the counter-connector.

[0043] Within the recess 13 and apart from the sleeve 12, a securing element 20 is provided in the connector 10. In a cross-sectional view, the securing element 20 has a U-shaped form. The securing element 20 comprises two elongated members or arms 21, 22, which extend along the mating direction. The arms 21, 22 encompass the contact pins 14 at least partially and extend farther along the mating direction than the contact pins 14, thus protecting the pins 14 from physical damage.

[0044] At each one of the arms 21, 22 of the securing element 20, a first locking undercut 23 is provided at a position close to the base of the recess 13. This first locking undercut 23 can be engaged by respective locking means of the counter-connector or retainer, for securing or locking it to the securing element 20. Further, besides the first locking undercut 23, a second locking undercut 24 is provided at each one of the arms 21, 22 of the securing element 20. The second locking undercut 24 is provided at a different position along the mating direction than the first locking undercut 23, i.e. closer to the tip of the arms 21, 22. The provision of different locking undercuts allows for connecting different counter-connectors with individual locking means to the connector 10, for example. Also, different retainers may be assembled on the securing element 20. The person skilled in the art understands that further locking undercuts may be provided, to allow for using the connector 10 with alternative counter-connectors or retainers.

[0045] At each tip of the arms 21, 22 of the securing element 20, a notch 25 is provided. Said notches 25 can be engaged by respective means of the counter-connector or the retainer for preserving the U-shaped form of the securing element 20. As will be understood by the person skilled in the art, the arms 21, 22 may deform due to manufacturing conditions, as they may tend to bend to the inside of the U-shaped form. By engaging the notches 25, such a deformation can be prevented.

[0046] As the securing functionality is provided with the securing element 20 and not with the sleeve 13, the sleeve 13 can be provided is a simpler manner, allowing for reducing the overall dimensions of the connector 10. Thus, also the length of the contact pins can be reduced. Further, the smooth surface of the sleeve 13 can function as a sealing surface, thus providing for a watertight connection.

[0047] FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate a cross-sectional-view of a connector 10 according to further embodiment, which corresponds to the most part to the connector of FIGS. 2 and 3 but with the addition of a retainer 30. The retainer 30 is assembled to the securing element 20, and can provide a retaining function when the counter-connector is mated.

[0048] The retainer 30 encompasses the securing element 20 and the contact pins 14, and has an opening 31 which allows for engaging the contact pins by the counter-connector upon mating. The retainer further features two locking lances 32, which engage the second locking undercuts 24 of the arms 24, 25 of the securing element 20. When the retainer 30 is pushed on the securing element 20 upon assembly, the locking lances 32 are flexed due to the engagement with the arms 24, 25 of the securing element 20. Once the retainer 30 is fully pushed on the securing element 20, the locking lances 32 are released and can return to their locking position, in which they engage the second locking undercuts 24, preventing an unwanted removal of the retainer 30. For unmounting the retainer 30, the locking lances 32 need to be flexed, as understood by the person skilled in the art.

[0049] As illustrated in FIG. 4, two protrusions 301 of the retainer 30 engage the notches 25 of the securing element 20. This engagement preserves the overall structure of the securing element 20, as for example a deformation of the arms 21, 22 of the securing element 20 is prevented.

[0050] FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate the retainer 30 as used with the connector 10 illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5. The retainer 30 is provided as a separate member, but can also be formed integrally with the body 11 of the connector 10 as will be appreciated by the person skilled in the art. The retainer 30 may be injection molded and be of a plastic material. The retainer 30 generally comprises two base elements 35, 39, linked by four ribs 38.

[0051] The retainer 30 comprises two lateral ports 33 which can be engaged by the counter-connector for fixing the counter-connector to the retainer and thus to the connector 10. The ports 33 can for example be engaged by respective lances of the counter-connector.

[0052] The retainer 30 further comprises two grooves 34 provided at different sides of the retainer 30. These grooves 34 can function as a positioning guide, to facilitate a correct insertion with a proper orientation of the counter-connector on the retainer 30 and thus to the connector 10.

[0053] As can be seen in particular in FIG. 7, the retainer 30 comprises a ring-shaped base element 35 with a coded structure. The coded structure of the base element 35 is defined by stepped parts 36, 37, which have a different height, and are provided at distinct positions of the retainer 30. The arrangement and configuration of the stepped parts 36, 37 provides for a coded structure of the base element 35 which matches the coded surface 15 of the base of the recess 13. Thus, the retainer 30 can only be attached to the securing element 20 in a defined manner, as such attachment is blocked if the stepped parts 36, 37 of the retainer 30 are not positioned to match the coded surface 15 of the base of the recess 13.

[0054] FIG. 7 further illustrates a protrusion 301, which is configured for engaging a respective notch 25 of the securing element 20. As will be appreciated by the person skilled in the art, such notches and protrusions may be provided at various positions on the securing element and retainer or counter-connector, however, they should be provided such that they can come into engagement for preventing any deformation of the securing element.

[0055] FIG. 8 illustrates a connector 10 according to a further embodiment. The connector 10 comprises a body 11, sleeve 12 defining a recess 13, two contact pins 14, and a securing element 20. The body 11 with the sleeve 12 and the securing element 20 are thereby integrally formed. As detailed above, the securing element 20 comprises locking undercuts 24, which allow for locking a counter-connector or a retainer.

[0056] The sleeve 12 of the connector 10 features two apertures 16, which are required for fabricating the locking undercuts 24 for example when producing the integral setup with injection molding. They, however, are not provided for interacting with a retainer or counter-connector. According to the present disclosure, a retainer or counter-connector are secured by means of the securing element 20, which is provided apart from the sleeve 12, for example at a central position nearby the contact pins 14. Thus, the inner surface of the sleeve 12 is essentially smooth.