Abstract
A connector includes a grommet housing and a connector insert received in the grommet housing. The grommet housing includes a conductor receiving opening for passing an electrical or optical conductor from an outer region of the grommet housing into an inner region of the grommet housing. The grommet housing includes an insertion opening for plugging the connector insert together with a mating connector. The grommet housing includes a sealing surface which encircles the insertion opening at least in sections for sealing the inner region. The grommet housing is made of rubber-elastic material.
Claims
1. Grommet housing for receiving a connector insert, comprising: a conductor receiving opening for passing an electrical or optical conductor from an outer region of said grommet housing into an inner region of said grommet housing; an insertion opening for plugging said connector insert together with a mating connector; and a sealing surface which encircles said insertion opening at least in sections for sealing said inner region; wherein said grommet housing is manufactured from rubber-elastic material.
2. Grommet housing according to claim 1, wherein said sealing surface comprises a sealing lip.
3. Grommet housing according to claim 1, wherein said sealing surface comprises at least two sealing lips running parallel to one another.
4. Grommet housing according to claim 3, wherein at least one sealing lip of said at least two sealing lips is narrower or wider in cross section.
5. Grommet housing according to claim 1, wherein said sealing surface comprises at least two sealing lips, wherein the sealing lip of said at least two sealing lips that is arranged furthest from said inner region extends inclined from the inside to the outside.
6. Grommet housing according to claim 1, wherein an outer wall of said grommet housing disposed opposite to said insertion opening comprises a tunnel arch.
7. Grommet housing according to claim 1, wherein said conductor receiving opening continues in a tube-like continuation of said grommet housing which is configured like a bellows.
8. Grommet housing according to claim 7, wherein said tunnel arch aligns with said tube-like continuation.
9. Grommet housing according to claim 1, further comprising a housing opening for receiving a locking element or a control element of said connector insert, wherein a further sealing surface encircles said housing opening for sealing said inner region of said grommet housing.
10. Grommet housing according to claim 9, wherein said further sealing surface comprises sealing lips which project in the direction of said inner region and/or which project outwardly.
11. Grommet housing according to claim 1, wherein said grommet housing is configured to be elastically expandable in a non-destructive manner up to three times the housing volume.
12. Connector comprising: a grommet housing including a conductor receiving opening for passing an electrical or optical conductor from an outer region of said grommet housing into an inner region of said grommet housing, the grommet housing including an insertion opening, and grommet housing including a sealing surface which encircles said insertion opening at least in sections for sealing said inner region, said grommet housing being manufactured from rubber-elastic material; and a connector insert arranged in said inner region of said grommet housing, wherein said insertion opening is for plugging said connector insert together with a mating connector, wherein a plugging face of said connector is accessible through said insertion opening.
13. Connector according to claim 12, wherein said grommet housing further comprises a housing opening for receiving a locking element or a control element of said connector insert, wherein a further sealing surface encircles said housing opening for sealing said inner region of said grommet housing, said further sealing surface comprises sealing lips which project in the direction of said inner region and/or which project outwardly, wherein said housing opening of said grommet housing aligns with an opening of said connector insert.
14. Connector according to claim 13, wherein said housing opening of said grommet housing comprises a collar which projects into said opening of said connector insert.
15. Connector according to claim 13, wherein a locking element or a control element of said connector insert projects through said housing opening of said grommet housing.
16. Connector according to claim 12, wherein said sealing surface comprises a sealing lip.
17. Connector according to claim 12, wherein said sealing surface comprises at least two sealing lips running parallel to one another.
18. Connector according to claim 12, wherein an outer wall of said grommet housing disposed opposite to said insertion opening comprises a tunnel arch.
19. Connector according to claim 12, wherein said conductor receiving opening continues in a tube-like continuation of said grommet housing which is configured like a bellows.
20. Connector assembly comprising: a connector comprising a grommet housing including a conductor receiving opening for passing an electrical or optical conductor from an outer region of said grommet housing into an inner region of said grommet housing, said grommet housing including an insertion opening, wherein a plugging face of said connector is accessible through said insertion opening, and said grommet housing including a sealing surface which encircles said insertion opening at least in sections for sealing said inner region, said grommet housing being manufactured from rubber-elastic material, and said connector comprising a connector insert arranged in said inner region of said grommet housing; and a mating connector which comprises a mating surface, the insertion opening arranged for plugging said mating connector together with the connector insert; wherein the rubber-elastic material of said sealing surface abuts against said mating surface to form a seal.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0044] FIG. 1 shows an exemplary connector assembly with a grommet housing in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.
[0045] FIG. 2a shows a profile view of an exemplary configuration of the sealing surface.
[0046] FIG. 2b shows a further profile view of a further exemplary configuration of the sealing surface.
[0047] FIG. 2c shows a further profile view of a further exemplary configuration of the sealing surface.
[0048] FIG. 3a shows an exemplary configuration of the grommet housing.
[0049] FIG. 3b shows a further exemplary configuration of the grommet housing.
[0050] FIG. 3c shows a further exemplary configuration of the grommet housing.
[0051] FIG. 4a shows a further exemplary connector assembly in a non-inserted state.
[0052] FIG. 4b shows a further exemplary connector assembly in a non-inserted state.
[0053] FIG. 4c shows a further exemplary connector assembly in a non-inserted state.
[0054] FIG. 5a shows the exemplary connector assembly from FIG. 4a in an inserted state.
[0055] FIG. 5b shows the exemplary connector assembly from FIG. 4b in an inserted state.
[0056] FIG. 5c shows the exemplary connector assembly from FIG. 4c in an inserted state.
[0057] FIG. 6a shows a sectional view of the second outer wall of the grommet housing.
[0058] FIG. 6b shows a sectional view of the grommet housing or of a connector, respectively.
[0059] FIG. 7 shows a sectional view of the configuration of the grommet housing shown in FIG. 4c.
[0060] FIG. 8a shows a perspective view of a connector with the configuration of the grommet housing shown in FIG. 4c. and
[0061] FIG. 8b shows a further perspective view of a connector with the configuration of the grommet housing shown in FIG. 4c.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0062] FIG. 1 shows a connector assembly 100 comprising a general configuration of a grommet housing 1 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. Outer walls 2 of the grommet housing enclose an inner region 4. A connector insert 6 can be received in this inner region 4. Grommet housing 1 is preferably made of rubber-elastic material. Alternatively, it can also be made of elastic-plastic material. Further examples of the material of grommet housing 1 are: rubber-elastic material containing silicone; synthetic rubber copolymer made from acrylonitrile (ACN) and butadiene; nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR); ethylene propylene diene rubber (EPDM); neoprene; or fluororubber (FKM). In particular, the grommet housing according to an advantageous configuration is made of only one of the aforementioned materials. All other features of grommet housing 1 are therefore an integral part thereof. Furthermore, according to a further configuration, the material of grommet housing 1 can be expanded in a non-destructive manner, i.e. elastically, so that the inner region in the expanded state has three times the volume in contrast to the normal state, i.e. in the non-expanded or stress-free state.
[0063] In interaction with connector insert 6, grommet housing 1 forms a connector 110 which carries electrical cables. Connector face 120 of connector 110 points towards insertion opening 8 of grommet housing 1. Connector 110 can be plugged into a mating connector 130 in a plugging direction S of connector 110. Mating connector 130 can be encircled by a mating surface 140. Furthermore, the plug connection of connector insert 6 with mating connector 130 can be secured mechanically using an optional locking element or control element (which is not shown in FIG. 1). For example, this mechanical securing can be configured as a lock. The electrical conductors to be inserted into connector insert 6, for example, cables, can be run through conductor receiving opening 10 from an outer region of grommet housing 1 into inner region 4. For example, conductor receiving opening 10 can be arranged in a first outer wall 26. The former can also be disposed on an outer wall directly adjacent to insertion opening 8.
[0064] Inner region 4 of grommet housing 1 can be accessed through insertion opening 8. In order to prevent the ingress of moisture into inner region 4 possibly causing a short circuit in the electrical conductors, the insertion opening can be encircled by a sealing surface 12. Inner region is sealed when sealing surface 12 of grommet housing 1 abuts against mating surface 140. Preferably, sealing surface 12 can comprise or be formed by one or more sealing lips for sealing inner region 4. A detailed view 14 of sealing surface 12 is illustrated in following FIGS. 2a to 2c in which various embodiments of how sealing lips are provided for insertion opening 8 are illustrated.
[0065] The geometry of insertion opening 8 can also define a plane. For example, the plane is defined in that all external points of insertion opening 8 lie on this plane. Plugging direction S is preferably parallel to the surface normal of the plane which is encircled by insertion opening 8.
[0066] FIGS. 2a to 2c show profile views for various configurations of sealing surface 12 shown in detailed view 14. These configurations can be combined with one another in any way and are not only applicable to sealing surface 12 of insertion opening 8. Other openings in grommet housing 1 can also be configured with the sealing surfaces or sealing lips specified.
[0067] In FIG. 2a, sealing surface 12 comprises several sealing lips 16. In the example shown, three sealing lips 18 are formed from outer wall 2 of grommet housing 1. Alternatively, sealing surface 12 can comprise only one, two, or more than three sealing lips 18.
[0068] An exemplary configuration with several sealing lips 16 is again shown in FIG. 2b. However, it can also comprise more than three sealing lips 16. On the one hand, it is illustrated in FIG. 2b that one of sealing lips 18 is configured to be wider than the others. For example, the innermost or outermost sealing lip 18 is wider than the other sealing lips. The innermost sealing lip refers to the sealing lip that is arranged to be closest to inner region 4 of grommet housing 1. Conversely, the outermost sealing lip refers to the sealing lip that is arranged to be furthest away from the inner region of grommet housing 1. On the other hand, it is illustrated in FIG. 2b that lateral distance 20 between two adjacent sealing lips is unequal. With reference to insertion opening 8, the lateral distance denotes the distance between two sealing lips transverse to plugging direction S. It is illustrated in FIG. 2a that the lateral distance between the adjacent sealing lips is respectively equal.
[0069] FIG. 2c shows an exemplary configuration with two sealing lips 16 which abut at an angle against mating surface 140. Alternatively, the configuration could also be configured with only one sealing lip 18 or more than two sealing lips 16. For example, only outermost sealing lip 18 of a plurality of sealing lips 16 could be angled.
[0070] According to the configuration shown in FIG. 2c, the angled sealing lip extends increasingly inclined from the inside to the outside in a direction opposite to plugging direction S. Plugging direction S there is identical to the surface normal or normal vector 22 of mating surface 140, respectively. The angled sealing lip forms an angle 23 with normal vector 22. Angle 23 between normal vector 22 and the direction of extension of angled sealing lip 18 is preferably smaller than 45?, for example 30?.
[0071] Different exemplary configurations of grommet housing 1 are illustrated in FIGS. 3a to 3c. In FIGS. 3a to 3c, insertion opening 8 is respectively illustrated as a rectangular base surface with rounded corners. However, it can define any variety with an edge that encloses a flat surface. For example, the base area of insertion opening 8 can be encircled by any polygon. Alternatively, the base area of insertion opening 8 can be formed to be circular or elliptical.
[0072] Furthermore, grommet housing 1 can comprise a tube-like continuation 24. Conductor receiving opening 10 is preferably disposed on tube-like continuation 24. Furthermore, tube-like continuation 24 can be configured like a bellows. Continuation 24 can therefore be compressed or stretched out in a concertina-like manner.
[0073] Furthermore, tube-like continuation 24 can be arranged on a first outer wall 26 of the grommet housing.
[0074] Grommet housing 1 can comprise a tunnel arch 28 on an outer wall opposite insertion opening 8. Tunnel arch 28 preferably aligns with continuation 24 formed to be tube-like or bellows-like.
[0075] In particular when the tunnel arch aligns with the tube-like continuation, flexible cable routing in inner region 4 of grommet housing 1 is possible.
[0076] Furthermore, grommet housing 1 can comprise a housing opening 30. Housing opening 30 is preferably disposed on a second outer wall 32 which defines insertion opening 8 or abuts thereagainst, respectively. The end face of the second outer wall can be formed to be, for example, rectangular. Furthermore, housing opening 30 can be arranged opposite conductor receiving opening 10.
[0077] Furthermore, housing opening 30 can likewise comprise its own sealing surface 34 which comprises, for example, at least one sealing lip 18 for sealing inner region 4. Sealing surface 34 encircles housing opening 30. Furthermore, sealing surface 34 or at least one sealing lip 18, respectively, of housing opening 30 can be formed by recesses and/or projections.
[0078] Grommet housing 1 can comprise a further housing opening 36 which is preferably arranged on same outer wall 32. In particular, it can have the same shape and structure as housing opening 30. As explained further below, housing opening 30 or housing openings 30 and 36, respectively, are configured to receive a locking element which is configured, for example, as a slide, where the sealing lips of respective housing openings 30 and/or 36 seal inner region 4. Sealing lips 18 of sealing surface 34 can be arranged in a stepwise manner. Furthermore, sealing lips 18 extend away from inner region 4 of grommet housing 1, preferably in plugging direction S. As already explained with respect to FIGS. 2a to 2c, sealing lips 16 can be at different distances from one another, run at an angle away from inner region 4, and/or at least an innermost or outermost sealing lip 18 can have a different width in profile than the other sealing lips.
[0079] According to a further configuration, which is shown in FIG. 3b, grommet housing 1 comprises another further housing opening 38. This further housing opening 38 can be disposed between housing opening 30 and further housing opening 36. Other further housing opening 38 can be configured with a sealing surface 34 just like housing opening 30. In particular, the sealing surface of other further housing opening 38 can comprise sealing lips 18 which seal inner region 4 while receiving a control element (not illustrated in FIG. 3b).
[0080] A further alternative configuration of grommet housing 1 is illustrated in FIG. 3c. Grommet housing 1 shown comprises a housing opening 30 and a further housing opening 36. However, it can also be configured with only one housing opening on first outer wall 26. Another further housing opening 38 is disposed between housing opening 30 and conductor receiving opening 10. Other further housing opening 38 is preferably arranged on a side wall of tunnel arch 28. In particular, other further housing opening 38 is arranged centrally with respect to the elongate direction of extension of tunnel arch 28 on a supporting side wall of tunnel arch 28. The term supporting side wall is understood to mean that wall that carries or supports the curvature of tunnel arch 28. A second other further housing opening (which is not illustrated in FIG. 3c) can be disposed in the oppositely disposed supporting side wall of tunnel arch 28. In particular, these two housing openings formed in tunnel arch 28 can align so that an axis of rotation R is defined.
[0081] Any of housing openings 30, 36 and 38 explained in FIGS. 3a to 3c can protrude in part towards the outer region beyond the outer wall of grommet housing 1 that supports the former. Therefore, any random one of housing openings 30, 36 and 36 can form a collar on the outer wall supporting the former. Alternatively or cumulatively, the collar can be shaped in inner region 4.
[0082] Illustrated in FIGS. 4a to 4c are different configurations of connector assemblies 100 in a non-inserted state. Illustrated in FIGS. 5a to 5c are respective connector assemblies 100 from FIGS. 4a to 4c in an inserted and locked state.
[0083] Grommet housing 1 from FIG. 3a is illustrated with a locking element 112 in FIG. 4a. Locking element 112 can be configured substantially as a slide that has a U-shaped profile. The locking element comprises two rails running in parallel that are connected to each other by way of a web. The rails of locking element 112 penetrate housing opening 30 or 36, respectively, of grommet housing 1. In interaction with mating connector 130, locking element 112 can effect a lock between the mating connector and grommet housing 1 in a state when inserted into grommet housing 1. In particular, this lock can exist between mating connector 130 and a connector insert 6 (which is not shown in FIGS. 4a to 4c) that is inserted into grommet housing 1. For example, locking element 112 can be inserted into grommet housing 1 by hand.
[0084] Together with an inserted connector insert 6, grommet housing 1 can form a connector 110.
[0085] As shown in FIGS. 5a to 5c, the material of sealing surface 12 abuts against mating surface 140 of mating connector 130 to form a seal. The rubber-elastic property of the material of grommet housing 1 there is helpful in forming a reliable seal.
[0086] FIG. 4b illustrates a further connector assembly 100 which comprises a grommet housing 1 according to the configuration shown in FIG. 3b. Unlike locking element 112 in FIG. 4a, locking element 112 in FIG. 4b not only comprises two rails, but the two rails are connected to one another with a control element 114, for example, a lever, that is mounted to be rotatable. When control element 114 is operated, locking element 112 is pushed into grommet housing 1 so that a lock is created between the grommet housing or inserted connector insert 6, respectively, and mating connector 130.
[0087] Control element 114 can be inserted into another further housing opening 38 or can protrude through opening 38.
[0088] Grommet housing 1 illustrated in FIG. 4b also forms a connector 110 with an inserted connector insert and elements 112 and 114. Advantageously, a force for coupling or locking can be applied due to the control element that is mounted to be rotatable. This is useful if a particularly large number of conductors between the connector insert and the mating connector need to be connected since, in such a case, high frictional forces arise between the individual conductors, pins, and corresponding receiving sockets.
[0089] FIG. 4c illustrates a further connector assembly 100, where the latter comprises a grommet housing 1 according to the configuration of grommet housing 1 shown in FIG. 3c. Similar to the configuration shown in FIG. 4a, locking element 112 can be configured as a slide. In this configuration as well, locking element 112 can protrude through housing opening 30 and cumulatively through further housing opening 36. Furthermore, connector insert 6 can comprise a gear that is mechanically coupled with locking element 112. Alternatively, the gear can be inserted as an additional component in grommet housing 1. The gear can comprise a gearwheel rail and a gearwheel. In particular, the gearwheel rail can be connected to locking element 112 so that a motion of the gearwheel rail causes locking element 112 to be pushed into grommet housing 1. Control element 114 can drive the gearwheel. For example, the control element comprises an axis of rotation, that carries the gearwheel, and a lever. When the control element 114 drives the gearwheel, locking element 112 is pushed into grommet housing 1. This creates the lock to secure connector insert 6 with mating connector 130. At the same time, the seal on sealing surface 12 of grommet housing 1 can there be reinforced. In other words, the gearwheel together with the gearwheel rail forms a gear that transmits to mating connector 130 a lever force of the operated control element 114 for locking grommet housing 1.
[0090] Control element 114 can preferably be configured as a U-shaped lever. Advantageously, control element 114 in this configuration is particularly fracture-proof and provides the gearwheel with a rotational motion. Alternatively or cumulatively, the gearwheel can also be driven by an external tool, such as a screwdriver or a ratchet. According to this configuration, instead of control element 114, a rotation axis carrying the gearwheel is arranged to be accessible at the other further housing opening so that the gearwheel can be driven externally.
[0091] In combination with the inserted connector insert 6, locking element 112, and control element 114, grommet housing 1, as illustrated in FIG. 4c, also forms a connector 110 which is connected to mating connector 130.
[0092] FIG. 6a shows a sectional view through a housing opening 30 of an exemplary configuration of grommet housing 1. The sectional view depicts a profile of sealing surface 12 which comprises several sealing lips 16 inclined away from plugging direction S. In the configuration illustrated, sealing surface 34 of the housing opening comprises several sealing lips 16 which form a W-shape in profile. In this case, there are two sealing lips present whose tips are slightly rounded. Alternatively, sealing surface 34 can comprise only one sealing lip 18. Sealing surface 34 of the housing opening can be configured substantially in the same way according to any of the configurations explained in FIGS. 2a to 2c. For example, an outer one of a plurality of sealing lips 16 can incline away from inner region 4 of grommet housing 1. The other way around, an outer or inner sealing lip 18 can incline toward inner region 4. The distances between sealing lips 16 or the width of a sealing lip 18 can also be varied.
[0093] FIG. 6b illustrates a further sectional view of grommet housing 1 with an inserted connector insert 6 perpendicular to the sectional view shown in FIG. 6a. In the embodiment illustrated, grommet housing 1 comprises two housing openings 30 and 36. However, the features indicated hereafter also apply to a grommet housing 1 which comprises only one housing opening 30. Sealing surface 34 or at least one sealing lip 18, respectively, encircles housing opening 30. This ensures that inner region 4 is sealed. Furthermore, the connector insert can comprise an opening for 9 which aligns with housing opening 30. A locking element as illustrated in FIGS. 4a to 4c can then protrude through grommet housing 1 into connector insert 6. In the configuration illustrated, further housing opening 36 aligns with a further opening 44 of the connector insert.
[0094] Furthermore, housing opening 30 forms a collar 40 for opening 42 of connector insert 6. Collar 40 is not only advantageous for sealing inner region 4 of grommet housing 1 but at the same time provides a positioning aid for correctly arranging or aligning connector insert 6 in grommet housing 1.
[0095] FIG. 7 illustrates a sectional view of a grommet housing according to the configuration illustrated in FIG. 4c. Other further housing opening 38 comprises a sealing surface for sealing inner region 4. Sealing surface 34 preferably comprises at least one sealing lip 18. Sealing surface 34 can completely encircle housing opening 38 and can likewise be configured according to one of the configurations explained in FIGS. 2a to 2c.
[0096] In addition, grommet housing 1 can comprise a projection 46 concentrically encircling other further housing opening 38. Alternatively, the projection can also be configured as a recess. The concentric projection can preferably be configured as a floating sealing lip. A control element 114 inserted into grommet housing 1 is advantageously held by this projection 46 elastically and to be movable so that other further housing opening 38 seals inner region 4 while control element 114 moves or rotates, respectively.
[0097] FIGS. 8a and 8b show perspective views of a connector 110 from views rotated by 180? relative to each other. In the configuration illustrated, connector 110 comprises grommet housing 1 according to the configuration illustrated in FIG. 4c. However, any other configuration of grommet housing 1, in which connector insert 6 is inserted and the plugging face 120 of connector 110 faces the direction of plugging direction S, could also be illustrated.
[0098] It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. For example, the above-described embodiments (and/or aspects thereof) may be used in combination with each other. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from its scope. Dimensions, types of materials, orientations of the various components, and the number and positions of the various components described herein are intended to define parameters of certain embodiments, and are by no means limiting and are merely exemplary embodiments. Many other embodiments and modifications within the spirit and scope of the claims will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The scope of the invention should, therefore, be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. In the appended claims, the terms including and in which are used as the plain-English equivalents of the respective terms comprising and wherein. Moreover, in the following claims, the terms first, second, and third, etc. are used merely as labels, and are not intended to impose numerical requirements on their objects. Further, the limitations of the following claims are not written in means-plus-function format and are not intended to be interpreted based on 35 U.S.C. ? 112(f), unless and until such claim limitations expressly use the phrase means for followed by a statement of function void of further structure.
