METHOD FOR CHECKING A SEALING OF A PLUG CONNECTION, AND PLUG CONNECTION

Abstract

A method checks a sealing of an interior space of a plug connection that is to be tested. The plug connection has two plug connection elements, namely a plug connector element and a mating connector element, the plug connector element being plugged into the mating connector element in a plug-in direction. One of the plug connection elements additionally has a test opening to the interior space, via which, for the purpose of checking the sealing, a test medium is applied to the interior space, and the test opening is then sealed toward the interior space.

Claims

1. A method for checking a sealing of an interior space of a plug connection to be tested, the plug connection having two plug connection elements, namely a plug connector element and a mating connector element, which are plugged into one another in a plug-in direction, one of the plug connection elements having a test opening formed therein to the interior space, which comprises the steps of: performing a seal check by applying a test medium to the interior space; and sealing the test opening toward the interior space.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein for the sealing of the test opening to the interior space, moving a sealing element, in the plug-in direction, beyond the test opening, into a sealing position, such that a previously existing flow connection, between the test opening and the interior space, is removed by the sealing element.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the plug connection has a component part that is moved in the plug-in direction during an assembling of the plug connection, the sealing element being moved automatically together with the component part.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the plug connector element has the test opening and, for checking the interior space, is plugged into a test position, into the mating connector element, and then, for sealing of the test opening, is brought into a final assembled position.

5. The method according to claim 2, which further comprises disposing the sealing element between the plug connector element and the mating connector element, such that the interior space is sealed by the sealing element.

6. The method according to claim 2, which further comprises surrounding the plug connector element by the mating connector element, and the sealing element is realized as a ring seal.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the plug connector element has a latching lug and the mating connector element has a latching recess formed therein, such that, in a final assembled position, the latching lug latches into the latching recess.

8. The method according to claim 7, which further comprises disposing the test opening behind the latching lug, as viewed in the plug-in direction, such that, in a test position, the latching recess is disposed over the test opening.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the plug connection element having the test opening has a cable gland with a leadthrough formed therein, through said leadthrough, in an assembled state, a cable is passed into the interior space, and wherein the test opening is realized in the cable gland.

10. The method according to claim 9, which further comprises disposing the sealing element between the cable gland and the cable, and the sealing element is moved beyond the test opening.

11. The method according to claim 9, wherein the plug connection has a holding element, which is pushed onto the cable gland, wherein, as the holding element is being pushed on, the sealing element is automatically moved along with the holding element.

12. The method according to claim 1, which further comprises using compressed air as the test medium.

13. A plug connector device, comprising: two plug connection elements including a plug connector element and a mating connector element, which can be plugged into one another in a plug-in direction, wherein one of said plug connection elements has a test opening formed therein, wherein in a test position, said test opening is accessible and there is a flow connection between the test opening and an interior space of the plug connector device, such that a test medium can be applied to said interior space through said test opening, and wherein, in a final assembled position, a flow connection is removed.

14. The plug connector device according to claim 13, further comprising a sealing element which, as viewed in the plug-in direction, is disposed before said test opening in the test position and after said test opening in the final assembled position.

15. The plug connector device according to claim 13, wherein said plug connector element and said mating connector element are configured to connect to high-voltage cables.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

[0045] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a plug connection according to a first design variant, in a test position;

[0046] FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional representation of the plug connection according to the first design variant, in a test position;

[0047] FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional representation of the plug connection according to the first design variant, in an end position; and

[0048] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a plug connection according to a second design variant.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0049] In the figures, parts that are alike in their action are represented with the same references.

[0050] Referring now to the figures of the drawings in detail and first, particularly to FIG. 1 thereof, there is shown a plug connection 2 composed of two plug connection elements, namely a plug connector element 4 and a mating connector element 6, according to a first design variant. The plug connection 2 serves to effect a reversible electrical connection of electric cables 8, in the exemplary embodiment a connection of high-voltage cables for the automotive sector.

[0051] In the exemplary embodiment, the plug connection 2 is realized in the manner of an in particular y-shaped (power) distributor, having one incoming cable 8 and two outgoing cables 8.

[0052] The cables 8 are passed, by leadthroughs 10, into an interior space 12 (see FIG. 2). The leadthroughs 10 are sealed toward the interior space 12, such that longitudinal water-tightness is realized. The interior space 12 is constituted by a part of the plug connector element 4 and a part of the mating connector element 6. Both the plug connector element 4 and the mating connector element 6 each have plug connector housings that, in the connected state, are plugged into one another. The plug connector housings are composed, for example, of an electrically insulating plastic, or alternatively also of a conductive material, in particular metal. For the purpose of realizing the plug connection, the plug connector element 4 can be plugged into the mating connector element 6 in a plug-in direction S. The mating connector element 6 in this case surrounds the plug connector element 4 in a form-fitting manner.

[0053] For the purpose of realizing the preferably reversible connection of the plug connection 2, in the exemplary embodiment the connector element 4 additionally has a latching lug 14, which latches with a latching recess 16 made in the mating connector element 6.

[0054] For the purpose of checking reliability of sealing of the interior space 12, the plug connector element 4 has a test opening 18. In the exemplary embodiment, the arrangement of the test opening 18 is selected in such a manner that only in a test position P does the test opening 18 render the interior space 12 accessible for a checking operation. For this purpose, the test opening 18 is arranged behind the latching lug 14, as viewed in the plug-in direction S. A test position P in this case is understood to mean a position of the plug connection 2 in which the plug connector element 4 has not been fully inserted into the mating connector element 6. For example, in the exemplary embodiment, in the test position P the plug connector element 4 has been half inserted into the mating connector element 6.

[0055] The latching recess 16 in this case is arranged over the test opening 18, such that the latter is accessible.

[0056] For the purpose of testing the sealing of the interior space 12, a test medium is applied to the latter. The test medium is preferably compressed air. The test medium in this case is passed into the interior space through the test opening 18. In the case of a possible leakage location, test medium emerges from the interior space 12, enabling possible leakage locations to be detected with ease.

[0057] FIG. 2 shows a longitudinal sectional representation of the plug connection 2 having, positioned in the test position P, the plug connector element 4 and the mating connector element 6.

[0058] In addition, in the exemplary embodiment the plug connector element 4 has a plug connector contact 20a, and the mating connector element 6 has a mating connector contact 20b. The plug connector contact 20a and the mating connector contact 20b serve to electrically connect the cables 8. Both the plug connector contact 20a and the mating connector contact 20b are arranged in the interior space 12 of the plug connection 2.

[0059] In addition, the plug connection 2 has a sealing element 22a, which in the exemplary embodiment is realized as a ring seal and thus surrounds the circumference of the interior space. The sealing element 22a provides additional sealing of the interior space 12. As viewed in the plug-in direction S, the sealing element 22a seals the interior space 12 behind the test opening 18, such that the test medium does not escape there during the testing operation. The interior space 12 is thus sealed both by the seals of the leadthroughs 10 and by the sealing element 22a, such that, for example, no moisture enters the interior space 12.

[0060] In the test position P, the test opening 18as viewed in the plug-in directionis thus positioned in front of the sealing element 22a, and thereby enables access to the interior space 12 for the test medium.

[0061] FIG. 3 shows a longitudinal sectional representation of the plug connection 2 in an end position E. End position E in this case is understood to mean a position of the plug connection in which the plug connector element 4 has been fully inserted in the mating connector element 6. The plug connection is thereby fully realized. In order to prevent the plug connection 2 from becoming undone accidentally, in the end position E the latching lug 14 is latched in the latching recess 16.

[0062] In the end position E, the test opening 18as viewed in the plug-in direction Sis arranged behind the sealing element 22a. Ingress of moisture into the interior space 12 is thereby prevented by the test opening 18, in the end position E. This means that the sealing element 22a is arranged in an intermediate region between the interior space 12 and the test opening 18, and thus seals the interior space 12 in relation to the test opening 18, for example in respect of unwanted ingress of moisture through the test opening 18.

[0063] In other words: upon assembly of the plug connection 2 (upon bringing the plug connector element 4, in the plug-in direction S, from the test position P into the end position E following checking of the sealing of the interior space 12), the test opening 18 moves beyond the sealing element 22a untilin the end position Ethe test opening 18 is located behind the sealing element 22a within the plug connection 2. As a result of the two plug connector elements simply being moved, therefore, the flow connection between the test opening 18 and the interior space 12 is removed, and reliably sealed by the sealing element 22.

[0064] As an alternative to this preferred design, other measures for sealing the test opening may also be provided, for example embedding or other closure, e.g. by means of a sealing plug.

[0065] A second design variant of the plug connection 2 is shown in FIG. 4. The plug connection 2 in this case is likewise realized as a high-voltage distributor.

[0066] The plug connection 2 has two plug connection elements, namely the plug connector element 4 and the mating connector element 6.

[0067] In the exemplary embodiment the mating connector element 6 has a cable gland 24. The cable gland 24 serves to terminate the cable 8 to the mating connector element 6. For this purpose, the mating connector element 6, and in particular the cable gland 24, has the leadthrough 10, into which the cable 8 is inserted and guided into the interior space 12.

[0068] Additionally realized in the cable gland 24 is the test opening 18, via which the tightness of the interior space 12 can be tested. The test opening 18 thus provides access to the interior space 12. In this case, an interior of the cable gland 24 is part of the interior space 12.

[0069] In order to fix the cable 8 within the mating connector element 6, and specifically within the leadthrough 10 of the cable gland 24, a holding element 26 is additionally provided, which is pushed onto the cable 8, for example during assembling of the latter. The holding element 26 is realized in the manner of a sleeve, in particular in the manner of a double sleeve. This means that the holding element 26 has an inner sleeve 28 and, concentrically surrounding the latter, forming a gap, an outer sleeve 30. In addition, there is a latching element, in the exemplary embodiment a latching recess 16, arranged on the outer sleeve 30. As viewed in the plug-in direction S, there is a further sealing element 22b arranged between the holding element 26 and the cable gland 24, in particular pushed onto the cable 8. The further sealing element 22b in this case is realized as a ring seal. It differs from the sealing element 22a according to the first design variant.

[0070] Basically, in both realization variants, the plug connection 2 in each case preferably has a (first) sealing element 22a between the housing parts of the plug connector element 4 and of the mating connector element 6, and a plurality of further (second) sealing elements 22b between a respective cable 8 and a respective cable gland 24. According to the second design variant, having four cable glands 24, four sealing elements 22 are thus provided, namely, in each of the individual cable glands, a sealing element 22b and a sealing element 22a that seals the plug connection 2 between the plug connection elements (see FIGS. 2 and 3).

[0071] A test position P is provided for performing a test of the tightness of the interior space. In this test position P, the sealing element 22b and the holding element 26 are not completely arranged on the cable gland 24. Access is thereby provided, through the test opening 18, to the interior space 12, thus enabling a test medium to be applied to the latter, and on the other hand, for the test, the interior space 12 is sealed by the sealing element 22b that is not completely arranged on the cable gland 24.

[0072] Following a tightness testfor the purpose of realizing a final assembled position Ethe holding element 26 is pushed further, in the plug-in direction S, onto the cable gland 24, such that in the final assembled position a wall 32 of the cable gland 24 is arranged between an inner sleeve 28 and the outer sleeve 30 of the holding element 26. In order to secure against pulling-out, in particular contrary to the plug-in direction S, the cable gland 24 has a latching element, in the exemplary embodiment a latching lug 14 realized to correspond to the latching recess 16 of the holding element 26. In the final assembled position E, the two latching elements 14, 16 are latched together, and thus secure the holding element 26, and thereby also the cable 8, against longitudinal displacement, in particular contrary to the plug-in direction S.

[0073] As the holding element 26 is moved in the plug-in direction S, the holding element 26 moves, or specifically an end face 34 of the inner sleeve 28 moves the sealing element 22b, likewise in the plug-in direction S, into the cable gland 24. The sealing element 22b is dimensioned such that it realizes a reliable sealing between the cable gland 24 and the cable. Depending on the material and elasticity of the sealing element 22, the outer diameter of the sealing element 22b corresponds at least to the inner diameter of the cable gland 24.

[0074] In the final assembled position E, the sealing element 22b, as viewed in the plug-in direction S, has been moved beyond the test opening 18. In other words, the sealing element 22b, as viewed in the plug-in direction S, is arranged between the interior space 12 and the test opening 18, and thus seals the interior space 12 in a reliable manner. Sealing of the interior space 12, and thus of a safety-relevant part of the plug connection 2, is thereby achieved despite a test opening 18 thatfrom the outsidecannot be closed. Owing to the arrangement of the sealing element 22b in the cable gland 24, it is possible to dispense with closure of the test opening 18.

[0075] The following is a summary list of reference numerals and the corresponding structure used in the above description of the invention: [0076] 2 plug connection [0077] 4 plug connector element [0078] 6 mating connector element [0079] 8 electric cable [0080] 10 leadthrough [0081] 12 interior space [0082] 14 latching lug [0083] 16 latching recess [0084] 18 test opening [0085] 20a plug connector contact of the plug connector element [0086] 20b plug connector contact of the mating connector element [0087] 22a,b sealing element [0088] 24 cable gland [0089] 26 holding element [0090] 28 inner sleeve [0091] 30 outer sleeve [0092] 32 wall [0093] 34 end face [0094] E final assembled position [0095] P test position [0096] S plug-in direction