Electrical plug type connector and plug type connector system for an electric or hybrid vehicle

Abstract

An electrical plug type connector is disclosed. The electrical plug type connector has an electrically insulating housing, a plurality of first contact chambers disposed in the housing, a plurality of power contact elements which are each received in one of the plurality of first contact chambers, and a plurality of separate drainage channels integrally formed in the housing. Each drainage channel is fluidly connected to one of the plurality of first contact chambers.

Claims

1. An electrical plug type connector, comprising: an electrically insulating housing having an insertion socket; a plurality of first contact chambers disposed in the housing within the insertion socket, each first contact chamber having a first drainage opening; a plurality of power contact elements which are each received in one of the plurality of first contact chambers; a plurality of separate drainage channels integrally formed in the housing and extending perpendicularly to the plurality of first contact chambers, each drainage channel fluidly connected to the first drainage opening of one of the plurality of first contact chambers and extending separately to an exterior of the insertion socket; at least one second contact chamber disposed in the housing within the insertion socket, the insertion socket having a second drainage opening in an area surrounding the plurality of first contact chambers and the plurality of second contact chambers and fluidly connected to one of the drainage channels, each of the at least one second contact chambers has a third drainage opening fluidly connected with the insertion socket and fluidly connected to only the one drainage channel via the area surrounding the plurality of first contact chambers and the plurality of second contact chambers and the second drainage opening; and at least one signal contact element received in the at least one second contact chamber.

2. The electrical plug type connector of claim 1, wherein the housing has an assembly plate, the insertion socket protruding at least partially from the assembly plate.

3. The electrical plug type connector of claim 2, wherein the second drainage opening is disposed in an end region of the insertion socket adjacent to the assembly plate.

4. The electrical plug type connector of claim 1, wherein the plurality of first contact chambers each have a catch engaging the power contact element received therein.

5. The electrical plug type connector of claim 1, further comprising at least one O-ring disposed between each power contact element and the respective contact chamber.

6. The electrical plug type connector of claim 1, further comprising a locking device fixing the plurality of power contact elements to the housing.

7. The electrical plug type connector of claim 6, wherein the locking device is moveable in a direction transverse to a direction of the plurality of power contact elements.

8. The electrical plug type connector of claim 1, further comprising a discharge connection piece fluidly connected to the plurality of drainage channels.

9. The electrical plug type connector of claim 8, wherein the discharge connection piece fluidly connects the plurality of drainage channels to a hose.

10. The electrical plug type connector of claim 1, further comprising a cover disposed over electrical lines connected to the plurality of power contacts.

11. The electrical plug type connector of claim 1, wherein the plurality of power contact elements are socket contacts.

12. The electrical plug type connector of claim 1, wherein the housing is an injection-moulded plastic component.

13. The electrical plug type connector of claim 1, wherein the first drainage opening is disposed adjacent a rear of each first contact chamber.

14. A charging socket for an electric or hybrid vehicle, comprising: an electrical plug type connector having an electrically insulating housing having an insertion socket, a plurality of first contact chambers disposed in the housing within the insertion socket, each first contact chamber having a first drainage opening, a plurality of power contact elements which are each received in one of the plurality of first contact chambers, a plurality of separate drainage channels integrally formed in the housing and extending perpendicularly to the plurality of first contact chambers, each drainage channel fluidly connected to the first drainage opening of one of the plurality of first contact chambers and extending separately to an exterior of the insertion socket, at least one second contact chamber disposed in the housing within the insertion socket, the insertion socket having a second drainage opening in an area surrounding the plurality of first contact chambers and the plurality of second contact chambers and fluidly connected to one of the drainage channels, each of the at least one second contact chambers has a third drainage opening fluidly connected with the insertion socket and fluidly connected to only the one drainage channel via the area surrounding the plurality of first contact chambers and the plurality of second contact chambers and the second drainage opening, and at least one signal contact element received in the at least one second contact chamber.

15. An electrical plug connection assembly, comprising: an electrical plug type connector having an electrically insulating housing having an insertion socket, a plurality of first contact chambers disposed in the housing within the insertion socket, each first contact chamber having a first drainage opening, a plurality of power contact elements which are each received in one of the plurality of first contact chambers, a plurality of separate drainage channels integrally formed in the housing and extending perpendicularly to the plurality of first contact chambers, each drainage channel fluidly connected to the first drainage opening of one of the plurality of first contact chambers and extending separately to an exterior of the insertion socket, at least one second contact chamber disposed in the housing within the insertion socket, the insertion socket having a second drainage opening in an area surrounding the plurality of first contact chambers and the plurality of second contact chambers and fluidly connected to one of the drainage channels, each of the at least one second contact chambers has a third drainage opening fluidly connected with the insertion socket and fluidly connected to only the one drainage channel via the area surrounding the plurality of first contact chambers and the plurality of second contact chambers and the second drainage opening, and at least one signal contact element received in the at least one second contact chamber; and an associated mating connector.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying figures, of which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective sectional view of an electrical plug type connector according to the invention;

(3) FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a housing of the electrical plug type connector;

(4) FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the housing of FIG. 2;

(5) FIG. 4 is a plan view of the housing of FIG. 2;

(6) FIG. 5 is a plan view of the housing of FIG. 2;

(7) FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line VI-VI of FIG. 4;

(8) FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along line VII-VII of FIG. 4;

(9) FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII of FIG. 4;

(10) FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along line IX-IX of FIG. 5;

(11) FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken along line X-X of FIG. 5;

(12) FIG. 11 is a detail view of region XI of FIG. 9; and

(13) FIG. 12 is a detail view of region XII of FIG. 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT(S)

(14) The invention is explained in greater detail below with reference to embodiments of a charging socket. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete and still fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. The described embodiment is an AC charging socket in accordance with a GB/Chinese standard. In this standard, five power contact elements and two signal contacts are provided. However, the principles according to the invention may of course also be used with all other alternating current, direct current or combined AC/DC charging systems.

(15) The charging socket 100 of the present invention is shown generally in FIGS. 1 and 2. The charging socket 100 includes a housing 102, power contact chambers 108, signal contact chambers 110, a locking device 120, and drainage channels 132. The major components of the invention will now be described in greater detail.

(16) The housing 102 can be produced from an electrically insulating plastics material using injection-moulding technology. The housing 102 has an assembly plate 104, from which an insertion socket 106 partially protrudes. In the assembly plate 104, there are further provided securing openings 138, through which the charging socket 100 can be connected to a vehicle chassis by means of riveting or screwing.

(17) Contact chambers 108 for the power contact elements and contact chambers 110 for the signal contacts are arranged inside the collar-like insertion socket 106. In an embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, according to the GB/China Standard Part 2, the charging socket 100 has five power contact chambers 108a-e and two signal contact chambers 110.

(18) Each of the power contact chambers 108 has a drainage opening 128. The drainage opening 128 is fluidly connected to a drainage channel 132, as shown in FIG. 1, which is produced from the housing material. The drainage channel 132 is closed at all sides in the cross-section thereof and separate channels 132a-e, with separate drainage openings 128a-e, for each contact chamber 108 are integrally formed as shown in FIG. 2. Each of the drainage channels 132, which extend in a substantially parallel manner, is fluidly connected to a discharge connection piece 134. A catch projection 136 may be formed on the exterior of the drainage channels 132, as shown in FIG. 2.

(19) Electrically conductive power contact elements 112 which are generally produced from metal are received in each case in the power contact chambers 108. For reliable sealing between the housing 102 and the power contact elements 112, O-rings 118 may be fitted as a sealing means therebetween.

(20) The power contact elements 112 may be secured in the associated power contact chambers 108 by a catch arm 150 in the drainage opening 128, shown in FIGS. 8 and 12. The power contact elements 112 may also be retained by compressing ribs 146 as shown in FIG. 5. Alternatively, a locking device 120 may be displaced transversely relative to the insertion direction 122 in order to lock all contact elements 112 in one operating step.

(21) In the embodiment shown, the power contact elements 112 are constructed as socket contacts, however, the present invention is not limited only to socket contacts; pin contacts can naturally also be used for a plug type connector 100 according to the invention. Each of the power contact elements 112 has a contact region 114 in which the electrical contact is mated with a mating connector and a connection region 116 in which the lines which lead to the vehicle cabling and consequently to the vehicle electrical system are connected. In the embodiment shown, the connection region 116 is constructed as a socket contact, in the same manner as the contact region 114. The metal contact element 112, as shown in FIG. 1, has an opening 130 that aligns with the drainage opening 128.

(22) Each of the signal contact chambers 110 also has a drainage opening 144, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 7, which connects with the insertion socket 106. In a similar manner to the drainage opening 128 in the power contact chambers 108 above, the drainage opening 144 is also used on the signal contact chambers 110 for forming a catch arm 146, as shown in FIG. 9. The catch arm 146 engages the signal contact element 113, which is generally produced from metal and received in the signal contact chamber 110. In the embodiment shown, the signal contact elements 113 are constructed as socket contacts, however, the present invention is not limited only to socket contacts; pin contacts can naturally also be used for a plug type connector 100 according to the invention.

(23) As shown in FIG. 3, on the side of the housing 102 facing the vehicle inner space, all contact chambers 108, 110 are surrounded by a collar 140 which is not completely peripheral. This collar 140 serves to fix the locking device 120 in the secured state.

(24) A cable guide 124 and a cable cover 126 connected to the cable guide 124, shown in FIG. 1, protect the outgoing cables (not illustrated in the drawings) in the assembled state.

(25) Drainage opening 142 is provided in insertion socket 106, as shown in FIG. 4. As can be seen from the sectioned illustration in FIG. 6, the drainage opening 142 is fluidly connected to the central drainage channel 132c.

(26) The slightly oblique position of the housing 102 shown in FIG. 2, in which the opening of the insertion socket 106 is higher than the rear base region, substantially corresponds to the installation orientation of the charging socket 100 in the motor vehicle. It is therefore clear that water also has to be removed from the insertion socket 106. This discharge of water is described in greater detail below.

(27) Fluids, i.e. gas or liquids, which have entered a power contact chamber 108 can be discharged through a drainage opening 128. Each of the drainage channels 132 which correspond to the drainage openings 128 lead into the discharge connection pieces 134, which in turn lead the fluid, for example, to a hose. The discharge connection pieces 134 may be secured the charging socket 100 via the catch projections 136.

(28) Fluids are removed from the signal contact chambers 110 via the drainage openings 144 into the insertion socket 106. Since the signal contact drainage openings 144 are arranged above the drainage opening 142 of the insertion socket under conventional installation conditions, the fluid which is discharged at this location flows down to the drainage opening 142, from where it can flow into the channel 132c and from there into the discharge connection piece 134. As can be seen from the contact designations of FIG. 5, the contact which is arranged in the central contact chamber 108c is connected to earth and is therefore most suitable for connecting the drainage of the insertion socket 106 to the drainage channel 132c which is associated therewith.

(29) When the creep paths are taken into account, it can be seen that, as a result of the connection which is produced via the drainage opening 142, the spacing between the drainage opening 128c and the insertion-side inlet of the contact chamber 108b is sufficiently long. Using the solution according to the invention, it is thus advantageously possible to construct a charging socket for a motor vehicle in such a manner that all requirements with respect to creep current paths and air paths can be complied with even in the presence of significant occurrences of contamination or the influence of salt-containing water spray. Owing to this specific closed production method, the creep path between two contact elements with different potential may be twice the contact chamber length at the front side and twice the drainage channel length at the rear side. Values in the region of 60 mm can be readily achieved. The production is cost-effective with high batch numbers and the assembly and mounting are precise and simple.