HOUSING COMPONENT FOR A PLUG CONNECTOR, PLUG CONNECTOR, AND PLUG CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY

Abstract

A housing component for a plug connector, in particular an end cap for a plug connector housing, having a cable-side axial portion and a plug-side axial portion adjoining the cable-side portion along a longitudinal axis. A cable bushing for a cable is formed in the cable-side portion and runs along the longitudinal axis. It is provided that the housing component has at least one fluid channel running in the cable bushing and being open towards the cable, in order to conduct away a fluid which has penetrated between the cable bushing and the cable in a defined manner into the plug-side portion. The fluid channel winds through the cable bushing at least in portions along the longitudinal axis. At least one outlet opening is formed in the plug-side portion in order to discharge the fluid from the housing component transversely to the longitudinal axis.

Claims

1. A housing component for a plug connector, in particular an end cap for a plug connector housing, comprising: a cable-side axial portion and a plug-side axial portion adjoining the cable-side portion along a longitudinal axis, the cable-side portion having a cable bushing for a cable running along the longitudinal axis; and at least one fluid channel formed in the cable bushing and open towards the cable, in order to conduct away a fluid which has penetrated between the cable bushing and the cable in a defined manner into the plug-side portion, the fluid channel winding through the cable bushing at least in portions along the longitudinal axis, and at least one outlet opening being formed in the plug-side portion in order to discharge the fluid from the housing component transversely to the longitudinal axis (L).

2. The housing component according to claim 1, further comprising: at least one elevation, in particular a rib, formed on an inner lateral surface of the cable bushing and winding through the cable bushing at least in portions along the longitudinal axis in order to form the at least one fluid channel.

3. The housing component according to claim 1, wherein the at least one fluid channel is formed in such a way that the cable can rest on the fluid channel in order to seal the fluid channel on the inside, in the direction of the longitudinal axis.

4. The housing component according to claim 1, wherein the at least one fluid channel winds through the cable bushing in such a way that a direct passage for the fluid through the cable-side portion into the plug-side portion, said passage running solely longitudinal axial direction, is blocked.

5. The housing component according to claim 1, wherein the at least one fluid channel winds helically through the cable bushing.

6. The housing component according to claim 1, wherein the plug-side portion has, at least in some regions, at least one outer wall running around the longitudinal axis in order to delimit, at least in some regions, a cavity, the at least one fluid channel opening out into the cavity.

7. The housing component according to claim 6, wherein the at least one outlet opening is formed in the at least one outer wall and/or between a plurality of said outer walls.

8. The housing component according to claim 6, further comprising: a plug-side volume provided to the fluid by means of the cavity being larger than a cable-side volume provided to the fluid in the cable-side portion.

9. The housing component according to claim 6, wherein the inner diameter of the housing component in the plug-side portion is larger than in the cable bushing, and a support surface running transversely to the longitudinal axis being formed between the cable bushing and the at least one outer wall.

10. The housing component according to claim 9, further comprising: a plurality of support elements arranged distributed on the support surface, preferably uniformly distributed around the cable bushing, in order to mechanically contact a sealing element of the plug connector adjacent to the housing component; at least one intermediate channel being formed in each of the support elements and/or between the support elements; and the at least one fluid channel opening out into the at least one intermediate channel.

11. The housing component according to claim 10, wherein the at least one fluid channel has, at a plug-side end portion, a deflecting portion running at least substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis in order to introduce the fluid in a targeted manner, starting from the fluid channel, into one of the intermediate channels.

12. The housing component according to claim 10, wherein between the at least one outer wall and the support elements, there is formed running around the support elements an outer channel, into which the individual intermediate channels open out, and which is designed to conduct the fluid to the at least one outlet opening.

13. A plug connector comprising the housing component according to claim 1 and at least one sealing element adjacent along the longitudinal axis to the plug-side portion of the housing component or arranged in the plug-side portion and mountable externally on the cable.

14. A plug connector assembly comprising the plug connector according to claim 13 and the cable.

15. A housing component for a plug connector, in particular an end cap for a plug connector housing, comprising: a cable-side axial portion and a plug-side axial portion adjoining the cable-side portion along a longitudinal axis, the cable-side portion having a cable bushing for a cable running along the longitudinal axis; and a cable-side volume for a fluid penetrated between the cable bushing, wherein the cable in the cable-side portion is smaller than a plug-side volume provided to the fluid in the plug-side portion, with at least one outlet opening being formed in the plug-side portion in order to discharge the fluid from the housing component transversely to the longitudinal axis.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0114] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are described in more detail below with reference to the drawings.

[0115] The figures each show preferred exemplary embodiments in which individual features of the present invention are shown in combination with one another. Features of one exemplary embodiment can also be implemented separately from the other features of the same exemplary embodiment and can accordingly be readily combined by a person skilled in the art to form further useful combinations and sub-combinations with features of other exemplary embodiments.

[0116] In the figures, functionally like elements are provided with the same reference signs.

[0117] In the figures:

[0118] FIG. 1 schematically shows a plug connector assembly according to the invention in a sectional side view, with a plug connector comprising a housing component formed as an end cap according to a first exemplary embodiment of the invention, as well as an electrical cable;

[0119] FIG. 2 schematically shows an individual perspective view of the housing component according to FIG. 1;

[0120] FIG. 3 schematically shows an individual perspective view of a housing component according to a second exemplary embodiment of the invention; and

[0121] FIG. 4 schematically shows an individual perspective view of the alternative housing component of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ENABLING EMBODIMENTS

[0122] FIG. 1 shows, by way of example and schematically, a plug connector assembly 1 according to the invention in a lateral sectional view. The plug connector assembly 1 has a plug connector 2 and a cable 3. In the exemplary embodiment, an electrical plug connector 2 and an electrical cable 3 are shown, but this is not to be understood as limiting.

[0123] The cable 3 has an inner conductor 4 and a cable sheath 5, although in principle any type of cable can be provided, for example also cables with a plurality of inner conductors, different dielectrics and/or outer conductors (e.g. a cable shielding braid and/or a cable foil). The cable 3 is inserted into the plug connector 2 starting from a cable end of a multi-part plug connector housing 6. In a central portion of the plug connector 2, the inner conductor 4 of the cable 3 is connected to a contact element 7 of the plug connector 2, for example welded in an integrally bonded manner. Furthermore, the plug connector 2 has a plug-side end with a plug interface 8 for connection to a corresponding mating plug connector (not shown).

[0124] In addition, the plug connector 2 comprises a sealing element 9, which is mounted on the outside of the cable sheath 5 and which is axially fixed to the cable-side end of the plug connector housing 6 by a housing component 10 formed as an end cap. The housing component 10 shown schematically in FIG. 1 is shown in an individual perspective view in FIG. 2. FIG. 3 shows a further exemplary embodiment, which is explained below together with the first exemplary embodiment.

[0125] The housing component 10 has a cable-side axial portion 11 (cf. FIG. 1) and a plug-side axial portion 12 (cf. FIG. 1) adjoining the cable-side portion 11 along the longitudinal axis L. The cable-side portion 11 has a cable bushing 13 for the cable 3. A cable bushing 13 for the cable 3 running along the longitudinal axis L is formed in the cable-side portion 11. The cable bushing 13 is adapted as accurately as possible to the outer diameter of the cable 3.

[0126] In the case of the housing component 10 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the cable bushing 13 has a plurality of fluid channels 14 open towards the cable 3 (cf. in particular FIGS. 2 and 3) in order to conduct away a fluid (not shown) that has penetrated between the cable bushing 13 and the cable 3 in a defined manner into the plug-side portion 12. The fluid channels 14 wind at least in portions along the longitudinal axis L through the cable bushing 13, with preferably less than one turn per fluid channel 14 being provided.

[0127] It is preferably provided that the fluid channels 14 wind through the cable bushing 13 in such a way that a direct passage for the fluid, i.e. in particular a passage which runs solely parallel to the longitudinal axis L, through the cable-side portion 11 into the plug-side portion 12 is blocked. In this respect, a helical course of the fluid channels 14 has proved to be particularly advantageous, as indicated in FIGS. 2 and 3.

[0128] To form the individual fluid channels 14, elevations 16 in the manner of ribs are formed on an inner lateral surface 15 of the cable bushing 13. The inner diameter of the cable bushing 13 and the height of the elevations 16 or the fluid channels 14 are formed such that the cable 3 rests on the fluid channels 14 and seals the fluid channels 14 on the inside, i.e. in the direction of the longitudinal axis L.

[0129] Between the cable sheath 5 of the cable 3 and the inner lateral surface 15 of the cable bushing 13, the cable-side volume can be provided based on the individual flow cross sections of the fluid channels 14. The total cable-side flow cross section defining the cable-side volume in the cable-side portion 11 can thus be advantageously influenced, in particular by modifying the elevations 16.

[0130] As can be seen from the exemplary flow path S shown in FIG. 2, the fluid is deflected in a defined manner on its way through the cable bushing 13 and, as it emerges from the cable-side portion 11, exhibits not only an axial movement component but also a movement component directed in the circumferential direction, which significantly reduces the load on the downstream sealing element 9.

[0131] The plug-side portion 12 has outer walls 17 arranged circumferentially around the longitudinal axis L at least in some regions. In the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, exactly two outer walls 17 are provided, which together delimit, at least in some regions, a cavity 18 in the plug-side portion 12, into which the fluid channels 14 open out. In this case, the plug-side volume made available to the fluid by means of the cavity 18 is significantly larger than the cable-side volume made available to the fluid in the cable-side portion 11. In this way, when the fluid enters the plug-side portion 12, a pressure loss takes place because the flow rate of the fluid in the fluid channels 14 is higher due to the significantly smaller volume. In this way, there is some spraying of the fluid as it enters the plug-side portion 12, which further reduces the stress on the sealing element 9.

[0132] Optionally, connecting elements may be provided in the outer walls 17, such as latching elements 19, to latch with another component of the plug connector housing 6.

[0133] Lastly, the fluid in the plug-side portion 12 can be discharged from the housing component 10 through corresponding outlet openings 20 transverse to the longitudinal axis L. In the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, the outlet openings 20 are formed between the individual outer walls 17.

[0134] Alternatively or additionally, however, the outlet openings 20 can also be formed within the outer walls 17, for example in the manner of a window or a slot. By way of example, FIG. 3 shows a further exemplary embodiment of a housing component 10 according to the invention, in which only a single outer wall 17 is provided, in which corresponding windows are provided to form the outlet openings 20.

[0135] In the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, the inner diameter of the housing component 10 in the plug-side portion 12 is larger than in the cable bushing 13, which is why a support surface 21 running transversely to the longitudinal axis L is formed between the cable bushing 13 and the at least one outer wall 17.

[0136] However, a support surface 21 is not necessarily required, as shown by way of example on the basis of the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 3. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the inner diameter of the housing component 10 in the plug-side portion 12 corresponds to the inner diameter in the cable bushing 13. The housing component 10 is therefore completely sleeve-shaped in FIG. 3—in contrast to the housing component 10 in cap form shown in FIG. 2.

[0137] An increase in the inner diameter as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 has proved particularly suitable for reducing the pressure of the fluid in the plug-side cavity to a particularly large extent due to the Bernoulli effect.

[0138] Optionally, a plurality of support elements 22 can be arranged distributed on the support surface 21, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The support elements 22 are preferably arranged uniformly around the cable bushing 13. By means of the support elements 22, the housing component 10 is able to contact the sealing element 9 mechanically and therefore to fix or support it axially. In the exemplary embodiment, the support elements 22 are formed in one piece from the housing component 10 in the manner of props.

[0139] Between the support elements 22, there are formed respective intermediate channels 23, into each of which one of the fluid channels 14 opens out. In this way, the fluid can still be discharged laterally from the housing component 10 advantageously and comparatively directly despite the support elements 22. Alternatively or in addition to intermediate channels 23 between the support elements 22, intermediate channels 23 can also be provided which extend through the individual support elements 22 (not shown in the exemplary embodiments).

[0140] It has been found to be advantageous to provide deflecting portions 24 running parallel to the longitudinal axis L at a plug-side end portion of the fluid channels 14 or of the elevations 16, in order to introduce the fluid even more selectively into the intermediate channels 23 starting from the fluid channel 14. This is particularly advantageous if the support elements 22 on the support surface 21 are spaced from the cable bushing 13, as shown.

[0141] Between the outer walls 17 and the support elements 22, an outer channel 25 can be formed running around the support elements 22, as can be seen in FIG. 2. The individual intermediate channels 23 can open out into the common outer channel 25 in order to discharge the fluid collected from the outlet openings 20.

[0142] To illustrate that an alternative housing component 10 can also be provided as part of the overall concept of the invention, FIG. 4 again shows an end cap for a plug connector housing 6, which has a cable-side portion 11 and a plug-side portion 12 adjoining the cable-side portion 11 along the longitudinal axis L. The cable-side portion 11 has a cable bushing 13 for the cable 3. Again, a cable bushing 13 for the cable 3 running along the longitudinal axis L is provided in the cable-side portion 11.

[0143] Unlike the housing component 10 described in FIGS. 1 to 3, however, the alternative housing component 10 of FIG. 4 does not have fluid channels 14, but instead employs a different strategy, which is also advantageous, to reduce the effect of fluid flow on the sealing element 9 in the plug-side portion 12.

[0144] According to the alternative housing component 10, it is provided that the plug-side volume made available to the fluid in the plug-side portion 12 is larger than the volume in the cable-side portion 11. This can be ensured, for example, by the fact that the volume in the cavity 18 enclosed by the at least one outer wall 17 in the plug-side portion 12 is designed to be significantly larger than a tolerance-induced volume between the inner lateral surface 15 of the cable bushing 13 and the cable sheath 5 of the cable 3. In this way, when the fluid enters the plug-side portion 12, the fluid is sprayed (cf. the flow path S indicated by way of example in FIG. 4) and thus the pressure is significantly reduced. Lastly, the fluid can exit from the housing component 10 through the outlet openings 20 formed in the housing component 10, transversely to the longitudinal axis L.