EP0571962A2 - Connecteur électrique - Google Patents

Connecteur électrique Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0571962A2
EP0571962A2 EP93108450A EP93108450A EP0571962A2 EP 0571962 A2 EP0571962 A2 EP 0571962A2 EP 93108450 A EP93108450 A EP 93108450A EP 93108450 A EP93108450 A EP 93108450A EP 0571962 A2 EP0571962 A2 EP 0571962A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
connector
seal
fact
seat
lateral walls
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP93108450A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP0571962A3 (fr
EP0571962B1 (fr
Inventor
Mario Aimasso
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
FCI SA
Original Assignee
Framatome Connectors International SAS
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Framatome Connectors International SAS filed Critical Framatome Connectors International SAS
Publication of EP0571962A2 publication Critical patent/EP0571962A2/fr
Publication of EP0571962A3 publication Critical patent/EP0571962A3/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0571962B1 publication Critical patent/EP0571962B1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
    • H01R13/46—Bases; Cases
    • H01R13/516—Means for holding or embracing insulating body, e.g. casing, hoods
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
    • H01R13/46—Bases; Cases
    • H01R13/52—Dustproof, splashproof, drip-proof, waterproof, or flameproof cases
    • H01R13/5219—Sealing means between coupling parts, e.g. interfacial seal
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
    • H01R13/62—Means for facilitating engagement or disengagement of coupling parts or for holding them in engagement
    • H01R13/627—Snap or like fastening

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an electric connector, particularly, but not exclusively, for connecting an electronic control system to the electric system of a vehicle.
  • Electric connectors featuring a seal housed in a seat on the connector and designed to cooperate frontally with a mating surface formed in complementary connecting means with which the connector is designed to mate.
  • Italian Patent Application n. TO91U000096 filed on 24 April, 1991, relates to a connector for connecting an electronic control system to the electric system of a vehicle, and comprising an elongated parallelepiped terminal block with a number of cavities housing respective electric terminals; an outer casing housing the terminal block; click-on retaining means for fitting the connector to the terminal board of the control system; and an annular seal for airtight fitment of the connector to the terminal board, and for preventing damp from infiltrating into the connector and so impairing operation of the electrical contacts.
  • the seal presents a substantially solid rectangular section, and is housed inside a seat extending about the periphery of the terminal block and between the block and the housing.
  • the seal When the connector is fitted to the terminal board, the seal is compressed between the end surface of the seat and a mating surface on the terminal board, and is so deformed transversely as to cooperate with the lateral surfaces of the seat.
  • a major drawback of connectors of the aforementioned type is the high insertion load involved, that is, the effort required for connecting them to the terminal board, and which is mainly due to the force required for compressing the seal.
  • a high insertion load may also result in undesired deformation of the terminals, thus impairing reliability of the contact.
  • an electric connector comprising an insulating body with a number of through cavities; a number of electric terminals housed in respective said cavities and mating with respective electric terminals on complementary connecting means; and a seal housed in a peripheral seat on said body and which is compressed between said body and a mating surface on said complementary connecting means; said seal being designed to expand transversely when compressed, so as to cooperate in sealing manner with respective lateral walls of said seat; characterized by the fact that said seal presents a hollow section.
  • Number 1 in Fig.s 1 and 2 indicates an electric connector, particularly for connecting an electronic control system to the electric system of a vehicle, and as described in Italian Patent Application n. TO91U000096 entitled “Electric connector”, filed on 24 April, 1991, and the content of which is included herein purely by way of reference as required.
  • Connector 1 comprises a substantially elongated parallelepiped terminal block 2, and an outer casing 3 housing block 2.
  • Block 2 and casing 3 are made of plastic material, and combine to define an insulating body for connector 1.
  • block 2 comprises two parallel lateral walls 4 facing each other, and a central wall 4a between and parallel to walls 4. Between each lateral wall 4 and wall 4a, block 2 presents a row of through cavities 5 extending in a direction parallel to the shorter dimension of walls 4 and 4a, and each housing an electric terminal 6 (only one shown in Fig.2) fitted to the end of an electric cable 7.
  • Block 2 also comprises conventional click-on connecting means 8 for connecting terminals 6 inside respective cavities 5; and a pair of terminal retaining elements 9 formed integral with lateral walls 4 of block 2.
  • connecting means 8 and retaining elements 9 described in the aforementioned patent application are only described herein as required for a clear understanding of the present invention.
  • retaining elements 9 define a pair of tabs 10 projecting laterally from terminal block 2.
  • Tabs 10 are coplanar with respective plate elements 11 and 12 (Fig.1) projecting integrally from the respective opposite front and rear ends of block 2. At one end, plate element 11 presents an upper projection 13; and, from the free end of plate element 12, there extends a transverse wall 14. The function of projection 13 and wall 14 is described in detail later on.
  • casing 3 is elongated in shape with a substantially U-shaped cross section, and is defined by a pair of flat parallel lateral walls 16 facing each other, by a top wall 17, and by an end wall 18. At the end opposite end wall 18, casing 3 presents an end opening 19 for enabling longitudinal insertion of block 2 inside casing 3, and which, after insertion, is closed by wall 14. On the side opposite top wall 17, casing 3 is open for enabling connection of connector 1 to the terminal board 20 of the control system, which terminal board presents a number of electric terminals 6' mating in use with terminals 6.
  • each lateral wall 16 presents a longitudinal guide groove 21 (Fig.2).
  • Grooves 21 communicate with opening 19 and house in sliding manner respective lateral edges of tabs 10 and plate elements 11 and 12.
  • Block 2 is fitted axially inside casing 3 by means of a grip screw 22 engaging a through hole in end wall 18 of casing 3 and screwed inside projection 13.
  • Transverse wall 14 of terminal block 2 and top wall 17 define, integrally, respective half shells 42, 43 designed to mate with each other and in turn defining a hollow sleeve 44 through which cables 7 extend outwards of connector 1.
  • connector 1 also comprises an annular seal 23 housed inside a peripheral seat 24 defined by block 2 and casing 3. More specifically, seat 24 presents an end surface 25 defined by tabs 10 and plate elements 11 and 12, and an inner and outer lateral surface 26, 27 parallel to and facing each other. Surface 26 is formed in a peripheral portion of terminal block 2; and surface 27 is defined by lateral walls 16, end wall 18 of casing 3, and transverse wall 14.
  • seal 23 is substantially rectangular, presents a hollow, substantially U-shaped section, and comprises a flat bottom wall 28 with a substantially trapezoidal section and defining a flat supporting surface 28a; and a first and second lateral wall 30a, 30b facing each other, projecting respectively along the inner and outer periphery of bottom wall 28, and defining, with wall 28, an annular, substantially rectangular-section cavity 29.
  • the outer surfaces of walls 30a, 30b diverge slightly as of bottom wall 28.
  • Cavity 29 is closed partially by a pair of lips 31 integral with walls 30a, 30b and having a substantially triangular cross section. Lips 31 extend along the free edge of walls 30a, 30b, and project towards each other from the respective inner faces of walls 30a, 30b. Each lip 31 defines a flat outer surface 31a of cavity 29, opposite surface 28a, and diverging in relation to surface 27a as of respective wall 30a, 30b.
  • Seal 23 also comprises a number of reinforcing walls 33 extending transversely between walls 30a and 30b and across cavity 20.
  • Seal 23 is fitted inside seat 24 so that lips 31 cooperate with end surface 25 of seat 24, and bottom wall 28 cooperates in use with a mating surface 32 on terminal board 20, which surface 32 is conveniently narrower than wall 28.
  • connector 1 comprises connecting means for securing it in use to terminal board 20, and which in turn comprise a hook element 35 projecting outwards from end wall 18 of casing 3, with its concavity facing top wall 17; and a tooth 36 projecting outwards from transverse wall 14.
  • Hook element 35 is designed to engage a respective mating element 37 on terminal board 20, so as to constitute a hinge enabling connector 1 to rotate between a first position (shown by the dotted line) wherein hook element 35 engages mating element 37, and a second position wherein tooth 36 clicks inside a hole 38 formed in a leaf spring 39 fixed to terminal board 20.
  • connector 1 As for assembly of connector 1 to terminal board 20, on the other hand, connector 1 is first set to said first position wherein hook element 35 engages respective mating element 37; and is then rotated from the first to the second position, so that terminals 6 gradually engage respective electric terminals 6' on terminal board 20, and seal 23 gradually contacts surface 32 of terminal board 20.
  • lips 31 When compressed, lips 31 rotate towards wall 28 so that the whole of surface 31a contacts end surface 25 of seat 24; and wall 28 is deformed elastically and curved downwards on mating surface 32.
  • lateral walls 30a, 30b curve outwards so as to press against surfaces 26, 27 of seat 24, and, once said second position is reached, surfaces 28a and 31a are positioned mutually parallel, and seal 23 is pressed contacting both surfaces 25, 32 and surfaces 26, 27, thus effectively protecting connector 1 against damp.
  • transverse walls 33 reinforce seal 23 to prevent lateral walls 30a, 30b from being so deformed as to fail to contact surfaces 26, 27, thus resulting in impaired sealing performance.
  • the Fig.5 graph shows the insertion force required by a connector featuring a solid seal (curve A) and the connector according to the present invention (curve B) as a function of rotation from said first to said second position, i.e. as a function of travel.
  • curve A a solid seal
  • curve B the connector according to the present invention
  • the behaviour of both types of connector is identical over a first portion relative to a small amount of rotation wherein the force required is employed for inserting the electric terminals of the connector inside those of the terminal board, but differs considerably over a second portion wherein the force required is employed for elastically deforming the seal.
  • the load required for deforming the hollow-section seal according to the present invention is far less than that of the conventional seal.
  • seal 23 may be replaced by a seal 40 having a hollow, closed circular section and formed from an extruded tubular element 41 cut obliquely at ends 41a, 41b, which are then bonded together.
  • seal 40 is compressed between end surface 25 and surface 32, so that the sections of seal 40 are compressed into an oval, and lateral portions of seal 40 are pressed against surfaces 26, 27.

Landscapes

  • Connector Housings Or Holding Contact Members (AREA)
  • Details Of Connecting Devices For Male And Female Coupling (AREA)
  • Coupling Device And Connection With Printed Circuit (AREA)
EP93108450A 1992-05-26 1993-05-25 Connecteur électrique Expired - Lifetime EP0571962B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
ITTO920444 1992-05-26
ITTO920444A IT1257544B (it) 1992-05-26 1992-05-26 Connettore elettrico.

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0571962A2 true EP0571962A2 (fr) 1993-12-01
EP0571962A3 EP0571962A3 (fr) 1995-03-22
EP0571962B1 EP0571962B1 (fr) 1998-08-26

Family

ID=11410485

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP93108450A Expired - Lifetime EP0571962B1 (fr) 1992-05-26 1993-05-25 Connecteur électrique

Country Status (5)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0571962B1 (fr)
AT (1) ATE170338T1 (fr)
DE (1) DE69320534T2 (fr)
ES (1) ES2121895T3 (fr)
IT (1) IT1257544B (fr)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6371795B1 (en) * 1999-06-02 2002-04-16 Yazaki Corporation Mounted structure of on-connector cover

Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3609636A (en) * 1969-01-28 1971-09-28 Bunker Ramo Electrical connectors
DE8026598U1 (de) * 1980-10-04 1981-03-12 Deutsche Itt Industries Gmbh, 7800 Freiburg Elektrischer Steckverbinder mit peripherer Dichtung
DE9014673U1 (de) * 1990-10-23 1992-02-20 Grote & Hartmann Gmbh & Co Kg, 5600 Wuppertal Vielpolige elektrische Steckvorrichtung

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6371795B1 (en) * 1999-06-02 2002-04-16 Yazaki Corporation Mounted structure of on-connector cover

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP0571962A3 (fr) 1995-03-22
DE69320534D1 (de) 1998-10-01
EP0571962B1 (fr) 1998-08-26
DE69320534T2 (de) 1999-03-04
ITTO920444A1 (it) 1993-11-26
ES2121895T3 (es) 1998-12-16
IT1257544B (it) 1996-01-30
ATE170338T1 (de) 1998-09-15
ITTO920444A0 (it) 1992-05-26

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