ES2685676T3 - Connection cable plug with moisture resistant joint - Google Patents

Abstract

Electrical plug (14) configured to mate with an electrical outlet (12), the electrical plug (14) comprising: a substantially tubular plug housing (54) having: a forward end; a rear end; a side wall between the front end and the rear end; and a housing protrusion (28) on the side wall and configured to insert into a slot (26) of the outlet (12); a substantially tubular electrical connection bracket (64) having a flange (99) at a front end thereof, the flange (99) having a diameter greater than that of the rest of the electrical connection bracket (64), wherein the electrical connection bracket (64) further comprises a rear part, a side part, and a projection the connection bracket (82) on the side of the electrical connection bracket (64), wherein the housing (54) comprises , in addition, a slot in the housing (84) to house the projection of the connection support (82), and in which the electrical connection support (64), is configured to be partially housed in the housing (54), characterized by the fact that the electrical plug further comprises a slot (78) defined between the flange (99) and the front end of the casing (54); and a gasket (92) located in the groove (78) and having a cross section with an outer surface that is substantially similar to an outer surface of a cross section of the side wall and shoulder of the housing (28).

Description

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DESCRIPTION

Connection cable plug with moisture resistant joint CAMPO

The present invention relates to electrical outlets and sockets, such as, connecting cable sockets and sockets for electrically connecting connecting cables between a trailer and a tractor, a truck, another trailer, etc., but not limited to these.

BACKGROUND

Heavy trucks and articulated trucks typically involve a semi-trailer truck, or an articulated truck, that has a trailer connected to it. The trailer generally requires one or more electrical systems associated with turn signals, warning signs, brake signals, braking systems, system monitoring, lighting, etc. These electrical systems are typically controlled or monitored from inside the semi / tractor cabin. Consequently, an electrical connection between the semi / tractor and the trailer is typically required. Because the trailer is typically detachable from the semi / tractor, the electrical connection between them is also typically detachable. This detachable electrical connection is typically in the form of a plug and socket connection, where the plug can have one or more electrical connections (e.g., male pins) to connect to corresponding electrical connections (e.g., female terminals) of the plug.

From GB 2 161 996 A another plug is known. The plug described in said prior art document is provided on its circumferential surface with a shoulder that can be inserted into a groove disposed in an inner circumferential surface of an outlet. A groove is arranged inside a cavity on a circumferential surface of the plug. Upon insertion of the plug into the outlet, the gasket slides over an edge of the cavity and provides a tight seal.

WO 03/093036 A2 describes a female plug that has a connection support which is housed inside a housing. On its front surface, the connection support has a flange and on its outer circumferential surface the connection support has a shoulder that is housed in a cavity disposed on an inner circumferential surface of the housing.

Other plugs are described in US 4 390 226 A and US 5 080 594 A.

A problem commonly associated with common plug and socket connections comes from the moisture and debris that reach inside the cavity of the outlet. The presence of moisture or debris can damage or corrode metal connections, such as electrical connections which, in turn, can degrade or otherwise adversely affect the electrical connections between the semi / tractor and the trailer.

In view of the plug known from GB 2 161 996 A, an object of the present invention is to provide a secure fixation of the seal and an improved sealing of the plug.

DESCRIPTION

In order to solve the aforementioned problem, a plug having the characteristics defined in claim 1 is provided. Other preferred embodiments are defined in the dependent claims.

Therefore, there is a need for an improved connection cable plug, in which a moisture and residue resistant gasket has been formed when the plug is coupled to a corresponding outlet, thus prolonging the life of the plug, the socket current, and electrical connections between the semi / tractor and the trailer. Although corresponding connection plugs and sockets are described in large part of the following description, embodiments of the present invention can also take the form of other types of corresponding electrical outlets and sockets.

Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention feature an improved connection cable plug capable of reducing the presence of moisture and debris in electrical connections by using a moisture resistant joint.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

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Figure 1 is a perspective view of a connecting cable plug and an outlet (shown in an uncoupled position) in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the plug and socket (shown in the coupled position) of the embodiment shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the plug and socket of Figure 2 according to line 3-3;

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the plug and socket of Figure 2 according to line 4-4;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the plug of the embodiment shown in Figure 1;

Figure 6 is a side elevation view of the plug of the embodiment shown in Figure 1;

Figure 7 is a perspective view of a plug housing of the embodiment shown in Figure 1;

Figure 8 is a perspective view of the plug housing of the embodiment shown in Figure 1;

Figure 9 is a perspective view of a sealing ring in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 10 is a plan view of the sealing ring of the embodiment shown in Figure 9; Y

Figure 11 is a partial perspective view of the electrical connection bracket and a front part of the plug housing of the embodiment shown in Figure 5 with the sealing ring removed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the figures, in which the same reference numbers represent similar elements. In addition, for ease of description, reference to the "front" part of a plug, outlet, or a component thereof, will generally refer to a part that is closer to a coupling end of the plug or socket of power, while the reference to "rear" part of a plug, outlet, or component thereof, will generally refer to a part that is less close to the mating end of the plug or outlet.

In the following, embodiments of the present invention are described by way of example with reference to Figures 1-11. The plugs (eg, connecting cable plugs) of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention, as well as the power outlets of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention, incorporate numerous aspects, and it should be noted that the present invention does not It is limited to the exemplary embodiments, since various combinations of the described aspects can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an electrical connection interface 10 of an embodiment of the present invention having a power outlet 12 and a connecting cable plug 14, which are shown in an uncoupled state. Figure 2 is an elevated view of the power outlet 12 and the plug 14 of the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the power outlet 12 and the plug 14 shown in a coupled state. The plug 14 includes a housing 54 having a key 28, an electrical connection support / electrical terminal support 64 partially housed in the housing 54, and a sealing ring 92 around the electrical connection support 64 between the housing 54 and a front part of the electrical connection support 64, the sealing ring 92 having a shape that allows a rear part of the sealing ring 92 to adapt to the front part 66 of the housing 54 (shown in Figures 7, 8 and 11) which includes the key 28. Accordingly, when the plug 14 is coupled to the outlet 12, an outer part of the sealing ring 92 is brought into direct contact with an inner portion 30 of the outlet 12 to form a joint Moisture resistant.

The plug 14 of the present embodiment includes a substantially tubular / cylindrical housing 54, while the outlet 12 includes a wall 22 defining a substantially cylindrical cavity 20 to accommodate the plug 14, the cavity 20 being open at a front end of the power outlet 12. The cavity 20 additionally includes a keyway slot 26 (for example, a notch) defined by an inner portion 30 of the wall 22 of the power outlet 12. The keyway slot 26 is shaped to accommodate the key 28 (for example, a projection / protuberance, which may be longitudinal) formed on one side of the housing 54 of the plug 14. The key 28 may be integrally formed with the housing 54. The key groove 26 and the key 28 allow a proper orientation of the plug 14 and the power outlet 12 during the coupling of the plug 14 and the power outlet 12 and, therefore, also allow proper orientation of the connections electric ions (for example,

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Male pins 36 and female terminals 38, shown in Figures 3-5) of the plug 14 and the power outlet 12. Although the present embodiment represents male pins 36 of the power outlet 12 and female terminals 38 of the plug 14, other embodiments they may include different arrangements, for example, in which the plug comprises male terminals, and the outlet comprises female terminals, or in which the electrical connections are made without pins and terminals.

The inner surface 30 of a cylinder 16 of the outlet 12 of the present embodiment includes a plurality of elongate ribs 42 extending in a longitudinal direction of the outlet 12 to facilitate drainage of moisture or water from the cavity 20 In embodiments of the present invention, opposite ribs 42 may be disposed on opposite sides of the inner surface 30 of the cylinder 16 to ensure that the plug 14 remains properly separated from the inner surface 30. However, other embodiments of the present invention may include an inner surface of an outlet that does not include ribs 42.

The outlet 12 of the present embodiment includes one or more mounting holes 46 formed through a flange 40 of the outlet 12 to facilitate mounting of the outlet 12 on an outer wall of a semi / tractor or a trailer, although such mounting holes 46 are not necessary for the practice of the invention.

The key 28 of the plug 14 of the present embodiment is formed in the housing of the plug 54 and extends longitudinally along the housing of the plug 54. A rear portion of the key 28 of the present embodiment may also comprise a protrusion / boss 68, which extends from the plug housing 54 beyond a front part of the key 28 (for example, the boss 68 is thicker than the rest of the key 28). Although the present embodiment includes the additional protrusion / boss 68, other embodiments of the present invention may include the key 28 without the additional protrusion / protuberance 68, or with a distinct protrusion / protrusion. In addition, other embodiments may include differently shaped keys or key / boss combinations (such as a key having a slope that rises uniformly from front to back).

The power outlet 12 of the present embodiment may include an articulated lid 48 that includes a thrust member 34, such as a helical torsion spring, to cause the lid 48 to cover an opening in the front of the cavity 20 when the outlet 12 is not coupled to the plug 14. The cover 48 may further include a locking tab 52, so that, while the plug 14 is coupled to the outlet 12, the pushing element 34 pushes the lid 48 towards plug 14 (for example, towards an upper surface of plug 14). The pushing element 34 causes the locking tab 52 to make contact with a surface of the housing 54 rearward of the boss 68 or the rear end of the key 28, causing the locking tab 52 of the cover 48 to act as a stop by contacting the boss 68 or the key 28, thereby reducing the probability that the plug 14 will be accidentally removed from the cavity 20 of the outlet 12. When it is desired to remove the plug 14 from the outlet 12, the cover 48 can be raised against the pushing force, allowing the protuberance 68 or the key 28 to release the locking tab 52. Although the locking tab 52 of the present embodiment forms part of the cover 48, other embodiments of the The present invention may include a locking tab located differently (for example, in an inner part of the outlet). Although the protuberance 68 of the present embodiment extends from the housing 54 beyond the key 28, other embodiments of the present invention may include a key without an additional protuberance, which may be stopped by a locking tab of the outlet when the plug and socket are attached.

The housing 54 may have an interior space 62, and may include one or more pull-out tabs 76 extending outwardly from the plug housing 54 to facilitate removal of the plug 14 from the outlet 12, although other embodiments of the The present invention may lack extraction tabs. The plug 14 of the present embodiment includes opposing pull tabs 76 adjacent to the rear of the housing 54 and extending from the sides of the housing 54, which allow the user to remove the plug 14 from the outlet 12 without pulling the wires that come out of the back of the housing 54, which could damage the electrical connection between the wires and the electrical terminals (for example, female terminals 38) of the plug 14.

With reference to Figures 3-8 and 11, the plug 14 of the present embodiment also includes the electrical connection support / electrical terminal support 64 near one end / front part 66 of the housing 54. The electrical connection support 64 of the present embodiment it is configured to substantially block the opening at the front end 66 of the housing 54 when inserted into the interior space 62 of the housing of the plug 54. However, in other embodiments, the electrical connection support 64 may be formed integrally, or otherwise coupled, to the housing of the plug 54. In the present embodiment, a screw 88 (shown in Figure 6) is configured to fix the electrical connection support 64 in a stable position within the housing 54. The electrical connection support 64 of the present embodiment includes channels 70 of the plug 14 which coincide with the

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pin pattern of the male pins 36 of the outlet 12 and which are sized to receive metallic female terminals 38. Other embodiments of the present invention may include more than one screw, or they may attach the electrical connection bracket 64 to the housing 54 by other means.

The electrical connection support 64 of the present embodiment is substantially cylindrical / circular, and has a flange 99 at the front of the electrical connection support 64 having a diameter that is slightly larger than a diameter of the rest of the electrical connection support 64 Accordingly, an annular groove 78 can be formed behind the flange 99, between the front of the electrical connection bracket 64 and the front 66 of the plug housing 54 (see Figure 11), so that the annular groove 78 may remain inside the cavity 20 of the outlet when the plug 14 is coupled to the outlet 12. In the present embodiment, a cross section of the electrical connection bracket 64 has a shape similar to that of the housing of the plug 54 and key 28, although the cross-sectional size of the electrical connection bracket 64 is smaller than that of the plug housing 54. Accordingly , the shape of the groove 78 follows the outer profile of the housing of the plug 54 / key 28, and also will have a key 82 on one side of the electrical connection support 64 and extending from the flange 99 (see Figure 11) . The key 82 will correspond to a slot 84 of the plug housing 54 located below the key 28, and an interior 62 of the plug housing 54 (for example, a part of the side wall of the plug housing 54 that defines the keyway 84 inside 62 of the housing 54 also defines the key 28 on the outside of the housing 54). Accordingly, a cross-section of the interior 62 of the housing of the plug 54 of the present embodiment has a similar shape, although with smaller dimensions, than a cross-section of the interior 30 of the outlet 12. In the same way as the plug 14 can be aligned and inserted into the socket 12, the electrical connection bracket 64 can be aligned and inserted into the socket housing 54.

In this embodiment, because the key 82 of the electrical connection support 64 extends from the flange 99 of the electrical connection support 64 towards the housing of the plug 54, the key 82 is present in a portion of the annular groove 78 (see Figure 11). The presence of the key 82 in the groove 78 is used to position and help retain the sealing ring 92 within the annular groove 78. Accordingly, and referring to Figures 9 and 10, the sealing ring 92 of the Embodiment shown in Figures 1, 3-6, 9 and 10 includes a corresponding slot 91 for receiving a portion of the key 82 of the electrical connection bracket 64 near the flange 99, and a cross section of the sealing ring 92 has a substantially uniform thickness that is slightly greater than the depth of the groove 78 (for example, slightly greater than the width of the side wall of the housing 54). Because the groove 78 follows the outer profile of the plug housing 54, so does the sealing ring 92, where the outer profile of the sealing ring 92 is slightly further away from a central axis of the plug housing 54 than an exterior of the plug housing 54. In other embodiments, the protuberance 82 may be located in other positions of the slot 78, the slot 84 of the corresponding housing 54 correspondingly located. In addition, in other embodiments of the present invention more than one protuberance 82 and more than one corresponding cavity can be used in the sealing ring 92.

The elastic sealing ring 92 of the present embodiment has a width corresponding to the groove 78 in which it is located (for example, the distance between a rear part of the flange 99 of the electrical connection support 64 and the front part of the housing 54) so that the sealing ring 92 can be accommodated in the groove 78. In addition, the sealing ring 92 has a cross section of a shape and size that is substantially similar to that of the plug housing 54, and has a inner contour corresponding to the cross-sectional profile of the annular groove 78 so that the sealing ring 92 can fit tightly around the electrical connection support 64 between the flange 99 of the electrical connection support 64 and the front part 66 of the plug housing 54 inside the annular groove 78. Because the sealing ring 92 is seated within the groove 78, and as shown in Figures 2-4, when the plug 14 is coupled to the outlet 12, the elastic sealing ring 92 will be positioned inside the cavity 20.

Although not required, embodiments of the present invention may use an adhesive to bond the sealing ring 92 within the annular groove 78. Alternatively and, according to other embodiments, instead of bonding with adhesive, the sealing ring 92 may overmold onto the annular groove 78, or it can be molded with the electrical connection support 64 so that the electrical connection support 64 is injected molded around the sealing ring 92. Alternatively, if a material with a sufficient glass transition temperature is used , the sealing ring 92 can be co-molded with the plug housing 54, so that the plug housing 54 is injection molded around the sealing ring 92. In this way, the sealing ring 92 can provide features that improve the mechanical connection between the sealing ring 92 and the plug housing 54.

With reference to Figures 9-10, the elastic sealing ring 92 of the present embodiment includes a base part 93, which sits in the annular groove 78 and a plurality of flexible ribs 94 integrally formed

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with the same. The flexible ribs 94 extend radially outwardly from the base 93 around its circumference. In the present embodiment, three flexible ribs 94 are disposed, and the sealing ring 92 (which includes ribs 94) is made of a rubber material, such as EPDM rubber or silicone rubber, although other materials may be used in other embodiments. elastics for manufacturing the elastic sealing ring 92. In other embodiments, sealing rings may be used in other ways. For example, a different number of nerves can be used. In addition, the sealing ring 92 of the present embodiment includes a plurality of relief cuts 96 that are formed in the ribs 94 of the sealing ring 92 and that are positioned and sized to align and receive the ribs 42 of the outlet 12 when the plug 14 and the socket 12 are coupled, although other embodiments of the present invention may lack the relief cuts 96.

When the plug 14 is inserted into the cavity 20 of the outlet 12, a substantially sealed internal volume 98 is formed due to the elastic sealing ring 92. Because the sealing ring 92, including the ribs 94, is made in A substantially elastic material, the sealing ring 92 adapts to the profile of the inner surface 30 of the wall 22 to form a waterproof seal, if not waterproof. In addition, by using a plurality of ribs 94 (for example, three in the sealing ring of the present embodiment), each rib 94 can form a separate seal with the interior 30 of the outlet 12, thus providing redundant protection against Moisture and debris. Therefore, when the plug 14 is coupled to the outlet 12, the female terminals 38 of the plug 14 and the male pins 36 of the outlet 12 will be protected from the surrounding humidity, thereby reducing the potential for corrosion that can produce moisture and debris.

Although embodiments of the invention presented above have been shown and described as comprising a plug with female terminals so that a corresponding outlet has male pins, the reversal of the electrical terminals is within the scope of the invention so that the plug have male pins and the corresponding outlet has female terminals, or that the plug and socket have other electrical connections. If the plug 14 is constructed to meet a particular SAE or ISO standard, then the plug 14 will be attached to any outlet that has also been built in accordance with the standard. Therefore, the plug 14 of this patent document will provide a waterproof seal, if not waterproof, when coupled to sockets used with existing trucks or trailers.

Claims (13)

5 10 fifteen twenty 25 30 35 40 Four. Five fifty 55 60 1. Electrical plug (14) configured to connect to a power outlet (12), including the electrical plug (14): a substantially tubular plug housing (54) having: a front end; a rear end; a side wall between the front end and the rear end; Y a bulge of the housing (28) on the side wall and configured to be inserted inside a slot (26) of the outlet (12); a substantially tubular electrical connection support (64) having a flange (99) at a front end thereof, the flange (99) having a diameter larger than that of the rest of the electrical connection support (64), wherein the electrical connection support (64) further comprises a rear part, a side part, and a protrusion of the connection support (82) on the side of the electrical connection support (64), wherein the housing (54) further comprises a groove of the housing (84) to accommodate the shoulder of the connection support (82), and in which the electrical connection support (64) is configured to be partially housed in the housing (54), characterized by the fact that The electrical plug further comprises a groove (78) defined between the flange (99) and the front end of the housing (54); Y a gasket (92) located in the groove (78) and having a cross section with an outer surface that is substantially similar to an outer surface of a cross section of the side wall and the shoulder of the housing (28). 2. Plug according to claim 1, wherein the electrical connection support (64) further comprises a flange (99) on the front of the electrical connection support (64), the flange having an outer diameter approximately equal to an outer diameter of the housing (54), and in which the groove (78) is formed between the flange (99) and the housing (54). 3. Plug (14) according to claim 1, wherein a part of the connection bracket (82) is inside the groove (78), and in which the gasket (92) has a sealing groove ( 91) to accommodate the shoulder portion of the connection bracket (82) inside the slot (78). 4. Plug (14) according to claim 1, wherein a part of the side wall of the housing (54) defines the protrusion of the housing (82) and the groove of the housing (78). 5. Plug (14) according to claim 1, wherein in addition, the side wall of the housing (54) has a first hole therethrough, wherein the side of the electrical connection support (64) it has a second hole in it that is aligned with the first hole (88) when the electrical connection support (54) is housed inside the housing (54), and in which the plug (14) further comprises a clamping mechanism that passes through the first hole to the second hole to fix the electrical connection support (54) in the housing. 6. Plug (14) according to claim 1, wherein the electrical connection support (54) has a plurality of channels for receiving corresponding electrical terminals from the outlet (12) when the plug (14) and the power socket (12) are coupled. 7. Plug (14) according to claim 1, wherein the rotation of the electrical connection support inside the housing (54) is prevented when the connection support (82) is housed in the housing groove (84) ). 8. Plug (14) according to claim 1, wherein the housing protrusion (28) and the groove of the outlet (26) ensure the alignment of respective electrical connections of the plug (14) and the socket power supply (12) when the plug (14) and the power outlet are connected. 9. Plug (14) according to claim 1, further comprising an extraction tab (76) in the housing. 10. Plug (14) according to claim 1, wherein a rear part of the housing shoulder (28) is to be coupled to a locking tab (52) of the outlet (12) when the plug ( 14) and the socket (12) are coupled. 11. Plug (14) according to claim 10, further comprising a protuberance (68) extending from the side wall of the housing (54) beyond a front part of the housing shoulder (28 ). 12. Plug (14) according to claim 1, wherein the gasket (92) and an inner part of the outlet (12) form a moisture resistant barrier when the plug (14) is coupled to the taking of current (12). 13. Plug (14) according to claim 1, wherein part of a rear part of the gasket (92) is supported on a front part of the housing shoulder (28). 10