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WO2019028100A1 - Cable assembly and seal - Google Patents

Cable assembly and seal Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2019028100A1
WO2019028100A1 PCT/US2018/044743 US2018044743W WO2019028100A1 WO 2019028100 A1 WO2019028100 A1 WO 2019028100A1 US 2018044743 W US2018044743 W US 2018044743W WO 2019028100 A1 WO2019028100 A1 WO 2019028100A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
seal
housing
connector assembly
accordance
wall
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.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/US2018/044743
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Michael Mellott
Glenn E. ROBISION
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.)
Delphi Technologies LLC
Original Assignee
Delphi Technologies LLC
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 Delphi Technologies LLC filed Critical Delphi Technologies LLC
Priority to EP18840835.5A priority Critical patent/EP3662542A4/en
Priority to CN201880050308.3A priority patent/CN110998980B/en
Priority to PCT/US2018/044743 priority patent/WO2019028100A1/en
Publication of WO2019028100A1 publication Critical patent/WO2019028100A1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

Links

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
    • H01R13/02—Contact members
    • H01R13/15—Pins, blades or sockets having separate spring member for producing or increasing contact pressure
    • H01R13/187—Pins, blades or sockets having separate spring member for producing or increasing contact pressure with spring member in the socket
    • 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
    • H01R13/02—Contact members
    • H01R13/04—Pins or blades for co-operation with sockets
    • H01R13/05—Resilient pins or blades
    • H01R13/052—Resilient pins or blades co-operating with sockets having a circular transverse section
    • 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
    • H01R13/02—Contact members
    • H01R13/10—Sockets for co-operation with pins or blades
    • H01R13/11—Resilient sockets
    • H01R13/113—Resilient sockets co-operating with pins or blades having a rectangular transverse section
    • 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
    • H01R13/02—Contact members
    • H01R13/193—Means for increasing contact pressure at the end of engagement of coupling part, e.g. zero insertion force or no friction
    • 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
    • H01R13/02—Contact members
    • H01R13/26—Pin or blade contacts for sliding co-operation on one side only
    • 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
    • H01R13/02—Contact members
    • H01R13/28—Contacts for sliding cooperation with identically-shaped contact, e.g. for hermaphroditic coupling devices
    • 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
    • H01R13/44—Means for preventing access to live contacts
    • 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
    • H01R13/502—Bases; Cases composed of different pieces
    • 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
    • H01R13/5202—Sealing means between parts of housing or between housing part and a wall, e.g. sealing rings
    • 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
    • H01R13/5205—Sealing means between cable and housing, e.g. grommet
    • H01R13/5208—Sealing means between cable and housing, e.g. grommet having at least two cable receiving openings
    • 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
    • H01R13/46—Bases; Cases
    • H01R13/53—Bases or cases for heavy duty; Bases or cases for high voltage with means for preventing corona or arcing
    • 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
    • H01R13/58—Means for relieving strain on wire connection, e.g. cord grip, for avoiding loosening of connections between wires and terminals within a coupling device terminating a cable
    • H01R13/5804—Means for relieving strain on wire connection, e.g. cord grip, for avoiding loosening of connections between wires and terminals within a coupling device terminating a cable comprising a separate cable clamping part
    • H01R13/5812—Means for relieving strain on wire connection, e.g. cord grip, for avoiding loosening of connections between wires and terminals within a coupling device terminating a cable comprising a separate cable clamping part the cable clamping being achieved by mounting the separate part on the housing of the coupling device
    • 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
    • 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
    • H01R13/621—Bolt, set screw or screw clamp
    • H01R13/6215—Bolt, set screw or screw clamp using one or more bolts
    • 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
    • H01R13/66—Structural association with built-in electrical component
    • H01R13/665—Structural association with built-in electrical component with built-in electronic circuit
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R24/00—Two-part coupling devices, or either of their cooperating parts, characterised by their overall structure
    • H01R24/66—Two-part coupling devices, or either of their cooperating parts, characterised by their overall structure with pins, blades or analogous contacts and secured to apparatus or structure, e.g. to a wall
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R43/00—Apparatus or processes specially adapted for manufacturing, assembling, maintaining, or repairing of line connectors or current collectors or for joining electric conductors
    • H01R43/16—Apparatus or processes specially adapted for manufacturing, assembling, maintaining, or repairing of line connectors or current collectors or for joining electric conductors for manufacturing contact members, e.g. by punching and by bending
    • 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
    • H01R13/02—Contact members
    • H01R13/20—Pins, blades, or sockets shaped, or provided with separate member, to retain co-operating parts together
    • H01R13/207—Pins, blades, or sockets shaped, or provided with separate member, to retain co-operating parts together by screw-in connection
    • 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
    • H01R13/629—Additional means for facilitating engagement or disengagement of coupling parts, e.g. aligning or guiding means, levers, gas pressure electrical locking indicators, manufacturing tolerances
    • H01R13/633—Additional means for facilitating engagement or disengagement of coupling parts, e.g. aligning or guiding means, levers, gas pressure electrical locking indicators, manufacturing tolerances for disengagement only
    • H01R13/6335—Additional means for facilitating engagement or disengagement of coupling parts, e.g. aligning or guiding means, levers, gas pressure electrical locking indicators, manufacturing tolerances for disengagement only comprising a handle
    • 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
    • H01R13/66—Structural association with built-in electrical component
    • H01R13/665—Structural association with built-in electrical component with built-in electronic circuit
    • H01R13/6683—Structural association with built-in electrical component with built-in electronic circuit with built-in sensor
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R2103/00—Two poles
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R2201/00—Connectors or connections adapted for particular applications
    • H01R2201/26—Connectors or connections adapted for particular applications for vehicles
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R4/00—Electrically-conductive connections between two or more conductive members in direct contact, i.e. touching one another; Means for effecting or maintaining such contact; Electrically-conductive connections having two or more spaced connecting locations for conductors and using contact members penetrating insulation
    • H01R4/28—Clamped connections, spring connections
    • H01R4/50—Clamped connections, spring connections utilising a cam, wedge, cone or ball also combined with a screw
    • H01R4/5083—Clamped connections, spring connections utilising a cam, wedge, cone or ball also combined with a screw using a wedge
    • H01R4/5091—Clamped connections, spring connections utilising a cam, wedge, cone or ball also combined with a screw using a wedge combined with a screw

Definitions

  • This disclosure generally relates to a connector assembly, and more particularly relates to a connector assembly that includes a seal.
  • FIG. 1 is an exploded-view of an illustration of a connector assembly in accordance with one embodiment
  • FIG. 2 is an cross-section of the mated connector assembly of Fig. 1 in accordance with one embodiment
  • FIG. 3 is an illustration of a second-housing isolated from the connector assembly of Fig. 1 in accordance with one embodiment
  • FIG. 4 is a perspective-view of an illustration of a seal-hanger of the second- housing of Fig. 3 in accordance with one embodiment
  • FIG. 5 is a section-view of the second-housing of the connector assembly of Fig. 2 in accordance with one embodiment.
  • Fig. 6 is a perspective-view of a half-section of a seal isolated from the second- housing of Fig. 2 in accordance with one embodiment.
  • Fig. 1 is an exploded-view of a connector assembly 10.
  • the connector assembly 10 is an improvement over previous connector assemblies because the connector assembly 10 includes a seal 12 configured to inhibit an unwanted displacement of the seal 12 when the connector assembly 10 is mated and unmated. This provides a technical benefit of improving the sealing-quality of the seal 12 when the connector assembly 10 is exposed to extreme conditions of heat and moisture.
  • the connector assembly 10 includes a first-housing 14 and a second-housing 16 configured to mate with the first-housing 14 along a mating-axis 18.
  • the first-housing 14 and second-housing 16 may include electrical-terminals (not shown) that may attach to a vehicle electrical system (not shown).
  • the first-housing 14 and the second-housing 16 are formed of any dielectric material capable of electrically isolating portions of the electrical-terminals, and is preferably a polyamide (NYLON) material.
  • Fig. 2 is a cross-section view of the mated connector assembly 10 and illustrates a sealing-interface between the first-housing 14 and second-housing 16.
  • the second-housing 16 has an outer-perimeter 20 disposed within the first-housing 14 which established the sealing-interface.
  • the outer-perimeter 20 includes a seal-support surface 22 having a first-surface 24 aligned parallel with the mating-axis 18, and a second- surface 26 extending outwardly from the first-surface 24 in a lateral-direction 28 perpendicular to the first-surface 24, and generally forming an L-shape 30.
  • Fig. 3 illustrates a portion of the second-housing 16 isolated from the first- housing 14 and the seal 12, and exposes the seal-support surface 22.
  • the seal-support surface 22 includes a plurality of seal-hangers 32 projecting outward from the first- surface 24 in the lateral-direction 28.
  • the plurality of seal-hangers 32 are distributed evenly (i.e. equivalent spacing between each of the seal-hangers 32) around the seal- support surface 22, and in the example illustrated in Fig. 3 are spaced in a range from 10mm to 15mm center-to-center, and preferably in the range from 11.7mm to 11.95mm center-to-center.
  • the plurality of seal-hangers 32 project upwardly from the second- surface 26 along the mating-axis 18, and further project outwardly from a portion of the first-surface 24.
  • Each of the seal-hangers 32 have equivalent dimensions (i.e. are identical in geometry along all three axes) and in the example illustrated in Fig. 3 are shown as having a length (L) of 4.8mm, a width (W) of 1.45mm, and a height (H) of 2.3mm. The inventors have discovered that this combination of spacing and
  • Fig. 4 is a close-up perspective-view of one seal-hanger 32 from Fig. 4 and illustrates a retention-lip 34 configured to retain a wall 36 of the seal 12 against the first- surface 24.
  • the retention-lip 34 extends beyond a top-surface 38 of each seal-hanger 32 along the mating-axis 18 for a distance of 0.1mm to 1.0mm beyond the top-surface 38, and in the example illustrated in Fig, 4 extends for a distance 0.25mm beyond the top- surface 38.
  • the retention-lip 34 extends beyond the top-surface 38 from a first-side 40 to a second-side 42 of each seal-hanger 32 (i.e. extends all along an outside-face of each seal-hanger 32).
  • the plurality of seal-hangers 32 are configured to inhibit bunching or rolling of the wall 36 of the seal 12 when the first-housing 14 is mated with the second- housing 16, a condition that may comprise the sealing-quality of the connector assembly 10.
  • bunching or rolling refers to a deformation of the seal 12 along the mating-axis 18 where the wall 36 of the seal 12 is either compressibly shortened, or a portion of the seal 12 separated from a portion the seal-support surface 22.
  • Fig. 5 is a section-view of the second-housing 16 illustrating the seal 12 installed on the second-housing 16.
  • the seal 12 is a continuous compliant seal 12, preferably formed of a silicone rubber, in direct contact with the seal-support surface 22.
  • the seal 12 defines the wall 36 and a lip 44 extending from the wall 36 in the lateral- direction 28 and generally forming the L-shape 30.
  • the wall 36 defines an inner-surface 46 that engages the first-surface 24 of the seal-support surface 22 and an outer-surface 48 that engages the first-housing 14.
  • the wall 36 defines a plurality of horizontal-ribs 50 extending beyond the outer-surface 48 in the lateral-direction 28, and in the example illustrated in Fig. 5, the wall 36 includes two horizontal-ribs 50. In an alternative embodiment, the wall 36 includes three horizontal-ribs 50.
  • the lip 44 of the seal 12 defines a base 52 that engages the second-surface 26 of the seal-support surface 22 and a top 54 that engages a leading-edge 56 of the first- housing 14 (see Fig. 2).
  • the lip 44 is configured to extend beyond the leading-edge 56 of the first-housing 14 so that the leading-edge 56 imparts a compressive-force on the lip 44 when the first-housing 14 is mated with the second-housing 16. This compressive-force has the technical benefit of improving the sealing of the connector assembly 10 and dampens vibrations that may be transmitted through the connector assembly 10.
  • FIG. 6 is a perspective-view of a half-section of the seal 12 isolated from the second-housing 16 and illustrates both the inner-surface 46 and the outer-surface 48.
  • the wall 36 further defines a plurality of apertures 58 configured to receive the plurality of seal-hangers 32 as shown in Fig. 5.
  • the plurality of apertures 58 are distributed evenly around a perimeter of the seal 12 and have the same spacing as the evenly distributed seal-hangers 32 described above.
  • Each of the plurality of apertures 58 have equivalent dimensions (i.e. are identical in geometry along all three axes) and in the example illustrated in Fig. 6 are shown as having a length (L) of 5.5mm, a width (W) of 1.45mm, and a height (H) of 2.3mm.
  • the length of the apertures 58 is slightly larger than the length of the seal-hanger 32 to aid in the installation of the seal 12 over the seal-hangers 32.
  • the apertures 58 are located at an intersection between the wall 36 and the lip 44 of the seal 12 and extend through the wall 36 from the inner-surface 46 to the outer-surface 48 of the seal 12.
  • the apertures 58 define a top-wall 60 that is in direct contact with the top-surface 38 of each seal-hanger 32 enabling the wall 36 to be supported by the plurality of seal-hangers 32.
  • the second-housing 16 further includes a seal-retainer 62 attached to a tip 64 of the seal-support surface 22 of the second-housing 16 that is configured to inhibit bunching or rolling of the wall 36 of the seal 12 when the first- housing 14 and the second-housing 16 are un-mated.
  • the seal-retainer 62 is
  • the seal- retainer 62 captures a top-edge 66 of the seal 12 and inhibits movement of the seal 12 relative to the seal-support surface 22 as the first-housing 14 is moved along the mating- axis 18 away from the second-housing 16 during the un-mating process.
  • a connector assembly 10 is provided.
  • the connector assembly 10 is an improvement over other connector assemblies because the connector assembly 10 includes the plurality of seal-hangers 32 and the seal-retainer 62 that inhibit the bunching or rolling of the wall 36 of the continuous compliant seal 12 when the connector assembly 10 is both mated and un-mated.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
  • Microelectronics & Electronic Packaging (AREA)
  • Connector Housings Or Holding Contact Members (AREA)

Abstract

A connector assembly (10) includes a first-housing (14), a second-housing (16), and a seal (12). The second-housing (16) is configured to mate with the first-housing (14). The second-housing (16) has a seal-support surface (22) having a first-surface (24) and a second-surface (26) perpendicular to the first-surface (24) and generally forming an 1-shape (30). The seal-support surface (22) includes a plurality of seal-hangers (32) projecting laterally from the first-surface (24). The seal (12) is in direct contact with the seal-support surface (22). The seal (12) defines a wall (36) and a lip (44) extending laterally from the wall (36). The wall (36) defines an inner-surface (46) that engages the first-surface (24) and an outer-surface (48) that engages the first-housing (14). The wall (36) further defines a plurality of apertures (58) configured to receive the plurality of seal-hangers (32). The lip (44) defines a base (52) that engages the second-surface (26) and a top that engages a leading-edge (56) of the first-housing (14). The plurality of seal-hangers (32) are configured to inhibit bunching or rolling of the wall (36) when the first- housing (14) is mated with the second-housing (16).

Description

CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY AND SEAL
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S.
Provisional Patent Application No. 62/539,656, filed August 01, 2017, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD OF INVENTION
[0002] This disclosure generally relates to a connector assembly, and more particularly relates to a connector assembly that includes a seal.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0003] The present invention will now be described, by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0004] Fig. 1 is an exploded-view of an illustration of a connector assembly in accordance with one embodiment;
[0005] Fig. 2 is an cross-section of the mated connector assembly of Fig. 1 in accordance with one embodiment;
[0006] Fig. 3 is an illustration of a second-housing isolated from the connector assembly of Fig. 1 in accordance with one embodiment;
[0007] Fig. 4 is a perspective-view of an illustration of a seal-hanger of the second- housing of Fig. 3 in accordance with one embodiment;
[0008] Fig. 5 is a section-view of the second-housing of the connector assembly of Fig. 2 in accordance with one embodiment; and
[0009] Fig. 6 is a perspective-view of a half-section of a seal isolated from the second- housing of Fig. 2 in accordance with one embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0010] Fig. 1 is an exploded-view of a connector assembly 10. The connector assembly 10 is an improvement over previous connector assemblies because the connector assembly 10 includes a seal 12 configured to inhibit an unwanted displacement of the seal 12 when the connector assembly 10 is mated and unmated. This provides a technical benefit of improving the sealing-quality of the seal 12 when the connector assembly 10 is exposed to extreme conditions of heat and moisture. The connector assembly 10 includes a first-housing 14 and a second-housing 16 configured to mate with the first-housing 14 along a mating-axis 18. The first-housing 14 and second-housing 16 may include electrical-terminals (not shown) that may attach to a vehicle electrical system (not shown). The first-housing 14 and the second-housing 16 are formed of any dielectric material capable of electrically isolating portions of the electrical-terminals, and is preferably a polyamide (NYLON) material.
[0011] Fig. 2 is a cross-section view of the mated connector assembly 10 and illustrates a sealing-interface between the first-housing 14 and second-housing 16. The second-housing 16 has an outer-perimeter 20 disposed within the first-housing 14 which established the sealing-interface. The outer-perimeter 20 includes a seal-support surface 22 having a first-surface 24 aligned parallel with the mating-axis 18, and a second- surface 26 extending outwardly from the first-surface 24 in a lateral-direction 28 perpendicular to the first-surface 24, and generally forming an L-shape 30.
[0012] Fig. 3 illustrates a portion of the second-housing 16 isolated from the first- housing 14 and the seal 12, and exposes the seal-support surface 22. The seal-support surface 22 includes a plurality of seal-hangers 32 projecting outward from the first- surface 24 in the lateral-direction 28. The plurality of seal-hangers 32 are distributed evenly (i.e. equivalent spacing between each of the seal-hangers 32) around the seal- support surface 22, and in the example illustrated in Fig. 3 are spaced in a range from 10mm to 15mm center-to-center, and preferably in the range from 11.7mm to 11.95mm center-to-center. The plurality of seal-hangers 32 project upwardly from the second- surface 26 along the mating-axis 18, and further project outwardly from a portion of the first-surface 24. Each of the seal-hangers 32 have equivalent dimensions (i.e. are identical in geometry along all three axes) and in the example illustrated in Fig. 3 are shown as having a length (L) of 4.8mm, a width (W) of 1.45mm, and a height (H) of 2.3mm. The inventors have discovered that this combination of spacing and
dimensioning of the plurality of seal-hangers 32 provides adequate support for the seal 12 without compromising the sealing-quality of the connector assembly 10.
[0013] Fig. 4 is a close-up perspective-view of one seal-hanger 32 from Fig. 4 and illustrates a retention-lip 34 configured to retain a wall 36 of the seal 12 against the first- surface 24. The retention-lip 34 extends beyond a top-surface 38 of each seal-hanger 32 along the mating-axis 18 for a distance of 0.1mm to 1.0mm beyond the top-surface 38, and in the example illustrated in Fig, 4 extends for a distance 0.25mm beyond the top- surface 38. The retention-lip 34 extends beyond the top-surface 38 from a first-side 40 to a second-side 42 of each seal-hanger 32 (i.e. extends all along an outside-face of each seal-hanger 32). The plurality of seal-hangers 32 are configured to inhibit bunching or rolling of the wall 36 of the seal 12 when the first-housing 14 is mated with the second- housing 16, a condition that may comprise the sealing-quality of the connector assembly 10. As used herein, "bunching or rolling" refers to a deformation of the seal 12 along the mating-axis 18 where the wall 36 of the seal 12 is either compressibly shortened, or a portion of the seal 12 separated from a portion the seal-support surface 22.
[0014] Fig. 5 is a section-view of the second-housing 16 illustrating the seal 12 installed on the second-housing 16. The seal 12 is a continuous compliant seal 12, preferably formed of a silicone rubber, in direct contact with the seal-support surface 22. The seal 12 defines the wall 36 and a lip 44 extending from the wall 36 in the lateral- direction 28 and generally forming the L-shape 30. The wall 36 defines an inner-surface 46 that engages the first-surface 24 of the seal-support surface 22 and an outer-surface 48 that engages the first-housing 14. The wall 36 defines a plurality of horizontal-ribs 50 extending beyond the outer-surface 48 in the lateral-direction 28, and in the example illustrated in Fig. 5, the wall 36 includes two horizontal-ribs 50. In an alternative embodiment, the wall 36 includes three horizontal-ribs 50.
[0015] The lip 44 of the seal 12 defines a base 52 that engages the second-surface 26 of the seal-support surface 22 and a top 54 that engages a leading-edge 56 of the first- housing 14 (see Fig. 2). The lip 44 is configured to extend beyond the leading-edge 56 of the first-housing 14 so that the leading-edge 56 imparts a compressive-force on the lip 44 when the first-housing 14 is mated with the second-housing 16. This compressive-force has the technical benefit of improving the sealing of the connector assembly 10 and dampens vibrations that may be transmitted through the connector assembly 10. [0016] Fig. 6 is a perspective-view of a half-section of the seal 12 isolated from the second-housing 16 and illustrates both the inner-surface 46 and the outer-surface 48. The wall 36 further defines a plurality of apertures 58 configured to receive the plurality of seal-hangers 32 as shown in Fig. 5. The plurality of apertures 58 are distributed evenly around a perimeter of the seal 12 and have the same spacing as the evenly distributed seal-hangers 32 described above. Each of the plurality of apertures 58 have equivalent dimensions (i.e. are identical in geometry along all three axes) and in the example illustrated in Fig. 6 are shown as having a length (L) of 5.5mm, a width (W) of 1.45mm, and a height (H) of 2.3mm. The length of the apertures 58 is slightly larger than the length of the seal-hanger 32 to aid in the installation of the seal 12 over the seal-hangers 32. The apertures 58 are located at an intersection between the wall 36 and the lip 44 of the seal 12 and extend through the wall 36 from the inner-surface 46 to the outer-surface 48 of the seal 12. The apertures 58 define a top-wall 60 that is in direct contact with the top-surface 38 of each seal-hanger 32 enabling the wall 36 to be supported by the plurality of seal-hangers 32.
[0017] Referring back to Fig. 5, the second-housing 16 further includes a seal-retainer 62 attached to a tip 64 of the seal-support surface 22 of the second-housing 16 that is configured to inhibit bunching or rolling of the wall 36 of the seal 12 when the first- housing 14 and the second-housing 16 are un-mated. The seal-retainer 62 is
characterized by a continuous band of material encircling the tip 64 of the seal-support surface 22 and may be formed of a similar material as the second-housing 16. The seal- retainer 62 captures a top-edge 66 of the seal 12 and inhibits movement of the seal 12 relative to the seal-support surface 22 as the first-housing 14 is moved along the mating- axis 18 away from the second-housing 16 during the un-mating process.
[0018] Accordingly, a connector assembly 10 is provided. The connector assembly 10 is an improvement over other connector assemblies because the connector assembly 10 includes the plurality of seal-hangers 32 and the seal-retainer 62 that inhibit the bunching or rolling of the wall 36 of the continuous compliant seal 12 when the connector assembly 10 is both mated and un-mated.
[0019] While this invention has been described in terms of the preferred embodiments thereof, it is not intended to be so limited, but rather only to the extent set forth in the claims that follow. Moreover, the use of the terms first, second, upper, lower, etc. does not denote any order of importance, location, or orientation, but rather the terms first, second, etc. are used to distinguish one element from another. Furthermore, the use of the terms a, an, etc. do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items.

Claims

WE CLAIM:
1. A connector assembly (10), comprising:
a first-housing (14);
a second-housing (16) configured to mate with the first-housing (14) along a mating-axis (18), the second-housing (16) having an outer-perimeter (20) disposed within the first-housing (14), the outer-perimeter (20) including a seal-support surface (22) having a first-surface (24) aligned parallel with the mating-axis (18) and a second- surface (26) extending outwardly from the first-surface (24) in a lateral-direction (28) and perpendicular to the first-surface (24) and generally forming an 1-shape (30), the seal-support surface (22) including a plurality of seal-hangers (32) projecting outward from the first-surface (24) in the lateral-direction (28); and a continuous compliant seal (12) in direct contact with the seal-support surface (22), the seal (12) defines a wall (36) and a lip (44) extending from the wall (36) in the lateral-direction (28) and generally forming the 1-shape (30), the wall (36) defining an inner-surface (46) that engages the first-surface (24) and an outer- surface (48) that engages the first-housing (14), the wall (36) defining a plurality of apertures (58) configured to receive the plurality of seal-hangers (32), the lip (44) defining a base (52) that engages the second-surface (26) and a top that engages a leading-edge (56) of the first-housing (14), wherein the plurality of seal-hangers (32) are configured to inhibit bunching or rolling of the wall (36) when the first-housing (14) is mated with the second-housing (16).
2. The connector assembly (10) in accordance with claim 1, wherein the plurality of seal-hangers (32) are distributed evenly around the seal-support surface (22).
3. The connector assembly (10) in accordance with claim 1, wherein the plurality of seal-hangers (32) further project upwardly from the second-surface (26) along the mating-axis (18).
4. The connector assembly (10) in accordance with claim 1, wherein the plurality of seal-hangers (32) project outwardly from a portion of the first-surface (24).
5. The connector assembly (10) in accordance with claim 1, wherein the plurality of seal-hangers (32) have equivalent dimensions.
6. The connector assembly (10) in accordance with claim 1, wherein each seal-hanger (32) in the plurality of seal-hangers (32) includes a retention-lip (34) configured to retain the wall (36) of the seal (12) to the first-surface (24).
7. The connector assembly (10) in accordance with claim 6, wherein the retention-lip (34) extends beyond a top-surface (38) of each seal-hanger (32) along the mating- axis (18).
8. The connector assembly (10) in accordance with claim 7, wherein the retention-lip (34) extends 0.1mm to 1.0mm beyond the top-surface (38) .
9. The connector assembly (10) in accordance with claim 7, wherein the retention-lip (34) extends beyond the top-surface (38) from a first-side (40) to a second-side (42) of each seal-hanger (32).
The connector assembly (10) in accordance with claim 1, wherein the plurality of apertures (58) in the wall (36) of the seal (12) are distributed evenly around a perimeter of the seal (12).
1 1. The connector assembly (10) in accordance with claim 1, wherein the plurality of apertures (58) are located at an intersection between the wall (36) and the lip (44) of the seal (12).
The connector assembly (10) in accordance with claim 11, wherein the plurality of apertures (58) define a top-wall (60) that is in direct contact with each seal-hanger (32).
The connector assembly (10) in accordance with claim 1, wherein the plurality of apertures (58) extend through the wall (36) from the inner-surface (46) to the outer-surface (48) of the seal (12).
The connector assembly (10) in accordance with claim 1, wherein the wall (36) defines a plurality of horizontal-ribs (50) extending beyond the outer-surface (48) in the lateral-direction (28).
15. The connector assembly (10) in accordance with claim 14, wherein the wall (36) includes two horizontal-ribs (50).
16. The connector assembly (10) in accordance with claim 14, wherein the wall (36) includes three horizontal-ribs (50).
17. The connector assembly (10) in accordance with claim 1, wherein the lip (44) further extends beyond the leading-edge (56) of the first-housing (14).
18. The connector assembly (10) in accordance with claim 1, wherein the second- housing (16) further includes a seal-retainer (62) attached to a tip (64) of the seal- support surface (22) of the second-housing (16) configured to inhibit bunching or rolling of the wall (36) of the seal (12) when the first-housing (14) and the second-housing (16) are un-mated.
19. The connector assembly (10) in accordance with claim 18, wherein the seal-retainer
(62) is characterized by a continuous band of material encircling the tip (64) of the seal-support surface (22).
20. A connector assembly (10), comprising:
a first-housing (14);
a second-housing (16) configured to mate with the first-housing (14), the second-housing (16) having an outer-perimeter (20) disposed within the first-housing (14); a sealing means configured to inhibit a contaminant from entering the connector assembly (10); and
a seal (12)-support means configured to inhibit bunching or rolling of the sealing means when the first-housing (14) is mated with the second-housing (16).
PCT/US2018/044743 2017-08-01 2018-08-01 Cable assembly and seal Ceased WO2019028100A1 (en)

Priority Applications (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP18840835.5A EP3662542A4 (en) 2017-08-01 2018-08-01 CABLE AND GASKET ASSEMBLY
CN201880050308.3A CN110998980B (en) 2017-08-01 2018-08-01 Connector Assemblies and Seals
PCT/US2018/044743 WO2019028100A1 (en) 2017-08-01 2018-08-01 Cable assembly and seal

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US201762539656P 2017-08-01 2017-08-01
US62/539,656 2017-08-01
PCT/US2018/044743 WO2019028100A1 (en) 2017-08-01 2018-08-01 Cable assembly and seal

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2019028100A1 true WO2019028100A1 (en) 2019-02-07

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Family Applications (1)

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PCT/US2018/044743 Ceased WO2019028100A1 (en) 2017-08-01 2018-08-01 Cable assembly and seal

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WO (1) WO2019028100A1 (en)

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US4676575A (en) * 1986-06-19 1987-06-30 Amp Incorporated Sealing member for bulkhead connector
US5634808A (en) 1994-08-30 1997-06-03 Yazaki Corporation Waterproof packing for connectors
US6338651B1 (en) 2000-08-10 2002-01-15 Delphi Technologies, Inc. Electrical connector assembly with seal
US20040214464A1 (en) 2003-04-23 2004-10-28 Yazaki Corporation Packing and connector equipped with the same
US20060270262A1 (en) 2005-05-27 2006-11-30 Martin Schmidt Housing seal for a plug-type connection
US7214080B2 (en) 2005-09-14 2007-05-08 Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd. Connector and a connector assembly
KR101374946B1 (en) * 2010-02-04 2014-03-25 타이코 일렉트로닉스 코포레이션 Header connector assembly
KR101485440B1 (en) * 2014-07-21 2015-01-22 주식회사 제이앤티씨 Sealing structure of water proof ear-connector and sealing method thereof
US20150325947A1 (en) 2012-05-10 2015-11-12 Yazaki Corporation Packing attachment structure and packing

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JP5796799B2 (en) * 2012-12-27 2015-10-21 住友電装株式会社 Waterproof connector

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US4676575A (en) * 1986-06-19 1987-06-30 Amp Incorporated Sealing member for bulkhead connector
US5634808A (en) 1994-08-30 1997-06-03 Yazaki Corporation Waterproof packing for connectors
US6338651B1 (en) 2000-08-10 2002-01-15 Delphi Technologies, Inc. Electrical connector assembly with seal
US20040214464A1 (en) 2003-04-23 2004-10-28 Yazaki Corporation Packing and connector equipped with the same
US20060270262A1 (en) 2005-05-27 2006-11-30 Martin Schmidt Housing seal for a plug-type connection
US7214080B2 (en) 2005-09-14 2007-05-08 Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd. Connector and a connector assembly
KR101374946B1 (en) * 2010-02-04 2014-03-25 타이코 일렉트로닉스 코포레이션 Header connector assembly
US20150325947A1 (en) 2012-05-10 2015-11-12 Yazaki Corporation Packing attachment structure and packing
KR101485440B1 (en) * 2014-07-21 2015-01-22 주식회사 제이앤티씨 Sealing structure of water proof ear-connector and sealing method thereof

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