EP2228875B1 - Connector housing - Google Patents

Abstract

The housing (10) is provided with a contact part chamber (12) for receiving a contact portion (26), where an inner surface (22) of the contact part chamber is formed with a draft angle. A rib proceeds in the longitudinal direction of the draft angle, which have no or low inclination than the draft angle. An independent claim is also included for a connector has a contact part.

Description

The present invention relates to a housing for an electrical connector having at least one contact part chamber for receiving a contact part, wherein at least one inner surface of the contact part chamber is formed with a Entformungsschräge. In addition, the invention relates to a connector with such a housing, in the contact part chamber, a contact part is arranged, which according to technical language as "female" or "male-terminal" can be formed.

Such a connector housing according to the preamble of claim 1 is known from US 2003/0190842 A1 known.

The formation of the inner surfaces of the contact part chamber with a Entformungsschräge is required for manufacturing reasons to be able to easily separate a produced by means of an injection molding housing after the injection molding of the injection mold, in particular the contact part chamber forming injection core.

Due to the Entformungskonizität so formed and additional manufacturing tolerances conventional connectors have a significant game between the inner surfaces of the contact part and the chamber recorded contact part, which is especially when the connector strong accelerations (greater than 30 G) is set, as often in vehicle applications the case may lead to vibration-related contact interruptions - so-called micro-interruptions.

The invention is therefore the object of further developing a generic connector housing so that the risk of the occurrence of micro-interruptions is at least reduced.

This object is achieved with a housing for an electrical connector, which has the features of claim 1. In particular, the object is achieved in that the at least one rib is provided on the surface of the Entformungsschräge.

By the ribs thus the gap between the Entformungsschräge and a contact part, which can be received by the contact part chamber, at least partially bridged, so that a received from the contact part chamber contact part is secured substantially free of play in the contact part.

By the ribs in question thus can the game between the Entformungsschrägen and a contact member, which can be received by the contact part chamber, reduce or even eliminate, whereby unwanted micro-interruptions can be effectively counteracted. Since the ribs according to the invention are formed without Entformungsschrägen or only with Entformungsschrägen, which have a lower inclination than the formed with Entformungsschrägen inner surfaces of the contact part chamber are provided on the respective ribs, arise during removal of the housing from the injection core slightly higher frictional forces between the housing and the injection core. However, these slightly increased frictional forces are limited only to the occasionally provided ribs, so that in spite of the ribs overall good demolding behavior can be ensured.

Preferred embodiments will be apparent from the dependent claims.

Thus, it is provided according to a preferred embodiment that the contact part of the housing chamber is bounded laterally by a plurality of Entformungsschrägen, wherein on the surface of each Entformungsschrägen is provided at least one longitudinally extending rib. This embodiment, in which a plurality of outwardly delimiting surfaces surrounding the inner circumference of the contact part chamber are provided with ribs in the manner according to the invention, enables effective reduction or damping of micro-interruptions due to vibrations in different directions. Thus, a seat free of play in different directions for the contact part to be accommodated by the contact part chamber is ensured, so that the housing according to the invention can be used in any installation situations and alignments.

According to the invention, a housing for an electrical connector is provided for the first time, whose contact part chamber widens in the direction of a demolding opening for insertion and removal of an injection core into the contact part chamber, wherein the height extent of the provided on the Entformungsschrägen Entformungsschrägen provided increases in the direction of Entungsungsöffnung, preferably to substantially the same extent by which the respective Entformungsschräge widens the contact part of the chamber in the direction of Entungsungsöffnung. This embodiment proves to be particularly advantageous if the contact part to be received by the contact part chamber has substantially constant outside dimensions in the insertion direction. In this case, namely by the at the Entformungsschrägen provided ribs whose height dimension increases by approximately the same degree in the direction of the demolding, as the respective demolding slope widens in the direction of Entformungsöffnung, the contact part viewed in the insertion direction can be kept free of play over a greater extent.

To be particularly advantageous, it has been found, if both the respective Entformungsschrägen and each provided thereon ribs in the direction of the Entformungsöffnung with an angle in the order of between 0.25 ° and 0.75 °, preferably about 0.5 ° widen. In other words, the height dimension of the respective rib increases in the range of the specified angle data exactly to the extent to which the respective Entformungsschräge widens in the direction of Entungsungsöffnung, which in the manner described above, a particularly good as play-free seat for one of the contact part chamber male contact is created.

Since the attenuation ribs in question can have a certain excess over their entire length with respect to a contact part to be received by the contact part chamber, according to a further embodiment it can prove advantageous if the ribs in cross-section have a slender rectangular or their have tapering shape at the free end. In this way it can be ensured that the ribs can easily be deformed when inserting a contact part into the contact part chamber, whereby the assembly of a connector using a housing according to the invention can be facilitated.

Furthermore, the assembly according to another embodiment can be facilitated by the fact that the ribs at its demolding facing end may have a flared in the direction of the demolding opening ramp portion, as this facilitates the insertion of a contact part in the contact part of the chamber as a result of the funnel effect brought about.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, the object underlying the same is also achieved with a plug connector which, in addition to the housing described above, has a contact part arranged in its contact part chamber, wherein it is provided according to a preferred embodiment that the ribs have such a height dimension in that they are slightly deformed during insertion of the contact part into the contact part chamber. As a result, a particularly clearance-free, as tight fit for the contact part created within the contact part chamber, which can be counteracted particularly effectively the emergence of unwanted micro-interruptions.

In order to ensure the tightest possible seating of the contact part within the contact part chamber, the contact part according to another embodiment may have a circumferential over-spring, wherein the clear width between opposing ribs in the relaxed, undeformed state is less than the intermediate outer dimension of the contact part over spring. The contact part over spring thus compensates for the pressure forces caused by the ribs on the contact part as a result of their deformation, without this causing the individual contact blades of the contact part to be deformed.

Fig. 1

einen Längsschnitt eines herkömmlichen Steckverbin- dergehäuses ohne Dämpfungsrippen in einer Aufriss- darstellung zeigt;

Fig. 2

einen Längsschnitt des Steckverbindergehäuses der Fig. 1 in einer Draufsicht zeigt;

Fig. 3

einen Längsschnitt durch ein erfindungsgemäßes Steckverbindergehäuse in einer Aufrissdarstellung zeigt;

Fig. 4

eine Querschnittdarstellung des in der Fig. 3 darge- stellten Steckverbindergehäuses zeigt; und

Fig. 5

eine Querschnittdarstellung durch einen erfindungs- gemäßen Steckverbinder zeigt.

In the following, the invention will now be explained purely by way of example with reference to the attached drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1

shows a longitudinal section of a conventional connector housing without damping ribs in an elevational view;

Fig. 2

a longitudinal section of the connector housing the Fig. 1 in a plan view;

Fig. 3

shows a longitudinal section through an inventive connector housing in an elevational view;

Fig. 4

a cross-sectional view of the in the Fig. 3 shown connector housing; and

Fig. 5

a cross-sectional view through a connector according to the invention shows.

For a better understanding of the invention will be first with reference to the Fig. 1 and 2 a conventional connector or a conventional connector housing described in which no damping ribs are provided on the inner surfaces of the contact part chamber.

As the representations of Fig. 1 and 2 can be removed, has the cut connector housing 10 shown here cut an elongated shape and is traversed by a contact part chamber 12, which extends between a Entfornungsöffnung 14 and a contacting opening 16. The demolding opening 14 serves for insertion and removal of an injection core in the contact part chamber 12 during the injection molding of the connector housing 10, whereas the contacting opening 16 serves to a mating contact part for electrical Can bring contacting with the recorded from the contact part chamber 12 contact part 26 in contact. Like the synopsis of Fig. 1 and 2 can be removed, the contact part 26, which was also introduced through the demolding opening 14 in the contact part chamber 12, a sleeve-shaped, circumferential over-spring 28, which accommodates the contact blades or tongues 30 of the contact part 26 in its interior. Although in the illustrated embodiment the contact part 26 is surrounded by the over-spring 30, it should be mentioned at this point that the contact part 26 can also be received directly from the contact part chamber 12 without providing an over-spring 30. As the Fig. 1 shows, the sleeve-like over-spring 28 on two opposite sides resilient latching tongues 32 which engage resiliently formed in the housing 10 Rastfederausnehmungen 18 to hold the contact member 26 captive in the contact part chamber 12. In addition, the housing 10 has two widening in the direction of the demolding opening 14 regions 20, which facilitate the insertion of the contact part 26 in the contact part chamber 12.

Like the elevation view of the Fig. 1 can be removed, the over-spring 28 of the contact member 26 relative to the inner surface 22 of the contact part chamber 12 a certain game, which increases in the direction of the demolding opening 14 of initially about 0.25 mm to about 0.45 mm. In a corresponding manner, the over-spring 28 in the illustration of the Fig. 2 relative to the lateral inner surfaces 22 on a game, which increases in the direction of the demolding opening 14 of initially about 0.35 mm to about 0.55 mm. This increase of the game is desirable to be able to easily separate the connector housing 10 during demoulding of a injected into the contact part 12 injection mold after the injection molding process.

However, since the play between the over-spring 28 of the contact part 26 and the inner surface 22 of the contact part chamber 12 favors the development of micro-interruptions, the invention proposes, on the inner surfaces 22 of the contact part chamber 12, which formed in the manner previously explained with a Entformungsschräge are to equip with extending in the longitudinal direction, ie in the direction of the maximum inclination of the Entformungsschrägen ribs 24, as hereinafter with reference to the Fig. 3 to 5 will be explained in more detail. Except for the additional equipment with the damping ribs 24 according to the invention correspond to the in the Fig. 3 to 5 shown housing and the contact part received therefrom with reference to the Fig. 1 and 2 Components, so that in this regard on the Fig. 1 and 2 as well as the associated description can be referenced.

As the Fig. 3 shows, the opposing inner surfaces 22 of the contact part chamber 12 of the connector housing 10 according to the invention are formed with a Entformungsschräge, which widened in the direction of the demolding opening 14 with an inclination angle of about 0.5 °, whereby the previously with reference to the Fig. 1 and 2 explained game increases arise. In order to reduce the occurrence of micro-interruptions, which may arise as a result of the game between the contact part 26 and the inner surfaces 22 of the contact part 12, at least the inner surfaces 22 of the contact part 12, which are formed with a Entformungsschräge, extending in the longitudinal direction of the respective Entformungsschräge Ridges 24 equipped, which have no or only a smaller inclination than the respective Entformungsschräge. The respective ribs 24 essentially have such a height dimension as previously described with reference to FIGS Fig. 1 and 2 explained game between the Kontaktteilüberfeder 28 and the inner surfaces 22 of the contact part chamber 12, which means that the height dimension of the respective rib 24 from an initial height dimension in the order of about 0.25 or about 0.35 mm in the direction of the demolding opening 14 to a height dimension of approx 0.45 mm or about 0.55 mm increases. Preferably, the ribs 24 have a certain excess with respect to the contact part over spring 28, so that they are slightly deformed when inserting the contact part 26 into the contact part chamber 12, as described with reference to FIGS Fig. 5 and in particular the detail "X" is clearly illustrated.

So that the insertion of the contact part 26 into the contact part chamber 12 is not obstructed by this excess of the ribs 24, the ribs 24 in the illustrated embodiment at the demolding opening 14 facing the end in each case in the direction of the demolding opening 14 widening ramp portion 34, through the the insertion of the contact part 26 in the contact part chamber 12 is facilitated.

Moreover, as viewed in cross-section, the ribs may have a very slender rectangular shape or tapering towards its free end, as described with reference to FIGS Fig. 4 and in particular the details S ₁ to S _{4 is} shown. For example, as shown in detail S ₁ , the free end of the ribs 24 viewed in cross-section may be rounded in a semicircle shape or have a pointed shape, as shown in detail S ₂ . Another possibility would be to give the ribs 24 a substantially trapezoidal shape when viewed in cross section, as shown in FIG Fig. 4 with reference to the detail S _{4 is} shown. All of these tapered to the free end shapes of the ribs 24 allow the ribs 24 during Insertion of the contact member 26 into the Kontakteilkammer 12 can be easily deformed by the contact part over spring 28, whereby the friction between the contact part over spring 28 and the ribs 24 is reduced and thus facilitates the insertion of the contact member 26 in the contact part chamber 12.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

connector housing

12

Contact part chamber

14

Entformungsöffnung

16

contacting opening

18

Rastfederausnehmung

20

expanding insertion area

22

palm

24

rib

26

contact part

28

by spring

30

Contact lamella / tongue

32

catch tongue

34

ramp section

A

Game of the order of 0.25 mm

B

Game in the order of 0.45 mm

C

Game of the order of 0.35 mm

D

Game of the order of 0.55 mm

Claims (11)

1. Housing (10) for an electrical connector, comprising at least one contact part chamber (12) for receiving a contact part (26), wherein at least one inner surface (22) of the contact part chamber (12) is formed with a demolding angle, and wherein
   at least one rib (24) extends in the longitudinal direction of the demolding angle, having no or a lower inclination than the demolding angle,
   characterized in that
   said at least one rib (24) is provided on the surface of the demolding angle.
2. Housing according to claim 1,
   characterized in that
   the contact part chamber (12) is laterally limited by several demolding angles, wherein on the surface of each of the demolding angles at least one rib (24) is provided extending in the longitudinal direction.
3. Housing according to claim 1 or 2,
   characterized in that
   the contact part chamber (12) widens towards a demolding opening (14) for insertion and removal of a molding core into/from the contact part chamber, wherein the vertical extent of the ribs (24) provided at the thus formed demolding angles increases towards the demolding opening (14), and preferably by substantially the same amount by which the respective demolding angle widens the contact part chamber (12) towards the demolding opening (14).
4. Housing according to at least one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that
   both the respective demolding angles and the respective ribs (24) provided thereon widen towards the demolding opening (14) with an angle between 0,25° and 0,75°, preferably 0,5°.
5. Housing according to at least one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that
   the ribs (24) in cross-sectional view have a rectangular form or a tapered form toward their free end.
6. Housing according to at least one of claims 3 to 5,
   characterized in that
   the ribs (24) comprise a ramp section (34) at the end facing the demolding opening (14) and widening towards the demolding opening (14) to facilitate the insertion of a contact part (26) into the contact part chamber (12).
7. Housing according to at least one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that
   the ribs (24) are made integral with the contact part chamber (12).
8. Housing according to at least one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that
   the housing is made preferably of plastic material using an injection molding process.
9. Connector with a housing (10) according to at least one of the preceding claims and a contact part (26) disposed in the contact part chamber (12) of the housing (10).
10. Connector according to claim 9,
    characterized in that
    the ribs (24) have such a height dimension that they are deformed during insertion of the contact part (26) into the contact part chamber (12).
11. Connector according to claim 9 or 10,
    characterized in that
    the contact part (26) comprises a circumferential overspring (28), wherein the inside width between opposing ribs (24) in a relaxed state is less than the intermediate exterior dimension of the contact part overspring (28).

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