EP4150721B1 - Shielding element and plug connector - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a shielding element which has a hollow cylindrical base body, which has internal spring elements at a first end of the hollow cylindrical base body for electrical contact with a shield of a mating connector and which is arranged with a second end of the hollow cylindrical base body electrically conductively connected to a housing of an electrical assembly.

The invention also relates to a connector which is arranged with a mating connector to form a plug connection.

The invention particularly relates to a shielding element which is arranged in a plug connection which is used to establish electrical connections to components in vehicles. Such connections are established both to so-called main units and to so-called auxiliary units in vehicles.

In the field of automotive engineering, a distinction is made between main units and auxiliary units. While a main unit enables a vehicle to move, auxiliary units refer to all of a vehicle's auxiliary machines that cannot directly cause a vehicle to move. Examples of such auxiliary units are a starter motor, an alternator, an air conditioning compressor, an auxiliary heater, a lubricant pump, a hydraulic pump, a cooling water pump, a fuel pump, a brake booster or an auxiliary engine.

Such connectors are used, for example, to transmit operating voltage, to transmit signals for control or regulation of assemblies or for the transmission of status information within a vehicle.

For example, when used in hybrid or electric vehicles, it is necessary to establish electrical connections between voltage sources such as a battery or a generator and consumers, such as a main unit such as an electric motor.

It is required that these electrical connections are designed as detachable connections, which is achieved in the implementation by a plug connection. In addition, it is required that an electrical connection and continuous shielding is provided between a shield of a cable and a housing of a main or auxiliary unit, such as a generator or an electric motor.

These shields are necessary to keep other components of the vehicle, such as control modules such as an electronic control unit (ECU), free from interference and to avoid the emission of interference that could impair proper functioning.

Such plug connections are used in particular in the area of cables or lines in so-called high-voltage on-board networks, which are required, for example, to supply power to hybrid or electric vehicles, whereby in this high-voltage range, for example, voltages in the range between 300 V and 800 V are used. Shielding measures are required in this voltage range in particular in order to minimize, for example, interference with an on-board network operating in the low-voltage range of 12 V or 24 V.

In this case, a shielding element arranged in a plug connection must provide a detachable connection on the one hand, but on the other hand enable a secure, robust electrical connection both to the housing of a main or auxiliary unit and to the shielding of the high-voltage cable. A secure and robust connection is understood to be an electrical connection that is properly maintained over its service life under normal, harsh environmental conditions in a vehicle with vibrations or shocks.

In the DE 20 2012 000 421 U1 A shielding connection is disclosed, wherein a shielded connector comprises a housing and the housing has a shielding element in its interior for connection to a shielded cable. In particular, the housing is designed as a housing bent at an angle.

The task to be solved is to provide a connector that enables an optimal shield connection between the cable and the connector.

The solution is that the shielding element can be directly connected to a shielding braid folded back around a cable by means of a clamping ring provided in the housing, and furthermore a shielding transfer element is arranged in the housing for direct connection to the shielding braid of the shielding.

From the EN 10 2015 226 034 A1 A plastic plug carrier on the device with a metal sleeve for shielding is known.

The task to be solved is to improve a generic shield contact element in such a way that the functional assembly is improved while maintaining the required shielding effect.

To achieve this object, it is provided that the spring elements are designed as external spring elements arranged at one end of the hollow cylindrical base body for contacting the electrical device and as internal spring elements arranged at the other end of the hollow cylindrical base body for contacting the shielding of the cable.

The advantage of this design of the shield contact element is that the internal spring elements are no longer arranged to the outside, i.e. outside the outer surface of the hollow cylindrical base body or protruding from it, so that bending is effectively avoided.

In a further development, it is disclosed that the hollow cylindrical base body has several recesses on its circumference at one end, into which the external spring elements are inserted. These recesses make it possible for a partial area of the external spring elements to protrude beyond the outer surface of the hollow cylindrical base body, while the remaining, in particular the adjacent areas of the area of the spring element that protrudes beyond the surface are arranged on the base body.

The WO 97 / 50154 A1 relates to electrical connectors and in particular to connectors with shields for protection against transmission and reception of electromagnetic interference. The problem to be solved is to provide improved shielding of the connector at an input terminal or an output terminal. The solution is a connector which is connected to a Input/output port or a recess of a control panel of an electronic device, the connector comprising an insulating housing with an array of contacts and a conductive shell forming a shield. Furthermore, two tabs or lugs are provided which extend towards each other from opposite sides of the front end of the shell and are angled forwards, their free ends establishing a ground connection with a strip of the control panel which divides the recess of the control panel into two recess sections which are connectable to connectors which can be arranged in separate plug-receiving cavities.

From the CH 660 934 A5 A shielding jacket and an electrical plug assembly equipped with this shielding jacket are known. The problem to be solved is to create a shielding jacket that can be mounted on a device housing just as easily as the plug assembly, that can be produced economically and with which the effect of a slot antenna is eliminated. The solution is a shielding jacket that consists of a spring-hard sheet and is adapted in such a way that it can be pushed onto the base of the respective plug assembly with a spring fit and which does not require any additional fastening means.

From the DE 198 15 488 C1 an electrical connector is known. The task is to create an electrical connector that can be manufactured in a simple manner with regard to the arrangement of a filter unit for optimal metallic shielding and in which damage to the filter unit is reliably avoided. To solve this problem, a connector is specified which comprises a housing, an insulating body accommodated in the housing, which is provided with parallel holes for individually accommodating signal contacts, and a disk-shaped filter unit penetrated by the signal contacts and provided with parallel holes. The Signal contacts are electrically connected in the filter unit by means of a spring-loaded zone.

The WO 2011 / 097007 A1 discloses a plug connector assembly. Provided is a socket connector assembly comprising: an outer housing configured to be disposed in an opening of a panel, the outer housing having a cavity; an inner housing received in the cavity of the outer housing, the inner housing configured to be disposed in the opening of the panel, the inner housing having a channel configured to have a contact disposed therein; a shield subassembly disposed between the outer housing and the inner housing, the shield subassembly configured to engage the panel and electrically couple the shield subassembly to the panel; and a forward seal body configured to be disposed between the control panel and the outer housing, whereby the seal body limits the passage of contaminants between the control panel and the outer housing, the socket connector assembly further comprising a rear seal body configured to be disposed between the inner housing and the control panel, wherein the rear seal body limits the passage of contaminants between the control panel and the inner housing.

Thus, connections to shields in plug connections are known from the state of the art, both in mating connectors such as a plug and in connectors such as a socket. A significant disadvantage of such known solutions is that several individual parts are required for such shields in both connectors and mating connectors. Such multi-part solutions lead on the one hand to increased assembly effort and thus cause higher Assembly costs. On the other hand, such multi-part solutions are more material-intensive and thus lead to a higher weight per connector.

Based on this state of the art, there is a need for an improved shielding element.

The object of the invention is now to provide a shielding element and a connector which provides secure shielding, which reduces the assembly effort and costs and which saves material, weight and material costs.

The object is achieved by a shielding element with the features according to patent claim 1 of the independent patent claims. Further developments are specified in the dependent patent claims.

The intention is to provide a shielding element with a hollow cylindrical base body, which has internal spring elements at a first end of the hollow cylindrical base body. These spring elements are used to establish electrical contact with a shield of a mating connector. For this contact with the shield of the mating connector, which is connected, for example, to a cable and a shield of this cable, the mating connector usually has, for example, an annular element, which is connected to the shield of the mating connector or which forms the shield of the mating connector.

It is further provided that the shielding element is electrically conductively connected to a housing of an electrical assembly, for example a main or auxiliary unit in a vehicle, by means of a second end of the hollow cylindrical base body.

For this purpose, the shielding element has a number of tabs at the second end of the hollow cylindrical base body, which are arranged along the circumference of the hollow cylindrical base body. These tabs have a bend, which divides each tab into two sections, for example. The first section of a tab runs in an extension of the lateral surface of the hollow cylindrical base body, while the second section of a tab is arranged radially after the bend, protruding outwards from the hollow cylindrical base body at an angle. This angle can be in a range from 60 degrees to 130 degrees and can be 90 degrees, for example. This angle arises between a second section of a tab and the hollow cylindrical base body.

In an alternative embodiment of the shielding element, the bend is arranged directly at the beginning of the tab, i.e. at the transition between the outer surface of the hollow cylindrical base body and the tab itself, thus eliminating the first section.

In any case, several tabs are arranged along the circumference of the hollow cylindrical base body, which are arranged at least partially radially outwards to the longitudinal axis of the hollow cylindrical base body or away from the longitudinal axis. These tabs have the function of a contact element or a contact spring and establish the electrically conductive connection between the shielding element and a housing of an electrical assembly.

It is also intended that at least some of the adjacent tabs are arranged at equal distances from one another. Such a regular arrangement of the adjacent tabs is not mandatory and can be interrupted.

It is intended that the tabs each have a bead arranged in the area of their bend. These beads, which represent groove-shaped depressions, are preferably arranged transversely to the longitudinal extension of the bent tabs. These beads form the bearing surfaces of the tabs or contact springs, which rest on the housing of the electrical assembly or are brought into contact by a corresponding arrangement of the shielding element.

It is further provided that the shielding element is arranged in a connector housing surrounding the shielding element. For example, to provide a detachable plug connection of a power supply cable to an electrical assembly, plug connections consisting of two parts are used, which have a plug connector and a mating plug connector.

While the shielding element is arranged, for example, in a plug connector or plug connector housing that is firmly connected to the housing of the electrical assembly, the cable is connected to a mating plug connector. By inserting the mating plug connector into the plug connector housing, a detachable, electrically conductive connection is established between the power-supplying cable and an electrical consumer arranged in the housing of the electrical assembly. Such detachable connections can have means that, for example, enable the mating plug connector to snap into place in the Connector housing and thus prevent accidental loosening of this connection.

It is also provided that a contact carrier is arranged in the shielding element, which is arranged in the connector housing and is surrounded by it. This contact carrier can, for example, have one, two or more electrical contacts, via which the current transmission between the power supply cable and the electrical consumer is ensured. In addition, the contact carrier can have further contacts, which are used, for example, to transmit status signals and/or control signals or which are used to signal a proper and secure connection of the mating connector to the connector.

It is also provided that the hollow cylindrical base body of the shielding element has means for positioning the hollow cylindrical base body in the connector housing at its first end. These positioning means achieve a desired or prescribed positioning of the shielding element in the connector housing. In addition, the assembly effort is reduced when the shielding element is aligned accordingly in the connector housing.

For precise positioning and maintaining a specified position, the hollow cylindrical base body of the shielding element is provided with means at its second end for rotationally secure positioning of the contact carrier in the hollow cylindrical base body and/or in the connector housing. In an exemplary implementation, some tabs on the base body are not formed or are formed with larger distances between two adjacent tabs in the form of gaps.

The contact carrier is designed with corresponding positioning formations, which are positioned in the gaps when the contact carrier is brought together with the hollow cylindrical base body. In an alternative, the connector housing also has recesses at the locations of the gaps. This means that the positioning formations of the contact carrier can be positioned both in the gaps of the hollow cylindrical base body and in the recesses of the connector housing when assembling such a connector.

In order to create a secure electrically conductive connection between the shielding element and the housing of an electrical assembly, such as a control unit or a main or auxiliary unit, the unit consisting of a connector housing with shielding element and contact carrier is arranged on the housing of the electrical assembly using fastening means. The arrangement of this unit, also referred to as the connector according to the invention, ensures that the tabs in their function as a contact element or contact spring rest under pressure on the housing of the electrical assembly or are axially pressed onto the housing and permanently create the electrically conductive connection. Screws or rivets, for example, can be used as fastening means.

It is also intended that a sealant is arranged between the connector housing and the housing of the electrical assembly. This sealant, which can be in the form of a ring, prevents contamination and moisture from penetrating the housing of the electrical assembly.

In addition, it is provided that the connector housing has a means for positioning the connector housing on the housing of the electrical assembly. This means, for example designed as a pin determines the installation position or alignment of the connector housing relative to the housing of the electrical assembly and enables simple and error-free assembly.

Fig. 1:

eine perspektivische Darstellung des erfindungsgemäßen Abschirmelements,

Fig. 2:

eine Draufsicht auf ein Steckverbinder-Gehäuse mit einem erfindungsgemäßen Abschirmelement,

Fig. 3:

eine Schnittdarstellung des Steckverbinder-Gehäuses und des erfindungsgemäßen Abschirmelements entlang der in der Figur 2 gezeigten Schnittlinie AA,

Fig. 4:

einen vergrößerten Auszug eines Teils der in der Figur 3 gezeigten Schnittdarstellung,

Fig. 5:

eine perspektivische Ansicht eines erfindungsgemäßen Steckverbinders mit dem Abschirmelement,

Fig. 6:

ein weiteres Ausführungsbeispiel für die Laschen des erfindungsgemäßen Abschirmelements und

Fig. 7:

eine weitere Schnittdarstellung des Steckverbinder-Gehäuses und des erfindungsgemäßen Abschirmelements nach Figur 6.

The above-described features and advantages of this invention will be better understood and appreciated after careful study of the following detailed description of the preferred, non-limiting exemplary embodiments of the invention with the accompanying drawings, which show:

Fig.1:

a perspective view of the shielding element according to the invention,

Fig. 2:

a plan view of a connector housing with a shielding element according to the invention,

Fig. 3:

a sectional view of the connector housing and the shielding element according to the invention along the Figure 2 shown section line AA,

Fig.4:

an enlarged extract of part of the Figure 3 shown sectional view,

Fig.5:

a perspective view of a connector according to the invention with the shielding element,

Fig.6:

another embodiment of the tabs of the shielding element according to the invention and

Fig.7:

a further sectional view of the connector housing and the shielding element according to the invention according to Figure 6 .

The Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the shielding element 1 according to the invention. This shielding element 1 has a hollow cylindrical base body 2 with a longitudinal axis 3.

Spring elements 5 are arranged at a first end 4 of the shielding element 1. These internal spring elements 5 are provided for electrical contact with a shield of a mating connector, which can be connected to a cable, wherein the mating connector and the cable are in the Figure 1 are not shown. The internal spring elements 5 are arranged, for example, in several groups of three spring elements 5 each.

At a second end 6 of the shielding element 1, tabs 7 according to the invention are arranged. These tabs 7 are spaced apart from each other and arranged along the circumference of the hollow cylindrical base body 2. The distance between two adjacent tabs 7 can be chosen to be the same or different. In the example of the Figure 1 the tabs 7 are arranged in two groups, each with the same distance from one another in the group. Between the two groups, i.e. at the points where a larger distance was chosen between two adjacent tabs 7, a so-called gap 8 is created.

In the example of Figure 1 the tabs 7 have recesses, which can lead to a reduction in the weight of the shielding element 1, but are not mandatory for the present invention.

The tabs 7 have a bend, whereby the tabs 7 are arranged at least partially radially outwardly from a longitudinal axis 3 of the hollow cylindrical base body 2 or away from the longitudinal axis 3. Such a bend can be carried out in a range of, for example, 60 degrees to 130 degrees.

The bend of the tab 7 can be designed in such a way that the tab 7 is divided into two sections by the bend. As shown in the Figure 1 As shown, the first section of a tab 7 runs in an extension the lateral surface of the hollow cylindrical base body 2. The second section of a tab 7 after the bend runs at an angle 20 from the hollow cylindrical base body 2, projecting outwards or leading away from the longitudinal axis 3. In the example of the Figure 1 the angle 20 is shown as approximately 65 degrees. The angle 20 results between the hollow cylindrical base body 2 and the second section of a tab 7, whereby for the second section of the tab 7, in the event that it is curved and in particular has a bead 9, an average value is assumed, for example.

In an alternative embodiment of the shielding element 1 according to the invention, the bend is arranged directly at the beginning of the tab 7, i.e. at the transition between the outer surface of the hollow cylindrical base body 2 and the tab 7, whereby the first partial section is omitted. This embodiment is not shown in the figures.

The tabs 7 have at least one groove-shaped depression or a bead 9 in the area of the bend, which is arranged transversely to the longitudinal extension of the bent tabs 7. These beads 9 form the bearing surfaces of the tabs 7, which are brought to bear against a housing 14 of an electrical assembly and produce an electrically conductive connection between the shielding element 1 and the housing 14 of the electrical assembly. Such an electrical assembly and a housing 14 are shown in the Figure 1 not shown.

In the Figure 2 a plan view of a connector housing 10 with a shielding element 1 according to the invention is shown. The shielding element 1 is arranged in a connector housing 10, which surrounds the shielding element 1 and fixes it mechanically. Such a connector housing 10 can, for example, have a rectangular flange, which is attached to one in the Figure 2 not shown housing 14 of an electrical assembly. By means of these fastening means 11, the connector housing 10 with the shielding element 1 is fixed to the housing 14 in such a way that the tabs 7 arranged on the second end 6 of the shielding element 1 are pressed against a surface of the housing 14 and provide an electrically conductive connection between the shielding element 1 and the housing 14. In particular, the second section of a tab 7 or the bead 9 incorporated into the tab 7 is pressed against, for example, a flat surface on the housing 14.

Screws or rivets, for example, can be used as fastening elements 11.

A contact carrier 12 is arranged inside the shielding element 1. The contact carrier 12 has two electrical contacts 13, via which the current transmission between a power supply cable and an electrical consumer is ensured. In addition, the contact carrier 12 can have further contacts, which is Figure 2 is not shown. For example, for power transmission, a mating connector (not shown) which is connected to the power supply cable is plugged into the connector housing 10, whereby the electrical contacts 13 are connected to corresponding mating contacts arranged in the mating connector and a current flow is made possible via the cable, the mating contacts, the contacts 13 to an electrical consumer arranged in the housing.

In the Figure 3 is a sectional view along the Figure 2 shown section line AA through the connector housing 10, the shielding element 1 and the contact carrier 12 with its electrical contacts 13.

The shielding element 1 is arranged in the connector housing 10. The spring elements 5 arranged at the first end 4 can also be seen. The connector housing 10 is connected to a housing 14 of an electrical assembly such as a main or auxiliary unit by means of the fastening means 11. Through this connection, the tabs 7 arranged at the second end 6 of the shielding element 1 are fastened, in particular with their beads 9, to a flat surface of the housing 14.

In order to prevent dirt and moisture from penetrating the housing 14, a ring-shaped sealing means 15 is arranged between the housing 14 and the connector housing 10. An advantage of such a design of the sealing means 15 is that the tightness depends on the diameter of the opening in the housing 14 and not, as is usual in the prior art, on a pressing force generated by the fastening means 11. Thus, the tightness according to the present invention is maintained even if the pressing force becomes lower, for example if the fastening means 11 become less effective.

The Figure 3 is designed as an exemplary schematic diagram and does not show how the electrical contacts 13 are connected to an electrical consumer (not shown) arranged in the housing 14, which is of course absolutely necessary, for example, for a power supply.

The Figure 4 shows an enlarged extract of a part of the Figure 3 shown sectional view. In this view, the area of the transition between the tabs 7 as contact springs of the shielding element 1 and a surface on the housing 14, which is preferably designed as a flat surface, is shown in an enlarged detail. The fastening means 11, the sealing means 15 and the contacts 13 have been omitted.

It can be clearly seen that the tabs 7, in particular with their beads 9, rest against the housing 14 and enable an electrically conductive connection. The Figure 4 The selected design of the tabs 7 with a bead 9 is not mandatory for the present invention. Bending the tabs 7 such that the second section of the tab 7 is bent, for example, at an angle of 20 of 90 degrees relative to the first section also makes it possible to provide an electrically conductive connection of the tab 7 to the housing 14.

The Figure 5 shows a perspective view of a connector 19 according to the invention with the shielding element 1. The connector 19 shown comprises the connector housing 10 with the shielding element 1 and the contact carrier 12.

Also visible is the rectangular flange of the connector housing 10, which is fastened to a housing 14 (not shown) by means of fastening means 11 (not shown).

A means 16 for positioning or aligning the connector 19 during assembly on the housing 14 is arranged on this flange, which means is designed, for example, as a pin.

Also shown is the shielding element 1 inserted into the connector housing 10, with only the tabs 7 protruding from the connector 19.

These tabs 7 are formed with a gap 8, whereby a positioning formation 17 formed on the contact carrier 12 ensures a corresponding alignment of the contact carrier 12 when inserted into the connector housing 10. This specifies the exact position of the contact carrier 12 in the connector housing 10 and fixes the contact carrier 12 so that it cannot twist.

In the example of Figure 5 the electrical contacts 13 (not shown) are continued to the outside via the connecting wires 18 shown, in order to be able to connect, for example, a consumer not shown.

In addition, means known from the prior art for aligning and fixing a mating connector (not shown) with the connector 19 on the connector housing 10 can also be seen.

By mechanically fixing the connector 19 to a housing 14 by means of the fastening means 11, the conductive tabs 7 are pressed in their function as contact springs against the housing 14 of an electrical assembly (not shown) such as a control unit, a main or an auxiliary unit in a vehicle, thus ensuring electrical contact between the mating connector and the connector for power and/or signal transmission, including a ground connection for shielding, which is designed to be robust and tight.

In the Figure 6 a further embodiment of the shielding element 1 according to the invention is shown, in which the tabs 7 are designed in an alternative configuration. As can be seen in this embodiment, the tabs 7 are designed without a bead 9 and at an angle 20 of approximately 90 degrees.

In the Figure 7 the shielding element 1 according to the invention is in the embodiment according to the Figure 6 shown in a partial sectional view in a connector housing 10. The angle 20 resulting between the hollow cylindrical base body 2 of the shielding element 1 and the second section of a tab 7, which rests on the housing 14, is approximately 90 degrees in this embodiment.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

1

Shielding element

2

hollow cylindrical base body

3

Longitudinal axis

4

first end

5

Spring element

6

second end

7

Tab

8th

gap

9

Bead

10

Connector housing

11

Fasteners

12

Contact carrier

13

electric contact

14

Housing

15

sealant

16

Means of positioning

17

Positioning formation

18

Connecting wires

19

Connectors

20

angle

Claims (8)

1. A shielding element (1), having a hollow cylindrical base body (2) which has, at a first end (4) of the hollow cylindrical base body (2), internal spring elements (5) for electrically contacting a shield of a mating plug connector, and which is arranged to be connected to a housing (14) of an electrical assembly in an electrically conductive manner by a second end (6) of the hollow cylindrical base body (2), characterized in that, at the second end (6) of the hollow cylindrical base body (2), wherein the second end (6) is arranged at the hollow cylindrical base body (2) opposite the first end (4), along the circumference of the hollow cylindrical base body (2), multiple tabs (7) are arranged such that said tabs (7) have a bend, wherein the tabs (7), establishing an electrically conductive axial connection between the shielding element (1) and the housing (14), are arranged to protrude at least partially radially from a longitudinal axis (3) of the hollow cylindrical base body (2), and in that the tabs (7) are arranged along the circumference of the hollow cylindrical base body (2) in at least one group, each with same distances of the tabs (7) among each other.
2. The shielding element (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the tabs (7) each have a bead (9) arranged in the region of their bend, which are each arranged transversely to the longitudinal extension of the bent tabs (7).
3. The shielding element (1) according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the hollow cylindrical base body (2) of the shielding element (1), at its first end (4), has means for positioning the hollow cylindrical base body (2) in the plug connector housing (10).
4. The shielding element (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the hollow cylindrical base body (2) of the shielding element (1), at its second end (6), has means (17) for non-rotatable positioning of the contact carrier (12) in the plug connector housing (10).
5. A plug connector (19) which is arranged with a mating plug connector to form a plug connection, characterized in that the plug connector (19) has a plug connector housing (10), a contact carrier (12) and a shielding element (1) arranged between the two, having the features of claims 1 to 4.
6. The plug connector (19) according to claim 5, characterized in that a sealing means (15) and a means (16) for positioning are arranged on the plug connector housing (10).
7. The plug connector (19) according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the plug connector housing (10) with the shielding element (1) and the contact carrier (12) is arranged on the housing (14) of the electrical assembly by fastenings means (11).
8. The plug connector (19) according to any one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that the contact carrier (12) has at least one electrical contact (13) for power or signal transmission.

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