GB2077055A

GB2077055A - Electrical connector assembly

Info

Publication number: GB2077055A
Application number: GB8115439A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Lucas Industries Ltd
Current assignee: ZF International UK Ltd
Priority date: 1980-05-23
Filing date: 1981-05-20
Publication date: 1981-12-09
Also published as: GB2077055B

Abstract

An electrical connector assembly comprises an electrically insulating body (10) having a sleeve portion (30) with an external annular rib (31), and an electrically insulating body (11) having a sleeve portion (32) with an external annular rib (33) and an internal abutment (35). The sleeve portion (32) receives the sleeve portion (30); the internal abutment (35) limiting insertion so that the annular rib (31) is axially spaced from the annular rib (32). Mutually engageable electrical connector elements (14) and (15) are mounted in the insulating bodies (10) and (11). An elastomeric annular sealing sleeve (16) has three annular internal ribs (36 to 38) which are disposed so that rib (36) seals against the sleeve portion (30), rib (37) seals against the sleeve portion (32), and rib (38) extends into the space between the two external annular ribs (31) and (33) and seals there against, and/or against the sleeve portion (30), with the external rib (31) being disposed between ribs (36) and (38) and the external rib (33) being disposed between ribs (37) and (38). Such an arrangement enables a good seal to prevent ingress of dirt and moisture into the joint between the bodies 10 and 11. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Electrical connector assembly This invention relates to an electrical connector assembly and to a seal therefor, and is more particularly concerned with an electrical connector assembly of the type comprising a pair of interengageable, electrically insulating bodies and one or more electrical connector elements in each body, the electrical connector element (s) in each body being engageable with the or a respective electrical connector element in the other body.

Such electrical connector assemblies have a wide variety of uses, and particularly in the case where such assemblies are exposed to the atmosphere in use (e.g. where they are used externally on road vehicles), it is necessary to ensure a good seal between the bodies in order to prevent ingress of moisture and dirt.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an electrical connector assembly which has an effective seal to prevent ingress of moisture and dirt into the assembly via the joint between the two electrically insulating bodies. It is also an object of the invention to provide a sealing sleeve for such an assembly.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electrical connector assembly comprising (1) a first electrically insulating body having a first sleeve portion provided with a first external, annular rib, (2) a second electrically insulating body having a second sleeve portion provided with a second external annular rib and an internal abutment, said second sleeve portion being adapted to receive the first sleeve portion and the internal abutment serving to limit insertion of the first sleeve portion into the second sleeve portion whereby, in the fully inserted condition, the first annular rib is axially spaced from the second annular rib, (3) at least one first electrical connector element mounted in the first electrically insulating body, (4) at least one second electrical connector element mounted in the second electrically insulating body and engageable with the or a respective first electrical connector element when the two electrically insulating bodies are joined, and (5) sealing means for sealing the joint between the first and second sleeve portions, said sealing means comprising an elastomeric annular sealing sleeve having first, second and third annular internal ribs which are disposed so that, in use, the first internal rib seals against the first sleeve portion, the second internal rib seals against the second sleeve portion, and the third internal rib extends into the space between the first and second external annular ribs and seals against said ribs, and/or against the first sleeve portion with the first external rib being disposed between said first and third internal ribs and the second external rib being disposed between said second and third internal ribs.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an elastomeric annular sealing sleeve as defined in the last preceding paragraph for use in an electrical connector assembly.

Preferably, the first internal rib of the sealing sleeve has a portion which defines a sealing lip having a diameter which is less than that of the part of the first sleeve portion with which it is engaged.

Most advantageously, the third annular internal rib of the sealing sleeve has side edges which are mutually convergent towards an inner periphery of said rib. Such a construction assists in correct location of the third rib in the space between the first and second external annular ribs and also assists in ensuring a good sealing pressure against said external ribs.

It is preferred for at least one of the mutually engaging side edges of the second internal rib and the second external rib to be chamfered or radiussed. With such a construction, there is an inherent tendency, because of the elastomeric nature of the sealing sleeve, for the electrically insulating bodies to be urged together thereby improving the sealing of the bodies with the third annular internal rib.

The second sleeve portion is preferably provided with a third external annular rib which is spaced from the second external annular rib so that the second internal annular rib is disposed between the second and third external ribs, and may seal against either, both or neither of such ribs.

Most conveniently, a side edge of the second internal rib adjacent the third external annular rib is chamfered for ease of assembly and to improve the sealing pressure in use in the case of an embodiment in which a seal exists between these ribs.

The electrical connector assembly most preferably has multiple ring seals for sealing, in use, against an electrical cable, wire or the like joined to each electrical connector element.

In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is a side elevation, partly in axial section, of one embodiment of an electrical connector assembly according to the present invention; Figure 2 is an exploded side elevation of electrically insulating bodies and cable seals forming part of the assembly of Fig. 1; Figure 3 is a view, partly in axial section of a detail of the assembly of Fig. 1 but with a minor modification; and Figure 4 is a view, partly in axial section, of a sealing sleeve shown in Fig. 3.

Referring now to the drawings, the electrical connector assembly comprises a first elec trically insulating body 10, a second electrically insulating body 11, cable seals 1 2 and 1 3 mounted in the first and second bodies 10 and 11, respectively, a plurality of electrical socket connector elements 14 (only one shown) mounted in the first body 10, a plurality of electrical pin connector elements 1 5 (only one shown) mounted in the second body 11, and an elastomeric, annular sealing sleeve 1 6 serving to seal the join between the first and second electrically insulating bodies 10 and 11.

The electrically insulating bodies 10 and 11 are formed of nylon 6 6 in this embodiment whilst the cable seals 1 2 and 1 3 are formed of neoprene having a shore hardness of 40-50 and the elastomeric annular sealing sleeve 1 6 is formed of HYPALON (Shore hardness in the range of 40-80, preferably 50-70).

As is usual with electrical connector assemblies, each connector element 14 and 1 5 is mounted in a respective bore 1 7 or 1 8 in the body 10 or 11 and is provided with respective lances 19, 20 which serve to retain the element 14, 1 5 against accidental withdrawal from the respective body 10, 11. Electrical leads 21 and 22 engaged with the respective connector elements 14 and 1 5 extend externally of the connector assembly and pass through respective passages 23 and 24 in the cable seals 12 and 1 3. Each passage 23, 24 has a multiple ring seal 25, 26, respectively which engages with and seals against the external surface of the respective lead 21, 22 to prevent ingress or moisture and dirt.

The first electrically insulating body 10 includes a first integral sleeve portion 30 having a first integral, annular external rib 31. The second electrically insulating body 11 includes a second sleeve portion 32 having a second integral, annular external rib 33 at one of its ends. The sleeve portion 32 also has a third integral, external annular rib 34 as well as an internal abutment in the form of an annular abutment shoulder 35. The arrangement is such that the second sleeve portion 32 receives the first sleeve portion 30 and the abutment shoulder 35 limits insertion of the sleeve portion 30 into the sleeve portion 32 in such a way that a space is provided between the first external annular rib 31 and the second external rib 33.In this position, each pin connector element 1 5 is engaged in a respective one of the socket connector elements 14 so that each lead 21 is electrically connected with a respective one of the leads 22.

The annular sealing sleeve 1 6 has first, second and third annular, internal ribs 36 to 38 which are integral with the remainder of the sleeve 16.

The first internal rib 36 seals against the external surface of a larger diameter part 30a of the sleeve portion 30 and is provided with a cylindrical sealing lip 39 (see particularly Fig. 4) which has a diameter which is less than that of the part 30a of the first sleeve portion 30 with which it is engaged. As will be apparent from an examination of Figs. 1 and 3, the inner peripheral surface of the first internal rib 36 is completely in contact with part 30a the sleeve portion 30. A side edge 40 of the rib 36 mates against a corresponding side edge 41 of the first external annular rib 31 of the sleeve portion 30. That portion of the internal surface of the annular sealing sleeve 1 6 which is disposed between the first and third ribs 36 and 38 is sealingly engaged with the external peripheral surface of the first external annular rib 31.The external diameters of the ribs 31 and 33 are 26mm and 25mm, respectively. The internal diameter of the sleeve 16 between the ribs 31 and 38 is 25mm and the internal diameter of that portion of the sleeve 1 6 which is between the ribs 37 and 38 is 24mm. Thus it will be appreciated that the annular sealing sleeve 1 6 is expanded slightly when engaged with the bodies 10 and 11 and this improves the sealing function of the sleeve.

The sealing function of the sleeve 1 6 between the first and second ribs 31 and 33 is further improved because the side edges 45 of the third internal rib 38 are mutually convergent in the direction of the internal peripheral surface of the rib 38 so that the axial dimention of the internal peripheral surface of the rib 38 is less than the distance between the first and second external ribs 31 and 33.

In this embodiment, the included angle between the side edges 45 is 30 . As will be apparent from Figs. 1 and 3, the third internal rib 38 seals around the base of one of its side edges with the rib 31 and also against an intermediate portion of the adjacent side edge of rib 33, because of the provision of a chamfered lead-in 50 on the rib 33. In an alternative embodiment, the lead-in 50 is is omitted and the rib 38 seals with the rib 33 in a similar manner to its seal with rib 31.

The mutual convergence of the side edges of the third rib 38 also assists in correct location and engagement of the third rib 38 in the space between the first and second external ribs 31 and 33. The third rib 38 has an internal diameter which is equal to or less than the diameter of the external surface of the sleeve portion 30.

The second internal annular rib 37 of the sealing sleeve 1 6 is engaged between the second and third external annular ribs 33 and 34 so that respective side edges 46 and 47 thereof engage thereagainst. The side edge 46 is chamfered at an angle of 15 to the radial direction as is that side edge of the second rib 33 with which it is engaged. The side edge 47 of the second internal annular rib 37 is chamfered at an angle of 45 to the radial direction and makes, in effect, line contact with the adjacent peripheral edge of the third external annular rib 34.The distance d (see Fig. 4) between the base of the side edge 46 of the second rib 37 and the side edge 40 of the first rib 36 is 7mm whilst the distance between the side edge 40 of the first external annular rib 31 and the base of the chamfered side edge of the rib 33 with which the side edge 46 of the rib 37 is in engage ment is 6.25 mm nominal. In an alternative embodiment, a clearance is provided between the chamfered side edge 46 and the respec tive side edge of the second rib 33.

In order to assemble the above-mentioned electrical connector assembly, the first and second bodies 10 and 11 with the respective connector elements 14 and 15 and leads 21 and 22 mounted therein are brought together with the sleeve 1 6 already mounted on the first body 10 so that the sleeve portion 30 is fed into the sleeve portion 32. Shortly after the sleeve portion 30 enters the sleeve portion 32, the chamfered side edge 47 of the rib 37 on the sleeve 1 6 engages a chamfered lead-in 50; this causes the rib 37 to be flexed outwardly to allow it to pass the rib 33. Once it has passed the rib 33, it flexes back inwardly to enter the space between the ribs 33 and 34.

Because of the mutually engaging, cham fered surfaces of the ribs 37 and 33 and because of the elastomeric nature of the sleeve 16, there is an inherent tendency for the first and second bodies 10 and 11 to be drawn together until the sleeve portion 30 engages against the abutment shoulder 35. In this position, the sealing sleeve 1 6 seals against the respective portions of the first and second bodies 10 and 11 as described above to effect an extremely good seal around the joint between the first and second bodies 10 and 11.

Separation of the bodies 10 and 11 is effected merely by applying a separating force to them which causes flexing of the rib 37 outwardly, this being assisted by the cham fered surfaces on the ribs 37 and 33.

In the above-described embodiment, each body 10, 11 contained seven connector ele ments 14 or 1 5. However it is within the scope of the present invention to provide each body with any desired number of connector elements. In the limiting case, only one con nector element may be provided in each body.

Of course, the number of bores 1 7 and 1 8 will usually correspond with the number of connector elements to be provided.

As can be seen from Fig. 2 of the drawings, the cable seals 1 2 and 1 3 are externally configurated so as to be a firm push-fit into the respective first and second bodies 10 and 11 and are shaped so as to oppose accidental disengagement thereof from the bodies. In this respect the cable seals 12 and 1 3 are identical and have outer peripheral surfaces 60 and 61 defined by two pairs of base-tobase connected frusto-conical surfaces so that either end of each seal 12, 1 3 can be engaged in the respective body 10, 11. One of the ring seals 25, 26 in each passage 23, 24 has an integral diaphragm 62, 63 which closes the respective passage 23, 24 until it is ruptured when a respective electrical connector 14, 1 5 is inserted therethrough.This ensures that ingress of dirt and moisture through an unused passage 23, 24 is prevented.

The first integral sleeve portion 30 has an axially extending recess 64 (Fig. 2) in its outer peripheral surface. The recess 64 extends to that end of the portion 30 which is inserted into the sleeve portion 32. The inner peripheral surface of the sleeve portion 32 is provided with a corresponding rib (not shown).

This arrangement of recess 64 and rib (not shown) ensures that the portions 30 and 32 can only be engaged in one angular orientation. Where two electrical connector assemblies of the same type are used in the same location, it may be possible to connect the body 10 of one assembly with the body 11 of the other assembly and obtain the wrong electrical connections. In order to prevent this, a pair of blanking pegs (not shown) are inserted into a pair of otherwise unoccupied bores 1 7 and 1 8 in one assembly and a further pair of blanking pegs (also not shown) into a different pair of otherwise unoccupied bores 1 7 and 1 8 in the other assembly.These blanking pegs, together with the above-described recesses 64 and internal ribs, ensure that the body 10 of one assembly cannot be engaged with the body 11 of the other assembly. The outer surfaces of the bodies 10 and 11 are provided with further integral external annular ribs 65, 66 which facilitates gripping of the bodies 10 and 11 in the fingers. An additional external.rib 67 on the body 10 facilitates correct positioning of the body 10 between the arms of a mounting clip (not shown) so as to ensure firm mounting of the assembly on a support surface on which the clip is mounted and so as to ensure that the arms of the clip do not damage or displace the sealing sleeve 1 6.

Additional axially extending aligned ribs 68 and 69 are provided on the outer surfaces of the bodies 10 and 11 respectively. These ribs 68 and 69 facilitate correct angular orientation of the bodies 10 and 11 before engagement. This is particularly useful in confined areas where the bodies 10 and 11 may have to be mutually engaged when working blind i.e. without being able to see the bodies 10 and 11.

Claims

1. An electrical connector assembly comprising (1) a first electrically insulating body having a first sleeve portion provided with a first external, annular rib, (2) a second electrically insulating body having a second sleeve portion provided with a second external annular rib and an internal abutment, said second sleeve portion being adapted to receive the first sleeve portion and the internal abutment serving to limit insertion of the first sleeve portion into the second sleeve portion whereby, in the fully inserted condition, the first annular rib is axially spaced from the second annular rib, (3) at least one first electrical connector element mounted in the first electrically insulating body, (4) at least one second electrical connector element mounted in the second electrically insulating body and engageable with the or a respective first electrical connector element when the two electrically insulating bodies are joined, and (5) sealing means for sealing the joint between the first and second sleeve portions, said sealing means comprising an elastomeric annular sealing sleeve having first, second and third annular internal ribs which are disposed so that, in use, the first internal rib seals against the first sleeve portion, the second internal rib seals against the second sleeve portion, and the third internal rib extends into the space between the first and second external annular ribs and seals against said ribs, and/or against the first sleeve portion with the first external rib being disposed between said first and third internal ribs and the second external rib being disposed between said second and third internal ribs.

2. An assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first internal rib of the sealing sleeve has a portion which defines a sealing lip having a diameter which is less than that of the part of the first sleeve portion with which it is engaged.

3. An assembly as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the third annular internal rib of the sealing sleeve has side edges which are mutually convergent towards an inner periphery of said rib.

4. An assembly as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein at least one of the mutually engaging side edges of the second internal rib and the second external rib is chamfered or radiussed.

5. An assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the second sleeve portion is provided with a third external annular rib which is spaced from the second external annular rib so that the second internal annular rib is disposed between the second and third external ribs.

6. An assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a side edge of the second internal rib adjacent the third external annular rib is chamfered.

7. An electrical connector assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs. 1 and 2 or Figs. 1 and 2 as modified in Figs. 3 and 4 of the accompanying drawings.

8. An elastomeric annular sealing sleeve constructed and adapted to be used in an electrical connector assembly as claimed in claim 1, said sleeve having first, second and third annular internal ribs which are disposed so that, in use, the first internal ribs which are disposed so that, in use, the first internal rib seals against the first sleeve portion, the second internal rib seals against the second sleeve portion, and the third internal rib extends into the space between the first and second external annular ribs and seals against said ribs, and/or against the first sleeve portion with the first external rib being disposed between said first and third internal ribs and the second external rib being disposed between said second and third internal ribs.