DE112017004651B4 - RIGID COVER - Google Patents

Abstract

A rigid shroud (22) for automotive connectors intended to hold electrical contacts (24) in place during mating with a mating connector, the rigid shroud (22) extending along a longitudinal axis (X) and comprising:- a transverse first surface side (28) having an opening (30) for receiving the connector mating part and- an axial second surface side (32) closed about the longitudinal axis (X) and an outer surface (34) and an inner surface (36), a Wall (38) separating the outer surface (34) and the inner surface (36) and including at least one window (40) having a first leg (41) opposite the first surface side (28), the opening (30 ) has a straight first section (46) and a semi-elliptical second section (48) and the perimeter (43) of the opening (30) is in contact with the second surface side (32), characterized in that the rigid casing (22) further comprises at least an A axial recess (44) arranged between the first surface side (28) and the first leg (41) of the window (40), the axial recess (44) being arranged on the outer surface (34) side, and thatthe second surface side (32) has at least one further recess (50) which is arranged in the axial recess (44) and on the same side as the outer surface (34), the further recess (50) between the window (40) and the Scope (43) of the opening (30).

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Electric vehicles must be charged regularly using a charging connector that is powered by an electric charging station. This charging plug can then charge a battery located in the vehicle. The cables are effectively secured and held at their end by an electrical cable connector, also known as a charging connector. The connector must comply with the standard IEC 62196-1 paragraph 26 on mechanical shock resistance and chapter paragraph 33 on the rolling resistance of connectors and the standard IEC 62196-2 / Type 2-II on the shape of the connector. Automobile manufacturers have increased their impact resistance requirements by increasing the number of impacts (500 impacts) the connector must withstand. This primarily involves a material change towards a material with greater impact resistance. This change is not enough to meet the 500 impact strength requirements of some car manufacturers. The breakage of the connector occurs in the area of a housing of the contact socket, also known as the rigid shell or receptacle. The term "rigid casing" is used below.

A rigid casing according to the preamble of claim 1 is known from WO 2014/063 140 A1. In the DE 10 2013 102 823 A1 discloses a charging connector with a reinforcing element.

The object of the present invention is to provide a solution that eliminates the drawbacks described above and solves the problem of shock resistance and crushing of the rigid casing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

• - eine erste quer verlaufenden Flächenseite, die eine Öffnung zum Aufnehmen des Verbindergegenstücks aufweist, und
• - eine zweite Flächenseite (axial um die Längsachse geschlossen und mit einer Außenfläche und einer Innenfläche, einer die Außenfläche und die Innenfläche trennende Wand und mit zumindest einem Fenster mit einem der ersten Flächenseite zugewandten ersten Schenkel. Die starre Ummantelung enthält ferner zumindest eine axiale Ausnehmung, die zwischen der ersten Flächenseite und dem ersten Schenkel des Fensters angeordnet ist. Ferner enthält die erste Flächenseite einen geraden ersten Abschnitt und einen halbelliptischen zweiten Abschnitt, dessen Umfang der Öffnung in Kontakt mit der zweiten Flächenseite ist. In einer ersten Ausführungsform definiert die axiale Ausnehmung eine im Wesentlichen rechteckige Form mit vier Schenkeln. In einer zweiten Ausführungsform definiert die axiale Ausnehmung eine im Wesentlichen gleichschenklige Trapezform, von der zwei Schenkel nicht parallel zueinander verlaufen. Die Ausnehmung bildet einen Winkel zwischen der Längsachse und jedem der nicht parallelen Schenkel. Die axiale Ausnehmung kann von der Seite des Fensters bis zur ersten Flächenseite reichen. In einer dritten Ausführungsform definiert die Ausnehmung einen Winkel zwischen einer Querachse und jeder der Längsseiten der Ausnehmung. Für die drei Ausführungsformen umfasst die zweite Flächenseite zumindest eine weitere Ausnehmung, die an der Innenfläche angeordnet ist. Die weitere Ausnehmung kann sich zwischen dem Fenster und dem Umfang der Öffnung befinden. Die weitere Ausnehmung kann sich von dem ersten Schenkel des Fensters bis zum Umfang der Öffnung der ersten Flächenseite erstrecken. In den drei Ausführungsformen umfasst die zweite Flächenseite vier Fenster, wobei der zweite Abschnitt der ersten Flächenseite in der Nähe jedes von drei der vier Fenster einen Radius zwischen 0,2 und 2 mm aufweisen kann. Ein elektrischer Kabelverbinder kann ein Gehäuse, eine Versteifungshülse für Kontaktstücke, die an Kabeldrähte gecrimpt sind, eine Haltevorrichtung zum Halten der Kontaktstücke in Position und die starre Ummantelung, wie in den vorherigen Ausführungsformen beschrieben, enthalten.

This problem is solved by the features of the independent claims. The invention consists in a rigid shell for automotive connectors intended to hold electrical contacts in place when mated with a mating connector. The rigid shell extends along a longitudinal axis. The rigid sheath contains:

• - a first transverse surface side having an opening for receiving the mating connector, and
• - a second surface side (closed axially about the longitudinal axis and with an outer surface and an inner surface, a wall separating the outer surface and the inner surface and with at least one window with a first leg facing the first surface side. The rigid casing also contains at least one axial recess, disposed between the first face and the first leg of the window. Further, the first face includes a straight first portion and a semi-elliptical second portion whose perimeter of the opening is in contact with the second face. In a first embodiment, the axial recess defines a substantially rectangular shape with four legs. In a second embodiment, the axial recess defines a substantially isosceles trapezoidal shape, two legs of which are non-parallel to each other. The recess forms an angle between the longitudinal axis and each of the non-parallel S thigh. The axial recess can extend from the side of the window to the first surface side. In a third embodiment, the recess defines an angle between a transverse axis and each of the longitudinal sides of the recess. For the three embodiments, the second surface side comprises at least one further recess, which is arranged on the inner surface. The further recess can be located between the window and the perimeter of the opening. The further recess can extend from the first leg of the window to the periphery of the opening of the first surface side. In the three embodiments, the second surface side comprises four windows, whereby the second portion of the first surface side in the vicinity of each of three of the four windows can have a radius between 0.2 and 2 mm. An electrical cable connector may include a housing, a stiffening sleeve for terminals that are crimped to cable wires, a retainer for holding the terminals in position, and the rigid shell as described in the previous embodiments.

character list

• - 1 eine schematische Ansicht eines wiederaufladbaren Elektrofahrzeugs, das mit Hilfe von einem Ladesteckverbinder gespeist wird;
• - 2 eine perspektivische Explosionsansicht des Ladesteckverbinders;
• - 3 eine perspektivische Ansicht einer starren Ummantelung gemäß der Erfindung;
• - 4 eine vergrößerte Ansicht der Ausnehmung gemäß der ersten Ausführungsform;
• - 5 eine vergrößerte Ansicht der Ausnehmung gemäß der zweiten Ausführungsform;
• - 6 eine vergrößerte Ansicht der Ausnehmung gemäß der dritten Ausführungsform;
• - 7 eine perspektivische Ansicht der starren Ummantelung.

Other characteristics, objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent on reading the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings, given as a non-limiting example, in which:

• - 1 a schematic view of a rechargeable electric vehicle that is powered by a charging connector;
• - 2 an exploded perspective view of the charging connector;
• - 3 a perspective view of a rigid jacket according to the invention;
• - 4 an enlarged view of the recess according to the first embodiment;
• - 5 an enlarged view of the recess according to the second embodiment;
• - 6 an enlarged view of the recess according to the third embodiment;
• - 7 a perspective view of the rigid shell.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In order to facilitate and clarify the following description, the orientation from top to bottom is chosen arbitrarily and the terms and expressions such as "above, below, above, below, above, below ..." are applicable without affecting the invention in restrict in any way.

As schematic in 1 As shown, an electric vehicle 10 may include a connector base 12 to which a connector 14 powered by an electrical charging station 16 via a cord 18 may be connected. The connector 14 then enables a battery located in the vehicle 10 to be charged.

As in 2 As shown, the connector 14 includes a housing 19 having a first shell 20 and a second shell 21, a rigid shell 22, electrical contacts 24, and a stiffening sleeve 26.

As in 3 and 4 shown, the invention describes a first embodiment. The rigid shell 22 of the vehicle connector is provided to hold the electrical contacts 24 (not shown) in place during mating with a mating connector (not shown). The rigid shell 22 protects the user from any contact with the electrical contacts 24 (not shown) covering or enclosing them. The term “rigid casing” means any covering device made of plastic material capable of preventing or greatly limiting deformations of the electrical contacts it covers or encloses, caused by a mechanical or thermal stress from the outside environment could be caused. The rigid shell 22 extends along a longitudinal axis X. The shell 22 includes a first surface side 28 transverse to the longitudinal axis X, a second axial surface side 32 that extends along the axis X, a third transverse surface side 42 that extends from the first surface side 28 is separated by the axial second surface side 32. The transverse first surface side 28 includes an opening 30 for receiving the mating connector (not shown). The opening 30 has a perimeter 43. As in FIG 4 As shown, axial second surface side 32 includes an outer surface 34 and an inner surface 36, a wall 38 separating outer surface 34 and inner surface 36, and at least one window 40 having a first leg 41 opposite first surface side 28.

As in 4 is illustrated, the first leg 41 of the window is substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis X. As in FIG 4 As shown, the first leg 41 has its midpoint (not shown) of the length segment L41 closer to the perimeter 43 of the opening 30 of the first face side of the rigid shell than the midpoints (not shown) of the other legs 45, 47, 49 of the window 40. The Term "near" is used in the sense of a little distant, neighboring, as mentioned in the Larousse dictionary.

In the representation of 3 the second surface side 32 includes a straight section 46 and a semi-elliptical second section 48. The second surface side 32 includes four windows 40, one window 40 of which is arranged on the straight first section 46 and three windows 40 are arranged on the semi-elliptical second section 48. The transverse third surface side 42 is separated from the first surface side 28 by the axial second surface side 32 . To withstand the 500 impacts recommended by automobile manufacturers, the rigid shell 22 has at least one axial recess 44 extending along the longitudinal axis X and located in a space intermediate the first face 28 and the window 40. In 3 the rigid shell 22 has three recesses 44 (one not shown) located proximate to the three windows 40 of the semi-elliptical second portion 48 of the second surface side 32, respectively. As in 3 As shown, the opening 30 includes a straight first section 62 in contact with the first section 46 and a semi-elliptical second section 64 in contact with the second section 48 of the second surface side, both sections 62, 64 defining the perimeter 43 of the opening 30 of the first Define surface side 28. In 4 the axial recess 44 has a substantially rectangular shape. As in 4 1, the axial recess 44 essentially defines a rectangle with four legs 52, 54, 56, 58 and a depth 60. As in FIG 4 As illustrated, the first leg 41 has its midpoint (not shown) of the length segment L41 closer to the perimeter 43 of the rigid shell opening 30 than the midpoints (not shown) of the other legs 45, 47, 49 of the window 40. The term "close ' is used in the sense of a little distant, adjacent, as mentioned in the Larousse dictionary. The depth 60 has along the longitudinal leg 52, 54 has a constant value. The axial recess 44 is arranged on the side of the outer surface 34, as in FIG 4 is shown.

The axial recess 44 faces the second surface side 32 . At an in 5 illustrated second embodiment, which differs from the first embodiment by the shape of the axial recess 44, the axial recess 44 is isosceles trapezoidal. The non-parallel legs 52, 54 define an angle A with the longitudinal axis X that is between 2 and 20 degrees. The depth 60 is measured along the lateral Y axis. The axial recess 44 near the leg 41 is at the same height as the leg 41 of the window and the recess 44 is below the position of the leg near the perimeter 43 of the opening 30. The axial recess 44 is located on the outer surface 34 side , as in 5 is shown.

In the 6 The third embodiment shown differs from the first embodiment in that the axial recess 44 is inclined with respect to an axis Y transverse to the axis X. The axial recess 44 is essentially rectangular. Legs 52, 54 define an angle B with transverse axis Y. Angle B is between 2 and 20 degrees. The axial recess 44 is arranged on the side of the outer surface 34, as in FIG 4 is shown.

As in 4 , 5 and 6 As shown, the second surface side 32 has another recess 50 disposed within the recess 44 and on the same side as the outer surface 34 of the second surface side 32 . The further recess 50 makes it possible to further increase the shock resistance of the rigid casing 22. The further recess 50 extends longitudinally between the window 40 located opposite the straight portion 46 (not shown) and the perimeter 43 of the first face side 28. The further recess 50 can be coupled with the recess 44 of the rigid shell in the three embodiments may be present.

The rigid casing 22 can be formed by injection molding of thermoplastic material, such as polyamide 66 with 30 percent glass fibers or polyamide 66 with 33 percent glass fibers and additives based on elastomers.

The assembly of the connector 14 will be described below. As in 3 As shown, the two shells 20, 21 are fastened together, for example by screws, with the rigid shell 22 and sleeve 26 being retained by a set of grooves and ribs in the housing 19, which is then closed.

Reference List

10

vehicle

12

connector base

14

Interconnects

16

electric charging station

18

Cable

19

Housing

20

first shell

21

second shell

22

sheathing

24

electrical contact piece

26

sleeve

28

first surface side

30

opening

32

second surface side

34

outer surface

36

Inner surface

38

Wall

40

Window

41

first leg of the window

42

third surface side

44

recess

43

Perimeter of the first face side

45

second leg of the window

46

straight first section

47

third leg of the window

48

semicircular section of the second surface side

49

fourth leg of the window

50

further recess

52

leg of the recess

54

leg of the recess

56

leg of the recess

58

leg of the recess

60

depth

62

first section

64

second part

X

longitudinal axis

Y

transverse axis

L41

length of a leg

Claims (8)

A rigid shroud (22) for automotive connectors intended to hold electrical contacts (24) in place during mating with a mating connector, the rigid shroud (22) extending along a longitudinal axis (X) and comprising: - a transverse first surface side (28) having an opening (30) for receiving the connector mating part and - an axial second surface side (32) closed about the longitudinal axis (X) and an outer surface (34) and an inner surface (36), a Wall (38) separating the outer surface (34) and the inner surface (36) and including at least one window (40) having a first leg (41) opposite the first surface side (28), the opening (30 ) has a straight first section (46) and a semi-elliptical second section (48) and the perimeter (43) of the opening (30) is in contact with the second surface side (32), characterized in that the rigid casing (22) further at least e having an axial recess (44) located between the first surface side (28) and the first leg (41) of the window (40), the axial recess (44) being located on the outer surface (34) side, and that the second surface side (32) has at least one further recess (50) which is arranged in the axial recess (44) and on the same side as the outer surface (34), the further recess (50) between the window (40) and the perimeter (43) of the opening (30). Rigid casing (22) after claim 1 wherein the axial recess (44) defines a substantially rectangular shape. Rigid casing (22) according to one of Claims 1 until 2 , the axial recess (44) defining a substantially isosceles trapezoidal shape, the legs (52, 54) of which are non-parallel to one another, the axial recess (44) forming an angle between the longitudinal axis (X) and each of the non-parallel legs (52 , 54). Rigid casing (22) according to one of Claims 1 until 3 , wherein the axial recess (44) extends from a first leg (41) of the window to the first surface side (28). Rigid casing (22) according to one of claims 3 or 4 wherein the axial recess (44) defines an angle (B) between a transverse axis (Y) and each of the legs (52,54) of the recess. Rigid casing (22) after claim 1 wherein the further recess (50) extends from the first leg (41) of the window to the periphery (43) of the opening (30). Rigid casing (22) according to one of Claims 1 until 6 wherein the second face (32) includes four windows (40) and the second portion (48) of the first face (28) has a radius of between 0.2 and 2mm proximate each of three of the four windows (40). . An electrical cable connector (14) comprising a housing (19), a sleeve (26) and the rigid shell (22) of any preceding claim.

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