EP3304654B1

EP3304654B1 - Seal for a housing of a plug-type connector and housing for a plug-type connector

Info

Publication number: EP3304654B1
Application number: EP16726606.3A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Gopi KT; R Madesh
Original assignee: TE Connectivity India Pvt Ltd
Current assignee: TE Connectivity India Pvt Ltd
Priority date: 2015-06-04
Filing date: 2016-06-03
Publication date: 2020-04-01
Anticipated expiration: 2036-06-03
Also published as: WO2016193416A1; EP3304654A1

Description

Seal for a housing of a plug-type connector with an annular seal body having an elongated shape along an axial direction, wherein the seal comprises at least one mounting projection for mounting the seal to the housing, wherein the at least one mounting projection projects from the body of the seal in the axial direction, and wherein the at least one mounting projection may form a recess for a complementary formed positive locking feature of the housing. The invention further relates to a housing for a plug-type connector, the housing comprising an annular sealing section for receiving a seal, the annular sealing section being arranged circumferentially along a receptacle for a mating connector, wherein the housing comprises at least one mounting compartment for receiving at least one mounting projection of the seal, and wherein the at least one mounting compartment extends further along an axial direction of the housing than the remaining annular sealing section. The invention also relates to a housing for a plug-type connector, the housing comprising an annular sealing section with an annular seal, the annular seal being arranged circumferentially around the housing, wherein the housing comprises at least one mounting compartment and wherein the seal comprises at least one mounting projection for mounting the seal to the housing. The at least one mounting compartment extends further along an axial direction of the housing than the remaining annular sealing section, wherein the at least one mounting projection from the seal is received in the at least one mounting compartment, and the mounting compartment and the mounting projection are engaged in a positive fit with respect to the axial direction. Furthermore, the at least one mounting projection projects from the body of the seal in an axial direction, wherein the at least one mounting projection may form a recess for a complementary formed positive locking feature of the housing.
Seals and housings for plug-type connectors are well-known in the technical field of connectors. In order to achieve reliable sealing and connecting properties, it is intended to keep the seal at a defined position with respect to the housing. Several solutions are known in the prior art for mounting a seal to a housing. In general, a third element is used, which is fixated to the housing after the seal is placed in a defined position, so that the seal is arranged between a part of the housing and the additional element by a positive fit. Another solution is to provide the housing with projections which project in a radial direction and wherein the seal comprises a circumferential notch on its inner side. For mounting the seal to the housing, the seal is slid over the housing until the projections enter the notch and the seal is kept in place in the desired position. It is also known to provide the seal with circumferentially extending flaps which can be clamped between the housing and an additional element. These technical solutions are known to be sufficient to keep a seal in place. However, there are known drawbacks of the mentioned solutions. The need for additional elements results in a complex production and complicated assembly of a housing or a seal. Projections which enter into notches on inner sides of the seal bear the risk of damaging the seal during assembly. Further, said flaps may require large and bulky housings.
JP 2006 156081 A discloses a waterproof connector capable of smoothly inserting a seal member. A locking projection projects from the pressing portion on the back side of the pressing surface along a pressing direction of the connector assembly. A pressing force is applied in the inserting direction of the locking projection, pushing the locking projections into an engagement hole.
In JP 2009 037843 A , a watertight connector assembly is disclosed, which comprises a connector having a male tubular housing, a complementary connector with a female housing and a seal ring being compressed between two opposing surfaces of the housings. Loosening prevention portions are provided to fill a gap between the opposed surfaces. Locking protrusions protruding from an end face of the seal ring are provided in order to securely hold the seal ring in the housing.
US 5,622,512 A relates to an apparatus for affixing a packing unit for a waterproof connector. Projection parts are disposed on opposite side portions of the packing unit, whereby each of the projection parts has an outwardly-extending retaining portion for engaging a connector housing. A rear holder is attached to a rear end of the first connector housing for retaining the packing unit.
WO 2013/156343 A1 discloses a receptacle housing for a plug element comprising a sealing section adapted to hold a sealing element. The sealing section comprises at least one counter-retention element adapted to engage with a retention element formed on the sealing element in order to prevent movement of the sealing element in the plug-in direction relative to the housing.
JP 2006 147474 A discloses a watertight connector comprising a female housing adapted to fittingly receive a male housing, the male housing and a rubber ring. The female housing comprises locking projections with a guiding surface. The rubber ring can be inserted and deflected along the guiding surface, whereby the locking projections can engage with locking recesses of the rubber ring when the rubber ring is in position. DE 20 2010 008 250 U1 relates to a connector with an annular sealing element. The sealing element comprises fixing elements which extend form an edge of the sealing element towards a center thereof.
It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a seal and a housing which allow for a cost efficient production, fast and simple assembly, and space-saving connector housings.
For a seal as mentioned in the beginning, this object is reached in that the recess opens in the axial direction for receiving a complementary formed positive locking feature of the housing and has entrance opening with a smaller diameter than the remaining recess perpendicular to the axial direction..
The seal can be mounted by the at least one mounting projection to the housing. One advantage of this solution is that there is no need for additional fixation elements. Also, the risk of damaging the seal during assembly can be reduced. Further, the at least one mounting projection which projects in an axial direction of the seal may allow the production of a space-saving housing.
For the housing as mentioned in the beginning, the object of the invention is reached in that the positive locking feature has an overall hook shape, wherein said hook points against the axial direction. The positive locking feature has a neck portion and a head portion. The head portion sits atop the neck portion against the axial direction. The head portion may comprise inclined surfaces, so that the hook-shaped positive locking feature has the shape of a mushroom hook..
This arrangement allows the housing to be used with seals which comprise mounting projections that extend in the axial direction. The mounting projections from the seal may be received in the mounting compartment which is at least partially displaced from the annular sealing section in the axial direction. By this solution, the risk of damaging a seal body during assembly can be reduced. Further, the arrangement of the mounting compartment displaced from the annular sealing section may allow the production of space-saving housings.
For the housing with an annular seal as mentioned in the beginning, the object is reached in that the recess opens in the axial direction for receiving a complementary formed positive locking feature of the housing and has an entrance opening with a smaller diameter than the remaining recess perpendicular to the axial direction, and in that the positive locking feature has an overall hook shape, wherein said hook points against the axial direction. The positive locking feature has a neck portion and a head portion. The head portion sits atop the neck portion against the axial direction. The head portion comprises inclined surfaces, so that the hook-shaped positive locking feature has the shape of a mushroom hook..
This solution may provide a space-saving housing with a securely fixated seal and may decrease the risk of damages to the seal. In the following, further improvements of the invention are described. The additional improvements may be combined independently of each other, depending on whether a particular advantage of a particular improvement is needed in a specific application.
According to the invention, the seal has an overall elongated shaped along the axial direction. For example, the seal body may have an overall shape of a section of a tube or a sleeve. This can be advantageous for an effective sealing. A secure fixation of the seal to a housing can be achieved when the at least one mounting projection is adapted for being engaged with a part of the housing.
The annular seal body may have an end face facing into the axial direction, and the at least one mounting projection may project from said end face. The end face may be used for abutting the seal body to a part of the housing for an effective sealing. In a preferred embodiment, the end face is even and extends perpendicular to the axial direction.
For a safe mounting of the seal to a housing, the seal may comprise at least two mounting projections, wherein two mounting projections are arranged opposite to each other. Preferably, the two mounting projections are arranged diametrically opposite to each other. Alternatively, the seal may comprise a number of mounting projections which are spaced apart from each, preferably in an equidistant manner.
According to another advantageous improvement, the at least one mounting projection may comprise at least one latching element which extends perpendicular to the axial direction. The latching element may be used to positively lock the seal with a complementary feature of a housing, so that a movement of the seal along the axial direction may be prohibited.
An additional or alternative solution for effectively fixing the seal to a housing can be obtained in that the at least one mounting projection comprises at least one undercut with respect to the axial direction. Especially a latching element of the mounting projection may form an undercut. In a preferred embodiment, the mounting projection has an overall hook shape at least in one cross section parallel to the axial direction. More preferably, the at least one mounting projection has the shape of a double hook. For example, the mounting projection may have a longitudinal portion which extends in the axial direction and a head portion on its distal end, wherein the head portion has a larger cross section than the longitudinal portion in a cross section parallel to the axial direction. In this case, the mounting projection may have an overall T shape wherein the head of the T forms two latching elements which extend in opposite directions perpendicular to the axial direction.
For facilitating mounting of the seal to a housing, the at least one mounting projection forms a recess for a complementary formed positive locking feature of the housing. Preferably, the at least one recess may form a chamber in the at least one mounting projection. The recess has a form which allows a positive fit with a complementary formed positive locking feature of the housing when said locking feature is inserted in the recess.
The recess opens in the axial direction for receiving a complementary formed positive locking feature of the housing and has an entrance opening with a smaller diameter than the remaining recess perpendicular to the axial direction.
The area of the mounting projection which surrounds the entrance opening may form the latching element for being engaged with a part of the housing. For example, the entrance opening may at least partially be surrounded by a lip which forms the latching element of the mounting projection. If the recess is formed as chamber, than said lip may extend from a side wall of the chamber perpendicular to the axial direction and may form a latching element. The recess may be formed as an undercut between the entrance opening and the body of the seal.
In a preferred embodiment, the at least one mounting projection may be formed monolithically with the seal body. This may lead to a cost efficient production of the seal, a secure connection between the at least one mounting projection and the seal body and a compact design.
In the housing according to the invention, the at least one mounting compartment is provided with at least one positive locking feature for being engaged with a complementary formed mounting projection of a seal. The at least one positive locking feature forms a positive fit with a mounting projection of the seal when said mounting projection is arranged in the mounting compartment. The at least one positive locking feature may extend or project into the at least one mounting compartment.
In order to facilitate the insertion of a mounting projection into the at least one mounting compartment, the at least one mounting compartment may be provided with at least one elastically deflectable arm carrying the at least one positive locking feature, wherein the arm is adapted to be elastically deflected from an engagement position to an assembly position. In other words, for the assembly of a seal to the housing, the elastically deflectable arm may be deflected into the assembly position, so that the mounting compartment is opened for receiving a mounting projection of the seal. When the mounting projection of the seal is arranged in the opened mounting compartment, the elastically deflectable arm may be moved back into the engagement position by elastic relaxation so that the mounting projection is arranged inside the mounting compartment. Preferably, in the engagement position, the at least one positive locking feature is engaged with the complementary-formed mounting projection of the seal.
In order to protect a seal which is arranged in the annular sealing section, the housing may comprise an encasement for encasing a seal which is received in the annular sealing section. The encasement may be formed as a wall surrounding the housing at least in parts. Preferably, the encasement is formed monolithically with the housing.
For a compact design, the at least one mounting compartment may be provided with at least one elastically deflectable arm carrying the at least one positive feature, wherein the arm is formed monolithically with the encasement and is adapted to be elastically deflectable from an engagement position to an assembly position. Preferably, the elastically deflectable arm is aligned with the encasement in the engagement position and forms part of the encasement.
In order to visually check an engagement between at least one positive locking feature of the housing and mounting projection of a seal, the encasement may comprise at least one access window which gives access to the at least one positive locking feature from outside of the housing. Preferably, the access window is adapted to allow access from a direction perpendicular to the axial direction. Preferably, the window may also be used for movement of a slide from a injection moulding machine in the case that the housing is formed by injection moulding.
In the following, the invention and its improvements are described in greater details using exemplary embodiments and with reference to the figures. As described above, the various features shown in the embodiments may be used independently of each other in specific applications.
In the following figures, elements having the same function and/or the same structure will be referenced by the same reference signs.
In the drawings:

Fig. 1: shows a perspective view of an example of a seal;
Fig. 2: shows a side view of the example of the seal;
Fig. 3: shows a top view of the example of the seal;
Fig. 4: shows a cut out of the example of the seal;
Fig. 5: shows an example of a housing in a perspective view;
Fig. 6: shows a cut out of the example of the housing;
Fig. 7: shows a cross section of the example of the housing with an inserted seal according to an example of the seal;
Fig. 8: a perspective view of a fixture for inserting the seal according to example into the housing according to the example;
Fig. 9: a housing on the fixture prior to insertion of a seal;
Fig. 10: a housing on the fixture with an inserted seal;
Fig. 11: the housing with an inserted seal in an assembled state;
Fig. 12: a seal according to the invention in a perspective view;
Fig. 13: the seal according to the invention in a side view;
Fig. 14: the seal according to the invention in a top view;
Fig. 15: the seal according to the invention with a cut out showing a cross section;
Fig. 16: a housing according to the invention in a perspective view;
Fig. 17: the housing as shown in Fig. 16 aligned in an opposite direction;
Fig. 18: the housing according to the invention in a cross-sectional view together with a seal according to the invention prior to insertion of the seal;
Fig. 19: the housing according to the invention with an inserted seal.

In the following, a seal 1 is described with respect to Figures 1 to 4. However, it should be noted that the seal shown in Figures 1 to 4 does not fall within the scope of the claimed invention. The seal 1 comprises a seal body 3 which has an overall annular shape. In the example the seal body 3 has the form of a rectangle with rounded corners. However, the seal body 3 may have any suitable shape, for example a ring or an ellipse. The annular shape defines an axial direction A. Along the axial direction A, the body 3 of the seal 1 has an elongated shape so that a shell or a sleeve is formed.
The seal body 3 may have an end face 5 which faces in the axial direction A. The end face 5 is preferably smooth and aligned perpendicular to the axial direction A. On the opposite side in the axial direction A, the seal body 3 may have a second end face 7 which preferably extends perpendicular to the axial direction A continuously with a smooth surface.
From the seal body 3, two mounting projections 9 extend in the axial direction A. The mounting projections 9 also define a mounting direction M which advances in parallel with the axial direction A.
The two mounting projections 9 are arranged diametrically opposite to each other across the seal body 3. As mentioned above, the seal body 3 has an overall rectangular shape. Preferably, the mounting projections 9 are arranged at the short sides 11 of the seal body 3. In a cross section perpendicular to the short sides 11 and in parallel with the axial direction A, as shown in Figures 2 and 4, the shape of the mounting projections 9 is made visible. The mounting projections 9 are adapted for being engaged with a part of a housing. The mounting projections 9 have an overall T-shape with a longitudinal portion 13 extending from the seal body 3 in the axial direction A and a head portion 15 on the distal end 17 of the mounting projection 9. The distal end 17 is the end of the mounting projection 9 which is arranged opposite to the end face 5 of the seal body 3. The head portion 15 extends over the longitudinal portion 13 in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction A. Preferably, the head portion 15 further comprises an insertion portion 19 in which the head portion 15 tapers in the axial direction A. The insertion portion 19 can facilitate insertion of the mounting projection 9 into a part of the housing. Preferably, the mounting projections 9 do not extend over the perimeter 10 of the seal body 3.
The head portion 15 comprises two latching elements 21 which extend across the longitudinal portion 13 perpendicular to the axial direction A. The latching elements 21 can be used to engage the mounting projection 9 in a positive fit with a complementary formed part of a housing.
The latching elements 21 which extend perpendicular to the axial direction A over the longitudinal portion 13 preferably form undercuts 23 between the head portion 15 and the seal body 3 of the seal 1. In the undercuts 23, elements of the housing can be received to form a positive fit. The mounting projections 9 as described above with the longitudinal portion 13 and the head portion 15 may have an overall hook shape, more precisely a double hook shape. Preferably, the mounting projections 9 are formed monolithically with the seal body 3.
In the following, a housing 25 is described with respect to Figures 5 and 6. However, the housing does not fall within the scope of the claimed housing.
The housing 25 comprises a connector section 27 wherein contacts or other elements of a connector can be arranged. The connector section 27 is just exemplarily shown. The housing 25 comprises an annular sealing section 29. The annular sealing section 29 runs circumferentially around the connector section 27. It further runs along a receptacle 31 for a mating connector. The receptacle 31 and the annular sealing section 29 form a common free space in the housing 25.
The housing 25 comprises an encasement 33 which closes the annular sealing section 29 to an outside of the housing 25. The encasement 33 may encase and protect a seal 1 which is received in the annular sealing section 29. The encasement 33 runs along circumferentially around the axial direction A and at least partially forms walls which are arranged parallel with the axial direction A. The housing 25 comprises preferably two mounting compartments 35, wherein each mounting compartment 35 is adapted for receiving at least one mounting projection 9 of a seal 1. The mounting compartments 35 extend further along the axial direction A and the mounting direction M than the remaining annular sealing section 29.
Each mounting compartment 35 is provided with two positive locking features 37. The positive locking features 37 are adapted for being engaged with a complementary formed mounting projection 9 of the seal 1. An engagement between the housing 25 and a seal 1 will be described in detail with respect to Figure 7.
Each mounting compartment 35 comprises a positive locking feature 37, which is arranged on an elastically deflectable arm 39. The elastically deflectable arms 39 may be deflected perpendicular to the axial direction A away from the housing 25. The elastically deflectable arms 39 are preferably formed monolithically with the encasement 33.
When the elastically deflectable arm 39 is not deflected away from the housing 25, it takes up an engagement position 41. In the engagement position 41, the positive locking features 37 of one mounting compartment 35 face each other and are aligned at the same height with respect to the axial direction A. The positive locking features 37 project into the mounting compartment 35. The positive locking features 37 may be formed as rips which extend perpendicular to the axial direction A and preferably run straight perpendicular to the axial direction A. Between two positive locking feature 37 of one mounting compartment 35, a free space 43 is formed and the positive locking features 37 are aligned in an equidistant manner across the free space 43.
Figure 7 shows a cross-sectional view of a housing 25 as described with respect to Figures 5 and 6 with a seal 1 as described with respect to Figures 1 to 4 arranged in the annular sealing section 29. Figure 7 shows the seal 1 and the housing 25 in a fully assembled state 45. The fully assembled state 45 refers only to the housing 25 and the seal 1, and not to possible further elements of a connector using the housing 25.
In the fully assembled state 45, the mounting projections 9 are received in the mounting compartments 35. The elastically deflectable arms 39 of the housing 25 are arranged in their engagement positions 41. The positive locking features 37 of the mounting compartments 35 engage with the latching elements 21 of the mounting projections 9. For each mounting projection 9, two positive locking features 37 of the mounting compartment 35 are arranged between the head portion 15 and the seal body 3. In other words, the positive locking features 37 are arranged in the undercuts 23 of the mounting projection 9. By this, a positive locking is achieved and the seal 1 cannot be removed from the housing 25 against the axial direction A without using an extensive force which is higher than normal contacting forces for which the housing 25 is configured.
In the fully assembled state 45, the receptacle 31 for a mating connector is arranged between the seal body 3 and the encasement 33 of the housing 25.
In the following, an assembly method for mounting a seal 1 to a housing 25 is described with respect to Figures 8 to 11.
The seal 1 and the housing 25 are identical to the ones which were described with respect to Figures 1 to 7.
In Figure 8, a fixture 47 is shown which can be used to facilitate the assembly. The fixture 47 comprises two spreading members 49 which can be used to elastically deflect elastically deflectable arms 39 of the housing 25. Two spreading members 49 are present in the case that the housing 25 comprises two mounting compartments 35. If the housing 25 comprises a different number of mounting compartments 35 or elastically deflectable arms 39, then this number of spreading members 49 may be present.
The spreading members 49 are arranged spaced apart from each other. With the lower ends 51, the spreading members 49 may be mounted to a holding structure 53. On the upper ends 55, each spreading members 49 comprises an inclined surface 57. The inclined surface 57 is aligned in a way that both inclined surfaces 57 together would form a roof-like structure if they were extended towards each other. On the lower ends of the inclined surfaces 57, the upper ends 55 of the spreading member 49 comprise stopper surfaces 59 which are arranged in parallel with the holding structure 53.
In the following, the assembly of a seal 1 in the housing 25 using the fixture 47 is described with respect to Figures 9 to 11.
Figure 9 shows a housing 25 being arranged on the fixture 47 in an assembly state 61.
In the assembly state 61, the spreading members 49 protrude into the mounting compartments 35 and abut the elastically deflectable arms 39. The inclined surfaces 57 of the spreading members 49 spread the elastically deflectable arms 39 away from each other, so that they are elastically deflected from the housing 25 and are arranged in an assembly position 63. In order to prevent a too-strong deflection of the elastically deflectable arms 39, the elastically deflectable arms 39 may abut the stopper surfaces 59.
In the assembly position 63, the positive locking features 37 of each mounting compartment 35 are spaced apart from the other, further than in the engagement position 41. Therefore, a seal 1 may be inserted into the annular sealing section 29 of the housing 25 in a way that the mounting projections 9 enter the mounting compartments 35 without being locked by the positive locking features 37. A seal 1 may be inserted along the mounting direction M into the sealing section 29.
A fully inserted seal 1 is shown in Figure 10. The seal body 3 is arranged in the annular sealing section 29 and the mounting projections 9 protrude into the mounting compartment 35. The housing 25 may then be removed from the fixture 47. This situation is shown in Figure 11. The housing 25 and the seal 1 are now in the fully assembled state 45. The spreading members 49 have left the mounting compartments 35 so that the elastically deflectable arms 39 are able to take in the engagement positions 41. Therefore, the housing 25 and the seal 1 are in the same position as described with respect to Figure 7. The positive locking features 37 form a positive fit with the mounting projections 9 and the seal 1 is securely held in the housing 25.
In the following, an embodiment of a seal 1 according to the invention is described with respect to Figures 12 to 15. For the sake of brevity, only the differences to the example as described with respect Figures 1 to 4 are described.
Each mounting projection 9 forms a recess 65 for a complementary formed positive locking feature of the housing. The mounting projections 9 are formed as chambers 67 which surround the recesses 65. The mounting projections 9 extend only partially over a perimeter 10 of the seal body 3 perpendicular to the axial direction A. Therefore, the embodiment of the seal 1 also allows the formation of a volume-saving connector.
The chambers 67 are opened in the axial direction A. In other words, the recesses 65 open in the axial direction A for receiving a complementary formed positive locking feature of the housing. Therefore, the mounting projections 9 comprise entrance openings 69. Each entrance opening 69 has a diameter 71 perpendicular to the axial direction A and in parallel with the short sides 11 which is smaller than a diameter 73 of the remaining recess 65. To form the entrance opening 69, the mounting projection 9 comprises at its distal end 17 a lip 75 which at least partially surrounds the recess 65.
The lip 75 forms a latching element 21 of the mounting projection 9. This can be clearly seen in Figure 15. Between the lip 75 and the seal body 3, an undercut 23 is formed by the recess 65.
Figure 16 and Figure 17 show an embodiment of a housing 25 according to the invention. As for the embodiment of the seal 1, only the differences to the example of the housing 25 which was described with respect to Figures 5 to 7 are mentioned.
The mounting compartment 35 comprises a positive locking feature 37 which is fixated to the housing 25. The positive locking feature 37 of the embodiment has an overall hook shape, wherein said hook points against the axial direction A. The positive locking feature 37 has a neck portion 77 and a head portion 79. The head portion 79 sits atop the neck portion 77 against the axial direction A. The head portion 79 comprises inclined surfaces, so that the hook-shaped positive locking feature 37 has the shape of a mushroom hook.
The mounting compartment 35 is open to an outside of the housing 25 through an access window 81. The access window 81 is formed in the encasement 33 of the housing 25. The access window 81 gives access to the mounting compartment 35 and the positive locking feature 37 in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction A. The access window 81 may be used for a visual check of the positive locking feature 37 prior to assembly or to visually check the form fit of a seal 1 to the housing 25.
Figure 18 shows a seal 1 according to the embodiment and a housing 25 as described with respect to Figure 16 and 17 prior to being assembled. The seal 1 may be inserted into the annular sealing section 29 along the mounting direction M. During insertion, the mounting projections 9 may be compressed by the annular sealing section 29.
Figure 19 shows the seal 1 and the housing 25 as shown in Figure 18 in the fully assembled state 45. In the fully assembled state 45, the positive locking features 37 from the housing 25 are received in the recesses 65 of the seal 1. The positive locking features 37 are then engaged with the lips 75 of the mounting projections 9. In other words, the head portions 79 of the positive locking features 37 are received in the undercuts 23 of the mounting projections 9. The access windows 81 may now allow to visually check the form fit between the mounting projections 9 and the positive locking features 37. Further, during insertion of the seal 1, the access windows 81 may facilitate a relaxation of the former compressed mounting projections 9 in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction A.

REFERENCE SIGNS

1: Seal
3: Seal body
5: End face
7: Second end face
9: Mounting projection
10: Perimeter
11: Short side
13: Longitudinal portion
15: Head portion
17: Distal end
19: Insertion portion
21: Latching element
23: Undercut
25: Housing
27: Connector section
29: Annular sealing section
31: Receptacle
33: Encasement
35: Mounting compartment
37: Positive locking feature
39: Elastically deflectable arm
41: Engagement portion
43: Free space
45: Fully assembled state
47: Fixture
49: Spreading member
51: Lower end
53: Holding structure
55: Upper end
57: Inclined surface
59: Stopper surface
61: Assembly state
63: Assembly position
65: Recess
67: Chamber
69: Entrance opening
77: Diameter
75: Lip
77: Neck portion
79: Head portion
81: Access Window

A: Axial direction
M: Mounting direction

Claims

Seal (1) for a housing (25) of a plug-type connector with an annular seal body (3) having an elongated shape along an axial direction (A), wherein the seal (1) comprises at least one mounting projection (9) for mounting the seal (1) to the housing (25), wherein at least one mounting projection (9) projects from the seal body (3) in an axial direction (A) and wherein the at least one mounting projection (9) forms a recess (65) for a complementary formed positive locking feature (37) of a housing (25), characterized in that the recess (65) opens in the axial direction (A) for receiving a complementary formed positive locking feature (37) of the housing (25) and has an entrance opening (69) with a smaller diameter (71) than the remaining recess (65) perpendicular to the axial direction (A).
Seal (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the seal body (3) has an end face (5) facing into the axial direction (A), and in that the at least one mounting projection (9) projects from said end face (5).
Seal (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the seal (1) comprises at least two mounting projections (9), wherein two mounting projections (9) are arranged opposite to each other.
Seal (1) according to one of the claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the at least one mounting projection (9) comprises at least one latching element (21) which extends perpendicular to the axial direction (A).
Seal (1) according to one of the claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the at least one mounting projection (9) comprises at least one undercut (23) with respect to the axial direction (A).
Seal (1) according to one of the claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the at least one mounting projection (9) is formed monolithically with the seal body (3).
Housing (25) for a plug-type connector, the housing (25) comprising an annular sealing section (29) for receiving a seal (1), the annular sealing section (29) being arranged circumferentially along a receptacle (31) for a mating connector, wherein the housing (25) comprises at least one mounting compartment (35) for receiving at least one mounting
projection (9) of the seal (1), the at least one mounting compartment (35) extends further along an axial direction (A) of the housing (25) than the remaining annular sealing section (29) and wherein the at least one mounting compartment (35) is provided with at least one positive locking feature (37) for being engaged with a complementary formed mounting projection (9) of the seal (1) characterized in that the at least one positive locking feature (37) has an overall hook shape, wherein said hook points against the axial direction (A) and has a neck portion (77) and a head portion (79), the head portion (79) sitting atop the neck portion (77) against the axial direction (A) and comprising inclined surfaces, so that the at least one hook-shaped positive locking feature (37) has the shape of a mushroom hook.
Housing (25) according to claim 7, characterized in that the housing (25) comprises an encasement (33) for encasing a seal (1) which is received in the annular sealing section (29).
Housing (25) according to claim 8, characterized in that the encasement (33) comprises at least one access window (81) which gives access to the at least one positive locking feature (37) from outside of the housing (25).
Housing (25) according to any one of claims 7 to 9 for a plug-type connector, the housing (25) comprising an annular sealing section (29) with a seal (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, the annular seal (1) being arranged circumferentially around the housing (25), characterized in that the at least one mounting projection (9) from the seal (1) is received in the at least one mounting compartment (35), and in that the mounting compartment (35) and the mounting projection (9) are engaged in a positive fit with respect to the axial direction (A).