CA1052881A - Moisture sealing grommet for an electrical connector - Google Patents

Moisture sealing grommet for an electrical connector

Info

Publication number
CA1052881A
CA1052881A CA224,736A CA224736A CA1052881A CA 1052881 A CA1052881 A CA 1052881A CA 224736 A CA224736 A CA 224736A CA 1052881 A CA1052881 A CA 1052881A
Authority
CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
grommet
diameter
rear face
recited
passages
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired
Application number
CA224,736A
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
George J. Swanson
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Bendix Corp
Original Assignee
Bendix Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Bendix Corp filed Critical Bendix Corp
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of CA1052881A publication Critical patent/CA1052881A/en
Expired legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • HELECTRICITY
    • H01ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01RELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R13/00Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
    • H01R13/46Bases; Cases
    • H01R13/52Dustproof, splashproof, drip-proof, waterproof, or flameproof cases
    • H01R13/5205Sealing means between cable and housing, e.g. grommet
    • H01R13/5208Sealing means between cable and housing, e.g. grommet having at least two cable receiving openings

Landscapes

  • Connector Housings Or Holding Contact Members (AREA)
  • Insertion, Bundling And Securing Of Wires For Electric Apparatuses (AREA)
  • Insulating Bodies (AREA)
  • Installation Of Indoor Wiring (AREA)

Abstract

MOISTURE SEALING GROMMET FOR AN ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR

ABSTRACT

A rubber grommet (10) for an electrical connector that has a plurality of passages for receiving wires extending to the contacts within the connector. Each passage in the grommet includes a curvilinear portion 30 sized to provide an improved moisture seal between the walls of the passage and an incoming wire.

Description

105'~881 CKGROUND OF T~IE INVENTION

This invention relates to electrical connectors, especially of the type with selectively removable contacts. This invention is more particularly related to the moisture sealing grommet in the rear of the electrical connector that prevents moisture from entering the connector.
Electrical connectors generally include a cylindrical housing; a dielectric insert mounted in the housing; a plurality of electrical contacts arranged in spaced relationship in the dielectric insert; and a grommet, for receiving wires that are attached to respective electrical contacts and to provide a seal at the rear of the connector to prevent moisture from entering into the connector and adversely affecting the connector. The better the moisture seal between the grommet and the incoming wires, the longer the life and stable operation of the electrical connector. One example of an electrical connector that includes a grommet for sealing out moisture may be found in U. S. Patent 3,221,292 entitled "Electrical Connector" and issued to G. J.
Swanson et al November 30, 1965.
Because of the density of the contacts in a present day electrical connector, certain problems have arisen with respect to maxim~zing the sealing effectiveness of the grommet. For example, the more pressure exerted against the incoming wires by the grommet, the better the sealing characteristics. However, increasing the sealing pressure on the grommet generally resulted in distortion of the grommet which then results in poor contact between the grommet ar.d the incoming wires. Another problem associated with sealing out moisture between the grommet and the incoming wires was that the configuration of the incoming wire receiving passages mp ~ -2-, i , I

,, , . .,, , ,, ,, _ ,,~ ,............................................... .

05'~881 ~Qs such that stresses were set up within the grommet so that when wires were pulled through the grommet, the grommet tore between adjacent passages, thereby reducing the effectiveness of eliminating the seal between adjacent passages and wires. One attempt to minimize the problems is shown in Figure 14 of the aforementioned Swanson Patent 3,221,292. The grommet in the Swanson patent includes at least two constrictions in the wire receiving passages which are intended to come into pressure contact with the wires and thereby form a pressure tight moisture seal.
To minimize stresses, the constrictions in this type grommet are arranged so that they are substantially out of transverse align-ment with the constriction of an adjacent passage. A not so obvious defect in this type of grommet is the fact that the grommet is generally molded from rubber and therefore this type of configuration does not permit the use of core pins that are less than .030 inches. A .030 core pin creates a constriction in the passage that exerts pressure against a wire in the passage, thereby providing a pressure tight moisture seal. However, if a core pin of .020 inches could be used, the constrictions in the passages would be smaller and more pressure would be applied against the aforesaid wire, thereby improving the sealing character~
istics with respect to small diameter wires having a diameter jU9t slightly greater than the .030 diameter of the constriction in the passageway of the grommet.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a grommet for an electrical connector that provides an improved moisture seal between the grommet and wires which pass into the connector thr~ugh passages in the grommet.
Thus, the present invention may be broadly described as a grommet for sealing a plurality of wires passing therethrough, the grc~Met comprising: a body having a front face, a rear face, 1,~/ ' 105'~881 n d a plurality of axially aligned wire receivingpassage~ arranged in spaced relationship and extending through the grommet from the front face to the rear face, each of the passages including only one internal constriction therein that diverges outwardly in the direction of the rear face and terminates in an opening at the rear face of the grommet.
The novel configuration of the grommet passages also allows the grommet to be molded with smaller diameter core pins and hence smaller diameter restrictions are obtainable which then allow smaller diameter wires to be used without a decline in the moisture sealing effectiveness of the grommet.
Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a grommet that has an improved moisture seal between the grommet and wires passing therethrough.
It is another object of this invention to provide a grommet for an electrical connector that provides a narrower constriction within the passages in the grommet than the prior art.
It is still another object of this invention to provide a grommet having passageways that have a novel configuration that reduces stresses within the grommet so as to eliminate tearing or splitting of the material between adjacent passageways.
It is still another object of this invention to provide a grommet that has passageways of novel configuration that facilitate the molding of the grommet with very narrow passages.
It is still another object of this invention to provide a grommet that allows repeated insertion and removal of contacts and wires through the passages in the grommet.
The above and other ob;ects and features of this invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction ~1~ ~1,', "

-^ ~ith the accompan~ing dra~lngs and claims which form a part of this speci~ication. Further, the use of numerals is for the purpose of clarification and example only and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the specific structure referenced.
BRIEF DESCRIPT~ON OF THE DR~WINGS
FIGURE 1 iS an end elevation of the grommet utilized in conjunction with an insert of a connector part~
FIGURE 2 is a cross-sectional diagrammatic view of the grommet shown in FIGURE 1 and which incorporates the principles and objects of this invention.
FIGURE 3 is an enlarged view of one of the passages through the grommet that emphasizes the pertinent character-istics of the passage extending through the grommet.
FIGURE 4 is a partial cross-sectional diagram of a grommet that illustrates a wire passing through a passageway in the grommet.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

. . _ _ . . .
Referring now to the drawings, FIGURE 1 illustrates
2~ a grommet 10 that is utilized in an electrical connector assem-bly to provide a moisture-tight seal between the wires passing therethrough into a connector housing (not shown). The grommet 10 includes a plurality of closely spaced passages 30, each of which are adapted to receive a wire (not sho~m) that passes into the connector assembly and is attached to an electrical contact. The grommet 10 is generally cylindrically shaped and comprised of electrically insulating rubber or rubber-like material of intermediate durometer. The grommet 10 located at one end of a connector assembly (as shown in the Swanson patent) is in pressure-tight contact with the hQusing of the electrical connector to prevent moisture from entering into the connector and generall~ has one face (11, FIGURE 2) bonded to a dielectric insert that holds the electrical contacts.

~rc:~v, lOS'~881 FIGURE 2 shows a cross-~ectional diayrammatic view of the grommet shown in FTGURE 1. The grommet 10 includes a front face 11, a reax face 12, and a plurality of axially aligned passages in spaced relationship that extend through the grommet 10 from the front face 11 to the rear face 12.
Each of the passages includes a cylindrically shaped portion 20 and a curvilinear portion 30 that diverges outwardly to the rear face 12 from a constricted portion contiguous with the cylind-rical portion of the passage. The curvilinear portion 30 of the passageways as one may be called a "Mae West contour" or hour glass-shape.
FIGURE 3 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional diagrammatic view of one of the passageways through the grommet 10 which emphasizes the impoxtant aspects and features of the passageway. As can be seen from FIGURE 3, the cylindrical portion 20 of the passageway includes a wall 21 and the curv-ilinear portion 30 of the passageway includes a wall 31. The curvilinear portion 30 of the passageway preferably has a fixed radius of curvature R and diverges outwardly to an opening D3 in the rear face 12 of the grommet 10. The point of origin of the radius R is preferably along line B which is a distance Yl from the junction between the curvilinear portion 30 and the cylindrical portion 30 of the passageway. It should be noted at this point that the inventor believes that the curvilinear design of the passageway contributes to reducing in or eliminat-ing stresses when the grommet 10 is subjected to pressure by an incoming wire.
The inventor believes that the best location for the narrowest constriction D2 within the curvilinear passageway 30 is a distance Yl from the cylindrical portion, which is less than the distance Y2, which is the axial length of the curv-ilinear portion 30 of the passageway. A preferred ratio of the distance Y2 to Yl is one wherein Y2 i8 greater than 1.5.

~rc~

105'~881 ~ IGURE ~ illustrates a grommet 10 which has a wire 40 which passes through the passage in the grommet 10. FIGURE 4 illu~trates how the walls 31 of the curvilinear portion 30 of the passageway are in pressure-tight contact with the wire 40 to prevent moisture from entering into the cylindrical portion 20 of the grommet 10. The diameter of the wire 40 is always slightly wider than the constriction D2 in the curvi-linear portion 30 of the passageway so that when the wire is drawn through the passageway, the walls 31 of the curvilinear portion, which are resiliently deflectable, come into pressure-tight contact with the wire 40 to from a moisture-~ight seal.
An advantage of this grommet over prior art grommets is that the special contour (curvilinear) of the passages 30 provides support for a wire while maintaining a seal between the wire and grommet even when the wire is pulled to one side or "walked" around the opening in a 36~ pattern. The curvilinear passage 30 also guides and "funnels" contact insertion and removal tools (not shown). A removal tool, especially when used with a small diameter wire, has a tendency to cut into the walls of the grommet having only a cylindrical passageway.
The curvilinear shape or the passage 30 aids in aligning a con-tact removal tool so that it does not cut into the walls 31 of the passage 30.
While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been disclosed, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes may be made to the invention as set forth in the appended claims and, in some instances, certain features of the invention may be used to advantage without corresponding use of other features. Accordingly, it is intended that the
3~ illustrative and descriptive materials herein be used to ill-ustrate the prlnciples of the invention and not to limit the scope thereof.

~r~

Claims (8)

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. A grommet for sealing a plurality of wires passing therethrough, said grommet comprising:
a body having a front face, a rear face, and a plurality of axially aligned wire receiving passages arranged in spaced relationship and extending through said body from said front face to said rear face, each of said passages including a cylindrical portion having a diameter D1 and a curvilinear portion that diverges outwardly in the direction of said rear face, said curvilinear portion having a minimum diameter D2 which is less than D1 and a maximum diameter D3 which is greater than D2 and terminates in an opening at said rear face of said grommet.
2. The grommet as recited in Claim 1 wherein the minimum diameter D2 of the curvilinear portion is a distance Y1 from said cylindrical portion and said maximum diameter D3 is a distance Y2 from said cylindrical portion and wherein the ratio of is greater than 1.5.
3. A grommet for sealing a plurality of wires passing therethrough, said grommet comprising:
a body having a front face, a rear face, and a plurality of axially aligned wire receiving passages arranged in spaced relationship and extending through said grommet from said front face to said rear face, each of said passages including only one internal constriction therein that diverges outwardly in the direction of said rear face and terminates in an opening at said rear face of said grommet.
4. The grommet as recited in Claim 3 wherein said construction has a diameter D2, said opening has a diameter D3, and wherein said diameter D2 is less than the diameter D4 of one of said wires and said diameter D3 is greater than the diameter D4 of said one wire.
5. The grommet as recited in Claim 4 wherein said grommet is comprised of a single unitary piece of relatively soft elastomeric material.
6. In combination with an electrical connector of the type having a housing, an insert in said housing, a plurality of wire receiving electrical contacts mounted in said insert, and a grommet for sealing a plurality of wires connected to respective contacts, the improvement wherein said grommet comprises:
a body having a front face, a rear face, and a plurality of axially aligned wire receiving passages arranged in spaced relationship and extending through said grommet from said front face to said rear face, each of said passages including only one internal constriction therein that diverges outwardly in the direction of one of said rear face of said grommet and terminates in an opening at said rear face of said grommet.
7. The grommet as recited in Claim 6 wherein said constriction has a diameter D2 and said opening has a diameter D3, which is greater than D2.
8. The grommet as recited in Claim 7 wherein said grommet is comprised of a single unitary piece of relatively soft elastomeric material.
CA224,736A 1974-10-02 1975-04-16 Moisture sealing grommet for an electrical connector Expired CA1052881A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US51141474A 1974-10-02 1974-10-02

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
CA1052881A true CA1052881A (en) 1979-04-17

Family

ID=24034805

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA224,736A Expired CA1052881A (en) 1974-10-02 1975-04-16 Moisture sealing grommet for an electrical connector

Country Status (7)

Country Link
JP (1) JPS5917487B2 (en)
CA (1) CA1052881A (en)
DE (1) DE2542627C2 (en)
FR (1) FR2287096A1 (en)
GB (1) GB1458959A (en)
IL (1) IL48078A (en)
IT (1) IT1043023B (en)

Families Citing this family (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS5499943U (en) * 1977-12-27 1979-07-14
JPS5782019U (en) * 1980-11-07 1982-05-20
JPS59122722U (en) * 1983-02-08 1984-08-18 カルソニックカンセイ株式会社 grommet
DE3729552A1 (en) * 1987-09-04 1989-03-23 Teves Gmbh Alfred Device for guiding one or a multiplicity of electric lines
JPH0399391A (en) * 1989-09-12 1991-04-24 Nitta Ind Corp Coin jam preventing device and coin carrier equipped with the same
FR2692728A1 (en) * 1992-06-22 1993-12-24 Souriau & Cie Sealing grommets and electrical connectors comprising such a grommet.
IT1271230B (en) * 1994-09-30 1997-05-27 Sace Spa INSULATOR FOR THROUGH CONDUCTOR
US20140217204A1 (en) * 2011-09-08 2014-08-07 Inernational Engine Intellectual Property Company, Llc Fuel injector solenoid and terminal assembly
CH709976B1 (en) * 2014-08-14 2017-12-15 Lapp Eng & Co Sealing mat and thus equipped contact insert for connectors.

Family Cites Families (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2881406A (en) * 1955-06-20 1959-04-07 Cannon Electric Co Moisture seal for connectors
FR1297979A (en) * 1961-02-06 1962-07-06 Cannon Electric Co Insulator for elastic connector with several hardnesses
US3221292A (en) * 1961-10-18 1965-11-30 Bendix Corp Electrical connector
US3327282A (en) * 1964-06-15 1967-06-20 Amphenol Corp Electrical connectors
FR2109493A6 (en) * 1970-10-23 1972-05-26 Rhone Progil Water soluble dyes dispersed in org mediums

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE2542627A1 (en) 1976-04-22
GB1458959A (en) 1976-12-22
FR2287096B1 (en) 1979-06-15
JPS5162394A (en) 1976-05-29
DE2542627C2 (en) 1984-08-02
IL48078A0 (en) 1975-11-25
IL48078A (en) 1977-07-31
IT1043023B (en) 1980-02-20
JPS5917487B2 (en) 1984-04-21
FR2287096A1 (en) 1976-04-30

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