WO2013156343A1

WO2013156343A1 - Seal retention arrangement for electrical plug-in connectors

Info

Publication number: WO2013156343A1
Application number: PCT/EP2013/057367
Authority: WO
Inventors: John Marsh
Original assignee: Tyco Electronics Uk Ltd
Priority date: 2012-04-16
Filing date: 2013-04-09
Publication date: 2013-10-24
Also published as: EP2654132A1; EP2654132B1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a receptacle housing (2, 2', 2", 2"') for a plug element (1, 1', 1", 1"') and/or mating plug element (100) of an electrical plug-in connector (200, 200', 200") in a plug-in direction (P, P') of the plug-in connector (200, 200', 200"), comprising a sealing section adapted to hold a sealing element (3, 3', 3", 3"') for sealing up between the plug element (1, 1', 1", 1"') and the mating plug element (100), wherein the sealing section comprises at least one counter retention element (11, 11', 11", 11"') adapted to engage with a retention element (31a, 31b, 31c) formed at the sealing element in order to secure the sealing element (3, 3', 3", 3"') against movements in the plug-in direction (P, P').. Further, the invention relates to a sealing element (3, 3', 3", 3"') for sealing up between a plug element (1, 1', 1", 1"') and a mating plug element (100) of an electrical plug-in connector (200, 200', 200"), an axial direction (Q) of the sealing element (3, 3', 3", 3"') running essentially in parallel to a plug-in direction (P) for mating the plug element (1, 1 ', 1 ", 1 "') and the mating plug element (100).. In order to secure the sealing element (3, 3', 3", 3"') in the mounted position S, the present invention provides that the at least one counter retention element (11, 11', 11", 11"') is resiliency deflectable and in that the sealing element (3, 3', 3", 3"') further comprises at least one retention element (31a, 31b, 31c) adapted to engage with a counter retention element (11, 11', 11", 11 "') formed at least at one of the plug element (1, 1 ', 1 ", 1 "') and the counter plug-element (100) in order to secure the sealing element (3, 3', 3", 3"') against movements in the axial direction (Q).

Description

SEAL RETENTION ARRANGEMENT FOR ELECTRICAL PLUG-IN CONNECTORS

The invention relates to a receptacle housing for a plug element and/or mating plug element of an electrical plug-in connector in a plug-in direction of the plug-in connector, comprising a sealing section adapted to hold a sealing element for sealing up between the plug element and the mating plug element, wherein the sealing section comprises at least one counter retention element adapted to engage with a retention element formed at the sealing element in order to secure the sealing element against movements in parallel to the plug-in direction.

Further, the present invention relates to a sealing element for sealing up between a plug element and a mating plug element of an electrical plug-in connector, an axial direction of the sealing element running essentially in parallel to a plug-in direction for mating the plug element and the mating plug element.

Moreover, the present invention relates to an electrical plug-in connector.

Sealing elements, receptacle housings and electrical plug-in connectors mentioned above are known. The plug-in connectors comprising the housings and the sealing elements are often used in hostile environments as they may be applied in vehicles for example. In these hostile environments, the plug-in connectors are exposed to vibrations, moisture, dirt, dust and possibly chemical aggressive substances. When aggressive, corroding or electrically conductive substances would get into a connection area between mating contact elements of a connector, they could cause interruptions of the power supply or false circuits. Hence, the connectors have to be provided with sealings which prevent any harmful substances from entering the connector and affecting the contact elements arranged therein. It is desired to hermetically seal the connector. An overall sealing should at least be liquid-tight and optimally gas-tight.

A sealed electrical connector according to the prior art is described in the US patent specification US 7,540, 775 B2 for example which shows a sealed electrical plug-in connector. A plug seal of this connector is arranged between a header shroud and a receptacle housing. A flange formed at the seal and radially extending therefrom is jammed between the bottom formed at the receptacle housing and a rim of the header shroud.

Known connectors as mentioned above and described in the prior art suffer from the disadvantages that their sealings may deform, fold or wrinkle while mating the connector which could lead to an insufficient abutment of the sealing to the housing and/or header shroud, whereby harmful substances could enter the connector. Further, known sealings suffer from the disadvantage that the sealings may be pulled off or out of the connector when un-mating the connector making it cumbersome to re-mate the connector properly.

In view of the disadvantages of the prior art mentioned above, an object underlying the invention is to provide an electrical plug-in connector which is sealable and reliable, yet easy to use and to assemble.

This object is achieved according to the invention for the receptacle housing mentioned in the beginning of the description in that the at least one counter retention element is resiliency deflectable.

For the sealing element mentioned at the beginning of the description, the above-mentioned problems are solved in that the sealing element further comprises at least one retention element adapted to engage with a counter retention element formed at least at one of the plug element and/or the counter plug element according to the present invention in order to secure the sealing element against movements in the axial direction and/or plug-in direction.

For the electrical plug-in connector mentioned in the beginning of the description, the above- mentioned problems are solved in that the plug-in connector comprises at least one sealing element and a receptacle housing according to the present invention.

These simple solutions provide that the sealing element may be properly retained in its mounted position at the plug element and/or the mating plug element. It may thereby not be deformed, folded or wrinkled while mating the plug element and the mating plug element. Further, the sealing element may not get pulled out of its mounted position so easily when un-mating the plug element and the mating plug element. The plug element may be a first connector element and the mating plug element may be a second connector element of an electrical plug-in connector, wherein the first connector element in the second connector element may have complementary shapes in order to be brought into engagement with each other when mating. During mating and un-mating the sealing element may be accurately kept in place while bringing the plug element and the mating plug element into engagement with each other.

The solutions according to the invention can be combined as desired and further improved by the following further embodiments that are advantageous on their own in each case:

According to a first further embodiment of a receptacle housing according to the present inven- tion it may be provided that the at least one counter retention element is resiliency deflectable in a direction extending essentially perpendicularly to the plug-in direction. The counter retention element may be formed as snap-in tongue at least partially extending in parallel to the plug-in direction. Thereby, the counter retention element may have spring characteristics in a direction extending essentially perpendicularly to the plug-in direction whereby the counter retention element may snap into the retention element and thereby may be easily brought into engagement with the retention element.

A cavity for at least partially receiving a header shroud of the plug element or the mating plug element may be formed between the counter retention element and a wall of the receptacle housing. This cavity may accommodate the header shroud in a fully mated state of the plug element and the mating plug element. The sealing element and/or the counter retention element may thereby be immobilized between the header shroud and the wall of the receptacle housing, such that the sealing element and/or the counter retention element may not move in a radial direction or a direction running essentially perpendicularly to the plug-in direction. Hence, the retention element and the counter retention element may be held in a retention position and/or mounted position, respectively. According to a further embodiment of the sealing element, the at least one retention element may at least partially extend in a radial direction of the sealing element, wherein the radial direction is extending essentially perpendicularly to the axial direction. Thereby, the retention element may be brought into engagement with the counter retention element in such a way that movements of the sealing elements in parallel to the axial direction and/or plug-in direction may be blocked and the sealing element securely immobilized.

The at least one retention element may be formed as a recess. Thereby, the counter retention element may protrude into the retention element for blocking and/or latching the sealing element in its mounted position.

The at least one retention element may be formed as a groove which at least partially extends along a circumference of the sealing element. Thereby, the counter retention element may interact with the retention element along the circumference of the sealing element in order to secure the sealing element along its circumference and prevent even a partial folding or wrinkling as well as partial displacement of the sealing element with respect to its mounted position.

The sealing element may comprise a sealing portion and a retention portion attached to the seal- ing portion and providing the at least one retention element. Thereby, the sealing function may be assigned to the sealing portion and the retention function may be assigned to the retention portion. Hence, the sealing portion may be designed for optimal sealing characteristics and the retention portion may be designed for optimal retention characteristics.

The sealing portion and the latching portion may have an essentially planar side on a side of the sealing element lying opposite the retention element. On the planar side, the sealing portion and the latching portion may be aligned with respect to each other, at least in parallel to the axial direction. Any sealing protrusions such as lamellas on a sideline opposite to the planar side may provide a structured side of the sealing element. Hence, the sealing element may be brought into flush abutment with its planar side to the plug element and/or mating plug element which enhances sealing up the electrical connector while on the other side, the retention element may be easily accessed.

The retention element may provide an engagement surface in form of a bevel which is at least partially slanted with respect to the axial direction. Thereby, the counter retention element may easily be brought into engagement with the retention element in that the counter retention element may slip into the retention element along the bevelled engagement surface. The sealing element may at least partially have a ring-like cross-section. Thereby, it may be elastically deformable in a radial direction. Thus, it may be elastically tensioned when wrapped around a plug portion for example in order to enhance sealing characteristics.

The sealing element may generally have a tubular shape. Hence, the sealing element may provide a tubular inner circumference as well as a tubular outer circumference which may be brought into flush abutment with the plug element and/or the mating plug element.

According to a further possible embodiment of an electrical plug-in connector according to the present invention it may be provided that the plug-in connector comprises at least one plug element and a mating plug element, wherein a fully mated state of at least one plug element and the at least one mating plug element, the retention element and the counter retention element are blocked in a retention position. Thereby, accidentally disengaging the retention element and the counter element may be prevented. The retention element and the counter retention element may be adapted for engagement with each other in the mounted position and/or locked or retained position of the sealing element.

In the fully mated state, the retention element and the counter retention element may overlap with the plug element and the mating plug element in a direction perpendicular to the plug-in direction. Thereby, for example in a radial direction of the plug-in connector, any displacement of the retention element and the counter retention element is omitted which helps in securely immobilizing the sealing element in its mounted position.

The invention will be described in more detail by way of example hereinafter using advantageous embodiments and with reference to the drawings. The described embodiments are only possible configurations in which the individual features may however, as described above, be implemented independently of each other or may be omitted. Equal elements illustrated in the drawings are provided with equal reference signs. Redundant parts of the description relating to equal elements illustrated in different drawings are left out.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a plug element and a sealing element according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the sealing element is in a pre- mounted position;

Fig. 2 is a schematic bottom view of the plug element shown in Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 3 is a schematic side view of the plug element shown in Figs. 1 and 2;

Fig. 4 is a schematic top view of the plug element shown in Figs. 1 to 3 with the sealing element in the mounted position;

Fig. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the plug element shown in Figs. 1 to 4 with the sealing element in the mounted position along the cross-sectional line A-A illustrated in Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view along the middle axis of another embodiment of a plug element and a sealing element according to the present invention;

Fig. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view along the middle axis of another embodiment of a plug element and a sealing element according to the present invention;

Fig. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view along the middle axis of another embodiment of a plug element and a sealing element according to the present invention; and

Fig. 9 is a front view of a detail of a retention arrangement for affixing a sealing element in an electrical plug-in connector shown in Fig. 8. A construction of a plug element 1 according to the invention will first be described in the following with reference to Fig. 1 , which shows a schematic perspective view of the plug element 1. The plug element 1 comprises a housing 2 and a sealing element 3.

The housing 2 has a plug portion 2a and a terminal portion 2b. The plug portion 2a is adapted to be mated with a mating plug connector (not yet shown) in a plug direction P of the plug element 1 running in parallel to a height direction Z of the plug element 1 . In other words, the plug element 1 may be plugged into the mating plug element in the plug direction P. The mating plug element may be plugged into the plug element 1 in the mating plug direction P'. In the plug portion 2a, an outer shell 4 of the housing 2 has an upper rim 4a and an inner circumference 4b. The outer shell 4 surrounds a plug 5 of the plug element 1 formed by an inner shell. The plug 5 has a front side 5a facing into the plug direction P and an outer circumference 5b.

A receptacle 6 of the plug element 1 is formed between the inner circumference 4b of the outer shell 4 and the outer circumference 5b of the plug 5. A bottom 6a of the receptacle 6 faces into the plug direction P. At the front side 5a of the plug 5, contact receptacles 7 of the plug element 1 have an opening 7a through which a mating contact (not shown) may be mated with an electrical contact (not shown), e.g. a terminal, socket and/or pin may be plugged into the contact receptacles 7 in the mating plug direction P'. The contact receptacles 7 are arranged in two rows 8a and 8b of contact receptacles 7. In each row 8a and 8b, the opening 7a of the contact receptacles 7 are aligned in a lateral direction X of the plug element 1 . The lateral direction X extends perpendicularly to the height direction Z. The rows 8a, 8b of contact receptacles 7 are arranged next to each other in a cross direction Y of the contact element 1 . The cross direction Y extends perpendicularly to the lateral direction X and the height direction Z.

The outer shell 4, the plug 5 and the receptacle 6 are arranged essentially concentrically with respect to a middle axis of the plug element 1 and a middle axis M₂ of the housing 2. Hence, the inner circumference 4b of the outer shell 4 and the outer circumference 5b of the plug 5 are extending essentially in parallel to each other in the plug direction P. Further, the housing 2 is provided with a latching element 9 for latching the plug element 1 and the mating plug element in a fully mated state B (not yet shown). The latching element 9 comprises a guidance 9a and a latch 9b. The guidance 9b extends essentially in parallel to the plug direction P. The latch 9b extends almost in parallel to the plug direction B and is slightly slanted with respect to the plug direction P in order to exert a spring force acting perpendicularly to the plug direction P when interacting with a mating latching element (not shown) of a mating plug element. A plug face 10 of the plug element 1 faces into the plug direction P and is formed by the respective shapes and contours of the plug portion 2a, i.e. the outer shell 4, the plug 5, the receptacle 6, the contact receptacles 7 and the latching element 9 in a projection in parallel to the plug direction P.

The sealing element 3 comprises a ring member 30 and two retention elements 31 a. An outer circumference 32 of the ring member 30 is provided with lamellas 32a extending along the outer circumference 32. An inner circumference 33 of the ring member 30 is also provided with lamella 33a extending in parallel to each other along the inner circumference 33. The ring member 30 forms a passage 34 with its inner circumference 33. The passage 34 extends in an axial direction Q of the ring member 30 extending essentially in parallel to a middle axis M₃ of the ring member 30 and the sealing element 1 from a front face 30a of the ring member to a rear face 30b of the ring member. The rear face 30b of the ring member 30 faces into an insertion direction I of the sealing element 3, in which insertion direction I the sealing element 3 is adapted to be inserted into the receptacle 6 of the housing 2. A retention element 31 of the sealing element 3 is arranged at the outer circumference 32 of the ring member 30 in the vicinity of a rear face 30b of the ring member. The retention element 31 protrudes from the outer circumference 32 of the ring member 30 in a second radial direction R₂.

Fig. 2 shows a schematic bottom view of the plug element 1 . Here it becomes apparent that the contact receptacles 7 extend through the plug element 1 in parallel to the plug direction P. Hence, at a rear face 4c of the outer shell 4, the contact receptacles 7 have rear openings 7b opening towards the plug direction P. Fig. 3 shows a schematic side view of the plug element 1 . Fig. 4 is a schematic front view of the plug element 1 in a pre-mated state A with the sealing element 3 in the mounted position S. The sealing element 3 is inserted into the housing 2 in the mounted position S and captively held in a retention position T of the retention element 31 . The sealing element is arranged within the receptacle 6 so that the inner circumference 33 of the sealing element 3 snugly encloses the outer circumference 5b of the plug 5. The outer circum- ference 32 of the sealing element 3 is distanced from the inner circumference 4b of the outer shell 4 such that a clearance 6b for accommodating a header shroud (not yet shown) of a mating plug element (not yet shown) extends between the inner circumference 4b of the outer shell 4 and the outer circumference 5b of the plug in the radial directions Ri and R₂.

Fig. 5 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the plug element 1 along the cross-section line A-A illustrated in Fig. 3. Here the plug element 1 is in the pre-mated stated A and ready to be brought into engagement with a mating plug element (not yet shown) in the plug direction P. The sealing element 3 is inserted into the receptacle 6 parallel to the insertion direction I. The sealing element 3 comprises a sealing portion 3a and a retention portion 3b. The sealing portion 3a is arranged above the retention portion 3b, i.e. before the retention portion 3b in the insertion direction I or against the plug direction P. The inner circumference 33 of the sealing element 3 in the region of the retention portion 3a abuts the plug 5. The inner circumference 33 snugly encompasses a wall portion 5c of the plug 5, in particular an outer circumference 5d of the wall portion 5c. The rear face 30b formed at the retention portion 3b of the plug element 3 abuts the bottom 6a of the receptacle 6. Hence, the sealing element 3 is supported with its rear face 30b at the bottom 6a of the receptacle 6 such that forces acting in the insertion direction I and/or against the plug direction P may be absorbed at the bottom 6a of the receptacle 6.

A retention element 31 b in the form of a recess or groove extends along the inner circumference 33 of the sealing element 3. A counter retention element 1 1 formed at the outer circumference 5b of the plug 5 engages with the retention element 31 b. Thereby, pulling out the sealing element 3 of the receptacle 6 in a direction opposite to the insertion direction I is prevented. The counter retention element 1 1 comprises a detent 1 1 a in the form of a latching nose, a spring element 1 1 b and a spring section 1 1 c. The detent 1 1 a is formed at the spring element 1 1 b and protrudes therefrom in the radial direction R, R₂. The spring element 1 1 b extends essentially in parallel to the plug direction P and/or insertion direction I. The spring element 1 1 b may have the form of a lamella or latching tongue which may be connected to the housing 2 via the spring section 1 1 c which may render the spring element 1 1 b resiliently deflectable. The spring section 1 1 c may comprise a recess or attenuation section where the material of the housing 2, e.g. of a wall of the housing 2, e.g. of the plug 5, may be weakened such that an elasticity of the spring section 1 1 c is higher than an elasticity of the spring element 1 1 b and/or the housing 2, in particular of their walls. Hence, the spring element 1 1 b and therewith the detent 1 1 a may be at least slightly resiliently pivotable about the spring section 1 1 c. In order to facilitate an insertion of a header shroud (not yet shown) of a mating plug element (not yet shown) into the clearance 6b in the mating plug direction P', the sealing element is provided with a front bevel 37.

Fig. 6 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of an electrical plug-in connector 200 comprising a plug element 1 ' and a mating element plug element 100 in a fully mated state B with the sealing element 3 in the mounted position S and/or retention element 31 c retention position T ac- cording to another embodiment of the present invention. The plug element 1 ' comprises a housing 2' with an outer shell 4' and a plug 5'. A header shroud 101 of the mating plug element 100 is inserted into the clearance 6b between the inner circumference 4b of the outer shell 4' and the outer circumference 32 of the sealing element 3' in the region of the sealing portion 3a. In the region of the retention portion 3b, a tip 101 a of the header shroud 101 is arranged in the vicinity of the bottom 6a of the receptacle 6. The outer circumference 101 b of the header shroud 101 faces the inner circumference 4b of the outer shell 4'. An inner circumference 101 c of the header shroud 100 faces a counter retention element 1 1 ' formed at the plug element 1 '.

The counter retention element 1 1 ' comprises a detent 1 1 a in the form of a snap-in nose formed at a spring element 1 1 b in the form of a latching tongue extending in the plug direction P. The spring element 1 1 b is attached to the outer shell 4' via a spring section 1 1 c about which the spring element 1 1 b is resiliency deflectable such that the detent 1 1 a may be displaced in the radial direction R_{1 ;} i.e. in a direction extending perpendicularly to the insertion direction I such that the detent 1 1 a may be displaced by the rear face 30b while inserting the sealing element 3 into a clearance between the outer circumference 5b of the plug 5' and the retention element 1 1 a. Displacement of the retention element 1 1 ' perpendicularly to the insertion direction I is facilitated in that the rear face 30b of the spring element 3' is provided with a bevel 30d and accordingly, the detent is also provided with a bevel 1 1 d.

In the retention position T of the retention element 1 1 ' shown in Fig. 6, the header shroud 101 and in particular the inner circumference 101 c of the header shroud 101 blocks any movement of the counter retention element 1 1 ' in the radial direction Ri and thereby prevents disengaging the detent 1 1 a and the retention element 31 c. The plug 5', the retention portion 3b, the counter retention element 1 1 ', the header shroud 101 and the outer shell 4', in particular the inner circumference 4b of the outer shell 4' overlap in a projection along the radial direction Ri , thereby securing the counter retention element 1 1 ' in the retention position T.

Fig. 7 shows another embodiment of a plug-in connector 200' comprising a plug element 1 " and the counter plug element 100 according to the present invention. The plug element 1 " comprises a housing 2" with an outer shell 4". The outer shell 4" is provided with a counter retention element 1 1 " having a spring element 1 1 b in the form of a latching tongue extending in the insertion direction I. In the retention position T shown in Fig. 7, the retention portion 3b of the sealing element 3" is arranged between the counter retention element 1 1 " and the outer circumference 5b of a plug 5" of the plug element 1 ". The header shroud 101 sits snugly between the inner circumference 4b of the outer shell 4" and the sealing portion 3a of the sealing element 3".

Fig. 8 shows another embodiment of a plug-in connector 200" comprising a plug element 1 "' and a mating plug element 100 in the fully mated state B with a sealing element 3"' in the mounted position S. A counter retention element 1 1 "' is formed as a latching tongue attached to an outer shell 4"' and extending perpendicularly to the insertion direction I and in parallel to the radial direction Ri and/or the radial direction R₂, the detent 1 1 a formed at the counter retention ele- ment 1 1 "' juts into the retention element 31 c. The retention portion 3b, of the sealing element 3"' is jammed between the outer circumference 5b of a plug 5"' and the detent 1 1 a. The retention portion 3b juts beyond the detent 1 1 a in the insertion direction I with an annex 30e in the form of a detent. Fig. 9 is a schematic front view of a region of the plug-in connector 200" shown in Fig. 8, where the counter retention element 1 1 "' with its nose or detent 1 1 a juts into the retention element 31 c in the form of a recess within the retention portion 3b in order to latch an embodiment of a sealing element 3 according to the present invention in the mounted position S of the sealing element and the retention position T of the counter retention element 31 c and/or 31 d and the counter retention element 1 1 "'.

Deviations from the above-described embodiments are possible without departing from the scope of the present invention. A plug-in connector 200, 200', 200" may be provided with plug elements 1 , 1 ', 1 ", 1 "' and mating plug elements 100 in whatever form and shape required for mating electrical elements or terminals while transferring the plug-in connector from a pre-mated state A into a fully mated state B, bringing a sealing element 3, 3', 3", 3"' from a pre-mounted position into a mounted position S and retaining the sealing element 3, 3', 3", 3"' by an interaction of a retention element 31 , 31 a, 31 b, 31 c to interact with a counter retention element 1 1 , 1 1 ', 1 1 ", 1 1 "' in the retention position, such that the sealing element 3, 3', 3", 3"' may not or may at least not get easily pulled out of the receptacle 6 or pulled off the plug 5, 5', 5", 5"' in a direction against the insertion direction I. The plug element 1 , 1 ', 1 ", 1 "' may comprise housings 2, 2', 2", 2"' and sealing elements 3, 3', 3", 3"' in whatever number and form required by a desired application.

The housing 2, 2', 2", 2"' may have a plug portion 2a and terminal portion 2b formed by an outer shell 4, 4', 4" having an upper rim 4a, an inner circumference 4b and a rear face 4c as well as a plug 5, 5', 5", 5"' with a front side 5a and an outer circumference 5b in order to form a receptacle 6 with a bottom 6a, a clearance 6b, contact receptacles 7, front openings 7a and rear openings 7b of the contact receptacles in any number, form, shape and arrangement required by the desired application. Furthermore, the plug element 1 , 1 ', 1 ", 1 "' may have latching elements 9 with guidances 9a and latches 9b in whatever number and form required. The plug face 10 of the plug element 1 , 1 ', 1 ", 1 "' may be designed as a standardised and/or customised plug face 10 according to any specific requirements of a certain application in order to be mated with a mating plug face comprising a header shroud 101 of a mating plug element 100. The sealing element 3, 3', 3", 3"' may be provided with a sealing portion 3a, a retention portion 3b, a ring member 30, a front face 30a, a rear face 30b, an outer circumference 32 with lamellas 32a, an inner circumference 33 with lamellas 33a, a through-hole 34, a retention element 35, a socket 36 and a front bevel 37 in whatever form, shape and number required for securely seal- ing up between the plug element 1, 1', 1", 1"' and the mating plug element 100. The retention elements 31a to 31c may be provided with bevels 30d and annexes 30e in any form, number and shape required by a certain application in order to interact with a counter retention element 11, 11', 11", 11"' formed at the plug element 1 , 1 ', 1 ", 1 "' and/or the mating plug element 100 and having a spring element 11b, a spring section 11c and/or a bevel 11 d in whatever number, form and shape required for secure engagement and/or prevention of unwanted deformation and pulling off of the counter retention element 11, 11', 11", 11 "" as well as possibly enabling a visual and/or tactile inspection of a correct position, i.e. a correct mounted position S of the sealing element 3, 3', 3", 3"' and/or retention position T of the retention element 31a-c, 35 and/or the counter retention elements 11, 11', 11', 11"' preferably without additional components or proc- esses.

Claims

ims

Receptacle housing (2, 2', 2", 2"') for a plug element (1 , 1 ', 1 ", 1 "') and/or mating plug element (100) of an electrical plug-in connector (200, 200', 200") in a plug-in direction (P, P') of the plug-in connector (200, 200', 200"), with a sealing section adapted to hold a sealing element (3, 3', 3", 3"') for sealing up between the plug element (1 , 1 ', 1 ", 1 "') and the mating plug element (100), wherein the sealing section comprises at least one counter retention element (1 1 , 1 1 ', 1 1 ", 1 1 "') adapted to engage with a retention element (31 a, 31 b, 31 c) formed at the sealing element (3, 3', 3", 3"') in order to secure the sealing element (3, 3', 3", 3"') against movements in parallel to the plug-in direction (P, P') characterised in that the counter retention element (1 1 , 1 1 ', 1 1 ", 1 1 "') is resiliency deflectable.

Receptacle housing (2, 2', 2", 2"') according to claim 1 , characterised in that the at least one counter retention element (1 1 , 1 1 ', 1 1 ", 1 1 "') is resiliency deflectable in a direction extending essentially perpendicularly to the plug-in direction (P, P').

Receptacle housing (2, 2', 2", 2"') according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the counter retention element (1 1 , 1 1 ', 1 1 ", 1 1 "') is formed as a snap-in tongue at least partially extending in parallel to the plug-in direction (P, P').

Receptacle housing (2, 2', 2", 2"') according to at least one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that a cavity for at least partially receiving a header shroud (101 ) of the plug element (1 , 1 ', 1 ", 1 "') or the mating plug element (100) is formed between the counter retention element (1 1 , 1 1 ', 1 1 ", 1 "') and a wall of the receptacle housing (2, 2', 2", 2"').

Sealing element (3, 3', 3", 3"') for sealing up between a plug element (1 , 1 ', 1 ", 1 "') and a mating plug element (100) of an electrical plug-in connector (200, 200', 200"), an axial direction (Q) of the sealing element (3, 3', 3", 3"') running essentially in parallel to a plug-in direction (P) for mating the plug element (1 , 1 ', 1 ", 1 "') and the mating plug element (100), characterised in that the sealing element (3, 3', 3", 3"') further comprises at least one retention element (31 a, 31 b, 31 c) adapted to engage with a counter retention element (1 1 , 1 1 ', 1 1 ", 1 1 "') formed at least at one of the plug element (1 , 1 ', 1 ", 1 "') and the counter plug-element (100) according to at least one of claims 1 to 4 above, in order to secure the sealing element (3, 3', 3", 3"') against movements in the axial direction (Q).

6. Sealing element (3, 3', 3", 3"') according to claim 4, characterised in that the at least one retention element (31 a, 31 b, 31 c) at least partially extends in a radial direction (Ri , R₂) of the sealing element (3, 3', 3", 3"'), wherein the radial direction (Ri , R₂) is extending essentially perpendicularly to the axial direction (Q).

7. Sealing element (3, 3', 3", 3"') according to claim 4 or 5, characterised in that the at least one retention element (31 a, 31 b, 31 c) is formed as a groove at least partially extending along a circumference (32, 33) of the sealing element (3, 3', 3", 3"'). 8. Sealing element (3, 3', 3", 3"') according to at least one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the sealing element (3, 3', 3", 3"') comprises a sealing portion (3a) and a latching portion (3b) attached to the sealing portion (3a) and providing the at least one retention element (31 a, 31 b, 31 c). 9. Sealing element (3, 3', 3", 3"') according to claim 5, characterised in that sealing portion (3a) and the latching portion (3b) have an essentially planar side (33) on a side of the sealing element (3, 3', 3", 3"') lying opposite to the retention element (31 a, 31 b, 31 b).

10. Sealing element (3, 3', 3", 3"') according to at least one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the retention element (31 a, 31 b, 31 c) provides an engagement surface which is at least partially bevelled with respect to the axial direction (Q).

1 1 . Sealing element (3, 3', 3", 3"') according to at least one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the sealing element (3, 3', 3", 3"') at least partially has a ring-like cross-section.

12. Sealing element (3, 3', 3", 3"') according to at least one of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that the sealing element (3, 3', 3", 3"') generally has a tubular shape.

13. Electrical plug-in connector (200, 200', 200") characterised by a receptacle housing (2, 2', 2", 2"') according to at least one of claims 1 to 4 and at least one sealing element (3, 3',

3", 3"') according to at least one of claims 5 to 12 .

14. Electrical plug-in connector (200, 200', 200") according to claim 13, characterised in that the plug-in connector (200, 200', 200") comprises at least one plug element (1 , 1 ', 1 ", 1 "') and a mating plug element (100), wherein in a fully mated state (B) of the at least one plug element (1 , 1 ', 1 ", 1 "') and the at least one mating plug element (1 , 1 ', 1 ", 1 "'), the retention element (31 a, 31 b, 31 c) and the counter retention element (11, 11', 11", 11 "') are blocked in a retention position (T).

Electrical plug-in connector (200, 200', 200") according to claim 13 or 14, characterised in that in the fully mated state (B) the retention element (31 a, 31 b, 31 c) and the counter retention element (11, 11', 11", 1 "") overlap with the plug element (1 , 1 ', 1 ", 1 "') and the mating plug element (100) in a direction perpendicular to the plug-in direction (P, P').