IPC분류정보
국가/구분 |
United States(US) Patent
등록
|
국제특허분류(IPC7판) |
|
출원번호 |
UP-0506343
(2006-08-17)
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등록번호 |
US-7645171
(2010-02-22)
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발명자
/ 주소 |
- Mott, Allen
- Carrer, Louis
- Jordan, John
|
출원인 / 주소 |
- FCI Americas Technology, Inc.
|
대리인 / 주소 |
|
인용정보 |
피인용 횟수 :
2 인용 특허 :
18 |
초록
▼
Disclosed herein are a method and an apparatus for providing a high efficiency seal in an electrical connector. The seal provides an impediment to the passage of fluid at one end of the electrical connector to the environment at the other end of the electrical connector. The electrical connector may
Disclosed herein are a method and an apparatus for providing a high efficiency seal in an electrical connector. The seal provides an impediment to the passage of fluid at one end of the electrical connector to the environment at the other end of the electrical connector. The electrical connector may be incorporated into an over-mold that contains other components. The electrical connector achieves the highly efficient seal through a combination of a dual torturous path design, incorporation of melt ribs, and may further involve the technique of impregnation.
대표청구항
▼
What is claimed is: 1. A fuel flange pre-mold electrical connector comprising: a conductor comprising a first portion, a second portion, and a bend between the first portion and the second portion, wherein the first portion comprises a first contact area, and wherein the second portion comprises a
What is claimed is: 1. A fuel flange pre-mold electrical connector comprising: a conductor comprising a first portion, a second portion, and a bend between the first portion and the second portion, wherein the first portion comprises a first contact area, and wherein the second portion comprises a second contact area and a plurality of first ribs between the bend and the second contact area; and a connector body comprising a first end, a second end, and a first section between the first end and the second end, wherein the first section comprises a plurality of second ribs, wherein the plurality of second ribs circumscribe an outer surface of the first section, wherein the connector body is configured to have a fuel tank flange seal overmolded on to the first end and the first section, wherein the second portion of the conductor extends through the first section of the connector body, wherein the second contact area of the conductor is embedded within the connector body proximate the second end, wherein the second contact area of the conductor is configured to be connected to a wire, wherein the second end is configured to extend from a first side of the fuel tank flange seal and inside a fuel tank for connection with a device within the fuel tank, wherein the first end is configured to extend from an opposite second side of the fuel tank flange seal and away from the fuel tank, and wherein the first ribs and the second ribs are configured to impede the passage of fuel from the fuel tank. 2. A fuel flange pre-mold electrical connector comprising: a conductor comprising a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion comprises a first contact area, wherein the second portion comprises a second contact area and a plurality of first ribs, and wherein the plurality of first ribs is closer to the second contact area than to the first contact area; and a connector body comprising a first end, a second end, and a first section between the first end and the second end, wherein the first section comprises a plurality of second ribs, wherein the plurality of second ribs circumscribe an outer surface of the first section, wherein the connector body is configured to have a fuel tank flange seal overmolded on to the first end and the first section, wherein the second portion of the conductor extends through the first section of the connector body, wherein the second contact area of the conductor is embedded within the connector body proximate the second end, wherein the second contact area of the conductor is configured to be connected to a wire, wherein the second end is configured to extend from a first side of the fuel tank flange seal and inside a fuel tank for connection with a device within the fuel tank, wherein the first end is configured to extend from an opposite second side of the fuel tank flange seal and away from the fuel tank, and wherein the first ribs and the second ribs are configured to impede the passage of fuel from the fuel tank. 3. An electrical connector comprising: a conductor comprising a first portion, a second portion, and a bend between the first portion and the second portion, wherein the first portion comprises a first contact area proximate a free end of the first portion, wherein the second portion comprises a second contact area proximate a free end of the second portion, wherein the second portion comprises a plurality of first ribs, wherein the plurality of first ribs is between the bend and the second contact area, and wherein the plurality of first ribs circumscribe an outer surface of the second portion; a connector body comprising a first end, a second end, and a first section between the first end and the second end, wherein the first section comprises a plurality of second ribs, wherein the second ribs circumscribe an outer surface of the first section, wherein the second portion of the conductor extends through the first section of the connector body, wherein the first portion of the conductor extends from a lateral side of the connector body proximate the first end, and wherein the second contact area of the conductor is embedded within the connector body proximate the second end, wherein the second contact area of the conductor is configured to be connected to a wire; and an overmold flange member connected to the connector body at the plurality of second ribs, wherein the overmold flange member is spaced from the plurality of first ribs, wherein the overmold flange member surrounds the first end and the first section of connector body, wherein the first contact area of the conductor extends from a surface of the overmold flange member, and wherein the first portion of the conductor extends between the surface of the overmold flange member and connector body. 4. An electrical connector, comprising: at least one electrical conductor embedded within an electrical insulating material forming a connector body, the connector body comprising a first end and an opposite second end, the conductor comprising a bend and a first plurality of ribs for defining a first tortuous path for impeding passage of a fluid between the conductor and the electrical insulating material, wherein the first plurality of ribs is between the bend and an end of the conductor, the connector body comprising on an outer surface a second plurality of ribs, an overmold surrounding structure connected to the second plurality of ribs on the outer surface of the connector body for impeding passage of the fluid between the connector body and the surrounding structure, wherein the surrounding structure comprises a plastic material, wherein the end of the conductor is embedded inside the connector body proximate the second end of the connector body, wherein the end of the conductor is configured to be connected to a wire, and wherein the second end of the connector body is at an exterior surface of the surrounding structure. 5. An electrical connector as in claim 4 where the electrical insulating material comprises polyoxymethylene. 6. An electrical connector as in claim 4 further comprising a coating applied over the connector body, the coating having been applied by impregnation. 7. An electrical connector as in claim 6 wherein the coating comprises dimethylacrylate. 8. An electrical connector as in claim 4 wherein the connector is adapted for impeding passage of the fluid which comprises a hydrocarbon based fuel. 9. A fuel flange electrical connector comprising: at least one electrical conductor embedded within an electrical insulating material forming a connector body, the conductor comprising a bend and a first plurality of ribs at a first area of the conductor, wherein the first area comprises the first plurality of ribs being arranged in a spaced series along a length of the conductor, wherein the first plurality of ribs is between the bend and an end of the conductor, wherein the end of the conductor is embedded inside the connector body, wherein the end of the conductor is configured to be connected to a wire, wherein the first plurality of ribs and the electrical insulating material define a first tortuous path which forms a first seal for impeding passage of hydrocarbon based fuel components between the conductor and the electrical insulating material, the connector body comprising on an outer surface a second plurality of ribs, wherein at least one of the second plurality of ribs loops around the outer surface; and an overmolded surrounding fuel flange overmolded onto the connector body for impeding passage of the hydrocarbon based fuel components between the connector body and the surrounding fuel flange, wherein the flange is overmolded onto the second plurality of ribs of the outer surface, and wherein the flange is spaced from the first area of the conductor. 10. A fuel flange electrical connector as in claim 9 wherein the electrical insulating material comprises polyoxymethylene. 11. A fuel flange electrical connector as in claim 9 wherein the connector body further comprises a coating applied over the connector body, the coating having been applied by impregnation. 12. A fuel flange electrical connector as in claim 11 where the coating comprises dimethylacrylate. 13. A vehicle fuel tank fuel flange and electrical connector comprising: a plurality of electrical conductors, each electrical conductor comprising a first end, an opposite second end, a bend between the first end and the second end, and a plurality of first ribs at a first area of the conductor between the bend and the second end, wherein the first area is proximate the second end, wherein the second end is configured to be connected to a wire, and wherein the first area comprises the plurality of first ribs being arranged in a spaced series along a length of the conductor; an overmold housing on the electrical conductors forming a pre-mold electrical connector, wherein the overmold housing extends between the first ribs of the electrical conductors to form a first tortuous joint, wherein the second ends of the conductors are disposed within the overmold housing, and wherein the housing comprises an outer surface having a plurality of second ribs, wherein at least one of the plurality of second ribs loops around the outer surface; and an overmold flange member on the pre-mold electrical connector, wherein the overmold flange member extends between the second ribs of the housing to form a second tortuous joint, and wherein the overmold flange member is spaced from the first areas of the plurality of electrical conductors. 14. A vehicle fuel tank fuel flange and electrical connector as in claim 13 wherein the overmold flange member is directly on portions of the electrical conductors. 15. A vehicle fuel tank fuel flange and electrical connector as in claim 13 wherein the electrical conductors comprise angled conductors with the bend, and wherein the overmold housing is on the electrical conductors at the bend. 16. A vehicle fuel tank fuel flange and electrical connector as in claim 15 wherein the angled conductors comprise right angle conductors. 17. A vehicle fuel tank fuel flange and electrical connector as in claim 13 wherein the electrical conductors each comprise a male contact portion at the first end and a flap contact portion at the opposite second end, and wherein the housing is overmolded on the flap contact portion. 18. A vehicle fuel tank fuel flange and electrical connector as in claim 13 further comprising a sealing material impregnated into the overmold housing. 19. A vehicle fuel tank fuel flange and electrical connector comprising: a pre-mold electrical connector comprising a plurality of electrical conductors and an overmold housing, wherein each of the plurality of electrical conductors comprises a bend and a plurality of first ribs at a first area between the bend and an end of each of the conductors, wherein the end of each of the conductors is embedded inside the overmold housing, wherein the end of each of the conductors is configured to be connected to a wire, wherein the plurality of first ribs circumscribe the first area of each of the conductors, wherein the overmold housing comprises an outer surface having a plurality of second ribs, and wherein the overmold housing comprises portions which extend between the plurality of first ribs of each of the electrical conductors to form a first tortuous sealing joint between the overmold housing and the individual electrical conductors, wherein at least one of the plurality of second ribs loops around the outer surface; and an overmold flange member on the pre-mold electrical connector, wherein the overmold flange member extends between the second ribs of the overmold housing to form a second tortuous sealing joint, and wherein the overmold flange member is spaced from the first areas of the plurality of electrical conductors. 20. A vehicle fuel tank fuel flange and electrical connector as in claim 19 wherein the overmold flange member is directly on portions of the electrical conductors. 21. A vehicle fuel tank fuel flange and electrical connector as in claim 19 wherein the electrical conductors comprise angled conductors with the bend, and wherein the overmold housing is on the electrical conductors at the bend. 22. A vehicle fuel tank fuel flange and electrical connector as in claim 21 wherein the angled conductors comprise right angle conductors. 23. A vehicle fuel tank fuel flange and electrical connector as in claim 19 wherein the electrical conductors each comprise a male contact portion at a first end and a flap contact portion at an opposite second end, and wherein the overmold housing is overmolded on the flap contact portion. 24. A vehicle fuel tank fuel flange and electrical connector as in claim 19 further comprising a sealing material impregnated into the overmold housing. 25. A fuel flange electrical connector as in claim 9 wherein the at least one second rib comprises a series of the second ribs looping around the outer surface. 26. A fuel flange electrical connector as in claim 9 wherein the at least one second rib comprises a substantially uniform series of the second ribs looping around the outer surface. 27. A vehicle fuel tank fuel flange and electrical connector as in claim 13 wherein the at least one second rib comprises a series of the second ribs looping around the outer surface. 28. A vehicle fuel tank fuel flange and electrical connector as in claim 13 wherein the at least one second rib comprises a substantially uniform series of the second ribs looping around the outer surface. 29. A vehicle fuel tank fuel flange and electrical connector as in claim 19 wherein the at least one second rib comprises a series of the second ribs looping around the outer surface. 30. A vehicle fuel tank fuel flange and electrical connector as in claim 19 wherein the at least one second rib comprises a substantially uniform series of the second ribs looping around the outer surface. 31. A vehicle fuel tank fuel flange and electrical connector as in claim 13 wherein the plurality of first ribs circumscribe the first area of the conductor, and wherein the plurality of second ribs loop around the outer surface of the overmold housing. 32. A vehicle fuel tank fuel flange and electrical connector as in claim 19 wherein each of the plurality of electrical conductors comprises a first end, an opposite second end, wherein the first ends of the electrical conductors extend from a portion of the overmold flange member, and wherein the overmold housing surrounds the second ends of the electrical conductors.
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