# US 9,437,955 B2 · Sealed connector and method of sealing a connector

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- Number: US 9,437,955 B2
- Document ID: US9437955B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 13/736,580
- Filed: 2013-01-08
- Published: 2013-07-25
- Granted: 2016-09-06
- Earliest claimed: 2012-01-25
- Assignees: Robert Bosch GmbH
- Applicants: ROBERT BOSCH GmbH
- Inventors: Liebhart Zaiser; Thomas Wenzler
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9437955B2

## CPC

- H01R 13/52: Dustproof, splashproof, drip-proof, waterproof, or flameproof cases
- H01R 13/405: Securing in non-demountable manner, e.g. moulding, riveting
- H01R 13/5216: {characterised by the sealing material, e.g. gels or resins}
- H01R 43/005: {for making dustproof, splashproof, drip-proof, waterproof, or flameproof connection, coupling, or casing}
- H01R: ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS

## Abstract

A connector for electrical supply of a unit of the hydraulics which can be arranged or is arranged at a casing of such unit. Thereby at least one current path penetrates a connector bottom of the connector and the connector bottom is sealed with a silicone-containing compound against penetrating moisture in an area of this passage. The compound is an adhesive having high adhesive forces. A casing of a unit of the hydraulics can include such connector. A method of sealing a connector bottom of a connector penetrated by a current path is disclosed via which connector a unit of the hydraulics is adapted to be electrically supplied, the method includes a step of sealing a passage of the current path through the connector bottom with silicone-containing adhesive.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A connector for electrical supply of a unit of the hydraulics adapted to be arranged at a casing of the unit, the connector comprising:
a connector bottom of the connector that is penetrated by at least one current path and a passage of the at least one current path is sealed with a silicone-containing compound, the compound being a silicone adhesive and being light-hardened,
wherein in a finished product the silicone adhesive is ductile or viscous in an area close to the connector bottom to being not fully hardened in this area while being fully hardened in areas away from the connector bottom.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The connector according to claim 1, wherein the connector bottom is potted with the adhesive at least in an area of the passage of the at least one current path.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The connector according to claim 1, wherein a gap disposed between the at least one current path and the connector bottom is potted with the adhesive.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The connector according to claim 1, wherein the adhesive is a single-component adhesive.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The connector according to claim 1, wherein the adhesive is an acetoxy adhesive.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The connector according to claim 1, wherein the adhesive is additionally humidity-hardened.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The connector according to claim 1, wherein an insulating resistance via the sealed passage of the at least one current path is higher than 0.5 mega ohm (0.5 MΩ).

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The connector according to claim 1, wherein the unit is a coil of a solenoid or an equipment cabinet.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The connector according to claim 8, wherein a valve is operable via the solenoid.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The connector according to claim 1, wherein a coil winding is arranged at the connector.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

A casing of a unit of the hydraulics at which the connector according to claim 1 is arranged.

### Claim 12

A method of sealing a passage of at least one current path through a connector bottom of a connector, wherein a unit of the hydraulics can be electrically supplied via the connector, the method comprising:
sealing the passage with a silicone-containing adhesive; and
hardening the silicone-containing adhesive by light,
wherein in a finished product the silicone-containing adhesive is ductile or viscous in an area close to the connector bottom to being not fully hardened in this area while being fully hardened in areas away from the connector bottom.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The method according to claim 12, wherein after or during hardening of the silicone-containing adhesive by light a step of
hardening the silicone-containing adhesive by humidity is carried out.