Electrical connector having in-line manufactured seal and method of manufacture

摘要

Electrical connector having in-line manufactured seals and method of manufacturing such connectors. The method includes the steps of providing a connector housing defining a cavity in at least one end thereof, and forming a sealing member directly within each said cavity. According to a presently preferred embodiment, forming assemblies are mounted to the connector housing; and a low-temperature curing elastomeric material is injected into each said cavity and cured therein to form the sealing members. The forming means includes means for forming passageways through said sealing members generally aligned with passageways in said connector housing for receiving electrically conductive means therein; and the passageways in the sealing members include means for reliably sealing around the electrically conductive means. The connector housing is preferably molded of a relatively rigid plastic and includes means for retaining the sealing members locked in place within the cavities.