JPH08236193A - Waterproof connector - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To prevent the deterioration of waterproof performance by the deformation of a rubber plug by suppressing the deformation of the rubber plug where the wires of a waterproof connector is piercing. CONSTITUTION: A rear cover 23 is formed, in opposition to an opening 21d, at a specified distance from the rear opening 21d further behind in the direction X of engagement of the rear opening 21d of a housing 21. In this rear cover 23, a wire passage hole 21e, which leads to the rear opening 21d and also has such a size as to regulate the displacement of the wire 22a in he in-face direction of the rear cover 23 is made. This prevents the wire 22a from being displaced and also prevents the rubber plug 24 inserted between the rear opening 21d and the rear cover 23 from being deformed.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a waterproof connector.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, a waterproof connector has a contact inside a housing which is electrically connected to a contact of a mating connector, and the housing is fitted with the mating connector to connect the contacts to each other. An opening (first opening) on the front side in the fitting direction and an opening (second opening) on the rear side in the fitting direction for communicating the electric wire introduced from the outside and connected to the contact are formed. Then, in order to prevent water from entering the inside of the housing, the second opening is closed by a seal plug for allowing the electric wire to pass through the inside of the housing in a watertight manner (for example, see Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 61-197669).

On the other hand, in the mating state with the mating connector, the inside of the housing of the mating connector and the inside of the housing of the connector are made into the first state by the annular sealing member provided in the housing of the mating connector or the housing of the connector itself. A closed or waterproof space is formed through the opening.

[0004]

By the way, the waterproof connector constructed as described above is suddenly provided at a portion immediately after the electric wire of the waterproof connector is led out from the seal plug in consideration of, for example, arrangement of devices. It may be bent and wired. In such a case, as the thickness of the electric wire increases, or the number of the electric wires increases, or the radius of curvature that bends decreases, the stress that deforms the seal plug in the radial direction increases. Will be overloaded. Since the seal plug is made of an elastic material such as rubber, one side in the radial direction is compressed by the electric wire, and the other side is pulled by the electric wire from the housing and separated from the housing, so that watertightness in that part is not maintained. It may happen.

On the other hand, if the sealing surface of the housing that comes into contact with the sealing member of the mating connector is scratched or dust adheres to the housing, the sealing property of the sealing member at the time of mating is not maintained and the waterproof performance is maintained. Is likely to decrease. Therefore, it is generally practiced to form an outer wall on the outside of the sealing surface so as to cover the sealing surface and serve as the outer surface of the housing.

However, if the wall forming the outer shape of the housing is formed outside the sealing surface in this manner, there is a problem that the size of the connector itself becomes large.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a waterproof connector in which factors that deteriorate the performance of a waterproof seal such as a seal plug or a seal member are reduced.

More specifically, the amount of displacement of the electric wire is reduced in order to suppress the deformation of the seal plug through which the electric wire penetrates, or scratches or dust on the sealing surface of the housing are made without increasing the size of the connector itself. It is an object of the present invention to provide a waterproof connector that prevents deterioration of the performance of the waterproof seal by preventing the adhesion of

[0009]

A first waterproof connector of the present invention is a waterproof seal plug that restricts a displacement at a position immediately after an electric wire connected to a contact built in a housing passes through the waterproof seal plug as much as possible. Prevent it from deforming,
The waterproof performance is secured between the seal plug and the housing or between the seal plug and the electric wire.

That is, the first waterproof connector of the present invention has a plurality of contacts built therein, the first opening for electrically connecting the contact of the mating connector and the built-in contact, and the built-in contact. Second for connecting the electric wire introduced from the outside, which is connected to the
And a housing having an opening and a seal plug for water-tightly communicating the electric wire with the second opening. A waterproof connector provided outside the second opening with a predetermined distance from the opening. It further comprises a cover member facing the opening and integrally formed with the housing, the cover member having an electric wire communication hole formed so as to regulate a displacement amount of the electric wire, and the seal plug has the second opening. It is characterized in that it is watertightly fitted and inserted in a space formed between the cover member and the cover member in a direction substantially perpendicular to a direction in which the electric wire is introduced.

The waterproof connector may be a so-called male type connector or a female type connector. Further, the first opening and the second opening are not necessarily arranged in a straight line, and for example, the second opening may be perpendicular to the first opening. Good.

The second waterproof connector of the present invention, before being fitted to a mating connector during transportation,
Prevents damage to the sealing surface of the housing that is in close contact with the seal member of the mating connector, or prevents dust from adhering to the seal surface of the seal member when mated with the mating connector. This is to prevent the decrease.

That is, the second waterproof connector of the present invention is a waterproof connector in which a ring-shaped seal member provided in a watertight manner on a mating connector has a sealing surface which is watertightly contacted with the mating connector in a fitted state. A seal surface protection member that is movable between a protection position that covers the seal surface in a non-fitted state with a mating connector and a retracted position that allows the seal member to contact the seal surface in the fitted state. It is characterized by being prepared.

The waterproof connector may be a male type,
It may be female. Further, the seal surface protection member is biased to the protection position, and in the mating state with the mating connector, a part of the mating connector directly or indirectly acts on the seal surface protection member. It can also be configured to move to the retracted position against the biasing force.

[0015]

In the waterproof connector of the present invention, the waterproof performance can be prevented from being lowered by preventing the waterproof seal such as the seal plug or the seal member from being deformed or lifted.

That is, according to the first waterproof connector of the present invention, the electric wire connected to the contact built in the housing is displaced by the cover member in the plane immediately after passing through the waterproof seal plug. Since the amount is regulated, the wire is not bent with an extremely small radius of curvature, and therefore the wire only applies a load to the seal plug that does not deform the seal plug. The adhesiveness does not decrease, and the deterioration of waterproofness can be prevented.

Further, since the cover member is formed integrally with the housing, the number of parts does not increase,
There is no increase in the cost of parts and the increase in the number of assembling steps associated with the increase in the number of parts.

According to the second waterproof connector of the present invention, the sealing surface of the housing, which is in close contact with the sealing member of the mating connector in the non-fitted state before being fitted to the mating connector during transportation, is the sealing surface. When the protective member is located at the protective position, it is possible to prevent the sealing member from being covered with the sealing surface protective member and being hit by surrounding objects or the like to be damaged. It is also possible to prevent dust from adhering.

At the time of mating with the mating connector, a part of the mating connector relatively moves the seal surface protecting member from the protective position to the retracted position in the process of mating. The sealing member of is in close contact. At this time, since the seal surface is not damaged during transportation, the adhesion of the seal surface to the seal member is not deteriorated, and the deterioration of waterproofness can be prevented.

Further, the sealing surface protection member exists outside the sealing surface to protect the sealing surface when not mated with the mating connector and constitutes a part of the outer shape of the connector. Since it is not necessary to configure a part of the outer shape of the connector to retract from this protection position, and therefore, it is not necessary for itself to have the strength necessary to form the outer shape, the manufacturing cost such as the material cost can be reduced. It is also possible to prevent the external shape from increasing in size.

[0021]

Embodiments of the waterproof connector of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a male connector 20 which is an embodiment of the first waterproof connector of the present invention, and a unit mold female connector 10 which is a mating connector to be fitted to the male connector 20. It is sectional drawing which shows the state before joining and which shows the cross section along the fitting directions X and X '.

The illustrated male connector 20 includes a housing 21 containing a plurality of contacts 22 and an electric wire 22a connected to the contacts 22 and extending to the outside of the housing 21.
21 is provided with a rubber plug (seal plug) 24 that can be kept watertight.

More specifically, the housing 21 has a fitting direction X for electrically connecting the contact 12 of the female connector 10 as the mating connector and the built-in contact 22.
Has a front side opening 21c and a rear side opening 21d for communicating with an electric wire 22a introduced from the outside, which is connected to a built-in contact 22 and is further provided rearward of the rear side opening 21d from the rear side opening 21d. A rear end cover 23 is formed facing the opening 21d with a space of. The rear end cover 23 is formed with an electric wire communication hole 21e communicating with the rear opening 21d and having a size that regulates the amount of displacement of the electric wire 22a in the in-plane direction of the rear end cover 23.

The rear end cover 23 is formed integrally with the housing 21, and the gap between the cover 23 and the rear wall of the main body of the housing 21 into which the rubber plug 24 is fitted and inserted is the entire space of the housing 21. It does not reach the outer surface of the housing 21 over the circumference, but is formed only through the lower outer peripheral wall in the drawing. Therefore, the rubber plug 24 is inserted from this lower side.

The rubber plug 24 is inserted into a predetermined space formed between the rear opening 21d of the housing 21 and the rear end cover 23 in the direction Y perpendicular to the extending direction of the electric wire 22a. Further, the rubber plug 24 is formed with an electric wire passage hole for allowing the electric wire 22a connected to the contact 22 to pass through the rear side opening 21d to the electric wire communication hole 21e in a watertight manner.

Contact 22 built into housing 21
Is locked to a predetermined position in the housing 21 by being locked by the housing lance 25, and the double lock member 26 is inserted into the housing 21 from the lower side of the drawing so that the contact 22
Is also locked by the inserted double lock member 26, whereby the contact 22 is completely prevented from coming off.

Also, the housing 21 of the male connector 20
A latch arm 27 is provided on the upper surface in the figure, and when the latch arm 27 is fitted with the female connector 10, the engaging claw 11 provided on the housing 11 of the female connector 10 is provided.
The engaging protrusion 27a of the latch arm 27 engages with c, thereby preventing the connectors 10 and 20 from being accidentally disengaged.

On the other hand, the female connector 10 is partially fixed directly to the control unit 30 of the automobile, and the housing 11 for receiving the housing 21 of the male connector 20 fitted to this connector 10 and the female connector 10 Male connector to connector 10
The contact 12 is joined to the 20 contacts 22, and an annular seal ring 13 is provided along the circumferential direction of the inner surface of the peripheral wall of the housing 11. In addition, the arrangement of the seal ring 13 is arranged ahead of the support point of the latch arm 27 in the fitting direction X in the state of being fitted with the male connector 20, while the arrangement of the seal ring 13 on the lower peripheral wall is arranged. Is arranged rearward of the double lock member 26 in the fitting direction X in a state of being fitted to the male connector 20, and on both left and right side surfaces, the arrangement position of the seal ring 13 on the upper peripheral wall and the lower peripheral wall. The seal ring 13 is formed so as to be connected substantially obliquely to the position where the seal ring 13 is arranged.

The peripheral wall of the housing 11 is, more specifically, a member (referred to as a first peripheral wall member) 11a on the opening side and the housing 11
And a member (referred to as a second peripheral wall member) 11b that is integral with the two members 11a and 11b.
a and 11b do not overlap each other, and the above-mentioned seal ring 13
It is configured such that the end faces thereof are opposed to each other across (indicated by a circle in the figure).

Further, a plurality of through holes 13a penetrating in parallel to the fitting direction X are formed in a part of the seal ring 13 in the circumferential direction, and the first peripheral wall member 11a is formed in the through holes 13a.
The end face a is watertightly penetrated and is welded to the second peripheral wall member 11b (a part of the housing 11) by ultrasonic waves or heat. Here, the first peripheral wall member 11a is replaced with the second peripheral wall member 11b.
The seal ring 13
Are in close contact with the first peripheral wall member 11a and the second peripheral wall member 11b, respectively, and the first peripheral wall member 11a and the second peripheral wall member 11b.
Between and is kept watertight.

Next, the operation of the waterproof connector of this embodiment will be described.

The male connector 20 of this embodiment is advanced in the direction of arrow X with respect to the female connector 10 shown in the drawing to obtain a male connector.
The housing 21 of 20 is fitted into the housing 11 of the connector 10. At this time, first, the upper surface of the latch arm 27 abuts on the engaging claw 11c, and as the fitting progresses, the latch arm 27
The engaging claw 11c is pushed downward against the elastic force by the engaging claw 11c, and when the connectors 10 and 20 are fitted together, the engaging claw 11c engages with the engaging projection 27a of the latch arm 27 and the housings 27 and 27 are engaged.
11 and 21 are locked to each other.

At the same time, the contact 12 of the female connector 10 passes through the front opening 21c and engages with the contact 22 of the male connector 20 facing each other so that conduction can be obtained between the two connectors.

Furthermore, the outer peripheral surface of the housing 21 of the male connector 20 and the housing 11 (11a, 11b) of the female connector 10 are arranged.
The inner surface of the peripheral wall (including
Since it is watertight over the entire circumference of the peripheral wall, both contacts 12,
22, the waterproof property is maintained.

According to the male connector 20 thus constructed, the electric wire 22a connected to the contact 22 built in the housing 21 is located at a position rearward of the rubber plug 24 in the fitting direction (that is, the rear end cover). (Position 23), the amount of displacement in the in-plane direction (movement in the direction of arrow R) is restricted to an extremely small level by the hole 21e of the rear end cover 23, so that the rubber wire 22a may be displaced depending on the displacement. Between the rubber plug 24 and the housing 21 and between the rubber plug 24 and the rubber plug 24 because the rubber plug 24 is not deformed to such an extent that the plug 24 does not deform or the adhesion of the rubber plug 24 to the housing 21 or the electric wire 22a decreases. And wire 22
Watertightness does not deteriorate between a and, and deterioration in waterproofness can be prevented.

Further, since the rear end cover 23 is formed integrally with the housing 21, the number of parts does not increase, and the increase in the cost of parts and the increase in the number of assembling steps accompanying the increase in the number of parts. Never invite.

FIG. 2 shows a male connector 20 'which is an embodiment of the second waterproof connector of the present invention, and this male connector 20'.
The mating direction X, which shows the state before mating with the female connector 10 of the unit mold type which is the mating connector
It is sectional drawing which shows the cross section along X '. Since the illustrated female connector 10 is the same as that shown in the first embodiment, its explanation is omitted.

The illustrated male connector 20 'is a housing 21' containing a plurality of contacts 22, and a rubber plug for holding the electric wire 22a connected to the contacts 22 and extending outside the housing 21 'in the housing 21' in a watertight manner. 24 and 24.

More specifically, the housing 21 'has contacts 22 similar to the housing 21 in the above-mentioned embodiment, and a rear end cover 23' similar to that described above is formed. The rear end cover 23 'may be integrated with the housing 21' as shown in the first embodiment, or may be formed separately from the housing 21 '.

Further, an annular region (hereinafter referred to as a seal region) 21 of the housing 21 'to which the seal ring 13 closely adheres when the male connector 20' and the female connector 10 are fitted to each other 21
On the outer side of a ', a seal surface protection member 28 movable in the fitting direction is provided.
Is provided. This seal surface protection member 28 is provided in the seal area 21a 'when both connectors 10 and 20' are not fitted.
Can be moved in the mating direction X, X'between the protective position for covering and the retracted position for allowing the seal ring 13 to come into close contact with the seal area 21a 'when both connectors 10, 20' are mated. Has been

The sealing surface protection member 28 may be biased to the protection position by a spring or the like, or the housing 21 '.
A suitable locking means, for example, a concave-convex engagement, may be provided between the side wall and the side wall at the protected position and the retracted position.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.

With respect to the illustrated female connector 10, the male connector 20 'of this embodiment is advanced in the direction of the arrow X, and the housing 21' of the male connector 20 'and the sealing surface protection member 28 are the housings of the connector 10. Fit in 11.

Here, in the non-fitting state before fitting,
The seal surface protection member 28 is located at a protection position that covers the seal area 21a '. For this reason, the seal area 21a 'can be covered and prevented from being scratched by being hit by surrounding objects or the like. It is also possible to prevent dust from adhering.

As the fitting progresses, the front end portion of the seal surface protection member 28 in the fitting direction X (the front end portion of the seal surface protection member 28 seen in the upper cross section in FIG. 2) is inside the housing 11 of the female connector 10. 11d (or seal ring 1)
Hit 3). After that, although the housing 21 'is further fitted, the sealing surface protection member 28 remains stopped at that position because the sealing surface protection member 28 is in contact with the claw 11d and the like. As a result, the seal area 21a 'of the housing 21 is exposed and comes into close contact with the seal ring 13.

As described above, when the waterproof connector of this embodiment is fitted to the mating connector, a part of the mating connector relatively moves the seal face protecting member from the protective position to the retracted position in the process of mating. Because of this, the seal ring of the mating connector comes into close contact with this seal area. At this time, since the sealing surface is not damaged during transportation, the adhesion to the sealing member on the surface does not deteriorate, and the deterioration of waterproofness can be prevented.

Further, the sealing surface protection member exists outside the sealing surface to protect the sealing surface when not mated with the mating connector and forms a part of the outer shape of the connector. , It is not necessary to form a part of the outer shape of the connector to retract from the protection position, and therefore, it is not necessary for itself to have the strength necessary to form the outer shape, and thus the manufacturing cost such as material cost is also reduced. In addition, since it is not necessary to increase the thickness to increase the strength, it is possible to prevent the outer shape from increasing.

The retracted position of the seal surface protection member 28 is
Since it is located at the position covering the exposed rubber plug 24 on the lower surface of the housing 21 'shown in the figure, there is an effect that the exposed surface of the rubber plug 24 in the fitted state can be protected.

Further, in the waterproof connector of the present embodiment, the type in which the sealing surface protection member is fitted inside the housing of the mating connector is shown, but the waterproof connector of the present invention is not limited to this type, and for example, FIG. As shown in
Open end 11d 'of housing 11' of female connector 10 '
In addition, the seal surface protection member 28 'may be of a type that abuts. That is, the sealing surface protection member 28 'comes into contact with the opening end 11d' of the housing 11 'of the female connector 10' and stops, but thereafter the housing 21 "further advances in the fitting direction X and is sealed before fitting. The seal area 21a ″ which is covered and protected by the surface protection member 28 ′ is exposed and comes into close contact with the seal ring 13 ′.

In this way, if the seal surface protecting member is made to abut against the end surface of the housing of the mating connector, the claw (or seal ring) inside the fitting recess of the housing can be formed as in the second embodiment. Compared with the case where the seal surface protection member is abutted, the inner diameter of the housing of the mating connector can be made smaller, and the outer shape can be made smaller accordingly.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a first embodiment of a waterproof connector of the present invention in a fitting direction X, X ′ showing a state before a male connector and a female connector fitted to the male connector are fitted. Sectional view showing the section along

FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment of the waterproof connector of the present invention,
Sectional view similar to FIG.

FIG. 3 shows a third embodiment of the waterproof connector of the present invention,
Sectional view similar to FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 Female connector 11, 21, 21 ', 21 "Housing 11d, 11d' Claw 12, 22 Contact 13 Seal ring 13a Through hole 20 Male connector 21a, 21a 'Seal area 21c, 21d Opening 21e Communication hole 22a Electric wire 23, 23 'Cover 24 Rubber plug 25 Housing lance 26 Double lock member 27 Latch arm 27a Engagement protrusion 28, 28' Sealing surface protection member 30 Control unit

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A first opening for accommodating a plurality of contacts, the first opening for electrically connecting a contact of a mating connector and the built-in contact, and being connected to the built-in contact, introduced from the outside. A waterproof connector comprising: a housing having a second opening for communicating an electric wire; and a seal plug for making the electric wire communicate with the second opening in a watertight manner, the waterproof connector being provided outside the second opening. It further comprises a cover member having a wire communication hole integrally formed with the housing so as to face the opening at a predetermined distance from the opening, and the seal plug includes the second opening and the cover member. A waterproof connector, characterized in that it is watertightly inserted into a gap formed between the wires in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction in which the electric wire is introduced. 2. A waterproof connector having an annular seal member, which is provided in a watertight manner on the mating connector, in a watertight manner in a fitted state with the mating connector, wherein the mating connector is in a non-fitting state with the mating connector. A waterproof connector comprising a seal surface protection member movable between a protection position for covering the seal surface and a retracted position for allowing the seal member to come into contact with the seal surface in the fitted state. .