DE10161939A1 - Waterproof connector and method of manufacturing the same - Google Patents

Abstract

(Item) DOLLAR A To shorten a production time and reduce production costs. DOLLAR A (solution) DOLLAR A A grounding terminal 20 is formed by bending a metallic wire material, its rear part extends long and its extending end 21 is tapered. A pressure hole 25 is formed to penetrate a base portion 12 of a connector housing 11 in forward and backward directions, and a guide hole 26 is formed at its front end, while a mounting hole 27 for a rubber plug 30 is formed at its rear end. A rubber plug 30, which is a blind plug, is snugly fitted in the mounting hole 27, the extending end 21 of the grounding terminal 20 is passed through the pressure hole 25 through the guide hole 26 and pushed in while the rubber plug 30 is pressed, and becomes in the center the rubber plug 30 inserted or pierced when exiting the pressure hole 25. When the ground terminal 20 is pushed to a certain position, a rearward extending portion 22 protrudes backward after being pushed into the pressure hole 25 and tightly penetrating the center of the rubber plug 30. In this way, a protruding portion on a rear part of the grounding terminal 20 is sealed by the rubber plug 30.

Description

The present invention relates to a waterproof connector and a method of manufacturing the same.

A connector in which lip or tab connector-shaped fitting pieces 2 are pressed or pressed by a connector housing 1 , as shown in Fig. 9, is known. This connector is used, for example, as an intermediate connector and a connector for a fuel tank. To make this type of connector watertight, a sealant is used by injecting an epoxy resin 3 into a surface where one end of each terminal fitting protrudes, and is cured in a so-called potting. This connector is disclosed, for example, in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 9-213409.

In the conventional connector, the epoxy resin 3 needs to be cured in a high temperature bath or the like after injection. This does not require a short waiting time for curing, that is, there has been a problem of poor machining efficiency. In addition, production costs increase due to installation costs for the high temperature bath or the like and the use of expensive epoxy resin 3 .

Taking into account the above situation, it is a goal or Object of the present invention to shorten a production time and Reduce production costs.

This aim is achieved according to the invention by a waterproof connector according to claim 1 and by a method for producing or assembling a Connector solved according to claim 9. Preferred embodiments of the invention are subject of the dependent claims.

According to the invention there is provided a waterproof connector comprising:
a connector housing in which at least one connection fitting can be mounted or arranged in order to penetrate the connector housing,
a mounting recess or recess formed in a surface of the connector housing, and
a sealing plug, which is precisely or closely or closely foiled or can be mounted tightly or firmly in the mounting recess and can be pierced by the connection fitting.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the Installation recess around a protruding extension or projection or section the terminal fitting in a surface of the connector housing educated.

The sealing plug is preferably a rubber plug.

According to a further preferred embodiment, there is provided a waterproof connector comprising:
a connector housing in which a connection fitting can be mounted in order to penetrate the connector housing,
a mounting recess or recess formed around a protruding portion of the terminal fitting in a surface of the connector housing, and
a rubber plug, which can be fitted tightly or precisely in the mounting recess and can be penetrated or pierced through the connection fitting.

After the sealing or rubber plug in the mounting recess is mounted or arranged, the connection fitting is mounted so that Penetrate connector housing while it penetrates the rubber plug or is guided by this. In this way, sealing around the protruding Section of the connection adapter are provided.

In comparison to the conventional or known casting process an end product can be obtained in a shorter period of time since it is not it is necessary to wait for an epoxy resin to harden.

Preferably, the sealing / rubber stopper is a blind stopper, which in a cavity is to be assembled by those who are for receiving box-shaped or box-shaped or housing-shaped connection fittings are provided, in which cavity no box-shaped connection fitting is received.

The connector can be cheaper using the finished one or prepared dummy or blind plug.  

A guide recess or recess or -Return to guide the penetration of the Connection fitting in an end surface or surface of the sealing plug, preferably rubber stopper.

By providing the rubber stopper with the guide recess for Guiding the terminal fitting can improve machining efficiency be, because the connection fitting is light and precise or closely foiled or tight or firmly through the rubber plug or be pierced can.

Most preferred is a fine or thin hole through which the Connection fitting can be used closely or precisely, or can be inserted or penetrated is formed in the sealing plug, preferably rubber plug.

By piercing the terminal fitting along the fine hole similarly improves processing efficiency be, since the connection fitting easily or gently with the rubber plug low resistance can be passed.

According to a further preferred embodiment, a Guide section for guiding the insertion or insertion of the on final fitting before an insertion or insertion hole provided in the connector housing is formed in front of the sealing plug.

Preferably, the connection fitting in the connector housing is so used that a bent portion of the connector fitting on the Connector housing abuts or strikes.

According to the invention, there is further provided a method for producing or assembling a watertight connector, in particular according to the invention or an embodiment thereof, comprising the steps:
previously assembling a sealing plug in a surface of a connector housing for receiving a terminal fitting, so that the terminal fitting penetrates the connector housing, and
Inserting the terminal fitting into the connector housing to penetrate the connector housing while pushing the terminal fitting through the sealing plug.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the Puncturing the connection fitting through a guide recess or led back, which in an end surface or surface of the sealing plug is trained.

Preferably in the step of puncturing Connection fitting closely or exactly or closely foiled or tightly or firmly in one fine hole used, which is formed in the sealing plug.

It is further preferred to insert the connection adapter with the aid of a guide section which is in front of an insertion or insertion hole is provided, which is in the connector housing in front of the sealing plug is trained.

Most preferred is the connector fitting in the Connector housing inserted such that a bent portion of the Connection fitting on the connector housing abuts or strikes.

These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention reading the following detailed description of preferred embodiments and from the accompanying drawings become clearer. It should be understood that, though Embodiments are described separately, individual features thereof additional embodiments can be combined.

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a PCB connector according to a first embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 2 is a section along XX of Fig. 1,

Fig. 3 is a section along YY of Fig. 1,

Fig. 4 is an exploded sectional view showing an assembly process,

Fig. 5 is a section showing a state where a rubber plug is mounted,

Fig. 6 is a section showing a state where a ground terminal is pressed into the rubber stopper,

Fig. 7 is a sectional view of a rubber plug according to a second embodiment,

Fig. 8 is a sectional view of a rubber plug according to a third embodiment, and

Fig. 9 is a section of a connector according to the prior art.

Below are preferred embodiments of the present Invention with reference to the accompanying drawings described.  

First embodiment

A first preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6. In this embodiment, the present invention is applied to a portion of a printed circuit board (PCB) connector 10 where a grounding terminal 20 is mounted.

An overall construction of the PCB connector 10 will be briefly described. A connector housing 11, as shown in Fig. 1 and 2, formed such that a receptacle is preferably provided in the form of a thick plate 13 preferably substantially in the middle of the front surface of a base portion 12, which along substantially narrow a transverse direction. Ends of preferably two types of substantially L-shaped connections or contacts 15 A, 15 B, which differ in size, protrude from the rear surface of the receptacle 13 , while they are preferably arranged on two steps or levels. The other ends of these L-shaped terminals 15 A, 15 B protrude downward on the rear side of the base portion 12 and are held by an alignment plate 16 while being aligned in two front and rear rows.

This connector 10 is watertight, for example, in a mounting hole of a housing (not shown) mounted via a sealing ring 18 , the other ends of the L-shaped connections 15 a, 15 B are connected to a circuit board which is received in the housing, and a Not shown, matching or matched nut or socket connector is at least partially fitted into the receptacle 13 via a sealing ring.

An earth terminal mounting position is set on a side of a portion of the connector 10 where the receptacle 13 is provided.

Next, assembly of the ground terminal 20 and waterproof construction will be described in detail.

As shown in FIG. 4, the ground terminal 20 is formed by bending a metal wire material or a metal plate, a rear portion of which extends long and a tapered or distal end 21 is tapered.

On the other hand, at the mounting position of the ground terminal 20 on the connector housing 11, a pressure hole 25 penetrates into which a rearward extending portion 22 (ie, a portion which extends to a connection side of the connector 10 where, for example, with the PCB to be connected) of the ground terminal 20 can be pressed, the base portion 12 in forward and backward or longitudinal directions. A guide hole 26 is formed at the front end of the pressure hole 25 . This guide opening 26 is formed such that an inclined or tapered section 26 B, which is narrower or narrower to the rear, is then formed in the center of the rear or in a guide surface of a section 26 A with a large diameter which mün det in the front surface of the base portion 12 .

On a section of the base section 12 behind the pressure hole 25 , a mounting hole 27 , into which a sealing plug, preferably a rubber plug 30 , can be at least partially mounted or inserted or inserted, is essentially concentric with the pressure hole 25 , preferably to be spaced apart to extend from substantially half the thickness of the base portion 12 and to open in the rear surface of the base portion 12 . An inclined or beveled surface 28 is formed on the edge of the mounting hole 27 .

The rubber plug 30 is tightly fitted in the mounting hole 27 and has, for example, three annular lips 31 formed on its outer peripheral surface, as shown. In addition, a prepared blind plug used in a waterproof connector to waterproof individual cavities is used or can be used as the rubber plug 30 . The blind plug is mounted in one of the cavities of the waterproof connector which are provided to receive box-shaped connection fittings, in which cavity no box-shaped connection fitting is received, whereby the cavity is made watertight.

This connector 10 is assembled as follows. First, as shown in FIG. 5, the rubber plug 30 is fitted tightly into the mounting hole 27 . Then, the ground terminal 20 is inserted into the pressure hole 25 from its extending end 21 , as indicated by an arrow in FIG. 5, while the rubber plug 30 is pressed into the mounting hole 27 . In particular, the tapered, extending end 21 of the earth connection 20 is guided to the pressure hole 25 via the guide opening 26 and pressed therein and pierces the center of the rubber plug 30 when it emerges from the pressure hole 25 . The insertion of the grounding terminal 20 is stopped when a standing portion 23 (or a portion bent at an angle other than 0 ° or 180 °, preferably substantially normal) thereof comes into contact with the front The surface of the base portion 12 comes as shown in Fig. 6, and during this insertion, the rearward extending portion 22 protrudes rearward from the rubber plug 30 after being pushed through the pressure hole 25 and closely to the center of the rubber plug 30 has penetrated. A protruding portion at a rear part of the grounding terminal 20 is sealed by the rubber plug 30 .

As shown in Fig. 3, the rear end of the grounding terminal 20 is bent down at an angle other than 0 ° or 180 °, preferably substantially at right angles, by the alignment plate 16 , which the L-shaped connection fittings 15 A, 15 B is common, held and connected or connectable to the circuit board.

As described above, according to this embodiment, sealing around the protruding portion of the ground terminal 20 is provided by previously mounting the rubber or sealing plug 30 in the mounting hole 27 and pushing the ground terminal 20 into the pressure hole 25 while penetrating the rubber plug 30 or pierces. In this way, compared to the conventional pouring method, an end product can be obtained in a shorter period since it is not necessary to wait for an epoxy resin to cure.

In addition, the connector can be manufactured cheaper using the prepared blind plug than the rubber plug 30 .

Second embodiment

Fig. 7 shows a second preferred embodiment of the present invention, particularly a modification of the rubber stopper. In the case of a sealing plug, preferably a rubber plug 30 A, of the second embodiment, guide recesses or recesses 33, which preferably have a funnel-like cross section, are formed for guiding the extending end 21 of the grounding connection 20 in the center of the opposite surfaces.

In the case of using the rubber plug 30 A of the second embodiment, the extending end 21 of the earth connection 20 , which emerges from the pressure hole 25 , is guided through the guide recess 33 , pierces the center of the rubber plug 30 A and projects rearward from the opposite guide recess 33 in front.

Machining efficiency can be improved because the ground terminal 20 can be easily and accurately passed through the rubber plug 30 .

Third embodiment

Fig. 8 shows a third preferred embodiment of the present invention, in particular a modification of the rubber stopper. In a sealing plug, preferably a rubber plug 30 B, of the third embodiment, a fine hole, which has dimensions smaller than the cross section of the rearward extending portion 22 of the grounding terminal 20 , is formed to pass through in the center in forward and backward directions , An entrance 36 and an exit 36 of the fine hole 35 at the opposite ends are widened outward for guiding. The fine hole 35 preferably has a cross section or diameter which is slightly smaller than that of the grounding terminal 20 , so that it can be easily carried out during insertion or fitting.

In the case of using the rubber plug 30 B of the third embodiment, the extending end 21 of the grounding terminal 20 , which exits the pressure hole 25 , pierces the passage 36 along the fine hole 35 and protrudes rearward from the outlet 36 the opposite side. The machining efficiency can also be improved because the grounding terminal 20 can be easily and gently pierced through the rubber plug 30 B with a low resistance.

Other embodiments

The present invention is not limited to those described above and illustrated embodiments. For example, the following are also Embodiments through the technical scope of the present invention includes as defined in the claims. In addition to the following Various changes can be made to embodiments, without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention as described in the claims is defined.

• 1. When the backward section of the Earth terminal increasingly from the tapered, extending end expanded to the front, the ground connection can easily be inserted into the Penetrate rubber stopper and bite into the rubber stopper to create a seal increase or improve function.
• 2. The present invention is not for application to PCB Connectors limited in the previous embodiments , and is generally broad on intermediate connectors, connectors for a fuel tank etc., d. H. applicable to cases where connectors, in which Terminal fittings are mounted to penetrate connector housings be made waterproof.
• 3. Although the plugs 30 , 30 A and 30 B are described as being preferably made of rubber, it should be understood that the plugs can also be made of any other resilient or elastic material which permits a suitable watertightness, such as for example an elastomer, synthetic rubber, a gelatinous material or the like.
• 4. Although the connector fittings 20 have been described with reference to substantially L-shaped connector fittings, it should be understood that the invention is also applicable to connector fittings which have a different shape, for example, to union union fittings which are essentially straight.

LIST OF REFERENCES

10

PCB connector

11

connector housing

12

base section

20

Earth connection (connection adapter)

21

extending end

22

backward extending section

25

pressure hole

26

guide opening

27

Mounting hole (mounting recess)

30

rubber stopper

30

A rubber stopper

33

guide recess

30

B rubber stopper

35

fine hole

Claims (13)

A waterproof connector ( 10 ) comprising:
a connector housing ( 11 ) in which at least one connection fitting ( 20 ) can be mounted or arranged in order to penetrate the connector housing ( 11 ),
a mounting recess ( 27 ) formed in a surface of the connector housing ( 11 ), and
a sealing plug ( 30 ; 30 A; 30 B), which can be fitted tightly in the mounting recess ( 27 ) and can be pierced through the connection fitting ( 20 ). 2. A waterproof connector according to claim 1, wherein the mounting recess ( 27 ) is formed around a protruding portion of the terminal fitting ( 20 ) in a surface of the connector housing ( 11 ). 3. Waterproof connector according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the sealing plug ( 30 ; 30 A; 30 B) is a rubber plug. 4. Waterproof connector according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the sealing plug ( 30 ; 30 A; 30 B) is a blind plug which is to be mounted in a cavity by those which are intended for receiving box-shaped or housing-shaped connecting fittings are in which cavity no box-shaped connector fitting is received. 5. A waterproof connector according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein a guide recess ( 33 ) for guiding the penetration of the terminal fitting ( 20 ) is formed in an end surface of the sealing plug ( 30 A; 30 B). 6. Waterproof connector according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein a fine or thin hole ( 35 ) through which the connection fitting ( 20 ) can be inserted or inserted closely, is formed in the sealing plug ( 30 B). A waterproof connector according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein a guide portion ( 26 ) for guiding the insertion of the terminal fitting ( 20 ) is provided in front of an insertion hole ( 25 ) which is in the connector housing ( 11 ) before the sealing plug ( 30 ; 30 A; 30 B) is formed. 8. A waterproof connector according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the connector fitting ( 20 ) is inserted into the connector housing ( 11 ) so that a bent portion ( 23 ) of the connector fitting ( 20 ) abuts the connector housing ( 11 ). 9. A method of making a waterproof connector ( 10 ) comprising the steps of:
previously mounting or arranging a sealing plug ( 30 ; 30 A; 30 B) in a surface of a connector housing ( 11 ) for receiving a connection fitting ( 20 ), so that the connection fitting ( 20 ) penetrates the connector housing ( 11 ), and
Inserting the terminal fitting (20) into the connector housing (11), to penetrate the connector housing (11) while the terminal fitting (20) by the sealing plug (30; 30 B; 30 A) is passed encountered. 10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the piercing of the terminal fitting ( 20 ) is guided by a guide recess ( 33 ) which is formed in an end surface of the sealing plug ( 30 A; 30 B). 11. The method according to claim 9 or 10, wherein in the step of piercing, the connection fitting ( 20 ) is inserted closely into a fine hole ( 35 ) which is formed in the sealing plug ( 30 B). 12. The method according to one or more of the preceding claims 9 to 11, wherein the insertion of the connection fitting ( 20 ) is guided by means of a guide section ( 26 ) which is seen in front of an insertion hole ( 25 ) which is made in the connector housing ( 11 ) is formed before the sealing plug ( 30 ; 30 A; 30 B). 13. The method according to one or more of the preceding claims 9 to 12, wherein the connector fitting ( 20 ) is inserted into the connector housing ( 11 ) such that a bent portion ( 23 ) of the connector fitting ( 20 ) abuts the connector housing ( 11 ).