JP2007080557A - Electric connection apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To restrain degradation of waterproof performance affected by a state of the surface of a housing in contact with a sealing member and secure a high waterproof property. <P>SOLUTION: A connection terminal 11 is electrically connected with a pin-shaped terminal 10. A housing element 12 for connection supports the connection terminal 11 inside, and has a contact area 50 formed inside of the pin-shaped terminal 10 and the connection terminal 11, connected to a housing element 2 to be connected by insertion coupling. An elastic sealing member 17 is arranged to be in contact with a bottom face 22 at a tip side of the housing element 12 for connection, and has a pin-use hole 33, formed so as to have an inner diameter in contact with an outer periphery of the pin-shaped terminal 10, into which the pin-shaped terminal 10 is inserted when the housing element 12 for connection and the housing element 2 to be connected are insertion-coupled with each other. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The invention relates to an electrical connection device connected to a connected housing element which supports at least one pin-like terminal.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an electrical connection device for realizing an ignition circuit of a detonator of an air bag gas generator for an automobile, a device that improves a waterproof function in a fitting connection portion between connectors is known (Patent Literature). 1). The electrical connection device described in Patent Document 1 is configured by disposing a seal member formed as an elastic member on the outer surface of a connector housing that holds a conductive wire or the like, and this connector housing is fitted. It is intended to provide a liquid-tight seal at a contact portion between a corresponding connector to be connected and a seal member. And the area | region of the sealing part which can be sealed with a sealing member between corresponding connectors is made larger than the space | interval of the play part formed between a corresponding connector and a connector housing | casing, and a connector housing | casing Even if it moves in the range of the play part, it tries to maintain a sealed state.

JP 2004-193079 A

  However, in the electrical connection device described in Patent Document 1, the sealing member is disposed between the corresponding connector and the outer surface of the connector housing, thereby forming a sealed state with respect to the outside. is there. And this seal member is arranged in the part of the fitting front of a corresponding connector and connector case, and it can be displaced in the fitting direction with the displacement in the fitting direction of the connector case. Has been placed. Due to such a configuration, this electrical connecting device can be used depending on the state of the surface of the portion in contact with the seal member on the outer surface of the connector housing or the inner surface of the corresponding connector, that is, the surface roughness or surface shape. Depending on the state of the surface such as dimensional accuracy, the degree of completion of the sealed state formed with the seal member is easily affected and unstable, and it is difficult to stably and appropriately exhibit waterproof performance. In addition, with the displacement of the connector housing, the state of the housing surface, which is a portion that contacts the seal member in the housing elements such as the connector housing and the corresponding connector, is likely to be greatly affected, and the waterproof performance is likely to be further deteriorated.

  In view of the above circumstances, the present invention relates to an electrical connection device that is connected to a connected housing element that supports at least one pin-shaped terminal, and is affected by the state of the housing surface in contact with a seal member. It is an object of the present invention to provide an electrical connection device that can suppress deterioration in waterproof performance and ensure high waterproof performance.

Means and effects for solving the problems

The electrical connection device of the present invention relates to an electrical connection device connected to a connected housing element that supports at least one pin-like terminal.
And this invention has the following some features in order to achieve the said objective. That is, the present invention comprises the following features alone or in appropriate combination.

  The first feature of the electrical connection device according to the present invention for achieving the above object is that at least one connection terminal electrically connected to the pin-shaped terminal, and supporting the connection terminal inside, When the pin-shaped terminal and the connection terminal are connected, a contact area between the pin-shaped terminal and the connection terminal is formed inside, and the connection housing element is connected to the connected housing element by fitting. The connecting housing element is disposed so as to come into contact with the bottom surface which is the front end side to be fitted with the connected housing element, and the connecting housing element and the connected housing element are fitted. An elastic seal provided with a pin hole formed so as to have an inner diameter that sometimes contacts the outer periphery of the pin-shaped terminal while the pin-shaped terminal is inserted Characterized in that it comprises a timber, the.

  According to this configuration, when the connecting housing element is fitted to the connected housing element, the pin-like terminal supported by the connected housing element passes through the pin hole of the elastic seal member, and the connecting housing element It will enter the inside of the door and be electrically connected to the connection terminal. At this time, the outer periphery of the pin-shaped terminal and the inner periphery of the pin hole of the elastic seal member are in contact with each other, and the elastic force acting on the pin-shaped terminal from the elastic seal member causes the outer periphery of the pin-shaped terminal and the elastic seal. A sealed state is formed between the pin holes of the member. And since the surface of the outer periphery of the pin-shaped terminal is formed so as to have a smooth surface state with a high surface shape dimensional system and a small surface roughness from the viewpoint of ensuring electrical connection, A highly complete sealed state can be formed between the inner periphery of the pin hole. The elastic seal member is disposed so as to contact the bottom surface of the connecting housing element. For this reason, when the connecting housing element and the connected housing element are fitted together, the elastic seal member contacts both the bottom surface of the connecting housing element and the connected housing element while applying an elastic force. It will be. Thereby, the region between the bottom surface of the connecting housing element and the connected housing element is sealed in a state of wide surface contact by the elastic seal member arranged so as to extend along the bottom surface of the connecting housing element. It will be. The elastic seal member is arranged so as to spread in a direction perpendicular to the fitting direction between the connecting housing element and the connected housing element, and is not displaced and has a wide surface contact. The sealed state can be maintained. In this way, the entire path from the outside to the contact area between the pin-shaped terminal and the connection terminal is sealed, so that the ingress of water is blocked and waterproofing is achieved. Therefore, according to the present invention, the electrical connection device connected to the connected housing element that supports at least one pin-shaped terminal has a waterproof performance under the influence of the state of the housing surface in contact with the seal member. It can suppress that it falls, and can ensure high waterproofness.

  A second feature of the electrical connecting device according to the present invention is that at least one first rib projecting toward the radial center is formed on the inner periphery of the pin hole. The rib is in contact with the outer periphery of the pin-shaped terminal.

  According to this structure, the 1st rib provided in the inner periphery of the hole for pins of an elastic seal member contacts with the outer periphery of a pin-shaped terminal, and a sealing state is formed by elastically deforming. For this reason, a high contact pressure can be generated in a narrow area between the deformed first rib and the pin-shaped terminal, and a high waterproof performance can be easily ensured. In addition, when the pin-shaped terminal passes through the pin hole, the pin-shaped terminal is inserted through the pin hole while contacting only the first rib. The frictional resistance can be reduced as compared with the case where the pin hole is inserted while contacting the pin, and the pin-like terminal can be easily inserted into the pin hole.

  A third feature of the electrical connecting device according to the present invention is that the elastic seal member is provided with a cylindrical edge portion formed so as to cover an outer periphery on a distal end side of the connecting housing element. The edge portion is provided with at least one second rib projecting so as to come into contact with the outer periphery of the front end side of the connecting housing element.

  According to this configuration, the second rib of the cylindrical edge provided on the elastic seal member comes into contact with the outer periphery on the distal end side of the connecting housing element and elastically deforms so that a sealed state is formed. Yes. For this reason, a high contact pressure can be generated in a narrow area between the deformed second rib and the outer periphery on the distal end side of the connecting housing element, and a high waterproof performance can be exhibited at that location. Therefore, in the path along the connector element for connection from the outside to the contact area between the pin-shaped terminal and the connection terminal, in addition to the realization of a waterproof function between the bottom surface of the connector element for connection and the elastic seal member, A double waterproof function can be realized between the second rib and the outer periphery of the connecting housing element.

  According to a fourth aspect of the electrical connection device of the present invention, the elastic seal member is held between the bottom surface of the connecting housing element and the connected housing element and the bottom surface of the connected housing element. It is further provided with a seal cover.

  According to this configuration, by providing the seal cover that holds the elastic seal member between the bottom surface of the connecting housing element, the elastic seal member can be easily held in close contact with the bottom surface of the connecting housing element. it can. In addition, when the connecting housing element and the connected housing element are fitted, it is possible to prevent the elastic seal member from being turned over and being disposed in an inappropriate state.

  A fifth feature of the electrical connection device according to the present invention is that the seal cover abuts on the connected housing element when the connecting housing element is engaged with the connected housing element. Pressing the elastic seal member toward the bottom surface of the connecting housing element;

  According to this configuration, when the connecting housing element and the connected housing element are fitted, the elastic seal member is pressed against the bottom surface of the connecting housing element by the seal cover that is in contact with the connected housing element. A higher waterproofness can be ensured by firmly attaching the member to the connecting housing element.

  A sixth feature of the electrical connection device according to the present invention is that the seal cover covers the elastic seal member and is attached to the connection housing element so as to cover the distal end side thereof. is there.

  According to this configuration, since the seal cover is attached to the connecting housing element so as to cover the tip end side thereof, the seal cover is more firmly fixed to the connecting housing element, and the elastic seal cover is attached to the connecting housing element. The state of being in close contact with the bottom surface can be more reliably maintained.

  A seventh feature of the electrical connecting device according to the present invention is that the elastic seal member is provided with a cylindrical edge portion formed so as to cover an outer periphery on a distal end side of the connecting housing element. The edge portion is provided with at least one third rib formed so as to protrude in contact with the inner periphery of the seal cover.

  According to this structure, the 3rd rib of the cylindrical edge part provided in the elastic seal member contacts the inner periphery of a seal cover, and a sealing state is formed because it elastically deforms. For this reason, a high contact pressure can be generated in a narrow area between the deformed third rib and the inner periphery of the seal cover, and a high waterproof performance can be exhibited at that location. Therefore, even in the path from the outside to the contact portion between the pin-shaped terminal and the pin hole through the elastic seal member and the seal cover, it is possible to exert a double waterproof function, ensuring higher waterproofness. can do.

  The elastic seal member is formed such that an upper side surface arranged to face the bottom surface of the connecting housing element and a lower side surface opposite to the upper side surface are both flat and parallel. It is that.

  According to this configuration, the elastic seal member is provided with the upper side surface and the lower side surface that are formed in parallel and in a planar shape, and is a wide area in a plane with respect to the connecting housing element side and the connected housing element side. It is possible to exert a high waterproof function by sticking together. In addition, since the elastic seal member can be formed in a flat plate shape so as to be thin, the size of the elastic seal member can be reduced and the electrical connection device can be made compact.

  Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The present invention can be widely applied to an electrical connection device connected to a connected housing element that supports at least one pin-shaped terminal. The present invention can be used as various connectors used in automobiles, for example, it can be used as an electrical connection device for a squib that ignites by energizing a gas generator in an automotive airbag gas system. It can be applied to a wider range of applications, not limited to applications, and can be applied to many different environments and various purposes.

  1 to 6 illustrate an electrical connection device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the electrical connection device 1 as viewed from above, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the electrical connection device 1 in an upside down state (with the bottom portion facing up). FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a state in which the electrical connecting device 1 is fitted and connected to the connected housing element 2, and FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the electrical connecting device 1. 5 and 6 show a state in which the electrical connecting device 1 is fitted and connected to the housing element 2 to be connected. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a cut-out cross section. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, the electrical connection device 1 is configured in the form of a plug connected to the connected housing element 2 in the form of a socket. The cable 9 whose one end is connected to the pair of connection terminals 11 supported in the electrical connecting device 1 is connected to an airbag control system (not shown) at the other end. The connected housing element 2 is provided as part of an airbag ignition device (squib) (not shown). The connected housing element 2 supports a pair of pin-like terminals 10. By fitting the electrical connection device 1 to the connected housing element 2, the electrical connection device 1 and the connected housing element 2 are engaged and mechanically connected, and a pair of connection terminals 11 and the pair of pin-shaped terminals 10 are in contact with each other and are electrically connected. The squib burns when sufficient electrical energy is applied via the cable 9 based on a command from the airbag control system in a state where the electrical connecting device 1 is connected to the housing element 2 to be connected. By this combustion, the gas generating material is ignited and an airbag (not shown) is deployed.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the electrical connection device 1 includes a connection terminal 11, a connection housing element 12, a cable side rubber seal 15, a ferrite member 16, a terminal side rubber seal 17, and a seal cover 18.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the connection terminal 11 is configured as a pair of female connection terminals, and each connection terminal 11 is attached to the end of the cable 9 by means such as crimping. As described above, the connection terminal 11 is a male pin supported by the connected housing element 2 by fitting and connecting the electrical connecting device 1 and the connected housing element 2. The terminal 10 is electrically connected. In the present embodiment, the electrical connection device 1 including a pair (two poles) of connection terminals 11 is described as an example. However, the electrical connection device is for connecting terminals of one pole or three poles or more. However, the present invention can be applied.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the connecting housing element 12 includes a cover housing 13 and a main body housing 14. Both the cover housing 13 and the main body housing 14 are formed of a non-conductive plastic material. The main body housing 14 includes a terminal support portion 19, a tubular portion 20, and a cable support portion 21. Then, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the main housing 14 is fitted to the connected housing element 2, whereby the electrical connecting device 1 and the connected housing element 2 are connected. ing.

  As shown well in FIG. 6, the terminal support portion 19 of the main body housing 14 forms a tip portion that is fitted to the connected housing element 2 in the main body housing 14, and supports the connection terminal 11 inside. It is like that. A hole 23 through which the pin-like terminal 10 is inserted is formed in the bottom surface 22 which is the tip side of the terminal support portion 19. In the terminal support portion 19, when the pin-like terminal 10 inserted through the hole 23 and the connection terminal 11 are connected, a contact region 50 (indicated by a dotted line in FIG. 6) between the pin-like terminal 10 and the connection terminal 11. A region shown in a box is formed inside.

  The cylindrical portion 20 of the main body housing 14 is configured as a body portion of the main body housing 14 extending in a substantially cylindrical shape, and a hollow portion is formed inside. The end portion of the connection terminal 11 protrudes from the hollow portion, and the cable 9 crimped to the connection terminal 11 is disposed so as to be drawn out through the hollow portion. The hollow portion of the cylindrical portion 20 accommodates the ferrite member 16 into which the connection terminal 11 and the cable 9 are inserted and the cable-side rubber seal 15. The cable support portion 21 of the main body housing 14 is provided so as to protrude laterally at the upper portion of the cylindrical portion 20 (the end portion opposite to the tip portion), and a groove 24 into which the cable 9 is fitted is formed. (See FIG. 4). Then, the cover 9 is covered with the main body housing 14 with the cable 9 fitted in the groove 24, so that the cable 9 is sandwiched between the lid portion 25 of the cover housing 13 and the cable support portion 21. Has come to be supported.

  As shown well in FIG. 4, the cover housing 13 includes a lid portion 25 and a side wall portion 26. The lid portion 25 covers and closes the upper opening of the tubular portion 20 of the main body housing 14 and is formed so that the cable 9 can be held between the cable support portion 21 of the main body housing 14. The side wall portion 26 is formed to have a shape along the peripheral wall of the cylindrical portion 20 of the main body housing 14, and is fitted while being slidably contacted along the peripheral wall of the cylindrical portion 20. Also, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the engagement protrusion formed in a shape that spreads from the lower end side toward the upper end side at the lower end side (the front end side fitted into the main body housing 14) of the side wall portion 26. 27 is provided. The engaging protrusions 27 extend along the inner circumference of the connected housing element 2 when the connecting housing element 12 with the cover housing 13 fitted into the main body housing 14 is fitted into the connected housing element 2. The engagement groove 28 is formed so as to engage with the engagement groove 28. The engagement between the engagement protrusion 27 and the engagement groove 28 in this way completes the mechanical connection between the electrical connecting device 1 and the connected housing element 2.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the cable-side rubber seal 15 blocks water intrusion in a path (see FIG. 6) that passes between the cover housing 13 and the main body housing 14 and reaches the contact region 50. It is configured as a rubber plug that exhibits a waterproof function.

  FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the cable-side rubber seal 15 shown as a partially cutaway cross section. As shown in FIG. 7, the cable-side rubber seal 15 is provided with a pair of cable holes 29 through which the connection terminal 11 and the cable 9 are inserted. The cable hole 29 is provided with a plurality of ribs 30 formed on the inner periphery. In a state where the cable 9 is not inserted into the cable hole 29, the smallest inner diameter of the cable hole 29, that is, the inner diameter at the top of the rib 30 is formed to be smaller than the diameter of the cable 9. For this reason, in a state where the cable 9 is inserted into the cable hole 29, an elastic force due to elastic deformation of the rib 30 acts, and the outer periphery of the cable 9 and the inner periphery of the cable hole 29 have a high contact pressure. It will be in close contact. As a result, the cable 9 and the cable-side rubber seal 15 are sealed and waterproofed.

  The cable-side rubber seal 15 is provided with a plurality of ribs 31 formed along the side (see FIG. 7). As shown in FIG. 6, in the state where the cable-side rubber seal 15 is disposed in the hollow portion of the cylindrical portion 20 of the main body housing 14, the elastic force due to the elastic deformation of the ribs 31 acts to A sealed state is formed between the inner side and the side portion of the cable side rubber seal 15 so as to be waterproof.

  The ferrite member 16 is incorporated in the electrical connection device 1 as a means for removing electromagnetic noise. In the airbag system built in the vehicle, the ferrite member 16 causes a noise current to flow into the squib due to various electromagnetic waves from the outside such as cables, various electronic devices in the vehicle, radios, mobile phones, etc. It is prevented by the noise removal function. As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the ferrite member 16 has a pair of through holes 32 through which the pair of connection terminals 11 are inserted.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the terminal-side rubber seal 17 is disposed so as to come into contact with the bottom surface 22 of the main body housing 14, and is provided on the terminal support portion 19 of the main body housing 14 so that the pin-like terminal 10 is inserted. In the path (see FIG. 6) that passes through the hole 23 to the contact area 50, it is provided as a rubber plug that blocks water from entering and exhibits a waterproof function. The terminal side rubber seal 17 constitutes an elastic seal member in the present embodiment.

  FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the terminal-side rubber seal 17 shown as a partially cutaway cross section. As shown in FIG. 8, the terminal-side rubber seal 17 is provided with a flat plate portion 38 and a cylindrical edge portion 37. The flat plate portion 38 includes an upper side surface 39 disposed so as to face the bottom surface 22 of the main body housing 14, and a lower side surface 40 disposed on the opposite side of the upper side surface 39. The side surfaces 40 are both flat and parallel to each other. By providing this flat plate portion 38 disposed so as to cover the bottom surface 22 of the main body housing 14, the occurrence of play that may occur when the electrical connecting device 1 and the connected housing element 2 are fitted together is suppressed. Be able to. The flat plate portion 38 has an inner diameter that is inserted into the pin-shaped terminal 10 when the main body housing 14 and the connected housing element 2 are fitted, and that contacts the outer periphery of the pin-shaped terminal 10. A formed pin hole 33 is provided.

  A plurality of first ribs 34 are provided on the inner periphery of the pin hole 33 of the terminal-side rubber seal 17 so as to protrude toward the center in the radial direction. In this way, the first rib 34 comes into contact with the outer periphery of the pin-like terminal 10 inserted through the pin hole 33 so that a waterproof function is achieved. That is, in a state where the pin-shaped terminal 10 is inserted into the pin hole 33, the elastic force due to the elastic deformation of the first rib 34 acts, and the outer periphery of the pin-shaped terminal 10 and the terminal-side rubber seal 17 are for pins. The inner periphery of the hole 33 is brought into close contact with a high contact pressure. Thereby, the space between the pin-shaped terminal 10 and the terminal-side rubber seal 17 is sealed and waterproofed. Note that the outer periphery of the pin-like terminal 10 has a very smooth surface with a small surface roughness due to gold plating or the like. In addition, since the pin-shaped terminal 10 is inserted deeply into the base portion of the pin hole 33 (see FIG. 6), the terminal-side rubber seal 17 is formed at the base portion where the swing width of the pin-shaped terminal 10 is small. Is more securely attached to the pin-like terminal 10.

  As shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, the cylindrical edge portion 37 provided on the terminal side rubber seal 17 is formed so as to stand up around the flat plate portion 38, and the front end of the main body housing 14. It forms so that the outer periphery of the terminal support part 19 of the side may be covered. The cylindrical edge portion 37 is provided with a plurality of second ribs 35 that are protruded so as to come into contact with the outer periphery on the tip end side of the terminal support portion 19. The second rib 35 comes into contact with the outer periphery on the distal end side of the terminal support portion 19 so that a waterproof function is achieved. In other words, in a state where the terminal side rubber seal 17 covers the terminal support portion 19, the elastic force due to the elastic deformation of the second rib 35 acts and the outer periphery of the terminal support portion 19 and the cylindrical edge of the terminal side rubber seal 17. The inner periphery of the portion 37 is in close contact with a high contact pressure. As a result, the space between the terminal support 19 and the terminal-side rubber seal 17 is sealed and waterproofed.

  Also, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, a plurality of third ribs 36 are formed on the cylindrical edge portion 37 of the terminal-side rubber seal 17 so as to protrude so as to contact the inner periphery of the seal cover 18 described later. Is provided. The third rib 36 comes into contact with the inner periphery of the seal cover 18 so that a waterproof function is achieved. That is, in a state where the terminal side seal rubber 17 is further covered with the seal cover 18, an elastic force due to the elastic deformation of the third rib 36 acts to cause the inner periphery of the seal cover 18 and the cylindrical edge of the terminal side rubber seal 17. The outer periphery of the part 37 adheres with a high contact pressure. As a result, the seal cover 18 and the terminal-side seal rubber 18 are sealed and waterproofed.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the seal cover 18 is disposed between the bottom surface 22 of the main body housing 14 and the connected housing element 2, and the terminal side rubber seal 17 is connected to the bottom surface 22 of the main body housing 14. It is provided as a mechanism for holding between. The seal cover 18 is formed in a cap shape that covers the terminal-side seal rubber 17 and is attached to the terminal support portion 19 of the main body housing 14 so as to cover the tip end side. The seal cover 18 contacts the connected housing element 2 when the main body housing 14 is fitted to the connected housing element 2 so that the terminal-side seal rubber 17 is moved toward the bottom surface 22 of the main body housing 14. It will be arrange | positioned so that it may press.

  Next, the process of assembling the electrical connection device 1 having the above-described configuration will be described. First, as shown in the perspective view of FIG. 9, the terminal-side rubber seal 17 is fitted into the terminal support portion 19 of the main body housing 14 in the direction of the arrow in the figure and covers the bottom surface 22 of the main body housing 14. It is attached to become. Then, when the terminal side rubber seal 17 is attached to the main body housing 14, the seal cover 18 is attached in the direction of the arrow in the figure so as to cover the terminal side rubber seal 17, as shown in FIG. At this time, the engagement hole 41 provided in the seal cover 18 engages with the engagement protrusion 42 provided in the main body housing 14, so that the seal cover 18 holds the terminal-side seal rubber 17 and the main body. It will be fixed to the housing 14.

  When the terminal-side rubber seal 17 and the seal cover 18 are attached to the main body housing 14, the ferrite member 16 is then moved from the opening 43 provided above the cylindrical portion 20 of the main body housing 14 as shown in FIG. It is inserted in the direction and is arranged inside the cylindrical portion 20. When the ferrite member 16 is disposed inside the main body housing 14, subsequently, as shown in FIG. 12, the cable-side rubber seal 15 is inserted from the opening 43 and disposed inside the main body housing 14.

  When the ferrite member 16 and the terminal-side rubber seal 15 are disposed inside the main body housing 14, the connection terminal 11 is inserted from the opening 43 of the main body housing 14 in the direction of the arrow as shown in FIG. Then, the connection terminal 11 is inserted through the cable hole 29 of the terminal side rubber seal 15 and is further inserted into the through hole 32 of the ferrite member 16. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 14, the cable 9 connected to the connection terminal 11 is bent and attached so as to be further fitted into the groove 24 of the cable support portion 21 of the main body housing 14. And finally, as shown in FIG. 15, the electrical connection apparatus 1 is completed by attaching so that the cover housing 13 may have covered the main body housing 14 in the arrow direction in the figure.

  The electrical connecting device 1 assembled as shown in FIG. 15 is mechanically coupled to the connected housing element 2 as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 by being fitted to the connected housing element 2. Connected to. At this time, the pin-like terminal 10 supported by the to-be-connected housing element 2 passes through the pin hole 33 of the terminal-side rubber seal 17 and the hole 23 provided in the bottom surface 22 of the main body housing 14, thereby connecting terminal 11. Will be electrically connected. In the state where the connection is completed as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, as described above, the cable side rubber seal 15 provides waterproofing in the path from the space between the main body housing 14 and the cover housing 13 to the contact region 50. The terminal-side rubber seal 17 provides waterproofing in the path leading to the contact region 50 along the bottom surface 22 of the pin-shaped terminal 10 or the main body housing 14.

  According to the electrical connecting device 1 described above, when the connecting housing element 12 is fitted into the connected housing element 2, the pin-like terminal 10 supported by the connected housing element 2 is connected to the terminal side rubber seal 17. The pin hole 33 is penetrated to enter the connection housing element 12 to be electrically connected to the connection terminal 11. At this time, the outer periphery of the pin-shaped terminal 10 and the inner periphery of the pin hole 33 of the terminal-side rubber seal 17 are in contact with each other, and the pin-shaped terminal is caused by the elastic force acting on the pin-shaped terminal 10 from the terminal-side rubber seal 17. A sealed state is formed between the outer periphery of the pin 10 and the pin hole 33 of the terminal side rubber seal 17. And since the outer peripheral surface of the pin-shaped terminal 10 is formed so as to have a smooth surface state with a high surface shape dimensional system and a small surface roughness from the viewpoint of ensuring electrical connection, the terminal side rubber seal A highly complete sealed state can be formed between the inner periphery of the 17 pin holes 33.

  The terminal-side rubber seal 17 is disposed so as to contact the bottom surface 22 of the connecting housing element 12. Therefore, when the connecting housing element 12 and the connected housing element 2 are fitted, the terminal-side rubber seal 17 has an elastic force against both the bottom surface 22 of the connecting housing element 12 and the connected housing element 2. It will contact while acting. As a result, the area between the bottom surface 22 of the connecting housing element 12 and the connected housing element 2 is wide surface contact by the terminal-side rubber seal 17 arranged so as to extend along the bottom surface 22 of the connecting housing element 12. It will be sealed in the state. The terminal side rubber seal 17 is disposed between the connecting housing element 12 and the connected housing element 2 so as to extend in a direction perpendicular to the fitting direction, and is wide without being displaced. A sealed state by surface contact can be maintained.

  As described above, according to the electrical connection device 1, the entire path from the outside to the contact region 50 between the pin-shaped terminal 10 and the connection terminal 11 is sealed and water intrusion is blocked, and the waterproofing is achieved. It will be. Therefore, according to the electrical connection device 1, the electrical connection device connected to the connected housing element that supports the pin-shaped terminal is affected by the state of the housing surface in contact with the seal member, and has waterproof performance. It can suppress that it falls, and can ensure high waterproofness.

  Further, according to the electrical connecting device 1, the first rib 34 provided on the inner periphery of the pin hole 33 of the terminal-side rubber seal 17 comes into contact with the outer periphery of the pin-shaped terminal 10 and is elastically deformed so that the sealed state is obtained. It is supposed to be formed. For this reason, a high contact pressure can be generated in a narrow area between the deformed first rib 34 and the pin-shaped terminal 10, and a high waterproof performance can be easily ensured. Further, when the pin-shaped terminal 10 passes through the pin hole 33, the pin-shaped terminal 10 is inserted through the pin hole 33 while only contacting the first rib 33. Therefore, the pin hole The frictional resistance can be reduced as compared with the case where the pin hole 34 is inserted while being in contact with the entire inner peripheral area of the 34, and the pin-like terminal 10 can be easily inserted into the pin hole 33.

  Further, according to the electrical connection device 1, the second rib 35 of the cylindrical edge portion 37 provided on the terminal-side rubber seal 17 comes into contact with the outer periphery on the distal end side of the connecting housing element 12 and is elastically deformed to be sealed. A state is formed. For this reason, a high contact pressure can be generated in a narrow area between the deformed second rib 35 and the outer periphery on the distal end side of the connecting housing element 12, and a high waterproof performance can be exhibited at that location. . Therefore, waterproofing between the bottom surface 22 of the connecting connector element 12 and the terminal-side rubber seal 17 in a path along the connecting connector element 12 from the outside to the contact region 50 between the pin-shaped terminal 10 and the connecting terminal 11. In addition to the realization of the function, a double waterproof function can be realized between the second rib 35 and the outer periphery of the connecting housing element 12 on the front end side.

  In addition, according to the electrical connecting device 1, the seal cover 18 that holds the terminal-side rubber seal 17 between the bottom surface 22 of the connecting housing element 12 is provided, so that the terminal side rubber seal 17 is in close contact with the bottom surface 22 of the connecting housing element 12. Thus, the terminal side rubber seal 17 can be easily held. In addition, when the connecting housing element 12 and the connected housing element 2 are fitted together, it is possible to prevent the terminal-side rubber seal 17 from being turned over and being disposed in an inappropriate state.

  Further, according to the electrical connecting device 1, when the connecting housing element 12 and the connected housing element 2 are fitted, the terminal-side rubber seal 17 is connected to the connecting housing by the seal cover 18 in contact with the connected housing element 2. Since it is pressed against the bottom surface 22 of the element 12, the terminal-side rubber seal 17 can be firmly adhered to the connecting housing element 12 to ensure higher waterproofness.

  Further, according to the electrical connecting device 1, the seal cover 18 is attached to the connecting housing element 12 so as to cover the tip end side thereof, and therefore, the seal cover 18 is fixed to the connecting housing element 12 more firmly. The state in which the side rubber seal 17 is in close contact with the bottom surface 22 of the connecting housing element 12 can be more reliably maintained.

  Further, according to the electrical connecting device 1, the third rib 36 of the cylindrical edge portion 37 provided on the terminal-side rubber seal 17 comes into contact with the inner periphery of the seal cover 18 and is elastically deformed to form a sealed state. It has become so. For this reason, a high contact pressure can be generated in a narrow area between the deformed third rib 36 and the inner periphery of the seal cover 18, and a high waterproof performance can be exhibited at that location. Therefore, even in a path from the outside to the contact portion between the pin-like terminal 10 and the pin hole 33 through the terminal-side rubber seal 17 and the seal cover 18, the waterproof function can be exerted twice. Waterproofness can be ensured.

  Further, according to the electrical connecting device 1, the terminal-side rubber seal 17 is provided with the upper side surface 39 and the lower side surface 40 that are formed in parallel and flat, and the connecting housing element 12 side and the connected housing element are provided. It is possible to exert a high waterproof function by being in close contact with the two sides in a wide area in a plane. Further, since the terminal-side rubber seal 17 can be formed in a flat plate shape so as to have a small thickness, the size of the terminal-side rubber seal 17 can be reduced and the electrical connection device can be made compact.

  Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made as long as they are described in the claims. For example, the shapes of the connecting housing element and the elastic seal member are not limited to those illustrated in the present embodiment, and may be widely modified as long as they are described in the claims.

  The electrical connection device of the present invention can be widely applied to an electrical connection device that is connected to a connected housing element that indicates at least one pin-shaped terminal. For example, it can be used as various connectors used in automobiles, but is not limited to its application, and can be applied to a wider range of applications, and can be applied to many different environments and various purposes.

1 is a perspective view illustrating an electrical connection device according to an embodiment of the invention. It is a perspective view in the state which turned upside down the electrical connection apparatus shown in FIG. It is a top view which shows the state which fitted and connected the electrical connection apparatus shown in FIG. 1 to the to-be-connected housing element. It is a disassembled perspective view of the electrical connection apparatus shown in FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the state which fitted and connected to the to-be-connected housing element of the electrical connection apparatus shown in FIG. 1 with a notch cross section. It is sectional drawing which shows the state fitted and connected to the to-be-connected housing element of the electrical connection apparatus shown in FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the cable side rubber seal shown in FIG. 4 with a partially cutaway cross section. It is a perspective view which shows the elastic seal member shown in FIG. 4 with a partially cutaway cross section. It is a perspective view explaining the assembly process of the electrical connection apparatus shown in FIG. It is a perspective view explaining the assembly process of the electrical connection apparatus shown in FIG. It is a perspective view explaining the assembly process of the electrical connection apparatus shown in FIG. It is a perspective view explaining the assembly process of the electrical connection apparatus shown in FIG. It is a perspective view explaining the assembly process of the electrical connection apparatus shown in FIG. It is a perspective view explaining the assembly process of the electrical connection apparatus shown in FIG. It is a perspective view explaining the assembly process of the electrical connection apparatus shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Electrical connection apparatus 2 Housing element 10 to be connected Pin terminal 11 Connection terminal 12 Housing element 13 Cover housing 14 Main body housing 17 Terminal side rubber seal (elastic seal member)
22 Bottom surface 33 Pin hole 50 Contact area

Claims (8)

An electrical connection device connected to a connected housing element supporting at least one pin-like terminal,
At least one connection terminal electrically connected to the pin-shaped terminal;
The connection terminal is supported inside, and when the pin-shaped terminal and the connection terminal are connected, a contact region between the pin-shaped terminal and the connection terminal is formed inside, and is fitted with the housing element for connection. Connecting housing elements connected together,
When the connecting housing element and the connected housing element are fitted together, the connecting housing element is arranged so as to come into contact with the bottom surface which is the front end side to be fitted with the connected housing element. And an elastic seal member provided with a pin hole formed so as to have an inner diameter that contacts the outer periphery of the pin-shaped terminal while being inserted through the pin-shaped terminal,
An electrical connection device comprising:   At least one first rib protruding toward the radial center is formed on the inner periphery of the pin hole, and the first rib contacts the outer periphery of the pin-shaped terminal. The electrical connection device according to claim 1.   The elastic seal member is provided with a cylindrical edge formed so as to cover an outer periphery on the distal end side of the connecting housing element, and the cylindrical edge portion has an outer periphery on the distal end side of the connecting housing element. The electrical connection device according to claim 1, wherein at least one second rib is formed so as to protrude so as to come into contact with the electrical connection device.   The seal cover is further provided between the bottom surface of the connecting housing element and the housing element to be connected, and holds the elastic seal member between the bottom surface. The electrical connection device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.   When the connecting housing element is fitted to the connected housing element, the seal cover abuts the connected housing element so that the elastic seal member is directed toward the bottom surface of the connecting housing element. The electrical connection device according to claim 4, wherein the electrical connection device is pressed.   6. The electrical device according to claim 4, wherein the seal cover is attached so as to cover the elastic seal member and to cover the connecting housing element on a tip end side thereof. Connected device.   The elastic seal member is provided with a cylindrical edge formed so as to cover the outer periphery of the connecting housing element on the distal end side, and the cylindrical edge is in contact with the inner periphery of the seal cover. The electrical connection device according to claim 6, wherein at least one third rib protruding is formed.   The elastic seal member is formed such that an upper side surface arranged to face the bottom surface of the connecting housing element and a lower side surface opposite to the upper side surface are both flat and parallel to each other. The electrical connection device according to claim 1, wherein the electrical connection device is provided.

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