JP2013048018A - Connection structure of waterproof connector - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a waterproof connection device for easy assembly.SOLUTION: The connection structure of a waterproof connector includes a case 9, a circuit board 6 fixed to the case 9, an internal connector 3 mounted on the circuit board 6, an external connector 1 which is attached through a connector hole 9d formed at the case 9 and is connected to the internal connector 3, and a seal material 5 which is held between the external connector 1 and the case 9. The internal connector 3 includes a housing 30 comprising a hood part 31 equipped with an opening part 33 on one end. The external connector 1 is equipped with a housing 10 which includes a stage part 12 inserted in the connector hole 9d at one end part, a cylinder part 13 which is inserted in the hood part 31 through the opening part 33 formed at the center portion of the stage part 12, and a flange part 11 which holds the seal material 5 expanding outward at the other end part of the stage part 12.

Description

The present invention relates to a connection structure for a waterproof connector assembled to a case.

An automobile is controlled by many electronic devices. These electronic devices are protected from water droplets, oil, dust, and the like by a case. A connector is attached to the case and is connected to an external circuit from here (Patent Document 1).
As a method of ensuring the confidentiality between such a connector and the case, for example, a method of directly attaching a connector mounted on a circuit board to the case via a sealing adhesive is known. There is also known a method in which an elastic sealing material such as synthetic rubber is disposed between the connector and the case, and the connector is tightened with a screw to ensure confidentiality. In this case, the connector attached to the case is generally configured to be connected to the connector mounted on the circuit board by a relay connector.

  However, when a sealing adhesive is used, an adhesive coating process that is not easy to handle is required, and a reduction in workability is inevitable. Further, in this case, the circuit board is fixed to the case only by being held by the connector, but there is a possibility that the mounting portion of the connector may be cracked or peeled off due to vibration or an increase in the weight of the circuit board. Similarly, when the connector is fixed to the case and a separate relay connector is used, the assembly accuracy of the connector that is attached to the case and the connector that is mounted on the circuit board does not require strict restrictions. Score increases. Furthermore, the load of assembling work such as harness connection also increases.

JP 10-21988

In view of the circumstances described above, an object of the present invention is to provide a waterproof connector connection structure, a waterproof connector assembly structure, and a waterproof connector assembly method that are easy to assemble.

  The present invention solves the above-described problems. That is, the waterproof connector connection structure of the present invention includes (1) an internal connector mounted on a circuit board fixed to the case, and the internal connector attached via a connector hole formed in the case. An external connector and an annular seal member sandwiched between the external connector and the case, the internal connector having a housing formed of a hood portion having an opening at one end, The external connector has a fitting portion that is fitted into the connector hole at one end, a cylindrical portion that is fitted into the hood portion through the opening formed in a central portion of the fitting portion, and the fitting It is characterized in that it comprises a housing having a flange that extends outward at the other end of the part and sandwiches the sealing material.

According to the present invention, by inserting the external connector from the outside of the case toward the case side with the end portion that is fitted into the connector hole, the fitting portion is fitted into the connector hole, and the flange portion is placed outside the connector hole. It is assembled in a state where it is covered. At this time, a sealing material is sandwiched between the collar portion and the case. In the case, the external connector and the internal connector are electrically and mechanically connected.

  Due to the displacement of the assembly position of the circuit board with respect to the case and the displacement of the assembly position of the internal connector with respect to the circuit board, a displacement occurs in the assembly position of the internal connector with respect to the case. The external connector is assembled to the case in a state where such a deviation has occurred. According to the waterproof connector connection structure of the present invention, the gap between the external connector and the case is blocked by the sealing material even when the assembly position of the external connector and the internal connector is relatively displaced. State is maintained. As a result, even if the circuit board is fixed to the case, the assembly position of the circuit board is misaligned with respect to the case, and the internal connector is misaligned with respect to the circuit board, the confidentiality between the external connector and the case is ensured. Therefore, entry of water, oil, dust or the like does not occur in the case.

  Therefore, according to the waterproof connector connection structure of the present invention, the circuit board on which the internal connector is mounted is fixed in the case, and the external connector is fixed to the case from the outside. The external connector is engaged, and at the same time the case is in a confidential state. As described above, the assembling work of the waterproof connector can be easily performed.

  More preferably, in the waterproof connector connection structure of the present invention, (2) the external connector includes a linearly extending contact and the housing for holding the contact, and the contact has a rod-like shape at one end. It is a thing of description (1) characterized by including the male contact part and the female contact part which consists of a box part which receives the corresponding male type terminal which formed the leaf | plate spring part inside in the other end.

  According to the present invention, the external connector includes a rod-shaped male contact portion at one end and a female contact portion including a box portion having a spring portion formed inside at the other end. The box part is formed with a hole in which the lance and the retainer are engaged. As a result, the contact is held in the housing, so that press-fitting work is not necessary. Therefore, assembly work is facilitated. In addition, a female connector similar to the conventional one can be used for connection between the external circuit and the case.

  More preferably, in the waterproof connector connection structure of the present invention, (3) even if the opening of the internal connector is displaced relative to the external connector on the vertical plane with respect to the fitting direction, The opening of the insertion hole that is formed to be larger than the outer shape of the tube portion and that accepts the mating contact of the tube portion is relative to the internal connector on the vertical plane with respect to the fitting direction. Even if a misalignment occurs, the contact is formed to be larger than the outer shape of the contact so that the contact is inserted into the opening. .

  According to the present invention, the opening of the internal connector is formed larger than the outer shape of the cylindrical portion of the external connector, and the opening of the insertion hole is formed larger than the outer shape of the contact of the internal connector. As a result, even when the assembly position between the external connector and the internal connector is relatively displaced, the gap between the external connector and the case is maintained in a state of being sealed with the sealing material. As a result, even if the circuit board is fixed to the case, the assembly position of the circuit board is misaligned with respect to the case, and the internal connector is misaligned with respect to the circuit board, the confidentiality between the external connector and the case is ensured. Therefore, the entry of water, oil, dust or the like does not occur in the case.

  More preferably, the waterproof connector connection structure of the present invention is characterized in that (4) the internal connector includes a contact having a bent portion in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. Of these, one is described.

  According to this invention, the contact of the internal connector has the bent portion. As a result, the effective length of the elastic deformation of the contact is longer than that in the state without the bent portion. As a result, the contact is easily elastically deformed, and deformation stress applied to the contact fixing portion due to deformation of the contact front portion is relieved. Therefore, the assembling work of the waterproof connector can be performed safely and easily.

  More preferably, the waterproof connector assembly structure of the present invention includes (5) a case, a circuit board fixed to the case, an internal connector mounted on the circuit board, and a connector hole formed in the case. An external connector connected to the internal connector, and a sealing material sandwiched between the external connector and the case, the internal connector having a hood having an opening at one end The external connector is fitted into the hood portion through the fitting portion inserted into the connector hole at one end and the opening formed in the central portion of the fitting portion. Characterized in that it includes a housing having a cylindrical portion and a flange portion that sandwiches the sealing material and extends outward at the other end of the fitting portion.

According to this invention, even when the assembly position of the external connector and the internal connector is relatively displaced, the state in which the gap between the external connector and the case is closed with the sealing material is maintained. As a result, even if the circuit board is fixed to the case, the assembly position of the circuit board is misaligned with respect to the case, and even if the assembly position of the internal connector is misaligned with respect to the circuit board, the confidentiality between the external connector and the case is ensured. Therefore, the entry of water, oil, dust or the like does not occur in the case.
In addition, since an adhesive for sealing or a relay connector connected to an electric wire is not used, the assembly work of the connector can be easily performed.

  More preferably, in the waterproof connector assembly structure of the present invention, (6) the external connector includes a linearly extending contact and the housing holding the contact, and the contact has a rod-like shape at one end. It is a thing of description (5) characterized by providing a male contact part and the female contact part which consists of a box part which receives the corresponding male type | mold terminal which formed the leaf | plate spring part inside in the other end.

  According to the present invention, since the contact is held by the housing, the press-fitting work becomes unnecessary. Therefore, assembly work is facilitated. In addition, a female connector similar to the conventional one can be used for connection between the external circuit and the case.

  More preferably, in the waterproof connector assembly structure of the present invention, (7) even if the opening of the internal connector is displaced relative to the external connector on the vertical plane with respect to the fitting direction, The opening of the insertion hole that is formed to be larger than the outer shape of the tube portion and that accepts the mating contact of the tube portion is relative to the internal connector on the vertical plane with respect to the fitting direction. Even if a misalignment occurs, the contact is formed to be larger than the outer shape of the contact to the extent that the contact is inserted into the opening. .

According to this invention, even when the assembly position of the external connector and the internal connector is relatively displaced, the state in which the gap between the external connector and the case is closed with the sealing material is maintained. As a result, even if the circuit board is fixed to the case, the assembly position of the circuit board is misaligned with respect to the case, and even if the assembly position of the internal connector is misaligned with respect to the circuit board, the confidentiality between the external connector and the case is ensured. Therefore, the entry of water, oil, dust or the like does not occur in the case.
In addition, since an adhesive for sealing or a relay connector connected to an electric wire is not used, the assembly work of the connector can be easily performed.

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a connection structure for a waterproof connector comprising an external connector and an internal connector according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the waterproof connector connection structure. (A) is a longitudinal sectional view, and (B) is a lateral sectional view. FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the waterproof connector assembled in a case. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of an assembly structure of the waterproof connector assembled to the case. FIG. 5 is an external perspective view showing the assembling order of the waterproof connector. FIG. 5A shows that the circuit board on which the internal connector is mounted is fixed in the case, and FIG. 5B shows the external connector. FIG. 2C shows a position where the connector is fitted to the internal connector through a connector hole formed in the case, and FIG. 3C shows a position where the external connector is fixed to the case with a screw. 6A and 6B are side views showing the assembly structure of the waterproof connector, wherein FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional view of the fitting portion, and FIG. 6B is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the fitting portion in a state in which there is no displacement. C) is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the fitting portion in a state where the positional deviation has occurred. 7A and 7B are plan views showing the assembly structure of the waterproof connector, where FIG. 7A is a cross-sectional view of the fitting portion, and FIG. 7B is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the fitting portion with no misalignment. C) is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the fitting portion in a state where the positional deviation has occurred. FIG. 8 is an external perspective view of a contact held by the external connector. FIG. 9 is a developed view of the contact shown in FIG. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a place where the contact shown in FIG. 8 is inserted into the housing of the external connector, where (A) shows before insertion and (B) shows after insertion. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional side view showing a state in which the mating connector is connected to the external connector into which the contact shown in FIG. 8 is inserted. FIG. 12 is an external perspective view showing a state in which the external connector into which the contact shown in FIG. 8 is inserted and the mating connector are assembled to the case. FIG. 13 is a plan view of the same internal connector in which a male contact bent in an S shape is incorporated, (A) is a plan view of the entire internal connector, and (B) is an S shape with the top plate removed. FIG. 4C is a plan view that makes it easy to see the arrangement of contacts, and FIG. 6C is a plan view before the S-shaped contact is fitted to the external connector. FIG. 14 is an external perspective view of a male contact bent into an S shape and inserted into the internal connector.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a connection structure for a waterproof connector comprising an external connector and an internal connector according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the waterproof connector connection structure. (A) is a longitudinal sectional view, and (B) is a lateral sectional view. Define the direction in the description. As shown in FIG. 1, the direction toward the outside of the case on the fitting shaft is defined as the front, and the opposite direction is defined as the rear.

<External connector>
As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the external connector 1 includes a flat rectangular insulating housing 10 and a uniaxial contact 20.
In addition, the insertion part used by the claim includes the base part 12 used by this embodiment.
In this description, the direction is defined here so that the direction becomes clear. As shown in FIG. 1A, along the fitting direction of the on-paper connector, the external connector side is the front, the opposite internal connector side is the rear, the far side is the right, and the near side is the left.

<housing>
The housing 10 is an integrally molded product of synthetic resin. The housing 10 has a plate-shaped rectangular ridge part 11, a flat pan-like shape at the center of the ridge part 11, a base part 12 that is recessed forward and protrudes rearward, and a cylindrical part that protrudes rearward in the center of the base part 12 in a box shape 13.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the flange portion 11 surrounds the base portion 12 in an annular shape. The flange portion 11 has a flat surface and contacts the wall surface of the case 9. The flange portion 11 includes screw holes 11a that are screwed to the case 9 at four corners. The flange portion 11 is in close contact with the case 9 by the tightening screw. In the flange portion 11, a groove portion 11 b is formed on the periphery of the base portion 12. The groove portion 11 b is formed on the close contact surface with the case 9. The seal material 5 is disposed in the groove portion 11b. Since the sealing material 5 is disposed on the contact surface between the flange portion 11 and the case 9, the confidentiality of the case 9 is ensured.

As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the base portion 12 projects backward in the shape of a flat pan from the center of the flange portion 11. The top surface (back surface) of the base portion 12 is flat, and the cylindrical portion 13 projects from the center. The housing 10 is assembled by fitting the base portion 12 into the connector hole 9 d of the case 9. The peripheral surface of the base 12 rises vertically. However, the left wall has a gentle slope. On the peripheral surface of the base portion 12, ribs 12a extending in the height direction (front-rear direction) are provided at predetermined intervals.
As shown in FIG. 2, the cylindrical portion 13 holds a contact 20 inside. The cylindrical portion 13 has storage chambers 13a penetrating in the front-rear direction arranged in two directions on the left and right sides. The contact 20 is held in the storage chamber 13a. The external connector 1 accommodates and fits the tube portion 13 in the hood portion 31 of the internal connector 3.

<contact>
As shown in FIG. 2, the contact 20 is a molded product of a plate-like copper alloy. The contact 20 has a box portion at one end and a rod-like portion at the other end.
The box part forms a spring part 27 inside, and elastically contacts the mating contact inserted here. The box portion constitutes the female contact portion 21. As shown in FIG. 2, the box part has a quadrangular cross section formed by folding a plate-like body. A locking portion is formed so that the folding cannot be released, and the shape is held here. The spring portion 27 is a plate-like body that has a bent portion formed at the tip. A contact point is formed by the contact pressure of the spring portion 27.

  The bar-shaped part is a folded metal plate. The tip is formed in a taper shape. The main body has a smooth surface. The rod-shaped part constitutes the male contact part 21. Thus, the contact 20 has a female contact portion 25 formed at one end and a male contact portion 21 formed at the other end. The housing 10 is arranged so that the female contact portion 25 is located on the side (rear side) fitting with the internal connector 3 and the male contact portion 21 is located on the opposite side.

<Internal connector>
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the internal connector 3 includes a housing 30, a contact 40 mounted on the circuit board 6, and a reinforcing bracket 8. The internal connector 3 is mounted on the circuit board 6. At that time, the contact 40 and the reinforcing metal fitting 8 are held. The internal connector 3 is fixed to the edge of the circuit board 6 with the fitting surface facing the connector hole 9d. The internal connector 3 is fitted with the external connector 1.

<housing>
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the housing 30 is an integrally molded product of synthetic resin. The housing 30 includes an accommodating portion 34 formed of a space for fitting with the cylindrical portion 13 of the external connector 1. The housing 30 is a box having an opening 33 on the front surface. The housing 30 includes a hood portion 31 that surrounds the accommodating portion 34. The housing 30 includes a groove 36 for holding the reinforcing metal fitting 8 on the side surface. The reinforcing metal fitting 8 is press-fitted and held in the groove portion 36. The housing 30 includes a base portion 32 behind the housing portion 34. A press-fit hole 35 for press-fitting the contact 40 is formed in the base 32. The press-fit holes 35 are arranged in the left-right direction in two stages, upper and lower.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the hood portion 31 extends forward so as to surround the contact portion of the contact 40.

<contact>
The contact 40 is formed by bending a square bar made of copper alloy. In the contact 40, a copper alloy base material is protected by gold or tin plating. The contact 40 includes a contact portion that is connected to the external connector 1, a connection portion that is mounted on the circuit board 6, and a fixing portion that is held by the housing 30.
The fixed portion is press-fitted and held in the press-fitting hole 35 of the housing 30. The contact portion extends forward in the hood portion 31. The connecting portion extends rearward from the rear surface of the housing 30, bends 90 degrees, faces the surface of the circuit board 6, and is connected to a terminal of the circuit board 6 at the tip.

<Another embodiment>
Next, an example in which a waterproof connector is assembled to an automobile electronic control device, which is another embodiment of the present invention, will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the waterproof connector assembled in a case. FIG. 4 is an external perspective view of the waterproof connector assembled to a case.

<Case>
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the case 9 includes a case main body 9 a and a lid 9 b which are separate bodies. The opening on the upper surface of the case body 9a is closed with the lid 9b after assembly. The lid 9b is tightened with a screw through the sealing material to ensure confidentiality. The case 9 is a box made of an aluminum alloy. The case body 9a has a connector hole 9d formed on the front surface. The base 12 of the housing 10 of the external connector 1 is fitted into the connector hole 9d.

  The connector hole 9d is a rectangular through hole extending in the lateral direction. The internal connector 3 and the external connector 1 are fitted through the connector hole 9d. The inner peripheral surface of the connector hole 9d is in contact with the peripheral surface of the base portion 12. Confidentiality is ensured by providing the sealing material 5 on the joint surface between the external connector 1 and the case main body 9a. The case body 9a is provided with a column 9c for fixing the circuit board 6. The lower end portion of the column 9c is fixed to the case body 9a. The circuit board 6 is fixed by screwing at the upper end portion of the column 9c.

<Assembly method of waterproof connector>
FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the waterproof connector assembled to the case. FIG. 5 is an external perspective view showing the assembling order of the waterproof connector. FIG. 5A shows that the circuit board on which the internal connector is mounted is fixed in the case, and FIG. 5B shows the external connector. FIG. 2C shows a position where the connector is fitted to the internal connector through a connector hole formed in the case, and FIG. 3C shows a position where the external connector is fixed to the case with a screw.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the circuit board 6 on which the internal connector 3 is mounted is fixed to the case 9 via the support 9 c inside the case 9. Fixing is done with a tightening screw.
The waterproof connector assembly structure includes an internal connector 3 mounted on the circuit board 6, a case 9 for fixing the circuit board 6 therein, an external connector 1 assembled through a connector hole 9d formed in the case 9, and A sealing material 5 is provided between the external connector 1 and the case 9. The circuit board 6 is fixed to the case 9 via a support 9c.

The assembly order of the waterproof connector to the case 9 will be described with reference to FIG. A circuit board 6 on which the internal connector 3 and necessary electronic components are mounted is prepared and arranged in the case 9 from the opening on the upper surface of the case body 9a (A). The position is adjusted so that the opening 33 of the internal connector 3 matches the connector hole 9 d of the case 9.
The circuit board 6 arranged at the regular position is fixed to the support column 9c. Fixing is done with a tightening screw. A screw hole is formed in the circuit board 6, and a screw groove is carved on the upper end of the support column 9c. When the circuit board 6 is fixed at the normal position, the position of the opening 33 of the internal connector 3 matches the position of the connector hole 9d of the case 9 (A).

The external connector 1 is fitted into the internal connector 3 (B). At this time, the sealing material 5 is disposed in the groove portion 11 b of the flange portion 11. The external connector 1 is assembled to the case 9 in such a manner that the base portion 12 is fitted into the connector hole 9d while the cylindrical portion 11 is fitted into the accommodating portion 34 of the internal connector 3. When assembled in the case 9, the external connector 1 is fitted to the internal connector 3 at a normal fitting position (B).
The external connector 1 fitted in the regular fitting position closes the connector hole 9d by fitting the base portion 12 into the connector hole 9d and bringing the flange portion 11 into close contact with the peripheral edge of the connector hole 9d (B).

When the base portion 12 is inserted into the connector hole 9d to the normal insertion position, the flange portion 11 is in close contact with the peripheral edge of the connector hole 9d via the seal material 5.
When the external connector 1 is assembled to the case 9 and is in such a state, the external connector 1 is screwed to the case 9 at the four corners of the flange 11 (C). By tightening the screw, the flange portion 11 closely contacts the peripheral edge of the connector hole 9d of the case 9 with the sealing material 5 interposed therebetween. Thereby, the confidentiality of the case 9 is ensured.

<Position misalignment correction>
Details of the assembling work for fitting the external connector 1 to the internal connector 3 through the connector hole 9d will be described with reference to FIGS. 6A and 6B are side views showing the assembly structure of the waterproof connector, wherein FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional view of the fitting portion, and FIG. 6B is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the fitting portion in a state in which there is no displacement. C) is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the fitting portion in a state where the positional deviation has occurred. 7A and 7B are plan views showing the assembly structure of the waterproof connector, where FIG. 7A is a cross-sectional view of the fitting portion, and FIG. 7B is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the fitting portion with no misalignment. C) is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the fitting portion in a state where the positional deviation has occurred.

In a state where the circuit board 6 is fixed to the column 9c of the case 9, the front end of the hood portion 31 of the internal connector 3 is positioned near the connector hole 9d as shown in FIGS.
In the assembly work for fitting the external connector 1 to the internal connector 3 through the connector hole 9d, when the rear end of the base portion 12 of the external connector 1 first starts to be engaged with the connector hole 9d, the rear end of the cylindrical portion 13 is Close to the opening 33 of the internal connector 3.

  The screw hole 11a of the flange portion 11 is formed to match the screw hole 9e of the case 9 when the base portion 12 is inserted into the connector hole 9d. When the external connector 1 is assembled to the case 9, the cylindrical portion 13 is disposed at the center of the connector hole 9d. The position of the cylindrical portion 13 is deviated from the designed position as a result of integration of the processing tolerance of the housing 30, the assembly tolerance, and the processing tolerance of the screw hole 9e and the connector hole 9d. The positional displacement of the housing 10 of the external connector 1 occurs in the vertical direction, the horizontal direction, and the front-back direction with reference to a predetermined position of the case 9.

Further, this positional deviation also occurs on the internal connector 3 side, as shown in FIGS. Since the internal connector 3 is located on the circuit board 6, the circuit board 6 is fixed by the support column 9 c, and the support column 9 c is fixed to the bottom surface of the case body 9 a, the displacement amount of the internal connector 3 Is generally larger than that of the external connector 1. When the external connector 1 and the internal connector 3 are fitted, these positional deviations have a relative effect.

When the internal connector 3 is not displaced in the vertical direction with respect to the external connector 1 as shown in FIG. 6B, the cylindrical portion 13 of the external connector 1 is connected to the hood portion 31 of the internal connector 3. Located in the center. Here, when the contact 40 of the internal connector 3 is disposed at the regular position, the center line of the contact 40 matches the center line of the insertion hole 13 b of the external connector 1. Therefore, the subsequent fitting is performed smoothly, the cylinder portion 13 is completely fitted to the housing portion 34 in the hood portion 31, and the contact 40 of the internal connector 3 is inserted through the insertion hole 13 b. The external connector 1 is connected to the box portion of the contact 20.
When the internal connector 3 is displaced upward in the vertical direction as shown in FIG. 6C with respect to the external connector 1, the position of the hood portion 31 is the position of the cylindrical portion 13. Close to the top.

In the case of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the opening 33 of the hood part 31 is larger in the vertical direction than the outer shape of the cylinder part 13, and the opening 13 c of the contact insertion hole 13 b at the rear end of the cylinder part 13. Is formed larger in the vertical direction than the outer shape of the contact 40.
Thereby, even if the internal connector 3 is displaced in the vertical direction with respect to the external connector 1, the hood portion 31 can accommodate the cylindrical portion 13 in the accommodating portion 34. At the same time, the contact insertion hole 13b guides the tip of the contact 40 with its tapered surface and slightly deforms the contact 40 so as to correct the position of the tip, while the counterpart contact 20 located at the back of the insertion hole 13b. I will guide you to the box part.

In this way, even when the positional deviation is originally generated between the external connector 1 and the internal connector 3 and the center line between the two contacts 20 and 40 is displaced, the fitting between the housings 10 and 30 is performed. Since the tolerance of the connection is high, the two contacts 20, 40 can be connected as described above.
Further, with respect to the positional deviation in the horizontal direction between the internal connector 3 and the external connector 1, as shown in FIG. 7, the opening 26 of the hood portion 31 is larger in the horizontal direction than the outer shape of the cylindrical portion 13, and The front opening 13c of the contact insertion hole 13b at the rear end of the cylindrical portion 13 is larger in the left-right direction than the outer shape of the contact 40.
Thereby, even if the position shift arises relatively between the internal connector 3 and the external connector 1, both the connectors 1 and 3 can be fitted, and both the contacts 20 and 40 can be connected.

  Regarding the positional deviation in the front-rear direction between the external connector 1 and the internal connector 3, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the contact length between the two contacts 20, 40 is long. Even when the connector 3 is at a position separated along the front-rear direction, the electromechanical connection between the contacts 20 and 40 can be ensured.

In the case of the present embodiment, the contact 40 of the internal connector 3 is designed to have a longer overall length than the generally used overall length. Thereby, the deviation tolerance is further increased with respect to the positional deviation in the front-rear direction.
Further, since the entire length of the contact 40 is long, the ability to relieve intensive deformation stress caused by the fitting of the contact 40 when the above-described vertical and horizontal misalignment occurs is enhanced.
Moreover, since the wall thickness of the rear end of the cylinder part 13 is thick, the opening 13c can be enlarged even if the taper angle of the insertion hole 13b is about the same as the conventional one.

<Male female contact>
FIG. 8 is an external perspective view of a contact held by the external connector. FIG. 9 is a developed view of the contact shown in FIG. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a place where the contact shown in FIG. 8 is inserted into the housing of the external connector, where (A) shows before insertion and (B) shows after insertion.
As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the contact 20 of the external connector 1 is formed by cutting a metal plate-like body into a developed shape and applying bending or the like in a predetermined order. For the contact 20, a copper alloy is generally used in consideration of conductivity and workability.
As shown in FIG. 8, the contact 20 includes a male contact portion 21, a female contact portion 25, and a connecting portion 24, which are connected by a base portion 20 a. The contact 20 is plated with gold or tin on a copper alloy base material in order to increase durability.

As shown in FIG. 8, the male contact portion 21 is formed by folding a metal plate material. The male contact portion 21 has a rectangular cross section and extends in a bar shape. The tip 21a has a taper and is narrow. The proximal end is connected to the connecting portion 24 with the female contact portion 25.
The connecting portion 24 is formed in a substantially quadrangular prism in order to connect the wide female contact portion 25 and the narrow male contact portion 21. The cross-sectional shape is a rectangle. A base portion of the connecting portion 24 is connected to the female contact portion 25.

As shown in FIG. 8, the female contact portion 25 includes an opening 26 on the rear side. It is a structure that accepts the counterpart contact from the rear. The insertion / extraction direction of the male contact portion 21 and the insertion / extraction direction of the female contact portion 25 are on the same axis.
The female contact portion 25 includes a locking portion with the housing 10. The female contact portion 25 is formed by bending a metal plate-like piece into a quadrangular cross section. The female contact portion 25 includes a box portion 29 having a square cross section. The box portion 29 includes an elastic spring piece 27 inside. This spring piece 27 elastically contacts the mating contact inserted through the box portion 29 and is responsible for electrical connection.

<Assembly of external connector>
FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a place where the contact shown in FIG. 8 is inserted into the housing of the external connector, where (A) shows before insertion and (B) shows after insertion.
As shown in FIG. 10, the contact 20 of the external connector 1 is inserted from the housing portion 15 side of the housing 10 into the housing chamber 13 a with the female contact portion 25 at the head. When the contact 20 is inserted to the normal position of the storage chamber 13a, the lance 17 of the housing 10 is engaged with the locking port 28 of the contact 20.

The external connector 1 includes a female contact portion 25 in the accommodation chamber 13 a in the cylindrical portion 13. The opening 26 of the contact 20 faces the insertion hole 13 b of the housing 10. The counterpart contact 40 is inserted into the female contact portion 25 from the opening 26 through the insertion hole 13b. In the external connector 1, a male contact portion 21 with the top facing the front side is disposed in the left and right direction in two steps, upper and lower, in the housing portion 15 in the front cylinder portion 16.
Therefore, the external connector 1 has a structure in which it is connected to the male connector (internal connector 3) at the rear and connected to the female connector at the front.

  FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional side view showing a state in which the mating connector is connected to the external connector into which the contact shown in FIG. 8 is inserted. FIG. 12 is an external perspective view showing a state in which the external connector into which the contact shown in FIG. 8 is inserted and the mating connector are assembled to the case.

As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the external connector 1 is connected to the male connector (internal connector 3) at the rear and connected to the female connector (mating connector 100) at the front. The external connector 1 is between the mating connector 100 and the internal connector 3, and the external connector 1 is fixed to the case 9 with the sealing material 5 interposed therebetween.

Confidentiality of the connector hole 9 d of the case 9 is achieved by the external connector 1. Electrical connection between the internal connector 3 and the mating connector 100 is made through the external connector 1. Both the internal connector 3 fixed to the case and the external connector 1 can be easily connected to the housing 10 and 30 and the contacts 20 and 40 without applying an excessive load by a fitting mechanism having a large displacement tolerance. Can be done in the work.
Thus, by providing the external connector 1, the confidentiality of the case 9 is ensured and can be fitted by an easy connection operation.

<Other embodiments, internal connector>
FIG. 13 is a plan view of the same internal connector in which a male contact bent in an S shape is incorporated, (A) is a plan view of the entire internal connector, and (B) is an S shape with the top plate removed. FIG. 4C is a plan view that makes it easy to see the arrangement of contacts, and FIG. 6C is a plan view before the S-shaped contact is fitted to the external connector. FIG. 14 is an external perspective view of a male contact bent into an S shape and inserted into the internal connector.

  As shown in FIG. 14, the contact 40 of the internal connector 3 according to another embodiment includes an S-shaped bent portion 430 behind the contact portion 410. The S shape is formed on a horizontal plane. The contact 400 includes a contact portion 410 at the front, a bent portion 430 at the rear, a fixing portion 450 at the rear, and a solder mounting portion 420 at the rear.

As shown in FIG. 13, the contact 400 including the bent portion 430 is press-fitted into the press-fitting hole 35 of the housing 30 and arranged in the left-right direction of the internal connector 3. The S shape is formed on a horizontal plane. Due to the S-shaped bent portion 430, the actual length from the contact portion 410 to the fixed portion 450 of the contact 400 is extended as compared with a linear shape. As a result, strain at the fixed portion caused by the deformation force applied to the contact portion 410 is alleviated.
Therefore, the same effect as that obtained by extending the contact can be obtained without extending the longitudinal length of the connector.
The present invention has been described based on the embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the inventive idea.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 External connector 10 Housing 11 Grow part 11a Screw hole 11b Groove part 12 Base part 12a Rib 13 Cylinder part 13a Accommodating chamber 13b Insertion hole 13c Opening 14 Recessed part 15 Accommodating part 16 Cylinder part 17 Lance 18 Retainer 20 Contact 20a Base part 21 Male contact Portion 24 Connecting portion 25 Female contact portion 26 Opening portion 27 Spring portion 3 Internal connector 30 Housing 31 Hood portion 32 Base portion 33 Opening portion 34 Receiving portion 35 Press-fitting hole 36 Groove portion 40, 400 Contact
5 Sealing material
6 Circuit board
7 Screw
8 Reinforcing metal fittings
9 cases
9a Case body
9b Lid 9c Prop
9d Connector hole
9e Screw hole 100 Mating connector

Claims (7)

An internal connector mounted on a circuit board fixed to the case;
An external connector connected to the internal connector, which is attached through a connector hole formed in the case,
An annular sealing material sandwiched between the external connector and the case, and
The internal connector has a housing consisting of a hood portion with an opening at one end,
The external connector is an insertion portion that is inserted into the connector hole at one end portion,
A cylindrical portion that fits into the hood portion through the opening formed in the central portion of the insertion portion, and a flange that extends outward to the other end portion of the insertion portion and sandwiches the sealing material A structure for connecting a waterproof connector, characterized by comprising a housing having a portion. The external connector includes a linearly extending contact and the housing that holds the contact,
The contact is characterized by comprising a rod-shaped male contact portion at one end and a female contact portion formed of a box portion for receiving a corresponding male terminal with a leaf spring portion formed inside at the other end. The connection structure of the waterproof connector according to 1. The opening of the internal connector is formed to be larger than the outer shape of the cylindrical portion to the extent that the cylindrical portion can be inserted even if a relative positional deviation from the external connector occurs on a vertical plane with respect to the fitting direction. ,
The opening portion of the insertion hole that receives the mating contact of the cylindrical portion is such that the contact is inserted into the opening portion even if a relative positional deviation with respect to the internal connector occurs on a vertical plane with respect to the fitting direction. 3. The waterproof connector connection structure according to claim 1, wherein the waterproof connector connection structure is formed larger than the outer shape of the contact. 4. The waterproof connector connection structure according to claim 1, wherein the internal connector includes a contact having a bent portion in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction. 5. Case and
A circuit board fixed to the case;
An internal connector mounted on this circuit board;
An external connector connected to the internal connector, which is attached through a connector hole formed in the case,
A seal material sandwiched between the external connector and the case, and
The internal connector has a housing consisting of a hood portion with an opening at one end,
The external connector is an insertion portion that is inserted into the connector hole at one end portion,
A cylindrical portion that fits into the hood portion through the opening formed in the central portion of the insertion portion, and a flange that extends outward to the other end portion of the insertion portion and sandwiches the sealing material A structure for assembling a waterproof connector, characterized by comprising a housing having a portion. The external connector includes a linearly extending contact and the housing that holds the contact,
The contact is characterized by comprising a rod-shaped male contact portion at one end and a female contact portion formed of a box portion for receiving a corresponding male terminal with a leaf spring portion formed inside at the other end. 5. An assembled structure of the waterproof connector according to 5. The opening of the internal connector is formed to be larger than the outer shape of the cylindrical portion to the extent that the cylindrical portion can be inserted even if a relative positional deviation from the external connector occurs on a vertical plane with respect to the fitting direction. ,
The opening portion of the insertion hole that receives the mating contact of the cylindrical portion is such that the contact is inserted into the opening portion even if a relative positional deviation with respect to the internal connector occurs on a vertical plane with respect to the fitting direction. 7. The waterproof connector assembly structure according to claim 5, wherein the waterproof connector is formed larger than the outer shape of the contact.

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