JP2014032784A - Connector and molding method therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a desired sealability by suppressing poor adhesion of the bonding surface of a seal member and a relay terminal or the bonding surface of a seal member and a connector housing.SOLUTION: A molding die for molding a connector housing 2 being partitioned by a partition wall 22 for forming the apparatus inside and the apparatus outside in the internal space of a tubular sidewall 21, in the center of the internal space, is used. An elastic seal member 4 being embedded in the partition wall 22, and at least one relay terminal 3 penetrating the partition wall 22 and having both ends projected, respectively, to the apparatus inside 23 and the apparatus outside 24 are placed in the molding die. Protrusions provided in the molding die are pressed against the elastic seal member 4 at positions spaced apart from the relay terminal 3, and then connector housing 2 is molded while compressing the elastic seal member 4. Molding marks 20 are formed in the partition wall 22 by the protrusions.

Description

  The present invention relates to a connector and a method for forming the connector, for example, a connector that is inserted in a partition wall of various devices and connects wiring inside and outside the device.

  For example, as a connector that penetrates the partition walls of various equipment such as automobile engine rooms, automatic transmissions, and fuel tanks (penetrated in through holes for connectors) and connects wiring inside and outside the equipment, waterproof, oilproof, etc. Those having a sealing property are known. As an example of a connector with such a seal structure, a connector housing, a relay terminal (terminal), etc. constituting the connector are integrated by molding (insert molding, etc.) and sealed so that the inside and outside of the device do not communicate with each other Is mentioned.

  The connector housing has a structure in which the inside of the device and the outside of the device in the internal space of the cylindrical side wall are partitioned by a partition wall formed in the central portion of the internal space, and the relay terminal penetrates the partition wall and forms a cylinder. It extends along the axial direction of the shaped side wall, and is arranged (at least one arrangement) so that both ends protrude to the inside of the device and the outside of the device, respectively.

  In the joint surface (penetrating surface) between the partition wall and the relay terminal, a gap is formed at least, and the inside and outside of the device can communicate (for example, the liquid inside the device flows out by capillary action), as shown in FIG. The surface of the partition wall 71 of the connector housing 70 (the surface outside the device in FIG. 5) is covered with a sealing material in a layered manner (for example, injected from the direction of the device outside opening on the cylindrical side wall) and solidified to form the covering seal member 72 Then, a technique is adopted in which the relay terminal 73 is passed through the covering seal member 72 for sealing. Further, as shown in FIG. 6, there is a technique in which a preformed seal member 74 is embedded as an insert part in the partition wall 71 and is molded so that the relay terminal 73 penetrates the partition wall 71 and the seal member 74. Known (for example, Patent Documents 1 to 5).

  However, a gap can be formed in the joint surface (through surface) between the seal member and the relay terminal. For example, since it is exposed in the case of a covering seal member, if it is deteriorated by exposure to the outside air or the like, there is a possibility that poor adhesion with the relay terminal may occur, leading to a decrease in sealing performance. Even if the seal member is not exposed like the method of embedding the seal member in the partition wall of the connector housing, a gap is formed at the joint surface (boundary surface) between the seal member and the connector housing. That is, since poor adhesion may occur, the sealing performance may be reduced.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-111382 JP-A-8-250193 JP-A-8-279373 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-245880 JP 2009-302039 A.

  The inventor of the present application has paid attention to the following problems in the connector and the method for forming the connector in accordance with the background art as described above. That is, in the seal member that seals the joint surface between the partition wall of the connector housing and the relay terminal, the joint surface between the seal member and the relay terminal and the poor adhesion of the joint surface between the seal member and the connector housing are suppressed, The problem is to obtain a desired sealing property.

  The connector and the connector molding method according to the present invention are creations that can solve the above-described problems. Specifically, one aspect of the connector according to the present invention is inserted into the through-hole of the device partition wall so that the inside and outside of the device are inside. A connector for connecting wiring, which has a cylindrical side wall inserted through the through-hole, and a partition wall formed at a central portion of the inner space of the cylindrical side wall, the inner side of the device and the outer side of the device A connector housing that is partitioned, an elastic seal member that is embedded in the partition wall in a compressed state, and a terminal that extends along the axial direction of the cylindrical side wall, the partition wall and the elastic seal member And at least one relay terminal that protrudes from the inside of the device and the outside of the device in the internal space by molding, and is formed on the inner surface of the partition wall and the outer surface of the device. At least one of the protrusions formed on the molding surface of the molding die facing the one of the surfaces at a position that is at least one of the surfaces and spaced from the relay terminal, A mold forming mark is formed by a protruding portion that presses against a position spaced apart from the relay terminal in the elastic seal member.

  Another aspect of the method for forming a connector according to the present invention is a method of molding a connector that is inserted into a through-hole of a device partition wall to connect internal and external wiring of the device, and is inserted into the through-hole. The partition wall is a mold for molding a connector housing having a cylindrical side wall, and an inner side and an outer side of the device in the internal space of the cylindrical side wall are partitioned by a partition wall formed in a central portion of the internal space. An elastic seal member embedded in the partition wall in a molding die in which one or more projections are formed on at least one of the molding surfaces facing the device inner surface and the device outer surface; At least one relay that extends along the axial direction of the cylindrical side wall and penetrates the partition wall and the elastic seal member and has both ends projecting inside and outside the device in the internal space, respectively. And children, were disposed, the projecting portion is pressed against a position at a distance from the relay terminal in the elastic sealing member, characterized by molding the connector housing while compressing the elastic seal member.

  According to the connector and the method for molding a connector according to the present invention, it is easy to obtain a desired sealing property by suppressing poor adhesion between the joint surface between the elastic seal member and the relay terminal and the joint surface between the elastic seal member and the connector housing. Become.

Schematic (longitudinal sectional view) of a connector showing an example of the present embodiment. Schematic (longitudinal sectional view) of an insert member showing an example of the present embodiment. The schematic diagram (longitudinal sectional view) of the mold member which shows an example of this embodiment. Schematic (longitudinal sectional view) showing an application example of the connector according to the present embodiment. Schematic (longitudinal sectional view) showing an example of a general connector. Schematic which shows the other example of a general connector (longitudinal sectional view).

  A connector and a connector molding method according to an embodiment of the present invention include a structure in which a joint surface between a partition wall of a connector housing and a relay terminal disposed through the partition wall is sealed, and the covering seal member is used as the partition wall. On the other hand, it is not provided with a layered coating or a simple seal member embedded in the partition wall, but is embedded in the partition wall in a compressed state by applying an elastic seal member.

  When the elastic seal member is thus embedded in the partition wall in a compressed state, the restoring force acting on the elastic seal member causes an adhesion force at the joint surface between the elastic seal member and the relay terminal penetrating the elastic seal member. It becomes easy to obtain, and it becomes easy to obtain adhesive force also in the joint surface of an elastic seal member and a partition wall. And by these contact | adhesion power, it becomes possible to obtain desired sealing performance in the joint surface of an elastic seal member and a relay terminal.

  In order to embed the elastic seal member in the partition wall in a compressed state, in molding of the connector housing, 1 is provided for at least one of the molding surfaces facing the device inner side surface and device outer surface of the partition wall. Applying a molding die having at least one protrusion, and placing an elastic seal member and a relay terminal as insert parts in the mold, and connecting the protrusion of the mold to the peripheral side of the relay terminal in the elastic seal member This can be achieved by compressing the elastic seal member by pressing it at a position spaced apart from the relay terminal by a predetermined distance, and molding the connector housing in the compressed state.

  When the mold is formed in this manner, a molding mark corresponding to the shape of the projection is formed on the partition wall at the position where the projection is pressed. Due to this mold forming trace, a part of the elastic seal member is exposed, but since it is covered in close contact with the partition wall at a place other than the mold forming mark, it is simply a covered seal member as in the conventional method. Compared to the structure in which the partition wall is coated in layers, the area exposed to the outside air is small, and the deterioration is suppressed (for example, suppressed according to the number and shape of molding marks). . Although a part of the elastic seal member may remain exposed due to the molding marks, the molding marks may be closed by potting or the like.

  For example, when forming a covering seal member by a conventional method, the seal material adheres to an unnecessary place, or there is a bubble in the material or the surface (the surface of the liquid seal material or the like) is solidified. In some cases, there is a risk of poor adhesion of the covering seal member to the relay terminal and connector housing, poor connection of wiring, and the like. Further, for example, when the connector housing contracts or expands due to a temperature change, a gap may be formed at the interface between the connector housing and the covering seal member, resulting in poor adhesion. On the other hand, according to the technique of embedding a pre-formed elastic seal member in the partition wall as in the present embodiment, it is possible to suppress the above-mentioned poor adhesion, poor connection, and the like.

  In the present embodiment, the elastic seal member is embedded in the partition wall in a compressed state as described above, the relay terminal penetrates the partition wall and the elastic seal member, and both ends are inside the device in the internal space, the device Any technique that is generally known in the connector field can be applied as appropriate as long as it can be integrated so as to protrude outward.

  In order to mold the connector housing so that the relay terminal penetrates the partition wall and the elastic seal member, for example, the relay terminal is used as an insert part and is molded (primary molding) so as to be integrated with the elastic seal member. Primary molding) is obtained, and molding (secondary molding) is performed so that the insert member and the connector housing are integrated. The insert member may be formed by forming in advance an elastic seal member having a hole for penetrating the relay terminal, and penetrating the relay terminal through the hole (see examples described later). ).

  Various types of connector housings can be used as long as the wiring inside and outside the device can be connected in a state in which the connector is inserted in the through hole of the partition wall of the target device (hereinafter referred to as “during insertion”). can do. For example, the cylindrical side wall is not limited to a perfect circular cross-sectional shape, and is designed according to the shape of the through hole of the device partition wall or the wiring. In addition, in the case of a structure in which a flange-like flange portion protruding in the radial direction of the cylindrical side wall is formed from the outer peripheral side of the cylindrical side wall, the connector is simply fixed to the partition wall of the target device using the flange portion ( For example, it can be used for fixing by screwing or the like, and can also function as a stopper that suppresses the connector from being embedded too much into the inside of the device during insertion.

  In the partition wall, the inside of the device and the outside of the device in the internal space of the cylindrical side wall are partitioned, and the relay terminal penetrates through the partition wall and the elastic seal member embedded in the partition wall by being compressed. Any shape that does not hinder the connection of wiring inside and outside the device may be used. Further, since the compressed elastic seal member is embedded as described above, it can be considered to have a structure that can withstand the restoring force of the elastic seal member.

  Any elastic sealing member may be used as long as the relay terminal is penetrated as described above and can be embedded in a compressed state in the partition wall. For example, a shape similar to the partition wall (such as a flat plate shape) may be applied. Even if the shape before compression is larger than the partition wall (for example, thicker), the shape is reduced by compression. It may be reduced and embedded in the partition wall.

  Besides embedding an elastic seal member in the partition wall, a seal member may be provided at a desired location of the connector housing. For example, by forming an annular groove for a seal member extending in the circumferential direction on the outer peripheral side of the cylindrical side wall of the connector housing and fitting the annular seal member into the annular groove, The sealing property is given. In the case of the structure having the flange portion as described above, the annular groove or the annular seal member may be provided on the cylindrical side wall inside the device with respect to the flange portion. For example, even when the annular seal member is provided so as to face the position close to the edge of the opening of the through-hole at the time of penetration, that is, the structure in which the annular seal member is provided close to the flange portion, It suffices if the inside and outside of the device can be sealed by the annular seal member during penetration.

  The molding die has a protrusion that is pressed against the elastic seal member at the time of molding, and can be molded so that the elastic seal member is embedded in the partition wall in a compressed state by the protrusion. If it is good. In the protruding portion, it is not necessary to provide both the inner surface of the partition wall and each molding surface facing the outer surface of the device, and the structure is provided for only one of the molding surfaces. However, it is sufficiently possible to compress the elastic seal member as described above. In addition, when applying a molding die provided with a protrusion only on one molding surface, no mold molding marks are formed on the surface of the partition wall facing the other molding surface, so that deterioration can be further suppressed. Become. In addition, since the molding is performed in a state where the relay terminal protrudes from the inside of the device and the outside of the device, for example, a molding die having a hole into which the protruding relay terminal can be fitted is applied so that the target molding is not hindered. Can be considered.

  The protrusion formed on the molding surface of the mold may have a structure that can press-contact a position at a predetermined distance from the relay terminal on the peripheral side of the position where the relay terminal penetrates in the elastic seal member. When the projecting portion presses the position adjacent to the penetrating position of the relay terminal (that is, the position where the distance is not separated), the joint surface between the partition wall and the relay terminal is exposed by the molding mark, and the relay terminal and the elastic seal member Adhesiveness to the substrate can be lowered to some extent, which is not preferable.

  In addition, the shape, number, and position of the protrusions can be set as appropriate according to the number of relay terminals and the penetration position. For example, by applying a mold in which a plurality of convex protrusions are formed in a dispersed manner, the elastic seal member can be compressed by pressing the protrusions against the elastic seal member with a substantially equal pressing force. Can be mentioned.

  The material applied to the connector housing, relay terminal, elastic seal member, etc. is not particularly limited as long as it is used in the field of connectors, for example. Material, weather resistance, corrosion resistance, conductivity, impact resistance, etc.), which can be integrated by molding. Specific examples thereof include applying an insulating material such as a thermosetting resin to the connector housing, and applying a conductive material such as copper to the relay terminal. In the elastic seal member, it is possible to apply an elastic material such as silicone rubber, acrylic rubber, urethane rubber or the like.

<Example>
As shown in FIG. 1, the connector 10 of the embodiment is one in which the relay terminal 3 and the elastic seal member 4 are integrated with the connector housing 2 by molding. The connector housing 2 has a cylindrical side wall 21, and a partition wall 22 extending in a direction crossing the internal space is formed at the center of the internal space of the cylindrical side wall 21. . By this partition wall 22, a space portion 23 located inside the device and a space portion 24 located outside the device are formed separately from each other. A flange-like flange portion 25 protruding in the radial direction of the cylindrical side wall 21 is formed in the central portion on the outer peripheral side of the cylindrical side wall 21. On the outer peripheral side of the cylindrical side wall 21, an annular groove 26 having a concave cross section is provided along the circumferential direction of the cylindrical side wall 21 on the inner side of the flange portion 25 with respect to the annular groove 26. An annular seal member (O-ring) 27 is fitted.

  The relay terminal 3 is a pin-shaped terminal that electrically relays the wiring inside and outside the target device, and extends through the partition wall 22 along the axial direction of the cylindrical side wall 21. A plurality of them are provided, and both ends protrude from the partition wall 22 into the space portions 23 and 24, respectively. The elastic seal member 4 is a seal member having a flat plate shape thinner than the partition wall 22 and having a plurality of through holes 41 through which the relay terminals 3 can pass. The relay terminals 3 are in the compressed state and in the through holes 41. In the state of being penetrated, it is embedded in the partition wall 22. Reference numeral 20 denotes a mold forming mark formed at a predetermined distance from the relay terminal 3 on the inside and outside of the partition wall 22 and compresses the elastic seal member 4 at the time of mold forming. It is formed for this purpose.

  In order to mold the connector 10 having such a configuration, first, as shown in FIG. 2, the relay terminal 3 is placed in the center of the relay terminal 3 with respect to each through hole 41 of the elastic seal member 4 formed in advance. The insert member 1 is configured to penetrate until it is located in the through hole 41. Further, as a mold for molding the connector housing 2, a mold member (not shown) constituting a cavity (cavity into which material is injected) for forming the cylindrical side wall 21, or a cylinder as shown in FIG. Cavity having a fitting hole 53 into which the relay terminal 3 (protruding relay terminal) is fitted when inserted into the space portions 23 and 24 in the side wall 21 and for forming the partition wall 22 at the time of insertion. A mold provided with mold members 51, 52, etc. constituting the above is used. In the mold members 51 and 52, as shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of convex protrusions are formed at positions spaced apart from the relay terminals 3 on the molding surfaces 51a and 52a facing the inside of the partition wall 22 and the outside of the device. A portion 54 is provided.

  Next, the insert member 1 is disposed in the mold, the mold members 51 and 52 are inserted into the space portions 23 and 24 in the cylindrical side wall 21, and the projections 54 are relayed in the elastic seal member 4. The elastic seal member 4 is compressed by being pressed against a position separated from the terminal 3, and the material (thermosetting resin or the like) of the connector housing 2 is injected and solidified in the compressed state. Then, by opening the mold, as shown in FIG. 1, the connector 10 in which the compressed elastic seal member 4 is embedded in the partition wall 22 and the mold forming marks 20 are formed is obtained.

  In the connector 10 thus molded, as shown in FIG. 4, the connector 10 is used so as to penetrate the through hole 6 formed in the partition wall 60 of the device, and the space portions 23 and 24 are connected to the device. Inner and outer wirings (not shown) are fitted, and the wirings are connected to each other through the relay terminal 3. At the time of this insertion, the annular seal member 27 is positioned opposite to the inner wall surface 61 of the through hole 6, and the annular seal member 27 is in pressure contact with the inner wall surface 61, so that the sealing performance inside and outside the device is improved. can get. The flange portion 25 engaged with the device outer surface 62 of the partition wall 60 may be fixed by using a fastening means (not shown) such as a screw.

  Although the present invention has been described in detail only for the specific examples described above, it is obvious to those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention. It is natural that such changes and the like belong to the scope of the claims.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Insert member 10 ... Connector 2 ... Connector housing 20 ... Molding trace 21 ... Cylindrical side wall 22 ... Partition wall 23, 24 ... Space part 3 ... Relay terminal 4 ... Elastic seal member 41 ... Through-hole 51, 52 ... Mold member 51a, 52a ... Molding surface 53 ... Insertion hole 54 ... Projection

Claims (2)

A connector that is inserted into a through hole of a device partition wall and connects internal and external wiring of the device,
A connector housing having a cylindrical side wall penetrating through the through-hole, and a partition wall formed in a central portion of the internal space of the cylindrical side wall, and the device inside and the device outside of the internal space are partitioned;
An elastic seal member embedded in a compressed state in the partition wall;
At least one relay terminal extending along the axial direction of the cylindrical side wall, penetrating the partition wall and the elastic seal member, and projecting both ends to the inside of the device and the outside of the device, respectively, in the internal space;
Is integrated by molding,
At the position of at least one of the device inner side surface and the device outer surface of the partition wall and spaced from the relay terminal, the molding surface of the molding die facing the one surface side is provided. A connector, wherein a mold forming mark is formed by a protrusion formed by one or more protrusions and pressed against a position spaced apart from the relay terminal in the elastic seal member at the time of molding. A method of molding a connector that is inserted into a through hole of a device partition wall and connects internal and external wiring of the device,
A connector housing having a cylindrical side wall penetrating through the through-hole, wherein the inner side and the outer side of the device in the internal space of the cylindrical side wall are partitioned by a partition wall formed in the central portion of the internal space;
In the molding die in which one or more protrusions are formed on at least one of the molding inner surface and the molding outer surface facing the device outer surface of the partition wall,
An elastic seal member embedded in the partition wall, and a terminal extending along the axial direction of the cylindrical side wall, penetrating the partition wall and the elastic seal member, and both ends inside the device in the internal space , Arranging at least one relay terminal protruding outside the device,
A method of forming a connector, wherein the protrusion is pressed against a position of the elastic seal member at a distance from the relay terminal, and the connector housing is molded while the elastic seal member is compressed.

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