JP2014203790A - Seal member, connector, and cable with connector - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a seal member capable of maintaining a waterproof function with respect to bending of an insertion member.SOLUTION: Disclosed is an annular seal member in which a linear insertion member and a tube-shaped member inserting the insertion member therethrough are brought to a watertight state and into which the insertion member is inserted. This seal member includes: an inner seal part which brings a section between insertion members to the watertight state; an outer seal part which brings the section between tube-shaped members to the watertight state; and a stress absorption part formed between the inner seal part and the outer seal part. The inner seal part and the outer seal part are formed separated in the longitudinal direction of the insertion member by the stress absorption part.

Description

  The present invention relates to a seal member, a connector, and a cable with a connector.

  With the increase in the amount of communication information such as control signals, image signals, and audio signals in vehicles in recent years, optical fiber cables are used instead of conventional metal cables in transmission lines used for transmitting information signals. (See Patent Documents 1 and 2). The optical fiber cable is a signal transmission path suitable for high-speed and large-capacity information communication because there is no problem of releasing noise to the surroundings by increasing the communication speed unlike a metal cable.

  The optical fiber cable has an optical connector at its end. The optical connector includes a terminal (optical fiber terminal) having a ferrule attached to the tip of an optical fiber cable, and a housing having a structure for holding the optical fiber terminal and connecting to another optical connector or the like. Yes. On the other hand, an optical connector is also provided in a device that performs communication, and an optical fiber cable and a device that performs communication can be connected by connecting the optical connectors to each other. The connection between the optical fiber cables is also realized by the optical connector. The connection between the optical fiber cables is called “Wire to Wire connection”.

  Furthermore, as a connector having a waterproof function for in-vehicle use, for example, a configuration described in Patent Document 3 is disclosed.

JP 2002-107573 A Japanese Patent No. 381396 JP 2008-235191 A

  In such a cable with a connector, it is preferable that the inside of the connector is sealed against the ingress of water from the outside. When moisture enters, there is a risk that the electrical characteristics will be lowered in the case of the wire cable, and there is a possibility that the optical characteristics will be lowered in the case of the optical fiber cable. Furthermore, in the case of a connector, connection loss may increase.

  Here, FIG. 6 is a schematic sectional view of an example of a known cable with a connector. As shown in FIG. 6, the cable with connector 60 includes an insertion member 61, a tubular member 62, and a seal member 63. The insertion member 61 is, for example, an optical fiber cable. The tubular member 62 is made of, for example, metal, plastic or the like, and includes a connector 62a and a housing portion 62b. The seal member 63 is made of a material having elasticity such as rubber or silicone, polyvinyl chloride, for example. At this time, the seal member 63 is fitted between the insertion member 61 and the accommodating portion 62b of the tubular member 62 due to its elasticity. Thereby, the insertion member 61 and the seal member 63 are watertight, and the accommodating portion 62b of the tubular member 62 and the seal member 63 are watertight.

  In such a cable 60 with a connector, when an external force due to use is applied, the insertion member 61 may be bent. FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a state where the insertion member of the cable with connector shown in FIG. 6 is bent. At this time, as shown in FIG. 7, a separation portion 64 may be formed between the tubular member 62 and the seal member 63. Accordingly, there is a problem that watertightness due to the elasticity of the seal member 63 does not sufficiently function, and the waterproof function of the seal member 63 may be impaired.

  This invention is made | formed in view of the above, Comprising: It aims at providing the sealing member which can maintain a waterproof function with respect to the bending of an insertion member, a connector, and a cable with a connector.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, a sealing member according to the present invention is a ring-shaped member in which a linear insertion member and a tubular member through which the insertion member is inserted are watertight, and the insertion member is inserted. The seal member is formed between an inner seal portion that is watertight with the insertion member, an outer seal portion that is watertight with the tubular member, and the inner seal portion and the outer seal portion. A stress absorbing portion, wherein the inner seal portion and the outer seal portion are spaced apart in the longitudinal direction of the insertion member by the stress absorbing portion.

  Moreover, the sealing member according to the present invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, the stress absorbing portion is reduced in diameter from the outer seal portion side toward the inner seal portion side.

  Further, the seal member according to the present invention is the above invention, wherein the seal member includes a fixing portion that fixes the seal member to the insertion member or the tubular member between the inner seal portion and the outer seal portion. It is characterized by providing.

  Moreover, the sealing member according to the present invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, the sealing member is made of rubber, silicone, or polyvinyl chloride.

  Moreover, the sealing member according to the present invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, the stress absorbing portion maintains water tightness between the insertion member and the inner seal portion against stress generated by bending of the insertion member. To do.

  Moreover, the connector which concerns on this invention is equipped with the sealing member of the said invention, and the said tubular member, The said tubular member is a connector housing, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

  Moreover, the cable with a connector which concerns on this invention is equipped with the connector of the said invention, and the said insertion member, The said insertion member is a cable, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the sealing member which can maintain a waterproof function with respect to the bending of an insertion member, a connector, and a cable with a connector are realizable.

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a cable with a connector according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a cable with a connector according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a cable with a connector according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a cable with a connector according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a cable with a connector according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a cable with a connector. FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a state where the insertion member of the cable with connector shown in FIG. 6 is bent.

  Embodiments of a cable with a connector according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments. In the description of the drawings, the same or corresponding elements are appropriately denoted by the same reference numerals. It should be noted that the drawings are schematic, and the relationship between the dimensions of each element, the ratio of each element, and the like may differ from the actual situation. Even between the drawings, there are cases in which portions having different dimensional relationships and ratios are included.

(Embodiment 1)
First, the cable with connector according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a cable with a connector according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the cable with connector 10 includes an insertion member 11, a tubular member 12, and a seal member 13.

  The insertion member 11 is an optical fiber cable having a circular cross section, for example, but may be various linear members that are preferably waterproof such as a power cable. The tubular member 12 includes a connector 12a and a housing portion 12b. The tubular member 12 is preferably made of, for example, metal, plastic, or the like, and has rigidity sufficient to prevent deformation when pressed by the seal member 13. The tubular member 12 is, for example, a connector housing, and the connector 12a may be provided with another cable provided with a connector or a function capable of connecting the apparatus and the connectors. The accommodating portion 12 b is a portion whose inner diameter is widened in order to accommodate the seal member 13. On the other hand, the inner diameter of the portion other than the accommodating portion 12 b of the tubular member 12 is substantially equal to the outer diameter of the insertion member 11.

  The seal member 13 includes an inner seal portion 13a, an outer seal portion 13b, and a stress absorbing portion 13c, and is made of, for example, rubber, or a material having elasticity such as silicone or polyvinyl chloride. Further, a gap 13 d is formed between the seal member 13 and the insertion member 11. The inner seal portion 13 a has an inner diameter that is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the insertion member 11. As a result, when the insertion member 11 is inserted into the seal member 13, the sealing member 13 and the insertion member 11 are watertight due to their elasticity. On the other hand, the outer seal portion 13b has an outer diameter that is slightly larger than the inner diameter of the accommodating portion 12b. As a result, when the seal member 13 is fitted into the accommodating portion 12b, the seal member 13 and the tubular member 12 are watertight due to their elasticity. Note that the insertion member 11 side of the outer seal portion 13b is in contact with the insertion member 11 in order to press the outer seal portion 13b against the housing portion 12b, but between the seal member 13 and the insertion member 11 at this contact point. There is no need to be watertight.

  The stress absorbing portion 13c is formed between the inner seal portion 13a and the outer seal portion 13b. Thus, the inner seal portion 13 a and the outer seal portion 13 b are formed apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of the insertion member 11. Moreover, it is preferable that a gap 13 d is formed between the stress absorbing portion 13 c and the insertion member 11.

  Next, the state of the waterproof function of the seal member 13 when the insertion member 11 is bent in the cable with connector 10 will be described in comparison with the cable 60 with connector. First, when a stress is applied to the insertion member 11 of the cable with connector 10 from the outside, a portion of the insertion member 11 that is inserted through the rigid tubular member 12 hardly bends. On the other hand, a part of the insertion member 11 that is inserted through the elastic sealing member 13 including the accommodating portion 12b of the tubular member 12 may be bent. Further, a portion that is not inserted through any of the tubular member 12 and the seal member 13 may be bent. Therefore, when stress is applied to the insertion member 11 of the cable with connector 10 from the outside, the insertion member 11 is bent from the housing portion 12 b of the tubular member 12.

  Here, when the insertion member 11 is bent, the outer side of the bent curved portion is extended. Then, since the inner diameter of the inner seal portion 13a of the seal member 13 is smaller than the outer diameter of the insertion member 11, a frictional force acts between the seal member 13 and the insertion member 11, and the inner seal portion 13a Tensile stress is applied in the longitudinal direction. At this time, since the sealing member 13 has elasticity, the tensile stress is sufficiently weakened by the stress absorbing portion 13c. Therefore, the tensile stress transmitted to the outer seal portion 13b is sufficiently weak, and the watertightness between the seal member 13 and the tubular member 12 is not impaired. Since the gap 13d is formed between the stress absorbing portion 13c and the insertion member 11, the tensile stress generated in the inner seal portion 13a is more difficult to be transmitted to the outer seal portion 13b, and the outer seal portion 13b. The tensile stress transmitted to is further weakened.

  On the other hand, the sealing member 63 of the connector-attached cable 60 is configured such that a portion that is watertight between the sealing member 63 and the insertion member 61 and a portion that is watertight between the sealing member 63 and the tubular member 62 are integrally formed. There is no stress absorption part. At this time, when the insertion member 61 is bent, the inner peripheral side of the seal member 63 that is in contact with the insertion member 61 is pulled in the lower left direction of the drawing so as to follow the insertion member 61. Further, the lower side of the seal member 63 is pressed and deformed by the insertion member 61, whereby the upper side of the seal member 63 is pulled downward by the elastic force of the seal member 63. Since there is no stress absorption part, these stresses are transmitted through the seal member 63 with almost no weakening. As a result, a part of this stress acts on the upper side of the seal member 63 in the drawing direction, separating the seal member 63 from the accommodating portion 62b of the tubular member 62. When this force is sufficiently large, as shown in FIG. A separation portion 64 is formed between the tubular member 62 and the seal member 63. As a result, the watertightness between the sealing member 63 and the accommodating portion 62b of the tubular member 62 due to the elastic force of the sealing member 63 does not sufficiently function, and the waterproof function of the connector-attached cable 60 is impaired.

  As described above, in the normal cable 60 with a connector, when the insertion member 61 is bent, the separation portion 64 is formed between the tubular member 62 and the seal member 63, and the waterproof function may be impaired. . On the other hand, in the cable with connector 10 according to the first embodiment, the tensile stress generated in the inner seal portion 13a is sufficiently weakened by the stress absorbing portion 13c, and the tensile stress transmitted to the outer seal portion 13b is sufficiently weak. Due to the bending of the insertion member 11, there is no space between the tubular member 12 and the seal member 13. This can prevent the waterproof function of the cable with connector 10 from being impaired. Therefore, the cable with connector 10 according to the first embodiment is a cable with connector that can maintain a waterproof function against bending of the insertion member.

(Embodiment 2)
Next, the connector-attached cable according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a cable with a connector according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the connector-attached cable 20 according to the second embodiment includes an insertion member 21, a tubular member 22, and a seal member 23. The tubular member 22 includes a connector 22a, a housing portion 22b, and a through hole 22c. The seal member 23 includes an inner seal portion 23a, an outer seal portion 23b, a stress absorbing portion 23c, and a fixing portion 23e. Further, a gap 23 d is formed between the seal member 23 and the insertion member 21. Here, the stress absorbing portion 23 c is reduced in diameter from the outer seal portion 23 b side toward the inner seal portion 23 a side, and has an inclination with respect to the longitudinal direction of the insertion member 21. The fixing portion 23 e is formed between the inner seal portion 23 a and the outer seal portion 23 b and is fixed by fitting into the through hole 22 c of the insertion member 22. As a result, the seal member 23 is fixed to the tubular member 22.

  Here, the state of the waterproof function of the seal member 23 when the insertion member 21 is bent in the cable with connector 20 will be described. When the insertion member 21 is bent, tensile stress is applied to the inner seal portion 23 a in the longitudinal direction of the insertion member 21. At this time, since the seal member 23 has elasticity, the tensile stress is sufficiently weakened by the stress absorbing portion 23c. Therefore, the tensile stress transmitted to the outer seal portion 23b is sufficiently weak. Further, the stress absorbing portion 23c is reduced in diameter from the outer seal portion 23b side toward the inner seal portion 23a side and has an inclination. Thereby, the tensile stress generated in the inner seal portion 23a is divided into a force in a direction of pulling out the fixing portion 23e from the through hole 22c and a force in a direction of pulling the fixing portion 23e away from the connector 22a. Among these, a part of the force pulling the fixing portion 23e away from the connector 22a is transmitted to the outer seal portion 23b. However, since the force is divided as described above, it is transmitted to the outer seal portion 23b than when there is no inclination. Power is weakened. In addition, since the fixing portion 23e is fixed to 22c of the tubular member 22, the force transmitted to the outer seal portion 23b is further weakened.

  As described above, not only the stress absorbing portion 23c is formed, but also the stress absorbing portion 23c has an inclination due to the reduced diameter, and further, the sealing member 23 has the fixing portion 23e, thereby providing an outer seal. The tensile stress transmitted to the portion 23b is sufficiently weakened and the watertightness between the seal member 23 and the tubular member 22 is not impaired. Therefore, the cable with connector 20 according to the second embodiment is a cable with connector that can maintain a waterproof function against bending of the insertion member.

(Embodiment 3)
Next, a connector-equipped cable according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention will be described. FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a cable with a connector according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3, the cable 30 with a connector according to the third embodiment includes an insertion member 31, a tubular member 32, and a seal member 33. The tubular member 32 includes a connector 32a and a groove 32d. The seal member 33 includes an inner seal portion 33a, an outer seal portion 33b, a stress absorbing portion 33c, and a fixing portion 33e. Further, a gap 33 d is formed between the seal member 33 and the insertion member 31. Here, in the cable with connector 30, a part of the tubular member 32 is accommodated in the seal member 33. The fixing portion 33e is formed between the inner seal portion 33a and the outer seal portion 33b, and is fixed by fitting into the groove portion 32d of the insertion member 32. As a result, the seal member 33 is fixed to the tubular member 32. And the sealing member 33 and the tubular member 32 are watertight by the outer side seal part 33b.

  Here, the state of the waterproof function of the seal member 33 when the insertion member 31 is bent in the cable 30 with a connector will be described. When the insertion member 31 is bent, tensile stress is applied to the inner seal portion 33 a in the longitudinal direction of the insertion member 31. At this time, since the sealing member 33 has elasticity, the tensile stress is sufficiently weakened by the stress absorbing portion 33c. Therefore, the tensile stress transmitted to the outer seal portion 33b is sufficiently weak. In addition, since the fixing portion 33e is fixed to the groove portion 32d of the tubular member 32, the force transmitted to the outer seal portion 33b is further weakened.

  Thus, not only the stress absorbing portion 33c is formed, but also the sealing member 33 has the fixing portion 33e, whereby the tensile stress transmitted to the outer sealing portion 33b is sufficiently weakened, and the sealing member 33, the tubular member 32, and The watertightness between the two is not impaired. Therefore, the cable 30 with a connector according to the third embodiment is a cable with a connector that can maintain a waterproof function against bending of the insertion member.

(Embodiment 4)
Next, a connector-equipped cable according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention will be described. FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a cable with a connector according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 4, the cable with connector 40 according to the fourth embodiment includes an insertion member 41, a tubular member 42, a seal member 43, and a fixing ring 44. The tubular member 42 includes a connector 42a and a housing portion 42b. The seal member 43 includes an inner seal portion 43a, an outer seal portion 43b, a stress absorbing portion 43c, and a fixing portion 43e. A gap 43 d is formed between the seal member 43 and the insertion member 41. Here, the stress absorbing portion 43 c is reduced in diameter from the outer seal portion 43 b side toward the inner seal portion 43 a side and has an inclination with respect to the longitudinal direction of the tubular member 42. The fixing portion 43e is formed between the inner seal portion 43a and the outer seal portion 43b, and is fixed to the housing portion 42b of the tubular member 42 by the fixing ring 44. As a result, the seal member 43 is fixed to the tubular member 42.

  Here, the state of the waterproof function of the seal member 43 when the insertion member 41 is bent in the cable with connector 40 will be described. When the insertion member 41 is bent, tensile stress is applied to the inner seal portion 43 a in the longitudinal direction of the insertion member 41. At this time, since the seal member 43 has elasticity, the tensile stress is sufficiently weakened by the stress absorbing portion 43c. Therefore, the tensile stress transmitted to the outer seal part 43b is sufficiently weak. Further, the stress absorbing portion 43c is inclined from the outer seal portion 43b side toward the inner seal portion 43a side and has an inclination. Thereby, the tensile stress generated in the inner seal portion 43a is divided into a force in a direction in which the fixing portion 43e is pressed against the insertion member 41 and a force in which the fixing portion 43e is pulled away from the connector 42a. Among these, a part of the force that pulls the fixing portion 43e away from the connector 42a is transmitted to the outer seal portion 43b. However, since the force is divided as described above, the force is weaker than when there is no inclination. In addition, since the fixing portion 43e is fixed by the fixing ring 44, the force transmitted to the outer seal portion 43b is further weakened.

  In this way, not only the stress absorbing portion 43c is formed, but also the stress absorbing portion 43c has an inclination when the diameter is reduced, and further, the seal member 43 has the fixing portion 43e, whereby the outer seal portion 43b. The tensile stress transmitted to the tube is sufficiently weakened, and the watertightness between the seal member 43 and the tubular member 42 is not impaired. Therefore, the cable with connector 40 according to the fourth embodiment is a cable with connector that can maintain a waterproof function against bending of the insertion member.

(Embodiment 5)
Next, a connector-attached cable according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention will be described. FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a cable with a connector according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 5, the connector-attached cable 50 according to the fifth embodiment includes an insertion member 51, a tubular member 52, a seal member 53, and a pressing member 54. The tubular member 52 includes a connector 52a and a housing portion 52b. The seal member 53 includes an inner seal portion 53a, an outer seal portion 53b, a stress absorbing portion 53c, and a fixing portion 53e. In addition, a gap 53 d is formed between the seal member 53 and the insertion member 51. Here, the fixing portion 53 e is formed between the inner seal portion 53 a and the outer seal portion 53 b and is fixed by being pressed against the insertion member 51 by the pressing member 54. As a result, the seal member 53 is fixed to the tubular member 52.

  Here, the state of the waterproof function of the seal member 53 when the insertion member 51 is bent in the cable with connector 50 will be described. When the insertion member 51 is bent, tensile stress is applied to the inner seal portion 53 a in the longitudinal direction of the insertion member 51. At this time, since the seal member 53 has elasticity, the tensile stress is sufficiently weakened by the stress absorbing portion 53c. Therefore, the tensile stress transmitted to the outer seal portion 53b is sufficiently weak. In addition, since the fixing portion 53e is fixed by the pressing member 54, the force transmitted to the outer seal portion 53b is further weakened.

  Thus, not only the stress absorbing portion 53c is formed, but also the sealing member 53 has the fixing portion 53e, whereby the tensile stress transmitted to the outer sealing portion 53b is sufficiently weakened, and the sealing member 53, the tubular member 52, The watertightness between the two is not impaired. Therefore, the cable with connector 50 according to the fifth embodiment is a cable with connector that can maintain a waterproof function against bending of the insertion member.

  As described above, according to the above-described embodiment, it is possible to provide a seal member, a connector, and a cable with a connector that can maintain a waterproof function against bending of the insertion member.

  In the above embodiment, the insertion member has a circular cross section, but the present invention is not limited to this, and can be applied to insertion members having various shapes of cross sections. In that case, the inner shape of the inner seal portion of the seal member may be substantially the same as the cross-sectional shape of the insertion member, and may be a slightly smaller shape. Thereby, the seal member and the insertion member are watertight.

  Further, the present invention is not limited by the above embodiment. What was comprised combining each component mentioned above suitably is also contained in this invention. Further effects and modifications can be easily derived by those skilled in the art. Therefore, the broader aspect of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made.

10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60 Cable with connector 11, 21, 31, 41, 51, 61 Insertion member 12, 22, 32, 42, 52, 62 Tubular member 12a, 22a, 32a, 42a, 52a, 62a connector 12b, 22b, 42b, 52b, 62b housing part 13, 23, 33, 43, 53, 63 seal member 13a, 23a, 33a, 43a, 53a inner seal part 13b, 23b, 33b, 43b, 53b outer seal part 13c, 23c, 33c, 43c, 53c Stress absorbing portion 13d, 23d, 33d, 43d, 53d Clearance 22c Through hole 23e, 33e, 43e, 53e Fixing portion 32d Groove portion 44 Fixing ring 54 Pressing member 64 Spacing portion

Claims (7)

A linear insertion member and a tubular member through which the insertion member is inserted are watertight, and an annular seal member through which the insertion member passes,
An inner seal portion for watertightness between the insertion member;
An outer seal portion that seals water between the tubular member;
A stress absorbing part formed between the inner seal part and the outer seal part,
The seal member, wherein the inner seal portion and the outer seal portion are formed apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of the insertion member by the stress absorbing portion.   The seal member according to claim 1, wherein the stress absorbing portion is reduced in diameter from the outer seal portion side toward the inner seal portion side.   The said seal member is provided with the fixing | fixed part which fixes the said seal member to the said penetration member or the said tubular member between the said inner side seal part and the said outer side seal part, The Claim 1 or Claim 2 characterized by the above-mentioned. The sealing member as described.   The seal member according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the seal member is made of rubber, silicone, or polyvinyl chloride.   The said stress absorption part hold | maintains the water-tightness of the said insertion member and the said inner side seal part with respect to the stress which arises when the said insertion member bends, The Claim 1 characterized by the above-mentioned. Seal member. A sealing member according to any one of claims 1 to 5;
The tubular member,
The tubular member is a connector housing. A connector according to claim 6;
The insertion member,
The cable with a connector, wherein the insertion member is a cable.

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