JP2015069906A - Waterproof connector and manufacturing method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve environmental resistance by ensuring high heat resistance and a reliable waterproof function at a fitting point of a grommet to an electric wire.SOLUTION: A waterproof connector 1 comprises: an electric wire 2; a connector housing 4 in which a connection terminal 3 fitted to the electric wire 2 is housed; a grommet 5 which is fitted to the base end side of the connector housing 4 and the electric wire 2 so as to cover them; and a cable tie 6 for coupling an end 5a of the grommet 5 to the electric wire 2. The electric wire 2 has an inclusion 20 which is a large-diameter part formed on one portion of the electric wire 2. The grommet 5 is fitted in such a manner that the end 5a is engaged on the outer peripheral side of the inclusion 20. The cable tie 6 is fitted to the outer peripheral side of the end 5a engaged on the inclusion 20.

Description

  The present invention relates to a waterproof connector that prevents moisture from entering between a grommet attached to a connector housing and an electric wire, and a method of manufacturing the waterproof connector.

  BACKGROUND ART A waterproof connector having a connector housing to which an automobile electric wire is attached includes various waterproof structures such as grommets that are attached so as to cover the connector housing and the electric wire. Among them, for example, the grommet disclosed in Patent Document 1 below is filled with an annular filler as another member between the inner cylinder and the outer cylinder to close the opening of the grommet, and further, the outer circumference of the outer cylinder on the filler. An adhesive tape is wound around the surface and the front end of the inner cylinder and the electric wire to fix it tightly, thereby having a structure attached to the electric wire.

JP2012-125002A

  However, the conventional grommet disclosed in Patent Document 1 described above has a problem that heat resistance is deteriorated and environmental resistance is lowered because the grommet is fixed using an adhesive tape. Even if the grommet and the electric wire are attached to the connector housing in this state to form a waterproof connector, the adhesive tape deteriorates and is locally applied particularly in an environment having a high heat area or a wet area such as an automobile. Therefore, it is difficult to continue to exhibit a sufficient waterproof function, and as a result, a decrease in the environmental resistance of the grommet becomes a big problem.

  The present invention eliminates the problems caused by the above-described prior art, and has a waterproof connector that can improve environmental resistance by providing a reliable waterproof function at the location where the grommet is attached to the electric wire. It aims at providing the manufacturing method.

  The waterproof connector according to the present invention includes an electric wire, a connector housing in which a connection terminal attached to the electric wire is accommodated, a grommet attached to and covering the proximal end side of the connector housing and the electric wire, and the grommet A fastening member that fastens the end of the wire to the electric wire, the electric wire has a large-diameter portion formed in a part thereof, and the grommet is fitted to the outer peripheral side of the large-diameter portion. The fastening member is attached to the outer peripheral side of the end portion fitted on the large diameter portion.

  According to the waterproof connector of the present invention, since the end of the grommet is fitted on the outer peripheral side of the large-diameter portion of the electric wire and is fastened by the fastening member, the grommet and the electric wire are securely in close contact with each other without a gap. Thereby, even if stress is generated due to the bending of the electric wire, the gap does not extend to the inside of the grommet, so that a reliable waterproof function can be provided at the location where the grommet is attached to the electric wire. In addition, since an adhesive tape having low heat resistance is not used, it can have high heat resistance, high durability, and environmental resistance.

  In one Embodiment of this invention, the large diameter part of the said electric wire is formed of the inclusion arrange | positioned between the edge part of the said grommet and the outer peripheral part of the said electric wire.

  In another embodiment of the present invention, the inclusion has a heat-meltable adhesive on the outer peripheral surface of the electric wire.

  A waterproof connector manufacturing method according to the present invention includes: an electric wire; a connector housing that accommodates a connection terminal attached to the electric wire; a grommet that is attached to and covers the base end side of the connector housing and the electric wire; A waterproof connector manufacturing method comprising a fastening member for fastening an end of the grommet to the electric wire, the step of forming a large diameter portion in a part of the electric wire, and the end of the grommet being the large Attaching the grommet to the electric wire so as to fit on the outer peripheral side of the diameter part, and fastening the outer peripheral side of the end part fitted on the large diameter part with the fastening member. Features.

  According to the method for manufacturing a waterproof connector according to the present invention, it is possible to easily manufacture a waterproof connector that exhibits the above-described effects without going through a special process.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, environmental resistance can be improved because the attachment location to the electric wire of a grommet has high heat resistance and a reliable waterproof function.

It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the waterproof connector which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing of the waterproof connector. It is a flowchart which shows the manufacturing process of the waterproof connector. It is sectional drawing for every manufacturing process of the waterproof connector. It is a partial cross section figure of the waterproof connector. It is a figure which shows an example of the manufacturing process of the large diameter part of the waterproof connector.

  Hereinafter, a waterproof connector and a manufacturing method thereof according to embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a waterproof connector according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the waterproof connector. 3 is a flowchart showing a manufacturing process of the waterproof connector, FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view for each manufacturing process of the waterproof connector, and FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of the waterproof connector.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the waterproof connector 1 according to this embodiment includes an electric wire 2 and a connector housing 4 made of a resin member in which a connection terminal 3 attached to the electric wire 2 is accommodated. The waterproof connector 1 is attached to the proximal end side of the connector housing 4 and the terminal side of the electric wire 2, and a grommet 5 that covers them and an insulation lock tie that fastens the end portion 5 a of the grommet 5 to a part of the electric wire 2. 6.

  The electric wire 2 has a structure having a braided shield member 8 that surrounds a plurality of covered electric wires 7, for example. A shield shell 9 made of a metal member is built in the connector housing 4. The electric wire 2 has the respective covered electric wires 7 in a state of being bundled at the center, and is arranged so as to surround the braided shield member 8 on the outer peripheral side thereof, and further, the outer peripheral side of the braided shield member is covered with the covering member 2a. It consists of a structure.

  The braided shield member 8 has, for example, a structure in which a plurality of thin shield wires are knitted, and is configured to include a reinforcing intermediate material (not shown) such as vinyl that prevents a loss of shape from the knitted state. Although not illustrated in the terminal portion of the electric wire 2, for example, a retainer that holds each covered electric wire 7, and an inner ferrule or an inner ferrule that is fitted with the braided shield member 8 sandwiched between the retainer and the inner ferrule A ferrule made of a metal member such as an outer ferrule to be fitted in a state where the braided shield member 8 is sandwiched therebetween is attached.

  The connection terminal 3 is a known crimp type terminal, for example, a connection portion 3a associated with a connection counterpart terminal (not shown), a crimp portion 3b to which the core wire 7a of the covered electric wire 7 is crimped, and a presser for holding the covered electric wire 7. And a portion 3c. The connection terminal 3 is attached by crimping to the tip of the core wire 7 a of each covered electric wire 7.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the connector housing 4 accommodates a terminal accommodating hole 11 that accommodates each covered electric wire 7 therein, and a terminal portion accommodating a terminal portion of the electric wire 2 formed on the rear side of the terminal accommodating hole 11. A hole (not shown). The connector housing 4 has a fitting hole 13 into which a mating connector housing (not shown) formed on the front side of the terminal accommodating hole 11 is fitted, and the same inner surface as the fitting hole 13 and the terminal accommodating hole 11. And a shield shell housing hole 14 for housing the shield shell 9 formed at the level.

  Further, the connector housing 4 is formed in an annular shape on the outer peripheral side of the fitting hole 13, and is engaged with a peripheral wall fitting portion 15 into which a peripheral wall of the mating connector housing is fitted, and a lock piece provided in the mating connector housing. And a locking portion 16 for locking the fitting state between the connector housings. In addition, the front end side of the fitting hole 13 is formed in a large diameter via a step portion, and a housing seal 17 formed, for example, in an annular shape is inserted and attached in the peripheral wall fitting portion 15.

  The shield shell 9 is made of a metal member formed in a cylindrical shape, for example. A grommet 5 for a waterproof seal is attached to the rear side (base end side) of the connector housing 4 to cover the terminal portion of the electric wire 2 and close the opening of the terminal portion accommodation hole of the connector housing 4.

  The grommet 5 is made of an elastic material such as rubber or elastomer, and includes an end portion 5a that fits in a part of the electric wire 2 described above, a distal end portion 5b that fits on the outer peripheral surface on the proximal end side of the connector housing 4, and these end portions. 5a and the bellows part 5c which connects between the front-end | tip parts 5b, and is comprised. An inclusion 20 as a large-diameter portion having an outer diameter larger than the outer diameter of the electric wire 2 is disposed on a part of the covering member 2 a of the electric wire 2. The large-diameter portion may be one in which a part of the covering member 2a of the electric wire 2 is thickened.

  The end portion 5 a of the grommet 5 is attached so as to fit on the outer peripheral side of the interposition portion 20, and the insulation lock tie 6 is attached to the outer peripheral side of the end portion 5 a on the inclusion 20 in a fastening state. Therefore, the waterproof connector 1 according to the present embodiment ensures that there is no gap between the electric wire 2 and the grommet 5, and the two are firmly adhered to each other, and even if stress is generated due to the bending of the electric wire 2, the gap extends to the inside of the grommet 5. There is no progress.

  Moreover, since an adhesive tape or the like having low heat resistance is not used for fixing the electric wire 2 and the grommet 5, it can have high heat resistance. Thereby, while being able to provide a reliable waterproof function in the attachment location to the electric wire 2 of the grommet 5, durability is high and environmental resistance can be improved.

  The inclusions 20 are made of, for example, an annular member that fits on the outer peripheral side of the covering member 2a of the electric wire 2, and are made of a heat-resistant resin such as polyamide having shape retention. In addition, the inclusions 20 may be made of a metal member that easily fits the end portion 5a of the grommet 5 or a hot-melt resin formed on the covering member 2a. As the hot melt resin, a moisture curable resin such as urethane, polyamide or polyester is preferable.

  When the inclusion 20 is made of a heat resistant resin or a metal member, an adhesive layer 21 made of a heat-meltable resin is preferably provided inside the inclusion 20. Thereby, the inclusion 20 and the electric wire 2 can be stuck without gap. The waterproof connector 1 configured as described above is manufactured as follows.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a manufacturing process of the waterproof connector. 4 is a cross-sectional view for each manufacturing process of the waterproof connector, and FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of the waterproof connector. First, as shown to Fig.4 (a), the inclusion 20 is fitted and arrange | positioned at the terminal part of the prepared electric wire 2 in the arrow direction in the figure (step S100), and the inclusion 20 is connected to the electric wire 2 with a heating device such as a heat gun. Then, heat bonding is performed (step S102).

  Next, as shown in FIG.4 (b), the terminal part of the electric wire 2 is fitted from the edge part 5a side of the grommet 5, and the electric wire 2 is penetrated to the grommet 5 (step S104). Then, as shown in FIG. 4C, the end of the electric wire 2 is processed by releasing the covered electric wire 7 and taking out the core wire 7a (step S106), and as shown in FIG. 4 is fitted in the direction of the arrow in the figure and attached to the grommet 5 (step S108).

  After the connector housing 4 is attached to the grommet 5, as shown by arrows in FIGS. 4D to 4E, the end 5a of the grommet 5 is moved to fit on the outer periphery of the inclusion 20 (step S110). Finally, as shown in FIG. 4 (f), a band of insulation lock tie 6 islands is arranged on the end 5a, and the end 5a of the grommet 5 is fastened to the electric wire 2 with this band (step S112). The waterproof connector 1 according to the embodiment is manufactured.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the fastening portion of the end portion 5a of the grommet 5 between the electric wire 2 and the inclusion 20 is such that the inclusion 20 is adhered to the covering member 2a by an adhesive layer 21 in close contact with the covering member 2a. As a result, there is no gap. Further, since the end portion 5a of the grommet 5 and the inclusion 20 are strongly pressed by the fastening force of the insulation lock tie 6 between the inclusion 20 and the end portion 5a of the grommet 5, a gap is similarly generated. There is nothing.

  And even if stress is added to this fastening portion due to the material properties of the inclusion 20, the grommet 5, the covering member 2a, the adhesive layer 21, etc., the gap does not develop. Therefore, since the location where the grommet 5 is attached to the electric wire 2 has high heat resistance and a reliable waterproof function, the environmental resistance can be remarkably improved.

  In the manufacturing process described above, the inclusion 20 is first attached to the electric wire 2 to form the large diameter portion. However, after the electric wire 2 is attached to the grommet 5, the inclusion 20 is inserted into the end portion 5a. The large diameter part may be formed, or the end part 5a may be filled with hot melt resin to form the large diameter part.

  Drawing 6 is a figure showing an example of a manufacturing process of a large diameter part of a waterproof connector. As described above, when forming the large diameter portion using the hot melt resin, as shown in FIG. 6A, the annular jig 30 is attached to a predetermined portion of the electric wire 2, and the hot melt filling machine 31 is installed. The hot melt resin 33 is filled into the jig 30 through the filling port 32 of the jig 30. When the filled hot melt resin 33 is solidified, the jig 30 is removed from the electric wire 2 and the excess portion solidified in the filling port 32 is removed, so that the large diameter portion as shown in FIG. A certain inclusion 20 can be formed on the outer periphery of the covering member 2a.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Waterproof connector 2 Electric wire 2a Cover member 3 Connection terminal 3a Connection part 3b Crimp part 3c Press part 4 Connector housing 5 Grommet 5a End part 5b Tip part 5c Bellows part 6 Insulok tie 7 Covered electric wire 7a Core wire 8 Braided shield member 9 Inclusion 21 Adhesive layer

Claims (4)

Electric wires,
A connector housing in which a connection terminal attached to the electric wire is accommodated;
A grommet attached to and covering the proximal end side of the connector housing and the electric wire;
A fastening member for fastening an end of the grommet to the electric wire,
The electric wire has a large diameter portion formed in part,
The grommet is attached so that the end fits on the outer peripheral side of the large diameter portion,
The said fastening member is attached to the outer peripheral side of the said edge part fitted on the said large diameter part. The waterproof connector characterized by the above-mentioned.   The waterproof connector according to claim 1, wherein the large-diameter portion of the electric wire is formed by inclusions disposed between an end portion of the grommet and an outer peripheral portion of the electric wire.   The waterproof connector according to claim 2, wherein the inclusion has a heat-meltable adhesive on a surface on an outer peripheral portion side of the electric wire. Electric wires,
A connector housing in which a connection terminal attached to the electric wire is accommodated;
A grommet attached to and covering the proximal end side of the connector housing and the electric wire;
A method for manufacturing a waterproof connector comprising a fastening member for fastening an end of the grommet to the electric wire,
Forming a large diameter portion in a part of the electric wire;
Attaching the grommet to the electric wire so that the end of the grommet fits on the outer peripheral side of the large diameter portion;
And a step of fastening the outer peripheral side of the end portion fitted on the large-diameter portion with the fastening member. A method for manufacturing a waterproof connector, comprising:

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