JP2018022605A - Seal structure of connector - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a seal structure of a connector in which a component number can be reduced.SOLUTION: A seal structure 1 of a connector, comprises: a transmission case 10 comprising a first case wall 11; an ECU case 20 comprising a second case wall 21 arranged opposite to the first case wall 11; and a relay connector 40 that connects the transmission case 10 and the ECU case 20. The first case wall 11 comprises a first penetration hole 12 having a first inner peripheral surface 12S. The second case wall 21 includes a second inner peripheral surface 22S, and comprises a second penetration hole 22 constructing a connector housing part 30 by being combined with the first penetration hole 12. The relay connector 40 comprises: a rubber plug mounting part 43 housed in the connector housing part 30; and a rubber plug 61 that seals between both of the first inner peripheral surface 12S and the second inner peripheral surface 22S and the rubber plug mounting part 43 while being mounted to the rubber plug mounting part 43.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

  The technique disclosed by this specification is related with the sealing structure of a connector.

  In an automatic transmission of an automobile, a mechanical case such as a torque converter and an electric circuit such as an actuator and a sensor that control these mechanical elements are accommodated in a transmission case in which oil is sealed. These electric circuits are connected to an external control device via a relay connector attached to the transmission case (see Patent Document 1).

JP 2010-33921 A

  The relay connector configured as described above requires two seal members for sealing between the connector housing and the transmission case and for sealing between the connector housing and the case of the control device. For this reason, the number of parts tends to increase.

  The connector sealing structure disclosed in the present specification includes a first case including a first case wall, a second case including a second case wall disposed opposite to the first case wall, and the first case. A connector connected to the case and the second case, wherein the first case wall includes a first housing portion having a first inner peripheral surface, and the second case wall includes a second inner peripheral surface. And a second housing portion that constitutes a connector housing portion by being combined with the first housing portion, and the connector is mounted on the seal mounting portion and the seal mounting portion that are housed in the connector housing portion. And a seal member that seals between the first inner peripheral surface and the second inner peripheral surface and the seal mounting portion.

  According to said structure, the seal | sticker between a connector and a 1st case wall and the seal | sticker between a connector and a 2nd case wall can be performed by one seal member. Thereby, the number of parts can be reduced.

  Said structure WHEREIN: The said 1st case wall or the said 2nd case wall may be provided with the positioning protrusion which protrudes from the said 1st internal peripheral surface or the said 2nd internal peripheral surface, and engages with the said connector.

  According to such a configuration, the connector can be easily attached to the first housing part or the second housing part with an appropriate depth of entry.

  According to the connector sealing structure disclosed in this specification, the number of parts can be reduced.

Side view of the relay connector of the embodiment Plan view of the first case wall Sectional drawing which shows a mode that the transmission case and ECU case were connected by the relay connector

  The first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. The connector seal structure 1 of this embodiment is a seal structure of a relay connector 40 (corresponding to a connector) that connects an automatic transmission of an automobile and an electronic control unit (ECU).

  Although not shown in detail, an automatic transmission is a metal transmission case filled with oil by housing mechanical elements such as torque converters and electrical parts such as actuators and sensors that control the movement of these mechanical elements. 10 (corresponding to the first case). As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the transmission case 10 includes a first case wall 11 having a first through hole 12 (corresponding to a first accommodating portion) that receives the relay connector 40 therein. The first through hole 12 is a hole defined by a first inner peripheral surface 12S extending from a surface (inner wall surface 11A) facing the case inner side of the first case wall 11 to a surface facing the outer side (outer wall surface 11B). It penetrates through the first case wall 11. Four first positioning protrusions 13 protrude from the first inner peripheral surface 12S. The four first positioning protrusions 13 are arranged at equal intervals with a quarter of the first inner peripheral surface 12S spaced from each other.

  Although not shown in detail, the ECU includes an ECU case 20 (corresponding to a second case) that accommodates a control board therein. As shown in FIG. 3, the ECU case 20 includes a second case wall 21 having a second through hole 22 (corresponding to a second housing portion) that receives the relay connector 40 therein. The second through hole 22 is a hole defined by a second inner peripheral surface 22S extending from a surface facing the case inside (the inner wall surface 21A) of the second case wall 21 to a surface facing the outside (the outer wall surface 21B), The second case wall 21 is penetrated. Four second positioning protrusions 23 protrude from the second inner peripheral surface 22S. The four second positioning protrusions 23 are arranged at equal intervals with a quarter of the second inner peripheral surface 22S spaced from each other.

  When the transmission case 10 and the ECU case 20 are connected, as shown in FIG. 3, the second case wall 21 is disposed to face the first case wall 11, and the first through hole 12 and the second through hole are disposed. The connector housing portion 30 is configured in combination with the hole 22.

  The relay connector 40 is a connector connected to the transmission case 10 and the ECU case 20, and as shown in FIG. 1, a connector housing 41 and a rubber plug 61 (corresponding to a seal member) attached to the connector housing 41. ).

  The connector housing 41 includes a housing main body 42 held by the first case wall 11 and the second case wall 21, and two fitting portions (first fitting portion 51A and second fitting portion 51B) continuous from the housing main body 42. ).

  The housing main body 42 includes a cylindrical rubber plug mounting portion 43 (corresponding to a seal mounting portion), and a first flange portion 44A and a second flange portion 44B that are continuous from the rubber plug mounting portion 43. The first flange portion 44 </ b> A is a bowl-shaped portion having a circular outer shape that is a little larger than the rubber plug mounting portion 43 and is continuous from one end edge of the rubber plug mounting portion 43. The second flange portion 44 </ b> B is a bowl-shaped portion having a circular outer shape that is slightly larger than the rubber plug mounting portion 43, which is continuous from the other end of the rubber plug mounting portion 43.

  The first fitting portion 51A is a portion to be fitted with a mating connector (not shown) disposed inside the transmission case 10, and includes a hood portion 52A. The hood portion 52 </ b> A is a cylindrical portion extending from one end portion (the end portion where the first flange portion 44 </ b> A is disposed) of the housing body 42, and is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the rubber plug mounting portion 43. It has a diameter and is arranged coaxially with the housing body 42.

  On the outer peripheral surface of the hood portion 52A, two first guide ribs 53A, two second guide ribs 55A having a first positioning receiving portion 54A, and two second positioning receiving portions 56A are arranged.

  The first guide rib 53A and the second guide rib 55A are portions for guiding the fitting of the hood portion 52A to the mating connector.

  Each first guide rib 53A is an elongated ridge extending along the axial direction of the hood portion 52A, and the two first guide ribs 53A are arranged in parallel with a space therebetween. Each of the second guide ribs 55A is an elongated ridge extending along the axial direction of the hood portion 52A, and each second guide rib 55A is disposed with an interval of a quarter circumference with respect to the first guide rib 53A. In each of the second guide ribs 55A, a portion adjacent to the first flange portion 44A serves as a first positioning receiving portion 54A having a larger outward protruding amount than the remaining portion.

  A locking protrusion 57A is disposed between the two first guide ribs 53A. The locking protrusion 57A is a protrusion that protrudes from the outer peripheral surface of the hood portion 52A and engages with the mating connector.

  Each second positioning receiving portion 56A is a protrusion that protrudes from the outer peripheral surface of the hood portion 52A and is disposed adjacent to the first flange portion 44A. One of the two second positioning receiving portions 56A is disposed between the two first guide ribs 53A, and the other is spaced from the first guide rib 53A by a half turn. Has been placed.

  The 2nd fitting part 51B is a part fitted with the other party connector which is arranged inside ECU case 20, and is provided with hood part 52B. The hood portion 52B is a cylindrical portion extending from the other end portion (the end portion where the second flange portion 44B is disposed) of the housing main body 42 and is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the rubber plug mounting portion 43. It has a diameter and is arranged coaxially with the housing body 42. Two first guide ribs 53B, two second guide ribs 55B, and a lock protrusion 57B are arranged on the outer peripheral surface of the hood portion 52B. The first guide rib 53B and the lock protrusion 57B have the same configuration as the first guide rib 53A and the lock protrusion 57A of the first fitting portion 51A. Further, the second guide rib 55B has the same configuration as the second guide rib 55A of the first fitting portion 51A, except that the first positioning receiving portion 54A is not provided.

  The rubber plug 61 is a cylindrical member made of a material such as oil-impregnated silicon, and is mounted on the rubber plug mounting portion 43 so as to be in close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the rubber plug mounting portion 43. On the outer peripheral surface of the rubber plug 61, a plurality of outer peripheral lips 62 that protrude outward and are elastically adhered to the first inner peripheral surface 12S and the second inner peripheral surface 22S are arranged.

  The relay connector 40 is attached to the first case wall 11 with the rubber plug 61 attached to the housing body 42 in advance. In the state where the relay connector 40 is attached to the first case wall 11, as shown in FIG. 3, the first fitting portion 51 </ b> A is disposed inside the transmission case 10, and the first fitting is performed in the housing body 42 and the rubber plug 61. Approximately half of the adjacent portion 51 </ b> A is accommodated in the first through hole 12, and the remaining portion protrudes outward from the transmission case 10. The rubber plug 61 is disposed so as to fill a gap between the outer peripheral surface of the rubber plug mounting portion 43 and the first inner peripheral surface 12S in the portion accommodated in the first through hole 12, and the outer peripheral lip 62 is crushed. In close contact with the first inner peripheral surface 12S. Thereby, the space between the housing main body 42 and the first case wall 11 is sealed.

  Further, the two first positioning receiving portions 54A and the two second positioning receiving portions 56A abut against the first positioning projections 13, respectively, so that the relay connector 40 enters the first through hole 12 with a predetermined entry. It is restricted to enter the depths beyond the depth.

  When the automatic transmission and the ECU are connected, as shown in FIG. 3, the ECU case 20 is attached to the transmission case 10 with the second case wall 21 disposed opposite to the first case wall 11. It is done. In the relay connector 40, the second fitting part 51 </ b> B is disposed inside the transmission case 10, and the remaining part of the housing body 42 and the rubber plug 61 (the part not accommodated in the first through hole 12) is the second. Housed in the through hole 22. The rubber plug 61 is disposed so as to fill a gap between the outer peripheral surface of the rubber plug mounting portion 43 and the second inner peripheral surface 22S in the portion accommodated in the second through hole 22, and the outer peripheral lip 62 is crushed. In close contact with the second inner peripheral surface 22S. Thereby, the space between the housing main body 42 and the second case wall 21 is sealed.

  In addition, the four second positioning protrusions 23 abut on the second flange portion 44B, so that the relay connector 40 is restricted from entering the back beyond the predetermined penetration depth with respect to the second through hole 22. Yes.

  In a state where the relay connector 40 is connected to the transmission case 10 and the ECU case 20, the first through hole 12 and the second through hole 22 are aligned to constitute the connector housing portion 30. The housing main body 42 and the rubber plug 61 are accommodated inside. The rubber plug 61 collectively seals between the first inner peripheral surface 12S and the second inner peripheral surface 22S and the rubber plug mounting portion 43.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the connector seal structure 1 includes the transmission case 10 including the first case wall 11 and the ECU including the second case wall 21 disposed to face the first case wall 11. A case 20 and a relay connector 40 connected to the transmission case 10 and the ECU case 20 are provided. The first case wall 11 includes the first through hole 12 having the first inner peripheral surface 12S, and the second case wall 21 has the second inner peripheral surface 22S and is combined with the first through hole 12. The second through hole 22 constituting the connector housing portion 30 is provided, and the relay connector 40 is mounted in the connector housing portion 30 and the rubber plug mounting portion 43 is mounted on the first inner peripheral surface 12S. And a rubber plug 61 that seals between the second inner peripheral surface 22S and the rubber plug mounting portion 43.

  According to the above configuration, the seal between the relay connector 40 and the first case wall 11 and the seal between the relay connector 40 and the second case wall 21 can be performed by the single rubber plug 61. Thereby, the number of parts can be reduced.

  Further, the first case wall 11 includes a first positioning protrusion 13 that protrudes from the first inner peripheral surface 12S and engages with the relay connector 40, and the second case wall 21 protrudes from the second inner peripheral surface 22S and relays. A second positioning protrusion 23 that engages with the connector 40 is provided. According to such a configuration, it becomes easy to attach the relay connector 40 to the first through hole 12 and the second through hole 22 with an appropriate depth of entry.

<Other embodiments>
The technology disclosed in the present specification is not limited to the embodiments described with reference to the above description and drawings, and includes, for example, the following various aspects.
(1) In the above embodiment, the first case is the transmission case 10 and the second case is the ECU case 20. However, the types of the first case and the second case are not limited to those of the present embodiment. Any case connected by a connector may be used.

(2) In the above embodiment, the four positioning protrusions 13 and 23 are arranged on the first case wall 11 and the second case wall 21, respectively, but the number of positioning protrusions is not limited to the above embodiment. It may be 3 or less or 5 or more. Further, the locking structure between the positioning protrusion and the relay connector is not limited to the above embodiment, and the positioning protrusion only needs to be engaged with an arbitrary portion of the relay connector.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Connector sealing structure 10 ... Transmission case (1st case)
11 ... 1st case wall 12 ... 1st through-hole (1st accommodating part)
12S ... first inner peripheral surface 20 ... ECU case (second case)
21 ... 2nd case wall 22 ... 2nd through-hole (2nd accommodating part)
22S ... 2nd inner peripheral surface 30 ... Connector accommodating part 40 ... Relay connector (connector)
43 ... Rubber stopper mounting part (seal mounting part)
61. Rubber stopper (seal member)

Claims (2)

A first case comprising a first case wall;
A second case comprising a second case wall disposed opposite the first case wall;
A connector sealing structure comprising a connector connected to the first case and the second case,
The first case wall includes a first housing portion having a first inner peripheral surface;
The second case wall includes a second housing portion that has a second inner peripheral surface and constitutes a connector housing portion by being combined with the first housing portion,
The connector has a seal mounting portion that is accommodated in the connector housing portion, and is mounted on the seal mounting portion to seal between both the first inner peripheral surface and the second inner peripheral surface and the seal mounting portion. A connector sealing structure, comprising:   2. The connector sealing structure according to claim 1, wherein the first case wall or the second case wall includes a positioning protrusion that protrudes from the first inner peripheral surface or the second inner peripheral surface and engages with the connector. .

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