JP2020057555A - Connector seal structure - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a connector seal structure usable for a connector not having a sealing property.SOLUTION: A connector seal structure 100 comprises: a housing 1; a circuit board 2; a connector joining body 5 of a first connector 3 and a second connector 4; a tubular first seal member 6 for an external surface of the housing 1; and a bottomed tubular second seal member 7, which is provided with an electric wire insertion hole 7a, for a bottom part. A base end part of the first connector 3 is attached to the circuit board 2, and the connector joining body 5 is inserted into a wiring opening 1a of the housing 1 and an internal space 6a of the first seal member 6. An electric wire 8 is connected to a base end part of the second connector 4 through insertion into each electric wire insertion hole 7a of the second seal member 7. The second seal member 7 is fitted to the first seal member 6 through elastic deformation. The electric wire 8 is inserted into the electric wire insertion hole 7a through elastic deformation of the second seal member 7, and is electrically connected to the circuit board 2 via the connector joining body 5.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a connector seal structure.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, waterproof connectors are known. For example, in the electric connector disclosed in Patent Document 1, an elastic seal member is provided on an outer peripheral surface of an opening into which a mating connector is inserted. The opening is inserted into the mounting opening of the housing, which is the mounting position of the connector. At this time, a seal member provided on the outer peripheral surface of the opening of the connector is attached to the inner surface of the mounting opening of the housing. And by the outer peripheral surface of the opening of the connector, it exhibits waterproofness. According to this connector, it is possible to prevent water from entering the inside of the housing from the mounting portion of the connector.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2018-018619

  However, in the above-mentioned conventional connector, the mating connector needs to be hermetically sealed.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problems, and has as its object to provide a connector seal structure that can use a connector that does not have airtightness.

  In order to achieve the above object, a connector seal structure according to an aspect of the present invention is provided with a housing having a wiring opening, and disposed inside the housing so as to face the wiring opening. A circuit board, a connector joined body in which a tip end portion of a columnar second connector is detachably joined to a tip end portion of a columnar first connector and extends in a columnar shape, and an internal space is provided on an outer surface of the housing. A first sealing member having a cylindrical shape, both ends of which are set up so as to communicate with the wiring opening, and a bottomed cylinder having elasticity and provided with one or more electric wire insertion holes at the bottom. A second seal member, wherein a base end of the first connector is attached to the circuit board, and the connector assembly is configured to include a wiring opening in the housing and an inside of the first seal member. One or more electric wires are inserted through the space, The second seal member is inserted into the one or more electric wire insertion holes of the screw member and connected to the base end of the second connector, and the second seal member is elastically deformed to fit into the first seal member. The one or more electric wires are inserted into the one or more electric wire insertion holes by elastic deformation of the second seal member, and the one or more electric wires are connected to the connector joint body. It is electrically connected to the circuit board via the above. Here, the fitting of the second seal member to the first seal member is performed when the inner peripheral surface of the second seal member is fitted to the outer peripheral surface of the first seal member. 1 and a case where the seal member is fitted to the inner peripheral surface of the seal member.

  According to this configuration, since the second seal member is fitted to the first seal member by being elastically deformed, the fitted portion is hermetically sealed (sealed) by the elastic restoring force (repulsive force) of the second seal member. ) Is done. In addition, since the one or more electric wires are respectively inserted into the one or more electric wire insertion holes by the elastic deformation of the second seal member, the inserted portions are caused by the elastic restoring force (repulsive force) of the second seal member. It is hermetically sealed. Therefore, by properly sealing the space between the first seal member and the housing, the inside of the housing is connected to the fitting portion of the second seal member to the first seal member and to the wire insertion hole of the second seal member. The first connector and the second connector having no airtightness can be used because they are sealed by the electric wire insertion portion.

  The fitting portion of the second seal member to the first seal member and the portion of the one or more wires inserted into the one or more wire insertion holes may have a waterproof sealing degree.

  According to this configuration, by sealing the space between the first seal member and the housing in a waterproof manner, the inside of the housing is formed by fitting the second seal member to the first seal member and the second seal member. And a portion through which the electric wire is inserted into the electric wire insertion hole.

  The housing may be a housing of a robot control device that controls an operation of an industrial robot.

  According to this configuration, it is possible to prevent dust containing moisture in the working environment of the industrial robot from entering the inside of the housing of the robot control device.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, there exists an effect that the connector seal structure which can use the connector which does not have a sealing property can be provided.

FIG. 1 is an external view illustrating an example of a connector seal structure according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing a II-II section of FIG.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following, the same or corresponding elements are denoted by the same reference symbols throughout the drawings, and redundant description will be omitted. Further, the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments. In addition, since the following drawings are diagrams for explaining the present invention, a plurality of drawings may be omitted due to omission of elements not related to the present invention, inaccurate dimensions due to exaggeration, etc., and omission of elements. There are cases where they do not match each other.

(Embodiment 1)
[Constitution]
FIG. 1 is an external view illustrating an example of a connector seal structure according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing a II-II section of FIG. To be precise, FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a cross section cut along a horizontal plane including the line II-II as viewed from the direction of the arrow, assuming that the line II-II is horizontal.

  Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a connector seal structure 100 of the present embodiment includes a housing 1, a circuit board 2, a first connector 3 and a second connector 4 that constitute a connector assembly 5, and a first connector 3. A seal member 6 and a second seal member 7 are provided.

  The housing 1 is not particularly limited. The housing 1 has a wiring opening 1a. The shape of the wiring opening 1a is not particularly limited. Here, the wiring opening 1a is formed in a rectangular shape in accordance with the cross-sectional shape of the first connector 3. The dimension of the wiring opening 1a is set (designed) to a dimension in which the first connector 3 can be inserted with a gap.

  A circuit board 2 is arranged inside the housing 1 so as to face the wiring opening 1a. The circuit board 2 is arranged near the wiring opening 1a.

  On the outer surface of the housing 1, a first seal member 6 is provided around the wiring opening 1a. The first seal member 6 is formed in a tubular shape with both ends opened, and is provided upright so that the internal space 6a communicates with the wiring opening 1a. The shape of the cross section of the first seal member 6 is formed in a shape that matches the shape of the cross section of the first connector 3.

  Specifically, here, the first seal member 6 is formed in the shape of a square tube, and the flange 6c is formed in the middle in the axial direction. The portion from the flange 6 c of the first seal member 6 to the end on the side of the housing 1 is fitted into the wiring opening 1 a of the housing 1. The dimensions of the cross section of the first seal member 6 are such that the outer periphery can be fitted into the wiring opening 1a with a gap, and the inner periphery can accommodate the first connector 3 with a gap. Is set (designed). The height (length) of the first seal member 6 is such that the dimension from the flange 6c to the end on the side of the housing 1 is set to a size that can penetrate the housing 1, and the height (length) of the first seal member 6 on the side opposite to the housing 1 from the flange 6c. The dimension up to the end is set to a dimension that can secure a portion fitted with the second seal member 7. The seal member 6 may be configured such that the inner surface of the peripheral wall is located around the wiring opening 1a of the housing 1 when viewed from the axial direction of the seal member 6. In this case, the flange 6c is formed at the end of the seal member 6 on the housing 1 side.

  A screw insertion hole 6b is formed at an appropriate position of the flange 6c. The screw insertion hole 6b is provided at a position corresponding to the screw hole 1b provided around the wiring opening 1a of the housing 1. Further, a groove is formed on the surface of the base of the flange 6c on the housing 1 side, and an annular packing 11 is accommodated in this groove.

  A screw (not shown) is inserted into the screw insertion hole 6b of the flange 6c and screwed into the screw hole 1b of the housing 1, whereby the flange 6c is fastened to the housing 1. Thereby, the first seal member 6 is fixed to the housing 1. Further, the space between the first seal member 6 and the housing 1 is sealed by a packing 11. In addition, as a sealing structure between the first seal member 6 and the housing 1, a known appropriate sealing structure can be adopted in addition to the above.

  The first seal member 6 is made of a rigid material. Examples of the material of the first seal member 6 include a plastic resin, metal, and wood.

  A base end of the first connector 3 is attached to a surface of the circuit board 2 facing the housing 1. The first connector 3 is attached to the circuit board 2 by soldering, for example, with the rear end 2a of the contact inserted into a terminal insertion hole (not shown) of the circuit board 2. Thus, the first connector 3 is electrically connected to the circuit board 2.

  The distal end portion of the second connector 4 is joined (fitted) to the distal end portion of the first connector 3, and the first connector 3 and the second connector 4 form a connector joined body 5.

  The first connector 3 and the second connector 4 are so-called “board-to-wire connectors”. As the first connector 3 and the second connector 4, well-known board-to-wire connectors can be used. Therefore, in the following, description of well-known configurations of the first connector 3 and the second connector 4 will be omitted, and only the configuration related to the present invention will be described.

  The shape of the first connector 3 and the second connector 4 may be columnar. The cross-sectional shapes of the first connector 3 and the second connector 4 are not particularly limited, but are rectangular here. The first connector 3 and the second connector 4 are electrically connected to each other by being joined. Here, the first connector 3 is a female connector (receptacle), the second connector 4 is a male connector (plug), and the second connector 4 is inserted into the first connector 3. Good. That is, the first connector 3 may be a male connector (plug), the second connector 4 may be a female connector (receptacle), and the first connector 3 may be fitted into the second connector 4. Further, the first connector 3 and the second connector 4 may have a structure in which the first connector 3 and the second connector 4 are in contact with each other and are joined by an attractive force (or engagement or the like) of a magnet.

  Here, the connector assembly 5 is inserted into the wiring opening 1 a of the housing 1 and the internal space 6 a of the first seal member 6 so that the base end of the second connector 4 projects from the first seal member 6. I have. The connector assembly 5 may be inserted through the wiring opening 1 a of the housing 1 and the internal space 6 a of the first seal member 6 so as not to protrude from the first seal member 6.

  The second seal member 7 is fitted to the first seal member 6 such that the protruding portion of the connector assembly 5 from the first seal member 6 is accommodated in the internal space 7b. Here, the first seal member 6 is relatively fitted to the second seal member 7, but the second seal member 7 may be relatively fitted to the first seal member 6.

  The second seal member 7 is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape. The cross-sectional shape of the second seal member 7 is not particularly limited. Here, the cross-sectional shape of the second connector 4 and the first seal member 6 conforms to the cross-sectional shape, that is, is formed in a rectangular shape.

  The dimensions of the cross section of the second seal member 7 are such that the inner periphery can be elastically fitted to the first seal member 6 and the second connector 4 can be accommodated with a gap therebetween. Is set (designed). The “dimension that can be elastically fitted” is equal to the radial dimension of the outer periphery in the cross section of the first seal member 6 when the second seal member 7 is elastically expanded by a predetermined dimension in the radial direction. Means the following dimensions. In addition. When the second seal member 7 is relatively fitted into the first seal member 6, the outer circumference of the second seal member 6 can be elastically fitted to the first seal member 6. In addition, the second connector 4 is set (designed) to a size that can be accommodated with a gap. The “dimension that can be elastically fitted” refers to the radial dimension of the inner circumference in the cross section of the first seal member 6 when the second seal member 7 is elastically reduced by a predetermined dimension in the radial direction. Mean equal dimensions. The above “dimension that can be elastically fitted” is set such that the fitting portion of the second seal member to the first seal member 6 has a predetermined degree of sealing (Degree of sealing). The predetermined airtightness is set, for example, to a watertight airtightness. The fitting of the second seal member 7 to the first seal member 6 by selecting the elastic modulus of the material of the second seal member 7 or changing the thickness of the peripheral wall portion of the second seal member 7. The degree of sealing of the portion may be adjusted.

  With such a dimension setting, the second seal member 7 is fitted to the first seal member 6 by being elastically deformed. As a result, the fitting portion is sealed (sealed) by the elastic restoring force (repulsive force) of the second seal member 7. In addition, the degree of sealing becomes waterproof.

  The depth (length) of the second seal member 7 is set to a size capable of accommodating a protruding portion of the connector assembly 5 from the first seal member 6 and securing a portion to be fitted with the first seal member 6. Is set.

  Note that the first seal member 6 and the second seal member 7 may each have an engagement portion that engages with each other when fitted together. The engaging portion is, for example, a concave portion in which one of the first seal member 6 and the second seal member 7 has a protrusion, and the other of the first seal member 6 and the second seal member 7 fits into the protrusion. It is comprised so that it may have. The protrusion and the recess may be provided over the entire circumference of the first seal member 6 and the second seal member 7, and may be provided on a part of the first seal member 6 and the second seal member 7 in the circumferential direction. Is also good.

  One or more (here, four) electric wire insertion holes 7a are formed in the bottom of the second seal member 7. The size of the electric wire insertion hole 7a is set to a size that allows the electric wire 8 to be elastically inserted into the electric wire insertion hole 7a. The “elastically insertable dimension” means a dimension which becomes equal to the outer diameter dimension of the electric wire 8 when the electric wire insertion hole 7a is elastically expanded by a predetermined dimension in the radial direction. This “dimension that can be elastically inserted” is set such that a portion where the electric wire 8 is inserted into the electric wire insertion hole 7 a has a predetermined degree of sealing (Degree of sealing). The predetermined airtightness is set, for example, to a watertight airtightness. In addition, by selecting the elastic modulus of the material of the second seal member 7, or by changing the length of the electric wire insertion hole 7a of the second seal member 7 (the thickness of the bottom portion of the second seal member 7), The degree of sealing of the portion where the electric wire 8 is inserted into the insertion hole 7a may be adjusted.

  With such a dimension setting, one or more (here, four) electric wires 8 are respectively inserted into the one or more electric wire insertion holes 7a by the second seal member 7 being elastically deformed. As a result, the insertion portion is hermetically sealed by the elastic restoring force (repulsive force) of the second seal member 7. In addition, the degree of sealing becomes waterproof.

  The second seal member 7 is made of an elastic material. Examples of the material of the second seal member 7 include rubber and a plastic resin having a high elastic modulus.

  The one or more electric wires 8 respectively inserted into the one or more electric wire insertion holes 7 a of the second seal member 7 are respectively connected to the base end of the second connector 4.

  In this manner, one or more electric wires 8 are electrically connected to the circuit board 2 via the connector assembly 5.

[how to use]
A method of using the connector seal structure 100 configured as described above will be described.

  Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the first seal member 6 is attached to the housing 1 so as to be positioned around the wiring opening 1 a, and the circuit board 2 to which the first connector 3 is attached is attached to the first board 3. One connector 3 is fixed so as to be located in the internal space 6a (and the wiring opening 1a) of the first seal member 6. On the other hand, a second connector 4 in which one or more electric wires 8 are connected to a base end portion, and a second seal member 7 in which the one or more electric wires 8 are inserted into one or more electric wire insertion holes 7a, respectively, are prepared. . At this time, each electric wire 8 is inserted into each electric wire insertion hole 7a while elastically expanding the diameter of the electric wire insertion hole 7a smaller than the electric wire 8.

  Then, the second connector 4 is fitted to the first connector 3, and the second seal member 7 is fitted to the first seal member 6. At this time, the second seal member 7 is fitted to the first seal member 6 while being elastically expanded in diameter, to the first seal member 6 whose outer diameter is larger than the inner diameter of the second seal member.

  Thereby, the second connector 4 and the second seal member 7 are mounted on the first connector 3 and the first seal member 6, respectively.

  Then, in this state, when the second connector 4 and the second seal member 7 are pulled out from the first connector 3 and the first seal member 6, respectively, the second connector 4 and the second seal member 7 become the first connector, respectively. It is detached from the connector 3 and the first seal member 6.

[Effects]
According to the connector seal structure 100 configured as described above, since the second seal member 7 is fitted to the first seal member 6 by being elastically deformed, the fitting portion is the second seal member. It is hermetically sealed by the elastic restoring force (repulsive force). In addition, since the one or more electric wires 8 are respectively inserted into the one or more electric wire insertion holes 7a by the second seal member 7 being elastically deformed, the insertion portion has the elastic restoring force ( (Repulsive force). Accordingly, by properly sealing the space between the first seal member 6 and the housing 1, the inside of the housing 1 is fitted with the fitting portion of the second seal member 7 to the first seal member 6 and the second seal member 7. The first connector 3 and the second connector 4 that do not have airtightness can be used because the airtight container is sealed by the portion through which the electric wire 8 is inserted into the electric wire insertion hole 7a.

  In addition, by sealing the space between the first seal member 6 and the housing 1 so as to be waterproof, the inside of the housing 1 is fitted with the fitting portion of the second seal member 7 to the first seal member 6 and the second seal. The member 7 is hermetically sealed with a portion through which the electric wire 8 is inserted into the electric wire insertion hole 7a.

  Further, since the first connector 3 is attached to the circuit board 2, it is possible to omit an electric wire connected to the first connector 3 inside the housing 1.

(Embodiment 2)
In the second embodiment of the present invention, the connector seal structure 100 of the first embodiment is applied to a control device of an industrial robot. The rest is the same as the first embodiment.

  Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, in the present embodiment, a housing 1 is a housing of a robot control device that controls an operation of an industrial robot. The circuit board 2 includes a control circuit. The first connector 3 is connected to a heating circuit element that generates heat when energized among the circuit elements of the control circuit. The electric wire 8 is for passing an electric current that flows through the heating circuit element.

  In the second embodiment, the industrial robot may be used in an environment with a lot of dust including water, and the robot control device may be similarly placed in this environment.

  In this embodiment, when the connector seal structure 100 of the first embodiment is applied, dust containing water in the working environment of the industrial robot is prevented from entering the housing of the robot controller. be able to. In addition, since the electric wire connected to the first connector 3 inside the casing of the control device can be omitted, the size of the control device can be reduced.

  From the above description, many modifications and other embodiments are apparent to one skilled in the art. Therefore, the above description should be construed as illustrative only.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The connector seal structure of the present invention is useful as a connector seal structure that can use a connector having no airtightness.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Housing 1a Screw hole 2 Circuit board 3 First connector 4 Second connector 5 Connector assembly 6 First seal member 6a Internal space 6b Screw insertion hole 6c Flange 7 Second seal member 7a Electric wire insertion hole 7b Internal space 8 Electric wire 11 Seal structure of packing 100 connector

Claims (3)

A housing having a wiring opening;
A circuit board disposed inside the housing so as to face the wiring opening;
A connector joined body that is detachably joined to a tip end portion of the columnar first connector and detachably joined to a tip end portion of the columnar second connector;
A first cylindrical seal member having both ends opened, the first seal member being provided upright on an outer surface of the housing so that an internal space communicates with the wiring opening;
A bottomed cylindrical second seal member having elasticity and having at least one wire insertion hole at the bottom,
With
A base end of the first connector is attached to the circuit board;
The connector assembly is inserted into the wiring opening of the housing and the internal space of the first seal member,
One or more wires are respectively inserted into the one or more wire insertion holes of the second seal member and connected to a base end of the second connector,
The second seal member is fitted to the first seal member by elastic deformation.
The one or more electric wires are inserted into the one or more electric wire insertion holes by elastic deformation of the second seal member, and
A seal structure for a connector, wherein the one or more electric wires are electrically connected to the circuit board via the connector assembly.   2. The fitting part of the second seal member to the first seal member and the part of the one or more electric wires inserted into the one or more electric wire insertion holes have a waterproof sealing degree. 3. The connector sealing structure according to item 1.   The seal structure for a connector according to claim 1, wherein the housing is a housing of a robot control device that controls an operation of an industrial robot.

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