JP2666796B2 - Waterproof connector - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an improved waterproof connector in which a fixing member for double-locking a terminal is mounted from the front side of a housing.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art There are various types of connectors provided with a fixing member for double locking of a terminal. For example, a connector in which a fixing member is inserted from a side wall of a housing to lock the terminal is fixed to the side wall. Since it is necessary to provide an opening for inserting a member, it is not preferable particularly for a waterproof connector. Therefore, in waterproof connectors,
For example, U.S. Patent Nos. 3686619 and 3601
As disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 760, a type in which a fixing member for double locking is mounted from the front side of the housing is used.

[0003] This is because when the terminal is inserted into the housing passage in the housing from the rear, the terminal is locked in a retaining state by an elastic arm provided to be able to bend and deform in the housing passage, and then the fixing member is fixed from the front of the housing. Is attached to the elastic arm so as to protrude into the flexural deformation area of the elastic arm, thereby restricting the flexural deformation of the elastic arm, thereby performing double locking of the terminal.

[0004]

However, the conventional structure has a structure in which the fixing member can be mounted only after the terminal is inserted into the housing passage of the housing and locking by the elastic arm is completed. Therefore, in the assembly line where the terminal is assembled to the connector, it is necessary to separately carry in the housing, the terminal, and the fixing member, and to newly assemble them on the line.To automate the assembly, large-scale equipment is required. In addition, there is a problem that these parts, including transportation, must be individually managed, and the manufacturing cost must be increased.

The present invention has been completed in view of the above circumstances, and can supply a fixing member to an assembly line in a state in which the fixing member is temporarily mounted in advance, and causes a disadvantage to waterproofing. It is an object of the present invention to provide a waterproof connector in which no connector is provided.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, a skirt portion is formed outside a cylindrical portion provided with a terminal accommodating passage therein. Sealing is performed by interposing a sealing member wound around the outer periphery of the cylindrical portion on the back side of the skirt portion with a mating connector fitted into the skirt portion, and the sealing passage is provided. The terminal inserted from the rear side is locked in a retaining state by a flexible deformable elastic arm provided in the accommodation passage, and the fixing member mounted from the front of the cylindrical portion is deformed by the elastic arm. In the waterproof connector configured to perform double locking of the terminal by being located in the region, on the side wall of the tubular portion,
A first portion reaching the rear outside along the axial direction of the accommodation passage;
And a second slit are formed therethrough, and the fixing member is configured such that the first locking projection provided thereon is engaged with the front end of the first slit, so that the elastic arm is flexed and deformed. Temporarily locked at a position in front of the region, the second locking protrusion provided on the fixing member is engaged with the front end of the second slit by further pushing, so that the second slit is moved to the position where it has advanced to the bending deformation region. The feature is that it is configured to be fully lockable.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the locking portion of the first slit and the second slit is provided in front of the winding position of the seal member in the tubular portion. It has the characteristic that it has a configuration.

[0008]

Function and Effect of the Invention

<Invention of claim 1> When the fixing member is mounted from the front side of the cylindrical portion, the first locking projection first engages with the front end of the first slit, so that the elastic arm is at a position short of the bending deformation region of the elastic arm. Temporarily assembled. In this state, the elastic arm can be flexed and deformed, so the terminal is inserted from the rear of the accommodation passage while flexing and deforming the elastic arm toward the flex deformation area, and when the terminal is inserted to a predetermined position, the elastic arm returns to the original posture. While being restored, it engages with the terminal for primary locking. Next, when the fixing member is further pushed in, the second locking projection engages with the front end of the second slit, so that it is fully assembled at a position where it has advanced to the bending deformation region.
Thereby, the bending deformation of the elastic arm is restricted, and the terminal is double-locked.

[0009] Since both slits are formed in a penetrating manner so as to reach the rear and outside along the axial direction of the accommodation passage of the terminal, a molding die for forming the slit is formed in the accommodation passage of the terminal. It can be provided on a forming die to be formed. In other words, it is possible to form each slit by cutting the mold for forming the accommodation passage of the terminal along the axial direction thereof, and to provide an opening for cutting in the skirt portion provided outside the cylindrical portion. This can be made unnecessary, which is advantageous in consideration of waterproofing.

That is, according to the first aspect of the present invention, since the fixing member can be temporarily assembled to the cylindrical portion in a state where the terminal can be inserted, the fixing member can be temporarily assembled to the connector assembly line. It is only necessary to carry in the housing and the terminal that have been set, and it is possible to easily cope with automation, reduce the parts management cost, and reduce the manufacturing cost. In addition, the slit provided in the cylindrical portion for temporarily and permanently assembling the fixing member can be formed without providing an opening in the skirt portion, and has an effect of maintaining excellent waterproofness.

<Invention of Claim 2> Both the temporary locking and the full locking are provided in front of the winding position of the seal member in the tubular portion. After the connector is fitted, it is provided in a region where the waterproofness is ensured via the seal member, so that the waterproofness is not impaired.

[0012]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. 1 to 8 show a female connector A, and FIGS. 9 to 16 show a male connector B. The female connector A includes a housing 1, a terminal 2, an endless elastic seal ring 3, and a fixing member 4. The housing 1 has a pair of cylindrical portions 11 and 11 ′ having a passage 11 a for accommodating the terminal 2, and is appropriately spaced from the cylindrical portions 11 and 11 ′. The vertical wall portion 13 and the vertical wall portion 1 which rise perpendicularly to the center of the provided skirt portion 12 and the cylindrical portions 11 and 11 ′ in the coaxial direction and continue to the rear end of the skirt portion 12.
At a position where the cylindrical portion 3 and the cylindrical portions 11 and 11 'are orthogonal to each other, the elastic seal ring 3 is formed so as to have a step between the pair of the cylindrical portions 11 and 11' and the side wall thereof.
And a winding table 14.

Each of the cylindrical portions 11 and 11 'has a notch 11c on a side wall 11b, and a flexible cantilever elastic arm 11d is formed in the notch 11c. The tubular portions 11, 11 'are arranged side by side at appropriate intervals in a direction perpendicular to the side wall 11b with the side wall 11b oriented in the vertical direction.

The elastic arm 11d has a free end 11d-1 extending in the insertion direction of the terminal 2 accommodated in the passage 11a, and a protruding portion 1 protruding into the passage 11a near the free end.
1d-2. The convex portion 11d-2 is
d has a vertical surface on the free end direction side and an inclined surface on the opposite side. Further, the cylindrical portions 11, 11 '
A long hole 1 elongated in the axial direction of the cylindrical portions 11 and 11 ′ is provided on side walls 11 e located on both outer sides in the direction of arrangement of the cylindrical portions 11 and 11 ′.
1f.

The terminal 2 has a recess 21. Terminal 2 inserted into passage 11a provided in housing 1 is a free end 11d of cantilever-like elastic arm 11d.
-1 abuts on the convex portion 11d-2, and moves with its free end displaced outward from the cylindrical portions 11, 11 'by using the inclined surface thereof, and comes to a predetermined position in the passage 11a. At this time, the convex portion 11d-2 near the free end of the elastic arm 11d is received in the concave portion 21 and is locked by the portion. The seal ring 3
It is wound on the above-mentioned winding table 14 and has an appropriate space between the winding table 14 and the skirt 12.

The fixing member 4 is formed in a frame shape having four side walls orthogonal to each other and a bottom wall 41 with a window, and is covered over a pair of cylindrical parts 11 and 11 'arranged side by side. Can be crowned. On the other hand, a flange 42 extending outward is provided at the opening edge of the fixing member 4. Small projections 43a, 43a 'are provided near the open end on one of the four opposing side walls 43, 43' of the four side walls of the fixing member 4, and one of the opposing side walls 44 is provided on the other opposing side wall. A cantilevered elastic piece 44a cut out from that portion is provided, and a portion corresponding to the axial center position of the fixing member 4 on the inner surface of the elastic piece 44a is spaced apart from each other. In this case, a pair of projections 44a-1 and 44a-1 'are provided. Small protrusions 43a, 43a 'and protrusions 44a-1, 44
In both a-1 ', the surface on the side in which the fixing member 4 is fitted to cover the cylindrical portions 11, 11' so as to be crowned is an inclined surface.

In the fixing member 4 covered over the pair of cylindrical portions 11, 11 ', the small projections 43a, 43a' described above are fitted into the elongated holes 11f of the cylindrical portions 11, 11 '. Of the projections 44a-1 and 44a-1 '
The side wall 44 of the fixing member 4 is in contact with the tip of the side wall 11b of the cylindrical portion 11, 11 '.
4b, it is temporarily attached to the housing 1 in a state where it is located away from the portion where the elastic arm 11d is formed (see FIGS. 4 and 7).

The above-mentioned slot 11f (corresponding to the first slit of the present invention) penetrates into the side of the passage 11a accommodating the terminal 2 as shown in FIG.
The elongated hole 11f can be formed by cutting a mold for forming the passage 11a of the terminal 2 along the axial direction. It is not necessary to provide an opening for die cutting in the skirt portion 12 provided outside the cylindrical portions 11, 11 '.

The elongated hole 11f is formed from the portion of the elastic seal ring 3 corresponding to the inside of the winding stand 14 to the front thereof even when it comes out of the winding stand 14. This means that when the mating male connector B is fitted while holding the elastic seal ring 3 and the seal between the connectors A and B is taken, the elongated hole 11f is located in the waterproof area. . Therefore, there is no disadvantage in waterproofing.

Here, the fixing member 4 in the female connector A
The temporary locking means and the temporarily locked means of the housing 1 and the temporary locking means are formed by small projections 43 on the inner surfaces of the side walls 43 and 43 ′ of the fixing member 4.
a, 43a 'and protrusions 44a-1, 44a-1' formed on the elastic piece 44a on the side wall 44, and the cylindrical portions 11, 1
1 'and the long hole 11 of the side wall 11e at the tip of the side wall 11b.
It will be understood that f is composed of f.

As described above, the housing 1 in which the fixing member 4 is temporarily mounted receives the terminal 2 in each of the passages 11a of the tubular portions 11 and 11 ', and the convex portion 11d of the elastic arm 11d.
-2 is fitted in the concave portion 21 of the terminal 2 and the operation of fully mounting the fixing member 4 is awaited in a state where the seal ring 3 is mounted on the winding stand 14 (see FIG. 5).

In the actual mounting, the fixing member 4 is further pressed against the cylindrical portions 11, 11 'from the temporarily mounted state, and the bending of the elastic pieces 44a and the inclined surfaces of the projections 44a-1, 44a-1' are utilized. , The projections 44a-1 and 44a-1 '
11 'is moved over the side wall 11b from the end of the side wall 11b, the bottom wall 41 of the fixing member 4 is brought into contact with the end surfaces of the cylindrical portions 11, 11', and the projections 44a-1, 44a-1 'are cut out. This is achieved by fitting into the portion 11c and engaging with the notched end (see FIGS. 6 and 8).

As described above, the protrusions 44a-
1, 44a-1 'is inserted into the notch 1 for full mounting
As is clear from FIGS. 1 and 4, 1c (corresponding to the second slit of the present invention) also penetrates toward the passage 11a for accommodating the terminal 2, and extends along the axial direction of the passage 11a. Since the notch 11c has reached the rear outside, the notch 11c can be formed by cutting a mold for forming the passage 11a of the terminal 2 along the axial direction thereof. It is not necessary to provide an opening for die cutting in the skirt portion 12 provided on the outside.

The notch 11c is formed from the portion of the elastic seal ring 3 corresponding to the inside of the winding stand 14 to the front thereof even when it comes out of the winding stand 14. This means that the mating male connector B is fitted while holding the elastic seal ring 3 so that both connectors A,
When the seal between B is removed, the notch 11c is located in the waterproof area. Therefore, there is no disadvantage in waterproofing.

The male connector B comprises a housing 5, a terminal 6, and a fixing member 7. The housing 5 includes a pair of cylindrical portions 5 having a passage 51 a for accommodating the terminal 6.
1, 51 ', a skirt portion 52 provided in the front half of the housing 5 in a state where they are appropriately spaced from the tubular portions 51, 51', and the skirt portion 52, the tubular portions 51, 51 'in the coaxial direction. It comprises a vertical wall portion 53 which rises perpendicularly to the center position at the center thereof and continues to the rear end of the skirt portion 52, and a convex section 54 formed on the inner surface of the skirt portion 52.

Each of the cylindrical portions 51 and 51 'has a notch 51c on a side wall 51b thereof, and a flexible cantilever elastic arm 51d is formed in the notch 51c. The tubular portions 51, 51 'are arranged side by side at appropriate intervals in a direction perpendicular to the side wall 51b with the side wall 51b oriented vertically.

The elastic arm 51d has a free end 51d-1 extending in the insertion direction of the terminal 6 inserted into the passage 51a, and a convex portion 51 protruding into the passage 51a near the free end.
d-2. The convex portion 51d-2 is provided with an elastic arm 51d.
Has a vertical surface on its free end direction side and an inclined surface on its opposite side. Also, the tubular portions 51, 51 '
Are inner side walls 51e facing each other in the arrangement direction.
A long hole 51f long in the axial direction of the cylindrical portion 51, 51 '.
have.

The terminal 6 has a recess 61. The terminal 6 inserted into the passage 51 a provided in the housing 5 is a free end 51 d of a cantilever elastic arm 51 d.
-1 abuts on the convex portion 51d-2, and moves with its free end displaced outward of the cylindrical portions 51, 51 'using the inclined surface thereof, and comes to a predetermined position in the passage 51a. When the elastic arm 5
The convex portion 51d-2 near the free end of 1d is received in the concave portion 61 and is locked by the portion.

The fixing member 7 is formed in a frame shape with four orthogonal side walls, and one opening has a bottom wall 7 with a window.
1 and a locking piece 72 and a guide piece 73 extending from the center of the bottom wall 71 to the front and rear of the fixing member 7 in the axial direction.
Are formed to protrude.

The one side wall 74 of the fixing member 7 is provided with two cantilever elastic pieces 74a cut out from the side wall 74, and protrudes outward on the respective elastic pieces 74a. The projection 74a-1 is formed. Small projections 72a, 72a 'are provided on both sides of the locking piece 72 near the free end of the fixing member 7 on the cylindrical portion 51, 51' in the mounting direction.
Is provided. The projection 74a-1 and the small projection 72a,
The reference numeral 72a 'designates an inclined surface on the side of the fixing member 7 on the cylindrical portion 51, 51' in the mounting direction.

The fixing member 7 covered over the pair of cylindrical portions 51, 51 'is provided with the small projections 72a, 72a' described above.
Are fitted in the long holes 51f of the cylindrical portions 51, 51 ', and are fixed in a state where the inclined surface of the above-mentioned projection 74a-1 is in contact with the cross-sectional convex portion 54 on the inner surface of the skirt portion 52. A state in which the side wall of the member 7 is located away from the formation of the elastic arms 51d of the cylindrical portions 51 and 51 '(FIGS. 12 and 15)
(See FIG. 2).

Therefore, the provisional locking means and the provisionally locked means of the fixing member 7 and the housing 5 in the male connector B are formed by a convex section 54 on the inner surface of the skirt section 52 of the housing 5 and the cylindrical section. The long holes 51f provided in the side walls 51e opposed to each other and the small projections 72a, 7 on the both sides of the distal end of the locking piece 72 in the fixing member 7.
It can be seen that the elastic piece 74a on the side wall 74 includes a protrusion 74a-1 protruding outward.

As described above, the housing 5 to which the fixing member 7 is temporarily mounted is provided with the respective passages 51a of the tubular portions 51 and 51 '.
The terminal 6 is received inside, and the convex portion 51 of the elastic arm 51d is received.
In the state where d-2 is fitted into the concave portion 61 of the terminal 6 (see FIG. 13), the operation of full mounting is to be waited.

In the actual mounting, the fixing member 7 is temporarily pressed and further pressed against the cylindrical portions 51 and 51 ', and the elastic pieces 7
Utilizing the flexibility of the protrusion 4a and the inclined surface of the protrusion 74a-1, the protrusion 74a-1 is moved over one step of the cross-section convex portion 54 formed on the inner surface of the skirt portion 52 of the housing 5 and fixed. The bottom wall 71 of the member 7 is brought into contact with the distal ends of the cylindrical portions 51 and 51 ', and the projection 74a-1 is engaged with the other step of the cross-section convex portion 54 (FIG. 14, FIG.
See FIG. 16).

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a partially cutaway exploded perspective view of a female connector according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded vertical sectional view thereof.

FIG. 3 is an exploded cross-sectional view thereof.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a state where a fixing member is temporarily mounted.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view in a state where a terminal is inserted.

FIG. 6 is a transverse sectional view showing a state in which a fixing member is fully mounted.

FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view of a state in which a fixing member is temporarily mounted.

FIG. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a state in which a fixing member is fully mounted.

FIG. 9 is a partially cutaway exploded perspective view of the male connector.

FIG. 10 is an exploded vertical sectional view thereof.

FIG. 11 is an exploded cross-sectional view thereof.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of a state where a fixing member is temporarily mounted.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view in a state where a terminal is inserted.

FIG. 14 is a transverse sectional view showing a state in which a fixing member is fully mounted.

FIG. 15 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a state where the fixing member is temporarily mounted.

FIG. 16 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a state in which a fixing member is fully mounted.

[Explanation of symbols]

 A ... Female connector B ... Male connector 1 ... Housing 11, 11 '... Cylindrical part 11a ... Passage 11c ... Notch (second slit) 11d ... Elastic arm 11d-2 ... Convex part 11f ... Slot (first slit) 12) skirt portion 2 ... terminal 21 ... concave portion 3 ... seal ring 4 ... fixing member 43a, 43a '... small projection (first locking projection) 44a-1, 44a-1' ... projection (second locking projection)

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] A skirt portion is formed outside a tubular portion provided with a housing passage for a terminal therein, and a seal member wound around the outer periphery of the tubular portion on the inner side of the skirt portion is provided. A terminal is inserted between the skirt portion and a mating connector fitted into the skirt portion to seal the terminal. In the waterproof connector, the terminal is double-locked by being fixed in a state where the terminal is locked in a retaining state, and a fixing member mounted from the front of the tubular portion is positioned in a bending deformation region of the elastic arm. On the side wall of the cylindrical portion, first and second slits reaching the rear and outside along the axial direction of the housing passage are formed so as to penetrate therethrough, and the fixing member is provided with the first slit provided therein.
When the locking projection engages with the front end of the first slit, the locking arm is temporarily locked at a position just before the bending deformation area of the elastic arm, and further pressed into the second locking projection provided on the fixing member. Is engaged with a front end portion of the second slit so that it can be fully locked at a position advanced to the bending deformation region. 2. The locking portion between the first slit and the second slit is provided in front of a position where the seal member is wound around the cylindrical portion.
The waterproof connector described.