JP3362821B2 - Connector with wire cover - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a connector with an electric wire cover in which a connector housing is provided with a cover for covering an electric wire.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a connector with an electric wire cover of this type, a connector described in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 5-53155 is known. As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, a pair of covers c are provided to be openable and closable on the rear surface side of a connector housing b that accommodates terminal fittings fixed to the ends of the electric wires a, and each cover is pulled out from the housing b. By bundling the electric wires a and closing and locking both covers c, the drawn electric wires a are covered with the cover c.

[0003]

By the way, when such a connector is used, the electric wires are bent at a right angle in the vicinity of the rear surface of the connector housing and are arranged in a horizontal row in view of the fitting position of the connector or the space. You may want to pull them out side by side. However, in the conventional apparatus, as shown in FIG. 11, the electric wire a can be pulled out from the rear surface of the housing b only in a straight direction and in a state of being gathered in a thick bundle, and therefore, under the above conditions. The advent of a connector that can pull out an electric wire has been eagerly awaited.

The present invention has been completed based on the above demands, and the electric wires can be bent at a substantially right angle in the vicinity of the rear surface of the housing and can be pulled out in a flat state in a line. An object of the present invention is to provide a connector with an electric wire cover.

[0005]

As means for achieving the above object, the invention of claim 1 is a connector housing provided with a plurality of cavities into which terminal fittings fixed to the ends of electric wires are inserted, And a cover provided on the end surface of the connector housing on the insertion side of the terminal fitting so as to be openable and closable, in which electric wires drawn from the cavities are arranged in a line, and substantially parallel to the insertion direction of the terminal fitting. It is characterized in that the electric wire accommodating groove is formed so that the electric wire accommodating groove is bent in a direction orthogonal to each other and can be accommodated.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the cover is constituted by a pair of cover constituent members provided on both sides of the end surface of the connector housing so as to be openable and closable via hinge portions. It is characterized in that the structure is integrated by abutting and locking the free ends of both cover structures. The invention of claim 3 relates to claim 1
Alternatively, in the invention of claim 2, the cover is provided on one side of the end surface of the connector housing to be openable and closable via a hinge portion, and a free end of the cover is locked to the other side of the end surface to be closed. There is a feature in the place.

The invention of claim 4 is characterized in that, in the invention of claim 1, claim 2 or claim 3, the midway position of the wire receiving groove of the cover is bent in a stepped shape. Have. According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the first, second, third or fourth aspect of the present invention, a pressing portion that presses the outer circumference of the electric wire is provided on the inner surface of the electric wire accommodating groove of the cover. It has a feature in that it is configured.

[0008]

According to the invention of claim 1, each terminal fitting is inserted into a corresponding cavity of the connector housing in a state where the cover is opened. When the cover was closed while accommodating the electric wires drawn from each cavity in the electric wire accommodating groove provided in the cover, the electric wires were aligned in a line from the cover and bent in a direction substantially orthogonal to the insertion direction of the terminal fittings. It is pulled out in the state. On the rear end side of the connector housing, the electric wire can be bent at a substantially right angle and can be pulled out while being held in a flat state, and there is an effect that the space limitation can be eliminated.

In the invention of claim 2, both cover components are
The wires are housed in the wire housing groove that is divided into them, and the wires are closed and integrated, and the wires are pulled out from the cover in a state where they are aligned in a line and bent in a direction substantially orthogonal to the insertion direction of the terminal fittings. Be done. The connector can be formed in a substantially symmetrical shape, which simplifies the mold structure and the like. In the invention of claim 3, each wire is housed in a single wire housing groove provided in the cover. The work of accommodating electric wires can be made easier.

According to the fourth aspect of the invention, when a tensile force is applied to the wire, the stepped portion of the wire receiving groove is caught, so that the tensile force acting on the terminal fitting side is relaxed. . It is prevented that the terminal fitting side is overloaded. In the invention of claim 5, when a tensile force is applied to the electric wire, the electric wire is pressed midway and becomes caught, whereby the tensile force acting on the terminal fitting side is relaxed. It is prevented that the terminal fitting side is overloaded.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Various embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. <First Embodiment> FIGS. 1 to 3 show a first embodiment of the present invention, and exemplify a waterproof connector with a female side electric wire cover. In the drawings, reference numeral 1 is a connector housing (hereinafter, simply referred to as a housing), which is integrally molded of a synthetic resin material, and inside the connector housing, a connector housing 2 is provided.
And 5 cavities 2 in total are formed in the lower stage. A female terminal fitting 4 fixed to the end of the electric wire 3 is inserted into each cavity 2 from the rear surface side (the surface on the front side in FIG. 1) and locked by a lance 5 provided in each cavity 2. As a result, it is housed in a state in which it does not come off (see FIG. 3). A waterproof rubber plug 7 is fitted on the rear end side of the female terminal fitting 4, and is tightly fitted into the entrance of the cavity 2 to provide a seal.

As shown in FIG. 3, a front type retainer 9 is attached to the front side of the housing 1 via a rubber ring 10, and a protrusion 11 provided on the retainer 9 is provided. , The deformation space 12 of the lance 5
When the lance 5 is inserted into the female terminal fitting 4, the bending deformation of the lance 5 is restricted, and the female terminal fitting 4 is double-locked. A lock piece 13 is provided on the upper surface of the housing 1 to lock the mating male connector housing (not shown) in a fitted state.

On the rear surface side of the housing 1, there is provided a cover 15 for covering the electric wire 3 drawn out from each cavity 2. The cover 15 is composed of a pair of left and right cover constituting bodies 16 having a substantially symmetrical shape, and is integrally formed on the side surface of the housing 1 via a self-hinge portion 17, and has an open position shown in FIG. It is swingable between the closed position shown in FIG.

The shape of each cover structure 16 will be described in more detail. Each cover structure 16 is provided with an outer wall 19 having a plane L shape. The outer wall 19 includes a side surface portion 20,
It has a rear surface portion 21 formed orthogonally thereto and an upper surface portion 22 formed so as to project from the upper edge of the rear surface portion 21 to the inner surface side.

The above-mentioned side surface portion 20 is a cover structure 16
When is closed, the side surface on the rear end side of the housing 1 is covered in a close state. The rear surface portion 21 is formed such that its lower edge extends below the side surface portion 20,
By closing in abutting relation with each other, the housing 1 is connected flush with the rear end surface of the housing 1 at a position spaced apart by a certain distance rearward, and covers a region from the rear of the portion provided with the cavity 2 of the housing 1 to the lower portion thereof. Has become.

Further, the upper surface portion 22 is also closed in a butt shape so as to cover the upper portion of the rear surface side of the housing 1 where the cavity 2 is provided. In addition,
The abutting edges 23 extending from the rear surface portion 21 to the upper surface portion 22 of both outer walls 19 are formed in a stepped shape in which either the inner surface side or the outer surface side is thin, and are overlapped with each other and abutted. There is.

An inner wall 25 is integrally formed on the inner surface side of the outer wall 19. The inner wall 25 has a lower surface portion 26 protruding from the lower edge of the side surface portion 20 of the outer wall 19 so as to be orthogonal to the side surface portion 20, and the side surface of the lower surface portion 26 corresponding to the rear surface portion 21 of the outer wall 19 is provided. A guide portion 27 is formed by bending downward from the end edge. As shown in FIG. 3, the guide portion 27 is formed in parallel with the rear surface portion 21 with a space slightly larger than the diameter of the electric wire 3 between the rear surface portion 21 and the rear surface portion 21, and at the bent portion 28. It has a moderate roundness. Between the guide portion 27 and the rear surface portion 21, as will be described later in detail, an electric wire accommodation groove 30 is formed which allows the electric wire 3 to be bent downward in a direction orthogonal to the insertion direction of the female terminal fitting 4 to be accommodated. ing.

When the cover structure 16 is closed, the L-shaped end edges of the inner walls 25 shown in the front side of FIG. 1 are butted against each other, so that the electric wire receiving grooves 30 on the left and right become linear. The lower opening of the wire receiving groove 30 that is in communication with each other constitutes the outlet 31 of the wire 3.

The lower surface portion 26 of each inner wall 25 is adapted to cover the lower surface on the rear end side of the housing 1 in a close state when it is closed, and each electric wire receiving groove 3
The back side opposite to the side where 0 is communicated with each other is the blocking portion 32.
Is blocked by.

The cover 15 is provided with a plurality of locking portions for locking it in the closed state, which will be briefly described. At the abutting portion of the upper surface portion 22 of the outer wall 19 of the one cover structure 16 (on the left side in FIG. 1), a flexibly deformable first lock piece 34 with a locking groove 35 cut is provided in a protruding manner. At the abutting portion of the upper surface portion 22 of the cover structure 16 of the first
A lock protrusion 36 is formed. A second deformable second lock piece 37, which is also formed with a locking groove 38, is projectingly provided at the abutting portion of the guide portion 27 on the inner wall 25 of the one cover structure 16, and the other cover configuration is also provided. A second lock protrusion 39 that can be fitted into the locking groove 38 is formed at the abutting portion of the guide portion 27 of the body 16.

A first fitting hole 40 is formed in each side surface portion 20 of the outer wall 19 of each cover assembly 16, and the first fitting holes 40 are formed on both side surfaces of the housing 1. Is formed with a first fitting protrusion 41. Further, second fitting holes 42 are opened in the lower surface portion 26 of the inner wall 25 of each cover structure 16, and the second fitting holes 42 are individually fitted in the lower surface of the housing 1. Second fitting protrusion 43 that can be fitted
Are formed.

The first embodiment has the above-mentioned structure, and the procedure of the assembling will be described next. First, Fig. 1
As shown in FIG. 2, both cover components 16 are opened, and the female terminal fitting 4 and the waterproof rubber plug 7 fixed to the end of the electric wire 3 are inserted into the five cavities 2 of the housing 1 from the rear surface side. And keep it in the locked state. Subsequently, the retainer 9 is mounted on the front surface of the housing 1 and double-locked.

Next, each electric wire 3 extending from the rear surface of the cavity 2 is bent downward as shown by a chain line in FIG. 1 to close both cover constituting bodies 16. At the same time that the cover structure 16 is closed, the bent electric wire 3 is guided by the inner wall 25 and is housed in the electric wire housing groove 30 sequentially. In that case, since the distance between the electric wire receiving grooves 30 is set to be slightly larger than the diameter of the electric wire 3, the electric wires 3 are arranged in a line.

When both cover structures 16 are completely closed, the first locking projection 36 is locked by the locking groove 3 of the first locking piece 34.
5 and the second lock protrusion 39 is fitted into the locking groove 38 of the second lock piece 37, respectively, so that both cover components 1
A cover 15 in which 6 are integrally connected is formed. In addition, the first and second fitting holes 40 of both cover components 16,
42 is the first and second fitting protrusions 41 of the housing 1,
The cover 15 is locked with respect to the housing 1 by being fitted into the housing 43.

In the state where the cover 15 is closed as described above, both electric wire accommodating grooves 30 are communicated with each other to form one groove,
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the outlet 31 of the cover 15 is
From, the five electric wires 3 are bent in a direction orthogonal to the insertion direction of the female terminal fitting 4, and are drawn out in a flat state in which they are aligned. Thereby, the space limitation can be eliminated.

Further, in the first embodiment, since the connector has a substantially symmetrical shape by providing the pair of cover constituting bodies 16 in a double-opening manner, there is an advantage that the mold structure and the like can be simplified. If the bent portion 28 of the inner wall 25 that serves as an introduction portion when the electric wire 3 is accommodated in the electric wire accommodating groove 30 is rounded with a larger radius of curvature, the operation of accommodating the electric wire 3 becomes easier.

<Second Embodiment> FIG. 4 shows a second embodiment of the present invention, in which the divided shape of the cover is changed from the first embodiment. In the second embodiment, it is the same that the left and right two cover structures 45 and 46 are swingably opened and closed through the self-hinge portion 17, respectively, but on the one cover structure 45 side. , The side surface portion 4 that covers the side surface of the housing 1 as the outer wall 47
8, both rear surface portions 21 and both upper surface portions 2 of the first embodiment.
A rear surface portion 49 and an upper surface portion 50, which are integrated with each other, are formed, and an inner wall 51, which also integrates both inner walls 25 of the first embodiment, is formed on the inner surface side thereof, and an electric wire accommodating groove is provided therebetween. 52 is formed. That is, all of the wire housing grooves 52 are formed in the one cover structure 45. The other cover structure 46 is provided with a closing portion 54 that closes the side surface portion 48 and the opening of the wire housing groove 52 on the front side in the drawing. Then, with the front end surfaces of the outer wall 47 and the inner wall 51 of the one cover structure 45 abutting along the peripheral edge of the inner surface of the other cover structure 46, both cover structures 45, 46 are closed. .

Regarding the lock mechanism for locking both cover components 45 and 46 in the closed state, the arrangement position of each lock member is slightly different from that of the first embodiment because the shape of the cover component has changed. However, since the shape and the basic function are the same as those in the first embodiment, the detailed description thereof will be omitted by giving the same reference numerals. Further, other components are the same as those in the first embodiment, and the same members are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the duplicated description will be omitted.

At the time of assembly, both electric wires 3 extending from the rear surface of the cavity 2 are bent in the same manner, and both cover constituent members 45 and 46 are closed. At that time, the electric wire 3 is provided on one cover constituent member 45. The wires are sequentially housed in the wire housing groove 52. When both cover components 45, 46 are completely closed and locked, the five electric wires 3 are bent from the outlet 53 of the electric wire receiving groove 52 in a direction orthogonal to the female terminal fittings 4, and It is pulled out in a flat state. According to the second embodiment, in particular, since the electric wire housing groove 52 is provided only in the one cover structure 45, the electric wire 3 can be housed more easily and the assembling workability can be improved. The advantage that can be obtained is obtained.

<Third Embodiment> FIG. 5 shows a third embodiment of the present invention. In the third embodiment, only the cover 56 having substantially the same shape as the cover structure 45 of the second embodiment is swingably opened and closed via the self-hinge portion 17, and the other cover structure 46 is provided. The corresponding part is provided as a fixed side wall 57. The lock mechanism has the same basic function except that the arrangement position is changed. When assembling, bend the wire 3 and cover the cover 5.
The bent electric wire 3 is sequentially accommodated in the electric wire accommodating groove 52 while closing 6. When the cover 56 is closed, the electric wires 3 are bent at a right angle and drawn out from the drawing outlet 53 in a state where they are arranged in a line in a flat manner.

<Fourth Embodiment> FIGS. 6 and 7 show a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
An embodiment is shown. The purpose of the fourth embodiment is to alleviate the pulling force acting on the female terminal fitting 4 side when the electric wire 3 is pulled. Therefore, in this embodiment, in the connector of the first embodiment described above, the vicinity of the outlet 31 of the electric wire housing groove 30 of the cover 15 is bent in a step shape. That is, when the electric wire 3 is pulled, the electric wire 3 is caught by the bent portion 60, whereby the tensile force acting on the female terminal fitting 4 side is relaxed.
Therefore, for example, when a large tensile force is applied to the electric wire 3, one side of the waterproof rubber plug 7 is deformed so as to be crushed, and a gap is formed between the opposite side surface and the inner peripheral surface of the cavity 2.
Where the sealing property may be impaired, the waterproof rubber plug 7 is prevented from being deformed by relaxing the tensile force as described above, and the sealing property is secured. <Fifth Embodiment> FIG. 8 shows a fifth embodiment of the present invention.
The purpose is the same as in the fourth embodiment. In this embodiment,
The rear surface portion 2 is provided on the corresponding surface of the rear surface portion 21 of the outer wall 19 and the guide portion 27 of the inner wall 25 which constitute the outlet 31 of the wire receiving groove 30.
Two ridges 61 are formed on the guide portion 27 and one ridge 61 is formed on the guide portion 27 in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the electric wire 3 and on both sides.

That is, the electric wire 3 is sandwiched between the ridges 61 on both sides and bent in a corrugated shape at that portion, and is drawn out from the outlet 31 of the electric wire housing groove 30, and when the electric wire 3 is pulled, Similarly, the ridge 61 is caught and the tensile force acting on the female terminal fitting 4 side is relaxed.

<Sixth Embodiment> A sixth embodiment shown in FIG. 9 is a combination of the fourth embodiment and the fifth embodiment described above, in which the vicinity of the outlet 31 of the wire receiving groove 30 is In addition to being bent in a stepped shape, protrusions 61 are formed on both sides of the outlet 31. This makes the wire 3
Is caught in multiple stages, and the tensile force acting on the female terminal fitting 4 side is more effectively relieved.

<Other Embodiments> The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and illustrated in the drawings. For example, the following embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention. In addition to the above, various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

(1) In the above embodiment, the connector in which the electric wire is pulled out from the upper and lower cavities is exemplified.
The same applies to a type in which the electric wire is drawn out in three or more stages. (2) The present invention is not limited to the female-side waterproof connector illustrated in the above embodiment, but can be widely applied to a male-side connector and a non-waterproof type connector.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an open state of a cover according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a cover in a closed state.

FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view thereof.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an open state of a cover according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a cover according to a third embodiment in an open state.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an open state of a cover according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a vertical sectional view of the cover in a closed state.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the wire accommodating groove of the fifth embodiment in the vicinity of the outlet.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the outlet of the wire housing groove according to the sixth embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a plan view of a conventional cover in an open state.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the cover in a closed state.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Connector housing 2 ... Cavity 3 ... Electric wire 4 ... Female terminal fitting 15 ... Cover 16 ... Cover structure 17 ... Self hinge part 30 ... Wire receiving groove 31 ... Exit 45, 46 ... Cover structure 52 ... Wire receiving groove 53 ... Exit 56 ... Cover 60 ... Bent portion (of electric wire receiving groove 30) 61 ... Ridge (pressing part)

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-4-229572 (JP, A) JP-A-5-226023 (JP, A) Actually opened Sho-55-49411 (JP, U) Actually opened 7- 18354 (JP, U) Actual development 2-89774 (JP, U) Actual development 5-53155 (JP, U) Actual public 57-39895 (JP, Y1) (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H01R 13/506 H01R 13/516 H01R 13/58

Claims (5)

(57) [Claims] 1. A connector housing provided with a plurality of cavities into which terminal fittings secured to the ends of electric wires are inserted, and a cover provided on the end surface of the connector housing on the insertion side of the terminal fittings so as to be openable and closable. , The cover is formed with an electric wire accommodation groove in which the electric wires drawn out from the respective cavities are arranged in a line, and are bent and accommodated in a direction substantially orthogonal to the insertion direction of the terminal fitting. A connector with an electric wire cover. 2. The cover is composed of a pair of cover constituent members provided on both sides of the end surface of the connector housing so as to be openable and closable via hinge portions, and locks the free ends of both cover constituent members by abutting against each other. The electric wire cover-attached connector according to claim 1, wherein the connector is integrated. 3. The cover is provided on one side of the end surface of the connector housing so as to be openable and closable via a hinge portion, and its free end is closed and locked to the other side of the end surface. The connector with an electric wire cover according to claim 1. 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein an intermediate position of the electric wire receiving groove of the cover is bent in a step shape.
A connector with an electric wire cover according to claim 2 or 3. 5. The inner surface of the wire receiving groove of the cover,
A pressing portion for pressing the outer periphery of the electric wire is provided, wherein the pressing portion is provided, claim 2, claim 3, or claim 4.
Connector with the electric wire cover described.