JP3947093B2 - Connector for equipment - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a device connector attached to a device such as an inverter device or a motor of an electric vehicle.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, as a connector for equipment attached to equipment such as an inverter device or a motor of an electric vehicle, an attachment hole is formed in the outer wall of the equipment case, and a device-side terminal is provided inside the case to connect to a plurality of electric wires. There is one in which the electric wire side metal fitting is held in one housing, and the electric wire side terminal is connected to the equipment side terminal by fitting the housing into the mounting hole. In this connector, a seal member is provided between the inner periphery of the mounting hole and the outer periphery of the housing in order to waterproof the inside of the case. (For example, see Patent Document 1).
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-9-161892 [0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the above conventional connector, the terminals of the three poles are arranged in a triangular shape, the outer periphery of the housing holding the electric wire side terminals is formed into a perfect circle, and the outer periphery of the perfect circular housing has no ring shape It has a structure that externally fits the members.
[0005]
In this way, when the terminals are arranged in a triangle, a certain amount of space must be secured in both the width and height directions in order to place the terminals, but due to restrictions caused by the layout of equipment and other peripheral components. It is also conceivable that the device side terminals are forced to be arranged side by side. In this case, since the electric wire side terminals are also arranged side by side, the housing is also formed into a non-circular shape such as a horizontally long oval, oval, or substantially rectangular shape in accordance with this. Similarly, the seal member attached to the non-circular shape is also non-circular.
[0006]
However, when the outer periphery of the housing and the seal member are non-circular, if the seal member is displaced in the circumferential direction with respect to the housing, a part of the seal member is lifted from the outer periphery of the housing or excessively pulled. There is a risk of being extended. When the seal member is mounted in such a state, when the housing is fitted into the mounting hole, the seal member is in close contact with the outer periphery of the housing and the inner periphery of the mounting hole (elastic deformation state of the seal member). Is not uniform in the circumferential direction, and there is a concern that the reliability of the sealing function may be reduced.
[0007]
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has an object of reliably waterproofing a fitting portion between a mounting hole of a device and a housing.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
According to the first aspect of the present invention, a plurality of electric wire side terminals connected to an electric wire are held in a housing, and the housing is fitted into an attachment hole opened in a case of the device, whereby the electric wire side terminal is placed in the case. A device connector that is connected to the device side terminal and waterproofed by a ring-shaped seal member between the outer periphery of the housing and the inner periphery of the mounting hole,
The outer periphery of the housing is formed with a circumferential seal groove in which the seal member is mounted, and a concave regulation portion in which a rear edge of the opening edge of the seal groove is cut out in a square shape rearward. The sealing member is formed with a locking portion that protrudes rearward and is fitted to the restriction portion in a form exposed on the outer periphery of the housing, and is formed between the locking portion and the restriction portion. The seal member is positioned in the circumferential direction with respect to the housing and the seal groove by fitting .
[0010]
[Action and effect of the invention]
[Invention of Claim 1]
Even when the outer peripheral shape of the housing, the inner peripheral shape of the mounting hole, and the seal member are non-circular, such as an ellipse, the loose movement of the seal member in the circumferential direction is restricted by the engagement of the engagement portion and the restriction portion. The member is positioned in the circumferential direction. By this positioning, the seal member is positioned with respect to the outer periphery of the housing or the inner periphery of the mounting hole, and the waterproof function by the seal member is reliably exhibited.
[0011]
Further, since the restricting portion is formed in a form exposed on the outer surface of the housing and the seal member is mounted on the outer periphery of the housing, the restricting portion and the engaging portion are locked before the housing is fitted into the mounting hole. The state can be confirmed visually.
[0012]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[Embodiment 1]
A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.
The device connector A of this embodiment is for connecting the shielded electric wire 20 (the electric wire which is a constituent element of the present invention) to the device 10 (for example, an inverter device of an electric vehicle).
[0013]
The device 10 is a device in which a device main body 12 is accommodated in a shield case 11 made of a conductive material (a case which is a constituent element of the present invention), and a side wall of the shield case 11 is attached in a horizontally long substantially oval shape. A hole 13 is formed so as to penetrate therethrough, and a pair of left and right pouch-like paths (in a form not opening on the inner surface of the shield case 11) are formed above the mounting hole 13. Inside the shield case 11, a device-side terminal 15 extending from the device body 12 is waiting, and a bolt hole 15 </ b> H penetrating vertically is formed in the device-side terminal 15.
[0014]
The device connector A according to the present embodiment includes a housing 50, an electric wire side terminal 40, and a connection member 30. In the present embodiment, in the front-rear direction, the left side in FIGS. Further, the front-rear direction and the axial direction are used synonymously.
The device connector A is connected to the front end of the shielded electric wire 20. The shielded electric wire 20 surrounds a conductor 21 made of a plurality of fine metal wires with a cylindrical core 22 made of an insulating synthetic resin material, and a cylindrical shield layer 23 made of a braided wire along the outer periphery of the core 22. Further, the shield layer 23 is surrounded by a sheath 24 made of an insulating synthetic resin material. At the front end portion of the shielded electric wire 20, the sheath 24 is largely peeled off, and the core 22 and the shield layer 23 are exposed and protruded from the front end edge of the sheath 24. Further, the front end portion of the core 22 is peeled off. The conductor 21 protrudes from the front end edge of the core 22 in an exposed state.
[0015]
A conductive sleeve 25 is externally fitted to the front end portion of the sheath 24, and the shield layer 23 exposed from the front end of the sheath 24 is folded back in a substantially front half portion of the sleeve 25. Furthermore, a metal caulking cylinder 26 is fixed to the folded shield layer 23 by caulking. By this caulking tube 26, the sleeve 25 and the shield layer 23 are fixed in a state in which the sleeve 25 and the shield layer 23 are loosely regulated with respect to the front end portion of the sheath 24.
[0016]
Further, the connection member 30 is attached to the substantially second half portion of the sleeve 25 so as to be conductive. The connecting member 30 is made of a conductive material (metal or conductive resin), and has three cylindrical portions 31 that form a circular shape with the axis line parallel to the shielded electric wire 20 and arranged on the left and right, and orthogonal to the axial direction of the shielded electric wire 20. A single plate portion 32 having a flat plate shape is integrally formed, and each cylindrical portion 31 penetrates the plate portion 32 and projects forward and backward. A plurality of resin flow holes 33 that are spaced in the circumferential direction along the outer periphery of each cylindrical portion 31 are formed in the plate portion 32 so as to penetrate in the front-rear direction. A pair of fixing portions 34 projecting upward are formed at both left and right ends of the plate portion 32, and bolt holes 34 </ b> H are formed in the fixing portion 34.
[0017]
Each cylindrical portion 31 of the connecting member 30 is penetrated by the shielded electric wire 20, and the cylindrical portion 31 is externally fitted to the sleeve 25 in a state where the axial movement and the radial movement are restricted, and is electrically connected. Connected as possible. Thereby, the shielded electric wire 20 and the connection member 30 are assembled together, and the shield layer 23 and the connection member 30 are connected via the sleeve 25 so as to be conductive.
The electric wire side terminal 40 is formed into an elongated shape in the front-rear direction as a whole by bending a metal plate material punched into a predetermined shape. A substantially first half portion of the electric wire side terminal 40 has a horizontal flat plate shape and is a device connection portion 41 in which a bolt hole 41H is formed, and a substantially latter half portion is an electric wire connection portion 42 having an open barrel shape. The electric wire side terminal 40 is connected to the conductor 21 of the shielded electric wire 20 by crimping by caulking the electric wire connecting portion 42. In the connected state, the electric wire side terminal 40 extends from the front end of the shielded electric wire 20 in a substantially straight line forward.
[0018]
The housing 50 is made of a resin mold so that the front end portion of the shielded electric wire 20 (connection portion between the connection member 30 and the shield layer 23) and the rear end portion of the electric wire side terminal 40 (the conductor 21 of the shielded electric wire 20 and the electric wire side terminal 40 are connected to each other). These are integrated in a form that surrounds them without any gaps over the entire circumference, and three electric wire side terminals 40 are held side by side in one housing 50. Further, the plate portion 32 of the connection member 30 and its fixing portion 34 are exposed (projected) over the entire periphery from the outer periphery of the housing 50.
[0019]
The housing 50 has a shape corresponding to the mounting hole 13, that is, a horizontally long substantially oval shape, and has a circumferential seal groove at a front end portion (an area ahead of the plate portion 32 of the connecting member 30) on the outer periphery thereof. 51 is continuously formed over the entire circumference. In addition, a pair of right and left concave restricting portions 52 are formed in the upper surface region on the outer periphery of the housing 50, with the rear edge portion of the opening edge of the seal groove 51 notched rearwardly in a square shape. The positions of the pair of restricting portions 52 are symmetrical in the left-right direction, and the shapes and dimensions of the two restricting portions 52 are the same.
[0020]
A rubber seal member 55 having a ring shape substantially similar to the housing 50 and the mounting hole 13 is mounted in the seal groove 51. The cross-sectional shape of the seal member 55 is substantially circular, and the inner peripheral portion elastically contacts the groove bottom surface of the seal groove 51 and the outer peripheral portion elastically contacts the inner peripheral surface of the mounting hole 13. ing. The seal member 55 is formed with a pair of left and right engaging portions 56 that are engaged with the restricting portion 52 of the housing 50. The locking portion 56 has a rectangular shape so as to be fitted to the restricting portion 52 without a gap, and protrudes rearward. Moreover, about the position of the two latching | locking parts 56, it arrange | positions so as to correspond with the control part 52 in the left-right direction. Further, the thickness (diameter dimension) of the locking portion 56 is smaller than that of the seal member 55, and the outermost surface of the seal member 55 is engaged in a free state (a state in which the seal member 55 is not elastically deformed). While being located outside the outer surface of the stop portion 56, the innermost circumferential surface is located inside the inner surface of the locking portion 56.
[0021]
Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.
In manufacturing the device connector A, the sleeve 25 is externally fitted to the shielded electric wire 20, the shield layer 23 is folded over and overlapped, and the crimping tube 26 with the shield layer 23 externally fitted is crimped by pressing. Thus, the shield layer 23 and the sleeve 25 are connected. Further, the electric wire side terminal 40 is connected to the conductor 21 of the shielded electric wire 20, and the sleeve 25 is fitted into the cylindrical portion 31 of the connecting member 30 to connect the shield layer 23 and the connecting member 30.
[0022]
Thereafter, the electric wire side terminal 40, the shielded electric wire 20, and the connecting member 30 are set in a mold (not shown), and the housing 50 is molded. The molded housing 50 is integrated with the electric wire side terminal 40, the shield electric wire 20, and the connection member 30 so as to surround them. After removing this from the mold, a seal member 55 is mounted in the seal groove 51 of the housing 50.
When the seal member 55 is mounted in the seal groove 51, the seal groove 51 and the seal member 55 are non-circular, that is, have a horizontally long substantially oval shape, so that the seal member 55 is positioned in the circumferential direction of the seal member 55. If there is a shift, there is a concern that a problem such as the seal member 55 partially floating from the seal groove 51 occurs. However, in the present embodiment, the seal groove 51 is formed with a restriction portion 52 that is recessed in a direction intersecting the circumferential direction, and the sealing member 55 is formed with a locking portion 56 that protrudes in a direction intersecting the circumferential direction. In addition, the sealing member 55 can be positioned in the circumferential direction with respect to the seal groove 51 by fitting the restriction portion 52 and the locking portion 56 together. Therefore, in a state where the housing 50 is not fitted in the mounting hole 13, there is no problem that the seal member 55 is partially lifted from the seal groove 51 or partially stretched. 51 (housing 50) is correctly attached.
[0023]
On the other hand, a cover 57 in which a pair of upper and lower halves are combined in a cylindrical shape is attached to a region behind the plate portion 32 of the connection member 30 on the outer periphery of the housing 50. The front end of the corrugated tube 58 is fitted. In the cover 57 and the corrugated tube 58, the three shielded electric wires 20 led out from the rear end surface of the housing 50 are accommodated in a bundled state. Thus, the manufacture of the device connector A is completed.
[0024]
The manufactured device connector A is attached to the device 10. At the time of attachment, the device connector A of the electric wire side terminal 40 faces first, the device connector A is inserted into the attachment hole 13 from the outside of the shield case 11, and the fixing portion 34 of the plate portion 32 is applied to the outer surface of the shield case 11. The bolt hole 34H is made to correspond to the female screw hole 14 of the shield case 11, and the device connection part 41 is overlapped with the device side terminal 15 in the shield case 11 so that both the bolt holes 15H and 41H correspond to each other. Both the terminals 15 and 40 are connected by screwing the bolts 16 penetrating the bolt holes 15H and 41H into the nuts 17 and tightening them. Further, the connecting member 30 is fixed to the shield case 11 so as to be conductive by screwing the bolt 36 inserted into the bolt hole 34H of the plate portion 32 into the female screw hole 14. Further, the housing 50, the shielded electric wire 20, and the electric wire side terminal 40 are also fixed to the shield case 11 through the connection member 30.
[0025]
A gap between the outer periphery of the fixed housing 50 and the inner periphery of the mounting hole 13 is sealed in a liquid-tight manner by the seal member 55. Here, since the sealing member 55 is correctly positioned in the circumferential direction with respect to the housing 50 by the fitting of the restricting portion 52 and the locking portion 56, the sealing member 55 is elastically deformed uniformly over the entire circumference, As a result, uniform sealing performance can be obtained in the circumferential direction. As described above, the shielded electric wire 20 is attached to the device 10.
[0026]
As described above, in the present embodiment, the outer peripheral shape of the housing 50, the inner peripheral shape of the mounting hole 13, and the seal member 55 are substantially elliptical, that is, non-circular, but formed in the seal member 55. By fitting the locking portion 56 and the restricting portion 52 formed on the housing 50, the seal member 55 is positioned in the circumferential direction with respect to the housing 50, and the loose movement of the seal member 55 with respect to the housing 50 in the circumferential direction is performed. Since regulation is made, the waterproof function of the seal member 55 can be surely exhibited.
[0027]
In addition, the seal member 55 is mounted on the outer periphery of the housing 50, and the fitting between the restricting portion 52 and the locking portion 56 is performed in a form exposed on the outer surface of the housing 50. Before fitting, the locking state of the restricting portion 52 and the locking portion 56 can be confirmed by visual observation.
[Other Embodiments]
The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described with reference to the above description and drawings. For example, the following embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention, and further, within the scope not departing from the gist of the invention other than the following. Various modifications can be made.
[0028]
(1) In the above embodiment, the seal member is mounted on the outer periphery of the housing. However, as a reference example of the present invention, the seal member may be mounted on the inner periphery of the mounting hole. In this case, the restricting portion for locking the locking portion of the seal member is formed in the mounting hole.
(2) In the above embodiment, the outer peripheral shape of the housing and the inner peripheral shape of the mounting hole are substantially elliptical. However, according to the present invention, the shape is not elliptical, such as an oval or a substantially rectangular shape with an arc shape. Also good.
[0029]
(3) In the above-described embodiment, the locking between the restricting portion and the locking portion is made visible. However, as a reference example of the present invention, the locking portion is provided on the inner peripheral side of the seal member and cannot be visually confirmed. It is good also as a stop form. In this case, since the locking structure by the unevenness | corrugation of a control part and a locking part is hidden inside a seal member, it is excellent in aesthetics.
(4) In the above embodiment, the restricting portion is concave and the engaging portion is convex. However, as a reference example of the present invention, the restricting portion may be convex and the engaging portion may be concave. Further, a convex part and a concave part may be provided as the restricting part, and a concave part and a convex part may be provided as the locking part.
[0030]
(5) In the above embodiment, the terminal fitting is integrated with the housing by molding. However, the present invention is also applied to a device connector in which a cavity is formed in the housing and the terminal fitting is inserted into the cavity. can do.
(6) In the above embodiment, a plurality of terminal fittings are held in one housing, but the present invention can also be applied to a device connector that holds one terminal fitting in one housing.
[0031]
(7) Although the device connector having a shield function has been described in the above embodiment, the present invention can also be applied to a device connector having no shield function.
(8) In the above embodiment, the electric wire side terminal is connected to the terminal of the shielded electric wire having the shield layer, but the present invention connects the electric wire side terminal to the terminal of the non-shielded electric wire having no shield layer, The present invention can also be applied to a case where a plurality of unshielded electric wires are surrounded by a single cylindrical shield member.
[0032]
(9) In the above embodiment, the restricting portion is disposed only on the upper surface side of the housing. However, according to the present invention, the restricting portion may be formed only on the lower surface side of the housing, or may be formed on both upper and lower surfaces.
(10) Although two restricting portions are provided in the above embodiment, according to the present invention, the number of restricting portions may be one or three or more.
(11) In the above embodiment, the restricting portions are arranged symmetrically. However, according to the present invention, the two restricting portions may be arranged asymmetrically.
[0033]
(12) In the above embodiment, the shape and dimensions of the two restricting portions are the same. However, according to the present invention, when two or more restricting portions are provided, the shapes and dimensions may be different from each other. Good.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a device connector according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a plan view. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the device connector attached to the device. Explanation】
A ... Device connector 10 ... Device 11 ... Shield case (case)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 13 ... Mounting hole 15 ... Equipment side terminal 40 ... Electric wire side terminal 50 ... Housing 52 ... Restriction part 55 ... Seal member 56 ... Locking part

Claims (1)

A plurality of wire side terminals connected to the wires are held in the housing, and the housing is fitted into a mounting hole opened in the case of the device, thereby connecting the wire side terminal to the device side terminal in the case. A device connector that is waterproofed by a ring-shaped seal member between the outer periphery of the housing and the inner periphery of the mounting hole,
The outer periphery of the housing is formed with a circumferential seal groove in which the seal member is mounted, and a concave regulation portion in which a rear edge of the opening edge of the seal groove is cut out in a square shape rearward. ,
The seal member is formed in a form protruding rearward, and is formed with a locking part fitted to the restriction part in a form exposed on the outer periphery of the housing,
The device connector according to claim 1, wherein the seal member is positioned in the circumferential direction with respect to the housing and the seal groove by fitting the locking portion and the restricting portion .

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