JP5708855B1 - Manufacturing method of electrical connector - Google Patents

Abstract

A method for manufacturing an electrical connector is provided, in which a tight airtightness and watertightness can be secured by making a packing part difficult to come off from a housing. In a housing 10 of an electrical connector 1, a packing portion 14 is provided in a recess 12p formed by a peripheral wall 12n extending from a bottom portion 12m of a fitting hole 113. The packing portion 14 is formed by using the housing 10 as one mold, fitting the other mold into the recess 12p, filling the melted molding resin into the recess 12p, and curing it. And the connector terminal 13 is penetrated by the bottom part 12m and the packing part 14 of the fitting hole 113, and the connector terminal 13 is arrange | positioned in the fitting hole 113 and the recessed part 12p. Since the packing portion 14 is joined to the inner surface of the peripheral wall 12n of the recess 12p with the outer peripheral surface 14a and the inner end surface 14b serving as a bonding surface, the packing portion 14 is in close contact with the inner surface of the peripheral wall 12n, It is firmly fixed in the recess 12p. [Selection] Figure 5

Description

The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing an electrical connector that includes a housing having a fitting hole and a connector terminal that penetrates through the bottom of the fitting hole and has a tip protruding into the fitting hole.

  For electrical connectors used outdoors or in containers filled with liquid, seal the connector terminal insertion hole into which the connector terminal is inserted so that liquid or dust does not enter the electrical connector. This ensures airtightness and watertightness. About such an electrical connector, what was described in patent document 1, for example is known.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the “relay connector” described in Patent Document 1 is provided with a first connector coupling chamber 1003 and a second connector coupling chamber 1004 on both sides of a connector housing 1001 via partition walls 1002. A terminal 1005 subjected to a corner dropping process is inserted into the partition wall portion 1002 in a state where both ends protrude into the connector coupling chambers 1003 and 1004, respectively, and in the second connector coupling chamber 1004 on the outside. A seal member 1006 having a lip protrusion 1007 formed in the periphery is closely inserted in a state where the terminal 1005 is tightly penetrated.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-245880

However, in the relay connector described in Patent Document 1, since the seal member 1006 having a lip protrusion 1007 formed around it is only fitted in the second connector coupling chamber 1004, the terminal 1005 is inserted. Even if the insertion hole 1008 is completely sealed from the second connector coupling chamber 1004 side, the lip protrusion 1007 is only in close contact with the second connector coupling chamber 1004 elastically. is there.
Therefore, the relay connector described in Patent Document 1 is difficult to say that airtightness and watertightness are high. Further, the seal member 1006 may come out of the second connector coupling chamber 1004. Accordingly, there is a risk that the relay connector may infiltrate liquid and gas into the first connector coupling chamber 1003.

This invention has the packing part is hardly disengaged from the housing, and an object thereof is to provide a method of manufacturing an electro-connector which can be secured firm airtight and watertight.

The method of manufacturing an electrical connector according to the present invention includes a housing having a recess formed by a peripheral wall extending from the bottom of the fitting hole, and a contact surface joined to the inner surface of the recess by providing the recess. A method for producing an electrical connector comprising: a fixed packing portion; and a male connector terminal disposed in the fitting hole and the recess, penetrating through the bottom of the fitting hole,
A mold having a step of forming the housing and a needle part serving as a through hole of the packing part, the mold being fitted into the recess while securing a gap for forming the packing part. was placed, filled with a molding resin which has been melted in the gap, a step of molding the gasket portion is cured, by inserting the connector terminals from the fitting hole side, through the bottom of the fitting hole And a terminal disposing step of disposing a connector terminal in the fitting hole and the concave portion after penetrating the packing portion .

  According to the method for manufacturing an electrical connector of the present invention, the packing portion is formed by fitting the recessed portion of the housing with the molten molding resin and curing it to form the packing portion. In order to adhere to the bottom of the hole, it is firmly fixed in the recess. Therefore, airtightness and watertightness can be ensured.

In the terminal arranging step, the connector terminal is positioned by the rigid housing because the packing terminal is inserted after the connector terminal is inserted from the fitting hole side and penetrated through the bottom of the fitting hole. In this state, since the soft packing portion is entered, the connector terminal can be accurately placed on the packing portion.

After the terminal arranging step, it is desirable to bend the connector terminal that protrudes toward the concave portion after the straight connector terminal is passed through the bottom portion of the fitting hole and the packing portion. Because the connector terminal is straight and penetrates the bottom of the fitting hole and the packing part, it can be easily inserted into the bottom of the fitting hole, and the bottom of the fitting hole and the packing part can be advanced. it can.
The through hole of the packing part preferably has a smaller hole diameter than the through hole of the bottom part. As a result, the packing portion can seal the bottom through-hole, and when the connector terminal is placed in the housing, the connector terminal can be easily inserted into the fitting hole of the housing. A bottom part and a packing part can be penetrated.
It is desirable that the connector terminal has a rounded corner portion in a cross-sectional shape in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the connector terminal. As a result, when the connector terminal is passed through the packing portion, even if the corner portion of the connector terminal is rubbed against the through-hole of the packing portion, the corner portion is rounded and formed into an arc surface, so the packing portion is damaged. The connector terminal can be smoothly advanced without being broken or torn.
It is desirable that a protrusion protruding from the bottom toward the opening is formed in the recess. Thereby, since a packing part can be joined to a projection part, the joining force of a packing part and a housing can be increased. Therefore, the packing part can be more firmly fixed to the housing.

  In the present invention, since the packing portion is closely attached to the inner side surface of the recess and is firmly fixed in the recess, the packing portion can be made difficult to be detached from the housing, so that a tight air tightness and water tightness are ensured. it can.

It is a perspective view which shows the state which mounted the electrical connector which concerns on embodiment of this invention in the printed circuit board, and was accommodated in the housing | casing. It is the perspective view which looked at the electrical connector shown in FIG. 1 from the front side. It is the perspective view which looked at the electrical connector shown in FIG. 2 from the rear side. It is a rear view of the electrical connector shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing of the electrical connector shown in FIG. It is an expansion perspective view of the junction part of the connector terminal of the electrical connector shown in FIG. It is a top view of the junction part of the connector terminal shown in FIG. It is AA sectional drawing of the connector terminal shown to FIG. 7A. It is BB sectional drawing of the connector terminal shown to FIG. 7A. It is a figure for demonstrating the manufacturing method of the electrical connector shown in FIG. 2, and is sectional drawing of the housing of the electrical connector shown in FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the manufacturing method of the electrical connector following FIG. 8, and is sectional drawing of the state which clamped the housing with the 1st metal mold | die and the 2nd metal mold | die. FIG. 10 is a view for explaining the electrical connector manufacturing method subsequent to FIG. 9, and is a cross-sectional view of a state where a packing portion is formed on the housing illustrated in FIG. 8. It is a figure for demonstrating the manufacturing method of the electrical connector following FIG. 10, and insert the connector terminal of a straight state into the housing by which the packing part was shape | molded from the fitting hole side, and let it penetrate the through-hole of a housing. It is sectional drawing of the state inserted in the through-hole of the packing part after. It is a figure for demonstrating the manufacturing method of the electrical connector following FIG. 11, and is sectional drawing of the state which bent the junction part of the connector terminal which penetrated the housing and the packing part. It is sectional drawing which shows the conventional electrical connector.

  An electrical connector according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In this specification, the side that mates with the mating electrical connector is referred to as the front side, and the opposite side is referred to as the rear side.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the electrical connector 1 is mounted on a printed circuit board 20 and is housed in a box-shaped housing 30 (with a lid not shown), and is a counterpart electrical connector to which a cable is connected. (Not shown). The housing 30 is provided with a seal member 40 that closes a gap between the electrical connector 1 and an opening formed in the housing 30.

The electrical connector 1 shown in FIG. 2 to FIG. 4 includes a fitting portion 11 that fits into an electrical connector of a connection partner, a main body portion 12 in which the fitting portion 11 is formed at the front, and a female in the electrical connector of the connection counterpart The connector terminal 13 which contacts the connector terminal of the side and the packing part 14 provided in the main-body part 12 are provided. In the present embodiment, the fitting part 11 and the main body part 12 are formed by a resin-molded housing 10.
For the housing 10, for example, a thermoplastic material such as 6 nylon resin, 6-6 nylon resin, polybutylene terephthalate resin, polyphenylene sulfide resin, or liquid crystal polymer, or a plastic material such as thermosetting resin may be used as the molding resin. it can.

The fitting portion 11 includes a first fitting portion 111 and a second fitting portion 112 that are formed in a cylindrical shape.
The first fitting portion 111 and the second fitting portion 112 are arranged in the width direction of the housing 30, and the male connector terminal 13 projects into the fitting hole 113 into which the electrical connector of the connection partner is inserted. Yes.

The main body portion 12 includes a terminal support portion 12a and a skirt portion 12b.
As shown in FIG. 5, the terminal support portion 12 a is formed in a rounded square shape. Since the terminal support portion 12a is formed by the bottom portion 12m serving as the bottom of the fitting hole 113 and the peripheral wall 12n extending from the bottom portion 12m, the concave portion 12p is formed on the opposite side to the fitting hole 113. Is formed. Since the recess 12p is formed by the peripheral wall 12n extending from the bottom 12m, the bottom 12m becomes a common bottom of the fitting hole 113 and the recess 12p.
In the recess 12p, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, protrusions 12q projecting from the bottom 12m toward the opening are formed on both sides of the connector terminal 13 array. The protrusion 12q is formed at a height at which the tip protrudes from the packing portion 14.

The terminal support portion 12 a is provided so that the fitting portion 11 faces the fitting hole 113 forward, and the connector terminal 13 is inserted through the bottom portion 12 m to support the connector terminal 13.
A protruding plate 12r that stabilizes the fitting with the electrical connector of the connection partner by projecting to the electrical connector of the connection counterpart protrudes toward the fitting hole 113 at the bottom 12m.
The skirt portion 12 b is a cover that extends rearward from the terminal support portion 12 a and protects the connector terminal 13. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, attachment portions 12 c for screwing to the housing 30 are formed on both sides of the skirt portion 12 b.

As shown in FIG. 5, the connector terminal 13 includes a pin portion 131 that linearly extends forward from the main body portion 12 in the first fitting portion 111 and the second fitting portion 112, and the rear portion from the main body portion 12. , A joining portion 132 extending in an L shape toward the printed circuit board 20 and a shaft portion 133 penetrating the main body portion 12 are provided.
The pin part 131 is inserted into and connected to a female connector terminal of the electrical connector to be connected to the fitting part 11. The joining portion 132 is inserted into the printed board 20 at the tip thereof and joined to the printed board 20. The shaft portion 133 is inserted through the main body portion 12 and supports the pin portion 131 and the joint portion 132.

  As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7A to 7C, the connector terminal 13 is formed in an arcuate surface by rounding a corner portion 13r in a cross-sectional shape in a direction orthogonal to the axis L of the connector terminal 13.

As shown in FIG. 5, the packing portion 14 is provided in the concave portion 12 p of the main body portion 12 in order to seal the through hole 12 s of the main body portion 12 through which the connector terminal 13 passes. Since the packing portion 14 is provided in the recess 12p, an outer peripheral surface 14a that contacts the inner surface of the peripheral wall 12n and an inner end surface 14b that contacts the bottom 12m of the recess 12p are formed as a contact surface 14s. . Thus, by forming the packing part 14, the outer peripheral surface 14a that contacts the inner side surface of the peripheral wall 12n is joined to the peripheral wall 12n, and the inner end surface 14b that contacts the bottom part 12m of the recess 12p is the bottom part 12m. It is in the state joined to. The packing part 14 is formed with a through hole 14 c through which the connector terminal 13 that penetrates the main body part 12 passes.
The packing part 14 can be formed of a resin material having elasticity even when it is changed from a molten state to a cured state, such as a silicone resin.

A method of manufacturing an electrical connector according to the embodiment of the present invention configured as described above will be described with reference to the drawings.
First, a process of molding the housing 10 is performed (primary molding process). The process of molding the housing 10 includes two molds in which a cavity that forms the outer shape of the housing 10 (including the fitting hole 113, the through hole 12s, and the recess 12p) is formed when one mold is combined with the other mold. The mold is clamped and filled with molten molding resin.
As a result, as shown in FIG. 8, the housing 10 including the fitting portion 11 and the main body portion 12 in which the concave portion 12p is formed by the peripheral wall 12n extending from the bottom portion 12m of the fitting hole 113 is molded. The At this time, the opening 12t on the fitting hole 113 side of the through hole 12s is formed so that the opening area gradually increases toward the opening 12t.

  The housing 10 is prepared, and a step of forming the packing portion 14 (secondary forming step) is performed. In the step of forming the packing part 14, first, a primer is applied in the recess 12 p of the main body part 12. This primer is used as a base material in order to secure a good bondability between the housing 10 and the packing portion 14 when the packing portion 14 is molded with a molding resin having low or no bondability with the housing 10. Applied. Therefore, when the molding resin has a good bondability with the housing 10, the application of the primer can be omitted.

Next, as shown in FIG. 9, the first mold 51 is fitted from the recess 12p side, and the second mold 52 is fitted from the fitting hole 113 side.
The first mold 51 is formed with a needle part 51a to be a through hole 14c (see FIG. 10) of the packing part 14 and a recess (not shown) for receiving the protruding part 12q protruding into the recess 12p. ) And is fitted into the recess 12p in a state in which a clearance S for forming the packing portion 14 is secured.
The second mold 52 has a groove 52a into which the protruding plate 12r is inserted and a needle 52b that is inserted into the through hole 12s formed in the bottom 12m and closes the through hole 12s. 113. Each of the needle parts 52 b is formed at the same facing position so as to correspond to each needle part 51 a of the first mold 51. Further, the needle portion 52 b of the second mold 52 has a larger diameter than the needle portion 51 a of the first mold 51.

  The first mold 51 and the second mold 52 formed in this manner are clamped with the housing 10 in between, so that the housing 10 is set as one mold and the other of the first mold 51 is set. As a mold, a molten molding resin is filled in a cavity (gap S) formed by the housing 10 and the second mold 52. When the filled molding resin is cured, the packing portion 14 is formed in the recess 12p as shown in FIG.

If the packing part 14 is shape | molded in the recessed part 12p of the housing 10, next, a terminal arrangement | positioning process will be performed and the connector terminal 13 will be formed.
In the terminal arrangement step, as shown in FIG. 11, the connector terminal 13 is inserted into the housing 10 from the fitting hole 113 side in a state where the joining portion 132 is straight.

  The through hole 12s of the bottom portion 12m is formed such that the opening 12t on the fitting hole 113 side gradually increases in opening area toward the opening 12t. The tip portion can be easily inserted into the through hole 12s.

  The through hole 14 c of the packing part 14 has a smaller hole diameter than the through hole 12 s of the bottom part 12 m of the fitting hole 113. Therefore, it is easier to insert the connector terminal 13 into the housing 10 from the through hole 12 s side of the bottom 12 m of the fitting hole 113 than to insert the connector terminal 13 from the through hole 14 c side of the packing part 14. Therefore, since the hole diameter is small, the connector terminal 13 can be easily moved by causing the joint portion 132 of the connector terminal 13 to advance after passing through the bottom portion 12 m into the through hole 14 c of the packing portion 14 where the progression of the connector terminal 13 is tight. It can be arranged in the housing 10.

Further, by inserting the connector terminal 13 from the fitting hole 113 side and proceeding to the packing portion 14 side, the connector terminal 13 enters the soft packing portion 14 with the rigid housing 10 positioned. The connector terminal 13 can be accurately arranged on the packing part 14.
And the joining part 132 can advance the packing part 14 by advancing the connector terminal 13 as it is. Therefore, the connector terminal 13 can smoothly penetrate the housing 10 and the packing part 14.

  At this time, when the connector terminal 13 passes through the through hole 14c of the packing portion 14, even if the corner portion 13r along the axis L (see FIG. 7A) of the connector terminal 13 rubs against the through hole 14c of the packing portion 14, Since the corner portion 13r is rounded and formed into an arc surface, the connector terminal 13 can be smoothly advanced without the packing portion 14 being damaged or torn.

When the connector terminal 13 is inserted to a predetermined position with respect to the housing 10, as shown in FIG. 12, the joint portion 132 of the connector terminal 13 protruding toward the concave portion 12p is bent into an L shape.
Since the bottom portion 12m of the fitting hole 113 and the packing portion 14 are penetrated in a state where the connector terminal 13 is straight, it can be easily inserted into the through hole 12s of the bottom portion 12m, and the bottom portion 12m of the fitting hole 113 can be inserted. And the packing part 14.

  In the electrical connector 1 manufactured in this way, since the packing portion 14 seals the through hole 12s formed in the main body portion 12 of the housing 10, water is discharged from the gap between the through hole 12s between the housing 10 and the connector terminal 13. And air can be prevented from entering.

  Further, since the packing part 14 is formed by filling the recess 12p with molding resin with the housing 10 as one mold and the first mold 51 as the other mold, the packing part 14 is The contact surface 14s of the packing portion 14 becomes a bonding surface, the outer peripheral surface 14a is bonded to the inner surface of the peripheral wall 12n of the recess 12p, and the inner end surface 14b is bonded to the bottom 12m of the recess 12p. Accordingly, since the packing portion 14 is in close contact with the inner surface of the peripheral wall 12n and the bottom portion 12m of the concave portion 12p, the packing portion 14 is firmly fixed in the concave portion 12p without easily coming out of the concave portion 12p. Airtightness and watertightness can be ensured.

  Not only the outer peripheral surface 14a of the packing part 14 is joined to the inner side surface of the peripheral wall 12n, but also the inner end face 14b facing the bottom part 12m of the fitting hole 113 is joined to the bottom part 12m of the fitting hole 113. 14 can be fixed to the housing 10 more firmly.

  Moreover, since the protrusion part 12q which protruded toward the opening part from the bottom part 12m is formed in the recessed part 12p, the packing part 14 joins to this protrusion part. Therefore, since the packing part 14 joins not only the surface facing the bottom part 12m and the outer peripheral surface 14a but also the contact surface with the projection part 12q, the joining force with the housing 10 can be increased. 14 can be fixed to the housing 10 more firmly.

  In the present embodiment, the connector terminal 13 is inserted from the bottom 12m side of the fitting hole 113 and the connector terminal 13 is arranged in the housing 10. However, if there is no problem, the connector terminal 13 is inserted from the packing portion 14 side. 13 may be inserted. In that case, the joint 132 may be bent.

  The shape of the through hole 14c of the packing portion 14 can be a circular hole or a polygonal hole, but can also be a cut shape in which a cross-shaped cut is formed along the axis of the connector terminal 13. . Moreover, when making the through-hole 14c into a notch shape, it can also be made into linear form or radial form. By making the through-hole 14c through which the connector terminal 13 penetrates into a cut shape, each part of the through-hole 14c in contact with the connector terminal 13 is divided, so that when the connector terminal 13 is penetrated, It is easy to deform. Moreover, since each divided | segmented part of the through-hole 14c is closely_contact | adhered to the connector terminal 13, airtightness and watertightness can be improved more.

  The sealing member for an electrical connector according to the present invention is suitable for attaching an electrical connector that requires waterproofing to a housing that houses an electrical circuit in which water intrusion becomes a problem. Ideal for electrical connectors mounted on rapidly changing vehicles.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Electrical connector 10 Housing 11 Fitting part 111 1st fitting part 112 2nd fitting part 113 Fitting hole 12 Main part 12a Terminal support part 12b Skirt part 12c Mounting part 12m Bottom part 12n Surrounding wall 12p Recessed part 12q Protruding part 12r Projection Plate 12s Through hole 12t Opening portion 13 Connector terminal 131 Pin portion 132 Joining portion 133 Shaft portion 13r Corner portion 14 Packing portion 14a Outer peripheral surface 14b Inner end surface 14c Through hole 14s Contact surface 20 Printed circuit board 30 Housing 40 Seal member 51 First member Die 51a Needle part 52 Second mold 52a Groove part 52b Needle part L Axis line S Gap

Claims (5)

A housing in which a recess is formed by a peripheral wall extending from the bottom of the fitting hole, and a packing portion in which a contact surface is joined and fixed to the inner side surface of the recess by being provided in the recess; A method of manufacturing an electrical connector comprising a male connector terminal disposed in the fitting hole and the recess, penetrating through the bottom of the fitting hole,
Forming the housing ;
A mold in which a needle part serving as a through hole of the packing part is formed, and the mold to be fitted into the recess is provided in a state where a gap for molding the packing part is secured, and the mold is melted in the gap a step of the molding resin filling, molding the gasket portion is cured that,
A terminal arrangement in which the connector terminal is inserted from the fitting hole side, penetrates the bottom of the fitting hole, and then penetrates the packing portion to arrange the connector terminal in the fitting hole and the recess. Process,
A method of manufacturing an electrical connector including: After said terminal arrangement method of manufacturing an electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein bending the connector terminals projecting into the recess side.   2. The method of manufacturing an electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein the diameter of the through hole of the packing portion is made smaller than that of the through hole of the bottom portion by the needle portion of the mold.   The method of manufacturing an electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein corner portions of the connector terminal are R-processed in a cross-sectional shape in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the connector terminal.   The method of manufacturing an electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein a protrusion protruding from the bottom toward the opening is formed in the recess.

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