JP6722020B2 - Connector cover - Google Patents

Description

The present disclosure relates to a connector cover.

Conventionally, in connectors for electric wires used in automobiles, etc., in order to prevent rainwater, washing water, etc. from entering the inside, a cover attached to the connector body and covering the base part of the electric wires is attached. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

FIG. 15 is a sectional view showing a connector having a conventional cover.

In the figure, reference numeral 811 denotes a housing body of a synthetic resin integrally formed connector, and a plurality of cavities 815 are formed side by side inside the housing body 811. The circumference of the housing body 811 is surrounded by a tubular portion 821. Then, inside the respective cavities 815, terminals 895 inserted from the rear are loaded. The terminal 895 is connected to the end of the electric wire 891. A root portion of the electric wire 891, that is, a portion near the end is housed in a cover 831 attached to the rear end of the housing body 811.

A pair of front and rear ribs 827a and a groove portion 827b arranged between the ribs 827a are formed on both sides near the rear end of the housing body 811. Then, the engaging ribs 837 formed on both inner surfaces near the front end of the cover 831 engage with the ribs 827a and the groove portions 827b, so that the cover 831 is attached to the rear end of the housing body 811.

A rubber seal member 881 is mounted around the housing body 811. Then, the locking portion 884 of the seal member 881 projects to the outside through an opening 826 formed in the connecting portion of the housing body 811 and the tubular portion 821, and the tip thereof abuts the inner surface of the cover 831. This prevents the seal member 881 from pulling out.

JP 2012-252973 A

However, in the conventional connector, the cover 831 is attached to the housing body 811 only by the engagement rib 837 engaging with the rib 827a and the groove portion 827b, so that the cover 831 is easily removed. For example, when an external force is applied to rotate the cover 831 with respect to the housing body 811, as when the electric wire 891 is fanned, the engagement between the engagement rib 837, the rib 827a, and the groove portion 827b is easily released by elastic deformation. Become.

Here, by solving the above-mentioned conventional problems, it is possible to provide a connector cover with high reliability, low manufacturing cost, and high durability that can be reliably protected from the connector and can reliably protect the root part of the wire. The purpose is to do.

Therefore, in the connector cover, the connector cover is attached to the housing of the connector to which the electric wire is connected and covers the portion of the electric wire extending from the housing, and can be locked in the locking recess of the housing. And a claw portion that is separated in a second direction orthogonal to a first direction that is the mounting direction of the connector cover to the housing, and a first contact portion that can contact the first stop portion of the housing. A second contact part that can contact the second stop part of the housing, a third contact part that can contact the third stop part of the housing, and a side plate part that is separated in the second direction. And a bottom plate portion having both side edges connected to one end of the side plate portion in a third direction orthogonal to the first direction and the second direction, and the first contact portion includes the second contact portion. In a first rotation direction of a rotation about a line connecting the claw portions separated in the direction of the virtual rotation axis, and the second contact portion is the first rotation. direction Ri the second stop can abut der the second rotational direction opposite said third contact portion can contact the third stop in the first rotational direction, the first The second abutting portion and the third abutting portion are arranged in the housing such that the second abutting portion and the third abutting portion are separated from each other in the third direction with respect to the position of the claw portion separated in the second direction. Each of the claw portions is arranged at the front end of the side plate portion in the first direction and at the center in the third direction, and the first contact portion is the front end of the bottom plate portion in the first direction. a plane, position in the first direction forward of the pawl portion.

Still another connector cover further includes a side plate portion separated in the second direction, and a top plate portion having both side edges connected to the other end of the side plate portion in the third direction, The second contact portion is the front end surface in the first direction of the top plate portion, is located rearward of the claw portion in the first direction, and the second stop portion is the base portion of the housing. It is located at the rear end in the first direction.

In still another connector cover, further, a side plate portion separated in the second direction, a top plate portion having both side edges connected to the other end of the side plate portion in the third direction, and the top plate portion An auxiliary plate portion extending forward from the front end surface in the first direction in the first direction, wherein the third contact portion is the other side surface in the third direction of the auxiliary plate portion, The third stop portion is one side surface in the third direction of the connection recess opening to the rear surface in the first direction of the base of the housing, and the claw portion is in a state in which the connection recess receives the auxiliary plate portion. Can be locked and released from the locking recess.

In still another connector cover, further, the both side surfaces of the auxiliary plate portion in the second direction and the both side surfaces of the connection recess in the second direction are slidably fitted to each other, and the virtual rotation is performed. It is possible to maintain the relative position of the connector cover and the housing in the axial direction.

Still another connector cover further includes a fifth contact portion capable of contacting the fifth stop portion of the housing, and the fifth contact portion has an axis orthogonal to the virtual rotation axis. The fifth stop portion can come into contact with the rotation direction of the rotation axis.

In still another connector cover, an electric wire guide portion including an openable/closable electric wire guide lid portion is further provided at the rear end in the first direction, and the electric wire guide portion is inserted by selecting the direction of the electric wire. Includes multiple possible wire passage holes.

In still another connector cover, the electric wire passage hole further includes a half-divided portion which is a substantially semi-cylindrical concave portion and which is formed on a joint surface of the electric wire guide lid portion. The electric wire passes through the electric wire passage hole and extends from the electric wire guide portion in a direction different from the direction in which the electric wire extends from the housing.

In still another connector cover, the wire passage hole further includes a protrusion formed on the inner surface, and an electric wire passing through the wire passage hole is held by the protrusion.

In still another connector cover, a seal member including a pair of engagement protrusions is attached to the housing, and the seal member is positioned by the engagement protrusion engaging with the locking recess. It

In still another connector cover, the second stop portion and the third stop portion further accommodate an operation piece of a lock member integrally disposed above the terminal accommodating portion and the electric wire accommodating portion of the housing. Formed on the part.

According to the present disclosure, the connector cover is unlikely to come off from the connector, can reliably protect the root portion of the electric wire, improve reliability, reduce manufacturing cost, and improve durability.

Particularly, according to the first feature, it is possible to reduce the load applied to the claw portion and the locking concave portion, and improve the durability.

Further, according to the second feature, in addition to the first effect, it is possible to prevent rotation in the first rotation direction.

Further, according to the third feature, in addition to the second effect, it is possible to prevent rotation in the second rotation direction.

Further, according to the fourth feature, in addition to the third effect, it is possible to further prevent the rotation in the first rotation direction.

Further, according to the fifth feature, in addition to the third effect, it is possible to further prevent the rotation in the second rotation direction.

According to the sixth feature, in addition to the third effect, it is possible to further prevent the rotation in the first rotation direction.

Further, according to the seventh feature, in addition to the sixth effect, it is possible to maintain a constant gap between the claw portions that are separated in the second direction.

According to the eighth feature, in addition to the first effect, it is possible to prevent the rotation around the axis orthogonal to the virtual rotation axis.

According to the ninth feature, in addition to the effect of any of the first to eighth effects, it is possible to pull out the electric wire in a desired direction.

According to the tenth feature, in addition to the ninth effect, it is possible to open the wire guide cover and select the wire passage hole.

According to the eleventh feature, in addition to the tenth effect, the electric wire holding structure can be simplified.

According to the twelfth feature, in addition to the effect of any of the first to eleventh features, the locking recess can be used for positioning the seal member.

According to the thirteenth feature, in addition to the second effect, the connector cover and the housing can be downsized as a whole.

It is a perspective view which shows the state which the cover in this Embodiment was attached to the connector, (a) is the figure seen from the cover side, (b) is the figure seen from the connector side. It is the perspective view seen from the front which shows the cover in this Embodiment, (a) is the figure seen from the left, (b) is the figure seen from the right. It is the perspective view seen from the back which shows the cover in this Embodiment, (a) is the figure seen from the upper part, (b) is the figure seen from the lower part. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the cover and a connector in this Embodiment, (a) is a perspective view of the connector seen from upper back, (b) is a perspective view of the connector seen from lower back, (c) is It is a perspective view of a cover. It is the perspective view seen from the front which shows the connector in this Embodiment. It is a two-sided view which shows the connector in this Embodiment, (a) is a side view, (b) is an AA arrow sectional view in (a). It is a perspective view which shows the sealing member in this Embodiment, (a) is the figure seen from the front, (b) is the figure seen from the back. It is a two-sided view showing a seal member in the present embodiment, (a) is a side view, (b) is a sectional view taken along the line BB in (a). It is a perspective view which shows the operation|movement which attaches the cover in this Embodiment to a connector, (a) is the figure seen from the cover side, (b) is the figure seen from the connector side. It is a 1st two-sided view which shows the state which the cover in this Embodiment was attached to the connector, (a) is a side view, (b) is CC sectional drawing in (a). FIG. 10B is a second two-sided view showing a state in which the cover according to the present embodiment is attached to the connector, FIG. 10A is a sectional view taken along the line DD in FIG. 10A, and FIG. It is a perspective view containing the DD cross section in a). It is a perspective view which shows the state which the electric wire was connected to the connector in this Embodiment, (a) is the figure seen from the cover side, (b) is a figure explaining the drawing-out aspect of an electric wire. It is a front view which shows the state in which the electric wire was connected to the connector in this Embodiment. It is a two-sided view showing a state in which an electric wire is connected to the connector in the present embodiment, where (a) is a side view and (b) is a sectional view taken along line EE in (a). It is sectional drawing which shows the connector provided with the conventional cover.

Hereinafter, the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

1 is a perspective view showing a state in which a cover according to the present embodiment is attached to a connector, FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the cover according to the present embodiment as seen from the front, and FIG. 3 shows a cover according to the present embodiment. FIG. 4 is a perspective view seen from the rear, and FIG. 4 is a view showing the relationship between the cover and the connector in the present embodiment. 1, (a) is a view from the cover side, (b) is a view from the connector side, in FIG. 2, (a) is a view from the left, (b) is the right 4A is a view seen from one side, FIG. 3A is a view seen from above, FIG. 3B is a view seen from below, and FIG. 4A is a perspective view of the connector seen from above and behind. FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the connector viewed from the lower rear side, and FIG. 1C is a perspective view of the cover.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a connector according to the present embodiment, and a cover 50 as a connector cover according to the present embodiment is attached to a rear end 11r of a housing 11. A mating connector (not shown) is fitted to the front end 11f of the housing 11. The connector 1 is, for example, a connector for an electric wire used for connecting a lamp such as a brake lamp of an automobile and a power source, and the tip of an electric wire 91 described later is connected thereto. It should be noted that the number of the electric wires 91 connected to the connector 1 may be singular, plural, or any number, but here, for convenience of description, it is two. Only the case will be described.

In addition, in the present embodiment, expressions used to describe the configurations and operations of the respective parts included in the connector 1, the cover 50, and the electric wire 91 are as follows: directions such as up, down, left, right, front, and rear. However, the connector 1, the cover 50, and the electric wire 91 are not absolute, but are suitable when the respective parts included in the connector 1, the cover 50, and the electric wire 91 are in the postures shown in the drawings. When the posture of each part included changes, it should be interpreted according to the change in posture.

In addition, in the present embodiment, for convenience, the mounting direction of the cover 50 to the housing 11 is referred to as a first direction, the direction orthogonal to the first direction is referred to as a second direction, and the first direction is referred to as the first direction. The direction orthogonal to the second direction may also be referred to as the third direction.

The cover 50 is a member that covers and protects a root portion of the electric wire 91 to the connector 1, and as shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, a main body integrally formed of an insulating material such as synthetic resin. 51, an electric wire guide base 61 integrally connected to the rear end of the main body 51, and an electric wire guide attached to the main body 51 via a joint 63 and capable of opening and closing the rear part of the electric wire guide base 61. And a lid portion 62. The electric wire guide base portion 61 and the electric wire guide lid portion 62 are collectively referred to as an electric wire guide portion.

The main body portion 51 is a box-shaped member having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and has a rectangular flat plate-shaped bottom plate portion 52 extending in the front-rear direction, a flat plate-shaped top plate portion 54 parallel to the bottom plate portion 52, and the bottom plate. It includes a pair of left and right flat plate-shaped side plate portions 53 that are substantially orthogonal to the portion 52 and the top plate portion 54 and connect the left and right side edges of the bottom plate portion 52 and the top plate portion 54. The connection space 55 defined by the bottom plate portion 52, the side plate portion 53, and the top plate portion 54 is a space having a rectangular cross section that extends through the wire guide base 61 in the front-rear direction.

Further, claw portions 56 as cover side locking portions are integrally formed at the front ends of the left and right side plate portions 53. The claw portion 56 is a projecting member, and includes a tapered surface 56a inclined with respect to the front-rear direction and a locking surface 56b perpendicular to the front-rear direction, that is, extending in the width direction of the main body 51. I'm out. The locking surface 56b is locked to the locking portion 16b of the locking recess 16 of the housing 11 of the connector 1.

The front end surface 52a of the bottom plate portion 52 and the portion of the front end surface 54d of the top plate portion 54 adjacent to the left and right side plate portions 53 are left and right with the cover 50 attached to the housing 11 of the connector 1. When a force that causes the cover 50 to rotate with respect to the housing 11 with a straight line connecting the claws 56 as the virtual rotation axis P is applied to the lower stop surface 14 and the upper stop surface 17 of the housing 11, respectively. , And functions as a first contact portion and a second contact portion that abut and stop the rotation of the cover 50. In other words, the front end surface 52a and the front end surface 54d are the first contact portion and the second contact portion that can contact the lower stop surface 14 and the upper stop surface 17, respectively, and are shown in FIG. 4(c). In this manner, the housing 11 is disposed so as to be apart from each other in the up-down direction and the front-rear direction with respect to the positions of the claw portions 56 that are separated left and right. It should be noted that each of the claw portions 56 is disposed at the front end of the side plate portion 53 and in the central portion in the up-down direction, and the front end surface 52a is located in front of the claw portion 56. Further, the front end surface 54d is located rearward of the claw portion 56.

The top plate 54 has a dimension in the front-rear direction shorter than that of the bottom plate 52, and the front end face 54d thereof is located rearward of the front end face 52a of the bottom plate 52, so that the upper surface of the connection space 55 is largely open. ..

A rectangular flat plate-shaped auxiliary plate portion 54a extends forward from the front end surface 54d of the top plate portion 54. The lower surface 54b of the auxiliary plate portion 54a is configured so that the cover 50 can be rotated with respect to the housing 11 with the shaft connecting the left and right claw portions 56 as a rotation shaft when the cover 50 is mounted on the housing 11 of the connector 1. When a large force is applied, it functions as a third contact portion that contacts the bottom surface 23a of the connection concave portion 23 of the housing 11 and stops the rotation of the cover 50, and functions as the first contact portion or the second contact portion. Help the contact.

Further, the side surface 54c of the auxiliary plate portion 54a has the cover 50 mounted on the housing 11 with the cover 50 mounted on the housing 11 of the connector 1 with the axis perpendicular to the axis connecting the left and right claw portions 56 as a rotation axis. It functions as a fourth contact portion that stops the rotation of the cover 50 by coming into contact with the side surface 23b of the connection recess 23, which will be described later, of the housing 11 when a force for rotating the cover 50 is applied. Further, the claw portion 56 can be engaged with and disengaged from the engagement recess 16 while the connection recess 23 receives the auxiliary plate portion 54a.

The electric wire guide base portion 61 is a rectangular frame-shaped member connected to the rear end of the main body portion 51, and has an upper frame portion 61 a extending along the rear end of the top plate portion 54 and the rear end of the bottom plate portion 52. And a pair of side frame portions 61b extending along the rear ends of the left and right side plate portions 53. Two front halves 65a of the wire passage hole 65 are formed side by side on the rear end surface of each of the upper frame portion 61a, the lower frame portion 61c, and the side frame portion 61b.

The front half split portion 65a is a substantially semi-cylindrical recess, and the upper frame portion 61a, the lower frame portion 61c, and the side frame portion are provided so as to communicate the inside and the outside of the electric wire guide base portion 61, which is a frame-shaped member. Each of the portions 61b extends in the thickness direction. When viewed in detail, each front half split portion 65a includes an inner tapered portion 65a1, a straight pipe portion 65a2, an outer tapered portion 65a3, and an outermost tapered portion 65a4. The inner diameter of the front half portion 65a is the smallest in the straight pipe portion 65a2, increases in the inner taper portion 65a1 toward the opening on the inner side of the wire guide base 61, and in the outer taper portion 65a3, the wire guide base portion. It expands toward the opening on the outside of 61, and changes so as to further expand toward the opening on the outside of the wire guide base 61 in the outermost taper portion 65a4.

Further, a pair of protrusions 66 facing each other is formed at a position on the inner surface of the straight pipe portion 65a2 on the inner side of the electric wire guide base portion 61. The dimension between the opposing protrusions 66 is smaller than the outer diameter of the electric wire 91. As a result, the electric wire 91 passing through the electric wire passage hole 65 is sandwiched so that the insulating coating layer on the outside thereof is crushed by the protrusion 66. Note that at least the inner diameter of the outermost tapered portion 65a4 is set to be larger than the outer diameter of the electric wire 91. The overall shape of the front half split portion 65a is a trumpet shape in which the inner diameter increases toward the outer opening of the wire guide base 61.

Further, engaging leg receiving portions 64b, which are recesses that engage with the engaging leg portions 64a of the wire guide lid portion 62, are formed at the connecting portions of the lower frame portion 61c at the left and right ends with the side frame portions 61b. Further, an engagement protrusion 66b, which is a protrusion that engages with the engagement hole 66a formed in the engagement leg 64a, is formed.

The electric wire guide lid portion 62 is connected to the rear end of the main body portion 51 through the joint portion 63, and has a closed position where the electric wire guide portion is closed as shown in FIG. 4 and the electric wire guide lid portion 62 as shown in FIGS. It is a member whose posture can be changed between the electric wire guide portion and the open position. The electric wire guide lid portion 62 includes a rectangular flat plate-shaped back plate portion 62d, an upper frame portion 62a extending along the upper end of the back plate portion 62d in the closed position, and a back plate portion 62d in the closed position. A lower frame portion 62c extending along the lower end and a pair of side frame portions 62b extending along the left and right side edges of the back plate portion 62d are provided. Two rear half split portions 65b of the wire passage hole 65 are formed side by side on the front end faces of the upper frame portion 62a, the lower frame portion 62c, and the side frame portion 62b.

The latter half split portion 65b is a portion that constitutes the electric wire passage hole 65 integrally with the front half split portion 65a when the electric wire guide lid portion 62 is in the closed position, and has the same shape as the front half split portion 65a. The inner taper portion 65b1, the straight pipe portion 65b2, the outer taper portion 65b3 and the outermost taper portion 65b4 of the latter half split portion 65b are respectively the inner taper portion 65a1, the straight pipe portion 65a2 and the outer taper portion 65a3 of the front half split portion 65a. And the same shape as the outermost taper portion 65a4. The projection 66 is not formed on the latter half split portion 65b. The shape of the electric wire passage hole 65 formed by integrally forming the front half split portion 65a and the second half split portion 65b is a trumpet whose overall inner diameter increases as it goes toward the outer opening of the wire guide portion. Shape.

Further, engaging leg portions 64a including engaging hole portions 66a are formed at the left and right ends of the lower frame portion 62c, which are connected to the side frame portions 62b. When the electric wire guide lid portion 62 is in the closed position, the engaging leg portion 64a and the engaging hole portion 66a engage with the engaging leg receiving portion 64b and the engaging protrusion portion 66b of the electric wire guide base portion 61, respectively. The electric wire guide lid portion 62 is maintained in the closed position.

Next, the configuration of the connector 1 will be described.

5 is a perspective view of the connector according to the present embodiment as viewed from the front, and FIG. 6 is a two-sided view showing the connector according to the present embodiment. In addition, in FIG. 6, (a) is a side view and (b) is a sectional view taken along the line AA in (a).

The housing 11 of the connector 1 is a member integrally formed of an insulating material such as synthetic resin, and as shown in the drawing, a cover for covering the housing body 12 and a portion of the housing body 12 near the front end 11f. And a section 13.

The housing body 12 has a base portion 12a near the rear end 11r, a fitting portion 12b that extends forward from the base portion 12a and fits with a mating connector (not shown), and penetrates from the front end 11f to the rear end 11r. The main body through hole 21 is included. The number of the main body through holes 21 may be any number, but here, only the case where the number of the electric wires 91 is two will be described. Each main body through hole 21 includes an electric wire housing portion 21b that houses the tip end portion of each electric wire 91, and a terminal housing portion 21a that houses a terminal 95 that will be described later and that is connected to the tip end of each electric wire 91. .. In the example shown in the figure, the range in which the electric wire housing portion 21b is formed substantially corresponds to the base portion 12a, and the range in which the terminal housing portion 21a is formed substantially corresponds to the fitting portion 12b.

The cover portion 13 includes a top plate portion 13a that covers an upper portion of the fitting portion 12b, a pair of side plate portions 13b that covers left and right sides of the fitting portion 12b, and a bottom plate portion 13c that covers a lower portion of the fitting portion 12b. Is included. Then, between the inner surface of the cover portion 13 and the outer surface of the fitting portion 12b, a fitting space portion 22 that is a space that opens to the front end 11f and extends rearward is formed. The fitting space portion 22 accommodates a fitting portion of a mating housing of the mating connector when the connector 1 is mated with the mating connector.

Further, the space above the fitting portion 12b and the top plate portion 13a to the space above the base portion 12a, that is, the space above the terminal accommodating portion 21a and the electric wire accommodating portion 21b is the operation piece 19a of the lock member. It functions as the accommodation unit 19. The lock member is a member for locking the mating lock member of the mating connector when the connector 1 is fitted to the mating connector, and the operation piece 19a is locked by the operator with a finger or the like. This is a member for performing operations such as releasing. The lock member is integrally disposed above the terminal accommodating portion 21a and the electric wire accommodating portion 21b.

Upper and lower stop surfaces 17 extending in the vertical direction are formed on the left and right side surfaces of the rear end 11r of the base 12a. The upper stop surface 17 is configured such that the cover 50 rotates with respect to the housing 11 with the shaft connecting the left and right claw portions 56 as a rotation shaft when the cover 50 is mounted on the housing 11 of the connector 1. When a force is applied, the cover 50 contacts the front end surface 54d of the top plate portion 54 of the cover 50 and rotates the cover 50 in the second rotation direction (see the left side in FIG. 4C, the claw portion). Counterclockwise rotation about 56).

Further, in the connecting portion between the housing body 12 and the cover portion 13, more specifically, in the connecting portion 15 between the side surface of the base portion 12a and the side plate portion 13b, a locking recess 16 that is recessed from the surface of the connecting portion 15 is formed. Are formed. As shown in FIG. 6B, the front end of the locking recess 16 is fitted in the fitting space portion 22 via a communication opening 16a into which an engagement projection 84 of a seal member 80 described later is inserted. It communicates with the rear end of the portion between the side surface of the portion 12b and the side plate portion 13b. Further, at the rear end of the locking concave portion 16, a locking portion 16b for locking the locking surface 56b of the claw portion 56 of the cover 50 is formed. A seal engagement portion 16c is formed at the front end of the locking recess 16 adjacent to the communication opening 16a and engaged with a front engagement portion 84a of an engagement projection 84 of a seal member 80 described later. ing.

A step portion 18 is formed in a narrow portion on the left and right side surfaces of the base portion 12a, that is, a lower portion of the side surface. Due to the step portion 18, as shown in FIG. 6B, the width of the narrow portion gradually decreases toward the rear. That is, the distance between the left and right step portions 18 gradually decreases as the electric wire 91 extends from the housing 11. In the example shown in the figure, the envelope surfaces that connect the corners of the steps in the stepped portion 18 gradually decrease in distance from each other as shown by a straight broken line L3 in FIG. 6B. It has a tapered surface.

If a smooth taper surface is formed instead of the step portion 18, when the cover 50 is relatively advanced from the rear of the housing 11 and mounted on the housing 11, the left and right claws of the cover 50 are attached. The portion 56 can reach the locking recess 16 while the tapered surface 56a slides along the tapered surface to smoothly widen the gap. However, when the operator operates the cover 50 and/or the housing 11 with fingers or the like and moves the cover 50 relatively forward from the rear of the housing 11, the cover 50 does not necessarily have to have an appropriate posture with respect to the housing 11. That is, in a plan view, the central axis extending in the front-rear direction of the cover 50 does not coincide with the central axis extending in the front-rear direction of the housing 11, and the central axis of the cover 50 and the central axis of the housing 11 are not aligned with each other. May have an inclined posture. When the cover 50 moves forward with respect to the housing 11 in such a posture, the tapered surfaces 56a of the left and right claw portions 56 move forward while contacting the left and right tapered surfaces of the housing 11, and before reaching the locking concave portion 16. Since the distance between the left and right claws 56 can be maximized, the tapered surfaces 56a of the left and right claws 56 are in close contact with the tapered surfaces of the housing 11 so that the cover 50 moves forward and backward, and the posture changes. It may be impossible.

On the other hand, in the present embodiment, since the left and right side surfaces of the base portion 12a of the housing 11 are stepped portions 18, the central axis of the cover 50 is inclined with respect to the central axis of the housing 11 in plan view. Even if the cover 50 advances with respect to the housing 11 in the posture, the tapered surfaces 56a of the left and right claw portions 56 do not come into close contact with the left and right side surfaces of the base portion 12a of the housing 11. Therefore, even if the distance between the left and right claws 56 is widened to the maximum before reaching the locking recess 16 and the forward movement of the cover 50 becomes impossible, the backward movement or the posture change of the cover 50 is possible in that state. Therefore, the operator corrects the posture of the cover 50 to match the central axis of the cover 50 with the central axis of the housing 11, and then advances the cover 50 again with respect to the housing 11 to move the left and right claw portions 56. It is possible to reach the locking recess 16.

As described above, in the present embodiment, since the left and right side surfaces of the base portion 12a of the housing 11 are stepped portions 18 that gradually decrease their distances toward the rear, the center axis of the cover 50 and the center of the housing 11 are formed. Not only when the axes coincide with each other but also when the central axis of the cover 50 is inclined with respect to the central axis of the housing 11, the cover 50 is advanced with respect to the housing 11 and the left and right claw portions 56 are moved. It can be locked with the locking recess 16.

Further, a lower stop surface 14 extending in the width direction of the housing 11 is formed at a connecting portion between the lower surface of the base portion 12a and the bottom plate portion 13c. When the cover 50 is attached to the housing 11 of the connector 1, the lower stop surface 14 has a force such that the cover 50 rotates with respect to the housing 11 with a shaft connecting the left and right claw portions 56 as a rotation shaft. When applied, it abuts on the front end surface 52a of the bottom plate portion 52 of the cover 50 and rotates the cover 50 in the first rotation direction (in FIG. 4C, the claw portion 56 is centered when viewed from the left side). Functioning as a first stop portion for stopping the clockwise rotation).

Furthermore, a connection recess 23 is opened above the electric wire housing 21b on the rear surface of the base 12a. The connection recess 23 is a recess into which the auxiliary plate portion 54a of the cover 50 is inserted when the cover 50 is mounted on the housing 11, and the bottom surface 23a facing the lower surface 54b of the auxiliary plate portion 54a and the auxiliary portion 54a. It includes right and left side surfaces 54c of the plate portion 54a and left and right side surfaces 23b facing each other. The bottom surface 23a of the connection recess 23 is such that the cover 50 rotates with respect to the housing 11 with the shaft connecting the left and right claws 56 as the rotation shaft when the cover 50 is mounted on the housing 11 of the connector 1. When a force is applied, the cover 50 functions as a third stop portion that abuts the lower surface 54b of the auxiliary plate portion 54a of the cover 50 to stop the rotation of the cover 50 in the first rotation direction. Or assist the second stop. Further, the side surface 23b of the connection recess 23 has the cover 50 mounted on the housing 11 of the connector 1, and the cover 50 with respect to the housing 11 with the axis perpendicular to the axis connecting the left and right claws 56 as a rotation axis. When a force to rotate the cover 50 is applied, it functions as a fourth stop portion that abuts the side surface 54c of the auxiliary plate portion 54a of the cover 50 and stops the rotation of the cover 50.

Next, the structure of the seal member 80 mounted on the housing 11 will be described.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the seal member according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 8 is a two-sided view showing the seal member according to the present embodiment. In addition, in FIG. 7, (a) is a view seen from the front, (b) is a view seen from the rear, (a) is a side view, and (b) is BB in (a) in FIG. 8. FIG.

The seal member 80 is an integrally formed member made of a flexible resin such as rubber such as silicone rubber, and has a tubular overall shape such as a substantially elliptical cross section. The seal member 80 has a cylindrical rear portion 81, a front portion 82 that extends forward from the front end of the rear portion 81, and a penetrating portion that continuously penetrates the rear portion 81 and the front portion 82. And a hole portion 83. Further, engaging projections 84 projecting outward are integrally connected to both left and right side surfaces of the rear portion 81. A front engagement portion 84a that engages with the seal engagement portion 16c formed in the locking recess 16 of the housing 11 is formed on the front surface of the engagement protrusion 84.

The seal member 80 is fitted around the fitting portion 12b of the housing 11. Specifically, as will be described later, the fitting portion 12b is inserted into the through hole portion 83, the rear portion 81 covers the periphery of the connecting portion between the base portion 12a and the fitting portion 12b, and the front portion. 82 covers the periphery of the fitting portion 12b within the range from the connecting portion to a predetermined length. Further, the engagement protrusion 84 enters the locking recess 16 through the communication opening 16a, and the front engagement portion 84a engages with the seal engagement portion 16c. In this way, the engagement protrusion 84 engages with the locking recess 16 to position the seal member 80.

Next, the operation of mounting the cover 50 on the connector 1 will be described. Note that, here, the electric wire 91 is not connected to the connector 1. That is, the electric wire 91 is connected to the connector 1 after the cover 50 is attached to the connector 1.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing an operation of mounting the cover on the connector in the present embodiment, FIG. 10 is a first two-side view showing a state in which the cover is attached to the connector according to the present embodiment, and FIG. FIG. 7 is a second two-sided view showing a state in which the cover in the form of FIG. 9A is a view as seen from the cover side, FIG. 9B is a view as seen from the connector side, FIG. 10A is a side view, and FIG. 10B is C in FIG. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along arrow C, and FIG. 11A is a cross-sectional view taken along arrow DD in FIG. 10A, and FIG. 11B is a perspective view including cross-section taken along arrow DD in FIG. 10A. It is a figure.

First, the operator mounts the seal member 80 on the housing 11 of the connector 1 with fingers or the like. When the mounting of the seal member 80 is completed, as shown in FIGS. 10(b) and 11, the rear portion 81 covers the periphery of the connecting portion between the base portion 12a and the fitting portion 12b of the housing 11, and the front portion 82 becomes. The engagement projection 84 covers the periphery of the fitting portion 12b within the range from the connection portion to a predetermined length, the engagement projection 84 enters the locking recess 16 through the communication opening 16a, and the front engagement portion 84a seal-engages. Engage with section 16c.

Then, the operator positions the cover 50 behind the connector 1 with fingers or the like, controls the postures of the cover 50 and the connector 1, and causes the rear end 11r of the housing 11 and the front end of the main body 51 to face each other. That is, the front end surface 52a of the bottom plate portion 52 faces the lower stop surface 14, and the center axis of the cover 50 extending in the front-rear direction and the center axis of the housing 11 extending in the front-rear direction coincide with each other in plan view. The posture.

Then, the operator moves the cover 50 forward relative to the connector 1 to bring the cover 50 into the positional relationship shown in FIG. Then, when the operator further advances the cover 50 with respect to the connector 1, the left and right claws 56 are allowed to move forward along the step portion 18 in which the envelope surface connecting the corners of each step is a tapered surface. The gap is widened by. Then, when the left and right claws 56 reach the locking recess 16 located in front of the step 18, the claws 56 are fitted into the locking recess 16 and, as shown in FIGS. The mounting of the cover 50 on the connector 1 is completed.

When the cover 50 is moved forward relative to the connector 1, the central axis of the cover 50 is inclined with respect to the central axis of the housing 11 in plan view, and before reaching the locking recess 16, Even if the gap between the left and right claw portions 56 is widened to the maximum by the step portion 18 and the forward movement of the cover 50 becomes impossible, as described above, the backward movement or the posture change of the cover 50 is possible in that state. Therefore, the operator corrects the posture of the cover 50 to match the central axis of the cover 50 with the central axis of the housing 11, and then advances the cover 50 again with respect to the housing 11 to attach the cover 50 to the connector 1. Can be installed.

When the mounting of the cover 50 on the connector 1 is completed, the left and right claws 56 are fitted into the locking recesses 16 and engage with the locking recesses 16, so it is effective that the cover 50 is detached from the connector 1. To be prevented. More specifically, the locking surface 56b of the claw 56 is locked to the locking portion 16b of the locking recess 16. Further, in the locking concave portion 16, the claw portion 56 abuts on the engaging protrusion 84 of the seal member 80 and is pressed rearward. As a result, the positional relationship between the claw portion 56 and the locking recess 16 is stabilized, and as a result, the positional relationship between the cover 50 and the connector 1 is stabilized, and rattling of the cover 50 with respect to the connector 1 is prevented.

When the mounting of the cover 50 to the connector 1 is completed, the front end surface 52a of the bottom plate portion 52 faces the lower stop surface 14, the front end surface 54d of the top plate portion 54 faces the upper stop surface 17, and the auxiliary plate portion 54 a enters the connection recess 23, and the lower surface 54 b and side surface 54 c of the auxiliary plate portion 54 a face the bottom surface 23 a and side surface 23 b of the connection recess 23.

Further, when the attachment of the cover 50 to the connector 1 is completed, the portions near the upper ends of the inner side surfaces of the left and right side plate portions 53 face the upper portion of the step portion 18 on the side surface of the base portion 12a. A portion of the inner side surface of the side plate portion 53 near the upper end functions as a fifth contact portion 53a that is a side plate upper end portion 53a, and an upper portion of the step portion 18 on the side surface of the base portion 12a is a side surface lower portion 12c. It functions as the part 12c. Then, when a force that causes the cover 50 to rotate with respect to the housing 11 with a shaft perpendicular to the shaft connecting the left and right claws 56 as a rotation shaft is applied, the side plate upper end portion 53a is changed to the side surface lower portion 12c. And the rotation of the cover 50 is stopped.

Next, a state in which the electric wire 91 is connected to the connector 1 will be described.

12 is a perspective view showing a state in which an electric wire is connected to the connector in the present embodiment, FIG. 13 is a front view showing a state in which an electric wire is connected to the connector in the present embodiment, and FIG. 14 is a diagram in the present embodiment. It is a two-sided view showing a state where an electric wire is connected to the connector. In FIG. 12, (a) is a view as seen from the cover side, (b) is a view for explaining a drawing-out mode of the electric wire, (a) is a side view, and (b) is E in (a) in FIG. 14. It is a sectional view taken along the arrow E.

As shown in FIG. 14B, a terminal 95 made of a conductive material such as metal is connected to the tip of the electric wire 91 in advance. The terminal 95 is electrically connected to the core of the electric wire 91 whose periphery is covered with an insulating coating. Then, the operator uses a finger or the like to connect the tip of the electric wire 91 to which the terminal 95 is connected from the rear of the cover 50 with the electric wire guide lid portion 62 in the open position as shown in FIGS. It is inserted through the space 55 into the main body through hole 21 that opens at the rear end 11r of the housing 11. As a result, the electric wire 91 is connected to the connector 1. Then, in a state in which the electric wire 91 is connected to the connector 1, the terminal 95 is accommodated and held in the terminal accommodating portion 21a, and the tip portion of the electric wire 91 connected to the rear end of the terminal 95 is in the electric wire accommodating portion 21b. It is housed and held in. An electric wire seal member 93 made of a flexible material such as rubber is fitted around the tip of the electric wire 91, and the electric wire seal member 93 is connected to the inner surface of the electric wire accommodating portion 21b. The gap between the outer end surface of the electric wire 91 and the outer surface is sealed to prevent foreign matter such as dust and water from entering the main body through hole 21 from the rear end 11r.

Subsequently, the operator selects a root portion of the electric wire 91 to the connector 1, that is, a portion extending rearward from the opening of the main body through hole 21 in the rear end 11r to the connection space 55, in any one of upper, lower, left and right directions. And is pushed into the front half split portion 65a formed in the wire guide base 61. The electric wire 91 pushed into the front half-split portion 65a is sandwiched so that the outer insulating coating layer is crushed by the pair of projections 66 formed on the inner surface of the front half-split portion 65a.

Subsequently, the operator changes the posture of the electric wire guide lid portion 62 to the closed position and closes the rear portion of the electric wire guide base portion 61. As a result, the electric wire 91 passes through the electric wire passage hole 65 and is led out from the electric wire guide portion. The electric wire 91 may be led out through any electric wire passage hole 65. For the sake of explanation, FIG. 12B shows a state in which the electric wire 91 is virtually drawn out through all the electric wire passage holes 65, but in the present embodiment, the electric wire 91 is shown. Is two. Further, the two electric wires 91 may be led out in any one of the upper, lower, left, and right directions side by side, or one wire may be led out in a different direction, but here, FIG. As shown in FIG. 13 and the like, an example will be described in which two lines are lined up and led out downward.

As described above, since the electric wire 91 is sandwiched by the pair of projections 66 formed on the inner surface of the electric wire passage hole 65, even if a tensile force is applied to the portion of the electric wire 91 that is led out, the electric wire 91 Does not come off from the connector 1. Further, as described above, the shape of the electric wire passage hole 65 is a trumpet shape in which the inner diameter increases as it goes toward the opening on the outer side of the electric wire guide portion as a whole. Even if vibration or warping is applied to the open portion, the insulating coating layer of the electric wire 91 is not damaged from the outer end of the electric wire passage hole 65.

Here, only the example in which the electric wire 91 is connected to the connector 1 after the cover 50 is attached to the connector 1 has been described, but the cover 50 may be attached to the connector 1 after the electric wire 91 is connected to the connector 1. Can also In this case, for example, the bottom plate portion 52 of the main body portion 51 of the cover 50 is formed with a slit having a width that allows the electric wires 91 to pass therethrough and extending in the front-rear direction to divide the bottom plate portion 52 into the left and right. Is desirable. This allows the cover 50 to be easily attached to the connector 1 even after the electric wire 91 is connected to the connector 1.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the cover 50 is attached to the housing 11 of the connector 1 to which the electric wire 91 is connected, and covers the portion of the electric wire 91 extending from the housing 11. The cover 50 includes a pair of claw portions 56 that can be locked in the locking recess 16 of the housing 11, a front end surface 52a that can abut the lower stop surface 14 of the housing 11, and an upper stop surface 17 of the housing 11. The front end surface 52a includes an abuttable front end surface 54d, and the front end surface 52a abuts the lower stop surface 14 in a first rotation direction of rotation about a line connecting the left and right claw portions 56 as a virtual rotation axis P. The front end surface 54d can contact the upper stop surface 17 in the second rotation direction opposite to the first rotation direction.

On the other hand, the connector 1 includes a housing 11 that accommodates the terminal 95 and in which an electric wire 91 connected to the terminal 95 extends, and a cover 50 that covers a portion of the electric wire 91 extending from the housing 11 is attached to the housing 11. It has become. Then, the pair of locking recesses 16 with which the claw portions 56 of the cover 50 can be locked, the lower stop surface 14 with which the front end surface 52a of the cover 50 can abut, and the upper part with which the front end surface 54d of the cover 50 can abut. The lower stop surface 14 is capable of contacting the front end surface 52a in the second rotation direction around the virtual rotation axis P, and the upper stop surface 17 is opposite to the second rotation direction. It can contact the front end surface 54d in the first rotation direction.

As a result, even if an external force is applied to the cover 11 with respect to the housing 11 with the cover 50 attached to the housing 11 of the connector 1, the cover 50 can rotate with respect to the housing 11. Can be effectively prevented, and as a result, the cover 50 can be effectively prevented from coming off the housing 11.

Further, the cover 50 further includes a lower surface 54b of the auxiliary plate portion 54a that can contact the bottom surface 23a of the housing 11, and the lower surface 54b of the auxiliary plate portion 54a can contact the bottom surface 23a of the housing 11 in the first rotation direction. Is. On the other hand, the connector 1 further includes a bottom surface 23a of the housing 11 with which the lower surface 54b of the auxiliary plate portion 54a of the cover 50 can abut, and the bottom surface 23a of the housing 11 serves as the lower surface 54b of the auxiliary plate portion 54a in the second rotation direction. Abutable. Thereby, the rotation of the cover 50 with respect to the housing 11 can be prevented more effectively.

Furthermore, the cover 50 further includes an electric wire guide portion including a plurality of electric wire passage holes 65, and the electric wire 91 passes through the electric wire passage hole 65 and extends from the electric wire guide portion in a direction different from the direction in which the electric wire 91 extends from the housing 11. Postpone. The electric wire passage hole 65 includes a protrusion 66 formed on the inner surface, and the electric wire 91 passing through the electric wire passage hole 65 is sandwiched by the protrusion 66. Therefore, even if an external force is applied to the portion of the electric wire 91 that is led out, the electric wire 91 does not come off from the connector 1.

Further, the housing 11 includes a pair of step portions 18 formed on the downstream side of the locking recess 16 in the direction in which the electric wire 91 extends from the housing 11, and the distance between the pair of step portions 18 is equal to the electric wire from the housing 11. 91 gradually decreases as it extends. Therefore, when the cover 50 is attached to the housing 11, the left and right claw portions 56 are spread along the step portion 18 to widen the gap, and when the claw portion 56 reaches the locking concave portion 16, the claw portion 56 is locked. It can be fitted in the recess 16. Further, even when the posture of the cover 50 is improper and the vehicle cannot move forward, the posture of the cover 50 can be corrected and the left and right claw portions 56 can be advanced along the step portion 18.

Further, a seal member 80 including a pair of engagement protrusions 84 is attached to the housing 11, and the seal member 80 is positioned by the engagement protrusions 84 engaging with the locking recesses 16. As a result, the claw portion 56 also engages with the engagement protrusion 84, so that the cover 50 is also positioned.

It should be noted that the disclosure of the present specification describes features relating to preferred and exemplary embodiments. Various other embodiments, modifications and variations within the scope and spirit of the claims attached hereto can of course be devised by those skilled in the art by reviewing the disclosure of the present specification. is there.

The present disclosure can be applied to a cover for a connector.

1 Connector 11 Housing 11f Front End 11r Rear End 12, 811 Housing Body 12a Base 12b Fitting 12c Side Side Lower 13 Covers 13a, 54 Top Plate 13b, 53 Side Plate 13c, 52 Bottom Plate 14 Lower Stop Surface 15 Connection 16 locking recess 16a communication openings 16b, 884 locking part 16c seal engaging part 17 upper stop surface 18 step part 19 accommodating part 19a operation piece 21 main body through hole 21a terminal accommodating part 21b wire accommodating part 22 fitting space part 23 connection Recess 23a Bottom surface 23b, 54c Side surface 50, 831 Cover 51 Main body 52a, 54d Front end surface 53a Side plate upper end 54a Auxiliary plate 54b Lower surface 55 Connection space 56 Claw 56a Tapered surface 56b Locking surface 61 Electric wire guide base 61a, 62a Upper frame portions 61b and 62b Side frame portions 61c and 62c Lower frame portion 62 Electric wire guide lid portion 62d Back plate portion 63 Joint portion 64a Engaging leg portion 64b Engaging leg receiving portion 65 Electric wire passage hole 65a Front half portion 65a1, 65b1 Inner taper portion 65a2, 65b2 Straight pipe parts 65a3, 65b3 Outer taper parts 65a4, 65b4 Outermost taper part 65b Second half split part 66 Projection 66a Engagement holes 66b, 84 Engagement projections 80, 881 Seal member 81 Rear part 82 Front part 83 Through hole Part 84a Front engaging part 91, 891 Electric wire 93 Electric wire sealing member 95, 895 Terminal 815 Cavity 821 Tube part 826 Opening 827a Rib 827b Groove part 837 Engaging rib

Claims (10)

(A) A connector cover which is attached to a housing of a connector to which an electric wire is connected and which covers a portion of the electric wire extending from the housing,
(B) a claw portion that can be locked in the locking recess of the housing and that is separated in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction that is the mounting direction of the connector cover to the housing;
(C) a first contact portion capable of contacting the first stop portion of the housing,
(D) a second contact portion capable of contacting the second stop portion of the housing ,
(E) a third contact portion capable of contacting the third stop portion of the housing,
(F) a side plate portion separated in the second direction,
(G) a bottom plate having both side edges connected to one end in a third direction orthogonal to the first direction and the second direction in the side plate ,
( H ) The first contact portion is capable of contacting the first stop portion in a first rotation direction of rotation about a line connecting the claw portions separated in the second direction as a virtual rotation axis. There, the second abutment Ri said second stop portion can abut der the second rotational direction opposite to said first rotational direction, the third abutment the first rotational direction To the third stop portion, and the second contact portion and the third contact portion are separated from each other in the third direction with respect to the position of the claw portion separated in the second direction. Is disposed in the housing so that each of the claw portions is disposed at a front end of the side plate portion in the first direction and at a central portion in the third direction, and contact portion, said a first forward end face of the bottom plate portion, a connector cover which is characterized that you position in the first direction forward of the pawl portion. Further comprising a side plate part separated in the second direction, and a top plate part having both side edges connected to the other end of the side plate part in the third direction,
The second contact portion is the front end surface in the first direction of the top plate portion, and is located rearward of the claw portion in the first direction,
The connector cover according to claim 1 , wherein the second stop portion is located at a rear end of the base portion of the housing in the first direction. A side plate part spaced apart in the second direction, a top plate part having both side edges connected to the other end of the side plate part in the third direction, and a top plate part from the first direction front end face of the top plate part. 1 further includes an auxiliary plate portion extending forward in the direction of 1,
The third contact portion is the other side surface in the third direction of the auxiliary plate portion,
The third stop portion is one side surface in the third direction of a connection recess opening in the rear surface of the base portion of the housing in the first direction,
In a state in which the connection recess has accepted the auxiliary plate portion, the claw portion connector cover according to claim 1 are possible engagement recess and the engagement and disengagement. Both side faces of the auxiliary plate portion in the second direction and both side faces of the connection recess in the second direction are slidably fitted to each other, and with respect to the direction of the virtual rotation axis, the connector cover and the connector cover are provided. The connector cover according to claim 3 , which can hold a relative position with respect to the housing. Further comprising a fifth contact portion capable of contacting the fifth stop portion of the housing,
The connector cover according to claim 1, wherein the fifth contact portion is capable of contacting the fifth stop portion in a rotation direction with a shaft orthogonal to the virtual rotation shaft as a rotation shaft. An electric wire guide portion including an openable/closable electric wire guide lid portion is further provided at the rear end in the first direction,
Electric wire guide portion, a connector cover according to any one of claims 1 to 5 including a can be inserted a plurality of electric wires passing holes by selecting the orientation of the electric wire. The electric wire passage hole includes a half-divided portion which is a substantially semi-cylindrical concave portion and is formed on a joint surface of the electric wire guide lid portion, and the electric wire passes through the electric wire passage hole. The connector cover according to claim 6, which extends from the wire guide portion in a direction different from a direction in which the housing extends. The connector cover according to claim 7 , wherein the wire passage hole includes a protrusion formed on an inner surface thereof, and an electric wire passing through the wire passage hole is sandwiched by the protrusion. A seal member including a pair of engagement protrusions is attached to the housing,
The seal member, the connector cover according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein said engaging projection is positioned by engaging with the engagement recess. The second stop and the third stop section, according to claim 1 which is formed in the housing portion of the operating piece integrally disposed a locking member above the terminal accommodating portion and the wire receiving portion of the housing Connector cover.

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