JPH07201418A - Mechanism for fixing connector housing to grommet - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain a mechanism for fixing a connector to a grommet, which can securely prevent the reverse-fixing of a connector and a grommet and which can improve the fixing workability. CONSTITUTION:Engaging recessed parts 5a, 5b to be engaged with a grommet 2 are provided at positions opposite to each other on the peripheral end surface of a fitting flange 3 provided in the front end of a connector housing 1, and a U-like notch as a positioning recessed part 15 for regulating the fitting direction is provided at least desired one position on the peripheral surface end except for the engaging recessed parts 5a, 5b. On the other hand, a housing fitting part 7, in which a fitting flange 3 of the connector 1 is to be fitted, is formed in the front end of the grommet 2 made of soft material such as rubber. The inner wall of the housing fitting part 7 is formed with engaging projections 11a, 11b to be engaged with the engaging recessed parts 5a, 5b of the connector 1 and positioning projection 12 arranged so as to be engaged with the positioning recessed part 15 at the only time that the connector 1 is fitted in the grommet 2 at a normal relative position. Reverse-fixing of the connector 1 to the grommet 2 is thereby securely prevented.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a structure for assembling a connector for electrical connection used in a wire harness such as a door panel of an automobile and a grommet, and more particularly to a mechanism for assembling a connector housing to a grommet.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when wiring a wire harness to a member such as a door panel that opens and closes, electrical connection is made by fitting connectors to each other through a door grommet for waterproofing and dustproofing. ing. Therefore, a connector housing (hereinafter simply referred to as a connector) is fitted to a grommet via a door panel and fixed to the door panel. As shown in FIG. 6, a locking claw 26 having flexibility is provided on the outer periphery of the connector 20 made of a hard synthetic resin material or the like. The locking claw 26 can be locked to the edge of the mounting hole 24 formed in the mounting panel 22. Further, a fitting flange 23 for fitting with the grommet 21 is formed at the front end portion of the connector 20. The fitting flange 23 projects like a brim from the outer periphery of the connector 20. On the other hand, an annular fitting portion 27 is formed at one end of the grommet 21 made of a soft material such as rubber. The fitting flange 23 of the connector 20 is fitted into the fitting portion 27. An electric wire insertion tube 25 oriented in a predetermined direction is integrally formed at the rear end of the fitting portion 27. A plurality of electric wires 28 drawn from the vehicle body side are inserted into the electric wire insertion tube 25.

In order to mount the connector 20 having the above-described structure on the mounting panel 22, first, the electric wire 28 having the connecting terminal swaged is inserted into the terminal accommodating chamber in the connector 20, and then fitted. The flange 23 is fitted into the fitting groove portion 29 in the fitting portion 27. The connector 20 assembled to the grommet 21 is inserted into the mounting hole 24 of the mounting panel 22, so that the locking claw 26 is attached to the mounting hole 2.
It is locked to the edge of No. 4. When the locking claw 26 is locked, the fitting panel 2 and the fitting flange 23 allow the fitting portion 2 to move.
An annular lip 27b having seven edges is clamped. This allows
The connector 20 is attached to the attachment panel 22 in a watertight state. Finally, the connector 20 in which the crimped connection terminal is accommodated in the other electric wire connected to the electric wire 28
The assembly work is completed by fitting a.

At this time, the electric wire 2 connected to the connector 20
The length of 8 is determined by the proper mounting position of the connector 20 to the mounting panel 22. Therefore, it is necessary to assemble the connector 20 at a predetermined relative position with respect to the grommet 21 in which the wire insertion tube 25 is oriented in a predetermined direction.
It is performed while visually recognizing the shape of 0 and judging the assembling position and the vertical direction.

However, since it may be mistaken to visually recognize the shape, a holder or a spacer having a directional member is attached to the rear end portion from the accommodation port side of the connection terminal of the connector 20 is attached. There are those that structurally regulate the position. As shown in FIG. 7, the fitting flange 23
Asymmetric spacer piece 3 at the front end of the connector 20 having
0 is installed. The spacer piece 30 includes a fitting portion 31 to be engaged with the connector 20 and a directional positioning piece 3
It consists of two. The direction of the positioning piece 32 coincides with the extending direction of the wire insertion tube 25 when the connector 20 is fitted in the grommet 21 at the regular position, and does not affect the fitting. However, when the fitting portion 31 is mounted upside down, the positioning piece 32 is fitted in a state in which the positioning piece 32 is directed obliquely upward. Therefore, the tip of the positioning piece 32 abuts against the upper inner wall of the wire insertion tube 25 before fitting, and the connector 20 cannot be fitted to the grommet 21, and it is easily recognized that the assembly direction is wrong. can do.

[0006]

However, in the above-mentioned method, if the direction of the connector 20 is wrong even before the insertion of the electric wire 28 even if the direction of the positioning piece 32 is correct,
The spacer piece 30 is mounted as it is, and is fitted into the grommet 21 in the wrong direction. Therefore, the assembling direction of the connector 20 is to be visually recognized, and the assembling work while confirming the assembling direction is inefficient, and skill is required to instantaneously determine the up-down direction. Was overlooked. When such a situation occurs, the devices of the terminal do not function due to incorrect connection that is not a proper connection. In addition, the electric wire 28, the length of which is determined in the regular direction, may be twisted or loosened, and depending on the electric wire, a tension may be generated and the connection terminal may be pulled out. There was a problem that it deteriorated. Furthermore, when the fitting flange 23 of the connector 20 is fitted into the fitting recess 29 in the fitting portion 27 of the grommet 21, the front side wall 27a forming the fitting groove portion 29 is bent as shown in FIG. This hindered the work efficiency of the assembly work.

The object of the present invention was made in view of the above problems, and it is possible to surely prevent the reverse assembly of the connector and the grommet and to improve the workability of the assembly of the connector to the grommet. It is to provide an assembly mechanism.

[0008]

The above object of the present invention is to fit a fitting flange of a connector into a fitting groove portion formed in a housing fitting portion of a grommet made of a soft material,
A connector assembling mechanism to a grommet of a connector which prevents reverse assembling of the connector to the grommet when the connector and the grommet are assembled, and a positioning recess is formed at an arbitrary position of an outer edge of the fitting flange. In addition, by providing a positioning projection that fits into the positioning recess at a corresponding position of the fitting groove, it is possible to fit only during normal assembly. Can be achieved. Further, the above object can be achieved by the positioning projection acting as a reinforcing rib for preventing the bending of the housing fitting portion.

[0009]

According to the mechanism for assembling the connector to the grommet according to the above configuration of the present invention, when the connector is assembled in the upside-down direction with respect to the grommet, the positioning recess on the connector side coincides with the positioning protrusion on the grommet side. Without it, the normal mating condition cannot be obtained. Moreover, since the outer peripheral end surface of the fitting flange of the connector comes into contact with the inner peripheral surface of the positioning protrusion of the grommet made of a soft material, the outer periphery of the housing mating portion on the grommet side is partially formed even if it is forcibly fitted. It will be exciting. Due to this rise, misassembly of the connector can be reliably detected. Moreover, since the positioning protrusion formed in the fitting groove portion functions as a reinforcing rib for the side wall, the side wall is not bent. Therefore, the opening of the fitting groove is not narrowed, and the fitting property of the fitting flange in the fitting groove is improved.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A preferred embodiment of a mechanism for mounting a connector of the present invention on a grommet will be described in detail below with reference to FIGS. 1 is an exploded explanatory view showing a mechanism for assembling a connector of the present invention to a grommet, FIG. 2 is a front view showing a state before assembling the connector and the grommet in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 shows a state after assembling. FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing a reverse assembly state, and FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing another embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the connector 1 includes a fitting portion 16 into which another connector is fitted and inserted at the rear end, and the fitting portion 1
A terminal accommodating chamber 4 for accommodating the connection terminals from the front is provided in the front part of 6.
The terminal accommodating portion 4 is provided with a therein, and a fitting flange 3 fitted in the grommet at the front end. Further, a plurality of locking claws 6 for fixing to the mounting holes 14 of the mounting panel 13 are formed on the outer periphery of the terminal accommodating portion 4. Further, the outer peripheral end surface of the fitting flange 3 is provided with an engaging concave portion 5 for engaging with a grommet, and at least one position on the outer peripheral end surface excluding the engaging concave portion 5 is fitted. A positioning recess 15 that is a U-shaped notch that regulates the direction is provided. When the positioning recesses 15 are provided at even-numbered places, they are not provided so as to face each other on a diagonal line passing through the center of the oval fitting flange 3. This is because if they are provided at opposite positions, they will be fitted in the same manner as in a normal assembly even if they are turned upside down.

On the other hand, the grommet 2 made of a soft material such as rubber has an electric wire insertion tube 8 forming an electric wire insertion hole 10 and a fitting groove portion 9 for fitting the fitting flange 3 of the connector 1 at the front end. A housing fitting portion 7 is formed.
The engagement recess 5 of the connector 1 is provided on the inner wall of the fitting groove 9.
Engaging projections 11a and 11b that engage with a and 5b, and a positioning projection that is disposed in a position that engages with the positioning recess 15 only when the connector 1 is fitted in the regular relative position with respect to the grommet 2. 12 are formed. That is, the fitting groove portion 9
The fitting flange 3 is fitted to the engaging projection 11a, the engaging recess 5a is engaged with the engaging projection 11b, the engaging recess 5b is engaged with the engaging projection 11b, and the positioning projection 12 is provided with the positioning recess. 15 is engaged and the assembly of the connector 1 to the grommet 2 is completed. However, if an attempt is made to assemble the connector 1 in the upside-down state, the end face of the positioning projection 12 prevents the fitting. As a result, the reverse mounting state can be easily detected. It should be noted that the electric wires with connection terminals that are inserted through the electric wire insertion tube 8 of the grommet 2 and are drawn out from the electric wire insertion hole 10 (not shown) are individually connected to the connector 1
Is inserted into the corresponding terminal accommodating chamber 4a.

The operation of the mechanism for assembling the connector constructed as described above to the grommet will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. As shown in FIG. 3, the connector 1 has a grommet 2
When assembled in the normal vertical direction, the fitting flange 3 is fitted to the housing fitting portion 7 of the grommet 2. The engaging projections 11a and 11b in the fitting groove 9 are engaged with the engaging recesses 5a and 5b, and the positioning projection 12 in the fitting groove 9 is fitted into the positioning recess 15 of the fitting flange 3. To be done. Therefore, the positioning projection 12 is positioned in the positioning recess 15
The grommet 2 that is fitted into the connector 1 is assembled to the connector 1 while the outer peripheral end surface of the housing fitting portion 7 is not deformed and the oval shape similar to the outer peripheral shape of the fitting flange 3 remains.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4, when the connector 1 is assembled with the grommet 2 in the upside-down direction, the fitting flange 3 is fitted into the housing fitting portion 7 of the grommet 2 and is engaged. The mating recesses 5a and 5b are engaged with the engaging protrusions 11a and 11b in the fitting groove 9. However, the positioning projection 12 does not match the positioning recess 15 of the fitting flange 3, and the positioning projection 12 comes into contact with the outer peripheral end surface of the fitting flange 3 other than the positioning recess 15. When the positioning projection 12 comes into contact with the outer peripheral end surface of the fitting flange 3, the outer peripheral surface of the housing fitting portion 7 is raised by the amount of the projection of the positioning projection 12 and the outer peripheral surface of the housing fitting portion 7 is deformed. It will be. In other words, if the raised portion 17 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the housing fitting portion 7, it can be easily detected that the connector 1 is assembled to the grommet 2 in the upside down direction.

According to the above-described mechanism for mounting the connector on the grommet, unlike the conventional case in which the shape is visually recognized to determine the vertical direction, the connector 1 and the grommet 2 are mounted in the vertical reverse direction. Then, a raised portion 17 is newly formed on the outer peripheral surface of the grommet 2. For this reason, since it is possible to visually confirm the error in the assembly by touch, it is possible to detect the reverse assembly very easily.

In addition, in the above-described assembly mechanism of the connector to the grommet, the fitting portions of the connector 1 and the grommet 2 are the engaging projections 11a and 11b and the engaging recesses 5a and 5b.
The positioning projection 12 and the positioning recess 15 are added from three locations to increase the number of locations to three. Therefore, the positional deviation of the housing fitting portion 7 with respect to the fitting flange 3 in the circumferential direction is reduced, and the connector 1 and the grommet 2 can be assembled at a more accurate relative position.

Further, as a modified example of the assembly mechanism of the present embodiment, the grommet 2 having the positioning projection 12 provided at one place has been described as an example, but the positioning projection 12 may be provided at a plurality of places. Of course well. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, two positioning projections 12a and 12b are provided on the grommet 2 side on one long side, and positioning recesses 15a and 15b are provided at corresponding positions on the fitting flange 3 on the connector 1 side.
It is also possible to provide. As a result, due to the above-described action, the positional deviation of the housing fitting portion 7 with respect to the fitting flange 3 in the circumferential direction is further reduced, and the connector 1 and the grommet 2 are assembled at a more accurate relative position, and
Bending of the side wall 7a forming the fitting groove 9 is reduced. When the positioning protrusion 12 and the positioning recess 15 are provided at even-numbered places, the oval housing fitting portion 7 is used.
In addition, they are not provided so as to face each other on a diagonal line passing through the center of the fitting flange 3. This is because if they are provided at opposite positions, they will be fitted in the same manner as normal assembly even if they are turned upside down, and the effect of reverse assembly detection will be lost.

Furthermore, in the conventional grommet 21 shown in FIG. 8, two engaging projections 11 are provided in the fitting groove 29.
Since only a and 11b are provided so as to project, the side wall 27a forming the fitting groove portion 9 is in a state of being easily bent by the action of the external force F, and particularly when the connector is assembled in the fitting groove portion 29, the side wall 27a. Bends in the direction of the wire insertion tube 25, and the opening width of the fitting groove portion 29 is narrowed, thereby lowering the workability of assembly. In the assembly mechanism of the present embodiment, the positioning protrusion 12 is further formed at a position other than the engaging protrusions 11a and 11b, so that the side wall 7a is held by the positioning protrusion 12 at a predetermined opening width and bends. There is no. That is, since the positioning protrusion 12 acts as a reinforcing rib to suppress the bending of the side wall 7a, the opening width of the fitting groove 9 is not narrowed, and the workability of assembly can be improved.

[0018]

As described in detail above, according to the assembly mechanism of the connector of the present invention to the grommet, the positioning recess is formed at an arbitrary position of the outer edge of the fitting flange, and the fitting groove is formed. By providing the positioning protrusions at the corresponding positions, it is possible to fit only at the proper assembly position. As a result, it is possible to reliably prevent the assembly in the upside down direction, and even if it is forcibly assembled, the outer periphery of the housing fitting part rises, so that the workability is not deteriorated and the grommet is installed in the reverse direction. Assembly can be detected very easily. Further, since the side wall of the fitting groove is reinforced by the positioning protrusion, the side wall is not bent, and the insertability of the fitting flange into the fitting groove is improved, so that the assembling workability is improved. You can

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded explanatory view showing an assembly mechanism of a connector according to the present invention to a grommet.

FIG. 2 is a front view showing a state before assembly of the connector and the grommet in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a state after assembly in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a reverse assembly state in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing a modification of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory view showing a state in which a conventional connector is attached to a grommet.

7 is an exploded explanatory view showing a modified example of the assembly mechanism of the connector in FIG. 6 to the grommet.

8 is a cross-sectional view showing a bent state of the grommet in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Connector housing 2 Grommet 3 Fitting flange 4 Terminal accommodating part 4a Terminal accommodating chamber 5a, 5b Engagement recessed part 6 Engaging claw 7 Housing fitting part 7a Side wall 8 Wire insertion tube 9 Fitting groove part 10 Electric wire insertion hole 11a, 11b Joint protrusion 12 Positioning protrusion 13 Mounting panel 14 Mounting hole 15 Positioning recess

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[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] April 14, 1994

[Procedure Amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Name of item to be corrected] 0002

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when wiring a wire harness to a member such as a door panel that opens and closes, electrical connection is made by fitting connectors to each other through a door grommet for waterproofing and dustproofing. ing. Therefore, a connector housing (hereinafter simply referred to as a connector) is fitted to a grommet via a door panel and fixed to the door panel. As shown in FIG. 6, a locking claw 26 having flexibility is provided on the outer periphery of the connector 20 made of a hard synthetic resin material or the like. The locking claw 26 can be locked to the edge of the mounting hole 24 formed in the mounting panel 22. Further, a fitting flange 23 for fitting with the grommet 21 is formed at the front end portion of the connector 20. The fitting flange 23 projects like a brim from the outer periphery of the connector 20. On the other hand, an annular fitting portion 27 is formed at one end of the grommet 21 made of a soft material such as rubber. The fitting flange 23 of the connector 20 is fitted into the fitting portion 27. An electric wire insertion tube 25 oriented in a predetermined direction is integrally formed at the rear end of the fitting portion 27. A plurality of electric wires 28 drawn from the door side are inserted into the electric wire insertion tube 25.

[Procedure Amendment 2]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0010

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A preferred embodiment of a mechanism for mounting a connector of the present invention on a grommet will be described in detail below with reference to FIGS. 1 is an exploded explanatory view showing a mechanism for assembling a connector of the present invention to a grommet, FIG. 2 is a front view showing a state before assembling the connector and the grommet in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 shows a state after assembling. FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing a reverse assembly state, and FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing another embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the connector 1 includes a fitting portion 16 into which another connector is fitted and inserted at the rear end, and the fitting portion 1
A terminal accommodating chamber 4 for accommodating the connection terminals from the front is provided in the front part of 6.
The terminal accommodating portion 4 is provided with a therein, and a fitting flange 3 fitted in the grommet at the front end. Further, a plurality of locking claws 6 for fixing to the mounting holes 14 of the mounting panel 13 are formed on the outer periphery of the terminal accommodating portion 4. Further, the outer peripheral end surface of the fitting flange 3 is provided with engaging recesses 5a, 5b for engaging with the grommet at positions facing each other, and at least 1 on any outer peripheral end surface excluding the engaging recesses 5a, 5b. Positioning recesses 15, which are U-shaped notches for restricting the fitting direction, are provided at various locations.
If the positioning recesses 15 are provided at even numbers,
It is not provided so as to face each other on a diagonal line passing through the center of the oval fitting flange 3. This is because if they are provided at opposite positions, they will be fitted in the same manner as in a normal assembly even if they are turned upside down.

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A fitting flange of a connector housing is fitted in a fitting groove formed in a housing fitting portion of a grommet made of a soft material, and when the connector housing and the grommet are assembled, the connector housing A mechanism for assembling a connector housing to a grommet for preventing reverse assembly to a grommet, wherein a positioning recess is formed at an arbitrary position of an outer edge of the fitting flange, and the fitting groove is provided at a corresponding position of the fitting groove. A mechanism for assembling a connector housing to a grommet, characterized in that by providing a positioning projection that fits in the positioning recess, it can be fitted only during regular assembly. 2. The assembly mechanism of a connector housing to a grommet according to claim 1, wherein the positioning protrusion acts as a reinforcing rib for preventing the housing fitting portion from bending.