JPH07282890A - Sealing structure for connector - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a sealing structure for a connector capable of easily sealing the connector even when the connector is exposed on the outer face of a case, surely preventing the false removing action of the connector, having a small sealing member, and having simple sealing workability. CONSTITUTION:A sealing member 40 is coupled with a wire harness side connector 30 and locked to a case 10 while the wire harness side connector 30 is connected to a case side connector and the sealing member 40 is coupled with the case 10, and the disengagement between the wire harness side connector 30 and the case side connector is prevented. The lock section 44 of the sealing member 40 is provided with a locking arm 42 inserted and locked into a lock section coupling hole 13 formed adjacently to the case side connector and a pair of guard plates 43 arranged in parallel with and near both sides.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a connector sealing structure, and more particularly to a sealing structure for sealing a connection state between a meter connector for vehicles and a wire harness connector connected to this connector.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, in a meter for a vehicle or the like, a connector fixed to a wiring board inside the case for supplying signals and power to the meters inside the case is arranged on the rear surface of the case, Is configured to be electrically connected to the connector connected to the end of the wire that supplies the signal from the.

For the convenience of maintenance, these connectors can be freely separated from each other. However, in the case of, for example, a rental vehicle in which the fare is set according to the traveling distance, the total traveling distance can be integrated by intentionally disconnecting the connectors. It was necessary to take protective measures against fraudulent acts of manipulating the display.

As a means for preventing this, a member for sealing the connector after connection is provided at the connector connecting portion, and if the connector is erroneously cut off, the sealing member is destroyed and a trace of wrongdoing remains. Is being done.

FIG. 6 shows an example of a conventional structure of a sealing member for such a connector connection. In FIG. 6, a rear surface 10a of the meter case 10 is provided with signals and power to unillustrated meters housed in the case. A connector connection opening 11 for supply is provided, and a case-side connector 20 fixed to a wiring board 21 is arranged inside the case of the opening 11. A connector 30 to which a flexible printed wiring board (not shown) for supplying a signal from outside the case (FPC board for simplification) is connected
Penetrates through the opening 11 and is coupled to the case side connector 20 to supply signals and power.

The sealing member 40 for connector connection in this example comprises a plastic sealing cover 41 for sealing the connector connecting opening 11. The sealing surface 41a of the sealing cover 41 is provided with hook-like projections 41c, one at each of the left and right sides, and the tip end portions 41b of which are on the outside.
The interval between the 1a is formed to be slightly wider than the width of the opening 11 sealed by the sealing cover 41.

When the sealing cover 41 is pushed into the opening 11 as shown in FIG. 7 after the connector 30 is connected to the case side connector 20, the tip 41b of the hook-like projection 41c bends inward and the opening 11 is opened. Passing through the end face of the opening 11
After passing through the end face, the front end portion 41b returns to its original state and the opening portion 11 is sealed in a state of being locked to the inner end portion 11a of the opening portion as shown in FIG.

Once the sealing is performed in this manner, it becomes impossible to remove the sealing cover 41 from the opening 11 by releasing the engagement between the hook-shaped projection 41 and the inner side 11a of the end of the opening. When removed, the tip 41b of the hook-shaped protrusion 41c
Will be destroyed. That is, in the above-mentioned conventional example, the opening 11 for connecting the connector of the meter case 10 is sealed by the sealing cover 41 which is the sealing member 40 to prevent access to the connector 30 inside the opening 11 and thus is illegal. It is intended to prevent disconnection operation of such a connector.

[0009]

A meter case side connector, which is connected to a wire harness side connector connected to a terminal of a wire harness that supplies signals and power to the meter from the outside of the meter case, is arranged on the rear surface of the meter case. The configuration will be described with reference to FIG. In the figure, on the back surface 10a of the meter case 10, an FPC board 22 having a wiring pattern 22a for supplying signals and power to the meters housed in the case is arranged on the surface.

The meter side connector is the rear surface 1 of the meter case.
0a, the connector receiving hole 12 is integrally formed, and the fold portion 22b of the FPC board 22 is folded into the edge 12a of the connector receiving hole 12. On the other hand, in the wire harness connector connected to the terminals of the wire harness, cells for accommodating and fixing the electric terminals attached to the terminals of the respective wires are formed in the connector housing made of an insulating material, and the electric terminals are elastic. The bent portion and the contact portion are formed integrally with each other. Then, when the connector housing 31 is inserted into the connector receiving hole 12, the FPC folded into the connector receiving hole 12 is inserted.
By contacting the exposed wiring pattern 22a of the folded portion 22b of the substrate 22 with the contact portion of the electric terminal, a predetermined electric connection between each wire and the meters stored in the case is performed. Composed.

In the structure of the connector connecting portion as shown in FIG. 5, the connector connecting portion is wholly exposed on the outer surface of the meter case 10, so that the meter case 10 of the conventional example shown in FIG. Connector connection opening 11
The problem that it is difficult to implement a method for preventing an unauthorized disconnection operation of a connector by sealing only one with a sealing cover to prevent access to the connector 30 inside the opening 11. was there.

Therefore, in view of the above-mentioned conventional problems, the present invention can be easily implemented even in a structure in which the connector connecting portion is entirely exposed on the outer surface of the meter case or the like, and an unauthorized disconnection operation of the connector can be performed. An object of the present invention is to provide a sealing structure for a connector, which has a reliable sealing function for preventing, a sealing member is small, and workability for sealing is easy.

[0013]

In order to achieve the above object, a connector sealing structure according to the present invention is a sealing structure for sealing a connecting portion between a connector on a wire harness side and a connector on a case side. And a lock portion that is engaged with the wire harness side connector and an engaging portion that engages with the wire harness side connector, and prevents the wire harness side connector and the case side connector from being separated from each other. A sealing member, wherein the wire harness side connector is connected to the case side connector and the sealing member is fitted in the case, the sealing member engages with the wire harness side connector and It is locked, and prevents disconnection of the wire harness side connector and the case side connector.

The locking portion of the sealing member has a locking arm integrally formed with the sealing member which is received and locked in a locking portion fitting hole integrally formed in the case adjacent to the case side connector. The locking arm has an engaging claw formed at its tip so as to project elastically, and when the locking arm is inserted into the lock portion fitting hole, the locking arm is hooked in the lock portion fitting hole. It is characterized in that it is engaged with the stopper and is prevented from being pulled out from the lock fitting hole.

The lock part has a pair of guard plates which are formed integrally with the sealing member and are arranged close to and parallel to both sides of the locking arm, and the card plate has the lock part in the case. In the state of being inserted into the lock portion fitting hole, the release tool such as a driver is prevented from approaching the locking arm from the outside of the case.

[0016]

With the above structure, the sealing member is locked to the case and engages with the wire harness side connector, so that the wire harness side connector and the case side connector are prevented from being separated from each other, and the sealing member is applied with an excessive force. When the lock is separated from the case, a part of the sealing member is destroyed and a trace of fraud remains.

Further, by appropriately selecting the shape and size of each member of the sealing member, the wire harness side connector and the case, the sealing member, the wire harness side connector and the case can be sealed without damage. It becomes impossible to release the lock between the stop member and the case and separate the engagement between the sealing member and the wire harness side connector.

[0018]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 to 3 show an embodiment of a connector sealing structure according to the present invention. In these drawings, a meter case 1
An FPC board 22 having a wiring pattern 22a for supplying signals and power to the meters housed in the meter case 10 is attached to the rear surface 10a of 0.

The rear surface 10a of the meter case 10 is integrally formed with a connector receiving hole 12 for receiving the wire harness side connector 30 connected to the end of the wire harness 33 for supplying signals and power from the outside of the case. In the receiving hole 12, a part of the FPC board 22 bent along the edge 12 a is folded.
The folded portion 22b of the FPC 22 is the connector receiving hole 1
2 together with the meter case side connector.

The wire harness side connector 30 is a connector housing 3 formed by integral molding of a synthetic resin material.
1 and the connector housing 31 has a wire 33
A terminal accommodating cell 31a is formed to partition and accommodate the electric terminals 32 to which the terminals of a are electrically connected. A contact portion 32a having a bent portion 32b having elasticity is integrally formed with the electric terminal 32. When the connector housing 31 is inserted into the connector receiving hole 12, the contact portion 32a is bent with respect to a part of the wiring pattern 22a exposed on the surface of the folding portion 22b of the FPC board 22 folded in the connector receiving hole 12. The portions 32b come into contact with each other due to their elasticity, whereby a predetermined electrical connection is established between each wire 33a and the meters stored in the case.

An elastic bent portion 34c, a locking claw 34b and an engaging piece 34 are provided at the center of the surface of the electric terminal 32 opposite to the surface of the connector housing 31 on which the contact portions 32a are arranged.
A locking member 34 made of a is formed integrally with the connector housing 31. Locking part 3 in connector receiving hole 12
4, the engaging portion receiving groove 12b is formed, and when the wire harness side connector 30 is inserted into the connector receiving hole 12, the engaging claw 34b bends against the elasticity of the elastic bending portion 34c. Is pushed over the edge of the entrance of the engaging portion receiving groove 12b. Then, after the insertion is completed, the engaging claw 34b is elastically restored to its original shape, and is engaged with the engaging claw receiving portion 12c at the inner edge of the entrance of the engaging portion receiving groove 12b so that the wireness side connector 30 receives the connector. Prevents the hole 12 from coming out.

However, the locking claw 34b and the locking claw receiving portion 12
The locking action of the connector c is such that the engaging piece 34a of the locking portion 34 resists the elasticity of the elastic bending portion 34c and the connector housing 31.
Since it is possible to release the lock by bending in the direction of, the seal does not function as it is.

In the present invention, the sealing member 40 formed by integrally molding a synthetic resin material is used. The sealing member 40 has a locking arm 42 formed so as to be elastically bendable, and an engaging claw 42a is formed at the tip thereof. The locking arm 42 constitutes a lock portion 44 together with guard plates 43 formed on both sides of the locking arm 42 so as to extend in parallel therewith. The locking arm 42 and the guard plate 43, which form the lock portion 44, are flush with each other and are connected to each other at their base ends to be integrated. Engaging claw 42a at the tip of the locking arm 42
Are projected to one side from the surface of the locking arm 42 and are displaced by the bending of the locking arm 42.

The locking arm 42 has an engaging claw 42 on the side opposite to the side where the engaging claw 42a is projected.
A notch 42b is formed adjacent to a. The knot 42b is for allowing the notch 42b to be easily separated from the body of the locking arm 42 by applying a relatively small force.

Further, the locking arm 42 and the guard plate 4
A proximal portion which are integrated 3 bond to each other, the width and the projecting portions 45a ₁ projecting in substantially the same width of the locking arm 42 in the same direction as the engagement claw 42a is formed, the projecting portions 45a ₁ An engaging portion 45 having an engaging recess 45a recessed in a direction opposite to the extending direction of the locking arm 42 is integrally formed therewith. A cover 45b for preventing the approach to the engagement recess 45a is integrally formed at the upper end of the engagement portion 45.

A locking portion fitting hole 13 for receiving the locking portion 44 of the sealing member 40 is formed integrally with the meter case 10 adjacent to the connector receiving hole 12. A hook stopper 13 a is formed on the inner wall of the fitting hole 13.

When the lock portion 44 is inserted into the fitting hole 13 of the meter case 10, the locking arm 42 is bent against the elasticity thereof by an amount corresponding to the protruding amount of the engaging claw 42a, and the lock portion 44 is locked. Are allowed to enter along the inner wall of the fitting hole 13. However, when the lock portion 44 is inserted all the way into the fitting hole 13, the engaging claw 42a of the locking arm 42 protrudes due to the elasticity of the locking arm 42 when the locking claw 42a of the locking arm 42 passes the hooking portion 13a of the fitting hole 13. Stop 1
Hook to 3a. Engaging claw 42a of locking arm 42
When the force is applied in the direction in which the lock part 44 is pulled out from the fitting hole 13, the mutual hooking becomes deeper as the lock part 44 and the hooking part 13a of the fitting hole 13 are hooked together. Thus, the sealing member 40 once mounted is prevented from being pulled out from the fitting hole 13 and locked to the meter case 10 due to the oblique formation.

When the sealing member 40 is locked to the meter case 10 and an attempt is made to act on the locking arm 42 from the outside of the meter case 10 to release the hooking between the engaging claw 42a and the hooking portion 13a. For example, for illegal operation by an arbitrary tool 50 as shown in FIG.
A pair of guard plates 43, which are arranged close to both sides of the locking arm 42 and in parallel with the locking arm 42, are configured to act as members for obstructing such access.

Further, the sealing member 40 is fitted into the fitting hole 1 by an excessive force.
In the case where the locking arm 42 is forcibly pulled out from 3, the locking arm 42 is broken at the notch 42b and the engaging claw 42a at its tip is separated from the locking arm 42.
Traces of misconduct will remain.

On the other hand, when the sealing member 40 is locked to the meter case 10, the engaging recess 34a of the engaging portion 45 is formed so that the engaging piece 34a of the engaging portion 34 is fitted therein. Therefore, the engaging piece 34a is attached to the elastic bending portion 3
4c cannot be disengaged against the elasticity of 4c to release the locking between the locking claw 34b and the locking claw receiving portion 12c.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state where the wire harness side connector 30 is fitted in the connector receiving hole 12 and the sealing member 40 is locked to the meter case 10. The sealing member 40 and the wire harness side connector are constructed as described above. Thirty
Alternatively, it is not possible to unlock the sealing member 40 and the meter case 10 without damaging any of the meter case 10 or separate the engagement between the sealing member 40 and the wire harness side connector 30. It can perform the sealing function.

[0032]

As described above, according to the structure of the present invention, the following effects can be obtained as the sealing structure of the connector. (1) An effective sealing function can be achieved by using a small sealing member. (2) In particular, it is easy to apply to a meter case structure having no convenient opening for sealing. (3) The sealing member can be attached with one touch and has good workability.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing an embodiment of a connector sealing structure according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing details of a part of FIG.

3 is an assembled perspective view of the embodiment of FIG.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of an illegal operation on a sealing structure by a tool or the like.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an example of a connector receiving hole arranged on the back surface of the meter case.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a structural example of a sealing member for conventional connector connection.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an operation of a conventional sealing member structural example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 Meter case 12 Connector receiving hole 13 Lock part fitting hole 13a Hook part 30 Wire harness side connector 33 Wire harness 40 Sealing member 42 Locking arm 42a Engaging claw 43 Guard plate 44 Locking part 45 Engaging part 45a Engaging recess

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A sealing structure for sealing a connecting portion between a connector on a wire harness side and a connector on a case side, wherein a lock part fitted to the case and locked to the case is engaged with the connector on the wire harness side. A sealing member for preventing the wire harness side connector and the case side connector from being separated from each other, the wire harness side connector being connected to the case side connector, and the sealing member. In a state in which is fitted into the case, the sealing member engages with the wire harness side connector and is locked to the case, and prevents disconnection between the wire harness side connector and the case side connector. Sealing structure for the connector. 2. A locking arm formed integrally with a sealing member, wherein a lock portion of the sealing member is received and locked in a lock portion fitting hole formed integrally with the case adjacent to the case-side connector. The locking arm has an engaging claw formed at its tip so as to project elastically, and when the locking arm is inserted into the lock part fitting hole, the locking arm has the locking part fitting hole. 2. The connector sealing structure according to claim 1, wherein the connector sealing structure is engaged with the hook stop portion of the connector to prevent the connector from being pulled out from the lock portion fitting hole. 3. The lock part according to claim 2, wherein the lock part has a pair of guard plates which are formed integrally with the sealing member and are arranged close to and parallel to both sides of the locking arm. Connector sealing structure.