JPH09293555A - Connector structure equipped with waterproof grommet - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a function suitable for high contact density. SOLUTION: A tubular band member 7, interposed between the outer peripheral surfaces of fgrommets 5 and the rear portion of an end bell 4, is provided so that cables 11 can be pushed to be sealed, by plural ribs 5b formed plural cables 11 on the insertion holes 5a wherein the grommets 5, one set of two, are matched on an abutting surface with each other, and the cables 11 are inserted one to one into the cable insertion holes 5a of the grommets 5 to be mounted on the grommet 5, a tubular sleeve 10, engaged with a ground nut 6 and also abutting on the rear of the band member 7, so as to advance the band member 7 to a connector 1 side by the rotation of the ground nut 6 are provided.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a connector structure provided with a waterproof grommet used as an electrical connecting part of a vehicle or the like, and in particular, a cable sealing grommet (hereinafter referred to as a grommet) made of synthetic rubber at a connecting portion. Belongs to the connector structure that is equipped with a waterproof grommet that seals the connection point with the cable.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, environment-resistant connectors that have been used under severe external conditions requiring vibration resistance, dust resistance, moisture resistance, airtightness, etc., use a synthetic rubber grommet for the connection part,
The connection with the cable is sealed.

As shown in FIGS. 8 to 10, the waterproof structure using grommets has a connector 51 and a connector 5
1, a cylindrical barrel 52 attached to the outer peripheral surface of the barrel 1 and made of a metal material, a cylindrical coupling nut 53 rotatably attached to the outer periphery of the barrel 52, and the rear of the coupling nut 53. The cylindrical end bell 54 is screwed to the outer peripheral end surface of the barrel 52, and a rubber grommet 55 is provided inside the end bell 54.

Further, a rotatable cylindrical gland nut 56 is screwed to the rear end of the end bell 54 and to the outer peripheral end of the end bell 54. Further, a cylindrical ferrule 57 is interposed between the rear portion of the end bell 54, which is the portion to which the ground nut 56 is screwed, and the outer peripheral surface of the grommet 55.

The grommet 55 has a plurality of cable insertion holes 55a which are parallel to each other. Cable insertion hole 55
A plurality of annularly projecting ribs 55b are formed on the inner wall of a, and the plurality of ribs 55b are arranged such that the respective ribs 55b of the adjacent cable insertion holes 55a are displaced from each other. The plurality of cables 60 inserted into the cable insertion holes 55a one-to-one and mounted on the grommets 55 are pushed and sealed by the ribs 55b.

The structure and operation of the grommet 55 are described in detail in the structure of the wire sealing grommet disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 2-17421 filed by the applicant.

On the other hand, the connector 51 has a cylindrical insulator 58 and a plurality of contact receiving holes 5 formed so as to penetrate the insulator 58 in the axial direction.
8a and a plurality of conductive contacts 59 housed in the contact housing holes 58a in a one-to-one correspondence.

As apparent from FIGS. 9 and 10, the connector 51 has 27 contact receiving holes 58a.
Individual contacts are provided in the contact receiving holes 58a.

The contacts 59 are socket contacts and are electrically and mechanically connected one-to-one to the electrically conductive mating contacts provided on the mating connector (not shown) fitted to the connector 51. Contact part 59a
And a connecting portion 59b for connecting the tip end portion of the cable 60, which is inserted through the cable insertion hole 55a of the grommet 55, inside the contact accommodating hole 58a.

A cable 60 and a grommet 55 in a connector structure having a conventional waterproof grommet will be described below.
The operation of waterproofing the gap between the and will be described.

The contact 59 and the cable 60 are positioned in a state of being harnessed in the contact receiving hole 58a and the cable insertion hole 55a shown in FIG. After that, when the ground nut 56 is rotated in a predetermined direction and tightened, the ferrule 57 is pushed forward by the pressing portion 56a formed at the rear end of the ground nut 56, that is, the connector 51 side to advance. At the same time, the grommet 55 is compressed in the axial direction by the rotation of the ground nut 56, so that the cable 60 is moved to the rib 55.
It is pressed against b and tightened to provide a waterproof seal.

Further, when the ferrule 57 is advanced by the rotation of the ground nut 56, it is located in front of the ferrule 57, that is, between the distal end surface on the connector 51 side and the annular projection 54a formed so as to project on the inner surface of the end bell 54. The intervening O-ring 60 is crushed and the end bell 54 is crushed.
The waterproof seal between the grommet 55 and the grommet 55 is maintained. By these operations, a waterproof seal is provided on the connection side of the contact 59 and the cable 60.

[0013]

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] Conventional grommet 55
6, the cable 6 inserted through the cable insertion hole 55a
The diameter dimension of 0 is, for example, 1.75 mm to 2.36 mm.
When it is attempted to achieve a high density with the mm, it is necessary to reduce the diameter dimension of the rib 55b in order to increase the sealing amount for sealing. However, if the diameter of the rib 55b is reduced, it becomes difficult for the cable 60 having the maximum cable diameter (2.36 mm) to pass through the rib 55b, which makes it difficult to enter the cable insertion hole 55a.
There is a problem of poor workability.

If the pitch is narrowed to increase the density, the wall thickness between the cable insertion holes 55a becomes thin. That is, when the cable 60 is bent at an angle of 90 degrees, the wall thickness portion becomes weak and a gap is formed between the cable 60, the grommet 55, and the rib 55b, which causes a problem of impairing waterproofness.

Further, when a material such as ethylene tetrafluoride (for example, Teflon) is used as the coating material for the cable 60, the grommet 55 is used because the coating material is hard.
There is a problem that the sealability cannot be increased because the rib 55b of 1 does not bite into the coating material.

Further, in the specification of the connector shape shown in FIG. 8, when the number of contacts 59 (the number of cores) is increased to increase the density of the contacts 59, the dimensional intervals between the contacts 59 are naturally narrow. (Narrow pitch interval), the contact 59 must be made smaller than before. And the cable insertion hole 5 of the grommet 55
The diameter of 5a must be smaller than that of the conventional one, and the cable must be thin.

However, since the grommet 55 is produced by a molding machine, when the diameter of the cable insertion hole 55a becomes smaller, a plurality of ribs 5 are formed on the inner surface of the cable insertion hole 55a.
It becomes difficult to form 5b. In other words, it is not possible to realize it because of the problem that it requires a plurality of ribs 55b, but the punching process by the punching of the molding machine becomes difficult.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a connector structure provided with a waterproof grommet capable of coping with high density of a plurality of contacts.

[0019]

According to the present invention, a connector, a cylindrical barrel attached to the outer peripheral surface of the connector, and a rear end of the connector are screwed to each other at an end surface portion of the outer peripheral surface of the barrel. A waterproof grommet including an end bell, a grommet provided inside the end bell, and a cylindrical ground nut rotatably screwed to the outer peripheral end of the rear end of the end bell. In the connector structure, two grommets and one set of the grommets are fitted to each other at abutting surfaces, and a plurality of cable insertion holes formed in parallel to each other of the chromets and portions of the abutting surfaces of the grommets are formed. A plurality of ribs projecting on the outer peripheral surface of the grommet, and an annular wall projecting on the inner wall of the cable insertion hole. The plurality of ribs are formed and arranged so that the ribs of the adjacent cable insertion holes are displaced from each other, and the ribs are inserted one-to-one into the cable insertion holes and mounted on the grommet. A plurality of cables have a tubular band member interposed between the outer peripheral surface of the grommet and a rear portion of the end bell so that the cables are pushed by the ribs to be sealed, and the band member is rotated by rotation of the ground nut. A waterproof grommet having a tubular sleeve that engages a pressing portion formed on the ground nut so as to advance the connector to the connector side and abuts on a rear portion of the band member. The resulting connector structure is obtained.

[0020]

1 to 3 show an embodiment of a connector structure having a waterproof grommet.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, a connector structure provided with a waterproof grommet includes a connector 1 and a cylindrical barrel 2 attached to an outer peripheral surface of the connector 1 and made of a metal material. And a cylindrical coupling nut 3 rotatably attached to the outer periphery of the barrel 2.
And an end bell 4 screwed to the outer peripheral end surface of the barrel 2 behind the coupling nut 3.
And a pair of rubber grommets 5 provided inside.

Further, a rotatable cylindrical gland nut 6 is screwed to the rear end of the end bell 4 and to the outer peripheral end of the end bell 4. A tubular band member 7 is interposed between the outer peripheral surface of the grommet 55 and the rear portion of the end bell 4. In addition, the band member 7
A sleeve 10, which is an annular plate member, is provided on the rear surface of the rear surface.

The grommet 5 has a plurality of cable insertion holes 5a which are parallel to each other. A plurality of ribs 5b projecting annularly are formed on the inner wall of the cable insertion hole 5a, and the plurality of ribs 5b are arranged such that the respective ribs 5b of the adjacent cable insertion holes 5a are displaced from each other. There is. The plurality of cables 11 inserted in the cable insertion holes 5a one-to-one and mounted on the grommet 5 are
The cable 11 is pushed and sealed by the rib 5b.

The structure and function of the grommet 5 are described in detail in the structure of the wire sealing grommet disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 17421/1990.

On the other hand, the connector 1 includes a cylindrical insulator 8 and a plurality of contact receiving holes 8a formed so as to penetrate the insulator 8 in the axial direction.
It has a plurality of conductive contacts 9 housed in one-to-one correspondence in each of the contact housing holes 8a.

As is clear from FIGS. 2 and 3, the connector 1 is provided with 44 contact receiving holes 8a, and one contact 9 is received in each of these contact receiving holes 8a. That is, this connector 1
Then, the connector structure has a narrow pitch and high density in which the number of cores of the contact 59 of the conventional connector 51 is further increased.

The contact 9 shown in FIG. 1 is a socket contact (may be a pin contact),
One-to-one electrical contact with a conductive mating contact provided on a mating connector (not shown) fitted to the connector 1.
It has a contact portion 9a that is mechanically connected, and a connection portion 9b that connects the tip end portion of the cable 11 that is inserted through the cable insertion hole 5a of the grommet 5 inside the contact accommodating hole 8a.

With reference to FIGS. 4 to 6 as well, a set of two grommets 5 will be described in detail below. Grommet 5
Have the same shape as each other, and the contact insertion holes 5a are adhered to each other at their abutting surfaces 5c so that their axial directions coincide with each other. The front end surface of one grommet 5 located on the connector 1 side is bonded to the rear end surface of the insulator 8. On the peripheral edge side of the abutting surface 5c of the grommet 5, a flange portion 5d of a ridge protruding in the outer peripheral direction is formed. The flange portion 5d serves to improve the mutual adhesive strength of the grommets 5. These flange portions 5d can also increase the adhesion area of the grommet 5.

Further, each of the grommets 5 is provided with at least one recess 5e and projection 5f on the butting surface 5c and on the collar 5d. The concave portions 5e and the convex portions 5f have a role of positioning when the grommets 5 are bonded to each other and a role of increasing the torsional strength of the grommets 5 which are rubber materials. The concave portion 5e and the convex portion 5f are
When the grommet 5 is tightened by the gland nut 6, a slight twist is generated, which also serves to prevent the abutting surface 5c, which is an adhesive surface, from peeling off.

The protrusion (height) of the rib 5b of the grommet 5 in this embodiment is 0.85 mm,
Moreover, when the harnessed contacts 9 are mounted, the ribs 5b are alternately arranged so as to be displaced in order to improve workability. As the rubber material of the grommet 5, NBR, CR, SIR hardness 40,
Materials with low hardness are desirable.

Further, the ribs 5b are positioned at equal intervals from the center where the band member 7 shown in FIG. 7 is tightened by the sleeve 10 and swells in the axial direction. The rubber band member 7 exhibits a sealing effect as the wall thickness increases. The band member 7 is preferably made of a material having a low hardness such as NBR, CR, SIR hardness of 50. It is desirable to apply a lubricating liquid such as grease oil to the surface of the band member 7 so that the grommet 5 or the sleeve 5 on the rear side can slip easily. On both ends of the outer periphery of the band member 7 in the axial direction, inclined surfaces 7a inclined in the axial direction are formed. One of the inclined surfaces 7a is in contact with an inclined surface 5g formed on the collar portion 5d of the rear side grommet 5. The other inclined surface 7b of the band member 7 is the inclined surface 10a of the sleeve 10.
Is in contact with

The sleeve 10 can be formed by pressing or cutting a metal plate material, or by molding with a resin material, and uses a material that is stronger than the band member 7 and does not easily deform. This sleeve 10 is a band member 7
Plays a role of advancing to the connector 1 side so as not to deform in the twisting direction. That is, the outer peripheral end piece of the sleeve 10 engages with the pressing portion 6a formed at the rear end portion of the ground nut 6, and serves to advance the band member 7 toward the connector 1 side.

The gland nut 6 is made of aluminum alloy,
It is desirable to be made of an alloy such as a zinc alloy, a copper alloy, and a stainless steel. It meshes with the end bell 4 at the screw coupling portion A, and the sleeve 10 is located on the connector 1 side by rotating the gland nut 6 in a predetermined direction. It is the one that advances in the direction. Further, the ground nut 6 is formed with a flat surface 6a cut into a flat shape so that the jig faces each other at two locations on the outer peripheral surface so that the jig can be rotated by a jig such as a spanner. If the ground nut 6 is a metal material, it is desirable to make the end bell 4 with the same material.

Next, the operation of the waterproof seal in the connector structure provided with the waterproof grommet will be described.

First, two harnessed cables 11 and two contacts 9 are inserted into the cable insertion holes 5a of one set of grommets 5, and then the contacts 9 are connected to the insulator 8 respectively.
It is accommodated and held in the contact accommodation hole 8a. After the holding of the contacts 9 is completed, the gland nut 6 is rotated a prescribed number of times to tighten the band member 7 to the connector 1 side. At this time, by tightening the ground nut 6, the sleeve 10 advances toward the connector 1 side and the band member 7 expands in the axial direction. When the band member 7 swells, the grommet 5 is compressed in the axial direction and a tightening force is applied, and a waterproof seal between the cable 11 and the rib 5b is made.

Further, as the sleeve 10 advances toward the connector 1, the sleeve 10 and the band member 7, the rear grommet 5 and the band member 7, the end bell 4 and the band member 7, Grommet 5 collar 5
A waterproof seal is provided between each of d and the band member 7. Further, as the sleeve 10 advances, the flange portion 5d of the grommet 5 is pushed and crushed by the band member 7, and the flange portion 5d of the front side grommet 5 is brought into contact with the protruding portion 4a of the end bell 4 and these The space is sealed.

By the operation and action as described above, the connection side is sealed and, for example, the cable 11 has an angle of 90 °.
Even if it is bent repeatedly, the structure will not impair the waterproof effect.
If there is a cable insertion hole 5a into which the cable 11 is not inserted, a waterproof seal is provided by using a plug such as a resin sealing plug as the cable insertion hole 5a.

On the other hand, as the connector 1, a conventionally known waterproof connector for fitting may be used.
The ring 13 may be interposed between the barrel 2 and the end bell 4 and sealed by a known sealing technique.

[0039]

As described in the above embodiments, according to the connector structure having the waterproof grommet of the present invention, the band member is moved forward by the gland nut and the grommet is compressed, whereby the cable and A seal with the grommet is possible.

Further, since the two grommets are used as one set, it is easy to pull out the molding die even when the contacts provided with a narrow pitch are adopted for the connector. It can be easily formed.

One set of two grommets has the same shape, and since the collar portion, the concave portion and the convex portion are formed on it, the positioning and the twisting when the grommets are butted can be reinforced.

Further, since the flange portion of the grommet can also seal between the end bell and the band member, the sealing effect is improved.

Further, even if the cable coating is made of a hard material, it can be applied.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view showing an embodiment of a connector structure provided with a waterproof grommet of the present invention and showing a state in which an upper half is cross-sectioned.

FIG. 2 is a left side view of the connector structure including the waterproof grommet shown in FIG. 1 as viewed from the left side.

FIG. 3 is a right side view of the connector structure including the waterproof grommet shown in FIG. 1 as viewed from the right side.

FIG. 4 is a side view showing one of the grommets of the connector structure provided with the waterproof grommet shown in FIG.

5 is a left side view of the grommet shown in FIG. 4 as viewed from the left side.

6 is a side view of the grommet shown in FIG. 5 as seen from the V direction.

7 is a side view showing the band member of the connector structure including the waterproof grommet shown in FIG. 1, with the upper half sectioned.

FIG. 8 is a side view showing a conventional connector structure provided with a waterproof grommet and showing a state in which an upper half is cross-sectioned.

9 is a left side view of the connector structure including the waterproof grommet shown in FIG. 8 as viewed from the left side.

FIG. 10 is a right side view of the connector structure including the waterproof grommet shown in FIG. 8 as viewed from the right side.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1,51 Connector 2,52 Barrel 3,53 Coupling nut 4,54 End bell 5,55 Grommet 5a, 55a Cable insertion hole 5b, 55b Rib 5c Butt face 5d Collar part 5e Recess 5f Convex part 6,56 Ground nut 7 Band Member 7a Band member inclined surface 8,58 Insulator 8a, 58a Contact receiving hole 9,59 Contact 10 Sleeve 11,60 Cable 57 Ferrule

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A connector, a cylindrical barrel attached to an outer peripheral surface of the connector, an end bell screwed at an end surface portion of an outer peripheral surface of the barrel on the rear side of the connector, and inside the end bell. In a connector structure including a waterproof grommet including a provided grommet and a cylindrical ground nut rotatably screwed to an outer peripheral end of a rear end of the end bell, the grommet includes two grommets. And a pair of the grommets are fitted to each other at the abutting surfaces, and a plurality of cable insertion holes formed in parallel to each other of the chromets and a portion of the abutting surfaces of the grommets are projected onto the outer peripheral surface of the grommet. And a plurality of ribs projecting annularly are formed on the inner wall of the cable insertion hole. A number of ribs are arranged such that the respective ribs of the adjacent cable insertion holes are displaced from each other, and a plurality of cables which are inserted one-to-one into the cable insertion holes to be mounted on the grommets are formed by the ribs. Has a tubular band member interposed between the outer peripheral surface of the grommet and the rear portion of the end bell so that the cable is pushed and sealed by the glander, and the band member is advanced toward the connector side by the rotation of the ground nut. A connector structure provided with a waterproof grommet, characterized in that it has a cylindrical sleeve that is engaged with a pressing portion formed on the ground nut so as to be in contact with a rear portion of the band member. 2. The connector structure provided with the waterproof grommet according to claim 1, wherein the pair of the two grommets have the same shape, and the waterproof grommet has the same shape. Connector structure. 3. The connector structure provided with the waterproof grommet according to claim 1, wherein a set of the two grommets is adhered to each other at the abutting surface. Connector structure with grommets. 4. A connector structure provided with a waterproof grommet according to claim 1, wherein at least one recessed portion and one protruding portion are formed in the flange portion, and the recessed portion and the protruding portion are formed. A connector structure having a waterproof grommet, wherein each of the grommets is combined with each other. 5. A connector structure having a waterproof grommet according to claim 1, wherein a lubricating liquid is applied to the surface of the band member. . 6. A connector structure comprising the waterproof grommet according to claim 1, wherein an inclined surface inclined in the axial direction is formed on both ends of the outer periphery of the band member in the axial direction, One of the inclined surfaces is in contact with an inclined surface formed on the flange portion of the grommet, and the other inclined surface of the band member is in contact with an inclined surface of the sleeve. Connector structure equipped with a characteristic waterproof grommet.