JPH10112344A - Connector, its manufacture, and terminal fitting - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make coating thickness uniform without strictly controlling the coating condition of a sealant in a connector formed by insert-molding a terminal fitting on which a sealant is coated in a synthetic resin connector housing. SOLUTION: A coating region of a sealant 30 in a terminal fitting 20 is formed such that a pair of folding back part 22 formed along the both side edges are folded back inward so that their tip edges 22A are butted each other. In the butted part of the tip edges 22A, the outer surfaces of the folding back parts 22 are continued almost flush. In the folded back part of the folding back parts 22, the outer surface is formed in a smooth are shape. A cross section shape having actually no corner part is obtained, and the coating thickness of a sealant 30 is made almost uniform.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a connector formed by insert molding, a method of manufacturing the connector, and a terminal fitting.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A connector used in a place where airtightness is required, such as a fuel tank of an automobile, is formed by insert molding in a form in which a metal terminal fitting is embedded in a connector housing made of synthetic resin. Things used. However, some resin materials do not have a good affinity for metal materials.When insert molding is performed using such a resin material, a sealant made of, for example, urethane adhesive or the like is previously applied to the surface of the terminal fitting. It has been practiced to apply the sealant and improve the affinity between the resin and the metal by using the sealant to secure airtightness between the two.

[0003]

The conventional terminal fitting has a rectangular cross section because it is formed by punching a metal plate. A sealing agent is applied to the surface of such a rectangular cross section member. In the case of applying, as shown in FIG.
There is a possibility that the corner portion 2B becomes thinner than the flat portion 2A. Therefore, it was necessary to strictly control the conditions such as the viscosity and application amount of the sealant 1.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and when coating a sealant on a terminal fitting in an insert-molded connector, the coating film thickness can be made uniform without strict control of the application conditions. The purpose is to be able to.

[0005]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a device comprising: a terminal fitting having a surface coated with a sealing agent; and a terminal fitting which is partially embedded in a synthetic resin connector housing. It is characterized in that the cross section of the application region of the sealant in the terminal fitting has a shape having substantially no corner.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of manufacturing a connector which is insert-molded in a form in which a terminal fitting having a surface coated with a sealant is partially embedded in a synthetic resin connector housing. The present invention is characterized in that a cross section of the application region of the sealant in the terminal fitting has a shape having substantially no corner. The invention according to claim 3 is the terminal fitting in a connector formed by insert molding in a form in which a terminal fitting having a surface coated with a sealing agent is partially embedded in a synthetic resin connector housing, wherein the sealing agent is provided. Is characterized in that the cross section of the application region is substantially free from corners.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the third aspect of the present invention, the application region of the sealant is formed by bending both side edges of the terminal fitting inward so as to abut the ends thereof. It has a characteristic where it is.

[0008]

According to the first to third aspects of the present invention, since there is substantially no corner in the cross section of the region where the sealant is applied to the terminal fitting, the application condition is strictly controlled. If not, the sealant is applied to a substantially uniform thickness over the entire surface of the terminal fitting.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the outer surface of the terminal fitting has a smooth arc shape at the bent side edges, and the tip of the folded side edges abuts each other at the bent end. Are close to each other so that both outer surfaces are substantially continuous with each other. Thereby, a cross-sectional shape having substantially no corner is obtained.

[0010]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

<First Embodiment> Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The connector of the present embodiment is insert-molded such that the terminal fitting 20 having a predetermined area of the surface coated with the sealant 30 penetrates the connector housing 10. The connector housing 10 is made of a synthetic resin material, and has a hood portion 11 at both ends to which a mating connector (not shown) can be fitted. A terminal fitting 20 is inserted into the connector housing 10 so as to penetrate therethrough.
Tabs 21 at both ends of the terminal fitting 20 protrude inside.

The terminal fitting 20 is made of a conductive metal material, and is formed into an elongated plate shape as a whole by bending a material (not shown) punched into a predetermined shape by pressing. A sealing agent 30 is applied to a central portion in the length direction of the terminal fitting 20.
The application region A of the sealant 30 extends over the insert region B of the terminal fitting 20 embedded in the connector housing 10 except for both ends. Sealant 30
The connector housing 1 made of synthetic resin is interposed between the terminal fitting 20 and the connector housing 10.
0 to improve the affinity between the metal terminal fitting 20 and
Thus, the gap between the connector housing 10 and the terminal fitting 20 is waterproofed.

In a region C of the application region A of the sealant 30 excluding both end portions, a pair of folded portions 22 projecting outward along both side edges of the terminal fitting 20 at the stage of pressing. (A side edge portion of the terminal fitting which is a component of the present invention) is formed. The outer end edge 22A of each folded portion 22 is substantially square at right angles by punching. The pair of folded portions 22 are bent so that the folded portions 22 are folded inward and the end surfaces of the folded portions 22 abut against each other.

In the portion where the two folded portions 22 of the terminal fitting 20 abut, the tip edges 22A come close to each other, and the outer surfaces of the two folded portions 22 constitute a single flat surface. Although there is a gap between the tip edges 22A,
Since this gap is very small, when the sealant 30 is applied to the outer surfaces of the two folded portions 22, the sealant 30 does not enter the gap between the two folded portions 22. Therefore, the outer surface of the abutting portion of the two folded portions 22 can be regarded as one continuous flat surface having substantially no steps or corners when viewed as the application surface of the sealant 30. Also,
At the bent portion of the folded portion 22, as shown in an enlarged view in FIG. 6, an arc is drawn such that the outer surface of the folded portion 22 smoothly continues to the lower surface of the terminal fitting 20. That is, in the area C where the folded portion 22 is provided in the application area A of the sealing agent 30 (hereinafter referred to as a folded area), the cross section of the terminal fitting 20 is substantially long without any corners. It has a circular shape.

Further, since the application area A is provided not only to cover the folded area C but also over a wide range extending to both sides thereof, the sealant 30 is provided not only on the outer peripheral surface of the folded section 22 but also It is also applied to both end faces 22B in the length direction. Therefore, on this end face 22B, the terminal fitting 20 on the end face 22B of the folded part 22 and the folded part 2
2 and the gap between the leading edges 22A of the folded portions 22 are closed by the sealant 30.

Next, the manufacturing process of the connector of the present embodiment will be described. First, the sealant 30 is applied to the terminal fitting 20 before the insert. Examples of the application means include a method of dropping a solution from a nozzle (not shown) and a method of spraying the solution into fine particles. The application amount of the sealant 30 is uniform over the entire application area A. Since there are substantially no steps or corners at the abutting portions of the leading edges 22A of the two folded portions 22, as shown in FIG. 6, the sealant 30 is flat along the outer surfaces of the two folded portions 22 and has a coating thickness. Form a substantially uniform seal layer. This seal layer closes the gap between the butted end faces of both folded portions 22. In addition, even in a region extending from the lower surface of FIG. 6 of the terminal fitting 20 to the outer surface of the folded portion 22, the surface is smoothly continuous without any corners or steps. Form a uniform sealing layer. Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the sealant 30 is applied not only to the outer surface of the folded portion 22 but also to both end surfaces 22B in the longitudinal direction thereof.
And the gap between the overlapping portion of the folded portion 22 and the folded portion 2
Thus, the gap between the second end edges 22A is closed. After the sealing agent 30 is applied to the terminal fitting 20 in this manner,
It waits for the sealant 30 to cure after a predetermined time has elapsed at a predetermined temperature. When the sealant 30 is cured, the terminal fitting 20 is fixed in a mold (not shown), and a synthetic resin is injected into the mold. After a predetermined time has passed and the synthetic resin has cured, the mold is opened and the molded product (connector) is taken out. As described above, the manufacture of the connector of the present embodiment is completed.

In the manufactured connector of the present embodiment, the affinity between the connector housing 10 and the terminal fitting 20 is improved in the area A where the sealant 30 is applied, and the connection between the connector housing 10 and the terminal fitting 20 is improved. Between them, leakage of liquid or gas in the penetrating direction is reliably prevented. That is, even if a gap is formed between the connector housing 10 and the terminal fitting 20 on the rear end surface of the hood portion 11 and water or the like enters the inside of the connector housing 10 from the gap, the seal is formed at the end of the application area A. Agent 30
As a result, the gap between the connector housing 10 and the terminal fitting 20 is completely filled, so that further intrusion of water or the like into the inside is restricted. Further, in the folded area C within the application area A, any one of the outer surface of the terminal fitting 20, the outer surface of the folded part of the folded part 22, the outer surface of the folded part 22, and the butted part of the leading edges 22A of the two folded parts 22 is used. The cross section has substantially no corners or steps. Therefore, even if the application conditions are not strictly controlled, the sealing agent 3
The film thickness of the sealant 3 does not become partially thinner.
0 is applied to a uniform thickness over the entire circumference. Therefore, the affinity between the connector housing 10 and the terminal fitting 20 is high over the entire circumference of the terminal fitting 20, and there is no gap between the two. Therefore, even if the coating film at the corner of the terminal fitting 20 becomes thinner in the area of the application area A except for the folded area C, even if water or the like invades from the thinner area, the penetration in the folded area C is reliable. Is blocked. Further, a gap between the terminal fitting 20 and the folded portion and a gap between the folded portions 22 on the end face 22B of the folded portion 22 are closed by the sealant 30. Therefore, even if water or the like that has entered from the outside reaches the end face 22B of the folded portion 22, it does not enter the gap. Thus, the affinity between the connector housing 10 and the terminal fitting 20 is improved, and a high sealing function between the two is exhibited.

As described above, in this embodiment, since the cross section of the folded area C of the application area A of the sealant 30 in the terminal fitting 20 has substantially no corner or step, the application conditions Is not strictly controlled, a seal layer having a substantially uniform thickness can be formed over the entire outer peripheral surface of the folded region C of the terminal fitting 20. In addition, since the boundary between the folded area C and the area outside the folded area C is stepped by the end face 22B of the folded part 22, the end face 22B is caught on the connector housing 10 in the length direction of the terminal fitting 20. I have. Therefore, even if a strong longitudinal impact is applied to the terminal fitting 20, the terminal fitting 20 is displaced with respect to the connector housing 10, and the sealing agent 30 is peeled or broken by the displacement. Is reliably prevented.

Further, an insert region B of the terminal fitting 20 with respect to the connector housing 10 extends over a range further outside the application region A of the sealant 30, and in a range outside the application region A, the terminal fitting 20 and the terminal fitting 20 are connected to each other. The connector housing 10 is in direct contact. Therefore, even when the sealant 30 has elasticity and the coating thickness is large, the movement of the terminal fitting 20 in the lateral direction (the direction intersecting the length direction) with respect to the connector housing 10 is reliably restricted. You.

In the above embodiment, the angular side edges of the terminal fittings 20 in the region outside the turn-back region C in the application region A are formed in an arc shape, and the coating thickness of the sealant 30 in that portion is thin. It is desirable not to be. Thereby, it is possible to reliably prevent water and the like from the outside from reaching the turning area C. Also, at the end of the turn area C, the outer surface of the turn part 22 and the end face 2
It is desirable to form an arcuate edge portion continuous with 2B in an arc shape so that the coating thickness of the sealant 30 at that portion is not reduced. This makes it possible to reliably prevent water or the like from entering the gap between the two folded portions 22 when the water or the like reaches the folded region C from the outside.

Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the present embodiment, a part of the terminal fitting is configured differently from the first embodiment. Other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment, and thus the same configurations are denoted by the same reference numerals and description of the configurations will be omitted. The terminal fitting 40 of the second embodiment has a pair of folded portions 22 in the application area A of the sealant 30 as in the first embodiment, and the tabs 41 at both ends are formed on both sides similarly to the folded portion 22. It is formed by folding a pair of folded portions 42 provided along the edge and abutting their tips. This tab 41
Of these, the region at the distal end projects into the hood 11 of the connector housing 10, while the base end of the tab 41 is inserted into the connector housing 10. The operation and effect of the second embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment, and thus description thereof will be omitted.

<Other Embodiments> The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above with reference to the drawings. For example, the following embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention. In addition, various changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. (1) In the above-described embodiment, as a means for making the cross section of the terminal fitting a cross section having substantially no corner, a bending process is performed so that the folded portions provided along both side edges of the terminal fitting are bent and abutted. Although the configuration is adopted, according to the present invention, it is also possible to use a deformed member or a bar having a circular cross section which is manufactured to have a cross-sectional shape having substantially no corners from the beginning without bending.

(2) According to the present invention, the cross-sectional shape of the terminal fitting where the sealant is applied is substantially free from corners.
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and may be, for example, a relatively simple shape such as a perfect circle or an ellipse, or a complex shape having cornerless irregularities. As a method of forming these cross-sectional shapes, there are a method of bending a plate material as in the above embodiment, and a deformed material or a circular shape that has been manufactured to a cross-sectional shape substantially without corners from the beginning without bending. Any method using a bar having a cross section may be used.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a connector according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the connector according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a horizontal sectional view of the connector according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a terminal fitting of the connector according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a state where a sealant is applied to the terminal fitting of the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a state where a sealant is applied to the terminal fitting of the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view of a connector according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a terminal fitting of the connector according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a sealant is applied to a terminal fitting in a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 A: coating area 10: connector housing 20: terminal fitting 22: folded part (side edge of terminal fitting) 30: sealant 40: terminal fitting

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A terminal fitting having a surface coated with a sealant and insert-molded in a form in which the terminal fitting is partially embedded in a synthetic resin connector housing. A connector having a cross section having substantially no corner. 2. A method for producing a connector which is insert-molded in a form in which a terminal fitting having a surface coated with a sealing agent is partially embedded in a connector housing made of synthetic resin, wherein the seal in the terminal fitting is provided. A method of manufacturing a connector, characterized in that a cross section of a region to which the agent is applied has a shape having substantially no corner. 3. The terminal fitting in a connector formed by insert molding a terminal fitting having a surface coated with a sealant partially embedded in a synthetic resin connector housing, wherein the sealant is applied. A terminal fitting, characterized in that the cross section of the region has substantially no corner. 4. The sealing agent application region is formed by bending both side edges of the terminal fitting inward and bending the terminal fittings so that their tips abut each other. Terminal fittings.