JPH1167350A - Connector - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To allow connector housings to be fitted with each other without using bolt, while contriving waterproofing. SOLUTION: A cam follower 15 is formed at a connector housing 10 on a standby side. A connector housing 20 on a waterproof side is provided with a lever 30 which moves forwards or backwards, while a cam 32 is fitted into a grommet 22. When the lever 30 is moved while the cam 32 and the cam follower 15 are engaged with each other inside the grommet 22, both the connector housings 10, 20 are fitted with each other. The peripheral edge of a mounting hole H is protected from water by a seal 22A of the grommet 22. Since a tightly fitting portion 34 of the lever 30 is fitted into an fitting hole 29, water will not infiltrate through the fitting hole 29. Namely, fitting can be achieved without fastening bolts, while contriving waterproofing.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a connector mounted on a panel.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A connector mounted on a door panel of an automobile has the following configuration. A standby connector housing is attached to the mounting hole of the panel, and a nut is fixed to the standby connector housing. A grommet capable of sealing the opening edge of the mounting hole is attached to the waterproof side connector housing fitted to the standby side connector housing, and when the two connector housings are fitted together, the mounting hole becomes waterproof with the grommet. Become.

[0003] Bolts are used as means for fitting the two connectors together. That is, a nut is inserted into the standby-side connector housing, and a bolt that supports the grommet in a watertight state is supported in the waterproof-side connector housing. The two connector housings can be reliably brought into the proper fitting state against the resistance, particularly the large fitting resistance in the case of multi-pole.

[0004] The bolt is formed with a small-diameter easily breakable portion which breaks when the tightening torque exceeds an appropriate value. When an excessive tightening torque is applied, the easily breakable portion breaks. Thus, excessive stress is prevented from being generated in the connector housing.

[0005]

As described above, in a connector fitted with a bolt having an easily breakable portion as described above, the easily breakable portion breaks despite the bolt tightening torque being within an appropriate range. There was a possibility that it would be. As a countermeasure, it is conceivable to use a lever instead of a bolt, but it is not possible to achieve waterproofing only by applying a normal lever structure, and there is a risk that water will pass through the mounting hole and be flooded. The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to fit connector housings together without using bolts while achieving waterproofness.

[0006]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a standby connector housing to be mounted in a mounting hole of a panel and a grommet capable of sealing an opening edge of the mounting hole are mounted on an outer surface. A connector adapted to be fitted with a waterproof connector housing, wherein the grommet is formed with a fitting hole, and the waterproof connector housing is provided with an operation portion disposed outside the grommet and the fitting hole. A lever having a cam portion which penetrates the connector housing so as to be watertight is provided so as to be movable in a direction intersecting with the fitting direction of the connector housings. A cam follower portion is provided, and the two connector housings are moved by moving the lever in a state where the cam portion and the cam follower portion are engaged. Managing has been configured to be fitting and removing.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the fitting hole and the cam portion are in a loosely fitted state when the lever is between the fitting start position and the fitting completion position. And the lever is fitted in a watertight state only when the lever is at the fitting completed position. The invention according to claim 3 is a male connector housing mounted in a state where the hood portion is made to correspond to the mounting hole of the panel, and an annular outside for sealing between an outer periphery of the hood portion and an opening edge of the mounting hole. A seal member, a female connector housing fitted inside the hood portion, an annular inner seal member for sealing between an outer periphery of the female connector housing and an inner periphery of the hood portion, A cam follower formed in a region between the outer seal member and the inner seal member, and a lever rotatably supported by the female connector housing and capable of engaging with the cam follower. The two connector housings are fitted by rotating the lever in a state of being engaged with the cam follower portion.

[0008]

Actions and effects of the present invention

<Invention of claim 1> When the lever is moved by holding the operating portion, the two connector housings are fitted and disengaged by the engagement between the cam portion and the cam follower portion. Further, since the gap between the fitting hole of the grommet and the cam portion is made watertight, there is no danger of flooding from the fitting hole. As described above, since both connector housings are fitted by operating the lever, no bolt is required. <Invention of Claim 2> In the state where the lever is between the fitting start position and the position just before the fitting is completed, that is, in most of the fitting stroke, the fitting hole and the cam portion are in the loose fitting state, Since frictional resistance does not occur between the hole and the cam portion, the operability of the lever is excellent.

<Invention of Claim 3> Water in the path passing between the mounting hole and the outer periphery of the hood is prevented by the outer seal member and passes between the inner periphery of the hood and the outer periphery of the female connector housing. Inundation is prevented by the inner sealing member. Further, since the rotation operation of the lever is performed in a region between the outer seal member and the inner seal member, the waterproof function of both seal members is not hindered. As described above, since both connector housings are fitted by operating the lever, no bolt is required.

[0010]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Embodiment 1 Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. The connector according to the present embodiment includes a standby-side connector housing 10 that can be fitted with each other.
And a waterproof connector housing 20. The standby-side connector housing 10 accommodates a plurality of male terminal fittings (not shown) in a housing body 11 and projects tabs (not shown) of the male terminal fittings into a hood portion 12 that is opened upward. A mounting flange 13 is formed on the outer periphery of the hood 12. The standby-side connector housing 10 has the front end (upper end) of the hood portion 12 approximately tightly fitted into the mounting hole H of the panel P from below, and the mounting flange 13 is in contact with the opening edge of the mounting hole H. It is fixed to the panel P in advance by locking means (not shown).

In the mounted state, the hood 12 is open along the opening edge of the mounting hole H. This hood part 1
2, the housing body 21 of the waterproof connector housing 20 is temporarily held at a temporary fitting position (see FIG. 4) by a not-shown locking means. It is adapted to be fitted at a fitting position (see FIG. 5). Support portions 14 projecting upward are formed at the center positions of both edges of the hood portion 12, and each of the support portions 14 has a pin-shaped cam follower portion 15 projecting inward.

The waterproof connector housing 20 has a housing main body 21 in which a female terminal fitting (not shown) is accommodated, and a rubber grommet in the form of a box with an open bottom surface attached to cover the upper and outer peripheral surfaces of the housing main body 21. 22
And a resin-made grommet cover 23 formed in a box-like shape having an open lower surface and covered with the grommet 22. On both side surfaces of the housing body 21, a pair of upper and lower rib-shaped guide rails 24, 25 in a direction orthogonal to the fitting direction of the connector housings 10, 20 are formed. A cam portion 32 of the lever 30 described later is guided by the guide rails 24 and 25. In addition, a relief portion 26 for avoiding interference with the cam follower portion 15 is formed at a longitudinal center position of the lower guide rail 25. Although not shown in the drawing, a cylindrical wire lead-out portion is formed on the upper surface of the grommet 22, and extends through the grommet cover 23 to the outside. A seal portion 22A extending outward is formed on the lower edge of the grommet 22 over the entire circumference. The lower edge of the grommet cover 23 is in contact with the upper surface of the seal portion 22A.

A pair of left and right window holes 27 are formed at one end of the grommet cover 23, and a pair of left and right seal cylinders 28 are formed at one end of the grommet 22 so as to slightly protrude. Each seal tube 2
8 is fitted in the window hole 27. The hollow of the seal tube portion 28 is a fitting hole 29 having a substantially rectangular cross section with four corners formed in an arc shape, and a lip portion (shown in FIG. 3) 2
9A are formed. The fitting holes 29 are arranged so as to correspond to the guide rails 24 and 25.

The waterproof connector housing 20 includes:
A lever 30 for fitting and disengaging the connector housings 10, 20 is provided. The lever 30 includes a plate-shaped operation portion 31 and a pair of elongated cam portions 32 extending from the operation portion 31. Each of the cam portions 32 has a cam groove 33 formed therein. Cam groove 33
Extends obliquely upward from the distal end side of the cam portion 32 toward the proximal end side, and the end portion on the distal end side is opened as an inlet 33 </ b> A at the lower end edge of the cam portion 32.

Most of the region of the cam portion 32 where the cam groove 33 is formed has a cross section slightly smaller than the fitting hole 29, but the base end of the cam portion 32 (the operating portion). A close fitting portion 34 having a cross-sectional shape slightly larger than the fitting hole 29 is formed at the end on the 31 side). next,
The operation of the present embodiment will be described. When the two connector housings 10 and 20 are fitted, first, the standby connector housing 10 is attached to the attachment hole H of the panel P. Next, both cam portions 32 of the lever 30 are inserted into the fitting holes 29 and fitted to the guide rails 24 and 25. Then
The lever 30 is temporarily held in a temporary locking position (see FIG. 4) by a temporary locking means (not shown), and the introduction port 33 of the cam groove 33 is provided.
A is arranged so as to be able to correspond to the cam follower portion 15. In this state, the operation unit 31 remains protruding outside the grommet 22, so that the operation of the operation unit 31 is possible.

The waterproof connector housing 20 is dropped into the hood portion 12 and is temporarily held at a temporary fitting position.
At this time, the support part 14 of the hood part 12 is connected to the housing body 21 of the waterproof connector housing 20 and the grommet 22
At the same time, the cam follower portion 15 passes through the relief portion 26 and is located in the inlet 33A of the cam groove 33 (see FIG. 4). In this state, when the lever 30 is pushed in, the waterproof-side connector housing 20 is gradually pulled into the standby-side connector housing 10 due to the engagement between the cam groove 33 and the cam follower portion 15, and the cam follower portion 15 is inserted into the cam groove 33. Upon reaching the end, the connector housings 10, 20 are in a properly fitted state. In the properly fitted state, the movement of the lever 30 is restricted by the final locking means (not shown), and thus the two connector housings 10, 2
0 is locked in the fitted state.

When the lever 30 is pushed, the cam 32 is inserted into the fitting hole 29.
2 is smaller than the fitting hole 29 and the cam portion 32
Is held in a fixed posture by the guide rails 24 and 25, the fitting hole 29 and the cam portion 32 are kept in a non-contact state. Therefore, no frictional resistance or snagging occurs between the cam portion 32 and the fitting hole 29. Immediately before the two connector housings 10 and 20 reach proper fitting, the tight fitting portion 34 is tightly fitted into the fitting hole 29, and the lip portion 29A is elastically bent. Adhere to the outer circumference. Thereafter, the fitting hole 29 is in a waterproof state until the fitting is completed.

When the two connector housings 10 and 20 are to be detached, the lock is released and the lever 30 is pulled out from the grommet 22. Then, the engagement of the cam portion 32 and the cam groove 33 causes the waterproof-side connector housing 20 to move upward and to be detached from the standby-side connector housing 10. As described above, in the present embodiment, the cam follower portion 1 provided on the standby-side connector housing 10 is used as a means for fitting the two connector housings 10 and 20 together.
5 and a lever 3 provided on the waterproof connector housing 20.
Since the cam is exerted by engaging with 0, no bolt is required. Regarding the waterproofing in the mounting hole H, the sealing portion 22A of the grommet 22 of the waterproof side connector housing 20 with respect to the opening edge of the mounting hole H
Are adhered to each other, so that even if water adheres to the upper surface of the panel P, the water does not pass below the panel P through the mounting holes H. In the fitting hole 29, when the two connector housings 10 and 20 are fitted, a watertight state is ensured by fitting the fitting hole 29 and the tight fitting portion 34 of the cam portion 32. Water does not enter the grommet 22 through the through hole 29. That is, the upper and lower surfaces of the panel P are reliably waterproofed.

Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The connector according to the second embodiment includes a male connector housing 40 and a female connector housing 50 that can be fitted together. The male connector housing 40 accommodates a plurality of male terminal fittings (not shown) in a housing main body 41 and has tabs (not shown) of the male terminal fittings protruding into the hood portion 42. A mounting flange 43 is formed on the outer periphery of 42. Mounting flange 4
A seal groove 44 is formed over the entire circumference of the upper surface of 3, and an outer seal member 45 in the form of a link made of rubber is mounted therein. In the male connector housing 40, the front end (upper end) of the hood portion 42 is fitted into the mounting hole H of the panel P almost tightly from below, and the outer seal member 45 is brought into close contact with the lower surface of the opening edge of the mounting hole H in a watertight manner. In this state, it is fixed to the panel P in advance by locking means (not shown). A pair of pin-shaped cam followers 46 are formed on both left and right outer surfaces of the hood 42. In addition, a relief portion E is formed in the mounting hole H to allow the cam follower portion 46 to penetrate from below. The outer seal member 45
Are disposed outside the relief portion E.

In the mounted state, the hood portion 42 opens largely upward along the opening edge of the mounting hole H.
The female connector housing 50 is temporarily held in the hood portion 42 at a temporary fitting position (see the drawing) by locking means (not shown), and is properly fitted by operating a lever 60 described later. It is adapted to be fitted at a position (see the figure). Female connector housing 50
Has a housing main body 51 in which a female terminal fitting (not shown) is accommodated, and a skirt portion 52 surrounding the lower portion of the housing main body 51 over the entire circumference. Inside the skirt portion 52, a ring-shaped inner seal member 53 is attached to the outer periphery of the housing body 51. The inner seal member 53 is elastically pressed between the outer periphery of the housing body 51 and the inner periphery of the hood portion 42 when the connector housings 40 and 50 are fitted. The cam follower portion 46 is disposed in a region between the inner seal member 53 and the outer seal member 45.

A cavity 54 for accommodating the female terminal fitting is opened on the upper surface of the housing body 51. The opening of the cavity 54 is provided with a rubber plug (not shown) mounted on each female terminal fitting. ) Is waterproof.
The skirt portion 52 has an escape groove 55 opening at the lower edge thereof.
The cam follower portion 46 is fitted into the escape groove 55. A support shaft 56 is formed on the outer surface of the skirt portion 52.
, A lever 60 is rotatably mounted. The lever 60 has a pair of arm portions 62 projecting from both ends of an operation portion 61, and a bearing hole 63 of the arm portion 62 is fitted to the support shaft 56. Further, a cam groove 64 is formed in the arm portion 62, and the cam follower portion 46 is engaged with the cam groove 64.

Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described. When the two connector housings 40 and 50 are fitted, first, the male connector housing 40 is mounted in the mounting hole H of the panel P. Next, the female connector housing 50 is dropped into the hood portion 42 of the male connector housing 40 while the lever 60 is temporarily held at a predetermined fitting start position (see FIG. 8), and temporarily held at the temporary fitting position. I do.
At this time, the cam follower portion 46 is fitted to the starting end of the cam groove 64 while being fitted to the escape groove 55. Further, the inner seal member 53 is fitted to the inner periphery of the hood portion 42 in a watertight state. When the lever 60 is rotated in this state, the female connector housing 50 is pulled into the hood portion 42 by the engagement between the cam follower portion 46 and the cam groove 64, and the lever 6
When 0 reaches the mating completion position, both connector housings 4
0, 50 reaches the normal fitting state (see FIG. 9).

As described above, in the present embodiment, the cam follower portion 46 provided on the male connector housing 40 and the lever 60 provided on the female connector housing 50 are used as means for fitting the two connector housings 40 and 50 together. The cam groove 64 is engaged with the cam groove 64 so as to exert a cam action, so that a bolt is not required. Regarding the waterproofness in the mounting hole H, the outer sealing member 45 of the male connector housing 40 is positioned with respect to the opening edge of the mounting hole H.
Are tightly sealed, so that even if water adheres to the upper surface of the panel P, the water does not penetrate below the panel P through the mounting holes H. As for the waterproofness between the male connector housing 40 and the female connector housing 50, since the space between the housing body 51 and the hood portion 42 is sealed by the inner seal member 53, the hood portion 42 and the female connector housing 50 are sealed. Water does not enter the female connector housing 50 from the gap in the housing 50. Furthermore, the housing body 5 of the female connector housing 50
Water infiltration into the inside of the upper surface of 1 is also prevented by the rubber stopper. That is, both connector housings 40 and 50 can be fitted without using bolts while ensuring waterproofness.

<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 first embodiment, the case where the cam portion is groove-shaped has been described. However, according to the invention according to claim 1, the cam portion may be a ridge. (2) In the first embodiment, the case where the waterproof connector housing is the female connector housing and the standby connector housing is the male connector housing has been described, but the invention of claim 1 is contrary to this. The present invention is also applicable to a case where the waterproof connector housing is a male connector housing and the standby connector housing is a female connector housing.

(3) In the first embodiment, the fitting hole and the cam portion are fitted in a watertight state only when the lever is at the fitting completed position. The watertight state may be always maintained over the entire region of the lever fitting stroke.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a lever, a grommet cover, and a grommet according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a separated state of a waterproof connector housing and a standby connector housing according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a horizontal sectional view showing a state where both connector housings are fitted in the first embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a state in which both connector housings are being fitted in the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a state in which both connector housings are fitted in the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a panel and a male connector housing according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a separated state of a female connector housing and a male connector housing attached to a panel in the second embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view showing a state where both connector housings are separated in the second embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view showing a state in which both connector housings are fitted in the second embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 P ... Panel H ... Mounting hole 10 ... Standing side connector housing 15 ... Cam follower section 20 ... Waterproof side connector housing 22 ... Grommet 29 ... Fit through hole 30 ... Lever 31 ... Operation part 32 ... Cam part 34 ... Close fitting part 40 ... Male connector housing 42 ... Hood part 45 ... Outer seal member 46 ... Cam follower part 50 ... Female connector housing 53 ... Inner seal member 60 ... Lever

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Makoto Fukamachi 1-14 Nishisuehirocho, Yokkaichi-shi, Mie Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.

Claims (3)

[Claims] A mating connector housing fitted to a mounting hole of a panel and a waterproof connector housing having a grommet capable of sealing an opening edge of the mounting hole attached to an outer surface thereof. A lever having a fitting portion formed in the grommet, and an operating portion disposed outside the grommet and a cam portion penetrating the fitting hole in a watertight manner. Is provided so as to be movable in a direction intersecting with the fitting direction of the two connector housings, and the standby connector housing is provided with a cam follower portion that engages with the cam portion in the grommet; A configuration in which the two connector housings are fitted / removed by moving the lever with the cam follower and the cam follower engaged. Connector, characterized in that the. 2. The fitting hole and the cam portion are in a loosely fitted state when the lever is between a fitting start position and a fitting completion short position, and the lever is at a fitting completed position. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the connector is configured to be fitted in a watertight state only when the connector is in a watertight state. 3. A male connector housing which is mounted with a hood corresponding to a mounting hole of a panel, and an annular outer seal member for sealing between an outer periphery of the hood and an opening edge of the mounting hole. A female connector housing fitted inside the hood portion; an annular inner seal member for sealing between an outer periphery of the female connector housing and an inner periphery of the hood portion; A cam follower portion formed in a region between an outer seal member and the inner seal member; and a lever rotatably supported by the female connector housing and capable of engaging with the cam follower portion. Wherein the two connector housings are fitted by rotating the lever in a state of being engaged with the cam follower portion. Connector.