KR102353176B1 - A connector assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

The above description relates to the connector assembly. According to an embodiment, the connector assembly includes: a female connector including a female connector body, a female connector terminal provided on the female connector body, and an insertion cover extending from the female connector body and protecting the female connector terminal; a male connector engageable with the female connector; and a sealing member provided between the female connector and the male connector, wherein the male connector includes an outer cover surrounding the outside of the insertion cover and an inner disposed inside the insertion cover with the sealing member interposed therebetween. a first sub-connector including a cover and a cable guide having a cable insertion hole through which a cable having a male connector terminal is passed; and a second sub-connector inserted inside the inner cover and including a terminal insertion groove into which the male connector terminal is inserted.

Description

connector assembly

The description below relates to the connector assembly.

A connector is a kind of electrical component that selectively connects or blocks an electrical connection. For example, the connector can be used to connect a cable for a vehicle door. In general, a door of a vehicle includes driving means such as a power window device, a door lock device, and a side mirror adjusting device operated through a power source. In addition, each of the driving means is connected to the main controller of the vehicle body through a cable, so that the driving means can be driven by a driver's manipulation. The cable is drawn out from the side of the vehicle body and connected to the inside of the door. Typically, the vehicle body panel is provided with a cable connection connector that interconnects a cable drawn out from the vehicle body and a cable drawn out from each driving means inside the door.

On the other hand, the conventional connector is provided with a sealing member for waterproofing. Conventionally, a sealing member formed of an elastic material such as rubber is provided between the connectors, and as the connectors are coupled to each other, they are deformed and compressed therebetween to maintain waterproof and airtightness of the coupling portion of the connector. However, as a gap is formed between the sealing member and the inner surface of the connector, the conventional connector has a problem in that waterproofing efficiency is lowered.

An object of the embodiment is to provide a connector assembly having excellent waterproof performance.

According to an embodiment, the connector assembly includes: a female connector including a female connector body, a female connector terminal provided on the female connector body, and an insertion cover extending from the female connector body and protecting the female connector terminal; a male connector engageable with the female connector; and a sealing member provided between the female connector and the male connector, wherein the male connector includes an outer cover surrounding the outside of the insertion cover and an inner disposed inside the insertion cover with the sealing member interposed therebetween. a first sub-connector including a cover and a cable guide having a cable insertion hole through which a cable having a male connector terminal is passed; and a second sub-connector inserted inside the inner cover and including a terminal insertion groove into which the male connector terminal is inserted.

The second sub-connector may further include a sliding hole communicating with the terminal insertion groove, the connector assembly being movable along the sliding hole, and the male connector terminal inserting the terminal according to a position in the sliding hole It may further include a position assurance member capable of interfering with separation from the groove.

The position assurance member may include: a gripper that can be gripped by an operator; and an acting body inserted into the sliding hole to overlap the terminal insertion groove in a longitudinal direction of the terminal insertion groove.

The second sub connector may include a second sub connector body inserted into the inner cover; and a sealing separation preventing part extending outwardly from the second sub connector body and disposed in front of the inner cover to prevent the sealing member from being separated from the front of the inner cover.

The first sub-connector may further include an assembling hole formed in the outer cover, and the second sub-connector may further include an assembling protrusion that protrudes outward and is fastened to the assembly hole.

The first sub connector may include a sealing mounting space formed along an edge of the inner cover; and a sealing slip prevention part protruding to the outside of the inner cover and positioned at the rear of the sealing mounting space to prevent the sealing member from being pushed backward.

The first sub-connector is defined by a space between the outer cover and the inner cover, and further includes an insertion groove for accommodating the insertion cover, wherein the length from the front end of the outer cover to the bottom of the insertion groove is , it may be longer than the length of the insert cover.

Based on a longitudinal direction of the sliding hole and a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the cable, the sealing member and the position guarantee member may overlap.

Based on a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the cable, the sealing member may completely overlap the insertion cover.

According to the embodiment, it is possible to prevent moisture from entering from the outside of the connector assembly.

Specifically, by providing a structure in which the insertion cover of the female connector can be fastened to the insertion groove of the male connector beyond the sealing member, the waterproof performance can be improved and complete fastening can be ensured.

In other words, by positioning the sealing member on the central side, it is possible to ensure the same waterproof performance even if the length of the insertion cover of the female connector is slightly different.

In addition, by forming the insertion groove of the male connector into which the insertion cover of the female connector is inserted sufficiently deep, it is possible to prevent the problem that the insertion cover of the female connector is not completely fastened due to the repulsive force of the sealing member.

1 is a cross-sectional view of a connector assembly according to an embodiment.
2 is a cross-sectional view of a female connector according to an embodiment.
3 is a cross-sectional view of a first sub-connector according to an exemplary embodiment.
4 is a view illustrating a second sub-connector and a position guarantee member according to an exemplary embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II of FIG. 4 .
FIG. 6 is a view illustrating a state in which the position guarantee member is moved in FIG. 5 .

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to exemplary drawings. In adding reference numerals to the components of each drawing, it should be noted that the same components are given the same reference numerals as much as possible even though they are indicated on different drawings. In addition, in the description of the embodiment, if it is determined that a detailed description of a related known configuration or function interferes with the understanding of the embodiment, the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In addition, in describing the components of the embodiment, terms such as first, second, A, B, (a), (b), etc. may be used. These terms are only for distinguishing the elements from other elements, and the essence, order, or order of the elements are not limited by the terms. When it is described that a component is “connected”, “coupled” or “connected” to another component, the component may be directly connected or connected to the other component, but another component is between each component. It will be understood that may also be "connected", "coupled" or "connected".

1 is a cross-sectional view of a connector assembly according to an exemplary embodiment, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a female connector according to an exemplary embodiment, and FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a first sub-connector according to an exemplary embodiment.

4 is a view illustrating a second sub-connector and a position guarantee member according to an exemplary embodiment. Specifically, FIG. 4 is a view viewed from the top down with reference to FIG. 1 .

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line I-I of FIG. 4 , and FIG. 6 is a view illustrating a state in which the position guarantee member is moved in FIG. 5 .

1 to 6 , the connector assembly 10 according to an embodiment may include a female connector 110 , a male connector 120 , a position assurance member 170 , and a sealing member 180 . .

The female connector 110 includes a female connector body 111 , a female connector terminal T1 provided in the female connector body 111 , and extending from the female connector body 111 to protect the female connector terminal T1 . It may include an insert cover 112 for.

The male connector 120 may include a first sub connector 130 coupled to the female connector 110 and a second sub connector 150 inserted into the first sub connector 130 .

The first sub connector 130 includes a cable guide 132 including a cable insertion hole 131 , an outer cover 133 , and a second sub connector insertion part 134 for inserting the second sub connector 150 . , an inner cover 135 , an insertion groove 136 , a sealing mounting space 137 formed along an edge of the inner cover 135 , a sealing slip prevention part 138 , and an assembly hole 139 . A cable C having a male connector terminal T2 may pass through the cable insertion hole 131 .

The outer cover 133 may wrap the outside of the insertion cover 112 . An assembly hole 139 for fixing the second sub connector 150 may be formed in the outer cover 133 .

The inner cover 135 may be disposed inside the outer cover 133 . The inner cover 135 may be disposed inside the insertion cover 112 with the sealing member 180 interposed therebetween.

The insertion groove 136 may accommodate the insertion cover 112 . The insertion groove 136 may be understood as a space formed between the outer cover 133 and the inner cover 135 .

Meanwhile, the length from the front end of the outer cover 133 to the bottom of the insertion groove 136 may be longer than the length of the insertion cover 112 . In a state in which the insertion cover 112 is completely fastened to the insertion groove 136 , the space from the end of the insertion cover 112 to the bottom of the insertion groove 136 may be referred to as a free space. According to the free space, it is possible to prevent a problem that the insertion cover 112 is not completely fastened due to the repulsive force of the sealing member 180 .

Specifically, while the insertion cover 112 is inserted, the sealing member 180 is pushed to some extent in the insertion direction, and then when the force to insert the insertion cover 112 is removed, the pushed sealing member 180 is restored while A force in the direction of separation may be applied to the insertion cover 112 . However, if the free space is provided, it becomes possible to push the insertion cover 112 in the inserted direction more than the desired final position, and consequently even in a state in which the force in the direction of inserting the insertion cover 112 is removed, the purpose It is possible to allow the insertion cover 112 to be inserted up to one final position. Therefore, it is possible to make the sealing member 180 thicker or to use a material having a strong elastic force without considering the restoring force generated while the sealing member 180 that has been pushed is restored, so it is also helpful to improve the waterproofing power. do.

The sealing slip prevention part 138 may protrude to the outside of the inner cover 135 . In other words, the sealing slip prevention part 138 may protrude from the inner cover 135 toward the outer cover 133 . The sealing slip prevention unit 138 may be positioned at the rear of the sealing mounting space 137 to prevent the sealing member 180 from being pushed backward in a process in which the insertion cover 112 is inserted.

The second sub-connector 150 includes a second sub-connector body 151 inserted into the second sub-connector insertion part 134 , a sealing separation preventing part 152 , a sliding hole 153 , and a gripping part exposure space 154 . ), an assembly protrusion 155 and a terminal insertion groove 156 into which the male connector terminal T2 is inserted.

The sealing separation preventing unit 152 may prevent the sealing member 180 from being separated from the front of the inner cover 135 . The sealing separation preventing part 152 may extend outwardly from the second sub connector body 151 . The sealing separation preventing unit 152 may be disposed in front of the inner cover 135 in a state in which the female connector 110 and the male connector 120 are fastened.

Meanwhile, the sealing separation preventing unit 152 and the sealing slipping preventing unit 138 may be disposed on opposite sides of the sealing member 180 . In addition, according to the assembly protrusion 155 and the assembly groove 139 , the relative positions of the first sub-connector 130 and the second sub-connector 150 may be fixed. Therefore, even when the sealing member 180 having a larger width than the sealing mounting space 137 is used, the sealing separation preventing part 152 and the sealing slipping prevention part 138 press the sealing member 180, so that the waterproofing force While improving the stability, it is possible to stably maintain the position of the sealing member 180 .

The sliding hole 153 may guide the sliding movement of the position guarantee member 170 . The sliding hole 153 may communicate the outside of the second sub connector body 151 with the terminal insertion groove 156 .

In the gripper exposure space 154 , the gripper 172 of the position assurance member 170 may be exposed. The gripper exposure space 154 may be defined as, for example, a space in which the seal separation preventing part 152 is cut and formed. Even in a state in which the first sub-connector 130 and the second sub-connector 150 are coupled, the operator grips the grip portion 172 through the grip portion exposure space 154 and slides the position assurance member 170 . can be moved

The assembly protrusion 155 may protrude to the outside of the second sub connector body 151 . The assembly protrusion 155 may be fastened to the assembly groove 139 to fix the first sub-connector 130 and the second sub-connector 150 .

The position assurance member 170 may prevent the male connector terminal T2 from being separated from the terminal insertion groove 156 . The position assurance member 170 may be slidably moved along the sliding hole 153 . Depending on the position of the position assurance member 170 in the sliding hole, the position assurance member 170 may cause the male connector terminal T2 to be inserted or separated into the terminal insertion groove 156, or the male connector terminal T2 may be inserted into the terminal. It may be prevented from being separated from the insertion groove 156 .

The position assurance member 170 may include an action body 171 , a gripping part 172 , and a reinforcing part 173 .

The acting body 171 may include an interference portion 171a capable of interfering with the male connector terminal T2 , and a connection portion 171b connecting the interference portion 171a and the gripping portion 172 .

The interference part 171a may be formed to protrude from the connection part 171b toward the terminal insertion groove 156 . A plurality of interference portions 171a may be provided to correspond to the plurality of terminal insertion grooves 156 . The interference part 171a may have a shape corresponding to the terminal insertion groove 156 . The interference portion 171a may or may not overlap the terminal insertion groove 156 in the longitudinal direction of the terminal insertion groove 156 depending on the position of the position guarantee member 170 .

First, as in FIG. 5 , when the position assurance member 170 is moved in one direction (the (+) direction of the z-axis), the interference portion 171a is overlapped with the terminal insertion groove 156, so that the male connector terminal T2 is It is possible to prevent separation from the terminal insertion groove 156 .

Next, as shown in FIG. 6 , when the position assurance member 170 is moved in the other direction (the (-) direction of the z-axis), the interference portion 171a does not overlap the terminal insertion groove 156, and the male connector terminal T2 ) can be freely inserted into or separated from the terminal insertion groove 156 .

The reinforcing part 173 may be provided on one side or both sides of the gripping part 172 to reinforce the strength of the gripping part 172 . The reinforcing part 173 may have a shape in which a cross-sectional area increases from an end of the gripping part 172 toward the working body 171 .

The sealing member 180 is provided between the female connector 110 and the male connector 120 to prevent moisture from flowing into the female connector terminal T1 or the male connector terminal T2 from the outside. For example, the sealing member 180 may be mounted along the outer circumferential surface of the inner cover 135 . According to the sealing member 180 , even when moisture permeates between the insertion cover 112 and the outer cover 133 , it is possible to prevent the permeated moisture from flowing into the second sub-connector 150 .

The sealing member 180 is a position assurance member ( y-axis direction) in a direction (y-axis direction) perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (z-axis direction) of the sliding hole 153 and the longitudinal direction (x-axis direction) of the cable (C). 170) and may overlap. In this case, when the female connector 110 and the male connector 120 are fastened, the pressing force acting between the insertion cover 112 and the sealing member 180 results in the position assurance member 170 through the inner cover 135 . can be pressurized. As a result, in a state in which the female connector 110 and the male connector 120 are coupled, it is possible to prevent the position assurance member 170 from slidingly moved, so that the male connector terminal T2 is moved from the terminal insertion groove 156 . The problem of deviation can be prevented more reliably.

Even in the above case, in a state in which the female connector 110 and the male connector 120 are not fastened, the above-described pressing force is not formed. Accordingly, in the state in which the first sub-connector 130 and the second sub-connector 150 are fastened, the operator may freely slide the position assurance member 170 .

On the other hand, the sealing member 180, the sealing member 180 with respect to a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (x-axis direction) of the cable (C) (for example, the y-axis or z-axis direction), the sealing member 180 is inserted into the cover (112) can be completely overlapped. In other words, in a state in which the female connector 110 and the male connector 120 are fastened, the sealing member 180 may be disposed on the central side of the insertion cover 112 . According to the above structure, even if the length of the insertion cover 112 is slightly different, the sealing area does not change, so the same waterproof performance can be guaranteed regardless of the manufacturing tolerance of the insertion cover 112 or the assembly tolerance of the male and female connectors. have.

According to the embodiment, it is possible to prevent moisture from entering from the outside of the connector assembly. Specifically, by providing a structure in which the insertion cover of the female connector can be fastened to the insertion groove of the male connector beyond the sealing member, the waterproof performance can be improved and complete fastening can be ensured. In other words, by positioning the sealing member on the central side, it is possible to ensure the same waterproof performance even if the length of the insertion cover of the female connector is slightly different. In addition, by forming the insertion groove of the male connector into which the insertion cover of the female connector is inserted sufficiently deep, it is possible to prevent the problem that the insertion cover of the female connector is not completely fastened due to the repulsive force of the sealing member.

The embodiment described above is merely a description of a preferred embodiment, and the scope of the present invention is not limited to the described embodiment, and it is within the technical spirit and claims of the present invention by those skilled in the art. Various changes, modifications or substitutions in will be possible, and such embodiments should be considered to fall within the scope of the present invention.

Claims (9)

a female connector including a female connector body, a female connector terminal provided on the female connector body, and an insertion cover extending from the female connector body and protecting the female connector terminal;
a male connector engageable with the female connector; and
a sealing member provided between the female connector and the male connector;
The male connector is
An outer cover surrounding the outside of the insertion cover, an inner cover disposed inside the insertion cover with the sealing member interposed therebetween, and a cable guide having a cable insertion hole through which a cable having a male connector terminal passes; , a first sub connector including a sealing mounting space formed along an edge of the inner cover; and
A second sub connector body inserted into the inner cover, a terminal insertion groove into which the male connector terminal is inserted, an outer extension from the second sub connector body, disposed in front of the inner cover, and the sealing and a second sub-connector including a sealing separation preventing part for preventing the member from being separated from the front of the inner cover;
The first sub-connector may further include a sealing slip prevention part protruding to the outside of the inner cover and positioned at the rear of the sealing mounting space to prevent the sealing member from being pushed backward.
The method of claim 1,
The second sub connector further includes a sliding hole communicating with the terminal insertion groove,
and a position assurance member movable along the sliding hole and capable of interfering with separation of the male connector terminal from the terminal insertion groove according to a position within the sliding hole.
3. The method of claim 2,
The position assurance member is
A gripper that can be gripped by an operator; and
and an acting body inserted into the sliding hole and capable of overlapping with the terminal insertion groove in a longitudinal direction of the terminal insertion groove.
The method of claim 1,
The first sub connector further includes an assembly hole formed in the outer cover,
The second sub-connector may further include an assembly protrusion protruding outward and coupled to the assembly hole.
3. The method of claim 2,
The first sub-connector,
It is defined as a space between the outer cover and the inner cover, further comprising an insertion groove for accommodating the insertion cover,
A length from the front end of the outer cover to the bottom of the insertion groove is longer than a length of the insertion cover.
3. The method of claim 2,
Based on a longitudinal direction of the sliding hole and a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the cable, the sealing member and the position guaranteeing member overlap each other.
3. The method of claim 2,
Based on a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the cable, the connector assembly, characterized in that the sealing member completely overlaps the insertion cover.

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