WO2014192517A1

WO2014192517A1 - Waterproof connector

Info

Publication number: WO2014192517A1
Application number: PCT/JP2014/062509
Authority: WO
Inventors: 田代　晴紀; 和広小林
Original assignee: 矢崎総業株式会社
Priority date: 2013-05-29
Filing date: 2014-05-09
Publication date: 2014-12-04
Also published as: JP2014232628A

Abstract

A waterproof connector is provided with: a connector body which is provided at an end of an electrical wire penetrating through a wall of a counterpart case and which is mounted to the wall so as to be in contact therewith; a seal receiving groove which is provided in the contact surface of the connector body, which is in contact with the wall; and a packing which is received in the seal receiving groove and which seals between the wall and the contact surface. A position maintaining section for normally maintaining the position, within the seal receiving groove, of the packing is provided on the packing. The waterproof properties of the waterproof connector is ensured by preventing the twisting, within the seal receiving groove, of the packing without making the shape of both the packing and a connector housing complex.

Description

Waterproof connector

The present invention relates to a waterproof connector [waterproof connector] having a seal structure for maintaining waterproofness.

In the conventional waterproof connector 100 as shown in FIGS. 5, 6A and 6B, a connector main body 101 and a shell 102 fixed to the connector main body 101 so as to cover the outer periphery of the connector main body 101 are provided. The terminal 103 is housed in the connector main body 101 and is fixed to the connector main body 101.

Since the connector body 101 is connected to a mating case [mated case] (not shown: connection partner: mating connector housing, etc.), the sealing property [sealing 相手 property] between the mating case and the connector body 101 is maintained. A ring-shaped packing 104 is disposed on the connector main body 101.

The packing 104 is accommodated in an annular groove 105 formed in the connector main body 101 so that a part thereof protrudes from the annular groove 105. When the connector main body 101 is connected to the mating case, the packing 104 is pressed against the mating case and elastically deformed and pressed against the inside of the concave groove 105 and the surface of the mating case. As a result, intrusion of water or the like from between the counterpart case and the connector main body 101 is prevented.

However, as shown in FIG. 6A, a force in the direction indicated by the arrow R1 or R2 may act on the packing 104 due to the fine movement of the mating case after the connector body 101 is connected to the mating case. is there. At this time, since the width B of the packing 104 is smaller than the width A of the concave groove 105, the packing 104 may be twisted in the concave groove 105 as shown in FIG.

In this case, when the packing 104 is twisted in the concave groove 105, the pressing force acting between the packing 104, the connector main body 101, and the counterpart case is reduced, and the sealing property between the counterpart case and the connector main body 101 is reduced. May not be able to be maintained.

In order to prevent twisting of the packing 104, it is conceivable to reduce the width A of the concave groove 105 or increase the width B of the packing 104. However, the packing ratio of the packing 104 in the concave groove 105 increases. The installability of the packing 104 to the concave groove 105 is deteriorated. As a result, there is a possibility that the packing 104 cannot be securely attached to the regular position in the concave groove 105.

Furthermore, after the connector main body 101 is connected to the mating case, the packing 104 is pressed by the mating case and is elastically deformed to be accommodated in the concave groove 105. However, as described above, when the filling rate is increased, the gaps in the concave grooves 105 are reduced. As a result, the packing 104 cannot be appropriately elastically deformed and a gap is generated between the connector main body 101 and the mating case, and the sealing performance between the mating case and the connector main body 101 may be deteriorated.

In addition, in order for the packing 104 to be appropriately elastically deformed by being pressed by the counterpart case, a slight space in the width B direction in the groove 105 is required for the packing 104. For this reason, the width B of the packing 104 must be smaller than the width A of the concave groove 105.

The following Patent Document 1 discloses a packing attached to a connector housing. The packing is a ring-shaped solid packing body, an outer projecting piece that extends outward from the packing body, and is formed with a locking claw, extends inward from the packing body, and And an inner projecting piece in which a hole is formed. After the packing is installed in the concave groove of the connector housing, the locking claw of the outer protruding piece is press-fitted into the locking hole formed in the connector housing, and the protruding pin formed in the connector housing is inserted into the hole of the inner protruding piece Is inserted. As a result, rotation (twisting) of the packing is prevented.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-327169

However, in the packing disclosed in Patent Document 1, it is necessary to form an outer protruding piece (locking claw) and an inner protruding piece (hole), and no locking hole or protruding pin is formed in the connector housing. The shape of the packing and connector housing will be complicated

An object of the present invention is to provide a waterproof connector that can ensure waterproofness by preventing twisting of the packing in the housing groove of the connector housing without complicating the shape of the packing or connector housing. is there.

A feature of the present invention is a waterproof connector, which is provided at a terminal of an electric wire penetrating a wall portion of a mating case, and is attached to the wall portion in contact with the wall portion of the connector main body. A seal receiving groove provided in the contact surface; and a packing that is received in the seal receiving groove and seals between the wall portion and the contact surface, and the posture of the packing in the seal receiving groove A waterproof connector is provided in which a posture holding portion that normally holds the seal is provided in the packing.

Here, the packing includes a packing body, a side surface on which the posture holding portion is formed, and an end surface in contact with the wall portion, and the posture holding portion is an inner side surface of the seal housing groove. It is preferable that the side rib protrudes toward the side.

Furthermore, it is preferable that the packing main body further includes a pair of bottom ribs that come into contact with the bottom surface of the seal housing groove, and a recess is formed between the pair of bottom ribs.

It is a perspective view of the waterproof connector which concerns on embodiment. It is a disassembled perspective view of the said waterproof connector. It is sectional drawing of the said waterproof connector. It is a principal part expanded sectional view of the said waterproof connector. It is sectional drawing of the conventional waterproof connector. (A) is a principal part enlarged view of the conventional waterproof connector, (b) is a principal part enlarged view which shows the twist of packing.

Hereinafter, the waterproof connector 1 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, it consists of a connector main body 2 and a packing 3. The connector body 2 is provided at the end of the electric wire 4 that penetrates the wall W of the counterpart case. The connector body 2 is attached to the wall portion W in a contact state, and a seal receiving groove 31 is provided on the contact surface 29 with the wall portion W of the connector body 2. The packing 3 is housed in the seal housing groove 31 and seals between the wall portion W of the counterpart case and the contact surface 29.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the connector main body 2 includes a housing 5, a terminal 7, a seal rubber 9, a rear holder 11, a shell 15, and a shield ring 13. The housing 5 has a hollow cylindrical shape in which a conductive member is disposed. One end of each terminal 7 is fixed in the housing 5, and the other end is exposed from the housing 5. The seal rubber 9 supports and fixes the electric wire 4 to be described later in the housing 5. The rear holder 11 is attached to the rear opening of the housing 5. The shell 15 is disposed so as to cover the outer periphery of the housing 5. The shield ring 13 is disposed on the outer periphery of the shell 15 and fixes a braided wire (not shown) to the shell 15.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the housing 5 includes a housing body 17, a flange 19, and a terminal support portion 21. The housing main body 17 is cylindrical, and the electric wire 4 (terminal 7) is inserted into the inside from one end thereof. The flange 19 is formed to extend outward from the other end of the housing body 17. The terminal support portion 21 is further extended from the other end of the housing body 17 perpendicular to the flange 19.

An electric wire insertion opening 23 is formed at one end of the housing main body 17, and a seal rubber accommodating portion 25 formed continuously from the electric wire insertion opening 23 and continuous from the seal rubber accommodating portion 25 inside the housing main body 17. The terminal accommodating part 27 formed in this way is formed. An electric wire 4 (terminal 7) to be described later is inserted into the electric wire insertion opening 23. The rear holder 11 is inserted and fitted into the electric wire insertion opening 23. A seal rubber 9 described later is accommodated in the seal rubber accommodating portion 25. One end of the terminal 7 is accommodated in the terminal accommodating portion 27. The terminal 7 is electrically connected to the electric wire 4 at the terminal accommodating portion 27.

The flange 19 described above is formed at the end (the other end) of the housing body 17 opposite to the wire insertion opening 23. An annular seal receiving groove 31 is formed on the contact surface 29 of the flange 19 along the outer peripheral edge of the flange 19. The seal housing groove 31 has a bottom surface 33, a bottom surface 33, and a pair of inner side surfaces 35 (see FIG. 4). The seal housing groove 31 can be changed as appropriate according to the height and width of the packing 3.

The terminal support portion 21 supports one end of the terminal 7 accommodated in the terminal accommodating portion 27, and the other end of the terminal 7 is exposed to the outside of the waterproof connector 1. In addition, a locking projection 37 that locks with a locking hole 45 formed in the terminal 7 is provided inside the terminal support portion 21. The terminal 7 includes a plate-like portion 39 supported by the terminal support portion 21 and a connection portion 41 connected to the electric wire 4 formed continuously from the plate-like portion 39.

A part of the plate-like portion 39 is supported by the terminal support portion 21, and the remaining portion extends from the terminal support portion 21 and is exposed. In the plate-like portion 39, in addition to the above-described locking hole 45, a connection hole 43 connected to the counterpart terminal is formed. The connection portion 41 is provided with a pair of clamping pieces [clamp tabs] 47 (see FIG. 2). The holding piece 47 is bent to hold the core wire 65 of the electric wire 4 and electrically connects the electric wire 4 and the terminal 7.

The seal rubber 9 is fixed to the outer peripheral surface 69 of the electric wire 4 and is press-fitted into the seal rubber accommodating portion 25. A lip 49 is formed on each surface of the seal rubber 9, and the lip 49 is pressed against the inner surface of the seal rubber housing portion 25 to prevent water from entering the housing 5 from the wire insertion opening 23. Yes. The rear holder 11 is fixed to the outer peripheral surface 69 of the electric wire 4 adjacent to the seal rubber 9, and one end 12 thereof is press-fitted into the electric wire insertion opening 23 so as to close the electric wire insertion opening 23.

The shield ring 13 is disposed in a shield ring fitting portion 53 provided in the shell 15. The inner diameter of the shield ring 13 is set slightly smaller than the outer periphery of the shell 15 (shield ring fitting portion 53). After the end of the braided wire is disposed between the shield ring 13 and the shell 15, the shield ring 13 is crimped and one end of the braided wire is fixed to the shell 15.

The shell 15 formed so as to cover the outer periphery of the housing main body 17 and the flange 19 includes a housing accommodating portion 51 for accommodating the housing 5 therein and the shield ring fitting portion 53 described above. As described above, the shell 15 and the housing 5 are also firmly fixed to each other by caulking the shield ring 13. Further, since the caulking shield ring 13 is disposed at the position of the seal rubber accommodating portion 25, the waterproofness of the electric wire insertion opening 23 is further enhanced.

As shown in FIG. 4, the ring-shaped packing 3 accommodated in the seal accommodation groove 31 includes a packing main body 55 made of an elastic member such as rubber, and a pair of side ribs (posture holding portion [ posture settlement portions]) 57. Each side rib 57 is formed along the entire circumference of the packing 3. The side ribs 57 of the present embodiment are formed integrally with the packing body 55 and are made of an elastic member such as rubber. The packing body 55 is also provided with a pair of bottom ribs 61 that come into contact with the bottom surface 33 of the seal housing groove 31. Each bottom rib 61 is also formed along the entire circumference of the packing 3. Since the bottom rib 61 is integrally formed with the packing body 55, it is made of an elastic member such as rubber. A recess 59 is formed between the pair of bottom ribs 61. The recess 59 is also formed along the entire circumference of the packing 3. By providing the recess 59, the packing 3 can be accommodated in the seal accommodation groove 31 without increasing the filling rate of the packing 3 in the seal accommodation groove 31.

The height of the packing body 55 in the insertion direction into the seal housing groove 31 is set to be higher than the depth of the seal housing groove 31. For this reason, in a state where the bottom rib 61 is in contact with the bottom surface 33 of the seal housing groove 31, the end surface 62 of the packing body 55 is positioned outside the contact surface 29. Further, the side ribs 57 formed on the side surface 60 of the packing body 55 have an abutment surface 63 that faces (becomes pressed against) the inner surface 35 of the seal housing groove 31. Note that the end face 62 abuts against the wall surface W of the counterpart case, and the packing 3 is accommodated in the seal accommodation groove 31 in a state of being elastically deformed by being pressed between the wall surface W and the bottom surface 33.

The electric wire 4 inserted into the housing main body 17 from the electric wire insertion opening 23 of the connector main body 2 includes a core wire [core wire] 65 made of a conductive material such as copper, and an insulating coating that covers the outer periphery of the core wire 65. [sheath] 67. At the end portion of the electric wire 4, the covering 67 is removed to expose the core wire 65, and the core wire 65 is electrically connected to one end (connecting portion 41) of the terminal 7.

The above-described seal rubber 9 and the rear holder 11 are press-fitted into the outer peripheral surface 69 of the covering 67, the seal rubber 9 is accommodated in the seal rubber 9, and the rear holder 11 is press-fitted into the electric wire insertion opening 23. The disconnection of the electric wire 4 from the housing 5 is prevented.

Next, the assembly of the waterproof connector 1 will be described.

First, as shown in FIG. 2, the electric wire 4 is press-fitted into the rear holder 11 and the seal rubber 9, and the connecting portion 41 of the terminal 7 is connected to the core wire 65 exposed at the end portion of the electric wire 4. Next, the terminal 7 is inserted into the housing body 17 through the wire insertion opening 23 from the plate-like portion 39. As shown in FIG. 3, the connecting portion 41 is accommodated in the terminal accommodating portion 27, a part of the plate-like portion 39 is instructed by the terminal supporting portion 21, and the remaining portion is exposed from the terminal supporting portion 21 to the outside. Exposed from.

Next, the shell 15 is disposed outside the housing 5 to which the terminal 7 is attached, and the seal rubber 9 and the rear holder 11 are also attached. At this time, the shield ring 13 and the braided wire are also attached, and then the shield ring 13 is crimped and the housing 5 and the shell 15 are fixed. And the packing 3 is inserted in the seal accommodation groove 31 provided in the flange 19 of the housing 5, and the assembly | attachment of the waterproof connector 1 is completed.

According to the waterproof connector 1 of the present embodiment, by forming the posture holding portion in the packing 3, the posture of the packing 3 in the seal housing groove 31 can be normally held, and the waterproof property of the waterproof connector 1 is improved. It can be secured.

Further, in the present embodiment, the packing 3 is formed by the packing main body 55, the side surface 60 on which the posture holding portion (side rib 57) is formed, and the end surface 62 that is in contact with the wall portion W. Further, the posture holding portion is a side rib 57 having a contact surface 63 that faces (becomes pressed against) the inner surface 35 of the seal housing groove 31. For this reason, the twist of the packing 3 can be prevented by the side rib 57 (contact surface 63) pressed against the inner side surface 35 when the waterproof connector 1 is attached to the counterpart case. At this time, twisting of the packing 3 can be prevented only by providing the side ribs 57 on the packing 3, and complicated processing is not required for the packing 3 and the seal housing groove 31, and the waterproof connector 1 can be easily manufactured.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the packing main body 55 is provided with a pair of bottom ribs 61 that come into contact with the bottom surface 33 of the seal housing groove 31. For this reason, when attaching the waterproof connector 1 to the mating case, the force to cause the packing 3 to be twisted by the bottom rib 61 pressed against the bottom surface 33 can be dispersed, and the twist of the packing 3 can be prevented. Furthermore, a recess 59 is provided between the pair of bottom ribs 61. For this reason, the packing 3 can be accommodated in the seal accommodation groove 31 without increasing the filling rate of the packing 3 in the seal accommodation groove 31. As a result, the packing 3 is appropriately elastically deformed when the waterproof connector 1 is attached to the mating case, and the side surface 60 is pressed against the wall W without creating a gap between the waterproof connector 1 and the mating case. Waterproof.

In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the difference between the width C between the opposed inner side surfaces 35 of the seal accommodation groove 31 and the width D between the contact surfaces 63 of the side ribs 57 is the width C and the packing. The difference from the height of the main body 55 is made smaller. For this reason, since the inner side surface 35 and the side rib 57 of the seal accommodation groove 31 abut on each other, the twist of the packing 3 can be prevented. Here, as described above, the side ribs 57 can be appropriately elastically deformed without increasing the packing rate of the packing 3 in the seal housing groove 31 by the recess 59, so that the amount of protrusion of the packing 3 from the seal housing groove 31 is increased. The difference (gap) between the width C and the width D can be made smaller than the difference (gap: see FIG. 6) between the width A and the width B in the conventional structure. As a result, twisting of the packing 3 can be more effectively prevented while improving the waterproofness of the packing 3.

Further, since the seal housing groove 31 is a simple groove, the packing 3 of this embodiment can be applied to a seal housing groove (for example, the concave groove 105 in FIG. 6) of a waterproof connector having a conventional structure. The same effect can be realized. Further, the shape of the packing 3 itself is not complicated (the outer protruding piece and the locking claw and the inner protruding piece and the hole in Patent Document 1 described above are unnecessary), and the manufacture and assembly are easy.

Furthermore, with respect to the attachment property of the packing 3 to the seal housing groove 31, since the recess 59 is formed in the packing body 55, the packing 3 can be easily inserted into the seal housing groove 31 while being crushed. Since the shape of the packing 3 is elastically restored after being accommodated in the seal accommodating groove 31, the gap (difference between the width C and the width D) between the packing 3 and the seal accommodating groove 31 can be reduced as much as possible. As a result, twisting of the packing 3 can be further prevented.

In addition, although the attitude | position holding | maintenance part of this embodiment was formed as the side rib 57, if it is a structure which prevents the twist in the seal accommodation groove | channel 31 of the packing 3, it may have shapes other than a rib. In the present embodiment, one side rib 57 is formed, but a plurality of side ribs 57 may be arranged in parallel.

The entire contents of Japanese Patent Application No. 2013-112649 (filed on May 29, 2013) are incorporated herein by reference. Although the present invention has been described above with reference to embodiments of the present invention, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. The scope of the invention is determined in light of the claims.

Claims

A waterproof connector,
A connector main body provided at the end of the electric wire penetrating the wall portion of the mating case, and attached in contact with the wall portion;
A seal receiving groove provided in a contact surface with the wall portion of the connector body;
A packing that is received in the seal receiving groove and seals between the wall portion and the contact surface;
A waterproof connector in which a posture holding portion that normally holds the posture of the packing in the seal housing groove is provided in the packing.
The waterproof connector according to claim 1,
The packing includes a packing body, a side surface on which the posture holding portion is formed, and an end surface that comes into contact with the wall portion,
The waterproof connector, wherein the posture holding portion is a side rib protruding toward the inner surface of the seal housing groove.
The waterproof connector according to claim 2,
The packing body further includes a pair of bottom ribs that contact the bottom surface of the seal housing groove;
A waterproof connector in which a recess is formed between the pair of bottom ribs.