WO2018123703A1

WO2018123703A1 - Relay connector

Info

Publication number: WO2018123703A1
Application number: PCT/JP2017/045424
Authority: WO
Inventors: 智之近藤
Original assignee: 住友電装株式会社
Priority date: 2016-12-27
Filing date: 2017-12-19
Publication date: 2018-07-05
Also published as: JP2018107018A

Abstract

A housing 20 of a relay connector 13 has: a securing part 21 to be positioned in an attachment hole 11X of a device case 11; an outside hood part 22 which projects to the outside of the device case 11 from the securing part 21; and an inside hood part 23 provided so as to extend to the inside of the device case 11 from the securing part 21. The securing part 21 is configured in a manner such that: the inside end section 21c thereof has an inside engaging part 21d, the outer diameter of which is larger than the diameter of the attachment hole 11X; and a C-ring mounting groove 21f is formed along the entire circumference thereof on the outside hood part 22 side. In addition, the securing part 21 has a sealing ring mounting groove 21b located between the inside engaging part 21d and the C-ring mounting groove 21f.

Description

Relay connector

The present invention relates to a relay connector.

Conventionally, as a connector for a vehicle, for example, it is attached to a device case that contains oil such as a transmission case, and connects an electrical device arranged inside the device case to a control circuit or the like outside the device case. A relay connector is known (for example, see Patent Document 1). The relay connector is fixed to the device case with bolts, for example.

JP 2012-256474 A

Incidentally, some of the relay connectors as described above are fixed so that the external connection portion at the tip protrudes from the inside of the device case to the outside of the device case. Such a relay connector is fixed to the device case with bolts inside the device case. For this reason, there is a problem that it takes time to attach and detach the relay connector. For example, a gap for a tool to be inserted at the time of repair or the like is necessary, and it takes time to remove the relay connector. Also, it takes time to install the relay connector after repair.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a relay connector that can be easily attached and detached.

A relay connector that solves the above-described problem is a relay connector that is attached to an attachment hole of an equipment case from the inside of the equipment case, and includes a housing and a C-ring that is attached to the housing. A fixing portion disposed in the mounting hole, an outer hood portion protruding from the fixing portion to the outside of the device case, and an inner hood portion protruding from the fixing portion to the inside of the device case, The fixed portion is disposed on the inner hood portion side, and is disposed on the outer engagement portion formed on an outer diameter larger than the diameter of the mounting hole, on the outer hood portion side, and on the outer periphery of the fixed portion. A C-ring mounting groove that is formed over the entire circumference of the surface and in which the C-ring is mounted.

According to this configuration, the relay connector housing is inserted into the mounting hole from the inside of the device case to the outside of the device case. The fixed portion of the housing has an inner engagement portion having an outer shape larger than the mounting hole. The inner engagement portion comes into contact with the inner end portion of the mounting hole of the device case, and the housing is positioned. The fixing portion has a C-ring mounting groove on the outer hood portion side protruding from the device case. The C-ring mounted in the C-ring mounting groove abuts on the outer surface of the device case. The contact of the C-ring restricts the housing from coming off the inside of the device case. As described above, the housing is fixed to the device case by attaching the C-ring to the housing from the outside of the device case. Then, the housing can be removed from the device case inward by removing the C-ring from the housing.

In the relay connector described above, it is preferable that a retainer for engaging the connector portion inserted into the outer hood portion to prevent the connector portion from being detached is disposed on the outer surface of the outer hood portion.

According to this configuration, by operating the retainer supported by the outer hood part, it is possible to prevent and remove the relay connector and the connector part inserted into the outer hood part of the relay connector.

In the above relay connector, the fixing portion is disposed between the inner engagement portion and the C-ring mounting groove, is formed over the entire outer periphery of the fixing portion, and a seal ring is mounted. It is preferable to have a seal ring mounting groove.

According to this configuration, the relay connector is liquid-tightly fitted into the mounting hole of the device case by the seal ring mounted in the seal ring mounting groove.

The relay connector according to the present invention can be easily attached and detached.

Schematic which shows the apparatus case and control unit by which a relay connector is arrange | positioned. The schematic side view which shows the relay connector attached to the apparatus case and the connector part of a control unit. The disassembled perspective view which shows the attachment hole of an apparatus case, a relay connector, and the connector part of a control unit. (A) is the perspective view which looked at the relay connector attached to the device case from the outside of the device case, (b) is the perspective view which looked at the relay connector attached to the device case from the inside of the device case.

Each embodiment will be described below.
In the accompanying drawings, components may be shown in an enlarged manner for easy understanding. The dimensional ratios of the components may be different from the actual ones or in other drawings.

As shown in FIG. 1, a control unit 12 is fixed to the upper part of a device case 11 as an object by, for example, a screw or the like. The device case 11 is, for example, a transmission case, in which electric parts such as a motor and a sensor are disposed. The control unit 12 accommodates a control circuit and the like that are connected to electrical parts disposed in the device case 11. A relay connector 13 is disposed in the device case 11. A control circuit or the like in the control unit 12 is connected to an electrical component in the device case 11 via the relay connector 13.

As shown in FIG. 2, the device case 11 has a mounting hole 11X. The relay connector 13 is formed so as to be fitted in the mounting hole 11X.
The relay connector 13 includes a housing 20, a plurality of terminals 31 supported by the housing 20, a seal ring 32 for liquid-tightly sealing the mounting hole 11 </ b> X, and a C-ring 33 for fixing the housing 20. have. The housing 20 is made of, for example, a synthetic resin. The plurality of terminals 31 are made of metal, for example. The C ring 33 is made of metal, for example.

The housing 20 includes a fixed portion 21 disposed in the mounting hole 11X of the device case 11, an outer hood portion 22 formed above the fixed portion 21 (outside the device case 11), and a lower portion (device) And an inner hood portion 23 formed on the inner side of the case 11.

As shown to Fig.4 (a), the outer side hood part 22 is formed in the substantially rectangular cylinder shape. As shown in FIG. 4B, the inner hood portion 23 is formed in a substantially rectangular cylindrical shape.
As shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of terminals 31 are supported through the fixing portion 21. As shown in FIG. 4A, one end portion 31 a of the terminal 31 protrudes into the outer hood portion 22. Further, as shown in FIG. 4B, the other end 31 b of the terminal 31 protrudes into the inner hood portion 23.

As shown in FIG.2 and FIG.3, the fixing | fixed part 21 is formed in the substantially cylindrical shape.
As shown in FIG. 2, a seal ring mounting groove 21 b is formed on the outer peripheral surface 21 a of the fixing portion 21 over the entire periphery. A seal ring 32 is disposed in the seal ring mounting groove 21b. The seal ring 32 is made of rubber, for example. The housing 20 (fixed portion 21) is liquid-tightly fitted to the mounting hole 11X by a seal ring 32.

As shown in FIG. 2, an inner engagement portion 21 d that extends outward in the radial direction is formed at the inner end portion 21 c of the fixing portion 21. The outer shape of the inner engagement portion 21d is formed, for example, in a circular shape, and the size (diameter) is set larger than the inner diameter (diameter) of the attachment hole 11X. The outer side surface 21e of the inner engagement portion 21d is formed in a tapered shape whose diameter decreases toward the outer hood portion 22.

Therefore, in the relay connector 13 inserted from the inside of the device case 11 into the attachment hole 11X of the device case 11, the inner engagement portion 21d is the inner end portion of the attachment hole 11X. Engage with. Due to the engagement of the inner engagement portion 21d, the fixing portion 21 is disposed in the attachment hole 11X.

2 and 3, a C-ring mounting groove 21f is formed on the outer hood portion 22 side on the outer peripheral surface 21a of the housing 20 (fixed portion 21). The C-ring mounting groove 21f is formed over the entire circumference of the outer peripheral surface 21a of the fixed portion 21. A C-ring 33 is mounted in the C-ring mounting groove 21f.

The C ring 33 is formed by bending a metal wire into a substantially C shape, and includes a substantially annular holding portion 33a attached along the C ring attachment groove 21f, and both end portions of the holding portion 33a. And a pair of extending portions 33b extending in the tangential direction. The holding part 33a is formed in a shape having an outer diameter larger than the diameter of the mounting hole 11X. The extending portion 33b is formed in a rectangular plate shape. Each of the pair of extending portions 33b is formed with an engaging hole 33c penetrating the extending portion 33b.

As shown in FIG. 2, the C-ring 33 mounted in the C-ring mounting groove 21f contacts the outer surface 11a of the device case 11. The abutment of the C-ring 33 restricts the housing 20 from being detached from the mounting hole 11X to the inside of the device case 11.

2, the connector portion 12 a of the control unit 12 is inserted into the outer hood portion 22. 2 and 3, the control unit 12 is shown only in a portion corresponding to the connector portion 12a (a rectangular plate-like portion in the figure). A plurality of female terminals (not shown) are disposed in the connector portion 12 a, and these female terminals are connected to the terminals 31 of the relay connector 13.

As shown in FIG. 3, a plurality (three in the present embodiment) of rib guide grooves 22 a are recessed in the outer hood portion 22 from the inner side of the outer hood portion 22 toward the outer side of the outer hood portion 22. . The rib guide groove 22 a is formed so as to extend along the vertical direction of the relay connector 13. Note that the vertical direction of the relay connector 13 is the insertion / extraction direction of the connector portion 12a with respect to the relay connector 13. That is, the rib guide groove 22a is formed to extend along the insertion / extraction direction of the connector portion 12a.

In these rib guide grooves 22a, ribs 12b formed on the outer surface of the connector portion 12a are inserted. 2 shows two ribs 12b, and FIG. 3 shows one rib 12b.

As shown in FIG. 3, the outer hood portion 22 is formed with a retainer holding portion 22 b that holds the retainer 34. The retainer holding part 22b enables the retainer 34 to move along the horizontal direction in FIG. 2 is a direction orthogonal to the insertion / extraction direction of the connector part 12a with respect to the outer hood part 22 of the relay connector 13. The horizontal direction shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 3, the retainer 34 is inserted into and removed from the rib guide groove 22a by moving in the horizontal direction. An engaging recess 12c is formed at a predetermined position in the rib 12b guided by the rib guide groove 22a. When the connector portion 12a is inserted into the outer hood portion 22, the retainer 34 is inserted into the engagement recess 12c of the rib 12b guided by the rib guide groove 22a. The retainer 34 engages with the rib 12b in the direction in which the relay connector 13 is removed. The engagement between the engagement recess 12c of the rib 12b and the retainer 34 restricts the connector 12a from being detached from the relay connector 13.

Next, the operation of the above-described relay connector 13 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 2, the housing 20 of the relay connector 13 includes a fixing portion 21 disposed in the mounting hole 11 </ b> X of the device case 11, an outer hood portion 22 protruding from the fixing portion 21 to the outside of the device case 11, An inner hood portion 23 is provided from the fixed portion 21 to the inside of the device case 11. The fixing portion 21 has an inner engagement portion 21d having an outer diameter larger than the diameter of the mounting hole 11X at the inner end portion 21c, and a C-ring mounting groove 21f is formed over the entire circumference on the outer hood portion 22 side. ing. The fixing portion 21 has a seal ring mounting groove 21b between the inner engagement portion 21d and the C ring mounting groove 21f.

The housing 20 of the relay connector 13 is inserted into the mounting hole 11X from the inside of the device case 11 toward the outside of the device case 11. The fixing portion 21 of the housing 20 has an inner engagement portion 21d having an outer shape larger than the attachment hole 11X. The inner engagement portion 21d abuts on the inner end portion of the attachment hole 11X of the device case 11, and the housing 20 is positioned. The fixing portion 21 has a C-ring mounting groove 21f on the outer hood portion 22 side protruding from the device case 11. The C-ring 33 mounted in the C-ring mounting groove 21f contacts the outer surface 11a of the device case 11. The abutment of the C ring 33 restricts the housing 20 from coming out of the device case 11. In this manner, the housing 20 is fixed to the device case 11 by attaching the C ring 33 to the housing 20 from the outside of the device case 11.

The C ring 33 has extending portions 33b at both ends of a substantially annular holding portion 33a, and an engaging hole 33c is formed in the extending portion 33b. The C-ring 33 can be removed from the housing 20 by inserting a tool into the engagement hole 33c and expanding both end portions of the holding portion 33a, that is, expanding the diameter of the holding portion 33a. Then, by removing the C-ring 33 from the housing 20, the housing 20 can be removed inward from the mounting hole 11 </ b> X of the device case 11.

On the outer surface of the outer hood portion 22 of the relay connector 13, a retainer 34 that engages with an engagement recess 12 c formed on the rib 12 b of the connector portion 12 a inserted into the outer hood portion 22 to prevent the connector portion 12 a from coming off. Is arranged.

For this reason, by operating the retainer 34 supported by the outer hood part 22, the relay connector 13 and the connector part 12 a inserted into the outer hood part 22 of the relay connector 13 can be prevented from being detached and removed. it can.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) The housing 20 of the relay connector 13 includes a fixed portion 21 disposed in the mounting hole 11X of the device case 11, an outer hood portion 22 protruding from the fixed portion 21 to the outside of the device case 11, and a fixed portion 21. And an inner hood portion 23 disposed inside the device case 11. The fixing portion 21 has an inner engagement portion 21d having an outer diameter larger than the diameter of the mounting hole 11X at the inner end portion 21c, and a C-ring mounting groove 21f is formed over the entire circumference on the outer hood portion 22 side. ing. The fixing portion 21 has a seal ring mounting groove 21b between the inner engagement portion 21d and the C ring mounting groove 21f.

Therefore, the relay connector 13 can be attached to the device case 11 by attaching the C ring 33 to the C ring attachment groove 21 f formed in the fixing portion 21 of the housing 20. Moreover, the relay connector 13 can be removed from the attachment hole 11 </ b> X of the device case 11 by removing the C ring 33. Thus, the relay connector 13 can be easily attached and detached by the C ring 33.

(2) The C-ring 33 mounted in the C-ring mounting groove 21f of the fixed portion 21 contacts the outer surface 11a of the device case 11. That is, the relay connector 13 can be attached to the device case 11 by attaching the C ring 33 to the relay connector 13 from the outside of the device case 11. Further, by expanding the diameter of the C-ring 33 with a tool, the C-ring 33 can be removed from the housing 20 and the relay connector 13 can be removed from the device case 11. In this manner, the relay connector 13 can be attached and detached by work on the outside of the device case 11. For this reason, since the space which inserts a tool etc. inside the apparatus case 11 is not required, size reduction of the apparatus case 11 can be achieved.

(3) The outer surface of the outer hood portion 22 of the relay connector 13 is engaged with the engagement recess 12c formed in the rib 12b of the connector portion 12a inserted into the outer hood portion 22 to prevent the connector portion 12a from coming off. A retainer 34 is disposed. For this reason, by operating the retainer 34 supported by the outer hood part 22, the relay connector 13 and the connector part 12a inserted into the outer hood part 22 of the relay connector 13 can be easily prevented from being detached and removed. be able to.

In addition, you may implement the said embodiment in the following aspects.
-The C ring 33 of the said embodiment has the engagement hole 33c which can insert a tool. On the other hand, it is only necessary that both end portions of the holding portion 33a can be expanded, and the shape of the C ring 33 may be changed as appropriate.

In the above embodiment, the relay connector 13 has one retainer 34, but two or more retainers may be provided.
In the above embodiment, the relay connector 13 is attached to the device case 11 that requires liquid tightness. However, the relay connector may be attached to the device case that does not require liquid tightness. In this case, since the seal ring 32 is not required, the seal ring mounting groove 21b of the fixed portion 21 can be omitted.

In the above embodiment, the attachment hole 11X of the device case 11 may be referred to as a circular bore. In the above embodiment, the inner engagement portion 21d and the outer side surface 21e may be referred to as an inner flange portion of the relay connector 13 that contacts the inner opening edge of the circular bore. In the above embodiment, the C-ring mounting groove 21f may be referred to as the outer groove of the relay connector 13 aligned with the outer opening edge of the circular bore. In the above embodiment, the inner end portion 21 c, the inner engagement portion 21 d, and the inner hood portion 23 may be referred to as an inner portion of the relay connector 13. The C-ring mounting groove 21f, the retainer holding portion 22b, and the outer hood portion 22 may be referred to as the outer portion of the relay connector 13. The terminal 31 may be referred to as a conductive terminal pin. An assembly composed of the device case 11, the relay connector 13, and the C ring 33 may be referred to as a vehicle transmission case assembly.

The present disclosure encompasses the following implementation examples. The reference numerals of the constituent elements of the embodiment are given for the purpose of understanding but not limitation.
[Appendix 1] In some implementation examples, an equipment case (11) having a circular bore (11X) extending from an outer opening edge to an inner opening edge, a relay connector (13), and the relay connector (13) are provided. An assembly (11, 13, 33) including fixing means (33) for fixing to the device case (11) is provided, and the relay connector (13) is formed from the inside of the device case (11) into the circular shape. A cylindrical fixing portion (21) that is inserted into the bore (11X) and is tightly fitted to the circular bore (11X) through a liquid-tight seal ring (32), and the cylindrical fixing portion (21 ) Is attached to the circular bore (11X), the inner portion (21c, 21d, 21) disposed inside the device case (11) with respect to the inner opening edge of the circular bore (11X). , 23) and the cylindrical fixing portion (21) are disposed outside the device case (11) with respect to the outer opening edge of the circular bore (11X) when attached to the circular bore (11X). Outer side portions (21f, 22b, 22), and the inner side portions (21c, 21d, 21e, 23) are continuous from the cylindrical fixing portion (21), and the inner side of the circular bore (11X). The outer flanges (21f, 22b, 22) include inner flange portions (21d, 21e) that abut against the opening edge, and the inner flange portions (21d, 21e) are formed on the inner opening edge of the circular bore (11X). It includes an outer groove (21f) aligned with the outer opening edge of the circular bore (11X) when abutted, and the fixing means (33) is connected to the relay connector (13) from the outside of the device case (11). )of Kigai is mounted in gutter (21f), including said outer opening edge and the outer groove (21f) and the C-ring to engage the intermediate connector (13) of the circular bore (11X) (33).

[Appendix 2] In some implementation examples, the relay connector (13) includes a plurality of conductive terminal pins (31) fixedly supported by the cylindrical fixing portion (21), and each conductive terminal The pin (31) includes an inner end (31b) protruding toward the inside of the device case (11) and an outer end (31a) protruding toward the outside of the device case (11).

[Supplementary Note 3] In some mounting examples, the inner flange portions (21d, 21e) of the relay connector (13) include a minimum diameter portion adjacent to the cylindrical fixing portion (21) and a maximum diameter portion (21d). ) And an inclined surface (21e) extending between the minimum diameter portion and the maximum diameter portion.

[Appendix 4] In some implementation examples, the device case (11) is a vehicle transmission case in which electrical components are arranged, and the relay connector (13) is connected to the vehicle from the outside of the vehicle transmission case. It is configured to relay an electrical signal supplied to and / or supplied from the electrical component to the exterior of the vehicle transmission case in the transmission case.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the technical concept thereof. For example, some of the parts described in the embodiment (or one or more aspects thereof) may be omitted, or some parts may be combined. The scope of the invention should be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 13 ... Relay connector, 20 ... Housing, 21 ... Fixed part, 22 ... Outer hood part, 23 ... Inner hood part, 31 ... Terminal, 32 ... Seal ring, 33 ... C ring, 34 ... Retainer.

Claims

A relay connector attached to the mounting hole of the device case from the inside of the device case,
A housing and a C-ring attached to the housing;
The housing is
A fixing portion disposed in the mounting hole;
An outer hood protruding from the fixed part to the outside of the device case; and
An inner hood portion protruding from the fixed portion to the inside of the device case;
Have
The fixing part is
An inner engagement portion disposed on the inner hood portion side and formed with an outer diameter larger than the diameter of the mounting hole;
A C-ring mounting groove disposed on the outer hood portion side, formed over the entire circumference of the outer peripheral surface of the fixed portion, and mounted with the C-ring;
A relay connector comprising:
The relay according to claim 1, wherein a retainer is provided on an outer surface of the outer hood portion to engage with a connector portion inserted into the outer hood portion and prevent the connector portion from coming off. connector.
The fixing portion is disposed between the inner engagement portion and the C-ring mounting groove, is formed over the entire outer periphery of the fixing portion, and includes a seal ring mounting groove on which a seal ring is mounted. The relay connector according to claim 1, wherein the relay connector has a relay connector.