CN104145379A - waterproof connector - Google Patents

Abstract

An object of the present invention is to provide a waterproof connector capable of suppressing external liquid from reaching a sealing member without increasing the size of the connector. The waterproof connector (10) includes: an inner case (12) holding terminals, and fitting the counterpart side case (22) through a sealing member (33) on the outer periphery; and an outer case (40) than the inner case The body (12) is further arranged on the outside, and receives the other side case (22) between the inner case (12). The outer casing (40) has a locking arm (43) locked to the opposite side casing (22), and on the outer peripheral portion of the inner casing (12) below the locking arm (43), there is a vertically arranged A liquid-proof wall (37) that is blocked between peripheral portions (22A) of the housing (22).

Description

waterproof connector

technical field

The present invention relates to a waterproof connector that prevents the intrusion of liquid including water.

Background technique

A waterproof connector is known that includes a sealing member that seals a housing of a mated connector (hereinafter referred to as a mating housing) (for example, Patent Document 1).

Such a waterproof connector includes: a first housing that holds the terminals and that is fitted to the other side housing via a seal member on the outer peripheral portion; The other side case is accepted between the cases.

When the waterproof connector is fitted into the mating connector, the sealing member is crushed between the first case and the mating case, whereby the sealing member is in close contact with both the first case and the mating case. Alternatively, the inside of the connector is waterproofed.

Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2006-140117.

Contents of the invention

The problem to be solved by the invention

The second housing of the waterproof connector includes a locking member locked to the counterpart housing. If described based on FIG. 6( a ), the waterproof connector is equipped with a holding terminal, and the opposite side housing 61 is fitted into the outer peripheral first housing 51 via the sealing member 50 and is received between the first housing 51 and the first housing 51 . The second housing 52 of the counterpart housing 61 has a locking arm 54 integrally formed with the cover portion 53 thereof.

When such a waterproof connector is fitted to the mating connector, the locking protrusion 54A of the locking arm 54 and the locking protrusion 62 of the mating housing 61 are engaged with each other, thereby preventing the waterproof connector and the mating connector from falling off.

The waterproof connector shown in FIG. 6( b ) also includes components that are different in shape from those in FIG. 6( a ) but have the same function, and are described with the same symbols as those in FIG. 6( a ).

In the range where the cover portion 53 is provided in the second case 52 shown in FIGS. The sealing member 50 between the first case 51 covered by the second case 52 and the other side case 61 hardly encounters liquid from the outside.

However, in the portion where the lock arm 54 is provided in the second housing 52, the cover portion 53 is not continuous. Therefore, some places below the lock arm 54 that are not covered by the cover portion 53 are open to the outside without being covered, so liquid from the outside can easily pass through the space below the lock arm 54 and reach the sealing member 50 .

Here, depending on the environment in which the connector is used, not only water but also fuel oil, chemical liquid, etc. are located around the connector, and contact with such liquid may cause deterioration and deterioration of the sealing member 50 and lower water resistance.

In addition, even if it is water, when the waterproof connector receives high-pressure washing water, etc., the sealing member 50 may allow the intrusion of water.

Considering the severe usage conditions as described above, it is not preferable that the liquid from the outside easily reaches the sealing member 50 .

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7 , it is conceivable to provide the cover portion 53 of the second housing 52 over the entire circumference, and to provide the lock arm 54 outside the cover portion 53 . According to this structure, since the second case 52 covers the entire circumference of the end portions of the first case 51 and the other side case 61 , it is preferable from the viewpoint of preventing external liquid from reaching the sealing member 50 .

However, in the structure shown in FIG. 7, since the lock arm 54 is provided outside the cover part 53, the connector becomes bulky and enlarged.

Based on the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a waterproof connector capable of suppressing external liquid from reaching a sealing member without increasing the size of the connector.

solutions to problems

The waterproof connector of the present invention includes: a first housing that holds terminals and that is fitted to the other side housing via a seal member on the outer peripheral portion; The counterpart housing is received between the first housings, and the second housing has a locking member locked to the counterpart housing.

Furthermore, the present invention is characterized in that a liquid-proof wall is erected on the outer peripheral portion of the first housing located below the lock member to close the gap between the peripheral portion of the counterpart housing and the outer peripheral portion of the first housing.

According to the present invention, by providing a liquid-proof wall on the outer peripheral portion of the first case so as to block the gap with the other side case, the outer periphery of the first case, the liquid-proof wall, and the other side case Since the peripheral portion covers the sealing member, liquid from the outside does not easily reach the sealing member even under the locking member where the cover portion of the second housing is not provided.

In this way, the waterproofness under severe use conditions is also ensured by the liquid-proof wall. At the same time, since the liquid-proof wall is located in the space below the locking member required for locking the locking member and the other side housing, even if the waterproofing The liquid wall and the waterproof connector are not enlarged either.

In the present invention, the underside of the lock member refers to the space existing between the lock member and the outer peripheral portion of the first housing when the lock member is projected onto the first housing from the radially outer side of the connector.

In the waterproof connector of the present invention, preferably, the liquid-proof wall has the same height as the thickness of the peripheral portion of the counterpart housing.

In the present invention, the liquid-proof wall provided to block the gap between the outer peripheral portion of the first housing and the peripheral portion of the counterpart housing does not necessarily collide with the peripheral portion of the counterpart housing. There is a gap corresponding to the tolerance between the liquid-proof wall and the peripheral portion of the counterpart housing. If the gap is long in the height direction of the liquid-proof wall, it is difficult for liquid from the outside to reach the sealing member, so in this point, the height of the liquid-proof wall is better, but even if the liquid-proof wall is too high, it is easy to interfere with the locking member .

Therefore, if the height of the liquid-proof wall is made to be the same as the thickness of the peripheral portion of the opposite side housing as in the present invention, the length of the gap that can become the intrusion path of the liquid can be ensured to be long without interfering with the locking member. Helps improve water resistance.

The effect of the invention

According to the waterproof connector of the present invention, it is possible to prevent external liquid from reaching the sealing member without overlapping the first case and the mating case over the entire circumference. Thereby, not only high waterproofness can be realized, but also enlargement of the connector can be avoided.

Description of drawings

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a state where a waterproof connector and a mating connector according to the embodiment of the present invention are fitted. The electric wire lead-out part and the cover part of the 2nd case of a waterproof connector are shown by the dashed-two dotted line.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken along line II-II of Fig. 1 .

3 is a perspective view showing the waterproof connector disassembled into two housings after the mating with the mating connector is released.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken along line IV-IV of Fig. 3 .

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of main parts of FIG. 2 .

Fig. 6 is a sectional view showing a conventional waterproof connector.

Fig. 7 is a sectional view showing another conventional waterproof connector.

Detailed ways

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail based on the embodiments shown in the attached FIGS. 1 to 5 .

The waterproof connector 10 of the present embodiment is fitted into a mating connector 20 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 .

Hereinafter, the side of the waterproof connector 10 fitted with the mating connector 20 is defined as the front, and the side opposite to the side is defined as the rear.

The waterproof connector 10 includes: an inner case (first case) 12 holding a plurality of terminals, not shown, electrically connected to the respective terminals 21 of the counterpart connector 20; and an outer case (second case) 40 , accommodate the inner housing 12 .

The inner housing 12 includes: an inner body 12A formed with a plurality of cavities 31 into which terminals are respectively inserted; and an inner part 12B provided on the front end side of the inner body 12A. In addition, the inner body 12A and the inner parts 12B are each integrally produced by injection molding an insulating resin. The same applies to the outer case 40 and the case (hereinafter, mating side case) 22 of the counterpart connector 20 .

An annular seal member 33 is attached to the outer peripheral portion of the inner body 12A. The first end portion of the sealing member 33 is positioned by the step portion 13 ( FIG. 2 ) formed on the outer peripheral portion of the inner body 12A. The sealing member 33 is formed of silicone rubber in the present embodiment, but may also be formed of nitrile rubber, fluororubber, or the like.

On the outer peripheral portion of the inner body 12A, a liquid-proof wall 37 standing radially outward is formed on the rear side of the sealing member 33 . Therefore, the liquid-proof wall 37 has a wall surface perpendicular to the fitting direction of the waterproof connector 10 . The liquid-proof wall 37 is formed over a predetermined length L ( FIG. 3 ) along the circumferential direction of the inner case 12 .

In addition, at the rear end portion of the inner body 12A, there is provided a wire seal 36 that collectively seals off water around the outer peripheries of a plurality of electric wires (not shown) respectively connected to the respective terminals.

The inner part 12B holds the terminals together with the inner body 12A.

When the inner part 12B is assembled to the inner body 12A, the second end part of the sealing member 33 is positioned by the rear end part of the inner part 12B.

Next, the outer case 40 includes a wire lead-out portion 40A facing the rear end portion of the inner body 12A, and a cylindrical cover portion 40B provided forward around the wire lead-out portion 40A.

On the upper surface of 40A of electric wire drawing-out part 40A which draws out the electric wire connected to a terminal, the lock arm 43 which locks with the housing|casing 22 of the other side is integrally provided. The lock arm 43 extends forward from the rear end of the wire lead-out portion 40A, reaching the cover portion 40B ( FIG. 3 ).

The lock arm 43 includes: an arm body 44 having a lock release operation portion 49 at the proximal end and a locking piece 46 at the distal end; and a U-shaped spring piece 45 supporting the proximal end of the arm body 44 .

The locking piece 46 protrudes from the lower surface of the arm body 44 to the inner case 12 side.

On both sides in the width direction of the lock arm 43 , a pair of protective walls 47 , 47 ( FIG. 3 ) standing up from the wire lead-out portion 40A and the cover portion 40B are provided.

On the front end side of the protective walls 47 , 47 , a top cover 48 is erected, and the front end side of the lock arm 43 including the locking piece 46 is covered by the top cover 48 .

By providing the above-mentioned protective wall 47 and top cover 48, it is difficult for electric wires and other items to collide with the locking arm 43, thus protecting the locking arm 43 from deformation and damage.

The area between the protective walls 47 and 47 where the lock arm 43 is arranged in this way is open to the outside of the connector because the cover portion 40B is not provided.

When the inner case 12 is accommodated in the outer case 40 , a wide portion for receiving the counterpart case 22 is formed between the inner peripheral portion of the cover portion 40B and the outer peripheral portion of the inner body 12A.

Furthermore, the above-mentioned liquid-proof wall 37 is located closer to the front side than the spring piece 45 as shown in FIG. 2 , and is located below the arm main body 44 with a gap therebetween. Below the arm body 44 , that is, between the lock arm 43 , the inner body 12A, and the counterpart housing 22 , a space S required for locking the lock arm 43 and the counterpart housing 22 to each other is formed. The liquid-proof wall 37 is located in the space S, and is provided with a height and thickness not to interfere with the lock arm 43 .

The counterpart housing 22 holds the terminal 21 and is fitted to the outer peripheral portion of the inner housing 12 via a seal member 33 .

One end of the terminal 21 is inserted into the counterpart housing 22 , the other end extends to the outside of the counterpart housing 22 , and is bent downward from the middle. At the other end of the terminal 21, a tooth plate (alignment plate) 27 is fitted.

On the outer peripheral portion of the counterpart housing 22 , there is provided a locking protrusion 25 that locks with the locking piece 46 of the locking arm 43 of the waterproof connector 10 .

In addition, the liquid-proof wall 37 faces the peripheral edge portion 22A of the counterpart case 22 via a gap. The height of the liquid-proof wall 37 is preferably the same as the thickness of the peripheral portion 22A.

When fitting the waterproof connector 10 having the configuration described above and the mating connector 20 , the mating housing 22 is inserted between the cover portion 40B of the outer housing 40 and the inner housing 12 . Then, the sealing member 33 is crushed by the other side case 22 and closely adheres to the other side case 22 and the inner case 12, thereby achieving internal waterproofing.

On the other hand, since the locking piece 46 of the lock arm 43 is pushed up by the locking protrusion 25 of the counterpart housing 22, the spring piece 45 bends. Then, when the locking piece 46 passes over the locking protrusion 25 , the deflection of the spring piece 45 is restored, and the locking piece 46 and the locking protrusion 25 are locked to each other. This prevents the waterproof connector 10 and the mating connector 20 from coming off.

When releasing the mating between the waterproof connector 10 and the mating connector 20 , the lock release operation portion 49 is pushed down. As a result, the spring piece 45 is bent and the locking piece 46 is separated from the locking protrusion 25 , so that both connectors 10 and 20 can be separated in the front-rear direction to release the mating.

Then, when the waterproof connector 10 and the counterpart connector 20 are fitted, the counterpart housing 22 is covered by the cover portion 40B of the outer housing 40 via a predetermined gap. Therefore, in the range covered by the cover portion 40B, it is difficult for liquid such as water to penetrate into the interior of the exterior case 40 , and thus it is difficult for liquid from the outside to reach the sealing member 33 .

On the other hand, since the range where the lock arm 43 is provided is open to the outside, external liquid easily enters the space S below the lock arm 43 .

However, in the space S, there is a liquid-proof wall 37 , and when the waterproof connector 10 and the mating connector 20 are fitted, the liquid-proof wall 37 blocks the space between the inner case 12 and the mating-side case 22 . Thus, the sealing member 33 is covered by the outer peripheral portion of the inner case 12 , the liquid-proof wall 37 , and the peripheral portion 22A of the counterpart case 22 .

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5 , before the liquid that has invaded the space S reaches the sealing member 33, it must pass through a curved narrow path between the liquid-proof wall 37 and the top end of the peripheral portion 22A of the housing 22 on the other side. The path R1 and the path R2 between the lower end of the peripheral portion 22A of the counterpart housing 22 and the outer peripheral portion of the inner body 12A are constituted. Since the flow of the liquid is stagnated by the curved portion of the narrow path, it is easier to stop the flow of the liquid than a narrow path formed of only linear paths extending in one direction. Therefore, even if liquid invades the space S from the outside, according to the present embodiment, the sealing member 33 is less likely to encounter the liquid.

Furthermore, if the liquid-proof wall 37 has the same height as the thickness of the peripheral portion 22A of the counterpart case 22 , the narrow path can be ensured to be as long as possible, so that the liquid can be more prevented from reaching the sealing member 33 from the outside.

In addition, "the same height" in this application includes the case where the thickness of the liquid-proof wall 37 is slightly lower than the thickness of the peripheral edge part 22A, and the case where it is slightly higher. Here, when the thickness of the liquid-proof wall 37 is slightly lower than that of the peripheral edge portion 22A, when the U-shaped spring piece 45 bends, it is preferable that the tip thereof does not touch the liquid-proof wall 37 in many cases.

Furthermore, if the liquid-proof wall 37 is provided with the length L corresponding to the interval between the protective walls 47, 47, the entire range opened to the outside by the provision of the lock arm 43 is covered with the sealing member 33 as described above. , and therefore the sealing member 33 hardly encounters external liquid over the entire circumference. Thereby, waterproofness can be further improved.

As described above, it is difficult for liquid from the outside to reach the sealing member 33 . Therefore, it is possible to suppress the risk that liquid such as fuel oil or chemical liquid having a component that degrades and deteriorates the sealing member 33 reaches the sealing member 33 and lowers the water resistance. Therefore, since an inexpensive material with low resistance to such a liquid can be used for the sealing member 33 , it can also contribute to cost reduction.

Also, even if high-pressure water intrudes into the space S, the water is decompressed by the curved narrow path reaching the sealing member 33, and the sealing member 33 is not subjected to water pressure exceeding the sealing pressure, so it also withstands high-pressure cleaning.

According to the present embodiment, by providing the liquid-proof wall 37 on the outer peripheral portion of the inner case 12 as described above, even if liquid enters the space S from the outside, the liquid can be prevented from reaching the sealing member 33 . The liquid-proof wall 37 thus contributing to high waterproof performance is located inside the outer case 40, so that the size of the waterproof connector 10 does not increase.

The waterproof connector 10 of the present embodiment can be particularly suitably used for equipment used under severe conditions, such as equipment mounted on a motorcycle, due to its high waterproof performance.

In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the inner case 12 composed of two parts, the inner body 12A and the inner part 12B, is used, but it is also possible to use a second part composed of a single part in which a groove for holding the sealing member 33 is formed on the outer periphery. 1 housing.

In addition, the form of the above-mentioned liquid-proof wall 37 is an example, and it can also be a stepped liquid-proof wall, for example. In this case, if the peripheral portion of the other side case is stepped (however, it is reversed up and down with the liquid-proof wall) and the two are engaged, the outer peripheral portion of the inner case 12 and the other side case 22 The narrow path between them is extended, and a plurality of bent portions are provided in the narrow path, thereby contributing to the improvement of waterproofness.

The forms of the housings of the waterproof connector 10 and the mating connector 20 are not limited to the above, and various configurations are possible.

In addition to the above, unless it deviates from the gist of the present invention, the configurations listed in the above-mentioned embodiments can be selected or appropriately changed to other configurations.

Symbol Description

10 waterproof connector

12 Internal shell (1st shell)

12A internal body

12B Internal parts

20 counterpart connector

22 Opposite side housing

22A peripheral part

25 locking protrusion

31 cavities

33 sealing parts

36 wire seal

37 Anti-liquid wall

40 External shell (second shell)

40A wire lead-out part

40B cover part

43 locking arm (locking part)

44 arm body

45 leaf spring

46 locking piece

47 Protective wall

48 top cover

49 Lock release operation part

R1 path

R2 path

S space.

Claims (6)

1. A waterproof connector with: the first case holds the terminal, and is fitted to the other side case through the sealing member on the outer peripheral portion; and a second case disposed on the outer side of the first case and receiving the other side case between the first case and the first case, The second housing has a locking member locked to the counterpart housing, On the outer peripheral portion of the first housing located below the lock member, a liquid-proof device is erected to block the gap between the peripheral portion of the counterpart housing and the outer peripheral portion of the first housing. wall. 2. The waterproof connector according to claim 1, wherein the liquid-proof wall has the same height as the thickness of the peripheral portion of the counterpart housing. 3. The waterproof connector according to claim 1, wherein the liquid-proof wall has a wall surface perpendicular to the fitting direction of the waterproof connector. 4. The waterproof connector according to claim 3, wherein the liquid-proof wall is opposed to the peripheral portion of the counterpart housing through a gap. 5. The waterproof connector according to claim 1, wherein the sealing member is annular. 6. The waterproof connector according to claim 1, characterized in that, A stepped portion is formed on the outer peripheral portion of the first housing located below the locking member, The sealing member is positioned by the stepped portion.