JP4023377B2 - Waterproof connector - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a waterproof connector.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, what was described in the following patent document 1 as an example of a waterproof connector is known. In this device, a batch rubber plug having a plurality of insertion holes through which a terminal fitting and an electric wire can be inserted is mounted on the rear surface side of the housing, and a holder for holding the batch rubber plug is mounted on the rear side. When the terminal rubber fitting is inserted into the insertion hole while being held in the batch rubber plug by the holder, the inner periphery of the insertion hole is brought into close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the electric wire, thereby sealing the electric wire. .
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-21989
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, for example, when the device to which the other end of the electric wire (the end on the lead-out side as viewed from the housing) is connected is installed in a place where vibration frequently occurs, the vibration is transmitted through the electric wire. Since there is a concern about adverse effects on the terminal fittings in the housing, countermeasures have been required.
The present invention has been completed based on the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to satisfactorily absorb electric wire vibration.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
As a means for achieving the above object, the invention according to claim 1 is characterized in that the connector housing can accommodate the terminal fitting connected to the terminal of the electric wire, and the insertion hole through which the terminal fitting and the electric wire can be inserted. A rubber plug provided with a holder for holding the rubber plug is assembled, and the periphery of the insertion hole is in close contact with the inserted electric wire so that the periphery of the electric wire can be sealed, When the holder is assembled at a predetermined position with respect to the connector housing, the holder is pressed around the insertion hole in the rubber plug to press the peripheral edge of the insertion hole radially inward. capable pressed portion is provided to compress between the wire, the insertion hole in the rubber plug is to plurality aligned vertically and horizontally are disposed, the pressure-contacting portion in the holder, the insertion holes A plurality of vertical and horizontal lines are aligned at substantially the same pitch as the pitch of each of the insertion holes, and half of the pitch between the insertion holes in the vertical and horizontal directions is obliquely displaced from the insertion holes and corresponds to the periphery of the insertion holes. It is characterized by the configuration in which it is arranged .
[0007]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the rubber plug is provided with a recess capable of receiving the pressure contact portion, and the diameter dimension of the recess is set smaller than the diameter size of the pressure contact portion. It has the characteristics where it is done.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the present invention, the holder and the connector housing include a temporary locking position where the pressure contact portion is not in contact with the rubber plug, and the pressure contact. It is characterized in that a holding means capable of holding the holder is provided at two positions, the main locking position where the portion is pressed against the rubber stopper.
[0008]
[Action and effect of the invention]
<Invention of Claim 1>
When the terminal fitting and the electric wire are inserted into the insertion hole and the holder is assembled at a predetermined position with respect to the connector housing, the periphery of the insertion hole in the rubber plug is pressed by the pressure contact portion, so that the peripheral portion of the insertion hole has a diameter. It is pressed inward in the direction and compressed between the wires. Thereby, since the hardness of the peripheral part of an insertion hole is raised, the vibration absorption performance with respect to an electric wire can be improved. In addition, since the press contact portion is pressed to a position of the rubber plug that is shifted vertically and horizontally from each insertion hole, the peripheral portion of the insertion hole can be compressed well even when the pitch between the insertion holes is narrowed. Therefore, it is suitable for downsizing.
[0010]
<Invention of Claim 2 >
By adjusting the difference in diameter between the concave portion and the pressure contact portion, the hardness of the peripheral portion of the insertion hole, that is, the vibration absorption performance can be appropriately set as necessary. Moreover, compared with the case where a recessed part is not provided, the force required to assemble a holder can be reduced.
<Invention of Claim 3 >
The terminal fitting is inserted into the connector housing while the holder is held at the temporary locking position with respect to the connector housing. At this time, since the pressure contact portion is not in contact with the rubber plug, the insertion resistance when the terminal fitting is inserted is reduced, and the workability is improved. Further, since the holder and the rubber plug can be temporarily held with respect to the connector housing, the handling becomes simple. Then, the pressure contact portion can be pressed against the rubber stopper by holding the holder at the main locking position.
[0011]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
<First Embodiment>
A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In this 1st Embodiment, the waterproof connector provided with the batch rubber stopper 30 which seals the several electric wire W collectively is shown. As shown in FIG. 3, this is attached to the connector housing 20 made of synthetic resin (hereinafter simply referred to as the housing 20), the female terminal fitting 10 connected to the electric wire W accommodated in the housing 20, and the housing 20. Thus, it is composed of a collective rubber plug 30 capable of sealing around the electric wire W and a holder 40 attached to the housing 20 and capable of holding the collective rubber plug 30. In the following description, it is assumed that the insertion direction of the female terminal fitting 10 with respect to the housing 20 is the front and the reverse extraction direction is the rear.
[0012]
The female terminal fitting 10 has a configuration in which a main body portion 11 that can be conductively connected to a mating male terminal fitting and a barrel portion 12 that crimps and connects an electric wire W are connected in the front-rear direction. Among these, the main-body part 11 is formed in a substantially box shape, and has a size such that its outer shape projects outward from the outer peripheral surface of the electric wire W.
[0013]
The housing 20 is provided with cavities 21 into which the female terminal fittings 10 connected to the ends of the electric wires W can be inserted from the rear side, with three chambers aligned at equal intervals in the height direction and the width direction. On the rear surface of the housing 20, an accommodation chamber 22 that can accommodate the collective rubber plug 30 and the holder 40 is provided to open rearward. All the cavities 21 are open in the storage chamber 22. On both outer side surfaces of the rear portion of the housing 20, a main locking holding portion 23 and a temporary locking holding portion 24 for holding the holder 40 are provided to protrude outward one by one in a state where they are aligned in the front-rear direction. ing.
[0014]
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the collective rubber plug 30 is formed in a substantially quadrangular (substantially square) plate shape, and the outer peripheral surface thereof is in close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the storage chamber 22 and between the both surfaces. The lip 31 for keeping the liquid-tight state is provided in a state where three lips 31 are arranged in the front-rear direction. The collective rubber plug 30 is provided with an insertion hole 32 through which the female terminal fitting 10 and the electric wire W can be inserted in the front-rear direction. Three insertion holes 32 are arranged at equal intervals in the height direction and width direction (vertical and horizontal), and communicate with each cavity 21 when the collective rubber plug 30 is accommodated in the accommodation chamber 22. It is arranged like this. The inner peripheral surface of each insertion hole 32 is provided with three lips 33 that are in close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the electric wire W and are kept in a liquid-tight state between the two surfaces in a front-rear direction.
[0015]
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the holder 40 is formed in a substantially rectangular plate shape having the same size as the batch rubber plug 30. The holder 40 is provided with an insertion hole 41 through which the female terminal fitting 10 and the electric wire W can be inserted in the front-rear direction. The three insertion holes 41 are arranged at equal intervals in the height direction and the width direction, and the insertion holes 41 communicate with the insertion holes 32 and the cavities 21 of the batch rubber plug 30 when mounted on the housing 20. It is an arrangement. Accordingly, the pitch in the height direction and the width direction between the insertion holes 41 in the holder 40 is substantially the same as the pitch between the insertion holes 32 of the batch rubber plug 30 and the pitch between the cavities 21. Each insertion hole 41 is formed in a quadrangle so that the main body 11 of the female terminal fitting 10 can be inserted.
[0016]
A pair of holding pieces 42 that extend forward and form a cantilever shape are provided on both outer side surfaces of the holder 40. The holding pieces 42 are selectively held at two different positions in the front and rear directions with respect to the housing 20 by being locked to the temporary locking holding portion 24 and the main locking holding portion 23 of the housing 20. It can be done. Specifically, in the state where the holding piece 42 is locked to the temporary locking holding portion 24, as shown in FIG. 4, the holder 40 is not housed in the housing chamber 22, but from the rear surface of the housing 20 (collective rubber plug 30). Is also arranged at the rear position, and the mounting position of the holder 40 is the temporary locking position. On the other hand, in a state where the holding piece 42 is locked to the main locking holding portion 23, as shown in FIG. 6, the holder 40 is completely stored in the storage chamber 22 and is flush with the rear surface of the housing 20, In addition, the holder 40 is disposed in contact with the rear surface of the batch rubber stopper 30, and the mounting position of the holder 40 is the main locking position.
[0017]
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the holder 40 is provided with a plurality of press contact portions 43 that can be pressed around the respective insertion holes 32 in the rubber plug, whereas the batch rubber plug 30 has a plurality of press contact portions 43. The rear surface is provided with the same number of recesses 34 as the pressure contact portions 43 that can receive the pressure contact portions 43. The pressure contact portion 43 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape that protrudes forward from the front surface of the holder 40, and the tip peripheral portion thereof is chamfered. As shown in FIG. 1, the press contact portion 43 is disposed at a position that is obliquely displaced from each insertion hole 41 in the holder 40, that is, a position that is displaced in the height direction and the width direction (vertical and horizontal). A total of 16 pieces are arranged at positions shifted vertically and horizontally from the insertion holes 41 by half of the pitch in the height direction and the pitch in the width direction between the insertion holes 41. The four pressure contact portions 43 are arranged at equal intervals in the height direction and the width direction, and the pitch in the height direction and the width direction between the pressure contact portions 43 is the pitch between the insertion holes 41. It is almost the same.
[0018]
On the other hand, the recesses 34 are arranged corresponding to the respective press contact portions 43, and as shown in FIG. 2, the recesses 34 are displaced obliquely from the respective insertion holes 32 in the batch rubber plug 30, that is, in the height direction and the width direction. Specifically, a total of 16 pieces are arranged at positions shifted vertically and horizontally by half of the pitch in the height direction and the pitch in the width direction between the insertion holes 32 in detail. Four recesses 34 are arranged at equal intervals in the height direction and the width direction, and the pitch in the height direction and the width direction between the recesses 34 is substantially equal to the pitch between the insertion holes 32. It is the same. As shown in FIG. 3, each recess 34 is formed in a substantially circular groove shape that opens rearward to allow the pressure contact portion 43 to enter. The depth of each recess 34 is set to be slightly more than half the thickness of the batch rubber plug 30, and the diameter A is set to be smaller than the outer diameter B of the press contact portion 43. Accordingly, the press contact portion 43 is press-fitted while expanding the concave portion 34, and accordingly, the peripheral portion 35 (including the two rear lips 33) of the insertion hole 32 is pressed radially inward. At the same time, it is compressed between the electric wire W and its hardness is increased. At this time, since the four concave portions 34 surrounding the one insertion hole 32 are arranged at positions separated from the insertion hole 32 by substantially the same distance, the pressing force acting on the peripheral edge portion 35 from each pressure contact portion 43. Can be made substantially uniform.
[0019]
In the state where the holder 40 is mounted at the temporary locking position with respect to the housing 20, as shown in FIG. 4, the press contact portion 43 is separated (retracted) rearward from the batch rubber plug 30 and is brought into a non-contact state. The concave portion 34 is arranged facing the front and rear. On the other hand, in the state where the holder 40 is mounted at the final locking position, the press contact portion 43 is press-fitted into the recess 34 as shown in FIG.
[0020]
The present embodiment has the above-described structure, and the operation thereof will be described subsequently. In order to assemble the waterproof connector, the batch rubber plug 30 is accommodated in the accommodating chamber 22 from the rear in the state shown in FIG. 3, and then the holder 40 is attached to the housing 20 from the rear side. At this time, by holding the holding piece 42 to the temporary locking holding portion 24, the holder 40 is mounted at the temporary locking position as shown in FIG. Thereby, since the lump rubber stopper 30 and the holder 40 can be temporarily held in the housing 20 and handled integrally, the handling becomes simple.
[0021]
The operation of inserting each female terminal fitting 10 connected to the electric wire W into each cavity 21 of the housing 20 is performed in a state where the holder 40 is mounted at the temporary locking position as described above. When the female terminal fitting 10 passes through the insertion hole 41 of the holder 40 and then is inserted into the insertion hole 32 of the batch rubber plug 30, it is inserted into the front cavity 21 while elastically expanding the insertion hole 32. Is done. At this time, since the press contact portion 43 does not enter the concave portion 34, the peripheral portion 35 of the insertion hole 32 is released to the concave portion 34 side in the insertion process of the female terminal fitting 10. Accordingly, the insertion resistance of the female terminal fitting 10 is reduced, and the insertion work is facilitated. In a state where the female terminal fitting 10 is inserted into the cavity 21 to the normal depth, the electric wire W is inserted into the insertion hole 32 and the lip 33 is in close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the electric wire W as shown in FIG.
[0022]
When all the female terminal fittings 10 have been inserted, the holder 40 is pushed forward from the temporary locking position and moved to the main locking position side. As shown in FIG. 6, the holder 40 is held at the final locking position by the holding piece 42 being detached from the temporary locking holding portion 24 and being locked to the final locking holding portion 23. In this process, each press contact portion 43 is pressed (pressed) while expanding (expanding) the corresponding concave portion 34, and the peripheral portion 35 of the insertion hole 32 is pressed radially inward to press the press contact portion 43. And the wire W are compressed and deformed. As a result, the hardness of the peripheral edge portion 35 of the insertion hole 32 is higher than that of other portions of the batch rubber plug 30. Therefore, a device (not shown) to which the rear end portion (the end portion opposite to the end portion to which the female terminal fitting 10 is connected) of the electric wire W drawn rearward from the housing 20 is connected is, for example, an automobile engine room. Even when it is mounted in a place where vibrations frequently occur, such as nearby, the vibration transmitted to the electric wire W can be satisfactorily absorbed by the peripheral portion 35 of the insertion hole 32 locally cured in the batch rubber plug 30. Can do. Thereby, since external vibration can be made difficult to be transmitted to the female terminal fitting 10 in the housing 20, for example, a situation in which the contact portion wears in a state where the female terminal fitting 10 is in contact with the mating male terminal fitting is prevented. be able to. In addition, the sealing performance between the electric wire W and the insertion hole 32 improves because the peripheral part 35 of the insertion hole 32 is compressed. Further, the outer peripheral end portion (including the lip 31) of the collective rubber plug 30 is between the inner peripheral surface of the storage chamber 22 by the press-contact portion 43 that is press-fitted into the recess 34 disposed on the outermost periphery of the collective rubber plug 30. Since it is compressed, the sealing property between the storage chamber 22 and the batch rubber plug 30 is improved.
[0023]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, the peripheral portion 35 of the insertion hole 32 is radially inward by the pressure contact portion 43 provided in the holder 40 being pressed around the insertion hole 32 of the batch rubber plug 30. To be compressed with the electric wire W. Thereby, since the hardness of the peripheral part 35 of the penetration hole 32 can be raised, the vibration absorption performance with respect to the electric wire W can be improved.
[0024]
In addition, since the press contact portion 43 is press-contacted at a position shifted in the vertical and horizontal directions with respect to the insertion holes 32 in the batch rubber plug 30, even when the pitch between the insertion holes 32 is narrow, the press contact space (the press contact portion 43 and the recessed portion). 34) can be secured sufficiently, and the peripheral edge 35 of the insertion hole 32 can be compressed well. Therefore, it is suitable for a small waterproof connector.
[0025]
Furthermore, since the concave portion 34 capable of receiving the press contact portion 43 is provided in the batch rubber plug 30 and the diameter dimension A of the recess portion 34 is set smaller than the diameter size B of the press contact portion 43, By appropriately adjusting the difference in the diameter dimensions, the hardness of the peripheral edge portion 35 of the insertion hole 32, that is, the vibration absorption performance can be appropriately set as necessary. In addition, since the pressure contact portion 43 enters the recess 34, the holder 40 is assembled at the main locking position as compared with the case where the pressure contact portion presses the rear surface of the batch rubber stopper without forming the recess. It is possible to reduce the force required for this.
[0026]
In addition, since the female terminal fitting 10 is inserted in a state where it is held at the temporary locking position with respect to the housing 20, the press contact portion 43 is not in contact with the batch rubber plug 30. 10 can be easily inserted. Moreover, when the female terminal fitting 10 passes through the insertion hole 32, the peripheral portion 35 of the insertion hole 32 is relieved to the concave portion 34 side, so that the insertion resistance of the female terminal fitting 10 is reduced and the insertion work is further facilitated. It has become. In addition, since the holder 40 and the collective rubber plug 30 can be temporarily held with respect to the housing 20 and handled integrally, the handling becomes simple.
[0027]
< Reference example >
A reference example of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In this reference example , the pressure contact portion 43A and the concave portion 34A are changed in shape. In the reference example , the same structure as that of the first embodiment is denoted by the same reference numeral, and redundant description is omitted.
[0028]
As shown in FIGS. 7 and 9A, the pressure contact portion 43 </ b> A is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape that protrudes forward from the front surface of the holder 40 and surrounds the insertion hole 41. One is provided. On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9A, the recess 34A is formed in an annular groove shape that opens rearward on the rear surface of the collective rubber plug 30 and surrounds the insertion hole 32. A total of nine are provided for each insertion hole 32. The groove width C (diameter dimension) in the recess 34A is set to be smaller than the thickness dimension D (diameter dimension) in the press contact part 43A. Accordingly, when the holder 40 is moved to the final locking position with the electric wire W inserted through the insertion hole 32, the press contact portion 43A is press-fitted into the recess 34A and the insertion hole 32 as shown in FIG. 9B. The peripheral edge portion 35 is pressed inward in the radial direction and compressed between the electric wires W. At this time, the circumference of the insertion hole 32 can be pressed over the entire circumference by the pressure contact portion 43A formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, so that the peripheral edge portion 35 of the insertion hole 32 can be uniformly compressed, and thus the vibration of the electric wire W Absorption performance is improved.
[0029]
Second Embodiment
A second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In this 2nd Embodiment, it shows about what does not form a recessed part in the lump rubber stopper 30. FIG. Note that in the second embodiment, the same structure as that in the first embodiment is denoted by the same reference numeral, and redundant description is omitted.
[0030]
As shown in FIG. 10A, the pressure contact portion 43B has a gently tapered inner edge portion 44 facing the insertion hole 32. In other words, the protruding height gradually increases toward the outer side in the radial direction. It is formed as follows. Thus, when the holder 40 is moved to the final locking position and the pressure contact portion 43B is pressed around the insertion hole 32, the insertion hole 32 is caused by the inner edge portion 44 of the pressure contact portion 43B as shown in FIG. The peripheral edge portion 35 is pressed inward in the radial direction so as to be compressed with the electric wire W. As described above, according to the third embodiment, compared with the first embodiment and the reference example in which the dedicated collective rubber plug having the recess is required, the ordinary collective rubber plug having no recess is formed. Since it can be used, cost reduction can be achieved.
[0031]
<Other embodiments>
The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described with reference to the above description and drawings. For example, the following embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention, and further, within the scope not departing from the gist of the invention other than the following. Various modifications can be made.
(1) In the above-described first embodiment, the pressure contact portion and the concave portion are arranged in the approximate center between the insertion holes. However, the arrangement can be arbitrarily changed besides that. It is also possible to change the shape of the press contact portion to a prismatic shape or the like and change the shape of the concave portion accordingly.
[0032]
(2) In the above-described reference example , the shape of the pressure contact portion is cylindrical, but it may be changed to a rectangular tube shape or the like, and the shape of the recess may be changed accordingly. .
(3) In the first embodiment and the reference example described above, the recess has a groove shape that opens only rearward in the batch rubber plug, but the recess is formed in a hole shape that penetrates the batch rubber plug back and forth. Are also included in the present invention.
[0033]
(4) In each of the above-described embodiments and reference examples , the waterproof connector provided with the collective rubber plug is illustrated, but the present invention can also be applied to individual waterproof rubber plugs that are individually mounted in the cavities. .
(5) In each of the above-described embodiments and reference examples , the female connector provided with the female terminal fitting is exemplified, but the present invention can also be applied to the male connector provided with the male terminal fitting.
[Brief description of the drawings]
1 is a front view of a holder according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a rear view of a batch rubber plug. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XX in FIGS. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XX of FIGS. 1 and 2 showing a state in which a batch rubber stopper is accommodated and a holder is mounted at a temporary locking position. FIG. 5 is a view showing a state in which an electric wire is inserted through an insertion hole. front of the holder according to the first and sectional view taken along line X-X 6 line X-X sectional view of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 shows a state of mounting the holder to the locking position [7] reference example 2 [Fig. 8] Rear view of the lump rubber plug [Fig. 9] (A) Flat cross-sectional view showing a state where the holder is mounted at the temporary locking position and the electric wire is inserted (B) The state where the holder is mounted at the final locking position FIG. 10A is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the holder according to the second embodiment of the present invention is attached to the temporary locking position and the electric wire is inserted. FIG. (B) is a cross-sectional plan view showing a state in which the holder according to the second embodiment of the present invention is mounted in the final locking position.
10 ... Female terminal fitting (terminal fitting)
20 ... Housing (connector housing)
23 ... Main locking holding part (holding means)
24. Temporary locking holding portion (holding means)
30 ... Batch rubber stopper (Rubber stopper)
32 ... Insertion hole 34 ... Recess 35 ... Peripheral part 40 ... Holder 42 ... Holding piece (holding means)
43 ... Press-contact part W ... Wire

Claims (3)

The connector housing can accommodate a terminal fitting connected to the end of the electric wire, and has a rubber plug provided with an insertion hole through which the terminal fitting and the electric wire can be inserted, and a holder for holding the rubber plug, Is assembled, and the periphery of the insertion hole can be sealed around the electric wire by being in close contact with the inserted electric wire,
When the holder is assembled at a predetermined position with respect to the connector housing, the holder is pressed around the insertion hole in the rubber plug to press the peripheral edge of the insertion hole radially inward. There is a pressure contact part that can be compressed between the wires,
A plurality of the insertion holes in the rubber plug are arranged in a row in the vertical and horizontal directions,
A plurality of the press contact portions in the holder are aligned in the vertical and horizontal directions at substantially the same pitch as the pitch between the insertion holes, and are offset from the insertion holes by half of the pitch between the insertion holes in the vertical and horizontal directions. A waterproof connector, wherein the waterproof connector is disposed at a position corresponding to the periphery of each insertion hole .   2. The waterproof connector according to claim 1, wherein the rubber plug is provided with a recess capable of receiving the pressure contact portion, and the diameter dimension of the recess is set smaller than the diameter size of the pressure contact portion. .   The holder and the connector housing have the holder in two positions, a temporary locking position where the pressure contact portion is not in contact with the rubber plug and a final locking position where the pressure contact portion is pressed against the rubber plug. The waterproof connector according to claim 1, wherein holding means capable of holding is provided.

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