JP5016411B2 - Waterproof connector - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a waterproof connector provided with a waterproof plug that prevents water from entering a terminal accommodating chamber into which a terminal to which an electric wire is connected is inserted.

  Conventionally, various so-called waterproof connectors having a waterproof function have been developed as connectors applied to automobile wire harnesses and the like.

  For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a waterproof connector including a terminal to which an electric wire is connected, an insulating housing that holds the terminal, a holder, and a waterproof plug interposed between the insulating housing and the holder. Yes. The insulating housing includes a terminal accommodating chamber into which the terminal can be inserted, and an accommodating wall that extends rearward from a rear surface that opens the terminal accommodating chamber and accommodates the waterproof plug. The waterproof plug is made of an elastic member and has a terminal insertion hole through which the terminal can be inserted at a position corresponding to the terminal accommodating chamber.

In this waterproof connector, the waterproof plug is elastically deformed between the insulating housing and the holder, and the outer peripheral surface of the waterproof plug is in pressure contact with the inner peripheral surface of the housing wall of the insulating housing. A gap between the surface and the inner peripheral surface of the housing wall is sealed, and water intrusion into the terminal housing chamber is suppressed from the gap between the waterproof plug and the housing wall. The terminal is inserted into the terminal insertion hole while expanding the diameter of the terminal insertion hole in a state where the waterproof plug is elastically deformed, and is then inserted into the terminal accommodation chamber, and the insulation is provided in the terminal accommodation chamber. Held in the housing. At this time, the inner peripheral surface of the terminal insertion hole is in pressure contact with the outer peripheral surface of the electric wire connected to the terminal, thereby preventing water from entering the terminal accommodating chamber from the periphery of the electric wire.
JP 2000-82529 A

  In the conventional waterproof connector as described above, the terminal insertion hole is expanded through the terminal insertion hole while expanding the diameter of the terminal insertion hole at the front end portion or the like of the terminal. There is a risk. On the other hand, for example, by reducing the hardness of the waterproof plug and flexibly deforming the waterproof plug with respect to the terminal, the terminal insertion hole can be easily expanded in diameter and the damage to the waterproof plug can be suppressed. Conceivable. However, if the hardness of the waterproof plug is simply lowered, the resilience of the waterproof plug decreases and the pressure contact force of the waterproof plug to the storage wall of the insulating housing decreases. As a result, the waterproof plug and the storage wall There is a risk that the gap in the gap cannot be sufficiently sealed.

  In view of such circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a waterproof connector capable of more reliably suppressing damage to the waterproof plug and ensuring waterproof performance.

As means for solving the above problems, the present invention includes a terminal to which an electric wire is connected and a plurality of terminal accommodating chambers into which the terminal is inserted from the rear along the axial direction of the terminal. An insulating housing having terminal holding portions for holding the terminals respectively inserted in the holder, a holder fixed to the insulating housing at a position behind the terminal accommodating chamber, and the holder and the insulating housing sandwiched from the front and rear. The insulating housing has a housing wall that extends rearward from the rear surface of the terminal housing chamber where the terminal insertion opening is opened and accommodates the waterproof plug therein, and the waterproof plug comprises: A first waterproof plug formed of an elastic member and having a plurality of first through holes penetrating in the insertion direction of the terminals at positions corresponding to the plurality of terminal accommodating chambers; Consist low elastic member hardness than the plug, it has a plurality of second waterproof plug its outer peripheral surface provided on each of the inner side of the first through hole is adhered over the entire inner peripheral surface of the first through hole The first waterproof plug is sandwiched between the rear surface of the insulating housing and the front surface of the holder and elastically deforms inside the storage wall of the insulating housing, so that the outer peripheral surface thereof is the inner peripheral surface of the storage wall. The second waterproof plug has a second through hole into which the terminal can be inserted along the axial direction of the terminal, and is sandwiched between the rear surface of the insulating housing and the front surface of the holder. The outer peripheral surface of the electric wire connected to the inner peripheral surface of the second through hole and the terminal inserted through the second through hole by elastically deforming inside the first through hole of the first waterproof plug It has a shape that closely contacts To provide a waterproof connector (claim 1).

  According to such a structure, damage to the waterproof plug due to the terminal is suppressed, and a gap between the outer peripheral surface of the waterproof plug and the inner peripheral surface of the housing wall of the insulating housing and a gap between the waterproof plug and the electric wire are provided. Sealing is performed more reliably, and water intrusion from the gaps into the terminal accommodating chamber is more reliably suppressed.

That is, in this waterproof connector, the hardness of the second waterproof plug formed with the second through hole into which the terminal is inserted is set low, and the second waterproof plug is inserted into the second through hole. Sometimes the terminal can be flexibly deformed. This suppresses damage to the second waterproof plug by the terminal, and more reliably seals the gap between the inner peripheral surface of the second through hole and the electric wire inserted through the second through hole. Moreover, the second waterproof plug, the inside of the first through-hole of high the first waterproof plug hardness, the outer peripheral surface thereof is provided in a state of contact over the entire inner peripheral surface of the first through hole When the waterproof plug including the first waterproof plug and the second waterproof plug is elastically deformed between the insulating housing and the holder, in addition to the pressing force by the insulating housing and the holder, the entire outer peripheral surface thereof The elastic force of the first waterproof plug is received from the inner peripheral surface of the first through hole toward the inside in the radial direction . As a result, the second waterproof plug can be elastically deformed sufficiently inside the first through hole, and the inner peripheral surface of the second through hole is inserted into the second through hole with a sufficient pressure contact force. Further, it can be closely attached to the outer peripheral surface of the electric wire. This more reliably seals the periphery of the electric wire and suppresses water intrusion into the terminal accommodating chamber.

  Further, the hardness of the first waterproof plug that is in close contact with the housing wall of the insulating housing is maintained high, and the elasticity of the first waterproof plug is ensured. The inner wall of the housing wall can be brought into close contact with the force. This more reliably seals the gap between the outer peripheral surface of the first waterproof plug and the inner peripheral surface of the housing wall, and more reliably suppresses water from this gap.

  In the present invention, it is preferable that the first waterproof plug and the plurality of second waterproof plugs are integrally formed with each other by two-color molding.

  According to this structure, the elastic force of the first waterproof plug can be more uniformly applied to the second waterproof plug, and the second waterproof plug and the first waterproof plug are more closely adhered, Water immersion from the gap between the second waterproof plug and the first waterproof plug can be more reliably suppressed.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a waterproof connector capable of improving waterproof performance while suppressing damage to the waterproof plug.

  An embodiment of a waterproof connector according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is an exploded cross-sectional view of a waterproof connector according to the present invention. As shown in the figure, the waterproof connector 10 includes a metal terminal 2 to which the electric wire 1 is connected, an insulating housing 20 and a holder 40 made of resin, and a waterproof plug 30 made of an elastic member. Yes.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the terminal 2 engages with an electrical contact portion 2d connected to a mating terminal fitting, a barrel 2e crimped to the electric wire 1, and a terminal holding portion 22 of an insulating housing 20 described later. And a locked portion 2f. The electric wire 1 is fixed to the terminal 2 by crimping the barrel portion 2 e to the electric wire 1.

  The insulating housing 20 is for holding the terminal 2 to which the electric wire 1 is connected so that it can be connected to the mating connector. The insulating housing 20 is provided with a plurality of terminal accommodating chambers 24 and accommodating walls 26.

  The terminal accommodating chamber 24 is for accommodating the terminal 2, and the terminal 2 is inserted into the terminal accommodating chamber 24 from the rear along the axial direction thereof. Terminal holding portions 22 are respectively provided below the terminal accommodating chambers 24. Then, the terminal 2 inserted into the terminal accommodating chamber 24 is held by the insulating housing 20 when the locked portion 2f provided below and the terminal holding portion 22 are engaged.

  The accommodating wall 26 is for accommodating the waterproof plug 30 and the holder 40 inside thereof. The housing wall 26 has a substantially cylindrical shape extending rearward from the rear surface 26 a where the terminal insertion port 24 a of the terminal housing chamber 24 is opened. A holder locking hole 26c that engages with a holder locked protrusion 42c of a holder 40, which will be described later, is provided below the housing wall 26. The holder 40 is engaged with the holder-engaged protrusion 42c and the holder-engaging hole 26c so that the waterproof plug 30 is pressed against the rear surface 26a of the housing wall 26 by the front surface 42a. Fixed to.

  The waterproof plug 30 is for preventing water from entering the terminal accommodating chamber 24. As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the waterproof plug 30 includes a first waterproof plug 31 and a plurality of second waterproof plugs 32.

  The first waterproof plug 31 is a substantially plate-like elastic member having a relatively high hardness and sufficient elasticity. In the present embodiment, the first waterproof plug 31 is made of silicone rubber having a hardness set in a range of 30 to 50 degrees. The first waterproof plug 31 is housed inside the housing wall 26 of the insulating housing 20 and is elastically deformed by being sandwiched between a rear surface 26a of the insulating housing 20 and a front surface 42a of a holder 40 described later. Thus, the outer peripheral surface of the housing wall 26 is in close contact with the inner peripheral surface 26b. In particular, the first waterproof plug 31 has a sufficient resilience as described above, and is brought into close contact with the inner peripheral surface 26b of the housing wall 26 with a sufficient pressure contact force by elastic deformation. The first waterproof plug 31 seals a gap between the outer peripheral surface of the first waterproof plug 31 and the inner peripheral surface 26b of the storage wall 26 by the close contact, and from this gap into the terminal storage chamber 24. Prevent water from entering. Further, a lip portion 31 b is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the first waterproof plug 31, and the adhesion between the outer peripheral surface of the first waterproof plug 31 and the inner peripheral surface 26 b of the receiving wall 26 by the lip portion 31 b. Is configured to be enhanced.

  The first waterproof plug 31 has a plurality of first through holes 31 a at positions corresponding to the terminal accommodating chambers 24. These first through holes 31a penetrate in the insertion direction of the terminal 2, and second waterproof plugs 32, which will be described later, are provided inside the first through holes 31a.

  The second waterproof plug 32 is a substantially cylindrical elastic member configured such that its hardness is lower than that of the first waterproof plug 31 and can be flexibly deformed against an external force. In the present embodiment, the second waterproof plug 32 is made of silicone rubber having a hardness set to about 20 degrees. The second waterproof plug 32 is provided on the inner side of the first through hole 31a in a state where the outer peripheral surface is in contact with the entire inner peripheral surface of the first through hole 31a, and the rear surface 26a of the insulating housing 20 is provided. And the front surface 42a of the holder 40, the elastic deformation together with the first waterproof plug 31 is achieved. In the present embodiment, the second waterproof plug 32 and the first waterproof plug 31 are integrally formed by two-color molding, and the outer peripheral surface of the second waterproof plug 32 is the inner periphery of the first through hole 31a. It is in close contact with the surface.

  A second through hole 32a through which the terminal 2 can be inserted along the axial direction is formed further inside each of the second waterproof plugs 32. A tapered lead-in portion 32b that guides the terminal 2 to the second through hole 32a when the terminal 2 is inserted is formed in the insertion opening portion of the terminal 2 of the second through hole 32a. Further, the diameter of the second through hole 32a is such that the waterproof plug 30 including the second waterproof plug 32 is elastically deformed between the insulating housing 20 and the holder 40 at least outside the electric wire 1 and the terminal 2. The size is smaller than the diameter, and the terminal 2 and the electric wire 1 are inserted while increasing the diameter of the hole. The second waterproof plug 32 is elastically deformed outwardly when the terminal 2 is inserted into the second through hole 32a while increasing the diameter of the second through hole 32a, and the electric power is restored by the restoring force. It adheres to the outer peripheral surface of 1.

  Here, the second waterproof plug 32 is provided inside the first through hole 31a formed in the first waterproof plug 31 as described above. Therefore, the second waterproof plug 32 has the first waterproof plug 31 that is directed radially inward from the inner peripheral surface of the first through hole 31a over the entire outer peripheral surface of the first waterproof plug 31 due to the elastic deformation of the first waterproof plug 31. Receives elasticity. Accordingly, the second waterproof plug 32 can be sufficiently elastically deformed inside the first through hole 31a and can be brought into close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the electric wire 1 with a sufficient pressure contact force. And the second waterproof plug 32 seals the gap between the inner peripheral surface of the second through-hole 32a and the outer peripheral surface of the electric wire 1 by close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the electric wire 1 as described above. Infiltration from this gap is suppressed.

  In the present embodiment, the outer diameter of the second waterproof plug 32 is set to 2.1 mm and the inner diameter of the second through hole 32a is set to 1.3 mm with respect to the electric wire 1 having an outer diameter of 1.7 mm. It is comprised so that the internal peripheral surface of the through-hole 32a and the electric wire 1 closely_contact | adhere. However, the specific shape of the second waterproof plug 32 is not limited to this, and may be any shape that allows the second through hole 32a and the electric wire 1 to be sufficiently adhered to each other. In the present invention, the hardness of the second waterproof plug 32 only needs to be lower than the hardness of the first waterproof plug 31, and the specific value of each hardness is not limited to the above. Further, the material of each waterproof plug 31, 32 is not limited to silicone rubber.

  The holder 40 is for holding the waterproof plug 30 in an elastically deformed state with the rear surface 26 a of the insulating housing 20. The holder 40 has a shape that can be accommodated inside the accommodation wall 26 of the insulating housing 20, and includes a main body portion 42 and a holder-engaged protrusion 42c.

  The main body 42 is a substantially plate-like member that covers the waterproof plug 30 from the rear, and the rear end surface of the waterproof plug 30 on the front surface 42a, that is, the rear end surface of the first waterproof plug 31 and each second waterproof. The rear end face of the stopper 32 is pressed. A plurality of holder-side terminal insertion holes 44 through which the terminals 2 connected to the electric wires 1 can be inserted are formed in the main body portion 42 at positions corresponding to the second through holes 32 a of the waterproof plug 30.

  The holder locked protrusion 42 c is a portion that engages with a holder locking hole 26 c provided in the insulating housing 20, and is provided below the main body 42. The waterproof plug 30 is elastically deformed between the front surface 42a of the main body 42 and the rear surface 26a of the insulating housing 20 by engaging the holder locking hole 26c and the holder locked protrusion 42c. Held in a state.

  Next, a method for assembling the above components will be described.

  First, as shown in FIG. 3, the waterproof plug 30 and the holder 40 are accommodated inside the accommodation wall 26 of the insulating housing 20, and the holder latching protrusion 42 c of the holder 40 and the holder of the accommodation wall 26 are accommodated. The locking hole 26c is engaged. At this time, the first waterproof plug 31 is sandwiched between the rear surface 26a of the insulating housing 20 and the front surface 42a of the holder 40, and is elastic while being in close contact with the inner peripheral surface 26b of the housing wall 26 with a sufficient pressure contact force. Deform. The second waterproof plug 32 is elastically deformed inside the first through hole 31 a of the first waterproof plug 31.

  Next, the terminal 2 to which the electric wire 1 is connected is inserted into the holder side terminal insertion hole 44 of the holder 40. Further, the terminal 2 inserted into the holder side terminal insertion hole 44 is inserted into the second through hole 32a as shown in FIG. Specifically, the terminal 2 is inserted into the second through hole 32a along the leading portion 32b while gradually increasing the diameter of the second through hole 32a at the front end portion of the terminal 2. As described above, the second waterproof plug 32 in which the second through-hole 32a is formed has a low hardness and can be easily deformed along the insertion of the terminal 2. Therefore, the terminal 2 is inserted into the second through hole 32a smoothly in the second through hole 32a, that is, in a state in which the second waterproof plug 32 is prevented from being damaged by the terminal 2.

  After the terminal 2 is inserted into the second through hole 32a, the terminal 2 is further moved forward so that the locked portion 2f of the terminal 2 is held by the terminal holding portion 22 as shown in FIG. Until it is inserted into the terminal accommodating chamber 24.

  Thus, in the state where the terminal 2 is inserted into the terminal accommodating chamber 24 and is held by the terminal holding portion 22, the electric wire 1 connected to the terminal 2 is inserted into the second through hole 32 a. The second waterproof plug 32 is deformed in the direction of reducing the diameter of the second through hole 32a by the restoring force, and the inner peripheral surface of the second waterproof plug 32 surrounding the second through hole 32a is formed on the electric wire 1. It is in close contact with the outer peripheral surface.

  Here, as described above, the elastic force of the first waterproof plug 31 acts on the outer peripheral surface of the second waterproof plug 32 as the first waterproof plug 31 is elastically deformed. Therefore, the diameter of the second through hole 32a is sufficiently reduced, and the inner peripheral surface of the second waterproof plug 32 surrounding the second through hole 32a is in close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the electric wire 1 with a sufficient pressure contact force. In this way, when the inner peripheral surface of the second waterproof plug 32 surrounding the second through hole 32a is in close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the electric wire 1, the gap between the inner peripheral surface and the outer peripheral surface is sealed. To the terminal accommodating chamber 24 is suppressed.

  Further, as described above, the outer peripheral surface of the first waterproof plug 31 is in close contact with the inner peripheral surface 26b of the accommodation wall 26 of the insulating housing 20 with a sufficient pressure contact force. And the inner peripheral surface 26b of the housing wall 26 are sealed. Accordingly, water intrusion into the terminal accommodating chamber 24 from this gap is also suppressed. Of course, water immersion from the gap between the first waterproof plug 31 and the second waterproof plug 32 is also suppressed by the close contact between the first waterproof plug 31 and the second waterproof plug 32 as described above.

  Thus, according to the waterproof connector 10, the second waterproof plug 32 can be prevented from being damaged when the terminal is inserted into the second through hole 32 a, and the second waterproof plug surrounding the second through hole 32 a. The inner peripheral surface of 32 is brought into close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the electric wire 1 with a sufficient pressing force, and the first waterproof plug 31 is brought into close contact with the inner peripheral surface 26b of the receiving wall 26 with a sufficient pressing force. Intrusion of water into the storage chamber 24 is more reliably suppressed.

  Further, when the terminal 2 accommodated in the terminal accommodating chamber 24 is pulled out, the second waterproof plug 32 is flexibly deformed as the terminal 2 moves, so that the second waterproof plug 32 is damaged. The waterproof performance of the waterproof connector 10 is ensured.

  Here, the present invention is not limited to the case where the first waterproof plug 31 and the second waterproof plug 32 are integrally formed by two-color molding, and the first waterproof plug 31 and the second waterproof plug 32 are adhesives. This includes cases where they are bonded together. However, if the first waterproof plug 31 and the second waterproof plug 32 are integrally formed by two-color molding as described above, the gap between the first waterproof plug 31 and the second waterproof plug 32 is more reliably sealed. It is possible to prevent the water from entering the terminal accommodating chamber 24 from the gap more reliably. Further, the elastic force of the first waterproof plug 31 can be made to act evenly by the second waterproof plug 32, and the inner peripheral surface of the second through hole 32 a of the second waterproof plug 32 and the outer peripheral surface of the electric wire 1 Can be more reliably sealed.

  Further, before the waterproof plug 30 is sandwiched between the rear surface 26a of the insulating housing 20 and the front surface 42a of the holder 40, that is, before the waterproof plug 30 is elastically deformed, the terminal 2 is inserted into the second through hole 32a. You may make it do. In this way, when the terminal 2 is inserted, the diameter of the second through hole 32a can be easily increased by the terminal 2, and damage to the waterproof plug 30 can be further reliably suppressed. .

It is an exploded sectional view of the waterproof connector concerning the present invention. (A) It is a front view of the waterproof stopper provided in the waterproof connector shown in FIG. (B) It is sectional drawing of the waterproof stopper shown to (a). FIG. 2 is an exploded cross-sectional view of the waterproof connector shown in a state where the insulating housing, the waterproof plug, and the holder shown in FIG. 1 are assembled. It is sectional drawing which shows the insertion process of the terminal to a 2nd through-hole. It is sectional drawing shown in the state which assembled the waterproof connector shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Electric wire 2 Terminal 10 Waterproof connector 20 Insulating housing 22 Terminal holding part 24 Terminal accommodating chamber 24a Terminal insertion slot 26 Receiving wall 26a Rear surface 26c Holder locking hole 30 Waterproof plug 31 First waterproof plug 31a First through hole 32 Second waterproof plug 32a Second through hole 40 Holder 42c Holder locked projection 44 Holder side terminal insertion hole

Claims (2)

A terminal to which the wire is connected;
An insulating housing having a plurality of terminal accommodating chambers into which the terminals are inserted from the rear along the axial direction of the terminals, and having terminal holding portions for respectively holding the terminals inserted into the terminal accommodating chambers;
A holder fixed to the insulating housing at a position behind the terminal accommodating chamber;
A waterproof plug sandwiched from the front and rear by the holder and the insulating housing;
The insulating housing has a housing wall that extends rearward from the rear surface where the terminal insertion port of the terminal housing chamber opens and houses the waterproof plug therein.
The waterproof plug is made of an elastic member, and a first waterproof plug in which a plurality of first through holes penetrating in the terminal insertion direction are formed at positions corresponding to the plurality of terminal accommodating chambers, respectively, and the first waterproof plug A plurality of second waterproof plugs, each of which is provided inside the first through hole and whose outer peripheral surface is bonded to the entire inner peripheral surface of the first through hole. ,
The first waterproof plug is sandwiched between the rear surface of the insulating housing and the front surface of the holder and elastically deforms inside the housing wall of the insulating housing, so that the outer peripheral surface thereof is in close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the housing wall Has a shape to
The second waterproof plug has a second through-hole through which the terminal can be inserted along the axial direction of the terminal, and is sandwiched between the rear surface of the insulating housing and the front surface of the holder. By having elastic deformation inside the first through-hole, the inner peripheral surface of the second through-hole and the outer peripheral surface of the electric wire connected to the terminal inserted through the second through-hole are in close contact with each other. Waterproof connector featuring.
The waterproof connector according to claim 1,
The waterproof connector, wherein the first waterproof plug and the plurality of second waterproof plugs are integrally formed by two-color molding.

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