JPH11135191A - Grommet plug - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Problem] To provide a grommet plug that can reliably close a grommet insertion hole and clearly obtain a feeling when insertion into the grommet is completed. SOLUTION: The shaft has a shaft-shaped waterproof portion 111 inserted into an insertion hole 51 of a grommet 5 and closes the insertion hole 51, and a locking portion 112 for locking the waterproof portion 111, and is formed of a synthetic resin. In the grommet plug 11, the waterproof part 11
A pair of spring portions 113 extending along the axial direction is provided at the rear end in the axial direction, and a locking portion 112 is provided on each of the pair of spring portions 113. Is characterized by being locked in the through-hole 61 inside the.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a grommet plug for use in a waterproof connector, and more particularly, to an unused one of a plurality of insertion holes formed in a waterproof grommet provided in the waterproof connector. The grommet plug is used to close the insertion hole of the grommet.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a connector used for making electrical connection between various electronic devices, there is a waterproof connector having a structure for preventing water from entering. In this type of waterproof connector, it is necessary to prevent water from entering from the cable insertion portion of the connector. For this reason, in a conventional general waterproof connector, a waterproof elastic member having a plurality of insertion holes called a grommet is arranged in a housing of the connector, a cable is inserted through the insertion hole of the grommet, and A configuration is employed in which the outer peripheral surface and the inner peripheral surface of the grommet insertion hole are pressed against each other by the elastic force of the grommet itself, thereby maintaining water tightness in the cable insertion portion and preventing water from entering the inside of the connector.

In some cases, it is not necessary to connect a cable to all of a plurality of contacts provided in the waterproof connector, depending on the use of the waterproof connector. In this case, a part of the grommet insertion hole is not provided. The cable remains open without being inserted. In this case, a grommet plug is inserted into the insertion hole of the grommet through which the cable is not inserted, so as to close the insertion hole.
FIG. 9 shows a conventional example of such a grommet plug.

The grommet plug 15 has a cylindrical waterproof portion 151 for closing the insertion hole 51 of the grommet 5 and a conical shape. The outer diameter of the bottom is larger than the outer diameter of the waterproof portion 151. A locking portion 152 connected to one end of the waterproof portion 151 and locked to the front surface (contact-facing surface) of the grommet 5, and a pull-out head 153 connected to the other end of the waterproof portion 151. have. The grommet plug 15 is made of a synthetic resin. When the grommet plug 15 is molded by a metal mold, the waterproof part 151 has a locking part 152 at one end and a head part 153 at the other end. Cannot be set in the axial direction of the waterproof part 151, and
As shown by the arrow in (a), it has to be in the radial direction of the waterproof part 151.

[0005]

As described above, in the prior art, the mold split direction must be the radial direction of the waterproof portion 151. Therefore, as shown in FIG. The resulting parting lines 151a, 152a, 15
3a, the waterproof portion 15 extends along the axial direction of the waterproof portion 151.
1, the locking portion 152 and the head 153 are formed. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 9B, when the grommet plug 15 is inserted into the through hole 61 of the rear cover 6 and the hole 51 of the grommet 5 provided in the waterproof connector,
Due to the parting line 151a formed on the outer peripheral surface of the waterproof part 151 of the grommet plug 15, the adhesion between the grommet 5 and the waterproof part 151 is reduced. .

Further, in the grommet plug 15,
Grommet 5 made of an elastic material such as rubber
The operator cannot clearly know whether or not the locking portion 152 of the grommet plug 15 is locked to the front surface of the grommet 5. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 9C, even if the locking portion 152 of the grommet plug 15 stops in the middle of the hole 51 of the grommet 5, it is in a state where the locking portion 152 is locked. In some cases, the grommet plug was incompletely inserted into the grommet.

[0007] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a grommet plug which can surely close the grommet insertion hole and can clearly obtain a feeling when the insertion of the grommet plug into the grommet is completed. To provide.

[0008]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, a housing, a plurality of contacts fixed in the housing, a cable connected to the contacts, and a plurality of contacts formed in correspondence with the contacts. The grommet having a plurality of insertion holes through which the cable is inserted in a watertight state, a grommet disposed in the housing, and a through hole formed corresponding to the plurality of contacts and through which the cable is inserted; A grommet plug used in a waterproof connector having a rear cover attached to the housing so as to face a rear surface thereof and holding the cable, and closing the insertion hole through which the cable is not inserted in a watertight state. Having a shaft-shaped waterproof portion inserted into the insertion hole to close the insertion hole, and a locking portion for locking the waterproof portion, In a plug for a grommet formed of a synthetic resin, a pair of spring portions extending along the axial direction is continuously provided at an axial rear end of the waterproof portion, and the locking portions are respectively connected to the pair of spring portions. Portion is provided, the locking portion,
A plug for a grommet is obtained, wherein the plug is locked in the through hole inside the rear cover.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, a housing, a plurality of contacts fixed in the housing,
A cable connected to the contact, a plurality of insertion holes formed corresponding to the contact to allow the cable to be inserted in a watertight state, a grommet disposed in the housing, and an elastic material; A through-hole formed to correspond to the contact and through which the cable is inserted, attached to the housing so as to face the rear surface of the grommet, and used for a waterproof connector having a rear cover for holding the cable, A grommet plug for closing the insertion hole in which the cable is not inserted in a watertight state, the shaft-shaped waterproof portion being inserted into the insertion hole and closing the insertion hole, and for locking the waterproof portion. A grommet plug formed of a synthetic resin, having a locking portion, and extending along the axial direction at the axial rear end of the waterproof portion. A portion is continuously provided, the locking portion is provided on the shaft portion, the locking portion is inserted through the through hole so as to expand the through hole, and the through hole is inserted inside the rear cover. A plug for a grommet characterized by being locked is obtained.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, a head is continuously provided at an axial rear end of the shaft portion, and the head comes into contact with an outer surface of the rear cover. A grommet plug according to claim 2 is obtained.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A grommet plug according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a state before a grommet plug according to a first embodiment of the present invention is inserted into a rear cover, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the grommet is closed by the grommet plug shown in FIG. FIGS. 3 and 3 are perspective views showing the mold splitting direction of the grommet plug shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 4 shows a waterproof connector using the grommet plug shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a state in which the waterproof connector is viewed from the front while being divided at the center, FIG. 2B is a longitudinal sectional view, and FIG.

Before describing the grommet plug according to the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, a waterproof connector using the grommet plug will be described with reference to FIG. I do.

The waterproof connector 1 includes a housing 2 and
A plurality of contacts 3, a cable 4, and a grommet 5
And a rear cover 6.

The housing 2 is formed of a synthetic resin.
It is almost box-shaped. The housing 2 includes a contact housing 21, a grommet housing 22, and a rear cover fixing portion 2.
And 3. The closed entry 8 is attached to the fitting side portion of the contact housing 21.

Each contact 3 is of a socket type and is locked in a contact accommodating portion 21 of the housing 2.

The cable 4 is connected to a contact 3 fixed in the housing 2.

The grommet 5 is made of an elastic material such as rubber or synthetic rubber, and has a plurality of insertion holes 51. Each insertion hole 51 is formed corresponding to the contact 3 fixed in the housing 2. In addition, each insertion hole 51
Allows the cable 4 connected to the contact 3 to be inserted in a watertight state.

The rear cover 6 is formed of a synthetic resin.
It is substantially plate-shaped and has a plurality of through holes 61. Each through hole 61 is formed corresponding to the contact 3 fixed in the housing 2. Each through-hole 61 has a large-diameter portion 61a, a small-diameter portion 61b, and a step surface 61c formed therebetween (see FIG. 2). These through holes 61 allow the cables 4 connected to the contacts 3 to pass therethrough. Rear cover 6 having such a through hole 61
Is held in the rear cover fixing portion 23 of the housing 2 so as to face the rear surface of the grommet 5 (the side opposite to the surface facing the contact 3), and holds the cable 4 inserted through the through hole 61. . By holding the cable 4 in this manner, the rear cover 6 suppresses the influence of the twisting of the cable 4.

As is clear from the above description, the cable 4 is pulled out from the inside of the housing 2 to the outside through the through hole 51 of the grommet 5 and the through hole 61 of the rear cover 6. Since the grommet 5 is interposed between the cable 2 and the cable 4, the grommet 5 maintains the watertightness between the housing 2 and the cable 4.

Next, a grommet plug according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

The grommet plug 11 of the present embodiment is
It is used for the above-mentioned waterproof connector 1 and is for closing the insertion hole 51 through which the cable 4 is not inserted among the plurality of insertion holes 51 formed in the grommet 5 (FIG. 4B).
reference).

The grommet plug 11 of the present embodiment is
It has a waterproof part 111, a pair of locking parts 112, and a pair of spring parts 113, which are integrally formed from a synthetic resin using a mold.

The waterproof portion 111 has a substantially columnar shape, is inserted into the insertion hole 51 of the grommet 5, and closes the insertion hole 51. The tip of the waterproof part 111 (the end on the side of the contact 3 in the state shown in FIG. 4B) is rounded.

The locking portion 112 is for locking the waterproof portion 111. The locking portion 112, which has conventionally been connected to the tip of the waterproof portion, is moved rearward, and is respectively attached to the side surface of a spring portion 113 described later. It is formed. These locking portions 112 are substantially wedge-shaped, and have rear surfaces thereof (surfaces opposite to the contact 3 side).
Is a step surface 61 in the insertion hole 61 of the rear cover 6.
c.

The pair of spring portions 113 is provided at the rear end in the axial direction of the waterproof portion 111 (in the state shown in FIG.
(The end opposite to the side), and extends along the axial direction of the waterproof portion 111. As described above, the locking portions 112 are connected to the side surfaces of the pair of spring portions 113, respectively.

As described above, no protrusion is formed at one end (front end) of the waterproof portion 111 of the grommet plug 11, and the other end (rear end) of the waterproof portion 111 is engaged with the waterproof portion 111. Part 1
12 and the spring portion 113 are formed, and as shown by an arrow in FIG. The parting line is not formed at all in the waterproof part 111, but is formed only between the waterproof part 111 and the locking part 112 and the spring part 113. Therefore, the insertion hole 51 of the grommet 5 can be reliably closed in a watertight state by the waterproof portion 111 of the grommet plug 11.

In use, the grommet plug 11 of the present embodiment is inserted into the insertion hole 51 of the grommet 5 from the rear side of the waterproof connector 1 through the through hole 61 of the rear cover 6. When the grommet plug 11 is inserted into the through hole 61 of the rear cover 6, the locking portion 112 of the grommet plug 11 is pressed by the small diameter portion 61 b of the through hole 61, whereby the spring portion 113 of the grommet plug 11 is pressed. Is closed, and a pair of locking portions 11
2 move toward each other, so that the locking portions 112
Passes through the small diameter portion 61 b of the through hole 61, and at the same time, the waterproof portion 111 of the grommet plug 11 is inserted into the insertion hole 51 of the grommet 5. When the locking portion 112 of the grommet plug 11 passes through the small-diameter portion 61b of the through hole 61 and enters the large-diameter portion 61a of the through hole 61, nothing presses the locking portion 112, and the spring portion 113 The elastic member is opened by the elastic force, and accordingly, the pair of locking portions 112 also move outward. As a result, the rear surface of the locking portion 112 of the grommet plug 11 is
At the same time, the waterproof part 111 of the grommet plug 11 is completely inserted into the insertion hole 51 of the grommet 5. As a result, the grommet plug 11 is locked to the rear cover 6 with the insertion hole 51 of the grommet 5 closed. In addition, plug 1 for grommet
When the first locking portion 112 comes out of the small diameter portion 61b of the through hole 61 of the rear cover 6 and engages with the step surface 61c, a click feeling is obtained. Of course, when a click feeling is obtained, the waterproof part 111 of the grommet plug 11 blocks the insertion hole 51 of the grommet 5.

The grommet plug 11 of the present embodiment is used.
Is used, the through-hole 61 of the rear cover 6 has the large-diameter portion 61a, the small-diameter portion 61b, and the step surface 61c. However, the rear cover has a normal through-hole having a uniform inner diameter. The grommet plug 11 of the present embodiment can be applied to a waterproof connector provided with the plug.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a grommet plug according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of the waterproof connector in a state where the grommet is closed by the grommet plug shown in FIG. FIG. 7 is a side view showing the mold split direction of the grommet plug shown in FIG.

Referring to FIGS. 5 to 7, the grommet plug 12 of this embodiment is used for a waterproof connector 1 'having a slightly different structure from the waterproof connector 1 shown in FIG. First, the waterproof connector 1 'will be described.
This waterproof connector 1 'has substantially the same configuration as the waterproof connector 1 shown in FIG. 4, but differs in the material of the rear cover. The rear cover 6 provided on the waterproof connector 1 shown in FIG. 4 is made of a synthetic resin, while the rear cover 7 provided on the waterproof connector 1 'is made of an elastic material such as rubber or synthetic rubber. The insertion hole 71 provided in the rear cover 7 also has a large-diameter portion 71a, a small-diameter portion 71b, and a step surface 71c. Thus, the grommet plug 12 of the present embodiment is
Is the same as the waterproof connector 1 shown in FIG. 4 except for the material of the rear cover.
FIG. 6 shows only the grommet 5 and the rear cover 7,
The description of the waterproof connector 1 'is omitted.

The grommet plug 12 of the present embodiment comprises:
Waterproof part 121, locking part 122, shaft part 123, head 1
24, which are integrally formed from a synthetic resin using a mold.

The waterproof part 121 has a substantially columnar shape, is inserted into the insertion hole 51 of the grommet 5, and closes the insertion hole 51. The tip of the waterproof part 121 is rounded.

The locking portion 122 is for locking the waterproof portion 121. The locking portion 122, which has conventionally been connected to the distal end of the waterproof portion, is moved rearward to the outer peripheral surface of a shaft portion 123 described later. Two are formed. These locking portions 122 have a semi-circular shape, and are inserted through the through holes 71 so as to push open the through holes 71 of the elastic rear cover 7.
The rear end portion 2 is engaged with the step surface 71c in the insertion hole 71.

The shaft portion 123 has a shaft shape and has a waterproof portion 121.
The outer diameter of the waterproof part 121 is the same as that of the waterproof part 121. The waterproof part 121 extends in the axial direction of the waterproof part 121. As described above, the two locking portions 122 are continuously provided on the outer peripheral surface of the shaft portion 123.

The head 124 has a disk shape and has a shaft portion 123.
At the rear end in the axial direction. On this head 124,
A notch 124a is formed corresponding to the locking portion 122. In addition, the head 124 is configured to contact the outer surface of the rear cover 7. The head 124 prevents the grommet plug 12 from being inserted more than necessary into the waterproof connector 1 ′, and is used as a knob when the grommet plug 12 is pulled out from the grommet 5.

As described above, no protrusion is formed at one end (front end) of the waterproof portion 121 of the grommet plug 12, and it is engaged with the other end (rear end) of the waterproof portion 121. Part 1
Since the shaft 22 and the shaft 123 are formed, as shown by the arrow in FIG. 12
1, the parting line is not formed at all in the waterproof part 121, and the parting line is not formed in the waterproof part 121.
1 and only between the locking portion 122 and the shaft portion 123. Therefore, the insertion hole 51 of the grommet 5 can be reliably closed in a watertight state by the waterproof portion 121 of the grommet plug 12.

At the time of use, the grommet plug 12 of the present embodiment is attached to the rear cover 7 from the rear side of the waterproof connector 1 '.
Through the through hole 71 of the grommet 5. When the grommet plug 12 is inserted into the through hole 71 of the rear cover 7, the locking portion 122 of the grommet plug 12 engages with the small diameter portion 71 of the through hole 71.
Then, the waterproof part 121 of the grommet plug 12 is inserted into the insertion hole 51 of the grommet 5. When the locking portion 112 of the grommet plug 12 passes through the small diameter portion 71b of the through hole 71 and enters the large diameter portion 71a of the through hole 71, the small diameter portion 71b of the through hole 71 is caused by its own elastic force. As a result, the rear end of the locking portion 122 of the grommet plug 12 engages with the step surface 71c in the through hole 71, and at the same time, the grommet plug 12 becomes waterproof. The part 121 is
The grommet 5 is completely inserted into the insertion hole 51. As a result, the grommet plug 12 is locked to the rear cover 7 with the insertion hole 51 of the grommet 5 closed.
Further, the locking portion 122 of the grommet plug 12 comes out of the small diameter portion 71b of the through hole 71 of the rear cover 7, and
A click feeling is obtained when engaging with the step surface 71c. Of course, when you get a click feeling, you can use the grommet plug 1
The second waterproof portion 121 closes the insertion hole 51 of the grommet 5.

The grommet plug 12 of the present embodiment is used.
Even a waterproof connector with a rear cover made of an elastic material having a normal through hole having a uniform inner diameter,
Can be applied.

In this embodiment, the locking portion 122 is
The number of the locking portions is not particularly limited, but may be one, three as shown in FIG. 8, or four or more. In addition, as shown in FIG.
When three 22 are formed, notches 124 are formed due to the mold.
a are also formed.

[0041]

As described above, in the grommet plug according to the present invention, since the parting line does not enter the waterproof portion at the time of molding, it is necessary to securely close the grommet insertion hole in a watertight state. Can be. For this reason, the waterproofness of the grommet insertion hole is ensured. In addition, since the locking part for locking the waterproof part is locked to the rear cover, the worker can clearly detect the locking state of the grommet plug, and the grommet plug can be securely inserted. Can be inserted into the grommet.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a state before a grommet plug according to a first embodiment of the present invention is inserted into a rear cover.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a state in which the grommet is closed by the grommet plug shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a mold split direction of the grommet plug shown in FIG.

4A and 4B show a waterproof connector in which the grommet plug shown in FIG. 1 is used, wherein FIG. 4A is a perspective view of the waterproof connector divided from the center and viewed from the front, and FIG. (C) is a perspective view of the waterproof connector viewed from the rear.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a grommet plug according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

6 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of the waterproof connector in a state where the grommet is closed by the grommet plug shown in FIG.

7 is a side view showing a mold split direction of the grommet plug shown in FIG.

FIG. 8 is a rear view of a modified example of the grommet plug shown in FIG.

FIG. 9 shows an example of a conventional grommet plug.
(A) is a perspective view, (b) is a cross-sectional view of a state in which the grommet is completely closed by the grommet plug, and (c) is a cross-sectional view of a state in which the grommet is incompletely closed by the grommet plug.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Waterproof connector 2 Housing 21 Contact accommodating part 22 Grommet accommodating part 23 Rear cover fixing part 3 Contact 4 Cable 5 Grommet 51 Insertion hole 6 Rear cover 61 Through hole 61a Large diameter part 61b Small diameter part 61c Step surface 7 Rear cover 71 Through hole 71a Large diameter part 71b Small-diameter portion 71c Step surface 11 Grommet plug 111 Waterproof portion 112 Locking portion 113 Spring portion 12 Grommet plug 121 Waterproof portion 122 Locking portion 123 Spring portion

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A housing, a plurality of contacts fixed in the housing, a cable connected to the contact, and a plurality of insertion holes formed corresponding to the contact and for passing the cable in a watertight state. A grommet disposed in the housing, and having a through hole formed to correspond to the plurality of contacts and through which the cable is inserted, attached to the housing so as to face a rear surface of the grommet, Used for waterproof connectors with a rear cover that holds the cable,
A grommet plug for closing the insertion hole in which the cable is not inserted in a watertight state, the shaft-shaped waterproof portion being inserted into the insertion hole and closing the insertion hole, and for locking the waterproof portion. A grommet plug formed of a synthetic resin, comprising a pair of spring portions extending along the axial direction at the rear end in the axial direction of the waterproof portion; The plug for a grommet, wherein the locking portion is provided in each of the spring portions, and the locking portion is configured to be locked in the through hole inside the rear cover. 2. A housing, a plurality of contacts fixed in the housing, a cable connected to the contact, and a plurality of insertion holes formed corresponding to the contact and through which the cable is inserted in a watertight state. A grommet disposed in the housing; and a through-hole made of an elastic material, formed to correspond to the plurality of contacts, and through which the cable is inserted, and the housing is configured to face a rear surface of the grommet. A grommet plug used in a waterproof connector having a rear cover attached to and holding the cable and closing the insertion hole through which the cable is not inserted in a watertight state, wherein the plug is inserted into the insertion hole. A grommet made of synthetic resin, having a shaft-shaped waterproof portion for closing the insertion hole, and a locking portion for locking the waterproof portion. In the plug for Met, a shaft portion extending along the axial direction is continuously provided at an axial rear end of the waterproof portion, and the locking portion is provided on the shaft portion, and the locking portion is A plug for a grommet, characterized in that the through-hole is inserted through the through-hole so that the through-hole is pushed open, and is engaged with the through-hole inside the rear cover. 3. The head according to claim 2, wherein a head is continuously provided at an axial rear end of the shaft portion, and the head comes into contact with an outer surface of the rear cover. Grommet plug.