Empty plug and empty plug structure

Abstract

Provided is a plug and a plug structure that can automatically correct a regular posture. A plug (10) has a square-shaped fitting portion (12) that extends in the front-rear direction. The square-shaped fitting portion (12) has four corners (15) at diagonal positions in the front-rear direction. The four corners (15) each have a chamfered portion (17) that expands outward toward the rear and decreases in width in the axis direction as it goes toward the rear. The chamfered portion (17) has a ridge line portion (18) that extends in the front-rear direction and protrudes outward. The ridge line portion (18) is inclined so as to approach in one direction of the axis direction as it goes toward the rear.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a hollow plug and a hollow plug structure. Background Technology

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a plug having a main body that is long in the front-to-back direction. The main body has a sealing part with a circular cross-section on the front side and a square fitting part with a square cross-section on the rear side. A locking part (hereinafter referred to as a flange) is provided protruding from the outer periphery of the rear end of the square fitting part.

[0003] The sealing part is liquid-tightly inserted into the sealing hole of the housing located at the front of the connector. The square fitting part fits into the square hole of the retainer located at the rear of the connector. The flange part contacts the rear surface of the retainer. The flange part is locked in place by the retainer, thereby stopping the empty plug from moving forward relative to the retainer.

[0004] Multiple square holes are arranged horizontally within the retainer. With square fitting portions fitted into each of the multiple square holes, the flanges of adjacent empty plugs are positioned close to the rear surface of the retainer (see Patent Document 1). Figure 2 Furthermore, technologies involving empty plugs are also disclosed in Patent Documents 2 and 3.

[0005] Existing technical documents

[0006] Patent documents

[0007] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2012-216342

[0008] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2001-357927

[0009] Patent Document 3: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2004-63179 Summary of the Invention

[0010] The problem that the invention aims to solve

[0011] However, for example, when the square fitting part is forcibly inserted into the square hole from its normal position by rotating 45 degrees around its axis, the flange in the rotated position sometimes interferes with the flange in the normal position on the rear surface side of the retainer, and the two flanges overlap in the front-to-back direction (different from the structure of Patent Document 1, see [link]). Figure 8 At this point, the empty plug with the rear flange is not inserted to the correct depth within the connector, thus preventing the sealing part from being properly inserted into the sealing hole. As a result, the sealing performance may be compromised. This can be remedied by subsequently correcting the square fitting to the correct position, but this requires additional and more troublesome work, and there is also the possibility of forgetting to perform the correction itself.

[0012] Therefore, the present disclosure aims to provide a plug and a plug structure that can automatically correct itself into a proper posture.

[0013] Solution for solving the problem

[0014] The disclosed plug has a square fitting portion extending in the front-back direction. The square fitting portion has four corner portions at diagonal positions around an axis in the front-back direction. Each of the four corner portions has a chamfered portion that expands outward toward each other in the rearward direction and decreases in width in the axis direction as it moves rearward. The four chamfered portions have ridge portions that extend in the front-back direction and protrude outward. The ridge portions are inclined in a manner that they move towards one direction around the axis as they move rearward.

[0015] The disclosed plug structure includes a square fitting portion that fits into a square hole. The square fitting portion has four corner portions at diagonal positions around an axis in the front-back direction. Each of the four corner portions has a chamfered portion that expands outward toward the rear. When the positions where the four chamfered portions contact the four sides of the square hole are set as contact positions, the contact positions are set such that the four chamfered portions shift in one direction around the axis as they move rearward.

[0016] Invention Effects

[0017] According to this disclosure, a plug and a plug structure that can automatically correct themselves into a proper posture can be provided. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the empty plug according to Embodiment 1.

[0019] Figure 2 This is the front view of the empty plug.

[0020] Figure 3 It is a cross-sectional view showing the square fitting part about to be inserted into the square hole with the empty plug rotated 45 degrees around the axis from its normal position.

[0021] Figure 4 It shows from Figure 3 The image shows a cross-sectional view of the state in which the square fitting part is inserted.

[0022] Figure 5 It shows from Figure 4 The image shows a cross-sectional view of the state before the square fitting part is inserted and the empty plug is about to reach the correct insertion position.

[0023] Figure 6 It is a side sectional view showing the state where the empty plug has reached the correct insertion position and the sealing part has been properly inserted into the sealing hole.

[0024] Figure 7 This is a rear view showing a configuration of multiple empty plugs arranged on the rear surface side of the retainer.

[0025] Figure 8 This is a reference example, a rear view showing a portion of the multiple empty plugs arranged on the rear surface side of the retainer rotated 45 degrees about an axis. Detailed Implementation

[0026] [Description of embodiments of this disclosure]

[0027] First, the implementation methods of this disclosure are listed and explained.

[0028] This disclosed empty plug,

[0029] (1) It has a square fitting portion extending in the front-back direction, the square fitting portion having four corner portions at diagonal positions around the axis in the front-back direction, each of the four corner portions having a chamfer portion that expands outward toward each other in the rearward direction and decreases in width in the axis direction as it moves rearward, the four chamfer portions having an edge portion that extends in the front-back direction and protrudes outward, the edge portion being inclined in a way that moves towards the axis direction as it moves rearward.

[0030] According to this structure, for example, when the square fitting is inserted into the square hole while the empty plug is rotated about its axis, deviating from its normal posture, the four chamfered edges can contact the four sides of the square hole respectively. As the insertion of the square fitting progresses from this state, the four corners can expand outwards and backwards, thus maintaining the contact between the edges and the sides. The empty plug can rotate within the square hole along the direction of the inclined edges about its axis. Therefore, by advancing the insertion of the square fitting, the empty plug can be automatically corrected to a normal posture.

[0031] Furthermore, the hollow plug structure disclosed herein,

[0032] (2) It has a square fitting part that fits into a square hole. The square fitting part has four corners at diagonal positions around the axis in the front-back direction. Each of the four corners has a chamfered part that expands outwards towards the rear. When the positions where the four chamfered parts contact the four sides of the square hole are set as contact positions, the contact positions are set in the four chamfered parts to shift in one direction around the axis as they move backwards.

[0033] According to this structure, when the square fitting part is inserted into the square hole while the empty plug is rotated about an axis and deviating from its normal posture, the contact positions of the four chamfered parts can shift in one direction about the axis as the square fitting part advances. The empty plug can rotate within the square hole according to the shift in contact position. Therefore, by advancing the square fitting part, the empty plug can be automatically corrected back to its normal posture.

[0034] (3) Preferably, the four chamfered portions have a directional inclined surface arranged from the contact position toward one direction of the axis and another directional inclined surface arranged from the contact position toward another direction opposite to one direction of the axis, wherein the angle formed by the tangent of the directional inclined surface at the contact position and the side surface is larger than the angle formed by the tangent of the other directional inclined surface at the contact position and the side surface.

[0035] According to this structure, when the square fitting part is inserted into the square hole while the plug is rotating around the axis in a normal position, the four chamfered parts receive a reaction force from the side of the square hole at the contact position, making the component force on the inclined surface in one direction greater than the component force on the inclined surface in the other direction. Therefore, as the square fitting part is inserted further, the contact position can be reliably shifted in one direction around the axis.

[0036] (4) Preferably, the width of the chamfered portion in the axial direction is set to decrease as it moves backward.

[0037] According to this structure, as the square fitting part is inserted and advanced, one inclined surface of the square fitting part approaches the side of the square hole, gradually reducing the gap between the inclined surface of the square fitting part and the side of the square hole. As a result, the square fitting part can be smoothly inserted into the square hole without any wobbling.

[0038] [Details of the embodiments of this disclosure]

[0039] The following is a reference to the appendix. Figure 1 Specific examples of this disclosure will be described below. Furthermore, the invention is not limited to these examples, but as indicated by the claims, it is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims.

[0040] <Example 1>

[0041] The waterproof connector 60 includes the empty plug 10 of Embodiment 1. For example... Figure 6 As shown, the waterproof connector 60, in addition to the empty plug 10, also includes a housing 70, a rubber plug 80, and a retainer 90.

[0042] The housing 70 is made of synthetic resin and is in a block shape. The housing 70 has features in the front-to-back direction ( Figure 6 Multiple cavities 71 (in the left and right directions) running through the space Figure 6 (Only one is shown in the figure). Each cavity 71 can accommodate terminal parts not shown.

[0043] The rubber plug 80 is made of silicone rubber or other rubber, is pad-shaped, and has thickness in the front-to-back direction. The front surface of the rubber plug 80 ( Figure 6 The left side) is configured to fit snugly against the rear surface of the housing 70. The rubber plug 80, in general, has multiple sealing holes 81 (in... Figure 6 (Only one is shown in the figure). The sealing hole 81 is formed with a circular cross-section and is configured to communicate with the cavity 71.

[0044] The retainer 90 is made of synthetic resin, is plate-shaped, and has a thickness in the front-to-back direction. The retainer 90 contacts the rear surface of the main rubber plug 80 and is locked into the housing 70. By locking the retainer 90 into the housing 70, the main rubber plug 80 is sandwiched between the housing 70 and the retainer 90. This prevents the main rubber plug 80 from falling out of the housing 70. The retainer 90 has a plurality of square holes 91 (in... Figure 6 (Only one is shown in the figure). The square hole 91 is formed with a square cross-section (the cross-section is square or rectangular) and is configured to communicate with the sealing hole 81 and the cavity 71.

[0045] like Figure 3 As shown, in the retainer 90, the inner surface of the square hole 91 has four side surfaces 92 and 93. The four side surfaces 92 and 93 have a pair of parallel side surfaces 92 facing each other in the vertical direction (height direction) and a pair of parallel side surfaces 93 facing each other in the horizontal direction (width direction). The side surfaces 92 and 93 are vertically connected by the inner corner portions 94 located at the four corners of the square hole 91.

[0046] The empty stopper 10 is made of synthetic resin, such as Figure 1 As shown, the overall shape is elongated in the front-to-back direction. The empty plug 10 has a cylindrical sealing portion 11, a square-shaped fitting portion 12 connected to the rear end of the sealing portion 11, and a plate-shaped stop portion 13 connected to the rear end of the square fitting portion 12. The sealing portion 11 is formed with a circular cross-section, extending elongatedly in the front-to-back direction. The sealing portion 11 occupies more than half the length of the entire empty plug 10. Figure 6 As shown, the sealing part 11 is liquid-tightly inserted into the sealing hole 81 of the overall rubber plug 80. The empty plug 10 achieves waterproofing within the cavity 71 where no terminal parts are inserted through the sealing part 11.

[0047] like Figure 1As shown, the square fitting part 12 has a main body part 14 with a square (or rectangular) cross-section at the rear. The main body part 14 has corner portions 15 at its four diagonally opposite corners. The main body part 14 has flat trapezoidal protrusions 16 in the four side regions between the corner portions 15. The flat end faces of the protrusions 16 are arranged to contact the sides 92, 93 of the square hole 91 of the retainer 90 when the empty plug 10 is in the correct insertion position.

[0048] The front portion of the square fitting part 12 has a square base shape with a continuous cross section from the main body part 14, and chamfered portions 17 are formed at the four corners 15. The front surface of the front portion of the square fitting part 12 is arranged radially and connected in a stepped manner to the outer peripheral surface of the sealing part 11.

[0049] Each chamfered portion 17 extends from the front end (the end edge connected to the front surface of the front part) toward the rear and outward (with the axis of the empty plug 10 as referenced). Figure 3 The reference numeral C) in the attached figure is inclined in a radially outward manner, expanding from each other. The front portion of the square fitting part 12, due to the inclined shape of each chamfered part 17, is as follows: Figures 3-5 As shown, the area of ​​the cross-sectional shape gradually increases as you move backward.

[0050] Each chamfered portion 17 has a shape in which the width dimension in the circumferential direction (the direction around the axis of the empty plug 10) gradually decreases from the front end toward the rear. The chamfered portion 17 has a terminal portion on the front end side of the main body portion 14.

[0051] Each chamfered portion 17 has a ridge portion 18 extending in the front-rear direction, further as... Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the circumferential sides of the ridge portion 18 have an inclined surface 21 in one direction and an inclined surface 22 in another direction.

[0052] The ridge portion 18 protrudes outward in a curved shape between an inclined surface 21 in one direction and an inclined surface 22 in another direction. For example... Figure 1 As shown, the ridge portion 18 extends from the front end of the chamfered portion 17 toward the rear in a direction parallel to the axis of the empty plug 10 (see reference). Figure 1 A single-dot dashed line) in one direction around the perimeter ( Figure 1 (The upper part) tilts close to it.

[0053] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, a directional inclined surface 21 is disposed on one circumferential side of the chamfered portion 17 on the edge portion 18 (one circumferential direction side). Figure 2 and Figure 3 (Located on the counter-clockwise side). For example... Figure 3As shown, the inclined surface 21 in one direction has a shape that extends in a straight line from the edge portion 18 to the adjacent inclined surface 22 in another direction on the circumferential side.

[0054] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the other inclined surface 22 is disposed on the other side of the circumference of the chamfered portion 17 on the edge portion 18 (that is, the other side of the circumference). Figure 2 and Figure 3 (Located on one side in a clockwise direction). The other inclined surface 22 is formed in a narrower circumferential region compared to the inclined surface 21. For example... Figure 3 As shown, the other inclined surface 22 has a shape that extends in a curved shape from the ridge portion 18 to the adjacent inclined surface 21 on the other side of the circumference. The other end of the other inclined surface 22 (the end on the side opposite to the ridge portion 18) and one end of the inclined surface 21 (the end on the side opposite to the ridge portion 18) are connected to each other in an arc shape.

[0055] like Figure 3 As shown, in the cross-sectional shape of the square fitting part 12, the angle α1 between the line segment connecting the center C (axis of the empty plug 10) of the square fitting part 12 and the edge part 18 and the extension direction (tangential direction) of the inclined surface 21 in one direction of the edge part 18 is set to be smaller than the angle α2 between the line segment connecting the center C of the square fitting part 12 and the edge part 18 and the extension direction (tangential direction) of the inclined surface 22 in another direction of the edge part 18.

[0056] like Figure 1 As shown, the stop portion 13 is in the shape of a square plate and has a thickness in the front-rear direction. The stop portion 13 has a flange portion 19 extending towards the outer periphery of the main body portion 14. The flange portion 19 is formed into a square shape similar to that of the main body portion 14.

[0057] Next, the assembly method and assembly structure of the empty plug 10 will be explained.

[0058] During assembly, the empty plug 10 is inserted into the square hole 91 of the retainer 90 from the rear. When the rear corner 15 of the empty plug 10 is aligned with the inner corner 94 of the square hole 91, and the empty plug 10 is in a proper position relative to the square hole 91, as... Figure 6 As shown, the sealing part 11 is inserted into the sealing hole 81 at the correct depth, allowing the empty plug 10 to reach the correct insertion position. In the correct insertion position, the flange 19 contacts the rear surface of the retainer 90, stopping the empty plug 10 from moving forward. The sealing part 11 penetrates the sealing hole 81 along its entire length, with its tip protruding into the cavity 71. Furthermore, the square fitting part 12 fits into the square hole 91 without gaps in a circumferentially positioned state.

[0059] When multiple empty plugs 10 reach the correct insertion position, such as Figure 7 As shown, on the rear surface side of the retainer 90, the flange portions 19 of each plug 10 are arranged in the width direction. Adjacent flange portions 19 in the width direction form a gap 50 along the vertical direction between their opposing side edges, and are arranged close to each other without interfering with each other through the gap 50.

[0060] Previously, for example, when the empty plug 10 acquires a position that has rotated 45 degrees around its axis from its normal position (hereinafter, the position that deviates from the normal position and rotates is referred to as the tilting position), if this tilting position is not released, such as Figure 8 As shown in the reference figure, adjacent flange portions 19 interfere with each other in a manner that overlaps in the front-to-back direction, and the sealing portion 11 is not inserted into the sealing hole 81 at the normal depth, which may impair the sealing performance.

[0061] In this respect, in this embodiment 1, the tilting posture of the empty plug 10 is released by the chamfered shape of the square fitting portion 12. Specifically, when the square fitting portion 12 is inserted into the square hole 91 while the empty plug 10 is in a tilted posture, if, during insertion, Figure 3 As shown, the edge portions 18 of the four chamfered portions 17 simultaneously contact the four side surfaces 92 and 93 of the square hole 91. Here, the contact position A of each edge portion 18 relative to each side surface 92 and 93 extends from the center of the width direction of the upper and lower side surfaces 92 and the center of the height direction of the left and right side surfaces 93 in the circumferential direction (…). Figure 3 (in a clockwise direction) misaligned.

[0062] In the aforementioned state, the stop 13 is pressed from the rear, applying a forward pressing force to the empty plug 10. Thus, at the contact position A of each edge portion 18, a vector (refer to...) acts from the side surfaces 92, 93 of the square hole 91 toward the center C of the square fitting portion 12. Figure 3 The reaction force (arrow) is greater than the angle β1 formed by the extension direction (tangential direction) of the inclined surface 21 in one direction and the side surfaces 92, 93 at the contact position A. Therefore, the reaction force acting at the contact position A of each edge portion 18 acts biased towards the inclined surface 21 side than towards the inclined surface 22 side. That is, towards the circumferential side that is the inclined surface 21 side (arrow). Figure 3 The component force located on the counterclockwise side is proportional to the circumferential side of the inclined surface 22 in the other direction ( ). Figure 3 The component force located on the clockwise side is larger.

[0063] Here, each chamfered portion 17 expands outwards towards the rear, and the ridge portion 18 of each chamfered portion 17 is inclined in a rearward, circumferential direction towards one side. Therefore, when the plug 10 is subjected to a pressing force, the ridge portion 18 of each chamfered portion 17 slides along the side surfaces 92 and 93, maintaining contact with the side surfaces 92 and 93. The plug 10 is displaced by the sliding displacement of the ridge portion 18 relative to the side surfaces 92 and 93, such as... Figures 3 to 4 As shown, it rotates around the axis to the other side in the circumferential direction. As a result, the tilting posture of the empty plug 10 is partially released.

[0064] As the empty plug 10 is further pressed in, the ridge portion 18 slides along the sides 92 and 93, and the tilting posture of the empty plug 10 is gradually corrected towards a proper posture. When the end portion (rear end) of the ridge portion 18 reaches the position of contact with the sides 92 and 93, as... Figure 5 As shown, one inclined surface 21 of each chamfered portion 17 is close to each side surface 92, 93, and the other inclined surface 22 of each chamfered portion 17 is opposed to each inner corner portion 94 with a gap. In this way, before the empty plug 10 reaches the correct insertion position, it automatically corrects itself to the correct posture in conjunction with its own pressing action.

[0065] As explained above, regarding the empty plug 10 of this embodiment 1, each of the four corner portions 15 of the square fitting portion 12 has a chamfered portion 17 that expands outwards and backwards towards each other, and whose circumferential width decreases as it moves backwards. Each of the four chamfered portions 17 has an edge portion 18 that extends in the front-rear direction and protrudes outwards. The edge portion 18 is inclined in a circumferential direction as it moves backwards. Furthermore, regarding the structure of the empty plug 10 of this embodiment 1, each of the four corner portions 15 of the square fitting portion 12 has a chamfered portion 17 that expands outwards and backwards towards each other. When the empty plug 10 is tilted, and the position where the four chamfered portions 17 contact the four sides 92, 93 of the square hole 91 is set as contact position A, the contact position A is set in the four chamfered portions 17 to shift in a circumferential direction as it moves backwards.

[0066] According to Embodiment 1, when the square fitting portion 12 is inserted into the square hole 91 while the empty plug 10 is rotating about its axis from its normal position, as the square fitting portion 12 is inserted further, the edge portions 18 of each chamfered portion 17 slide circumferentially along the side surfaces 92 and 93. Furthermore, the contact position A of each chamfered portion 17 can shift circumferentially. Thus, the empty plug 10 can rotate towards its normal position within the square hole 91. Therefore, by advancing the insertion of the square fitting portion 12, the empty plug 10 can be automatically corrected towards its normal position.

[0067] Furthermore, in the case of Embodiment 1, the angle β1 formed by the extending direction (tangential direction) of the inclined surface 21 in one direction and the side surfaces 92, 93 at contact position A is set to be larger than the angle β2 formed by the extending direction (tangential direction) of the inclined surface 22 in another direction and the side surfaces 92, 93 at contact position A. Therefore, when the square fitting part 12 is inserted into the square hole 91 while the empty plug 10 is rotated about the axis from its normal position, and each chamfered part 17 receives a reaction force from the side surfaces 92, 93 of the square hole 91 at contact position A, the component force toward the inclined surface 21 in one direction is greater than the component force toward the inclined surface 22 in the other direction. Therefore, as the square fitting part 12 is inserted further, the contact position A can be reliably shifted to one circumferential direction.

[0068] Furthermore, in the case of Embodiment 1, the circumferential width of the chamfered portion 17 is set to gradually decrease as it moves backward. Therefore, as the square fitting portion 12 is inserted forward, one inclined surface 21 of the square fitting portion 12 (excluding the edge portion 18) approaches the side surfaces 92 and 93 of the square hole 91, gradually reducing the gap between the inclined surface 21 of the square fitting portion 12 and the side surfaces 92 and 93 of the square hole 91. As a result, the square fitting portion 12 can be smoothly inserted into the square hole 91 without wobbling.

[0069] [Other embodiments of this disclosure]

[0070] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered illustrative in all respects, and not restrictive.

[0071] In Embodiment 1 of the above-described implementation, the circumferential width of the chamfer gradually decreases towards the rear. However, in other implementations, the circumferential width of the chamfer may be maintained at a certain value in the front-rear direction.

[0072] In Embodiment 1 of the above-described implementation, the ridge portion is a curved shape protruding outwards. However, in other implementations, the ridge portion may also be a angular (L-shaped) shape protruding outwards.

[0073] In Embodiment 1 of the above-described implementation, the square fitting portion is formed as a solid prism. However, in other embodiments, the square fitting portion can also be formed as a hollow square tube. In this case, it is sufficient to simply make the stop portion a closed wall.

[0074] In Embodiment 1 of the above-described implementation, the flange portion has a square shape. However, in other embodiments, the flange portion may also have a circular or polygonal shape other than a square. Furthermore, multiple flange portions may be provided in the circumferential direction.

[0075] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0076] 10: Empty plug

[0077] 11: Sealing part

[0078] 12: Square fitting part

[0079] 13: Stop section

[0080] 14: Main body

[0081] 15: Corner

[0082] 16: protrusion

[0083] 17: Chamfered edge

[0084] 18: Edge section

[0085] 19: Flange portion

[0086] 21: Inclined surface in one direction

[0087] 22: Inclined surface in another direction

[0088] 50: Gap

[0089] 60: Waterproof connector

[0090] 70: Casing

[0091] 71: cavity

[0092] 80: Summary of rubber plugs

[0093] 81: Sealing hole

[0094] 90: Maintain body

[0095] 91: Square Hole

[0096] 92: Side view (top and bottom sides)

[0097] 93: Side view (left and right sides)

[0098] 94: Inner corner

[0099] A: Contact position

[0100] C: Center

[0101] α1: The angle between the line segment connecting the center of the square fitting part and the edge part and the extension direction of one of the inclined surfaces in the edge part.

[0102] α2: The angle between the line segment connecting the center of the square fitting part and the edge part and the extension direction of the inclined surface in another direction in the edge part.

[0103] β1: The angle formed by the extension direction of the inclined surface at the contact position and the side surface.

[0104] β2: The angle formed by the extension direction of the inclined surface in another direction at the contact position and the side surface.

Claims

1. A plug structure having a square fitting portion that fits into a square hole. The square fitting portion has four corner portions at diagonal positions around its central axis extending in the front-back direction. The four corner portions each have chamfered portions that expand outwards and backwards towards each other. When the contact positions are defined as the locations where the four chamfered portions contact the four sides of the square hole, The contact position at the four chamfered portions is configured to shift in a direction around the central axis as it moves backward. The four chamfered portions have an inclined surface in one direction arranged from the contact position toward a direction about the central axis, and an inclined surface in another direction arranged from the contact position toward a direction opposite to the direction about the central axis. The angle formed by the tangent of the inclined surface in one direction at the contact position and the side surface is larger than the angle formed by the tangent of the inclined surface in the other direction at the contact position and the side surface.

2. The plug structure according to claim 1, wherein, The width of the chamfered portion around the central axis is set to decrease as it moves backward.

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