Protective cover for a connector

Abstract

This invention provides a protective cover for a connector, which can prevent the protective cover from accidentally detaching from the connector and facilitates the installation and removal of the protective cover relative to the connector. A pair of first elastic support portions (55, 56) have grooves (55a, 56a) that are elastically deformed and fit against the outer peripheral wall (30A) of the connector (30) in a state of engagement with each protrusion (35, 36). A pair of second elastic support portions (57, 58) are elastically deformed and fit against the outer peripheral wall (30A) of the connector (30) at positions where they are separated from the first elastic support portions (55, 56) in the circumferential direction of the cover body (50). A gap (K1) is formed between the first elastic support portions (55, 56) and the second elastic support portions (57, 58) and between the cover body (50) and the outer peripheral wall (30A) of the connector (30).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a protective cover for connectors. Background Technology

[0002] Conventionally, to prevent foreign objects such as debris from entering the connector through the opening in the connector's cylindrical outer peripheral wall that covers the terminals, a connector protective cover, such as that disclosed in Patent Document 1, is installed on the connector. The connector protective cover covers the connector opening and is installed on the outer peripheral wall of the connector in a removable manner.

[0003] Existing technical documents

[0004] Patent documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 8-273745 Summary of the Invention

[0006] The problem that the invention aims to solve

[0007] In such a connector protective cover, it is desirable to prevent the protective cover from accidentally detaching from the connector. Furthermore, it is desirable to make the installation and removal of the connector easier.

[0008] Methods for solving problems

[0009] A connector protective cover that solves the above-mentioned problem covers the opening of a connector having a cylindrical outer peripheral wall with covering terminals, allowing it to be installed onto the outer peripheral wall in a detachable manner. The connector protective cover comprises a cylindrical cover body covering the outer peripheral wall. The cover body has: a pair of first elastic support portions that are elastically deformed and tightly fitted against the outer peripheral wall, clamping the connector between them; and a second elastic support portion that is elastically deformed and tightly fitted against the outer peripheral wall, positioned circumferentially separate from the first elastic support portions of the cover body, clamping the connector between them. The first elastic support portion has a groove that engages with a protrusion on the outer peripheral wall, and a gap exists between the first and second elastic support portions and between the cover body and the outer peripheral wall.

[0010] Therefore, the grooves of the pair of first elastic support portions are in a state of elastic deformation that fits against the protrusions and is tightly attached to the outer peripheral wall of the connector, and the second elastic support portions are in a state of elastic deformation that are tightly attached to the outer peripheral wall of the connector at positions on the circumferential direction of the cover body that are separate from the first elastic support portions. Thus, the connector cover is tightly attached to the connector at least four times in the circumferential direction of the cover body, thereby suppressing accidental deformation of the connector cover. Therefore, accidental detachment of the connector cover from the connector can be prevented. Furthermore, since there are gaps between the first and second elastic support portions and between the cover body and the outer peripheral wall of the connector, the installation and removal of the connector cover from the connector is easy. Through the above, accidental detachment of the connector cover from the connector can be prevented, and the installation and removal of the connector cover from the connector can be made easy.

[0011] In the above-mentioned protective cover for connectors, a receiving portion for receiving locking claws may be provided on the inner side of the cover body. The locking claws protrude from the outer peripheral wall and are used to lock the opposite connector connected to the connector. The second elastic support portion places the receiving portion in the middle and protrudes from the inner peripheral surface of the cover body by one.

[0012] Therefore, the second elastic support portion can position the receiving portion of the locking claw in the middle, with one protruding from the inner circumferential surface of the cover body and abutting against the outer circumferential wall of the connector. Thus, even when the connector protective cover is installed onto the connector, the locking claw will not interfere with the connector protective cover. Therefore, the locking claw can be protected and the accidental detachment of the connector protective cover from the connector can be prevented. Furthermore, the installation and removal of the connector protective cover relative to the connector can be facilitated.

[0013] In the above-mentioned protective cover for connectors, the lengths of the first elastic support portion and the second elastic support portion in the axial direction of the cover body may be the same as the length of the inner circumferential surface of the cover body in the axial direction.

[0014] This maximizes the contact area between the first and second elastic support portions and the outer peripheral wall of the connector. Consequently, the frictional force between the first elastic support portion and the outer peripheral wall of the connector, and between the second elastic support portion and the outer peripheral wall of the connector, can be stabilized, thus further preventing the connector protective cover from accidentally detaching from the connector.

[0015] Invention Effects

[0016] According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent the connector protective cover from accidentally falling off the connector, and it is also possible to make the installation and removal of the connector protective cover relative to the connector easy. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 This is a side view showing the electric compressor in the embodiment.

[0018] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view of the connector and its protective cover.

[0019] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 The 3-3 line section view.

[0020] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0021] 17a…Terminal, 18…Match-side connector, 30…Connector, 30A…Outer peripheral wall, 30a…Opening, 35, 36…Protrusion, 37…Clamping claw, 40…Connector protective cover, 50…Cover body, 55, 56…First elastic support, 55a, 56a…Groove, 57, 58…Second elastic support, 60…Receiving part, K1…Gap. Detailed Implementation

[0022] The following is in accordance with Figures 1-3 This section describes one embodiment of a connector protective cover. In this embodiment, the connector protective cover is installed on the connector of an electric compressor.

[0023] (Overall structure of electric compressor 10)

[0024] like Figure 1 As shown, the electric compressor 10 includes a housing 11. The housing 11 is cylindrical and made of metal. The housing 11 includes a discharge housing 12, a motor housing 13, and a converter housing 14. A compression unit 15 and an electric motor 16 are housed within the motor housing 13. Therefore, the housing 11 houses the compression unit 15 and the electric motor 16. The compression unit 15 is, for example, a scroll type consisting of a fixed scroll member (not shown) fixed within the motor housing 13 and a movable scroll member (not shown) disposed opposite to the fixed scroll member.

[0025] The electric compressor 10 includes a converter 17. The converter 17 drives an electric motor 16. The converter 17 is housed within a converter housing 14. The converter housing 14 has a cylindrical connector 30. A counterpart connector 18 is connected to the connector 30. The counterpart connector 18 is connected to the connector 30 such that it covers the outer peripheral surface of the connector 30. Furthermore, when the counterpart connector 18 is connected to the connector 30, power from an external power source is supplied to the converter 17. Therefore, the connector 30 is for external power supply.

[0026] If power is supplied to the converter 17, the converter 17 drives the electric motor 16. When the electric motor 16 is driven, the compressor 15 is driven, and the refrigerant drawn into the motor housing 13 from the external refrigerant circuit 19 is compressed by the compressor 15. The refrigerant compressed by the compressor 15 is discharged into the discharge housing 12 and flows out into the external refrigerant circuit 19. Then, the refrigerant flowing out into the external refrigerant circuit 19 passes through a heat exchanger (not shown) and an expansion valve in the external refrigerant circuit 19 and flows back into the motor housing 13. The electric compressor 10 and the external refrigerant circuit 19 constitute the vehicle air conditioning system 20. Therefore, the electric compressor 10 of this embodiment is used, for example, in the vehicle air conditioning system 20.

[0027] (Structure of connector 30)

[0028] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, connector 30 is, for example, a long rectangular tube. Connector 30 covers terminal 17a. Furthermore, in Figure 2 For ease of explanation, the diagram of terminal 17a is omitted. Terminal 17a is electrically connected to converter 17 and is used to supply power to converter 17.

[0029] Connector 30 has an outer peripheral wall 30A. The outer peripheral wall 30A of connector 30 covers terminal 17a. The outer peripheral wall 30A of connector 30 has a first sidewall 31 and a second sidewall 32 extending in the direction of the long side and the short side of connector 30 when viewed from the axial direction of connector 30. The first sidewall 31 and the second sidewall 32 extend parallel to each other. The outer peripheral wall 30A of connector 30 has a third sidewall 33 and a fourth sidewall 34 extending in the direction of the short side and the long side of connector 30 when viewed from the axial direction of connector 30. The third sidewall 33 and the fourth sidewall 34 extend parallel to each other.

[0030] When the connector 30 is viewed axially from the side, the first sidewall 31 connects the end of the third sidewall 33 located along the long side of the connector 30 and the end of the fourth sidewall 34 located along the long side of the connector 30. When the connector 30 is viewed axially from the side, the second sidewall 32 connects the end of the third sidewall 33 located along the other side of the long side of the connector 30 and the end of the fourth sidewall 34 located along the other side of the long side of the connector 30.

[0031] When viewed from the axial direction of connector 30, the direction of the long side of connector 30 is orthogonal to the axial direction of connector 30, i.e., the first direction X1. When viewed from the axial direction of connector 30, the direction of the short side of connector 30 is orthogonal to both the axial direction of connector 30 and the first direction X1, i.e., the second direction Y1. Furthermore, in the following description, sometimes "the direction of the long side of connector 30 when viewed from the axial direction of connector 30" will be simply referred to as "the first direction X1". Also, in the following description, sometimes "the direction of the short side of connector 30 when viewed from the axial direction of connector 30" will be simply referred to as "the second direction Y1".

[0032] The outer surface of the first sidewall 31 is the portion of the outer peripheral surface of the connector 30 located in the first direction X1. The outer surface of the second sidewall 32 is the portion of the outer peripheral surface of the connector 30 located in the other direction X1. The outer surface of the third sidewall 33 is the portion of the outer peripheral surface of the connector 30 located in the second direction Y1. The outer surface of the fourth sidewall 34 is the portion of the outer peripheral surface of the connector 30 located in the other direction Y1.

[0033] (Regarding the convex parts 35 and 36)

[0034] The outer peripheral wall 30A of the connector 30 has protrusions 35 and 36. Two protrusions 35 protrude from the outer surface of the first sidewall 31. Each protrusion 35 is a quadrangular prism extending straight in the axial direction of the connector 30. The protrusions 35 extend parallel to each other. One protrusion 36 protrudes from the outer surface of the second sidewall 32. The protrusion 36 is a quadrangular prism extending straight in the axial direction of the connector 30. The protrusion 36 extends parallel to the protrusions 35.

[0035] (Regarding the locking claw 37)

[0036] The connector 30 has locking claws 37. The locking claws 37 protrude from the outer surface of the third sidewall 33. Therefore, the locking claws 37 protrude from the outer peripheral wall 30A of the connector 30. Furthermore, when the counterpart connector 18 is connected to the connector 30, it is locked in place by the locking claws 37 and does not detach from the connector 30.

[0037] (Structure of connector protective cover 40)

[0038] Before the connector 18 and connector 30 are connected, a connector protective cover 40 is installed on connector 30. The connector protective cover 40 covers the opening 30a of connector 30. The connector protective cover 40 prevents foreign objects such as debris from entering the interior of connector 30 through the opening 30a.

[0039] The connector protective cover 40 is made of resin. The connector protective cover 40 is formed of a flexible material capable of elastic deformation. The connector protective cover 40 includes a cover portion 41 and a cover body 50. The cover portion 41 is plate-shaped. The cover body 50 is a cylindrical shape protruding from the outer periphery of the cover portion 41. The cover portion 41 closes the opening 30a of the connector 30. The cover body 50 covers the outer peripheral wall 30A of the connector 30. The connector protective cover 40 is detachably mounted to the outer peripheral wall 30A of the connector 30.

[0040] (Structure of the main body 50)

[0041] The cover body 50 is, for example, an elongated rectangular cylindrical shape. The cover body 50 is larger than the connector 30. The cover body 50 has a first cover sidewall 51, a second cover sidewall 52, a third cover sidewall 53, and a fourth cover sidewall 54. The first cover sidewall 51 extends along the first sidewall 31 of the connector 30. The second cover sidewall 52 extends along the second sidewall 32 of the connector 30. The third cover sidewall 53 extends along the third sidewall 33 of the connector 30. The fourth cover sidewall 54 extends along the fourth sidewall 34 of the connector 30.

[0042] (Regarding the pair of first elastic support parts 55 and 56)

[0043] The cover body 50 has a pair of first elastic support portions 55 and 56 that are in an elastically deformable state and are tightly attached to the outer peripheral wall 30A of the connector 30, clamping the connector 30 in the middle and facing each other. The first elastic support portion 55 is part of the first cover sidewall 51. The first elastic support portion 56 is part of the second cover sidewall 52.

[0044] The first elastic support portion 55 has a groove 55a that fits into each protrusion 35. Each groove 55a is formed by bending a portion of the first cover sidewall 51. Each groove 55a fits into each protrusion 35 in a state where the first elastic support portion 55 is elastically deformed and tightly attached to it.

[0045] The first elastic support portion 56 has a groove 56a that engages with the protrusion 36. The groove 56a is formed by bending a portion of the second cover sidewall 52. In this embodiment, two grooves 56a are formed on the second cover sidewall 52, and one of the two grooves 56a engages with the protrusion 36. The grooves 56a engage with the protrusion 36 in a state where they are tightly pressed together by the elastic deformation of the first elastic support portion 56.

[0046] (Regarding the second elastic support parts 57 and 58)

[0047] The cover body 50 has two second elastic support portions 57 and one second elastic support portion 58 that sandwich the connector 30 in the middle and are opposite to each other. The two second elastic support portions 57 and one second elastic support portion 58 are paired. The second elastic support portions 57 and 58 are in a state of elastic deformation and are in close contact with the outer peripheral wall 30A of the connector 30, and are located at a position that is separated from the first elastic support portions 55 and 56 in the circumferential direction of the cover body 50.

[0048] A second elastic support portion 57 is provided on the third cover sidewall 53. Each second elastic support portion 57 has one locking claw 37 positioned in the center in the first direction X1. Therefore, a receiving portion 60 for accommodating the locking claw 37 is provided inside the cover body 50. Furthermore, each second elastic support portion 57 protrudes from the inner surface of the third cover sidewall 53, with the receiving portion 60 positioned in the center in the first direction X1. Therefore, each second elastic support portion 57 protrudes from the inner circumferential surface of the cover body 50. Each second elastic support portion 57 is a column extending straight along the axial direction of the cover body 50. Each second elastic support portion 57 extends parallel to each other. Each second elastic support portion 57 abuts against the third sidewall 33 of the connector 30 in a state of elastic deformation and tight contact.

[0049] A second elastic support portion 58 is provided on the fourth cover sidewall 54. The second elastic support portion 58 protrudes from the center of the inner surface of the fourth cover sidewall 54. Therefore, the second elastic support portion 58 protrudes from the inner circumferential surface of the cover body 50. The second elastic support portion 58 is a column that extends straight along the axial direction of the cover body 50. The second elastic support portion 58 extends parallel to each of the second elastic support portions 57. The second elastic support portion 58 abuts against the fourth sidewall 34 of the connector 30 in a state of elastic deformation and tight contact.

[0050] The lengths of the first elastic support portions 55 and 56 and the second elastic support portions 57 and 58 along the axial direction of the cover body 50 are the same as the length of the inner circumferential surface of the cover body 50 along the axial direction. Therefore, each of the first elastic support portions 55 and 56 and each of the second elastic support portions 57 and 58 extends from the cover portion 41 to the opening edge of the cover body 50. A gap K1 is provided between the first elastic support portions 55 and 56 and the second elastic support portions 57 and 58 and between the cover body 50 and the outer peripheral wall 30A of the connector 30.

[0051] (effect)

[0052] Next, the function of this embodiment will be explained.

[0053] The connector protective cover 40 is installed relative to the connector 30 in a state where each groove 55a is engaged with each protrusion 35 and each groove 56a is engaged with each protrusion 36. At this time, the installation of the connector protective cover 40 relative to the connector 30 is performed simultaneously with each groove 55a being guided by each protrusion 35 and each groove 56a being guided by each protrusion 36.

[0054] The grooves 55a and 56a of the pair of first elastic support portions 55 and 56 are in a state of elastic deformation that fits into each of the protrusions 35 and 36 and are in close contact with the outer peripheral wall 30A of the connector 30. The second elastic support portions 57 and 58 are in a state of elastic deformation that are in close contact with the outer peripheral wall 30A of the connector 30 at positions where they are separated from the first elastic support portions 55 and 56 in the circumferential direction of the cover body 50. Therefore, the connector protective cover 40 is in close contact with the connector 30 at least four points in the circumferential direction of the cover body 50, thus suppressing accidental deformation of the connector protective cover 40. Therefore, accidental detachment of the connector protective cover 40 from the connector 30 is prevented. Furthermore, since there is a gap K1 between the first elastic support portions 55 and 56 and the second elastic support portions 57 and 58, and between the cover body 50 and the outer peripheral wall 30A of the connector 30, the installation and removal of the connector protective cover 40 relative to the connector 30 becomes easy.

[0055] The first cover sidewall 51 is partially bent to form each groove 55a. Similarly, the second cover sidewall 52 is partially bent to form each groove 56a. Therefore, the first cover sidewall 51 is less prone to deformation in a manner that separates it from the first sidewall 31 of the connector 30, and the second cover sidewall 52 is less prone to deformation in a manner that separates it from the second sidewall 32 of the connector 30. Consequently, the frictional force between each groove 55a and each protrusion 35, and the frictional force between each groove 56a and the protrusion 36, are stabilized. As a result, the accidental detachment of the connector protective cover 40 from the connector 30 is further suppressed.

[0056] (Effect)

[0057] The following effects can be achieved in the above embodiments.

[0058] (1) The grooves 55a and 56a of the pair of first elastic support portions 55 and 56 are in a state of elastic deformation that fits into each of the protrusions 35 and 36 and are in close contact with the outer peripheral wall 30A of the connector 30. The second elastic support portions 57 and 58 are in a state of elastic deformation that are in close contact with the outer peripheral wall 30A of the connector 30 at the positions where they are separated from the first elastic support portions 55 and 56 in the circumferential direction of the cover body 50. As a result, the connector protective cover 40 is in close contact with the connector 30 at least 4 points in the circumferential direction of the cover body 50, and thus accidental deformation of the connector protective cover 40 is suppressed. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the connector protective cover 40 from accidentally falling off the connector 30. In addition, since there is a gap K1 between the first elastic support portions 55 and 56 and the second elastic support portions 57 and 58 and between the cover body 50 and the outer peripheral wall 30A of the connector 30, the installation and removal of the connector protective cover 40 relative to the connector 30 is easy. Through the above, it is possible to prevent the connector protective cover 40 from accidentally falling off the connector 30, and to make the installation and removal of the connector protective cover 40 relative to the connector 30 easy.

[0059] (2) Each of the second elastic support portions 57 has one portion protruding from the inner peripheral surface of the cover body 50, with the receiving portion 60 positioned in the middle. This allows each of the second elastic support portions 57 to have one portion protruding from the inner peripheral surface of the cover body 50, where it abuts against the outer peripheral wall 30A of the connector 30. Therefore, even when the connector protective cover 40 is installed onto the connector 30, the locking claw 37 will not interfere with the connector protective cover 40. Thus, the locking claw 37 is protected, and the accidental detachment of the connector protective cover 40 from the connector 30 is prevented.

[0060] (3) The lengths of the first elastic support portions 55, 56 and the second elastic support portions 57, 58 in the axial direction of the cover body 50 are the same as the length of the inner circumferential surface of the cover body 50 in the axial direction. This maximizes the contact area between the first elastic support portions 55, 56 and the second elastic support portions 57, 58 and the outer circumferential wall 30A of the connector 30. Therefore, the frictional force between the first elastic support portions 55, 56 and the outer circumferential wall 30A of the connector 30, and the frictional force between the second elastic support portions 57, 58 and the outer circumferential wall 30A of the connector 30, can be stabilized, thus further preventing the connector protective cover 40 from accidentally detaching from the connector 30.

[0061] (4) A portion of the first cover sidewall 51 is bent to form each groove 55a. Similarly, a portion of the second cover sidewall 52 is bent to form each groove 56a. Therefore, the first cover sidewall 51 is less prone to deformation in a manner that separates it from the first sidewall 31 of the connector 30, and the second cover sidewall 52 is less prone to deformation in a manner that separates it from the second sidewall 32 of the connector 30. Consequently, the frictional force between each groove 55a and each protrusion 35, and the frictional force between each groove 56a and the protrusion 36, are stable. As a result, the accidental detachment of the connector protective cover 40 from the connector 30 can be further suppressed.

[0062] (Example of Change)

[0063] Furthermore, the above-described embodiments can be modified as follows. The above-described embodiments and the following modifications can be combined with each other within a technically compatible scope.

[0064] In one embodiment, the locking claw 37 may protrude from the outer surface of the fourth sidewall 34 instead of the outer surface of the third sidewall 33 of the connector 30. Furthermore, each of the second elastic support portions 58 may have one locking claw 37 positioned in the middle along the first direction X1. In short, it is sufficient that either the second elastic support portion 57 or 58 has one receiving portion 60 positioned in the middle and protruding from the inner circumferential surface of the cover body 50.

[0065] In one embodiment, the connector protective cover 40 may also have a structure in which only one groove 56a is formed on the second cover sidewall 52.

[0066] In one embodiment, two protrusions 36 may protrude from the outer surface of the second sidewall 32, and each groove 56a may fit into the protrusion 36.

[0067] In one embodiment, the protrusion 35 may also protrude only once from the outer surface of the first sidewall 31. In this case, the connector protective cover 40 may also have a structure in which only one groove 55a is formed on the first cover sidewall 51.

[0068] In one embodiment, the lengths of the first elastic support portions 55, 56 and the second elastic support portions 57, 58 in the axial direction of the cover body 50 may also be shorter than the length of the inner circumferential surface of the cover body 50 in the axial direction.

[0069] In some embodiments, the connector 30 may also be without the locking claw 37. In this case, the protruding position of the second resilient support portion 57 from the inner surface of the third cover sidewall 53 is not particularly limited.

[0070] In one embodiment, if the connector 30 is, for example, a true cylindrical shape (a straight cylindrical shape), the shape of the cover body 50 of the connector protective cover 40 can also be changed to a true cylindrical shape. In short, the shape of the connector protective cover 40 is not particularly limited and can be appropriately changed to match the shape of the connector 30.

[0071] In the embodiments, the compression unit 15 is not limited to the vortex type, but may also be a piston type, a blade type, etc.

[0072] In one embodiment, the electric compressor 10 constitutes the vehicle air conditioning unit 20, but is not limited thereto. For example, the electric compressor 10 may also be mounted on a fuel cell vehicle, where the air, which is the fluid supplied to the fuel cell, is compressed by the compressor unit 15.

[0073] In this embodiment, the connector protective cover 40 is not limited to being installed on the connector 30 of the electric compressor 10. The connector protective cover 40 may also be installed on the connector of a device located outside the electric compressor 10, for example.

Claims

1. A protective cover for a connector, covering an opening of a connector having a cylindrical outer peripheral wall with covered terminals, and detachably mounted to said outer peripheral wall, characterized in that, The connector protective cover has a cylindrical cover body that covers the outer peripheral wall. The cover body has: A pair of first elastic support portions, in a state of elastic deformation, are tightly fitted against the outer peripheral wall, clamping the connector in the middle and facing each other; and The second elastic support portion, in a state of elastic deformation, is tightly attached to the outer peripheral wall and is positioned circumferentially away from the first elastic support portion of the cover body, sandwiching the connector in the middle and facing it. The first elastic support portion has a groove that fits into the protrusion of the outer peripheral wall. There is a gap between the first elastic support portion and the second elastic support portion, and between the cover body and the outer peripheral wall.

2. The connector protective cover according to claim 1, characterized in that, A receiving portion for accommodating locking claws is provided on the inner side of the cover body. The locking claws protrude from the outer peripheral wall and are used to lock the opposite connector that is connected to the connector. The second elastic support portion places the receiving portion in the middle and protrudes from the inner circumferential surface of the cover body by one portion.

3. The connector protective cover according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The lengths of the first elastic support portion and the second elastic support portion along the axial direction of the cover body are the same as the length of the inner circumferential surface of the cover body along the axial direction.

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