connector

Abstract

A connector (1) includes: a housing (20) having a mating portion (21) inserted into and engaged with a mating mating portion (521); a shield (30) having a shield flange (32) arranged at a distance from and opposite to a wall surface (502a) of a mating wall (502); a first watertight member (42) located between the mating portion (21) and the mating mating portion (521); and a second watertight member (43) pressed between the shield flange (32) and the wall surface of the mating wall (502). The housing (20) has a housing flange (24) having an outer peripheral surface (24a) disposed on the inner side of the outer periphery of the shield flange and the outer side of the inner periphery of the shield flange (32), and having an annular contact surface (24b) contacting the wall surface of the mating wall (502).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a connector. Background Technology

[0002] Conventionally, a shielded connector is known that includes a housing and a shield, in which a mating portion is inserted into and fitted into a mating mating portion having a hole shape provided on a mating wall, and the shield covers from the outside a protrusion extending from the mating mating portion in the housing. In this connector, the shield is fixed to the mating wall. For example, a shield is known that has a cylindrical portion that covers the protrusion of the housing from the outside, a flange portion opposing the wall surface of the mating wall, and a fixed portion that is bent from the end of the flange portion and fixed to the end surface of the mating wall. Such a connector is disclosed, for example, in Patent Document 1 below.

[0003] [List of Citations]

[0004] [Patent Literature]

[0005] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2016-71982 Summary of the Invention

[0006] [Technical Issues]

[0007] Incidentally, in such conventional connectors, if a liquid such as water enters between the flange of the shield and the wall surface of the mating body, the liquid may be transmitted through this space to the gap between the mating parts, and may even reach the terminal metal fittings. To avoid this possibility, conventional connectors are equipped with an annular watertight component that seals the cylindrical gap between the mating parts. In conventional connectors, the watertight component prevents liquid that has entered between the mating parts from flowing out towards the terminal metal fittings. However, in connectors, considering the liquid tightness between the mating parts, it is desirable to reduce the amount of liquid flowing into the gap between them.

[0008] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a connector that can reduce the amount of liquid flowing into the mating parts.

[0009] [Solution to the problem]

[0010] To achieve the aforementioned objectives, the connector according to the present invention comprises: a terminal metal fitting, which is attached to the end of an electrical wire; a housing having a mating portion that receives the terminal metal fitting on its inner side and is inserted into and fitted into a hole-shaped mating mating portion of a mating wall; a shielding cover comprising a cylindrical portion and a flange portion, the cylindrical portion covering a protrusion of the housing from the outside, the protrusion protruding from the mating mating portion on the opposite side of the insertion direction of the mating portion towards the mating mating portion, and the flange portion protruding outward beyond the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion and arranged opposite to the wall surface of the mating wall in a spaced-apart state; and an annular first watertight member, which is attached to the outer peripheral wall surface of the mating portion and covers the cylindrical space between the mating portion and the mating mating portion in the mating state where the mating portion is inserted into and fitted into the mating mating portion. The housing has a gap; and an annular second watertight component, which is pressed between the cover flange and the wall surface of the mating wall body in the mating state. The housing has a housing flange and an outer peripheral surface, which, in the mating state, is inserted between the cover flange and the wall surface of the mating wall body. The outer peripheral surface is arranged inside the outer edge of the cover flange and outside the inner edge of the cover flange. The housing flange has an annular contact surface that contacts the wall surface of the mating wall body in the mating state. The second watertight component is arranged outside the housing flange and has an inner peripheral surface and an annular pressure-bearing surface. The inner peripheral surface is arranged opposite to the outer peripheral surface of the housing flange, and the pressure-bearing surface protrudes in the insertion direction beyond the contact surface of the housing flange and is subjected to pressure from the wall surface of the mating wall body in the mating state.

[0011] Here, it is desirable that the amount of the second watertight component protruding from the contact surface of the housing flange is greater than the sum of the maximum value of the relative movement between the shield and the mating wall in the insertion direction and the cumulative tolerance of the gap between the shield flange and the wall surface of the mating wall in the insertion direction.

[0012] Furthermore, it is desirable that the shielding cover has a fixing portion that bends from the end of the outer periphery of the cover flange and is fixed to the end surface of the mating wall.

[0013] Furthermore, it is desirable that the second watertight component be attached to the cover flange.

[0014] Furthermore, it is desirable that the second watertight component be made of EPDM rubber.

[0015] [Beneficial effects of the invention]

[0016] In the connector according to the invention, by inserting and engaging the mating part into the mating mating part, the pressure-bearing surface of the second watertight member contacts the wall surface of the mating wall, and by continuing insertion and engagement, the second watertight member is squeezed while the pressure-bearing surface is subjected to pressure from the wall surface of the mating wall. In this connector, continued insertion and engagement causes the contact surface of the housing flange to contact the wall surface of the mating wall. In this connector, when the contact surface of the connector contacts the wall surface of the mating wall, the connector enters the engagement state where the insertion and engagement of the mating part is completed, and the squeezing of the second watertight member stops there. As a result, in this connector, the second watertight member is sandwiched between the housing flange and the wall surface of the mating wall, and the second watertight member is pressurized in the insertion and withdrawal direction, thereby preventing liquid from entering therefrom. Therefore, the connector according to the invention includes a second watertight member located between the housing flange and the wall surface of the mating wall, thereby reducing the amount of liquid flowing into the gap between the mating part and the mating mating part through the gap therebetween. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the connector before mating, illustrating an embodiment.

[0018] Figure 2 This is a perspective view showing the connector of an embodiment after mating.

[0019] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 XX cross-sectional view.

[0020] Figure 4 yes Figure 2 XX cross-sectional view.

[0021] Figure 5 This is an exploded view of the connector illustrating an embodiment.

[0022] Figure 6 This is a three-dimensional view showing the casing.

[0023] Figure 7 This is a perspective view showing a shield with a second watertight component installed.

[0024] Reference tag list

[0025] 1 Connector

[0026] 10-terminal metal fittings

[0027] 20. Housing

[0028] 21. Coordination Department

[0029] 21a Outer peripheral wall surface

[0030] 24. Housing flange portion

[0031] 24a Outer peripheral surface

[0032] 24b Contact Surface

[0033] 30 Shielding Cover

[0034] 31. Cylinder section

[0035] 32. Flange portion of the cover

[0036] 33 Fixed part

[0037] 42 First external watertight component (first watertight component)

[0038] 43 Second external watertight component (second watertight component)

[0039] 43a inner peripheral surface

[0040] 43b Pressure surface

[0041] 502 Paired Wall

[0042] 502a wall surface

[0043] 502b end surface

[0044] 521 Pairing and mating parts

[0045] We wires Detailed Implementation

[0046] Embodiments of the connector according to the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The invention is not limited to these embodiments.

[0047] Example

[0048] Reference Figures 1 to 7 An embodiment of the connector according to the present invention is described.

[0049] Figures 1 to 5 Reference numeral 1 in the accompanying drawings denotes the connector of this embodiment. The connector 1 is inserted into and fitted into a mating portion 521 having an inner peripheral wall surface 521a, thereby electrically connecting to the mating terminal metal fitting 510. Figure 1 and Figure 2 The connector 1 is inserted into and removed from the mating portion 521 along the axial direction of the hole. The mating portion 521 is formed with a cross-section that is, for example, circular or elliptical and orthogonal to the axial direction of the hole.

[0050] For example, connector 1 is electrically connected to the mating terminal metal fitting 510 of mating device 500, thereby forming a connection between mating device 500 and wire We ( Figure 1 and Figure 2 The mating device 500 includes a metal housing 501, and a through hole formed in the wall 502 (hereinafter referred to as the "mating wall") of the housing 501 serves as a mating fitting portion 521. The mating fitting portion 521 has an axial direction relative to the mating wall 502 (not shown) of the mating device 500. Figures 1 to 4 The connector 1 is inserted into and withdrawn from the plane wall surface 502a of the mating device 500 along the axial direction of the hole. The mating device 500 includes a terminal block or mating connector (not shown) inside its housing 501. A mating terminal metal fitting 510 is built into its terminal block or mating connector. Thus, the connector 1 is inserted into and mated into the mating mating part 521, and electrically connected to the terminal block or mating terminal metal fitting 510 of the mating connector within the housing 501.

[0051] In the following text, when we simply refer to the insertion direction without specific explanation, the insertion direction refers to the direction in which the connector 1 is inserted into the mating part 521. Furthermore, when we simply refer to the withdrawal direction without specific explanation, the withdrawal direction refers to the direction in which the connector 1 is pulled out relative to the mating part 521. Additionally, when we simply refer to the insertion / removal direction without specific explanation, the insertion / removal direction refers to the insertion / removal direction of the connector 1 relative to the mating part 521.

[0052] The connector 1 includes terminal metal fittings 10, a housing 20, and a shielding cover 30. Figures 1 to 5 ).

[0053] The terminal metal fitting 10 is formed from metal or other conductive materials. For example, the terminal metal fitting 10 is formed into a predetermined shape by stamping a metal sheet as a base material through processes such as bending or cutting. The terminal metal fitting 10 is attached to the end of the wire We to make an electrical connection with the wire We. The terminal metal fitting 10 is also electrically connected to the mating terminal metal fitting 510. Therefore, the terminal metal fitting 10 has: a terminal connection portion 11 that is physically connected to and electrically connected to the mating terminal metal fitting 510; and a wire connection portion 12 that is physically connected to and electrically connected to the end of the wire We. Figure 5 ).

[0054] The terminal connection portion 11 illustrated in this article is formed in a sheet shape. Figures 1 to 5 The terminal connection part 11 has a through hole 11a. Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 5The terminal connector 11 is fixed to the mating terminal metal fitting 510 by using bolts or the like through its through hole 11a, thereby achieving both physical and electrical connection to the mating terminal metal fitting 510. The connection between the terminal metal fitting 10 and the mating terminal metal fitting 510 does not necessarily have to be a bolted structure. For example, the terminal metal fitting 10 and the mating terminal metal fitting 510 can be configured to mate and connect with each other; one can be shaped as a female terminal, and the other as a male terminal.

[0055] The wire connector 12 is physically connected to and electrically connected to the wire We by, for example, crimping or soldering to the core wire at the end of the wire We. The wire connector 12 illustrated herein has two cylindrical pieces that are crimped to the exposed core wire by pressure.

[0056] In this example, the terminal metal fitting 10 is formed as a straight terminal metal fitting, having a terminal connection portion 11 and a wire connection portion 12 arranged in a straight line. Therefore, the wire We is pulled out from the wire connection portion 12 along its straight line in the extending direction of the terminal metal fitting 10. However, the terminal metal fitting 10 may be a terminal metal fitting having a terminal connection portion 11 and a wire connection portion 12 arranged to cross each other, for example, by orthogonal arrangement.

[0057] The connector 1 illustrated herein has two sets of paired terminal metal fittings 10 and wires We.

[0058] The housing 20 is molded from an insulating material such as synthetic resin. The housing 20 houses the terminal metal fitting 10 and the wire We. Within the housing 20, the terminal metal fitting 10 remains intact, and the wire We is pulled outwards from the inside.

[0059] The housing 20 has a mating portion 21, which internally accommodates the terminal metal fitting 10 and inserts into and engages with the mating wall 502. Figures 1 to 6The mating part 21 is inserted into and engages with the interior of the mating part 521 in the insertion direction, and is pulled outward from the interior of the mating part 521 in the pull-out direction opposite to the insertion direction. The mating part 21 is formed in a cylindrical shape with the insertion direction and pull-out direction relative to the insertion direction of the mating part 521 as the cylindrical axis direction. Therefore, the cylindrical axis direction can be used instead of the insertion direction below. The mating part 21 illustrated herein is formed in a cylindrical shape such that the cross section perpendicular to the cylindrical axis has an elliptical shape, and has two terminal metal fittings 10 placed parallel to each other along the length direction of the ellipse. The mating part 21 illustrated herein retains the terminal connection part 11 inside it, and the end of the through hole 11a side of the terminal connection part 11 protrudes from its interior to the exterior. The wire connection part 12 side of the terminal connection part 11 and the terminal connection part 11 side of the wire connection part 12 in the mating part 21 illustrated herein are accommodated inside it. The mating part 21 has a partition wall (not shown) disposed between adjacent terminal metal fittings 10 inside.

[0060] The housing 20 has a portion that, when the mating portion 21 is inserted into and engaged with the mating mating portion 521 (hereinafter referred to as the "engaged state"), is further towards the pull-out direction than the mating portion 21 protruding from the mating mating portion 521. The housing 20 has a cylindrical wire receiving portion 22 as a portion protruding from the mating mating portion 521 on the pull-out direction side, the wire receiving portion 22 accommodating the wire We ( Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 5 and Figure 6 The wire receiving portion 22 illustrated herein is cylindrical and is provided for the corresponding wire We. The wire receiving portion 22 is aligned in the arrangement direction of the two terminal metal fittings. The housing 20 has a cylindrical portion 23 between the mating portion 21 and the corresponding wire receiving portion 22, the cylindrical portion 23 being coaxial with the cylindrical axis of the mating portion 21 and provided on the outer side of the outer peripheral wall surface 21a of the mating portion 21. Figure 1 and 3 to Figure 6 The cylindrical portion 23 illustrated herein is formed in a cylindrical shape such that the cross section perpendicular to the cylindrical axis has an elliptical shape, and the cylindrical portion 23 is arranged with the outer peripheral wall surface 21a of the mating portion 21 separated by an annular gap.

[0061] In the housing 20, the wire We with terminal metal fittings 10 is inserted through the opening 22a of the wire receiving portion 22. Figure 5 Therefore, the wire We is pulled outward from the opening 22a. Here, an annular gap is formed between the wire receiving portion 22 and the wire We. Therefore, in this connector 1, the wire We is pre-inserted into the annular watertight component (hereinafter referred to as the "inner watertight component") 41. Figure 5The inner watertight component 41 is inserted together with the wire We into the wire receiving portion 22, thereby sealing the annular gap between the wire receiving portion 22 and the wire We. The inner watertight component 41 is a so-called rubber plug.

[0062] The housing 20 has an annular flange 24 (hereinafter referred to as "housing flange") coaxial with the cylindrical axis of the mating part 21 between the cylindrical part 23 and the corresponding wire receiving part 22, as a portion protruding from the mating part 521 in the pull-out direction. Figure 1 and Figures 3 to 6 The housing flange 24 has an outer peripheral surface 24a on the outer side of the outer peripheral wall surface 21a of the mating part 21 and on the outer side of the corresponding outer wall 22b of the wire receiving part 22. Figure 3 , Figure 4 and Figure 6 The outer peripheral surface 24a of the housing flange 24 illustrated herein is located outside the cylindrical portion 23. Furthermore, the housing flange 24 has an annular contact surface 24b that contacts the wall surface 502a of the mating wall body 502 when in the mating state. Figure 1 , Figure 3 , Figure 4 and Figure 6 The contact surface 24b is the wall surface on the insertion direction side of the housing flange 24, and it contacts the peripheral portion of the mating mating portion 521 in the wall surface 502a of the mating wall 502.

[0063] Connector 1 includes a front retainer 51, and the end of the mating portion 21 of housing 20 (the end on the insertion direction side) is inserted into the front retainer 51. Figures 1 to 5 The front retainer 51 retains the terminal metal fitting 10 and the mating part 21 together in a retained state within the housing 20. The front retainer 51 has a cylindrical portion 51a, the insertion and removal direction of which is cylindrical, and the end of the mating part 21 is inserted into the interior of the cylindrical portion 51a. Figure 3 and Figure 4 The cylindrical portion 51a illustrated herein is formed in a cylindrical shape such that the cross-section perpendicular to the cylindrical axis is elliptical.

[0064] In this connector 1, the annular end surface of the cylindrical portion 51a of the front retainer 51 in the pull-out direction and the end surface of the cylindrical portion 23 of the housing 20 in the insertion direction are positioned opposite each other with a gap between them in the insertion and pull-out direction. Therefore, in the connector 1, an annular groove is formed between the respective end surfaces of the cylindrical portions 23 and 51a, with the outer peripheral wall surface 21a of the mating portion 21 as the groove bottom. The connector 1 has an annular first watertight member (hereinafter referred to as "first external watertight member") 42 within its annular groove. Figure 1 and Figures 3 to 5The first external watertight component 42 is fitted to the outer peripheral wall surface 21a of the mating part 21 and seals the cylindrical gap between the mating part 21 and the mating part 521 when in the mating state. The first external watertight component 42 illustrated herein is formed as a component that seals a portion of the axial direction in the cylindrical gap.

[0065] The first external watertight component 42 is attached to the bottom of the annular groove on its inner peripheral side and to the inner peripheral wall surface 521a of the mating part 521 on its outer peripheral side, thereby sealing the annular gap between the bottom of the annular groove and the inner peripheral wall surface 521a of the mating part 521, thus preventing liquids such as water from entering the interior of the housing 501 from between the mating part 21 and the mating part 521. Therefore, the first external watertight component 42 is molded from an elastically deformable synthetic resin material such as rubber.

[0066] The first external watertight component 42 has: a cylindrical base 42a, an annular lip 42b (hereinafter referred to as "inner lip") coaxial with the inner peripheral surface of the base 42a and protruding from the inner peripheral surface of the base 42a, and an annular lip 42c (hereinafter referred to as "outer lip") protruding from the outer peripheral surface of the base 42a. Figure 5 In the first external watertight member 42, a plurality of inner peripheral lips 42b and outer peripheral lips 42c are arranged in the cylindrical axial direction of the base 42a. The first external watertight member 42 illustrated herein has two inner peripheral lips 42b and two outer peripheral lips 42c. The base 42a illustrated herein is formed in a cylindrical shape such that the cross-section perpendicular to the cylindrical axis is elliptical. The inner peripheral lips 42b and outer peripheral lips 42c illustrated herein are each formed in a cylindrical shape such that the cross-section perpendicular to the cylindrical axis of the base 42a is elliptical.

[0067] Furthermore, connector 1 has a rear retainer 52 that fits between the opening 22a of the wire receiving portion 22 and the inner watertight member 41 to retain the wire We while preventing bending of the wire We. Figure 5 In this example, the rear retainer 52 has a two-part structure including a first retainer component 52A and a second retainer component 52B, and the first retainer component 52A and the second retainer component 52B clamp and retain the corresponding wires We. Each wire We is pulled outward from the opening 22a through the rear retainer 52. Although not described in detail, the rear retainer 52 is held in the corresponding wire receiving portion 22 by hooking the tethering portions respectively provided in the first retainer component 52A and the second retainer component 52B onto the claw portions provided in the wire receiving portion 22. The first retainer component 52A and the second retainer component 52B are molded from an insulating material such as synthetic resin.

[0068] The shield 30 covers the portion of the housing 20 that protrudes from the mating portion 521 on the pull-out direction side (the corresponding wire receiving portion 22 and the corresponding housing flange portion 24), thereby suppressing noise from entering the wire We from the outside. Therefore, the shield 30 is formed from a metallic material (e.g., aluminum or aluminum alloy). The shield 30 illustrated herein is pressure-formed using a metal sheet as the base material.

[0069] The shielding cover 30 has a cylindrical portion 31 that covers the corresponding wire receiving portion 22 from the outside. Figures 1 to 5 and Figure 7 The cylindrical portion 31 is formed in a cylindrical shape such that the cross section perpendicular to the cylindrical axis is elliptical, and has two wire receiving portions 22 arranged parallel to each other along the length direction of the ellipse.

[0070] The shield 30 has a flange portion 32 (hereinafter referred to as the "shield flange portion") that protrudes outward beyond the outer peripheral surface of its cylindrical portion 31 and, when in the mating state, is arranged to mate with the wall surface 502a of the mating wall body 502 with a gap therebetween. Figures 1 to 5 and Figure 7 The flange portion 32 is formed into a flat, annular shape that is coaxial with the cylindrical axis of the cylindrical portion 31 and protrudes outward from the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 31. In the mating state, a plane 32a of the flange portion 32 is arranged opposite to the wall surface 502a of the mating wall body 502 with a gap between them. Figure 4 ).

[0071] Here, in the mating state, the housing flange 24 is inserted between the cover flange 32 and the wall surface 502a of the mating wall 502. Figure 3 and Figure 4 The outer peripheral surface 24a of the housing flange 24 is arranged on the inner side of the outer peripheral edge of the cover flange 32 and on the outer side of the inner edge of the cover flange 32. As previously described, this causes the contact surface 24b on the insertion direction side of the housing flange 24 to contact the peripheral portion of the mating mating portion 521 of the wall surface 502a of the mating wall 502 when in the mating state. In the housing flange 24, the annular wall surface 24c on the pull-out direction side is arranged opposite to the inner edge side of a plane 32a of the cover flange 32. Figure 3 and Figure 4 The inner peripheral side of a plane 32a and the wall surface 24c of the housing flange 24 can be arranged opposite each other with or without a gap between them.

[0072] The shield 30 has a fixing portion 33, which bends from the end of the outer periphery of the shield flange portion 32 and is fixed to the end surface 502b of the mating wall 502 when in the mating state. Figures 1 to 5 and Figure 7 ).

[0073] Here, the end surface 502b of the mating wall 502 is orthogonally connected to the plane of the wall surface 502a, and when in the mating state, a plane 33a of the flat-shaped fixed part 33 is arranged opposite to the end surface 502b. Figure 4 The fixed portion 33 illustrated herein is bent 90 degrees from the end of the cover flange portion 32 to be orthogonal to the cover flange portion 32. The fixed portion 33 illustrated herein is fixed to the end surface 502b of the mating wall body 502 by screwing. Therefore, the end surface 502b of the mating wall body 502 has a fixing portion 502c as a female thread portion for fixing the fixed portion 33. Figure 1 The fixing portion 502c illustrated herein has an annular spacer portion 502d protruding from the end surface 502b of the mating wall 502. A plane 33a of the fixed portion 33 is offset from the end surface 502b of the mating wall 502 by the thickness of the spacer portion 502d. A through hole 33b is formed on the fixed portion 33 for inserting a male threaded portion (not shown). When the mating portion 21 is inserted and engaged with the mating mating portion 521, the male threaded portion is arranged opposite to the fixing portion 502c and screwed into the fixing portion 502c. Figure 1 and Figure 2 Here, two sets of paired through holes 33b and fixing parts 502c are provided.

[0074] Connector 1 includes a braid (not shown) covering the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 31 of the shield 30 and wires We pulled outward from the openings 22a of each wire receiving portion 22. The braid is a cylindrical and mesh-like braided material made of metal, which suppresses noise intrusion into the wires We pulled outward from the openings 22a. The braid is pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 31 using a cylindrical connecting member 35. Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 5 ).

[0075] Incidentally, in connector 1, the previously described first external watertight member 42 prevents liquids such as water from entering the interior of housing 501 from between mating portion 21 and mating mating portion 521. Furthermore, in connector 1, considering the liquid tightness between mating portion 21 and mating mating portion 521, it is desirable to reduce the amount of liquid flowing into the space between mating portion 21 and mating mating portion 521. Therefore, connector 1 has an annular second watertight member 43 (hereinafter referred to as the "second external watertight member") that is compressed between the cover flange portion 32 and the wall surface 502a of the mating wall 502 when in the mating state. Figure 1 , Figures 3 to 5 and Figure 7 ).

[0076] The second external watertight component 43 is disposed on the outside of the housing flange 24. For example, the second external watertight component 43 is disposed on the outer peripheral surface 24a side of the housing flange 24 to cover the outer peripheral surface 24a. The second external watertight component 43 is disposed on the cover flange 32 side of the housing flange 24 to be clamped between the housing flange 24 and the cover flange 32. Regardless of the manner in which it is disposed on the outside of the housing flange 24, the second external watertight component 43 has: an inner peripheral surface 43a, which is disposed opposite to the outer peripheral surface 24a of the housing flange 24; and an annular pressure-bearing surface 43b, which protrudes beyond the contact surface 24b of the housing flange 24 in the insertion direction and is subjected to pressing pressure from the wall surface 502a of the mating wall 502 when in the mating state. Figure 1 , Figure 3 , Figure 4 and Figure 7 ).

[0077] The second external watertight component 43 described herein is an annular body that covers the outer peripheral surface 24a of the housing flange 24 and is fitted to the flange 32 of the shield 30. The second external watertight component 43 is molded from an elastically deformable synthetic resin material such as rubber. More specifically, the second external watertight component 43 is molded using a sponge-like sheet component. The second external watertight component 43 described herein is made of EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer) and is molded to have an annular shape, which is coaxial with the cylindrical portion 31 of the shield 30 and has a cross-section perpendicular to the cylindrical axis, said cross-section being elliptical. Figure 7 In the second outer watertight component 43, the inner surface of its elliptical ring is the aforementioned inner circumferential surface 43a, and the annular wall surface on the insertion direction side of the ring is the aforementioned pressure-bearing surface 43b. In the second outer watertight component 43, the annular wall surface 43c on the pull-out direction side is attached to a plane 32a of the cover flange portion 32 using adhesive or double-sided tape. Figure 3 and Figure 4 ).

[0078] In connector 1, by inserting and engaging the mating part 21 with the mating mating part 521, the pressure-bearing surface 43b of the second outer watertight member 43 contacts the wall surface 502a of the mating wall 502, and by continuing insertion and engagement, the second outer watertight member 43 is compressed while the pressure-bearing surface 43b is subjected to pressing pressure from the wall surface 502a of the mating wall 502. In connector 1, by further continuing insertion and engagement, the contact surface 24b of the housing flange 24 contacts the wall surface 502a of the mating wall 502. In this connector 1, when its contact surface 24b contacts the wall surface 502a of the mating wall 502, the mating part 21 enters the engaged state after its insertion and engagement are completed, and the compression of the second outer watertight member 43 stops there. As a result, in connector 1, the second external watertight component 43 is clamped between a plane 32a of the cover flange 32 and the wall surface 502a of the mating wall 502 while being pressurized in the insertion and removal direction, thereby preventing liquid from entering between them from the outside.

[0079] Here, when the shield 30 can move relative to the mating wall 502 in the mating state, the amount by which the second outer watertight component 43 protrudes from the contact surface 24b of the housing flange 24 is expected to be greater than, for example, the maximum value of the relative movement between the shield 30 and the mating wall 502 in the insertion and removal directions, and the sum of the cumulative tolerances of the gaps in the insertion and removal directions (insertion and withdrawal directions) between a plane 32a of the shield flange 32 and the wall surface 502a of the mating wall 502. The cumulative tolerances are known cumulative tolerances calculated based on the dimensional tolerances of the individual components involved in the gap. As a result, in connector 1, even when, for example, during vehicle operation in a mated state, there is maximum relative movement in the insertion / removal direction between the shield 30 and the mating wall 502 due to external input, pressure can be applied from the wall surface 502a of the mating wall 502 to the pressure-bearing surface 43b, and the second outer watertight member 43 remains compressed, thereby preventing liquid from entering from the outside between a plane 32a of the shield flange 32 and the wall surface 502a of the mating wall 502. It should be noted that in connector 1, the protrusion amount of the second outer watertight member 43 can be determined using the sum of the dimensional tolerances of the various components involved in the gap, instead of the cumulative tolerance.

[0080] Furthermore, in connector 1, when connector 1 is in the mating state, the fixed portion 33 of the shield 30 is fixed to the end surface 502b of the mating wall 502. Therefore, when there is no relative movement between the shield 30 and the mating wall 502, the protrusion of the second outer watertight member 43 from the contact surface 24b of the housing flange 24 is greater than the cumulative tolerance of the gap between a plane 32a of the shield flange 32 and the wall surface 502a of the mating wall 502 in the insertion / removal direction. As a result, in connector 1, even if there are dimensional variations of the components within the tolerance range, when connector 1 is in the mating state, pressing pressure can be applied from the wall surface 502a of the mating wall 502 to the pressure-bearing surface 43b, and the second outer watertight member 43 remains compressed, thereby preventing liquid from entering from the outside between a plane 32a of the shield flange 32 and the wall surface 502a of the mating wall 502.

[0081] As described above, the connector 1 of this embodiment includes a second external watertight member 43 between the cover flange portion 32 and the wall surface 502a of the mating wall 502, thereby reducing the amount of liquid flowing into the gap between the mating portion 21 and the mating mating portion 521 through the gap therebetween. In particular, the connector 1 includes a first external watertight member 42 between the mating portion 21 and the mating mating portion 521 to suppress the amount of liquid flowing into the gap therebetween, so that the liquid tightness between the mating portion 21 and the mating mating portion 521 can be maintained by the first external watertight member 42.

Claims

1. A connector, comprising: Terminal metal fittings, which are attached to the end of a wire; The housing has a mating portion that accommodates the terminal metal fitting on its inner side, and the mating portion is inserted into and engaged with a hole-shaped mating portion of the mating wall. A shielding cover includes a cylindrical portion and a flange portion; the cylindrical portion covers a protrusion of the housing from the outside, the protrusion protruding from the mating portion on the opposite side of the insertion direction of the mating portion toward the mating mating portion; the flange portion protrudes outward beyond the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion and is arranged opposite to the wall surface of the mating wall body in a spaced manner. A first watertight annular component, which is fitted to the outer peripheral wall surface of the mating part and covers the cylindrical gap between the mating part and the mating part when the mating part is inserted into and engaged with the mating mating part; and In the mating state, the annular second watertight component is pressed between the cover flange and the wall surface of the mating wall body, wherein... The housing has a housing flange and an outer peripheral surface; in the mating state, the housing flange is inserted between the cover flange and the wall surface of the mating wall body; the outer peripheral surface is arranged on the inner side of the outer edge of the cover flange and the outer side of the inner edge of the cover flange. The housing flange has an annular contact surface, which, in the mating state, contacts the wall surface of the mating wall body. The second watertight component is arranged on the outside of the housing flange and has an inner peripheral surface and an annular pressure-bearing surface; the inner peripheral surface is arranged opposite to the outer peripheral surface of the housing flange; the pressure-bearing surface protrudes in the insertion direction to the outside of the contact surface of the housing flange and is subjected to pressing pressure from the wall surface of the mating wall body in the mating state.

2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein, The amount by which the second watertight component protrudes from the contact surface of the housing flange is greater than the sum of the maximum value of the relative movement between the shield and the mating wall in the insertion direction and the cumulative tolerance of the gap between the shield flange and the wall surface of the mating wall in the insertion direction.

3. The connector according to claim 1, wherein, The shield has a fixing part that bends from the end of the outer periphery of the shield flange and is fixed to the end surface of the mating wall.

4. The connector according to any one of claims 1, 2, or 3, wherein, The second watertight component is attached to the flange portion of the cover.

5. The connector according to any one of claims 1, 2, or 3, wherein, The second watertight component is made of EPDM rubber.

6. The connector according to claim 4, wherein, The second watertight component is made of EPDM rubber.

Images