connector

Abstract

Provided is a connector that prevents a decrease in sealing performance. A connector (C) includes a housing (30) that has a through-hole (39), a rubber plug (60) that is disposed inside the housing (30) and has a sealing hole (61), and a hollow plug (10) that is disposed from the through-hole (39) to the sealing hole (61). The housing (30) has a recess (43) that is open in an inner surface of the through-hole (39). The hollow plug (10) has a plug main body (11) that is disposed in the sealing hole (61), an extension portion (12) that continuously extends from the plug main body (11) and is disposed in the through-hole (39), and a protrusion portion (16) that protrudes from an outer peripheral surface of the extension portion (12) and is disposed in the recess (43) in a press-fitted state.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to connectors. Background Technology

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a waterproof connector. The waterproof connector includes a housing. The housing has a main body and a rear cover disposed at the rear of the main body. Two terminal insertion ports are formed in the rear cover. A recess is formed on the inner side of the main body. A rubber plug (referred to as a waterproof member in Patent Document 1) is disposed in the recess. Two sealing holes communicating with each terminal insertion port are formed in the rubber plug. A terminal is inserted into one of the two terminal insertion ports of the main body, and a hollow plug (referred to as a simulated pin in Patent Document 1) is inserted into the other terminal insertion port to prevent water immersion inside the waterproof connector. The hollow plug is formed in the shape of a pin extending from the sealing hole to the terminal insertion port, and has a waterproof portion that fits tightly against the inner surface of the sealing hole. Furthermore, connectors using hollow plugs are also disclosed in Patent Documents 2 and 3.

[0003] Existing technical documents

[0004] Patent documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-204602

[0006] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2012-216342

[0007] Patent Document 3: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2012-190632 Summary of the Invention

[0008] The problem that the invention aims to solve

[0009] However, if the plug is inserted into the terminal insertion port in an incorrect manner, the waterproof part may be improperly inserted into the sealing hole, damaging the rubber plug and causing concerns about reduced sealing performance.

[0010] Therefore, this disclosure aims to provide a connector that can prevent a reduction in sealing performance.

[0011] Solution for solving the problem

[0012] The connector disclosed herein comprises: a housing having a through hole; a rubber plug disposed inside the housing and having a sealing hole communicating with the through hole; and an empty plug disposed from the through hole to the sealing hole. The housing has a recess opening on the inner surface of the through hole, and the empty plug comprises: a plug body disposed in the sealing hole and in close contact with the inner surface of the sealing hole; an extension continuously extending from the plug body and disposed in the through hole; and a protrusion protruding from the outer peripheral surface of the extension and disposed in the recess in a press-in state.

[0013] Invention Effects

[0014] According to this disclosure, a connector that can prevent a reduction in sealing performance can be provided. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Figure 1 This is a side sectional view of the connector according to Embodiment 1.

[0016] Figure 2 This is a three-dimensional diagram of the retainer.

[0017] Figure 3 This is an enlarged side sectional view of the through hole of the rear retainer.

[0018] Figure 4 It is a 3D diagram of an airlock.

[0019] Figure 5 This is the front view of the airlock.

[0020] Figure 6 It is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the state of the air plugs being assembled upwards in a misaligned manner.

[0021] Figure 7 It is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the air plug assembled in its proper position. Detailed Implementation

[0022] [Description of embodiments of this disclosure]

[0023] First, the implementation methods of this disclosure are listed and explained.

[0024] The connector disclosed herein,

[0025] (1) The device comprises: a housing having a through hole; a rubber plug disposed on the inner side of the housing having a sealing hole communicating with the through hole; and an empty plug disposed from the through hole to the sealing hole. The housing has a recess that opens on the inner surface of the through hole, and the empty plug has: a plug body disposed in the sealing hole and in close contact with the inner surface of the sealing hole; an extension that extends continuously from the plug body and is disposed in the through hole; and a protrusion that protrudes from the outer peripheral surface of the extension and is disposed in the recess in a press-in state.

[0026] Positioning is achieved by pressing the protrusion into the concave part, thus ensuring that the plug body is correctly inserted into the sealing hole and preventing a decrease in sealing performance.

[0027] (2) Preferably, the protrusions are arranged in a plurality of circumferentially spaced portions on the outer peripheral surface of the extension.

[0028] Positioning is achieved by pressing any one of the multiple protrusions into the concave portion, thus enabling the plug body to be quickly and correctly inserted into the sealing hole.

[0029] (3) Preferably, the recesses are arranged in pairs on the inner surface of the through hole, and the protrusions are arranged in a pressed-in state in the pairs of recesses.

[0030] By configuring protrusions in a pressed-in state on the paired concave portions, the air plug can be stably positioned in the housing.

[0031] (4) Preferably, the recess is formed in the inner surface of the through hole in a groove extending from the inlet that leads the protrusion toward the side communicating with the sealing hole, and has a pair of inclined surfaces on opposite sides that expand toward the inlet.

[0032] Even if the plug is misaligned from its proper position, it will automatically return to its correct position during assembly by moving the convex part along the inclined surface of the concave part. Therefore, the operator can perform the assembly operation without considering the plug's orientation around the axis, resulting in excellent workability.

[0033] (5) Preferably, the inner surface of the through hole has a pair of short sides facing each other in the housing and a pair of long sides intersecting and facing each other, the pair of long sides being longer than the short sides respectively, the recess opening in the long sides, and the pair of inclined surfaces in the long sides being inclined in such a way as they approach the short sides toward the inlet.

[0034] Even if the plug is misaligned along its long side, it can automatically return to its correct position by moving the convex portion along the inclined surface of the concave portion during assembly. In particular, because the plug is prone to misalignment along its long side, the above-described configuration has a significant advantage in correcting this misalignment.

[0035] [Details of the embodiments of this disclosure]

[0036] The following is a reference to the appendix. Figure 1 Specific examples of embodiments 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.

[0037] like Figure 1 As shown, the connector C of this embodiment includes a housing 30, a rubber plug 60, a hollow plug 10, a terminal part 70, a sealing ring 80, and a rod 90. The connector C can be mated with a counterpart connector (not shown). Furthermore, in the following description, regarding the front-rear direction, the side of the connector C that mats with the counterpart connector is designated as the front side. Figure 1 The left side becomes the front side. The vertical direction is based on the vertical direction of each diagram.

[0038] <Shell>

[0039] The casing 30 is made of synthetic resin, such as Figure 1 As shown, the device includes a housing body 31, a stop 32, a front retainer 33, and a rear retainer 34. The stop 32, the front retainer 33, and the rear retainer 34 are all assembled to the housing body 31.

[0040] In the housing body 31, a plurality of cavities 35 are formed extending in the front-rear direction. A receiving portion 36 is recessed in the rear surface of the housing body 31. Each cavity 35 communicates with the receiving portion 36. A receiving terminal part 70 is inserted into each cavity 35.

[0041] The stop body 32 is assembled in the middle of the front and rear of the housing body 31. The stop body 32 locks the terminal parts 70 inserted into each cavity 35, preventing the terminal parts 70 from falling out of the cavity 35.

[0042] The front retainer 33 is formed in the shape of a cover and is fitted to the housing body 31 in such a way that it covers the front surface of the housing body 31. A plurality of tab insertion holes 37 communicating with each cavity 35 are formed on the front wall portion of the front retainer 33. The tabs of the opposite terminal parts (not shown) that can be connected to the terminal parts 70 are inserted from the front into each tab insertion hole 37.

[0043] like Figure 2 As shown, the rear retainer 34 has a retainer body 38, which forms a rectangular shape with rounded corners. Figure 1 As shown, the retainer body 38 has a certain thickness in the front-to-back direction and is housed within the housing portion 36. Multiple through holes 39 are formed through the retainer body 38 in the front-to-back direction. Each through hole 39 communicates with a sealing hole 61 of the rubber plug 60 (described later) when the retainer body 34 and the rubber plug 60 are assembled into the housing body 31. The terminal component 70 is inserted into the cavity 35 through the through holes 39 and the sealing holes 61. The empty plug 10 is housed from the through hole 39 into the sealing hole 61.

[0044] The inner surface of the through hole 39 forms a cross-sectional shape corresponding to the box portion 71 of the terminal part 70, as described later. Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown, it has a pair of long side portions 41 facing each other in the left-right direction and a pair of short side portions 42 facing each other in the up-down direction. Each long side portion 41 is formed by left and right walls arranged along the up-down direction. Each short side portion 42 is formed by upper and lower walls that are shorter than the long side portions 41, respectively. The upper short side portion 42 is arranged from the left and right sides ( Figure 6 and Figure 7 The attached diagram shows the a side) to the left and right sides (the other side). Figure 6 and Figure 7 The figure shows the side marked b) which is one level higher. Each long side 41 has an opening forming a recess 43. Each recess 43 is arranged opposite each other in the left-right direction at the upper and lower middle parts of each long side 41.

[0045] The recess 43 forms a groove, such as Figure 3 As shown, it has a straight groove 44 extending in the front-rear direction and an inclined groove 45 connected to the rear of the straight groove 44. The straight groove 44 forms a square concave cross-section and has a pair of planes 46 that are parallel to each other in the vertical direction. The front end of the straight groove 44 opens into the front surface of the retaining body 38.

[0046] The inclined groove 45 communicates with the rear end of the straight groove 44 on the long side 41 and is continuously arranged with the straight groove 44. The rear end of the inclined groove 45 is formed as an inlet 47 that opens on the rear surface of the retaining body 38. The protrusion 16 of the air plug 10, described later, is inserted into the recess 43 from the inlet 47 and is arranged in the recess 43 in a pressed-in state.

[0047] The inclined groove 45 has a pair of inclined surfaces 48 on its vertically opposite side surfaces. These inclined surfaces 48 slope upwards and downwards from the planes 46 of the recess 43 to the inlet 47. Each inclined surface 48 is formed by an upper inclined surface 48U that slopes upwards towards the rear and a lower inclined surface 48D that slopes downwards towards the rear. The cross-sectional shape of the inclined groove 45 is not shown in detail. As it moves rearwards from the square concave shape corresponding to the straight groove 44, the inclined surfaces 48 gradually increase in curvature. Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown, it is formed with an arc shape on the rear surface of the main body 38.

[0048] A tapered insertion portion 49 for an insertion terminal part 70 is formed around the periphery of the through hole 39 in the rear surface of the retainer body 38. The inlet 47 side of the inclined groove 45 opens in the rear surface of the retainer body 38 by cutting out the insertion portion 49.

[0049] In addition, such as Figure 2 As shown, the rear retainer 34 has a plurality of retainer locking portions 51 protruding from the upper and lower surfaces and the left and right surfaces of the retainer body 38. Each retainer locking portion 51 engages with a locking receiving portion (not shown) formed on the housing body 31, preventing the rear retainer 34 from falling out of the storage portion 36.

[0050] <Rubber stopper>

[0051] The rubber stopper 60 is made of silicone rubber or other rubber, and is not shown in detail. It has a rectangular shape with rounded corners. The rubber stopper 60 is inserted into the storage part 36 before the rear retainer 34. Figure 1As shown, by clamping a rubber plug 60 between the rear retainer 34 and the housing body 31, the rubber plug 60 is prevented from falling out of the receiving portion 36. Multiple sealing holes 61 are formed through the rubber plug 60 in the front-rear direction. Each sealing hole 61 communicates with a cavity 35 at its front end and with a through hole 39 at its rear end. Multiple inner peripheral lips 62 are formed in a front-rear direction on the inner surface of each sealing hole 61. Each inner peripheral lip 62 is in close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the wire 100 connected to the terminal part 70 or the outer peripheral surface of the plug body 11 of the empty plug 10 (described later), providing a liquid-tight seal between the inner and outer peripheral surfaces. Multiple outer peripheral lips 63 are formed in a front-rear direction on the outer peripheral surface of the rubber plug 60. Each outer peripheral lip 63 is in close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the receiving portion 36 of the housing 30, providing a liquid-tight seal to the inner side of the housing 30.

[0052] Terminal components

[0053] Terminal part 70 is formed by bending a conductive metal plate, etc. For example... Figure 1 As shown, the terminal part 70 has a square cylindrical housing portion 71 and an open cylindrical portion 72 connected to the rear of the housing portion 71. The cylindrical portion 72 is electrically and mechanically connected to the end portion of the wire 100. When the connector C and the other connector are engaged, a tab of the other terminal part (not shown) is inserted into the housing portion 71 and electrically connected to it.

[0054] <Sealing ring>

[0055] The sealing ring 80 is made of rubber, such as Figure 1 As shown, it is installed on the outer peripheral surface of the housing body 31. The sealing ring 80 is in close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the housing body 31 and the inner peripheral surface of the cover of the other connector, so as to liquid-tightly seal the connector C and the other connector in the mating state.

[0056] <pole>

[0057] Rod 90 is made of synthetic resin; details are not shown in the diagram. Figure 1 As shown, it is rotatably mounted on the housing body 31. When the rod 90 rotates relative to the housing body 31, the connector C and the counterpart connector engage. When the rod 90 reaches the completed rotation position, the connector C and the counterpart connector remain engaged by the rod locking part 91 formed on the rod 90.

[0058] <Air plug>

[0059] The air plug 10 is made of synthetic resin, such as Figure 4 As shown, it is generally formed into a cylindrical shape that is longer in the front-to-back direction. Specifically, the plug 10 has a plug body 11, an extension 12 that is concentrically connected to the rear of the plug body 11, and a push-in portion 13 that is concentrically connected to the rear of the extension 12. Figure 5As shown, the extension 12 has a first stepped surface 14, which has a larger diameter than the plug body 11 and intersects with the outer peripheral surface of the plug body 11, facing forward. The push-in portion 13 has a second stepped surface 15, which has a larger diameter than the extension 12 and intersects with the outer peripheral surface of the extension 12, facing forward.

[0060] like Figure 1 As shown, the plug body 11 is liquid-tightly inserted into the sealing hole 61 that communicates with the cavity 35 (hereinafter referred to as cavity 35A) of the non-receiving terminal part 70 to prevent water from entering the cavity 35A.

[0061] The extension 12 is cylindrical, extending rearward from the plug body 11, and is inserted into the through hole 39. Additionally, the empty plug 10 has multiple protrusions 16 projecting from the outer peripheral surface of the extension 12. For example... Figure 4 As shown, each protrusion 16 is formed into a rib shape extending in the front-rear direction. Additionally, as... Figure 5 As shown, eight protrusions 16 are arranged on the outer peripheral surface of the extension 12 at circumferential intervals. Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the cross-sectional shape of each protrusion 16 (refer to...) Figure 6 The quadrilateral portion 16S is trapezoidal or nearly trapezoidal, and the circumferential side portion 16S is curved and connected to the outer peripheral surface of the extension 12.

[0062] like Figure 4 As shown, the front ends of each protrusion 16 are aligned with each other at a uniform position in the front-rear direction. The front end of each protrusion 16 forms a slope 16F that slopes radially outward. The rear end of each protrusion 16 is integrally connected to the second step surface 15. The maximum circumferential width of the protrusion 16 (the width dimension of the portion connected to the outer circumferential surface of the extension 12) is the same as or smaller than the vertical groove width of the straight groove 44 (see reference). Figure 3 ).

[0063] <Function>

[0064] During assembly, a rubber plug 60 and a rear retainer 34 are sequentially inserted into the receiving portion 36 of the housing body 31, and the rear retainer 34 is secured to the housing body 31. Next, a terminal part 70 is inserted into the cavity 35, and an empty plug 10 is inserted into the sealing hole 61 and the through hole 39 that communicate with the cavity 35A.

[0065] Here, the operator can assemble the air plug 10 without considering its orientation around the axis. When the air plug 10 is inserted into the sealing hole 61 from the through hole 39 to the correct depth, the second step surface 15 of the push-in part 13 contacts the rear surface of the retainer body 38, thereby stopping the insertion of the air plug 10. When the air plug 10 is assembled in the correct position, the center of the plug body 11 and the center of the sealing hole 61 are aligned, and the sealing hole 61 is properly sealed by the plug body 11.

[0066] During the insertion of the plug 10, the extension 12 is restricted from misalignment between a pair of long sides 41 facing each other in the left-right direction, but a gap is formed between a pair of short sides 42 facing each other in the up-down direction, so that it can be misaligned within the range of the gap.

[0067] However, in this embodiment, by pressing any two radially paired protrusions 16 of the air plug 10 into the recesses 43 disposed on each long side portion 41, the misalignment of the air plug 10 is corrected and the air plug 10 can reach the correct position.

[0068] That is, such as Figure 6 As shown, even if the extension 12 is misaligned upwards from its normal position in the through hole 39, any two protrusions 16 enter the recesses 43 from the inlet 47, allowing the inclined surface 16F of the protrusion 16 to contact the inclined surface 48. When the insertion of the plug 10 advances, the protrusion 16 automatically shifts along the inclined surface 48 towards the upper and lower center sides of the long side 41 (see reference). Figure 3 (The arrow indicates the displacement of the protrusion 16). Furthermore, when the empty plug 10 is inserted to the normal depth, as... Figure 3 As shown, the inclined surface 16F is configured to enter the straight groove 44 of the recess 43. Additionally, as... Figure 7 As shown, the radially outer side of the protrusion 16 is pressed into the wall surface held at the upper and lower central sides of the long side portion 41. Thus, the extension 12 is positioned at the center of the through hole 39, and the plug body 11, coaxially connected to the extension 12, is also concentrically positioned with the sealing hole 61. As a result, the sealing hole 61 of the rubber plug 60 is closed by the plug body 11, ensuring a predetermined seal.

[0069] According to this embodiment, the operator can perform the assembly (insertion) operation into the housing 30 without considering the axial direction of the plug 10, resulting in excellent workability. In particular, in this embodiment, the eight protrusions 16 are evenly arranged at circumferential intervals on the outer peripheral surface of the extension 12, so any two protrusions 16 can quickly reach a state where they can contact the inclined surface 48 of their respective recesses 43. Furthermore, the plug 10 is stably maintained in its proper position relative to the housing 30.

[0070] [Other embodiments of this disclosure]

[0071] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered illustrative in all respects and not restrictive.

[0072] In the above embodiment, eight protrusions are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the extension. However, in other embodiments, it is sufficient to form only one protrusion on the outer peripheral surface of the extension. However, it is preferable to form two or more protrusions on the outer peripheral surface of the extension, and particularly preferable to form four, six, or eight (in the case of this embodiment) protrusions.

[0073] In the above embodiment, two recesses are formed on the inner surface of the through hole. However, in another embodiment, it is sufficient to form only one recess on the inner surface of the through hole.

[0074] In the above embodiment, the recess is formed by a straight groove and an inclined groove. However, in other embodiments, the recess may be formed by either a straight groove or an inclined groove.

[0075] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0076] C: Connector

[0077] 10: Empty plug

[0078] 11: Plug body

[0079] 12: Extension

[0080] 13: Push-in section

[0081] 14: First step surface

[0082] 15: Second step surface

[0083] 16: convex part

[0084] 16F: Bevel

[0085] 16S: Side View

[0086] 30: Shell

[0087] 31: Main body of the shell

[0088] 32: Stopper

[0089] 33: Anterior Holder

[0090] 34: Post-retention body

[0091] 35: cavity

[0092] 35A: Cavity

[0093] 36: Storage Department

[0094] 37: Protrusion through hole

[0095] 38: Maintain the main body

[0096] 39: Through hole

[0097] 41: Long side

[0098] 42: Short side

[0099] 43: concave part

[0100] 44: Straight groove

[0101] 45: Inclined groove

[0102] 46: Plane

[0103] 47: Inlet

[0104] 48: Inclined surface

[0105] 48D: The inclined surface on the lower side

[0106] 48U: Upper sloping surface

[0107] 49: The Enticement Section

[0108] 51: Retain body locking part

[0109] 60: Rubber stopper

[0110] 61: Sealing hole

[0111] 62: Inner lip

[0112] 63: Peripheral lip

[0113] 70: Terminal parts

[0114] 71: Box Section

[0115] 72: Cylinder section

[0116] 80: Sealing ring

[0117] 90: pole

[0118] 91: Rod locking part

[0119] 100: Wire

[0120] a: The left and right sides of the upper short side

[0121] b: The other side of the short side on the upper side

Claims

1. A connector comprising: The shell has through holes; A rubber stopper, disposed on the inner side of the housing, forms a sealing hole communicating with the through hole; and An air plug is disposed from the through hole to the sealing hole. The housing has a recess that opens on the inner surface of the through hole. The air plug has: The plug body is disposed in the sealing hole and is in close contact with the inner surface of the sealing hole; An extension, continuously extending from the plug body, is disposed in the through hole; and A protrusion protrudes from the outer peripheral surface of the extension and is disposed in the recess in a pressed-in state.

2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein, The outer peripheral surface of the extension is provided with a plurality of protrusions spaced apart in the circumferential direction.

3. The connector according to claim 2, wherein, The recesses are arranged in pairs on the inner surface of the through hole, and the protrusions are arranged in a pressed-in state in the pairs of recesses.

4. The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The recess is formed as a groove extending in the inner surface of the through hole from the inlet into which the protrusion is introduced toward the side communicating with the sealing hole, and has a pair of inclined surfaces on opposite sides that expand toward the inlet.

5. The connector according to claim 4, wherein, The inner surface of the through hole has a pair of short sides facing each other within the housing and a pair of long sides intersecting and facing each other, wherein each pair of long sides is longer than the short sides. The recess opens on the long side. The pair of inclined surfaces are inclined on the long side in such a way that they approach the short side as they move toward the inlet.

Images