connector

Abstract

A connector including a sealing member is provided, the sealing member sealing the gap between the inner wall of an opening and the outer peripheral edge of a cover. The sealing member includes: a body portion having an annular shape along the outer peripheral edge of the cover; an extension portion extending along a cover surface of the cover from an end of the body portion on an outer side; and a protrusion portion projecting in a direction intersecting the extension direction and extending along the cover surface from the extension portion. The cover includes a recessed fitting portion into which the extension portion and the protrusion portion of the sealing member are fitted.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a connector including a housing including an internal space, and a cover and a sealing member that close an opening connected to the internal space. BACKGROUND

[0002] In the related art, in order to prevent liquid such as water from intruding into the internal space of the housing, a connector including a cover and a sealing member (for example, a gasket) for sealingly separating the inside of the internal space from the outside liquid is proposed (see, for example, JP 2017-004850 A).

[0003] In the connector including the cover and the sealing member as described above, the sealing member can be fixed to the cover by inserting a locking protrusion protruding from the sealing member into an insertion hole provided in the cover so that the two engage with each other. In this case, it is conceivable to make the locking protrusion thicker and larger so as to firmly fix the two. However, if the size of the locking protrusion is increased carelessly, the insertion hole of the cover also needs to be increased in size, and thus there is a concern that the thickness of the cover will increase.

[0004] There is also a concern that the thickness of the sealing member will increase due to the provision of the large locking protrusion. From the viewpoint of reducing the thickness and size of the connector, it is undesirable to increase the thickness of the cover and the thickness of the sealing member beyond the range required for water stopping. SUMMARY

[0005] The present disclosure provides a connector that can reduce the thickness and size while appropriately holding a sealing member to a cover.

[0006] According to an illustrative aspect of the present disclosure, a connector includes a terminal fitting, an electric wire connected to the terminal fitting, a housing including an internal space in which the electric wire is routed, an opening connecting the internal space with the outside of the housing, a cover including a cover surface that closes the opening and inserted into the opening to separate the internal space from the outside, and a sealing member that seals a gap between an opening inner wall of the opening and an outer peripheral edge of the cover. The sealing member includes a body portion having an annular shape along the outer peripheral edge of the cover, an extension portion extending from an end portion of the body portion on the outer side along the cover surface, and a protrusion portion protruding from the extension portion in a direction intersecting with an extension direction of the extension portion and extending from the extension portion along the cover surface. The cover includes a recessed fitting portion into which the extension portion and the protrusion portion of the sealing member are fitted.

[0007] The present disclosure is briefly described as above. The details of the present disclosure will be further clarified with the following description of modes for carrying out the present disclosure (hereinafter, referred to as "embodiments"), which is described with reference to the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0008] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a connector according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0009] Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view showing each part of the body portion of the housing in the connector shown in Figure 1

[0010] Figure 3 is a bottom view of the body portion of the housing shown in Figure 2

[0011] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the cover and the gasket viewed from below shown in Figure 2

[0012] Figure 5 is a perspective view of the cover with the gasket attached viewed from below.

[0013] Figure 6 is an enlarged view of part B of Figure 5

[0014] Figure 7 is an enlarged bottom view of part B of Figure 5

[0015] Figure 8 is a perspective view of a cross section taken along line C-C in Figure 6

[0016] Figure 9 is a sectional view taken along line A-A of Figure 1

[0017] Figures 10A to 10C is a schematic view showing a variant of the present disclosure corresponding to Figure 7 DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] <EMBODIMENT>

[0019] Hereinafter, a connector 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 The connector 1 shown in is a relay connector that electrically connects a pair of electric wires 2 extending from a body portion 11 of a housing 10 and a mating member (not shown) including a fitted portion to be fitted to a fitting portion 12 of the housing 10. The mating member is, for example, an inverter (DC-AC converter) mounted on a vehicle, and one end portion of the pair of electric wires 2 extending from the body portion 11 is connected to, for example, an air conditioner mounted on the vehicle.

[0020] ​​​​​​​​For ease of explanation, "front-rear direction", "up-down direction", and "left-right direction" are defined as shown in Figures 1 to 9 "front-rear direction", "up-down direction", and "left-right direction" are orthogonal to each other. The up-down direction coincides with the direction of assembly of the fitting portion 12 and the fitted portion of the fitting member.

[0021] The connector 1 includes a housing 10. The housing 10 is a resin molded product, and as shown in Figure 1 and 4 , mainly integrally includes a body portion 11, a fitting portion 12, and a protruding portion 13.

[0022] As shown in Figure 1 , 3 , etc., the body portion 11 has a substantially cuboid box shape extending in the front-rear direction. A substantially rectangular opening 11b is formed in a lower portion of the body portion 11 so as to communicate (see Figure 3 ) the inside space 11a (see Figure 3 ) of the body portion 11 with the outside in the up-down direction. The opening 11b is impermeably closed by a resin cover 60 to which a rubber gasket 70 is attached (see Figure 2 ). Details of the cover 60 and the gasket 70 will be described later. Various parts including a fuse 20 (to be described later) are housed in the inside space 11a of the body portion 11 (see Figure 3 ).

[0023] As shown in Figure 1 , the fitting portion 12 is a substantially cylindrical portion protruding upward from a substantially central portion of the upper surface of the body portion 11, and is a portion constituting an assembly position with the fitted portion of the fitting member. As shown in Figure 1 , the gasket 30, the front holder 40, and the inner case 50 are attached to the fitting portion 12 in this order from above.

[0024] The gasket 30 is a rubber sealing member, and functions to seal a gap between the outer periphery of the fitting portion 12 and the inner periphery of the fitted portion of the fitting member to be fitted to the fitting portion. The front holder 40 is a resin molded product, and is provided adjacent to the gasket 30 to prevent the gasket 30 from falling off (upward) from the fitting portion 12. The inner case 50 is a resin molded product, and has a function of defining an opening 51 (see Figure 1 ) into which a mating connector (not shown) of a fitting member (not shown) is inserted, a function of holding a terminal 6 (see Figure 3 ), a function of aligning the terminal 6 with a mating terminal (not shown) provided on the fitting member (not shown) (so-called alignment function), etc. Description of the detailed shape, etc. of the gasket 30, the front holder 40, and the inner case 50 is omitted.

[0025] As shown in Figure 1 , the protruding portion 13 is a substantially cylindrical portion protruding upward from the upper surface of the fitting portion 12, and is a portion constituting an assembly position with the fitted portion of the fitting member.As shown, the protrusion 13 is a portion at the front end of the upper wall of the body portion 11 that includes an upwardly projecting upper surface and an upwardly recessed lower surface. In this example, the protrusion 13 has a semi-cylindrical shape that projects upward and extends in the left-right direction. In other words, in the protrusion 13, a portion of the upper wall (outer wall) of the body portion 11 is bent to project upward, thereby forming a hollow portion below the bent portion. It should be noted that the thickness of the upper wall (outer wall) of the body portion 11 is substantially constant at this bent position. The protrusion 13 is the portion for receiving the fuse 20 (body portion 21) (see Figure 13). Figure 3 ).

[0026] like Figure 2 and 3 The fuse 20 includes a cylindrical body portion 21 (so-called a glass tube) having a built-in fusible portion and a pair of metal extension plates 22 extending from both ends of the body portion 21. When a current exceeding a predetermined rated current flows through the body portion 21 via the pair of extension plates 22, the fuse 20 disconnects the electrical connection between the pair of extension plates 22 by fusing the fusible portion.

[0027] The body portion 21 of the fuse 20 is housed within the protrusion 13 (semi-cylindrical space), as... Figure 2 and 3 As shown. The paired extension plates 22 of the fuse 20 are respectively connected to the paired bolts 4 integrated with the body portion 11 of the housing 10 by embedding molding. The paired bolts 4 extend downward within the internal space 11a to be spaced apart in the left-right direction from the positions between the mounting portion 12 and the protrusion 13 in the front-back direction on the upper wall of the body portion 11.

[0028] Paired terminal insertion holes (not shown) are formed at positions on the mounting portions 12 on the upper wall of the body portion 11 corresponding to the housing 10, so as to be spaced apart in the left-right direction and to communicate with the interior space 11a and the interior of the mounting portions 12 in the up-down direction. Paired terminals 6 (see...) Figure 3 It is inserted from below into the paired terminal insertion hole. Therefore, terminal 6 is accommodated in the mounting portion 12.

[0029] like Figure 3 As shown, a pair of wire insertion holes 15 are formed on the rear wall of the body portion 11 of the housing 10 so as to be spaced apart in the left-right direction and to communicate the internal space 11a of the body portion 11 with the outside in the front-back direction. In this way, the pair of wire insertion holes 15 are positioned to clamp the mounting portion 12 with the protrusion 13 in the front-back direction.

[0030] The other end portions of the pair of electric wires 2 extending from the housing 10 are respectively inserted through the pair of electric wire insertion holes 15, and the other end portions of the pair of electric wires 2 are routed in the internal space 11a. Further, the electric wire 3 is routed in the internal space 11a. Terminals (so-called LA terminals) 5 are respectively connected to the other end portions of the electric wires 2 inserted through the left side of the electric wire insertion holes 15 and one end of the electric wire 3. Terminals 6 having a rectangular flat plate shape are respectively connected to the other end portions of the electric wires 2 inserted through the right side of the electric wire insertion holes 15 and the other end of the electric wire 3.

[0031] The pair of terminals 5 are respectively connected to the pair of bolts 4, and are fastened together with the pair of extension plates 22 of the fuse 20 using a pair of nuts 7 (see Figure 3 ). The pair of terminals 6 are inserted from below into the pair of terminal insertion holes of the housing 10 and are fixed to the housing 10 with the upper end portions of the pair of terminals 6 exposed within the fitting portion 12. The pair of terminals 6 are fixed to the housing 10 by engaging a pair of locking pieces (not shown) provided on an inner case 50 attached to the fitting portion 12 with a pair of locking holes (not shown) provided on the pair of terminals 6. Thus, of the pair of electric wires 2 extending from the housing 10, the electric wire 2 on the right side is directly connected to the terminal 6 on the right side, and the electric wire 2 on the left side is connected to the terminal 6 on the left side through the fuse 20.

[0032] As shown in Figure 3 , a locking protrusion 16 is provided at each of four corner portions on the outer peripheral side surface of the body portion 11 of the housing 10. The locking protrusion 16 is used in cooperation with a locking frame portion 63 (see Figure 2 ) of the cover 60 to be described below to hold the cover 60 to the housing 10.

[0033] Next, details of the cover 60, the gasket 70, and the pressure plate 80 attached to the body portion 11 of the housing 10 in the following order will be described with reference to Figure 2 and the like.

[0034] First, the cover 60 will be described. The cover 60 is used to close the opening 11b (see Figure 3 ) of the body portion 11 of the housing 10. The cover 60 is a resin molded product, and has a flat plate-shaped body portion 61 as shown in Figure 2 and 4 . The body portion 61 has a substantially rectangular outer shape (see Figure 3 ) corresponding to the shape of the opening 11b. In other words, the body portion 61 constitutes a cover surface 61a that closes the opening 11b.

[0035] A fitting portion 62 is formed at a plurality of positions in the circumferential direction of the outer peripheral edge portion of the lower surface of the body portion 61 (see Figure 2 and 4). In this example, as shown in Figure 4 , Figure 6 and Figure 8 , each fitting portion 62 includes a first portion 62a extending from an outer peripheral edge of the body portion 61 in a planar direction of the body portion 61 toward a direction orthogonal to the outer peripheral edge, and a second portion 62b extending from an extending end of the first portion 62a in the planar direction of the body portion 61 in a direction orthogonal to the first portion 62a (i.e., in a direction along the outer peripheral edge) toward both sides. Each fitting portion 62 has a substantially T-shape as a whole, which continues from the outer peripheral edge. A lock member portion 72 (to be described later) of the gasket 70 is fitted into the fitting portion 62. The four corners of the body portion 61 are provided with lock frame portions 63 respectively extending upward from the four corners corresponding to the four lock protrusions 16 (see Figure 3 ) of the main body portion 11 of the case 10.

[0036] Next, the gasket 70 will be described. The gasket 70 is a sealing member made of rubber, and functions to seal a gap between an outer peripheral surface (i.e., an outer peripheral edge) of the cover 60 and an inner wall surface of the opening 11b of the body portion 11 of the case 10. The gasket 70 includes a substantially rectangular annular body portion 71 corresponding to the outer shape of the outer peripheral edge of the body portion 61 of the cover 60. Annular lip portions are respectively formed on the inner peripheral side and the outer peripheral side of the body portion 71.

[0037] At a plurality of positions in the circumferential direction of the body portion 71, lock member portions 72 branching from the lower side of the body portion 71 toward the inside of the ring of the body portion 71 are provided corresponding to the plurality of fitting portions 62 of the cover 60. As shown in Figure 4 , Figure 6 and Figure 8 , each lock member portion 72 includes an extending portion 72a extending downward from the lower side (i.e., the outer end 73. See Figure 8 ) of the body portion 71 and curvingly extending toward the ring inner direction orthogonal to the body portion 71 along the cover surface 61a of the body portion 61 of the cover 60, and a protrusion portion 72b extending from an extending end of the extending portion 72a in a direction orthogonal to the extending portion 72a (i.e., along the cover surface 61a of the body portion 61 of the cover 60). More specifically, as shown in Figure 8 , the extending portion 72a includes a first portion 72a1 extending downward from the outer end 73 on the outer side (lower side) of the body portion 71, and a second portion 72a2 continuous with the first portion 72a1 and curvingly extending toward the inside of the ring (i.e., toward the inner side of the body portion 71) along the cover surface 61a of the body portion 61 of the cover 60. The protrusion portion 72b includes a first portion 72b1 extending from the extending end of the second portion 72a2 in a direction orthogonal to the extending portion 72a (i.e., in a direction along the cover surface 61a of the body portion 61 of the cover 60), and a second portion 72b2 continuous with the first portion 72b1 and extending toward the inside of the ring (i.e., toward the inner side of the body portion 71) along the cover surface 61a of the body portion 61 of the cover 60. Figure 8The right side of the middle) is bent; and the third part 72a3, the third part 72a3 is continuous with the second part 72a2 and along the cover surface 61a (i.e., towards the right side); and the third part 72a3, the third part 72a3 is continuous with the second part 72a2 and along the cover surface 61a (i.e., towards the right side of the middle); Figure 8 (Extending to the right of the middle). Each locking part 72 has a generally T-shape, corresponding to the shape of the mounting part 62 of the cover 60. In this example, the angle θ formed by the protruding direction of the extension 72a and the extending direction of the protrusion 72b (see the right side of the cover 60) is... Figure 7 The angle is 90 degrees.

[0038] In this example, because the first portion 72a1 of the extension 72a is short in the vertical direction, the extension 72a extends downward from the end 73 of the body portion 71 of the gasket 70 and immediately bends into the ring. However, for example, when the thickness of the body portion 61 of the cover 60 in the vertical direction is thicker than in this example, in the extension 72a, the first portion 72a1, having a sufficient length corresponding to the thickness of the body portion 61 of the cover 60, can extend vertically from the end 73 of the body portion 71 and then bend into the ring. That is, the length of the first portion 72a1 of the extension 72a in the vertical direction can be appropriately determined according to the shape of the cover 60, etc. Similarly, the radius of curvature of the second portion 72a2 and the length of the third portion 72a3 of the extension 72a can be appropriately determined according to the shape of the cover 60, etc.

[0039] The gasket 70 is attached to the cover 60 from above, such that the body portion 71 is in close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the body portion 61 of the cover 60, and the plurality of locking portions 72 are respectively fitted into the plurality of mounting portions 62 (see Figures 5 to 8 More specifically, the extension 72a and protrusion 72b of each locking member portion 72 are respectively fitted into the corresponding first portion 62a and second portion 62b of the mounting portion 62. As a result, as... Figure 6 and Figure 8 As shown, the entire locking part 72 is accommodated in the recess of the mounting part 62. That is, the locking part 72 is mounted into the mounting part 62 such that the locking part 72 does not protrude outside the recess of the mounting part 62.

[0040] In this way, when the gasket 70 is attached to the cover 60, and the body portion 71 of the gasket 70 attempts to move relative to the cover 60 in a direction away from the cover 60 (upward), an external force along the extending direction of the extension portion 72a (in a direction away from the cover 60) acts on the locking portion 72. Even when this external force acts on the locking portion 72, the protruding portion 72b of the locking portion 72 is also engaged by the second portion 62b of the mounting portion 62. Therefore, the locking portion 72 is prevented from falling outward from the mounting portion 62, thus preventing the gasket 70 from separating from the cover 60 (i.e., falling upward).

[0041] The cover 60 to which the gasket 70 is attached is attached to the opening 11b of the body portion 11 of the housing 10. When the cover 60 is attached to the opening 11b, the body portion 71 of the gasket 70 is positioned between the outer peripheral surface of the body portion 61 and the inner wall surface of the opening 11b to seal the gap therebetween (see Figure 9 ). The housing 10 holds the cover 60 by engaging the four locking frame portions 63 of the cover 60 with the locking protrusions 16 of the housing 10. When the cover 60 attached to the housing 10 is taken out of the housing 10, a force acts on the body portion 71 of the gasket 70 in a direction away from the cover 60 (upward) due to the frictional force between the body portion 71 of the gasket 70 and the inner wall surface of the opening 11b. In this case, the locking piece portion 72 is prevented from falling out of the fitting portion 62 outward by the same effect as described above, so that the gasket 70 is prevented from being separated from (i.e., falling out of) the cover 60 (i.e., upward).

[0042] Next, the pressing plate 80 will be described. The pressing plate 80 has a function of preventing the cover 60 to which the gasket 70 is attached from falling out of (downward) the housing 10 and a function of fixing the connector 1 to a mating piece. The pressing plate 80 is formed by subjecting a single metal plate to a predetermined pressing process, a bending process, or the like.

[0043] As shown in Figure 2 , the pressing plate 80 has a flat plate-like shape capable of covering the entire circumference of the outer peripheral edge of the body portion 61 of the cover 60 attached to the housing 10. The pressing plate 80 is provided with a flange portion 81 at a plurality of positions (two positions in this example) extending so as to protrude from the housing 10 when the pressing plate 80 is attached to the housing 10 (see also Figure 1 ). A bolt insertion hole 82 is formed through each flange portion 81 in the up-down direction. A bolt insertion hole 83 penetrating in the up-down direction is formed at a plurality of (two positions in this example) predetermined positions of the pressing plate 80.

[0044] The pressing plate 80 is attached to the housing 10 from below so as to cover the cover 60 from the lower side, so that the pressing plate 80 is fixed to the housing 10 by screwing a screw rod 8 (see Figure 2 ) inserted through each bolt insertion hole 83 into a corresponding female threaded portion 10a (see Figure 2 ) provided on the housing 10. By fixing the pressing plate 80 to the housing 10, the cover 60 to which the gasket 70 is attached is prevented from falling out of (downward) the housing 10.

[0045] As described above, the installation of the connector 1 is completed, and Figure 1The mounting connector 1 is mounted to a mating member so that the fitting portion 12 is fitted to a fitted portion of the mating member, and the mounting connector 1 is fastened and fixed to the mating member using bolts (not shown) inserted through bolt insertion holes 82 of flange portions 81 of the pressure plates 80. A mating connector of the mating member is inserted into the fitting portion 12 of the mating member to which the mounting connector 1 is fixed. Thus, mating terminals (female terminals) housed in the mating connector are electrically connected to the pair of terminals 6 positioned inside the fitting portion 12.

[0046] <FUNCTION AND EFFECT>

[0047] As described above, according to the connector 1 of the present embodiment, the gasket 70 includes the annular body portion 71, the extension portion 72a extending from the end portion 73 of the body portion 71 outward and along the cover surface 61a of the cover 60, and the protrusion portion 72b protruding from the extension portion 72a so as to intersect the extension direction of the extension portion 72a along the cover surface 61a. When the gasket 70 is attached to the cover 60, the extension portion 72a and the protrusion portion 72b are fitted into the fitting portion 62 of the cover 60. By this fitting, the extension portion 72a and the protrusion portion 72b of the gasket 70 are caught by the fitting portion 62 of the cover 60 so that the cover 60 and the gasket 70 are securely fixed to each other. Furthermore, since the extension portion 72a and the protrusion portion 72b extend along the body portion 61, it is not necessary to increase the thickness of the cover 60 or the thickness of the gasket 70 for the fixation. Thus, while the gasket 70 is properly fixed to the cover 60, the connector 1 according to the present embodiment can be made thinner and smaller.

[0048] Furthermore, the angle formed by the extension portion 72a and the protrusion portion 72b of the gasket 70 is 90 degrees. Thus, when the gasket 70 tends to move in a direction away from the cover 60, the extension portion 72a and the protrusion portion 72b are more reliably prevented from falling out of the fitting portion 62 of the cover 60. That is, the gasket 70 can be more securely attached to the cover 60.

[0049] Furthermore, the entire extension portion 72a and the protrusion portion 72b are housed in the fitting portion 62 of the cover 60. That is, the extension portion 72a and the protrusion portion 72b do not protrude outside the fitting portion 62. Thus, the thickness of the connector 1 can be further reduced.

[0050] <OTHER EMBODIMENTS>

[0051] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be appropriately modified, improved, and the like. In addition, the materials, shapes, sizes, numbers, arrangement positions, and the like of the elements in the above-described embodiments are optional and are not limited as long as the objects of the present disclosure can be achieved.

[0052] In the above-described embodiment, the angle θ (see FIG. 6) formed by the protruding direction of the extension portion 72a of the gasket 70 and the extending direction of the protruding portion 72b is 90 degrees. However, this angle θ can be an acute angle smaller than 90 degrees. In other words, in the above-described embodiment, the extension portion 72a and the protruding portion 72b have a substantially T shape as a whole. However, the extension portion 72a and the protruding portion 72b can have a cross shape as a whole in which the extension portion 72a and the protruding portion 72b cross each other as shown in FIG. 7, or can have a substantially L shape as a whole as shown in FIG. 8. Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the extension portion 72a and the protruding portion 72b can have a shape in which a portion (in this example, the extending end) of the extension portion 72a extends to the surroundings (in this example, a substantially circular shape) so as to form the protruding portion 72b. Figure 7 ) for 90 degrees. However, this angle θ can be an acute angle smaller than 90 degrees. In other words, in the above-described embodiment, the extension portion 72a and the protruding portion 72b have a substantially T shape as a whole. However, the extension portion 72a and the protruding portion 72b can have a cross shape as a whole in which the extension portion 72a and the protruding portion 72b cross each other as shown in FIG. 7, or can have a substantially L shape as a whole as shown in FIG. 8. Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the extension portion 72a and the protruding portion 72b can have a shape in which a portion (in this example, the extending end) of the extension portion 72a extends to the surroundings (in this example, a substantially circular shape) so as to form the protruding portion 72b. Figure 10A ) for 90 degrees. However, this angle θ can be an acute angle smaller than 90 degrees. In other words, in the above-described embodiment, the extension portion 72a and the protruding portion 72b have a substantially T shape as a whole. However, the extension portion 72a and the protruding portion 72b can have a cross shape as a whole in which the extension portion 72a and the protruding portion 72b cross each other as shown in FIG. 7, or can have a substantially L shape as a whole as shown in FIG. 8. Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the extension portion 72a and the protruding portion 72b can have a shape in which a portion (in this example, the extending end) of the extension portion 72a extends to the surroundings (in this example, a substantially circular shape) so as to form the protruding portion 72b. Figure 10B ) for 90 degrees. However, this angle θ can be an acute angle smaller than 90 degrees. In other words, in the above-described embodiment, the extension portion 72a and the protruding portion 72b have a substantially T shape as a whole. However, the extension portion 72a and the protruding portion 72b can have a cross shape as a whole in which the extension portion 72a and the protruding portion 72b cross each other as shown in FIG. 7, or can have a substantially L shape as a whole as shown in FIG. 8. Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the extension portion 72a and the protruding portion 72b can have a shape in which a portion (in this example, the extending end) of the extension portion 72a extends to the surroundings (in this example, a substantially circular shape) so as to form the protruding portion 72b. Figure 10C ) for 90 degrees. However, this angle θ can be an acute angle smaller than 90 degrees. In other words, in the above-described embodiment, the extension portion 72a and the protruding portion 72b have a substantially T shape as a whole. However, the extension portion 72a and the protruding portion 72b can have a cross shape as a whole in which the extension portion 72a and the protruding portion 72b cross each other as shown in FIG. 7, or can have a substantially L shape as a whole as shown in FIG. 8. Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the extension portion 72a and the protruding portion 72b can have a shape in which a portion (in this example, the extending end) of the extension portion 72a extends to the surroundings (in this example, a substantially circular shape) so as to form the protruding portion 72b.

[0053] Further, in the above-described embodiment, the entire lock portion 72 (the extension portion 72a and the protruding portion 72b) of the gasket 70 is housed in the fitting portion 62 of the cover 60. However, a portion or all of the lock portion 72 can protrude to the outside of the fitting portion 62.

[0054] Here, the features of the above-described embodiments of the connector 1 according to the present disclosure are briefly outlined and listed in the following first to third aspects.

[0055] According to a first illustrative aspect of the present disclosure, a connector (1) includes: a terminal fitting (6); an electric wire (2, 3) connected to the terminal fitting (6); a housing (10) including an internal space (11a) in which the electric wire (2, 3) is routed; an opening (11b) connecting the internal space (11a) with an outside of the housing (10); a cover (60) including a cover surface (61a) that closes the opening (11b), and inserted into the opening (11b) to isolate the internal space (11a) from the outside; and a sealing member (70) that seals a gap between an opening inner wall of the opening (11b) and a peripheral edge of the cover (60). The sealing member (70) includes a body portion (71) having a ring shape along the peripheral edge of the cover (60); an extension portion (72a) extending from an end (73) on an outside of the body portion (71) along the cover surface (61a); and a protruding portion (72b) protruding in a direction intersecting an extending direction of the extension portion (72a) and extending from the extension portion (72a) along the cover surface (61a). The cover (60) includes a recessed fitting portion (62) in which the extension portion (72a) and the protruding portion (72b) of the sealing member (70) are fitted.

[0056] According to the connector configured with the above-described first aspect, the sealing member includes a body portion having a ring shape, an extension portion branched from the body portion and extending outward from the gap between the cover and the housing, and a protrusion portion protruding from the extension portion so as to intersect the extension direction of the extension portion along the cover surface. The sealing member is attached to the cover by fitting the extension portion and the protrusion portion into the fitting portion of the cover. With this fitting structure, by catching and engaging the extension portion and the protrusion portion of the sealing member on the fitting portion of the cover, even if an unintended external force is applied to the sealing member, the cover and the sealing member are prevented from being separated. Furthermore, since the sealing member is held sufficiently firmly by this catching (engagement), there is no need to increase the thickness of the cover or the thickness of the sealing member to an extent exceeding that required for water stopping. Therefore, in the connector configured in this way, the sealing member can be appropriately fixed to the cover and at the same time the thickness and size of the connector can be reduced.

[0057] According to a second illustrative aspect of the present disclosure, the angle (θ) formed by the extension direction of the extension portion (72a) and the protruding direction of the protrusion portion (72b) is 90 degrees or less.

[0058] According to the connector configured with the above-described second aspect, the angle formed by the extension portion and the protrusion portion of the sealing member is 90 degrees or less. Therefore, the holding force by the above-described catching (i.e., the engagement of the extension portion and the protrusion portion with the fitting portion) is increased, thereby further reliably preventing the extension portion and the protrusion portion from inadvertently falling off from the fitting portion of the cover. That is, the sealing member can be more firmly attached to the cover.

[0059] According to a third illustrative aspect of the present disclosure, the extension portion (72a) and the protrusion portion (72b) are fitted into the fitting portion (62) so that the extension portion (72a) and the protrusion portion (72b) do not protrude outside the recess of the fitting portion (62).

[0060] According to the connector configured with the above-described third aspect, the extension portion and the protrusion portion are accommodated in the fitting portion so that the extension portion and the protrusion portion do not protrude outside the recess of the fitting portion of the cover. In other words, the extension portion and the protrusion portion do not protrude from the cover surface of the cover. Therefore, since such protrusion does not exist, the total thickness of the connector can be further reduced.

[0061] According to the connector of the present disclosure, the sealing member includes a body portion having a ring shape, an extension portion extending from an end portion of the body portion outward and along a cover surface, and a protrusion portion protruding from the extension portion so as to intersect with an extension direction of the extension portion along the cover surface. The sealing member is attached to the cover by fitting the extension portion and the protrusion portion into a fitting portion of the cover. With this fitting structure, by catching and engaging the extension portion and the protrusion portion of the sealing member on and with the fitting portion of the cover, even if an unintended external force is applied to the sealing member, the cover is prevented from separating from the sealing member. Furthermore, since the sealing member is held sufficiently firmly by this catching (engagement), there is no need to increase the thickness of the cover or the thickness of the sealing member to an extent exceeding that required for water stopping. Thus, in the connector having this configuration, the sealing member can be properly attached to the cover and at the same time the thickness and size of the connector can be reduced. As described above, according to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a connector that can be reduced in thickness and size while properly holding a sealing member to a cover.

Claims

1. A connector comprising: a terminal fitting; an electric wire connected to the terminal fitting; a housing including an internal space in which the electric wire is routed; an opening that connects the internal space with an outside of the housing in an up-down direction, the opening being rectangular; a cover including a cover surface that closes the opening and being inserted into the opening to isolate the internal space from the outside; and a sealing member that seals a gap between an opening inner wall of the opening and an outer peripheral edge of the cover; wherein the sealing member includes a body portion having a ring shape along the outer peripheral edge of the cover that is rectangular and has four corner portions, an extension portion extending from an end portion of the body portion on the outside side along the cover surface, and a protrusion portion protruding in a direction intersecting an extension direction of the extension portion and extending from the extension portion along the cover surface, the cover includes a recessed fitting portion into which the extension portion and the protrusion portion of the sealing member fit, and at the four corner portions of the outer peripheral edge of the cover, a locking frame portion that extends toward the housing in the up-down direction to cover an outer periphery of the body portion is respectively provided, the locking frame portion locking a locking protrusion provided on the housing.

2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein an angle formed by the extension direction of the extension portion and a protruding direction of the protrusion portion is 90 degrees or less.

3. The connector according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the extension portion and the protrusion portion fit into the fitting portion so that the extension portion and the protrusion portion do not protrude to an outside of the recess of the fitting portion. ​

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