Waterproof connector

Abstract

A waterproof connector includes a terminal, a housing, and a sealing member. The housing is provided with an attachment portion. When the attachment portion is viewed in a front-rear direction, the attachment portion has an outer circumferential shape including first side portions and first coupling portions. The sealing member is formed of an elastic material and is attached to the attachment portion. When the sealing member is viewed in the front-rear direction, the sealing member has a closed loop shape including second side portions and second coupling portions. The second side portions respectively correspond to the first side portions. The second side portions include at least one specific second side portion. L1 > L2, where L2 is a length of each of the second side portions in a state before the sealing member is attached to the attachment portion, and L1 is a length of the corresponding first side portion. The waterproof connector of the present invention is capable of preventing the sealing member from being twisted when the waterproof connector is mated with or removed from a mating connector.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a waterproof connector including a sealing member. Background Technology

[0002] JPA2014-99255 (Patent Document 1) discloses this type of waterproof connector 900. (See reference...) Figure 17 The waterproof connector 900 of Patent Document 1 can mate with a mating connector (not shown) in the mating direction or in the X direction. The waterproof connector 900 includes a terminal 910, a housing 920, and a sealing member 950. The terminal 300B is held by the housing 920. The housing 920 is provided with an attachment portion 922. The sealing member 950 is formed of an elastic material and is attached to the attachment portion 922.

[0003] The waterproof connector 900 of Patent Document 1 has the disadvantage that the sealing member 950 may twist when the waterproof connector 900 is engaged with or removed from the mating connector. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a waterproof connector that prevents the sealing member from twisting when the waterproof connector is engaged with or removed from the mating connector.

[0005] In their attempt to design a waterproof connector capable of preventing the sealing member from twisting, the inventors of this application have discovered that, in a specific case where the shape and / or size of the sealing member is smaller than the shape and / or size of the attachment portion of the housing in a plane perpendicular to the mating direction, twisting of the sealing member can be prevented. Furthermore, the inventors have also discovered that, under certain conditions, the sealing properties between the waterproof connector and the mating connector may deteriorate.

[0006] Then, the inventors further investigated the cause of the deterioration of the sealing characteristics and found that the deterioration of the sealing characteristics was caused by the following: if the amount of deformation generated in the side of the sealing member when the sealing member is attached to the attachment part is different from each other, the force applied to the connection part that connects the two sides to each other is unbalanced, thereby causing the position of the connection part on the attachment part to deviate from the proper position.

[0007] Based on the above, the inventors have conceived of preventing the connection portion of the sealing member on the attachment from deviating from its proper position by providing a recess at the opposite end in the mating direction of a specific side. It is anticipated that the deformation of this specific side will be the largest compared to any other side's deformation. Therefore, when the sealing member is attached to the attachment and the force applied to the connection portion is well balanced, the specific side is easily stretched. This invention originates from the above concept.

[0008] One aspect of the invention provides a waterproof connector that mates with a mating connector in a front-rear direction. The waterproof connector includes terminals, a housing, and a sealing member. The terminals are held by the housing. The housing is provided with attachment portions. When viewed in a front-rear direction, the attachment portions have an outer circumferential shape including first sides and first connecting portions. The first connecting portions extend in opposite directions. Each first connecting portion connects adjacent first sides to each other. The sealing member is formed of an elastic material and is attached to the attachment portions. When viewed in a front-rear direction, the sealing member has a closed-loop shape including second sides and second connecting portions. The second sides correspond to the first sides respectively. The second connecting portions extend in opposite directions. Each second connecting portion connects adjacent second sides to each other. The second sides include at least one specific second side. At least one specific second side is provided with a front recess and a rear recess. The front recess is recessed rearward in the front-rear direction. The rear recess is recessed forward in the front-rear direction. L1>L2, where L2 is the length of each second side before the sealing member is attached to the attachment portion, and L1 is the length of the corresponding first side. When attaching the sealing member to the attachment portion, the expected deformation G of each second side is defined by the equation G = (L1 - L2) / L2. The expected deformation G of at least one particular second side is the largest among the expected deformation Gs of the second sides.

[0009] The waterproof connector of the present invention is configured as follows: when viewed along the front-rear direction, the attachment portion has an outer circumferential shape including a first side portion and a first connecting portion; when viewed along the front-rear direction, the sealing member has a closed-loop shape including a second side portion and a second connecting portion; and L1>L2, where L2 is the length of each second side portion in the state before the sealing member is attached to the attachment portion, and L1 is the length of the corresponding first side portion. Therefore, when the waterproof connector mates with or is removed from the mating connector, the waterproof connector of the present invention can prevent the sealing member from twisting.

[0010] Furthermore, the waterproof connector of the present invention is configured as follows: the second side includes at least one specific second side; when the sealing member is attached to the attachment portion, the expected deformation G of each second side is defined by the equation G = (L1 - L2) / L2, and the expected deformation G of at least one specific second side is the largest among the expected deformation Gs of the second sides; and the at least one specific second side is provided with a front recess and a rear recess. Therefore, compared with any other second side, the at least one specific second side is more easily stretched, thereby preventing the position of the second connecting portion on the attachment portion from deviating from its proper position. That is, the waterproof connector of the present invention prevents the sealing characteristics from deteriorating.

[0011] The purpose of the invention and its structure can be understood more fully by studying the following description of preferred embodiments and referring to the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0012] Figure 1 This is a perspective view showing a waterproof connector according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0013] Figure 2 It is shown Figure 1 Front view of the waterproof connector.

[0014] Figure 3 It is shown Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of the waterproof connector taken along line AA.

[0015] Figure 4 It is shown Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of the waterproof connector taken along line BB.

[0016] Figure 5 It is shown Figure 1 Top view of the waterproof connector.

[0017] Figure 6 It is shown Figure 5 A cross-sectional view of the waterproof connector taken along line CC.

[0018] Figure 7 It is shown Figure 1 Exploded perspective view of the waterproof connector.

[0019] Figure 8 It is shown that it includes Figure 7 A perspective view of the housing in a waterproof connector.

[0020] Figure 9 It is shown Figure 8 Front view of the housing.

[0021] Figure 10 It is shown Figure 8 A top view of the casing.

[0022] Figure 11 It is shown Figure 10 A cross-sectional view of the shell taken along line DD.

[0023] Figure 12 It is shown Figure 8 Side view of the casing.

[0024] Figure 13 It is shown that it includes Figure 7 Front view of the sealing component in a waterproof connector.

[0025] Figure 14 It is shown Figure 13 A top view of the sealing component.

[0026] Figure 15 It is shown Figure 13 Side view of the sealing component.

[0027] Figure 16 It is shown that it includes Figure 7 Rear view of the front retainer in a waterproof connector.

[0028] Figure 17 This is a perspective view showing the waterproof connector described in Patent Document 1.

[0029] While the invention is open to various modifications and alternatives, specific embodiments thereof are illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings and will be described in detail herein. However, it should be understood that the drawings and their detailed description are not intended to limit the invention to the specific forms disclosed; rather, the invention is intended to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Detailed Implementation

[0030] Reference Figure 1 According to an embodiment of the present invention, the waterproof connector 100 can mate with a mating connector in the front-to-back direction. More specifically, the waterproof connector 100 of this embodiment can mate with the rear part of the mating connector in the front-to-back direction, and the mating connector is located in front of the waterproof connector 100. In this embodiment, the front-to-back direction is the X direction. Specifically, if the front is the positive X direction, then the rear is the negative X direction.

[0031] like Figure 7 As shown, the waterproof connector 100 of this embodiment includes a housing 300, a sealing member 500, and a plurality of terminals 200. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the number of terminals 200 may be one. In other words, the waterproof connector 100 should include a housing 300, a sealing member 500, and terminals 200.

[0032] Reference Figure 7 In this embodiment, the housing 300 is made of an insulator. The housing 300 has a surrounding portion 305.

[0033] Reference Figure 9 In this embodiment, the surrounding portion 305 defines the outer end of the housing 300 in a direction perpendicular to the front-back direction.

[0034] like Figure 11 As shown, the housing 300 is provided with an attachment portion 310.

[0035] See Figure 11In this embodiment, a portion of the attachment portion 310 is surrounded by a surrounding portion 305 in a plane perpendicular to the front-rear direction. The attachment portion 310 has an outer circumference with a rectangular shape and rounded corners in a plane perpendicular to the front-rear direction. Specifically, when the attachment portion 310 is viewed along the front-rear direction, the attachment portion 310 has an outer circumferential shape including a first side portion 320 and a first connecting portion 330.

[0036] like Figure 11 As shown, the first side portion 320 of this embodiment includes two long side portions 322 and two short side portions 324. Specifically, the first side portion 320 is composed of two long side portions 322 and two short side portions 324.

[0037] like Figure 11 As shown, the long side portion 322 of this embodiment extends in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the front-back direction. In this embodiment, the horizontal direction is the Y direction. The horizontal direction is also referred to as the left-right direction. Specifically, it is assumed that the right side is the positive Y direction and the left side is the negative Y direction. The two long side portions 322 are positioned far apart from each other in a vertical direction perpendicular to both the front-back and horizontal directions. The long side portion 322 located above the attachment portion 310 defines the upper end of the attachment portion 310 in the vertical direction. The long side portion 322 located below the attachment portion 310 defines the lower end of the attachment portion 310 in the vertical direction. In this embodiment, the vertical direction is the Z direction. Specifically, upward is the positive Z direction, and downward is the negative Z direction.

[0038] like Figure 11 As shown, each short side portion 324 in this embodiment extends in a vertical direction perpendicular to both the front-back direction and the horizontal direction. The two short side portions 324 are positioned horizontally away from each other. The short side portion 324 located to the right of the attachment portion 310 defines the right end of the attachment portion 310 in the left-right direction. The short side portion 324 located to the left of the attachment portion 310 defines the left end of the attachment portion 310 in the left-right direction.

[0039] like Figure 11 As shown, the length L of the long side portion 322 in the horizontal direction 1A The length L of the shorter side portion 324 in the vertical direction is greater than that of the other side portion. 1B .

[0040] like Figure 11 As shown, the first connecting portions 330 of this embodiment extend in different directions. Each first connecting portion 330 connects adjacent first side portions 320 to each other. More specifically, each first connecting portion 330 connects adjacent long side portions 322 and short side portions 324 to each other.

[0041] like Figure 11As shown, the housing 300 has a rear end 340.

[0042] like Figure 11 As shown, in this embodiment, the rear end portion 340 faces forward in the front-rear direction. The rear end portion 340 is located outside the attachment portion 310 in a plane perpendicular to the front-rear direction. Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the attachment portion 310 extends forward from the rear end portion 340 in the front-rear direction. Figure 3 As shown, the rear end 510 of the sealing member 500 presses against the rear end 340 in the front-rear direction.

[0043] like Figure 11 As shown, the housing 300 also has a wall portion 360 and a first receiving portion 370.

[0044] like Figure 11 As shown, in this embodiment, the wall portion 360 is located inside the surrounding portion 305 in a direction perpendicular to the front-back direction. The attachment portion 310 is located inside the wall portion 360 in a direction perpendicular to the front-back direction. Figure 8 As shown, the wall portion 360 extends forward from the rear end portion 340 in the front-rear direction. In the front-rear direction, the front end of the wall portion 360 is positioned rearward beyond the front end of the surrounding portion 305. In the front-rear direction, the front end of the wall portion 360 is positioned rearward beyond the front end of the attachment portion 310.

[0045] like Figure 11 As shown, the wall portion 360 includes a right wall portion 362 and a left wall portion 364.

[0046] like Figure 11 As shown, in this embodiment, the right wall portion 362 is located to the right of the left wall portion 364 in the left-right direction. The right wall portion 362 and the left wall portion 364 are arranged in the left-right direction. The right wall portion 362 and the left wall portion 364 are located at the same position in the front-back direction.

[0047] like Figure 11 As shown, in this embodiment, the left wall portion 364 is located to the left of the right wall portion 362 in the left-right direction.

[0048] See Figure 11 In this embodiment, the first receiving portion 370 is a recessed portion that is recessed rearward in the front-rear direction. The first receiving portion 370 is located between the wall portion 360 and the attachment portion 310. The first receiving portion 370 is located inside the wall portion 360 in a direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction. The first receiving portion 370 is located outside the attachment portion 310 in a direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction. The rear end portion 340 defines the rear end of the first receiving portion 370 in the front-rear direction. The first receiving portion 370 includes a first right receiving portion 372 and a first left receiving portion 374.

[0049] like Figure 11As shown, in this embodiment, the first right receiving portion 372 is located to the right of the first left receiving portion 374 in the left-right direction. The first right receiving portion 372 is located to the right of the right wall portion 362 in the left-right direction. The first right receiving portion 372 and the first left receiving portion 374 are arranged in the left-right direction.

[0050] like Figure 11 As shown, in this embodiment, the first left receiving portion 374 is located to the left of the first right receiving portion 372 in the left-right direction. The left receiving portion 374 is located to the right of the left wall portion 364 in the left-right direction.

[0051] like Figure 11 As shown, the housing 300 is provided with two rear anti-rotation portions 350. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the number of rear anti-rotation portions 350 may be one.

[0052] like Figure 3 As shown, each rear stop 350 protrudes forward from the rear end 340 in the longitudinal direction. Figure 11 As shown, each rear anti-rotation portion 350 is located at the center of the housing 300 in the horizontal direction. Two rear anti-rotation portions 350 are arranged vertically. In the front-rear direction, the front end of each rear anti-rotation portion 350 is positioned at the same location as the front end of the wall portion 360. The two rear anti-rotation portions 350 are located at the same position in the left-right direction. The right wall portion 362 is located to the right of either of the rear anti-rotation portions 350 in the left-right direction. The right wall portion 362 is connected to either of the rear anti-rotation portions 350. The right wall portion 362 connects the two rear anti-rotation portions 350 to each other. The left wall portion 364 is located to the left of either of the rear anti-rotation portions 350 in the left-right direction. The left wall portion 364 is connected to either of the rear anti-rotation portions 350. The left wall portion 364 connects the two rear anti-rotation portions 350 to each other. Each rear anti-rotation portion 350 is located between the first right receiving portion 372 and the first left receiving portion 374 in the left-right direction. The first right receiving portion 372 is located to the right of any one of the rear anti-rotation portions 350 in the left-right direction. The first left receiving portion 374 is located to the left of any one of the rear anti-rotation portions 350 in the left-right direction.

[0053] See Figure 14 In this embodiment, the sealing member 500 is formed of an elastic material. More specifically, the sealing member 500 is formed of rubber. See also Figure 14 and Figure 15 The sealing member 500 has a shape symmetrical with respect to a plane perpendicular to the front-rear direction, and this plane passes through the middle of the sealing member 500 in the front-rear direction. (See reference...) Figure 13The sealing member 500 has a shape symmetrical with respect to a plane perpendicular to the vertical direction, which passes through the middle of the sealing member 500 in the vertical direction. The sealing member 500 also has a shape symmetrical with respect to a plane perpendicular to the horizontal direction, which passes through the middle of the sealing member 500 in the horizontal direction. When viewed along the front-rear direction, the sealing member 500 has a closed-loop shape including second side portions 520 and second connecting portions 540. More specifically, when viewed along the front-rear direction, the sealing member 500 has a closed-loop shape including four second side portions 520 and four second connecting portions 540. In other words, the sealing member 500 has an outer periphery with rounded corners in a plane perpendicular to the front-rear direction.

[0054] like Figure 6 As shown, the sealing member 500 is attached to the attachment portion 310. The sealing member 500 is surrounded by the surrounding portion 305 in a plane perpendicular to the front-rear direction. Figure 3 As shown, in the front-rear direction, the front end of the sealing member 500 is located behind the front end of the surrounding portion 305.

[0055] Reference Figure 6 The second side portion 520 corresponds to the first side portion 320. See also Figure 11 and Figure 13 L1 > L2, where L2 is the length of each second side 520 in the state before the sealing member 500 is attached to the attachment portion 310, and L1 is the length of the first side 320 corresponding to the second side 520. Therefore, when the waterproof connector 100 mates with or is removed from the mating connector, the waterproof connector 100 of this embodiment can prevent the sealing member 500 from twisting. In the state before the sealing member 500 is attached to the attachment portion 310, the lengths L2 of the second side 520 are equal to each other. In the state before the sealing member 500 is attached to the attachment portion 310, the length L2 of each second side 520 is less than the length L of any short side 324 in the vertical direction. 1B In other words, the waterproof connector 100 satisfies the following inequality: L2 <L 1B <L 1A .

[0056] like Figure 6 As shown, the second side portion 520 includes two specific second side portions 530 and two second side portions 560 that are different from the specific second side portions 530. In the following text, the two second side portions 560 other than the specific second side portions 530 are also referred to as non-specific second side portions 560.

[0057] Reference Figure 6 and Figure 13 In this embodiment, each specific second side portion 530 extends in a first predetermined direction perpendicular to the front-back direction. In this embodiment, the first predetermined direction is a horizontal direction. Each specific second side portion 530 corresponds to one of the two long sides 322 of the first side portion 320. (Refer to...) Figure 6 , Figure 11 and Figure 13 When the sealing member 500 is attached to the attachment portion 310, the expected deformation amount G of each second side portion 520 is defined by the equation G = (L1 - L2) / L2, and the expected deformation amount G of each particular second side portion 530 is the largest among the expected deformation amounts G of the second side portion 520.

[0058] As from Figure 6 and Figure 11 It is known that a portion of each particular second side 530 is accommodated in the first accommodating portion 370.

[0059] Reference Figure 14 Each specific second side 530 is provided with a front recess 532 and a rear recess 534.

[0060] like Figure 14 As shown, in this embodiment, the front recess 532 is recessed rearward in the front-rear direction. The front recess 532 is located at the center of the sealing member 500 in the horizontal direction. The front recess 532 is positioned forward beyond the rear recess 534 in the front-rear direction.

[0061] like Figure 14 As shown, in this embodiment, the rear recess 534 is recessed forward in the front-rear direction. The rear recess 534 is located at the center of the sealing member 500 in the horizontal direction. The rear recess 534 is positioned rearward beyond the front recess 532 in the front-rear direction. Figure 3 As shown, the rear stop portion 350 is located within the rear recess 534.

[0062] like Figure 6 As shown, each unspecified second side portion 560 in this embodiment extends in a second predetermined direction perpendicular to the front-back direction. In other words, each second side portion 560, except for the specific second side portion 530, extends in a second predetermined direction perpendicular to the front-back direction. In this embodiment, the second predetermined direction is the vertical direction. The unspecified second side portions 560 correspond to the two short side portions 324 of the first side portion 320, respectively.

[0063] like Figure 6 and Figure 11 As shown, a portion of each non-specific second side 560 is accommodated in the first accommodating portion 370.

[0064] As described above, the first receiving portion 370 receives a portion of each specific second side 530 and a portion of each non-specific second side 560. In other words, the first receiving portion 370 receives a portion of the sealing member 500. This prevents the sealing member 500 from twisting. Additionally, when the waterproof connector 100 mates with the mating connector, this also prevents the sealing member 500 from moving outward in a direction perpendicular to the front-back direction.

[0065] like Figure 13 As shown, the second connecting portions 540 extend in different directions from each other. Each second connecting portion 540 connects adjacent second side portions 520 to each other. Each second connecting portion 540 connects adjacent specific second side portions 530 and unspecific second side portions 560 to each other. Figure 6 and Figure 11 As shown, a portion of each second connecting part 540 is accommodated in the first receiving part 370. Figure 6 As shown, the second connecting portions 540 correspond to the first connecting portions 330 respectively. When the sealing member 500 is attached to the attachment portion 310, each second connecting portion 540 is positioned at the same position as the corresponding first connecting portion 330.

[0066] As described above, the waterproof connector 100 of this embodiment is configured as follows: the second side 520 includes two specific second side portions 530; when the sealing member 500 is attached to the attachment portion 310, the expected deformation amount G of each second side portion 520 is defined by the equation G = (L1 - L2) / L2; and the expected deformation amount G of each specific second side portion 530 is the largest among the expected deformation amounts G of the second side portions 520. In other words, when the sealing member 500 is attached to the attachment portion 310, the deformation generated in the specific second side portion 530 is greater than the deformation generated in the non-specific second side portion 560. Therefore, if the waterproof connector 100 includes a sealing member 500, and the specific second side portion 530 of the sealing member 500 is not provided with a front recess 532 and a rear recess 534, then immediately after the sealing member 500 is attached to the attachment portion 310, the tension generated by the specific second side portion 530 is greater than the tension generated by the non-specific second side portion 560. In this situation, the second connecting portion 540 is positioned off-center from the corresponding first connecting portion 330 on the attachment portion 310, thereby mitigating the imbalance between these tensions. This offset in position of the second connecting portion 540 deteriorates the sealing properties of the waterproof connector 100.

[0067] Conversely, the sealing member 500 of this embodiment is configured such that each specific second side 530 is provided with a front recess 532 and a rear recess 534. Thus, the waterproof connector 100 of this embodiment is configured such that each of the specific second sides 530 having the largest expected deformation G among the expected deformation Gs of the second side 520 is easily stretched compared to any of the non-specific second sides 560 whose expected deformation G is less than that of the specific second side 530; and the imbalance between the tension generated by the specific second side 530 and the tension generated by the non-specific second sides 560 is alleviated immediately after the sealing member 500 is attached to the attachment portion 310. This prevents the position of the second connecting portion 540 on the attachment portion 310 from deviating from the corresponding first connecting portion 330, i.e., the proper position, when the sealing member 500 is attached to the attachment portion 310. In other words, the waterproof connector 100 of this embodiment prevents the sealing characteristics from deteriorating.

[0068] See Figure 13 , Figure 14 and Figure 15 The waterproof connector 100 is configured as follows: each specific second side 530 has a portion provided with a front recess 532; this portion of each specific second side 530 has a cross-section perpendicular to a first predetermined direction; each non-specific second side 560 has a cross-section perpendicular to a second predetermined direction; and the cross-section of this portion of each specific second side 530 is smaller than the cross-section of any non-specific second side 560. In other words, the cross-section of this portion of each specific second side 530 is smaller than the cross-section of any second side 560 other than the specific second side 530. Therefore, each of the specific second sides 530 is more easily stretched than any of the non-specific second sides 560, thereby preventing the position of the second connecting portion 540 on the attachment portion 310 from deviating from its proper position. In other words, the waterproof connector 100 of this embodiment prevents the sealing characteristics from deteriorating.

[0069] See Figure 13 , Figure 14 and Figure 15The waterproof connector 100 is configured such that each specific second side 530 has a portion provided with a rear recess 534; this portion of each specific second side 530 has a cross-section perpendicular to a first predetermined direction; and the cross-section of this portion of each specific second side 530 is smaller than the cross-section of any non-specific second side 560. In other words, the cross-section of this portion of each specific second side 530 is smaller than the cross-section of any second side 560 other than the specific second side 530. Therefore, each of the specific second sides 530 is more easily stretched than any of the non-specific second sides 560, thereby preventing the position of the second connecting portion 540 on the attachment portion 310 from deviating from its proper position. In other words, the waterproof connector 100 of this embodiment prevents the sealing characteristics from deteriorating.

[0070] like Figure 14 and Figure 15 As shown, the sealing member 500 has a front receiving portion 570 and a rear receiving portion 580.

[0071] like Figure 14 As shown, in this embodiment, the front receiving portion 570 is located at the front end of the sealing member 500 in the front-rear direction. The front receiving portion 570 includes a right front receiving portion 572 and a left front receiving portion 574.

[0072] like Figure 14 As shown, in this embodiment, the right front receiving portion 572 is located to the right of the left front receiving portion 574 in the left-right direction. The right front receiving portion 572 and the left front receiving portion 574 are arranged in the left-right direction.

[0073] like Figure 14 As shown, in this embodiment, the left front receiving portion 574 is located to the left of the right front receiving portion 572 in the left-right direction. The front recess 532 is located between the right front receiving portion 572 and the left front receiving portion 574 in the left-right direction. The right front receiving portion 572, the left front receiving portion 574, and the front recess 532 are located at the same position as each other in the front-back direction.

[0074] like Figure 14 As shown, in this embodiment, the rear receiving portion 580 is located at the rear end 510 of the sealing member 500 in the front-rear direction. Figure 6 and Figure 11 As shown, the rear receiving portion 580 is received within the first receiving portion 370. The rear receiving portion 580 includes a right rear receiving portion 582 and a left rear receiving portion 584.

[0075] like Figure 14 As shown, in this embodiment, the right rear receiving portion 582 is located to the right of the left rear receiving portion 584 in the left-right direction. The right rear receiving portion 582 and the left rear receiving portion 584 are arranged in the left-right direction. Figure 3As shown, the right rear receiving portion 582 is received in the first right receiving portion 372.

[0076] like Figure 14 As shown, in this embodiment, the left rear receiving portion 584 is located to the left of the right rear receiving portion 582 in the left-right direction. The rear recess 534 is located between the right rear receiving portion 582 and the left rear receiving portion 584 in the left-right direction. The right rear receiving portion 582, the left rear receiving portion 584, and the rear recess 534 are located at the same position as each other in the front-back direction. Figure 3 As shown, the left rear receiving portion 584 is received in the first left receiving portion 374.

[0077] Reference Figure 7 In this embodiment, each terminal 300C is made of metal. Each terminal 200 is a so-called female contact. Figure 6 As shown, terminal 200 is held in place by housing 300.

[0078] Reference Figure 7 The waterproof connector 100 also includes a front retainer 400.

[0079] like Figure 4 As shown, in this embodiment, the front retainer 400 is attached to the attachment portion 310. (As indicated...) Figure 16 As shown, the front retainer 400 has a front end portion 480.

[0080] like Figure 3 As shown, in this embodiment, the front end portion 480 faces rearward in the front-rear direction. The sealing member 500 is sandwiched between the front end portion 480 and the rear end portion 340 in the front-rear direction. In other words, the sealing member 500 is sandwiched between the front retainer 400 and the housing 300 in the front-rear direction.

[0081] like Figure 16 As shown, the front retainer 400 also has a second receiving portion 470.

[0082] See Figure 16 The second receiving portion 470 is a recessed portion that is forward-recessed in the front-rear direction. The front end portion 480 defines the front end of the second receiving portion 470 in the front-rear direction. (See reference...) Figure 3 , Figure 13 and Figure 16 The second receiving portion 470 accommodates a portion of each specific second side 530 and a portion of each non-specific second side 560. In other words, the second receiving portion 470 accommodates a portion of the sealing member 500. This further prevents the sealing member 500 from twisting. Additionally, when the waterproof connector 100 mates with the mating connector, this further prevents the sealing member 500 from moving outward in a direction perpendicular to the front-back direction. The second receiving portion 470 includes a second right receiving portion 472 and a second left receiving portion 474.

[0083] like Figure 16 As shown, in this embodiment, the second right receiving portion 472 is located to the right of the second left receiving portion 474 in the left-right direction. The second right receiving portion 472 and the second left receiving portion 474 are arranged in the left-right direction. Figure 3 As shown, the right front receiving portion 572 is received in the second right receiving portion 472.

[0084] like Figure 16 As shown, in this embodiment, the second left receiving portion 474 is located to the left of the second right receiving portion 472 in the left-right direction. As... Figure 3 As shown, the left front receiving portion 574 is received in the second left receiving portion 474.

[0085] like Figure 16 As shown, the front retainer 400 of this embodiment is provided with two front anti-rotation portions 410. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the number of front anti-rotation portions 410 may be one.

[0086] See Figure 3 In this embodiment, each front anti-rotation portion 410 protrudes from the front end portion 480 in the front-rear direction. More specifically, each front anti-rotation portion 410 protrudes rearward from the front end portion 480 in the front-rear direction. The front anti-rotation portion 410 is located within the front recess 532. Figure 4 As shown, in the front-rear direction, the rear end of each front stop 410 is located behind the front end of the circumferential portion 305 of the housing 300.

[0087] like Figure 16 As shown, each front anti-rotation portion 410 is located between the second right receiving portion 472 and the second left receiving portion 474 in the left-right direction. The second right receiving portion 472 is located to the right of any front anti-rotation portion 410 in the left-right direction. The second left receiving portion 474 is located to the left of any front anti-rotation portion 410 in the left-right direction.

[0088] Although the present invention has been described in detail above through embodiments, the present invention is not limited thereto and various modifications and substitutions are possible.

[0089] Although the waterproof connector 100 of the foregoing embodiment is configured such that the second side 520 includes two specific second sides 530, the present invention is not limited thereto. Specifically, the second side 520 should include at least one specific second side 530. In this case, the waterproof connector 100 should be configured such that, when the sealing member 500 is attached to the attachment portion 310, the expected deformation amount G of each second side 520 is defined by the equation G = (L1 - L2) / L2; the expected deformation amount G of at least one specific second side 530 is the largest among the expected deformation amounts G of the two sides 520; and at least one specific second side 530 is provided with a front recess 532 and a rear recess 534. This allows the waterproof connector 100 to achieve the same effect as in this embodiment.

[0090] Although the housing 300 of the above embodiment has a rear end portion 340, a first receiving portion 370, and a rear anti-rotation portion 350, the present invention is not limited thereto. Specifically, the housing 300 may not have the first receiving portion 370. Additionally, the housing 300 may not have the rear anti-rotation portion 350. Similarly, although the front retainer 400 of the above embodiment has a front end portion 480, a second receiving portion 470, and a front anti-rotation portion 410, the present invention is not limited thereto. Specifically, the front retainer 400 may not have the second receiving portion 470. Additionally, the front retainer 400 may not have the front anti-rotation portion 410. To achieve the same effect as in this embodiment, i.e., the sealing member 500 is sandwiched between the front retainer 400 and the housing 300 in the front-rear direction, the waterproof connector 100 needs to be configured such that the housing 300 has a rear end portion 340, and the front retainer 400 has a front end portion 480. In the waterproof connector 100 with this configuration, if the housing 300 is provided with a rear anti-rotation portion 350, then the rear anti-rotation portion 350 needs to protrude forward from the rear end portion 340 in the front-rear direction. Similarly, in the waterproof connector 100 with this configuration, if the front retainer 400 is provided with a front anti-rotation portion 410, then the front anti-rotation portion 410 needs to protrude rearward from the front end portion 480 in the front-rear direction.

[0091] While preferred embodiments of the invention have been described, those skilled in the art will recognize that other and further modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention, and all such embodiments falling within the true scope of the invention are intended to be claimed.

Claims

1. A waterproof connector that mates with a mating connector along the front-to-back direction, characterized in that: The waterproof connector includes terminals, a housing, and a sealing component; The terminal is held in place by the housing; The housing is provided with an attachment portion; When the attachment portion is viewed along the front-back direction, the attachment portion has an outer circumferential shape including a first side portion and a first connecting portion; The first connecting portions extend in different directions from each other; Each of the first connecting parts connects the first sides that are adjacent to each other; The sealing member is formed of an elastic material and is attached to the attachment portion; When the sealing member is viewed along the front-back direction, the sealing member has a closed-loop shape including a second side portion and a second connecting portion; The second side portion corresponds to the first side portion; The second connecting parts extend in different directions from each other; Each of the second connecting parts connects the adjacent second sides to each other; The second side portion includes at least one specific second side portion; The at least one specific second side portion is provided with a front recess and a rear recess; The front recess is recessed rearward in the front-rear direction; The rear recess is recessed forward in the front-back direction; L1>L2, where L2 is the length of each of the second sides in the state before the sealing member is attached to the attachment portion, and L1 is the length of the corresponding first side. When the sealing member is attached to the attachment portion, the expected deformation G of each second side is defined by the equation G = (L1 - L2) / L2; and The expected deformation G of at least one specific second side is the largest among the expected deformation G of the second side; Compared to any other second side, the at least one particular second side is more easily stretched.

2. The waterproof connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The at least one specific second side includes two of the specific second sides; The first side portion includes two long side portions and two short side portions; Each of the two long sides extends in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the front-back direction; Each of the two short sides extends in a vertical direction perpendicular to both the front-back direction and the horizontal direction; and The specific second side portion corresponds to the two long side portions of the first side portion.

3. The waterproof connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: Before the sealing member is attached to the attachment portion, the lengths of the second side portions are equal.

4. The waterproof connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The housing has a rear end; The rear end portion is located outside the attachment portion on a plane perpendicular to the front-back direction; The attachment portion extends forward from the rear end in the front-rear direction; The sealing member has a rear end in the front-rear direction; and The rear end of the sealing member presses against the rear end.

5. The waterproof connector according to claim 4, characterized in that: The housing is provided with a rear anti-rotation part; The rear anti-rotation portion protrudes forward from the rear end on both the front and rear sides; and The rear anti-rotation part is located within the rear recess.

6. The waterproof connector according to claim 4, characterized in that: The waterproof connector also includes a front retainer; The front retainer is attached to the attachment portion; The front retainer has a front end portion; and The sealing member is sandwiched between the front end and the rear end in the front-rear direction.

7. The waterproof connector according to claim 6, characterized in that: The front retainer is provided with a front anti-rotation part; The front anti-rotation portion protrudes rearward from the front end in the front-rear direction; and The front anti-rotation part is located within the front recess.

8. The waterproof connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The specific second side extends in a first predetermined direction perpendicular to the front-back direction; Each of the second sides, except for the specific second side, extends in a second predetermined direction perpendicular to the front-back direction; The specific second side portion has a portion in which the front recess is provided; The portion of the specific second side has a cross-section perpendicular to the first predetermined direction; Each of the second sides, except for the specific second side, has a cross-section perpendicular to the second predetermined direction; and the cross-section of the portion of the specific second side is smaller than the cross-section of any of the second sides except for the specific second side.

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