Connection device using connectors

Abstract

This invention provides a connection device using a connector, which does not require a design change to close the empty wire insertion holes of the connector even if the connector specifications change. A connection device (10) using a connector (12) includes multiple wires (W) and a housing (28). The housing (28) has multiple receiving spaces (28a) that receive the ends of the multiple wires (W) and multiple terminal fittings (24) assembled at the ends. The multiple wires (W) include: lead wires (LW), one end of which is inserted into the receiving space (28a) and the other end of which is connected to another connector (22); and dummy wires (DW), which are wires of the same type as the lead wires (LW), and one end of which is inserted into a pair of empty receiving spaces (28a) in the receiving space (28a).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a connection device using a connector that can close empty wire insertion holes among a plurality of wire insertion holes and is universal even if the shape of the connector or the like changes. Background Technology

[0002] A connector with a housing is known, which has multiple wire insertion holes for accommodating multiple wires, ends for receiving the multiple wires, and terminal fittings mounted at the ends. In such a connector, if not all wire insertion holes are used, impurities are expected to enter through the unused wire insertion holes, thus potentially reducing the reliability of contact between the terminal fittings and the terminal fittings in the other connector.

[0003] In contrast, in the connector described in Patent Document 1, multiple wire insertion holes are exposed through the opening of the retaining cover, and empty wire insertion holes are closed by inserting dummy plugs into the empty wire insertion holes in the waterproof component. Therefore, the connector does not require design changes to the housing, waterproof component, etc., and can be used even for a smaller number of wires than the total number of wire insertion holes.

[0004] Prior art literature

[0005] Patent documents

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2001-196129 Summary of the Invention

[0007] Summary of the invention

[0008] The problem that the invention aims to solve

[0009] However, in the connectors mentioned above, if the specifications of the housing size, shape, material, etc., change due to design changes such as improvements in function or materials, the length and diameter of the dummy pin, which is the component that closes the empty wire insertion hole of the connector, needs to be redesigned each time, resulting in a lack of versatility.

[0010] The present invention was made against the background described above, and its object is to provide a connection device using a connector that does not require a design change of the component to close the empty wire insertion hole of the connector, even if there is a change in the connector specification.

[0011] Solution for solving the problem

[0012] The subject of the first invention is (a) a connection device using a connector, the connector having a plurality of wires and a plurality of wire insertion holes, the plurality of wire insertion holes receiving the ends of the plurality of wires and a plurality of terminal fittings assembled to the ends, wherein (b) the plurality of wires have: a lead wire, one end of which is inserted into the wire insertion hole and the other end of which is connected to another connector; and a dummy wire, which is a wire of the same type as the lead wire, and one end and the other end of the dummy wire are respectively inserted into a pair of empty wire insertion holes in the wire insertion holes.

[0013] The main idea of ​​the second invention is, based on the first invention, to provide a cylindrical protective tube between the connector and the other connector, the protective tube wrapping the lead wire and the dummy wire and being shorter than the lead wire, the dummy wire having a bent end formed by bending back in a U-shape on the other connector side, the bent end of the dummy wire protruding from the end of the protective tube on the other connector side.

[0014] The essence of the third invention is that, based on the first or second invention, the connector has a housing having a plurality of said wire insertion holes, and terminal fittings housed in the wire insertion holes of the housing are connected to both ends of the dummy wires.

[0015] The fourth invention is based on the first or second invention, wherein the connector comprises: a housing having a plurality of wire insertion holes; a waterproof member overlapping the housing, having a plurality of wire insertion holes for watertight insertion of the plurality of wires and a housing waterproof portion fitted into the housing in a watertight manner; and a retaining cover for retaining the waterproof member so as not to fall off the housing, wherein one end and the other end of the dummy wire are inserted into the wire insertion holes provided in the waterproof member, or one end and the other end of the dummy wire are inserted into the wire insertion holes provided in the waterproof member and the wire insertion holes formed in the housing.

[0016] Invention Effects

[0017] According to the first invention, the connector-based connection device comprises: a lead wire, one end of which is inserted into the wire insertion hole and the other end of which is connected to another connector; and a dummy wire, which is a wire of the same type as the lead wire, and one end and the other end of the dummy wire are respectively inserted into a pair of empty wire insertion holes in the wire insertion hole. Therefore, a connector-based connection device is available that allows for design changes to the connector components without requiring closure of the empty wire insertion holes even if the connector specifications change.

[0018] According to the connecting device using a connector of the second invention, a cylindrical protective tube shorter than the lead wire is provided between the connector and the other connector, which wraps the lead wire and the dummy wire. The dummy wire has a U-shaped bend at the end, which protrudes from the end of the protective tube on the other connector side. Therefore, it is easy to visually confirm whether a dummy wire is inserted in the empty wire insertion hole and the other empty wire insertion hole.

[0019] According to the third invention, the connector-based connection device includes a housing having a plurality of wire insertion holes, and terminal fittings housed within the wire insertion holes of the housing are connected to both ends of the dummy wire. Therefore, the dummy wire can also achieve the same anti-detachment performance as a lead wire that is connected to the terminal fittings at its front end and inserted into the housing's receiving space and thus prevented from detaching.

[0020] According to the fourth invention, a connector-based connection device comprises: a housing having a plurality of wire insertion holes; a waterproof member overlapping the housing, having a plurality of wire insertion holes for watertight insertion of the plurality of wires and a housing waterproof portion watertightly fitted into the housing; and a retaining cover for holding the waterproof member in place so as not to detach from the housing. One end and the other end of the dummy wire are inserted into the wire insertion holes provided in the waterproof member, or one end and the other end of the dummy wire are inserted into both the wire insertion holes provided in the waterproof member and the wire insertion holes formed in the housing. Thus, by inserting one end and the other end of the dummy wire, which is a wire of the same type as the lead wire, into the wire insertion holes provided in the waterproof member or in both the waterproof member and the housing, not only can impurities be prevented from entering, but also water and dust can be prevented from penetrating. Attached Figure Description

[0021] Figure 1 This diagram illustrates the connection state of a waterproof connector and another connector in a connection device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 2 It is Figure 1 An enlarged perspective view illustrating the waterproof connector of an embodiment.

[0023] Figure 3 This indicates that multiple wires have been inserted. Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of the internal structure of the waterproof connector. Figure 2 Sectional view III-III. Detailed Implementation

[0024] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that in the following embodiments, the drawings will be appropriately simplified or modified, and the dimensional ratios and shapes of the parts may not be accurately depicted.

[0025] Example

[0026] Figure 1 This figure illustrates a connection device 10 using a waterproof connector 12, in which the present invention is well applied. Figure 1 In this device, the connecting device 10 includes multiple wires W and a waterproof connector 12. The waterproof connector 12 is fitted into a counterpart connector 16 supported by a position-fixed bracket 14. The waterproof connector 12 is connected via multiple wires W to another connector 22 that is paired with the waterproof connector 12. The other connector 22 is, for example, a connector of a device 20 installed in a vehicle such as a resolver that detects the phase angle of a rotating body.

[0027] The multiple wires W between the waterproof connector 12 and another connector 22 include: multiple lead wires LW, one end of which is inserted into a wire insertion hole 38 (described later) of the waterproof connector 12, and the other end is connected to the other connector 22; and a dummy wire DW, one end of which is inserted into an empty wire insertion hole 38 in the wire insertion hole 38, and the other end of which is also inserted into a wire insertion hole. The dummy wire DW is a wire of the same type as the lead wires LW, for example, a wire with the same outer diameter, core wire and coating material, standard, etc. as the lead wires LW.

[0028] In the connection device 10 equipped with a waterproof connector 12, a cylindrical protective tube 18, shorter than the lead wire LW, is provided between the waterproof connector 12 and another connector 22, wrapping the dummy wire DW, which is U-shaped and bends back on the other connector 22 side. The protective tube 18 is a so-called glass varnish tube, which is made of fiberglass fabric sewn into a cylindrical shape and impregnated with varnish. The U-shaped bend end 26 of the dummy wire DW protrudes from the end 18a on the other connector 22 side of the protective tube 18, so that the bend end 26 of the dummy wire DW can be visually seen.

[0029] Figure 2 This is a perspective view of the waterproof connector 12. The waterproof connector 12 includes: a housing 28 made of rigid resin; a waterproof member 30 that overlaps with the end face of the wire W side of the housing 28; and a retaining cover 40 made of rigid resin that holds the waterproof member 30 in place so that it will not fall off the housing 28. Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view illustrating the internal structure of a waterproof connector 12 with multiple wires W inserted. Figure 2The diagram shows a cross-sectional view (III-III). Multiple receiving spaces 28a are formed through the housing 28, each capable of accommodating the ends of multiple wires W and the terminal fittings 24 attached to the ends of the wires W. These receiving spaces 28a function as wire insertion holes for inserting the ends of the wires W into the housing 28, and are prismatic spaces extending between the rear surface of the housing 28 on the other connector 22 side and the front surface of the opposite connector side. The waterproof member 30 includes: a wire insertion hole 38 that allows a portion of the wire W reaching the receiving space 28a to be watertightly inserted into the portion adjacent to the other connector 22 side; and a housing waterproof portion 34 made of resin or rubber, which is softer than the housing 28, and is watertightly fitted into the housing 28.

[0030] like Figure 3 As shown, the terminal accessory 24 includes a connecting portion 24a that is welded to the core wire exposed at the end of the wire W, and a cylindrical connecting portion 24b that is adjacent to the connecting portion 24a and has a stepped hook portion 24c between it and the connecting portion 24a. It is formed by bending a conductive metal plate, such as a copper plate, through stamping. A receiving space 28a is formed through the housing 28 housing the terminal accessory 24, allowing the insertion of the rod-shaped terminal of the opposite connector 16. The terminal accessory 24 is fitted at the end of the lead wire LW and at both ends of the dummy wire DW.

[0031] In this embodiment, the hook portion 24c of the terminal fitting 24 is prevented from detaching by engaging with the retainer 42, which is located on the lower surface of the housing 28. Figure 3 The retainer 42 is inserted into the retainer recess 28b on the lower side of the housing 28. The retainer 42 functions as an anti-detachment member to prevent the wire W from detaching. The retainer 42 and housing 28 can be located in a relatively shallow pre-attachment position and a hook-up position deeper than the pre-attachment position. Figure 3 (As shown in the figure) In the pre-attached position, the terminal accessory 24 is allowed to be inserted into and removed from the receiving space 28a. However, in the attached position, the attachment part of the terminal accessory 24 is attached to the corner of the retainer 42 to prevent the terminal accessory 24 from falling off the receiving space 28a.

[0032] A long, strip-shaped locking arm 44, capable of elastic deformation along the vertical direction, is integrally cantilevered on the upper surface of the housing 28. Figure 3 The upper side of the middle). The engaging protrusion 44a, which engages with the opposite connector 16 to prevent disengagement, points outward (in the middle). Figure 3 The locking arm 44 is positioned at the center of its length (top). The front end of the locking arm 44 abuts against the inner side of the waterproof component 30 to position the waterproof component 30.

[0033] like Figure 3As shown, the waterproof component 30 is formed into a box shape from a material with easy elastic deformation, such as synthetic rubber, and has an assembly opening 30a for inserting the housing 28 to cover the entire wire W side of the housing 28. The assembly opening 30a has a shape that allows the locking arm 44 of the housing 28 to be contained within it, and is formed such that the locking arm 44 can be pressed in by pressing it from the outside toward the bottom surface of the waterproof component 30. Figure 2 The operating part 30b is shown. On the inner surface of the assembly opening 30a, multiple protrusions 30c are formed throughout the entire circumference.

[0034] Multiple wire insertion holes 38 are formed through the waterproof component 30 at positions corresponding to the receiving space 28a of the housing 28. Multiple annular protrusions 38a are formed on the inner wall surface of the wire insertion holes 38. The inner diameter of the annular protrusions 38a is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the wire W, and a watertight structure is formed by pressing the annular protrusions 38a against the outer peripheral surface of the wire W.

[0035] It should be noted that, in Figure 3 In the cross-section, the lead wires LW of the multiple wires W are not shown as cross-sections, but a pair of dummy wires DW are shown as cross-sections. The pair of empty wire insertion holes 38 in the wire insertion holes 38 for inserting the dummy wires DW do not need to be shown as cross-sections. Figure 3 The location shown.

[0036] like Figure 2 As shown, the retaining cover 40 is box-shaped with a rectangular opening 40a formed on its bottom surface to expose the wire insertion hole 38 formed on the waterproof member 30. It is a structure formed by molding synthetic resin to cover the waterproof member 30. A locking arm (not shown) protrudes from the retaining cover 40 toward the housing 28 and engages with a locking recess (not shown) formed on the housing 28. Thus, the retaining cover 40 retains the waterproof member 30 and fixes it to the housing 28.

[0037] As described above, the connection device 10 using the waterproof connector 12 according to this embodiment includes multiple wires W, multiple wire insertion holes (wire insertion holes 38, receiving space 28a) for receiving the ends of the multiple wires W and multiple terminal accessories 24 mounted thereon, and the multiple wires W have: a lead wire LW with one end inserted into the wire insertion hole and the other end connected to another connector 22; and a dummy wire DW, which is the same type of wire as the lead wire LW, and has one end and the other end respectively inserted into a pair of empty wire insertion holes. Therefore, it is possible to obtain a connection device 10 using the waterproof connector 12, where even if the specifications of the waterproof connector 12 are changed or the target application is changed and the wire insertion holes of the waterproof connector 12 become empty, there is no need to change the design of the waterproof member 30 to close the empty wire insertion holes 38 or the empty receiving space (empty wire insertion holes) 28a.

[0038] Furthermore, in the connection device 10 using the waterproof connector 12 according to this embodiment, a cylindrical protective tube 18 shorter than the lead wire LW is provided between the waterproof connector 12 and another connector 22, which wraps the lead wire LW and the dummy wire DW that is U-shaped and bent back on the other connector 22 side. The dummy wire DW has a bent-back end 26 formed by bending back in a U-shape on the other connector 22 side, and the bent-back end 26 of the dummy wire DW protrudes from the end 18a on the other connector 22 side of the protective tube 18. Thus, based on the presence or absence of the bent-back end 26, it is easy to visually confirm whether a dummy wire DW is inserted in the empty wire insertion holes (28a, 38) and other empty wire insertion holes (28a, 38).

[0039] Furthermore, according to the connection device 10 using the waterproof connector 12 in this embodiment, the waterproof connector 12 has a housing 28 having multiple receiving spaces (wire insertion holes) 28a, and terminal fittings 24 received in the receiving spaces 28a are connected to both ends of the dummy wire DW. Therefore, the dummy wire DW can also obtain the same anti-detachment performance as the lead wire LW that is connected to the terminal fitting 24 at the front end and inserted into the receiving space 28a of the housing 28, thereby preventing it from detaching.

[0040] Furthermore, according to the connection device 10 using the waterproof connector 12 in this embodiment, the waterproof connector 12 includes a housing 28 having multiple receiving spaces (wire insertion holes) 28a, a waterproof member 30 overlapping the housing 28 and having multiple wire insertion holes 38 for inserting multiple wires W in a watertight manner, and a housing waterproof portion 34 that is watertightly fitted into the housing 28, and a retaining cover 40 that holds the waterproof member 30 so that it will not fall off the housing 28. One end and the other end of the dummy wire DW are inserted into the wire insertion hole 38 provided in the waterproof member 30, or into the wire insertion hole 38 and receiving space 28a provided in the waterproof member 30 and the housing 28. Thus, since one end and the other end of the dummy wire DW, which is the same type of wire as the lead wire LW, are at least inserted into the wire insertion hole 38 provided in the waterproof member 30, not only can impurities be prevented from entering, but also water and dust can be prevented from penetrating.

[0041] The embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings, but the present invention can also be applied to other forms.

[0042] For example, in the foregoing embodiments, an example of using one dummy wire DW is shown, but two or more dummy wires DW can also be used.

[0043] In addition, the number of receiving spaces 28a in the housing 28 and the number of wire insertion holes 38 in the waterproof component 30 in the aforementioned embodiments can be appropriately changed according to the application, and the shape or structure of the housing 28 and the waterproof component 30 can be modified or improved in various ways.

[0044] In addition, in the aforementioned embodiments, if the fixing structure between the housing 28 and the waterproof component 30 is a reliable structure, it may not be necessary to provide a retaining cover 40 made of rigid resin that holds the waterproof component 30 in place so that it will not fall off the housing 28.

[0045] In addition, in the aforementioned embodiment, the dummy wire DW is prevented from detaching by connecting terminal fittings 24 to both ends of the dummy wire DW. However, other anti-detachment structures can also be applied. Even if a tensile force is applied between the waterproof connector 12 and another connector 22, the tensile force on both ends of the dummy wire DW will not be too great, so it is not necessary to implement anti-detachment measures.

[0046] Furthermore, in the foregoing embodiments, a waterproof connector 12 with a waterproof component 30 and a retaining cover 40 for fixing the waterproof component 30 to the housing 28 was described. However, the present invention can also be applied to connectors without a waterproof component 30 and a retaining cover 40 for fixing the waterproof component 30 to the housing 28, instead of the waterproof connector 12. In this case, the connecting device using the connector has multiple wires W and a housing 28 having multiple electrical receiving spaces (wire insertion holes) 28a that receive the ends of the multiple wires W and multiple terminal fittings 24 assembled at the ends. Even with such a connector configuration, the entry of impurities can be effectively suppressed because the empty receiving spaces (empty wire insertion holes) 28a are closed by dummy wires DW.

[0047] It should be noted that the above is only one embodiment, and the present invention can be implemented in various modified and improved forms based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art.

[0048] Label Explanation

[0049] 10: Connecting device

[0050] 12: Waterproof connector (connector)

[0051] 18: Protective tube

[0052] 18a: End

[0053] 22: Another connector

[0054] 24: Terminal accessories

[0055] 26: Curved end

[0056] 28: Shell

[0057] 28a: Storage space (wire insertion hole)

[0058] 30: Waterproof components

[0059] 34: Waterproof part of the casing

[0060] 38: Wire insertion hole

[0061] W: Wire

[0062] LW: Lead wire

[0063] DW: Dummy wire

Claims

1. A connection device (10) using a connector (12), the connector (12) having a plurality of wires (W) and a plurality of wire insertion holes (28a, 38), the plurality of wire insertion holes (28a, 38) receiving the ends of the plurality of wires (W) and a plurality of terminal fittings (24) assembled to the ends, the connection device (10) using the connector (12) being characterized in that, The plurality of wires (W) have: A lead wire (LW), one end of which is inserted into the wire insertion hole (28a, 38) of the connector (12) and the other end of which is connected to another connector (22); and The dummy wire (DW) is a wire of the same type as the lead wire (LW), and one end of the dummy wire (DW) is inserted into a pair of empty wire insertion holes (28a, 38) of the connector (12), and the dummy wire (DW) has a bend end (26), which is formed by bending the other connector (22) side in a U-shape. Furthermore, a cylindrical protective tube (18) is provided between the connector (12) and the other connector (22). The protective tube (18) wraps around the lead wire (LW) and the dummy wire (DW) along its entire length except for both ends of the lead wire (LW), and is shorter than the lead wire (LW). The bent end (26) of the dummy wire (DW) is exposed from the end (18a) on the other connector (22) side of the protective tube (18).

2. The connection device (10) using a connector (12) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The connector (12) includes a housing (28) having a plurality of wire insertion holes (28a, 38). Terminal fittings (24) are connected to both ends of the dummy wire (DW) and housed within the wire insertion holes (28a, 38) of the housing (28).

3. The connection device (10) using a connector (12) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The connector (12) comprises: The housing (28) has a plurality of said wire insertion holes (28a, 38); A waterproof component (30), overlapping the housing (28), has a plurality of wire insertion holes (28a, 38) allowing the plurality of wires (W) to be inserted in a watertight manner, and a housing waterproof portion (34) that is fitted into the housing (28) in a watertight manner; and A retainer (40) holds the waterproof component (30) in place so that it does not detach from the housing (28). One end and the other end of the dummy wire (DW) are inserted into the wire insertion hole (28a, 38) provided in the waterproof component (30), or one end and the other end of the dummy wire (DW) are inserted into the wire insertion hole (28a, 38) provided in the waterproof component (30) and the wire insertion hole (28a, 38) formed in the housing (28).

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