Connector

Abstract

There is provided a connector including: a housing having a fitting portion to be fitted into a mating connector; a cover assembled to an opening opposite to the fitting portion; an annular sealing member sealing a gap between the opening and the cover; a plurality of reinforcing ribs provided at predetermined intervals along an inner peripheral surface of the housing located behind an inner peripheral side sealing surface of the opening, and extending in an assembly direction of the cover; an engagement protrusion protruding from an inner bottom surface of the cover and configured to restrict displacement of the cover relative to the housing by engaging with the reinforcing rib; a member fixed to the cover; and a fixing bolt threadingly connected to a nut provided on the cover to fix the component.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a connector. Background Art

[0002] In the related art, for example, as disclosed in JP2014-086150A, JP2015-082466A, and JP2022-002194A, a connector mounted to a housing of a device includes a housing made of synthetic resin and formed into a substantially L-shape. The housing includes a fitting portion that accommodates a terminal connected to an end of an electric wire and is fitted to a connector (matching connector) on the device side, and a wire introduction portion that introduces the electric wire connected to the terminal from a direction intersecting with the fitting direction of the fitting portion. The housing has an operation hole (opening) on ​​the side opposite to the fitting portion, and a cover is installed on the operation hole.

[0003] A sealing ring (annular sealing member) that is in close contact with the inner peripheral surface (inner peripheral side sealing surface) of the working hole to seal the inside of the housing is assembled to the outer peripheral side sealing surface of the cover. The cover is mounted to the working hole so as not to allow water or the like to enter the housing from the working hole. That is, the sealing ring seals the gap between the inner peripheral side sealing surface of the working hole and the outer peripheral side sealing surface of the cover.

[0004] Furthermore, there is known a connector in which a detection probe for electrical detection is inserted into a detection hole provided at the rear side of the connector, and a confirmation operation as to whether or not current flows through a terminal accommodated in a housing can be performed.

[0005] In the case of such a connector, a detection hole may be provided on the cover, and when the connector is installed in a non-waterproof space, a blocking bolt is required to prevent water from entering the detection hole. Therefore, it is necessary to fix a detection plate (component) in the cover for fixing the blocking bolt to prevent water from entering the detection hole. Such a detection plate is usually fixed to the cover by a fixing bolt threaded into a nut provided on the cover.

[0006] The cover attached to the working hole is centered relative to the inner peripheral sealing surface of the working hole by the reaction force of the annular seal. If a force other than the reaction force of the seal is applied to the cover attached to the working hole, the cover may be displaced.

[0007] Therefore, when the above-mentioned detection plate is bolted to the cover, the tightening torque of the fixing bolts is applied to the cover and rotated together, so that the cover may be offset and the sealing margin of the seal may not be ensured. Summary of the invention

[0008] The present disclosure provides a connector capable of preventing a reduction in sealing performance due to displacement of a cover when a component is bolted to the cover.

[0009] According to an illustrative aspect of the present disclosure, a connector includes: a shell having an engaging portion configured to be engaged with a mating connector; a cover assembled to an opening opposite to the engaging portion; an annular seal configured to seal a gap between an inner peripheral side sealing surface of the opening and an outer peripheral side sealing surface of the cover; a plurality of reinforcing ribs arranged at predetermined intervals along an inner peripheral surface of the shell and extending along an assembling direction of the cover, the inner peripheral surface of the shell being located behind the inner peripheral side sealing surface of the opening; an engaging protrusion protruding from an inner bottom surface of the cover and configured to limit displacement of the cover relative to the shell by engaging with the reinforcing ribs; a component fixed to the cover; and a fixing bolt threadedly connected to a nut provided on the cover to fix the component.

[0010] According to the connector of the present disclosure, when the component is bolted to the cover, it is possible to prevent the seal performance from being deteriorated due to the cover being displaced.

[0011] The present disclosure has been briefly described above. The details of the present disclosure can be further clarified by reading the modes for implementing the present disclosure (hereinafter referred to as “embodiments”) described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a connector according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0013] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 An exploded perspective view of the connector in FIG.

[0014] Figure 3 It is shown Figure 2 A perspective view of the assembly process of the connector shown;

[0015] Figure 4 yes Figure 2 A rear view of the housing is shown;

[0016] Figure 5 yes Figure 2 A perspective view of the inner bottom side of the cover shown;

[0017] Figure 6 is a front view showing the inner bottom surface of the cover with the seal installed;

[0018] Figure 7 It is shown Figure 2 A perspective view of the assembly process of the connector shown;

[0019] Figure 8 yes Figure 1 a schematic left side view of the connector shown;

[0020] Fig. 9 is along Figure 8 A cross-sectional view taken along line IX-IX;

[0021] Fig.10 yes Fig.11 enlarged views of the main components; and

[0022] Fig.11 yes Figure 1 Rear view of the connector shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] Hereinafter, examples according to embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0024] <Example>

[0025] Figure 1 and Figure 2 1 is a perspective view and an exploded perspective view of the connector 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0026] In this specification, the front-to-back direction, the up-down direction, and the left-to-right direction of the connector 1 follow Figures 1 to 3 In other words, the front-to-back direction is the direction along the connector mating direction of the connector 1, with the side to which the mating connector (not shown) is mated being the front of the housing 10. The up-down direction is the extending direction of the shielded wire 44 orthogonal to the connector mating direction of the connector 1, and the lead-out direction of the shielded wire 44 is the downward direction. In addition, the left-right direction is the length direction of the rectangular opening in the bottomed cylindrical mating portion 11 orthogonal to the connector mating direction.

[0027] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the connector 1 according to the present embodiment includes a housing 10, two terminal wires 40, a cover 30, a seal 50, a shield shell 60, and a detection board 80. The connector 1 is, for example, a shielded connector used in a power circuit such as an inverter or a motor of a vehicle such as a hybrid vehicle or an electric vehicle. The connector 1 is fitted and electrically connected to a mating connector provided in a housing such as an inverter or a motor.

[0028] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the housing 10 is a housing formed in a substantially L-shape, and includes a fitting portion 11 that accommodates a tab terminal (terminal) 41 of a terminal-equipped electric wire 40 and is fitted to a device-side connector (mating connector), and a fitting direction X (see FIG. 1 ) from the terminal of the shielded electric wire 44 connected to the tab terminal 41 to the fitting portion 11. Figure 1 ) The wire introduction portion 12 is introduced in the direction intersecting with the wire.

[0029] The fitting portion 11 is formed into a bottomed cylindrical shape with a rectangular opening and protrudes forward along the fitting direction X of the housing 10 with the mating connector. A pair of terminal through holes (see FIG. 1 ) are formed at the bottom of the fitting portion 11. Figure 4 ).

[0030] The seal 24 and the front holder 22 are assembled to the outer periphery of the fitting portion 11 , and the inner housing 20 including the terminal accommodating chamber 21 is assembled to the inner periphery of the fitting portion 11 .

[0031] Each wire lead-in portion 12 extends in a downward direction intersecting with the mating direction X of the housing 10 with the mating connector. A wire through hole 18 (see FIG. 1 ) is formed in the wire lead-in portion 12 for inserting the shielded wire 44 therethrough. Fig. 9 ).

[0032] The rear portion of the housing 10 opposite to the fitting portion 11 is a receiving portion 13 formed in a concave shape and leading to an opening 16. The cover 30 is assembled to the opening 16 of the rear portion of the housing 10 opposite to the fitting portion 11. The housing 10 and the cover 30 are formed of a synthetic resin having an electrical insulating property. When the cover 30 is assembled to the housing 10, the opening 16, which is a mounting operation hole for the terminal-equipped electric wire 40, is covered by the cover 30.

[0033] like Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, a plurality of ribs 17 are provided along the outer peripheral surface 10a of the housing 10 corresponding to the outside of the opening 16. Each rib 17 is a protrusion having a rectangular cross section extending along the assembling direction of the upper shield shell 61 described later. In addition, a plurality of locking claws 15 protrude from the outer peripheral surface 10a of the housing 10.

[0034] like Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, a plurality of reinforcing ribs 19 are provided at the inner corners of the accommodating portion 13 to prevent deformation of the accommodating portion 13. The reinforcing ribs 19 are provided at predetermined intervals along the inner peripheral surface 10b of the housing 10 located at the rear side of the inner peripheral side sealing surface 16a of the opening 16, and extend along the assembly direction of the cover 30 (the front-to-rear direction of the connector 1).

[0035] That is, each reinforcing rib 19 extends from the bottom surface 10c of the housing 10 along the inner peripheral surface 10b toward the opening end of the opening 16, and the end of the reinforcing rib 19 in the extending direction is located on the inner peripheral side sealing surface 16a. The end of the reinforcing rib 19 in the extending direction has a contact surface 19a parallel to the width direction end surface 51c of the sealing body 51 when the cover 30 is assembled to the opening 16.

[0036] like Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the cover 30 is formed in a substantially rectangular plate shape and is assembled to the opening 16 of the housing 10 from the rear side via an annular seal 50 .

[0037] The cover 30 includes an outer peripheral side sealing surface 31 having an outer peripheral shape corresponding to the opening 16 of the housing 10 and fitted with the sealing member 50, and a flange portion 32 protruding toward the outer diameter direction from the rear end in the assembly direction of the outer peripheral side sealing surface 31. The flange portion 32 restricts the rearward movement of the sealing member 50 fitted to the outer peripheral side sealing surface 31.

[0038] A pair of inspection holes 37 for inserting an inspection probe (not shown) for electrical inspection is formed through the cover 30. Figure 3 As shown, on the back side of the cover 30 , a cap nut (nut) 34 for bolting a detection plate 80 described later to the back side of the connector 1 is integrally formed by insert molding.

[0039] Furthermore, a pair of engagement protrusions 70 protrude from the inner bottom surface 36 of the cover 30 to restrict displacement of the cover 30 relative to the housing 10 by engaging with the reinforcement ribs 19 of the housing 10 .

[0040] like Figure 6 As shown, the pair of engagement protrusions 70 are disposed plane-symmetrically with respect to a center plane S of the cover 30 including an axis P of the cap nut 34 disposed at the center of the cover 30 in the up-down direction.

[0041] When the cap 30 rotates about the axis P of the cap nut 34, the same rotational torque acts on the pair of engagement protrusions 70. Therefore, since the pair of engagement protrusions 70 on which the rotational torque of the cap 30 acts equally can be shaped in the same strength, resin molding of the cap 30 is facilitated.

[0042] Each engaging protrusion 70 is a columnar protrusion having a U-shaped cross section formed integrally by a pair of supporting pieces 71 having an inner surface 71a opposite to the outer side surface 19b in the plate thickness direction of the pair of reinforcing ribs 19, and a connecting piece 73 connecting the pair of supporting pieces 71 (see Fig.10 ).

[0043] When the cap 30 rotates around the axis P of the cap nut 34, the inner surface 71a of the support piece 71 of the engaging protrusion 70 can apply a rotational moment to the reinforcing rib 19 while being in surface contact with the outer side surface 19b. Therefore, since the stress acting between the engaging protrusion 70 and the reinforcing rib 19 can be dispersed, damage to the engaging protrusion 70 and the reinforcing rib 19 can be prevented without excessively increasing the size and strength.

[0044] like Figure 2 As shown, the seal 50 includes an annular seal main body 51 formed of an elastic material such as rubber, and a plurality of T-shaped locking pieces 53 protruding from the rear end side of the mating direction of the seal main body 51 toward the center. Each T-shaped locking piece 53 is formed in a T shape with its distal end extending in the left-right direction.

[0045] The outer lip 51a is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the sealing body 51 so as to be in close contact with the inner peripheral sealing surface 16a of the opening 16. The inner lip 51b is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the sealing body 51 so as to be in close contact with the outer peripheral sealing surface 31 of the cover 30. In addition, the width direction end surface 51c of the sealing body 51 can be opposite to the contact surface 19a formed at the end of the reinforcing rib 19 in the extending direction.

[0046] The seal 50 is mounted to the outer peripheral sealing surface 31 of the cover 30 and waterproofs the gap between the opening 16 of the housing 10 and the cover 30. In the seal 50, the T-shaped locking piece 53 is locked to the locking portion recess 33 formed on the outer peripheral edge of the cover 30, thereby preventing the seal 50 from accidentally falling off forward.

[0047] The cover 30 attached to the opening 16 of the housing 10 is centered relative to the inner peripheral side sealing surface 16 a of the opening 16 by the reaction force of the annular seal 50 .

[0048] Therefore, the opening 16 of the accommodating portion 13 of the housing 10 is sealed in a watertight manner by the cover 30. A plurality of locking pieces 35 having locking holes are formed at the periphery of the cover 30. By assembling the cover 30 to the housing 10, the locking claws 15 formed in the housing 10 enter the locking holes of the locking pieces 35. The locking pieces 35 are locked by the locking claws 15, and the cover 30 is maintained in an assembled state relative to the housing 10.

[0049] like Figure 2 As shown, each terminal-equipped electric wire 40 includes a shielded electric wire 44, a tab terminal (terminal) 41 connected to the conductor terminal of the shielded electric wire 44, a shielded terminal 43 connected to the braid of the insulated electric wire 44, and rubber plugs 45 and 46 for sealing the gap between the electric wire introduction portion 12 of the housing 10 and the shielded electric wire 44.

[0050] The shielded electric wire (electric wire) 44 is configured as a coaxial cable including a core wire disposed from the center thereof, an inner coating covering the core wire, a conductive braid covering the inner coating, and an outer sheath covering the braid.

[0051] The tab terminal 41 is formed of a conductive metal material such as copper, copper alloy, aluminum, or aluminum alloy, etc. The tab terminal 41 is crimped to a core wire exposed at a terminal of the shielded electric wire 44 , and is electrically connected to the shielded electric wire 44 .

[0052] The tab terminals 41 are inserted into and electrically connected to electrical connection portions of mating terminals (not shown) provided in a mating connector.

[0053] In the terminal-equipped electric wire 40 assembled to the housing 10, the shielded electric wire 44 is inserted into the electric wire through hole 18 of the electric wire introduction portion 12, and the tab terminal 41 is inserted into the terminal through hole 14 of the fitting portion 11 and accommodated in the terminal accommodation chamber 21 of the inner housing 20. Thus, the tab terminal 41 of the terminal-equipped electric wire 40 is fixed to the fitting portion 11 of the housing 10.

[0054] Rubber plugs 45 and 46 are mounted to the shielded electric wire 44 of the terminal electric wire 40. The rubber plug 45 seals the gap between the shield terminal 43 connected to the braid of the shielded electric wire 44 and the electric wire introduction portion 12. The rubber plug 46 seals the gap between the shielded electric wire 44 and the shield terminal 43. The rubber plugs 45 and 46 seal the gap between the shielded electric wire 44 and the electric wire introduction portion 12.

[0055] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the connector 1 according to the present embodiment includes a shield shell 60 including an upper shield shell 61 assembled from the rear side of the housing 10 and a lower shield shell 62 assembled from the lower side. Both the upper shield shell 61 and the lower shield shell 62 are made of conductive metal material.

[0056] The upper shield shell (shield shell) 61 is formed into a box shape having a substantially rectangular flat bottom plate 63 and a peripheral wall 65 hanging from the periphery of the bottom plate 63. The bottom plate 63 covers the rear surface of the housing 10, and the peripheral wall 65 covers the upper surface and left and right side surfaces (side surfaces) of the housing 10.

[0057] In addition, the upper shield shell 61 is provided with a fixing piece 67 formed with a hole portion and through holes 68, 69 and 91 formed to penetrate the bottom plate portion 63. The through hole 68 is an oblong opening for inserting the detection probe into the detection hole 37 of the cover 30 from the back side of the upper shield shell 61. The through hole 69 is a screw insertion hole for inserting a mounting screw 93 for coupling the upper shield shell 61 and the lower shield shell 62. The through hole 91 is a bolt insertion hole for inserting a fixing bolt 85 of the cap nut 34 for bolting the detection plate 80 to the cover 30.

[0058] The lower shield shell (shield shell) 62 covers a portion of the front surface of the housing 10 except for the fitting portion 11. The lower shield shell 62 is provided with a screw hole 66 and a fixing piece 64 formed with a hole portion.

[0059] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the detection plate 80 is formed in a substantially rectangular plate shape and is formed of a conductive metal material.

[0060] The detection plate 80 according to the present embodiment is a component fixed to the cover 30, and holds a blocking bolt 83 on the inner surface for preventing water from entering the detection hole 37 of the cover 30. The blocking bolt 83 is held by the detection plate 80 by pressing a press-in protrusion 83a into a pair of mounting holes formed in the detection plate 80 from the front.

[0061] Bolt insertion holes 81 into which fixing bolts 85 are inserted are formed on the detection plate 80. The detection plate 80 is mounted to the rear surface of the upper shielding case 61 to cover the through holes 68 into which the blocking bolts 83 are inserted.

[0062] Therefore, the detection plate 80 covers the oblong through hole 68 of the upper shielding shell 61 into which the detection probe or the blocking plug 83 is inserted, from the back side of the upper shielding shell 61, thereby preventing the shielding performance from being degraded.

[0063] The detection plate 80 for holding the blocking bolt 83 is bolted to the cover 30 via the upper shield shell 61 by fixing bolts 85 threadedly connected to the cap nuts 34 .

[0064] Next, a case where the connector 1 according to the present embodiment is assembled will be described.

[0065] First, if Figure 3 As shown, after the shielded electric wire 44 of the terminal electric wire 40 passes through the electric wire introduction portion 12 of the housing 10 and the terminal lug 41 is led out toward the accommodation portion 13 , the terminal lug 41 is inserted into the terminal through hole 14 of the housing 10 .

[0066] The cover 30 is brought close to the accommodation portion 13 of the housing 10 to cover the opening 16 from the rear side, and the locking claws 15 of the housing 10 are locked to the locking pieces 35 of the cover 30 .

[0067] Therefore, in the seal 50 installed in such a manner that the inner lip 51b is in close contact with the outer peripheral sealing surface 31 of the cover 30, the outer lip 51a is in close contact with the inner peripheral sealing surface 16a of the opening 16. Therefore, the seal 50 installed in the housing 10 can waterproofly seal the gap between the opening 16 of the housing 10 and the cover 30.

[0068] The engaging projection 70 of the cover 30 is engaged with the reinforcing rib 19 so that the inner surfaces 71a of the pair of support pieces 71 are opposed to the outer surfaces 19b in the plate thickness direction of the pair of reinforcing ribs 19. Therefore, the engaging projection 70 can limit the rotational displacement of the cover 30 relative to the housing 10 about the axis P of the cap nut 34 (see Fig. 9 and Fig.10 ).

[0069] When the cover 30 is assembled to the opening 16 of the housing 10, the engaging protrusion 70 also serves as a guide, and the assembly is performed while the inner surface 71a slides relative to the outer surface 19b of the reinforcing rib 19. Therefore, the engaging protrusion 70 can prevent excessive assembly, such as extremely oblique insertion of the cover 30 relative to the opening 16, and can prevent excessive load on the locking piece 35 during the engagement of the seal 50 and the assembly of the cover 30.

[0070] Next, the shield shell 60 is mounted to the housing 10 .

[0071] First, if Figure 7 and Figure 8 As shown, the upper shield shell 61 of the shield shell 60 is installed from the rear side to cover the housing 10 to which the cover 30 is assembled.

[0072] At this time, the inner surface of the peripheral wall 65 of the housing 10 is introduced into and guided by the plurality of ribs 17 protruding from the outer peripheral surface 10 a of the housing 10 .

[0073] Next, the lower shield shell 62 of the shield shell 60 is mounted from the lower side so as to cover the wire introduction portion 12 of the housing 10 .

[0074] The upper shield shell 61 and the lower shield shell 62 are mounted to the housing 10, and the through hole 69 of the upper shield shell 61 and the threaded hole 66 of the lower shield shell 62 are communicated with each other. Thereafter, the upper shield shell 61 and the lower shield shell 62 are fixed to the housing 10 by inserting the mounting screw 93 into the through hole 69 and screwing the mounting bolt 93 into the threaded hole 66.

[0075] The upper shield shell 61 and the lower shield shell 62 are electrically connected to each other by the mounting screw 93. Furthermore, one end of the braid of the shield electric wire 44 is electrically connected to the shield shell 60 through the shield terminal 43 of the terminal electric wire 40.

[0076] The detection plate 80 is mounted to the back surface of the upper shield shell 61 so that the blocking plug 83 is inserted into the through hole 68 of the upper shield shell 61 and closes the detection hole 37 of the cover 30 .

[0077] Thereafter, the fixing bolts 85 inserted into the bolt insertion holes 81 of the detection plate 80 and the through holes 91 of the upper shield shell 61 are screwed into the cap nuts 34 of the cover 30 .

[0078] At this time, if Fig.11 As shown in FIG. 1 , when a tightening torque of the fixing bolt 85 in the direction of arrow R is applied to the cover 30, the cover 30 may rotate together with the fixing bolt 85. Fig. 9 and Fig.10As shown, when the engagement protrusion 70 of the cover 30 engages with the reinforcement rib 19 of the housing 10 , the rotational displacement of the cover 30 relative to the housing 10 about the axis P of the cap nut 34 is restricted and the cover 30 is prevented from rotating together.

[0079] Therefore, when the detection plate 80 is bolted to the cover 30, the cover 30 can be prevented from being displaced relative to the opening 16 of the housing 10. As a result, there is no possibility that the sealing margin of the seal 50 cannot be ensured due to the occurrence of the displacement of the cover 30 relative to the opening 16.

[0080] In the connector 1 having the above structure, the fitting portion 11 is fitted to a mating connector provided in a housing such as an inverter or a motor. Therefore, the tab terminal 41 in the fitting portion 11 is inserted into and electrically connected to the electrical connection portion of the mating terminal. When the connector 1 is fitted to the mating connector, the seal 24 is in close contact with the housing of the mating connector. Therefore, the fitting portion between the connector 1 and the mating connector is sealed.

[0081] When the connector 1 is fitted to the mating connector, bolts (not shown) inserted into the hole portions of the fixing piece 67 of the upper shield shell 61 and the hole portions of the fixing piece 64 of the lower shield shell 62 are screwed into threaded holes (not shown) formed in the housing. Thus, the connector 1 is pushed toward the mating connector by the tightening force of the bolts. Therefore, the connector 1 can be easily fitted to the mating connector.

[0082] Furthermore, since the fixing pieces 67 of the upper shield shell 61 and the fixing pieces 64 of the lower shield shell 62 are fastened by bolts, the shield shell 60 is electrically connected to the housing. Therefore, the connector 1 is covered by the shield shell 60 fixed to the housing, and a good electromagnetic shielding effect is obtained.

[0083] As described above, according to the connector 1 of the present embodiment, when the detection plate 80 is bolted to the cover 30, the rotational displacement of the cover 30 relative to the housing 10 is restricted by the engagement protrusion 70 of the cover 30 with the reinforcing rib 19 of the housing 10. Therefore, the cover 30 is prevented from rotating together due to the tightening torque of the fixing bolt 85. As a result, the cover 30 does not deviate relative to the opening 16 of the housing 10, and the sealing margin of the seal 50 can be ensured to prevent the reduction of the sealing pressure, thereby ensuring a good waterproof seal.

[0084] In the connector 1 according to the present embodiment, the component fixed to the cover 30 is the detection plate 80 for holding the blocking plug 83 that blocks water from entering the detection hole 37 provided in the cover 30 .

[0085] Therefore, when a confirmation operation as to whether current flows to the tab terminal 41 of the terminal-equipped electric wire 40 is performed by inserting the detection probe into the detection hole 37 provided in the cover 30, the detection plate 80 can be easily removed from the cover 30 by loosening the fixing bolt 85. In addition, when the detection plate 80 is mounted to the cover 30, in the case where the detection hole 37 is reliably stopped from water by the blocking bolt 83, the gap between the opening 16 of the housing 10 and the cover 30 can be reliably sealed.

[0086] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and may be appropriately modified, improved, etc. In addition, the materials, shapes, sizes, numbers, arrangement positions, etc. of the components in the above-described embodiments are arbitrarily selected and are not limited as long as the present disclosure can be implemented.

[0087] For example, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the connector 1 according to the present embodiment is described by taking a shielded connector as an example, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto and can be applied to various connectors that require components such as a detection board to be fixed to a cover.

[0088] Here, features of the connector according to the above-mentioned embodiment of the present disclosure are briefly summarized and listed in the following first to fourth aspects.

[0089] According to a first aspect, a connector (1) comprises: a housing (10) having a fitting portion (11) configured to be embedded in a mating connector; a cover (30) assembled to an opening (16) opposite to the fitting portion (11); an annular seal (50) configured to seal a gap between an inner peripheral side sealing surface (16a) of the opening (16) and an outer peripheral side sealing surface (31) of the cover (30); and a plurality of reinforcing ribs (19) arranged at predetermined intervals along an inner peripheral surface (10b) of the housing (10) and extending along an assembly direction of the cover (30). , the inner peripheral surface (10b) of the shell (10) is located on the rear side of the inner peripheral side sealing surface (16a) of the opening (16); an engaging protrusion (70) protruding from the inner bottom surface (36) of the cover (30) and configured to limit the displacement of the cover (30) relative to the shell (10) by engaging with the reinforcing rib (19); a component (detection plate 80) fixed to the cover (30); and a fixing bolt (85) threadedly connected to a nut (cap nut 34) provided on the cover (30) to fix the component (detection plate 80).

[0090] According to the connector (1) having the configuration of the first aspect described above, when the component (detection plate 80) is bolted to the cover (30), the rotational displacement of the cover (30) relative to the housing (10) is restricted by the engagement protrusion 70 of the cover (30) and the reinforcing rib (19) of the housing (10). Therefore, the joint rotation of the cover (30) due to the tightening torque of the fixing bolt (85) is prevented. As a result, the cover (30) will not deviate relative to the opening (16) of the housing (10), and the sealing margin of the seal (50) can be ensured to prevent the reduction of the sealing pressure, thereby ensuring a good waterproof seal.

[0091] According to a second aspect, in the connector (1) according to the above-mentioned first aspect, the pair of engagement protrusions (70) are arranged plane-symmetrically with respect to a center plane (S) of the cover (30) including an axis (P) of the nut (cap nut 34).

[0092] According to the connector (1) having the configuration of the second aspect described above, when the cover (30) rotates around the axis (P) of the nut (cap nut 34), the same rotational torque acts on each of the pair of engagement protrusions (70). Therefore, since the shape of the pair of engagement protrusions (70) on which the rotational torque of the cover (30) acts equally can be a shape with the same strength, resin molding of the cover (30) is facilitated.

[0093] According to a third aspect, in the connector (1) according to the above-mentioned first aspect, the engaging protrusion (70) is a columnar protrusion having a U-shaped cross-section, which is integrally formed with a pair of support plates (71) and a connecting plate (73) connecting the pair of support plates (71), and the pair of support plates (71) have an inner surface (71a) opposite to the outer surface (19b) in the plate thickness direction of a pair of reinforcing ribs (19).

[0094] According to the connector (1) having the configuration of the third aspect described above, when the cover (30) rotates around the axis (P) of the nut (cap nut 34), the inner surface (71a) of the support piece (71) of the engagement protrusion (70) can apply a rotational moment to the reinforcing rib (19) while being in surface contact with the outer surface (19b). Therefore, since the stress acting between the engagement protrusion (70) and the reinforcing rib (19) can be dispersed, damage to the engagement protrusion (70) and the reinforcing rib (19) can be prevented without excessively increasing the size and strength.

[0095] According to a fourth aspect, in the connector (1) according to any one of the first to third aspects, the component is a detection plate (80) for holding a blocking plug (83), and the blocking plug is configured to prevent water from entering the detection hole (37) provided in the cover (30).

[0096] According to the connector (1) having the configuration of the fourth aspect described above, when a confirmation operation as to whether current flows to a terminal (tab terminal 41) accommodated in the housing (10) is performed by inserting a detection probe into a detection hole (37) provided in the cover (30), the detection plate (80) can be easily removed from the cover (30) by loosening the fixing bolt (85). In addition, when the detection plate (80) is mounted on the cover (30), the gap between the opening (16) of the housing (10) and the cover (30) can be reliably sealed in the case where the detection hole (37) is reliably stopped by the blocking bolt (83).

Claims

1. A connector, comprising: a housing having a fitting portion configured to be inserted into a mating connector; a cover assembled to the opening opposite to the engaging portion; an annular seal configured to seal a gap between an inner peripheral sealing surface of the opening and an outer peripheral sealing surface of the cover; a plurality of reinforcing ribs arranged at predetermined intervals along an inner peripheral surface of the housing and extending along an assembly direction of the cover, the inner peripheral surface of the housing being located at a rear side of the inner peripheral side sealing surface of the opening; an engaging protrusion protruding from an inner bottom surface of the cover and configured to limit displacement of the cover relative to the housing by engaging with the reinforcing rib; A component fixed to the cover; as well as A fixing bolt is threadedly connected to a nut provided on the cover to fix the component.

2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein: The pair of engagement protrusions are disposed symmetrically with respect to a central plane of the cover including an axis of the nut.

3. The connector according to claim 1, wherein: The engaging protrusion is a columnar protrusion having a U-shaped cross section, which is integrally formed with a pair of supporting pieces and a connecting piece connecting the pair of supporting pieces, the pair of supporting pieces having inner surfaces opposite to outer surfaces of the pair of reinforcing ribs in the plate thickness direction.

4. The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The component is a detection plate for holding a blocking plug configured to prevent water from entering a detection hole provided in the cover.

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