CONNECTOR

Abstract

A connector comprises: a terminal fitting (10); an electrical wire (20) connected to the terminal fitting (10); a housing (30) in which the terminal fitting (10) is stored; a shielding sleeve (40) arranged to surround an outer periphery of the housing (30); and a watertight cover (60) having a tubular shape and made of an elastic material, the watertight cover (60) being arranged to surround an outer periphery of the shielding sleeve (40) and configured to be in close contact with the outer periphery of the shielding sleeve (40). The shielding sleeve (40) is in close contact with a close contact portion (64) of the watertight cover (60).The watertight cover (60) includes at least one projecting band portion provided at the close contact portion (64), and at least one projecting band portion (65) projecting from a tubular inner surface of the watertight cover (60) and extending in a peripheral direction. Figure for the abbreviation: Fig. 1.

Description

Title of the invention: CONNECTOR technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector. technological BACKGROUND

[0002] Patent document 1 discloses a connector comprising a watertight cover (for example, a bellows, a grommet, or similar) to ensure watertightness of a connecting piece between an electrical wire and a terminal by isolating the connecting piece from the environment. Patent document 1: JP2020-173895A Summary of the invention

[0003] The watertight cover (cable gland or similar) as described above is generally made of an elastic material such as rubber. The watertight cover is arranged to surround a housing or similar of the connector and comes into close contact with the housing or similar by elastic contraction of the cover, which is itself watertight. However, for example, in the case where a thin watertight cover is used to reduce the dimensions of the connector, when an external force is applied to the watertight cover, because an electrical wire extending from the connector is pulled during wiring or similar, a state in which the watertight cover is in proper close contact with the housing or similar may not be maintained, and a gap may be created between the housing and the watertight cover.Such a gap is undesirable as it can impair the watertight performance of the waterproof cover.

[0004] One purpose of this disclosure is to provide a connector capable of appropriately maintaining water-tight performance.

[0005] This disclosure relates to a connector comprising: a terminal fitting; an electrical wire connected to the terminal fitting; a housing in which the terminal fitting is stored; a shielding sheath arranged to surround an outer periphery of the housing; and a watertight cover having a tubular shape and made of an elastic material, the watertight cover being arranged to surround an outer periphery of the shielding sheath and configured to be in close contact with the outer periphery of the shielding sheath, wherein the shielding sheath is brought into close contact with a close contact portion of the watertight cover, and wherein the watertight cover includes at least one protruding strip portion disposed at the level of the portion of close contact, at least a portion of the protruding strip protruding from an inner tubular surface of the watertight cover and extending in a peripheral direction.

[0006] This disclosure is briefly described as above. In addition, details of this disclosure will be clarified by examining an embodiment of this disclosure which will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Brief description of the drawings

[0007] Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a connector according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Fig.2] is a view showing a main part according to a cross-section along line AA of [Fig.1]. Figure 3 is an enlarged view of part B of Figure 2. DESCRIPTION OF IMPROVEMENTS <Mode de réalisation>

[0008] In the following, a connector 1 according to an embodiment of this disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. The connector 1 shown in [Fig. 1] functions as a relay connector that electrically connects a pair of wires 20 of the connector 1 and a corresponding connector (not shown) to be connected to the connector 1.

[0009] In the following, to facilitate description, as shown in Figures 1 to 3, a "front-to-back direction," an "up-to-down direction," and a "width direction" are defined. The "front-to-back direction," the "up-to-down direction," and the "width direction" are orthogonal to each other. The front-to-back direction coincides with a connection direction of connector 1 and the corresponding connector, and "front" and "back" correspond respectively to a forward and a backward side of the connection of connector 1 with the corresponding connector.

[0010] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the connector 1 comprises a pair of terminal fittings 10, a pair of electrical wires 20 connected to the pair of terminal fittings 10, a housing 30 in which the pair of terminal fittings 10 is stored, a shielding sleeve 40 mounted on the housing 30 from one rear side, a sealing element 50 clamped between the housing 30 and the shielding sleeve, a grommet 60 covering the shielding sleeve 40 and the pair of electrical wires 20, a fastening strip 70 attached to the grommet 60, and a trim piece 80 mounted on the housing 30 from one front side. In what follows, each component of the connector 1 will be described in order.

[0011] First, the terminal fitting 10 and the electrical wire 20 will be described. The terminal fitting 10 is formed by pressing, bending, and similar processes on a plate metallic and has a shape extending in the front-to-back direction. The terminal fitting 10 comprises an elongated, flat-plate-shaped terminal portion 11 (see [Fig. 1]) extending in the front-to-back direction, and a connecting portion (not shown) located at a rear end portion of the terminal portion 11. An end portion of the electrical wire 20 is connected to the connecting portion of the terminal fitting 10.

[0012] The electrical wire 20 comprises a central conductor made of metal and an insulating sheath covering the central conductor. At the end of the electrical wire 20, the insulating sheath is removed to expose the central conductor, and the connection portion of the terminal fitting 10 is crimped and fixed to the exposed central conductor. Thus, the electrical wire 20 connected to the terminal fitting 10 extends rearward from the connection portion of the terminal fitting 10.

[0013] Next, the housing 30 will be described. The housing 30 is a resin-molded product. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the housing 30 has a tubular shape extending in the front-to-back direction and an elongated flat shape in a widthwise direction when viewed from the front-to-back direction. A rim portion 31 projecting outwards in a radial direction is formed on an outer periphery of a central portion of the first housing 30 in the front-to-back direction around its entire periphery. A portion of the housing 30 on the front side of the rim portion 31 constitutes a connecting portion 32 that is inserted into and connected to a corresponding tubular connecting portion (not shown) of the corresponding connector, and a portion of the first housing 30 on the rear side of the rim portion 31 constitutes an insertion portion 33 that is inserted into the shielding casing 40 (see [Fig. 2]).A portion of the annular groove 34, hollowed inwards in the radial direction, is formed in a boundary portion between the insertion portion 33 and the rim portion 31 (see [Fig.2]).

[0014] In the housing 30, a pair of terminal insertion holes 35 (see [Fig. 1]) and a pair of terminal storage chambers (not shown) are formed in this order from the front side to the rear side at respective pairs of positions arranged at intervals in the width direction so as to communicate with each other in the front-to-rear direction. A front end of the terminal insertion hole 35 opens onto a front end of the first housing 30 (the front end of the connecting part 32), and a rear end of the terminal storage chamber opens onto a rear end of the first housing 30 (the rear end of the insertion part 33).

[0015] The pair of terminal connectors 10, to which end portions of the pair of electrical wires 20 are connected, is stored in the housing 30. Thus, each terminal connector 10 is inserted into the housing 30 from the rear. As a result, the parts of terminals 11 are inserted into the corresponding terminal insertion holes 35, and the connecting parts are stored in the corresponding terminal storage chambers. In a state in which the terminal fittings 10 are fully inserted, the front parts of the pair of terminal parts 11 protrude forward from the front end of the housing 30 (the front end of the connecting part 32) (see [Fig.1]), and the pair of electrical wires 20 extending backward from the pair of terminal fittings 10 extends backward from the rear end of the housing 30 (the rear end of the insertion part 33) (see [Fig.1]).If necessary, a gasket that is sandwiched between an outer peripheral surface of the electrical wire 20 and an inner peripheral surface of the terminal storage chamber to ensure the sealing of an annular space between them, a support that prevents the gasket from falling to the rear side, or similar may be provided.

[0016] Next, the shielding casing 40 and the sealing element 50 will be described. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the metal shielding casing 40 has a tubular shape extending in the front-to-back direction so as to be inserted externally into the insertion portion 33 of the housing 30. As shown in [Fig. 2], an annular, hollowed storage portion 42, which is hollowed in the radial direction and extends in the front-to-back direction, is formed in an outer peripheral surface of the shielding casing 40 near a front end. A close-contact portion 64 (see Figures 2 and 3), which will be described later, of the cable gland 60 is stored in the hollowed storage portion 42 (see [Fig. 2]). The shielding envelope 40 is mounted on the insertion part 33 of the housing 30 from the rear side, and its function is to prevent the transmission of electromagnetic noise to the pair of electrical wires 20 located inside the housing 30.

[0017] The sealing element 50 has the function of ensuring the sealing of an annular space between the insertion part 33 of the housing 30 and the shielding envelope 40 inserted externally into the insertion part 33. As shown in [Fig.2], the sealing element 50 made of rubber comprises a tubular main body part 51 extending in the front-back direction and an annular projection 52 projecting inwards in the radial direction from a front end of the main body part 51.

[0018] The sealing element 50 is arranged so as to be clamped between the insertion portion 33 of the housing 30 and the shielding casing 40 (see [Fig. 2]). Therefore, firstly, the sealing element 50 is mounted on the insertion portion 33 from the rear side such that the projection 52 enters the annular groove portion 34 and the main body portion 51 covers an outer periphery of the insertion portion 33 (see [Fig. 2]). In this state, the projection 52 of the sealing element 50 entering the annular groove portion 34 has a function of prevent the sealing element 50 from falling rearward from the insertion part 33. Next, the shielding casing 40 is mounted on the insertion part 33 so that it is inserted externally into the insertion part 33 from the rear (see [Fig. 2]). In a fully mounted state, as shown in [Fig. 2], a locking piece 41 located within the shielding casing 40 and a locking hole 36 located on the outer periphery of the insertion part 33 are engaged, thus preventing the shielding casing 40 from falling rearward from the housing 30.

[0019] When the shielding casing 40 is mounted, the main body part 51 of the sealing element 50 is compressed and clamped between the insertion part 33 of the housing 30 and the shielding casing 40. As a result, the main body part 51 performs a function of sealing the annular space between the insertion part 33 and the shielding casing 40.

[0020] Next, the cable gland 60 and the fastening band 70 will be described. As shown in [Fig. 1], the rubber cable gland 60 has a tubular shape extending in the front-to-back direction and comprises an integral large-diameter portion 61 that covers an outer periphery of the shielding sheath 40, a small-diameter portion 62 that covers the outer peripheries of the pair of electrical wires 20 extending rearward from the shielding sheath 40, and a connecting portion 63 that connects the large-diameter portion 61 and the small-diameter portion 62. The cable gland 60 protects the pair of electrical wires 20 extending rearward from the shielding sheath 40 and isolates the connecting portion between the terminal fittings 10 and the electrical wires 20 from the environment in order to make the connecting portion watertight.

[0021] As shown in [Fig. 2], in the vicinity of a front end of the large-diameter portion 61, the annular close-contact portion 64, having an outer peripheral side hollowed inwards in the radial direction and an inner peripheral side projecting inwards in the radial direction, is arranged so as to extend in the front-to-back direction. In other words, an outer peripheral hollowed portion 64a, hollowed inwards in the radial direction compared to other parts of the large-diameter portion 61, is formed on the outer peripheral side of the close-contact portion 64, and an inner peripheral projecting portion 64b, projecting inwards in the radial direction compared to other parts of the large-diameter portion 61, is formed on the inner peripheral side of the close-contact portion 64 (see [Fig. 3]).

[0022] On an upper surface (tubular inner surface) of the inner peripheral projecting part 64b of the close contact part 64, a plurality of (three in the (present embodiment) projecting strip parts 65 projecting inwards in the radial direction and extending in a peripheral direction are arranged to be arranged at equal intervals in the front-to-back direction.

[0023] The fastening band 70 is an element that is attached to the outer peripheral recessed portion 64a of the close contact portion 64 of the cable gland 60, and whose function is to improve the water-tightness of the cable gland 60 (see Figures 1 to 3). In this case, the fastening band 70 is made of resin or rubber, and has an annular, belt-like shape.

[0024] The cable gland 60 is moved forward relative to the pair of electrical wires 20 from a state in which the pair of electrical wires 20 is inserted through the cable gland 60 and the large diameter part 61 is mounted on the outer periphery of the shielding envelope 40 so that the close contact part 64 is stored in the recessed storage part 42, so that the cable gland 60 is mounted on the shielding envelope 40 and the pair of electrical wires 20. In a state in which the cable gland 60 is fully mounted, the close contact part 64 of the large diameter part 61 is mounted on a lower surface of the recessed storage part 42 in a state in which the close contact part 64 is slightly elastically expanded in terms of diameter.Consequently, the plurality of protruding strip parts 65 of the close contact part 64 are in close contact with the lower surface of the hollow storage part 42 in a state where they are pressed against the lower surface by an elastic restoring force of the close contact part 64 inwards in the radial direction.

[0025] Here, since the plurality of protruding strip portions 65 are arranged in the close contact portion 64 of the cable gland 60, the close contact portion 64 is itself less susceptible to deformation (the elastic modulus of the close contact portion 64 as a whole is increased) compared to a case where such protruding strip portions 65 are not provided. Consequently, an elastic restoring force of the close contact portion 64 as a whole increases, so that the adhesion of the close contact portion 64 to the recessed storage portion 42 is increased. Furthermore, the inward elastic restoring force of the close contact portion 64 in the radial direction acts on the plurality of protruding strip portions 65 in a concentrated manner, so that a contact surface pressure between the plurality of protruding strip portions 65 and the lower surface of the recessed storage portion 42 increases.As a result, the water-tightness of the 60 cable gland is improved.

[0026] When the assembly of the cable gland 60 is complete, the fastening strip 70 is moved relatively forward with respect to the pair of electrical wires 20 and the cable gland 60 from a state in which the pair of electrical wires 20 is inserted through the The fastening band 70 is attached to a lower surface of the outer peripheral recessed portion 64a so as to cover the close contact portion 64 of the cable gland 60. In a state where the fastening band 70 is fully mounted on the outer peripheral recessed portion 64a, the fastening band 70 is attached to the lower surface of the outer peripheral recessed portion 64a in a state where the fastening band 70 is slightly elastically expanded in diameter. Consequently, the inward elastic restoring force (fastening force) of the fastening band 70 in the radial direction is applied to the protruding band portions 65 of the close contact portion 64, and the contact surface pressure between the protruding band portions 65 and the lower surface of the recessed storage portion 42 is further increased. As a result, the watertightness of the cable gland 60 is further improved.

[0027] Here, as shown in [Fig. 3], a length H1 of the fastening band 70 in the front-to-back direction is less than a length H2 of the outer peripheral recessed portion 64a in the front-to-back direction, and is greater than an interval H3 in the front-to-back direction between adjacent protruding band portions 65 in the front-to-back direction. Furthermore, the length H1 of the fastening band in the front-to-back direction is greater than an interval H4 in the front-to-back direction between a front end (rear end) of the outer peripheral recessed portion 64a and the protruding band portion 65 located on the frontmost side (rearmost side).

[0028] Therefore, even if the fastening band 70 is attached in any position in the front-to-back direction between a front end position in which a front end of the fastening band 70 butts up against the front end of the outer peripheral recessed part 64a and a rear end position in which a rear end of the fastening band 70 butts up against the rear end of the outer peripheral recessed part 64a, at least one of the plurality of protruding band parts 65 is present in a corresponding position inside a ring of the fastening band 70.As a result, it is guaranteed that the elastic restoring force (fixing force) of the fastening band 70 inwards in the radial direction is applied on at least a part of the protruding band 65, and thus an effect of improving the water sealing property of the cable gland 60 described above by the fastening band 70 can be reliably implemented.

[0029] Next, the seal 80 will be described. As shown in [Fig. 1], the rubber seal 80, made of rubber, has a tubular shape extending in the front-to-back direction and an elongated flat shape in the width direction corresponding to an outer peripheral shape of the connecting part 32 of the housing 30 when viewed from the front-to-back direction. The seal 80 is mounted on the pe The outer edge of the connection portion 32 of the housing 30, viewed from the front (see [Fig. 1]). In a state where the tubular counterpart of the counterpart connector is inserted externally into the connection portion 32 by connecting connector 1 and the counterpart connector, the gasket 80 mounted on the connection portion 32 is pressed and clamped between an outer peripheral surface of the connection portion 32 and an inner peripheral surface of the counterpart connection portion. This provides a sealing function for the gap between the connection portion 32 and the counterpart connection portion. The components of connector 1 have been described above.

[0030] The assembled connector 1 is connected to the counterpart connector. In order to connect the connector 1 and the counterpart connector to each other, a tubular counterpart connection portion of the counterpart connector is inserted externally into the connection portion 32 of the connector 1. As a result, the connector 1 can function as a relay connector that electrically connects the pair of electrical wires 20 and the counterpart connector. <Fonction et Effets>

[0031] As described above, according to connector 1 of this embodiment, the protruding strip portions 65 projecting from the inner tubular surface of the cable gland 60 and extending in the peripheral direction are arranged on the cable gland 60. Because the rigidity of the cable gland 60 itself is increased and the cable gland 60 is less likely to be deformed by the protruding strip portions 65, adhesion is improved when the cable gland 60 is fixed to the shielding casing 40. Furthermore, since an elastic force is concentrated on the protruding strip portions 65 when the cable gland 60 is elastically contracted, the water-tight performance is also improved.Thus, even if the cable gland 60 is fixed to an element that is generally made of a metallic material and that exhibits a low degree of deformation relative to an external force (i.e., a large difference relative to a certain amount of deformation of the cable gland 60), such as the shielding sheath 40, a state in which the cable gland 60 is in close contact with the shielding sheath 40 is maintained, and a gap or similar is less likely to occur between the cable gland 60 and the shielding sheath 40. Therefore, the connector 1 according to the present embodiment can appropriately maintain its water-tight performance.

[0032] Furthermore, when the fastening band 70 is wound around the grommet 60, at least one of the plurality of protruding band portions 65 is located in a position corresponding to the inside of the ring of the fastening band 70. As a result, the fastening force of the fastening band 70 is appropriately applied to at least one portion of the protruding band 65. Consequently, the water-sealing performance can be maintained in a more appropriate manner.<Autres modes de réalisation>

[0033] This disclosure is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications may be adopted within the scope of the present invention. For example, this disclosure is not limited to the above embodiment and may appropriately be modified, improved, or otherwise. Furthermore, the material, shape, size, number, arrangement position, and similar characteristics of each component in the embodiments described above are optional and not limited as long as the disclosure can be made.

[0034] In the above embodiment, the cable guide 60 comprises a plurality of protruding strip portions 65. Alternatively, the cable guide 60 may comprise a single protruding strip portion 65.

[0035] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the fastening band 70 is fixed to the outer periphery of the close contact part 64 of the cable gland 60 with the shielding envelope 40. Alternatively, such a fastening band 70 may be omitted.

[0036] Here, connector 1 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure described above will be briefly summarized and referred to in [1] to [2] below.

[0037] [1] A connector (1) comprising: a terminal fitting (10); an electrical wire (20) connected to the terminal fitting (10); a housing (30) in which the terminal fitting (10) is stored; a shielding envelope (40) arranged to surround an outer periphery of the housing (30);and a watertight cover (60) having a tubular shape and made of an elastic material, the watertight cover (60) being provided so as to surround an outer periphery of the shielding envelope (40) and configured to be in close contact with the outer periphery of the shielding envelope (40), wherein the shielding envelope (40) is brought into close contact with a close contact portion (64) of the watertight cover (60), wherein the watertight cover (60) comprises at least one protruding strip portion (65) provided at the close contact portion (64), the at least one protruding strip portion (65) projecting from an inner tubular surface of the watertight cover (60) and extending in a peripheral direction.

[0038] According to the connector having the configuration [1], the watertight cover (for example, a grommet or similar) is provided with a portion of a protruding strip that extends from the inner tubular surface of the watertight cover and outwards. Because the rigidity of the watertight cover itself is increased and the watertight cover is less likely to be deformed by the protruding strip portion, adhesion is improved when the watertight cover is attached to the shielding enclosure. Furthermore, because Since an elastic force is concentrated on the protruding parts of the strip when the watertight cover attached to the shielding envelope is elastically contracted, the watertight performance is also improved. Therefore, even if the watertight cover is attached to an element that is typically made of a metallic material and has a low degree of deformation relative to an external force (in other words, a large difference relative to the amount of deformation of the watertight cover), such as a shielding envelope, a state in which the watertight cover is in close contact with the shielding envelope is maintained, and a gap or similar is less likely to occur between the watertight cover and the shielding envelope.Therefore, the connector in this configuration can appropriately maintain watertight performance even when an external force is applied to the watertight cover.

[0039] [2] The connector (1) according to [1], further comprising: a fastening band (70) having a belt shape, the fastening band (70) being attached to the watertight cover (60) so as to surround the close contact part (64) and configured to tighten the watertight cover (60) and the shielding envelope (40) radially inwards, in which at least one part of the protruding band (65) comprises a plurality of protruding band parts (65) provided at the level of the close contact part (64), and in which at least one of the plurality of protruding band parts (65) is present in a position corresponding to an inside of a ring of the fastening band (70).

[0040] According to the connector having the configuration [2], when the fastening strip is wrapped around the cable gland, at least one of the plurality of protruding strip portions is located at the corresponding position inside the Panel of the fastening strip. As a result, a fastening force of the fastening strip is advantageously applied to at least one protruding strip portion. Consequently, the water-sealing performance can be maintained more effectively.

Claims

Demands

1. Connector (1) comprising: a terminal fitting (10); an electrical wire (20) connected to the terminal fitting (10); a case (30) in which the terminal fitting (10) is stored; a shielding casing (40) arranged to surround an outer periphery of the housing (30); and a watertight cover (60) having a tubular shape and made of an elastic material, the watertight cover (60) being arranged to surround an outer periphery of the armored casing (40) and configured to be in close contact with the outer periphery of the armored casing (40), in which the shielding casing (40) is brought into close contact with a close contact portion (64) of the watertight cover (60), and in which the watertight cover (60) includes at least one portion of a projecting strip (65) disposed at the level of the close contact portion (64), and at least one portion of a projecting strip (65) projecting from a tubular inner surface of the watertight cover (60) and extending in a peripheral direction.

2. Connector (1) according to claim 1, further comprising: a fastening band (70) having a belt shape, the fastening band (70) being attached to the watertight cover (60) so as to surround the close contact part (64) and configured to tighten the watertight cover (60) and the shielding envelope (40) radially inwards, wherein at least one portion of the protruding strip (65) comprises a plurality of protruding strip portions (65) arranged at the level of the close contact portion (64), and in which at least one of the plurality of protruding band parts (65) is present in a position corresponding to an inside of a ring of the fastening band (70).

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