Connector unit

Abstract

To ensure that the connector and connector cover do not come apart easily.SOLUTION: A connector unit includes a connector 10, a connector cover 20 having an engaging wall 21 that engages with the connector 10, and a tubular member 30 that surrounds and accommodates the engaging points of the connector 10 and the connector cover 20, and a protrusion 23 that is pressed against an inner surface 30a of the tubular member 30 is provided on an outer peripheral surface 21a of the engaging wall 21, which elastically deforms outward when the connector 10 and the connector cover 20 are engaged and disengaged.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector unit. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, a connector cover is attached to the rear of a connector in order to guide the electric wires drawn out from the rear of the connector in a predetermined direction so as not to tangle them (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Connector covers are also sometimes attached to connectors for other purposes.

[0003] Fig. 4 to Fig. 7 show an example of a connector unit formed by combining a conventional relay connector 10 and a connector cover 20. Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing the state before the connector 10 and the connector cover 20 are fitted together, Fig. 5 is a side view showing the state after the connector 10 and the connector cover 20 are fitted together, Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in Fig. 5, and Fig. 7 is an enlarged view of part N in Fig. 6. The position as viewed along line AA in Fig. 5 corresponds to the position of line A1-A1 in Fig. 4.

[0004] As shown in Fig. 4 to Fig. 7, the relay connector 10 and the connector cover 20 are joined together by fitting a fitting portion 22 of a fitting wall 21 provided on the outer periphery of one end of the connector cover 20 into a fitted portion 12 provided on the outer periphery of one end of the relay connector 10. During fitting, the fitting wall 21 is once elastically deformed outward during the fitting operation and then returns to its original position, thereby completing the fitting between the fitted portion 12 on the relay connector 10 side and the fitting portion 22 on the connector cover 20 side. During fitting / disengagement (disengagement), the fitting wall 21 is once elastically deformed outward during the fitting / disengagement operation and then returns to its original position, thereby completing the fitting / disengagement (disengagement) between the fitted portion 12 on the relay connector 10 side and the fitting portion 22 on the connector cover 20 side.

[0005] Furthermore, the relay connector 10 and the connector cover 20 in this fitted state are housed in a tubular member of a housing for holding the connector. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] JP 2015-103317 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] 7 shows a state in which the mated portion 12 of the relay connector 10 and the mating portion 22 provided on the mating wall 21 of the connector cover 20 are mated with each other. In this state, for example, if an external force F1 acts on the relay connector 10 in a direction away from the connector cover 20, a force acts on the mating wall 21 of the connector cover 20 to elastically deform it outward as shown by the arrow F2. If this force is strong, the mating wall 21 will elastically deform outward, which may cause the mating portion 22 on the connector cover 20 side to come off from the mated portion 12 on the connector 10 side.

[0008] Even when the fitting portion of the connector 10 and the connector cover 20 is assembled so as to be surrounded by a cylindrical member (not shown) of the housing, if the gap between the outer peripheral surface of the fitting wall 21 and the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical member is large, it may not be possible to prevent the fitting and disengagement of the connector 10 and the connector cover 20. That is, in the past, even when the fitting portion of the connector 10 and the connector cover 20 is surrounded by a cylindrical member, there is a clearance between the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical member and the outer peripheral surface of the fitting wall, which allows room for the fitting wall to elastically deform outward. Therefore, the elastic deformation of the fitting wall may cause the lock between the connector 10 and the connector cover 20 to be released.

[0009] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a connector unit in which the engagement between the connector and the connector cover is prevented from easily coming apart. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the connector unit according to the present invention has the following features. A connector unit comprising: a connector; a connector cover having an engagement wall on an outer periphery thereof that engages with the connector; and a cylindrical member that surrounds and houses the connector and the connector cover at their engagement points, a projection for filling a gap between an inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical member and an outer peripheral surface of the fitting wall, the outer peripheral surface of the fitting wall being elastically deformed outward when the connector cover is fitted to and removed from the connector; Connector unit. Effect of the Invention

[0011] According to the present invention, the connector and the connector cover can be prevented from easily coming apart from each other.

[0012] The present invention has been briefly described above. Furthermore, the details of the present invention will be further clarified by reading the following description of the embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter, referred to as "embodiment") with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a state before a connector and a connector cover in a connector unit according to an embodiment of the present invention are fitted together. FIG. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a side view showing the assembled state of the connector unit of the embodiment. [Diagram 3] 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG. 2 and a partially enlarged view thereof. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a state before the connector and the connector cover in the conventional connector unit are fitted together. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a side view showing the connector and the connector cover in a fitted state. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of part N in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] Specific embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a state before a connector and a connector cover in a connector unit according to an embodiment of the present invention are fitted together, Fig. 2 is a side view showing an assembled state of the connector unit according to the embodiment, and Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in Fig. 2 and a partially enlarged view thereof. The position as viewed along the line BB in Fig. 2 corresponds to the position of line B1-B1 in Fig. 1. The cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in Fig. 2 is the same as Fig. 6, and the position as viewed along the line AA in Fig. 2 corresponds to the position of line A1-A1 in Fig. 1.

[0015] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the connector unit of this embodiment comprises a connector (relay connector) 10, a connector cover 20 having an engagement wall 21 on its outer periphery that engages with the connector, and a tubular member 30 that surrounds and accommodates the engagement points of the connector 10 and the connector cover 20.

[0016] The connector 10 and the connector cover 20 are joined together by fitting a fitting portion 22 of a protruding fitting wall 21 provided on the outer periphery of one end of the connector cover 20 into a mated portion 12 provided on the outer periphery of one end of the connector 10.

[0017] During the mating process, the mating wall 21 of the connector 10 and the connector cover 20 is elastically deformed outward and then returns to its original position, thereby completing the mating between the mated portion 12 of the connector 10 and the mating portion 22 of the connector cover 20. During the mating / disengagement process, the mating wall 21 is elastically deformed outward and then returns to its original position, thereby completing the mating / disengagement between the mated portion 12 of the connector 10 and the mating portion 22 of the connector cover 20.

[0018] 3 is an element for housing the connector 10 and connector cover 20 in a mated state, and is provided in a housing for holding a connector, etc. When the connector 10 and connector cover 20 in a mated state are housed in the cylindrical member 30, the cylindrical member 30 surrounds the mated portion of the connector 10 and connector cover 20.

[0019] The connector unit of this embodiment differs from those shown in Figs. 4 to 7 in that, as shown in the enlarged view of Fig. 3, a protrusion 23 is provided on the outer peripheral surface 21a of the fitting wall 21. The fitting wall 21 elastically deforms outward when the connector cover 20 is fitted to and removed from the connector 10. That is, the feature of this embodiment is that a protrusion 23 is provided on the outer peripheral surface 21a of the fitting wall 21 to fill the gap (clearance) S between the inner peripheral surface 30a of the cylindrical member 30 and the outer peripheral surface 21a of the fitting wall 21. The protrusion 23 is formed in a semi-spherical shape, and its height is set to a dimension that allows it to be in pressure contact with the inner peripheral surface 30a of the cylindrical member 30.

[0020] As shown in Fig. 1, the fitting wall 21 is provided as an arc-shaped protruding piece along the circumferential direction centered on the central axis of the connector cover 20. A fitting portion 22 that fits with the fitted portion 12 of the connector 10 is disposed in the center of the circumferential width of the fitting wall 21, and protrusions 23 are provided at both circumferential positions sandwiching the fitting portion 22. Two fitting walls 21 are provided at positions point-symmetrical with respect to the central axis of the connector cover 20, and two protrusions 23 are also provided on each fitting wall 21. The cross section of the fitting position of the fitting portion 22 and the fitted portion 12 is the same as that shown in Fig. 6.

[0021] The enlarged view of FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line B1-B1 of FIG. As shown in this enlarged view, the top of the hemispherical protrusion 23 provided on the outer circumferential surface 21a of the fitting wall 21 is in pressure contact with the inner circumferential surface 30a of the cylindrical member 30. Therefore, the gap S between the outer circumferential surface 21a of the fitting wall 21 and the inner circumferential surface 30a of the cylindrical member 30 is restricted to substantially zero.

[0022] According to the above configuration, even if an external force F1 (see the enlarged view of FIG. 3) acts between the connector 10 and the connector cover 20 and the fitting wall 21 elastically deforms outward to perform fitting and disengagement, the outward elastic deformation of the fitting wall 21 (deformation due to the force of the arrow F2) is restricted. This is because the gap S between the inner peripheral surface 30a of the cylindrical member 30 and the outer peripheral surface 21a of the fitting wall 21 is restricted to substantially zero by the protrusion 23 on the connector cover 20 side. In other words, a reaction force F3 acts on the protrusion 23 from the inner peripheral surface 30a of the cylindrical member 30, so that the outward elastic deformation of the fitting wall 21 is suppressed. Therefore, there is no risk of unintended fitting and disengagement, and the fitting retention force of the connector 10 and the connector cover 20 is improved.

[0023] In particular, since the hemispherical protrusions 23 on the connector cover 20 are pressed against the inner peripheral surface 30a of the tubular member 30, it is possible to locally eliminate the gap between the inner peripheral surface 30a of the tubular member 30 and the outer peripheral surface 21a of the fitting wall 21 of the connector cover 20. Therefore, rattling is eliminated, and the elastic deformation of the fitting wall 21 can be more strongly restricted.

[0024] Incidentally, even if the gap S itself between the inner peripheral surface 30a of the tubular member 30 and the outer peripheral surface 21a of the fitting wall 21 is made small, the outward elastic deformation of the fitting wall 21 can be restricted. However, in this case, since the gap between the inner peripheral surface 30a of the tubular member 30 and the outer peripheral surface 21a of the fitting wall 21 is small, it becomes difficult to accommodate the fitted connector 10 and connector cover 20 into the tubular member 30.

[0025] In this regard, according to the configuration of this embodiment, the gap S between the inner surface 30a of the tubular member 30 and the outer surface 21a of the mating wall 21 is limited to a small size only at the position of the locally present protrusion 23, thereby minimizing the deterioration of operability when housing the mated connector 10 and connector cover 20 inside the tubular member 30.

[0026] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be modified, improved, etc. as appropriate. The material, shape, size, numerical value, form, number, arrangement location, etc. of each component in the above-described embodiment are arbitrary as long as they can achieve the present invention, and are not limited. For example, the number of protrusions 23 may be three or more, and the shape of protrusions 23 is not limited to a hemispherical shape.

[0027] Here, the features of the connector unit according to the embodiment of the present invention described above will be briefly summarized and listed in [1] and [2] below. [1] A connector unit comprising: a connector (10); a connector cover (20) having an engagement wall (21) on its outer periphery that engages with the connector; and a tubular member (30) that surrounds and houses the connector and the engagement portion of the connector cover, a projection (23) for filling a gap (S) between an inner peripheral surface (30a) of the tubular member and the outer peripheral surface of the fitting wall, the projection (23) being provided on an outer peripheral surface (21a) of the fitting wall, which is elastically deformed outward when the connector cover is fitted to and removed from the connector; Connector unit.

[0028] According to the configuration [1] above, when the connector (10) and the connector cover (20) are fitted together and then housed in the tubular member (30), the protrusions (23) fill the gap (S) between the inner peripheral surface (30a) of the tubular member (30) and the outer peripheral surface (21a) of the fitting wall (21). Therefore, even if an external force acts between the connector and the connector cover to disengage the fitting and the fitting wall attempts to elastically deform outward, the protrusions on the connector cover side fill the gap between the inner peripheral surface of the tubular member and the outer peripheral surface of the fitting wall. Thus, the outward elastic deformation of the fitting wall is restricted. This eliminates the risk of unintentional disengagement, and improves the fitting retention force between the connector and the connector cover.

[0029] In addition, even if the gap (S) itself between the inner peripheral surface (30a) of the tubular member and the outer peripheral surface (21a) of the fitting wall is made small, the outward elastic deformation of the fitting wall can be restricted. However, in such a case, since the gap between the inner peripheral surface of the tubular member and the outer peripheral surface of the fitting wall is small, it becomes difficult to insert the connector and connector cover into the tubular member. In this regard, according to the configuration [1] above, the gap between the inner peripheral surface of the tubular member and the outer peripheral surface of the fitting wall is made small only at the position of the protrusion (23) that exists locally, so that the deterioration of the workability when inserting the connector and connector cover into the tubular member can be minimized.

[0030] [2] The protrusion (23) is formed in a hemispherical shape, and the height of the protrusion is set to a dimension that allows it to be in pressure contact with the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical member. The connector unit described in [1] above.

[0031] According to the configuration [2] above, when the connector and connector cover are inserted into the tubular member, the hemispherical projection (23) is pressed against the inner peripheral surface (30a) of the tubular member, locally eliminating any gap between the inner peripheral surface of the tubular member and the outer peripheral surface of the fitting wall of the connector cover. This completely eliminates any rattling, and more strongly restricts the elastic deformation of the fitting wall. [Explanation of symbols]

[0032] 10 Connectors 12 Engaged part 20 Connector cover 21 Interlocking Wall 21a Outer surface 22 Fitting part 23 Protrusion 30 Cylindrical member 30a Inner surface S Gap

Claims

1. A connector unit comprising: a connector; a connector cover having an engagement wall on an outer periphery thereof that engages with the connector; and a cylindrical member that surrounds and houses the connector and the connector cover at their engagement points, a projection for filling a gap between an inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical member and an outer peripheral surface of the fitting wall, the outer peripheral surface of the fitting wall being elastically deformed outward when the connector cover is fitted to and removed from the connector; Connector unit.

2. The protrusion is formed in a semi-spherical shape, and the height of the protrusion is set to a dimension that allows the protrusion to be in pressure contact with the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical member. The connector unit according to claim 1 .

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