Relay connector

Abstract

To provide a relay connector which enables downsizing.SOLUTION: A relay connector 10 includes: a terminal; a connector housing 20 configured to hold the terminal; and a seal member 40 configured to seal a space between the connector housing 20 and a device case. The seal member 40 has: an annular seal body part 41 sandwiched in a compression state between the connector housing 20 and the device case; and a fixing piece 42 extending from the seal body part 41 to an outer periphery side of the seal body part 41. The connector housing 20 has positioning columns 52 each of which penetrates through the fixing piece 42 to hold the fixing piece 42 and is fitted in a positioning recessed part provided at the device case.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a relay connector. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 describes an intermediate connector that is attached to an equipment case. The intermediate connector is a connector for electrically connecting the inside and outside of the equipment case. The intermediate connector includes a terminal, a connector housing that holds the terminal, and a seal member that seals between the connector housing and the equipment case. The seal member has an annular seal body and a plurality of locking pieces that extend from the seal body to the inner periphery. The connector housing has locking protrusions at positions corresponding to the locking pieces of the seal member. Each locking protrusion is inserted into a hole provided in each locking piece of the seal member. This allows the seal member to be held by the connector housing. Then, the seal body of the seal member is sandwiched between the connector housing and the equipment case in a compressed state, thereby sealing between the connector housing and the equipment case. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2018-125078 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the case where the connector housing needs to be positioned relative to the device case in the relay connector as described above, it is possible to provide the connector housing with a positioning protrusion that can fit into a recess provided in the device case. However, simply providing a positioning protrusion in the connector housing as described in Patent Document 1 above causes a problem that the connector housing becomes large in size.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a relay connector that can be made smaller. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The relay connector of the present disclosure is an relay connector that is attached to an equipment case and is for electrically connecting the inside and outside of the equipment case, and comprises a terminal, a connector housing that holds the terminal, and a sealing member that seals between the connector housing and the equipment case, wherein the sealing member has an annular seal main body that is sandwiched in a compressed state between the connector housing and the equipment case, and a fixing piece extending from the seal main body to the outer periphery of the seal main body, and the connector housing has a positioning pillar that penetrates the fixing piece to hold the fixing piece and is fitted into a positioning recess provided in the equipment case. Effect of the Invention

[0007] The relay connector of the present disclosure can be made smaller. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a front view of a relay connector according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the relay connector according to the embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the relay connector in the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] [Description of the embodiments of the present disclosure] First, the embodiments of the present disclosure will be listed and described. The relay connector of the present disclosure includes: [1] An intermediate connector for attaching to an equipment case and electrically connecting the inside and outside of the equipment case, comprising: a terminal, a connector housing for holding the terminal, and a sealing member for sealing between the connector housing and the equipment case, wherein the sealing member has an annular seal main body portion sandwiched in a compressed state between the connector housing and the equipment case, and a fixing piece extending from the seal main body portion to the outer periphery of the seal main body, and the connector housing has a positioning pillar that penetrates the fixing piece to hold the fixing piece and is fitted into a positioning recess provided in the equipment case.

[0010] With this configuration, the positioning posts of the connector housing can be used for both positioning with respect to the device case and fixing the seal member, which makes it possible to reduce the size of the connector housing compared to a configuration in which a protrusion for positioning with respect to the device case and a protrusion for fixing the seal member are provided separately.

[0011] [2] In the above item [1], the positioning pillar may have a retaining structure that prevents the fixing piece from coming off the positioning pillar. According to this configuration, the anti-dislodgement structure provided on the positioning pillar makes it possible to prevent the fixing piece of the seal member from coming off the positioning pillar.

[0012] [3] In the above [2], the positioning pillar may have a cutout portion formed on the outer peripheral surface of the positioning pillar as the anti-pullout structure, and the fixing piece may be engaged with the cutout portion.

[0013] According to this configuration, by engaging the fixing piece of the sealing member with the cutout portion provided in the positioning pillar, it is possible to more suitably prevent the fixing piece from coming off the positioning pillar.

[0014] [4] In any of [1] to [3] above, the connector housing has a fixing flange fixed to the equipment case so as to cover an opening provided in the equipment case, and an insertion portion extending from the fixing flange and inserted into the opening, the fixing flange has an annular accommodating groove that accommodates the seal main body, and a fixing portion fixed to the equipment case, and the fixing portion and the positioning pillar may be provided in a portion of the fixing flange on the outer periphery of the accommodating groove.

[0015] According to this configuration, the outer peripheral portion of the accommodation groove in the fixed flange is a portion necessary for providing a fixing portion on the outer peripheral side of the accommodation groove. Therefore, by providing a positioning post together with the fixing portion in the outer peripheral portion of the accommodation groove in the fixed flange, it is possible to simplify the configuration of the inner peripheral side of the accommodation groove in the fixed flange. Therefore, by shortening the length between the insertion portion and the accommodation groove in the fixed flange, it is possible to miniaturize the fixed flange. In addition, it is possible to shorten the circumferential length of the accommodation groove and the seal main body portion accommodated in the accommodation groove, which contributes to improving the sealing performance of the seal main body portion.

[0016] [Details of the embodiment of the present disclosure] A specific example of the relay connector of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, for convenience of explanation, some of the configuration may be exaggerated or simplified. In addition, the dimensional ratio of each part may differ in each drawing. In addition, "parallel" and "orthogonal" in this specification include not only strictly parallel and orthogonal, but also approximately parallel and orthogonal within the range of the action and effect of this embodiment. In addition, the term "annular" used in the description of this specification may refer to any structure that forms a loop, or a continuous shape without ends, as well as a generally loop-shaped structure having a gap such as a C-shape. In addition, the shape of "annular" includes, but is not limited to, a circle, an ellipse, and a polygon with sharp or rounded corners. In addition, "facing" in this specification refers to surfaces or members being in front of each other, and includes not only the case where each is completely in front of the other, but also the case where each is partially in front of the other. In addition, in this specification, "facing" includes both the case where a member other than the two parts is interposed between the two parts and the case where nothing is interposed between the two parts. In addition, the terms "first", "second", etc. in this specification are used simply to distinguish objects, and are not used to rank the objects. Note that the present invention is not limited to these examples, but is indicated by the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims.

[0017] (Overall composition) As shown in FIG. 1, the relay connector 10 is attached to an equipment case 11 mounted on a vehicle. The relay connector 10 is fixed to the equipment case 11 by, for example, bolts or the like. The relay connector 10 is a connector for electrically connecting the inside and outside of the equipment case 11. The equipment case 11 is, for example, a transmission case. The equipment case 11 is made of, for example, metal. The inside of the equipment case 11 is, for example, an oil environment, and the outside of the equipment case 11 is an air environment. The inside of the equipment case 11 is provided with, for example, electric components such as a motor and a sensor. The equipment case 11 has an opening 12 through which the relay connector 10 penetrates. The opening 12 is formed in the equipment case 11 so as to connect the internal space of the equipment case 11 to the external space. The relay connector 10 is attached to the opening 12 of the equipment case 11 along a first direction D1. In the following description, the opposite direction to the first direction D1 is referred to as a second direction D2.

[0018] (Configuration of relay connector 10) The relay connector 10 includes a connector housing 20, terminals 30, and a seal member 40. The connector housing 20 is formed of an insulating material such as synthetic resin. The relay connector 10 includes, for example, a plurality of terminals 30. Each terminal 30 is formed of a conductor. Each terminal 30 is held in the connector housing 20.

[0019] (Configuration of connector housing 20) As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the connector housing 20 includes a fixing flange 21, an internal connection portion 22 as an insertion portion, and an external connection portion .

[0020] The fixing flange 21 has, for example, a flat shape extending along a plane perpendicular to the first direction D1. The fixing flange 21 is fixed to the outer surface of the equipment case 11 by bolts or the like so as to cover the opening 12. In the fixing flange 21, a side surface facing the equipment case 11 in the first direction D1 is referred to as a first side surface 21a, and a side surface opposite to the first side surface 21a is referred to as a second side surface 21b.

[0021] The internal connection portion 22 extends, for example, from the first side surface 21a of the fixing flange 21 along the first direction D1. The internal connection portion 22 is inserted into the opening 12 of the device case 11 in the first direction D1. The external connection portion 23 extends from the second side surface 21b of the fixing flange 21. The external connection portion 23 is provided with a fitting portion 24 into which a mating connector (not shown) is fitted. The fitting portion 24 may be subjected to a potting treatment.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 1, each terminal 30 in the relay connector 10 is partially embedded in the connector housing 20. Each terminal 30 has a first connection end 31 exposed at the internal connection portion 22 and a second connection end 32 exposed at the fitting portion 24 of the external connection portion 23. The first connection end 31 of each terminal 30 is electrically connected to an internal component (not shown) provided inside the device case 11. The second connection end 32 of each terminal 30 is electrically connected to a mating connector fitted into the fitting portion 24. The mating connector is provided in, for example, a control unit that houses a control circuit and the like. That is, the control circuit provided in the control unit is electrically connected to the internal component via the relay connector 10.

[0023] (Configuration of seal member 40) The seal member 40 is provided so as to be sandwiched between the fixed flange 21 and the outer surface of the device case 11. As shown in Fig. 2, the seal member 40 has an annular seal main body 41 and a fixing piece 42 extending from the outer edge of the seal main body 41 to the outer periphery side of the seal main body 41. The fixing piece 42 has a through hole 43 penetrating the fixing piece 42. The seal member 40 of this embodiment has, for example, two fixing pieces 42. The entire seal member 40, including the seal main body 41 and each fixing piece 42, is formed of an elastic body such as rubber.

[0024] (Detailed configuration of fixed flange 21) 2 and 3, the fixing flange 21 has an annular accommodating groove 51 provided on the first side surface 21a, and a positioning post 52 provided on the outer periphery of the accommodating groove 51 on the first side surface 21a. When viewed in the second direction D2, the accommodating groove 51 is provided so as to surround the periphery of the internal connection portion 22. The accommodating groove 51 accommodates the seal main body 41 of the seal member 40. Before the fixing flange 21 is fixed to the device case 11, a part of the seal main body 41 is configured to protrude from the accommodating groove 51 in the first direction D1.

[0025] The fixed flange 21 has an outer peripheral portion 21c which is a portion of the fixed flange 21 on the outer peripheral side of the accommodation groove 51. On the first side surface 21a of the fixed flange 21, the outer peripheral portion 21c is provided with fixed piece accommodation grooves 53 for accommodating the fixed pieces 42. The number of fixed piece accommodation grooves 53 provided is the same as the number of fixed pieces 42. In this embodiment, two fixed piece accommodation grooves 53 are provided. When viewed in the second direction D2, each fixed piece accommodation groove 53 extends from the outer edge of the accommodation groove 51 to the outer peripheral side. Each fixed piece accommodation groove 53 extends, for example, from the outer edge of the accommodation groove 51 to the outer edge of the fixed flange 21.

[0026] A cylindrical collar 54 is embedded in the outer circumferential portion 21c of the fixing flange 21 as a fixing portion fixed to, for example, the equipment case 11. The collar 54 is made of, for example, metal. That is, the collar 54 is, for example, a separate body from a resin member forming the fixing flange 21. The collar 54 is provided such that the penetrating direction thereof is along the first direction D1. For example, two collars 54 are provided on the outer circumferential portion 21c of the fixing flange 21. A bolt for fastening the fixing flange 21 to the equipment case 11 is inserted into each collar 54. That is, a portion of the outer circumferential portion 21c of the fixing flange 21 including the collar 54 is fastened to the equipment case 11 by the bolt.

[0027] (Configuration of positioning column 52) The fixed flange 21 has, for example, two positioning pillars 52. The positioning pillars 52 are provided in two fixed piece accommodating grooves 53 in the outer circumferential portion 21c of the fixed flange 21. Each positioning pillar 52 extends from the fixed piece accommodating groove 53 along the first direction D1. As shown in FIG. 3, when viewed in the second direction D2, a distance X1 between the central axis L1 of the seal body 41 and the axis L2 of the positioning pillar 52 is set to be shorter than a distance X2 between the central axis L1 of the seal body 41 and the axis L3 of the collar 54. The central axis L1 and each axis L2, L3 are parallel to the first direction D1.

[0028] The two positioning posts 52 of the fixed flange 21 are provided at positions that are point symmetrical with respect to each other about the central axis L1 of the seal body 41. The two collars 54 are provided at positions that are point symmetrical with respect to each other about the central axis L1 of the seal body 41. This allows the seal member 40 to be attached to the accommodation groove 51 and each positioning post 52 of the fixed flange 21 even when the seal member 40 is rotated 180° around the central axis L1. When the seal member 40 is assembled to the fixed flange 21 in a state where it is rotated 90° around the central axis L1 from the state shown in FIG. 3, each fixing piece 42 of the seal member 40 is sandwiched between the outer circumferential portion 21c of the fixed flange 21 and the device case 11. This makes it easier for an operator to notice an incorrect assembly of the seal member 40.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 4, the positioning column 52 has a column body 61 that is fitted into the positioning recess 13, and a notch 62 formed at the base end of the positioning column 52. The notch 62 is provided on the positioning column 52 as a fall-off prevention structure that prevents the fixing piece 42 of the seal member 40 from falling off the positioning column 52. The notch 62 is formed by cutting the outer circumferential surface of the positioning column 52 toward the inner diameter side. The notch 62 is provided, for example, partially in the circumferential direction of the positioning column 52. The notch 62 is also provided so as to include an angular position farthest from the accommodation groove 51 in the circumferential direction of the positioning column 52. The column body 61 is a portion of the positioning column 52 where the notch 62 is not formed. The column body 61 has a cross-sectional shape that is, for example, circular.

[0030] Each positioning post 52 is inserted into the through hole 43 of each fixing piece 42 in the seal member 40. Each fixing piece 42 is engaged with a notch portion 62 formed in the base end portion of each positioning post 52. That is, each fixing piece 42 is engaged with the notch portion 62 of each positioning post 52 in the first direction D1, thereby maintaining the seal main body 41 accommodated in the accommodation groove 51.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 1, the column body 61 of the positioning column 52 is fitted into the positioning recess 13 provided in the device case 11 along the first direction D1. The cross-sectional shape of the positioning recess 13 perpendicular to the first direction D1 is, for example, circular like the shape of the column body 61. The column body 61 of the positioning column 52 is fitted into the positioning recess 13, so that the fixing flange 21 is positioned in the direction perpendicular to the first direction D1. The fixing flange 21 is positioned by the positioning column 52 and the positioning recess 13, so that the workability is improved when the fixing flange 21 is fastened to the device case 11, for example, by a bolt. In this way, a portion of the positioning column 52 including its tip is fitted into the positioning recess 13, and the fixing piece 42 of the seal member 40 is engaged with the base end of the positioning column 52.

[0032] The operation of this embodiment will be described. When assembling the seal member 40 to the fixed flange 21 of the connector housing 20, the positioning posts 52 are inserted into the through holes 43 of the fixing pieces 42 in the seal member 40, and the fixing pieces 42 are engaged with the notches 62 of the positioning posts 52. The fixing pieces 42 are caught in the notches 62, which prevents the fixing pieces 42 from coming off the positioning posts 52, and the seal main body 41 is maintained in a state where it is accommodated in the accommodation groove 51.

[0033] When assembling the connector housing 20 to the equipment case 11, the internal connection portion 22 is inserted into the opening 12 of the equipment case 11 in the first direction D1. Then, the column body portion 61 of each positioning column 52 is fitted into each positioning recess 13 of the equipment case 11 along the first direction D1. As a result, the fixing flange 21 is positioned relative to the equipment case 11 in a direction perpendicular to the first direction D1. The seal body portion 41 accommodated in the accommodation groove 51 is sandwiched in a compressed state between the fixing flange 21 and the equipment case 11 at a position surrounding the opening 12 of the equipment case 11. As a result, the gap between the fixing flange 21 and the equipment case 11 is sealed by the seal body portion 41.

[0034] The effects of this embodiment will be described. (1) The connector housing 20 has positioning posts 52 that penetrate the fixing pieces 42 to hold the fixing pieces 42 and that fit into positioning recesses 13 provided in the equipment case 11. With this configuration, the positioning posts 52 of the connector housing 20 can be used for both positioning with respect to the equipment case 11 and fixing the seal member 40. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the size of the connector housing 20 compared to a configuration in which a protrusion for positioning with respect to the equipment case 11 and a protrusion for fixing the seal member 40 are each provided separately.

[0035] (2) The positioning post 52 has a cutout portion 62 formed on the outer circumferential surface of the positioning post 52 as a retaining structure for preventing the fixing piece 42 from coming off the positioning post 52. The fixing piece 42 is engaged with the cutout portion 62. With this configuration, by engaging the fixing piece 42 of the seal member 40 with the cutout portion 62 provided in the positioning post 52, it is possible to suitably prevent the fixing piece 42 from coming off the positioning post 52. This makes it possible to prevent the seal member 40 from falling off the fixed flange 21.

[0036] (3) The connector housing 20 has a fixed flange 21 fixed to the device case 11 so as to cover the opening 12 provided in the device case 11, and an internal connection portion 22 as an insertion portion extending from the fixed flange 21 and inserted into the opening 12. The fixed flange 21 has an annular accommodation groove 51 that accommodates the seal main body 41, and a collar 54 as a fixed portion fixed to the device case 11. The collar 54 and the positioning pillar 52 are provided in a portion on the outer circumferential side of the accommodation groove 51 in the fixed flange 21 (i.e., the outer circumferential portion 21c). According to this configuration, the outer circumferential portion 21c of the fixed flange 21 is a portion necessary for providing the collar 54 on the outer circumferential side of the accommodation groove 51. For this reason, by providing the positioning pillar 52 together with the collar 54 on the outer circumferential portion 21c of the fixed flange 21, it is possible to simplify the configuration of the inner circumferential side of the accommodation groove 51 in the fixed flange 21. Therefore, by configuring the length between the insertion portion and the accommodation groove 51 in the fixed flange 21 to be short, the fixed flange 21 can be made compact. Furthermore, it is possible to shorten the circumferential lengths of the accommodation groove 51 and the seal main body 41 accommodated in the accommodation groove 51, which contributes to improving the sealing performance of the seal main body 41.

[0037] (Other embodiments) The above embodiment can be modified as follows: The above embodiment and the following modifications can be combined with each other to the extent that no technical contradiction occurs.

[0038] In the positioning pillar 52 of the above embodiment, the notch 62 is provided as a structure for preventing the fixing piece 42 from coming off, but this is not particularly limited. For example, the positioning pillar 52 may have a protrusion protruding outward from the entire circumference or a part of the circumferential direction of the outer circumferential surface of the pillar main body 61 as a structure for preventing the fixing piece 42 from coming off, instead of the notch 62. In this case, the fixing piece 42 is assembled to the base end side of the protrusion in the positioning pillar 52. This makes it possible to prevent the fixing piece 42 from coming off the positioning pillar 52 by the protrusion of the positioning pillar 52.

[0039] In the positioning pillar 52 of the above embodiment, the notch 62 may be provided around the entire periphery of the positioning pillar 52 . The number of positioning posts 52 on the fixing flange 21 is not limited to two as in the above embodiment, but may be, for example, one, or three or more.

[0040] The number of fixing pieces 42 in the seal member 40 is not limited to two as in the above embodiment, and may be, for example, one, or three or more. Note that the number of fixing pieces 42 is preferably set to be the same as the number of positioning posts 52 or less than the number of positioning posts 52.

[0041] The fixing flange 21 of the above embodiment may have a bolt insertion hole formed through a resin portion of the fixing flange 21 instead of the collar 54. A bolt for fixing to the equipment case 11 is inserted through the bolt insertion hole. In this case, a portion of the fixing flange 21 including the bolt insertion hole is configured as a fixing portion that is fixed to the equipment case 11.

[0042] The seal member 40 in the above embodiment may be made of an elastic material other than rubber. In the above embodiment, the relay connector 10 is attached to the equipment case 11, which is a transmission case, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the present invention may be applied to a relay connector used in an equipment case other than a transmission case. Note that the environment inside the equipment case 11 to which the relay connector 10 is attached is not limited to an oil environment, and the present invention may also be applied to a relay connector for an equipment in which no oil is used inside the equipment case 11.

[0043] The embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects, and the present invention is not limited to these examples. That is, the scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, and it is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0044] 10 Relay connector 11 Equipment case 12 Opening 13 Positioning recess 20 Connector housing 21 Fixed flange 21a 1st side 21b Second side 21c outer periphery 22 Internal connection part (insertion part) 23 External connection part 24 Fitting part 30 Terminals 31 First connection end 32 Second connection end 40 Sealing material 41 Seal body 42 Fixed piece 43 Through hole 51 Storage Groove 52 Positioning pillar 53 Fixed piece receiving groove 54 Collar (fixed part) 61 Pillar body 62 Cutout section (anti-slip structure) D1 1st direction D2 2nd direction L1 Center axis of seal body L2 Axis of positioning column L3 Collar axis X1,X2 distance

Claims

1. A relay connector that is attached to an equipment case and electrically connects an inside and an outside of the equipment case, a terminal, a connector housing that holds the terminal, and a seal member that seals between the connector housing and the device case, the seal member has an annular seal main body that is sandwiched in a compressed state between the connector housing and the equipment case, and a fixing piece that extends from the seal main body toward an outer circumferential side of the seal main body, The connector housing has a positioning post which penetrates the fixing piece to hold the fixing piece and is fitted into a positioning recess provided in the device case. Relay connector.

2. The positioning pillar has a retaining structure that prevents the fixing piece from coming off the positioning pillar. The relay connector according to claim 1 .

3. The positioning pillar has a notch portion formed on an outer circumferential surface of the positioning pillar as the fall-out prevention structure, The fixing piece is engaged with the notch portion. The relay connector according to claim 2 .

4. the connector housing has a fixing flange fixed to the equipment case so as to cover an opening provided in the equipment case, and an insertion portion extending from the fixing flange and inserted into the opening, The fixing flange has an annular accommodating groove that accommodates the seal main body and a fixing portion that is fixed to the equipment case, The fixing portion and the positioning pillar are provided on an outer circumferential side of the accommodation groove in the fixing flange. The relay connector according to claim 1 .

Images