Connector unit

Abstract

To provide a connector unit with an excellent resistance to an external force such as vibrations.SOLUTION: A connector unit 1 is attached to an attachment object 90, and is fitted with a mating side connector unit 2 in a predetermined fitting direction. A case part 30 is constructed so as to enable deformation in the fitting direction with respect to a colum-like body 91 so that the colum-like body 91 extended from the attachment object 90 is penetrated, and includes a housing space S inside. A first rubber component 40 is nipped in the fitting direction in between the case part 30 and the colum-like body 91, and can be elastically deformed in the fitting direction. A movable component 20 is constructed so as to be housed in the housing space S of the case part 30, and can be deformed in a cross direction crossing the fitting direction with respect to the case part 30. A second rubber component 50 is nipped in the cross direction in between the case part 30 and the movable component 20, and can be elastically deformed in the cross direction. A connector part 10 is attached to the movable component 20.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] One of the conventional connector units is configured by attaching a plurality of connector parts to dedicated fitting parts to form a connector unit, and then attaching the connector unit to a mating connector unit (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2015-028939 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the conventional connector unit described above, if an external force such as excessive vibration is applied from the outside after the connector unit and the mating connector unit are mated, it is possible that, for example, a malfunction will occur in the electrical connection between the terminals housed in the connector unit and the mating terminals housed in the mating connector unit, or unintended deformation will occur in the connector unit.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a connector unit that is highly resistant to external forces such as vibration. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a connector unit according to the present invention has the following features.

[0007] A connector unit that is attached to a predetermined attachment target and is mated with a mating connector unit in a predetermined mating direction, a case portion configured to be displaceable in the fitting direction relative to the columnar body extending from the attachment target by passing through the columnar body, and having an accommodation space therein; a first rubber part that is sandwiched between the case portion and the columnar body in the fitting direction and is elastically deformable in the fitting direction; a movable part that is accommodated in the accommodation space of the case part and is configured to be displaceable relative to the case part in a direction intersecting the fitting direction; a second rubber part that is sandwiched between the case part and the movable part in the intersecting direction and is elastically deformable in the intersecting direction; A connector portion attached to the movable part. It is a connector unit. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the connector unit of the present invention, when the connector unit is attached to a predetermined attachment target (for example, a frame part of an automobile), the case part is displaceable in the fitting direction relative to the columnar body extending from the attachment target, and the movable part is displaceable in the intersecting direction intersecting the fitting direction relative to the case part. Furthermore, in the fitting direction, the first rubber part is sandwiched between the columnar body and the case part, and in the intersecting direction, the second rubber part is sandwiched between the case part and the movable part. As a result, even if an external force such as vibration acts on the connector unit after the connector unit and the mating connector unit are fitted together, the external force is absorbed in the fitting direction by the elastic deformation of the first rubber part accompanying the displacement of the case part, and in the intersecting direction, the external force is absorbed by the elastic deformation of the second rubber part accompanying the displacement of the movable part. In other words, the external force acting on the movable part is reduced by the absorption of the external force by the first rubber part and the second rubber part (so-called floating function is exhibited). Furthermore, the displacement of the case and the movable parts described above contributes to the alignment of the terminals of the connector unit and the mating connector unit when they are mated (providing a so-called centering function). Thus, the connector unit of this configuration has excellent resistance to external forces such as vibration.

[0009] 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]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a connector unit according to an embodiment when it is mated with a mating connector unit. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the connector unit shown in FIG. 1 and the mating connector unit when they are not mated with each other. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the connector unit shown in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a top view of the connector unit shown in FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC in FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line DD in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] <Embodiment>

[0012] Specific embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0013] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a connector unit 1 according to an embodiment. The connector unit 1 includes a plurality of connector parts 10, a movable part 20 to which the plurality of connector parts 10 are attached, a case part 30 that houses the movable part 20 therein, a first rubber part 40, and a second rubber part 50 (see Fig. 3, for example). The connector unit 1 is attached to an attachment target 90 such as a frame part of an automobile, and is used to fit with a mating connector unit 2.

[0014] As shown in the figure, the orientation of the connector unit 1 can be specified by the coordinates in the left-right direction, the front-back direction, and the up-down direction. The left-right direction is the direction in which the multiple connector parts 10 are lined up, and is also the width direction of the movable part 20 and the case part 30. The front-back direction is a direction perpendicular to the left-right direction and is the longitudinal direction of the connector parts 10. The up-down direction is a direction perpendicular to the left-right direction and the front-back direction and is the height direction of the connector unit 1.

[0015] 2 is a perspective view of the connector unit 1 and the mating connector unit 2 when not mated. Each connector portion 10 of the connector unit 1 accommodates an electric wire 11 with a terminal therein (see FIG. 7). The mating connector unit 2 has a plurality of mating connector portions 70. Each mating connector portion 70 accommodates an electric wire 71 with a terminal therein. The mating connector unit 2 has a columnar boss 72 used for alignment when mating with the connector unit 1. The columnar boss 72 is fixed to the mating connector unit 2. The upper end portion of the columnar boss 72 has a tapered shape with a diameter that gradually decreases toward the top.

[0016] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the connector unit 1 shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. Each of the multiple connector parts 10 is attached to the movable part 20 by the holding part 12 with its lower opening inserted into the through hole 22 provided in the movable part 20. The case part 30 is composed of a cover part 31 located above and a base part 32 located below. The cover part 31 and the base part 32 are fastened and assembled with a bolt 33 to define an accommodation space S inside the case part 30. The accommodation space S accommodates the movable part 20 so that it can be displaced in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction (i.e., in a direction intersecting the fitting direction) relative to the case part 30. The cover part 31 and the base part 32 are provided with a through hole 34 for passing a columnar body 91 extending from the attachment target 90. A through hole 36 is provided in the center of the base part 32. The through holes 36 are used for electrical connection between the connector portion 10 and the mating connector portion 70 by inserting the connector portion 10 and the mating connector portion 70 therein.

[0017] A disk portion 92 is fastened to the upper end of the columnar body 91 by a bolt. The first rubber part 40 has a cylindrical shape extending in the vertical direction. As shown in Figs. 4 to 6, the columnar body 91 is inserted into the hollow part of the first rubber part 40, and the disk portion 92 is attached to the upper end of the columnar body 91, so that the first rubber part 40 is sandwiched between the disk portion 92 and the upper surface of the cover part 31 of the case part 30. As a result, when the case part 30 is displaced relative to the columnar body 91 in the vertical direction (i.e., the fitting direction), the first rubber part 40 is elastically deformed in the vertical direction. The first rubber part 40 can be elastically deformed during or after fitting.

[0018] At both left and right ends of the movable part 20, a cylindrical portion 23 extending in the vertical direction is provided. As shown in Fig. 5, a hollow portion 24 extending in the vertical direction is defined inside the cylindrical portion 23. The upper end of the hollow portion 24 has a hole shape whose hole diameter gradually decreases toward the top. When the connector unit 1 is fitted, a columnar boss 72 of the mating connector unit 2 is inserted into the hollow portion 24. The connector unit 1 and the mating connector unit 2 are aligned by the engagement between the upper end of the columnar boss 72 and the upper end of the hollow portion 24.

[0019] A rectangular frame portion 25 is provided at the front end and rear end of the movable part 20. As shown in Figs. 7 and 8, a second rubber part 50 is disposed within the frame portion 25. The second rubber part 50 has an annular shape. A protrusion portion 35 provided on the upper surface of the base part 32 is inserted into the hollow portion of the second rubber part 50. As a result, when the movable part 20 is displaced relative to the case part 30 in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction (i.e., the intersecting direction intersecting with the fitting direction), the second rubber part 50 is elastically deformed in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction. The elastic deformation of the second rubber part 50 is possible during fitting and after fitting.

[0020] Since the connector unit 1 has the configuration described above, when the connector unit 1 is attached to the attachment target 90, the case part 30 is displaceable in the up-down direction (fitting direction) relative to the columnar body 91 extending from the attachment target 90, and the movable part 20 is displaceable in the front-rear direction and left-right direction (crossing directions that cross the fitting direction) relative to the case part 30. Furthermore, in the up-down direction (fitting direction), the first rubber part 40 is sandwiched between the disk part 92 provided on the columnar body 91 and the cover part 31 of the case part 30, and in the front-rear direction and left-right direction (crossing directions), the second rubber part 50 is sandwiched between the case part 30 and the frame part 25 of the movable part 20.

[0021] As a result, even if an external force such as vibration acts on the connector unit 1 after the connector unit 1 and the mating connector unit 2 are mated, the external force is absorbed in the up-down direction (mating direction) by the elastic deformation of the first rubber part 40 accompanying the displacement of the case part 30, and in the front-rear and left-right directions (crossing directions) by the elastic deformation of the second rubber part 50 accompanying the displacement of the movable part 20. In other words, the external force acting on the movable part 20 is reduced by the absorption of the external force by the first rubber part 40 and the second rubber part 50 (a so-called floating function is exhibited). Therefore, the connector unit 1 has excellent resistance to external forces such as vibration.

[0022] Furthermore, the above-mentioned displacement of the case portion 30 and the movable part 20 also contributes to the alignment of the terminals of the connector unit 1 and the mating connector unit 2 when they are mated with each other (provides a so-called centering function).

[0023] <Other forms> The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be adopted within the scope of the present invention. For example, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and appropriate modifications, improvements, etc. are possible. In addition, the material, shape, size, number, arrangement location, etc. of each component in the above-described embodiments are arbitrary as long as the present invention can be achieved, and are not limited.

[0024] Here, the features of the above-described embodiments of the connector unit according to the present invention will be briefly summarized and listed in the following [1] to [2].

[0025] [1] A connector unit (1) that is attached to a predetermined attachment target (90) and is to be mated with a mating connector unit (2) in a predetermined mating direction, a case portion (30) configured to have a columnar body (91) extending from the attachment target (90) penetrate therethrough and be displaceable in the fitting direction relative to the columnar body (91), and having an accommodation space (S) therein; a first rubber part (40) that is sandwiched between the case part (30) and the columnar body (91) in the fitting direction and is elastically deformable in the fitting direction; a movable part (20) accommodated in the accommodation space (S) of the case part (30) and configured to be displaceable relative to the case part (30) in a direction intersecting the fitting direction; a second rubber part (50) that is sandwiched between the case part (30) and the movable part (20) in the intersecting direction and is elastically deformable in the intersecting direction; A connector portion (10) attached to the movable part (20). It is a connector unit (1).

[0026] According to the connector unit having the configuration of [1] above, when the connector unit is attached to a predetermined attachment target (for example, a frame part of an automobile, etc.), the case part is displaceable in the fitting direction relative to the columnar body extending from the attachment target, and the movable part is displaceable in the intersecting direction intersecting the fitting direction relative to the case part. Furthermore, in the fitting direction, the first rubber part is sandwiched between the columnar body and the case part, and in the intersecting direction, the second rubber part is sandwiched between the case part and the movable part. As a result, even if an external force such as vibration acts on the connector unit after the connector unit and the mating connector unit are fitted together, the external force is absorbed in the fitting direction by the elastic deformation of the first rubber part accompanying the displacement of the case part, and in the intersecting direction, the external force is absorbed by the elastic deformation of the second rubber part accompanying the displacement of the movable part. In other words, the external force acting on the movable part is reduced by the absorption of the external force by the first rubber part and the second rubber part (so-called floating function is exhibited). Furthermore, the displacement of the case and the movable parts described above contributes to the alignment of the terminals of the connector unit and the mating connector unit when they are mated (providing a so-called centering function). Thus, the connector unit of this configuration has excellent resistance to external forces such as vibration.

[0027] [2] In the connector unit (1) described in the above [1], The first rubber part (40) is The connector unit (1) is configured to be elastically deformable in the mating direction even after the connector unit (1) and the mating connector unit (2) are mated with each other, The second rubber part (50) is The connector unit (1) is configured to be elastically deformable in the intersecting direction even after the connector unit (1) and the mating connector unit (2) are fitted together. It is a connector unit (1).

[0028] According to the connector unit having the configuration [2] above, the first rubber part and the second rubber part can properly function as vibration-damping rubber for absorbing vibrations and the like that act on the connector unit after the connector unit is attached to a specified attachment object (e.g., an automobile frame part, etc.). [Explanation of symbols]

[0029] 1 Connector unit 2 Mating connector unit 10 Connector part 20 Moving parts 30 Case part 40 First rubber part 50 Second rubber part 90 Installation target 91 Columnar body S Storage space

Claims

1. A connector unit that is attached to a predetermined attachment target and is mated with a mating connector unit in a predetermined mating direction, a case portion configured to be displaceable in the fitting direction relative to the columnar body extending from the attachment target by passing through the columnar body, and having an accommodation space therein; a first rubber part that is sandwiched between the case portion and the columnar body in the fitting direction and is elastically deformable in the fitting direction; a movable part that is accommodated in the accommodation space of the case part and is configured to be displaceable relative to the case part in a direction intersecting the fitting direction; a second rubber part that is sandwiched between the case part and the movable part in the intersecting direction and is elastically deformable in the intersecting direction; A connector portion attached to the movable part. Connector unit.

2. The connector unit according to claim 1, The first rubber part is The connector unit is configured to be elastically deformable in the mating direction even after the connector unit and the mating connector unit are mated with each other, The second rubber part is The connector unit is configured to be elastically deformable in the intersecting direction even after the connector unit and the mating connector unit are fitted together. Connector unit.

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