Rubber boot

Abstract

To provide a rubber boot that can maintain sealing properties and improve assembly performance.SOLUTION: In a rubber boot 1 having an elastically deformable annular fitting portion 7, the inner surface of which is in intimate contact with the outer surface of a connector having a polygonal outer shape and which is fixed to the connector by tightening a fastening member around its outer periphery, the outer shape of the fitting portion 7 is formed into a circular shape, and the inner surface of the fitting portion 7 is provided with a plurality of lip portions 9 which are positioned between adjacent corners of the connector and protrude inward.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a rubber boot. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, rubber boots have been known that include a hood portion as an elastically deformable annular fitting whose inner surface is in intimate contact with the outer surface of a rectangular connector and that is fixed to the connector by tightening a fastening member around its outer periphery (see Patent Document 1). In this rubber boot, the hood portion has a rectangular outer shape similar to the outer shape of the connector. The inner surface of the hood portion is provided with a lip portion that protrudes inward. The lip portion is formed continuously in the circumferential direction of the hood portion, and the portion located on the long side of the hood portion is a thick portion that protrudes inward by a large amount. In such rubber boots, when a fastening member is tightened around the outer periphery of the hood portion, the fastening force applied to the lip portion varies, but by providing a thick portion in the portion where the fastening force is weak, the tightness of the lip portion against the outer surface of the connector is stabilized. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-86396 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In rubber boots like those described in Patent Document 1, the outer shape of the mating portion is formed in a polygonal shape to match the outer shape of the connector. When the outer shape of the mating portion is formed in a polygonal shape, when the clamping member is tightened, the tightening force is not applied evenly to the mating portion, and the mating portion's material gathers at the corners, which can create gaps between the inner surface of the mating portion and the outer surface of the connector, resulting in reduced sealing performance. In addition, providing a circumferentially continuous lip portion on the inner surface of the mating portion increases the rigidity in the direction of expanding the mating portion. This makes it difficult to expand the mating portion when assembling it to the connector, reducing assembly ease.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the problems inherent in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a rubber boot that can maintain sealing performance and improve assembly ease. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The rubber boot of this embodiment has an elastically deformable annular fitting portion whose inner surface is in intimate contact with the outer surface of a polygonal connector and which is fixed to the connector by tightening a fastening member around its outer periphery, the fitting portion having a circular outer shape, and the inner surface of the fitting portion having a plurality of lip portions that protrude inward and are positioned between adjacent corners of the connector. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a rubber boot that can maintain sealing properties and improve assembly ease. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of the rubber boot according to the embodiment when assembled to a connector. FIG. [Figure 2] 1 is an enlarged side view of a main part of the rubber boot according to the embodiment when it is assembled to a connector. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the rubber boot according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a main part of FIG. 3. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main part of the rubber boot according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The rubber boot according to the present embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Note that the dimensional proportions in the drawings are exaggerated for the sake of convenience and may differ from the actual proportions.

[0010] As shown in FIG. 1 , a rubber boot 1 according to this embodiment is applied to, for example, a connector 101 electrically connected to an electrical component (not shown). The connector 101 includes, for example, a housing 103 and terminals (not shown). The housing 103 is made of, for example, an insulating material such as synthetic resin, and is formed in a polygonal, rectangular shape with corners 105. A terminal accommodating chamber capable of accommodating a terminal is formed inside the housing 103. The terminal is electrically connected to, for example, an end of an electric wire (not shown) electrically connected to an electrical component. The terminal is accommodated in the terminal accommodating chamber of the housing 103, and the electric wire connected to the terminal is drawn out of the housing. When the housing 103 is mated with a mating connector (not shown), the terminal of the connector 101 is electrically connected to a mating terminal (not shown) of the mating connector. A rubber boot 1 is attached to the side of the connector 101 from which the electric wire is drawn out, preventing water and the like from entering the connector 101 from the electric wire side.

[0011] 1 to 5, the rubber boot 1 is made of an elastic material that is elastically deformable, such as rubber, and includes a main body 3, an electric wire insertion portion 5, a fitting portion 7, a lip portion 9, and a grip portion 11.

[0012] The main body 3 is formed in a rectangular cylindrical shape similar to the outer shape of the housing 103 of the connector 101. The inner diameter of the main body 3 is set to be equal to the outer diameter of the housing 103. The main body 3 is disposed on the outer surface of the housing 103 when the rubber boot 1 is assembled to the connector 101. The thickness of the main body 3 is set to be as thick as possible so as to minimize the amount of elastic deformation. This maintains the arrangement shape of the main body 3 relative to the housing 103, and the assembled state of the rubber boot 1 to the connector 101 can be stably maintained.

[0013] The wire insertion portion 5 is formed into a cylindrical shape by a single member that is continuous with the main body 3. The thickness of the wire insertion portion 5 is set to be thinner than that of the main body 3 so as to increase the amount of elastic deformation. The wire insertion portion 5 extends from the main body 3 side so as to decrease in diameter in the direction in which the wire is drawn out (away from the connector 101). The side of the wire insertion portion 5 opposite the main body 3 is formed into a circular cylindrical shape. The inner diameter of the circular portion of the wire insertion portion 5 is set to be smaller than the outer diameter of the wire. Note that the outer diameter of the wire may be the outer diameter of a bundle of multiple wires. An electric wire (or a bundle of electric wires) is inserted and arranged inside the wire insertion portion 5, and at least the inner surface of the circular portion is in close contact with the outer periphery of the electric wire (or the bundle of electric wires). The close contact between the wire insertion portion 5 and the electric wire (or the bundle of electric wires) seals the inside of the rubber boot 1, preventing water and the like from entering the inside of the rubber boot 1 along the electric wire.

[0014] The fitting portion 7 is formed in a circular tubular (annular) shape by a single member continuous with the main body 3. The thickness of the fitting portion 7 is set thinner than that of the main body 3 so as to increase the amount of elastic deformation. The fitting portion 7 extends from the main body 3 side toward the connector 101 side. The outer shape of the fitting portion 7 is formed in a perfect circular shape. The inner diameter of the fitting portion 7 is set smaller than the outer diameter of the housing 103 so that the inner surface is in close contact with the outer surface of the housing 103. When the rubber boot 1 is assembled to the connector 101, the fitting portion 7 is expanded so that the housing 103 is inserted therein. When the rubber boot 1 is assembled to the connector 101, the inner surface of the fitting portion 7 is positioned in close contact with the outer surface of the housing 103. The close contact between the fitting portion 7 and the housing 103 seals the gap between the connector 101 and the rubber boot 1, preventing water and the like from entering the interior of the connector 101 and the interior of the rubber boot 1.

[0015] When the rubber boot 1 is assembled to the connector 101, a fastening member (not shown), such as a cable tie having multiple protrusions and a locking portion engageable with the protrusions, is fastened to the outer periphery of the fitting portion 7. By fastening the fastening member to the outer periphery of the fitting portion 7, the position of the fitting portion 7 relative to the housing 103 is fixed, and the assembled state of the rubber boot 1 to the connector 101 is maintained. In addition, the adhesion between the fitting portion 7 and the housing 103 is increased, improving the sealing performance. When the fastening member is fastened, because the outer shape of the fitting portion 7 is formed in a circular shape, the fastening force of the fastening member applied to the fitting portion 7 is uniform around the circumferential direction of the fitting portion 7. Therefore, the material of the fitting portion 7 does not gather at the corners, as occurs when the fitting portion 7 has corners on its outer surface, and this prevents gaps from being generated between the fitting portion 7 and the connector 101 due to the fastening member. Here, housing 103 of connector 101 has corners 105 on its outer surface, and therefore the contact pressure between fitting portion 7 and housing 103 that occurs when the fastening member is tightened is higher at corners 105 of housing 103. Therefore, in order to increase the contact pressure between fitting portion 7 and housing 103 in areas other than corners 105, lip portions 9 are provided on the inner surface of fitting portion 7.

[0016] The lip portion 9 is a single member continuous with the mating portion 7 and protrudes inward from the inner surface of the mating portion 7. The thickness of the lip portion 9 is set to be equal to that of the mating portion 7 so as to increase the amount of elastic deformation. Multiple lip portions 9 (four in this example) are provided around the circumferential direction of the mating portion 7 so as to be located between adjacent corners 105, 105 of the housing 103 of the connector 101. The lip portions 9 extend around the circumferential direction of the mating portion 7 so that their protruding height is lower near the corners 105 of the housing 103 and higher away from the corners 105. Therefore, the multiple lip portions 9 give the inner surface of the mating portion 7 a rectangular shape similar to the outer shape of the housing 103. When a fastening member is fastened around the outer periphery of the mating portion 7, the lip portions 9 increase the contact pressure between the mating portion 7 and the housing 103 in areas other than the corners 105 of the housing 103. Therefore, when the fastening member is tightened, the contact pressure between the fitting portion 7 and the housing 103 is uniform around the circumference of the fitting portion 7, thereby maintaining a stable seal. The multiple lip portions 9 are located between adjacent corners 105, 105 of the housing 103, so the lip portions 9 are not continuous around the circumference of the fitting portion 7. Therefore, even if the fitting portion 7 is provided with lip portions 9, the rigidity of the fitting portion 7 in the direction of widening is not increased, making it easier to widen the fitting portion 7 and improving the ease of assembling the rubber boot 1 to the connector 101. Multiple lip portions 9 (two in this example) are provided along the direction of assembling the fitting portion 7 to the connector 101. Therefore, the area of ​​close contact between the fitting portion 7 and the connector 101 can be increased without increasing the rigidity of the fitting portion 7 in the direction of widening, thereby improving the seal.

[0017] The grip portion 11 is a member continuous with the fitting portion 7, and extends in a plate shape from the end face of the fitting portion 7 on the connector 101 side toward the connector 101. A plurality of grip portions 11 (four in this example) are provided in the circumferential direction of the fitting portion 7. The plurality of grip portions 11 are arranged in positions corresponding to corners 105 of the housing 103 of the connector 101 in the circumferential direction of the fitting portion 7. A plurality of anti-slip portions 13 (two in this example) are provided on the outer surface of the grip portion 11 in the extending direction of the grip portion 11, protruding outward and extending in the width direction of the grip portion 11. The grip portions 11 are, for example, portions that are gripped by an operator when assembling the rubber boot 1 to the connector 101. Providing the grip portions 11 makes it easier to assemble the rubber boot 1 to the connector 101, improving assembling performance. In addition, by arranging the gripping portions 11 at the corners 105 of the housing 103, the expanded shape of the fitting portion 7 can be maintained, making it easier to insert the housing 103 into the fitting portion 7, and improving the ease of assembly. When the rubber boot 1 is assembled to the connector 101, a positioning portion 107 protruding from the housing 103 is arranged between adjacent gripping portions 11, 11. By arranging the positioning portion 107 between adjacent gripping portions 11, 11, the assembly position of the rubber boot 1 can be visually confirmed when assembling the rubber boot 1 to the connector 101, improving the ease of assembly.

[0018] Such a rubber boot 1 has an annular fitting portion 7 that is elastically deformable and whose inner surface is in intimate contact with the outer surface of a polygonal connector 101, and is fixed to the connector 101 by fastening a fastening member around its outer periphery. The fitting portion 7 has a circular outer shape. The inner surface of the fitting portion 7 is provided with a plurality of lip portions 9 that are positioned between adjacent corners 105, 105 of the connector 101 and protrude inward.

[0019] Because the fitting portion 7 has a circular outer shape, the tightening force of the tightening member applied to the fitting portion 7 is uniform around the circumference of the fitting portion 7. Therefore, the fitting portion 7 does not gather at the corners, as occurs when the fitting portion 7 has corners on its outer surface, and this prevents gaps from forming between the fitting portion 7 and the connector 101 due to tightening of the tightening member. The multiple lip portions 9 are located between adjacent corners 105, 105 of the connector 101, and therefore, when a tightening member is tightened around the outer periphery of the fitting portion 7, the contact pressure between the fitting portion 7 and the connector 101 is increased in areas other than the corners 105 of the connector 101. Therefore, when the tightening member is tightened, the contact pressure between the fitting portion 7 and the connector 101 is uniform around the circumference of the fitting portion 7, thereby maintaining a stable seal. Furthermore, because the multiple lip portions 9 are located between adjacent corners 105, 105 of the connector 101, the lip portions 9 are not continuous around the circumference of the fitting portion 7. Therefore, even if a lip portion 9 is provided on the fitting portion 7, the rigidity of the fitting portion 7 in the direction of widening is not increased, making it easier to widen the fitting portion 7 and improving the ease of assembly of the rubber boot 1 to the connector 101.

[0020] Therefore, such a rubber boot 1 can maintain sealing properties and improve assembly efficiency.

[0021] Furthermore, a gripping portion 11 extending toward the connector 101 is provided on the end surface of the fitting portion 7 on the connector 101 side.

[0022] Therefore, when assembling the rubber boot 1 to the connector 101, by gripping the grip portion 11, the rubber boot 1 can be easily assembled, and the assembling efficiency can be improved.

[0023] Furthermore, a plurality of gripping portions 11 are provided at intervals in the circumferential direction of the fitting portion 7. The plurality of gripping portions 11 are arranged at corners 105 of the connector 101.

[0024] Therefore, the expanded shape of the fitting portion 7 can be maintained, making it easier to insert the connector 101 into the fitting portion 7, and improving the ease of assembly.

[0025] Furthermore, a plurality of lip portions 9 are provided along the direction in which the fitting portion 7 is attached to the connector 101.

[0026] Therefore, the area where the fitting portion 7 and the connector 101 are in close contact with each other can be increased without increasing the rigidity of the fitting portion 7 in the direction in which it is widened, thereby improving the sealing performance.

[0027] Although the present embodiment has been described above, the present embodiment is not limited to this, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the gist of the present embodiment.

[0028] For example, in the rubber boot according to this embodiment, the thickness of the lip portion is set to be equal to the thickness of the mating portion, but this is not limited to this. If the thickness of the lip portion is set to be thicker than the thickness of the mating portion, the area of ​​close contact between the mating portion and the connector can be increased, improving sealing. If the thickness of the lip portion is set to be thinner than the thickness of the mating portion, the rigidity of the mating portion can be reduced, making it easier to expand the mating portion and improving assembly.

[0029] Furthermore, two lip portions are provided along the direction in which the fitting portion is attached to the connector, but this is not limiting, and three or more lip portions may be provided.

[0030] Furthermore, although the multiple gripping portions are arranged to correspond to all of the corners of the connector, this is not limited to this, and multiple gripping portions may be arranged to correspond to at least two corners, for example, two gripping portions may be arranged for corners located diagonally opposite each other.

[0031] Furthermore, although the connector has a rectangular outer shape, the outer shape of the connector is not limited to this and may be any polygonal shape, such as a pentagon. [Explanation of symbols]

[0032] 1 rubber boots 7 Fitting part 9 Lip 11 Gripping part 101 Connector 105 Corner

Claims

1. the connector has an inner surface that is in intimate contact with an outer surface of a polygonal connector, and the connector has an elastically deformable annular fitting portion that is fixed to the connector by fastening a fastening member around its outer periphery; The fitting portion has a circular outer shape, The rubber boot has a plurality of lip portions that are disposed between adjacent corners of the connector and protrude inward on the inner surface of the mating portion.

2. 2. The rubber boot according to claim 1, wherein a gripping portion is provided on an end surface of the fitting portion on the connector side, the gripping portion extending toward the connector.

3. The gripping portions are provided in a plurality of positions spaced apart from one another in the circumferential direction of the fitting portion, The rubber boot according to claim 2 , wherein the plurality of gripping portions are arranged at corners of the connector.

4. The rubber boot according to claim 1 , wherein a plurality of the lip portions are provided along the direction in which the fitting portion is attached to the connector.

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