connector

Abstract

We provide a connector that enables improved waterproofing. [Solution] The connector comprises a terminal 12 and a synthetic resin housing 11 integrally formed with the terminal 12 by insert molding. The housing 11 includes a terminal holding portion 23 for holding the terminal 12. The terminal 12 includes an embedded portion 33 embedded in the terminal holding portion 23. The embedded portion 33 includes a first main surface 34 and a second main surface 35 that are opposite each other in the thickness direction. At least one of the first main surface 34 and the second main surface 35 is provided with a plurality of engagement recesses 51.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a connector.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a connector including a synthetic resin housing integrally formed with terminals by insert molding is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The housing includes a terminal holding portion for holding the terminals. The terminal includes an embedded portion embedded inside the terminal holding portion and a connection portion extending outside the terminal holding portion. The connection portion of the terminal is connected to the terminal of the mating connector fitted to the housing.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In such a connector, a problem is how to suppress the intrusion of liquids such as water and oil between the synthetic resin forming the housing and the terminals. An object of the present disclosure is to provide a connector capable of improving waterproof performance.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The connector of the present disclosure is a connector including a terminal and a synthetic resin housing integrally formed with the terminal by insert molding, wherein the housing includes a terminal holding portion for holding the terminal, the terminal includes a plate-like embedded portion embedded inside the terminal holding portion, the embedded portion includes a first main surface and a second main surface facing each other in the plate thickness direction, and a plurality of engaging recesses are provided on at least one of the first main surface and the second main surface.

Effects of the Invention

[0006] The connector of this disclosure makes it possible to improve waterproofness. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a connector according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a front view of the connector according to the same embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 in Figure 2. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a portion of Figure 3. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 in Figure 4. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a portion of Figure 5. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a portion of the modified connector. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] [Description of Embodiments in this Disclosure] First, the embodiments of this disclosure will be listed and described. The connector disclosed herein is [1] A connector comprising a terminal and a housing made of synthetic resin integrally formed with the terminal by insert molding, wherein the housing includes a terminal holding portion for holding the terminal, the terminal includes a plate-shaped embedded portion embedded inside the terminal holding portion, the embedded portion includes a first main surface and a second main surface located opposite each other in the thickness direction of the plate, and at least one of the first main surface and the second main surface is provided with a plurality of engagement recesses.

[0009] In this configuration, the synthetic resin forming the housing fills each of the multiple engagement recesses provided in the embedded portion of the terminal, thereby improving the adhesion between the terminal and the synthetic resin forming the housing through a so-called anchoring effect. Consequently, it becomes possible to improve the waterproofness of the connector.

[0010] [2] In the above [1], the terminal protrudes from the end face of the terminal holding portion to the outside of the terminal holding portion, the end face of the housing is provided with a projection that surrounds the terminal, and the plurality of engagement recesses may include end-side engagement recesses provided inside the projection.

[0011] With this configuration, the synthetic resin forming the housing enters the end-side engagement recess provided in the embedded portion, thereby effectively improving the waterproofness of the connector. [3] In the above [2], the terminal holding portion is provided with end faces including the protrusions on both sides in the longitudinal direction of the embedded portion, the end-side engaging recess is provided inside each of the pair of protrusions, and the plurality of engaging recesses may include intermediate engaging recesses provided in the embedded portion between the end-side engaging recess provided inside one of the pair of protrusions and the end-side engaging recess provided inside the other of the pair of protrusions.

[0012] This configuration allows for the provision of multiple engagement recesses (end-side engagement recesses and intermediate engagement recesses) over a wide area in the longitudinal direction of the buried portion, thereby further improving the waterproofness of the connector.

[0013] [4] In any of the above [1] to [3], the buried portion may have an edge recess at the edge in the width direction of the buried portion. With this configuration, the synthetic resin forming the housing fills the recessed edge of the embedded terminal, improving the adhesion between the terminal and the synthetic resin forming the housing through a so-called anchoring effect. Therefore, the waterproofness of the connector can be further improved.

[0014] [5] In [4] above, the embedded portion may have a non-formation region where the engaging recess is not formed over the entire range occupied by the edge recess in the length direction of the embedded portion.

[0015] According to this configuration, since the engaging recess is not formed over the entire range occupied by the edge recess in the length direction of the embedded portion, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the cross-sectional area orthogonal to the length direction in the embedded portion.

[0016] [Details of the Embodiment of the Present Disclosure] A specific example of the connector of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, for convenience of explanation, a part of the configuration may be exaggerated or simplified. Also, the dimensional ratios of each part may be different in each drawing. In this specification, "parallel" and "perpendicular (orthogonal)" include not only the cases of strict parallelism and perpendicularity (orthogonality), but also the cases that are generally parallel and perpendicular (orthogonal) within the range where the actions and effects in this embodiment are achieved.

[0017] As used in the description of this specification, "cylindrical" includes not only those in which a circumferential wall is continuously formed over the entire circumference in the circumferential direction, but also those in which a plurality of parts are combined to form a cylindrical shape, and those having a notch or the like in a part of the circumferential direction such as a C shape. The outer peripheral shape of "cylindrical" includes, but is not limited to, a circular shape, an elliptical shape, and a polygon having sharp or rounded corners. "Cylindrical" is a shape having a through-hole in a plan view, and includes those in which the outer peripheral shape and the inner peripheral shape of the through-hole are the same shape, and those in which the outer peripheral shape and the inner peripheral shape of the through-hole are different shapes. "Cylindrical" includes those having a predetermined length extending along the axial direction in which a central axis passing through the center of the through-hole extends, regardless of the size of the length. Also, terms such as "first" and "second" in this specification are merely used to distinguish objects and do not rank the objects. The present invention is not limited to these examples, and is shown by the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims.

[0018] (Configuration of Connector 10) The connector 10 of the present embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is, for example, attached to an equipment case mounted on a vehicle. The connector 10 is, for example, a relay connector for electrically connecting the inside and the outside of the equipment case. Further, the connector 10 is a waterproof connector. The connector 10 is fixed to the equipment case by bolts not shown. As an equipment case to which the connector 10 is attached, a transmission case whose inside is an oil-in environment can be cited as an example.

[0019] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the connector 10 includes a housing 11 and, for example, two terminals 12. The housing 11 is formed of a synthetic resin. Each terminal 12 is formed of a metal material. The housing 11 is integrally formed with each terminal 12 by insert molding.

[0020] (Configuration of Housing 11) The housing 11 includes a main body portion 21 and a fixing portion 22 extending from the main body portion 21. The fixing portion 22 is fixed to the equipment case by bolts not shown, for example.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 3, the main body portion 21 of the housing 11 includes a terminal holding portion 23 for holding each terminal 12. In FIG. 3, only each terminal 12 is shown in a non-cross-sectional view. The housing 11 includes a first fitting portion 24 and a second fitting portion 25 extending from the terminal holding portion 23, respectively. The first fitting portion 24 and the second fitting portion 25 each have a cylindrical shape. The first fitting portion 24 and the second fitting portion 25 extend from the terminal holding portion 23 in opposite directions, for example. An internal connector not shown in the equipment case is connected to the first fitting portion 24, and an external connector not shown is connected to the second fitting portion 25. That is, when the connector 10 is attached to the transmission case, for example, the first fitting portion 24 is disposed in the oil-in environment inside the equipment case, and the second fitting portion 25 is disposed in the air-in environment outside the equipment case.

[0022] The housing 11 includes a cylindrical insertion tube portion 26 extending from the main body portion 21. The insertion tube portion 26 extends from the main body portion 21 so as to surround the outer circumference of the first fitting portion 24. A ring-shaped sealing member 27 is provided on the outer circumference of the insertion tube portion 26. The insertion tube portion 26 is inserted into the opening of the equipment case, and the space between the opening and the insertion tube portion 26 is sealed by the sealing member 27.

[0023] (Configuration of terminal 12) Each terminal 12 is, for example, elongated and extends substantially linearly in one direction. The terminal 12 has a first connecting portion 31 and a second connecting portion 32 at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the terminal 12. The terminal holding portion 23 in the housing 11 has a first end face 41, which is one end face in the longitudinal direction of the terminal 12, and a second end face 42, which is the other end face in the longitudinal direction of the terminal 12. The first connecting portion 31 protrudes from the first end face 41 to the outside of the terminal holding portion 23. The first connecting portion 31 is located inside the first mating portion 24 and is connected to the mating terminal of the internal connector. The second connecting portion 32 protrudes from the second end face 42 to the outside of the terminal holding portion 23. The second connecting portion 32 is located inside the second mating portion 25 and is connected to the mating terminal of the external connector.

[0024] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the first end face 41 and the second end face 42 of the terminal holding portion 23 are each provided with a projection 43 that surrounds each terminal 12. Each projection 43 protrudes in the direction in which the terminal 12 protrudes from the first end face 41 and the second end face 42. The projection 43 has a shape based on the shape of the mold's guide portion used when setting the terminal 12 in the mold during insert molding of the housing 11. That is, the projection 43 has a shape that tapers towards the direction in which the terminal 12 protrudes.

[0025] (Configuration of the buried section 33) Each terminal 12 has a plate-shaped embedded portion 33 embedded inside the terminal holding portion 23. The embedded portion 33 is the part of the terminal 12 that is embedded between the first end face 41 and the second end face 42 of the terminal holding portion 23. The embedded portion 33 is provided between the first connecting portion 31 and the second connecting portion 32.

[0026] As shown in Figure 5, the embedded portion 33 of the terminal 12 comprises a first main surface 34 and a second main surface 35, which are the two sides of the embedded portion 33 in the thickness direction. The first main surface 34 and the second main surface 35 are located opposite each other in the thickness direction. For example, the first main surface 34 and the second main surface 35 are parallel to each other.

[0027] Multiple engagement recesses 51 are provided on each of the first main surface 34 and the second main surface 35 of the terminal 12. In this embodiment, on each of the first main surface 34 and the second main surface 35, there are three rows of engagement recesses 51 arranged along the length direction in the width direction (see Figure 4). In addition, a region is set up from both ends 36 in the width direction of the embedded portion 33 to a predetermined range in the same width direction in which no engagement recesses 51 are formed. The engagement recesses 51 of the first main surface 34 and the engagement recesses 51 of the second main surface 35 are provided, for example, in positions that overlap each other in the thickness direction. As shown in Figure 6, the side surface 51a of each engagement recess 51 is an inclined surface that is inclined with respect to the first main surface 34 and the second main surface 35.

[0028] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, in the terminal 12 of this embodiment, the multiple engagement recesses 51 on each of the first main surface 34 and the second main surface 35 include multiple end-side engagement recesses 52 and multiple intermediate engagement recesses 53.

[0029] The end-side engaging recess 52 is provided inside the protruding portion 43. That is, the end-side engaging recess 52 is provided in the embedded portion 33 at a location inside the protruding portion 43. Note that it is sufficient if at least a part of the end-side engaging recess 52 is provided inside the protruding portion 43.

[0030] The intermediate engagement recess 53 is provided between the end-side engagement recesses 52 located at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the embedded portion 33. In other words, the intermediate engagement recess 53 is provided between the end-side engagement recess 52 provided inside the projection 43 of the first end face 41 and the end-side engagement recess 52 provided inside the projection 43 of the second end face 42.

[0031] As shown in Figure 4, the buried portion 33 is provided with edge recesses 54 at its widthwise edge 36. The edge recesses 54 are recessed inward in the widthwise direction from the edge 36 of the buried portion 33. For example, the edge recesses 54 are provided on both sides of the widthwise edge 36 of the buried portion 33. The edge recesses 54 provided on both sides of the widthwise edge 36 of the buried portion 33 are, for example, positioned to overlap in the widthwise direction of the buried portion 33.

[0032] The buried portion 33 has a non-formed region A in the longitudinal direction of the buried portion 33 where the engagement recess 51 is not formed over the entire area occupied by the edge recess 54. In other words, the edge recess 54 and the engagement recess 51 are located in positions that do not overlap each other in the width direction of the buried portion 33.

[0033] (Operation of this embodiment) The operation of this embodiment will be described below. By insert molding the housing 11 with the terminal 12 as an insert part, the synthetic resin forming the housing 11 fills each engagement recess 51 and each edge recess 54 in the embedded portion 33 of the terminal 12. This improves the adhesion between the embedded portion 33 and the terminal holding portion 23 of the housing 11 through a so-called anchoring effect. As a result, it is possible to prevent liquids such as water and oil from entering between the embedded portion 33 and the terminal holding portion 23 of the housing 11. This eliminates the need to fill the first end face 41 and the second end face 42 of the terminal holding portion 23 with potting material to prevent the ingress of water and oil. Furthermore, by eliminating the need for such potting material, it is possible to omit the space in which the potting material would be filled, thus contributing to the miniaturization of the housing 11. In addition, by filling each engagement recess 51 and each edge recess 54 of the embedded portion 33 with the synthetic resin forming the housing 11, it is also possible to suppress positional displacement of the embedded portion 33 in the longitudinal direction.

[0034] (Effects of this embodiment) The effects of this embodiment will be described below. (1) Multiple engagement recesses 51 are provided on each of the first main surface 34 and the second main surface 35 of the embedded portion 33 of the terminal 12. With this configuration, the synthetic resin forming the housing 11 enters into each of the multiple engagement recesses 51 provided in the embedded portion 33 of the terminal 12, thereby improving the adhesion between the terminal 12 and the synthetic resin forming the housing 11 through a so-called anchoring effect. Therefore, it is possible to improve the waterproofness of the connector 10.

[0035] (2) The terminal 12 protrudes from the first end face 41 and the second end face 42 of the terminal holding portion 23 to the outside of the terminal holding portion 23. The first end face 41 and the second end face 42 of the housing 11 are each provided with a protruding portion 43 that surrounds the terminal 12. The plurality of engaging recesses 51 include end-side engaging recesses 52 provided inside the protruding portion 43. With this configuration, the synthetic resin forming the housing 11 fills into the end-side engaging recesses 52 provided in the embedded portion 33, thereby making it possible to suitably improve the waterproofness of the connector 10.

[0036] (3) The terminal holding portion 23 is provided with end faces (first end face 41 and second end face 42) including protrusions 43 on both sides in the longitudinal direction of the embedded portion 33. The end-side engaging recess 52 is provided inside each of the pair of protrusions 43 on both sides in the longitudinal direction of the embedded portion 33 (i.e., the protrusion 43 of the first end face 41 and the protrusion 43 of the second end face 42). The plurality of engaging recesses 51 include an intermediate engaging recess 53 provided between the end-side engaging recess 52 provided inside the protrusion 43 of the first end face 41 and the end-side engaging recess 52 provided inside the protrusion 43 of the second end face 42 in the embedded portion 33. With this configuration, since a plurality of engaging recesses 51 (end-side engaging recesses 52 and intermediate engaging recesses 53) are provided over a wide area in the longitudinal direction of the embedded portion 33, the waterproofness of the connector 10 can be further improved.

[0037] (4) The buried portion 33 is provided with an edge recess 54 at the edge 36 in the width direction of the buried portion 33. With this configuration, the synthetic resin forming the housing 11 enters into the edge recess 54 provided in the buried portion 33 of the terminal 12, thereby improving the adhesion between the terminal 12 and the synthetic resin forming the housing 11 through a so-called anchoring effect. Therefore, it is possible to further improve the waterproofness of the connector 10.

[0038] (5) The buried portion 33 has a non-formed region A over the entire area occupied by the edge recess 54 in the longitudinal direction of the buried portion 33, over which the engaging recess 51 is not formed. With this configuration, the engaging recess 51 is not formed over the entire area occupied by the edge recess 54 in the longitudinal direction of the buried portion 33. That is, the edge recess 54 and the engaging recess 51 are provided in positions that do not overlap each other in the width direction of the buried portion 33. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the reduction in the cross-sectional area of ​​the buried portion 33 perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

[0039] (Other embodiments) The above embodiment can be implemented with the following modifications. The above embodiment and the following modifications can be combined with each other to the extent that they do not contradict each other technically.

[0040] As shown in Figure 7, in the embedded portion 33 of the terminal 12, the engaging recess 51 of the first main surface 34 and the engaging recess 51 of the second main surface 35 may be provided in positions that do not overlap each other in the thickness direction of the embedded portion 33. In the example shown in Figure 7, the engaging recess 51 of the first main surface 34 and the engaging recess 51 of the second main surface 35 are provided in positions that are offset from each other in the longitudinal direction of the embedded portion 33. With such a configuration, it is possible to suppress the reduction in the cross-sectional area perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the embedded portion 33.

[0041] The shape and arrangement of the engaging recess 51 are not limited to the above embodiment and can be appropriately changed depending on the configuration of the connector 10. The side surface 51a of the engaging recess 51 may be a plane perpendicular to the first main surface 34 and the second main surface 35.

[0042] The number of end-side engaging recesses 52 and intermediate engaging recesses 53 included in the multiple engaging recesses 51 is not limited to the above embodiment and can be appropriately changed depending on the configuration of the connector 10.

[0043] The engaging recess 51 may be provided on only one of the first main surface 34 and the second main surface 35. In the above embodiment, the engagement recesses 51 may be omitted at each end. Also, in the above embodiment, the engagement recesses 51 may be omitted at each intermediate engagement recess 53.

[0044] In the terminal 12, the edge recesses 54 provided on the edges 36 on both sides in the width direction of the buried portion 33 may be positioned so as not to overlap in the width direction of the buried portion 33. That is, the edge recesses 54 provided on the edges 36 on both sides in the width direction of the buried portion 33 may be positioned so as to be offset from each other in the length direction of the buried portion 33.

[0045] The number, shape, and other configurations of the terminals 12 are not limited to the above embodiment and can be appropriately changed depending on the configuration of the connector 10. 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 indicated by the claims, and all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims are intended to be included. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0046] 10 connectors 11 Housing 12 terminals 21 Main body 22 Fixed part 23 Terminal holding part 24 First mating section 25 Second fitting section 26 Insertion tube 27. Sealing member 31. First connection section 32 Second connection section 33 Buried section 34. First Main Surface 35 Second Main Surface 36 Edge 41 1st end face 42 Second end face 43 Protrusion 51 Engaging recess 51a side 52 End side engagement recess 53 Intermediate engagement recess 54 Edge recess A Non-formed area

Claims

1. Terminals and A housing made of synthetic resin, integrally formed with the terminal by insert molding, A connector equipped with, The housing includes a terminal holding portion for holding the terminals, The terminal is equipped with a plate-shaped embedded portion embedded inside the terminal holding portion, The embedded portion comprises a first main surface and a second main surface located opposite each other in the plate thickness direction, At least one of the first main surface and the second main surface is provided with a plurality of engagement recesses. connector.

2. The terminal protrudes from the end face of the terminal holding portion to the outside of the terminal holding portion. The end face of the housing is provided with a projection that surrounds the terminal. The plurality of engagement recesses include end-side engagement recesses provided inside the protrusions. The connector according to claim 1.

3. The terminal holding portion is provided with end faces including the protruding portion on both sides in the longitudinal direction of the embedded portion, The end-side engaging recess is provided inside each of the pair of protrusions, The plurality of engagement recesses include, in the embedded portion, an end-side engagement recess provided inside one of the pair of protrusions and an intermediate engagement recess provided inside the other of the pair of protrusions. The connector according to claim 2.

4. The buried portion is provided with an edge recess at the edge in the width direction of the buried portion, The connector according to claim 1.

5. The buried portion has a non-formed region in the longitudinal direction of the buried portion over the entire area occupied by the edge recess where the engagement recess is not formed. The connector according to claim 4.

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