connector

Abstract

To ensure the positioning and holding functions of the sealing component. [Solution] The annular sealing member 30 assembled to the outer peripheral surface 22a of the fitting portion 22 of the housing 20 has an annular sealing body 31 arranged concentrically with the outer peripheral surface of the fitting portion and filling the annular gap between the outer peripheral surface of the fitting portion and the inner peripheral surface of the fitting hole, and at least one positioning projection 32 projecting from the sealing body toward the ring of the sealing body, the positioning projection having a first projection 32a projecting from the sealing body toward the axis of the sealing body in a direction perpendicular to the ring axis of the sealing body, a second projection 32b projecting to one side in the circumferential direction of the sealing body from the tip of the first projection on the projection side, and a third projection 32c projecting to the other side in the circumferential direction of the sealing body from the tip of the first projection, and the fitting portion is provided with a locking groove 24 at the tip on the insertion fitting direction side and on the inside of its own ring for fitting and locking the positioning projection.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, connectors are provided with an annular seal member such as a packing that fills the gap with the mating counterpart after fitting connection to prevent intrusion of liquid and dust through the gap. This seal member is assembled to the outer peripheral surface of the annular fitting portion of the housing, and fills the gap between the outer peripheral surface and the annular inner peripheral surface of the mating counterpart. In this connector, the positioning projection of the seal member is engaged with the housing, thereby positioning the seal member relative to the housing and retaining the seal member at that position. For example, such a connector is disclosed in the following Patent Document 1.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In this type of connector, in order to ensure the positioning function and retaining function of the seal member relative to the housing, it is necessary to suppress excessive deformation of the positioning projection when a load acts on the positioning projection. Conventional connectors have room for improvement in this respect.

[0005] Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a connector capable of ensuring the positioning function and retaining function of a seal member.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The present invention comprises a terminal fitting, a terminal housing portion for housing the terminal fitting, and a housing provided with an annular fitting portion for inserting and fitting into a mating hole of a mating party along the insertion fitting direction, and an annular sealing member assembled to the outer circumferential surface of the fitting portion, wherein the sealing member is arranged concentrically with the outer circumferential surface of the fitting portion and fills the annular gap between the outer circumferential surface of the fitting portion and the inner circumferential surface of the fitting hole, and at least one positioning projection protruding from the sealing body toward the annular part of the sealing body, The fitting portion is characterized in that it has a positioning projection which has a first projection which protrudes from the seal body toward the axis of the seal body in a direction perpendicular to the ring axis of the seal body, a second projection which protrudes to one side in the circumferential direction of the seal body from the tip of the first projection which is on the side that is on the side that is on the side that is on the side that is on the side that is on the side that is on the side that is on the side that is on the side that is on the ring side, and a locking groove which has been provided on the tip that is on the side that is on the side that is on the insertion fitting direction for fitting and locking the positioning projection into place. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] The positioning projection of the connector according to the present invention is positioned on the ring side of the seal body, and its movement in the circumferential direction and in the direction perpendicular to the ring axis of the seal body is locked within the locking groove, which is also positioned on the ring side of the mating portion. Therefore, this positioning projection is less affected by the force acting on the seal body when the mating portion is inserted and mated into the mating hole, and can be inserted into the locking groove without significantly deforming the positioning projection. Consequently, the connector according to the present invention can be stopped within the locking groove without significantly deforming the positioning projection, and the locking groove and positioning projection can perform positioning and holding functions for the seal member relative to the mating portion. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating the overview of the connector in the embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the overview of the connector in the embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a plan view showing the main parts of the connector according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a perspective view showing the main parts of the connector according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a perspective view showing the main parts of the sealing member. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a plan view showing the main parts of the housing. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a perspective view showing the main parts of the housing. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Embodiments of the connector according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments.

[0010] [Embodiment] One embodiment of the connector according to the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 7.

[0011] Reference numeral 1 in Figures 1 and 2 indicates the connector of this embodiment. This connector 1 is inserted and fitted into a mating hole 521 of a mating device having an inner circumferential surface 521a, thereby electrically connecting to a mating terminal fitting (not shown) (Figure 1). The mating hole 521 is, for example, a through hole formed in the wall of the housing of an electrical device equipped with a mating terminal fitting. Alternatively, the mating hole 521 is, for example, the internal space of the annular mating portion in the mating housing of a mating connector equipped with a mating terminal fitting.

[0012] This connector 1 comprises a terminal fitting 10, a housing 20, and a sealing member 30 (Figures 1 and 2).

[0013] The terminal fitting 10 is formed from a conductive material such as metal. For example, the terminal fitting 10 may have either a male or female terminal portion and be mated and connected to a mating terminal fitting that has the other terminal portion. Alternatively, the terminal fitting 10 may be fixed to the mating terminal fitting with screws. The terminal fitting 10 shown here is formed in a shaft shape, and a bolt fixing portion 11 is formed at its end for fixing a stud bolt (not shown) coaxially (Figure 2).

[0014] The housing 20 is molded from an insulating material such as synthetic resin. The housing 20 is provided with an annular housing body 21 and an annular fitting portion 22 that protrudes coaxially from the housing body 21 (Figures 1 and 2). The housing 20 is provided with a terminal housing portion 23 for each terminal fitting 10, located inside the housing body 21 and the fitting portion 22 (Figures 1 and 2). The terminal housing portion 23 is formed in a cylindrical shape, for example, with a cylindrical axis that is part or all of the cylindrical part parallel to the annular axis of the fitting portion 22, and houses and holds the terminal fitting 10 within the cylinder. The housing 20 is fixed to the periphery of the fitting hole 521 using bolts B (Figure 1).

[0015] The fitting portion 22 is formed with its outer circumferential surface 22a similar in shape to the inner circumferential surface 521a of the mating fitting hole 521, and is inserted and fitted into the fitting hole 521 along the insertion fitting direction (Figure 1). Therefore, the fitting portion 22 and the fitting hole 521, which are inserted and fitted concentrically, form an annular gap between their outer circumferential surface 22a and inner circumferential surface 521a. The sealing member 30 is formed into an annular shape to fill this gap and is assembled to the outer circumferential surface 22a of the fitting portion 22. This sealing member 30 is molded from an elastically deformable synthetic resin material such as synthetic rubber.

[0016] The seal member 30 is disposed concentrically on the outer peripheral surface 22a of the fitting portion 22, and has an annular seal main body 31 that fills the annular gap between the outer peripheral surface 22a of the fitting portion 22 and the inner peripheral surface 521a of the fitting hole 521 (FIGS. 3 to 5). For example, the seal main body 31 is provided with a plurality of annular first lips that are concentrically and closely attached to the outer peripheral surface 22a of the fitting portion 22, and a plurality of annular second lips that are concentrically and closely attached to the inner peripheral surface 521a of the fitting hole 521.

[0017] Further, the seal member 30 has at least one positioning projection 32 that protrudes from the seal main body 31 toward the inside of the ring of the seal main body 31 (FIGS. 3 to 5). For example, the seal member 30 is provided with positioning projections 32 at two positions with the axial center of the seal main body 31 interposed therebetween.

[0018] This positioning projection 32 has a first protruding portion 32a that protrudes from the seal main body 31 toward the axial center of the seal main body 31 in a direction orthogonal to the ring axis of the seal main body 31, a second protruding portion 32b that protrudes to one side in the circumferential direction of the seal main body 31 from the tip end of the first protruding portion 32a on the protruding direction side, and a third protruding portion 32c that protrudes to the other side in the circumferential direction of the seal main body 31 from the tip end of the first protruding portion 32a (FIGS. 3 to 5). This positioning projection 32 is formed in a T-shape having the first protruding portion 32a, the second protruding portion 32b, and the third protruding portion 32c. Further, this positioning projection 32 is formed in a flat plate shape having a plane orthogonal to the ring axis of the seal main body 31.

[0019] The fitting portion 22 is provided with a locking groove 24 that fits and locks the positioning projection 32 at the tip on the insertion fitting direction side with respect to the fitting hole 521 and on the inner annular side of itself (FIG. 3, FIG. 4, FIG. 6 and FIG. 7). This locking groove 24 suppresses the positional deviation of the positioning projection 32 in the circumferential direction of the seal main body 31 relative to the outer peripheral surface 22a of the fitting portion 22 by fitting the positioning projection 32 and locking it to its peripheral edge, and also suppresses the positional deviation of the positioning projection 32 in the direction orthogonal to the annular axis of the seal main body 31 relative to the outer peripheral surface 22a of the fitting portion 22. When the seal member 30 is assembled to the outer peripheral surface 22a of the fitting portion 22, the positioning projection 32 is inserted from the opening 24a of the locking groove 24 along the annular axis direction of the seal main body 31 (FIG. 4 and FIG. 7).

[0020] At the peripheral edge of the locking groove 24, there are provided a first locking portion 25a that locks the first projection 32a from one side in the circumferential direction of the seal main body 31 and locks the second projection 32b from the side opposite to the axis of the seal main body 31, and a second locking portion 25b that locks the first projection 32a from the other side in the circumferential direction of the seal main body 31 and locks the third projection 32c from the side opposite to the axis of the seal main body 31 (FIG. 3, FIG. 4, FIG. 6 and FIG. 7).

[0021] The locking groove 24 suppresses the positional deviation of the positioning projection 32 to one side in the circumferential direction of the seal main body 31 relative to the outer peripheral surface 22a of the fitting portion 22 by causing the first locking portion 25a to lock the first projection 32a. Further, the locking groove 24 suppresses the positional deviation of the positioning projection 32 to the other side in the circumferential direction of the seal main body 31 relative to the outer peripheral surface 22a of the fitting portion 22 by causing the second locking portion 25b to lock the first projection 32a. Furthermore, the locking groove 24 suppresses the positional deviation of the positioning projection 32 to the side opposite to the axis of the seal main body 31 relative to the outer peripheral surface 22a of the fitting portion 22 by causing the first locking portion 25a to lock the second projection 32b and causing the second locking portion 25b to lock the third projection 32c.

[0022] Further, at the peripheral edge of the locking groove 24, there is provided a third locking portion 25c that locks the first projection 32a, the second projection 32b and the third projection 32c from the axis side of the seal main body 31 (FIG. 3, FIG. 4, FIG. 6 and FIG. 7).

[0023] The locking groove 24 prevents the positioning projection 32 of the seal body 31 toward the axial side from the outer circumferential surface 22a of the fitting portion 22 by locking the first projection 32a, the second projection 32b, and the third projection 32c into the third locking portion 25c from the axial side.

[0024] Furthermore, the periphery of the locking groove 24 is provided with a fourth locking portion 25d that locks the second projection 32b from one side in the circumferential direction of the seal body 31, and a fifth locking portion 25e that locks the third projection 32c from the other side in the circumferential direction of the seal body 31 (Figures 3, 4, 6, and 7).

[0025] The locking groove 24 prevents the positioning projection 32 of the seal body 31 from shifting to one side in the circumferential direction relative to the outer circumferential surface 22a of the fitting portion 22 by engaging the second projection 32b with the fourth locking portion 25d. Furthermore, the locking groove 24 prevents the positioning projection 32 of the seal body 31 from shifting to the other side in the circumferential direction relative to the outer circumferential surface 22a of the fitting portion 22 by engaging the third projection 32c with the fifth locking portion 25e.

[0026] The locking groove 24 shown here is formed in a T-shape with a first projection 32a, a second projection 32b, a third projection 32c, a fourth locking portion 25d, and a fifth locking portion 25e on its periphery.

[0027] Thus, the positioning projection 32 is positioned on the ring-side of the seal body 31, and its movement in the circumferential direction and in the direction perpendicular to the ring axis of the seal body 31 is locked within the locking groove 24, which is positioned on the ring-side of the fitting portion 22. Therefore, the positioning projection 32 is less affected by the force acting on the seal body 31 when the fitting portion 22 is inserted and fitted into the fitting hole 521, and can be inserted into the locking groove 24 without significantly deforming the positioning projection 32. Consequently, the connector 1 of this embodiment can be stopped within the locking groove 24 without significantly deforming the positioning projection 32, and the locking groove 24 and positioning projection 32 can perform the positioning and holding functions of the seal member 30 relative to the fitting portion 22.

[0028] Furthermore, although the positioning projection 32 is formed in a flat plate shape having a plane perpendicular to the annular axis of the seal body 31, it is locked in the locking groove 24 in the compression or tension direction (in other words, the direction perpendicular to the annular axis of the seal body 31) where the amount of deformation is small, rather than in the bending direction (in other words, the bending direction of the seal body 31 in the annular axis direction) where the amount of deformation is large. Therefore, even if an external force acts on the seal body 31 in the circumferential direction or perpendicular to the annular axis of the seal body 31 via the seal body 31 when inserting and fitting the fitting portion 22 into the fitting hole 521, the positioning projection 32 can receive that external force in the compression or tension direction where the amount of deformation is small. Consequently, the connector 1 of this embodiment can be stopped in the groove of the locking groove 24 without significantly deforming the positioning projection 32, and thus can perform the positioning and holding functions of the seal member 30 with respect to the fitting portion 22.

[0029] Here, it is desirable that the depth of the locking groove 24, along the insertion direction of the positioning projection 32 from its opening 24a, be greater than the thickness of the seal body 31 in the ring axis direction at the positioning projection 32 (here, the plate thickness of the positioning projection 32). The depth of this locking groove 24 is such that even if the positioning projection 32 bends in its bending direction (that is, in the ring axis direction of the seal body 31), the positioning projection 32 will not protrude from the groove of the locking groove 24. As a result, the locking groove 24 can keep the positioning projection 32 inside the groove even if the positioning projection 32 bends toward the opening 24a. Therefore, even if the positioning projection 32 bends toward the opening 24a within the groove of the locking groove 24, it can withstand external forces acting on the seal body 31 in the circumferential direction or in the direction perpendicular to the ring axis of the seal body 31 in the compression or tension direction, which results in less deformation. In other words, even if the positioning projection 32 of the connector 1 in this embodiment bends towards the opening 24a within the groove of the locking groove 24, the positioning projection 32 can be stopped within the groove of the locking groove 24, thereby allowing the sealing member 30 to perform its positioning and holding functions with respect to the mating portion 22.

[0030] Furthermore, the connector 1 illustrated here is provided with a front holder 40 that is assembled to the tip of the mating portion 22 on the side facing the insertion and mating direction into the mating hole 521 (Figure 2). [Explanation of Symbols]

[0031] 1 Connector 10 Terminal fittings 20 Housing 22 Fitting part 23 Terminal housing section 22a Outer surface 24 Locking groove 24a aperture 25a 1st locking part 25b Second locking part 25c 3rd locking part 25d 4th locking part 25e Fifth locking part 30 sealing member 31 Sticker body 32 Positioning protrusions 32a 1st protrusion 32b 2nd protrusion 32c 3rd protrusion 521 Fitting hole 521a Inner surface

Claims

1. Terminal fittings and A housing provided with a terminal housing portion for housing the terminal fitting, and an annular fitting portion for inserting and fitting into the mating hole of the other party along the insertion and fitting direction, An annular sealing member to be assembled to the outer circumferential surface of the fitting portion, Equipped with, The sealing member comprises an annular sealing body arranged concentrically with the outer circumferential surface of the fitting portion and filling the annular gap between the outer circumferential surface of the fitting portion and the inner circumferential surface of the fitting hole, and at least one positioning projection extending from the sealing body toward the annular part of the sealing body. The positioning projection has a first projection that protrudes from the seal body toward the axis of the seal body in a direction perpendicular to the ring axis of the seal body, a second projection that protrudes to one side in the circumferential direction of the seal body from the tip of the first projection on the protruding side, and a third projection that protrudes to the other side in the circumferential direction of the seal body from the tip of the first projection. The connector is characterized in that the mating portion is provided with a locking groove at the tip on the insertion-mating direction side and on the inside of its own ring, into which the positioning projection is fitted and locked.

2. The connector according to claim 1, characterized in that the positioning projection is formed in a T-shape having a first projection, a second projection, and a third projection.

3. The connector according to claim 2, characterized in that the positioning projection is formed in a flat plate shape having a plane orthogonal to the ring axis of the seal body.

4. The connector according to claim 1, 2, or 3, characterized in that the periphery of the locking groove is provided with a first locking portion that locks the first projection from one side in the circumferential direction of the seal body and locks the second projection from the side opposite to the axis of the seal body; a second locking portion that locks the first projection from the other side in the circumferential direction of the seal body and locks the third projection from the side opposite to the axis of the seal body; and a third locking portion that locks the first projection, the second projection, and the third projection from the axis side of the seal body.

5. The connector according to claim 4, characterized in that the locking groove is formed in a T-shaped groove shape having a first locking portion, a second locking portion, a third locking portion, a fourth locking portion that locks the second projection from one side in the circumferential direction of the seal body, and a fifth locking portion that locks the third projection from the other side in the circumferential direction of the seal body, on its peripheral edge.

6. The positioning projection is inserted through the opening of the locking groove along the ring axis direction of the seal body. The connector according to claim 1, 2, or 3, characterized in that the locking groove has a groove depth along the insertion direction of the positioning projection from the opening that is greater than the thickness of the seal body in the ring axis direction at the positioning projection.

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