Sealing member and waterproof connector equipped with sealing member

Abstract

To provide a seal member capable of maintaining sealability and a waterproof connector with the seal member.SOLUTION: A seal member 1 comprises a main body 3 into which a terminal 109 electrically connected to a terminal part of an electric wire 111 is inserted and which has a hole 15 formed to insert and arrange the electric wire 111, and a lip 5 which is protruded in an elastically deformable state from an inner surface of the hole 15 into the hole 15, and is also brought into contact with an outer surface of the electric wire 111, wherein the lip 5 has a front lip 17 arranged at least on a front side in an insertion direction of a terminal 109, and a rear lip 19 which is arranged on a rear side in the insertion direction of the terminal 109, and the rear lip 19 elastically deforms to abut on the front lip 17 when the terminal 109 is inserted into the hole 15 to contact an outer surface of the terminal 109 to cause the front lip 17 to elastically deform away from the outer surface of the terminal 109.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a sealing member and a waterproof connector equipped with the sealing member. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, a sealing member includes a main body having a wire insertion hole formed therein, through which a terminal electrically connected to an end of an electric wire is inserted and through which the electric wire is inserted. Also, a sealing member having a lip protruding from the inner surface of the wire insertion hole toward the inside of the wire insertion hole in an elastically deformable manner and brought into close contact with the outer surface of the electric wire is known (see Patent Document 1).

[0003] The lips are arranged along the direction in which the terminal is inserted into the wire insertion hole. When the terminal is inserted into the wire insertion hole, the lips are elastically deformed so as to come into contact with and slide against the outer surface of the terminal and expand in diameter. When the electric wire is placed in the wire insertion hole, the elastically deformed lips are restored to their original state and come into close contact with the outer surface of the electric wire. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-24825 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in the sealing member as disclosed in Patent Document 1, when a terminal is inserted into a hole, all of the lips come into contact with and slide against the outer surface of the terminal, causing elastic deformation. Therefore, there is a risk that the lips may be damaged by the contact and sliding against the outer surface of the terminal, which may result in a decrease in sealing performance.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the problems inherent in the conventional art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a seal member capable of maintaining sealing performance and a waterproof connector equipped with the seal member. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The sealing member of this embodiment comprises a main body having a hole into which a terminal electrically connected to an end portion of an electric wire is inserted and through which the electric wire is inserted, and a lip that protrudes from the inner surface of the hole toward the inside of the hole in a manner capable of elastically deforming and is in close contact with the outer surface of the electric wire, the lip having at least a front lip arranged on the front side in the insertion direction of the terminal and a rear lip arranged on the rear side in the insertion direction of the terminal, and when the terminal is inserted into the hole and abuts against the outer surface of the terminal, the rear lip elastically deforms to abut against the front lip, causing the front lip to elastically deform and move away from the outer surface of the terminal.

[0008] It is preferable that the rear lip is provided with an inclined surface that is inclined so that a tip side is positioned forward of the inner surface side of the hole in the insertion direction of the terminal.

[0009] The lip preferably has at least one auxiliary lip arranged rearward of the rear lip in the terminal insertion direction.

[0010] It is preferable that the auxiliary lip is provided with an auxiliary inclined surface inclined so that a tip side of the auxiliary lip is positioned forward of the inner surface of the hole in the direction of insertion of the terminal.

[0011] The waterproof connector of this embodiment has a housing in which the terminals are accommodated and from which the electric wires are pulled out to the outside, and the sealing member is accommodated in the housing in close contact with the housing, and the terminals are accommodated by passing through the holes in the sealing member. Effect of the Invention

[0012] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a sealing member capable of maintaining sealing performance and a waterproof connector provided with the sealing member. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a waterproof connector according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 4 is a cross-sectional view of the sealing member according to the embodiment before a terminal is inserted into the sealing member. FIG. [Diagram 3] 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where a terminal is inserted into the sealing member according to the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 4] 4 is a cross-sectional view of the sealing member according to the embodiment after a terminal is inserted into the sealing member. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] The sealing member and the waterproof connector 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 convenience of explanation and may differ from the actual proportions.

[0015] As shown in Fig. 1, the sealing member 1 according to this embodiment is applied to a waterproof connector 101. The waterproof connector 101 according to this embodiment is capable of mating with a mating connector (not shown). The waterproof connector 101 includes a housing 103, a spacer 105, a rear holder 107, and a sealing member 1. Terminals 109 are housed in the housing 103, and electric wires 111 are drawn out to the outside.

[0016] The housing 103 is made of an insulating material such as synthetic resin. The housing 103 is provided with a lock arm 113 that is elastically deformable and that maintains or releases the mating state between the waterproof connector 101 and the mating connector. The lock arm 113 is provided with a locking portion 115 that is engaged with a locked portion (not shown) of the mating connector when the waterproof connector 101 and the mating connector are mated. The engagement between the locked portion and the locking portion 115 makes it possible to maintain the mating state between the waterproof connector 101 and the mating connector. The lock arm 113 is provided with an operating portion 117 that elastically deforms the lock arm 113. The operating portion 117 elastically deforms the lock arm 113 to release the engagement between the locked portion and the locking portion 115. The release of the engagement between the locked portion and the locking portion 115 makes it possible to release the mating state between the waterproof connector 101 and the mating connector.

[0017] A hood portion 119 is formed in the housing 103. The hood portion 119 extends in the mating direction of the waterproof connector 101 and the mating connector, and is formed in a housing shape into which the mating connector can be fitted. A terminal accommodating portion 121 is provided inside the hood portion 119, in which a terminal accommodating chamber 122 capable of accommodating the terminal 109 is formed.

[0018] The terminal accommodating portion 121 extends in the mating direction of the waterproof connector 101 and the mating connector. An elastically deformable locking lance 123 is provided inside the terminal accommodating portion 121 so as to protrude into the terminal accommodating chamber 122. The locking lance 123 engages with the terminal 109 to prevent the terminal 109 from coming out of the terminal accommodating chamber 122. A packing 125 made of an elastic material such as rubber is attached in close contact with the outer surface of the terminal accommodating portion 121. The packing 125 comes in close contact with the mating connector when the waterproof connector 101 and the mating connector are mated, and seals between the waterproof connector 101 and the mating connector. The terminal 109 is accommodated in the terminal accommodating chamber 122 from an opening on the opposite side to the hood portion 119.

[0019] The terminal 109 is made of a conductive material. The terminal 109 is, for example, a female terminal having a box-shaped connecting portion extending along the fitting direction of the waterproof connector 101 and the mating connector. A spacer accommodating portion 127 is formed in the terminal accommodating portion 121 that accommodates the terminal 109. The spacer accommodating portion 127 is opened on the lower surface side of the terminal accommodating portion 121 and communicates with an opening formed in the hood portion 119. The spacer 105 is assembled into the spacer accommodating portion 127 through the opening of the hood portion 119.

[0020] The spacer 105 is made of an insulating material such as synthetic resin. The spacer 105 is assembled to the spacer housing portion 127 so as to be movable between a temporary locking position and a full locking position. The spacer 105 is provided with a locking portion 129 that engages with the terminal 109. Although not shown, a temporary locking holding portion that holds the spacer 105 at the temporary locking position and a full locking holding portion that holds the spacer 105 at the full locking position are provided between the spacer 105 and the housing 103.

[0021] When the spacer 105 is in the provisional locking position (see FIG. 1), the locking portion 129 is not disposed in the terminal accommodating chamber 122. Therefore, the terminal 109 can be accommodated in the terminal accommodating chamber 122 without interference from the locking portion 129. When the spacer 105 is in the full locking position (not shown), the locking portion 129 is disposed in the terminal accommodating chamber 122 and engages with the terminal 109. Therefore, the terminal 109 is doubly prevented from coming out of the terminal accommodating chamber 122 together with the locking lance 123, and the terminal 109 can be stably held in the terminal accommodating chamber 122.

[0022] The terminal 109, which is prevented from coming off by the spacer 105, is electrically connected to an end portion of the electric wire 111 drawn out to the outside of the terminal accommodating chamber 122. The electric wire 111 is electrically connected to, for example, a power source, an apparatus, etc. The terminal 109 is electrically connected to the end portion of the electric wire 111 by crimping through the crimping of a crimping piece of the terminal 109. A holder accommodating portion 131 is formed on the side of the housing 103 from which the electric wire 111 is drawn out. The holder accommodating portion 131 extends in a cylindrical shape along the length direction of the electric wire 111. The rear holder 107 is assembled to the holder accommodating portion 131 from the side from which the electric wire 111 is drawn out.

[0023] The rear holder 107 is made of an insulating material such as synthetic resin. The rear holder 107 is assembled to the holder accommodating portion 131 so as to be movable between a temporary locking position and a full locking position. The rear holder 107 is provided with a through hole 133 that communicates with the terminal accommodating chamber 122 and into which the terminal 109 can be inserted. A seal accommodating portion 135 that accommodates the seal member 1 is provided on the side of the terminal accommodating chamber 122 of the rear holder 107. Although not shown, a temporary locking holding portion that holds the rear holder 107 at the temporary locking position and a full locking holding portion that holds the rear holder 107 at the full locking position are provided between the rear holder 107 and the housing 103.

[0024] When the rear holder 107 is in the provisionally locked position (see FIG. 1), the seal member 1 is not housed in the seal accommodating portion 135. In a state in which the seal member 1 is not housed in the seal accommodating portion 135, the seal member 1 is not compressed inward, and the terminal 109 can be inserted into the seal member 1. Therefore, by inserting the terminal 109 into the through hole 133, the terminal 109 can be inserted into the seal member 1, and the terminal 109 can be housed in the terminal accommodating chamber 122.

[0025] When the rear holder 107 is in a full locking position (not shown), the seal member 1 is housed in the seal housing portion 135. When the seal member 1 is housed in the seal housing portion 135, the outer surface of the seal member 1 comes into close contact with the inner surface of the seal housing portion 135, and the seal member 1 is compressed inward. Therefore, the compressed seal member 1 comes into close contact with the outer surface of the inserted electric wire 111, improving the sealing performance between the seal member 1 and the electric wire 111. The seal member 1 will be described below with reference to Figs. 1 to 4.

[0026] 1 to 4, the seal member 1 is made of an elastic material such as rubber. The seal member 1 is formed in a circumferentially continuous annular shape and is accommodated in a holder accommodating portion 131 of a housing 103. The seal member 1 includes a main body 3 and a lip 5. The main body 3 includes a large diameter portion 7 and a small diameter portion 9.

[0027] In holder accommodating portion 131 of housing 103, the inner surface of large diameter portion 7 is in close contact with the outer surface of terminal accommodating portion 121. A plurality of (here, two) outer peripheral lips 11 that are continuous in the circumferential direction are provided on the outer surface of large diameter portion 7 along the insertion direction of seal member 1 into holder accommodating portion 131. Outer peripheral lips 11 of large diameter portion 7 are in close contact with the inner surface of holder accommodating portion 131.

[0028] The small diameter portion 9 is formed as a single member that is continuous with the large diameter portion 7 and has a smaller diameter than the large diameter portion 7. A plurality of (here, two) outer peripheral lips 13 that are continuous in the circumferential direction are provided on the outer surface of the small diameter portion 9 along the insertion direction of the seal member 1 into the holder accommodating portion 131. The outer peripheral lips 13 of the small diameter portion 9 are in close contact with the inner surface of the seal accommodating portion 135 of the rear holder 107.

[0029] The large diameter portion 7 and small diameter portion 9 of the main body 3 seal between the housing 103 and the rear holder 107 when the seal member 1 is accommodated in the holder accommodating portion 131 of the housing 103 and the rear holder 107 is disposed at the full locking position of the holder accommodating portion 131. A hole 15 is formed in the axial center portion of the main body 3, penetrating the main body 3 in the insertion direction of the terminal 109 into the terminal accommodating chamber 122. The inner diameter of the hole 15 is set larger than the outer diameter of the terminal 109, allowing the terminal 109 to be inserted therein. A lip 5 is provided on the inner surface of the hole 15.

[0030] The lip 5 includes a front lip 17, a rear lip 19, and an auxiliary lip 21. The front lip 17 is disposed on the front side in the insertion direction of the terminal 109 into the hole 15. The front lip 17 protrudes from the inner surface of the hole 15 toward the axis of the hole 15, and is formed continuously in the circumferential direction. The inner diameter of the front lip 17 is set smaller than the outer diameter of the electric wire 111. Therefore, when the electric wire 111 is disposed in the hole 15, the front lip 17 comes into close contact with the outer surface of the electric wire 111, and seals between the seal member 1 and the electric wire 111.

[0031] The rear lip 19 is disposed rearward of the front lip 17 in the insertion direction of the terminal 109 into the hole 15. The rear lip 19 protrudes from the inner surface of the hole 15 toward the axis of the hole 15 and is formed continuously in the circumferential direction. The inner diameter of the rear lip 19 is set smaller than the outer diameter of the electric wire 111. Therefore, when the electric wire 111 is disposed in the hole 15, the rear lip 19 comes into close contact with the outer surface of the electric wire 111, thereby providing a seal between the seal member 1 and the electric wire 111.

[0032] 3, when terminal 109 is inserted into hole 15, rear lip 19 abuts against and slides against terminal 109, and is elastically deformed toward front lip 17 so as to expand in diameter. The elastically deformed rear lip 19 abuts against front lip 17, expanding the diameter of front lip 17 and elastically deforming it so as to move away from the outer surface of terminal 109. For this reason, when terminal 109 is inserted into hole 15, front lip 17 does not abut against or slide against the outer surface of terminal 109.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 4, the rear lip 19 is restored to a smaller diameter after the terminal 109 passes the front lip 17. At this time, the front lip 17 is also restored to a smaller diameter following the restoration of the rear lip 19. The restored front lip 17 and rear lip 19 are in close contact with the outer surface of the electric wire 111 placed in the hole 15. By having such a front lip 17 and rear lip 19, the front lip 17 does not come into contact with or slide against the outer surface of the terminal 109, and the front lip 17 is not damaged. Therefore, at least the close contact between the front lip 17 and the electric wire 111 can be ensured, and the sealing property between the seal member 1 and the electric wire 111 can be maintained.

[0034] The rear lip 19 has an inclined surface 23 on a surface that comes into contact with the terminal 109. The inclined surface 23 is inclined so that the tip side of the rear lip 19 is located forward of the inner surface of the hole 15 in the insertion direction of the terminal 109. For example, when the terminal 109 is inserted obliquely into the hole 15, the inclined surface 23 slides with the terminal 109, moving the terminal 109 along the inclined surface 23 and guiding the terminal 109 to the tip side of the rear lip 19. By providing such an inclined surface 23, the elastic deformation of the rear lip 19 due to the contact and sliding with the terminal 109 can be stabilized, and the elastic deformation of the front lip 17 by the rear lip 19 can be stabilized.

[0035] The auxiliary lip 21 is disposed rearward of the rear lip 19 in the insertion direction of the terminal 109 into the hole 15. The auxiliary lip 21 protrudes from the inner surface of the hole 15 toward the axis of the hole 15 and is formed continuously in the circumferential direction. The inner diameter of the auxiliary lip 21 is set smaller than the outer diameter of the electric wire 111. Therefore, when the electric wire 111 is disposed in the hole 15, the auxiliary lip 21 comes into close contact with the outer surface of the electric wire 111, sealing between the seal member 1 and the electric wire 111. By providing such an auxiliary lip 21, the sealing performance between the seal member 1 and the electric wire 111 can be improved.

[0036] The auxiliary lip 21 is provided with an auxiliary inclined surface 25 on the surface that comes into contact with the terminal 109. The auxiliary inclined surface 25 is inclined so that the tip side of the auxiliary lip 21 is located forward of the inner surface side of the hole 15 in the insertion direction of the terminal 109. For example, when the terminal 109 is inserted obliquely into the hole 15, the auxiliary inclined surface 25 slides with the terminal 109, moving the terminal 109 along the auxiliary inclined surface 25 and guiding the terminal 109 to the tip side of the auxiliary lip 21. By providing the auxiliary inclined surface 25 on the auxiliary lip 21, the insertion posture of the terminal 109 can be corrected before the rear lip 19, and damage to the rear lip 19 due to contact and sliding with the terminal 109 can be suppressed.

[0037] In such a seal member 1, the lip 5 has at least a front lip 17 arranged on the front side in the insertion direction of the terminal 109, and a rear lip 19 arranged on the rear side in the insertion direction of the terminal 109. When the terminal 109 is inserted into the hole 15 and comes into contact with the outer surface of the terminal 109, the rear lip 19 elastically deforms and comes into contact with the front lip 17, causing the front lip 17 to elastically deform and move away from the outer surface of the terminal 109.

[0038] For this reason, the front lip 17 does not come into contact with or slide against the outer surface of the terminal 109 when the terminal 109 passes through the hole 15. Therefore, with such a seal member 1, it is possible to prevent the front lip 17 from being damaged due to contact or sliding with the terminal 109, and it is possible to maintain the sealing performance.

[0039] In addition, rear lip 19 is provided with inclined surface 23 that is inclined so that the tip side is located forward in the insertion direction of terminal 109 from the inner surface side of hole 15. Therefore, inclined surface 23 can correct the insertion posture of terminal 109 into hole 15. Therefore, elastic deformation of rear lip 19 due to contact and sliding with terminal 109 can be stabilized, and elastic deformation of front lip 17 by rear lip 19 can be stabilized.

[0040] Furthermore, the lip 5 has at least one auxiliary lip 21 disposed rearward of the rear lip 19 in the insertion direction of the terminal 109. This increases the number of areas that come into contact with the outer surface of the wire 111, improving the sealing performance.

[0041] In addition, the auxiliary lip 21 is provided with an auxiliary inclined surface 25 that is inclined so that the tip side is positioned forward in the insertion direction of the terminal 109 from the inner surface side of the hole 15. Therefore, the insertion posture of the terminal 109 can be corrected before the rear lip 19, and damage caused by contact and sliding between the rear lip 19 and the terminal 109 can be suppressed.

[0042] Furthermore, the waterproof connector 101 includes a housing 103 in which the terminals 109 are accommodated and from which the electric wires 111 are drawn to the outside. The seal member 1 is accommodated in the housing 103 in close contact therewith, and the terminals 109 are accommodated by passing through holes 15 of the seal member 1.

[0043] For this reason, when the terminals 109 are accommodated in the housing 103, the front lip 17 of the seal member 1 does not come into contact with or slide against the outer surfaces of the terminals 109. Therefore, in such a waterproof connector 101, it is possible to prevent the front lip 17 of the seal member 1 from being damaged due to contact and sliding with the terminals 109, and the sealing performance can be maintained.

[0044] 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.

[0045] For example, one auxiliary lip is disposed on the rear side of the rear lip in the terminal insertion direction, but this is not limiting, and two or more auxiliary lips may be disposed on the rear side of the rear lip in the terminal insertion direction.

[0046] Although nothing is provided in front of the front lip in the terminal insertion direction, for example, another lip such as a front lip, a rear lip, or an auxiliary lip may be provided in front of the front lip in the terminal insertion direction. In this case, the lip located on the rear side in the terminal insertion direction elastically deforms the lip located on the front side in the terminal insertion direction and separates it from the outer surface of the terminal. [Explanation of symbols]

[0047] 1 Sealing material 3. Main unit 5 Lip 15 holes 17 Front Lip 19 Rear lip 21 Auxiliary Lip 23 Slope 25 Auxiliary slope 101 Waterproof connector 103 Housing 109 Terminal 111 Electric wire

Claims

1. a main body having a hole through which a terminal electrically connected to an end portion of an electric wire is inserted and through which the electric wire is inserted; a lip that protrudes from an inner surface of the hole toward the inside of the hole in an elastically deformable manner and is in close contact with an outer surface of the electric wire; Equipped with The lip has at least a front lip disposed on a front side in an insertion direction of the terminal and a rear lip disposed on a rear side in the insertion direction of the terminal, a rear surface of the rear lip in the insertion direction is provided with an inclined surface inclined so that, when the terminal is not inserted, one end of the hole on the axial side is located forward of one end of the hole on the inner surface side in the insertion direction, and a front surface of the rear lip in the insertion direction is inclined so that, when the terminal is not inserted, one end of the hole on the axial side is located forward of one end of the hole on the inner surface side in the insertion direction, The rear lip is a sealing member that elastically deforms to abut against the front lip when the terminal is inserted into the hole and the inclined surface of the rear lip abuts against the outer surface of the terminal, thereby elastically deforming the front lip and separating it from the outer surface of the terminal.

2. The lip has at least one auxiliary lip disposed rearward of the rear lip in the terminal insertion direction, a rear surface of the auxiliary lip in the insertion direction is provided with an auxiliary inclined surface inclined so that, when the terminal is not inserted, one end of the hole on the axial side is located forward of one end of the hole on the inner surface side in the insertion direction, and a front surface of the auxiliary lip in the insertion direction is inclined so that, when the terminal is not inserted, one end of the hole on the axial side is located forward of one end of the hole on the inner surface side in the insertion direction. The seal member according to claim 1 .

3. a housing in which the terminal is housed and from which the electric wire is drawn out to the outside; 3. A waterproof connector, wherein the sealing member according to claim 1 or 2 is accommodated in the housing in intimate contact therewith, and the terminals are accommodated by passing through the holes in the sealing member.

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