Sealing member, wire harness provided with the sealing member, and connector provided with the sealing member

Abstract

To provide a seal member, a wire harness having a seal member, and a connector having a seal member capable of stabilizing sealing performance.SOLUTION: A seal member 29 includes a seal material 43 and a high-rigidity material 45 that is integral with the seal material 43 and has higher rigidity than the seal material 43. A wire harness includes an electric wire, a housing arranged at an end portion of the electric wire, and a seal member 29 arranged on the mating surface of the housing. The connector includes a housing, a mating housing that can be mated with the housing, and a seal member 29 that is arranged between the housing and the mating housing and is in close contact with the housing and the mating housing.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a sealing member, a wire harness including the sealing member, and a connector including the sealing member.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as a sealing member, a packing disposed between a housing and an adherend is known (see Patent Document 1). This packing has an outer peripheral surface that is in close contact with the housing and the adherend, and seals between the housing and the adherend. By sealing between the housing and the adherend with the packing, it is possible to prevent water, oil, etc. from entering the inside of the housing or the inside of the adherend.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, the sealing member as in Patent Document 1 above is formed of a single sealing material, such as an elastic material such as rubber. A sealing member formed of a single sealing material has high adhesion to the mating member with which it comes into contact and is excellent in sealing performance, but has low rigidity and is easily deformed. For this reason, for example, if a member that interferes with the sealing member is disposed at the portion where the sealing member is disposed, the sealing member may be deformed, a gap may be generated between the sealing member and the mating member, and the sealing performance may be deteriorated.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of such problems of the prior art. An object of the present invention is to provide a sealing member capable of stabilizing the sealing performance, a wire harness including the sealing member, and a connector including the sealing member.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The sealing member according to this embodiment includes a sealing material made of an elastic material and a high-rigidity material that is provided integrally with the sealing material and has a higher rigidity than the sealing material.

[0007] The wire harness according to this embodiment includes an electric wire, a housing that is disposed at the terminal portion of the electric wire and can be fitted to a mating housing, and the sealing member disposed on the fitting surface of the housing.

[0008] The connector according to this embodiment includes a housing, a mating housing that can be fitted to the housing, and the sealing member that is disposed between the housing and the mating housing and is in close contact with the housing and the mating housing.

Advantages of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a sealing member capable of stabilizing the sealing performance, a wire harness provided with the sealing member, and a connector provided with the sealing member.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] Hereinafter, the seal member, wire harness, and connector according to the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the dimensional ratios in the drawings are exaggerated for the convenience of explanation and may be different from the actual ratios.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 1, the connector 1 according to the present embodiment is applied to electrically connect between electrical components (not shown), such as between a power source and a device, or between devices. A mating wire 7 is electrically connected to one of the electrical components, and a mating housing 9 is electrically connected to the terminal portion of the mating wire 7. The mating wire 7 and the mating housing 9 constitute a mating wire harness 3. A wire 25 is electrically connected to the other electrical component, and a housing 27 is electrically connected to the terminal portion of the wire 25. The wire 25 and the housing 27 constitute a wire harness 5. In such a connector 1, when the mating housing 9 and the housing 27 are fitted together, the mating wire harness 3 and the wire harness 5 are electrically connected, and the electrical components are electrically connected.

[0013] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, the connector 1 includes a mating wire harness 3 and a wire harness 5.

[0014] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, the mating wire harness 3 includes a mating wire 7 and a mating housing 9.

[0015] A plurality of (here, two) mating wires 7 are used. One end of the mating wire 7 is electrically connected to an electrical component. A mating terminal (not shown) is electrically connected to the other end of the mating wire 7. The mating terminal electrically connected to the mating wire 7 is housed in the mating housing 9.

[0016] The mating housing 9 includes a mating inner housing 11 and a mating shield shell 13.

[0017] The mating inner housing 11 is made of an insulating material such as synthetic resin. The mating inner housing 11 is formed in a housing shape capable of accommodating a plurality (here, two) of mating terminals. Inside the mating inner housing 11, an elastically deformable mating locking lance (not shown) that engages with the mating terminal is provided. When the mating locking lance engages with the mating terminal, the mating terminal is prevented from coming off the mating inner housing 11, and the mating terminal is held by the mating inner housing 11.

[0018] The mating shield shell 13 is made of a conductive material such as metal. The mating shield shell 13 is formed in a housing shape capable of accommodating the mating inner housing 11. Inside the mating shield shell 13, a mating engaging portion (not shown) that engages with the mating inner housing 11 and holds the mating inner housing 11 in the mating shield shell 13 is provided. A mating flange portion 15 is provided on the front side in the fitting direction of the mating shield shell 13 with respect to the housing 27. The front surface of the mating flange portion 15 in the fitting direction is the mating fitting surface 17. On both sides of the mating flange portion 15 that project from the outer surface of the mating shield shell 13, mating fixing portions 21 each formed by an insertion hole through which a bolt 19 can be inserted are provided. On the surface of the mating fixing portion 21 opposite to the mating fitting surface 17, a nut 23 to which the bolt 19 can be fastened is arranged. A grounded mating shield member (not shown) is electrically connected to cover the outer periphery of the mating electric wire 7 drawn out from the mating housing 9 in the mating shield shell 13.

[0019] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the wire harness 5 includes an electric wire 25, a housing 27, and a seal member 29.

[0020] A plurality (here, two) of electric wires 25 are used. One end of the electric wire 25 is electrically connected to an electric component. A terminal (not shown) is electrically connected to the other end of the electric wire 25. The terminal electrically connected to the electric wire 25 is housed in the housing 27.

[0021] The housing 27 includes an inner housing 31 and a shield shell 33.

[0022] The inner housing 31 is made of an insulating material such as synthetic resin. The inner housing 31 is formed in a housing shape capable of accommodating a plurality (here, two) of terminals and being fitted inside the mating inner housing 11. Inside the inner housing 31, there is provided an elastically deformable locking lance (not shown) that engages with the terminals. When the locking lance engages with the terminals, the terminals are prevented from coming off the inner housing 31, and the terminals are held by the inner housing 31.

[0023] When the mating housing 9 and the housing 27 are fitted together, the inner housing 31 is fitted with the mating inner housing 11. When the mating inner housing 11 and the inner housing 31 are fitted together, the mating terminals and the terminals are electrically connected, and the electrical components are electrically connected.

[0024] The shield shell 33 is made of a conductive material such as metal, for example. The shield shell 33 is formed in a housing shape capable of accommodating the inner housing 31. Inside the shield shell 33, an engaging portion (not shown) is provided that engages with the inner housing 31 and holds the inner housing 31 in the shield shell 33. Note that a part of the inner housing 31 housed in the shield shell 33 is exposed from the shield shell 33, and the exposed portion can be fitted inside the mating inner housing 11. A flange portion 35 is provided on the front side in the fitting direction of the shield shell 33 with respect to the mating housing 9. The front surface of the flange portion 35 in the fitting direction is the fitting surface 37. The flange portion 35 is provided with ribs 39 protruding toward the fitting surface 37 side. When the mating housing 9 and the housing 27 are fitted together, the ribs 39 abut against the side surface of the mating flange portion 15 and position the fitting position of the mating housing 9 and the housing 27. On both sides of the flange portion 35 protruding from the outer surface of the shield shell 33, fixing portions 41 are provided, each of which is formed by passing through the flange portion 35 and is an insertion hole through which the bolt 19 can be inserted. On the surface of the fixing portion 41 opposite to the fitting surface 37, with the bolt 19 fastened to the nut 23, the head of the bolt 19 is abutted via a washer. A shield member (not shown) that covers the outer periphery of the electric wire 25 drawn out from the housing 27 and is grounded is electrically connected to the shield shell 33.

[0025] When the mating housing 9 and the housing 27 are fitted together, the shield shell 33 is fitted with the mating shield shell 13 such that the mating fitting surface 17 of the mating flange portion 15 and the fitting surface 37 of the flange portion 35 are in contact with each other. The fitting of the mating shield shell 13 and the shield shell 33 is held by inserting the bolt 19 through the mating fixing portion 21 (see FIG. 6) and the fixing portion 41 and fastening the bolt 19 to the nut 23. When the mating shield shell 13 and the shield shell 33 are fitted together, a shield circuit is formed, preventing the intrusion of external noise and the leakage of noise to the outside. A seal member 29 is disposed on the fitting surface 37 of the flange portion 35 of the shield shell 33.

[0026] Here, the seal member 29 is arranged to be in close contact with the mating fitting surface 17 of the mating flange portion 15 and the fitting surface 37 of the flange portion 35 in a state where the mating housing 9 and the housing 27 are fitted together. By the seal member 29 being in close contact with the mating fitting surface 17 and the fitting surface 37, the space between the mating housing 9 and the housing 27 is sealed, and it is possible to prevent water, oil, etc. from entering the inside of the mating housing 9 or the inside of the housing 27.

[0027] Conventional seal members are formed of a single sealing material, such as an elastic material like rubber, for example. A seal member formed of a single sealing material has high adhesion to the mating fitting surface 17 and the fitting surface 37 and is excellent in sealing performance, but has low rigidity and is easily deformed. For this reason, when a conventional seal member interferes with, for example, the rib 39, it deforms so as to turn up from the mating fitting surface 17 or the fitting surface 37 at the interfering portion, and a gap is generated between the mating fitting surface 17 or the fitting surface 37, and there is a possibility that the sealing performance may deteriorate.

[0028] Therefore, the seal member 29 includes a sealing material 43 and a high-rigidity material 45.

[0029] The sealing material 43 is made of an elastic material such as ethylene propylene diene rubber (EPDM), for example. The sealing material 43 is formed in a sponge shape and in a sheet shape, for example. A plurality (here, two) of the sealing materials 43 are arranged in a stacked manner.

[0030] The high-rigidity material 45 is made of, for example, a synthetic resin material having a higher rigidity than the sealing material 43, or a metal material having a higher rigidity than the sealing material 43. The high-rigidity material 45 is formed, for example, in a plate shape equivalent to or thinner than the sealing material 43. The high-rigidity material 45 is disposed between adjacent sealing materials 43, 43 and fixed by adhesion or the like so as to be integrated with the sealing materials 43, 43. The outer edge of the high-rigidity material 45 is disposed so as to be located inside the adjacent sealing materials 43, 43. The adjacent sealing materials 43, 43 protruding from the outer edge of the high-rigidity material 45 are closely adhered and fixed to each other by adhesion or the like. For this reason, the entire outer surface of the seal member 29 is constituted by the sealing material 43 without the high-rigidity material 45 being exposed.

[0031] The seal member 29 composed of the sealing material 43 and the high-rigidity material 45 is disposed on the fitting surface 37 of the flange portion 35 of the shield shell 33 and includes a flat portion 47 and a bent portion 49.

[0032] The flat portion 47 is disposed between the mating fitting surface 17 and the fitting surface 37 in a state where the mating housing 9 and the housing 27 are fitted together. The flat portion 47 is provided by fixing the sealing materials 43, 43 to both surfaces in the thickness direction of the high-rigidity material 45 formed in a flat shape. In the flat portion 47, the sealing materials 43, 43 located on both sides in the thickness direction are in close contact with the mating fitting surface 17 and the fitting surface 37, respectively.

[0033] The bent portion 49 is formed continuously with the flat portion 47 and is disposed between the side surface of the mating flange portion 15 and the outer surface of the rib 39 in a state where the mating housing 9 and the housing 27 are fitted together. The bent portion 49 is provided by fixing the seal members 43, 43 to both surfaces in the thickness direction of the high-rigidity material 45 formed in accordance with the outer shape of the rib 39. In the bent portion 49, the seal members 43, 43 located on both sides in the thickness direction are in close contact with the side surface of the mating flange portion 15 and the outer surface of the rib 39, respectively. When the high-rigidity material 45 is made of a material that can be plastically deformed, after forming the planar seal member 29, the high-rigidity material 45 may be plastically deformed in accordance with the outer shape of the rib 39 to provide the bent portion 49. In addition, at the bent corner of the bent portion 49, a slit is provided in the high-rigidity material 45 along the longitudinal direction of the rib 39. By providing the slit in the high-rigidity material 45, the corner of the bent portion 49 is easily bent, and the shape of the bent portion 49 easily follows the outer shape of the rib 39.

[0034] In such a seal member 29, for example, even if the seal member 29 interferes with the rib 39, it will not be deformed by the high-rigidity material 45. Therefore, no gap is generated between the seal member 29 and the mating fitting surface 17 or the fitting surface 37, and the sealing performance can be stabilized. In addition, the seal member 29 is formed into a shape that matches the shape of the mating member to be adhered so as to have the flat portion 47 and the bent portion 49. The formed state of the seal member 29 is held without being deformed by the high-rigidity material 45. Therefore, no gap is generated between the seal member 29 and the mating member to be adhered, and the sealing performance can be stabilized.

[0035] Note that the seal member 29 has a flat portion 47 and a bent portion 49. However, for example, only the flat portion 47 may be provided without providing the bent portion 49. Even with such a seal member 29, deformation of the flat portion 47 can be suppressed, and the occurrence of a gap between the flat portion 47 and the mating surface 17 or the fitting surface 37 can be suppressed. Further, although the high-rigidity member 45 is disposed between adjacent seal materials 43, 43, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the high-rigidity member 45 may be disposed only on one surface side of one seal material 43. In this case, in order to bring the seal material 43 into close contact with the mating member, the seal material 43 may be disposed so as to protrude from the outer edge of the high-rigidity member 45. In addition, the high-rigidity member 45 is not limited to a plate shape. For example, the high-rigidity member 45 may be formed in a linear shape, a plurality of them may be arranged, or a plurality of them may be arranged in a lattice shape, and the shape of the high-rigidity member 45 may be any shape.

[0036] Such a seal member 29 includes a seal material 43 made of an elastic material and a high-rigidity member 45 that is provided integrally with the seal material 43 and has a higher rigidity than the seal material 43. By providing the high-rigidity member 45, deformation of the seal material 43 can be suppressed. Therefore, the occurrence of a gap between the seal material 43 and the mating member with which the seal material 43 is in close contact can be suppressed.

[0037] Therefore, in such a seal member 29, the sealing performance can be stabilized.

[0038] Further, a plurality of seal materials 43 are arranged so as to overlap each other. And the high-rigidity member 45 is disposed between adjacent seal materials 43, 43. Therefore, the exposed area of the seal material 43 can be increased, and the sealing performance can be improved.

[0039] Furthermore, the wire harness 5 includes an electric wire 25, a housing 27 disposed at the terminal portion of the electric wire 25, and a seal member 29 disposed on the fitting surface 37 of the housing 27. The seal member 29 disposed on the fitting surface 37 of the housing 27 is brought into close contact with the mating member (here, the mating housing 9) when the housing 27 is fitted to the mating member. At this time, the deformation of the seal member 29 is suppressed by the high-rigidity material 45. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of a gap between the seal member 29 and the fitting surface 37 or the mating member.

[0040] Therefore, in the wire harness 5 provided with such a seal member 29, the sealing performance can be stabilized.

[0041] Also, the connector 1 includes a housing 27, a mating housing 9 that can be fitted to the housing 27, and a seal member 29 disposed between the housing 27 and the mating housing 9 and brought into close contact with the housing 27 and the mating housing 9. The deformation of the seal member 29 brought into close contact with the housing 27 and the mating housing 9 is suppressed by the high-rigidity material 45. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of a gap between the seal member 29 and the housing 27 or the mating housing 9.

[0042] Therefore, in the connector 1 provided with such a seal member 29, the sealing performance can be stabilized.

[0043] As described above, the present embodiment has been described, but the present embodiment is not limited to these, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the gist of the present embodiment.

[0044] For example, in the seal member according to the present embodiment, there are two seal materials, but the present invention is not limited to this, and three or more seal materials may be used. In this case, a high-rigidity material may be disposed between each of the plurality of sets of adjacent seal materials. In addition, the outer edge of the high-rigidity material may be covered with adjacent seal materials to eliminate the exposure of the high-rigidity material, and the entire outer surface of the seal member may be used as the seal material. Furthermore, the high-rigidity material may be disposed so as to be embedded in one seal material.

[0045] Further, although the sealing member according to the present embodiment has a flat portion and a bent portion, it is not limited thereto. For example, the sealing member may be formed according to the shape of the mating member to be disposed in close contact, such as only a flat portion or only a bent portion. The formed sealing member can hold its shape by a high-rigidity material.

[0046] Furthermore, although the sealing member according to the present embodiment is disposed between the housing and the mating housing, it is not limited thereto. For example, the sealing member may be disposed between any members, such as between a housing member and a panel member.

[0047] In addition, in the wire harness according to the present embodiment, the housing is fitted to the mating housing, but it is not limited thereto. For example, the fitting surface of the housing may be attached to the wall surface of the housing member or the panel member. Even in such a case, the sealing member disposed on the fitting surface of the housing can be in close contact with the wall surface of the housing member or the panel member, and seal between the housing and the housing member or the panel member. In addition, although there are two electric wires, it is not limited thereto, and the number of electric wires may be one or three or more.

[0048] Furthermore, in the connector according to the present embodiment, the housing and the mating housing are composed of a shield shell and a mating shield shell and an inner housing and a mating inner housing, but it is not limited thereto. For example, the housing and the mating housing may be composed of one member and be mutually fitted, and a sealing member may be disposed between the housing and the mating housing. In addition, although the sealing member is disposed on the housing in a state before the housing and the mating housing are fitted, it is not limited thereto, and the sealing member may be disposed on the mating housing.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0049] 1 Connector 5 Wire harness 9 Mating housing 25 Electric wire 27 Housing 29 Sealing member 37 Fitting surface 43 Sealing material 45 High-rigidity material

Claims

1. A seal member disposed on a mating surface between a housing and a mating housing that can be fitted to the housing, and being in close contact with the housing and the mating housing, wherein: a sealing material made of an elastic material; a high-rigidity material provided integrally with the sealing material and having higher rigidity than the sealing material; are provided, the seal member has the high-rigidity material disposed between adjacent sealing materials throughout; the seal member has a flat portion and a bent portion; the bent portion is provided by fixing the sealing material to both surfaces in the thickness direction of the high-rigidity material bent and formed according to the fitting shape between the housing and the mating housing; seal member.

2. The flat portion is provided by fixing the sealing material to both surfaces in the thickness direction of the high-rigidity material formed in a flat shape; The seal member according to Claim 1.

3. An electric wire; the housing disposed at the terminal portion of the electric wire; the seal member according to Claim 1 or 2 disposed on the fitting surface of the housing; A wire harness comprising the above.

4. The housing; the mating housing that can be fitted to the housing; the seal member according to Claim 1 or 2; A connector comprising the above.

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