Connector assembly and waterproof cap

Abstract

To provide a connector assembly capable of preventing water from entering from an insertion port of a housing of an electronic device with a simple structure and without requiring a large space.SOLUTION: When a waterproof cap 31 is attached to a housing 11, a first protrusion protruding from the outer peripheral surface of a cap body 32, continuously surrounding the entire outer peripheral surface, and made of an elastic material is press-fitted into an insertion port 12 of the housing 11, and contacts with the entire circumference of the inner peripheral surface 13 of the insertion opening 12 in an elastically compressed state, and a second protrusion 38 protruding from the outer peripheral surface of the cap body 32 closer to the front end side in the fitting direction than the arrangement position of the first protrusion 37 and made of an elastic material is inserted into the connector 21 and contacts the pair of inner surfaces 27 and 28 facing each other of a metal shell 24 in an elastically compressed state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 12

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector assembly, and more particularly to a connector assembly in which a waterproof cap closes an insertion opening of a housing of an electronic device into which a mating connector is inserted when the connectors are mated. The present invention also relates to a waterproof cap that is detachably attached to the housing of an electronic device to close the insertion opening. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, in electronic devices that have a connector for connecting to an external device inside the housing and an insertion port for inserting the mating connector formed in the housing close to the connector, a structure has been known in which the insertion port of the housing is covered with a cap to prevent water from entering the housing from the outside when the connector is not in use.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a mobile terminal in which an insertion slot 2 is formed in a housing 1 and a connector 3 is arranged inside the insertion slot 2, as shown in Fig. 14. A mating connector (not shown) is inserted into the insertion slot 2 and mated with the connector 3, thereby enabling connection to an external device (not shown) via the connector 3. The insertion slot 2 has a rectangular opening 2A exposed on the front surface of the housing 1 and an oval communication hole 2B that is continuous with the opening 2A and extends into the interior of the housing 1.

[0004] For waterproofing purposes, a cover member 4 shown in Fig. 15 is removably attached to the insertion port 2. The cover member 4 has a rectangular front plate portion 4A that covers the opening 2A of the insertion port 2, and an insertion portion 4B that protrudes from the inner surface of the front plate portion 4A and is inserted into the communication hole 2B of the insertion port 2. A recess 5 is formed around the entire outer periphery of the insertion portion 4B, and a pair of claw portions 6 are formed at both longitudinal ends of the insertion portion 4B.

[0005] 16, an O-ring 7 is fitted into the recess 5, and when the insertion portion 4B is inserted into the communication hole 2B of the housing 1, the O-ring 7 is pressed against and comes into contact with the inner circumferential surface 2C of the communication hole 2B, thereby sealing off the water at the insertion opening 2. Furthermore, the claw portion 6 is inserted further into the housing 1 than the inner circumferential surface 2C of the communication hole 2B and catches on an edge portion 8 formed on the inside of the inner circumferential surface 2C of the communication hole 2B, thereby preventing the lid member 4 from falling off from the insertion opening 2.

[0006] In addition, when attaching or detaching the cover member 4 to or from the insertion port 2, the edge portion 8 on which the claw portion 6 catches is formed so as to protrude further inside the housing 1 than the inner surface 2C of the communicating hole 2B and further toward the center of the communicating hole 2B than the inner surface 2C, so that the claw portion 6 does not rub against the inner surface 2C of the communicating hole 2B, thereby causing the inner surface 2C to be worn away and reducing the water-stopping effect of the O-ring 7. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-98078 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] However, in order to prevent the cover member 4 from falling off from the insertion port 2, the pair of claw portions 6 of the cover member 4 must be inserted further into the housing 1 than the inner surface 2C of the communicating hole 2B so as to hook onto the edge portion 8, and in order to prevent the claw portions 6 from rubbing against the inner surface 2C of the communicating hole 2B, the edge portion 8 must be formed so as to protrude further inside the housing 1 than the inner surface 2C of the communicating hole 2B and toward the center of the communicating hole 2B than the inner surface 2C, which poses the problem of complex configurations of the insertion port 2 of the housing 1 and the cover member 4. Furthermore, there is also the problem that a space is required between the insertion opening 2 of the housing 1 and the connector 3 for the hook portion 6 to be hooked onto the edge portion 8.

[0009] The present invention has been made to solve these conventional problems, and its object is to provide a connector assembly that has a simple structure, does not require a large space, and can prevent water from entering through the insertion opening of the housing of an electronic device. Another object of the present invention is to provide a waterproof cap for preventing water from entering through an insertion opening in the housing of an electronic device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] According to the present invention 1st The connector assembly comprises: a connector that is mated with a mating connector along a mating direction; a housing for an electronic device that houses a connector and has an insertion opening into which a mating connector is inserted; a waterproof cap that is detachably attached to the housing from the outside and that closes the insertion opening; Equipped with The waterproof cap is a cap body extending along the fitting direction; a first protrusion made of an elastic material, disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the cap body, protruding from the outer peripheral surface in a plane perpendicular to the fitting direction and continuously surrounding the entire outer peripheral surface; a second protrusion made of an elastic material, the second protrusion being disposed on the outer circumferential surface of the cap body closer to the front end in the fitting direction than the position of the first protrusion and protruding from the outer circumferential surface in a direction perpendicular to the fitting direction; and the connector has at least one connection terminal that is connected to a connection terminal of the mating connector when mated with the mating connector; the cap body has a recess that is recessed from a front end of the cap body toward a rear portion of the cap body and that accommodates at least one connection terminal of the connector, the recess being disposed at a position that overlaps with the second protrusion in the fitting direction; When the waterproof cap is attached to the housing, the first convex portion is pressed into the insertion port of the housing and comes into contact with the entire inner surface of the insertion port in an elastically compressed state, and the second convex portion is inserted into the inside of the connector and comes into contact with at least two opposing surfaces inside the connector in an elastically compressed state.

[0012] The connector also has a fitting member formed with a recessed mating connector accommodating portion for accommodating the mating connector, When the waterproof cap is attached to the housing, it is preferable that the second convex portion is inserted into the mating connector accommodating portion of the mating member and contacts at least two opposing surfaces of the mating member in an elastically compressed state. The fitting member may be a metal shell.

[0013] A second connector assembly according to the present invention comprises: a connector that is mated with a mating connector along a mating direction; a housing for an electronic device that houses a connector and has an insertion opening into which a mating connector is inserted; a waterproof cap that is detachably attached to the housing from the outside and that closes the insertion opening; Equipped with The waterproof cap is a cap body extending along the fitting direction; a first protrusion made of an elastic material, disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the cap body, protruding from the outer peripheral surface in a plane perpendicular to the fitting direction and continuously surrounding the entire outer peripheral surface; a second protrusion made of an elastic material, the second protrusion being disposed on the outer circumferential surface of the cap body closer to the front end in the fitting direction than the position of the first protrusion and protruding from the outer circumferential surface in a direction perpendicular to the fitting direction; and The cap body is formed from an insulating resin, an elastic member having a first protrusion and a second protrusion integrally formed thereon; When the waterproof cap is attached to the housing, the first convex portion is pressed into the insertion port of the housing and comes into contact with the entire inner surface of the insertion port in an elastically compressed state, and the second convex portion is inserted into the inside of the connector and comes into contact with at least two opposing surfaces inside the connector in an elastically compressed state. the connector has at least one connection terminal that is connected to a connection terminal of the mating connector when mated with the mating connector; The cap body may have a recess recessed from the front end of the cap body toward the rear end of the cap body and configured to accommodate at least one connection terminal of the connector. The connector also has a fitting member formed with a recessed mating connector accommodating portion for accommodating the mating connector, When the waterproof cap is attached to the housing, it is preferable that the second convex portion is inserted into the mating connector accommodating portion of the mating member and contacts at least two opposing surfaces of the mating member in an elastically compressed state. The fitting member may be a metal shell. According to the present invention 1st The waterproof cap is A waterproof cap is attached to a housing of an electronic device, which houses a connector to be mated with a mating connector along a mating direction and has an insertion opening into which the mating connector is inserted, in a detachable manner from the outside of the housing, and closes the insertion opening, a cap body extending along the fitting direction; a first protrusion made of an elastic material, disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the cap body, protruding from the outer peripheral surface in a plane perpendicular to the fitting direction and continuously surrounding the entire outer peripheral surface; a second protrusion made of an elastic material, the second protrusion being disposed on the outer circumferential surface of the cap body closer to the front end in the fitting direction than the position of the first protrusion and protruding from the outer circumferential surface in a direction perpendicular to the fitting direction; Equipped with the cap body has a recess recessed from a front end of the cap body toward a rear portion of the cap body, the recess being positioned so as to overlap with the second protrusion in the fitting direction; When the waterproof cap is attached to the housing, the first convex portion is pressed into the insertion port of the housing and comes into contact with the entire inner surface of the insertion port in an elastically compressed state, and the second convex portion is inserted into the inside of the connector and comes into contact with at least two opposing surfaces inside the connector in an elastically compressed state.

[0015] The cap body is formed from an insulating resin, The first and second protrusions are preferably made of a rubber material. In addition, the elastic member may have a first convex portion and a second convex portion integrally formed thereon, or may have a first elastic member having a first convex portion formed thereon and a second elastic member separated from the first elastic member and having a second convex portion formed thereon.

[0016] The second protrusion can be configured to protrude from the outer peripheral surface of the cap body in a plane perpendicular to the fitting direction and to continuously surround the entire periphery of the outer peripheral surface. In this case, it is preferable that, when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the fitting direction, the maximum distance between both ends of the first convex portion that continuously surrounds the entire outer peripheral surface of the cap body is greater than the maximum distance between both ends of the second convex portion that continuously surrounds the entire outer peripheral surface of the cap body.

[0017] The cap may have a flange portion that is connected to the rear end of the cap body along the fitting direction and that projects beyond the cap body in a direction perpendicular to the fitting direction. When viewed from a direction perpendicular to the fitting direction, the maximum dimension of the flange portion is preferably greater than the maximum distance between both ends of the first protrusion that continuously surrounds the entire outer periphery of the cap body. Furthermore, the connector may have a tab portion connected to the rear end of the flange portion along the fitting direction. The second waterproof cap according to the present invention comprises: A waterproof cap is attached to a housing of an electronic device, which houses a connector to be mated with a mating connector along a mating direction and has an insertion opening into which the mating connector is inserted, in a detachable manner from the outside of the housing, and closes the insertion opening, a cap body extending along the fitting direction; a first protrusion made of an elastic material, disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the cap body, protruding from the outer peripheral surface in a plane perpendicular to the fitting direction and continuously surrounding the entire outer peripheral surface; a second protrusion made of an elastic material, the second protrusion being disposed on the outer circumferential surface of the cap body closer to the front end in the fitting direction than the position of the first protrusion and protruding from the outer circumferential surface in a direction perpendicular to the fitting direction; Equipped with The cap body is formed from an insulating resin, an elastic member having a first protrusion and a second protrusion integrally formed thereon; When the waterproof cap is attached to the housing, the first convex portion is pressed into the insertion port of the housing and comes into contact with the entire inner surface of the insertion port in an elastically compressed state, and the second convex portion is inserted into the inside of the connector and comes into contact with at least two opposing surfaces inside the connector in an elastically compressed state. The cap body may have a recess recessed from the front end of the cap body toward the rear end of the cap body. The recess is preferably disposed at a position overlapping the second protrusion in the mating direction. The second protrusion can be configured to protrude from the outer peripheral surface of the cap body in a plane perpendicular to the fitting direction and to continuously surround the entire periphery of the outer peripheral surface. In this case, it is preferable that, when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the fitting direction, the maximum distance between both ends of the first convex portion that continuously surrounds the entire outer peripheral surface of the cap body is greater than the maximum distance between both ends of the second convex portion that continuously surrounds the entire outer peripheral surface of the cap body. The cap may have a flange portion that is connected to the rear end of the cap body along the fitting direction and that projects beyond the cap body in a direction perpendicular to the fitting direction. When viewed from a direction perpendicular to the fitting direction, the maximum dimension of the flange portion is preferably greater than the maximum distance between both ends of the first protrusion that continuously surrounds the entire outer periphery of the cap body. Furthermore, the connector may have a tab portion connected to the rear end of the flange portion along the fitting direction. [Effects of the Invention]

[0018] According to this invention, the waterproof cap has a first convex portion that is arranged on the outer peripheral surface of the cap body and protrudes from the outer peripheral surface in a plane perpendicular to the fitting direction, continuously surrounding the entire outer peripheral surface, and a second convex portion that is arranged on the outer peripheral surface closer to the front end of the cap body in the fitting direction than the arrangement position of the first convex portion and protrudes from the outer peripheral surface in a direction perpendicular to the fitting direction.When the waterproof cap is attached to the housing, the first convex portion is pressed into the insertion port of the housing and comes into contact with the entire inner peripheral surface of the insertion port in an elastically compressed state, and the second convex portion is inserted inside the connector and comes into contact with at least two opposing surfaces inside the connector in an elastically compressed state.Therefore, it is possible to prevent water from entering through the insertion port of the housing of an electronic device with a simple configuration and without requiring a large space. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing a connector assembly according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 2 is a side cross-sectional view showing a part of the housing and a connector of the electronic device used in the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 3] 2 is a front view showing a part of the housing of the electronic device used in the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. [Figure 5]2 is a perspective view of the waterproof cap used in the first embodiment, seen obliquely from behind. FIG. [Figure 6] 1 is a perspective view of a waterproof cap used in the first embodiment, seen obliquely from the front. [Figure 7] 1 is a front view showing a waterproof cap used in the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 8] 1 is a plan view showing a waterproof cap used in the first embodiment. [Figure 9] 1 is a side view showing a waterproof cap used in the first embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 8. [Figure 11] 1 is a perspective view showing a connector assembly according to a first embodiment in a state where a waterproof cap is attached to a housing of an electronic device. [Figure 12] 1 is a side cross-sectional view showing the connector assembly according to the first embodiment in a state where a waterproof cap is attached to a housing of an electronic device. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a side cross-sectional view showing a waterproof cap used in the second embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a partial perspective view showing the housing of a conventional mobile terminal. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a cover member used in a conventional mobile terminal. [Figure 16] FIG. 10 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a state in which a cover member is attached to the housing of a conventional mobile terminal. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Embodiment 1 1 shows a perspective view of a connector assembly according to embodiment 1. The connector assembly includes a housing 11 of an electronic device, a connector 21 housed inside the housing 11, and a waterproof cap 31 detachably attached to the housing 11.

[0021] An oval insertion opening 12 extending in a predetermined direction is formed in the housing 11 of the electronic device, and the connector 21 is disposed at a position facing the insertion opening 12 from inside the housing 11. The connector 21 is mated with a mating connector (not shown) along a mating direction D, and the mating connector is inserted into the housing 11 from the outside through the insertion opening 12 and mated with the connector 21. The portion of the housing 11 where the insertion opening 12 is formed extends in a direction perpendicular to the mating direction D.

[0022] The waterproof cap 31 is attached to the housing 21 from the outside to close the insertion port 12 in order to prevent water from entering the inside of the housing 11 through the insertion port 12 when the connector 21 is not in use without mating a mating connector (not shown) with the connector 21. For convenience, the direction in which the mating connector (not shown) is mated with the connector 21 along the mating direction D will be referred to as the +Y direction, the direction perpendicular to the Y direction and in which the oval insertion port 12 of the housing 11 extends will be referred to as the X direction, and the direction perpendicular to the XY plane will be referred to as the Z direction.

[0023] As shown in Figure 2, the connector 21 is mounted on a circuit board 41 arranged inside the housing 11 of the electronic device, and has at least one connection terminal 22, an insulator 23 that holds the connection terminal 22, and a metal shell 24 that covers the connection terminal 22 and the insulator 23.

[0024] Insulator 23 has tongue-shaped portion 25 that protrudes in the −Y direction along fitting direction D, and the −Y direction end of connection terminal 22 is disposed on the surface of tongue-shaped portion 25 and exposed toward the +Z direction. In addition, the +Y direction end of connection terminal 22 protrudes in the +Y direction from insulator 23 and is connected to a connection pad (not shown) that is disposed on the surface of circuit board 41, and the central portion of connection terminal 22 in the Y direction is embedded in insulator 23.

[0025] The metal shell 24 has a cylindrical shape and forms a recessed mating connector accommodating portion 26 around the tongue-shaped portion 25 of the insulator 23. The mating connector accommodating portion 26 is a space that accommodates a portion of a mating connector (not shown) when the mating connector is mated with the connector 21 in the mating direction D.

[0026] The connector 21 is positioned on the +Y direction side of the insertion port 12 of the housing 11 and near the insertion port 12, and the mating connector accommodating portion 26 of the metal shell 24 is positioned so as to face the insertion port 12 of the housing 11 from inside the housing 11. The cylindrical metal shell 24 has a pair of inner surfaces 27 and 28 that face each other in the Z direction with the mating connector accommodating portion 26 in between, and these inner surfaces 27 and 28 are arranged at a distance S in the Z direction.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 3, the insertion slot 12 of the housing 11 has an oval inner peripheral surface 13 having a length L0X in the X direction and a length L0Z in the Z direction. As shown in FIG. 4, the inner circumferential surface 13 of the insertion slot 12 has a predetermined length LY along the Y direction.

[0028] 5 and 6 show the configuration of the waterproof cap 31. The waterproof cap 31 has a cap body 32 extending in the Y direction, a flange portion 33 connected to the rear end of the cap body 32 in the -Y direction, and a knob portion 34 connected to the rear end of the flange portion 33.

[0029] The cap body 32 has a flattened oval shape extending in the X direction when viewed from the Y direction, corresponding to the oval insertion port 12 of the housing 11, and a recess 35 is formed inside the cap body 32, recessing from the +Y direction end, which is the front end of the cap body 32, toward the rear of the cap body 32.

[0030] An elastic member 36 is attached to the cap body 32 and continuously surrounds the entire outer periphery of the cap body 32. The elastic member 36 has a first protrusion 37 located at a rear position on the −Y direction side of the cap body 32, and a second protrusion 38 located at a position closer to the end of the cap body 32 in the +Y direction than the first protrusion 37. The first protrusion 37 and the second protrusion 38 both protrude outward from the outer periphery of the cap body 32 in the XZ plane perpendicular to the Y direction, continuously surround the entire outer periphery of the cap body 32, and are formed integrally with each other.

[0031] 7, the flange portion 33 protrudes in the X and Z directions beyond the cap body 32 in the XZ plane perpendicular to the Y direction. This flange portion 33 abuts against the outer surface of the housing 11 when the waterproof cap 31 is attached to the housing 21 from outside the housing 21 while the cap body 32 is inserted into the insertion opening 12 of the housing 11, thereby determining the position of the waterproof cap 31 in the Y direction relative to the housing 21.

[0032] As shown in Figure 8, when viewed from the Z direction, the maximum distance L1X between both ends of the first convex portion 37 that continuously surrounds the entire outer circumferential surface of the cap body 32 is set to be larger than the maximum distance L2X between both ends of the second convex portion 38 that continuously surrounds the entire outer circumferential surface of the cap body 32. Further, when viewed from the Z direction, the maximum dimension L3X of the flange portion 33 is set to be larger than the maximum distance L1X between both ends of the first protrusion 37 that continuously surrounds the entire outer periphery of the cap body 32.

[0033] Similarly, as shown in Figure 9, when viewed from the X direction, the maximum distance L1Z between both ends of the first convex portion 37 that continuously surrounds the entire outer circumferential surface of the cap body 32 is set to be larger than the maximum distance L2Z between both ends of the second convex portion 38 that continuously surrounds the entire outer circumferential surface of the cap body 32. Further, when viewed from the X direction, the maximum dimension L3Z of the flange portion 33 is set to be larger than the maximum distance L1Z between both ends of the first protrusion 37 that continuously surrounds the entire outer periphery of the cap body 32.

[0034] The length L0X in the X direction of the inner surface 13 of the insertion opening 12 of the housing 11 shown in FIG. 3 is greater than the maximum distance L2X between both ends of the second protrusion 38, slightly smaller than the maximum distance L1X between both ends of the first protrusion 37, and smaller than the maximum dimension L3X of the flange portion 33. Similarly, the Z-direction length L0Z of the inner surface 13 of the insertion port 12 of the housing 11 shown in Figure 3 is greater than the maximum distance L2Z between both ends of the second protrusion 38, slightly smaller than the maximum distance L1Z between both ends of the first protrusion 37, and smaller than the maximum dimension L3Z of the flange portion 33.

[0035] Since the length L0X in the X direction and the length L0Z in the Z direction of the inner surface 13 of the insertion port 12 are slightly smaller than the maximum distances L1X and L1Z between both ends of the first protrusion 37, respectively, when the first protrusion 37 arranged on the outer surface of the cap body 32 is pressed into the insertion port 12 of the housing 11 from the Y direction, the first protrusion 37 is configured to be able to contact the entire circumference of the inner surface 13 of the insertion port 12 in an elastically compressed state.

[0036] 2 is set to be slightly smaller than the maximum distance L2Z between both ends of the second protrusion 38 when viewed from the X direction. This allows the second protrusion 38 to come into contact with the pair of inner surfaces 27 and 28 of the metal shell 24 in an elastically compressed state when the +Y direction end of the cap body 32 is inserted into the mating connector accommodating portion 26 of the metal shell 24.

[0037] The knob portion 34 connected to the rear end of the flange portion 33 is for the user to grasp when attaching the waterproof cap 31 to the housing 11 and when removing the waterproof cap 31 attached to the housing 11.

[0038] The cap body 32, flange portion 33 and knob portion 34 of such a waterproof cap 31 are integrally formed from insulating resin, and the elastic member 36 including the first convex portion 37 and the second convex portion 38 is formed from rubber, which is an elastic material. As shown in Figure 10, a groove 39 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the cap body 32, continuously surrounding the entire outer peripheral surface, and the elastic member 36 is attached to the cap body 32 by being fitted into or molded into the groove 39. The recess 35 of the cap body 32 is disposed at a position overlapping the second protrusion 38 of the elastic member 36 in the Y direction.

[0039] 11 shows the connector assembly with the waterproof cap 31 attached to the housing 21. The waterproof cap 31 is attached to the housing 21 from the outside of the housing 21 in the Y direction, with the flange portion 33 of the waterproof cap 31 abutting against the outer surface of the housing 11, and the insertion port 12 of the housing 11 being covered by the flange portion 33 and not visible from the outside of the housing 21.

[0040] 12 , the cap body 32 of the waterproof cap 31 is inserted into the insertion opening 12 of the housing 11, and the first protrusion 37 of the elastic member 36 arranged on the outer peripheral surface of the cap body 32 is press-fit into the insertion opening 12. The length L0X in the X direction and the length L0Z in the Z direction of the inner peripheral surface 13 of the insertion opening 12 are slightly smaller than the maximum distances L1X and L1Z between both ends of the first protrusion 37, respectively. Therefore, the first protrusion 37 contacts the entire circumference of the inner peripheral surface 13 of the insertion opening 12 in an elastically compressed state, thereby preventing water from entering the housing 11 through the insertion opening 12.

[0041] 4, the inner peripheral surface 13 of the insertion opening 12 has a predetermined length LY along the Y direction, and the first protrusion 37 comes into contact with the inner peripheral surface 13 of the insertion opening 12 within this length LY, thereby preventing water from entering. In other words, even if the flange portion 33 of the waterproof cap 31 does not abut against the outer surface of the housing 11, as long as the first protrusion 37 comes into contact with the inner peripheral surface 13 of the insertion opening 12 within the predetermined length LY, a waterproof effect can be obtained, enabling reliable waterproofing.

[0042] Also, as shown in Figure 12, when the waterproof cap 31 is attached to the housing 21, the +Y direction end, which is the front end of the cap body 32, is inserted into the inside of the mating connector accommodating portion 26 of the metal shell 24 of the connector 21 arranged inside the housing 11. At this time, a recess 35 recessed from the front end of the cap body 32 toward the rear of the cap body 32 is formed inside the cap body 32, so that the tongue-shaped portion 25 protruding in the −Y direction within the mating connector accommodating portion 26 of the connector 21 and the −Y direction ends of the connection terminals 22 arranged on the surface of the tongue-shaped portion 25 are accommodated in the recess 35 of the cap body 32. Therefore, the waterproof cap 31 can be attached to the housing 21 without the front end of the cap body 32 hitting the tongue-shaped portion 25 and the connection terminals 22.

[0043] The recess 35 of the cap body 32 is formed to a size that allows it to face the -Y direction end of the tongue-shaped portion 25 and the connection terminal 22 housed therein at a distance in all of the Y direction, Z direction, and X direction, and is configured so as not to come into contact with the tongue-shaped portion 25 and the connection terminal 22.

[0044] Furthermore, when the front end of the cap body 32 is inserted into the interior of the mating connector accommodating portion 26 of the metal shell 24, the second protrusion 38 of the elastic member 36 arranged on the outer surface of the cap body 32, which is located on the front end side of the cap body 32, is also inserted into the interior of the mating connector accommodating portion 26. Here, the distance S between a pair of inner surfaces 27 and 28 of the metal shell 24 facing each other in the Z direction is set to be slightly smaller than the maximum distance L2Z between both ends of the second protrusion 38 when viewed from the X direction, so that the second protrusion 38 comes into contact with the inner surfaces 27 and 28 of the metal shell 24 in an elastically compressed state and is subjected to a pressing force from the inner surfaces 27 and 28 of the metal shell 24.

[0045] This improves the holding force of the waterproof cap 31 to the housing 21, making it possible to effectively prevent the waterproof cap 31 from falling off the housing 21. Furthermore, since the second protrusion 38 is in contact with a pair of inner surfaces 27 and 28 of the metal shell 24 of the connector 21, a connector assembly can be realized that has a simple configuration and does not require a large space, without forming a dedicated part or portion for receiving the second protrusion 38.

[0046] When the waterproof cap 31 is attached to the housing 21, preventing water from entering the inside of the housing 11 through the insertion opening 12, to connect a mating connector (not shown) to the connector 21, the insertion opening 12 is opened by grasping the tab 34 of the waterproof cap 31 and pulling the waterproof cap 31 out of the housing 21 in the -Y direction. This allows the mating connector to be fitted into the connector 21 inside the housing 11 through the insertion opening 12.

[0047] In the above-described first embodiment, the second protrusion 38 of the waterproof cap 31 contacts a pair of inner surfaces 27 and 28 of the metal shell 24 of the connector 21 that face each other in the Z direction. However, this is not limited to this, and for example, the second protrusion 38 can also be configured to contact a pair of inner surfaces 27 and 28 of the metal shell 24 of the connector 21 that face each other in the X direction. The second protrusion 38 of the waterproof cap 31 only needs to be in contact with at least two opposing surfaces of the metal shell 24 in an elastically compressed state. The second protrusion 38 does not necessarily need to be in contact with the metal shell 24, and as long as it is in contact with at least two opposing surfaces inside the connector 21, the holding force of the waterproof cap 31 can be similarly improved.

[0048] In the above-described first embodiment, the second protrusion 38 of the waterproof cap 31 protrudes outward from the outer peripheral surface of the cap body 32 and continuously surrounds the entire outer peripheral surface of the cap body 32, so the second protrusion 38 may be configured to contact not only the pair of inner surfaces 27 and 28 of the metal shell 24 but also the entire inner peripheral surface of the metal shell 24 in an elastically compressed state. This further improves the holding force of the waterproof cap 31.

[0049] Furthermore, when the second convex portion 38 of the waterproof cap 31 contacts only a pair of inner surfaces 27 and 28 of the metal shell 24 that face each other in the Z direction, the second convex portion 38 does not need to continuously surround the entire outer peripheral surface of the cap body 32, and the holding force of the waterproof cap 31 can be similarly improved even if the second convex portion is formed only on the portions of the outer peripheral surface of the cap body 32 facing the +Z direction and the -Z direction.

[0050] Furthermore, although connector 21 only has connection terminal 22 arranged on the surface on the +Z direction side of tongue-shaped portion 25, connection terminals 22 may be arranged on both the surface on the +Z direction side and the surface on the −Z direction side of tongue-shaped portion 25. Even for such a connector and an electronic device arranged inside housing 21, attaching waterproof cap 31 to housing 21 prevents water from entering the inside of housing 11 through insertion port 12.

[0051] Embodiment 2 In the above-mentioned embodiment 1, an elastic member 36 having a first convex portion 37 and a second convex portion 38 integrally formed with each other is attached to the outer peripheral surface of the cap body 32 of the waterproof cap 31, but this is not limited to this.

[0052] 13 shows a cross-sectional view of a waterproof cap 31A used in a connector assembly according to embodiment 2. The waterproof cap 31A is the same as the waterproof cap 31 according to embodiment 1, except that it has a cap body 32A instead of the cap body 32, and has a first elastic member 36A and a second elastic member 36B attached to the cap body 32A instead of the elastic member 36.

[0053] The cap body 32A is formed with a first groove 39A that continuously surrounds the entire outer periphery of the rear part of the cap body 32A close to the flange portion 33, and a second groove 39B that continuously surrounds the entire outer periphery of the cap body 32A at a position closer to the +Y direction end of the cap body 32A than the first groove 39A. The first elastic member 36A has a first protrusion 37 and is made of a rubber material, and is attached to the cap body 32A by being fitted into the first groove 39A. Similarly, the second elastic member 36B has a second protrusion 38 and is made of a rubber material, and is attached to the cap body 32A by being fitted into the second groove 39B.

[0054] In this way, even though the first convex portion 37 and the second convex portion 38 are formed on the dedicated first elastic member 36A and second elastic member 36B, respectively, as in embodiment 1, it is possible to prevent water from entering the inside of the housing 11 through the insertion port 12 of the housing 21, and also to improve the holding force of the waterproof cap 31A, thereby making it possible to realize a connector assembly with a simple configuration that does not require a large space.

[0055] It should be noted that the cap body 32, flange portion 33 and knob portion 34 of the waterproof cap 31 in the above-mentioned embodiment 1, and the cap body 32A, flange portion 33 and knob portion 34 of the waterproof cap 31A in the above-mentioned embodiment 2 are formed from insulating resin, but since these components are configured so as not to come into direct contact with the connection terminal 22 and metal shell 24 of the connector 21, they can also be formed from a conductive material such as metal. [Explanation of symbols]

[0056] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Housing, 2 Insertion port, 2A Opening, 2B Communication hole, 3 Connector, 4 Cover member, 4A Front plate portion, 4B Insertion portion, 5 Recessed portion, 6 Claw portion, 7 O-ring, 8 Edge portion, 11 Housing, 12 Insertion port, 13 Inner peripheral surface, 21 Connector, 22 Connection terminal, 23 Insulator, 24 Metal shell, 25 Tongue-shaped portion, 26 Mating connector accommodating portion, 27, 28 Inner surface, 31, 31A Waterproof cap, 32, 32A Cap body, 33 Flange portion, 34 Knob portion, 35 Recessed portion, 36 Elastic member, 36A First elastic member, 36B Second elastic member, 37 First convex portion, 38 Second convex portion, 39 Groove, 39A First groove, 39B Second groove, 41 Circuit board, D Mating direction, S Spacing, L0X,L0Z,LY Length, L1X,L2X,L1Z,L2Z Maximum distance, L3X,L3Z Maximum dimension.

Claims

1. a connector that is mated with a mating connector along a mating direction; a housing for an electronic device that accommodates the connector and has an insertion opening into which the mating connector is inserted; a waterproof cap that is detachably attached to the housing from the outside and that closes the insertion opening; Equipped with The waterproof cap is a cap body extending along the fitting direction; a first protrusion made of an elastic material, disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the cap body, protruding from the outer peripheral surface in a plane perpendicular to the fitting direction and continuously surrounding the entire outer peripheral surface; a second protrusion made of an elastic material, the second protrusion being disposed on the outer circumferential surface of the cap body closer to a front end thereof in the fitting direction than the first protrusion and protruding from the outer circumferential surface in a direction perpendicular to the fitting direction; and the connector has at least one connection terminal that is connected to a connection terminal of the mating connector when mated with the mating connector, the cap body has a recess that is recessed from the front end of the cap body toward the rear portion of the cap body and that accommodates the at least one connection terminal of the connector, the recess being disposed at a position that overlaps with the second protrusion in the fitting direction; A connector assembly characterized in that, when the waterproof cap is attached to the housing, the first convex portion is pressed into the insertion port of the housing and comes into contact with the entire inner surface of the insertion port in an elastically compressed state, and the second convex portion is inserted into the inside of the connector and comes into contact with at least two opposing surfaces inside the connector in an elastically compressed state.

2. The connector has a fitting member having a recessed mating connector accommodating portion formed therein for accommodating the mating connector, 2. A connector assembly as described in claim 1, wherein when the waterproof cap is attached to the housing, the second convex portion is inserted into the mating connector accommodating portion of the mating member and contacts at least two opposing surfaces of the mating member in an elastically compressed state.

3. 3. The connector assembly according to claim 2, wherein said mating member comprises a metal shell.

4. A connector that is mated with a mating connector along a mating direction; a housing for an electronic device that accommodates the connector and has an insertion opening into which the mating connector is inserted; a waterproof cap that is detachably attached to the housing from the outside and that closes the insertion opening; Equipped with The waterproof cap is a cap body extending along the fitting direction; a first protrusion made of an elastic material, disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the cap body, protruding from the outer peripheral surface in a plane perpendicular to the fitting direction and continuously surrounding the entire outer peripheral surface; a second protrusion made of an elastic material, the second protrusion being disposed on the outer circumferential surface of the cap body closer to a front end thereof in the fitting direction than the first protrusion and protruding from the outer circumferential surface in a direction perpendicular to the fitting direction; and the cap body is formed from an insulating resin, the first protrusion and the second protrusion are integrally formed with an elastic member, A connector assembly characterized in that, when the waterproof cap is attached to the housing, the first convex portion is pressed into the insertion port of the housing and comes into contact with the entire inner surface of the insertion port in an elastically compressed state, and the second convex portion is inserted into the inside of the connector and comes into contact with at least two opposing surfaces inside the connector in an elastically compressed state.

5. The connector has at least one connection terminal that is connected to a connection terminal of the mating connector when mated with the mating connector, 5. The connector assembly according to claim 4, wherein the cap body has a recess recessed from the front end of the cap body toward the rear end of the cap body and configured to accommodate the at least one connection terminal of the connector.

6. The connector has a fitting member having a recessed mating connector accommodating portion in which the mating connector is accommodated, A connector assembly as described in claim 4 or 5, wherein when the waterproof cap is attached to the housing, the second convex portion is inserted into the mating connector accommodating portion of the mating member and contacts at least two opposing surfaces of the mating member in an elastically compressed state.

7. A connector assembly as described in Claim 6, wherein the mating member is made of a metal shell.

8. A waterproof cap is attached to a housing of an electronic device, the housing housing having an insertion opening into which a connector to be mated with a mating connector in a mating direction is inserted, in a detachable manner from the outside of the housing, and closes the insertion opening, a cap body extending along the fitting direction; a first protrusion made of an elastic material, disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the cap body, protruding from the outer peripheral surface in a plane perpendicular to the fitting direction and continuously surrounding the entire outer peripheral surface; a second protrusion made of an elastic material, the second protrusion being disposed on the outer circumferential surface of the cap body closer to a front end thereof in the fitting direction than the first protrusion and protruding from the outer circumferential surface in a direction perpendicular to the fitting direction; Equipped with the cap body has a recess recessed from the front end of the cap body toward the rear part of the cap body, the recess being disposed at a position overlapping the second protrusion in the fitting direction; A waterproof cap characterized in that, when the waterproof cap is attached to the housing, the first convex portion is pressed into the insertion port of the housing and comes into contact with the entire inner surface of the insertion port in an elastically compressed state, and the second convex portion is inserted into the inside of the connector and comes into contact with at least two opposing surfaces inside the connector in an elastically compressed state.

9. the cap body is formed from an insulating resin, 9. The waterproof cap according to claim 8, wherein the first convex portion and the second convex portion are each made of a rubber material.

10. The waterproof cap according to claim 9 , wherein the first convex portion and the second convex portion comprise an elastic member integrally formed therewith.

11. 10. The waterproof cap according to claim 9, comprising a first elastic member on which the first convex portion is formed, and a second elastic member separated from the first elastic member and on which the second convex portion is formed.

12. A waterproof cap described in any one of claims 8 to 11, wherein the second convex portion protrudes from the outer peripheral surface of the cap body in a plane perpendicular to the fitting direction and continuously surrounds the entire outer peripheral surface.

13. A waterproof cap as described in claim 12, wherein, when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the fitting direction, the maximum distance between both ends of the first convex portion that continuously surrounds the entire circumference of the outer surface of the cap body is greater than the maximum distance between both ends of the second convex portion that continuously surrounds the entire circumference of the outer surface of the cap body.

14. A waterproof cap according to any one of claims 8 to 13, having a flange portion connected to the rear end of the cap body along the fitting direction and extending beyond the cap body in a direction perpendicular to the fitting direction.

15. A waterproof cap as described in claim 14, wherein the maximum dimension of the flange portion, when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the fitting direction, is greater than the maximum distance between both ends of the first convex portion that continuously surrounds the entire outer circumferential surface of the cap body.

16. 16. The waterproof cap according to claim 14, further comprising a tab portion connected to a rear end of the flange portion along the fitting direction.

17. A waterproof cap that is detachably attached to a housing of an electronic device that houses a connector to be mated with a mating connector along a mating direction and has an insertion opening into which the mating connector is inserted, from the outside of the housing, and that closes the insertion opening, a cap body extending along the fitting direction; a first protrusion made of an elastic material, disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the cap body, protruding from the outer peripheral surface in a plane perpendicular to the fitting direction and continuously surrounding the entire outer peripheral surface; a second protrusion made of an elastic material, the second protrusion being disposed on the outer circumferential surface of the cap body closer to a front end thereof in the fitting direction than the first protrusion and protruding from the outer circumferential surface in a direction perpendicular to the fitting direction; Equipped with the cap body is formed from an insulating resin, the first protrusion and the second protrusion are integrally formed with an elastic member, A waterproof cap characterized in that, when the waterproof cap is attached to the housing, the first convex portion is pressed into the insertion port of the housing and comes into contact with the entire inner surface of the insertion port in an elastically compressed state, and the second convex portion is inserted into the inside of the connector and comes into contact with at least two opposing surfaces inside the connector in an elastically compressed state.

18. A waterproof cap as described in Claim 17, wherein the cap body has a recess extending from the front end of the cap body toward the rear of the cap body.

19. A waterproof cap as described in Claim 18, wherein the recess is positioned so as to overlap with the second protrusion in the mating direction.

20. A waterproof cap described in any one of claims 17 to 19, wherein the second convex portion protrudes from the outer peripheral surface of the cap body in a plane perpendicular to the mating direction and continuously surrounds the entire circumference of the outer peripheral surface.

21. A waterproof cap as described in Claim 20, wherein, when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the fitting direction, the maximum distance between both ends of the first convex portion that continuously surrounds the entire circumference of the outer surface of the cap body is greater than the maximum distance between both ends of the second convex portion that continuously surrounds the entire circumference of the outer surface of the cap body.

22. A waterproof cap described in any one of claims 17 to 21, which has a flange portion connected to the rear end of the cap body along the mating direction and which protrudes beyond the cap body in a direction perpendicular to the mating direction.

23. A waterproof cap as described in Claim 22, wherein the maximum dimension of the flange portion, when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the mating direction, is greater than the maximum distance between both ends of the first convex portion that continuously surrounds the entire circumference of the outer surface of the cap body.

24. A waterproof cap as described in claim 22 or 23, having a knob portion connected to the rear end of the flange portion along the mating direction.

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