Waterproof connector

Abstract

To provide a waterproof connector that can maintain good sealing performance when inserted into a mounting hole while ensuring good installation of a front holder to a housing.SOLUTION: In a waterproof connector 11 having a housing 20 that accommodates a terminal 13, an annular gasket 40 that is attached to an outer periphery of the housing 20 to seal between the housing and a mounting hole 2 in a case 1 which is the mating opening, and a front holder 70 that is attached to a tip side of the housing 20 to position the gasket 40, the gasket 40 and the front holder 70 are attached to an insertion portion 23 that is inserted into the mounting hole 2 of the housing 20, and the front holder 70 has a locking portion 77 that engages with an outer periphery of the insertion portion 23 of the housing 20.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a waterproof connector.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a waterproof connector having a housing attached to a fitting portion inserted into a mounting hole of a housing, with a first packing and a second packing for sealing between the housing and the mounting hole. In this waterproof connector, a front holder for restricting the detachment of the second packing is attached to the front end portion of the fitting portion of the housing.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, since the above - mentioned waterproof connector has a structure in which the front holder is engaged and attached to the front surface of the fitting portion of the housing, there is a possibility that the front holder may come off from the housing even when the fitting portion is inserted into the mounting hole of the housing. If the front holder comes off from the housing, the position regulation of the packing by the front holder becomes impossible, and there is a risk that the packing may fall off and cause a decrease in sealing performance.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above - described circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a waterproof connector capable of maintaining good sealing performance in the inserted state into the mounting hole while ensuring good assembling property of the front holder to the housing.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The above object of the present invention is achieved by the following configuration.

[0007] A waterproof connector comprising a housing for accommodating terminals, an annular packing attached to the outer circumference of the housing to seal the gap between it and the mating opening, and a front holder attached to the front end of the housing to position the packing, The packing and the front holder are fitted into the fitting portion of the housing that is inserted into the mating opening. The front holder has a locking portion that engages with the outer circumference of the insertion portion of the housing, The front holder has an annular portion that is arranged to cover the outer circumference of the insertion portion, The locking portion is the annular portion of Provided on a part of the inner surface in the circumferential direction Ori , The axial portion of the annular portion where the locking portion is located is continuous over the entire circumference of the annular portion. Waterproof connector. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a waterproof connector that ensures good assembly of the front holder to the housing while maintaining good sealing performance when inserted into the mounting hole.

[0009] The present invention has been briefly described above. Furthermore, the details of the present invention will be further clarified by referring to the attached drawings and reading through the embodiments for carrying out the invention described below (hereinafter referred to as "embodiments"). [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the waterproof connector according to this embodiment, which is attached to the housing. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the waterproof connector with the front holder removed. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the waterproof connector according to this embodiment, mounted on the housing, along the insertion direction. [Figure 4]Figure 4 is a perspective view of the front holder as it is attached to the housing. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the engagement point between the locking hole of the housing and the locking portion of the front holder. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the engagement point between the locking hole of the housing and the locking portion of the front holder in a waterproof connector where the insertion portion is fitted into the mounting hole. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] Specific embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the figures.

[0012] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the waterproof connector according to this embodiment, mounted on the housing. Figure 2 is a perspective view of the waterproof connector with the front holder removed. Figure 3 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the waterproof connector according to this embodiment, mounted on the housing, along the insertion direction.

[0013] The waterproof connector 11 according to this embodiment is a waterproof connector used for direct connection of equipment, such as batteries and inverters, when electrically connecting vehicle-mounted electrical equipment (hereinafter simply referred to as "equipment") in electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles. Motors mounted in hybrid vehicles and electric vehicles are supplied with a large current from the battery via an inverter in order to exert high driving torque. Typically, the wires 12 connecting such batteries and inverters are thick-diameter wires (thick wires) with a large conductor diameter and the conductor covered with an insulating coating that has high insulating performance, in order to reduce transmission loss. The waterproof connector 11 is suitable for use in a structure in which such thick-diameter wires 12 are directly attached to a mounting hole (mating opening) 2 provided in the housing 1 of the equipment. In this embodiment, the insertion direction A of the waterproof connector 11 into the mounting hole 2 is the front of the connector, and the removal direction is the rear of the connector.

[0014] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the waterproof connector 11 according to the present embodiment mainly includes a housing 20, a packing 40, and a front holder 70. In addition, the waterproof connector 11 includes a terminal 13 connected to an end of an electric wire 12, a shield shell 80, and a rear holder 90. Although not shown, the waterproof connector 11 also includes a rubber stopper and a braided wire.

[0015] The housing 1 can be, for example, a housing (such as a metal case) of an inverter mounted on an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle. The housing 1 is a housing as a mating member made of a conductive metal. The housing 1 has a mounting hole 2 into which the waterproof connector 11 is inserted. The waterproof connector 11 is attached to the housing 1 from the side of the connector mounting surface 3 on the outer surface of the housing 1. Note that the mating member in the present invention is not limited to the housing, and can be applied to various mating members such as a mating connector into which the waterproof connector 11 is fitted.

[0016] The housing 20 is made of an electrically insulating synthetic resin and is formed in an oval cylindrical shape. The housing 20 has a flange portion 22 protruding from a substantially middle portion in the insertion direction A, an insertion portion 23 provided in front of the flange portion 22 and inserted into the mounting hole 2 of the housing 1, and a mounting portion 24 provided behind the flange portion 22 and to which the shield shell 80 is attached.

[0017] The flange portion 22 regulates the insertion position of the housing 20 in which the insertion portion 23 is inserted into the mounting hole 2 of the housing 1 by the front side surface 22a orthogonal to the insertion direction A abutting against the connector mounting surface 3 of the housing 1.

[0018] The insertion portion 23 is formed in an oval shape in a front view, and its outer peripheral surface is a packing mounting surface 25. The insertion portion 23 is provided with a packing engaging piece 26 extending in the insertion direction A from the flange portion 22. The packing engaging piece 26 is provided with a gap 27 with respect to the packing mounting surface 25.

[0019] The insertion portion 23 has locking holes 31. The locking holes 31 are formed on the long side portion 23a of the insertion portion 23. The locking holes 31 are formed near the tip of the insertion portion 23, at the center of the insertion portion 23 in the width direction.

[0020] The mounting portion 24 is provided with locking arms 37 at the top and bottom of its rear end to secure the rear end of the shield shell 80 and hold the shield shell 80 in place. A rear holder 90 is also assembled to the mounting portion 24 from its rear. The rear holder 90 prevents the bending of the electric wire 12 and prevents the rubber stopper fitted onto the electric wire 12 from coming loose or tipping over.

[0021] The housing 20 has a plurality of (two in this embodiment) terminal housing chambers (not shown), and terminals 13 connected to the ends of the electric wires 12 are mounted in each of these terminal housing chambers. The terminals 13 are inserted into the terminal housing chambers from the rear of the housing 20 and protrude forward from the housing 20. The electric wires 12 to which the terminals 13 are connected are led out from the rear of the housing 20. The terminals 13 have a plate-shaped electrical connection portion 14, which protrudes forward from the housing 20 through an insertion hole 35 formed on the front end surface of the housing 20. The electrical connection portion 14 has a hole (not shown), and the terminals 13 are prevented from coming out of the terminal housing chamber by a lance (not shown) formed inside the terminal housing chamber engaging with the hole in the electrical connection portion 14.

[0022] The packing 40 is formed in an oval shape from an elastic material such as rubber. The packing 40 is fitted into the insertion portion 23 of the housing 20 and seals the space between the insertion portion 23 of the housing 20 and the mounting hole 2 of the housing 1. The outer surface of the packing 40 is provided with an outer lip 41 that is in close contact with the inner surface of the mounting hole 2, and the inner surface of the packing 40 is provided with an inner lip 43 that is in close contact with the packing mounting surface 25 of the insertion portion 23.

[0023] The packing 40 has anti-roll-over pieces 45 and 47 that protrude from the side attached to the insertion portion 23 of the housing 20 and the side opposite to this attachment side. These anti-roll-over pieces 45 and 47 are formed around the entire circumference of the packing 40. When the packing 40 is installed in the insertion portion 23 of the housing 20, it comes into contact with the packing engagement piece 26 and is positioned on the housing 20. Also, when the packing 40 is installed in the insertion portion 23 of the housing 20, the anti-roll-over piece 45 on the attachment side is inserted into the gap 27 between the packing attachment surface 25 and the packing engagement piece 26. This prevents the packing 40 from rolling over on the side attached to the insertion portion 23.

[0024] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the front holder as it is attached to the housing. Figure 5 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the engagement point between the locking hole of the housing and the locking portion of the front holder. Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the engagement point between the locking hole of the housing and the locking portion of the front holder in a waterproof connector where the insertion portion is fitted into the mounting hole.

[0025] As shown in Figure 4, the front holder 70 has an oval-shaped annular portion 71 and an oval-shaped front wall portion 72 provided on the front end side of the annular portion 71 in the insertion direction A. The front holder 70 is made of an electrically insulating synthetic resin and is attached to the front end of the insertion portion 23 of the housing 20. The front holder 70 is fitted into the insertion portion 23 of the housing 20 with the annular portion 71 facing the housing 20. As a result, the front wall portion 72 of the front holder 70 is positioned along the front end surface of the insertion portion 23 of the housing 20, and the annular portion 71 is positioned to cover the outer circumference at the tip of the insertion portion 23 of the housing 20. When this front holder 70 is attached to the front end of the insertion portion 23 of the housing 20, the position of the packing 40 fitted to the insertion portion 23 is restricted and its detachment from the insertion portion 23 is restricted.

[0026] The front wall portion 72 has a terminal insertion opening 73 through which the electrical connection portion 14 of the terminal 13 is inserted. On the lower edge of each terminal insertion opening 73 of the front wall portion 72, on the side that is attached to the housing 20, there is an engaging projection 74 and a pair of flexible pieces 75. The engaging projection 74 engages with the hole formed in the electrical connection portion 14 of the terminal 13, and together with the lance of the housing 20, it double-locks the terminal 13. The pair of flexible pieces 75 elastically contact the electrical connection portion 14 of the terminal 13 to suppress rattling of the terminal 13.

[0027] The front holder 70 has a plurality of contact portions 76 on the front wall portion 72 side of the inner circumference of the annular portion 71. These contact portions 76 are spaced apart in the circumferential direction of the front holder 70. These contact portions 76 come into contact with the packing 40 attached to the insertion portion 23 when the front holder 70 is attached to the insertion portion 23 of the housing 20. This prevents the packing 40 from coming out of the insertion portion 23 of the housing 20. In addition, when the front holder 70 is attached to the insertion portion 23 of the housing 20, the outer circumference of the anti-rolling piece 47 on the side of the packing 40 opposite to the attachment side is covered by the annular portion 71 of the front holder 70. This prevents the packing 40 from rolling up on the side opposite to the attachment side to the insertion portion 23.

[0028] The front holder 70 has locking portions 77. These locking portions 77 are formed at the center of the width direction of the front holder 70 on the long side portion 71a of the annular portion 71 of the front holder 70. Each locking portion 77 has a claw portion 78 that protrudes inward from the front holder 70.

[0029] As shown in Figure 5, the claw portion 78 of the locking portion 77 engages with the locking hole 31 formed in the insertion portion 23 of the housing 20 from the outer circumference side when the front holder 70 is attached to the insertion portion 23 of the housing 20. This maintains the front holder 70 in a state attached to the insertion portion 23 of the housing 20.

[0030] The shield shell 80 is made of a conductive metal. The shield shell 80 integrally covers the outer circumferential surface of the mounting portion 24 in the housing 20 with a cylindrical shell body 81. The shield shell 80 has a pair of bolt fixing portions 83 that are fixed to the housing 1. Bolt insertion holes 84 are drilled in these bolt fixing portions 83.

[0031] The shield shell 80 is bolted to the housing 1 with the ends of a cylindrical braided wire (not shown) covering two electric wires 1 connected to the shell body 81 by metal ties 85. This forms a shielding circuit, creating a noise-blocking structure for the shield shell 80. The housing 20 is bolted to the housing 1 via the shield shell 80. A waterproof boot (not shown) is fitted to the shell body 81 of the shield shell 80 from the outside of the braided wire, covering the fixing point between the shield shell 80 and the ends of the braided wire for waterproofing.

[0032] The waterproof connector 11 is attached to the housing 1 by fitting the insertion portion 23 of the housing 20 into the mounting hole 2 of the housing 1, and then fastening the shield shell 80 to the housing 1 with bolts. In this attached state, the outer lip 41 of the packing 40 assembled to the insertion portion 23 of the waterproof connector 11 is in close contact with the inner circumferential surface of the mounting hole 2. As a result, the space between the insertion portion 23 of the housing 20 and the mounting hole 2 of the housing 1 is sealed by the packing 40.

[0033] This waterproof connector 11 has a structure in which the locking portion 77 of the front holder 70 engages with the outer circumference of the insertion portion 23 of the housing 20. Therefore, as shown in Figure 6, when the insertion portion 23 of the housing 20 is fitted into the mounting hole 2 of the housing 1, the engagement portion of the front holder 70 with the housing 20 is inserted into and covered by the mounting hole 2. As a result, when the insertion portion 23 of the housing 20 is inserted into the mounting hole 2, the engagement of the front holder 70 with the housing 20 by the locking portion 77 is released, and the front holder 70 does not come off.

[0034] In other words, in this embodiment, the waterproof connector 11 has a structure in which the engagement portion of the front holder 70 with the housing 20 is inserted into and covered by the mounting hole 2. Therefore, when the fitting portion 23 of the housing 20 is inserted into the mounting hole 2, the packing 40 will not fall off due to the front holder 70 coming loose. This makes it possible to maintain good sealing performance by the packing 40.

[0035] Furthermore, by assembling the front holder 70 to the insertion portion 23 of the housing 20, the claw portion 78 of the locking portion 77 of the front holder 70 engages with the locking hole 31 of the insertion portion 23, thus allowing the front holder 70 to be easily attached to the insertion portion 23 of the housing 20.

[0036] Furthermore, by assembling the front holder 70 to the insertion portion 23 of the housing 20, the anti-flip piece 47 of the packing 40 is covered by the annular portion 71 of the front holder 70, thereby preventing the packing 40 from flipping over. This allows the insertion portion 23 of the housing 20 to be smoothly inserted into the mounting hole 2, ensuring good sealing performance by the packing 40.

[0037] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be modified, improved, etc., as appropriate. In addition, the material, shape, dimensions, number, placement, etc. of each component in the embodiments described above are arbitrary and not limited, as long as they can achieve the present invention.

[0038] Herein, the features of the waterproof connector according to the embodiments of the present invention described above are briefly summarized and listed below in [1] to [3]. [1] A waterproof connector (11) having a housing (20) that houses a terminal (13), an annular packing (40) attached to the outer circumference of the housing (20) to seal the space between it and the mating opening (mounting hole 2), and a front holder (70) attached to the front end of the housing (20) to position the packing (40), The packing (40) and the front holder (70) are fitted into the fitting portion (23) of the housing (20) which is inserted into the mating opening (mounting hole 2). The front holder (70) is a waterproof connector having a locking portion (77) that engages with the outer circumference of the insertion portion (23) of the housing (20).

[0039] In the waterproof connector configuration described in [1] above, the locking portion of the front holder engages with the outer circumference of the insertion portion of the housing. In other words, the engagement portion of the front holder with the housing is covered when inserted into the mating opening. Therefore, when the insertion portion of the housing is inserted into the mating opening, the engagement of the front holder with the housing by the locking portion is released, and the front holder does not come off. Consequently, the detachment of the packing due to the front holder coming off is avoided, and good sealing performance by the packing can be maintained.

[0040] [2] The fitting portion (23) of the housing (20) has a locking hole (31) on its outer circumference, The locking portion (77) of the front holder (70) has a claw portion (78) that engages with the locking hole (31), The waterproof connector described in [1] above.

[0041] According to the waterproof connector configuration described in [2] above, by assembling the front holder to the insertion portion of the housing, the claw portion of the locking part of the front holder engages with the locking hole of the insertion portion. This allows the front holder to be easily attached to the insertion portion of the housing.

[0042] [3] The packing (40) is covered by the front holder (70) on at least a portion of its outer circumference. The waterproof connector described in [1] or [2] above.

[0043] With the waterproof connector configuration described in [3] above, at least a portion of the outer circumference of the packing is covered by the front holder, thereby preventing the packing from peeling off. This allows the housing's insertion portion to be smoothly inserted into the mating opening, ensuring good sealing performance by the packing. [Explanation of symbols]

[0044] 2. Mounting holes (opposite opening) 11 Waterproof connectors 13 terminals 20 Housing 23 Insertion part 31 Locking hole 40 packing 70 Front Holder 77 Locking part 78 Nail area

Claims

1. A waterproof connector comprising a housing for accommodating terminals, an annular packing attached to the outer circumference of the housing to seal the gap between it and the mating opening, and a front holder attached to the front end of the housing to position the packing, The packing and the front holder are fitted into the fitting portion of the housing that is inserted into the mating opening. The front holder has a locking portion that engages with the outer circumference of the insertion portion of the housing, The front holder has an annular portion that is arranged to cover the outer circumference of the insertion portion, The locking portion is provided on a part of the inner surface in the circumferential direction of the annular portion, The axial portion of the annular portion where the locking portion is located is continuous over the entire circumference of the annular portion. Waterproof connector.

2. The fitting portion of the housing has a locking hole on its outer circumference. The locking portion of the front holder has a claw portion that engages with the locking hole. The waterproof connector according to claim 1.

3. A waterproof connector comprising a housing for accommodating terminals, an annular packing attached to the outer circumference of the housing to seal the gap between it and a mating opening, and a front holder attached to the front end of the housing to position the packing, The packing and the front holder are fitted into the fitting portion of the housing that is inserted into the mating opening. The front holder has a locking portion that engages with the outer circumference of the insertion portion of the housing, The front holder has an annular portion that is arranged to cover the outer circumference of the insertion portion, The locking portion is provided on the inner surface of a part of the circumferential direction of the ring-shaped wall portion that is continuous around the entire circumference of the ring portion, Multiple contact portions are provided on the inner circumferential surface of the annular portion, spaced apart in the circumferential direction of the annular portion, so as to be able to contact a part of the packing in the axial direction of the fitting portion. The locking portion is provided on the protruding end face of one of the contact portions. Waterproof connector.

4. The packing is provided with a peeling prevention piece that extends axially toward the front holder side, extending around the entire circumference of the packing. The end face of the annular portion on the packing side in the axial direction is provided with recesses that are recessed toward the opposite side from the packing side in the axial direction, at each position between the plurality of contact portions in the circumferential direction of the annular portion. On the outer circumferential surface of the anti-rolling piece of the packing, a plurality of protrusions projecting outward from the anti-rolling piece are provided at intervals in the circumferential direction of the anti-rolling piece, corresponding to a plurality of recesses. The aforementioned front holder is, The annular portion located on the packing side of the plurality of contact portions in the axial direction covers the anti-flip piece, the plurality of contact portions are capable of contacting the anti-flip piece in the axial direction, and the plurality of protrusions of the anti-flip piece are arranged so that they fit into the plurality of recesses of the annular portion. The waterproof connector according to claim 3.

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