Relay connector

Abstract

To provide a relay connector capable of suppressing the reduction of seal performance.SOLUTION: A housing 20 has a flange portion 30 attached to an opening 12 of a housing 11. A seal member 24 is provided between the opening 12 and the flange portion 30. The flange portion 30 has a first side surface 34 facing the outside of the housing 11, and a second side surface 35 facing the inside of the housing 11. The housing 20 has a first connector fitting portion 31 provided on the first side surface 34, and a second connector fitting portion 32 provided on the second side surface 35. The flange portion 30 has a through-hoe 41 that penetrates from a part other than the first connector fitting portion 31 on the first side surface 34 to a part other than the second connector fitting portion 32 on the second side surface 35, and a ventilation film 42 that blocks the through-hole 41.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[[Technical Field]]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a relay connector. [[Background Art]]

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 describes a relay connector attached to a housing of a device. The relay connector is a connector for electrically connecting the inside and the outside of the device housing. The relay connector is fitted into an opening provided in the device housing. The relay connector includes a seal member interposed between a housing of the relay connector and the opening of the device housing. The seal member seals between the housing of the relay connector and the opening of the device housing. The seal member suppresses intrusion of water or the like into the device housing through the opening. [[Prior Art Documents]] [[Patent Documents]]

[0003] [[Patent Document 1]] Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2014-135131 [[Summary of the Invention]] [[Problem to be Solved by the Invention]]

[0004] In the above-described relay connector, the internal pressure of the device housing may rise excessively. If no countermeasure is taken against the increase in internal pressure, the position of the seal member may shift due to the pressure difference between the inside and the outside of the housing. If the position shift of the seal member occurs, there is a concern that the sealing performance of the seal member may decrease.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a relay connector that can suppress a decrease in sealing performance. [[Means for Solving the Problem]]

[0006] The relay connector of this disclosure is a relay connector that is attached to the housing of a device and electrically connects the inside and outside of the housing, and comprises a housing having a flange portion attached to an opening in the housing, a terminal provided in such a manner that a portion is embedded in the housing, and a sealing member attached to the flange portion and sealing the space between the opening and the flange portion, wherein the flange portion has a first side surface facing the outside of the housing and a second side surface facing the inside of the housing, the housing has a first connector fitting portion provided on the first side surface and a second connector fitting portion provided on the second side surface, and the flange portion has a through hole that penetrates from the portion of the first side surface other than the first connector fitting portion to the portion of the second side surface other than the second connector fitting portion, and a ventilation membrane that closes the through hole. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] The relay connector of this disclosure exhibits the effect of suppressing the reduction in sealing performance. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the relay connector of the embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a plan view of a relay connector of the same configuration. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 in Figure 2. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a perspective view of another example of a relay connector. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of an intermediate connector, an example of another type. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of another example of a relay connector. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] [Description of Embodiments in this Disclosure] First, the embodiments of this disclosure will be listed and described. The relay connector in this disclosure is [1] A relay connector for which an equipment housing is attached and electrically connects the inside and outside of the housing, comprising: a housing having a flange portion attached to an opening in the housing; a terminal provided in such a manner that a portion is embedded in the housing; and a sealing member attached to the flange portion and sealing the space between the opening and the flange portion, wherein the flange portion has a first side surface facing the outside of the housing and a second side surface facing the inside of the housing, the housing has a first connector fitting portion provided on the first side surface and a second connector fitting portion provided on the second side surface, the flange portion has a through hole penetrating from the portion of the first side surface other than the first connector fitting portion to the portion of the second side surface other than the second connector fitting portion, and a ventilation membrane that closes the through hole.

[0010] This configuration allows for the mitigation of the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the enclosure through the through-holes and ventilation membrane of the relay connector, thereby reducing the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the enclosure. This allows the internal pressure of the enclosure to be released to the outside through the through-holes and ventilation membrane if the inside of the equipment enclosure becomes excessively hot. Consequently, it is possible to suppress displacement of the sealing member due to increased internal pressure in the enclosure. As a result, it is possible to suppress the reduction in the sealing performance of the sealing member. Furthermore, with the above configuration, the relay connector is equipped with an adjustment mechanism to adjust the internal pressure of the enclosure, eliminating the need to provide such an adjustment mechanism in the enclosure. As a result, it contributes to improving the design flexibility of the enclosure.

[0011] [2] In the above [1], the inside of the housing is an oil environment, the outside of the housing is an air environment, and the ventilation membrane may be provided at the end of the first side surface of the through hole.

[0012] In this configuration, the ventilation membrane is provided on the outside of the enclosure, which is in an airy environment, at the through-hole. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the adhesion of oil inside the enclosure to the ventilation membrane. [3] In the above [1] or [2], the housing comprises: a primary molded portion molded with the terminal as an insert; and a secondary molded portion molded with the primary molded portion including the terminal as an insert, wherein the primary molded portion has a primary flange portion extending to the inside of the flange portion, the secondary molded portion has a covering portion covering the primary flange portion, the flange portion includes the primary flange portion and the covering portion, and the through hole may penetrate through the primary flange portion and the covering portion.

[0013] According to this configuration, the flange portion includes the primary flange portion and the covering portion of the secondary molded portion. Therefore, by setting the thickness of each of the primary flange portion and the covering portion to be small, it is possible to ensure the overall thickness of the flange portion while suppressing the occurrence of sink marks.

[0014] [4] In any one of the above [1] to [3], the flange portion may have an insertion hole into which a bolt for fixing to the housing is inserted. According to this configuration, the flange portion can be fixed to the housing by the bolt inserted into the insertion hole.

[0015] [5] In the above [4], the flange portion comprises, as viewed from the penetrating direction of the through hole: a main body portion disposed within the range of the opening; and an outward extension portion extending from a part of the main body portion in the circumferential direction and provided with the insertion hole, and a step may be provided between the main body portion and the outward extension portion such that the thickness of the main body portion becomes smaller.

[0016] According to this configuration, the occurrence of sink marks in the main body portion can be suppressed by reducing the thickness of the main body portion, and the rigidity of the outward extension portion can be ensured by ensuring the thickness of the outward extension portion that is to be fixed to the housing.

[0017] [6] In the above [5], the step may be an inclined surface that gradually reduces the thickness of the main body portion. According to this configuration, the step is an inclined surface that gradually reduces the thickness of the main body portion. Therefore, for example, in a state where the extended portion is fixed to the housing, local application of force between the extended portion and the main body portion is suppressed, and consequently damage is suppressed.

[0018] [7] In any one of the above [1] to [6], the gas-permeable membrane may be a porous resin membrane having waterproofness and gas permeability. According to this configuration, it becomes possible to suppress water from entering the housing through the through-hole by means of the gas-permeable membrane.

[0019] [8] In any one of the above [1] to [7], the flange portion may include a cover member that covers the through-hole on the first side surface side and allows the through-hole to communicate in a direction along the first side surface.

[0020] According to this configuration, the cover member suppresses direct accumulation of dust and dirt on the gas-permeable membrane. That is, in a configuration without the cover member, there is a risk that the gas permeability of the gas-permeable membrane is impaired due to direct accumulation of dust and dirt on the gas-permeable membrane, and this risk can be suppressed.

[0021] [9] In the above [8], the flange portion includes a pair of cover regulating pieces that protrude from the first side surface at positions sandwiching the through-hole and whose tips are bent toward sides approaching each other, and an engaged portion recessed in the first side surface, and the cover member may include a cover main body portion insertable between the pair of cover regulating pieces along the first side surface, and an engaging claw that fits into the engaged portion.

[0022] According to this configuration, the cover member can be easily assembled to the flange portion by inserting the cover member between the pair of cover regulating pieces along the first side surface and fitting the engaging claw into the engaged portion.

[0023] [Detailed Description of Embodiments of the Present Disclosure] Specific examples of the relay connectors described herein will be explained below with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, some parts of the configuration may be exaggerated or simplified for the sake of explanation. Also, the dimensional ratios of each part may differ in each drawing.

[0024] (Overall structure) As shown in Figure 3, the relay connector 10 of this embodiment is attached to the housing 11 of equipment mounted on a vehicle. The relay connector 10 is a connector for electrically connecting the inside and outside of the housing 11. The equipment is, for example, a transmission. For example, the inside of the housing 11 is an oil-filled environment, and the outside of the housing 11 is an air-filled environment. The relay connector 10 is electrically connected to internal components of the housing 11 (not shown). The housing 11 has an opening 12 to which the relay connector 10 is attached. The opening 12 is formed to communicate the inside and outside of the housing 11. In the following description, the inside side of the housing 11 and the outside side of the housing 11 may be simply referred to as the "inside side" and the "outside side," respectively.

[0025] (Relay connector 10) The relay connector 10 comprises a housing 20, a plurality of terminals 23, and a sealing member 24 that seals the space between the housing 20 and the opening 12.

[0026] As shown in Figures 1, 2, and 3, the housing 20 has, for example, a primary molded section 21 and a secondary molded section 22. The primary molded section 21 is formed by insert molding, with each terminal 23 as an insert part. The primary molded section 21 is formed to cover a portion of each terminal 23. The secondary molded section 22 is formed by insert molding, with the primary molded section 21, including each terminal 23, as an insert part. The secondary molded section 22 is formed to cover the primary molded section 21. Examples of materials used to form the primary molded section 21 and the secondary molded section 22 include PBT resin.

[0027] The housing 20 includes a flange portion 30 attached to the opening 12, a first connector fitting portion 31 provided on the outside of the flange portion 30, and a second connector fitting portion 32 provided on the inside of the flange portion 30.

[0028] As shown in Figure 3, the flange portion 30 is fitted into the opening 12. An annular sealing member 24 made of an elastic material such as rubber is provided on the outer circumferential surface of the flange portion 30. The sealing member 24 seals the space between the flange portion 30 and the opening 12. The sealing member 24 is fitted, for example, into a groove 33 formed along the circumferential direction on the outer circumferential surface of the flange portion 30.

[0029] The flange portion 30 has a first side surface 34 facing the outside of the housing 11 and a second side surface 35 facing the inside of the housing 11. The first connector mating portion 31 extends from the first side surface 34. A first mating connector (not shown), electrically connected to an external device, is mated into the first connector mating portion 31. The second connector mating portion 32 extends from the second side surface 35. A second mating connector (not shown), electrically connected to a component inside the housing 11, is mated into the second connector mating portion 32.

[0030] A portion of the terminal 23 is embedded inside the housing 20. One end 23a of the terminal 23 extends to the first connector mating portion 31. The other end 23b of the terminal 23 extends to the second connector mating portion 32. The terminal 23 electrically connects the first mating connector, which is mated to the first connector mating portion 31, and the second mating connector, which is mated to the second connector mating portion 32. The first connector mating portion 31 is bent in a direction along the first side surface 34. That is, the side surface of the first connector mating portion 31 faces the first side surface 34. Also, the direction in which the first mating connector is mated to the first connector mating portion 31 is along the first side surface 34.

[0031] The housing 20 has a terminal holding portion 36 for holding the terminal 23. A first connector mating portion 31 is provided at one end of the terminal holding portion 36, and a second connector mating portion 32 is provided at the other end of the terminal holding portion 36. The flange portion 30 extends from the terminal holding portion 36 in a flange shape. The flange portion 30 also has a contact portion 37 that abuts against the outer surface of the housing 11. Specifically, the flange portion 30 has a main body portion 30a that is positioned within the range of the opening 12 when viewed from the through-hole 41 direction, and a contact portion 37 that extends from the main body portion 30a in a flange shape and abuts against the outer surface of the housing 11. The contact portion 37 has an extended portion 37a that extends significantly from a part of the main body portion 30a in the circumferential direction, and a flange portion 37b that extends slightly from the entire main body portion 30a in the circumferential direction, excluding the part where the extended portion 37a is provided.

[0032] As shown in Figure 1, the contact portion 37 of the flange portion 30 has an insertion hole 38. More specifically, the outer portion 37a has an insertion hole 38. The insertion hole 38 is, for example, a hole in a cylindrical collar 39 that is partially embedded in the flange portion 30. The collar 39 is, for example, made of metal. Fixing bolts (not shown) are inserted into the insertion hole 38. The flange portion 30 is fixed to the housing 11 by fastening these bolts.

[0033] As shown in Figure 3, the flange portion 30 has a through hole 41 and a ventilation membrane 42 that closes the through hole 41. The through hole 41 penetrates the flange portion 30 from the first side surface 34 to the second side surface 35. The through hole 41 is located at a different position from the first connector mating portion 31 and the second connector mating portion 32. That is, the outer end of the through hole 41 is located at a different position from the position where the first connector mating portion 31 is located on the first side surface 34. Also, the inner end of the through hole 41 is located at a different position from the position where the second connector mating portion 32 is located on the second side surface 35.

[0034] The breathable membrane 42 is, for example, a porous resin membrane that is waterproof and breathable. That is, the breathable membrane 42 has the property of allowing gases to pass through but not liquids. Examples of materials for forming the breathable membrane 42 include PTFE resin.

[0035] The ventilation membrane 42 is provided at the end of the through hole 41 on the first side surface 34 side. A fixing surface 43 is formed at the end of the through hole 41 on the first side surface 34 side, to which the ventilation membrane 42 is fixed. The fixing surface 43 is located between the first side surface 34 and the second side surface 35, closer to the first side surface 34 than to the second side surface 35. The fixing surface 43 is annular when viewed from the direction of penetration of the through hole 41. The ventilation membrane 42 is, for example, welded to the fixing surface 43.

[0036] The primary molded portion 21 constituting the housing 20 has a terminal covering portion 51 that covers a part of the terminal 23, and a primary side flange portion 52 that extends from the terminal covering portion 51 in a flange-like manner into the interior of the flange portion 30. The terminal covering portion 51 forms a part of the terminal holding portion 36. The secondary molded portion 22 has a covering portion 53 that covers the primary side flange portion 52. The flange portion 30 is composed of the primary side flange portion 52 and the covering portion 53. The covering portion 53 forms the outer casing of the flange portion 30. The through hole 41 penetrates the primary side flange portion 52 and the covering portion 53. In other words, the primary side flange portion 52 of the primary molded portion 21 has a through hole 54 that forms a part of the through hole 41.

[0037] The effects of this embodiment will now be described. (1) The flange portion 30 has a through hole 41 that penetrates from the portion of the first side surface 34 other than the first connector mating portion 31 to the portion of the second side surface 35 other than the second connector mating portion 32, and a ventilation membrane 42 that closes the through hole 41. With this configuration, the flow of gas through the through hole 41 and ventilation membrane 42 of the relay connector 10 makes it possible to mitigate the pressure difference inside and outside the housing 11. As a result, when the inside of the housing 11 of the equipment becomes excessively hot, the internal pressure of the housing 11 can be released to the outside through the through hole 41 and ventilation membrane 42. Therefore, it is possible to suppress displacement of the sealing member 24 due to the increase in internal pressure of the housing 11. As a result, it is possible to suppress the reduction in the sealing performance of the sealing member 24. Furthermore, with the above configuration, the relay connector 10 is equipped with an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the internal pressure of the housing 11, so it is not necessary to provide the adjustment mechanism in the housing 11. As a result, it is possible to improve the design flexibility of the housing 11.

[0038] Furthermore, the through-hole 41 is sealed by the ventilation membrane 42. This prevents oil from the inside of the housing 11 from leaking out through the through-hole 41. Also, the through-hole 41 is located in a different position from the first connector mating portion 31 and the second connector mating portion 32. Since the first connector mating portion 31 and the second connector mating portion 32, which include the terminal 23, have relatively many design constraints, avoiding the first connector mating portion 31 and the second connector mating portion 32 when setting the location of the through-hole 41 contributes to improving design flexibility.

[0039] Furthermore, if a ventilation hole is provided in the first connector mating portion 31, there is a risk that oil from inside the housing 11 may leak out through the ventilation hole to the first connector mating portion 31, causing oil to adhere to the inside of the first mating connector that is mated to the first connector mating portion 31. In this respect, as in the embodiment described above, by providing the through hole 41 at a position different from the first connector mating portion 31, the adhesion of oil to the inside of the first mating connector can be suppressed.

[0040] (2) The inside of the housing 11 is an oil-filled environment. The outside of the housing 11 is an air-filled environment. The ventilation membrane 42 is provided at the end of the through hole 41 on the first side surface 34 side. With this configuration, the ventilation membrane 42 is provided on the outside of the housing 11, which is an air-filled environment, at the through hole 41. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the oil inside the housing 11 from adhering to the ventilation membrane 42.

[0041] (3) The housing 20 has a primary molded portion 21 in which the terminal 23 is molded as an insert, and a secondary molded portion 22 in which the primary molded portion 21 including the terminal 23 is molded as an insert. The primary molded portion 21 has a primary side flange portion 52 that extends into the interior of the flange portion 30. The secondary molded portion 22 has a covering portion 53 that covers the primary side flange portion 52. The flange portion 30 includes the primary side flange portion 52 and the covering portion 53, and the through hole 41 penetrates the primary side flange portion 52 and the covering portion 53. With this configuration, the flange portion 30 includes the primary side flange portion 52 and the covering portion 53 of the secondary molded portion 22. Therefore, by setting the thickness of the primary side flange portion 52 and the covering portion 53 to be thin, it is possible to increase the overall thickness of the flange portion 30 while suppressing the occurrence of sink marks.

[0042] (4) The flange portion 30 has an insertion hole 38 into which a bolt for fixing it to the housing 11 is inserted. With this configuration, the flange portion 30 can be fixed to the housing 11 by the bolt inserted into the insertion hole 38.

[0043] (5) The ventilation membrane 42 is a porous resin membrane that is waterproof and breathable. With this configuration, it is possible to prevent water from entering the inside of the housing 11 through the through holes 41 by the ventilation membrane 42.

[0044] <Example of changes> This embodiment can be implemented with the following modifications. This embodiment and the following modifications can be combined with each other to the extent that they do not contradict each other technically.

[0045] In the above embodiment, the first side surface 34 of the flange portion 30 was described as being a flat surface, but it is not limited to this and may have a step. For example, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, the flange portion 30 may have a step 61 between the main body portion 30a and the extension portion 37a such that the thickness of the main body portion 30a decreases. In this example, the step 61 is an inclined surface 62 that gradually reduces the thickness of the main body portion 30a.

[0046] In this way, the thickness of the main body 30a is reduced, which suppresses the occurrence of sink marks in the main body 30a, and the thickness of the extension 37a, which will be fixed to the housing 11, is maintained, thereby ensuring the rigidity of the extension 37a. Furthermore, since the step 61 is an inclined surface 62 that gradually reduces the thickness of the main body 30a, for example, when the extension 37a is fixed to the housing 11, it is suppressed that localized force is applied between the extension 37a and the main body 30a, and consequently, damage is suppressed.

[0047] Furthermore, the step 61 is not limited to the inclined surface 62, but may be changed to a step surface perpendicular to the first side surface 34. In the above embodiment, the ventilation membrane 42 is exposed to the outside along the penetration direction of the through hole 41, but the invention is not limited to this, and a configuration in which the ventilation membrane 42 is not exposed to the outside is also possible while maintaining the ventilation of the ventilation membrane 42.

[0048] For example, as shown in Figures 4 to 6, the flange portion 30 may have a cover member 71 that covers the through hole 41 on the first side surface 34 side while allowing the through hole 41 to communicate with the first side surface 34 in a direction along the first side surface 34.

[0049] More specifically, the flange portion 30 has a pair of cover restricting pieces 72 that protrude from the first side surface 34 at positions flanking the through hole 41 and are bent toward the side where their tips are moving closer together, and an engaging portion 73 recessed in the first side surface 34. In this example, the engaging portion 73 is provided on the inclined surface 62.

[0050] The cover member 71 has a cover body portion 74 that can be inserted between a pair of cover restricting pieces 72 along the first side surface 34, and an engaging claw 75 that fits into the engaged portion 73. The engaging claw 75 is provided protruding from the end of the cover body portion 74 in the insertion direction that is inserted between the pair of cover restricting pieces 72. The cover body portion 74 also has a recess 76 that extends from a position opposite to the through hole 41 in the direction opposite to the aforementioned insertion direction. The recess 76 connects the through hole 41 to the outside in the direction along the first side surface 34.

[0051] In this way, the cover member 71 prevents dust and dirt from directly accumulating on the ventilation membrane 42. In other words, in a configuration without the cover member 71, there is a risk that the ventilation of the ventilation membrane 42 will be hindered by the direct accumulation of dust and dirt on the ventilation membrane 42, but this can be prevented.

[0052] Furthermore, with the above configuration, the cover member 71 can be easily assembled to the flange portion 30 by inserting the cover member 71 along the first side surface 34 between the pair of cover restricting pieces 72 and fitting the engaging claw 75 into the engaged portion 73.

[0053] The cover member 71 and the fixing structure of the cover member 71 to the flange portion 30 may be changed to other structures. For example, the cover member may be fixed to the flange portion 30 by adhesive without the flange portion 30 having a cover restricting piece 72 or an engaged portion 73.

[0054] The housing 20 in the above embodiment has a primary molded portion 21 and a secondary molded portion 22, but for example, the housing 20 may be formed by primary molding only. The method of fixing the ventilation membrane 42 to the through hole 41 is not limited to the above embodiment; for example, the ventilation membrane 42 may be fixed by adhesive.

[0055] The shape and other configurations of the first connector mating portion 31 and the second connector mating portion 32 are not limited to the above embodiment and can be appropriately modified depending on the configuration. In the above embodiment, the ventilation membrane 42 is provided at the end of the through hole 41 on the first side surface 34 side, but it may also be provided at, for example, the central part of the through hole 41 in the through direction, or at the end of the through hole 41 on the second side surface 35 side.

[0056] • In the above embodiment, the relay connector 10 is embodied in a relay connector 10 attached to a transmission, but it is not particularly limited to this and may be applied to relay connectors used in equipment other than transmissions. Furthermore, the environment inside the housing of the equipment to which the relay connector 10 is attached is not limited to an oil-filled environment, and it can also be applied to relay connectors of equipment in which oil is not used inside the housing.

[0057] The embodiments and modifications disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects, and the present invention is not limited to these examples. That is, the scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims, and all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims are intended to be included. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0058] 10 relay connectors 11 cabinets 12 Aperture 20 Housing 21 Primary forming part 22 Secondary forming part 23 terminals 23a One end 23b Other end 24 sealing member 30 Flange section 30a Main body 31 First connector mating section 32 Second connector mating section 33 Groove 34 First aspect 35 Second aspect 36 Terminal holding part 37 Contact part 37a Extended part 37b Tsuba 38 Insertion holes 39 colors 41 Through hole 42. Ventilated membrane 43 Fixed surface 51 Terminal coating 52 Primary side flange section 53 Covering part 54 Through hole 61 steps 62 Slope 71 Cover component 72 Cover regulating piece 73 Engaged portion 74 Cover body 75 Engaging claws 76 recesses

Claims

1. A relay connector that is attached to the housing of a device and electrically connects the inside and outside of the housing, A housing having a flange portion that is attached to the opening of the aforementioned housing, A terminal provided in such a manner that it is partially embedded in the housing, The system includes a sealing member attached to the flange portion, which seals the space between the opening and the flange portion. The flange portion has a first side surface facing the outside of the housing and a second side surface facing the inside of the housing. The housing has a first connector mating portion provided on the first side surface and a second connector mating portion provided on the second side surface, The flange portion has a through hole that extends from the portion of the first side surface other than the first connector fitting portion to the portion of the second side surface other than the second connector fitting portion, and a ventilation membrane that closes the through hole. The housing has a primary molded portion in which the terminals are molded as insert parts, and a secondary molded portion in which the primary molded portion including the terminals is molded as insert parts. The primary molding portion has a primary side flange portion that extends into the interior of the flange portion, The secondary molding portion has a covering portion that covers the primary side flange portion, The flange portion includes the primary side flange portion and the covering portion. The through-hole consists of a through-hole that penetrates the primary flange portion and a through-hole that penetrates the covering portion. Relay connector.

2. The inside of the aforementioned enclosure is an oil-filled environment. The exterior of the aforementioned enclosure is an air environment. The ventilation membrane is provided at the end of the first side surface in the through hole. The relay connector according to claim 1.

3. The flange portion has an insertion hole into which a bolt for fixing it to the housing is inserted. The relay connector according to claim 1.

4. The flange portion has a main body portion that is positioned within the range of the opening when viewed from the direction of penetration of the through hole, and an extension portion that extends from a part of the circumferential direction of the main body portion and is provided with the insertion hole. There is a step between the main body and the extension so that the thickness of the main body becomes thinner. The relay connector according to claim 3.

5. The aforementioned step is an inclined surface that gradually reduces the thickness of the main body. The relay connector according to claim 4.

6. The aforementioned breathable membrane is a porous resin membrane that has waterproof and breathable properties. The relay connector according to claim 1.

7. A relay connector that is attached to the housing of a device and electrically connects the inside and outside of the housing, A housing having a flange portion that is attached to the opening of the aforementioned housing, A terminal provided in such a manner that it is partially embedded in the housing, The system includes a sealing member attached to the flange portion, which seals the space between the opening and the flange portion. The flange portion has a first side surface facing the outside of the housing and a second side surface facing the inside of the housing. The housing has a first connector mating portion provided on the first side surface and a second connector mating portion provided on the second side surface, The flange portion includes a through hole extending from the portion of the first side surface other than the first connector fitting portion to the portion of the second side surface other than the second connector fitting portion, a ventilation membrane that closes the through hole, a pair of cover restricting pieces that protrude from the first side surface at positions sandwiching the through hole and whose tips are bent toward each other, an engaging portion recessed in the first side surface, and a cover member that covers the through hole on the first side surface side and allows the through hole to communicate in a direction along the first side surface. The cover member has a cover body portion that can be inserted between the pair of cover restricting pieces along the first side surface, and an engaging claw that fits into the engaged portion. Relay connector.

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