Relay connector

Abstract

An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a relay connector in which deterioration of sealing performance can be suppressed even while fixing the fixing points of a fixed flange to two places. A connector housing (20) comprises a fixed flange (21) and an outer connection part (23) extending from the fixed flange. The fixed flange (21) has: a pair of fixing parts (27) fixed to a device case; and a pair of reinforcing ribs (61) connected to the outer connection part (23). A seal member (40) has an annular shape centered on the central axis (L1) and is sandwiched between the fixed flange (21) and the device case in a compressed state. In the circumferential direction about the central axis (L1), the fixed flange (21) has a pair of fixed regions (A1) including the pair of fixing portions (27), respectively, and a pair of non-fixed regions (A2) set between the pair of fixed regions. The pair of reinforcing ribs (61) are set in the pair of non-fixed regions (A2), respectively.

Description

Relay Connector

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

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 describes a relay connector that is attached to an equipment case. The relay connector is a connector for electrically connecting the inside and outside of the equipment case. The relay connector includes terminals, a connector housing that holds the terminals, and a sealing member that seals between the connector housing and the equipment case. The connector housing includes a fixing flange that is fixed to the equipment case. In the relay connector of Patent Document 1, the fixing flange has four fixing portions that are each fastened to the equipment case by, for example, bolts. By fixing each fixing portion of the fixing flange to the equipment case, the sealing member is sandwiched in a compressed state between the fixing flange and the equipment case. As a result, the gap between the connector housing and the equipment case is sealed by the sealing member.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2021-26876

[0004] In the relay connector described above, a configuration in which the fixing flange is fixed to the equipment case at two points is considered in order to reduce the number of parts and labor required. However, when the fixing flange is fixed at two points, an area is created in the fixing flange where the fixing force at the fixing portion is weak. As a result, in the area where the fixing force is weak, the fixing flange is warped in a direction away from the equipment case due to the reaction force of the sealing member. As a result, there is a problem in that the sealing performance of the sealing member is reduced.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a relay connector that can suppress a decrease in sealing performance while providing two fixing points for a fixing flange.

[0006] The relay connector of the present disclosure is attached to an equipment case and is used to electrically connect the inside and outside of the equipment case, and includes terminals, a connector housing that holds the terminals, and a seal member that seals between the connector housing and the equipment case. The connector housing includes a fixing flange having a first surface that faces the equipment case and a second surface that is the surface opposite to the first surface, an inner connecting portion that extends from the first surface and is inserted into an opening of the equipment case, and an outer connecting portion that extends from the second surface. The sealing member has a pair of fixing portions fixed to the equipment case and a pair of reinforcing ribs erected on the second surface in a manner connected to the outer connection portion, and the sealing member is annular about a central axis and configured to be sandwiched in a compressed state between the fixing flange and the equipment case in a direction along the central axis, and the fixing flange has, in the circumferential direction centered on the central axis, a pair of fixing regions each including the pair of fixing portions and a pair of non-fixing regions set between the pair of fixing regions, and the pair of reinforcing ribs are set in each of the pair of non-fixing regions.

[0007] According to the relay connector of the present disclosure, it is possible to prevent a decrease in sealing performance while providing two fixing points for the fixing flange.

[0008] Fig. 1 is a front view of a relay connector according to an embodiment. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the relay connector according to the same embodiment. Fig. 3 is a top view of the relay connector according to the same embodiment. Fig. 4 is a bottom view of the relay connector according to the same embodiment. Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 in Fig. 4.

[0009] [Description of the Embodiments of the Present Disclosure] First, the embodiments of the present disclosure will be listed and described. [1] A relay connector that is attached to an equipment case and is used to electrically connect the inside and outside of the equipment case, comprising: terminals; a connector housing that holds the terminals; and a sealing member that seals between the connector housing and the equipment case. The connector housing comprises a fixed flange having a first surface facing the equipment case and a second surface that is the surface opposite to the first surface, an inner connection portion extending from the first surface and inserted into an opening of the equipment case, and an outer connection portion extending from the second surface. The fixed flange has a pair of fixing portions that are fixed to the equipment case, and a pair of reinforcing ribs that are erected on the second surface in a manner that connects to the outer connection portions. The sealing member has a ring shape centered on a central axis and is configured to be sandwiched in a compressed state between the fixed flange and the equipment case in a direction along the central axis. The fixed flange has, in a circumferential direction centered on the central axis, a pair of fixing regions that respectively include the pair of fixing portions, and a pair of non-fixing regions set between the pair of fixing regions. The pair of reinforcing ribs are set in each of the pair of non-fixing regions.

[0010] With this configuration, the pair of reinforcing ribs provided in the non-fixed region of the fixed flange can prevent the fixed flange from warping in the non-fixed region due to the reaction force of the seal member, thereby preventing a decrease in the sealing performance of the seal member while maintaining two fixing points for the fixed flange.

[0011] [2] In the above [1], each of the pair of reinforcing ribs has a first end connected to the outer connection portion and a second end extending to the outer edge of the fixing flange, and the second end of each of the pair of reinforcing ribs may be located in each of the pair of non-fixed regions.

[0012] According to this configuration, the second end of the reinforcing rib set in the non-fixed region of the fixed flange extends to the outer edge of the fixed flange, making it possible to effectively suppress warping in the non-fixed region of the fixed flange by the reinforcing rib.

[0013] [3] In the above [1] or [2], the fixed flange may have an annular accommodating groove on the first surface that accommodates the sealing member, and the depth of the accommodating groove in the direction along the central axis may be set deeper in the fixed region than in the non-fixed region.

[0014] With this configuration, by making the depth of the accommodation groove in the fixed region of the fixed flange deeper than the depth of the accommodation groove in the non-fixed region, it is possible to alleviate the stress acting on the seal member from the fixed portion fixed to the equipment case. This makes it possible to reduce the difference in surface pressure of the seal member between the fixed region and the non-fixed region. As a result, it is possible to suppress the variation in surface pressure in the circumferential direction of the seal member, contributing to further improvement of sealing performance.

[0015] [Details of the Embodiments of the Present Disclosure] Specific examples of relay connectors of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. For ease of explanation, some components may be exaggerated or simplified in the drawings. The dimensional ratios of the components may differ between the drawings. In this specification, the terms "parallel," "perpendicular," and "orthogonal" do not necessarily refer to strictly parallel, perpendicular, or orthogonal, but also include approximately parallel, perpendicular, or orthogonal within the scope of the functions and effects of the present embodiment. The term "annular" used in this specification may refer to any structure that forms a loop, a continuous shape without ends, or a generally loop-shaped structure with a C-shaped gap. Examples of "annular" shapes include, but are not limited to, circles, ellipses, and polygons with pointed or rounded corners. In this specification, "facing" refers to surfaces or components facing each other, including not only cases where they are completely facing each other but also cases where they are partially facing each other. Furthermore, in this specification, "opposing" includes both cases where a separate member is interposed between two parts and cases where nothing is interposed between the two parts. Furthermore, terms such as "first" and "second" are used in this specification simply to distinguish between objects and not to rank the objects. The present invention is not limited to these examples, but is defined by the claims, and all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims are intended to be included.

[0016] (Overall Configuration) As shown in FIG. 1 , the relay connector 10 is attached to, for example, an equipment case 11 mounted on a vehicle. The relay connector 10 is fixed to the equipment case 11 with, for example, bolts or the like. The relay connector 10 is a connector for electrically connecting the inside and outside of the equipment case 11. The equipment case 11 is, for example, a transmission case. The equipment case 11 is made of, for example, metal. The inside of the equipment case 11 is, for example, an oil environment, and the outside of the equipment case 11 is an air environment. Electrical components such as a motor and a sensor are provided inside the equipment case 11. The equipment case 11 has an opening 12 through which the relay connector 10 passes. The opening 12 is formed in the equipment case 11 so as to connect the internal space of the equipment case 11 with the external space. The relay connector 10 is attached to the opening 12 of the equipment case 11 along a first direction D1. In the following description, the direction opposite to the first direction D1 will be referred to as a second direction D2.

[0017] (Configuration of Relay Connector 10) The relay connector 10 includes a connector housing 20, terminals 30, and a seal member 40. The connector housing 20 is formed of an insulating material such as synthetic resin. The relay connector 10 includes, for example, a plurality of terminals 30. Each terminal 30 is formed of a conductor. Each terminal 30 is held in the connector housing 20.

[0018] (Configuration of Connector Housing 20) As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the connector housing 20 includes a fixing flange 21, an inner connecting portion 22, and an outer connecting portion 23.

[0019] The fixing flange 21 has a flat shape extending along a plane perpendicular to the first direction D1, for example. The fixing flange 21 is fixed to the outer surface of the device case 11 with bolts or the like so as to cover the opening 12. The surface of the fixing flange 21 facing the device case 11 in the first direction D1 is referred to as the first surface 21a, and the surface opposite the first surface 21a is referred to as the second surface 21b. The first surface 21a and the second surface 21b are, for example, planar surfaces parallel to each other. Furthermore, the first surface 21a and the second surface 21b are, for example, perpendicular to the central axis L1 of the sealing member 40 described later. The first surface 21a and the second surface 21b are both end surfaces of the fixing flange 21 in the direction along the central axis L1.

[0020] The inner connection portion 22 extends, for example, along the first direction D1 from the first surface 21a of the fixing flange 21. The inner connection portion 22 is inserted into the opening 12 of the device case 11 in the first direction D1.

[0021] The outer connection portion 23 has an extending portion 24 and a mating portion 25. The extending portion 24 extends from the second surface 21b of the fixing flange 21 along the second direction D2. A mating connector (not shown) is mated with the mating portion 25 provided on the outer connection portion 23. The mating portion 25 may be subjected to a potting treatment.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 1 , each terminal 30 in the relay connector 10 is partially embedded in the connector housing 20. Each terminal 30 has a first connection end 31 exposed at the inner connection portion 22 and a second connection end 32 exposed at the mating portion 25 of the outer connection portion 23. The first connection end 31 of each terminal 30 is electrically connected to an internal component (not shown) provided inside the device case 11. The second connection end 32 of each terminal 30 is electrically connected to a mating connector mated with the mating portion 25. The mating connector is provided in, for example, a control unit that houses a control circuit and the like. In other words, the control circuit provided in the control unit is electrically connected to the internal component via the relay connector 10.

[0023] (Configuration of Seal Member 40) The seal member 40 is sandwiched between the fixed flange 21 and the outer surface of the device case 11. As shown in Fig. 4, the seal member 40 has an annular shape centered on a central axis L1. The first direction D1 and the second direction D2 are each a direction along the central axis L1.

[0024] The seal member 40 has fixing pieces 41 that extend inward from the inner edge of the seal member 40. The seal member 40 has, for example, four fixing pieces 41. The entire seal member 40, including each fixing piece 41, is formed of an elastic material such as rubber. Each fixing piece 41 is fixed to a corresponding fixing protrusion 26 formed on the first surface 21a of the fixed flange 21. This fixes the seal member 40 to the fixed flange 21.

[0025] 4, the fixing flange 21 has an annular accommodating groove 51 provided in the first surface 21a, and a positioning protrusion 52 provided on the first surface 21a on the outer periphery of the accommodating groove 51. When viewed in the second direction D2, the accommodating groove 51 is provided so as to surround the periphery of the inner connecting portion 22. A seal member 40 is accommodated in the accommodating groove 51. Before the fixing flange 21 is fixed to the device case 11, a portion of the seal member 40 is configured to protrude from the accommodating groove 51 in the first direction D1.

[0026] The fixing flange 21 has, for example, two positioning protrusions 52. Each positioning protrusion 52 is provided near a respective fixing portion 27, which will be described later. Each positioning protrusion 52 extends along the first direction D1 from the first surface 21a of the fixing flange 21. The two positioning protrusions 52 are provided, for example, at positions that are point-symmetric with respect to each other about the central axis L1 of the seal member 40.

[0027] 1 , each positioning protrusion 52 is fitted along the first direction D1 to each positioning recess 13 provided in the device case 11. By fitting each positioning protrusion 52 into each positioning recess 13, the fixing flange 21 is positioned in a direction perpendicular to the first direction D1. Furthermore, by positioning the fixing flange 21 by the positioning protrusion 52 and the positioning recess 13, workability is improved when fastening the fixing flange 21 to the device case 11, for example, with a bolt.

[0028] (Configuration of fixing portions 27) As shown in FIG. 4 , the fixing flange 21 has a pair of fixing portions 27 that are fixed to the device case 11. Each fixing portion 27 is provided at a position on the fixing flange 21 that is outer circumferentially of the accommodating groove 51. That is, each fixing portion 27 is provided outer circumferentially of the seal member 40 accommodated in the accommodating groove 51. Each fixing portion 27 is, for example, a cylindrical collar embedded in the synthetic resin that constitutes the fixing flange 21. Each fixing portion 27 is made of, for example, metal. The cylindrical fixing portion 27 is provided so that its penetration direction is along the first direction D1. A bolt (not shown) is inserted into each fixing portion 27, and the fixing portion 27 is fastened to the device case 11 by the bolt.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 3 , the pair of fixing portions 27 are positioned point-symmetrically with respect to each other about the central axis L1 of the seal member 40. That is, the fixing portions 27 are positioned 180 degrees apart from each other about the central axis L1. That is, a first diagonal line L2, which is a straight line connecting the axes of the fixing portions 27, is perpendicular to the central axis L1. Note that FIG. 3 also illustrates a second diagonal line L3, which is a straight line perpendicular to both the central axis L1 and the first diagonal line L2. Here, the first diagonal line L2 corresponds to a first imaginary line perpendicular to the central axis L1, and the second diagonal line L3 corresponds to a second imaginary line perpendicular to both the central axis L1 and the first imaginary line. The pair of fixing portions 27 are positioned opposite each other across the central axis L1 on the first imaginary line (the first diagonal line L2 in FIG. 3 ).

[0030] 3, the fixed flange 21 has, in the circumferential direction centered on the central axis L1, a pair of fixed regions A1 each including a pair of fixed portions 27, and a pair of non-fixed regions A2 set between the pair of fixed regions A1. Each fixed region A1 is, for example, a region that opens 45 degrees on both sides in the circumferential direction with respect to a first diagonal line L2 connecting the axes of each fixed portion 27. In other words, in the present embodiment, each fixed region A1 occupies a 90-degree range centered on the fixed portion 27 in the circumferential direction centered on the central axis L1.

[0031] Each non-fixed region A2 is a region other than the fixed region A1 in the circumferential direction centered on the central axis L1. That is, each non-fixed region A2 is a region that opens 45 degrees on both sides in the circumferential direction with the second diagonal line L3 as the reference. In this embodiment, each non-fixed region A2 occupies a range of 90 degrees in the circumferential direction centered on the central axis L1.

[0032] 2 and 3 , the fixing flange 21 has a pair of reinforcing ribs 61 erected on the second surface 21b in a manner connected to the outer connection portion 23. Each reinforcing rib 61 is, for example, a wall portion extending from the second surface 21b of the fixing flange 21 along the second direction D2. Each reinforcing rib 61 extends, for example, from the extending portion 24 of the outer connection portion 23 to the outer edge 21c of the fixing flange 21. That is, each reinforcing rib 61 has a first end 62 connected to the extending portion 24 of the outer connection portion 23 and a second end 63 extending to the outer edge 21c of the fixing flange 21. When the relay connector 10 is viewed in the first direction D1, each reinforcing rib 61 is, for example, linear from the first end 62 to the second end 63.

[0033] At least a portion of each of the pair of reinforcing ribs 61 is located in a pair of non-fixed regions A2 of the fixed flange 21. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3 , the second end 63 of each of the pair of reinforcing ribs 61 is located within the pair of non-fixed regions A2 in the circumferential direction centered on the central axis L1. In the pair of reinforcing ribs 61 of this embodiment, for example, the second end 63 of each reinforcing rib 61 is located on the second diagonal line L3. That is, the pair of reinforcing ribs 61 are located opposite each other across the central axis L1 on a second imaginary line (the second diagonal line L3 in FIG. 3 ) that is perpendicular to both the central axis L1 and the first imaginary line (the first diagonal line L2 in FIG. 3 ). Furthermore, the entirety of one of the pair of reinforcing ribs 61 is located within the non-fixed region A2, and the other reinforcing rib 61, except for its first end 62, is located within the non-fixed region A2.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 5 , the bottom surface of the accommodation groove 51 formed in the first surface 21a of the fixed flange 21 forms an inclined surface 51a inclined relative to the direction along the central axis L1. That is, the depth of the accommodation groove 51 in the direction along the central axis L1 is not uniform in the circumferential direction. Specifically, the depth T1 of the accommodation groove 51 in the fixed region A1 of the fixed flange 21 is set deeper than the depth T2 of the accommodation groove 51 in the non-fixed region A2. The difference between the depths T1 and T2 is caused by the inclination of the inclined surface 51a of the accommodation groove 51. The depths T1 and T2 of the accommodation groove 51 are the lengths from the first surface 21a of the fixed flange 21 to the inclined surface 51a. The inclined surface 51a abuts against the seal member 40 in the direction along the central axis L1. The seal member 40 is compressed by being sandwiched between the inclined surface 51a of the accommodation groove 51 and the device case 11 in the direction along the central axis L1.

[0035] (Operation of this embodiment) The operation of this embodiment will be described below. When assembling the connector housing 20 to the device case 11, the inner connection portion 22 of the connector housing 20 is inserted into the opening 12 of the device case 11 in the first direction D1. Then, each positioning protrusion 52 is fitted into each positioning recess 13 of the device case 11 along the first direction D1.

[0036] Thereafter, each fixing portion 27 of the fixing flange 21 is fastened to the equipment case 11 with a bolt or the like. As a result, the seal member 40 accommodated in the accommodation groove 51 is sandwiched in a compressed state between the inclined surface 51 a of the accommodation groove 51 and the equipment case 11 at a position surrounding the opening 12 of the equipment case 11. That is, a reaction force in the second direction D2 is applied to the fixed flange 21 from the compressed seal member 40. At this time, the fastening force of the bolts in the fixing portions 27 acts sufficiently on the fixing region A1 of the fixing flange 21, but the fastening force of the bolts in the fixing portions 27 acts less on the non-fixing region A2. However, in the fixing flange 21 of this embodiment, a pair of reinforcing ribs 61 is provided in each of the pair of non-fixing regions A2. Therefore, each reinforcing rib 61 can suppress warping of the fixing flange 21 in each non-fixing region A2 due to the reaction force of the seal member 40.

[0037] (Advantages of the Present Embodiment) The advantages of the present embodiment are described below. (1) The pair of reinforcing ribs 61 of the fixed flange 21 are respectively provided in the pair of non-fixing regions A2 of the fixed flange 21. According to this configuration, the pair of reinforcing ribs 61 provided in the non-fixing regions A2 of the fixed flange 21 can prevent the fixed flange 21 from warping in the non-fixing regions A2 due to the reaction force of the seal member 40. This makes it possible to prevent a decrease in the sealing performance of the seal member 40 while providing two fixing points for the fixed flange 21. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the first end 62 of each reinforcing rib 61 is connected to the outer connection portion 23. Therefore, during resin molding of the connector housing 20, each reinforcing rib 61 can prevent the outer connection portion 23 from deforming and tilting relative to the central axis L1 when the resin cools. Furthermore, in this embodiment, no reinforcing ribs connected to the outer connection portion 23 are formed on the second surface 21b of the fixed flange 21 other than the reinforcing ribs 61. In other words, by limiting the area where the reinforcing rib 61 is provided on the second surface 21b of the fixed flange 21 mainly to the non-fixed area A2, it is possible to keep the amount of resin that forms the connector housing 20 small, while the reinforcing rib 61 can suppress deformation of the outer connection portion 23 and warping of the fixed flange 21 in the non-fixed area A2.

[0038] (2) Each of the pair of reinforcing ribs 61 has a first end 62 connected to the outer connection portion 23 and a second end 63 extending to the outer edge 21 c of the fixed flange 21. The second end 63 of each of the pair of reinforcing ribs 61 is located in a pair of non-fixed regions A2. With this configuration, the second end 63 of the reinforcing rib 61 set in the non-fixed region A2 of the fixed flange 21 extends to the outer edge 21 c of the fixed flange 21, so that the reinforcing rib 61 can suitably suppress warping in the non-fixed region A2 of the fixed flange 21.

[0039] (3) The fixed flange 21 has an annular accommodation groove 51 in the first surface 21a that accommodates the seal member 40, and the depth of the accommodation groove 51 in the direction along the central axis L1 is set deeper in the fixed region A1 than in the non-fixed region A2. With this configuration, by making the depth T1 of the accommodation groove 51 in the fixed region A1 of the fixed flange 21 deeper than the depth T2 of the accommodation groove 51 in the non-fixed region A2, it is possible to alleviate stress acting on the seal member 40 from the fixed portion 27 fixed to the device case 11. This makes it possible to reduce the difference in surface pressure of the seal member 40 between the fixed region A1 and the non-fixed region A2. As a result, it is possible to suppress variations in surface pressure in the circumferential direction of the seal member 40, contributing to further improvement of sealing performance.

[0040] (Other Embodiments) The above embodiment can be modified as follows: The above embodiment and the following modifications can be combined with each other within the scope of technical compatibility.

[0041] In the fixed flange 21 of the above embodiment, the depth of the accommodation groove 51 in the direction along the central axis L1 may be uniform in the circumferential direction. In this configuration, the thickness of the seal member 40 in the direction along the central axis L1 may be set smaller in the fixed region A1 than in the non-fixed region A2.

[0042] - In the fixing flange 21 of the above embodiment, the second end 63 of each reinforcing rib 61 may not extend to the outer edge 21c of the fixing flange 21, that is, the second end 63 may be positioned more inward than the outer edge 21c of the fixing flange 21.

[0043] In the fixed flange 21 of the above embodiment, each reinforcing rib 61 may extend along the second diagonal line L3. With this configuration, each reinforcing rib 61 is perpendicular to the first diagonal line L2 connecting the axes of the fixed portions 27, and therefore, the reinforcing ribs 61 can more effectively suppress warping of the fixed flange 21 in the non-fixed region A2.

[0044] The shape of the seal member 40 as viewed from the direction along the central axis L1 is not limited to the above embodiment, and can be changed as appropriate depending on the configuration of the relay connector 10. The configuration of the outer connection portion 23 of the relay connector 10, such as the shape, is not limited to the above embodiment, and can be changed as appropriate depending on the configuration of the relay connector 10.

[0045] In the fixing flange 21 of the above embodiment, the fixing portion 27 is a collar separate from the resin portion of the fixing flange 21, but this is not limited to this. For example, it may be a bolt insertion hole formed through the resin portion of the fixing flange 21.

[0046] The sealing member 40 in the above embodiment may be formed of an elastic material other than rubber. In the above embodiment, the relay connector 10 is embodied in a device case 11 that is a transmission case, but this is not limited to this. For example, the relay connector 10 may be applied to a device case other than a transmission case. Note that the internal environment of the device case 11 to which the relay connector 10 is attached is not limited to an oil environment, and the relay connector 10 may also be applied to a device relay connector that does not use oil inside the device case 11.

[0047] The embodiments 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 defined by the claims, and it is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims.

[0048] The present disclosure encompasses the following aspects: Note that, for the purpose of facilitating understanding and not limitation, in the following description, reference signs indicating components of the embodiments are placed in parentheses. (Supplementary Note 1) A relay connector (10) comprising: terminals (30); a connector housing (20) that holds the terminals (30); and an annular seal member (40) that is sandwiched in a compressed state between a fixing flange (21) of the connector housing (20) and an equipment case (11), wherein the fixing flange (21) includes a pair of fixing portions (27) that are fixed to the equipment case (11) and a pair of reinforcing ribs (61), wherein the pair of fixing portions (27) are arranged on a first imaginary line (L2) that is orthogonal to a central axis (L1) of the seal member (40) at positions opposite each other across the central axis (L1), and the pair of reinforcing ribs (61) are arranged on a second imaginary line (L3) that is orthogonal to each of the central axis (L1) and the first imaginary line (L2) at positions opposite each other across the central axis (L1).

[0049] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 relay connector 11 device case 12 opening 13 positioning recess 20 connector housing 21 fixing flange 21a first surface 21b second surface 21c outer edge 22 inner connection portion 23 outer connection portion 24 extension portion 25 fitting portion 26 fixing protrusion 27 fixing portion 30 terminal 31 first connection end portion 32 second connection end portion 40 seal member 41 fixing piece 51 accommodation groove 51a inclined surface 52 positioning protrusion 61 reinforcing rib 62 first end portion 63 second end portion A1 fixing region A2 non-fixing region D1 first direction D2 second direction L1 central axis of seal member L2 first diagonal line L3 second diagonal line T1, T2 depth

Claims

1. A relay connector attached to an equipment case for electrically connecting the inside and outside of the equipment case, comprising: terminals; a connector housing for holding the terminals; and a sealing member for sealing between the connector housing and the equipment case; the connector housing comprises a fixed flange having a first surface facing the equipment case and a second surface opposite the first surface, an inner connection portion extending from the first surface and inserted into an opening of the equipment case, and an outer connection portion extending from the second surface; the fixed flange has a pair of fixing portions fixed to the equipment case and a pair of reinforcing ribs erected on the second surface in a manner connected to the outer connection portions; the sealing member has an annular shape centered on a central axis and is configured to be sandwiched in a compressed state between the fixed flange and the equipment case in a direction along the central axis; and the fixed flange has, in a circumferential direction centered on the central axis, a pair of fixing regions each including the pair of fixing portions, and a pair of non-fixing regions set between the pair of fixing regions; The pair of reinforcing ribs are respectively provided in the pair of non-fixed regions.

2. The relay connector according to claim 1, wherein each of the pair of reinforcing ribs has a first end connected to the outer connection portion and a second end extending to the outer edge of the fixing flange, and the second end of each of the pair of reinforcing ribs is located in each of the pair of non-fixed regions.

3. The relay connector according to claim 1, wherein the fixed flange has an annular accommodating groove on the first surface that accommodates the seal member, and the depth of the accommodating groove in the direction along the central axis is set to be deeper in the fixed area than in the non-fixed area.

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