Connector unit

Abstract

This connector unit (U) is provided with: a case (10) in which a through-hole (13) that passes therethrough in the vertical direction is formed; and a connector (30) that is fitted into the through-hole (13). The connector (30) has a housing (34) and a seal member (50) that is attached to an outer peripheral surface of the housing (34). The seal member (50) has a body part (51) that surrounds the housing (34), and a lip part (52) that protrudes outward from an outer peripheral surface (53) of the body part (51). The lip part (52) has a first lip part (55) that has a portion disposed above an upper end opening edge (14) of the through-hole (13), and a second lip part (56) that is in close contact with an inner peripheral surface of the through-hole (13).

Description

Connector Unit

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

[0002] Conventionally, connectors equipped with a sealing member have been known, as described in, for example, Patent Documents 1 to 4 below. Of these, Patent Documents 1 to 3 below describe a connector unit in which a connector is fitted into a through-hole in a case. The sealing member is attached to the outer peripheral surface of the housing and prevents water from entering the inside of the case through the through-hole. Patent Document 4 below describes a waterproof connector equipped with a sealing member that seals off water between the mating connector and the connector.

[0003] JP 2021-26907 A JP 2014-107122 A JP 2022-57598 A JP 2011-204368 A

[0004] In order to improve the waterproofing of the connector unit described above, there has been a demand for making it difficult for water to enter the through-hole and for water to not accumulate on the upper surface of the sealing member in the through-hole.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a connector unit that can improve waterproofing.

[0006] The connector unit of the present disclosure comprises a case having a through hole formed therein that penetrates in the vertical direction, and a connector that is fitted into the through hole, wherein the connector has a housing and a sealing member attached to the outer peripheral surface of the housing, and the sealing member has a main body portion that surrounds the housing and a lip portion that protrudes outward from the outer peripheral surface of the main body portion, and the lip portion has a first lip portion that has a portion that is positioned above the upper opening edge of the through hole, and a second lip portion that is in close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the through hole.

[0007] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a connector unit that can improve waterproofing inside a case.

[0008] Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a connector unit according to a first embodiment. Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the connector unit. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a portion of the connector unit. Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing a seal member. Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing an enlarged portion of the seal member. Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing an enlarged portion of the seal member and its periphery in the connector unit when assembly is complete. Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing an enlarged portion of the seal member and its periphery in the connector unit during assembly. Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing an enlarged portion of the seal member and its periphery in the connector unit when assembly is nearly complete.

[0009] [Description of Embodiments of the Present Disclosure] First, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described. [1] A connector unit of the present disclosure includes a case having a through hole extending vertically therethrough and a connector fitted into the through hole. The connector includes a housing and a seal member attached to the outer peripheral surface of the housing. The seal member has a main body surrounding the housing and a lip portion protruding outward from the outer peripheral surface of the main body. The lip portion includes a first lip portion having a portion positioned above the upper opening edge of the through hole and a second lip portion closely contacting the inner peripheral surface of the through hole. This configuration prevents water from entering the through hole by the first lip portion, preventing water from accumulating on the upper surface of the seal member in the through hole, thereby improving waterproofing of the case. [2] In the connector unit described in [1] above, the first lip portion may extend horizontally outward beyond the upper opening edge of the through hole. With this configuration, water flows along the first lip portion to the outside of the through hole, making it more difficult for water to enter the through hole. [3] In the connector unit described in [1] or [2] above, the protruding end of the first lip portion may be positioned horizontally outward relative to the protruding end of the second lip portion before the connector is inserted into the through hole. With this configuration, the first lip portion can be extended horizontally outward beyond the upper opening edge of the through hole, making it more difficult for water to enter the through hole. [4] In the connector unit described in any of [1] to [3] above, the inner circumferential surface of the main body may be formed with a first groove portion at a position corresponding to the first lip portion and a second groove portion at a position corresponding to the second lip portion, and the depth of the first groove portion may be greater than the depth of the second groove portion before the connector is inserted into the through hole. With this configuration, the first lip portion is more likely to escape inward when the connector is inserted into the through hole of the case, thereby reducing the resistance generated by the first lip portion. Therefore, even if the protruding dimension of the first lip portion is increased, the connector unit can be easily assembled.[5] In the connector unit described in any one of [1] to [4] above, before the connector unit is inserted into the through-hole, the vertical length between the first lip portion and the second lip portion along the outer peripheral surface of the main body may be greater than the length from the outer peripheral surface of the main body to the protruding end of the first lip portion along the underside of the first lip portion. With this configuration, when the connector is inserted into the through-hole of the case, the first lip portion can collapse along the outer peripheral surface of the main body, thereby reducing the resistance generated by the first lip portion. Therefore, the connector unit can be easily assembled even while the protruding length of the first lip portion is increased.

[0010] [Details of the embodiment of the present disclosure] Specific examples of the connector unit of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to these examples, but is defined by the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims.

[0011] 1 and 2, the connector unit U includes a case 10 and a connector 30. The case 10 includes a cover 11 and a housing 12. A through-hole 13 is formed in the cover 11. The through-hole 13 passes through the cover 11 in the vertical direction. The connector 30 is fitted into the through-hole 13.

[0012] 2 will be referred to as the upper side, the lower side of FIG. 2 as the lower side, the side on which the central axis Z of the through-hole 13 is located in the horizontal direction as the inner side, and the side opposite the central axis Z as the outer side.

[0013] As shown in FIG. 2 , the connector 30 is mounted on a circuit board C. The circuit board C is fixed inside the housing 12. The cover 11 is attached to the housing 12 from above. The cover 11 has a plate-like portion 15 and a cylindrical portion 16. The plate-like portion 15 is shaped like a horizontal plate. The cylindrical portion 16 protrudes upward from the plate-like portion 15. The cylindrical portion 16 defines a through-hole 13. When viewed from the top-bottom direction, the through-hole 13 has an elliptical shape. The through-hole 13 extends from the plate-like portion 15 to the upper end of the cylindrical portion 16. An upper opening edge 14 of the through-hole 13 is formed at the upper end of the cylindrical portion 16. The case 10 is made of metal, and may be made of aluminum die-cast, for example. The cover 11 and the housing 12 are fixed together with screws.

[0014] As shown in Figure 3, the connector 30 includes a plurality of terminal fittings 31, a housing 34, and a seal member 50. Each terminal fitting 31 is conductive. Each terminal fitting 31 has a rod shape extending in the vertical direction. Each terminal fitting 31 has a mating connection portion 32 and a board-side connection portion 33. The mating connection portion 32 is connected to a mating terminal fitting (not shown). The board-side connection portion 33 is connected to a conductor portion of the circuit board C.

[0015] As shown in Fig. 3, the housing 34 has a hood portion 35, a fitting portion 36, a terminal holding portion 37, and a fixing portion 38. The hood portion 35 is cylindrical and open upward (see Fig. 1). The hood portion 35 collectively surrounds the mating connection portions 32 of all the terminal fittings 31. The mating connector is fitted inside the hood portion 35.

[0016] The fitting portion 36 is fitted into the through hole 13. When fitted into the through hole 13, the upper end of the fitting portion 36 is positioned higher than the upper end of the tubular portion 16. The fitting portion 36 is provided at the bottom of the hood portion 35. The fitting portion 36 protrudes outward from the outer peripheral surface of the hood portion 35. The outer peripheral surface of the fitting portion 36 has a shape that allows it to be inserted into the inner peripheral surface of the through hole 13 (see FIG. 2). Specifically, the outer peripheral surface of the fitting portion 36 has an elliptical shape when viewed from the top and bottom. An attachment groove 39 is formed in the outer peripheral surface of the fitting portion 36. The seal member 50 is attached to the attachment groove 39.

[0017] As shown in Fig. 3, the terminal holding portion 37 holds a plurality of terminal fittings 31. The terminal holding portion 37 is provided at the lower end of the fitting portion 36. A plurality of mounting holes 41 are formed in the terminal holding portion 37. Each mounting hole 41 passes through the terminal holding portion 37 in the vertical direction. The terminal fittings 31 are attached to the mounting holes 41 by press-fitting or the like.

[0018] The fixing portion 38 fixes the connector 30 to the circuit board C. The fixing portion 38 is provided below the fitting portion 36. The fixing portion 38 is fixed to the surface of the circuit board C with a screw (see FIG. 2) and is elastically locked into a fixing hole in the circuit board C (see FIG. 3).

[0019] The seal member 50 is made of rubber, such as silicone rubber. The seal member 50 is attached to the attachment groove 39 on the outer circumferential surface of the housing 34. As shown in FIG. 4 , the seal member 50 has a main body 51 that surrounds the housing 34 and a lip 52 that protrudes outward from the outer circumferential surface 53 of the main body 51. The main body 51 has a shape that can fit with the inner circumferential surface 16U of the tubular portion 16. Specifically, the main body 51 has an elliptical shape when viewed from the top-bottom direction. The outer circumferential surface 53 and the inner circumferential surface 54 of the main body 51 extend along the central axis Z.

[0020] As shown in Figure 5, the lip portion 52 has a first lip portion 55 and a second lip portion 56. The second lip portion 56 is disposed below the first lip portion 55. The first lip portion 55 and the second lip portion 56 are spaced apart in the vertical direction. The upper and lower ends of the first lip portion 55 are referred to as base ends 55A, and the apex is referred to as protruding ends 55B. The upper and lower ends of the second lip portion 56 are referred to as base ends 56A, and the apex is referred to as protruding ends 56B.

[0021] Before being fitted into the through-hole 13, the protruding dimension L1 of the first lip portion 55 is larger than the protruding dimension L2 of the second lip portion 56. The protruding dimensions L1, L2 of the first lip portion 55 and the second lip portion 56 are the dimensions in the inward / outward direction from the outer peripheral surface 53 of the main body portion 51 to the protruding ends 55B, 56B of the first lip portion 55 and the second lip portion 56, respectively, in a vertical cross section.

[0022] In a vertical cross section, both the first lip portion 55 and the second lip portion 56 are mountain-shaped, specifically, approximately isosceles triangles. Before being fitted into the through-hole 13, the protruding end 55B of the first lip portion 55 is positioned outward from the protruding end 56B of the second lip portion 56. Before being fitted into the through-hole 13, the width dimension B1 of the first lip portion 55 and the width dimension B2 of the second lip portion 56 are equal. The width dimension B1 of the first lip portion 55 is the vertical dimension between the upper base end 55A and the lower base end 55A of the first lip portion 55. The width dimension B2 of the second lip portion 56 is the vertical dimension between the upper base end 56A and the lower base end 56A of the second lip portion 56.

[0023] The first lip portion 55 and the second lip portion 56 each have an upper lip slope 58 and a lower lip slope 59. The upper lip slope 58 and the lower lip slope 59 approach each other toward the protruding ends 55B and 56B of the first lip portion 55 and the second lip portion 56. In a vertical cross section, the angle formed by the upper lip slope 58 and the lower lip slope 59 of the first lip portion 55 is less than 45 degrees.

[0024] The vertical length L3 between the first lip portion 55 and the second lip portion 56 is greater than the length L4 of the lower surface of the first lip portion 55. The vertical length L3 between the first lip portion 55 and the second lip portion 56 is the vertical dimension between the lower base end 55A of the first lip portion 55 and the upper base end 56A of the second lip portion 56 in a vertical cross section. The length dimension of the lower lip slope 59 of the first lip portion 55 is the length dimension along the lower lip slope 59 from the lower base end 55A of the first lip portion 55 to the protruding end 55B of the first lip portion 55 in a vertical cross section.

[0025] 6, the first lip portion 55 has an upper lip portion 57 that is positioned above the upper opening edge 14 of the through-hole 13. The upper lip portion 57 will be described in detail later.

[0026] As shown in Fig. 5, a first groove 61 and a second groove 62 are formed on the inner peripheral surface 54 of the main body 51. The first groove 61 is formed at a position corresponding to the first lip 55. The second groove 62 is formed at a position corresponding to the second lip 56. The upper and lower ends of the first groove 61 are referred to as base ends 61A, and the outer end is referred to as a bottom surface 61B. The upper and lower ends of the second groove 62 are referred to as base ends 62A, and the outer end is referred to as a bottom surface 62B.

[0027] Before being fitted into the through-hole 13, the depth dimension L5 of the first groove portion 61 is greater than the depth dimension L6 of the second groove portion 62. The depth dimension L5 of the first groove portion 61 is the depth dimension in the inward / outward direction from the inner circumferential surface 54 of the main body portion 51 to the bottom surface 61B of the first groove portion 61 in a vertical cross section. The depth dimension L6 of the second groove portion 62 is the length dimension in the inward / outward direction from the inner circumferential surface 54 of the main body portion 51 to the bottom surface 62B of the second groove portion 62 in a vertical cross section. The bottom surface 61B of the first groove portion 61 is located outward of the bottom surface 62B of the second groove portion 62.

[0028] Before being fitted into the through-hole 13 , the width B 3 of the first groove portion 61 is larger than the width B 4 of the second groove portion 62 .

[0029] The first groove portion 61 and the second groove portion 62 each have an upper groove slope 63 and a lower groove slope 64. The upper groove slope 63 and the lower groove slope 64 approach the bottom surfaces 61B and 62B of the first groove portion 61 and the second groove portion 62, respectively.

[0030] 6, when the connector 30 is fitted into the through-hole 13 of the case 10, the seal member 50 is in close contact with the upper surface 39U and the lower surface 39S of the mounting groove 39. The first lip portion 55 is disposed above the cylindrical portion 16, and the second lip portion 56 is disposed inside the cylindrical portion 16.

[0031] The first lip portion 55 projects horizontally outward beyond the upper opening edge 14 of the through hole 13. A lip lower slope 59 of the first lip portion 55 is positioned above and in close proximity to the upper opening edge 14 of the through hole 13. The upper side of the upper opening edge 14 of the through hole 13 is covered by the first lip portion 55. A protruding end 55B of the first lip portion 55 is positioned horizontally outward beyond the outer peripheral surface 16S of the tubular portion 16. The portion of the first lip portion 55 that is positioned above the upper opening edge 14 of the through hole 13 is an upper lip portion 57.

[0032] Water droplets and the like falling from above toward the through-hole 13 are prevented from entering the through-hole 13 by the lip upper portion 57. When the water droplets and the like fall onto the lip upper inclined surface 58 of the first lip portion 55, they flow along the lip upper inclined surface 58 down to the protruding end 55B of the first lip portion 55, and then fall downward outside the tubular portion 16. This prevents the water droplets and the like from entering the through-hole 13. This prevents the water droplets and the like from being retained inside the tubular portion 16 and corroding the tubular portion 16, thereby preventing a decrease in waterproofness.

[0033] The second lip portion 56 is in close contact with the inner circumferential surface 16U of the cylindrical portion 16 with the protruding end 56B facing downward. The second lip portion 56 reliably prevents water from entering the inside of the case 10 through the through hole 13.

[0034] Next, an example of the assembly process for the connector unit U will be described. First, the connector 30 is mounted on the circuit board C, and the circuit board C is fixed to the housing 12 (see FIG. 2). Next, the cover 11 is attached to the housing 12 from above. The tubular portion 16 of the cover 11 is assembled to the connector 30 from above downward, as indicated by the arrow in FIG. 7. The first lip portion 55 contacts the inner circumferential surface 16U of the tubular portion 16, elastically compresses, and falls downward along the outer circumferential surface 53 of the main body 51. At this time, the first lip portion 55 elastically deforms, narrowing the first groove portion 61 inward. This prevents the first lip portion 55 from moving downward together with the tubular portion 16, and prevents the seal member 50 from being pressed into the lower region of the mounting groove 39.

[0035] When the cover 11 is further pressed downward, as shown in FIG. 8 , the second lip portion 56 is elastically crushed by the tubular portion 16, following the first lip portion 55. At this time, the second lip portion 56 elastically deforms while narrowing the second groove portion 62 inward. The second lip portion 56 falls downward along the outer peripheral surface 53 of the main body 51 and comes into close contact with the inner peripheral surface 16U of the tubular portion 16. At this time, a portion of the first lip portion 55 is positioned above the upper end opening edge 14 of the through hole 13. The first lip portion 55 is in close contact with the inner peripheral surface 16U of the tubular portion 16, blocking the upper end of the through hole 13.

[0036] 6, when the cover 11 reaches the correct assembly position, the protruding end 55B of the first lip portion 55 is positioned above the upper opening edge 14 of the through-hole 13, and the first lip portion 55 returns to its original shape due to its elastic force. As a result, the first lip portion 55 extends horizontally outward beyond the upper opening edge 14 of the through-hole 13, as described above. This completes the assembly work of the connector unit U.

[0037] However, due to the influence of dimensional tolerances, assembly tolerances, and the like, the first lip portion 55 may not return to its original shape and may remain in a compressed state as shown in FIG. 8 . Even in this case, the first lip portion 55 has an upper lip portion 57 that is positioned above the upper opening edge 14 of the through hole 13. Even in this case, the upper lip portion 57 makes it difficult for water droplets, etc. that fall toward the through hole 13 from above to enter the through hole 13. In the connector unit U, the first lip portion 55 may be in a restored state as shown in FIG. 6 or in a compressed state as shown in FIG. 8 . Furthermore, the first lip portion 55 may be in a mixed state of restored and compressed states in the circumferential direction.

[0038] Next, the operation and effects of the first embodiment configured as described above will be described. The connector unit U includes a case 10 and a connector 30. The case 10 has a through-hole 13 extending vertically. The connector 30 is fitted into the through-hole 13. The connector 30 includes a housing 34 and a seal member 50 attached to the outer peripheral surface of the housing 34. The seal member 50 includes a main body 51 and a lip portion 52. The main body 51 surrounds the housing 34. The lip portion 52 protrudes outward from the outer peripheral surface 53 of the main body 51. The lip portion 52 includes a first lip portion 55 and a second lip portion 56. The first lip portion 55 has an upper lip portion 57 positioned above the upper end opening edge 14 of the through-hole 13. The second lip portion 56 is in close contact with the inner peripheral surface 16U of the tubular portion 16. With this configuration, the upper lip portion 57 makes it difficult for water to enter the inside of the through hole 13, and prevents water from accumulating on the upper surface of the sealing member 50 in the through hole 13, thereby improving the waterproofing of the inside of the case.

[0039] The first lip portion 55 projects outward in the horizontal direction beyond the upper opening edge 14 of the through hole 13. With this configuration, water flows along the first lip portion 55 to the outside of the through hole 13, making it more difficult for water to enter the inside of the through hole 13.

[0040] Before being fitted into through-hole 13, protruding end 55B of first lip portion 55 is positioned horizontally outward of protruding end 56B of second lip portion 56. With this configuration, first lip portion 55 can be made to protrude horizontally outward beyond upper opening edge 14 of through-hole 13, making it more difficult for water to enter the interior of through-hole 13.

[0041] A first groove 61 and a second groove 62 are formed on the inner circumferential surface 54 of the main body 51. The first groove 61 is formed at a position corresponding to the first lip 55. The second groove 62 is formed at a position corresponding to the second lip 56. Before being fitted into the through-hole 13, the depth L5 of the first groove 61 is greater than the depth L6 of the second groove 62. With this configuration, when the connector 30 is fitted into the through-hole 13 of the case 10, the first lip 55 is more likely to move inward, thereby reducing the resistance generated by the first lip 55. Therefore, the connector unit U can be easily assembled even while the protruding dimension of the first lip 55 is large.

[0042] Before being fitted into the through-hole 13, the vertical length dimension L3 along the outer peripheral surface 53 of the main body 51 between the first lip portion 55 and the second lip portion 56 is greater than the length dimension L4 along the underside of the first lip portion 55 from the outer peripheral surface 53 of the main body 51 to the protruding end 55B of the first lip portion 55. With this configuration, when the connector 30 is fitted into the through-hole 13 of the case 10, the first lip portion 55 can collapse along the outer peripheral surface 53 of the main body 51, thereby reducing the resistance force generated by the first lip portion 55. Therefore, the connector unit U can be easily assembled even while the protruding dimension of the first lip portion 55 is large.

[0043] [Other Embodiments of the Present Disclosure] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. In the above embodiment, one first lip portion 55 and one second lip portion 56 are provided. However, in other embodiments, multiple first lip portions and multiple second lip portions may be provided, or the number of first lip portions and the number of second lip portions may be different. In the above embodiment, the cover 11 has a cylindrical portion 16, and the through hole 13 is formed in the cylindrical portion 16. However, in other embodiments, the cover may not have a cylindrical portion, and the through hole may be formed within the thickness range of the cover.

[0044] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10...Case 11...Cover 12...Housing 13...Through hole 14...Upper end opening edge 15...Plate-shaped portion 16...Cylindrical portion 16S...Outer surface 16U...Inner surface 30...Connector 31...Terminal fitting 32...Mating side connection portion 33...Board side connection portion 34...Housing 35...Hood portion 36...Fitting portion 37...Terminal holding portion 38...Fixing portion 39...Mounting groove 39S...Lower surface 39U...Upper surface 41...Mounting hole 50...Sealing member 51...Main body portion 52...Lip portion 53...Outer surface 54...Inner surface 55...First lip portion 55A...Base end 55B...Protruding end 56...Second lip portion 56A...Base end 56B...Protruding end 57...Upper lip portion 58...Upper lip inclined surface 59...Lower lip inclined surface 61...First groove portion 61A...Base end 61B...Rear end 62...Second groove portion 62A...Base end 62B...Rear end 63...Upper groove slope 64...Lower groove slope B1...Width dimension B2...Width dimension B3...Width dimension B4...Width dimension C...Circuit board L1...Protrusion dimension of first lip portion L2...Protrusion dimension of second lip portion L3...Vertical length dimension between first lip portion and second lip portion L4...Length dimension of underside of first lip portion L5...Depth dimension of first groove portion L6...Depth dimension of second groove portion U...Connector unit Z...Central axis

Claims

1. A connector unit comprising: a case having a through hole formed therein that penetrates in the vertical direction; and a connector that is fitted into the through hole, wherein the connector has a housing and a sealing member attached to the outer peripheral surface of the housing, the sealing member having a main body portion that surrounds the housing and a lip portion that protrudes outward from the outer peripheral surface of the main body portion, and the lip portion has a first lip portion that has a portion that is positioned above the upper opening edge of the through hole, and a second lip portion that is in close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the through hole.

2. The connector unit according to claim 1, wherein the first lip portion extends horizontally outward beyond the upper opening edge of the through hole.

3. A connector unit as described in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein, before being inserted into the through hole, the protruding end of the first lip portion is positioned horizontally outward of the protruding end of the second lip portion.

4. A connector unit as described in claim 3, wherein a first groove portion is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the main body portion at a position corresponding to the first lip portion, and a second groove portion is formed at a position corresponding to the second lip portion, and wherein, before being fitted into the through hole, the depth dimension of the first groove portion is greater than the depth dimension of the second groove portion.

5. A connector unit as described in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein, before being fitted into the through hole, the vertical length dimension along the outer peripheral surface of the main body between the first lip portion and the second lip portion is greater than the length dimension along the underside of the first lip portion from the outer peripheral surface of the main body to the protruding end of the first lip portion.

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