阅读说明：本技术 防液连接器 (Liquid-proof connector ) 是由 近藤史规 于 2019-06-17 设计创作，主要内容包括：一种防液连接器,包括：柱状端子,该柱状端子具有矩形截面形状；以及连接器,该连接器包括通过与所述柱状端子插入成型而获得的连接器壳体,该连接器壳体由纤维被定向在所述柱状端子的长度方向这样的纤维增强塑料制成,并且该连接器壳体具有所述柱状端子所插入的端子保持孔和与配对端子配合的配合部。作为所述柱状端子的存在于所述端子保持孔内的部分的保持孔内插入部通过使表面与所述端子保持孔的内表面紧密接触而以气密状态固定至所述端子保持孔。所述纤维增强塑料的与所述长度方向垂直的方向上的拉伸强度为45MPa以上。(A liquid-proof connector comprising: a columnar terminal having a rectangular sectional shape; and a connector including a connector housing obtained by insert molding with the columnar terminal, the connector housing being made of a fiber-reinforced plastic in which fibers are oriented in a length direction of the columnar terminal, and having a terminal holding hole into which the columnar terminal is inserted and a fitting portion that fits with a counterpart terminal. An in-holding-hole insertion portion as a portion of the columnar terminal existing within the terminal holding hole is fixed to the terminal holding hole in an airtight state by bringing a surface into close contact with an inner surface of the terminal holding hole. The tensile strength of the fiber-reinforced plastic in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction is 45MPa or more.)

1. A liquid-proof connector comprising:

a columnar terminal having a rectangular sectional shape; and

a connector including a connector housing obtained by insert molding with the columnar terminal, the connector housing being made of a fiber-reinforced plastic in which fibers are oriented in a length direction of the columnar terminal, and having a terminal holding hole into which the columnar terminal is inserted and a fitting portion that fits with a counterpart terminal,

wherein a holding-hole insertion portion as a portion of the columnar terminal existing within the terminal holding hole is fixed to the terminal holding hole in an airtight state by bringing a surface into close contact with an inner surface of the terminal holding hole, and

the tensile strength of the fiber-reinforced plastic in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction is 45MPa or more.

2. The liquid-proof connector according to claim 1,

wherein a sealing pressure of a fiber reinforced plastic airtight interface and a terminal, which is an interface between an inner surface of the terminal holding hole and a surface of an insertion portion in the holding hole that are brought into close contact with each other, is 50kPa or more.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a liquid-proof connector, and particularly to a liquid-proof connector including a connector housing integrally formed with a columnar terminal by insert molding.

Background

In the related art, there is known a liquid-proof connector in which a terminal portion and a connector housing are integrally formed by insert molding. In recent years, since a liquid-proof connector which withstands higher pressure is required, a resin filler used for such a high-pressure liquid-proof connector must have high-pressure durability. In many cases, resin fillers having high pressure durability are also required to have high humidity durability or Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) durability.

However, since the elongation of the resin filler having high humidity durability or high pressure durability of ATF durability is small in the related art, there is a fear that the periphery of the terminal holding hole of the connector housing will be cracked or peeled off during the insert molding of the terminal portion and the connector housing.

In contrast, for example, JP 2015-22922A discloses a liquid-proof connector including a connector housing including a concave bottom wall having a terminal holding hole, and a terminal held by being inserted into the terminal holding hole. The portion of the terminal buried by the resin filler has a circular cross section.

Disclosure of Invention

In the liquid-proof connector described in JP 2015-22922A, since the portion of the terminal buried by the resin filler has a circular cross section, there is some fear that the periphery of the terminal holding hole may be cracked or peeled off during insert molding. However, in this liquid-proof connector, since the sectional shape of the terminal is circular and thus the sectional area of the terminal is smaller than the size of the liquid-proof connector, there is a problem that the liquid-proof connector becomes huge when the liquid-proof connector is used as a high-current liquid-proof connector.

In order to use the liquid-proof connector as a high-current liquid-proof connector, it is also considered that the sectional area of the terminal becomes huge by forming the terminal holding hole of the liquid-proof connector described in JP 2015-22922A and the section of the terminal buried by the resin filler into a rectangular shape. However, the periphery of the terminal holding hole having a rectangular sectional shape tends to be cracked or peeled off in this case. As described above, there has not been known in the related art a compact high-current liquid-proof connector that is obtained by insert molding and has high liquid-proof properties because the periphery of the terminal holding hole is difficult to split or peel.

The present invention has been made in view of the foregoing problems. An object of the present invention is to provide a compact high-current liquid-proof connector which is obtained by insert molding and has high liquid-proof properties because the periphery of a terminal holding hole is difficult to split or peel.

The liquid-proof connector according to the first aspect of the present invention comprises: a columnar terminal having a rectangular sectional shape; and a connector including a connector housing obtained by insert molding together with the columnar terminal, the connector housing being made of a fiber-reinforced plastic in which fibers are oriented in a length direction of the columnar terminal, and having a terminal holding hole into which the columnar terminal is inserted and a fitting portion that fits with a counterpart terminal. A holding-hole insertion portion as a portion of the columnar terminal existing within the terminal holding hole is fixed to the terminal holding hole in an airtight state by bringing a surface into close contact with an inner surface of the terminal holding hole, and a tensile strength of the fiber reinforced plastic in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction is 45MPa or more.

According to the liquid-proof connector of the second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the sealing pressure of the airtight interface between the terminal and the fiber reinforced plastic, which is the interface between the inner surface of the terminal holding hole and the surface of the insertion portion in the holding hole that are brought into close contact with each other, is 50kPa or more.

According to the liquid-proof connector of the present embodiment, it is possible to provide a compact high-current liquid-proof connector which is obtained by insert molding and has high liquid-proof property since the periphery of the terminal holding hole is difficult to be cracked or peeled off.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a liquid-proof connector according to a first embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a liquid-proof connector according to a first embodiment including a section taken along line A-A in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the range R shown in FIG. 2 including a section taken along line B-B of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view of a fiber reinforced plastic panel;

FIG. 5 is a schematic plan view of a tensile test piece having a longitudinal direction of MD;

FIG. 6 is a schematic plan view of a tensile test piece whose longitudinal direction is the TD direction;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a gas-tight test piece; and

fig. 8 is a diagram showing the airtightness measuring apparatus.

Detailed Description

In the following detailed description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the disclosed embodiments. It may be evident, however, that one or more embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are schematically shown in order to simplify the drawing.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the same or similar components and assemblies will be denoted by the same or similar reference numerals throughout the drawings, and the description thereof will be omitted or simplified. Further, it should be noted that the drawings are schematic and thus differ from reality.

Hereinafter, a liquid-proof connector according to an embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Liquid-proof connector

First embodiment

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a liquid-proof connector 1A according to a first embodiment; fig. 2 is a perspective view of a liquid-proof connector 1A according to the first embodiment including a section taken along line a-a in fig. 1; fig. 3 is an enlarged view of the range R shown in fig. 2 including a section taken along the line B-B of fig. 2.

As shown in fig. 1 and 2, the liquid-proof connector 1A (1) according to the present embodiment includes a columnar terminal 10 and a connector 40A (40) including a connector housing 20A (20) and a connector housing peripheral portion 30A (30).

As shown in fig. 2 and 3, a terminal holding hole 21 for holding the inserted columnar terminal 10 is formed in the connector housing 20A of the liquid-proof connector 1A. In the liquid-proof connector 1A, the holding-hole insertion portion 11, which is a portion of the columnar terminal 10 existing in the terminal holding hole 21, is fixed to the terminal holding hole 21 in an airtight state by bringing the surface 12 into close contact with the inner surface 22 of the terminal holding hole 21. A fitting portion 35 to be fitted with the counterpart terminal is formed in the connector housing 20A of the liquid-proof connector 1A.

The liquid-proof connector 1A (1) shown in fig. 1 and 2 is an example of a liquid-proof connector that electrically connects a motor and an inverter constituting an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle to each other. The liquid-proof connector 1A connects the motor and the inverter to each other, and has high liquid-proof properties on the motor side and the inverter side. For example, the liquid-proof connector 1A suppresses the hydraulic oil used on the motor side from flowing to the interface between the columnar terminal 10 and the terminal holding hole 21.

The liquid-proof connector 1A is an example of a so-called cable-type liquid-proof connector that electrically connects the motor and the inverter to each other through a cable. As a modification, the liquid-proof connector 1A may be a so-called cable-less liquid-proof connector in which the motor and the inverter are electrically connected to each other without a cable.

The liquid-proof connector 1A is an example of a liquid-proof connector used in a so-called in-wheel motor system in which a motor and an inverter are accommodated in a drive wheel. As a modification, the liquid-proof connector 1A may be a liquid-proof connector used in a typical system in which a motor and an inverter are connected to a drive wheel through a drive shaft.

(columnar terminal)

The columnar terminal 10 is a columnar terminal having a rectangular cross-sectional shape CS shown in fig. 3. The sectional shape CS of the columnar terminal 10 may be rectangular, and the aspect ratio of the rectangle and the like are not particularly limited. The rectangle mentioned in the present embodiment refers to a rectangle in which the corners of the sectional shape CS of the columnar terminal 10 have R0mm to R1 mm.

The sectional shape CS of the columnar terminal 10 may be rectangular, and the shape in the length direction thereof is not particularly limited. As shown in fig. 1 to 3, the columnar terminal 10 of the liquid-proof connector 1A is partially bent in the longitudinal direction. Alternatively, the columnar terminal 10 may have a shape in which a part thereof is not bent.

In the liquid-proof connector 1A, the holding-hole insertion portion 11 as a portion of the columnar terminal 10 existing inside the terminal holding hole 21 is fixed to the terminal holding hole 21 in an airtight state by bringing the surface 12 into close contact with the inner surface 22 of the terminal holding hole 21.

For example, tough pitch copper C1100, oxygen-free copper C1020, or the like is used as the material of the columnar terminal 10. These materials are preferably used as the material of the columnar terminal 10 because these materials have high electrical conductivity and thermal conductivity. The coefficient of linear expansion of tough pitch copper C1100 at room temperature is about 17.7X 10^-6/℃。

The reason why it is preferable to form the anchor structure on at least the surface 12 of the insertion portion 11 in the holding hole by performing laser processing in the columnar terminal 10 is that: the holding-hole-inside insertion portion 11 is firmly brought into close contact within the terminal holding hole 21, and the liquid-proof property of the liquid-proof connector 1A tends to be high. Reference herein to the formation of anchor structures by laser processing refers to the formation of patterned anchor structures on the surface of a metal at sub-millimeter depths and spacings.

The depth of the anchoring structure is, for example, 0.05 to 0.10mm, and preferably 0.06 to 0.10 mm. The reason why it is preferable to make the depth of the anchoring structure fall within the aforementioned range is: the columnar terminal 10 is firmly brought into close contact with the terminal holding hole 21 of the connector housing 20, and the liquid-proof property of the liquid-proof connector 1A tends to be high.

The gap between the anchoring structures is, for example, 0.09 to 0.20mm, and preferably 0.09 to 0.15 mm. The reason why it is preferable to make the gap between the anchor structures fall within the aforementioned range is that the columnar terminal 10 is firmly brought into close contact with the terminal holding hole 21 of the connector housing 20, and the liquid-proof property of the liquid-proof connector 1A tends to be high.

(connector)

The connector 40A includes a connector housing 20A. Specifically, the connector 40A includes a connector housing 20A and a connector housing peripheral portion 30A formed on the periphery of the connector housing 20A. In the liquid-proof connector 1A, the connector housing 20A and the connector housing peripheral portion 30A of the connector 40A are separate members. In the liquid-proof connector 1A, the connector housing peripheral portion 30A is brought into close contact with the periphery of the connector housing 20A.

The reason why the connector housing 20A and the connector housing peripheral portion 30A are made separate members is that the connector housing 20A is more compact and thus the insert molding of the columnar terminal 10 and the connector housing 20A is easily performed.

< connector housing >

The connector housing 20A is obtained by insert molding with the columnar terminal 10, the connector housing 20A is made of fiber-reinforced plastic in which the orientation of fibers is the length direction of the columnar terminal 10, and the connector housing 20A has a terminal holding hole 21 into which the columnar terminal 10 is inserted and a fitting portion 35 fitted to a counterpart terminal. In the liquid-proof connector 1A, the columnar terminal 10 and the connector housing 20A are fixed in an airtight state by bringing the surface 12 of the insertion portion 11 in the holding hole of the columnar terminal 10 into close contact with the inner surface 22 of the terminal holding hole 21 of the connector housing 20A.

The connector housing 20A includes a terminal holding portion 24, and the terminal holding portion 24 has a terminal holding hole 21. As shown in fig. 2, the terminal holding hole 21 is formed in the center portion of the terminal holding portion 24 of the connector housing 20A.

The connector housing 20A has a fitting portion 35 to be fitted with a counterpart terminal at the periphery of the terminal holding portion 24 having the terminal holding hole 21. As shown in fig. 2, the fitting portion 35 extends from the surface of the terminal holding portion 24 so as to surround the columnar terminal 10 protruding from the terminal holding hole 21. A fitting opening 37 to be fitted with the counterpart terminal is formed in the inner surface of the fitting portion 35.

In the connector 40A, the fitting portions 35 are formed on front and rear surfaces of the connector 40A that are opposite to each other. Accordingly, the two members can be electrically connected in a state where the columnar terminal 10 in the liquid-proof connector 1A has the minimum length.

In the fiber reinforced plastic for the connector housing 20A, the fibers are held in the cured resin. In the case of the fibers of the connector housing 20A, the orientation of the fibers generally coincides with the flow direction (MD direction) in insert molding, that is, the length direction of the columnar terminal 10. The cured resin is formed by curing a resin having fluidity during insert molding.

For example, one or more resins selected from the group consisting of Syndiotactic Polystyrene (SPS), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), and nylon 66(PA66) are used as the resin for the fiber reinforced plastic. The reason why these are preferably used vertically as fiber reinforced plastics is that the tensile strength of these resins in the direction perpendicular to the MD direction (TD direction) is high.

The MD direction and the TD direction will be described with reference to the drawings. In fig. 2, the MD direction is a direction indicated by reference sign M. As shown in fig. 2, the MD direction M coincides with the longitudinal direction of the columnar terminal 10. The TD direction is a direction perpendicular to the MD direction, and is not limited to a specific one. TD is, for example, indicated by the reference symbol T in FIGS. 2 and 3_CSOr T_DPThe indicated direction. In particular, reference T_CSDenotes the TD direction perpendicular to the cross section in FIG. 2, and is denoted by reference character T_DPAnother TD direction perpendicular to the cross section in fig. 2 is shown.

For example, glass fibers, carbon fibers, aramid fibers, boron fibers, and the like are used as fibers constituting the fiber-reinforced plastic. The reason why the glass fiber is preferably used as the fiber reinforced plastic is that among these fibers, the glass fiber has high tensile strength in the TD direction.

The linear expansion coefficient in the MD direction of the fiber reinforced plastic for the connector housing 20A at room temperature is, for example, 19X 10^-6From/° C to 39X 10^-6/. degree.C., preferably 19X 10^-6From/° C to 26X 10^-6/° C, and more preferably 19 × 10^-6From/° C to 20X 10^-6V. C. The reason why the numerical range of the linear expansion coefficient falls within the foregoing range is preferable: the difference between the values of the linear expansion coefficients of the columnar terminal 10 and the connector housing 20A is small, and the columnar terminal 10 and the terminal holding hole 21 are difficult to separate from each other when the columnar terminal 10 is made of a tough pitch copper C1100 material. When one or more resins selected from the group consisting of SPS, PPS, and PA66 are used as the resin for the fiber-reinforced plastic and the fiber is a glass fiber, the linear expansion coefficient tends to be 19 × 10^-6From/° C to 39X 10^-6/℃。

The tensile strength of the fiber reinforced plastic for the connector housing 20A in the direction (TD direction) perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (MD direction) of the columnar terminal 10 is 45MPa or more, and preferably 60MPa or more. The tensile strength of the fiber reinforced plastic in the TD direction is a strength measured by pulling fibers in one direction in which gaps between a plurality of fibers oriented in the MD direction and arranged in parallel are separated from each other in the fiber reinforced plastic. Since the fiber reinforced plastic for the connector housing 20A has high tensile strength in the TD direction, the periphery of the terminal holding hole 21, such as the corner portion 23, is difficult to crack or peel. The corner portion 23 mentioned here refers to a portion formed at the periphery of the corner of the terminal holding hole 21 of the connector housing 20A.

In fig. 2, the MD direction is a direction indicated by reference sign M. As shown in fig. 2, the MD direction M coincides with the longitudinal direction of the columnar terminal 10. The TD direction is a direction perpendicular to the MD direction, and is not limited to a specific one. For example, the TD direction is indicated by reference symbol T in FIGS. 2 and 3_CSOr T_DPThe indicated direction. In particular, reference T_CSDenotes the TD direction perpendicular to the cross section in FIG. 2, and is denoted by reference character T_DPAnother TD direction perpendicular to the cross section in fig. 2 is shown.

The periphery or corner of the terminal holding hole 21 will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in fig. 3, stress concentrates on the periphery of the terminal holding hole 21 having a rectangular cross section of the connector housing 20A due to contact with the columnar terminal 10, so that the periphery of the terminal holding hole 21 tends to be cracked or peeled off. Strong stress is concentrated on the periphery of the terminal holding hole 21, particularly the corner portion 23 of the terminal holding hole 21, so that the periphery or the corner portion of the terminal holding hole 21 tends to be further cracked or peeled off.

In contrast, in the present embodiment, since the tensile strength in the TD direction of the fiber reinforced plastic for the connector housing 20A is high as described above, it is possible to restrict the periphery of the terminal holding hole 21, particularly the corner portion 23 of the terminal holding hole 21, from being cracked or peeled off.

< connector housing peripheral part >

The connector housing peripheral portion 30A is a portion formed on the periphery of the connector housing 20A. In the liquid-proof connector 1A, the connector housing peripheral portion 30A is a separate member from the connector housing 20A, and is formed at the periphery of the connector housing 20A.

The connector housing peripheral portion 30A includes a peripheral base portion 32 that comes into close contact with the periphery of the connector housing 20.

The material of the connector housing peripheral portion 30A is not particularly limited. However, the reason why the material of the connector housing peripheral portion 30A is preferably fiber reinforced plastic is that the connector housing peripheral portion 30A tends to have high strength and high airtightness at the joint portion of the connector housing peripheral portion 30A and the connector housing 20A. For example, the same material as that of the connector housing 20A may be used as the material for the connector housing peripheral portion 30A.

(sealing pressure)

As described above, in the liquid-proof connector 1A, the holding-hole-inside insertion portion 11 as a portion of the columnar terminal 10 existing inside the terminal holding hole 21 is fixed to the terminal holding hole 21 in an airtight state by bringing the surface 12 into close contact with the inner surface 22 of the terminal holding hole 21. The airtight state mentioned here is defined as a state in which the sealing pressure of the fiber reinforced plastic airtight interface 15 and the terminal, which is the interface between the inner surface 22 of the terminal holding hole 21 and the surface 12 of the insertion portion 11 in the holding hole, which are in close contact with each other, is 50kPa or more.

That is, in the liquid-proof connector 1A, the sealing pressure of the fiber reinforced plastic airtight interface 15 and the terminal, which is the interface between the inner surface 22 of the terminal holding hole 21 and the surface 12 of the insertion portion 11 in the holding hole, which are in close contact with each other, is 50kPa or more. Fig. 3 illustrates the inner surface 22 of the terminal holding hole 21, the surface 12 of the insertion portion 11 within the holding hole, and the terminal-to-fiber reinforced plastic airtight interface 15.

The sealing pressure referred to herein refers to the pressure of the compressed air 66 as it flows to the terminal-to-fiber reinforced plastic airtight interface 15 and the terminal-to-fiber reinforced plastic airtight interface 15 peels off.

For example, the sealing pressure measured by placing the airtightness test piece 6 shown in fig. 7 on the airtightness measuring apparatus 55 shown in fig. 8.

< air-tightness test piece >

The airtightness test piece 6 shown in fig. 7 is a test piece in which the bus bar test piece 16 as the columnar terminal 10 is fixed to the terminal holding hole 21 of the connector housing 20A of the liquid-proof connector 1A in an airtight state. As shown in fig. 7, the airtightness test piece 6 includes: bus bar test pieces 16 each having a rectangular sectional shape; and a connector housing 20 made of fiber reinforced plastic and having a terminal holding hole 21 into which the bus bar test piece 16 is inserted.

The bus bar test piece 16 is made of the same material as that of the columnar terminal 10. The bus bar test piece 16 is made of tough pitch copper C1100, for example. In fig. 7, the lengthwise direction (MD direction) of the bus bar specimen 16 corresponding to the columnar terminal 10 of the liquid-proof connector 1A is denoted by reference numeral M, and one example of the TD direction is denoted by reference numeral T_THOr T_WAnd (4) showing.

In the case of the fiber reinforced plastic for the connector housing 20 of the air-tightness test piece 6, the fibers are oriented in the longitudinal direction of the bus bar test piece 16 by insert molding with the bus bar test piece 16. The material of the fiber reinforced plastic for the connector housing 20 is the same as that of the connector housing 20A of the liquid-proof connector 1A. The fibers in the fiber reinforced plastic of the air-tightness test piece 6 are oriented in the direction of reference sign M in fig. 7.

The connector housing 20 of the airtight test piece 6 includes: a rectangular tubular terminal holding portion 24 having three terminal holding holes 21 and covering the peripheries of the three bus bar test pieces 16; and a flat base portion 25 formed at the periphery of the terminal holding portion 24. In the connector housing 20 of the air-tightness test piece 6, a rib 26 protruding from the surface of the rectangular tubular terminal holding portion 24 is formed.

< air tightness measuring device >

The airtightness measuring apparatus 55 shown in fig. 8 includes: an airtightness measuring jig 60 forming a sealed space 63 therein by attaching the airtightness test piece 6; a pipe portion 65 that supplies compressed air to the sealed space 63 inside the airtightness measuring jig 60; and a water tank 70.

The airtightness measuring jig 60 includes a box-shaped housing 61 that has an opening surface and is capable of forming a sealed space 63 therein by attaching the airtightness test piece 6 on the opening surface. In the airtightness measuring jig 60, the pipe portion 65 is inserted into the vent hole 62 drilled in the box-like housing 61, so that compressed air is supplied from the pipe portion 65 to the sealed space 63. In the state where the airtightness test piece 6 and the tube portion 65 are attached, the airtightness measuring jig 60 is installed in the water tank 70 that stores water 72.

Therefore, in the airtightness measuring apparatus 55, when the pressure in the sealed space 63 is equal to or greater than the predetermined value, air passes through the terminal-fiber reinforced plastic airtight interface 15 of the airtightness test piece 6 attached to the airtightness measuring jig 60, and is discharged into the water 72 as air bubbles 68. In the present embodiment, the pressure of the compressed air when the air bubbles 68 are detected in the water 72 is defined as the sealing pressure.

(advantages)

In the liquid-proof connector 1A according to the present embodiment, the connector housing 20A having the terminal holding hole 21 formed by insert molding with the columnar terminal 10 is made of fiber reinforced plastic in which the orientation of the fibers is the length direction of the columnar terminal 10. In the liquid-proof connector 1A according to the present embodiment, the tensile strength of the fiber reinforced plastic in the direction (TD direction) perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (MD direction) of the columnar terminal 10 is 45MPa or more. Thus, in the liquid-proof connector 1A according to the present embodiment, since the periphery of the terminal holding hole 21, for example, the corner portion 23 is hard to be cracked or peeled off, the liquid-proof property is high.

In the liquid-proof connector 1A according to the present embodiment, since the sectional shape of the columnar terminal 10 is rectangular, the sectional area of the columnar terminal 10 is easily set larger than the size of the liquid-proof connector 1A. Therefore, with the liquid-proof connector 1A according to the present embodiment, a compact high-current liquid-proof connector is obtained.

Therefore, according to the liquid-proof connector 1A of the present embodiment, it is possible to provide a compact high-current liquid-proof connector which is obtained by insert molding and has high liquid-proof property since the periphery of the terminal holding hole is difficult to split or peel.

In the liquid-proof connector 1A according to the present embodiment, the connector housing 20A and the connector housing peripheral portion 30A are separate members. Therefore, according to the liquid-proof connector 1A of the present embodiment, the insert molding of the columnar terminal 10 and the connector housing 20A is easily performed.

According to the liquid-proof connector 1A of the present embodiment, it is possible to provide a liquid-proof connector having good airtightness in wire harnesses of electronic apparatuses, vehicle-mounted and electronic components, transmissions, electronic devices, relays, sensors, and the like. According to the liquid-proof connector 1A of the present embodiment, it is possible to achieve a reduction in size and low profile of the liquid-proof connector and a reduction in the number of parts.

According to the liquid-proof connector 1A of the present embodiment, the use of the liquid-proof connector 1A for a wire harness can be expanded. For example, the liquid-proof connector can be used for a transmission used for an oil-cooled motor harness, and the use of the liquid-proof connector for a harness can be expanded.

The liquid-proof connector 1A according to the present embodiment is obtained by insert molding. Therefore, according to the liquid-proof connector 1A of the present embodiment, the water stop process can be completed in a short time within one minute by the columnar terminal 10 being in close contact with the connector housing 20A.

In the liquid-proof connector 1A according to the present embodiment, the columnar terminal 10 and the connector housing 20A are firmly brought into close contact with each other. Therefore, according to the liquid-proof connector 1A of the present embodiment, since the columnar terminal 10 and the connector housing 20A are in close contact for a long time, the water stop function can be ensured.

In the liquid-proof connector 1A according to the present embodiment, the columnar terminal 10 and the connector housing 20A are firmly brought into close contact with each other. Therefore, according to the liquid-proof connector 1A of the present embodiment, even if external stress is applied at the time of bolt fastening or assembling the liquid-proof connector 1A, the airtightness can be suppressed from being lowered.

[ modification of the first embodiment ]

In the liquid-proof connector 1A according to the present embodiment, the aspect in which the connector housing 20A and the connector housing peripheral portion 30A constituting the connector 40A are separate members has been described. However, as a modification of the liquid-proof connector 1A, a configuration may be adopted in which the configurations of the connector housing 20A and the connector housing peripheral portion 30A constituting the connector 40A are integrally formed by insert molding.

According to the liquid-proof connector of this modification, since the liquid-proof connector can be manufactured only by insert molding of the columnar terminal 10 and the connector 40, the liquid-proof connector is easily manufactured.

[ production method ]

The liquid-proof connector 1 according to the foregoing embodiment can be manufactured by known insert molding of the columnar terminal 10 and the connector housing 20 or the connector 40.

[ examples ]

The present invention will be described in more detail below in connection with examples and comparisons, but the present invention is not limited to these examples.

The materials used in the examples are as follows.

R1 syndiotactic polystyrene resin manufactured by Shikinsu Kosan Co., Ltd., and glass fiber-reinforced XAREC grade UL94HB (registered trademark) S131.

R2 syndiotactic polystyrene resin, PA66/SPS grade XAREC (registered trade name) NWA7030, manufactured by Yoghurt.

R3 Toray (registered trademark) A675GS1, a PPS resin manufactured by Toray Industries, Inc.

R4 PPS resin DURAFIDE (registered trademark) 6150T73 manufactured by Baozi plastics Co., Ltd.

R5 Polyamide resin Zytel (registered trademark) HTN51G35EF manufactured by E.I.du Pont de Nemours and Company.

R6 PPS resin DURAFIDE (registered trademark) 1140A6, available from George plastics Co., Ltd.

The composition of the material is listed in table 1.

[ example 1]

(1. tensile Strength)

< tensile test specimens >

A fiber reinforced plastic plate having a height of 60mm × a width of 60mm × a thickness of 2mm as defined in ASTM D732 was produced by using a syndiotactic polystyrene resin XAREC (registered trademark) S131 (material No. R1) produced by kyushu corporation (Idemitsu Kosan co., Ltd.). This fiber-reinforced plastic plate 28 was used as sample No. A-1. Fig. 4 shows a schematic plan view of a fiber reinforced plastic plate 28. In fig. 4, an arrow OR indicates a direction in which fibers are oriented in the fiber reinforced plastic, reference M indicates an MD direction, and reference TD indicates a TD direction. The direction OR in which the fibers are oriented in the fiber reinforced plastic panel 28 coincides with the MD direction.

Subsequently, tensile test pieces 29M and 29T 20mm wide by 60mm long by 2mm thick were cut out from the fiber reinforced plastic sheet 28. As shown in fig. 5, the tensile specimen 29M is cut out such that the direction OR (MD direction M) in which the fibers are oriented in the tensile specimen 29M coincides with the longitudinal direction of the tensile specimen 29M. As shown in fig. 6, the tensile specimen 29T is cut out such that the direction OR (MD direction M) in which the fibers are oriented in the tensile specimen 29T coincides with the width direction of the tensile specimen 29T.

< tensile test >

Tensile was applied in the longitudinal direction of the tensile test pieces 29M and 29T by using Precision universal Tester (Precision universal Tester) Autograph AG-1 manufactured by Shimadzu Corporation (Shimadzu Corporation) at a speed of 10 mm/min, and tensile strength (MPa) was measured. In the tensile specimen 29M, the tensile direction TE of the tension coincides with the longitudinal direction of the tensile specimen 29M, i.e., the direction OR (MD direction M) in which the fibers are oriented. In the tensile specimen 29T, the tensile direction TE of the tension coincides with the longitudinal direction of the tensile specimen 29T, i.e., the direction (TD direction TD) perpendicular to the direction OR in which the fibers are oriented.

The results of tensile strength are shown in table 1.

[ Table 1]

[ Table 2]

[ Table 3]

(2. airtightness before thermal shock test)

< air-tightness test piece >

A bus bar specimen 16 (coefficient of linear expansion (room temperature) 17.7 × 10) manufactured using tin-plated C11001/2H, which was 82.95mm long × 15mm wide × 2mm thick and 4-R ═ 0.3, was prepared (coefficient of linear expansion (room temperature)^-5/° c). The bus bar test piece 16 is equivalent to the columnar terminal 10 of the liquid-proof connector 1.

The airtight test piece was manufactured by placing three bus bar test pieces 16 in a mold in advance and by insert molding using the material No. r1 within the mold. This airtight test piece 6 was used as sample No. B-1. Fig. 7 shows a perspective view of the air-tightness test piece 6.

As shown in fig. 7, the air-tightness test piece 6 is a test piece in which a bus bar test piece 16 as a columnar terminal 10 is fixed in an air-tight state to a rectangular terminal holding hole 21 of 15mm height × 2mm width in a connector housing 20 made of fiber reinforced plastic. The connector housing 20 of the airtight test piece 6 includes: a rectangular tubular terminal holding portion 24 having three terminal holding holes 21 and covering the peripheries of the three bus bar test pieces 16; and a flat base portion 25 formed at the periphery of the terminal holding portion 24. The rectangular tubular terminal-holding portion 24 covering the periphery of the bus bar specimen 16 has a thickness of 6 mm. In the connector housing 20 of the air-tightness test piece 6, a rib 26 protruding from the surface of the terminal holding portion 24 in a rectangular tube shape is formed.

< air tightness measuring device >

A airtightness measuring apparatus 55 shown in fig. 8 was prepared. The airtightness measuring apparatus 55 includes: an airtightness measuring jig 60 capable of forming a sealed space 63 therein by attaching an airtightness test piece 6 (test sample No. b-1); a pipe portion 65 that supplies compressed air to the sealed space 63 inside the airtightness measuring jig 60; and a water tank 70.

The airtightness measuring jig 60 is made of aluminum, has a box-shaped case 61 having an open surface, and is capable of forming a sealed space 63 therein by attaching the base portion 25 of the airtightness test piece 6 to the open surface. In the airtightness measuring jig 60, the pipe portion 65 is inserted into the vent hole 62 drilled in the box-like housing 61, so that compressed air is supplied from the pipe portion 65 to the sealed space 63. In the state where the airtightness test piece 6 and the tube portion 65 are attached, the airtightness measuring jig 60 is installed in the water tank 70 that stores water 72.

Therefore, in the airtightness measuring apparatus 55, when the pressure in the sealed space 63 is equal to or greater than the predetermined value, air passes through the terminal-fiber reinforced plastic airtight interface 15 of the airtightness test piece 6 attached to the airtightness measuring jig 60, and is discharged into the water 72 as air bubbles 68.

< air tightness test >

The sealed space 63 was supplied with compressed air from the tube portion 65 by using the airtightness measuring apparatus 55 to which the airtightness test piece 6 (test sample No. b-1) was attached. The pressure of the compressed air is the sealing pressure (kPa) as the air passes through the terminal-to-fiber reinforced plastic airtight interface 15 and the air bubbles 68 drain into the water 72.

Specifically, compressed air of 10kPa was supplied through the pipe portion 65 to the sealed space 63 of the airtightness measuring apparatus 55 installed in the water 72 for 30 seconds, and discharge of air bubbles 68 from the terminal-fiber reinforced plastic airtight interface 15 was observed. This is referred to as 10kPa hermeticity test.

When the discharge of the air bubbles 68 was not observed in the airtightness test of 10kPa, the airtightness test of 20kPa was performed similarly to the airtightness test of 10kPa, except that the pressure of the compressed air was increased by 10kPa to 20 kPa.

Similarly, when the discharge of the air bubbles 68 was not observed in the airtightness test of 20kPa, the airtightness test of 30kPa was performed similarly to the airtightness test of 10kPa, except that the pressure of the compressed air was increased by 10kPa to 30 kPa.

As described above, when the discharge of the air bubbles 68 was not observed in the airtightness test of 10kPa, the airtightness test was repeatedly performed while increasing the pressure of the compressed air to 10n kPa (n is a natural number of 2 or more) in increments of 10kPa until the discharge of the air bubbles 68 was observed.

The pressure of the compressed air indicated as 10q kPa (q is a natural number of 1 or more) when the discharge of the air bubbles 68 was observed was defined as the sealing pressure (kPa).

The results of the sealing pressure are shown in table 1.

The sealing pressure "after thermal shock test" of example 1 to be described below and the sealing pressures "before thermal shock test" and "after thermal shock test" of example 2 to be described below are shown in table 1.

The sealing pressures "before the thermal shock test" and "after the thermal shock test" of examples 3 and 4 and comparative example 1 are shown in tables 2 and 3.

In tables 1 to 3, for the sealing pressures "before the thermal shock test" and "after the thermal shock test", the sealing pressure of 50kPa or more was determined as pass (good), and indicated by the symbol o in tables 1 to 3. A sealing pressure lower than 50kPa was determined as failure (difference), and is represented by symbol x in tables 1 to 3.

(3. thermal shock test)

An airtight test piece 6 identical to the airtight test piece 6 (sample No. b-1) used in "2. airtightness before thermal shock test" was prepared. The air-tightness test piece 6 (test piece No. C-1) after the thermal shock test was obtained by performing the thermal shock test on the air-tightness test piece 6 (test piece No. B-1).

As the thermal shock test, the following test was used: the heat history in which the airtight test piece 6 (sample No. b-1) was held at-40 ℃ for 30 minutes and then at 120 ℃ for 30 minutes was 1 cycle, and this heat history was repeated 1000 times.

That is, the airtight test piece 6 (sample No. C-1) after the thermal shock test was obtained by giving 1000 cycles of thermal history to the airtight test piece 6 (sample No. B-1) before the thermal shock test.

(4. airtightness after thermal shock test)

The sealing pressure (kPa) of the air-tightness test piece 6 after the thermal shock test was measured similarly to "2. air-tightness before the thermal shock test" except that the air-tightness test piece 6 after the thermal shock test (test piece No. c-1) was used in place of the air-tightness test piece 6 (test piece No. b-1).

The results of the sealing pressure are shown in table 1.

(5. Cross-section Observation)

< sample for Cross-section observation >

An air-tightness test piece 6 (sample No. C-1) after the thermal shock test was prepared. The cross section of the periphery of the terminal-fiber reinforced plastic airtight interface 15 of the airtight test piece 6 (test piece No. c-1) was observed, and whether or not the corner 23 was cracked was observed.

Specifically, after curing the epoxy resin having fluidity while holding the air-tightness test piece 6 (test piece No. c-1) in the epoxy resin, the air-tightness test piece 6 and the cured product of the epoxy resin were cut in a section along a direction perpendicular to the MD direction M of fig. 7. Thus, a cross-sectional observation sample including the cross-section of the bus bar test piece 16 was manufactured. The obtained cross-sectional observation sample of the airtight test piece 6 had a cross-section of the corner 23 at the periphery of the terminal-to-fiber reinforced plastic airtight interface 15 as in fig. 3.

< Observation method and evaluation >

The cross section of the cross-section observation sample including the corner 23 at the periphery of the terminal-fiber reinforced plastic airtight interface 15 was observed by using an SEM-EDX (scanning electron microscope-energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer) SU3500 manufactured by Hitachi High and new technologies corporation.

In "5. cross-sectional observation", the sample in which no crack occurred was rated as "excellent", and indicated by the symbol o in tables 1 to 3.

In the cross-sectional observation, the sample in which the corner 23 of the rectangular tubular terminal holding portion 24 was cracked and the crack was widened to the entire thickness of the corner 23 of the terminal holding portion 24 was rated as "poor" and is represented by symbol × in tables 1 to 3. The thickness at the corner 23 of the terminal holding portion 24 mentioned here means the thickness of the corner 23 of the terminal holding portion 24 in a cross section of the receiving cross section.

A sample in which the corner 23 of the rectangular tubular terminal holding portion 24 is cracked and the crack is widened to only a part of the thickness of the corner 23 of the terminal holding portion 24 and is not widened to the entire thickness is rated as "normal", and is denoted by a symbol Δ in tables 1 to 3.

The results of the cross-sectional observation are shown in tables 1 to 3.

(6. comprehensive judgment)

The results of "1. tensile strength" to "5. cross-sectional observation" were comprehensively evaluated. In tables 1 to 3, the samples that were comprehensively evaluated as "excellent" are indicated by the symbol o. In tables 1 to 3, the samples evaluated as "poor" in the overall evaluation are represented by the symbol x.

[ examples 2 to 4 and comparative example 1]

(1. tensile Strength)

< tensile test specimens >

The fiber reinforced plastic plates 28 (sample nos. a-2 to a-5) were produced as in the < tensile test piece > of "1. tensile strength" of example 1 except that the material nos. R2 to R5 shown in tables 1 to 3 were used instead of the material No. R1. Samples Nos. A-2 to A-4 and A-5 are samples of examples 2 to 4 and comparative example 1, respectively.

Subsequently, as in example 1, tensile test pieces 29M and 29T of 20mm in width by 60mm in length by 2mm in thickness were cut out from the fiber-reinforced plastic plates 28 (test pieces Nos. A-2 to A-5).

< tensile test >

Tensile strength (MPa) was measured as in example 1, except that tensile test pieces 29M and 29T cut out from the fiber-reinforced plastic plates 28 (sample Nos. A-2 to A-5) were used.

The results of tensile strength are shown in tables 1 to 3.

(2. airtightness before thermal shock test)

< air-tightness test piece >

The gas-tight test pieces 6 (test pieces nos. B-2 to B-5) were produced as the < gas-tight test piece > of "2. gas-tightness before thermal shock test" of example 1 except that the material nos. R2 to R5 shown in tables 1 to 3 were used instead of the material No. R1. Samples Nos. B-2 to B-4 and B-5 are samples of examples 2 to 4 and comparative example 1, respectively.

< air tightness measuring device >

The same airtightness measuring apparatus as in example 1 was used.

< air tightness test >

The sealing pressure (kPa) was measured as in the < airtightness test > of "2. airtightness before thermal shock test" of example 1, except that test pieces No. B-2 to B-5 were used instead of test piece No. B-1.

The results of the sealing pressure are shown in tables 1 to 3.

(3. thermal shock test)

The air-tightness test pieces 6 after the thermal shock test (test pieces No. C-2 to C-5) were obtained by conducting the thermal shock test as in "3. thermal shock test" of example 1 except that the test pieces No. B-2 to B-5 were used in place of the test piece No. B-1. Samples Nos. C-2 to C-4 and C-5 are samples of examples 2 to 4 and comparative example 1, respectively.

(4. airtightness after thermal shock test)

The sealing pressure (kPa) of the air-tightness test piece 6 after the thermal shock test was measured as in "4. air-tightness after the thermal shock test" of example 1 except that test pieces No. C-2 to C-5 were used in place of the test piece No. C-1.

The results of the sealing pressure are shown in tables 1 to 3.

(5. Cross-section Observation)

A section observation sample of the airtight test piece 6 was produced and the section was observed as in "5. section observation" of example 1 except that the test pieces No. C-2 to C-5 were used instead of the test piece No. C-1.

The results of the cross-sectional observation are shown in tables 1 to 3.

As can be seen from tables 1 to 3, the characteristics of examples 1 to 4 are excellent, and the characteristics of examples 3 and 4 are particularly excellent.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to the embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments, and various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the gist of the present invention.

The embodiments of the present invention have been described above. The present invention may, however, be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The present embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

Moreover, the effects described in the embodiments of the present invention are merely to list the best effects achieved by the present invention. Therefore, the effects of the present invention are not limited to those described in the embodiments of the present invention.