Waterproof structure for connector

Details Waterproof structure for connector Waterproof structure for connector

2000-08-18

2001-07-03

Patel, Tulsidas (Department: 2839)

Electrical connectors

With supporting means for coupling part

Coupling part or mating part extending into panel opening

C439S588000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06254428

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a waterproof structure for a connector attached to a casing of provided with an electronic control unit and others.
FIG. 4
is a view showing a waterproof structure of a related connector disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 10-172643A. As shown in
FIG. 4A
, in this waterproof structure of a connector, the first connector
1
is attached to the opening
4
of the box-shaped casing
3
via the first seal ring
5
, and also as shown in
FIG. 4B
, the second connector
2
is engaged with the first connector
1
via the second seal ring
6
. Due to the above structure, the necessary space is made waterproof.
However, the following problems may be encountered in the above related waterproof structure. The first seal ring
5
to seal between the casing
3
and the first connector
1
and the second seal ring
6
to seal between the first
1
and the second connector
2
are composed and provided as individual members. Therefore, especially when the first connector
1
has a large number of engaging sections to be engaged with the second connector, it necessary to provide a large number of second seal rings
6
. Therefore, the number of parts is increased, and the manufacturing cost is raised.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention has been accomplished in view of the above circumstances. It is an object of the present invention to provide a waterproof structure of a connector capable of reducing the manufacturing cost by decreasing the number of parts.
In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, there is provided a waterproof structure comprising:
a casing body;
a sealing member on which a first seal and a second seal are integrally formed;
a first connector housing fitted with the casing body while interposing the first seal therebetween; and
a second connector housing fitted with the first connector housing while interposing the second seal therebetween.
According to the above waterproof structure, since the first seal interposed between the first connector housing and the casing body and the second seal interposed between the first and second connector housings are integrally formed on a single sealing member, the number of parts can be decreased, and the manufacturing cost of the entire structure can be reduced.
Preferably, the first connector is provided with a plurality of chambers for respectively accommodating the second connector housing. The second seal is formed into a shape corresponding to the number of the second connector housings.
According to this waterproof structure, although the number of portions to be sealed is large, all sealing can be accomplished by a single sealing member. Therefore, the number of parts can be decreased.
Preferably, the sealing member is provided as an interposed member having a cover portion for covering the first connector housing and an opening into which the second connector is inserted. The first seal is formed on an end of the cover portion so as to be interposed between the first connector housing and the casing body. The second seal is formed on a periphery of the openings so as to be interposed between the first and second connector housings.
According to the above waterproof structure, manufacturing is easy. Further, it enough that the sealing member is attached to the first connector in such a manner that it covers the first connector, that is, attaching is easy.
Preferably, the sealing member is provided with a through hole into which a screw is inserted to secure the first connector housing to the casing body. The screw is provided with a flange portion for sealing the through hole.
According to the above waterproof structure, when the connector housing is attached to the casing body with a screw, the through hole is closed by the flange of the screw. Therefore, the reliability of seal can be enhanced in all the portions of the connector including the screw attaching section.


REFERENCES:
patent: 3611256 (1971-10-01), Abair
patent: 4705339 (1987-11-01), Hayes et al.
patent: 5249982 (1993-10-01), Funck et al.
patent: 5895290 (1999-04-01), Self, Jr.
patent: 6089910 (2000-07-01), Suzuki et al.
patent: 10-172643 (1998-06-01), None

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