Electrical connectors – Coupling part including flexing insulation – Sealing
Reexamination Certificate
2000-11-16
2002-08-13
Bradley, P. Austin (Department: 2833)
Electrical connectors
Coupling part including flexing insulation
Sealing
C439S310000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06431912
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to a power feed connector for an electric automobile, and relates in particular to a waterproof structure for a connector, including a waterproof sealing member that is closely attached to a power line that moves back and forth as the connector is engaged and disengaged.
2. Related art
FIGS. 6 and 7
are diagrams showing the waterproof structure of a conventional connector.
This structure is applied, for example, for a power feed connector for an electric automobile. As is shown in
FIG. 6
, a butt terminal
73
is slidably retained inside a synthetic resin connector housing
72
by the urging force exerted by a coil spring
74
, and a power line
75
, attached by a pressure connection to the terminal
73
, is inserted into and slides through a hole
77
in a ring-shaped waterproof rubber plug (waterproof sealing member)
76
.
The terminal
73
, which has a substantially cylindrical shape and which is urged forward, i.e., in the connector engagement direction, by the coil spring
74
, so that its distal end is held against a synthetic resin front holder
80
fitted over the distal end of the connector housing
72
, forms an electrical connection with a terminal
79
of a connector
78
when its; distal end face abuts against the terminal
79
. Ring-shaped waterproof packing
82
, which is fitted around the distal end of a cylindrical, electrical contact portion
81
of the terminal
73
, forms a seal with the inner wall of a terminal chamber
83
.
A cylindrical press-fitting power line contact
84
, which is integrally formed at the rear of the electric contact portion
81
of the terminal
73
, is connected to the conductive portion of the terminal of the power line
75
, which is closely attached to sealing lips around the inner diameter of the hole
77
in the rubber plug
76
through which it slides longitudinally. The rubber plug
76
, which is formed using oil impregnation and which is positioned inside a hole
85
in the connector housing
72
., is securely held in place by a synthetic rear holder
86
, and sealing lips on its outer surface are closely attached to the inner fade of the hole
85
. The connector housing
72
, the waterproof rubber plug
76
and the holders
80
and
86
constitute a connector
71
.
As does the connector
71
, the other connector
78
includes at the least a synthetic resin connector housing
87
and a terminal
79
. This terminal
79
also has an electric butt contact portion
88
having a substantially cylindrical shape and a press-fitting power line contact
89
. The connector
78
itself is applied, for example, as a power reception connector mounted in an automobile.
As is shown in
FIG. 7
, when the connector
71
engages the connector
78
, the terminal
73
is driven rearward to a retracted position by the terminal
79
and the coil spring
74
is compressed, while at the same time, the power line
75
, which is moved to the rear and to a retracted position with the terminal
73
, slides along the sealing lips on the inner diameter side of the hole
77
in the waterproof rubber plug
76
. In this state, the distal end face of the terminal
73
is held tightly against the distal end of the terminal
79
, forming an electrical connection between the power feed connector
71
and the power reception connector
78
and enabling the charging of the battery of an automobile to be begun.
When the charging is completed, the connector
71
is disengaged from the connector
78
, disconnecting the terminal
73
, which is driven forward by the urging force exerted by the coil spring
74
, from the terminal
79
, while at the same time, the power line
75
, which is moved forward with the terminal
73
, slides in contact with the sealing lips on the inner diameter side of the hole
77
in the waterproof rubber plug
76
.
However, when the conventional structure is applied, especially as a power feed connector for an electric automobile, the connectors are frequently engaged and disengaged, so that the oil retained in the waterproof rubber plug (waterproof sealing member)
76
, through which the power line
75
slides, is gradually consumed. Thus, as the friction is increased, there is a tendency for the abrasion or the cracking of the sealing lips on the inner diameter side of the hole
77
in the waterproof rubber plug
76
to occur. When this happens, water or dust may enter the connector
71
along the power line
75
.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
To resolve this problem, it is one objective of the present invention to provide for a connector a waterproof structure that can prevent the abrasion of the waterproof sealing member of the connector, along which a power line slides as connectors are engaged and disengaged, and that can enhance the waterproof and dustproof properties of the connector.
To achieve the above objective, in accordance with the invention, a waterproof structure is provided for a connector wherein a terminal to which a power line is attached is retained in a connector housing and a waterproof sealing member is disposed between the connector housing and the power line; wherein the front of the waterproof sealing member is secured to the power line and the rear of the waterproof sealing member is secured to the connector housing; and wherein a stretch portion is formed between the front and the rear of the waterproof sealing member.
It is also effective for a reinforcement portion to be internally formed between the front and the rear of the waterproof sealing member.
Further, it is effective, when the stretch portion is extended, for the front of the waterproof sealing member to abut against the wall of the connector housing, and for the;rear to abut against a rear holder attached to the connector housing.
In addition, it is effective for the waterproof structure for a connector of the present invention to be applied for a power feed connector.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5266045 (1993-11-01), Yamamoto et al.
patent: 5364285 (1994-11-01), Sakurai
patent: 5618198 (1997-04-01), Sato
patent: 5820395 (1998-10-01), Hashizawa
patent: 5984706 (1999-11-01), Kakuta et al.
patent: 5993253 (1999-11-01), Sai
patent: 0 955 697 (1999-11-01), None
patent: 2 151 416 (1985-07-01), None
patent: 58-198874 (1983-11-01), None
patent: 5-6784 (1993-01-01), None
patent: 98/37609 (1998-08-01), None
Bradley P. Austin
Sughrue & Mion, PLLC
Tsukerman Larisa
Yazaki -Corporation
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